Information processing system, information processing method, control program, and recording medium

Abstract

To estimate the physical property of an odor substance detected by an odor sensor and to visualize and display the estimated physical property.SOLUTION: The information processing system (100) includes: a plurality of odor sensor elements (11) having a detection unit (111) including adsorption molecules capable of interacting with an odor substance, the odor sensor elements being supplied with the odor substance; an estimation unit (212) for estimating an index corresponding to a target detection signal on the basis of a target detection signal (114) acquired from each of the odor sensor elements and an index relating to intermolecular interaction of the adsorption molecules; and an output control unit (214) for causing an output device to output an estimation result of the estimation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, a control program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique for mapping and displaying the results of detection by an odor sensor onto a two-dimensional graph using principal component analysis is known in the prior art. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a graph in which the odors of pure water, black coffee, wine, and soy sauce were detected by a sensor and the detection results were subjected to principal component analysis. This graph has two coordinate axes, with the horizontal axis representing the first principal component PC1 and the vertical axis representing the second principal component PC2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-114254 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the principal components PC1 and PC2 are not coordinate axes corresponding to values ​​with chemical meaning, so while it is possible to classify odors, it is not possible to evaluate the physical properties of the odors.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing system, etc. that outputs an indicator related to the physical properties of a detected odor from a detection signal obtained from an odor sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an odor sensor having a plurality of odor sensor elements each having a detection unit containing an adsorbed molecule capable of interacting with an odor substance, and an estimation unit that estimates at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal based on a target detection signal obtained from each of the plurality of odor sensor elements when a target gas containing the odor substance is supplied to the odor sensor, the target detection signal indicating an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor substance and the adsorbed molecule, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecule contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; and an output control unit that outputs the estimation result of the estimation unit from an output device.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing system, and includes an estimation step of estimating at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal, which is obtained from each of a plurality of odor sensor elements having a detection unit containing adsorbed molecules capable of interacting with an odor substance when a target gas containing the odor substance is supplied to the odor sensor, and which indicates an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor substance and the adsorbed molecules, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecules contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; and an output control step of outputting the estimation result in the estimation step from an output device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing system or the like that outputs an index relating to the physical properties of a detected odor from a detection signal acquired from an odor sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of an odor detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the odor sensor element shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the detection of odorous substances by an odor sensor element. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an example of a three-dimensional graph according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the HSP values ​​of odorous substances. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the detection of odor substances by the odor estimation unit. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an odor estimation process executed by a control unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a comparison between analytical values ​​of HSP values ​​of gases estimated by the odor estimation device and literature values. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a comparison between analytical values ​​of Hildebrand solubility parameters of gases estimated by the odor estimation device and literature values. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for expressing odor substances. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment] <Configuration of odor detection system 100> DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of an odor detection system 100 (information processing system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] 1, the odor detection system 100 includes an odor detection device 1, an odor estimation device 2 (information processing device, information processing system), and an output device 3. The odor estimation device 2 is connected to the odor detection device 1 and the output device 3 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] The odor detection system 100 is not limited to this, and for example, the odor estimation device 2 may be configured to include the output device 3, or may be configured to include the odor detection device 1. Furthermore, the odor detection system 100 may be configured to include both the output device 3 and the odor detection device 1.

[0013] In the following, an example will be described in which the odor estimation device 2 is a single device, but the odor detection system 100 is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the odor detection system 100, some of the functions of the control unit 21 (described later) of the odor estimation device 2 may be provided in a device other than the odor estimation device 2 that is communicatively connected to the odor estimation device 2. In this case, the same processing as that of the odor estimation device 2 is performed by multiple devices instead of the odor estimation device 2.

[0014] The odor detection device 1 includes an odor sensor 10, a sensor chamber 12, and a communication unit 13 for communicating with other devices.

[0015] The sensor chamber 12 has a storage space in which the odor sensor 10 is placed, and a gas containing an odorant to be detected is supplied into the storage space. Here, the odorant may contain one type of molecule (odor molecule) that adsorbs to a specific olfactory receptor. Alternatively, the odorant may be a mixture containing multiple types of odor molecules that adsorb to a specific olfactory receptor.

