Output waveform correction method and correction device

Abstract

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

[0002] Conventionally, odor sensors have been used to detect odorous substances contained in gases in order to measure odor intensity or identify the type of odor. For example, odorous substances are detected by a user blowing their breath into a device equipped with an odor sensor. An odor sensor, for example, has an adsorption film that adsorbs odorous substances and a detection unit that detects changes in the surface state (surface characteristics) resulting from the adsorption of odorous substances to the adsorption film (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The adsorption film of an odor sensor is made of a material with high electronic or ionic conductivity (excellent conductivity) (hereinafter referred to as a conductive material), such as a conductive polymer such as polyaniline or an ionic liquid material. The detection unit also uses a field-effect transistor sensor capable of detecting changes in the electrical characteristics of the adsorption film, or a charge-transfer sensor array (hereinafter referred to as a CMOS sensor) as described in Non-Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 085939 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Niina, N., Iwata, T., Hashizume, K., Kuroki, S., and Sawada, K. (2017), Gas distribution imaging using a charge-transfer sensor array with a polyaniline sensitive film, 64th Spring Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics, 16p-416-6 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the flow rate of gas passing over an odor sensor during odor detection is not constant. 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 have the same adsorption membrane, and even when the same odor substance is blown, they output different waveforms depending on the flow rate of the odor substance passing over the odor sensor. Therefore, when an odor substance is identified based on the output waveform, there is a risk of identifying an odor substance that is different from the actual odor substance (false detection).

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its exemplary objective the provision of an output waveform correction method and correction device that can accurately identify an odorous substance based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, regardless of the flow velocity of the odorous substance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an output waveform correction method according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

[0008] 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquisition step of acquiring an 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; The output waveform correction method includes:

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

[0010] 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquiring step of acquiring an output waveform output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit with the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption units of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor; a correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; The output waveform correction method includes:

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a correction device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

[0012] A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first odor sensor that is disposed so as to be able to detect the odor substance and 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 section that has 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having:

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

[0014] A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first odor sensor that is disposed so as to be able to detect the odor substance and 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 section that has 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 unit that has the same adsorption characteristics as or different adsorption characteristics from the odor adsorption unit 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the third odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having:

[0015] Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, when identifying an odorous substance based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, a method and device for correcting the output waveform can be provided that can accurately identify the odorous substance regardless of the flow velocity of the odorous substance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of an odor sensor according to an embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the odor sensor, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the general configuration of an odor sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1A is a top view of the odor sensor; FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 3]1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an odor data analysis device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 shows the output waveform of a sensor element having the same adsorption film of embodiment 1 when gas containing the same odorant is detected at various flow rates. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing an odor detection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output waveform after correcting the output waveform of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows a non-branched flow path and a sensor element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example 1 of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram illustrating an output waveform of a sensor element for determining a correction coefficient K, (b) is a diagram illustrating an output waveform before correction, and (c) is a diagram illustrating an output waveform after correction. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows branched flow paths and a sensor element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an odor sensor unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0019] <Odor sensor> 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 multiple sensor elements 110 and a substrate 120. The sensor elements 110 have an adsorption film 112, a detection unit 114, and electrodes 116.

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

[0021] The detection unit 114 detects changes in the adsorption state (also referred to as adsorption characteristics) resulting from the adsorption of an odorant to the adsorption film 112. Note that the term "adsorption of an odorant to the adsorption film 112" refers not only to the adsorption of an odorant to the surface of the adsorption film 112, but also to the absorption of an odorant into the interior of the adsorption film 112. Here, changes in the adsorption state resulting from the adsorption of an odorant to the adsorption film 112 include changes in the mechanical, optical, electrical, or chemical properties (hereinafter referred to as physicochemical properties) of the odorant. The detection unit 114 outputs the change in the adsorption state of the adsorption film 112, for example, as a signal. In other words, the detection unit 114 also functions as a signal conversion unit (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, and changes in the expansion / contraction or deflection of a film in a piezoelectric element. "Changes in optical properties" include changes in absorption wavelength, absorbance, fluorescence / luminescence properties, and refractive index in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) elements. "Changes in electrical properties" include, for example, changes in electrical conductivity, resistance, dielectric constant, electrochemical impedance, and other properties in charge-coupled devices, changes in the redox potential of oxide semiconductor sensors, and changes in gate current, gate voltage, impedance, band gap, and other properties in field-effect transistor (FET) sensors and CMOS sensors.

