Device and method for integrating scent into virtual reality environment

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating a fragrance product or object provided, wherein the system includes a virtual reality component configured to present a user with a product or object in a virtual reality environment; an optional biometric sensor component configured to obtain the user's biometric data; a wearable scent delivery component configured to deliver a scent to the user; and a digital controller component that synchronizes deliver of the scent with the user's interaction with the product or object in the virtual reality environment.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system adapted for use in an interactive virtual reality gaming environment, the system comprising
 (a) a virtual reality component configured to present a user with (i) a moving virtual object in the virtual reality gaming environment, (ii) a changed background in the virtual reality gaming environment, or (iii) an interaction with a virtual object in the virtual reality gaming environment;   (b) a digitally enable wearable scent delivery component configured to deliver a small amount of scent in a plume directed to the user's nose from a solid scent-producing substrate that is positioned at 30 inches or less from the user's nose; and   (c) a digital controller component in communication with (a) and (b), wherein said digital controller component synchronizes delivery of the scent to the user's nose from the digitally enable wearable scent delivery component in response to: (i) the moving virtual object coming within a proximity to the user in the virtual reality gaming environment, (ii) the changed background in the virtual reality gaming environment, or (iii) the user coming within a proximity to or gazing towards the virtual object in the virtual reality gaming environment;   (d) body motion sensors configured to obtain information regarding: (i) the user's proximity to the moving virtual object, (ii) the changes in the background in the virtual reality gaming environment, or (iii) the user's proximity to or gaze towards the virtual object, wherein said body motion sensors comprise a gyroscope and an accelerometer.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the digitally enable wearable scent delivery component further comprises a fan or a micropump to direct the scent to the user's nose. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the digitally enable wearable scent delivery component comprises one or more removable cartridges for housing the solid scent-producing substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cartridges are designed with a small diameter to minimize or prevent passive diffusion of the fragrances from the solid scent-producing substrate. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cartridges are designed with an onboard charcoal filter to prevent contamination of the system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the cartridges comprises a cartridge outlet designed as a nozzle with small openings to deliver the scent to the user's nose. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the digital controller component is adapted to provide passive release of a different scent to the user's nose from the digitally enable wearable scent delivery component representative of the background in the virtual reality environment. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the virtual reality component comprises a virtual reality headset. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the wearable scent delivery component is detachably fixed to the virtual reality headset. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the wearable scent delivery component comprises an adjustable arm for positioning directly below the user's nose. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the wearable scent delivery component is an article worn on the user's neck. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the interactive virtual reality gaming environment comprises virtual reality, augmented reality or mixed reality platform. 
     
     
         28 . A method for introducing scent as another sensory dimension to an interactive virtual reality gaming environment comprising
 (a) providing a system of  claim 16 ; and   (b) delivering a scent to the user in response to: (i) the moving virtual object coming with a proximity to the user in the virtual reality environment, (ii) the changed background in the virtual reality gaming environment, or (iii) the user coming within a proximity to or gazing towards the virtual object in the virtual reality gaming environment.