[0016] The odor sensor 10 is a sensor that detects odorous substances and includes multiple odor sensor elements 11 with different characteristics. The number of odor sensor elements 11 included in the odor sensor 10 is not particularly limited, and may be one or 64. In one example, the number of odor sensor elements 11 included in the odor sensor 10 may be four or more, or 32 or less.

[0017] The multiple odor sensor elements 11 each have different characteristics and are therefore capable of adsorbing different types of odor substances. Each odor sensor element 11 detects a change in resistance (ΔR) due to the adsorption of an odor substance and outputs a detection signal for each odor sensor element 11. The odor detection device 1 transmits detection data 114, which includes the detection signals output by each odor sensor element 11, to the odor estimation device 2 via the communication unit 13. Details of the odor detection device 1 will be described later.

[0018] The odor estimation device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23 for communicating with other devices.

[0019] The storage unit 22 stores various data used by the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 may be a storage unit within the odor estimation device 2, or may be an external storage communicatively connected to the outside of the odor estimation device 2.

[0020] The control unit 21 comprehensively controls each unit of the odor estimation device 2. The control unit 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, an odor estimation unit 212 (estimation unit), a graph data generation unit 213, an output control unit 214, and a communication control unit 215.

[0021] The acquisition unit 211 acquires the detection data 114 transmitted from the odor detection device 1 via the communication unit 23. The detection data 114 is data including detection signals indicating changes in resistance value (ΔR) detected by each of the multiple odor sensor elements 11, as described above.

[0022] The odor estimation unit 212 estimates an index of an odor substance from the detection data 114. For example, the Hansen Solubility Parameter (HSP) value of the odor substance may be used as the index of the odor substance, but is not limited to this. The following describes an example in which the index of the odor substance estimated by the odor estimation unit 212 is an HSP value. Specifically, the odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP value of the odor substance from the rate of change of the resistance value (R) of the multiple odor sensor elements 11 themselves. Details of the odor estimation unit 212 will be described later.

[0023] The graph data generation unit 213 generates three-dimensional graph data from the estimated HSP values. The output control unit 214 displays the three-dimensional graph data on the display unit 31 of the output device 3 via the communication unit 23. The communication control unit 215 transmits the three-dimensional graph data to an external device other than the output device 3 (e.g., a data management device that stores and manages the estimation results) via the communication unit 23. Note that the output control unit 214 may transmit the estimated HSP values ​​(i.e., the coordinate values ​​of the points corresponding to the odor substances plotted on the three-dimensional graph) instead of the generated three-dimensional graph data.

[0024] The output device 3 includes a display unit 31 and a communication unit 32 for communicating with other devices. The display unit 31 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper, and displays various types of information.

[0025] The output device 3 displays on the display unit 31 the estimated HSP value of the odor substance and / or a three-dimensional graph showing the estimated HSP value of the odor substance (see Figure 4) from the three-dimensional graph data received via the communication unit 32.

[0026] Unlike PC1, PC2, and other numerical values ​​obtained by principal component analysis, HSP values ​​are numerical values ​​that indicate the physical properties of odor substances. Therefore, the odor estimation device 2 can generate a three-dimensional graph that visualizes the physical properties of the estimated odor substances. This makes it easy to understand the physical properties of the detected odor substances, making it easy to consider, for example, methods for removing the odor substances. Details of the three-dimensional graph showing HSP values ​​will be described later.

[0027] <Odor sensor element 11> Next, the odor sensor element 11 will be described with reference to the drawings. Each odor sensor element 11 outputs a value indicating the change in electrical conductivity of the odor sensor element 11 over time before and after an odor substance is adsorbed to the odor sensor element 11. This allows the odor detection device 1 to detect a variety of odor substances.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the odor sensor element 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the odor sensor element 11 is, for example, a chemiresistor-type odor sensor element, and includes a receptive layer 111 (detection unit), a pair of electrodes 112, and a substrate 113. The receptive layer 111 and the pair of electrodes 112 are disposed on the substrate 113.

[0029] The receptor layer 111 includes various resins 111a (adsorbent molecules) and conductive materials 111b uniformly contained in the resins 111a, and selectively adsorbs the odor substances to be detected. The receptor layer 111 may further include a surfactant.