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

[0024] The "adsorption state of the odorous substance on the adsorption film 112" also includes, for example, the "amount of the odorous substance adsorbed on the adsorption film 112." An increase or decrease in the amount of the odorous substance adsorbed on the adsorption film 112 changes the mechanical, optical, or electrical properties of the adsorption film 112, and the detection unit 114 detects the amount of change to detect the adsorption state of the odorous substance on the adsorption film 112.

[0025] The electrode 116 can be formed of a predetermined conductive material. Examples of the predetermined conductive material include inorganic materials and organic materials. Examples of inorganic materials include gold, silver, platinum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-based alloys, and silicon. Examples of organic materials include nanocarbon materials such as polypyrrole, polyaniline, carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0026] The substrate 120 is, for example, flat and has a surface 120a and a surface 120b, with the sensor element 110 mounted on one surface 120a and the electrode 116 mounted on the other surface 120b (see FIG. 1(b)). The substrate 120 may be, for example, a silicon substrate, a substrate made of quartz crystal, a printed wiring board, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, or the like. The substrate 120 may also be a multilayer wiring board such as an interposer substrate.

[0027] <Sensor element> The odor sensor 100 shown in Fig. 1(a) has nine sensor elements 110a-110i arranged in a 3-row x 3-column configuration, but the number and arrangement (disposition) of the sensor elements 110 are not limited to this. Furthermore, the sensor element 110 shown in Fig. 1 has a one-to-one correspondence between the detection unit 114 and the adsorption film 112, but this is not limiting. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing 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 taken along line BB in (a).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, one adsorption film 112j may correspond to three detection units 114a, 114d, and 114g, thereby forming three sensor elements 110a, 110d, and 110g. Alternatively, one adsorption film 112k may correspond to two detection units 114b and 114c, thereby forming two sensor elements 110b and 110c. Furthermore, one adsorption film 112l may correspond to four detection units 114e, 114f, 114h, and 114i, thereby forming four sensor elements 110e, 110f, 110h, and 110i. That is, one adsorption film 112 may be provided on n detection units 114 to form n sensor elements 110. Here, 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 the adsorption film 112 on the detection portion 114 .

[0029] <Odor data analysis device> 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 has the odor sensor 100 and an analysis unit 220 described above.

[0030] The analysis unit 220 is configured to analyze the odor data F1 output from the odor sensor 100. The analysis unit 220 is primarily configured with a central processing unit (CPU) 220a and may also have a storage device (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 the function of transmitting calculated data R to a control unit (not shown) as a result of calculation processing by the CPU 220a. 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 via known wired or wireless communication means.

[0031] An analysis program Prg for analyzing the odor data F1 is stored in the memory 220b. This analysis program Prg analyzes the odor data F1 by causing the analysis unit 220 as a computer, i.e., the CPU 220a as the main component of the analysis unit 220, to execute known arithmetic processing. Note that although the data analysis device 200 in FIG. 3 includes one odor sensor 100, it may also include multiple odor sensors 100.

[0032] [Embodiment 1] <Flow velocity and output waveform> In the following explanation, gas containing odorants will simply be referred to as gas. The distance that a fluid (here, gas) flows per unit time is called the flow rate, and is expressed in meters per second (m / s). The volume of a fluid (here, gas) flowing per unit time is called the flow rate, and is expressed in liters per second (L / s). Note that flow rate is measured in cubic meters per second (m 3 / s. The flow velocity and flow rate are expressed in square meters (m 2 )) and is expressed as "flow rate = flow rate ÷ cross-sectional area". The unit system is not limited to the MKS unit system, and may also be the CGS unit system.

