Method and apparatus for determining a plurality of frequency-indicative parameters on the basis of a measured sound-frequency parameter, computer-readable storage medium, composition and perfume product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (10) and an apparatus for determining a plurality of frequency-indicative parameters on the basis of a measured sound-frequency parameter, a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for instructing a device to implement this method, a composition and a perfume product. The method (10) comprises the steps of: (i) measuring (101), in an environment, a set of sound frequencies by means of a sensor; (ii) defining (102) at least one sound-frequency parameter on the basis of the measured set of sound frequencies; (iii) generating (103), for each sound-frequency parameter, a frequency-correspondence parameter on the basis of the at least one sound-frequency parameter and on a plurality of predetermined vibrational-frequency parameters of olfactory molecules; and (iv) translating (104) the generated frequency-correspondence parameters into a plurality of parameters indicative of olfactory molecules.

Description

[0001] Descriptive report of the invention patent for “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A PLURALITY OF FREQUENCY INDICATIVE PARAMETERS BASED ON A MEASURED SOUND FREQUENCY PARAMETER, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEANS, PERFUME COMPOSITION AND PRODUCT”. TECHNICAL FIELD [1] The present invention patent application relates to a method and apparatus for determining a plurality of frequency indicative parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter, a computer-readable storage means comprising instructions to instruct a device to perform this method, a perfume composition and product. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART [2] The process of composing a perfume begins with conceptualization, which will define the target audience, social class, moment of use, olfactory path and price range, and fragrance design, in which the professional decides the type of aroma he or she wants to create, which may be marine, floral, woody, oriental, among others.[3] The perfumer initially, and subsequently the olfactory evaluators, begin the process of creating a perfume by selecting ingredients, which can be natural, such as flowers, leaves and resins, or synthetic, developed in laboratories to reproduce specific aromas or create new fragrances. [4] The fragrance, unlike the other ingredients in a cosmetic product formula, does not exist in any catalog. From this perspective, the perfumer begins their creative process by combining natural and synthetic raw materials in harmonious proportions that will result in a pleasurable olfactory experience.This mixture of natural and synthetic raw materials will compose the perfume, which from a technical point of view will materialize in three distinct phases: top or head notes, which are made up of more volatile raw materials and are perceived predominantly at the time of application and up to 40 minutes after application; middle or heart notes, which are made up of raw materials of medium volatility; and base notes, which are made up of raw materials of low volatility. The distribution of these phases and the molecules that will compose these phases will impact the performance of this perfume. [5] This mixture is diluted in alcohol and water, in proportions that vary according to the desired concentration of the perfume (eau de parfum, eau de toilette, etc.). After mixing, the perfume is left to mature, a period that can vary from weeks to months, allowing the notes to blend and the aroma to fully develop.The filtration process follows, to remove any impurities, and finally bottling. [6] However, the step of selecting raw materials for perfume composition proves to be extremely complex and time-consuming, since a perfumer may have, for example, 2500 to 3000 raw materials to compose this desired aroma. In this sense, several attempts have been made to try to improve the efficiency of this process. [7] As an example, document EP0993625 discloses a multimedia device and method that can provide various combinations of aromas directly to a user's nose, in conjunction with videographic images and / or captured sounds. According to the descriptive report, the aroma delivery system of the invention can be employed with electronically reproduced images or audio sounds to provide the user with an aroma or aromas that correspond to a scene being seen or heard by the user, being an entirely interpretive and subjective process.Due to the system's ability to rapidly change the scented air, the system can maintain audio and / or video display [8] An electronic perfume generator is known from document US2013284821. The invention is directed to the application of EMR to one or more elements for the purpose of generating an odoriferous response in humans. Electronic aromas can be transmitted independently, unaccompanied by other sensory stimuli or as part of a multisensory experience. Examples of multisensory experiences include theatrical films, television programs, sound recordings or e-books accompanied by one or more aromas [9] It is noted that the known processes for making a perfume are still complex and do not assist the perfumer in choosing raw materials.

