Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/120,545, “Virucide Emissions From Dry Particle Diffusion Device” filed 2 December 2020 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

[0002] In order to prevent the spread of viruses such as CO VID 19 corona virus, shared environments such as vehicles and must be sterilized to kill or deactivate harmful viruses on surfaces and in the air. Current surface sterilization processes utilize sterilization fluids such as soap and/or alcohol to kill viruses. Other sterilization fluids include bleach, iodine, Lysol, etc. To kill the airborne aerosol droplets a solution is sprayed into the air while humans are not present as the solutions are not safe to breathe. A virucide is any physical or chemical agent that deactivates or destroys viruses. This differs from an antiviral drug, which inhibits the proliferation of the vims. Virucides are usually labeled with instructions for safe, effective use. Virucides are not intended for use inside the body, and most are disinfectants that are not intended for use on the surface of the body.

[0003] Alcohol and soap function to kill the vims on the surface. More specifically, hand washing for at least 20 seconds kills the vims or when using a sanitizer fluid, it should ideally have an alcohol content of 60% or more. The corona vims has a lipid envelope. Soap is a detergent that destroys the lipid envelope to kill the vims. Similarly, alcohol exposure also destroys the lipid envelope to kill the vims. Even when the vims comes out through aerosol droplets when an infected person coughs, speaks, sings etc. the COVID 19 corona vims is still within a cell and is airborne. The lipid envelope can provide protection to the vims which can stay alive on surfaces for some time and can remain airborne for up to 3 hours which is the primary spread of the vims. It replicates only when within the cell. When exposed to soap or alcohol the fat membrane lipid envelope is dissolved and the vims is destroyed.

[0004] The structure of the vims like other coronavimses particles are spherical and have proteins called spikes protmding from their surface. When humans are exposed to the vims, the spikes on the vims surface latch onto human cells. Viruses such as the 2002 SARS and the COVID 19 corona vims spikes bind to receptors on the human cell surfaces called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). These vimses then undergo a stmctural change that allows the viral membrane to fuse with the human cell membrane. The viral genes can then enter the human host cell to be copied, producing more viruses.

[0005] A significant problem with soap and alcohol sterilization processes is that they require the soap or alcohol to be placed directly on the surfaces that need to be sterilized. This can require manual application of the sterilization fluids onto potentially virus contaminated surfaces which requires a person to manually perform the task that can be very time consuming and can be problematic since the level of sterilization is based upon the thoroughness of the service person.

This process can also present health risks since the service person can be exposed to the virus before killing the virus with the sterilization fluid. The main problem is that all current airborne sterilization processes cannot have humans present for the chemicals are dangerous to breathe. In addition, once the area is disinfected, then when humans enter with COVID virus in their system, the air immediately becomes contaminated again.

[0006] What is needed is a system that can more thoroughly and automatically provide sterilization to areas used by humans such as building structures and vehicles using a virucide that effectively kills airborne viruses such as SARS and the COVID 19 in the air continuously that is safe for both humans and animals to inhale during breathing.

Brief Description Of The Invention

[0007] The present invention is directed towards a dry particle distribution system that emits dry particle virucide which has a formulation that kills viruses including the SARS virus and COVID 19 virus on contact but may only include natural ingredients that are not harmful to people or pets by ingestion or inhalation during breathing.

[0008] Respiratory secretions are known to be aerosolized through daily activities (e.g. exhaling, talking, coughing, and sneezing). Infectious aerosols can pose infection risks to people, influenced by complex environmental factors which affect the survival, transport and fate of aerosolized virus. Aerosols are generally poly-dispersed droplets and particles which have many different sizes.

Classical airborne aerosol hygiene research described droplets of respiratory secretions evaporating to become “droplet nuclei”, which remain suspend in air currents or turbulence and may drift away considerable distances (>1 m). Respiratory aerosol droplets with an aerodynamic diameter <5 pm have the ability to readily penetrate deep into the alveolar region of the lungs of a bystander. In contrast, relatively large droplets are thought to arise from the upper respiratory tract and settle quickly and relatively close to their source. For example, 5 pm droplets originating from an average height (160 cm) of speaking or coughing take about 9 min to reach the ground. [0009] The small dry virucide particles are emitted by a particle distribution device. The virucide particles are also able to remain airborne for extended periods of time. By mixing the virucide particles with the airborne virus droplets in a confined space, the virucide particles will contact and kill the virucide particles. The virucide particles will eventually land on a surface and kill any virus droplets on contact. The particle distribution device can be a mobile device that can be placed in a space and operated remotely or carried with a person for personal on-demand use. Alternatively, the particle distribution device can be integrated into moving structures such as vehicles (cars, buses, trains, planes, etc.) and/or fixed structures such as buildings (homes, businesses, schools, auditoriums, etc.).

[0010] The virucide can include at least one of or all of: Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and Eucalyptus Radiata. In an embodiment, the virucide particles can also be mixed in a ratio of about 33.3% laurier noble, 33.3% Ravintsara, and 33.3% Eucalyptus radiata. In other embodiments, the virucide can have different ratios of particles 25-45% laurier noble, 25-45% Ravintsara, and 25-45% Eucalyptus radiata. In still other embodiments, other virucide particles can be used with the listed particles. The virucide particles may also be combined with dry fragrance particles so that the disinfection process can also produce a pleasant fragrance. The virucide particles can contact virus particles and kill them on contact. Studies have shown that corona viruses such as Coved- 19 are killed at a rate of about: 92.27% reduction after 30 minutes, 97.21% reduction after 60 minutes, and 99.84% reduction after 120 minutes. These virucide test results are substantially better than baseline test results.

[0011] The Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and/or Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil molecules kill viruses on contact. These molecules that make up some essential oils have demonstrated various antiviral properties. In some embodiments, the Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and/or Eucalyptus Radiata molecules may neutralize the virus before it enters the human cells, in other embodiments, the Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and/or Eucalyptus Radiata molecules may modifying the capsid or the envelope of the virus. The Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and/or Eucalyptus Radiata molecules can prevent virus replication and/or destroy the protective envelope of the virus. By exposing the virus droplets to at least one of Laurier Noble, Ravintsara, and/or Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil molecules, the virus can be quickly eliminated to effectively sterilize the space.

[0012] The virucide particles can be distributed with a dry particle distribution system. The dry particle distribution system includes a particle distribution device and virucide cartridges that are held in individual cartridge slots in the particle distribution device. The particle distribution device can communicate with a mobile computing device such as smart phones, servers, and other system components through a network such as a wireless network through radio frequency (RF) signals. Through these networks, smart phones can be used to control the dry particle distribution system and use data for the particle distribution device can be transmitted to system servers. The inventive system can also be used in conjunction with other systems such as ride share systems. When a ride is hailed through the ride share system, the particle distribution system can provide an optional (or mandatory) sterilization treatment of the passenger area of the rideshare vehicle. For example, when a ride is requested through a user’s smart phone computing device, the system user can request a sterilization of the vehicle. Immediately or at a predetermined period of time prior to the passenger pick up, the dry particle distribution system will emit the dry virucide particles which can kill viruses within the vehicle. The particle distribution system may also or alternatively emit the dry virucide particles after the passenger leaves the rideshare vehicle so that any virus material left in the vehicle by the passenger can be killed immediately. A similar process can be used to perform sterilization of any other vehicle. This can also be diffused continuously while any passenger of driver is in any type of vehicle to protect passenger, drivers, pilots, conductors, service personnel, etc.

[0013] The particle distribution device has a housing that contains an air inlet, an air outlet, a processor, a fan, a cartridge actuator, and a plurality of cartridge slots. Virucide cartridges are placed in the cartridge slots which contain virucide particles. The particle distribution device is controlled to blow air through the cartridges to distribute the virucide particles to disinfect a space. The cartridges are separate structures that can be removed from cartridge slots and replaced when the cartridges are depleted.

[0014] In an embodiment, the dry particle cartridges have an elongated solid outer shell with an inlet valve at one end and an outlet valve at the opposite end. The cartridges have inner baskets that has fenestrations to allow air to flow through the baskets. The basket can contain beads or other media that is infused with fragrance particles, virucide particles, or a combination of fragrance and virucide particles. The cartridges can each have an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a basket containing beads infused with dry virucide particles and possibly dry fragrance particles. The inlet and outlet valves are normally closed so that the cartridges can be shipped and installed in the particle distribution device without releasing any of the virucide particles. The valves of the virucide cartridges are normally in the closed position so that the virucide particles cannot escape from the cartridges.

[0015] When the cartridges are placed in the slots in the particle distribution device and the cartridge can be checked for authenticity as each cartridge has an individual ID. If a cartridge is verified, the particle distribution device will allow the verified cartridge from being used. However, if a cartridge is not verified as authentic, the particle distribution device may prevent the unverified cartridge from being used.