[0030] Examples of the composition of resin 111a include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyolefin, silicone resin, (meth)acrylic resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate, polyacetal resin, furan resin, ketone resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, polyallylamine resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, and polyether resin. Modified versions or copolymers of these may also be used, with silicone resin, polyester resin, and polyvinyl acetal resin being preferred. Resin 111a is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin that adsorbs odorous substances. Because different substances are easily adsorbed depending on the composition of resin 111a, odorous substances can be selectively adsorbed onto receiving layer 111 by changing the composition of resin 111a.

[0031] The conductive material 111b is realized by, for example, carbon black, metal particles, conductive polymers, etc. Examples of metal particles include silver, copper, nickel, aluminum, and alloys thereof. Examples of conductive polymers include polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole, polyacetylene, polyphenylene vinylene, and polynaphthalene. When the conductive material 111b is a conductive polymer, the odorant can also be adsorbed onto the conductive material 111b, and therefore the conductive material 111b can also be an adsorbed molecule.

[0032] The electrode 112 includes a pair of electrodes 112a and 112b spaced apart from each other.

[0033] Receptor layer 111 is disposed, for example, between electrode 112a and electrode 112b so as to be in contact with both electrode 112a and electrode 112b. When a voltage is applied between electrode 112a and electrode 112b, a current flows from electrode 112a to electrode 112b via receptor layer 111.

[0034] When an odorant is adsorbed to the receptive layer 111, the receptive layer 111 swells due to the adsorbed odorant. As a result, it becomes more difficult for current to flow through the receptive layer 111 compared to before adsorption, and the resistance value (R) increases.

[0035] At this time, the rate of change of the detected resistance value (R) differs depending on the odorant being adsorbed. For example, the rate of change of the resistance value (R) differs when odorant A is adsorbed from when odorant B, which is different from odorant A, is adsorbed. By detecting the rate of change of this resistance value (R), the odor detection device 1 can detect and identify the adsorbed odorant.

[0036] The composition of the receptor layers 111 included in the multiple odor sensor elements 11 may be the same or different. When the receptor layers 111 have the same composition, the multiple odor sensor elements 11 can detect the same odor substance.

[0037] Furthermore, if each receiving layer 111 has a different composition, the amount of adsorption will differ even for the same odor substance depending on the composition of the receiving layer 111, and each of the multiple odor sensor elements 11 can output a different rate of change in resistance value (R) for the same odor substance.

[0038] By combining multiple odor sensor elements 11 having receptor layers 111 of different compositions, the odor sensor 10 can detect odor substances containing various components that have been difficult to distinguish in the past. This also improves the accuracy of odor substance identification by the odor sensor 10. The combination of odor sensor elements 11 can be changed as needed depending on the type of odor substance to be detected.

[0039] The following is an example of the configuration of the receiving layer 111 when eight odor sensor elements 11 are provided. 1) relates to the resin 111a, 2) relates to the conductive material 111b, 3) relates to the surfactant, and 4) is the weight ratio of the resin 111a described in 1), the conductive material 111b described in 2), and the surfactant described in 3).

[0040] (1)1) Polyvinyl butyral (Mobital (registered trademark) B75H, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon (registered trademark) DA-325, manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (2) 1) Polymethyl methacrylate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (Manufactured by MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (3) 1) Polyvinyl chloride (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (Manufactured by MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (4)1) Silicone resin (DOWSIL (registered trademark) RSN-0255 Flake Resin, manufactured by DOW Corporation) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (5) 1) Cellulose acetate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (6) 1) Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Polyvinylpyrrolidone K90, Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (7) 1) Polyvinylidene fluoride (W#850, manufactured by Kureha Corporation) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 (8) 1) Polyester (SunEstar 4610, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 2) SUPER C-65 (MTI Corporation, USA) 3) Polyether phosphate ester amine (Disparlon DA-325 manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 4) 72:20:8 The odor sensor element 11 is not limited to a chemiresistor-type odor sensor element, and may include one or more types of odor sensor elements used in known odor sensors. For example, it may be a QCM odor sensor using a quartz crystal oscillator, or a MEMS piezo-type sensor equipped with a piezoelectric thin film such as lead zirconate titanate that identifies odors based on changes in resonance frequency. It may also be an odor sensor using a membrane-type surface stress sensor (MSS), or a metal oxide semiconductor sensor that identifies odors based on changes in the resistance value of the semiconductor.

[0041] <Detection of odor substances> Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the detection of odor substances by the odor sensor element 11. The upper diagram in Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the detection of odor substances in the sensor chamber 12 in chronological order, and the lower diagram is a graph showing the change in resistance value (R) corresponding to the upper diagram.