[0010] Perfumery and music have always had an equivalent language in their descriptions; for example, perfume can be described by its olfactory notes and olfactory accords, while music can also be described through musical notes and musical chords. Thus, perfumery has always flirted with music, which is perceived in the form of sound, through the frequency of its musical notes, with the desire to transform sound into smells. However, it has always done so subjectively through the interpretation and / or inspiration of a perfumer. The present invention overcomes this hitherto insurmountable barrier, in which this translation is done in an objective and direct manner. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing, the objective of the present invention is to translate sound into smell by pairing the vibrational frequencies of the raw materials used in perfumery with the sound vibrational frequencies indexed to musical notes.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide an optimization of the long and complex process of perfume composition due to a large number of possible combinations of raw materials.

[0013] In addition, the present invention also aims to provide a list of raw materials that can be used in the elaboration of an olfactory composition based on captured sound. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In order to achieve the objectives and advantages described above, a method is provided for determining a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises a first step in measuring, in an environment, a set of sound frequencies by means of a sensor, wherein the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency.In a second step, at least one sound frequency parameter is defined based on the set of measured sound frequencies, where at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of frequencies of already known musical notes. Thus, in a third step, for each sound frequency parameter, a frequency correspondence parameter is generated based on at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules. In a fourth step, the generated frequency correspondence parameters are translated into a plurality of olfactory molecule indicator parameters, where each parameter of the plurality of olfactory molecule indicator parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules that are corresponding to or similar to the generated frequency correspondence parameters.

[0016] In this sense, each predetermined parameter of vibrational frequencies of olfactory molecules can be representative of a frequency corresponding to the wavenumber of an absorption band obtained through infrared spectroscopy of the respective olfactory molecule. Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention, the method also comprises identifying the correspondence between a predetermined vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical and the frequency correspondence parameters generated. In a further embodiment, the method also comprises a prior step of measuring, in an ambient infrared spectroscopy, the vibrational frequencies of raw materials used in perfumery. Additionally, at least one sound frequency parameter can be indexed based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

[0017] In another further embodiment, each parameter of the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules corresponds to a vibrational frequency of an olfactory raw material that is equal to or similar to at least one measured sound frequency.

[0018] In another embodiment, the step of generating frequency parameters based on at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules may comprise a mathematical interpolation of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.Alternatively, the step of generating frequency parameters based on at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules may comprise performing a geometric mean of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for determining a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters based on measured vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules. The method comprises the step of measuring a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of an olfactory molecule and then defining at least one relevant frequency parameter based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of the measured olfactory molecule.Next, a sound frequency matching parameter is generated for each relevant frequency parameter, based on at least one relevant frequency parameter and a plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters. Finally, the generated sound frequency matching parameters are translated into a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters, where each parameter of the plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters that are corresponding to or similar to the sound frequency matching parameters.

[0020] In a further embodiment of this aspect, the at least one relevant frequency parameter comprises a vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for determining a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter. The apparatus comprises a sensor, a storage device, and a processor, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a set of sound frequencies in an environment, in which the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency.Furthermore, the processor contains instructions stored therein which, when executed, perform the following steps: (i) defining at least one sound frequency parameter based on the measured set of sound frequencies, wherein the at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of musical note frequencies; (ii) generating frequency matching parameters based on the at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules; (iii) translating the generated frequency matching parameters into a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which comprises instructions for instructing a device to execute the method as defined above.

