Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02354667 2001-08-02
Substance and Microclimate Simulator
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to entertainment devices. More particularly
this invention
relates to substance generation in a multi-media presentation, special effects
including climate
simulation, containment and evacuation of contaminated mediums in indoor or
outdoor spaces (if
more than one unit is used) and crowd control.
Background of the Invention
Traditional theatres appeal to an audience's sense of sight and hearing. The
performance,
whether a motion picture or theatrical includes a choreographed performance
using sets or props and
a combination of dialogue and music.
The audience however has five senses: sight; sound; smell; touch; and taste.
Accordingly,
while theatrical or motion picture presentations set out to create an illusion
of reality for an audience,
the result is achieved limited by the fact that at least half of the
sensations that would normally
accompany certain sights and sounds are missing.
For example, a real-life thunderstorm not only carnes flashes of lightening,
claps of thunder
and the sound and sight of rain falling, it is also accompanied by the
substance of ozone and wet
earth, a change in temperature and a change in humidity.
As further examples, a drive through a coniferous forest would in the real
world carry the
substance of pine and a walk along the seashore would include a cold breeze
and the substance and
taste of salt sea air. A walk through a garden presents the substance of
flowers and a pub generally
reeks of cigarette smoke and beer.
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It is an obj ect of this invention to provide means to appeal at least to the
sense of smell and,
to a more limited extent, the tactile senses of a motion picture or theatre
audience in conjunction with
an audio-visual presentation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus which may
be used for
crowd control purposes and evacuation and containment of contaminated mediums
in indoor or
outdoor spaces.
Summary of the Invention
A substance generating apparatus is provided which has a receiver for
receiving a signal
(manual or encoded) containing at least a substance component. The apparatus
includes a substance
generator for dispensing a plurality of desired substances. A processor
communicates with the
receiver and the substance generator for interpreting the signal and causing
the substance generator
to generate and release selected of the desired substances which correspond to
the signal.
The signal may be stored along with a visual image on an image storing media.
The image
storing media may be film, magnetic tape or a laser disc such as commonly
referred to a as a CD or
a DVD. The signal may be manually generated such as with an electronic
keyboard or a switching
device.
The substance generator may include at least one substance emitter for
releasing at least one
member selected from the group consisting of aerosol releasable substances and
thermally releasable
substances.
The apparatus may be a "stand alone" unit or may include connecting means for
connecting
the apparatus to a heating ventilating and conditioning system of a theatre to
produce fluid
communication between the released substances and the system thereby utilizing
the system to carry
the released substances into the theatre.
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A plurality of units may be used particularly where containment and evacuation
is desired.
The signal may include a temperature component and the processor may be
connected to the
heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The processor may interpret
the temperature
component and direct an appropriate response in the system.
The signal may further include a humidity component and the generator may
include a water
mist producer. The processor may interpret the humidity component and cause an
appropriate
response in the water mist producer.
The substance emitter may include a plenum, a plurality of substance storage
and release
means operably connected to the processor for releasing substances into the
plenum, a pressurized
air source for providing air to the plenum and an outlet for discharging
substance laden air from the
plenum.
The substance storage and release means may include pressurized aerosol
containers.
The substance storage and release means may be a magazine having a plurality
of substance
cartridges mounted about a spindle rotatable by a drive means communicating
with the processor.
A pressurized air source may be selectably connectable to the cartridges to
provide fluid
communication for ej ection of substances from the cartridges by pressurized
air from the pressurized
air source.
The substance storage means may be a thermally releasable medium on a
substance scroll.
The scroll may be passed over a substance release means in the form of a
heater within the plenum.
The processor may be operably connected to the heater and to a scroll drive
means for winding the
scroll to pass the scroll over the heater to cause the heater to heat the
thermally releasable medium
to release selected of the stored substance into the plenum.
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A method is provided for containment and evacuation of a contaminated medium,
the method
includes the steps of
(i) operating a fan in an evacuation mode for drawing air away from an
affected area;
(ii) directing air jets at the affected area to direct contaminated air to the
fan;
(iii) capturing contaminated air with the fan;
(iv) separating the contaminated medium from the air and storing the
contaminant.
The method may be modified by introducing a neutralizing or other substance
(including
liquids) into the air jets in step (ii) contaminated area.
Description of Drawints
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set out below with
reference to the
accompanying illustrations in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a substance substance distribution
apparatus
according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partially cut away pictorial representation of a substance
emitter according to
the present invention for releasing aerosol carried substances;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a substance magazine;
Figure 4 is a section or line 4 - 4 of Figure 3 but also illustrating
substance release apparatus
and a processor for use with the substance magazine of Figure 3;
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Figure 5 is a partially cut away pictorial representation of a substance
emitter according to
one embodiment of the present invention for releasing thermally releasable
substances;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a stand alone unit according to the
present
invention; and,
Figure 7 is a further schematic representation of a stand alone unit according
to the present
invention.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
A substance substance distribution apparatus according to the present
invention is generally
indicated by reference 10 in Figure 1. The apparatus 10 in Figure 1 is
illustrated as being connected
to a heating ventilating and air conditioning ("I-IVAC") system 12 such as
might be found in a theatre
or other building structure. While this is not essential, it is a beneficial
way of taking advantage of
building's air distribution system to carry substances and tactile stimuli.