[0042] 3, first, in the first step (time: T0 to T1), nitrogen gas N2 is supplied as a purge gas into sensor chamber 12 to expel odor substances remaining in sensor chamber 12. At this time, the resistance value (R) of odor sensor element 11 remains almost constant with little change. Instead of supplying nitrogen gas N2 as a purge gas, argon gas Ar, air, or the like may be supplied as a purge gas.

[0043] Next, in the second step (time: T1 to T2), a gas containing the odor substance to be detected (target gas) is supplied into the sensor chamber 12. The odor substance is adsorbed to the receptive layer 111 of the odor sensor element 11, causing the receptive layer 111 to swell. As the receptive layer 111 swells, the resistance value (R) increases.

[0044] Once detection is complete, in the third step (time: T2 to T3), nitrogen gas N2 is supplied into sensor chamber 12 as a purge gas to discharge the odorant from sensor chamber 12. At this time, as the odorant is discharged, the resistance value (R) decreases and returns to the resistance value (R) before the gas containing the odorant was supplied. Instead of supplying nitrogen gas N2 as a purge gas, argon gas Ar, air, or the like may be supplied as a purge gas.

[0045] The odor detection device 1 outputs, for example, a value related to at least one of the signal strength and the change over time of the resistance value (R) of the detection signal for each of the multiple odor sensor elements 11 as detection data 114. The odor detection device 1 in this embodiment outputs the resistance value (R) and the detection time for each of the multiple odor sensor elements 11 as detection data 114. Here, the detection time may be the time when each detection signal is output.

[0046] Furthermore, the detection data 114 may be the signal intensity ratio of the detection signals output by multiple odor sensor elements 11, or the difference in signal intensity of the detection signals output by other odor sensor elements 11 based on the signal intensity of the detection signal output by a specific odor sensor element 11.

[0047] The odor detection device 1 transmits the detection data 114 to the odor estimation device 2. The odor estimation device 2 estimates the HSP value of the odor substance from the received detection data 114 and generates a three-dimensional graph. The odor estimation device 1 may output the generated three-dimensional graph and / or the estimated HSP value.

[0048] <Three-dimensional graph of HSP values> FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a conventional expression method of an odor substance, and is an example of a scatter diagram in which the detected odor substances are plotted with the horizontal axis being the first principal component PC1 and the vertical axis being the second principal component PC2. As shown in FIG. 9, conventionally, the odor substances detected by an odor sensor or the like are displayed as a two-dimensional graph by principal component analysis. The numerical values of the detected odor substances are plotted to show which group among alcohol-based, aromatic-based, and amine-based groups they are close to.

[0049] However, the coordinate axes indicated by the principal components PC1 and PC2 are not coordinate axes corresponding to values having a chemical meaning. Therefore, although the classification of the odor substances can be done depending on which group's plot the plot of the detected odor substances is close to, the physical properties of the detected odor substances cannot be evaluated based on the coordinate positions of the plots.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an example of a three-dimensional graph according to an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing the HSP values of odor substances.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the odor estimation device 2 estimates the HSP value from the received detection data 114 and generates a three-dimensional graph.

[0052] Unlike the numerical values such as PC1 and PC2 obtained by principal component analysis, the HSP value obtained by the above method is a numerical value indicating the physical properties of the odor substance. Therefore, the physical properties of the estimated odor substance can be visualized and displayed in a three-dimensional graph. As a result, the physical properties of the detected odor substance can be easily grasped, and for example, methods for removing the odor substance can be easily considered.

[0053] The HSP value is a type of solubility parameter and is an index of the intermolecular interactions of a substance. The HSP value is an index that takes into account the polarity of the substance, and is calculated by multiplying the Hildebrand solubility parameter (SP value) by the dispersion force δ d (Dispersion), polar interaction δ p (Polarity), hydrogen bond δ h (Hydrogen Bond)

[0054] Dispersion force 421 (first index) is an index related to non-polar intermolecular interactions, and is the force that acts between non-polar molecules with no charge separation. Polar interaction 422 (second index) is an index related to intermolecular interactions between dipoles, and is the force that acts between polarized molecules. Hydrogen bond 423 (third index) is an index related to intermolecular interactions that are different from non-polar interactions and dipole-dipole interactions, and is a bond based on electrostatic attraction (Coulomb force). It is known that substances with similar HSP values ​​tend to mix easily.

