Over the last few years, individuals and organizations have inquired about using our aromaComposer systems to help “Special Needs” persons.

There is a current movement to use multisensory stimulation with great benefits to special needs individuals. Thousands of “Multisensory Environments” (MSE’s) or Snoezelen Rooms (European term) have and continue to be created at facilities worldwide. Unfortunately, scent diffusion has been poorly implemented within these environments due to the limitations of currently available technology.

In cooperation with a European/American “Special Needs” product developer and distributor, we began to design and prototype a new version of the aromaComposer adapted for special needs purposes.

The Manual MINI: This variation of the aromaComposer Mini is distinguishes by its many unique and playful user controller interface

We are now proud to announce the completion of our first “Special Needs” prototype, along with a complete set of molds, which makes it possible to duplicate the systems at significantly reduced cost. This model is assembled from modular components, which can be configured in different ways for a variety of applications. This system is self-controlled by the user, intuitive and interactive. It is ideal for integration into Multisensory Environments as well as other spaces including hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, dentist or doctor’s waiting rooms, etc.

The new AromaComposer, has the capacity to touch people in profound ways, and has applications for persons with autism.

BETA Testing for ”Special Needs” – the  AromaComposer MINI

We are now seeking grant funding to fabricate a limited number of prototype “Special Needs” aromaComposers, and to place them into the hands of appropriate persons and facilities for BETA testing.

Special Needs therapists and teachers will experiment with product usage and methodology, make recommendations, and certify these systems. Using our intuitive manual control interface, users can create their own aromatic worlds in association with other sensory stimuli. Healing practitioners of many kinds will have their chance to see how it complements existing therapies and services as well, and what opportunities exist for new applications.

This BETA program will also help to develop appropriate methods of product use, integration with other systems and the creation of specialized control interfaces for persons facing various challenges:

• Developmental Disability
• Children with Special Needs
• Autism
• Mental Health
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Stroke & Traumatic Brain Injury
• Pain Control
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s, “Sundowners”
• Hospice

We have been in discussions with a major east coast center interested in using our system for continued multisensory research, which they hope will lead to breakthroughs in patient treatment. As predicted by Jeremy Rifkin, our precise and repeatable digital controllers would make this system ideal for scientific application, and learning.

In addition, this BETA program may extend into hospitals and convalescent environments. Currently in the United States, nurses at some hospitals, with doctor approval, are practicing traditional aromatherapy, one patient at a time. Doctors and nurses, and psychotherapists have expressed their interest in adapting our systems for similar purposes; this includes soothing patients and stimulating the natural healing process… for both pre and post treatment.

Beth Comstock, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for GE, experienced our system at the
Google Zeitgeist event, and suggested that it this type of system may have use within their medical imaging
product line, as a way to relax or comfort patients, specifically children.

AromaComposer BETA Projects Described

Through the InSpirit Foundation, … under the wings of the INTERNATIONAL HUMANITIES CENTER, a California-based 501(c)(3) charitable trust, Multisensory Systems is developing non-commercial “projects” based upon decisions of the Board and evaluation of professional and public requests. Projects are being planned to work with any of the groups listed broadly under “Special Needs”, or for “Hospital” uses as described previously.

These projects will be funded independently. Of those that are proposed, the ones that receive funding will be put into action first. Costs associated with each project will vary depending upon the particular application and goals of that project. Budgeting guidelines available upon request.

Length of BETA Programs

For most projects, the BETA test projects would run from four to six months with our support. Afterwards, the results and progress will be evaluated and the study may continue with or without regular support from Multisensory Systems.

An Example Project

One project might be to place 10 variations of our system into several different institutions working with autistic children for BETA testing. These institutions, working separately, may have different plans or theories about how to reach certain goals, but will cooperate with each other throughout the project.

What will they individually discover, as each group takes a slightly different approach to a similar goal?

How successful can the combined project be?

Will the collaborative effort create the best system for a second project, making the discoveries of all projects available at minimum cost to thousands of beneficiaries?