[0023] In another aspect of the invention, a composition with at least one olfactory molecule is provided, wherein the at least one olfactory molecule is associated with a vibrational frequency parameter. The vibrational frequency parameter of the olfactory molecule comprises a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters determined by the method, as defined above.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the composition is used as a perfume composition.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, a perfume product with the above composition is provided.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, and any modifications and / or alterations should be understood as being within the scope of the invention presented.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention and in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, the following figures are presented, where, in an exemplary, though not limiting, manner, the following is represented:

[0028] Figure 1 – Infrared spectroscopy of the Thymol molecule;

[0029] Figure 2 – Infrared spectroscopy of the Aguntrile molecule;

[0030] Figure 3 – Flowchart of a method for determining a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter; and

[0031] Figure 4 – Flowchart of a method for determining a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters based on measured vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] First, it should be noted that the term "preferred" used here refers to a particular efficient embodiment of the invention among the multiple possible embodiments. The term "preferred" should not be understood as limiting the possible embodiments of the present invention, that is, it should not be understood as "imperative" or "mandatory" for the realization of the present invention.

[0033] It is known that each musical note comprises a plurality of frequencies derived from the timbre of each instrument. It is observed, on the other hand, that there is a frequency associated with each note, known as the fundamental (or basic) frequency, corresponding to the lowest sound of all the components of a note. The following table characterizes the fundamental frequency of some musical notes. Table 1 – Fundamental frequency (Hz) Octave C D E F G A B.

[0034] In order to translate a sound frequency into parameters for the composition of an aroma, the frequencies of the olfactory molecules of raw materials used in perfume manufacturing were measured. In this sense, the vibration of a molecule is itself a mechanical manifestation; however, to measure the vibrations of olfactory molecules, for example, an infrared spectroscopy technique (electromagnetic wave) is used. It is understood that other suitable techniques can be used in this process. Thus, it is possible to obtain the vibrational frequencies of olfactory molecules through Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR).

[0035] The infrared spectrum of each olfactory molecule is composed of a plurality of absorption bands expressed in wavenumber. In this sense, Figure 1 illustrates the infrared spectrum of the Thymol molecule.It is noted that the most intense band in the spectrum, henceforth referred to as the main band, has a wavenumber of 804.62 cm. -1 Furthermore, we can also observe that the next two most intense bands, henceforth referred to as the secondary band and tertiary band, have wavenumbers of 1241.62 cm, respectively. -1 and 1090.46 cm -1 These absorption bands can therefore be used to find a corresponding frequency and perform a matching with the frequencies of musical notes, translating the sound frequency into parameters indicative of olfactory molecules for the composition of an aroma.

[0036] It is observed that some particles may also exhibit a specific absorption band (differentiating absorption band) due to a radical present in the molecule's composition. For example, Figure 2 illustrates the infrared spectrum of the Agrunitrille molecule, possessing a specific band at 2246.59 cm⁻¹. -1due to the nitrile compound that the molecule possesses.

[0037] This differentiating radical already allows for a pre-selection of olfactory molecules that have frequencies equivalent to or similar to the frequencies of musical notes, since these are very rare characteristics. In other words, the specific band at 2246.59 cm -1The frequency of the Agrunitrille molecule corresponds to a musical note C#8, which has a frequency of approximately 4400 Hz. If the musical note C#8 is identified in the measured frequency set, it indicates that the perfumer should use the Agrunitrille molecule in the perfume composition.

[0038] In this sense, the three most intense absorption bands (referred to as the main band, secondary band, and tertiary band) and possible specific bands of the infrared spectrum of each raw material used in perfumery were selected, which were then used to match the frequencies of the musical notes.

[0039] To perform the matching as described above, it is necessary to transform the wavenumber of the absorption bands in the infrared spectrum into wavelengths, using the expression: ^ = 1 where: ^ = wavelength ^ത^ = wavenumber

[0040] After obtaining the wavelength, the frequencies of the perfume raw materials were obtained using the following expression: ^ ^ = ^^ = ^^ ∗ ^^ in which: f = wave frequency v = speed of sound wave propagation

[0041] By obtaining the vibrational frequencies of the olfactory raw materials and the frequencies of musical notes, they can be paired due to the difference in scales, for example, by means of geometric interpolation.