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

[0034] As shown by the output waveforms a to f in Figure 4, even when gases containing the same odorant are detected using an odor sensor 100 having the same adsorption film 112, the output waveforms are different. For example, the timing of the voltage fall, the slope of the fall, the timing at which the fall reaches its lowest point, the voltage value at that point, and the waveform as the voltage rises from the lowest point are different. When identifying which odorant is contained in a gas based on the timing and slope of the fall of the output waveform of the odor sensor 100, for example, the timing and slope of the fall will differ between output waveform a with a low (slow) flow rate and output waveform f with a high (fast) flow rate. The slope of output waveform a with a low flow rate is gentle, while the slope of output waveform f with a high flow rate is steep.

[0035] For this reason, when the CPU 220a described above identifies an odor substance based on the slope of the output waveform, etc., there is a risk that a substance different from the actual odor substance may be identified as the odor substance (misdetected).

[0036] 4 have a shape that falls after the odor sensor 100 starts detecting an odor substance, but is not limited to this. The same applies to output waveforms that rise after the odor sensor 100 starts detecting an odor substance.

[0037] <Output waveform correction> The output waveform correction method of the first embodiment includes 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 odorant using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorant. The second detection step is a step of detecting the odorant using a second odor sensor arranged downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorant and having an odor adsorption section with the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section 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, the first timing at which the odorant is detected by the first odor sensor, and the second timing at which the odorant is detected by the second odor sensor. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring an 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] Fig. 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 Fig. 3 functions as a correction device, and the odor sensor 100 in Fig. 3 can be replaced with the odor detection device 300. Other than this, the configuration is the same as in Fig. 3, and only the differences from Fig. 3 will be described below.

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

[0040] Flow path 303 is provided between intake port 301 and exhaust port 302, and is a pipe through which gas G taken in through intake port 301 flows toward exhaust port 302. Flow path 303 is formed so that no other gas flows in or out between intake port 301 and exhaust port 302. In the following description, the flow direction of gas G in flow path 303 is referred to as Df. That is, intake port 301 is provided upstream of flow direction Df, and exhaust port 302 is provided downstream of flow direction Df.

[0041] The odor sensor 305 includes multiple sensor elements 310 arranged to detect odorous substances. The sensor elements 310 have an adsorption film 312 and a detection unit 314. The adsorption film 312 exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odorous substance is adsorbed and when it is not. The detection unit 314 is an element that outputs a signal representing the change in physicochemical properties that occurs in the adsorption film 312.

[0042] The odor sensor 305 includes at least two sensor elements 310 having adsorption films 312 with the same adsorption characteristics. Note that the odor sensor 305 may also include sensor elements 310 having adsorption films 312 with different adsorption characteristics. In FIG. 5, the odor sensor 305 includes multiple sensor elements 310 having adsorption films 312 with the same adsorption characteristics and multiple sensor elements 310 having adsorption films 312 with different adsorption characteristics.

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

[0044] In FIG. 5, the sensor elements are arranged in the following order from upstream to downstream in the flow direction Df: 310α1, 310β1, 310γ1, 310δ1, 310α2, 310γ2, 310β1, 310δ2. The detection units 314 (314α1 to 314δ2) are similar to the detection unit 114 described above.

[0045] <Correction coefficient> In order to determine the correction coefficient K described below, two sensor elements 310 having adsorption films 312 with the same adsorption characteristics are selected. In the first embodiment, a sensor element 310α1 (first odor sensor) and a sensor element 310α2 (second odor sensor) are selected to determine the correction coefficient K for correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310. Note that the sensor element 310 for determining the correction coefficient K only needs to react to odor substances, but it is preferable that the sensor element 310 has an adsorption film 312 that is versatile.

[0046] Here, the distance between the sensor element 310α1 and the sensor element 310α2 is defined as S1. Note that the distance S1 is the distance between the upstream ends of the sensor elements 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 portions in the flow direction Df. The distance S1 is a known value obtained when the odor sensor 305 is manufactured.