[0016] When a sterilization command is received by the particle distribution device, an actuator opens the inlet valve and the outlet valve of one of the cartridges and the fan is turned on to distribute the virucide particles. After a predetermined period of time, the actuator closes the inlet valve and the outlet valve when the fan is turned off to complete the virucide particle distribution. Thus, the valves may only open when virucide cartridges are placed into one of the plurality of cartridge slots in the particle distribution device, the cartridge is verified as authentic, the cartridge is not depleted, and the distribution device is actuated to disperse the virucide particles. When the cartridge is depleted, it can be removed from the slot in the distribution device with the inlet and outlet valves closed. A replacement virucide cartridges can then be inserted into the particle distribution device again with the inlet and outlet valves closed prior to verification and use.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a cup mobile diffuser apparatus.

[0018] FIG .2 illustrates a side exploded view of an embodiment of a cup mobile diffuser apparatus.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a top front perspective view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus. [0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a top rear perspective view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus. [0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded top perspective side view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a side cross section view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge with closed valves.

[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross section view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge with opened valves.

[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0027] FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus.

[0029] FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus. [0030] FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a diffuser apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0032] FIG. 20 illustrates a cross section side view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0033] FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0034] FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge.

[0035] FIGS. 23-26 illustrate screen shots of a passenger user interface (UI) on a mobile computing device.

[0036] FIGS. 27-30 illustrate screen shots of a driver UI on a mobile computing device.

[0037] FIGS. 31-33 illustrate diagrams showing communications paths between computing device, servers, and fragrance diffusers.

[0038] FIG. 34 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a car with an integrated fragrance system and a user interface.

[0039] FIG. 35 illustrates a view of a nausea level user interface.

[0040] FIG. 36 illustrates a block diagram of mobile digital aroma system components.

[0041] FIG. 37 a table of virucide test results.

[0042] FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate graphs of virucide test results.

[0043] FIG. 40 shows an example of a generic computer system used with the described fragrance system.

Detailed Description

[0044] The present invention is directed towards a dry particle distribution formulation, apparatus, system, and method for creating and using a dry particle virucide which has a formulation that kills viruses including the SARS virus and COVID 19 virus. The virucide may only include natural ingredients that are not harmful to people, pets, or other animals.

[0045] The virucide can be distributed through a particle distribution device has a housing that contains an air inlet, an air outlet, a processor, a fan, a cartridge actuator, and a plurality of cartridge slots. The cartridge are separate structures that can contain fragrance particles, virucide particles, or a combination of fragrance and virucide particles infused. The dry virucide particles can be infused into beads that are placed in the cartridges. The cartridges containing the virucide can be called virucide cartridges. In some embodiments, the virucide cartridges have an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a basket containing beads infused with dry virucide particles. In other embodiments, the dry particle distribution system can include one or more cartridges that are filled with the dry virucide particles on beads that do not include air control valves. The virucide cartridges are placed into one or more of the plurality of cartridge slots in the particle distribution device. When the particle distribution system emits the virucide particles, the system can sterilize a space.

[0046] In some embodiments a controller can transmit a control signal to turn on a fan to direct air through the virucide cartridge to distribute the dry virucide particles for a predetermined period of time before the fan is turned off. In some embodiments a controller can transmit a control signal to open the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the virucide cartridge when the fan is turned on to distribute the dry virucide particles and the actuator closes the inlet valve and the outlet valve when the fan is turned off.

[0047] In the present mobile digital diffusion system invention, the user can easily change the virucide cartridges to replace them after they are depleted. The system user may only need to replace the virucide cartridges every few days, weeks or months depending upon the amount of use. In an embodiment, the mobile digital aroma system can monitor the number of times each of the virucide cartridges is used. When the life of the cartridge is reaching its end, the system can warn the user that the virucide cartridge needs to be replaced. In a system that has multiple virucide cartridges, the virucide dispersions can be performed on a first virucide cartridge until it is depleted and then the system can perform dispersions on a second virucide cartridge until this has also been depleted. The system can indicate the virucide cartridge levels so that the user can replace one or more of the depleted cartridges before the last virucide cartridge in the system is depleted.

[0048] Thus, the virucide cartridge only that needs to be replaced as needed. The longevity of each dry virucide infused beaded cartridge is anywhere from 1,000 - 4,500 dispersions. In other embodiments, virucide cartridges with larger chambers that hold more virucide infused substrate materials can last longer and provide additional virucide dispersions. Examples of suitable digital diffusion system and cartridges filled with virucide infused particles are described below.

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 with the cup cover lid 107 removed from the cup body 103 and one of the four cartridges 111 is partially removed from the storage slot 105 in the cup body 103. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 that has a body 103 having cartridge slots 105 that can hold a plurality of cartridges 111 and a cover 107. The body 103 can have a cylindrical shape with a tapered conical outer surface which can be a basic cup shape. For example, the cup body 103 can be between about 5 to 7 inches high with an upper diameter of about 2.5 to 3.5 inches and a lower diameter having a diameter between about 2 to 3 inches. A body base plate insert 131 can be attached to a side of the body 103. A removable cup cover lid 107 can be removably attached to the top of the cup body 103 and a metal cover insert 157 can be attached to the top of the cap 107. With the lid cover 107 removed as illustrated, the cartridge holder cover 153 is shown with four fragrance cartridges 111 inserted into slots 105 in the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101. The upper caps at the top of the four cartridges 111 can extend upward from the cartridge holder cover 153. [0050] The cup cover lid 107 is attached to the top of the cup body 103 which holds the fragrance cartridges 111 within the cup body 103 under the cup body lid 107. The mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can have an LED which can be illuminated to indicate the operation of the with a blue or any other color. The LED is illuminated when the mobile fragrance dispersion system 101 is turned on. in an embodiment, the LED can blink or illuminate in a different color when it is in standby mode and the LED can turn off when the system is turned off.

[0051] In an embodiment of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 the bottom of the body 103 has a recessed area which can include a cord compartment which can house a charging cord which can also be used as a data cable. The cable can be a USB type C to USB cable or any other suitable electrical power and/or data connection. The USB C cable can be coupled to a charging port on the mobile digital aroma apparatus and the USB end of the cable can be plugged into an electrical power source. The cable can be used to charge an internal batter in the mobile digital aroma apparatus. The cable can also be used for communications with a computing device that can be integrated into a car or mobile phone.

[0052] A back portion of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can have a USB Type C charging power port is located on a side surface of the cup body 103. The USB C cable can be coupled to a charging port on the mobile digital aroma apparatus and the USB end of the cable can be plugged into an electrical power source. The cable can be used to charge an internal batter in the mobile digital aroma apparatus.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101. The illustrated embodiment of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 has a cup shaped body 103 which functions as a housing. The cup body 103 can be a conical structure having an open bottom and an open top. The cup body face insert 131 can be an ornamental perforated structure is attached to an outer surface and extends along the height of the cup body 103. The internal components of the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can include a body base plate 133 that can include a HEPA filter, a cooling fan 135, a cartridge fan transition plate 137, a revolving plate 139, a servo stepper motor 143, a flex cable for a printed circuit board 145, a flex cable holder 147, a printed circuit board (PCB) 149, a PCB holder 155, fasteners 151 for coupling the PCT to the PCB holder 155, a cartridge holder cover 153, a cup cover 107, and a cup cover insert 157. The PCB 149 can include ID tag reader(s), a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a RF receiver, a power switch, an LED that can be a visual display, and a processor and memory. All of these components can be mounted on the PCB 149.

[0054] The cup body 103 can protect the cartridge holder 141 which has slots 105 for the fragrance and/or virucide cartridges 111. The cartridge holder cover 153 has holes that match the shapes of the slots 105 in the cartridge holder 141. The fragrance and/or virucide cartridges 111 have vales that will normally be closed to prevent the contained fragrance and/or virucide beads from escaping until the valves are opened individually by the system to allow the fragrances to flow from the cartridges 111.

[0055] When a mobile digital aroma apparatus is first used, the cup cover lid 107 is removed and a plurality of fragrance and/or virucide cartridges 111 are inserted into the slots 105. The cup cover lid 107 is attached to the cup body 103 to cover the fragrance cartridge holder slots 105 and hold the fragrance and/or virucide cartridges 111 within the body 103. The mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can be turned on to operate the device through a switch on the body or electronically through a wireless RF or optical signal. The mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can illuminate an LED (or display) and be paired with a mobile phone or another computing devices so the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can communicate with a system server and be controlled by a mobile computing device or a computing system within a vehicle. The mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can transmit identification information for the fragrance and/or virucide cartridges 111 so that the user can select a desired fragrance through a user interface (UI) and the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can receive control signals for emitting the desired fragrance.

[0056] Each of the fragrance or virucide cartridges 11 lean be manually inserted and removed from the cartridge holder 141. In an embodiment, the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 can automatically partially eject a fragrance or virucide cartridge 111 when the system detects that it has been depleted or based upon an electronic input requesting that a fragrance or virucide cartridge 111 be removed. While the cartridge holder 141 in the mobile digital aroma apparatus 101 is illustrated as having four cartridge slots in other embodiments, the cartridge holder can have any number of cartridge slots arranged in a parallel circular manner.

