Exhalation detection method, program, sensor module, and exhalation detection system

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to reduce the likelihood of exhalation detection being executed in a state in which the manner of exhaling onto a sensing unit is improper. This sensor module (10) is provided with: a sensing unit (12); a blowing port (41) into which a subject exhales; and an introduction port (42) for introducing a reference gas. By controlling a gas valve (VB1), a flow path control unit can switch the exposure state of the sensing unit (12) to a first exposure state in which the sensing unit (12) is exposed to the reference gas, or a second exposure state in which the sensing unit (12) is exposed to an exhalation. An output unit outputs, to an electronic device (20) having a user interface, exposure period information relating to the period of the first exposure state and of the second exposure state.

Description

Breath detection method, program, sensor module, and breath detection system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a breath detection method, a program, a sensor module, and a breath detection system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a breath detection method, a program, a sensor module, and a breath detection system for measuring properties of breath or the state of a target gas in breath.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an exhaled breath detection device including a pressure detection unit, a temperature sensor, and a determination unit. The pressure detection unit detects the pressure received by the exhaled breath spraying unit and outputs a signal. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the exhaled breath spraying unit. The determination unit determines whether exhaled breath has been sprayed onto the exhaled breath spraying unit based on the results of comparing the signal output by the pressure detection unit and the signal output by the temperature sensor with respective determination criteria.

[0003] When detecting the properties of exhaled breath or the state of the target gas in the exhaled breath, if the exhaled breath is not ejected properly, the exhaled breath may not be sufficiently blown onto the sensitive part, and exhaled breath may not be detected correctly.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-232654

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a breath detection method, a program, a sensor module, and a breath detection system that can reduce the possibility of breath detection being performed when the breath is being exhaled in an inappropriate state.

[0006] A breath detection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a switching step and an instruction information output step. The switching step switches from a first exposure state in which a sensitive part sensitive to one or more gas components contained in a subject's breath is exposed to a reference gas to a second exposure state in which the sensitive part is exposed to the breath of the subject. The instruction information output step outputs instruction information instructing the subject on a state of exhalation of the breath in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer system to execute the breath detection method.

[0008] A sensor module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor unit, a blowing port through which a subject blows their exhaled breath, an inlet for introducing a reference gas, a gas valve, a flow path control unit, and an output unit. The gas valve connects a flow path in which the sensor unit is disposed to the blowing port or the inlet. The flow path control unit controls the gas valve to switch the exposure state of the sensor unit between a first exposure state in which the sensor unit is exposed to the reference gas and a second exposure state in which the sensor unit is exposed to the exhaled breath. The output unit outputs exposure period information relating to each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state to an electronic device. The electronic device has a user interface capable of outputting instruction information to the subject instructing the subject on the exhaled breath discharge state.

[0009] The breath detection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the sensor module and the electronic device having the user interface, and the electronic device outputs instruction information, which instructs the subject on a state of exhalation of the breath, via the user interface in synchronization with each of the periods of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information input from the sensor module.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a breath detection system including a sensor module and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a front view of the electronic device. Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the breath detection system in use. Fig. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a sensor unit included in the sensor module. Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the sensor unit in states before and after absorbing molecules to be detected. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the change over time in resistance value during a measurement period of the sensor unit. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram explaining the operation of the breath detection system.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, occasionally with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the following content. Positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Each figure described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each component are not limited to the ratios shown in the drawings.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, the materials exemplified in this specification can be used singly or in combination of two or more. When a plurality of substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the content of each component in the composition means the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0013] (Embodiment) (1) Overview FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a breath detection system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0014] The breath detection system 1 includes a sensor module 10 and an electronic device 20 (see FIG. 2 ) equipped with a user interface. The sensor module 10 includes a sensitive unit 12 that is sensitive to one or more gas components contained in the breath of a subject. The breath detection system 1 detects the state of the breath blown by the subject into the mouthpiece 41 of the sensor module 10 based on the output of the sensitive unit 12. Here, the state of the breath refers to, for example, the presence or absence of an odor in the breath or the type of odor, or the state (e.g., concentration) of one or more gas components in the breath. The state of one or more gas components in the breath may include, for example, the alcohol concentration in the breath, the type and composition of molecules in the breath that can be used to identify an individual, the type and composition of molecules in the breath caused by a specific disease, etc. When the breath detection system 1 detects the odor of breath as the state of breath, the odor to be detected may include, for example, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methane, acetone, ethanol, isoprene, ethane, pentane, benzaldehyde, nonanal, pyrrol, and other odor molecules such as ammonia.

[0015] 1 and 3, the sensor module 10 includes a sensitive part 12, an inlet 41 through which the subject blows their breath, and an inlet 42 for introducing a reference gas. The sensor module 10 also includes a gas valve VB1, a flow path control part 111, and an output part 112.

[0016] The gas valve VB1 connects the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is arranged to the blowing port 41 or the introduction port 42 .

[0017] The flow path control unit 111 can switch the exposure state of the sensitive part 12 to a first exposure state in which the sensitive part 12 is exposed to a reference gas, or a second exposure state in which the sensitive part 12 is exposed to exhaled air, by controlling the gas valve VB1.