Interface

In most of these cases, a special manual control interface will be designed and provided to work well with small, but well functioning hands. This interface might take the form of a smiling bear or other cuddly being… very friendly and non-threatening. A consideration in this case, does a face, eyes topside… mouth below, lets the user know what side of the controller is up or down, so that it does not get twisted around into knots?

Simple intentions can translate to sound and music, to scent compositions, to colors, to vibration and movement

Nozzles

Nozzles might be designed direct the scent into a horizontally wider beam, due to side-to side head movement of some users in that group. Normally we direct scents toward a relative stationary nose zone.

It’s very simple to target user. Custom nozzles insure that end-users are in a constant aroma zone.

Multisensory Integration

Multisensory device tie-ins may be useful in dealing with multisensory deficit disorder, recently associated with autism. Colors, sound cues and scents will be selected for autistic children in particular, working in development with their teachers, healers and other facilitators.

A young user is immersed within a full multisensory environment ... the Multisensory Stimulation System in Ojai, CA, USA

Inquires

We welcome inquires by any organization or individual interested in participating in this  BETA program. Please contact us here.

From Prerecorded Experiences… to Personalized Biofeedback Control

In the simplest mode, our system can present any number of prerecorded multisensory experiences which can be stored locally on a computer, played from a DVD disk, or received live via the internet. As an enhancement, utilizing our advanced biofeedback technology with sophisticated show controllers and media synthesizers, the Multisensory Stimulation system becomes totally interactive, allowing the user’s sub-conscious mind to help drive and customize the experience. In this way each user has a completely unique personal encounter.

Multisensory Stimulation System (MSS)

Wave a magic wand and find your world transformed. A simple hand gesture, a quiet murmur, your breath or your own brainwaves can transform your sensory environment in real-time.

Control using Conscious and Subconscious Systems

MSS Controller with Biofeedback Loop

The Multisensory Stimulation System’s patent designates the use of both prerecorded media programs and/or bio-interactive control of the delivered sensory experience.

In the full-featured scenario, our system can be calibrated for each individual and takes its cues from their physical, intellectual, and emotional states. This interactive system includes the use of biofeedback sensors, and voice recognition systems, as well as various other input devices, that are both subconsciously and consciously manipulated.

Here, the participant transmits information to the system, which reflects the subject’s current state of being as well as the subject’s preferences and choices. Subconsciously this occurs through the application of the biofeedback devices, and consciously through use of other controller interface devices. Our proprietary system interprets all of this input information and then outputs various sensory media and media queues to the Stimulation System.

The user’s experience can be generated completely real-time or played back from selected data within libraries, either locally or remote.

Naturally, the subject is affected by the just received stimulus and physiologically responds to it. This response is communicated to the controller again, which refines or changes the experience. This loop is repeated endlessly.

Key here is an “intelligent agent” which assists in creating “Profiles” of each user, adapting each experience to their personal needs; it learns how each person responds to each sensory queue or stimulus. When a user comes back, it continues their new multisensory experience, based upon that constantly developing personal profile.

In this way our system is capable of providing a different experience to each individual, tailored specifically for that individual, with the intent of maximizing the effectiveness of its goal-oriented programming.

Biofeedback Reflects the Subconscious Mind and Physical Body

Bio-sensors and related monitoring systems gather the raw data. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• EEG/Brainwave Monitoring
• Heart Rate
• Breath
• Body Temperature
• Galvanic Skin Response
• Voice Analysis
• Eyes; Movement and Dilation
• Facial Expression Analysis
• Gesture Controllers
• Radionics

Devices that Communicate Conscious Choices

Through deliberate manipulation of various control interface devices and related systems, a user may make choices or help guide an experience. These Conscious control devices may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Voice through Microphones and Appropriate Preamp
• Voice Commands
• Singing
• Hand Manipulation
• Gel Pad(s)
• Joystick(s) Trackball(s), Mouse (mice), etc.
• MIDI Controllers, including keyboards, drum pads, breath and infrared devices
• Motion Trackers, including infrared types
• Data-glove
• Eye Tracking, motion and dilation
• Biofeedback Devices (Adept users may use these for conscious control too.)

Tools For Exploration

We now have the technology to allow experts in the fields of consciousness, healing arts, complimentary medicine, meditation, entertainment and other modalities to collaborate with us on the development of new programs with this in mind.