[0057] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate another embodiment of a diffuser assembly that can be integrated into a climate control system of a vehicle or other structure. In this embodiment, the diffuser assembly has 4 slots for 4 fragrance and/or anti-viral sterilization cartridges 111 that are arranged in a linear manner. The diffuser assembly 201 can be enclosed within a housing that is made from the assembled cartridge holder 214, a cover 202, a cover insert 203, a cartridge holder insert 204, a base 205, a servo motor 207, a cartridge cam shaft 208, a flex printed circuit board (PCB) 209, a lock button 210, a cover insert sprint 212, fans 213, cover air insert 216, cartridge body side 217, flex PCB cover 219 and PCB board 220. The cartridge holder cover insert 203 can be opened to insert the fragrance and sterilization cartridges 111 into the fragrance diffuser assembly 201. Once inserted, the cartridge holder cover insert 203 can be closed to secure the cartridges 111 in the diffuser assembly 201 during normal operation. The cartridge holder cover insert 203 can also be opened to remove and replace the cartridges 111 if they are empty or need to be replaced.

[0058] The flex PCB 220 can have sensors which detect RFID tags 187 on the cartridges 111. The RFID tags 187 can be checked to confirm that the cartridges 111 are authentic. More specifically, the PCB 220 can include a transmitter and receiver that can communicate with a server. The information from the RFID tags 187 is transmitted by the PCB 220 to the server and compared to a database of authentic and unused fragrance and sterilization cartridges 111. If the cartridge 111 is verified as being authentic and not a 3 ^rd party recycled or refurbished cartridges 111, the server can transmit a verification signal to the controller mounted on the PCB 220 that will allow the fragrance diffuser assembly 201 to function normally. However, if a cartridge 111 is not verified by the server, the controller on the PCB 220 can prevent the fragrance diffuser assembly device 220 from functioning or alternatively, the PCB 220 can prevent the unverified cartridge 111 from being used. The status of the fragrance diffuser assembly can be transmitted to a user interface so that an operator can be instructed to remove and replace an unverified cartridge 111.

[0059] The cartridge cam shaft 208 is an elongated shaft having four cams that extend radially outward from the cartridge cam shaft 208. The four cams on the cartridge cam shaft 208 can be rotationally offset from the other cams. Each cam can be positioned under each of the cartridges 111 in the diffuser assembly 201. The cartridge cam shaft 208 can be coupled to the servo motor 207 which is controlled by the controller mounted on the PCB 220. The controller can cause the servo motor 207 to rotate the cartridge cam shaft 208 to a specific rotational position so that one of the cams opens the internal valves of one of the fragrance or virucide cartridges 111 while all other internal valves of the other cartridges 111 remain closed.

[0060] When the fragrance diffuser assembly 201 receives instructions to disperse a first fragrance or disinfectant, the controller can cause the servo motor 207 to rotate the cartridge cam shaft 208 to the position that opens the requested cartridge 111. Once the requested cartridge I l l is open, the controller can actuate the fan(s) 213 which causes air to flow into the cartridge holder through air inlet vents 226 in the side of the holder 214 to the bottom of the open cartridge 111. The air flows up through the open cartridge 111 to the top portion of the cartridge holder cover 202 and the outlet vent 223. The outlet 223 can have a threaded or a coupling connection that can be connected through tubing to a vehicle environmental control system. Dry particles from the open cartridge 111 are distributed into the vehicle or other space to provide fragrances to the passengers or sterilization particles to the interior passenger volume of the vehicle. After a predetermined time period, the controller causes the fan(s) 213 to stop and causes the cartridge cam shaft 208 to rotate to a position where all of the internal valves in the cartridges 111 are closed.

[0061] FIGS. 6-11 illustrate an embodiment of a virucide cartridge 111 that can be used with the diffusions systems described and illustrated above with reference to FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the virucide cartridge 111 has an elongated hollow structure. In an embodiment, the length of the fragrance cartridge can be about 3.5 to 4 inches long. FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge 111. The fragrance cartridge 101 can have an elongated shell body 189 which has a hollow cylindrical structure with open ends. A cartridge base 191 is attached to the bottom of the elongated shell body 189 which has a circular inlet orifice. The upper inner surface of the circular inlet orifice in the cartridge base 191 that can function as an inlet sealing valve. A removable cartridge basket 183 having an inner volume is placed within the shell body 189. The outer surface of the removable cartridge basket 183 closely matches the inner surface of the shell body 189 so that the cartridge basket 183 can slide axially within the shell body 189. The cartridge basket 183 can have a plurality of slots that prevent the fragrance bead substrates from falling out of the cartridge basket 183 but allow air to flow through the cartridge basket 183. A cartridge base insert 173, a spring 177, and a basket stem 193 can be coupled to the bottom of the cartridge basket 183. The basket stem 193 can extending downward from the bottom center of the cartridge basket 183 and a conical portion of the basket stem 193 pressed against a portion of the cartridge base 191 can form the lower valve.

[0062] A cartridge basket cover 181 having slots is placed on the upper end of the removeable cartridge basket 183 where the slots are narrower than the outer dimensions of the dry fragrance beads. In an embodiment, a color-coded identification ring or label on the shell 189 can identify the dry fragrance beads in the virucide cartridge 111. The cartridge cap 175 can have a circular outlet opening and a sealing surface on the upper side of the cartridge cap 175. A cartridge cap 175 can also include a circular structure attached to a center rod which extends downward which is coupled to the cartridge basket cover 181. A spring 177 is compressed and placed between a lower surface of the cartridge cap 175 and an upper surface of the cartridge basket cover 181.

[0063] When the virucide cartridge 111 is in the closed position, the valves can be pressed against a circular sealing surfaces at the inlet cartridge base 191 and the outlet at the cartridge cap 175. The compressed springs 177 holds the upper valve 171 against the upper surface of the cartridge cap 175 sealing surface and the removable cartridge basket 183 in a lowered within the cartridge shell body 189. The compressed springs 177 holds the upper valve against the upper surface of the cartridge cap 175 sealing surface. When the basket stem 193 is pushed into the virucide cartridge 111, the valve moves up to open the inlet valve at the cartridge base 191 so that air can flow through the inlet and through the slots formed in the cartridge basket 183 to the fragrance beads (not shown) to the outlet valve 171 that is also raised above the sealing surface of the cartridge cap 175.

[0064] The outer cross section of the virucide cartridge 111 can have a trapezoidal shape having four sides and rounded comers. The virucide cartridge 111 can be uniform in cross section across the length. Each of the side surfaces can be between about 0.5 to 1 inch. The trapezoid cross section can have two roughly parallel surfaces sides coupled to two sides which can be tapered inward. The two parallel sides can have the widest and the narrowest sides. When the virucide cartridges 111 are inserted into the mobile digital aroma apparatus, the narrowest sides of the virucide cartridges 111 face the center of the apparatus and the widest sides of the virucide cartridges 111 face outward from the mobile digital aroma apparatus.

[0065] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge 111 in the open position and FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section view of an embodiment of virucide cartridge 111 in the closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the internal springs 177 will normally hold the virucide cartridge 111 in a closed position with the virucide media such as virucide infused beads 113 contained within a cartridge basket 183 sealed at the top cartridge cap 175 and the bottom cartridge base 191. When the virucide cartridge 111 is actuated, an actuator mechanism can press the stem 193 at the bottom of the fragrance cartridge 111 up, which can open the valve seals at the top cartridge cap 175 and the bottom cartridge base 191of the virucide cartridge 111. FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view and FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the virucide cartridge 111.

[0066] When the virucide cartridge I l l is placed in a slot in the mobile digital aroma apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the aroma apparatuses can have actuators which pushes the push the stem 193 extending from the bottom base 191 of the virucide cartridge 111 to open the fragrance cartridge as shown in FIG. 9 and described above. The mobile digital aroma apparatus can then direct air into the bottom of the chamber. Dry virucide particles from the virucide beads are mixed with the air which flow out of the open valve at the top of the diffusion chamber. Once the fragrance emission is complete, the aroma apparatus can stop the flow of air through the virucide cartridge.

The diffusion apparatus can allow the center rod extending to extend down away from the bottom of the virucide cartridge which causes the spring to lower the chamber in the chamber so the lower end of the chamber is against the lower base cap and the valve pressed against the inner diameter of a hole in the upper cap which closes the lower inlet and the upper outlet.

[0067] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, when the mobile digital diffusion apparatus receives a virucide output signal, the processor can transmit control signals to the servo stepper motor which can respond by rotating a revolving plate 139 which can have raised surfaces which can push the stem extending from the selected virucide cartridge 111 up. This stem movement causes the virucide cartridge to open. Simultaneously, the fan(s) 135 at the bottom of the cup body 103 can be turned on to create an air flow through the opened virucide cartridge 111. The dry virucide particles can mix with the air flow and the virucide particles can flow up and out of the virucide cartridge 111 and the virucide can sterilize a space. When the virucide dispersion is complete, the fan(s) 135 can stop and the revolving plate 139 can be rotated to allow the stem to move down to close the virucide cartridge 111. The mobile digital diffusion apparatus 101 can then wait for the next virucide emission control signal.