[0018] The output unit 112 outputs exposure period information relating to each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state to the electronic device 20. The electronic device 20 has a user interface 27 capable of outputting instruction information to the subject instructing the subject on the exhalation state.

[0019] Here, the sensitive unit 12 includes a gas sensor that is sensitive to one or more gas components in exhaled breath. The sensitive unit 12 being sensitive to one or more gas components in exhaled breath means that when the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to exhaled breath, the electrical characteristics of the sensitive unit 12 change depending on the concentration of the one or more gas components in the exhaled breath. The reference gas is a gas to which the sensitive unit 12 is sensitive, and in which the concentration of one or more gas components in the exhaled breath is lower than that of the exhaled breath. By providing a first exposure state in which the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to the reference gas for a certain period of time or longer, the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive unit 12 approaches the electrical characteristic value in a state in which exhaled breath is not present. The reference gas is, for example, air, but may also be a gas with an adjusted concentration of a gas component (e.g., a standard gas). When the flow path control unit 111 switches the sensitive unit 12 from the first exposure state to the second exposure state, the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to one or more gas components contained in the exhaled breath, causing a change in an electrical characteristic value (e.g., the electrical resistance of the sensitive unit 12) of the sensitive unit 12. The exhaled breath detection system 1 detects the state of the exhaled breath, for example, based on a change pattern in the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive unit 12 when the exhaled breath is switched from the first exposure state to the second exposure state.

[0020] The output unit 112 of the sensor module 10 outputs exposure period information relating to each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state to the electronic device 20. Therefore, the electronic device 20 can grasp each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information. Therefore, the electronic device 20 can output instruction information instructing the subject on the breath discharge state in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, thereby reducing the possibility of breath detection being performed in an inappropriate breath discharge state. Note that outputting instruction information in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state includes a mode in which instruction information is continuously output throughout each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, and may also include a mode in which instruction information is output at a predetermined timing during each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state. For example, in the breath detection system 1, the subject is instructed to discharge breath into the inlet 41 of the sensor module 10 during a predetermined discharge period that includes the period of the second exposure state. For example, when the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 is switched in the order of the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state again, the discharge period is set, for example, from a first time point, which is a certain time before the timing of switching from the first exposure state to the second exposure state, to a second time point, which is a certain time after the timing of switching from the second exposure state to the first exposure state. In this case, the breath detection system 1 may output instruction information to the subject in synchronization with the discharge period, which is set based on at least one of the duration of the first exposure state and the duration of the second exposure state. For example, the instruction information may be output from the first time point to the second time point. Furthermore, the breath detection system 1 may output instruction information while executing the flow path switching protocol, which switches the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 in the order of the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state again, i.e., during the breath detection period. Furthermore, the breath detection system 1 may output instruction information from a start time point, which is set based on the timing of the start of the breath detection period, to an end time point, which is set based on the timing of the end of the breath detection period.

[0021] The breath discharge state refers to the manner in which the subject blows breath into the blowing port 41 of the sensor module 10. The breath discharge state includes, for example, at least one of the following: the duration of time during which breath is blown into the blowing port 41, the strength of the breath, the flow rate of the breath, and the distance between the blowing port 41 and the face or mouth of the subject. The instruction information is, for example, information instructing the subject on at least one of the duration of time during which breath is blown into the blowing port 41, the strength of the breath, the flow rate of the breath, and the distance between the blowing port 41 and the face or mouth of the subject. In other words, the instruction information may include at least one of information regarding the duration of time during which the subject blows breath into the blowing port 41, the strength of the breath, the flow rate of the breath, and the distance between the blowing port 41 and the face or mouth of the subject. The user interface included in the electronic device 20 is a device that can present the instruction information output from the output unit 112 to the subject. The user interface may include, for example, a display device 23 that displays instruction information in the form of characters or images, a speaker 24 that outputs instruction information by voice or the like, and the like.

[0022] The breath detection method performed by the breath detection system 1 of this embodiment includes a switching step and an instruction information output step. In the switching step, the sensitive unit 12 is switched from a first exposure state in which it is exposed to a reference gas to a second exposure state in which it is exposed to the breath of the subject. The sensitive unit 12 is sensitive to one or more gas components contained in the breath of the subject. In the instruction information output step, instruction information instructing the subject on the breath exhalation state is output in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state.

[0023] In this way, in the instruction information output step, the instruction information is output in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, so that the instruction information instructing the breath discharge state can be output to the subject at an appropriate timing, thereby reducing the possibility that breath detection will be performed in an inappropriate breath discharge state.

[0024] (2) Details (2.1) Configuration As described above, the breath detection system 1 of this embodiment includes the sensor module 10 and the electronic device 20. The configurations of the sensor module 10 and the electronic device 20 will be described below.

[0025] (2.1.1) Sensor Module As shown in FIG. 3 , the sensor module 10 includes a housing 40 that houses the sensitive unit 12. When detecting breath using the breath detection system 1, the subject places the housing 40 of the sensor module 10 on a table or the like, or holds the housing 40 of the sensor module 10 in their hand and exhales into the air inlet 41 of the sensor module 10. While FIG. 3 shows the housing 40 of the sensor module 10 held in their hand, breath detection may also be performed with the sensor module 10 placed on a table or the like. In the following description, the X-axis direction in FIG. 3 is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is defined as the up-to-down direction. The positive direction of the X-axis direction is defined as the front side, and the positive direction of the Z-axis direction is defined as the up side. However, these directions are set merely for convenience of explanation and are not intended to limit the orientation of the sensor module 10 when in use. The arrows indicating the various directions in the drawings are merely shown for explanatory purposes and do not represent physical entities.