[0042] In this way, it is possible to obtain a correlation between audible frequencies indexed to musical notes and the frequencies obtained from the olfactory raw materials, translating recorded sound into smell or smell into sound.

[0043] To this end, as illustrated in Figure 3, a method 10 is provided to determine a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter. Method 10 comprises the steps of: measuring 101, in an environment, a set of sound frequencies by means of a sensor, where the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency; defining 102 at least one sound frequency parameter based on the set ofmeasured sound frequencies, wherein at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of musical note frequencies; generate 103, for each sound frequency parameter, a frequency matching parameter based on at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules; and translate 104 the generated frequency matching parameters into a plurality of olfactory molecule indicative parameters, wherein each parameter of the plurality of olfactory molecule indicative parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules that are corresponding to or similar to the generated frequency matching parameters.

[0044] Each predetermined vibrational frequency parameter of olfactory molecules may be representative of a frequency corresponding to the wavenumber ofan absorption band obtained through infrared spectroscopy of the respective olfactory molecule. Furthermore, method 10 also comprises identifying the correspondence between a predetermined vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical and the generated frequency correspondence parameters. Method 10 also comprises a step of measuring the vibrational frequencies of the raw materials used in perfumery.

[0045] At least one sound frequency parameter is indexed based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

[0046] Each parameter of the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules corresponds to at least one vibrational frequency of an olfactory raw material.

[0047] The step of generating frequency correspondence parameters based on at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of frequency parametersvibrational parameters of olfactory molecules comprise a mathematical interpolation of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules. Preferably, the interpolation is a geometric mean of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

[0048] A method 20 is further provided, as illustrated in Figure 4, for determining a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters based on measured vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules. The method 20 comprises the steps of: measuring 201 a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of an olfactory molecule; defining 202 at least one relevant frequency parameter based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of the measured olfactory molecule; generating 203, for each relevant frequency parameter, a parameter ofSound frequency matching based on at least one relevant frequency parameter and a plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters; and translating the generated sound frequency matching parameters into a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters, wherein each parameter of the plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters that are corresponding to or similar to the sound frequency matching parameters.

[0049] The at least one relevant frequency parameter may correspond to at least one corresponding frequency of a respective absorption band of the olfactory molecule. In addition, the at least one relevant frequency parameter comprises a vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical.

[0050] An apparatus is further provided for determining aA plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to measure a set of sound frequencies in an environment and a processor, wherein the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency. The processor contains instructions stored therein which, when executed, perform the steps of: defining at least one sound frequency parameter based on the measured set of sound frequencies, wherein the at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of musical note frequencies; generating frequency matching parameters based on the at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules; translating the generated frequency matching parameters into a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters.

[0051] Furthermore, the methodThe above-described process can also be performed by a device that can be activated by instructions from a computer-readable storage medium.

[0052] The frequency-indicating parameters then provide a set of olfactory raw material molecules that can be used in a composition, preferably a perfume composition and / or in a perfume product comprising said composition. EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

[0053] By way of example, we can propose a situation in which the musical note A4 was measured in an environment. It is known that this musical note comprises a frequency of 440 Hz, as indicated in Table 1 above. From the infrared spectrum of the Thymol molecule (illustrated in Figure 1), we obtain that its main band corresponds to a wavenumber of 804.62 cm⁻¹. -1 Therefore, the frequency of the Thymol molecule can be calculated using an approximation of the speed of sound in air of 34000 cm / s using the equation below: ^^ = ^^ ∗ ^^

[0054] Thus, the The frequency of a thymol molecule is approximately 2.7336 ∙ 10^ Hz. We can therefore verify if the frequency of the musical note A4 and the frequency of the thymol molecule are equivalent or similar through the interpolation illustrated in the table below. Table 2 – Parameters for Interpolation Frequencies Musical Notes (Hz) Frequencies Olfactory Notes (Hz)

[0055] In the present example, we can calculate that the equivalent musical frequency of the Thymol molecule would be 439.80 Hz, which would correspond to the musical note A4. Thus, it is indicated to the perfumer that the Thymol molecule would be one of the possible raw materials for formulating a perfume based on the measured sound.