[0068] With reference to FIG. 7, a smart chip 187 can be mounted on an outer surface of the virucide cartridge 111. This smart chip 187 can be read by the mobile digital diffusion apparatus when the virucide cartridge I l l is placed into the slot in the diffusion aroma apparatus by a smart chip readers. In an embodiment, the smart chip 187 can be ID tags that can provide identification and virucide information. The mobile digital diffusion apparatus can read the smart chip 187 ID of the virucide cartridge 111 which can be used for virucide cartridge authentication. If the virucide cartridge 111 fails the authentication the mobile digital diffusion apparatus can function as described. However, if the virucide cartridge 111 fails the authentication the mobile digital aroma apparatus can identify the virucide cartridge as a counterfeit and prevent the use to the counterfeit virucide cartridge 111 until the counterfeit virucide cartridge has been removed. When authentication fails, the digital diffusion apparatus can stop system functionality for just the counterfeit virucide cartridge 111 alone while allowing authenticated virucide cartridges 111 to function normally.

[0069] With reference to FIGS. 12-14, other embodiments of digital diffusion apparatuses are illustrated which can be home, office, or other environmental application based rather than mobile devices. FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a digital diffusion apparatus 301 that includes a cartridge holder base 303 and a cartridge holder 310 that has slots for a plurality of fragrance and virucide cartridges 311. Each of the virucide cartridges 311 has a cartridge holder base 306, a cartridge cover 307, an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag label, and a plurality of dry virucide beads contained within the fragrance cartridge 311. The digital diffusion apparatus 301 also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 309, RFID sensor boards 304, and a fan 302 for each of the cartridge slots. The PCB 309 can include various electronic devices such as a receiver, transmitter, control circuitry, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge bases 306 each have a groove and each of the cartridge slots has a ridge. When the virucide cartridges 311 are inserted into the cartridge slots, the ridges engage with the grooves so that the virucide cartridges 311 are properly oriented in the slots. The RFID tag label of each of the virucide cartridges 311 can be aligned with each of the RFID sensor boards 304 so that the digital aroma apparatus 301 can read the RFID tags labels 312.

[0070] When the digital diffusion apparatus 301 receives a virucide control signal, the PCB 309 can cause the fan 302 that is associated with the selected virucide to operate which can blow air through the virucide cartridge 311 that contains the virucide for a predetermined period of time. The air flow can cause some of the dry virucide particles in the selected virucide cartridge 311 to mix with the air which flows out of the top cover 308 of the digital diffusion apparatus 301 to sterilize a space.

[0071] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate digital diffusion apparatuses that have the same cartridge base 303 and internal components described above, but different covers. FIG. 15 illustrates an assembly having a holder base 303 and a flat top cover 311 which has vent slots directly over the fragrance and virucide cartridge outlets to allow the air and dry virucide particles to exit the digital aroma apparatus which is also illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 16 illustrates an assembly having a holder base 303 and a hemispherical shaped cover 311 which has vent slots to allow the air and dry virucide particles to exit the digital aroma apparatus. FIG. 17 illustrates an assembly having a holder base 303 and a multipoint cover 311 which has vent slots over each of the virucide cartridge outlets to allow the air and dry virucide particles to exit the digital aroma apparatus. FIG. 18 illustrates an assembly having a holder base 303 and a bullet shaped cover 311 which has vent slots to allow the air and dry virucide particles to exit the diffusion apparatus.

[0072] FIGS. 19-22 illustrates views of an embodiment of a virucide cartridge 311 used with the digital diffusion apparatuses illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 12 - 18. FIG. 19 illustrates a side view and FIG. 20 illustrates a cross section view of an embodiment of an assembled virucide cartridge 311 having a holder base 303, a cartridge cover 307 and an RFID label 312 for electronically identity and visually identifying fragrance of the virucide cartridge 311. The holder base 303 can have an outer wall and an inner cup having air flow slots. Dry virucide infused bead substrates 113 can be placed in the inner cup of the holder base 303. The cartridge cover 307 also has air flow slots. When virucide cartridge 311 is placed in the digital aroma apparatuses and the associated fan is actuated, the air flows through the air flow slots in the holder base 303, the dry virucide particles are released from the bead substrates 113 and the dry virucide particles and air flow out of the air flow slots in the cartridge cover 307. FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the cartridge cover 307 and FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view of the holder base 303.

[0073] WELLNESS RIDE - A feature of the present invention is a cloud platform rideshare system with services that can provide users with a state of wellness and well-being. The diffusion system can incorporate malodor technology which can emit ingredients to reduce microbial aerosols such as bacteria and viruses including COVID-19. This can be particularly useful for shared confined spaces such as public transportation ride sharing vehicles. For example, odors can be difficult to hide and are often to blame for bad passenger experiences. Other bad experiences can include motion sickness, bacteria and virus exposure and fears. For the transportation providers, bad user experiences can result bad service reviews which can be very bad for the service providers’ businesses. The inventive system can be configured to deliver an on-demand, multi-scent experience that can improve passengers’ moods, relieve motion sickness, reduce airborne bacteria and viruses including Covid- 19, bad odors, and create a healthier “wellness ride” using intelligent cartridges with different functional scent and antivirus cartridges. This inventive platform can be used by rideshare, car rental, and other transportation companies to add scent diffusion systems quickly and conveniently into their fleets and increase revenue from every ride.

[0074] In an embodiment, the described system can use odor sensors that use olfactory receptors proteins cloned from biological organisms that bind to specific odor molecules and can be used to perceive odors at a very high sensitivity: femtomolar concentrations. The odor sensors can include: metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOSFET) devices such as a transistor used for amplifying or switching electronic signals that works on the principle that molecules entering the sensor area will be charged either positively or negatively, which should have a direct effect on the electric field inside the MOSFET. Introducing each additional charged particle will directly affect the transistor in a unique way, producing a change in the MOSFET signal that can then be interpreted by odor pattern recognition computer systems. Each detectable molecule can have its own unique signal that can be stored in an odor particle database that is coupled to a computer system to detect known particles and odors.

[0075] It is well known that viruses such as Coved 19 are spread by airborne droplets and aerosols that originate from infected individuals. The droplets are expelled into the air through a cough or sneeze and can infect another person who encounters them at close range. Droplets are larger and do not remain in the air for very long, quickly settling to the ground or another surface. However, aerosols are smaller and remain suspended for longer up to three hours. Aerosols will rapidly dry out and disperse over time. However, this long suspension time makes it possible for a person to be exposed to enough viral particles, known as the infectious dose, to be infected. In an embodiment, the aerosol transmission can be reduced by having an air flow through the vehicle and a HEPA filtration system. Drivers and passengers of ride sharing vehicles can also wear masks to prevent the production of droplet and aerosol emissions.

[0076] For rideshare vehicles, the fragrance dispersion system can provide an on-demand sterilization process. When a rideshare vehicle is requested, the future rider can select a car and the system will provide an estimated time of arrival. During the ride request process, the system UI on a rider’s mobile computing device can also allow the option of sterilizing the vehicle and the system may charge the user an added fee for this option which can be paid through the ride sharing billing system. If the user selects the sterilization option, the fragrance system in the hailed vehicle can perform a cleansing and fragrance procedure by emitting the anti-malodor particles and/or virucide particles while the vehicle is in route towards the rider. The quantity of anti-malodor particles and/or virucide particles emitted during sterilization can be variable based upon several factors which can be input or measured by the fragrance system including: passenger space, air flow, temperature, and detected malodor and/or virus contamination. The anti-malodor particle and/or anti-viral particle emission can be proportional to the passenger space with smaller vehicles requiring less quantity than larger vehicles. The antimicrobial effects of the particles can be enhanced with temperature. In an embodiment, the fragrance dispersion system can measure the temperature of the passenger space and adjust the particle emission quantity accordingly or alternatively, the vehicle can increase the passenger area temperature and perform the anti-viral particle emission at an elevated temperature for improved cleaning performance. The antibacterial activity of antimicrobial agents is significantly but differentially enhanced by increasing the ambient temperature and using high concentrations.

[0077] After performing the anti-viral particle emission process, the fragrance dispersion system can emit the desired fragrance when the passenger is picked up or just before the user enters the vehicle so that the user can experience the desired fragrance. In other embodiments the sterilization process can be performed immediately after the user leaves the ride vehicle so that the passenger spaces will be sterilized for the next rider. The anti-malodor particles and/or virucide particles can include natural known ingredients.

[0078] The health of vehicle passengers is a critical requirement for safe use of ride sharing services. Sterilization molecules can be developed which can be tested on bacteria and viruses in a laboratory environment. Successful sterilization molecules can then be tested on vehicles and people. If these materials are successful in vehicles, the system cartridges can be filled with the sterilization molecules. In commercial use, the diffusion system can periodically release antipathogen infused scents and/or particles into the vehicle cabin. The system can also emit the sterilization molecules between different passengers. Through this process, the diffusion dispersion systems can reduce the risks of infections of viruses such as Coved 19.

