A predictive scent control system and method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019366809-A1
Application number	US-201716479057-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 19, 2017
Priority date	Jan 19, 2017
Publication date	Dec 5, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A predictive scent control system and method thereof for dispersing a scent into a passenger compartment of an automotive based upon a feedback system having a decision unit and a set of predefined users' settings. Dispersion of scent or fragrance into the passenger compartment may be based upon prediction user behavioural profile. User behavioural profile may include an average based upon timing of access to vehicle, an average based upon frequency of selection of predefined user settings, and an ambience of the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the predictive scent control system may be configurable to disperse a pungent scent in the event of unauthorised access to the vehicle. The predictive control system is applicable to vehicles for multiple users or car-sharing.

First claim

1 . A predictive control system for dispersing a scent within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the predictive control system comprising:
a first module for controlling functions of the vehicle; a second module in communication with the first module, the second module being configured for receiving radio frequency signals from an access system of the vehicle to enable access to the vehicle; a third module for housing a plurality of vials, each of the plurality of vials containing a different scent; and a feedback system,
wherein the feedback system further comprises:
a programmable controller for sending a first notification when triggered by a decision unit;
an air sampling mechanism being configured for collecting a sample of the air from the passenger compartment; and
a feedback subsystem in communication with the programmable controller, the second module and the third module.

2 . The predictive control system of claim 1 , wherein the decision unit is in communication with the first module and the third module.

3 . The predictive control system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback system sends the first notification for dispersing an amount of scent upon receiving a set of predefined instructions from an input control.

4 . The predictive control system of claim 3 , wherein the set of predefined instructions receivable from the input control includes a selection of:
an amount of scent to be dispersed into the passenger compartment based upon a set of predefined preferences; an amount of scent to be dispersed into the passenger compartment based upon at least one user's preferences; an amount of scent to be dispersed into the passenger compartment based upon a condition of the access system of the vehicle; and a time—based cycle for the amount of scent to be dispersed into the passenger compartment.

5 . The predictive control system of claim 3 , wherein the set of predefined preferences includes default factory settings and/or a plurality of users' preferred settings.

6 . The predictive control system of claim 1 , wherein the air sampling mechanism is configured for identifying a concentration of the scent within the air based on the sample of the air collected.

7 . The predictive control system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback subsystem is configured for sending a second notification to the programmable controller, instructing the feedback system to disperse an amount of scent into the passenger compartment if the concentration of the scent within the collected sample of the air does not match with a predetermined concentration value.

8 . The predictive control system of claim 1 , wherein the second module provides an input to the feedback subsystem when an unauthorised access to the vehicle is detected.

9 . The predictive control system of claim 8 , wherein the feedback system disperses a pungent scent into the passenger compartment when an unauthorized access vehicle is detected.

10 . A method of operating a predictive control system for dispersing a scent within a passenger compartment of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the decision unit is configured for producing a decision based upon a behavioural profile of at least one user.

11 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the behavioural profile is according to a first statistical mean of a first recording corresponding to a timing of access to the passenger compartment.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the behavioural profile is according to a second statistical mean of a second recording corresponding to a selection from the set of predefined instructions received by an input control.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the behavioural profile is defined by a detection of mood within the passenger compartment.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the detection of mood within the passenger compartment is relative to an ambience of the passenger compartment.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the detection of mood within the passenger compartment is based upon facial recognition techniques.

16 . The predictive control system of claim 2 , wherein the feedback system sends the first notification for dispersing an amount of scent upon receiving a set of predefined instructions from an input control.

Assignees

• Continental Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Fernandes Brian Sunil Nicholas
• Jablonski Thomas Johann

Classifications

• B60H1/00971

  Control systems or circuits characterised by including features for locking or memorising of control modes · CPC title

• A61L9/14

  using sprayed or atomised substances {including air-liquid contact processes} · CPC title

• A61L2209/111

  Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors · CPC title

• B60H2003/0064

  adding more than one substance · CPC title

• B60H3/0007 Primary

  Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen · CPC title