USPTO Publishes Sony Patent for In-Car Scent System

On November 5, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a patent for an in-car scent system filed by Sony. The patent describes a system that combines cameras, GPS positioning, an advertising database, and scent release devices. According to the patent, after exterior cameras scan the surrounding environment to identify billboards, signs, and digital advertising screens, the vehicle queries an online scent management database to confirm whether the advertising campaign is registered. The database stores the scent corresponding to the advertisement, its location, orientation, validity period, and the specific conditions for releasing the scent. The vehicle uses GPS positioning to determine whether it is passing a registered advertising display location. The system analyzes passengers through interior cameras and estimates their age and gender, delivering scent in a targeted manner to specific seats. The patent proposes that the scent release duration can be set to last 30 seconds, and that the concentration of the released scent increases as the vehicle approaches the billboard. The patent also describes another application scenario: the system identifies commercial advertisements played on connected devices such as televisions, radios, and smartphones, selects the corresponding scent from the database based on information such as the advertising channel, website, or time slot, and releases it in the vehicle cabin. The related hardware consists of scent storage cartridges and air delivery devices that can deliver scent to different seats, and the patent mentions a variety of layout options. In addition, the patent mentions that the technology can be used to release a brand-specific scent when the car is started, or to provide a preferred scent to taxi passengers when they get in.