[0079] The described virucide cartridges can be particularly useful with ridesharing vehicles. The virucide are created and can be infused into beads which are placed in smart virucide cartridges. The smart virucide cartridges can be inserted into mobile personal virucide dispersion systems or embedded virucide dispersion systems that can be incorporated into vehicles. The cartridge filled dispersion systems can then be sent to the rideshare companies and their drivers. The embedded virucide dispersion systems that can be incorporated into vehicles climate control system and the mobile personal virucide dispersion systems can be placed in the vehicles. In an embodiment, the virucide dispersion systems can communicate with a cloud based server and perform a virucide cartridges and/or virucide dispersion system authentication process where identification information is detected and read from the virucide cartridges. If the cartridges fail the authentication process, the server can prevent the virucide dispersion system from using the cartridges. The virucide cartridge authentication failure can result from detecting a fragrance cartridge ID that is not in the system database, the use of a known virucide cartridge ID that exceeded a predetermined number of dispersions which may indicate that the cartridge was refilled with unauthorized virucide media. If the cartridges passes the authentication process, the server can allow the dispersion system to use the cartridges.

[0080] After authentication, the rider passenger can control the virucide dispersion system by a mobile computing device such as a smart phone which can communicate with the virucide dispersion system through the cloud server. The user’s interactions with the virucide dispersion system can be recorded and sent to the cloud based server which can capture all diffusions and virucide cartridge reorders. The cloud based server can then analyze the data from all of the virucide dispersion system users and may compare the results based upon location, and user demographics including: age, gender, nationality, etc. The cloud based server can then make recommendations and predict future orders based upon the system use data.

[0081] The fragrance/virucide dispersion systems can be used by the ride sharing drivers and riders to eliminate bad smalls caused by body odor, cigarette smoke and malodor biomarkers. The fragrance/virucide dispersion systems can used to reduce malodors within ride sharing vehicles. A vehicle passenger can naturally emit body odor. An odor sensor in communication with the fragrance dispersion system can detect the body odor. The fragrance/virucide dispersion system having a malodor cartridge can respond to the odor detection by diffusing anti-malodor particles that can correspond to the detected malodor which can be sweat, body odor, cigarette smoke, bad human biomarkers, etc. The fragrance/virucide dispersion systems can communicate with system servers through cloud network and the diffusion data can be captured and analyzed. The diffusion data can include all malodor incidents, fragrance and/or sterilization popularity, cartridge reorders, etc. and this data can be used to improve the anti-malodors in the vehicle. The odor sensor unit can also determine if the malodor in a vehicle has created a situation where the malodor is beyond a maximum acceptable level. For example, if the detected organic VOC level is above the maximum acceptable level the cloud based server can instruct the driver UI to take the vehicle out of service so that a cleaning can be performed. Once the vehicle has been deodorized and the detected organic VOC level is within the acceptable malodor level, the vehicle can be returned to service and the described process can be repeated.

[0082] Both drivers and passengers safety and health is paramount for health. The inventive fragrance dispersion system can emit anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral materials on demand to perform sterilization of an occupant area of a vehicle. The anti-bacterial and anti-viral materials can be natural ingredients that can be infused into beads in the sterilization cartridges. In some embodiments, the anti-bacterial and anti-viral materials can be combined with fragrance materials in the fragrance cartridges with can provide a combined fragrance with sterilization within a vehicle. When the anti-bacterial and anti-viral materials are emitted by the fragrance dispersion system they come into contact with the bacteria and viral materials. The anti-bacterial and anti-viral materials can eliminate the airborne bacteria and viruses. By periodically releasing these anti-pathogen infused scents into a rideshare vehicle’s cabin, the risk of infection can be lowered. This sterilization process can be especially useful in ridesharing vehicles between passenger pickups. In some embodiment, the sterilization process can be performed just before the passenger(s) enters the vehicle and/or just after the passenger(s) leaves the vehicle.

[0083] The inventive system can be used with mobile computing devices and system users can utilize UIs to control the fragrance system. Passenger users can interact with the UI to control the fragrance system which can be integrated into a rideshare app. 1. A mobile app for controlling the system is downloaded from an app server to a computing device and the mobile app is opened by the passenger user. 2. The passenger user opens the app and can log in or register. 3. With reference to FIG. 23, the mobile app UI can display the benefits of the vehicle sterilization and scent fragrances. The UI can have a button to add the vehicle processing to the passenger user’s vehicle ride share. 4. With reference to FIG. 24, once the passenger user selects vehicle processing, the UI can display a listing of vehicle processing options including scent/virucide preferences and fragrance intensity level. 5. With reference to FIG. 25, once the passenger user inputs the processing preferences, the UI can display a processing status for the ordered vehicle. In this example, the vehicle cabin is now sanitized and refreshed. 6. With reference to FIG. 26, when the vehicle processing is finished the UI can display a message indicating that the vehicle processing is complete.

[0084] The driver user who is providing the ride to the passenger can also interact with a UI to control the fragrance system which can be integrated into a rideshare app. 1. A mobile app for controlling the system is downloaded from an app server to a driver computing device and the mobile app is opened by the driver user. 2. The driver user opens the app and can log in or register. 3. With reference to FIG. 27, the mobile app can display ride requests and the UI can have a button to accept the ride. 4. With reference to FIG. 28, once the ride is accepted by the driver, the UI can display a listing of vehicle processing options that have been selected by the user. The user can press the “start” button to perform each of the passenger requested processes. In this example, the user has selected “sanitize” and the user has pressed the start button to cause the diffuser to start the sanitization process by diffusing the virucide into the vehicle passenger area. 5. With reference to FIG. 29, once the sanitize processing is complete, the diffuser can emit the requested fragrance. The UI can display a stop button and if necessary, the driver can click the stop button to stop the diffusion processing. 6. With reference to FIG. 30, when the vehicle processing is finished the UI can display a message indicating that the vehicle processing is complete.

[0085] FIG. 31 illustrates a diagram showing communications paths between a customer’s computing device 381, the driver’s computing device 383, the diffusion system server 389, the ride share driver’s server 387, and the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385. In this example, with the driver’s computing device 383 phone configured as an internet router for communications with the fragrance diffuser 385. The customer’s mobile app can run on the customer’s computing device 381 and be used to request the vehicle processing which is transmitted through a wireless network to the ridesharing server 387 which communicates with the scent server 389. The rideshare server 387 then communicates with the driver’s app running on the driver’s computing device 383 which controls the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 to perform the requested fragrance/virucide output processing. The fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 can then transmit data back through the driver’s computing device 383 through the wireless network back to the scent server 389. The computing devices 381, 383 can communicate with the servers 387, 389 through a wireless cellular network as illustrated but communications may also include WiFi Network communications. For example, the driver’s computing device 383 can be set to share internet access over WiFi. The driver’s computing device 383 phone can be seen by other connected devices and can function as a WiFi router so that the fragrance diffuser 385 is connected to the rideshare server 387 and the scent server 389 through the driver’s computing device 383 phone’s WiFi. Control calls to the fragrance diffuser device 385 can be made by a Web application programming interface (API) calls between the rideshare server 387 and the scent server 389.

[0086] The power of scent personalizes the in-cabin experience can reduce stress and improves health and wellness of system users. Drivers and passengers can use computing devices having UIs to control the release of the right scent to create the right mood and driving experience. For example, the diffusion system can be used to stay alert and mindful, to relax and unwind on the long commute home, and/or to alleviate the nausea that comes with motion sickness. The inventive multi-scent dryair diffuser can deliver the requested mood fragrance on demand to eliminate odors and promote wellness. As automotive ridesharing has become increasingly popular, shared mobility companies, including rideshare, are challenged with differentiating their service, maintaining and increasing perride revenue, improving passenger satisfaction, and promoting health and wellness. Odors which are difficult to hide, are often to blame for bad passenger experiences, as are motion sickness, bacteria and virus fears, and the lack of a pleasant scent. A bad experience can lead to bad driver or passenger reviews which can have a negative impact on the ride share business.

[0087] The described fragrance diffusers can also be used with autonomous fleets, combining the power of scent with biometric and malodor sensors, wellness ingredients, and built-in diffusion algorithms, shared mobility companies can create and ensure a fresh cabin environment for passengers that promotes wellness and well-being integrated malodor sensors detect odors that can automatically diffuse a dry-air malodor scent solution or send an alert or a control signal that the autonomous vehicle needs to go off-line for cleaning.

[0088] FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31 but in the illustrated configuration the driver’s computing device 383 phone is connected with the fragrance diffuser by WiFi communications. The car can have a bridge cellular / WiFi system which communicates with the driver’s mobile app running on the driver’s computing device 383 and the fragrance diffuser 385. The driver’s computing device 383 phone can be connected to the WiFi transceiver of the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385. Software can bridge all IP traffic to cellular communications except for the fragrance diffuser’s 385 WiFi communications traffic. The fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 can be connected to the internet through the phone’s 383 cellular communications bridge allowing the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 to communicate with the scent server 389. Call to the fragrance diffuser 389 can be made by Web API between the rideshare server 387 and the scent server 389.

