Method and apparatus for correcting output waveforms

Abstract

To provide a method and apparatus for correcting the output waveform of an odor sensor, which can accurately identify odor substances based on the output waveform of the odor substance, regardless of the flow velocity of the odor substance. [Solution] The method includes: a first detection step of detecting odor substances with a sensor element 310α1; a second detection step of detecting odor substances with a sensor element 310α2 which is positioned downstream of the sensor element 310α1 in the flow direction Df and has the same adsorption characteristics as the sensor element 310α1; a calculation step of calculating a correction coefficient K based on the distance S1 between the sensor element 310α1 and the sensor element 310α2 in the flow direction Df, the timing t1 when the odor substance is detected by the sensor element 310α1, and the timing t2 when the odor substance is detected by the sensor element 310α2; an acquisition step of acquiring the output waveform output from the sensor element 310α1 and / or the sensor element 310α2; and a correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient K.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for correcting an output waveform.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to measure the intensity of an odor or identify the type of an odor, an odor sensor has been used to detect an odor substance contained in a gas. For example, when a user blows exhaled breath onto a device equipped with an odor sensor, the odor substance is detected. The odor sensor has, for example, an adsorption film that adsorbs an odor substance and a detection unit that detects a change in the surface state (surface characteristics) resulting from the adsorption of the odor substance onto the adsorption film (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The adsorption film of the odor sensor uses a material having high electron or ion conductivity (excellent conductivity), such as a conductive polymer such as polyaniline or an ionic liquid material (hereinafter referred to as a conductive material). Further, as the detection unit, a field effect transistor sensor capable of detecting an electrical characteristic change of the adsorption film, a charge transfer type sensor array (hereinafter referred to as a CMOS sensor) as described in Non-Patent Document 1, or the like is used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the flow rate of gas passing over an odor sensor is not constant when detecting odor substances. For example, when a user blows their breath into a device equipped with an odor sensor, some users blow their breath forcefully, while others blow their breath slowly. Conventional odor sensors, even when using the same adsorption membrane and blowing the same odor substance, will output different waveforms depending on the flow rate of the odor substance passing over the odor sensor. Therefore, if an odor substance is identified based on the output waveform, there is a risk of misidentifying an odor substance that is different from the actual odor substance (false detection).

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its exemplary objective is to provide a method and apparatus for correcting the output waveform of an odor sensor that can accurately identify odor substances regardless of the flow velocity of the odor substances when identifying odor substances based on the output waveform of the odor sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the output waveform correction method, as an exemplary aspect of the present invention, has the following configuration.

[0008] A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor. A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring the output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting the output waveform, comprising the following characteristics.

[0009] A method for correcting an output waveform, as yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention, has the following configuration.

[0010] A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor. A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring output waveforms output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption section having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption sections of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting an output waveform, which has

[0011] To solve the above problems, a correction device as an exemplary aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

[0012] A correction device that corrects an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption part causes a physicochemical property change when no odor substance is adsorbed and when an odor substance is adsorbed. The base part is an element that outputs the physicochemical property change as a signal. A first odor sensor that is arranged to be able to detect the odor substance and detects the odor substance, A second odor sensor that is arranged downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption part having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption part of the first odor sensor, and detects the odor substance, Calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, the first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and the second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance, Acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A correction device having

[0013] A correction device as another exemplary aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

[0014] A correction device that corrects an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption part causes a physicochemical property change when no odor substance is adsorbed and when an odor substance is adsorbed. The base part is an element that outputs the physicochemical property change as a signal. A first odor sensor that is disposed so as to be able to detect the odor substance and that detects the odor substance; A second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, has an odor adsorption part having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption part of the first odor sensor, and that detects the odor substance; A third odor sensor that has an odor adsorption part having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption part of the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor; Calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance; Acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the third odor sensor; Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having the above.

[0015] A further object or other features of the present invention will be clarified by the preferred embodiments described with reference to the following attached drawings.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, when identifying an odor substance based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, it is possible to provide a method and device for correcting an output waveform that can accurately identify the odor substance regardless of the flow rate of the odor substance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an odor sensor according to an embodiment, (a) a top view of the odor sensor, (b) a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in (a) [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an odor sensor according to an embodiment, (a) a top view of the odor sensor, (b) a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in (a) [Figure 3]A schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the odor data analysis device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the output waveform of the sensor element when detecting a gas containing the same odor substance at various flow rates using the same adsorption membrane sensor element of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the odor detection device of Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] This figure shows the output waveform after correcting the output waveform in Figure 4 of Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Diagram showing the unbranched flow path and sensor element of Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] The figure shows Embodiment 1 of Embodiment 1, (a) a figure showing the output waveform of the sensor element for determining the correction coefficient K, (b) a figure showing the output waveform before correction, and (c) a figure showing the output waveform after correction. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the branched flow path and sensor element of Embodiment 1 [Figure 10] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the odor sensor unit of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "odor substance" broadly refers to a substance that can be adsorbed by the adsorption membrane (odor adsorption part). Therefore, "odor substance" includes substances that are not generally considered to be odor-causing substances, substances that are not recognized as odor substances, or unknown odor substances. Furthermore, "odor substance" includes not only individual odor substances but also "aggregates of multiple odor substances." In the embodiments described below, the CMOS sensor refers to the sensor described in the non-patent literature mentioned above, but is not limited to a CMOS sensor.

[0019] <Odor Sensor> Figure 1 shows an odor sensor 100, where (a) is a top view of the odor sensor 100 and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). The odor sensor 100 has a plurality of sensor elements 110 and a substrate 120. Each sensor element 110 has an adsorption film 112, a detection unit 114, and an electrode 116.