[0047] The CPU 220a starts a timer (not shown) at least when gas G flows in through 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, the times t1 and t2 when the odor substance is detected are, for example, the times when the voltage value starts to fall in the graph of FIG. 4.

[0048] This allows the CPU 220a to calculate the flow velocity Vf using the following equation (1). Vf=S1 / (t2-t1) (1) Furthermore, if the cross-sectional area A of the flow path 303 is constant, the CPU 220a can calculate the flow rate Lf using the following equation (2). Lf=Vf×A={S1 / (t2-t1)}×A (2) The flow rate Lf may be expressed in units of cubic meters per second, cubic meters per minute, liters per minute, or the like, and may be converted as appropriate to suit the characteristics of the odor detection device 300.

[0049] In the first embodiment, 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. The sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 can be referred to as sensor elements 310 for obtaining the correction coefficient K. In the following description, the flow rate Lf may also be referred to as the correction coefficient K.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 5, the odor sensor 305 also has sensor elements 310β1, 310β2, 310γ1, 310γ2, 310δ1, and 310δ2. Each of the sensor elements 310 is paired, two upstream and two downstream in the flow direction Df, so any pair of sensor elements 310 may be selected to calculate the correction coefficient K. For example, the correction coefficient K (hereinafter referred to as the correction coefficient Kβ) may be calculated using the sensor elements 310β1 and 310β2. Furthermore, the correction coefficient Kγ may be calculated using the sensor elements 310γ1 and 310γ2, and the correction coefficient Kδ may be calculated using the sensor elements 310δ1 and 310δ2. The correction coefficient K calculated using the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 is referred to as the correction coefficient Kα.

[0051] By calculating one correction coefficient K using any one of the paired sensor elements 310, the single correction coefficient K can be used to correct the output waveform output from the paired sensor element 310 used to calculate the correction coefficient K and from another sensor element 310 (third odor sensor). Note that the other sensor element 310 is a sensor element different from the paired sensor element 310 used to calculate the correction coefficient K. The other sensor element 310 may include both a sensor element 310 having an adsorption film 312 with the same adsorption characteristics as the paired sensor element 310, and a sensor element 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 response speed of the sensor element 310, variations in the arrangement, etc. In this case, a plurality of correction coefficients K (Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ) may be obtained, and the average value of the plurality of correction coefficients K (Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ) may be set as the new correction coefficient K, or the maximum value or minimum value may be set as the new correction coefficient K.

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

[0054] By correcting the output waveform of the sensor element 310 using the correction method of embodiment 1, it is possible to obtain results that are not dependent on the flow rate, for example, when detecting odorous substances by having a user blow their exhaled breath into the intake port 301. In other words, by correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient K, it is possible to accurately identify odorous substances regardless of the flow rate, whether the breath is blown forcefully (even if the flow rate is large) or slowly (even if the flow rate is small).

[0055] A specific correction method will be described below. The CPU 220a acquires the output waveforms before correction as shown in FIG. 4, which are output from the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2. The CPU 220a functions as an acquisition means for acquiring the output waveform. The CPU 220a acquires a new waveform (hereinafter referred to as the corrected output waveform) whose horizontal axis is a value obtained by multiplying each time (hereinafter referred to as timing t) of the output waveform by a correction coefficient K. That is, the CPU 220a converts time (t) into volume (Vol) by multiplying each time 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 a correction equation using the correction coefficient K. Vol=t×K=t×Lf=t×{S1 / (t2-t1)}×A (3)

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

[0057] Here, the correction coefficient K is a value calculated from the flow rate Lf, but by assuming the reference flow rate to be 1 (L / min, etc.), the correction coefficient K may 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 in Fig. 6 may be regarded as time. This allows, for example, the point on the horizontal axis in Fig. 6 where the fall begins to be regarded as the time (timing).

[0058] In this way, by using the correction method of embodiment 1, a sensor element 310 having an adsorption film 312 with the same adsorption characteristics will produce the same output waveform for the same odor substance regardless of the flow rate (flow rate), thereby preventing erroneous detection and improving the detection accuracy of odor substances.

