iSmell
The iSmell is a peripheral device, about the size of a PC speaker that connects to a PC via a serial or USB port. It uses consumable cartridges which are used and replaced similar to the way ink jet printers use ink cartridges. The iSmell device reads a digital scent file, creates a smell from a “palette” of 128 chemicals stored in a cartridge, and then wafts into the air with a small fan.
Digital Smell Technology- An Underrated TechnologyWhat is digital smell technology?How was it invented?How does it work?Hardware Devices: Broadcasting of Smell:Effect of Digital Smell: Application:
The technology has so far targeted mainly our sense of sight and sound. To further enhance the virtual reality experience and another flavor to it, technology is now targeting your nose and tongue.
The application area of virtual reality is vast- from normal entertainment to the Internet and e-commerce application. You will be able to smell the product before buying them online.
California-based Digiscents Inc. has developed the iSmell personal scent synthesizer. This small device connects to your pc via serial port and has its own driver. The smelling screen is a new olfactory display that can generate a localized odor distribution on a two-dimensional display screen. The generated odor distribution is as if an odor source had been placed on the screen, and leads the user to perceive the odor as emanating from a specific region of the screen.
What is digital smell technology?
Until now, online communication involved only two of our senses, sense of sight & a sense of hearing. Soon it will involve the third, the sense of smell using a nose. Digital smell technology is the main application of e-nose. With digital scent technology, it is possible to sense, transmit & receive smell through the internet.
How was it invented?
For the user to feel more realistic effects of movies the very new facility of digital smell in movies or in games has been introduced. The basic idea for this was given by the perfume making companies for the advertisements of their perfumes.
How does it work?
Digital smell works by continuously feeding odors from vaporizing gel pellets into four air streams, one in each corner of the screen. These air streams are blown out parallel to the screen’s surface by fans, and varying the strength and direction of them spreads the scent to any given spot on the screen.