[0020] The odor sensor 100 in Figure 1 has, for example, nine sensor elements 110a to 110i. Specifically, sensor element 110a has an adsorption membrane 112a, a detection unit 114a, and an electrode 116a; sensor element 110b has an adsorption membrane 112b, a detection unit 114b, and an electrode 116b; ..., sensor element 110i has an adsorption membrane 112i, a detection unit 114i, and an electrode 116i. Note that if the sensor elements (adsorption membrane, detection unit, electrode) are not specified, the subscripts a to i (including j to l, which will be described later) are omitted. The adsorption membrane 112 is a membrane that adsorbs odor substances, and its details will be described later.

[0021] The detection unit 114 detects changes in the adsorption state (also called adsorption characteristics) caused by the adsorption of odor substances onto the adsorption film 112. Note that "adsorption of odor substances onto the adsorption film 112" includes not only the adsorption of odor substances onto the surface of the adsorption film 112, but also the absorption of odor substances into the interior of the adsorption film 112. Here, the change in the adsorption state caused by the adsorption of odor substances onto the adsorption film 112 includes changes in the mechanical, optical, electrical, or chemical properties (hereinafter referred to as physicochemical properties) of the odor substances. The detection unit 114 outputs the change in the adsorption state of the adsorption film 112 as a signal, for example. In other words, the detection unit 114 also functions as a signal converter (transducer).

[0022] "Changes in mechanical properties" include, for example, changes in the resonant frequency of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), changes in the velocity of surface acoustic waves, expansion and contraction of films in piezoelectric elements, or changes in deflection. "Changes in optical properties" include changes in absorption wavelength, absorbance, fluorescence and emission characteristics, and changes in refractive index in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) elements, etc. "Changes in electrical properties" include, for example, changes in electrical conductivity, resistance, dielectric constant, and electrochemical impedance in charge-coupled elements, changes in oxidation-reduction potential in oxide semiconductor sensors, and changes in gate current, gate voltage, impedance, and band gap in field-effect transistor (FET) sensors and CMOS sensors, etc.

[0023] Examples of elements (sensors) that can be used in the detection unit 114 include the following: quartz crystal oscillator (QCM), surface acoustic wave (SCR) sensor, field-effect transistor (FET) sensor, MOS field-effect transistor sensor, charge-coupled element sensor, metal oxide semiconductor sensor, organic conductive polymer sensor, electrochemical sensor, etc. The elements used in the detection unit 114 are not limited to these, and various elements can be used as appropriate depending on the purpose of use of the odor sensor 100.

[0024] The "adsorption state of odor substances on the adsorption membrane 112" includes, for example, the "amount of odor substances adsorbed on the adsorption membrane 112." The mechanical, optical, or electrical properties of the adsorption membrane 112 change as the amount of odor substances adsorbed on the adsorption membrane 112 increases or decreases, and the detection unit 114 detects the adsorption state of odor substances on the adsorption membrane 112 by detecting the amount of change.

[0025] The electrode 116 can be formed from a predetermined conductive material. Examples of predetermined conductive materials include inorganic materials and organic materials. Inorganic materials include, for example, gold, silver, platinum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, nickel alloys, silicon, etc. Organic materials include, for example, polypyrrole, polyaniline, carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and other nanocarbon materials.

[0026] The substrate 120 is, for example, a flat plate having two surfaces 120a and 120b, with the sensor element 110 mounted on one surface 120a and the electrode 116 mounted on the other surface 120b (see Figure 1(b)). The substrate 120 can be, for example, a silicon substrate, a substrate made of quartz crystal, a printed circuit board, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, etc. Alternatively, the substrate 120 may be a multilayer wiring board such as an interposer substrate.

[0027] <Sensor element> The odor sensor 100 shown in Figure 1(a) has nine sensor elements 110a to 110i arranged in a 3x3 grid, but the number and arrangement (configuration) of the sensor elements 110 are not limited to this. Also, the sensor element 110 shown in Figure 1 has a one-to-one correspondence between the detection unit 114 and the adsorption film 112, but this is not limited to this configuration. Figure 2 shows another correspondence between the detection unit 114 and the adsorption film 112, where (a) is a top view of the odor sensor 100 and (b) is a cross-sectional view along the BB line in (a).

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, three detection units 114a, 114d, and 114g may be connected by one adsorption film 112j to form three sensor elements 110a, 110d, and 110g. Alternatively, two detection units 114b and 114c may be connected by one adsorption film 112k to form two sensor elements 110b and 110c. Furthermore, four detection units 114e, 114f, 114h, and 114i may be connected by one adsorption film 112l to form four sensor elements 110e, 110f, 110h, and 110i. In other words, one adsorption film 112 may be provided on n detection units 114 to form n sensor elements 110, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Furthermore, one or more sensor elements 110 may be used as reference sensor elements 110 without forming an adsorption film 112 on the detection unit 114.

[0029] <Odor Data Analysis Device> Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the odor data analysis device 200 of Embodiment 1. The odor data analysis device 200 includes the odor sensor 100 and the analysis unit 220 described above.

[0030] The analysis unit 220 is for analyzing odor data F1 output from the odor sensor 100. The analysis unit 220 mainly consists of a processing unit (CPU) 220a, and may also have a memory 220b. The memory 220b may be provided externally, separate from the analysis unit 220. The analysis unit 220 also has a data input / output port 220c. The input / output port 220c has the function of receiving odor data F1 from the odor sensor 100 and transmitting calculated data R as a result of calculation processing by the CPU 220a to the control unit (not shown). The control unit (not shown) may be the control unit of an external device, such as a personal computer, to which the odor data analysis device 200 is connected by known wired or wireless communication means.

[0031] The memory 220b stores an analysis program Prg for analyzing odor data F1. This analysis program Prg performs known arithmetic processing on the analysis unit 220, which acts as a computer, specifically on the CPU 220a, the main component of the analysis unit 220, thereby enabling the analysis of odor data F1. Although the data analysis device 200 in Figure 3 has one odor sensor 100, it may have multiple odor sensors 100.