[0026] The housing 40 is made of metal or synthetic resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a vertical dimension greater than its front-to-rear dimension. An air inlet 41 is provided on the top surface of the housing 40, and a second exhaust port 44 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 40. A hollow cylindrical portion 45 is provided integrally with the front surface of the housing 40, and an inlet 42 is provided on the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 45. A first exhaust port 43 is provided on the rear surface of the housing 40.

[0027] The housing 40 is provided with a gas valve VB1 and a sensitive unit 12. The sensor module 10 further includes a detection unit S1 (see FIG. 1 ) that detects events related to the exhalation state of the subject. In this embodiment, the sensor module 10 includes multiple detection units S1. The multiple detection units S1 may include, for example, an imaging unit 13, a flow sensor 14, a pressure sensor 15, and a distance sensor 16. The imaging unit 13, the flow sensor 14, the pressure sensor 15, and the distance sensor 16 are disposed in the housing 40. Note that FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the interior of the housing 40, and FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the gas valve VB1, sensitive unit 12, multiple detection units S1, and the like disposed in the housing 40.

[0028] Inside the housing 40, there is provided a flow path 51 that is connected to the blowing port 41 and through which the exhaled air blown from the blowing port 41 flows. In addition, the cylindrical portion 45 is provided with a flow path 52 that is connected to the inlet 42 and through which the reference gas introduced from the inlet 42 flows.

[0029] Inside the housing 40 , a flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is disposed is provided, and the flow path 53 is connected to the second exhaust port 44 .

[0030] Here, a wall 46 is provided inside the housing 40 to separate the flow path 51 and the flow path 53. A through-hole is provided in the wall 46, and a first valve VB11 is disposed in this through-hole. The first valve VB11 is, for example, a normally-off electromagnetic on-off valve, and is switched between an open state and a closed state by a first drive unit 17.

[0031] A wall 47 is provided inside the housing 40 to separate the flow path 52 from the flow path 53. A through-hole is provided in the wall 47, and a second valve VB12 is disposed in this through-hole. The second valve VB12 is, for example, a normally-off electromagnetic on-off valve, and is switched between an open state and a closed state by the first drive unit 17.

[0032] A flow rate sensor 14 for measuring the flow rate of exhaled air is disposed in the flow path 51 of the housing 40 between the blowing port 41 and the first valve VB11 provided in the wall 46. The flow rate sensor 14 is, for example, a differential pressure flow meter, but the method of measuring the flow rate can be changed as appropriate. The flow rate sensor 14 detects the flow rate of exhaled air and outputs the flow rate detection result to the control unit 11.

[0033] A pressure sensor 15 is disposed in the flow path 51 of the housing 40 between the blow inlet 41 and the installation position of the flow rate sensor 14. The pressure sensor 15 is, for example, a diaphragm-type pressure sensor. The pressure sensor 15 detects the pressure in the flow path 51 as the pressure of the exhaled breath and outputs the detection result to the control unit 11.

[0034] Furthermore, the flow path 51 of the housing 40 is provided with a flow path 55 that connects the space between the wall 46 on which the first valve VB11 is provided and the flow sensor 14 with the space outside the housing 40. This flow path 55 is connected to the first exhaust port 43 provided on the rear surface of the housing 40.

[0035] A filter 61 is also disposed in the flow path 52. The filter 61 is disposed between the inlet 42 and the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is disposed. More specifically, the filter 61 is disposed between the inlet 42 and the wall 47 in which the second valve VB12 is disposed. The filter 61 can reduce the moisture contained in the reference gas. The filter 61 is, for example, a hollow fiber membrane filter. The filter 61 has a hollow fiber membrane through which the reference gas passes. The moisture in the reference gas permeates the hollow fiber membrane, thereby reducing the moisture in the reference gas. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the performance of the sensitive part 12 will be deteriorated by the moisture contained in the reference gas when the sensitive part 12 is exposed to the reference gas.

[0036] The flow path 53 of the housing 40 includes a first flow path 53A in which the sensitive part 12 is disposed, and a second flow path 53B that connects the first flow path 53A and the second exhaust port 44. A pump P1 is disposed in the second flow path 53B to draw gas from the flow path 51 or the flow path 52 into the flow path 53. The pump P1 has, for example, an electric fan, and uses the electric fan to exhaust the gas in the flow path 53 to the outside through the second exhaust port 44, thereby drawing gas (exhaled breath or reference gas) from the flow path 51 or the flow path 52 into the flow path 53. The pump P1 is driven by a second drive unit 18.