[0055] In this way, the three-dimensional graph according to the embodiment of the present invention is generated using three coordinate axes representing the three components of the HSP value, which is an index showing the physical properties of an odorant: dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, and hydrogen bond 423. This allows odorants to be evaluated and classified based on their chemically meaningful physical properties.

[0056] The value estimated by the odor estimation unit 212 is not limited to the HSP value, and may be an index related to the intermolecular interaction of odor substances. For example, the value estimated by the odor estimation unit 212 may be an SP value, a molecular weight, a vapor pressure, or the like.

[0057] <Obtaining the HSP value from the resistance value of the odor sensor element 11 itself> The odor estimation unit 212 (estimation unit) calculates the HSP value of an odor substance from the rate of change in the resistance value (R) of the plurality of odor sensor elements 11 themselves.

[0058] As described above, the odor sensor 10 includes multiple odor sensor elements 11 with different characteristics. Each odor sensor element 11 detects a change in resistance (R) due to the adsorption of an odorant and outputs a detection signal for each odor sensor element 11. The number of odor sensor elements 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more, but the more odor sensor elements 11 with different HSP values ​​in the receiving layer 111 (detection unit), the more the detection accuracy improves.

[0059] (Acquisition of the HSP value of the odor sensor element 11 itself) First, the odor estimation device 2 acquires the HSP value of the resin 111a contained in each receptor layer 111 from literature or the like and stores it in advance in the storage unit 22. The HSP values ​​of most currently available resins are described in "Hansen Solubility Parameters: A Users Handbook" (CRC Press, 2007) by Charles M. Hansen. If the HSP value of the resin 111a constituting the receptor layer 111 is described in the literature, the odor estimation device 2 acquires that HSP value. Instead of acquiring the HSP value of the resin 111a contained in each receptor layer 111 from literature or the like, the odor estimation device 2 may calculate it using the well-known Y-MB estimation method.

[0060] When a plurality of resin layers made of different resins 111a are formed in reception layer 111 and are separated from one another, the HSP value is obtained as a mixture of the different resins, and the HSP value is calculated based on the weight ratio of each resin.

[0061] For example, if the odor sensor element 11 is a chemiresistor type and the conductive material 111b constituting the receiving layer 111 is carbon black or metal particles, it is the resin 111a (adsorbed molecules) that adsorbs and swells the odorant, so it is sufficient to obtain the HSP value of only the resin 111a. On the other hand, if the conductive material 111b is a conductive polymer, the odorant may be adsorbed to the conductive material 111b and swell. In this case, the conductive material 111b may also be a molecule that adsorbs and swells, so the HSP value of the conductive material 111b itself is also taken into consideration. If the conductive material 111b, which is a conductive polymer, is mixed with the resin 111a, the HSP value is calculated for the mixture of the conductive material 111b and the resin 111a.

[0062] Furthermore, if the resin 111a constituting the receiving layer 111 is not described in the above literature, the HSP value can be estimated from the chemical structure of the resin 111a by using a known algorithm such as the software "HSPiP4.1.0." Furthermore, if the resin 111a is stored in a database included with "HSPiP4.1.0," the numerical value can be acquired. If the resin 111a is not stored in the database, the HSP value of the resin 111a can be estimated using the Y-BM estimation method.

[0063] (Method of calculating the HSP value of the receptive layer 111 itself from the resistance change rate) One method for calculating the HSP value of receptive layer 111 itself is to apply a gas (standard gas) with a known HSP value to odor sensor 10 and calculate the HSP value of receptive layer 111 itself from the rate of change in resistance.

[0064] First, a predetermined threshold value RP is set for each odor sensor element 11 using the change in the resistance value (R) of each odor sensor element 11 as an index.

[0065] Next, the standard gas is supplied to the odor sensor 10 in the sensor chamber 12. Each odor sensor element 11 detects the rate of change of the resistance value (R) and outputs "1" if the rate of change is equal to or greater than the threshold value RP, or "0" if the rate of change is equal to or less than the threshold value RP, as an "evaluation result." The odor detection device 1 transmits detection data including the evaluation results output by each odor sensor element 11 to the odor estimation device 2 via the communication unit 13. The intensity of the detection data corresponds to the strength of the interaction between the odor substance and the resin 111a contained in the receiving layer 111 that is capable of interacting with the odor substance. The components of the standard gas may be heptane, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, etc.