[0032] [Embodiment 1] <Regarding flow velocity and output waveform> In the following explanation, gases containing odor substances will simply be referred to as "gas." The distance a fluid (in this case, gas) travels per unit time is called the flow velocity and is expressed in meters per second (m / s). The volume of fluid (in this case, gas) flowing per unit time is called the flow rate and is expressed in liters per second (L / s). Note that the flow rate is expressed in cubic meters per second (m 3 The flow velocity and flow rate can also be expressed as ( / s). 2 The relationship is expressed as "flow velocity = flow rate ÷ cross-sectional area" using ). Note that the unit system is not limited to the MKS system, but may also be the CGS system.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the output waveforms of an odor sensor 100 having the same adsorption membrane 112 when detecting a gas containing the same odor substance at various flow rates. In Figure 4, the unit of flow rate is liters per minute (L / min). In Figure 4, the horizontal axis is time (milliseconds (ms)) and the vertical axis is the voltage (millivolts (mV)) output from the odor sensor 100. The waveforms shown in Figure 4 are the output waveforms obtained from the odor sensor 100. Furthermore, output waveform a in Figure 4 shows the waveform when the flow rate is 0.2 L / min, output waveform b shows the waveform when the flow rate is 0.4 L / min, and output waveform c shows the waveform when the flow rate is 0.6 L / min. Additionally, output waveform d shows the waveform when the flow rate is 0.8 L / min, output waveform e shows the waveform when the flow rate is 1.0 L / min, and output waveform f shows the waveform when the flow rate is 1.2 L / min.

[0034] As shown in the output waveforms a to f of Figure 4, even when a gas containing the same odor substance is detected by an odor sensor 100 having the same adsorption membrane 112, the output waveforms are different. For example, the timing of the voltage fall, the slope of the fall, the timing of reaching the lowest point of the fall, the voltage value at the lowest point, and the waveform when the voltage value rises from the lowest point are different. When identifying which odor substance is contained in the gas based on the timing and slope of the fall of the output waveform of the odor sensor 100, for example, the timing of the fall and the slope will be different between output waveform a with a small (slow) flow rate and output waveform f with a large (fast) flow rate. The slope is gentle in output waveform a with a small flow rate, but steep in output waveform f with a large flow rate.

[0035] Therefore, when the CPU220a identifies odor molecules based on the slope of the output waveform, etc., there is a risk that it may identify a different substance as the odor molecule (false detection) than the actual odor molecule.

[0036] Note that the output waveforms a to f in Figure 4 have a falling edge shape from the time the odor sensor 100 starts detecting odor substances, but this is not limited to this. The same applies to output waveforms that rise from the time the odor sensor 100 starts detecting odor substances.

[0037] <Correction of output waveform> The method for correcting the output waveform of Embodiment 1 comprises a first detection step, a second detection step, a calculation step, an acquisition step, and a correction step. The first detection step is a step of detecting an odor substance using a first odor sensor that is positioned to detect the odor substance. The second detection step is a step of detecting an odor substance using a second odor sensor that is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption part having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption part of the first odor sensor. The calculation step is a step of calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the odor substance is detected by the first odor sensor, and a second timing at which the odor substance is detected by the second odor sensor. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring the output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor. The correction step is a step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient.

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an odor detection device 300 to which the configuration of Embodiment 1 is applied. Note that the odor data analysis device 200 described above in Figure 3 functions as a correction device, and the odor sensor 100 in Figure 3 can be replaced with the odor detection device 300. Other than this, the configuration is the same as in Figure 3, and only the differences from Figure 3 will be explained below.

[0039] The odor detection device 300 has an intake port 301, an exhaust port 302, a flow path 303, and an odor sensor 305. The intake port 301 is an opening for taking in gas G containing the odor substance to be detected into the flow path 303. The exhaust port 302 is an opening for discharging gas G containing the odor substance from the flow path 303 to the outside.

[0040] The flow path 303 is located between the intake port 301 and the exhaust port 302, and is a pipe through which gas G taken in from the intake port 301 flows toward the exhaust port 302. The flow path 303 is constructed so that no other gases flow in or out between the intake port 301 and the exhaust port 302. In the following description, the flow direction of gas G in the flow path 303 will be denoted as Df. That is, the intake port 301 is located upstream of the flow direction Df, and the exhaust port 302 is located downstream of the flow direction Df.

[0041] The odor sensor 305 includes a plurality of sensor elements 310 arranged to detect odor substances. Each sensor element 310 has an adsorption film 312 and a detection unit 314. The adsorption film 312 undergoes a change in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The detection unit 314 is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical properties that occurs in the adsorption film 312 as a signal.

[0042] The odor sensor 305 includes at least two sensor elements 310 having the same adsorption characteristics. The odor sensor 305 may also include sensor elements 310 having different adsorption characteristics. In Figure 5, the odor sensor 305 includes multiple sensor elements 310 having the same adsorption characteristics and multiple sensor elements 310 having different adsorption characteristics.

[0043] The fact that a sensor element 310 has an adsorption film 312 with different adsorption characteristics is indicated by the subscripts α, β, γ, δ, etc. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish between two or more sensor elements 310 that have the same adsorption characteristics, they are further distinguished by adding subscripts 1, 2, 3, etc. to the symbols in order from upstream in the flow direction Df. That is, when a sensor element is written as 310α, it means that it has an adsorption film 312α. Also, sensor element 310α1 and sensor element 310α2 are two sensor elements 310α that have the same adsorption characteristics, and it means that they are arranged in the order of sensor element 310α1, sensor element 310α2, from upstream in the flow direction Df.

[0044] In Figure 5, the sensor elements are arranged from upstream to downstream in the flow direction Df as follows: 310α1, 310β1, 310γ1, 310δ1, 310α2, 310γ2, 310β1, 310δ2. The detection unit 314 (314α1~314δ2) is the same as the detection unit 114 described above.

