The Odor Menu is an innovative solution for accommodating the blind at eat-in restaurants, but it is an equally compelling concept for cartes du jour in general. Along with the name of each meal made by the in-house chef is an accompanying aroma to help represent it more tangibly.
The inventive device of Liu Dongming, Liu Jie and Wen Ho is a palm-sized handheld gadget with a tactile release button and a pair of perforated odor outlets in the bottom. The front surface is an Electric Active Plastic-screen (EAP) that changes shape to spell out different edible options in braille. Left and right arrows guide the patron swiftly through the Odor Menu, allowing him to take a sniff of his selections before confirming his choice.
Fragrant Bills of Fare
The Odor Menu Replaces Photos of Food with the Smells of the Dishes
Trend Themes
1. Odor Menus - Restaurants are introducing odor menus as an innovative way to accommodate the blind and enhance the dining experience through aroma.
2. Electric Active Plastic-screen (EAP) - The invention of EAP technology presents an opportunity to create new devices for the visually impaired and enhance accessibility.
3. Tactile Release Buttons - The use of tactile release buttons in handheld gadgets can provide a more sensory user experience and improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant Industry - Restaurants can utilize odor menus to create a more immersive and inclusive dining experience, especially for visually impaired patrons.
2. Assistive Technology Industry - EAP technology can transform the development of assistive devices aimed at improving accessibility for the visually impaired.
3. Consumer Electronics Industry - The use of tactile release buttons in handheld gadgets presents an opportunity to enhance the user experience in consumer electronics and create more accessible technology.