RDN

Conclusion: “I think it’s very positive… a system that will help you to get there faster and more efficiently. Whenever you want to “zone out”, you just get into the chair, plug yourself “In” and you’re “Out”… and in that meditative state.” Tan Le, President and co-founder Emotiv

Ojai, CA- MultiSensory Systems of Ojai, California, an integrator of multisensory systems, was one of six advanced technology companies selected by Google to exhibit at their recent Scottsdale, Arizona Zeitgeist ‘10 Conference. This year’s theme… “MindShift: How shifts in thinking have rippled through all aspects of the world.”

Multisensory Systems demonstrated their patented sensory chair prototype that combines 3-D sound, scent and vibration to calm or inspire a person in a very short time. The company has developed its proprietary technology over the past 14 years, under the direction of Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Doug Nelson. According to Nelson, “We are very excited about the potential of our system to dramatically reduce stress which, in our current economic and political environment, is an important missing link. Many companies have developed elements of our system as stand-alone technologies but, so far as we know, none has developed a sophisticated system that integrates these elements digitally, and as elegantly as we have.”

During the conference, Doug and Multisensory Systems Co-Founder Zubin Levy and met fellow exhibitor & conference speaker Tan Le, the president and co-founder of Emotiv and her associate Dr Geoffrey Mackellar, CTO, leaders in neurofeedback devices. Their state-of-the-art Neuroheadset converts brain activity into visual displays, easily interpreted by healing professionals or computer software programs.

Doug created the multisensory devices and was aware that Emotiv’s Neuroheadset could be a direct fit. On Day 2 of the event, Tan Le was prepared to give it a try.

Click to view enlarged slideshow

Zubin describes an event that took place on the last day of the conference. “Tan Le asked her biz partner and CTO to put on his Neuroheadset and recline into our sensory chair and sample our system and demonstration program. At the start of the program, Emotiv’s display translated his brain’s activity into red and orange colors, revealing high stress levels and an overactive brain. In minutes, colors had turned to blue, indicating a deep meditative state.

According to Tan “When Geoff was in the chair and I was observing his brain state, he was able to quickly move into a very, very relaxed state, confirmed by the kind of activity we were seeing in his brain. We were seeing a high amount of Delta and Theta activity, some bursts of Alpha activity as he was just moving into a relaxed state, which is very consistent with what you would be able to achieve if you were meditating. Occasionally we will see bursts of imagination… or creativity… or daydreaming… absolutely no activity in Beta. It was very interesting for us to observe the changes that were going on.”

“It means that it’s working… your system is working to put him into a state of relaxation”

Here’s some info from Emotiv describing their Headset, graphic software and meaning of brain frequency states:

“Based on the latest developments in neuro-technology, Emotiv has developed a revolutionary new personal interface for human computer interaction. The Emotiv EPOC is a high resolution, neuro-signal acquisition and processing wireless Neuroheadset. It uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals produced by the brain to detect user thoughts, feelings and expressions and connects wirelessly to most PCs.”

Emotiv EPOC Brain Activity Map

This application displays a real-time map of your mental activity in four significant brainwave frequency bands (Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta).

Delta (0.5-4Hz) – indicating deep sleep, restfulness, and conversely excitement or agitation when delta waves are suppressed

Theta (4-8Hz) – indicating deep meditative states, daydreaming and automatic tasks

Alpha (8-15Hz) – indicating relaxed alertness, restful and meditative states

Beta (15-30Hz) – indicating wakefulness, alertness, mental engagement and conscious processing of information.

Of course, the neuroheadset proves that our multisensory system, with appropriate programming, is capable of putting an individual into an incredibly deep state for a considerable length of time. The Emotiv Neuroheadset will become a very useful tool for developing multisensory programs, and in the near future… as our patent describes, could be used to control or help move a person through personal multisensory worlds.

“It’s not just the visual display that is important…” Doug said ” but rather the simplified EEG Neuroheadset which with appropriate software can analyze individuals and provide information to our controllers; creating personalized multisensory journeys. This is part of our of our original patent.”