[0037] The first drive unit 17 switches the opening and closing of the first valve VB11 and the second valve VB12 in response to a switching signal input from the flow path control unit 111. The flow path control unit 111 closes the first valve VB11 and opens the second valve VB12 to connect the flow path 53 to the flow path 52, setting the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 to a first exposure state in which the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to the reference gas. The flow path control unit 111 also opens the first valve VB11 and closes the second valve VB12 to connect the flow path 53 to the flow path 51, setting the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 to a second exposure state in which the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to exhaled breath. When the breath detection system 1 detects exhaled breath, the flow path control unit 111 repeats the flow path switching operation multiple times (e.g., twice) to maintain the exposure states of the sensitive unit 12 in the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state in that order for several seconds each. The length of each period of the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state is, for example, 4 seconds or more and 10 seconds or less. The lengths of each period of the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state may be the same or different from each other.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of temporal changes in the electrical characteristic value (e.g., electrical resistance) of the sensitive unit 12 during the breath detection period TA (times t1 to t11) during which the breath detection system 1 detects breath. Based on a flow path switching protocol input from the electronic device 20, the sensor module 10 performs a switching operation twice, with one cycle consisting of a first period TA1 during which the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 is in a first exposure state, a second period TA2 during which the exposure state is in a second exposure state, and a third period TA3 during which the exposure state is in the first exposure state. The flow path switching protocol is data that defines a method for switching the exposure state during the breath detection period TA. During the breath detection period TA, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to the second drive unit 18 to drive the pump P1, which draws in air from the first flow path 53A and expels it from the second exhaust port 44.

[0039] During the first period TA1 (times t1 to t3, t6 to t8), the first drive unit 17 switches the first valve VB11 to a closed state and the second valve VB12 to an open state, so that the reference gas drawn in from the inlet 42 passes through the flow path 53 and is discharged to the outside from the second exhaust port 44. During the first period TA1, the sensitive part 12 is exposed to the reference gas, thereby cleaning the sensitive part 12 to a clean state that is not in contact with exhaled air. If exhaled air has not been measured for a long period of time and interference gases are attached to the sensitive part 12, it may be difficult to accurately measure the state of the exhaled air. Therefore, the flow path control unit 111 cleans the sensitive part 12 by setting the exposure state of the sensitive part 12 to the first exposure state during the first period TA1. In addition, in the first exposure state, when exhaled air is blown into the blowing port 41, the exhaled air blown into the blowing port 41 is exhausted to the outside through the first exhaust port 43 and does not flow into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is located.

[0040] During the second period TA2 (times t3 to t4, t8 to t9), the first drive unit 17 switches the first valve VB11 to an open state and the second valve VB12 to a closed state, so that air drawn in through the inlet 41 passes through the flow path 53 and is discharged to the outside from the second exhaust port 44. During the second period TA2, when exhaled air is blown into the inlet 41, the sensitive part 12 is exposed to the exhaled air. When exhaled air is blown into the inlet 41 in the second exposure state, if the flow rate of the exhaled air is greater than the flow rate of the pump P1, the exhaled air that exceeds the flow rate of the pump P1 is discharged to the outside from the first exhaust port 43. On the other hand, if the flow rate of the exhaled air falls below the flow rate of the pump P1, air flows into the flow path 53 via the first exhaust port 43 and the first valve VB11, and a mixture of the exhaled air and the air is blown onto the sensitive part 12, which may prevent the state of the exhaled air from being detected correctly. In this embodiment, the flow rate of the pump P1 is set to 150 mL / min, which is sufficiently low compared to the normal flow rate of exhaled breath of an adult (approximately several tens of L / min), so the flow rate of exhaled breath is unlikely to fall below the flow rate of the pump P1, and exhaled breath can be stably supplied to the sensitive part 12. Note that if the flow rate of exhaled breath is greater than the flow rate of the pump P1, exhaled breath that exceeds the flow rate of the pump P1 is exhausted to the outside through the first exhaust port 43. Therefore, the flow rate of exhaled breath introduced into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is arranged can be kept constant, improving the accuracy of exhaled breath determination.

[0041] During the subsequent third period TA3 (times t4 to t6, t9 to t11), the first drive unit 17 switches the first valve VB11 to a closed state and the second valve VB12 to an open state, so that the reference gas drawn in from the inlet 42 passes through the flow path 53 and is exhausted to the outside from the second exhaust port 44. During the third period TA3, the sensitive part 12 is again exposed to the reference gas, thereby cleaning the sensitive part 12 to a clean state where it has not come into contact with exhaled air.

[0042] In the breath detection system 1, instruction information is output to the subject to instruct the subject to blow breath during the exhalation period TB1 (times t2 to t5, t7 to t10), which includes the second period TA2, so that the sensitive part 12 is exposed to the exhaled breath during the second period TA2. Preferably, each of the first period TA1, second period TA2, and third period TA3 is set to, for example, 4 seconds or more and 10 seconds or less. For example, each of the first period TA1, second period TA2, and third period TA3 is set to, for example, 5 seconds. The exhalation period TB1 is set to the period from a time (first time point) t2 (t7) one second before the start point t3 (t8) of the second period TA2 to a time (second time point) t5 (t10) one second after the end point t4 (t9) of the second period TA2. The discharge period TB1 may be set to a period including at least the second period TA2, and the setting of the discharge period TB1 can be changed as appropriate.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first valve VB11 and the second valve VB12 constitute the gas valve VB1 that connects the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is arranged to the blowing port 41 or the introduction port 42. However, it is not essential that the gas valve VB1 be composed of the first valve VB11 and the second valve VB12, and the gas valve VB1 may be composed of a single directional switching valve.