[0056] Therefore, a list of raw materials that can be used in the elaboration of an olfactory composition based on the captured sound is generated, optimizing the long and complex process of perfume composition due to a smaller number of possible combinations of raw materials.

[0057] Having described a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the appended claims, including possible equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method (10) for determining a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: measuring (101), in an environment, a set of sound frequencies by means of a sensor, wherein the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency; defining (102) at least one sound frequency parameter based on the measured set of sound frequencies, wherein the at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of musical note frequencies; generating (103), for each sound frequency parameter, a frequency matching parameter based on the at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules;and translate (104) the frequency matching parameters generated into a plurality of olfactory molecule-indicative parameters, wherein each parameter of the plurality of olfactory molecule-indicative parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules that are corresponding to or similar to the generated frequency matching parameters.

2. Method (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that each predetermined vibrational frequency parameter of olfactory molecules represents a frequency corresponding to the wavenumber of an absorption band obtained through infrared spectroscopy of the respective olfactory molecule.

3. Method (10), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises identifying the correspondence between a predetermined vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical and the generated frequency correspondence parameters.

4. Method (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises measuring (100) vibrational frequencies of raw materials, wherein the plurality of predetermined vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules corresponds to the vibrational frequencies of measured raw materials.

5. Method (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one sound frequency parameter is indexed based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules. 6.Method (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each parameter of the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules corresponds to at least one vibrational frequency of an olfactory raw material.

7. Method (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that generating frequency correspondence parameters based on at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules comprises a mathematical interpolation of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

8. Method (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that generating parameters of. Frequency matching based on at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules comprises performing a geometric mean of at least one sound frequency parameter and the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules.

9. Method (20) for determining a plurality of musical frequency-indicative parameters based on measured vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: measuring (201) a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of an olfactory molecule; defining (202) at least one relevant frequency parameter based on the plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of the measured olfactory molecule;generate (203), for each relevant frequency parameter, a sound frequency matching parameter based on at least one relevant frequency parameter and a plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters; and translate (204) the generated sound frequency matching parameters into a plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters, wherein each parameter of the plurality of musical frequency-indicating parameters is selected from the plurality of predetermined sound frequency parameters that are corresponding or similar to the sound frequency matching parameters.

10. Method (20), according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one relevant frequency parameter corresponds to at least one corresponding frequency of a respective absorption band of the olfactory molecule.

11. Method (20), according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one relevant frequency parameter comprises a vibrational frequency parameter of an olfactory molecule comprising a differentiating radical.

12. Apparatus for determining a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters based on a measured sound frequency parameter, characterized in that it comprises: a sensor configured to measure a set of sound frequencies in an environment, wherein the set of sound frequencies comprises at least one sound frequency; a processor containing instructions stored therein which, when executed, perform the steps of: defining (102) at least one sound frequency parameter based on the measured set of sound frequencies, wherein the at least one sound frequency parameter corresponds to a combination of musical note frequencies;generate (103) frequency matching parameters based on at least one sound frequency parameter and a plurality of vibrational frequency parameters of olfactory molecules; translate (104) the generated frequency matching parameters into a plurality of frequency-indicating parameters.

13. Computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it comprises instructions for instructing a device to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. Composition, characterized in that it comprises at least one olfactory molecule, wherein the at least one olfactory molecule is associated with a vibrational frequency parameter, wherein the vibrational frequency parameter of the olfactory molecule is comprised in a plurality of indicative parameters; of frequency determined by method (10), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. Composition, according to claim 14, characterized in that it is for use as a perfume composition.

16. Perfume product, characterized in that it comprises the composition, as defined in claim 14 or 15.

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