[0089] FIG. 33 is similar to FIGS. 31 and 32 but the driver’s computing device 383 phone is connected with the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 by WiFi direct. The driver’s computing device 383 phone is connected to the fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 by WiFi Direct (Wifi P2P). The fragrance diffuser device 385 may not be directly connected to Scent platform server 389. The control calls to fragrance/virucide diffuser 385 can be initiated by the ride share server 387 and sent through the wireless network to the driver’s app on the driver’s computing device 383.

[0090] System users can setup and install the mobile fragrance/virucide diffuser into a vehicle with the following process. 1. The user can open the mobile fragrance/virucide diffuser to expose the empty cartridge slots in the body of the fragrance/virucide diffuser. 2. The user can insert the fragrance/virucide cartridges into the slots in the fragrance diffuser. 3. The user can close the mobile fragrance/virucide diffuser to secure the fragrance/virucide cartridges in the body of the fragrance/virucide diffuser. 4. A power and/or communications cable can be coupled to the port on the side of the fragrance/virucide diffuser. 5. The other end of the cable is coupled to the car’s USB port and the car can provide electrical power to the fragrance/virucide diffuser that can be used to charge a battery in the fragrance/virucide diffuser so that the fragrance diffuser can operate on battery power without the cable. Some cars have integrated wireless communication systems such as WiFi and/or cellular transceivers and the cable can be used for data communications with the transceiver(s).

[0091] As discussed, each cartridge can include identification information which identifies the fragrance or virucide so that the mobile digital aroma system can properly direct air to the selected target fragrance/virucide cartridge regardless of its position in the fragrance/virucide diffuser. As discussed, each fragrance/virucide cartridge can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and the fragrance/virucide diffuser can include RFID readers. The RFID tags can transmit fragrance/virucide identification and a number of dispersions and a cartridge identification code. The RFID readers can read the information from the RFID tags on the fragrance/virucide cartridges and additional cartridge information, which can be used by the system. For example, the system displays the fragrance and/or virucide on a system output and directs air to the user selected fragrance/virucide cartridge.

[0092] The fragrance/virucide cartridges can be used with various mobile digital aroma system assemblies. FIG. 34 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a car 306 with an integrated digital fragrance/virucide system 121 and a user interface 122. The digital fragrance/virucide system 121 can be integrated within the dashboard area of the car 306. The user interface 122 can be an input device with a visual display output such as a touch screen or a visual display with input buttons. In other embodiments, the user interface 122 can be displayed on a mobile computing device such as a smartphone or tablet computer which is in wired or wireless communication with the digital fragrance/virucide system 121.

[0093] FIG. 35 illustrates a view of a user interface 122 which includes an input of the digital fragrance/virucide system. In an embodiment the user interface 122 can be displayed on a touch screen 124 which can communicate with the digital fragrance system. In this example, the user interface 122 can display inputs for nausea level and a passenger can press a button that corresponds to the current or anticipated nausea level. The user interface 122 can switch the visual display to ask the passenger’s nausea level periodically or in response to ride conditions such as winding roads which can result in nausea. The passenger can indicate the nausea level by pressing a corresponding nausea level button. The user interface 122 can transmit nausea signals to the digital fragrance/virucide system which can respond by emitting anti-nausea fragrances which can be proportional to the nausea level.

[0094] In the illustrated example, the user interface 122 can have nausea level inputs that range from: 0 to 5. However, in other embodiments, the nausea level can have any other range of levels. At nausea level 0 there are no symptoms 421 and at nausea level 1 the passenger can start yawning and have clammy palms and be lightheaded 423. At nausea level 2, the passenger can start burping, become lethargic and dizzy 425. At nausea level 3, the passenger can feel like the stomach is twisted or upset, the passenger can feel drowsy and start salivating 427. At nausea level 4, the passenger can be near vomiting and feel like the head is spinning, exhausted and disoriented 429. At nausea level 5, the passenger can start vomiting, feel like the head is tumbling and experiencing extreme sweating 431. In this example, if the user touched the nausea level 0, the digital fragrance system will maintain its current operation and not emit any anti-nausea fragrances.

[0095] The digital aroma system can have a UI input mechanism that can be used by passengers to input the motion sickness level. In an embodiment, UI can have a scale of 0-5. At level 0 the user feels nothing. At level 1 the user may be yawning, having clammy hands, and/or may be lightheaded. At level 2, the user may experience burping, lethargic feelings, and/or dizziness. At level 3, the user may experience twisted stomach aches, drowsiness, and/or salivation. At level 4, the user may vomit, feel head spinning, feel exhausted and/or disoriented. At level 5, the user has vomited, has head tumbling, and/or extreme sweating. The aroma system can perform experimentation by exposing motion sick users to anti-nausea particles which can be a proprietary formulation. The users can provide feedback through a UI which can allow the user to input the reduction or elimination of motion sickness.

[0096] The user can tell the system the nausea level with verbal inputs such as “level 2”, “level 5”, “emit maximum anti-nausea fragrance please!”, etc. The system can interpret the use’s audio inputs and the system can emit a corresponding fragrance. This system can be particularly useful for passengers who tend to get motion sick. The system may also emit audio signals which can help to comfort the system user. For example, the system may have default audio outputs based upon the user’s input nausea level. In an embodiment, the user can configure the system to output audio signals such as relaxing music or binaural tones Binaural beats therapy is an emerging form of soundwave therapy in which the right and left ears listen to two slightly different frequency tones yet perceive the tone as one. The binaural auditory beat that a person hears is the difference in frequency between the left and the right ear and should be at frequencies lower than 1,000 hertz (Hz) for the brain to detect the binaural beat. For example, if the left ear registers a tone at 200 Hz and the right at 210 Hz, the binaural beat heard is the difference between the two frequencies that can be about 10 Hz.

[0097] The volume of anti-nausea fragrance emitted by the system when nausea is likely to occur can be proportional to the intensity of the rotation or acceleration and the duration of the rotation or acceleration. For example, if the system detects a centripetal force of 0.05 - 0.1 G for a period of time between 30 seconds and one minute, the system can respond by emitting a level 1 volume of anti-nausea fragrance. If the system detects a centripetal force of 0.1 - 0.2 G for a period of time between one minute and two minutes, the system can respond by emitting a level 2 volume of antinausea fragrance. If the system detects a centripetal force of 0.2 - 0.3 G for a period of time between two minute and five minutes, the system can respond by emitting a level 3 volume of anti-nausea fragrance. The system can escalate the volume of anti-nausea fragrance with higher rotation or acceleration forces and the durations of the rotation or acceleration.

[0098] Some studies have shown that humans are more susceptible specific frequencies of wave motion. For example, when test subjects were exposed to a series of different periods of up and down constant velocity motions including 0.2 seconds, 0.7 seconds 1.1 seconds and 1.6 seconds. The test results show that short duration motions results in very little motion sickness. Motions that lasted 0.7 or 1.6 seconds resulted in more motion sickness and motions that lasted 1.1 seconds produced the most motion sickness in the test subjects. In an embodiment, the system can determine the frequencies of the motions that the user’s indicate motion sickness as described above. The system can then predict the likelihood of motion sickness based upon the detected and/or predicted frequencies of the traveling vehicle.

[0099] FIG. 36 illustrates a block diagram of possible components of a mobile digital aroma system which can include: an I/O 222, a trigger input 221, a sensor input 223, system monitor sensors 225, a processor 227, a scent and virucide database 229, a system output 231, valve controllers 233, vales 237, fan/pump controllers 239 and fans/pumps 239. The I/O 219 can be a transceiver that allows communications between the mobile digital aroma system and other media devices, servers, smartphones, servers, other mobile digital aroma system and other computing devices. In an embodiment, the I/O 219 can provide system communications wirelessly through Blue Tooth, Wi-Fi, RFID or similar technologies with other devices, which can provide control signals for releasing fragrances. The trigger input 221 is an input for control signals from nausea input devices such as controllers, user interfaces, etc. In an embodiment, the trigger input 221 can provide system communications wirelessly through Blue Tooth, Wi-Fi, RFID or similar technologies with other devices, which can provide control signals for releasing fragrances.

[00100] When the mobile digital diffusion system is used, it can go through a startup procedure, which identifies each fragrance/virucide cartridge stored in the system. As discussed, the fragrance/virucide cartridges can have an identification system, which are read by the system monitor sensors 225. For example, in an embodiment each of the plurality of fragrance/virucide cartridges includes an RFID tag that identifies a scent of the dry fragrance/virucide cartridge and an RFID reader reads the RFID tags of the fragrance/virucide cartridges. The RFID readers can be system monitor sensors 225. The mobile digital aroma system includes a visual display, which can be a system output 231 for displaying the scent of the dry fragrance/virucide cartridge. The system can then match the different fragrance/virucide cartridges to the various fragrance/virucide triggers and store this information in the scent and virucide database 229. The system can emit the target fragrance/virucide when the corresponding trigger is detected by the trigger input 221 or other signals are detected by one of the sensor inputs 223.