[0044] On the top surface of the housing 40 , an imaging unit 13 and a distance sensor 16 are arranged around the air inlet 41 .

[0045] The imaging unit 13 has an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The imaging unit 13 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 40 with its imaging surface facing upward, so that it can capture an image of the face of the subject blowing breath into the air inlet 41 when exhalation is detected. The imaging unit 13 outputs image data of the subject's face to the control unit 11.

[0046] The distance sensor 16 is, for example, a laser ranging sensor. The distance sensor 16 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 40 and emits a laser beam upward. When the distance sensor 16 receives light reflected by an object (e.g., the subject's face) located above the housing 40, it detects the distance from the distance sensor 16 to the object based on the light propagation time from when the laser beam is emitted until when the reflected light is received. The distance sensor 16 outputs the detected distance value to the control unit 11. Here, when the subject is blowing breath into the blowing port 41, the distance sensor 16 can detect the distance between the blowing port 41 and the subject's face. Note that the distance sensor 16 is not limited to a laser ranging sensor and may be an ultrasonic ranging sensor that measures distance using ultrasonic waves, and the distance detection method can be changed as appropriate.

[0047] The sensitive part 12 is disposed in the lower part of the first flow path 53A.

[0048] 4, the sensitive section 12 has a plurality of sensitive elements Ax with different sensing characteristics. In this embodiment, the sensitive section 12 has, for example, 16 sensitive elements Ax, and hereinafter, each of the 16 sensitive elements Ax may be referred to as a sensitive element A1 to A16. The 16 sensitive elements A1 to A16 are arranged in four rows and four columns on one main surface of a flat substrate 120.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the multiple sensor elements Ax of the sensor unit 12 is formed into a film-like shape and includes an organic composition 121, which is a disk-shaped organic material that is sensitive to molecules to be detected that are contained in exhaled breath, and conductive particles 122 dispersed in the organic composition 121. When molecules of one or more gas components (e.g., odor molecules) to which the sensor element Ax is sensitive are present in the exhaled breath blown onto the sensor unit 12, the organic composition 121 absorbs the one or more gas components to which the sensor element Ax is sensitive and expands. In Figure 5, the left diagram shows the state before the sensor element Ax absorbs the odor molecules M1, and the right diagram shows the state after the sensor element Ax has absorbed the odor molecules M1. When the sensor element Ax absorbs the odor molecule M1, the organic composition 121 expands, and after absorbing the odor molecule M1, the distance between the conductive particles 122 becomes wider than before absorbing the odor molecule M1, and the electrical resistance, which is an electrical characteristic value of the sensor element Ax, increases.

[0050] The plurality of sensitive elements Ax detect different gas components, and the composition of the organic composition 121 in each of the plurality of sensitive elements Ax is adjusted according to the gas component to be detected. Therefore, in the second exposure state in which the sensitive part 12 is exposed to exhaled air, the electrical characteristic values ​​of the 16 sensitive elements Ax included in the sensitive part 12 exhibit behavior according to their respective sensitivity characteristics, and the control part 11 outputs the electrical characteristic values ​​of the 16 sensitive elements Ax to the electronic device 20.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first flow path 53A, when viewed from the direction in which the gas flows through the first flow path 53A (when viewed from above in the orientation shown in FIG. 3 ), a shielding wall 54 that overlaps with the sensitive part 12 is provided above the sensitive part 12. That is, in the flow path 53 in which the sensitive part 12 is arranged, the shielding wall 54 that overlaps with the sensitive part 12 is provided upstream of the sensitive part 12 when viewed from the direction in which the gas flows through the flow path 53. This makes it possible to prevent the exhaled air that has entered the flow path 53 through the first valve VB11 from being blown directly onto the sensitive part 12. If the airflow of the exhaled air that has entered the flow path 53 through the first valve VB11 directly hits the sensitive part 12, the temperature of the sensitive part 12 changes, which may reduce the accuracy of exhaled air detection by the sensitive part 12. In this embodiment, the exhaled airflow that enters the flow path 53 through the first valve VB11 hits the shielding wall 54, thereby preventing the exhaled airflow from directly hitting the sensitive part 12, which has the advantage of improving the accuracy of exhaled air detection by the sensitive part 12.

[0052] The housing 40 also houses the control unit 11, the first drive unit 17, the second drive unit 18, the communication unit 19, and the like.

[0053] The communication unit 19 communicates with the electronic device 20 using a communication method that complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, for example. The communication unit 19 is connected to the electronic device 20 via a cable 70, and communicates with a communication unit 25 of the electronic device 20 via the cable 70. The communication unit 19 may also communicate with the communication unit 25 of the electronic device 20 using a wireless communication method that complies with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0054] The first drive unit 17 switches the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 between the first exposure state and the second exposure state by controlling the opening and closing of the first valve VB11 and the second valve VB12 in accordance with a control signal input from the control unit 11.

[0055] The second drive unit 18 drives the pump P1 in response to a control signal input from the control unit 11, thereby drawing gas from the blowing port 41 or the introduction port 42 into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is arranged.