[0059] <General flow path: Non-branched flow path> In the above-mentioned formula (2) for calculating the correction coefficient K(Lf), the flow path 303 is described as having a constant cross-sectional area A. In actual flow paths, the cross-sectional area A is not constant, but may change depending on the position in the flow direction Df. Therefore, the following generalization will be made to the case where the cross-sectional area A depends on the flow direction Df.

[0060] 7 is a diagram showing an odor detection device 300A having a general, unbranched flow path 303A. Note that although only sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are shown in the odor detection device 300A, other sensor elements 310 having different adsorption films 312 may also be included, as shown in FIG.

[0061] In the flow direction Df, the position of the sensor element 310α1 is P1, and the position of the sensor element 310α2 is P2. The positions of the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are the upstream ends of the flow direction Df, but they may also be the downstream ends of the flow direction Df or 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 A(P) of the position P. Therefore, the above-mentioned correction coefficient K can be expressed by the following equation (4).

number

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

number

[0063] Example 1 FIG. 8 shows Example 1, and FIG. 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 odorant was supplied at a flow rate of 0.3 mL / min. The horizontal axis of FIG. 8(a) 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 times t1 and t2 at which the odorant was detected by sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 was 2.62 s. The volume of flow path 303 from sensor element 310α1 to sensor element 310α2 was 13.8 mL. In this case, the correction coefficient K was 0.316 L / min.

[0064] Figure 8(b) shows the output waveform when a sensor element 310α having an adsorption film 312α detects gas G containing the same odorant at different flow rates, i.e., the output waveform before correction. The horizontal and vertical axes in Figure 8(b) are the same as those in Figure 8(a). Output waveform g shows the same result as in Figure 8(a) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL / min, output waveform i shows the result at a flow rate of 1.0 mL / min, and output waveform j shows the result at a flow rate of 0.1 mL / min. As shown in Figure 8(b), the output waveform before correction differs depending on the flow rate.

[0065] 8(c) shows the output waveform after correction using the correction coefficient K (=0.316 L / min) of embodiment 1, with the horizontal axis representing volume (mL) and the vertical axis representing voltage (mV). In FIG. 8(c), output waveform g' represents the waveform after correction of output waveform g, output waveform i' represents the waveform after correction of output waveform i, and output waveform j' represents the waveform after correction of output waveform j. The output waveforms after correction using the correction coefficient K according to the correction method of embodiment 1 all have the same rising 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] <General flow path: Branched flow path> 7, the flow path 303A is described as not branching. In reality, some flow paths branch, and sensor element 310α2 may be located in a branched flow path different from sensor element 310α1. Therefore, odor detection device 300B having branched flow path 303B will be described.

[0067] 9 is a diagram showing branched flow path 303B and sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2. Flow path 303B branches from unbranched flow path 303B1 (single flow path) continuing from intake port 301 into flow path 303B2 as a first flow path in which sensor element 310α1 is disposed, and flow path 303B3 as a second flow path different from flow path 303B2 in which sensor element 310α2 is disposed. Flow path 303B merges with flow path 303B3 at a confluence position Pc upstream of exhaust port 302 to form a single flow path again (flow path 303B4). Note that only sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are shown for odor detection device 300B.

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

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

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

number

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

number

[0072] Since flow path 303B has a branching and merging shape, the kinetic energy of gas G flowing through flow path 303B decreases as it collides with the inner wall that defines flow path 303B, resulting in a 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 flow path 303B, and is a value obtained when flow path 303B is designed. More specifically, the constant k is a distribution constant of the flow rate between flow paths 303B2 and 303B3, which is determined by the flow path pressure loss.

[0073] Furthermore, when sensor elements 310 other than the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2 are arranged, the output waveforms of the other sensor elements 310 may be corrected as follows: The output waveforms of the other sensor elements 310 arranged in the same flow path 303B2 as the sensor element 310α1 may be corrected using a correction coefficient K1. On the other hand, the output waveforms of the other sensor elements 310 arranged in the same flow path 303B3 as the sensor element 310α2 may be corrected using a 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 calculated to correct the output waveform of the sensor element 310. This allows the CPU 220a to accurately identify odor substances regardless of the flow rate (flow velocity) of the gas G.