The device could however
have its own delivery system, which would be a requirement where such a system
is not present,
such as an open air situation.
The apparatus 10 has a receiver 14 for receiving a signal from a source such
as a magnetic
tape or film sound track 16 or a laser disc ("CD" or "DVD") 18. The signal
might be ancillary to
other information stored on the storage media such as video or audio
information, somewhat like the
practice of having a sound track carried by a motion picture filmstrip or a
video tape.
Alternatively, the signal might be manually generatable such as with an
electronic keyboard
200 or other switching device.
The signal would contain information on at least a desired substance. It may
include
information on a plurality of substances or additional information such as
temperature, humidity,
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windspeed etc. Alternatively, particularly in cases of keyboard-like signal
generators, substance
information and additional information may be independently provided using
different keys or other
switches.
The apparatus 10 has a substance generator which is generally indicated by
reference 20. The
substance generator 20 is capable of producing a variety of substances in a
manner which is
described in more detail below. A processor 30 communicates with the receiver
to interpret (decode)
the signal and to cause the substance generator to release the desired
substance. For example, the
substance information may relate to flowers and be stored along with a video
image of a walk
through a flower garden. The processor will receive the signal from the
storage madia, and cause
the release of a floral fragrance to coincide with the display of the video
image.
The substance generator 20 may include one or more substance emitters such as
emitter 40
for releasing aerosol carned substances and emitter 60 for releasing thermally
released substances.
Representative substance emitters are illustrated in Figures 2 through 5 and
described in more detail
below. Any type or number of substance emitters may be connected to the
substance generator 20.
Some of the emitters may carry "stock" substances which are commonly utilized.
Other emitters
may carry custom substances more specific to a particular presentation.
Preferably any storage and
release means for custom substances will provide ease of access and
exchangeability.
Other apparatus for producing tactile stimulus may also be incorporated in the
substance
generator 20. For example a water mist producer (atomizer) 80 may be utilized
to create damp or
foggy conditions. Furthermore the substance generator 20 itself or associated
HVAC equipment may
have a heater such as shown at reference 100 which is also controlled by the
processor 30. The
processor may also control output of a fan 110 associated with the HVAC system
12 or separate
therefrom to control airflow around an audience 160, for example to simulate
wind.
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Figure 2 illustrates a substance emitter 40 for releasing aerosol carned
substances. These
may include such substances as ozone (electrical storm), hydrogen sulphide
(rotten eggs), or other
gasses. The aerosol substances may also include essential oils and possibly
powders.
The substance emitter 40 has a series of pressurized canisters 42, 44 and 46,
each containing
a desired substance (substance storage means). The canisters fluidly
communicate with a plenum
48 into which the aerosol canisters 42, 44, and 46 may be selectively released
upon a signal from the
processor, for example by the triggering of respective solenoid valves 43, 45
and 47 (substance
release means).
A fan 50 may be provided to carry the released substances (fragrances) from
the plenum 48
through an outlet 52. The fan 50 and plenum 48 may be specific to one type of
substance emitter,
as shown in Figures 2 and 5, or may be common to different types of emitters
such as emitters 40
and 60 in Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a substance storage means in the form of a magazine
120 which is
a replaceable/exchangeable component that carnes a plurality of substances in
individual chambers
or cartridges 122. The chambers 122 may be oriented about a spindle which may
in turn be rotated
by suitable drive means such as a motor 126. Each chamber may be pressurized,
or alternatively be
movable in front of a pressurized air source such as a fan or compressor 128.
The controller 30
communicates with the compressor 128 (substance release means) and motor 126
to coordinate
release of a selected substance. Release may be effected by blowing open
pressure valves 130 at
opposite ends of the chamber 120 to eject the substance.
The use of a substance magazine 120 enables replacement of spent substance
cartridges 122
or exchange of substance cartridges 122 for ones with different substances
with relative ease, which
may for example be effected between performances. The substance magazine 120
also makes
possible the supply of substance arrays to accompany the supply of an audio or
audio visual storage
media (such as a VCR tape or DVD).
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Another substance emitter is illustrated by reference 60 in Figures 1 and 5.
The substance
emitter 60 contains a scroll 62 which is wound from a first spool 64 onto a
second spool 66 over a
heater 68 (substance release means). A motor 70 or other drive means may be
provided to wind the
scroll. The scroll 62 has on its surface a plurality of thermally releasable
substance strips 72
(substance storage means).
The scroll 62 and heater 68 may be mounted within a separate plenum or within
the main
plenum 48 as shown in Figure 1.
A separate fan or the system fan 50 may be used to carry released substances
from the plenum
48 through the outlet 52. The processor 30 may control variables such as
scroll movement, heater
timing, fan force and fan timing to coordinate substance release with visual
or other media being
presented.