[00101] With reference to FIG. 36, the sensor input 223 can be a sensor that detects ambient signals such as a microphone that detects audio signal or a camera that can detect input signals. The system monitor sensor 225 can be coupled to the mobile digital aroma system components and detect the operation of the components. The scent and virucide database 229 can include a list of fragrance/virucide information, which can be used to match the fragrance/virucide based upon a fragrance identification code signal and then the identification with the valves 237 that must be open to actuate the release of the identified fragrance. The system output 231 can be a visual output, which can be used to inform the system user of system errors or cartridge replacement needs. The valve controllers 233 allow the processor 227 to control the operation of the valves 237. The fans/pumps controllers 235 can be used to allow the processor 227 to control the operation of the fans/pumps. The described mobile digital aroma system components can operate in conjunction to perform various functional actions that can be performed with software running on the processor 227.

[00102] In an embodiment, the sensor input 223 can be a camera and the processor 227 can run recognition software that receive video signals from the sensor input 223 camera and recognize objects and/or environments which may induce nausea such as winding roads or heavy traffic. In an embodiment there may be a known time delay between the actuation of the mobile digital aroma system to output a target fragrance/virucide and the user smelling the fragrance. The video object recognition system can identify the fragrance video object and/or environment trigger and identify the fragrance that is associated with the trigger. The mobile digital aroma system can then actuate the trigger associated fragrance delivery before the trigger object or environment is displayed by the known time delay period so that the fragrance is delivered to the viewer at the moment when the trigger object or environment is being displayed.

[00103] In an embodiment the mobile digital aroma system can use a microphone as a sensor input 223 that can be triggered the correct aroma with sound recognition software running on the processor 227 that recognizes audio commands and disperses the correct aroma based on the audio commands. The audio recognition system can receive the audio signals and use the scent and virucide database 229 to identify the fragrance associated with the audio signals. The processor 227 running audio recognition software can then control the valves 237 and/or fans/pumps 239 to actuate the fragrance delivery.

[00104] In an embodiment, the mobile digital aroma system can include software running on the local processor that can communicate through the I/O 219 to the Internet to a cloud service. This communication capability can be used with the system monitor sensor 225 for remote monitoring of the cassettes and fragrance/virucide cartridges, the duration of the number of uses, and remotely monitors the health of the pump and/or fan and health in the mobile digital aroma system to ensure the system components are working properly. If errors or end of life are detected in any of the system components, the processor 227 of the mobile digital aroma system sends alerts to a user or system administrator identifying the errors through the system output 231 when something is not working properly. The system output 231 can be a visual display, an audio output device and/or a digital wireless communication output. [00105] Dry Particle Virucide - The described fragrance/virucide cartridges can include beads infused with dry' particle viricides. The dry particle virucide formula can include the ingredients: 33.3% Essential Oil Laurier noble without methyleugenol, (rectified under vacuum), 33.3% Essential Oil Ravintsara, and 33.3% Essential Oil Eucalyptus radiata. In other embodiments, the virucide can have different ratios of particles 25-45% laurier noble, 25-45% Ravintsara, and 25-45% Eucalyptus radiata. In still other embodiments, the virucide can include at least one of the dry particle virucide ingredients: Laurier noble, Ravintsara, and Eucalyptus radiata.

[00106] Laurel Noble Essential Oil or Laurus nobilis is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous smooth leaves, in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. The most abundant component found in novel laurel essential oil is 1,8-cineole, also called eucalyptol. The leaves contain about 1.3% essential oils consisting of 45% eucalyptol, 12% other terpenes, 8- 12% terpinyl acetate, 3-4% sesquiterpenes, 3% methyleugenol, and other a- and P-pienes, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, terpineol, and lauric acid.

[00107] Both essential and fatty oils are present in the Laurus nobilis fruit. The fruit can be pressed and water-extracted to obtain these products. The fruit contains up to 30% fatty oils and about 1% essential oils (terpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols, and ketones). The chemical compound lauroside B can be isolated from Laurus nobilis.

[00108] In an embodiment, the methyleugenol can be removed through “vacuum distillation” that is distillation performed under reduced pressure, which allows the purification of compounds not readily distilled at ambient pressures or simply to save time or energy. This technique separates compounds based on differences in boiling points. This technique is used when the boiling point of the desired compound is difficult to achieve or will cause the compound to decompose. The fluids can be boiled and the methyleugenol can boil at a different temperature. For example, a reduced or lower ambient pressure decreases the boiling point of compounds.

[00109] Ravintsara essential oil that can be helpful with areas of discomfort. It has a fresh, sharp, medicinal smell that is similar to Eucalyptus. This oil is often used for chest congestion, stuffiness, and tickly throats, due to its 1,8 Cineole content.

[00110] Eucalyptus radiata, is commonly known as the narrow-leaved peppermint or Forth River peppermint. Eucalyptus radiata has six known chemotypes of essential oil. The leaves are distilled for cineole and phellandrene based eucalyptus oils.

[00111] An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds from plants that can be easily evaporated at elevated temperatures. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An essential oil is "essential" in the sense that it contains the "essence of' the plant. The term "essential" used here does not mean indispensable or usable by the human body, as with the terms essential amino acid or essential fatty acid, which are so called because they are nutritionally required by a given living organism.

[00112] Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, sfumatura, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, wax embedding, and cold pressing. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other products, for flavoring food and drink, and for adding scents to incense and household cleaning products. Essential oils should not be confused with perfumes, fragrances, etc. as the latter usually include pure chemical components whereas essential oils are derived from plants.

[00113] Essential oils are often used for aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine in which healing effects are ascribed to aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy may be useful to induce relaxation, but there is not sufficient evidence that essential oils can effectively treat any condition. Improper use of essential oils may cause harm including allergic reactions and skin irritation, and children may be particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of improper use.

[00114] The digital aroma system uses virucide cartridges, which have dry beaded sealed units, coupled to a cassette and manifold which provides a self-contained system. The virucide is from dry particles, which are infused into substrates such as beads that remain enclosed in individual chambers that seal the aroma for freshness until the virucide cartridge is installed in the mobile digital aroma system and delivered through the scent outlet to the user. Because of the dry nature of the virucide materials there is no lingering aroma effect and no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is safe to breathe according to IFRA (The International Fragrance Association) compliance. [00115] The beads are placed in or near the virucide oil and/or the virucide oils or other virucide media are infused into beads. The bead virucide infusion process can take up to four weeks. After the beads have been infused with a virucide, the virucide infused beads are placed in virucide cartridges and the virucide cartridges can be packed. The filled virucide cartridges are shipped to distributors, dealers and/or directly to consumers. The virucide cartridges are then inserted into the virucide dispersion units and used by the end consumers. Air is blown through the virucide cartridges and the dry virucide particles are blown off of the virucide beads. At the end of the dispersion cycle life, the virucide cartridges are removed from the virucide dispersion units and replaced with new virucide cartridges. The depleted virucide cartridges can then be recycled. In an embodiment, the virucide cartridges are disassembled and the virucide depleted beads are removed from the cartridges. The beads and cartridges can be recycled. The used beads can be cleaned and re-infused with the virucide particles. Once re-infused, these virucide beads can be placed in a virucide cartridge and the consumption process can be repeated.

[00116] Virucide Efficacy Study - An experimental study was performed to determine the antimicrobial or virucide efficacy of the inventive dry-air diffusion device that released a specific virucide formula (Virucide-313485) that was designed to eliminate or reduce airborne viral pathogens. Testing was performed at Microchem Laboratory 1304 W. Industrial Road Round Rock, TX 78681 on July 17, 2020 and the test report author is S. Hanley B.S.

[00117] Microchem Laboratories is an independent testing laboratory that determined that the dry air diffusion system that emits a special proprietary virus-killing formula (V-313485) reduced surrogate airborne viral pathogens by 92.3%, 97.2% and 99.8%, over 30min, 60min, and 120min periods of intermittent release, respectively. At 240 minutes a 99.98% reduction was apparent which was the same as the baseline reduction without the release of the release. The purpose of the study was to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of Inahlio’s test virucide dispersion unit with cartridges filled with beads infused with dry virucide particles (Virucide-313485).

[00118] Test Microorganism Information - MS2 Bacteriophage Virus (MS2), ATCC 15597-B1 was the test microorganism(s) selected for testing. This virus is a non-enveloped positive-stranded RNA virus of the bacteriophage family Leviviridae. Leviviridae is a family of positive-strand RNA viruses which infect prokaryotes. Bacteria cells including enterobacteria, caulobacter, pseudomonas, and acinetobacter serve as natural hosts for these bacteriophages. They are small viruses with linear, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes that encode four proteins. E. coli 15597 serves this purpose for MS2 Bacteriophage Virus. The small size, icosahedral structure, and environmental resistance has made the MS2 Bacteriophage an ideal surrogate virus for a number of viruses including: Rhinovirus (the common-cold virus) that spreads through the air, Picomaviruses such as Poliovirus and Human Norovirus that are used in many disinfectant studies. MS2 is used a screener virus for Coronaviruses in this study as it is non-enveloped and harder to kill than the enveloped Coronavirus. Thus, the test efficacy shown in the test results will be lower than the actual virucide efficacy with Coronaviruses.