[0056] The control unit 11 is a control circuit that controls the overall operation of the sensor module 10. The control unit 11 can be realized, for example, by a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. That is, the one or more processors execute one or more programs (application software) stored in one or more memories to function as the control unit 11. Note that the sensor module 10 incorporates a program (application software) for causing the sensor module 10 to execute the breath detection method of this embodiment, and this program is executed by the control unit 11. The program is pre-recorded, for example, in the internal memory of the control unit 11, but may also be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0057] The control unit 11 has, for example, the functions of a flow path control unit 111 and an output unit 112. Note that the flow path control unit 111 and the output unit 112 merely indicate the functions realized by the control unit 11, and do not necessarily indicate actual configurations.

[0058] The flow path control unit 111 outputs a control signal to the first drive unit 17 in accordance with the flow path switching protocol input from the electronic device 20, and switches the flow path by having the first drive unit 17 control the opening and closing of the first valve VB11 and the second valve VB12.

[0059] Furthermore, the flow path control unit 111 outputs a control signal to the second drive unit 18 in accordance with the flow path switching protocol input from the electronic device 20, causing the second drive unit 18 to drive the pump P1. When the pump P1 sucks in gas, the gas (exhaled breath or reference gas) is sucked from the blowing port 41 or the introduction port 42 into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is arranged.

[0060] The output unit 112 outputs exposure period information relating to each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state from the communication unit 19 to the electronic device 20. For example, at the start of each of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, the output unit 112 causes the communication unit 19 to transmit exposure period information indicating the current exposure state (first exposure state or second exposure state) to the electronic device 20. The output unit 112 also causes the communication unit 19 to transmit electrical characteristic values ​​acquired from the multiple sensing elements Ax to the electronic device 20 at appropriate timing. The output unit 112 also causes the communication unit 19 to transmit detection results acquired from the multiple detection units S1 to the electronic device 20 at appropriate timing. That is, the output unit 112 further outputs the detection results of the detection units S1 to the electronic device 20 as exhalation-related information.

[0061] The sensor module 10 may also include a non-volatile memory that stores time-series data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive part 12 and the detection results of the detection part S1.

[0062] The sensor module 10 may operate on power supplied from a built-in battery or power supplied from the electronic device 20. The sensor module 10 may also operate on power supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power source.

[0063] (2.1.2) Electronic Device The electronic device 20 constitutes the breath detection system 1 together with the sensor module 10 .

[0064] The electronic device 20 is, for example, a smartphone used by the subject.

[0065] The electronic device 20 includes a control unit 21 , an input unit 22 , a display device 23 , a speaker 24 , a communication unit 25 , and a storage unit 26 .

[0066] The electronic device 20 outputs instruction information instructing the subject on the state of exhalation in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information input from the sensor module 10, via the user interface 27. The user interface 27 is a device capable of outputting instruction information to the subject, and in this embodiment is, for example, the display device 23.

[0067] The display device 23 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged on the front surface of the main body 200 of the electronic device 20. The display device 23 can output instruction information to the subject in the form of characters or images (still images or moving images).

[0068] The input unit 22 is, for example, a touchpad provided on the screen of the display device 23. The input unit 22 accepts input operations by the user of the electronic device 20.

[0069] The speaker 24 is housed inside the main body 200. The speaker 24 can output instruction information to the subject by voice.

[0070] The communication unit 25 communicates with the sensor module 10. The communication unit 25 communicates with the sensor module 10 using a communication method that complies with the USB standard, for example. Note that the communication method between the communication unit 25 and the sensor module 10 is not limited to the communication method that complies with the USB standard, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0071] The storage unit 26 includes one or more storage devices. Examples of the storage device include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 26 stores a trained model used to determine the state of exhaled breath. The trained model is generated by, for example, using time-series data (i.e., a change pattern of the electrical characteristic values) of the sensitive unit 12 (i.e., the electrical characteristic values ​​of the multiple sensitive elements Ax) during the exhaled breath detection period TA as training data, and having an artificial intelligence program (algorithm) learn the relationship between the time-series data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive unit 12 and the state of exhaled breath through machine learning. The artificial intelligence program is a machine learning model, and for example, a neural network, which is a type of hierarchical model, is used. The trained model may be generated by the breath detection system 1 or may be generated by a learning system other than the breath detection system 1.

[0072] The control unit 21 is a control circuit that controls the overall operation of the electronic device 20. The control unit 21 can be realized, for example, by a computer system including one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. In other words, the one or more processors execute one or more programs (applications) stored in one or more memories to function as the control unit 21. The programs are, for example, pre-recorded in the internal memory of the control unit 21, but may also be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0073] The control unit 21 has functions such as an acquisition unit 31, an instruction information output unit 32, a display control unit 33, an exhalation determination unit 34, and a determination result output unit 35. Note that the acquisition unit 31, the instruction information output unit 32, the display control unit 33, the exhalation determination unit 34, and the determination result output unit 35 merely indicate functions realized by the control unit 21 and do not necessarily indicate actual configurations.

[0074] The acquisition unit 31 executes an acquisition step of acquiring breath-related information related to the state of breath exhalation by the subject. The acquisition unit 31 executes the acquisition step of acquiring breath-related information during the breath detection period TA. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 31 acquires breath-related information based on the detection results detected by the detection unit S1 of the sensor module 10 by the communication unit 25 communicating with the sensor module 10. The sensor module 10 includes an imaging unit 13, a flow sensor 14, a pressure sensor 15, and a distance sensor 16 as the multiple detection units S1, and therefore the acquisition unit 31 acquires breath-related information based on the detection results of the imaging unit 13, the flow sensor 14, the pressure sensor 15, and the distance sensor 16.