[0045] <Correction Factor> To determine the correction coefficient K described later, two sensor elements 310 having the same adsorption characteristics are selected. In Embodiment 1, sensor element 310α1 (first odor sensor) and sensor element 310α2 (second odor sensor) are selected to determine the correction coefficient K for correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310. The sensor element 310 used to determine the correction coefficient K only needs to react with odor substances, but it is desirable that it has a versatile adsorption film 312.

[0046] Here, let S1 be the distance between sensor element 310α1 and sensor element 310α2. Note that distance S1 is the distance between the upstream ends of each sensor element 310α in the flow direction Df, but it may also be the distance between the downstream ends in the flow direction Df, or the distance between the central parts in the flow direction Df. Distance S1 is a known value obtained when manufacturing the odor sensor 305.

[0047] The CPU 220a starts a timer (not shown) at least when gas G flows in from the intake port 301. The CPU 220a acquires the time when the odor substance is detected by the sensor element 310α1 (hereinafter referred to as timing t1 (first timing)) and the time when the odor substance is detected by the sensor element 310α2 (hereinafter referred to as timing t2 (second timing)). Here, timings t1 and t2, when the odor substance is detected, are, for example, the timing when the voltage value begins to fall in the graph of Figure 4.

[0048] As a result, CPU220a can determine the flow velocity Vf using the following equation (1). Vf = S1 / (t2-t1) (1) Furthermore, assuming that the cross-sectional area A of the flow path 303 is constant, the CPU 220a can determine the flow rate Lf using the following equation (2). Lf = Vf × A = {S1 / (t2-t1)} × A (2) Note that the flow rate Lf may be converted to units such as cubic meters per second, cubic meters per minute, or liters per minute, depending on the characteristics of the odor detection device 300.

[0049] In Embodiment 1, the flow rate Lf obtained by equation (2) is used as a correction coefficient K for correcting the output waveform. The CPU 220a functions as a calculation means for calculating the correction coefficient K. Sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 can be said to be sensor elements 310 for obtaining the correction coefficient K. In the following explanation, the flow rate Lf may also be referred to as the correction coefficient K.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 5, the odor sensor 305 also has sensor elements 310β1, 310β2, 310γ1, 310γ2, 310δ1, and 310δ2. Since each sensor element 310 is paired up in two, one upstream and one downstream in the flow direction Df, any pair of sensor elements 310 can be selected to determine the correction coefficient K. For example, the correction coefficient K (hereinafter referred to as the correction coefficient Kβ) may be determined using sensor elements 310β1 and 310β2. Furthermore, the correction coefficient Kγ may be determined using sensor elements 310γ1 and 310γ2, and the correction coefficient Kδ may be determined using sensor elements 310δ1 and 310δ2. The correction coefficient K determined using sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 will be referred to as the correction coefficient Kα.

[0051] By determining one correction coefficient K using any one pair of sensor elements 310, the correction coefficient K can be used to correct the output waveforms of the pair of sensor elements 310 used to calculate the correction coefficient K, as well as the output waveforms of the other sensor elements 310 (third odor sensor). Note that the other sensor elements 310 are different from the pair of sensor elements 310 used to determine the correction coefficient K. The other sensor elements 310 may include both sensor elements 310 having an adsorption film 312 with the same adsorption characteristics as the pair of sensor elements 310, and sensor elements 310 having an adsorption film 312 with different adsorption characteristics.

[0052] Ideally, Kα=Kβ=Kγ=Kδ, but the correction coefficient K may vary due to variations in the reaction speed and arrangement of the sensor element 310. In this case, multiple correction coefficients K(Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ) may be obtained, and the average of these multiple correction coefficients K(Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ) may be used as the new correction coefficient K, or the maximum or minimum value may be used as the new correction coefficient K.

[0053] <Correction Method> Next, a correction method for correcting the output waveforms of sensor element 310α1 and / or sensor element 310α2 using a correction coefficient K(Kα) will be described. Note that the sensor element 310 to be corrected may be any other sensor element 310 (310β, 310γ, 310δ).

[0054] By correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310 using the correction method of Embodiment 1, for example, when a user blows exhaled air into the air intake port 301 to detect odor substances, results independent of the flow rate can be obtained. That is, whether the exhaled air is blown forcefully (high flow rate) or blown slowly (low flow rate), by correcting the output waveform with the correction coefficient K, odor substances can be identified accurately regardless of the flow rate.

[0055] The specific correction method is described below. The CPU 220a acquires the uncorrected output waveforms output from sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2, as shown in Figure 4. The CPU 220a functions as an acquisition means for acquiring the output waveforms. The CPU 220a acquires a new waveform (hereinafter referred to as the corrected output waveform) with the horizontal axis representing the value obtained by multiplying each time point (hereinafter referred to as timing t) of the output waveform by the correction coefficient K. In other words, the CPU 220a converts time (t) into volume (Vol) by multiplying each time point of the output waveform by the correction coefficient K (Equation (3)). The CPU 220a functions as a correction means for correcting the output waveform. The following Equation (3) is the correction formula using the correction coefficient K. Vol=t×K=t×Lf=t×{S1 / (t2-t1)}×A (3)

[0056] Figure 6 is a graph showing the corrected output waveforms a' to f' obtained by correcting the output waveforms a to f in Figure 4 using the correction coefficient K of Embodiment 1. In Figure 6, the horizontal axis is volume (mL). As shown in Figure 6, the corrected output waveforms a' to f', obtained by detecting the same odor substance at different flow rates using sensor elements 310 having the same adsorption membrane 312, have the same falling timing and slope.

[0057] Here, the correction coefficient K is a value obtained from the flow rate Lf, but by assuming a reference flow rate of 1 (L / min, etc.), the correction coefficient K can be treated as a dimensionless quantity. That is, by treating the correction coefficient K as Lf(L / min) / 1(L / min) = Lf (unitless), the horizontal axis of Figure 6 can be considered as time. In this way, for example, the point on the horizontal axis of Figure 6 where the falling edge begins can be considered as time (timing).