Link to related post:  Control of multisensory experiences using biofeedback.

Zeitgeist 2010 – Post Show Notes!

Just back, regrouping and re-assembling our multisensory systems in our Ojai studio following US Google Zeitgeist ’10 exhibition this week in Scottsdale, AZ.  The event took place on September 12-14, 2010 at the Montelucia Spa and Resort. This is  a twice-a-year event for Google; one conference in the USA and another in the European Union.

Significance of being selected

As only one of six companies in the world invited by Google to demonstrate “MindShifting” technologies at this year’s US Zeitgeist conference, we were thrilled to hook-up with Emotiv (another selected presenter) whose Neuroheadset technology proved the effectiveness of our multisensory experience at the event.

With eyes closed, guests had the opportunity to journey… relaxed within our multisensory chair, complete with scents from nature (digitally blended), calming sounds (3-D of course), and vibroacoustic massage (to music), designed to put one quickly into Alpha, Theta, and Delta states…  for positive change.

Mindshift Zone:  The Exhibit Space

The exhibit space was in the foyer just outside of the  main conference ballroom at the Montelucia Spa and Resort.

From Zeitgeist Overview:

“Mindshifting activities stretch beyond the main session room into the foyer. Here you will find exciting new technologies including augmented reality and new ways to “train your brain…”

Despite loud noise of crowds and video of conference goings on, our closed headphone system was still able to bring a few moments of tranquility to guests within this vibrant space.

Backdrops for all exhibits were illustrated on-site by the clever and very talented artist Peter Durand, co-founder of Alphachimp Studio Inc.  Peter’s work from the Google event can be viewed here:   Visions of the Future from Google Zeitgeist 2010

Our Exhibit

The Multisensory chair with pre-programmed aromaComposer diffusion and blending system was transported and assembled in Scottsdale for the conference. In this case, scent was provided by our tried-and-true second- generation aromaComposer system.

This system integrates time coordinated “olfactory experience” with other senses including strategically placed multi-channel tactile vibroacoustic devices and incredible three-dimensional sound.

Present, for display only, was our third-generation aromaComposer scent device (capable of projecting a narrow scent beam a distance of 8-12 feet)

Not present, our forth-generation miniature aromaComposer prototype, currently being fabricated at our Ojai, California studio, and our SMART sensor controlled scent-beaming device.

The aromaComposer is capable of blending thousand of different scents in real-time from a handful of essential oils, using a computer interface… with or without biofeedback controllers.  Scent formulations and multisensory programs can be prerecorded, stored and played back on many media devices,  or shared remotely over the internet.

Zeitgeist '10 US Logo

Google’s Zeitgeist Conference

US Zeitgeist ’10: Paradise Valley, AZ

September 12-14, 2010

This Year’s Theme: Mindshift

Quotes from Zeitgeist ‘10 Program Guide

“At Zeitgeist 2010, we have assembled an extraordinary group of individuals, including the best minds and greatest leaders from a range of arenas. Bringing together such an unsurpassed group is more important now than ever. Due to the dramatic changes our world has recently experienced, a shift in our collective mindset is required to spark new thinking about our global village. This need for fresh perspectives led directly to our theme for Zeitgeist ’10: “Mindshift.” ”

By Nikesh Arora and Dennis Woodside

Quote from Zeitgeist Introduction:

“This year we will take a look at how shifts in thinking have rippled through all aspects of the world.”

Videos of the many speakers at the event can be found here:

Zeitgeist – Great Minds of Our Time

This is our new site and is in development… as we speak. Please go to these alternate sites for further information regarding our multisensory chair and aroma systems:

AlphaSensory Post

AlphaSensory.com

AromaComposer and multisensory archived site

The Walk – A Multisensory Experience

Thanx 2 All,

RDN

Comments from Doug:   We have taken a very different approach to integrating scent within multisensory media experiences. Aroma Journeys discussed by the aromaComposer inventor at AlphaSensory.com

via Aroma Journeys – Scent Music – Integrating Scent within Media Experiences.

I was invited to spend an evening with both old and new friends.  Our conversations were recorded by two very talented and astute individuals…  who ultimately participated in this conversation.  The old guys were all impressed.