In order to avoid confusing substances or causing inappropriate substance
combinations,
provision may be made to purge the "stand alone" emitters such as emitters 40
and 60 illustrated in
Figures 2 and 5 respectively, such as by providing a purge outlet 90 directed
away from an audience
160. In the combined system 20 of Figure 1, this may be accomplished by
providing servo
controlled valves 140,142,144 and 146 respectively in an inlet 1 SO to the
plenum 48, in an exhaust
outlet 152 from the plenum 48, between the plenum 48 and an inlet to the HVAC
fan 110 and a fresh
air inlet 154 to the HVAC fan 110.
Closing the valve 144 and opening the valves 142 and 140 will allow the fan 50
to purge the
plenum 48 through the exhaust outlet 152, which preferably exhausts away from
an audience 160,
and out of the building if the apparatus is mounted in such.
Closing the valve 144 and opening the valve 146 allows the fan 110 to draw in
fresh air from
an inlet 154 and direct it through ductwork 162 and out of vents 164 to clear
the air surrounding the
audience 160. The valves 140, 142, 144 and 146 may be controlled by the
processor 30.
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The above description basically relates to a substance substance distribution
apparatus
principally for use in association with motion picture entertainment. Other
applications are however
possible. For example, the signal may be produced by other apparatuses such as
a keyboard 200
which may be manually actuated to release desired substances upon selection of
an appropriate key
or set of keys by an operator. Furthermore, non-substance related stimuli may
be produced such as
light displays using an associated light generator (laser, strobe etc.) 202
associated with the
apparatus. The light display may for example be a laser picture show and might
accompany a
musical presentation.
In addition to an entertainment function, the apparatus of the present
invention may be
utilized to dispense other air or gas born substances. For example, if crowd
control is required in
an area served by the apparatus 10, unpleasant substances (hydrogen sulphide,
skunk etc.) or even
crowd control gases (tear gas) may be dispensed by one of the substance
emitters such as emitter 40
or emitter 60 as appropriate depending on the properties of the substance to
be dispensed.
The device 10 might even find application in situations where protection may
be required
from toxic substances such as might be dispersed in a crowd through terrorist
activity. The
substance to be dispensed by the emitter may include neutralizing substances
effective against
various biological agents that could be dispensed if biological threat is
perceived.
Figure 6 illustrates a "stand alone" apparatus 300 according to the present
invention. The
apparatus 300, rather than relying on an existing air delivery air system
(such as a building's HVAC
system) has its own air delivery system. The air delivery system includes both
a compressor 302 for
generating pressurized air, principally for use in short bursts or high
velocity directed streams and
a fan 304 for general delivery. The compressor 302 may pressurize a premixing
chamber 306 which
communicates with substance (or other substance) emitters 308, 310 and 312.
The premixing
chamber may in turn communicate either with directional jets 314 and a final
mixing chamber 316
or with the fan 304. A heat exchanger 320 may be provided in association with
the fan 304 for rapid
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cooling and heating. The substance emitters 308, 310 and 312 may communicate
directly with the
fan 304.
The fan 304 may be of a reversing nature to either blow air into or withdraw
air from an area
adjacent thereto. Substances (or other airborne substances) which are
withdrawn may be discharged
through an outtake 324 and may initially be filtered through a filter 326 if
it is desired to remove
substances from the collected air. The air compressor 302 may be used to flush
the premixing
chamber 306 and the final mixing chamber 316 as desired through respective
collector outlets 330
and 332 which in turn may be processed through a filter 340 and discharged or
stored.
A plurality of devices 300 may be utilized, particularly for a large venue as
a rock concert
or an open air venue. The plurality of devices 300 may be used in conjunction,
for example with one
reversing fan 304 drawing air away from the venue (acting as a "captivating
and exhausting" fan)
and the remaining fans 304 and directional jets 314 acting as containment and
directing streams for
causing air from the venue to be directed toward the captivating and
exhausting fan. The units 300
can be used with any combination of lasers, ultra violet light, infrared
light, strobe lights and other
special effect apparatus as generally indicated by reference 350.
It will be appreciated that having a plurality of stand alone units may be
quite effective if it
becomes necessary to contain and remove infected or contaminated air from a
venue. For example
each of the units 300 may be provided with neutralizing cartridges (for
example as part of the emitter
310) containing antiseptics or antitoxins which may discharged into a
contaminated venue and the
contaminated air directed by the directional jets 314 to the containment and
exhaust fan 304. The
contaminated air can be treated or collected as appropriate, for example a
waste tank 360 may be
provided.
The directional jets 314 have the added benefit of being able to create high
velocities and
turbulence for added special effects. Adjustable deflectors or diffusors 370
and 372 maybe provided
respectively in association with the jets 314 and the fan 304. As the Figure 1
illustration, a processor
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375 communicates with the balance of the system and receives appropriate
encoded input which it
processes and in turn controls system parameters such as pressures,
temperatures, velocities,
direction, special effects, fan direction and substance discharge.
The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive
sense. Variations
may be apparent to those skilled in such apparatus without departing from the
spirit and scope of the
present invention as defined by the claims set out below.
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