[0058] Thus, by using the correction method of Embodiment 1, sensor elements 310 having the same adsorption characteristics as adsorption films 312 will produce the same output waveform regardless of the flow rate (flow rate) for the same odor substance, preventing false detection and improving the detection accuracy of odor substances.

[0059] <Typical channel: Unbranched channel> In the above-mentioned equation (2) for calculating the correction coefficient K(Lf), it was explained assuming that the flow path 303 has a constant cross-sectional area A. In actual flow paths, the cross-sectional area A is not constant, but changes depending on the position in the flow direction Df. Therefore, the explanation below will be generalized to the case where the cross-sectional area A depends on the flow direction Df.

[0060] Figure 7 shows an odor detection device 300A having a general, unbranched flow path 303A. Although only sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are shown for the odor detection device 300A, it may also have other sensor elements 310 having different adsorption films 312, as shown in Figure 5.

[0061] In the flow direction Df, the position of sensor element 310α1 is P1, and the position of sensor element 310α2 is P2. The positions of sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are at the upstream end of the flow direction Df, but they may also be at the downstream end or in the center of the flow direction Df. When the cross-sectional area A depends on the position P in the flow direction Df, the cross-sectional area A can be expressed as a function of position P, A(P). For this reason, the correction coefficient K mentioned above can be expressed by the following equation (4).

number

[0062] Furthermore, the corrected output waveform, obtained by converting time t to volume Vol, can be obtained from the following equation (5).

number

[0063] <Example 1> Figure 8 shows Example 1, where Figure 8(a) is a graph showing the output waveform g obtained from sensor element 310α1 and the output waveform h obtained from sensor element 310α2 when gas G containing a predetermined odor substance is supplied at a flow rate of 0.3 mL / min. In Figure 8(a), the horizontal axis represents time (ms) and the vertical axis represents voltage (mV). The difference t2-t1 (hereinafter also referred to as the response timing difference) between the timings t1 and t2 at which the odor substance was detected by sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 was 2.62 s. The volume of the flow path 303 from sensor element 310α1 to sensor element 310α2 was 13.8 mL. In this case, the correction coefficient K is 0.316 L / min.

[0064] Figure 8(b) shows the output waveforms when a sensor element 310α having an adsorption membrane 312α detects gas G containing the same odor substance at different flow rates; that is, it shows the output waveforms before correction. The horizontal and vertical axes in Figure 8(b) are the same as in Figure 8(a). Output waveform g is shown for a flow rate of 0.3 mL / min, output waveform i is shown for a flow rate of 1.0 mL / min, and output waveform j is shown for a flow rate of 0.1 mL / min, as in Figure 8(a). As shown in Figure 8(b), the output waveforms before correction differ depending on the flow rate.

[0065] Figure 8(c) shows the output waveform after correction using the correction coefficient K (=0.316 L / min) of Embodiment 1, with volume (mL) on the horizontal axis and voltage (mV) on the vertical axis. In Figure 8(c), output waveform g' is the corrected waveform of output waveform g, output waveform i' is the corrected waveform of output waveform i, and output waveform j' is the corrected waveform of output waveform j. With the correction method of Embodiment 1, the output waveforms corrected using the correction coefficient K all have the same rise timing and slope regardless of the flow rate, and the CPU 220a can accurately identify odor substances regardless of the flow rate based on the corrected output waveform.

[0066] <Typical channel: Branching channel> In Figure 7, the flow path 303A was described as not branching. In reality, flow paths do branch, and the sensor element 310α2 may be located in a branched flow path different from that of the sensor element 310α1. Therefore, the odor detection device 300B having a branched flow path 303B will be described.

[0067] Figure 9 shows the branched flow path 303B and the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2. Flow path 303B branches from the unbranched flow path 303B1 (one flow path) that continues from the intake port 301 into flow path 303B2, which is a first flow path where the sensor element 310α1 is located, and flow path 303B3, which is a second flow path where the sensor element 310α2 is located, unlike flow path 303B2. Flow path 303B2 and flow path 303B3 merge at the confluence point Pc upstream of the exhaust port 302, becoming one flow path again (flow path 303B4). Note that for the odor detection device 300B, only the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are shown in the figure.

[0068] In the flow direction Df, P0 is defined as the branching point where the flow path 303B1 branches into flow paths 303B2 and 303B3. As in Figure 7, P1 is defined as the position of sensor element 310α1, and P2 as the position of sensor element 310α2. The positions of sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are at the upstream end of the flow direction Df, but they may also be at the downstream end or in the center of the flow direction Df.

[0069] When the cross-sectional area of ​​a flow path from the branching point P0 through the flow path 303B2 to the confluence point Pc depends on the position P in the flow direction Df, the cross-sectional area can be expressed as a function of position P, A1(P). Note that function A1(P) may also be a function that includes the cross-sectional areas of the flow path 303B1 upstream of the branching point P0 in the flow direction Df and the flow path 303B4 downstream of the confluence point Pc in the flow direction Df. When the cross-sectional area of ​​a flow path from the branching point P0 through the flow path 303B3 to the confluence point Pc depends on the position P in the flow direction Df, the cross-sectional area can be expressed as a function of position P, A2(P). Note that function A2(P) may also be a function that includes the cross-sectional areas of the flow path 303B1 upstream of the branching point P0 in the flow direction Df and the flow path 303B4 downstream of the confluence point Pc in the flow direction Df.