Direct Link: notthisbody personal cargo

Here is the first of many segments from some 4 hours of discussion.

R. Douglas Nelson

ShiftShapers

NotThisBody & ThisIsMeta share…

ShiftShapers: an immediated autodocumentary

I heard a quote from somewhere, forget where… “The baby boomer generation will be known more for what they do in their 60s than what they did in the 60s.”

ShiftShapers from notthisbody on Vimeo.

Shiftshaping implies:

(1) Sharing our individual experience, motivations, wisdom & vision
(2) Consolidating individual wisdoms towards collective actions
(3) Minds open to the evolution of ideas/approaches/methods
(4) A willingness to share resources
(5) A strong commitment to collaboration

Licensed under:
CC Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0

*Extended discussions will be put up online over the next couple weeks.
* thanks to Gabriel Shalom for discussions around Immediated Autodocumentary

The AromaComposer…Gen-2 prototype, set up for group interaction.

Elating aromas are shared by many… for one moment… then incredibly different scents appear seconds later, created according to each user’s desires… truly subconscious and personal creations.

Imagine the possibilities!

AromaComposer Gen-2 for Group Use

Multisensory Systems at ScentWorld Expo 2009

A lucky few had a chance to experience our multisensory chair with second generation aromaComposer diffusion and blending system at the Scent World Expo, held in Las Vegas Nevada, during the period of Nov 18-21 2009.

Our purpose was to let the international community have a sneak peek at what we have been up to, to get to know that community. Although the focus of the event was the use of scent for marketing purposes, as part of multisensory branding experiences, many of the attendees were involved in other aspects of scent and multisensory experiences.

Many friends made.

Inspiration

In the early 1960′s, … my father took my brothers and myself to the Santa Monica Pier, where I experienced an expensive experimental arcade game machine called “Sensorama”, now acknowledged as one of the first virtual reality systems. I experienced true multisensory… a 3-D film, stereo sound, vibration, wind and different aromas in one box. Created by Mort Heilig and patented in 1962. Spent all my change that day to run through his shows. As I remember, one was an over the sand dunes experience in a dune buggy… another included a bicycle, downhill motion, and included a wink from a pretty girl in passing. It sure beat my incense, strobe light and sync-sound light box projects of the 60′s.

Themed Design

In 1984, while working on the Baltimore Power Plant project for Six Flags, I experienced the “Sensorium Theater”, which I was not the designer of, but did see the processes used intimately, and the failures too, which taught me much about the benefits and deficits of such multisensory systems, especially the scent system with its chemical wax like pellets.

http://alphasensory.com/wordpress/?p=50

In 1985, as Project Designer, I proposed to Caesars Palace that we use scent to stimulate/excite their patrons as they entered the casino… through this ancient Rotunda… via a moving sidewalk. It was a pretty far out concept … to all involved. Got cut from budget. Capable systems at this time were primitive, lacking or unavailable. The concept of scent marketing is not new to me. alphasensory.com/Portfolio/Caesars/ProjectPage.html (see linked document ProjectScope.html)

A few years later, in 1987 proposed multiple scented environments within the Fairyland Restaurant/Theater due to be created at Sanrio’s Puroland. By 1989, the idea of… and use of environmental fragrancing was going full bore while I lived and worked in Japan. I advocated it on various retail-marketing projects, such as the Sanrio Gallery, and have been a big supporter of scent environmental marketing, but again technology was primitive.

Our Patents and Prototypes

In the late 90′s we were still unable to find a good multi-scent diffuser for our Multisensory Stimulation System (pictured above), then under development. So we began to develop our own technology.

In 1998 our first generation aroma system was built, and in November 2000 a Provisional Patent was filed. This utility patent describes both Method and Apparatus. The Patent for the aromaComposer was officially granted in August 2004. The patent permits from one… to any number of scents to be actively diffused or blended within the machine. Three generations of prototypes have been built and tested extensively, which are all based upon, and built according to the strict methodology described in our patent. Each version is technologically more refined.

A second patent and numerous trade secrets protect those advances.

Second-generation prototype in use.

