Methods and systems are provided for improving the operation of a start/stop vehicle having an FEAD-driven AC compressor. During an engine idle-stop, fragrance is dispensed into a vehicle cabin via a fragrance dispensing device integrated with a vent of a vehicle AC unit. The dispensed fragrance masks must smells attributed to an evaporator when the engine is shut-down, thereby extending the duration of idle-stop.

Electronic imitation candle devices are described that produce a scent while including a flame-like element that simulates a real fire flame. One example device includes a support assembly having a base, a top plate and a support rod that connects the base and the top plate, as well as a flame element and a light source to simulate a real candle flame. The device also includes a fragrance compartment above the top plate that includes a lid removably positioned on top of the fragrance container. The device is further provided with a heating element above the top plate and below the fragrance container to provide heat to the fragrance container, and a switch coupled to the lid of the fragrance container and operable to sense that the fragrance container is covered by the lid and to deactivate the heating element when the fragrance container is covered by the lid.

A system for releasing flavor comprises: a plurality of compartments adapted to receive a respective plurality of capsules, each capsule containing therein a flavor material; a dispenser system configured for dispensing into an environment a fluid obtained from at least one flavor material; and a controller configured for automatically selecting a dispensing protocol, for signaling the dispenser system to dispense fluids obtained from at least one flavor material contained in at least one capsule of the compartments, and for automatically re-executing the selecting and the signaling, according to a shuffle protocol.

Methods, systems, and devices relating to an electronic scented candle that is convenient to use and enables rapid generation and dissipation of scented materials are described. One electronic candle device includes a shell that has a through hole, a flame element protruding through the through hole, an installation lid including a locking base to allow removable coupling of a fragrance container, a scent chamber including a locking clip, a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The scent chamber is removably coupled to the locking base by the locking clip, and an air pump provided to supply pressurized air.

An electronic picture frame and an odor releasing method thereof are provided. The electronic picture frame includes: a picture frame body having a display screen on the picture frame body; an odor releasing device disposed on the picture frame body and configured to release a plurality of different odors; and a processing device connected with the display screen and the odor releasing device, respectively, and configured to acquire material type information of a picture displayed on the display screen (2), and control the odor releasing device to release an odor corresponding to the material type information according to the material type information of the picture.

A method according to the invention for providing a user-selected fragrance blend (FB) by a fragrance dispensing apparatus (1) comprises querying to select, via a user interface (14), a fragrance reservoir (CS1-CS3) containing several aroma-compounds (F1-F5) belonging to a common scent family, and querying to select, via the user interface (14), at least one other fragrance reservoir (CS1-CS3) containing at least one aroma-compound (F1-F5) belonging to another scent family, until aroma-compounds (F1-F5) belonging to all levels of a scent pyramid have been selected, extracting the aroma-compounds (F1-F5) from the selected fragrance reservoirs (CS1-CS3), and dispensing the extracted aroma-compounds (F1-F5) as a fragrance blend (FB). A fragrance dispensing apparatus (1) according to the invention is adapted to perform the method according to the invention. The invention is particularly advantageous for operation by an end user of the fragrance blend.

A method is used for dispensing a fragrance blend (FB) comprising at least one fragrance (F1, F2), wherein the method comprises, by a fragrance dispensing apparatus (1), offering at least one desired agent function for user selection and blending at least one fragrance (F1, F2) with at least one functional agent (F3) based on at least one selected agent function to obtain the fragrance blend (FB) and dispensing the fragrance blend (FB). A fragrance dispensing apparatus (1) is adapted to perform the method. The invention is particularly useful for selecting and producing a fragrance blend directly by a user.

Methods, devices and systems are described for digitally creating new scents or digitally dispensing gas, vapor, or liquid substances. A device includes a container or replaceable cartridge including one or more chambers containing one or more scented substances; a housing structured to include a compartment to hold the cartridge, an opening to allow the one or more scented or unscented substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device, and one or more transporting channels formed between the compartment and the opening, in which each of the one or more transporting channels is configured to deliver a scented substance from the corresponding chamber to the opening for delivering a scent from the one or more scented substances; and an actuator switch arranged in a corresponding transporting channel and rapidly operable to move between an open position and closed position based on an applied signal to selectively allow passage of the scented or unscented substance from the corresponding transporting path.

In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for providing fragrance to an artwork. The system includes a fragrance dispersion system configured to disperse a fragrance. The fragrance dispersion system is configured to be positioned adjacent to, within, or on an artwork.

A system for releasing flavor is disclosed. The system comprises: a plurality of compartments adapted to receive a respective plurality of capsules, each capsule containing therein a flavor material; a dispenser system configured for dispensing into an environment a fluid obtained from at least one flavor material; and a controller configured for receiving data pertaining to a selection of at least two of the compartments and for signaling the dispenser system to dispense fluids obtained from flavor materials contained in capsules of the selected compartments.