[0070] Furthermore, K1 is the correction coefficient used when correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310α1 located in the flow path 303B2. K2 is the correction coefficient used when correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310α2 located in the flow path 303B3. In this way, when the flow path 303B is branched, the correction coefficients K1 and K2 are calculated according to the cross-sectional area (or volume) of the branched flow paths 303B2 and 303B3, respectively. The correction coefficient K1 can be expressed by the following equation (6), and the correction coefficient K2 can be expressed by the following equation (7).

number

[0071] The corrected output waveform of sensor element 310α1 (output waveform converted from time to volume) can be obtained from equation (8), and the corrected output waveform of sensor element 310α2 (output waveform converted from time to volume) can be obtained from equation (9).

number

[0072] Furthermore, because the flow path 303B has a branching and merging shape, the gas G flowing through the flow path 303B collides with the inner wall forming the flow path 303B, reducing its kinetic energy and causing pressure loss (flow path pressure loss). The constant k (constant value) in equations (6) to (9) is a constant based on the pressure loss of the flow path 303B, and is a value obtained when the flow path 303B is designed. More specifically, the constant k is the distribution constant of the flow rates of flow paths 303B2 and 303B3, which is determined by the flow path pressure loss.

[0073] Furthermore, if other sensor elements 310 besides sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are present, the output waveforms of these other sensor elements 310 should be corrected as follows: The output waveform of the other sensor elements 310 located in the same flow path 303B2 as sensor element 310α1 should be corrected using the correction coefficient K1. On the other hand, the output waveform of the other sensor elements 310 located in the same flow path 303B3 as sensor element 310α2 should be corrected using the correction coefficient K2.

[0074] In this way, even when the flow path 303B is branched and the cross-sectional area is not constant, the correction coefficient K can be determined and the output waveform of the sensor element 310 can be corrected. As a result, the CPU 220a can accurately identify odor substances regardless of the flow rate (flow velocity) of the gas G.

[0075] <Arrangement of multiple sensor elements: Aperiodic arrangement> In Figure 5, if we use symbols such as α to represent the adsorption characteristics, the sensor element 310 is, α1→β1→γ1→δ1→α2→γ2→β2→δ2 As shown, the arrangement is not periodic (it is arranged aperiodically). From the viewpoint of the responsiveness of the sensor element 310, it may be better if the distance between a pair of sensor elements 310 (e.g., 310α1, 310α2) that are used to determine the correction coefficient K (S1, etc., as mentioned above) is large (far apart). For example, α1→β1→γ1→δ1→γ2→β2→δ2→α2 Alternatively, the distance S1 between sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 for determining the correction coefficient K can be increased, and another sensor element 310 can be placed between sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2. This allows for accurate detection of timings t1 and t2 regardless of the response characteristics of the sensor element 310.

[0076] <Arrangement of multiple sensor elements: Periodic arrangement> Furthermore, for example, the sensor elements 310 may be arranged in a periodic order as follows. α1→β1→γ1→δ1→α2→β2→γ2→δ2 As a result, the distance between each pair of sensor elements 310 will be the same, and the difference between timing t1 and timing t2 will also be the same. Therefore, the variation in the obtained correction coefficient K is reduced regardless of which pair of sensor elements 310 is used.

[0077] As described above, Embodiment 1 provides a method and apparatus for correcting the output waveform of an odor sensor, which enables accurate identification of odor substances based on the output waveform of the odor substance, regardless of the flow velocity of the odor substance. Furthermore, the flow rate can be obtained without using a flow meter.

[0078] [Embodiment 2] The odor sensor according to Embodiment 2 will be described below.

[0079] <Configuration of the odor sensor> In odor sensors, an adsorption film is formed on the surface of the base to adsorb specific odor substances. This adsorption film is formed, for example, by adding additives to a film material such as a conductive polymer film.

[0080] A quartz crystal oscillator (QCM) sensor can be used as the base. Other sensors that can be used as the base include, for example, surface acoustic wave sensors, field-effect transistors (FETs), charge-coupled element sensors, MOS field-effect transistors, metal oxide semiconductor sensors, organic conductive polymer sensors, electrochemical sensors, piezoelectric element sensors, and SPR sensors. Depending on the sensor used as the base, the physical quantities that constitute the odor data F1 may include frequency, potential, mass, wavelength and intensity of light and sound, resistance, and current.

[0081] For the membrane material constituting the adsorption film, conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene can be used. Ionic liquids, general-purpose resins, plasticizers, and salts can also be used as membrane materials. Furthermore, inorganic materials such as gold, silver, platinum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-based alloys, and silicon can be used for the electrodes. Other materials such as carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene (nanocarbon materials) can also be used.

[0082] As additives, for example, inorganic ions, organic acid anions, and polymeric acid anions can be used. Examples of inorganic ions include chloride ions, chloride ions, bromide ions, sulfate ions, nitrate ions, and borate ions. Examples of organic acid anions include alkyl sulfonic acids, benzenesulfonic acids, and carboxylic acids. Examples of polymeric acid anions include organic acid anions such as alkyl sulfonic acids, benzenesulfonic acids, and carboxylic acids, as well as polymeric acid anions such as polyacrylic acid and polystyrene sulfonic acid. Other possible additives include host materials such as cyclodextrins and crown ether derivatives, organic base materials such as alkylamines, arylamines, and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, and hydrogen-bonding materials such as urea derivatives and thiourea derivatives. Various ionic liquids can also be used as additives.

[0083] <Arrangement of odor sensors> The odor sensor can be used by arranging multiple adsorption films on the surface of one or more bases. In this case, for example, multiple different adsorption films, each having unique adsorption characteristics for different odor substances, can be arranged in a row. Alternatively, multiple adsorption films can be arranged vertically and horizontally in a planar configuration.

[0084] By using information about the arrangement of adsorption films with different adsorption characteristics as an encryption key or passcode, security can be enhanced in various situations. This odor sensor, or the entire system including it, can be used as a security system utilizing odor.