[0075] Specifically, the imaging unit 13 captures an image of the subject's face and generates image data of the subject's face. The acquisition unit 31 acquires the image of the subject's face as breath-related information by image processing the image data received by the communication unit 25 from the sensor module 10. Note that the image of the subject's face is not limited to an image of the entire face, as long as it captures at least the area around the mouth. In other words, the acquisition unit 31 performs an acquisition step of acquiring image information of the subject's mouth as breath-related information by image processing the image captured by the imaging unit 13 that captures the subject's face.

[0076] The acquisition unit 31 also acquires the detection result of the pressure sensor 15 as exhalation-related information from the sensor module 10 via the communication unit 25. That is, the acquisition unit 31 performs an acquisition step of acquiring, as exhalation-related information, a pressure detection value from the pressure sensor 15 that detects the pressure of the exhaled breath blown into the blowing port 41 by the subject.

[0077] The acquisition unit 31 also acquires the detection result of the flow rate sensor 14 as exhalation-related information from the sensor module 10 via the communication unit 25. That is, the acquisition unit 31 performs an acquisition step of acquiring, as exhalation-related information, a flow rate detection value from the flow rate sensor 14 that detects the flow rate of the exhaled air blown into the blowing port 41 by the subject.

[0078] The acquisition unit 31 also acquires the detection result of the distance sensor 16 as breath-related information from the sensor module 10 via the communication unit 25. That is, the acquisition unit 31 performs an acquisition step of acquiring, as breath-related information, a distance detection value from the distance sensor 16 that detects the distance between the air inlet 41 and the subject.

[0079] In this way, the acquisition unit 31 acquires the image of the subject's face, the detected pressure value, the detected flow rate value, and the detected distance value as the breath-related information. Note that it is not essential for the acquisition unit 31 to acquire all of this information, and it is sufficient for the acquisition unit 31 to acquire at least one of the image of the subject's face, the detected pressure value, the detected flow rate value, and the detected distance value as the breath-related information.

[0080] The instruction information output unit 32 outputs instruction information created based on the exhalation-related information in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state. The instruction information may include at least one of mouth opening information regarding the degree of mouth opening when the subject exhales, flow rate information regarding the flow rate of the exhaled breath, intensity information regarding the strength of the exhaled breath, and distance information regarding the distance between the subject and the blowing port 41 through which the subject blows the exhaled breath. In this embodiment, the instruction information output unit 32 outputs all of the mouth opening information, flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information as instruction information, but it is also possible to output one or more of the mouth opening information, flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information as instruction information.

[0081] Here, the instruction information output unit 32 performs an instruction information output step of outputting mouth opening information relating to the degree of mouth opening based on the image information, for example.

[0082] The instruction information output unit 32 also performs an instruction information output step of outputting strength information relating to the strength of exhalation based on the pressure detection value, for example.

[0083] The instruction information output unit 32 also performs an instruction information output step of outputting flow rate information related to the flow rate of the exhaled breath based on the flow rate detection value, for example. Here, the instruction information output step performed by the instruction information output unit 32 may output flow rate information instructing the exhaled breath discharge rate so that the exhaled breath flow rate is greater than the flow rate of the pump P1. The pump P1 causes the exhaled breath blown into the blowing port 41 to flow into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is disposed. Here, exhaled breath exceeding the flow rate of the pump P1 is exhausted via the exhaust flow path 55, which does not pass through the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is disposed. Since the exhaled breath exceeding the flow rate of the pump P1 is exhausted from the first exhaust port 43 through the exhaust flow path 55, the flow rate of the exhaled breath introduced into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is disposed can be maintained constant, improving the accuracy of the exhaled breath determination.

[0084] In addition, the instruction information output unit 32 performs an instruction information output step of outputting instruction information regarding the distance between the air inlet 41 and the subject, for example, based on the distance detection value so that the distance between the air inlet 41 and the subject falls within a predetermined distance range.

[0085] The display control unit 33 outputs image data to the display device 23, thereby displaying desired display content on the screen of the display device 23. The display control unit 33 generates image data to be output to the display device 23 based on the instruction information output by the instruction information output unit 32, and displays the instruction information output by the instruction information output unit 32 on the screen of the display device 23. In the present embodiment, the ejection period TB1 is set to a period that includes the second period TA2. Therefore, by outputting instruction information in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state (the first period TA1, the second period TA2, and the third period TA3), it is possible to instruct the subject to appropriately eject breath during the ejection period TB1.

[0086] The exhalation determination unit 34 performs an exhalation determination step of determining the state of exhalation based on the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive unit 12 during the exhalation detection period TA including the second exposure state. Specifically, the exhalation determination unit 34 infers the state of exhalation by inputting time-series data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive unit 12 during the exhalation detection period TA (i.e., the change pattern of the electrical characteristic values) into a trained model. In other words, the exhalation determination unit 34 is responsible for the inference phase of inferring the state of exhalation using the trained model.