[00119] Testing was performed in an aerosol testing chamber to determine the effect of the antimicrobial agents on microorganisms present individually or in small clusters in the air, as bioaerosols. The inner test chamber is a Negative Pressure Aerosol Chamber (NPAC) that measures 10' x 10' x 8' (800 cubic ft.), which is the standard size for a test room according to the environmental protection agency (EP A). Testing conducted in the NPAC simulates life size testing of whole room disinfection devices against aerosolized bacteria, fungi, or viruses. [00120] Summary of Lab Procedure - Test microorganisms were grown on appropriate media. The cultures used for test inoculum are evaluated for sterility, washed and concentrated in sterile phosphate buffered saline upon harvesting. The test inoculum was split into two equal parts and added to the appropriate number of nebulizers. Liquid culture should not exceed 20 ml per nebulizer. The device was setup per protocol requirements and operated per manufacturer’s instructions. The chamber was setup and the safety checklist was completed prior to test initiation. Test as initiated by aerosolizing the microorganisms per the nebulizers and allowing the concentration to reach the required PFU/m ³ . Once the concentration was reached, a time zero sample as taken then the device was run for the specified contact time and an additional sample was taken for each contact time. The decontamination process was run, 4 hours of UV exposure, prior to any scientists entering the testing chamber. Samples were enumerated using standard dilution and plating techniques. Microbial concentrations were determined after appropriate incubation times. Reductions of microorganisms sdfd calculated relative to concentration of the time zero or corresponding control run samples as applicable. Testing Parameters are illustrated in Table 1.

Table 1

[00121] Study Notes - 4.0 ml of MS2 bacteriophage ATCC 15597-B1 culture was added to 46.0 ml of Phosphate Buffered Saline and mixed. 20.0 ml of inoculum was added to each nebulizer. Per study Sponsor instructions test device was plugged in and blue light was confirmed to be blinking. After blue light changed from blinking to solid the antiviral cartridge (V-313485 Virucide Formula) was inserted into the test device making sure the RFID chip was touching the RFID Reader.

[00122] Calculations:

[00123] PFU/ml = (Average plate count) x 1 : 10 serial dilution factor [00124] PFU/carrier = (Average plate count) x 1 : 10 serial dilution factor x media dilution factor. [00125] PFU/carrier = PFU/ml x total harvest media volume.

[00126] Percent Reduction = (B - A) / B x 100%

[00127] Logio Reduction = Log(B/A)

[00128] Where: B= Number of viable test microorganisms on the control carriers immediately after inoculation and A = Number of viable test microorganisms on the test carriers after the contact time where PFU (Plaque Forming Units).

[00129] The results of the study show that there is a significant difference in the Logio reduction in the microorganism count over a 2 hour time period. The results are shown in FIG. 37 is a table which lists the test results in a comparison of baseline v. virucide diffusion over a period of 2 hours. The difference in the reduction in PFU/m3 is significant. After 30 minutes, the difference in the % reduction is 48.01% for baseline v. 92.27% after the virucide treatment. After 60 minutes, the difference in the % reduction is 74.26% for baseline v. 97.271 after the virucide treatment and after 120 minutes, the difference in the % reduction is 96.54% for baseline v. 99.84 % after the virucide treatment. FIG. 38 is a graphical representation of the test results comparing the Log Reductions listed in FIG. 37 for baseline v. virucide diffusion over a period of 2 hours. FIG. 39 is a graph showing the % reduction in PFU/m3 listed in FIG. 37 for baseline v. virucide diffusion over a period of 2 hours. FIGS. 37-39 clearly show the improved sterility of the space after diffusion of the described virucide.

[00130] FIG. 40 shows an example of a generic computer device 900 and a generic mobile computer device 950, which may be used to implement the processes described herein, including the mobile-side and server-side processes for installing a computer program from a mobile device to a computer. Computing device 900 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. Computing device 950 is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in this document.

[00131] Computing device 900 includes a processor 902, memory 904, a storage device 906, a high-speed interface 908 connecting to memory 904 and high-speed expansion ports 910, and a low speed interface 912 connecting to low speed bus 914 and storage device 906. Each of the components: processor 902, memory 904, storage device 906, high-speed interface 908, high-speed expansion ports 910, and low speed interface 912 are interconnected using various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor 902 can process instructions for execution within the computing device 900, including instructions stored in the memory 904 or on the storage device 906 to display graphical information for a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display 916 coupled to high speed interface 908. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple busses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices 900 may be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

[00132] The memory 904 stores information within the computing device 900. In one implementation, the memory 904 is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 904 is a non-volatile memory unit or units. The memory 904 may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

[00133] The storage device 906 is capable of providing mass storage for the computing device 900. In one implementation, the storage device 906 may be or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices in a storage area network or other configurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product may also contain instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier may be a non-transitory computer- or machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory 904, the storage device 906, or memory on processor 902.

[00134] The high speed controller 908 manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device 900, while the low speed controller 912 manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions is exemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 908 is coupled to memory 904, display 916 (e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to highspeed expansion ports 910, which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speed controller 912 is coupled to storage device 906 and low-speed expansion port 914. The low-speed expansion port 914, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet), may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard 936 in communication with a computer 932, a pointing device 935, a scanner 931, or a networking device 933 such as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter. [00135] The computing device 900 may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a standard server 920, or multiple times in a group of such servers. It may also be implemented as part of a rack server system 924. In addition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer 922. Alternatively, components from computing device 900 may be combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such as device 950. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computing device 900, 950, and an entire system may be made up of multiple computing devices 900, 950 communicating with each other.

[00136] Computing device 950 includes a processor 952, memory 964, an input/output device such as a display 954, a communication interface 966, and a transceiver 968, among other components. The device 950 may also be provided with a storage device, such as a Microdrive, solid-state memory or other device, to provide additional storage. Each of the components computing device 950, processor 952, memory 964, display 954, communication interface 966, and transceiver 968 are interconnected using various busses, and several of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate.

[00137] The processor 952 can execute instructions within the computing device 950, including instructions stored in the memory 964. The processor may be implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multiple analog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example, for coordination of the other components of the device 950, such as control of user interfaces, applications run by device 950, and wireless communication by device 950.

[00138] Processor 952 may communicate with a user through control interface 958 and display interface 956 coupled to a display 954. The display 954 may be, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin- Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriate display technology. The display interface 956 may comprise appropriate circuitry for driving the display 954 to present graphical and other information to a user. The control interface 958 may receive commands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor 952. In addition, an external interface 962 may be provided in communication with processor 952, so as to enable near area communication of device 950 with other devices. External interface 962 may provide, for example, for wired communication in some implementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may also be used.

[00139] The memory 964 stores information within the computing device 950. The memory 964 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readable medium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatile memory unit or units. Expansion memory 974 may also be provided and connected to device 950 through expansion interface 972, which may include, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) card interface. Such expansion memory 974 may provide extra storage space for device 950, or may also store applications or other information for device 950. Specifically, expansion memory 974 may include instructions to carry out or supplement the processes described above, and may include secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 974 may be provide as a security module for device 950, and may be programmed with instructions that permit secure use of device 950. In addition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, along with additional information, such as placing identifying information on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

[00140] The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory, as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 964, expansion memory 974, memory on processor 952, or a propagated signal that may be received, for example, over transceiver 968 or external interface 962.

[00141] Device 950 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface 966, which may include digital signal processing circuitry where necessary. Communication interface 966 may provide for communications under various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others. Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequency transceiver 968. In addition, short- range communication may occur, such as using a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such transceiver (not shown). In addition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 970 may provide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data to device 950, which may be used as appropriate by applications running on device 950.

[00142] Device 950 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 960, which may receive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digital information. Audio codec 960 may likewise generate audible sound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 950. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also include sound generated by applications operating on device 950.

[00143] The computing device 950 may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a cellular telephone 980. It may also be implemented as part of a smartphone 982, personal digital assistant, a tablet computer 983 or other similar mobile computing device.

[00144] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[00145] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high- level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" "computer-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

[00146] To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[00147] The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the Internet. [00148] The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. For the sake of clarity, the processes and methods herein have been illustrated with a specific flow, but it should be understood that other sequences may be possible and that some may be performed in parallel, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, steps may be subdivided or combined. As disclosed herein, software written in accordance with the present invention may be stored in some form of computer-readable medium, such as memory or CD-ROM, or transmitted over a network, and executed by a processor. [00149] All references cited herein are intended to be incorporated by reference. Although the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modifications to this invention will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art and may be practiced within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. More than one computer may be used, such as by using multiple computers in a parallel or load-sharing arrangement or distributing tasks across multiple computers such that, as a whole, they perform the functions of the components identified herein; i.e. they take the place of a single computer. Various functions described above may be performed by a single process or groups of processes, on a single computer or distributed over several computers. Processes may invoke other processes to handle certain tasks. A single storage device may be used, or several may be used to take the place of a single storage device. The present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. It is therefore intended that the disclosure and following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.