[0085] <Anonymization process for the scent database> Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the odor sensor unit 1010 according to Embodiment 2. The odor sensor unit 1010 has five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e. The odor sensors 1010a to 1010e use, for example, a quartz crystal oscillator (QCM) sensor as the base 1002. In this Embodiment 2, the five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e are arranged in a row in order. Adsorption films 1004a to 1004e are formed on the surface of each of the five bases 1002, and each of the adsorption films 1004a to 1004e corresponds to an odor sensor 1010a to 1010e. The adsorption films 1004a to 1004e are formed by adding additives 1006a to 1006e to a conductive polymer film 1005. Due to the differences in the properties of each additive 1006a to 1006e, the adsorption films 1004a to 1004e exhibit different adsorption properties, each adsorbing different odor substances.

[0086] Let's assume that this odor sensor 1010 detects the odors of three types of gases, Ga, Gb, and Gc, and stores them in the database DB1. The detection results when gases Ga, Gb, and Gc are detected by odor sensors 1010a to 1010e are as follows, for example. The numbers in parentheses are the output values ​​of odor sensors 1010a to 1010e, respectively. Gas Ga: (0, 5, 10, 5, 0) Gas Gb: (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) Gas Gc: (10,8,6,4,2)

[0087] If these output values ​​are stored directly in the odor database DB, and the information in that odor database DB is stolen, the detection results from the gas Ga~Gc odor sensors 1010a~1010e will be easily exposed to the thief. However, if, for example, the order of the output values ​​of the five odor sensors 1010a~1010e is changed, and the output values ​​from the odor sensors 1010a~1010e are stored in the odor database DB with the changed order, and the information of this changed order is managed separately from the odor database DB as an encryption key, then even if the information in the database DB is stolen, the thief will not be able to easily obtain the detection results from the gas Ga~Gc odor sensors 1010a~1010e.

[0088] For example, if the order of the output values ​​of the five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e is (1, 3, 5, 2, 4), the detection results for each gas Ga to Gc stored in the odor database DB will be as follows. Gas Ga: (0,10,0,5,5) Gas Gb: (2,6,10,4,8) Gas Gc:(10,6,2,8,4)

[0089] Without the encryption key, the detection results of gases Ga to Gc from odor sensors 1010a to 1010e cannot be reproduced in the correct sensor order. However, by using the encryption key (1,3,5,2,4), the detection results of gases Ga to Gc in the odor database DB can be decrypted in the correct order of odor sensors 1010a to 1010e. This measure improves the security of the odor data stored in the odor database DB.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the order of the sensor array within an odor sensor unit used to detect odor data stored in an odor database can be changed from the order of the sensor array within an odor sensor unit sold to a user, and this change can be used as an encryption key. In addition, when producing multiple odor sensor units, changing the sensor array within each unit or each batch and managing this change as an encryption key can further contribute to improving the confidentiality and management of odor data.

[0091] <Entry / exit management using scent> By using the odor sensor unit 1010 shown in Figure 10, it is possible to implement access control using odors, for example. Locking and unlocking of doors is performed using a gas with a specific odor. Here, the odor used for access control is called the "odor key." The odor key could be, for example, a specific perfume or an individual's body odor. By linking the odor sensor unit 1010 with an access control system that controls the locking and unlocking of room doors, it is possible to unlock doors using the odor key.

[0092] Here, for example, the system can be configured so that the door cannot be unlocked by the scent key alone, and unlocking is only possible after the sensor array information within the scent sensor unit 1010 is entered as a password. For example, the detection result for unlocking the door is (2,4,6,8,10), and this information is stored in a database within the access control system or in the cloud. If the scent key detection result from the scent sensor unit 1010 is (2,6,10,4,8), the door cannot be unlocked. However, when the sensor array information (1,3,5,2,4) within the scent sensor unit 1010 is entered, the detection result of (2,6,10,4,8) is converted to (2,4,6,8,10). The converted detection result is compared with the detection result stored in the database, and if they match, the door can be unlocked.

[0093] <Industrial applicability> Furthermore, by using the odor sensor and the method for analyzing the odor data detected by the odor sensor described in the above embodiment, it is possible to quickly and accurately identify odor substances contained in a gas containing multiple different odor substances. It is also possible to reduce the load on the processing unit. When discriminating between the odor of a specific gas and that of another gas, it is possible to discriminate between the two quickly and with high accuracy. In addition, when identifying odor substances contained in the detected gas by comparing the detected odor data with odor data stored in a database, etc., it is possible to compare them quickly and with high accuracy. Note that the odor sensors 1010a to 1010e in Embodiment 2 can be replaced with the odor sensors 100 and 305 in Embodiment 1.

[0094] As described above, in Embodiment 2 as well, when identifying odor substances based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, a method and apparatus for correcting the output waveform can be provided that can accurately identify odor substances regardless of the flow velocity of the odor substances.