[0066] Next, the odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP value of each odor sensor element 11 based on the detection data including the evaluation results of each odor sensor element 11 and the HSP value of the standard gas. The odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP value of each odor sensor element 11A using a known algorithm, such as the "Sphere program," which is a function of the software "HSPiP4.1.0."

[0067] In addition, if the resin 111a is a polymer and is composed of multiple monomers, "dD (dispersion term of Hansen solubility parameter (HSP))," "dP (polarity term of HSP)," and "dH (hydrogen bond term of HSP)" are calculated based on the polymerization ratio.

[0068] Methods for adjusting the HSP value include changing the functional group. By selecting a monomer containing a functional group with a high dipole moment, such as a nitrile group or an ester group, or a monomer containing a functional group with hydrogen bonding properties, such as an amide group, a hydroxyl group, or a carboxyl group, the parameters (dD), (dP), and (dH) can be increased.

[0069] As mentioned above, HSP values ​​are particularly suitable for use as values ​​that indicate the characteristics of odor substances, i.e., values ​​related to intermolecular interactions, but this is not a limitation and any value related to intermolecular interactions will suffice.

[0070] (Obtaining HSP values ​​of odor substances) In other words, the receptor layer 111 of each odor sensor element 11 is a detection unit containing molecules that can interact with odor substances. As described above, after acquiring the HSP value of the resin 111a contained in the receptor layer 111 of each odor sensor element 11, the odor detection device 1 sets a predetermined threshold value RP for each odor sensor element 11 using the rate of change in the resistance value (R) of each odor sensor element 11 as an index.

[0071] Next, a gas (target gas) containing the odor substance to be detected is supplied to the odor sensor 10 in the sensor chamber 12. Each odor sensor element 11 detects the rate of change of the resistance value (R) and outputs "1" if the rate of change is equal to or greater than a threshold value RP, or "0" if the rate of change is equal to or less than the threshold value RP, as an "evaluation result." The odor detection device 1 transmits detection data 114 (target detection signal) including the evaluation results output by each odor sensor element 11 to the odor estimation device 2 via the communication unit 13. The intensity of the detection data 114 corresponds to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor substance and the resin 111a contained in the receiving layer 111 that can interact with the odor substance.

[0072] Next, the odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP value of the gas containing the odor substance based on the detection data 114 including the evaluation results of each odor sensor element 11 and the HSP value of each odor sensor element 11. The odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP value of the odor substance using a known algorithm, such as the "Sphere program," which is a function of the software "HSPiP4.1.0."

[0073] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the detection of odor substances by the odor estimation unit 212. As shown in FIG. 5, the "Sphere Program" plots the HSP values ​​of each odor sensor element 11 in the three-dimensional space of the Hansen solubility parameters, displaying a virtual sphere "Sphere (solubility sphere) Q." At this time, "Sphere Q" is set so that the HSP value 11A1 of an odor sensor element 111 with an evaluation result of "1" is plotted inside "Sphere Q," and the HSP value 11A2 of an odor sensor element 111 with an evaluation result of "0" is plotted outside. The "Sphere Program" outputs the center coordinates of this "Sphere Q" as the HSP value of the odor substance, and the area of ​​"Sphere Q" as the similarity range of the physical properties of the odor substance.

[0074] In this way, the odor estimation unit 212 can calculate the HSP value of the odor substance from the rate of change in the resistance value (R) using the HSP value of the resin 111a contained in each receiving layer 111 as a reference.

[0075] <Flow of odor estimation process by control unit 21> 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of odor estimation processing executed by the control unit 21. With reference to FIG. 6, an example of the flow of processing performed by the above-described configuration in the control unit 21 of the odor estimation device 2 will be described.

[0076] As shown in Figure 6, first, the acquisition unit 211 acquires detection data 114 including evaluation results transmitted from the odor detection device 1 via the communication unit 23, and also acquires HSP values ​​of multiple odor sensor elements 11 from the memory unit 22, and sends the acquired HSP values ​​and detection data 114 including evaluation results to the odor estimation unit 212 (S1).

