GB2375389A

GB2375389A - Sensed body conditions controlling aromatic emissions to influence feelings

Info

Publication number: GB2375389A
Application number: GB0106234A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hannah Collip
Original assignee: Loughborough University; Loughborough University Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Loughborough University; Loughborough University Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-14
Filing date: 2001-03-14
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-14
Also published as: GB2375389B; GB0106234D0

Abstract

A control system assesses the user's stress level and the user's tiredness and emits aromatherapy substances to improve them. The system comprises: sensors 17 which detect grip and moisture of the user's hands, the user's temperature, the users breathing rate, the user's pulse rate and the atmospheric humidity; and a micro controller 18 which controls dispensers 19 that can emit a re-vitalising scent, emit a calming scent, humidify the air and can operate an alarm. Grip and moisture sensors may be located on a car steering wheel (fig 1, 1) pulse sensor (fig 1, 2) and body temperature sensor (fig 1, 3) may be located in the car seat, respiration sensor (fig 1, 4) may be in the car safety belt and humidity sensors (fig 2, 6-9) may be within the car cabin. Scents are released from a capsule (fig 4, 14) which is electrically heated, and may be powered from a car cigarette lighter plug (fig 4, 15).

Description

An Humidifier and Aromatherapy System Technical Field This invention relates to an electronic system that humidifies a dry environment and detects an operator's stress and/or tiredness levels, releasing an aromatherapy scent and/or an alarm to rectify either condition.

Background Stress levels can produce increased heart rate, increased body temperature and sweating, increased grip levels and increased breathing rate. Tiredness produces a reverse of the five aforementioned levels. One or more of the following symptoms can occur as a result of stress : 1. Headaches 2. Migraines 3. Neck and back problems 4. Cancer in extreme cases S. Panic Attacks 6. Nervous breakdowns 7. Lowering of immune system levels Air conditioning units are appearing more frequently as standard in vehicles ! forms of transport, offices and areas of public interest. Prolonged usage of such systems causes dry environments, which in turn can cause one or more of the following symptoms: 1. Dry eyes 2. Hyper Chemical Sensitivity 3. Legionnaires Disease 4. Sore Throat 5. Dry Skdn 6. Coughing fits These factors combined can result in a very uncomfortable, if not hazardous journey for both the operator and the passengers. For people at work or in areas of public interest, comfort levels decrease and contribute to increased stress levels.

Essential Technical Features The present invention is an electronic system that uses five types of input sensors, in multiples, to monitor the user's stress/tiredness levels and the relative humidity of the interior environment in which the user is situated. Four different types of sensor monitor the user: 1. Moisture sensor 2. Grip sensor 3. Heart rate sensor/breathing rate sensor 4. Body Temperature sensor The system determines the user's vitals by means of the aforementioned sensors, located in, on and around the user. Once the system recognises that the user is stressed a calming scent will be released into the interior atmosphere by means of the existing air conditioning structure and/or a separate unit. If the operator is recognised as being tired or lethargic, an energising/revitalising scent will be released into the atmosphere by the same means.

One type of sensor monitors the humidity of the interior atmosphere : 5. Relative humidity sensor This sensor continuously monitors the relative humidity of the interior atmosphere and if the interior is too dry (below 40% RH) it will activate a humidifier to bring the humidity level up to and above 40% RH.

Example A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, the user being situated in a vehicle or form of transport, with references to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1-shows the driver and the four main areas of sensing stress/tiredness levels.

Figure 2-shows the two main areas for the humidity sensors.

Figure 3-shows a cross section of the steering wheel make up.

Figure 4 - illustrates the suggested method of releasing the scents into the vehicle.

Figure 5-shows the basic layout and content of the electronic system.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1, the electronic system comprises of five types of input sensors placed in certain areas, in multiples, within the form of transport.

* The grip sensor/s 1 are located within and around the steering wheel.

* The pulse rate sensor/s 2 are located within and around the driver's seat.

6 4 . The body temperature sensor 3 is located within and around the driver's seat.

. The breathing rate sensors 4 are located within and around the working mechanism of the driver's seat belt.

Referring to the drawing Figure 2: o The humidity sensor Is 5 are placed at the ftont 6, 7 and the rear 8,9 of the vehicle.

Referring to the drawing Figure 3 the cross section of the steering wheel is shown.

This shows a moisture sensor material 10, the grip sensor anti static foam 11 and the steering wheel body 12.

Referring to the drawing Figure 4 an example of the suggested method by which the scent is released into the vehicle's interior environment is shown. It is a capsule of undetermined size and shape that is heated by the power supplied through the cigarette lighter plug 15. Vapours contained within the capsule 14 then use the heat currents to escape through the vents 13 into the existing air conditioning venting structure.

Turning the ignition key to the accessory position on the ignition switch activates the system. Once activated the system monitors both the driver and the interior environment continuously for the duration of the journey. A manual override switch is also provided.

Referring to Figure 5 the basic principles of the electronic system are shown. The operation and subsequent manual override of the system is carried out using switches 16. The five inputs 17, described previously, monitor the user and the environment continuously. These sensing inputs are sourced to a Programmable Integrated Circuit (PIC) chip 18 which is programmed to decide from the combination of inputs whether the user is stressed and/or tired and whether the user's immediate environment is too dry. If any of these three points are satisfied within the PIC chip 18, the outputs 19 will be activated ; calming scent, revitalising scent or humidity.

Claims

The Claims 1. An electronic humidifier and aromatherapy system that uses a combination of four input types to monitor the user's vitals in order to determine the user's stress and/ or tiredness levels.
2. An electronic humidifier and aromatherapy system that monitors humidity levels of the environment in which the user is situated.
3. Humidity levels considered to be unfit for a human environment are 40%RH or less.
4. If the system believes the user to be stressed a calming/relaxing scent is released into the user's immediate environment.
5. If the system believes the user to be too re1axedl1ethargic an energeticlrevitalising scent is released into the user's immediate environment.
6. If the system believes the user's environment to be too dry, humidity is produced and released into the user's immediate environment to bring the levels to above 40% RH.
7. One of the user's vitals, grip, is sensed using for example, either GORIX fabric or SENSATEX fabric.
8. The system once activated monitors both the user and the environment continuously until the user switches the system offer until the override switch is activated.