[0095] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its essence. For example, the present invention includes the following aspects. (Purpose 1) A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor. A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring the output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting the output waveform, comprising the following characteristics. (Purpose 2) A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor. A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring output waveforms output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption section having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption sections of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting the output waveform, comprising the following characteristics. (Purpose 3) The first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are located in the same flow path. The correction coefficient may be the value obtained by dividing the volume of the flow path from the position of the first odor sensor to the position of the second odor sensor by the difference between the second timing and the first timing. (Purpose 4) The first odor sensor is located in the first flow path, The second odor sensor is located in a second flow path that is different from the first flow path. The first channel and the second channel branch off from one channel at an upstream branching point in the flow direction and rejoin the same channel at a downstream confluence point. The correction coefficient may be calculated based on the volume of the first flow path from the branching point to the position of the first odor sensor, the volume of the second flow path from the branching point to the position of the second odor sensor, the difference between the second timing and the first timing, and a constant value based on the pressure loss in the first and second flow paths. (Purpose 5) Multiple of the first odor sensors, Multiple second odor sensors, It may have. (Purpose 6) The multiple first odor sensors and the multiple second odor sensors may be arranged periodically or aperiodically in the flow direction. (Purpose 7) A correction device for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first odor sensor is provided, which is arranged to detect the odor substance and detects the odor substance. A second odor sensor is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, and detects the odor substance. A calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition means for acquiring output waveforms output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A correction device having the following features. (Purpose 8) A correction device for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first odor sensor is provided, which is arranged to detect the odor substance and detects the odor substance. A second odor sensor is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, and detects the odor substance. A third odor sensor having an odor adsorption portion having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption portion of the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, A calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition means for acquiring the output waveform output from the third odor sensor, Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A correction device having the following features. (Purpose 9) The first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are located in the same flow path. The calculation means may calculate the correction coefficient by dividing the volume of the flow path from the position of the first odor sensor to the position of the second odor sensor by the difference between the second timing and the first timing. (Purpose 10) The first odor sensor is located in the first flow path, The second odor sensor is located in a second flow path that is different from the first flow path. The first channel and the second channel branch off from one channel at an upstream branching point in the flow direction and merge into one channel downstream. The calculation means may calculate the correction coefficient based on the volume of the first flow path from the branching point to the position of the first odor sensor, the volume of the second flow path from the branching point to the position of the second odor sensor, the difference between the second timing and the first timing, and a constant value based on the pressure loss of the first and second flow paths. (Purpose 11) Multiple of the first odor sensors, Multiple second odor sensors, It may have. (Purpose 12) The multiple first odor sensors and the multiple second odor sensors may be arranged periodically or aperiodically in the flow direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 100, 305 Odor Sensor 110, 110a~110l, 310, 310α~310δ, 310α1~310δ1, 310α2~310δ2 Sensor elements 112, 112a~112l, 312, 312α~312δ Adsorption film 114, 114a~114l, 314, 314α~314δ detection section 116, 116a~116l electrode 120 board, 120a, 120b side 200 Odor Data Analysis Device 220 Analysis unit, 220a CPU, 220b Memory, 220c Input / Output port 300, 300A, 300B Odor Detection Device 301 Intake port, 302 Exhaust port 303, 303A, 303B, 303B1~303B4 channel 1002 base 1004a~1004e Adsorption film 1005 Conductive polymer film 1006a~1006e Additives 1010 Odor Sensor Unit 1010a~1010e Odor Sensor A, A1, A2 cross-sectional area DB, DB1 database Df flow direction F1 Odor Data G, Ga~Gc gas K, K1, K2, Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ Correction coefficients Lf flow rate P, P0, P1, P2, Pc position Prg analysis program R-processed data S1 distance Vf flow rate Volume a~j, a'~j' Output waveform k constant t, t1, t2 timing

Claims

1. A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step in which the odor substance is detected by a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring the output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting the output waveform, comprising the following characteristics.

2. A method for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first detection step involves detecting the odor substance using a first odor sensor arranged to detect the odor substance, A second detection step in which the odor substance is detected by a second odor sensor, which is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, A calculation step for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition step of acquiring output waveforms output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption section having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption sections of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor, A correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A method for correcting the output waveform, comprising the following characteristics.

3. The first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are located in the same flow path. The method for correcting an output waveform according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the correction coefficient is the value obtained by dividing the volume of the flow path from the position of the first odor sensor to the position of the second odor sensor by the difference between the second timing and the first timing.

4. The first odor sensor is located in the first flow path, The second odor sensor is located in a second flow path that is different from the first flow path. The first and second channels branch off from one channel at an upstream branching point in the flow direction and rejoin the same channel at a downstream confluence point. The method for correcting an output waveform according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the correction coefficient is calculated based on the volume of the first flow path from the branching point to the position of the first odor sensor, the volume of the second flow path from the branching point to the position of the second odor sensor, the difference between the second timing and the first timing, and a constant value based on the pressure loss of the first flow path and the second flow path.

5. Multiple first odor sensors, Multiple of the above-mentioned second odor sensors, A method for correcting the output waveform according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising:

6. The method for correcting an output waveform according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first odor sensors and the plurality of second odor sensors are arranged periodically or aperiodically in the flow direction.

7. A correction device for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first odor sensor is provided, which is arranged to detect the odor substance and detects the odor substance. A second odor sensor is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, and detects the odor substance. A calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition means for acquiring the output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A correction device having the following features.

8. A correction device for correcting the output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption part and a base part, The odor adsorption section exhibits changes in physicochemical properties depending on whether odor substances are adsorbed or not. The base is an element that outputs the physicochemical characteristic change as a signal. A first odor sensor is provided, which is arranged to detect the odor substance and detects the odor substance. A second odor sensor is positioned downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, and has an odor adsorption section having the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor, and detects the odor substance. A third odor sensor having an odor adsorption portion having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption portion of the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor, A calculation means for calculating a correction coefficient based on the distance between the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor in the flow direction, a first timing at which the first odor sensor detects the odor substance, and a second timing at which the second odor sensor detects the odor substance. An acquisition means for acquiring the output waveform output from the third odor sensor, Correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient, A correction device having the following features.

9. The first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are located in the same flow path. The correction device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the calculation means calculates the correction coefficient by dividing the volume of the flow path from the position of the first odor sensor to the position of the second odor sensor by the difference between the second timing and the first timing.

10. The first odor sensor is located in the first flow path, The second odor sensor is located in a second flow path that is different from the first flow path. The first channel and the second channel branch off from one channel at an upstream branching point in the flow direction and merge into one channel downstream. The correction device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the calculation means calculates the correction coefficient based on the volume of the first flow path from the branching point to the position of the first odor sensor, the volume of the second flow path from the branching point to the position of the second odor sensor, the difference between the second timing and the first timing, and a constant value based on the pressure loss of the first flow path and the second flow path.

11. Multiple first odor sensors, Multiple of the above-mentioned second odor sensors, A correction device according to claim 7 or claim 8, having the following features.

12. The correction device according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of first odor sensors and the plurality of second odor sensors are arranged periodically or aperiodically in the flow direction.

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