[0077] The odor estimation unit 212 receives the detection data 114 including the HSP values ​​and evaluation results sent from the acquisition unit 211. Using the software "HSPiP4.1.0", the odor estimation unit 212 estimates the HSP values ​​of the detected odor substances from the received detection data 114 including the HSP values ​​and evaluation results (S2: estimation step).

[0078] Specifically, the odor estimation unit 212 plots the received HSP values ​​on a three-dimensional graph using three coordinate axes representing the three components of the HSP value, namely, dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, and hydrogen bond 423, to generate graph data displaying "SphereQ" and estimate the HSP value of the odor substance. The odor estimation unit 212 sends the estimated HSP values ​​to the graph data generation unit 213.

[0079] The graph data generation unit 213 receives the estimated HSP values ​​sent from the odor estimation unit 212. The graph data generation unit 213 plots the received HSP values ​​on a three-dimensional graph with three coordinate axes representing the three components of the HSP values, namely, dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, and hydrogen bond 423, to generate data for the three-dimensional graph (S3). The graph data generation unit 213 sends the generated three-dimensional graph data to the output control unit 214.

[0080] The output control unit 214 transmits the three-dimensional graph data sent from the graph data generation unit 213 to the output device 3 so that it can be displayed on the display unit 31 (S4: output control step). Note that the output control unit 214 may transmit the estimated HSP value and / or the generated three-dimensional graph data.

[0081] [Variation 1] Each process described in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, the graph data generation unit 213 plots the estimated HSP value on a three-dimensional graph with three components of the HSP value, i.e., dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, and hydrogen bond 423, as three coordinate axes to generate three-dimensional graph data.

[0082] The graph to be generated may be any graph that visualizes and displays the physical properties of an odorant, and may be, for example, a four-dimensional graph with the inner product 424 (fourth index) of dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, and hydrogen bond 423 as the fourth coordinate axis. Alternatively, a four-dimensional graph may be generated with the molecular weight of the odorant as the fourth coordinate axis.

[0083] [Variation 2] Furthermore, the graph data generation unit 213 may generate graph data having at least one of the dispersion force 421, polar interaction 422, hydrogen bond 423, and inner product 424 as coordinate axes. The graph data generation unit 213 generates data of a one-dimensional graph when there is one coordinate axis, a two-dimensional graph when there are two coordinate axes, and a three-dimensional graph when there are three coordinate axes. [Example]

[0084] Example 1 of the present invention will be described below. In Example 1, an odor sensor 10 equipped with the eight odor sensor elements 11 described above was placed in a sensor chamber 12, and gases containing ethanol, propanol, and toluene, each with a known HSP value, were used as detection targets. Each gas was exposed to the gas for approximately 30 seconds and supplied into the sensor chamber 12. Before detecting each gas, nitrogen gas N2 was supplied into the sensor chamber 12 as a purge gas, and any gas remaining in the sensor chamber 12 was purged. From the rate of change in the resistance value (R) detected by the odor sensor element 11 and the HSP value of each odor sensor element 11, the three components of the HSP value of each gas, the dispersion term (MPa), and the HSP value of each gas were calculated using the Sphere program. 0.5 , polarity term (MPa) 0.5 and hydrogen bond term (MPa) 0.5 was estimated and compared with literature values.

[0085] Figure 7 shows a comparison of analytical values ​​and literature values ​​for the HSP values ​​of each gas estimated by the odor estimation device 2. For ethanol, propanol, and toluene, there was almost no significant difference between the analytical values ​​and literature values, indicating that the estimation was generally accurate. [Example]

[0086] In Example 2, under the same experimental conditions as in Example 1, the Hildebrand solubility parameters of each gas, including isopropanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and toluene, were analyzed using the Sphere program from the rate of change in resistance (R) and the Hildebrand solubility parameters of each odor sensor element 11, and compared with literature values.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows the Hildebrand solubility parameters (cal / cm) of each gas estimated by the odor estimation device 2. 3 ) 0.5 This figure shows a comparison of analytical values ​​and literature values ​​for isopropanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and toluene. It was found that there was almost no significant difference between the analytical values ​​and literature values, and that the estimation was generally correct.

[0088] [Software implementation example] The functions of the odor estimation device 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 21).