Advantages of this system over the current state of the art include:

• Ability to switch scents “on the fly”, selecting from a number of different oils.
• Ability to blend thousands of scents from several sources and dynamically select different blends “on the fly”.
• Uses much less oil than traditional diffusers (essential oils are very expensive)
• Leaves virtually no residue or lingering scents, even in small spaces.
• Operates with pre-programmed music and/or voice CDs and DVDs (Relaxation, Healing, Creativity, Determination, etc.; See “Programmed Experiences”)
• Programmable via standard computer interface for complete control of the user experience (the therapist can also record and edit programs for later use and share blends over the Internet)
• System distributes trace amounts at close range to targeted user only.
• Able to respond to the needs of an individual as those needs change.
• Extremely quiet operation

These characteristics create a dramatic new experience for individuals, which when applied properly can reduce stress, alter consciousness and promote well being.

The third-generation aromaComposer… for Special Needs and Spa Applications – Had optional motion sensor switch activation, rechargeable battery operation, and a selection of nozzles for various purposes

Download now:

The new “AromaComposer” 3rd-Gen Prototypes in Progress – a PDF Publication

Integrated Scent Marketing Systems

Since developing the basic aromaComposer and its controller systems I have received various inquiries from individuals and companies, through the years, from around the world, interested in using our system for scent marketing purposes. We have proposed placing all components into a single box, mounted within a kiosk or display, for dedicated scent-marketing purposes.

A new scent-marketing prototype finally exists… based upon our Generation-3 head, bottle and pump system, fit into a solidly mounted single container. Ten plus years in the making.

c.2009 R. Douglas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Integrated Scent Marketing Systems

Since developing the basic aromaComposer and its controller systems I have received various inquiries from individuals and companies, through the years, from around the world, interested in using our system for scent marketing purposes.  We have previously considered placing all components into a single box, mounted within a kiosk or display, similar to our new prototype.

April 2008 -From a letter following conversations regarding a marketing display:

“The aroma composer is based upon a modular system, and size is dependent on the number of scent blends required. The more advanced versions produce (1,000+) thousands of different scents.  If a system puts out only one “Signature scent” or just a few scents, the size is quite small.  The system can be built into a pedestal base or a wall mount device…”

Question: “Did I understand correctly? We might use a solution that trigger scent once client approach close to our product and a …  sensor trigger the scent to go.”

”Absolutely correct.  We might even be able to detect the location and distance of a user, target them, and draw them in to view a display.  All things are possible.”

December 2006 – Reply from Doug to a restaurant chain planning to use scent for marketing:

“We produce physical systems that diffuse high quality scents that can change over time depending on our designed programs. These scents often accompany sound tracks or other sensory effects such as mood lighting.  Our patented systems are fully automated.”

“For Instance, in your case, you might want to produce a wake-up scent in the morning that complements your breakfast menu, or draws people into your space for that perfect wake-up meal, depending on it designed purpose.  Late in the day it time to decompress… what scent complements or beckons soon to be customers toward a beer with Fajitas?”

“We use the emotional appeal of an aroma to drive customers toward a product or to stimulate an action or thought.”

“We work with various scent-designers and aromatherapists to produce scents and scent programs with targeted appeal. We program the scents and produce the hardware to distribute them best for desired effect. We can even project a beam of scent along a narrow path, which hits only a limited targeted area (like just outside of a doorway).”

“This is corporate branding taken to the extreme.”

July 31, 2007 – Email Reply to Belgium re: Scent-Marketing

Question: I am looking for aroma systems as a marketing tool, that can contribute for our Company Brand Awareness around DESIGN for Food & Wellness.

“In a kiosk or game application, blending and projection of different scents in combination with other media is very doable.  Software to permit web triggering of scents is relatively simple.  The cost of the hardware would be reasonable for professional kiosks, multisensory integration, trade shows or other commercial use, but is expensive for “average” home computer users.  This is a high resolution, high end systems, designed for projecting true – organic aromatherapy essential oils, not for chemical simulated scents.”

“Wellness is one of the prime purposes of this soon to be product… also LOHAS market in USA.”

c.2009 R. Douglas Nelson.  All rights reserved.