[0075] <Arrangement of multiple sensor elements: non-periodic arrangement> In FIG. 5, using symbols such as α to represent adsorption characteristics, the sensor element 310 is α1→β1→γ1→δ1→α2→γ2→β2→δ2 As shown above, the sensor elements 310 are arranged in a non-periodic order (arranged non-periodically). From the viewpoint of the responsiveness of the sensor elements 310, it may be better for the distance (such as S1 described above) between a pair of sensor elements 310 (for example, 310α1 and 310α2) to be larger (farther apart) in order to obtain the correction coefficient K. For example, α1→β1→γ1→δ1→γ2→β2→δ2→α2 As shown above, the distance S1 between the sensor element 310α1 and the sensor element 310α2 for calculating the correction coefficient K may be increased, and another sensor element 310 may be disposed between the sensor elements 310α1 and 310α2. This allows the timings t1 and t2 to be detected with high accuracy 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, it is considered that the distance between the sensor elements 310 and the difference between the timing t1 and the timing t2 are the same for all pairs of the sensor elements 310. Therefore, the variation in the correction coefficient K obtained is reduced regardless of which pair of the sensor elements 310 is used.

[0077] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when identifying an odor substance based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, it is possible to provide an output waveform correction method and correction device that can accurately identify an odor substance regardless of the flow velocity of the odor substance. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the flow rate without using a flow meter.

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

[0079] <Configuration of odor sensor> In odor sensors, an adsorption film that adsorbs specific odor substances is formed on the surface of the base. The adsorption film is formed by adding an additive to a film material such as a conductive polymer film.

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

[0081] Examples of the film material that can be used to form the adsorption film include conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene. Ionic liquids, general-purpose resins, plasticizers, and salts can also be used as the film material. Inorganic materials such as gold, silver, platinum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-based alloys, and silicon can also be used for the electrodes. Other examples of materials that can be used include nanocarbon materials such as carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0082] Examples of additives that can be used include inorganic ions, organic acid anions, and polymeric acid anions. Examples of inorganic ions include chloride ions, chlorine oxide ions, bromide ions, sulfate ions, nitrate ions, and borate ions. Examples of organic acid anions include alkylsulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and carboxylic acid. Examples of polymeric acid anions include organic acid anions such as alkylsulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and carboxylic acid, and polymeric acid anions such as polyacrylic acid and polystyrenesulfonic acid. Other examples of additives include host materials such as cyclodextrin 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] <Odor sensor array> The odor sensor can be used by arranging multiple adsorption membranes on the surface of one or multiple bases. In this case, for example, multiple adsorption membranes with unique adsorption properties for different odor substances can be arranged in a row. Also, multiple adsorption membranes can be aligned in a plane, with multiple membranes arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0084] By using information about the order in which the adsorption films have been arranged and which have which adsorption properties 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 that utilizes odors.

[0085] <Odor database confidentiality processing> 10 is a schematic diagram of an odor sensor unit 1010 according to a second embodiment. The odor sensor unit 1010 has five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e. The odor sensors 1010a to 1010e use, for example, a quartz crystal microbalance sensor (QCM) as the base 1002. In this second embodiment, the five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e are arranged in a row. Adsorption films 1004a to 1004e are formed on the surfaces of the five bases 1002, respectively, and the adsorption films 1004a to 1004e correspond to the odor sensors 1010a to 1010e, respectively. The adsorption films 1004a to 1004e are formed by adding additives 1006a to 1006e to a conductive polymer film 1005, respectively. Due to the differences in the properties of the additives 1006a to 1006e, the adsorption films 1004a to 1004e exhibit the adsorption properties of adsorbing different odor substances.

