Article: Telecom Tests Online Aromatherapy Service

December 8, 2004

A friend of mine sent me this story to pass along ...

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

Make The Holidays Sparkle

Sterling Silver Perfume Pendants

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/japan_internet_aroma> & u=/ap/20041208/ap_on_hi_te/japan_internet_aroma

Telecom Tests Online Aromatherapy Service

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

TOKYO - People play games, go shopping and meet dates on the Internet.

So why not use the Web to download the perfect mood-enhancing fragrance?

A new service being tested by Tokyo-based NTT Communications Corp. sends

out smells according to data received over the Internet.

Users attach a device to their laptops that resembles a crystal ball

with a nozzle. The device receives aroma data from the central server

and exudes fumes from the nozzle in accordance with that reading.

NTT is considering the system as a commercial product for aromatherapy,

testing incense or just plain fun.

In a test version, shown at a Tokyo electronics store this week, the

crystal ball sends combinations of 36 scents - natural oils, such as

eucalyptus, sandalwood and basil - as horoscope readings.

Punch your birthday into the computer and wait as valves on tiny bottles

holding perfumed oils inside the crystal ball are electronically

controlled to produce the correct scent according to your sign.

Cancerians get a waft of chamomile, lavender and vetiver oils - a

classic perk-up for the sign according to a Japanese horoscope expert -

while people born in Pisces get a concoction of lavender, clary sage and

lemongrass.

The machines and software were developed by Japan's Mirapro Co., which

makes parts for machines that make computer chips.

It's not yet clear how much the product will be sold for or if it will

be released outside Japan, company officials said.

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