[0089] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0090] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0091] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0093] 〔summary〕 The information processing system according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises an odor sensor having a plurality of odor sensor elements each having a detection unit containing an adsorbed molecule capable of interacting with an odor substance, and an estimation unit that estimates at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal based on a target detection signal obtained from each of the plurality of odor sensor elements when a target gas containing the odor substance is supplied to the odor sensor, the target detection signal indicating an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor molecule and the adsorbed molecule, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecule contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; and an output control unit that outputs the estimation result of the estimation unit from an output device.

[0094] In the information processing system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the plurality of odor sensor elements may include odor sensor elements having detection units containing adsorbed molecules whose at least one type of indicator is different from each other.

[0095] In the information processing system according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, the at least one type of index may be any of (1) a first index relating to non-polar intermolecular interactions, (2) a second index relating to intermolecular interactions between dipoles, (3) a third index relating to intermolecular interactions other than the non-polar interactions and the interactions between dipoles, or (4) a fourth index which is the dot product of the first index, the second index, and the third index.

[0096] An information processing system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, may cause the output device to output at least one of the estimated at least one type of index and a graph using the index as coordinate values.

[0097] An information processing system according to aspect 5 of the present invention may be such that, in any of aspects 1 to 6 above, the odor sensor has a plurality of chemiresistor-type sensor elements, and the target detection signal is acquired from each of the plurality of chemiresistor-type sensor elements.

[0098] An information processing method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing system, and includes an estimation step of estimating at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal, which is obtained from each of a plurality of odor sensor elements having a detection unit containing adsorbed molecules capable of interacting with an odor substance when a target gas containing the odor substance is supplied to the odor sensor, and which indicates an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor substance and the adsorbed molecules, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecules contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; and an output control step of outputting the estimation result in the estimation step from an output device.

[0099] The control program according to aspect 7 of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as the information processing system of aspects 1 to 5, and may be a control program for causing a computer to function as the estimation unit and the output control unit.

[0100] A recording medium according to an eighth aspect of the present invention may be a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to the seventh aspect is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 2. Odor estimation device (information processing device, information processing system) 3 Output Devices 10 Odor Sensor 11 Odor sensor element 100 Odor detection system (information processing system) 111 Receptor layer (detection part) 114 Detection data (target detection signal) 212 Odor estimation unit (estimation unit) 214 Output control section 421 Dispersion power (1st index) 422 Polar interaction (second index) 423 Hydrogen Bonds (Third Index) 424 Inner Product (4th Index)

Claims

1. an odor sensor having a plurality of odor sensor elements each having a detection unit containing an adsorbed molecule capable of interacting with an odorant; an estimation unit that estimates at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal, based on a target detection signal obtained from each of the plurality of odor sensor elements when a target gas containing the odorant is supplied to the odor sensor, the target detection signal indicating an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odorant and the adsorbed molecule, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecule contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; an output control unit that outputs the estimation result of the estimation unit from an output device; Equipped with Information processing system.

2. the plurality of odor sensor elements include an odor sensor element having a detection unit including the adsorbable molecules, the at least one type of indicator of which is different from one another; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The at least one indicator is (1) A first index related to non-polar intermolecular interactions; (2) a second index related to intermolecular interactions between dipoles; (3) a third indicator relating to an intermolecular interaction different from the nonpolar interaction and the dipole-dipole interaction; (4) a fourth index that is an inner product of the first index, the second index, and the third index; Either The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. outputting, to the output device, at least one of the estimated at least one type of index and a graph having the index as coordinate values; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The odor sensor comprises: a plurality of chemiresistor-type sensor elements; The object detection signal is obtained from each of the plurality of chemiresistor-type sensor elements; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. An information processing method executed by an information processing system, an estimating step of estimating at least one type of indicator corresponding to the target detection signal, the target detection signal being acquired from each of a plurality of odor sensor elements having a detection unit containing adsorbed molecules capable of interacting with an odor substance when a target gas containing the odor substance is supplied to the odor sensor, the target detection signal indicating an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the interaction between the odor substance and the adsorbed molecules, and at least one type of indicator related to the intermolecular interaction of the adsorbed molecules contained in the detection unit of each of the plurality of odor sensor elements; an output control step of outputting the estimation result from the estimation step from an output device, Information processing methods.

7. A control program for causing a computer to function as the information processing system according to claim 1, the control program causing the computer to function as the estimation unit and the output control unit.

8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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