[0086] Assume that odors of three types of gases Ga, Gb, and Gc are detected by this odor sensor 1010 and stored in database DB1. The detection results when the gases Ga, Gb, and Gc are detected by odor sensors 1010a to 1010e are, for example, as follows. The values ​​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 ​​were stored as is in the odor database DB, then if the information in the odor database DB were to be stolen, the detection results of the odor sensors 1010a-1010e for gases Ga-Gc would easily be revealed to the pirate. However, for example, if the arrangement order of the output values ​​of the five odor sensors 1010a-1010e were changed, and the output values ​​from the odor sensors 1010a-1010e were stored in the changed arrangement order in the odor database DB. If the information on this changed order were then used as an encryption key and managed separately from the odor database DB, then even if the information in the database DB were to be stolen, the pirate would not be able to easily ascertain the detection results of the odor sensors 1010a-1010e for gases Ga-Gc.

[0088] For example, if the output values ​​of the five odor sensors 1010a to 1010e are arranged in the order (1, 3, 5, 2, 4), the detection results of the gases 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 by the odor sensors 1010a to 1010e cannot be reproduced in the correct order of the sensors. Here, 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 the 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 sensors in an odor sensor unit for detecting odor data to be stored in the odor database DB can be changed from the order of the sensors in an odor sensor unit sold to users, and the change can be used as an encryption key. Furthermore, when producing multiple odor sensor units, changing the sensor arrangement in each unit or for each batch and managing the change as an encryption key can further contribute to improving the confidentiality of odor data.

[0091] <Access control using scent> By using the odor sensor unit 1010 shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to realize, for example, room entry / exit management using odors. Locking and unlocking of rooms is performed using gases with specific odors. Here, the odor used for room entry / exit is referred to as an "odor key." The odor key may be, for example, a specific perfume or an individual's body odor. By linking the odor sensor unit 1010 to an entry / exit control system that controls the locking and unlocking of room doors, it is possible to unlock the door using the odor key.

[0092] Here, for example, a configuration can be made in which the door cannot be unlocked with just the smell key, but can only be unlocked by inputting the sensor array information in the smell sensor unit 1010 as a password. For example, the detection result that can unlock the door is (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), and this information is stored in a database or the like in the access control system or in the cloud. If the detection result of the smell key by the smell 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) in the smell sensor unit 1010 is input, 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 or the like, and if they match, the door can be unlocked.

[0093] <Industrial Applicability> In addition, by using the odor sensor described in the above embodiment and the method for analyzing odor data detected by the odor sensor, it is possible to quickly and accurately identify an odor substance contained in a gas containing multiple different odor substances. The load on the processing device can also be reduced. Even when distinguishing the odor of a specific gas from that of other gases, rapid and accurate discrimination is possible. Furthermore, when identifying an odor substance contained in a detected gas by comparing the detected odor data with odor data stored in a database, etc., rapid and accurate matching is possible. The odor sensors 1010a to 1010e of embodiment 2 can also be replaced with the odor sensors 100 and 305 of embodiment 1.

[0094] As described above, in embodiment 2, when identifying an odorous substance based on the output waveform of an odor sensor, a method and device for correcting the output waveform can be provided that can accurately identify the odorous substance regardless of the flow velocity of the odorous substance.

[0095] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention includes the following aims. (Objective 1) 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquisition step of acquiring an 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; The output waveform correction method includes: (Objective 2) 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquiring step of acquiring an output waveform output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit with the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption units of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor; a correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; The output waveform correction method includes: (Objective 3) the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are disposed in the same flow path; The correction coefficient may be a 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. (Objective 4) the first odor sensor is disposed in a first flow path, the second odor sensor is disposed in a second flow path different from the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path branch off from one flow path at a branch point on the upstream side in the flow direction and merge again into one flow path at a merge point on the downstream side, 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 flow path and the second flow path. (Objective 5) A plurality of the first odor sensors; A plurality of the second odor sensors; may have (Objective 6) The plurality of first odor sensors and the plurality of second odor sensors may be arranged periodically or non-periodically in the flow direction. (Objective 7) A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first odor sensor that is disposed so as to be able to detect the odor substance and 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 section that has 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having: (Objective 8) A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first odor sensor that is disposed so as to be able to detect the odor substance and 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 section that has 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 unit that has the same adsorption characteristics as or different adsorption characteristics from the odor adsorption unit 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the third odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having: (Objective 9) the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are disposed 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. (Objective 10) the first odor sensor is disposed in a first flow path, the second odor sensor is disposed in a second flow path different from the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path branch off from one flow path at a branch point on the upstream side in the flow direction and merge into one flow path on the downstream side, 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 in the first flow path and the second flow path. (Objective 11) A plurality of the first odor sensors; A plurality of the second odor sensors; may have (Objective 12) The plurality of first odor sensors and the plurality of second odor sensors may be arranged periodically or non-periodically in the flow direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100, 305 Odor sensor 110, 110a to 110l, 310, 310α to 310δ, 310α1 to 310δ1, 310α2 to 310δ2 sensor element 112, 112a~112l, 312, 312α~312δ adsorption film 114, 114a to 114l, 314, 314α to 314δ detection unit 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 to 303B4 flow path 1002 base 1004a~1004e Adsorption film 1005 Conductive polymer film 1006a~1006e Additives 1010 Odor sensor unit 1010a~1010e Odor sensors A, A1, A2 cross-sectional area DB, DB1 database Df Flow direction F1 Smell Data G, Ga~Gc gases K, K1, K2, Kα, Kβ, Kγ, Kδ correction factors Lf flow rate P, P0, P1, P2, Pc position Prg analysis program R Calculated Data S1 distance Vf flow rate Vol Volume a~j, a'~j' Output waveform k constant t, t1, t2 timing

Claims

1. 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquiring step of acquiring an 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; The output waveform correction method includes:

2. 1. A method for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, comprising: The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property as a signal, a first detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a first odor sensor arranged to be able to detect the odorous substance; a second detection step of detecting the odorous substance using a second odor sensor that is disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odorous substance and has an odor adsorption section that has the same adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption section of the first odor sensor; a calculation 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; an acquiring step of acquiring an output waveform output from a third odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit with the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption units of the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor; a correction step of correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; The output waveform correction method includes:

3. the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are disposed in the same flow path, 3. The output waveform correction method according to claim 1, wherein the correction coefficient is a 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 disposed in a first flow path, the second odor sensor is disposed in a second flow path different from the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path branch off from one flow path at a branch point on an upstream side in the flow direction and merge again into one flow path at a merge point on a downstream side, 3. The output waveform correction method 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 in the first flow path and the second flow path.

5. A plurality of the first odor sensors; A plurality of the second odor sensors; 3. The output waveform correction method according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. The output waveform correction method according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first odor sensors and the plurality of second odor sensors are arranged periodically or non-periodically in the flow direction.

7. A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property 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 disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, has an odor adsorption section that has 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the first odor sensor and / or the second odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having:

8. A correction device for correcting an output waveform output from an odor sensor having an odor adsorption unit and a base, The odor adsorption unit exhibits a change in physicochemical properties when an odor substance is adsorbed and when it is not adsorbed, the base is an element that outputs the change in physicochemical property 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 disposed downstream of the first odor sensor in the flow direction of the odor substance, has an odor adsorption section that has 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 unit having the same or different adsorption characteristics as the odor adsorption unit 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 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; an acquisition means for acquiring an output waveform output from the third odor sensor; a correction means for correcting the output waveform using the correction coefficient; A correction device having:

9. the first odor sensor and the second odor sensor are disposed in the same flow path, 9. The correction device according to claim 7, 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 disposed in a first flow path, the second odor sensor is disposed in a second flow path different from the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path branch off from one flow path at a branch point on the upstream side in the flow direction and merge into one flow path on the downstream side, 9. The correction device according to claim 7, wherein the calculation means calculates the correction coefficient based on a volume of the first flow path from the branching point to the position of the first odor sensor, a volume of the second flow path from the branching point to the position of the second odor sensor, a difference between the second timing and the first timing, and a constant value based on pressure loss in the first flow path and the second flow path.

11. A plurality of the first odor sensors; A plurality of the second odor sensors; 9. The correction device according to claim 7 or 8, comprising:

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 non-periodically in the flow direction.

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