[0087] The determination result output unit 35 performs a determination result output step of outputting the determination result of the exhalation determination step. The determination result output unit 35 outputs the determination result of the exhalation determination unit 34, for example, by displaying the determination result of the exhalation determination unit 34 on the display device 23. Note that the determination result output unit 35 may output the determination result of the exhalation determination unit 34 as sound or the like from the speaker 24.

[0088] (2.2) Description of Operation The breath detection operation by the breath detection system 1 of this embodiment will be described based on the sequence diagram of Fig. 7. Note that the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 7 is merely an example of the breath detection method according to this embodiment, and the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0089] When the sensor module 10 is connected to the electronic device 20 and the electronic device 20 is running an application program for breath detection, and the subject performs a start operation using the input unit 22 (ST1), the electronic device 20 starts a series of processes for breath detection.

[0090] When information on the start operation is input from the input unit 22 to the control unit 21, the control unit 21 causes the communication unit 25 to transmit (output) protocol information of a switching protocol for switching the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 to the sensor module 10 (ST2). The control unit 21 determines the switching protocol so that, for example, the first exposure state is maintained for four seconds, then the second exposure state is maintained for five seconds, and then the switching process of maintaining the first exposure state for five seconds is repeated twice, and causes the communication unit 25 to transmit the protocol information of this switching protocol to the sensor module 10.

[0091] When the communication unit 19 of the sensor module 10 receives the protocol information, the flow path control unit 111 starts flow path control to switch the flow path connected to the flow path 53 based on the protocol information (ST3). Based on the protocol information, the flow path control unit 111 outputs a control signal to the first drive unit 17 and repeats a switching process twice to switch the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 between the first exposure state, the second exposure state, and the first exposure state again. After starting the flow path control, the flow path control unit 111 also causes the communication unit 19 to transmit (output) exposure period information regarding each period of the exposure state of the sensitive unit 12 to the electronic device 20 (ST4). Here, the exposure period information may include information regarding the start and end timings of the first period TA1, the second period TA2, and the third period TA3.

[0092] In addition, when the flow path control unit 111 starts flow path control, the detection unit S1 performs a detection operation every time a predetermined measurement period elapses until the end of the exhalation detection period TA, and the control unit 11 causes the detection result of the detection unit S1 to be transmitted (output) from the communication unit 19 to the electronic device 20 (ST5).

[0093] When the communication unit 25 of the electronic device 20 receives the detection result of the detector S1 from the sensor module 10, the acquirer 31 executes an acquisition step of acquiring breath-related information based on the detection result of the detector S1 (ST6). More specifically, the acquirer 31 acquires image information of the subject's face as breath-related information by image processing of the image captured by the imaging unit 13. Preferably, the acquirer 31 acquires image information indicating the degree of mouth opening (shape and size of the mouth) as the breath-related information. Furthermore, the acquirer 31 acquires flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information as breath-related information based on the detection results of the flow sensor 14, pressure sensor 15, and distance sensor 16, respectively.

[0094] The instruction information output unit 32 then executes an instruction information output step of outputting instruction information instructing the subject on the exhalation state at timings synchronized with each of the periods of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information (ST7). In this embodiment, the display control unit 33 creates screen data displaying instructions to the subject based on the instruction information output by the instruction information output unit 32 and outputs the data to the display device 23. As a result, an instruction screen displaying the instructions to the subject is displayed on the display device 23. The display control unit 33, for example, causes the display device 23 to display the instruction screen at timings synchronized with the start of the breath detection period TA, which includes the first period TA1, the second period TA2, and the third period TA3, and ends the display of the instruction screen on the display device 23 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the breath detection period TA. Furthermore, the display control unit 33 changes the display content of the instruction screen in synchronization with the exhalation period TB1 set in the breath detection period TA based on the instruction information output from the instruction information output unit 32.

[0095] 2 is an example of an instruction screen displayed on the display device 23. The words "Measuring" are displayed at the top of the instruction screen, indicating that breath measurement is in progress. A facial image G1 of the subject captured by the imaging unit 13 is displayed in the center of the instruction screen. Here, a mark Mk1 indicating the shape and size of the mouth that will result in a desired breath discharge state is superimposed on the facial image G1, based on instruction information indicating the shape and size of the mouth output by the instruction information output unit 32.

[0096] On the instruction screen, between the words "measuring" and the facial image G1, a progress bar B1 indicating the breath detection period TA and a character string W1 for displaying the exhalation period TB1 in text are displayed. The progress bar B1 displays the breath detection period TA from start to end with a single bar, and the position of a cursor CS1 indicates the current point in time within the breath detection period TA. The display control unit 33 moves the position of the cursor CS1 in synchronization with the exhalation period TB1 within the breath detection period TA. The character string W1 is, for example, a character string such as "Haaaaaaaaa" that indicates the state of exhaling, and the characters for the period when breath is not being exhaled are displayed in outline characters.

[0097] On the instruction screen, an indicator B2 indicating the pressure when blowing breath and an indicator B3 indicating the position of the face are displayed below the face image G1, arranged vertically.

[0098] The indicator B2 displays the pressure when exhaling using a bar, and also displays a mark Mk2 indicating the allowable pressure range and a cursor CS2 indicating the measurement value of the pressure sensor 15. In the illustrated example, because the measurement value of the pressure sensor 15 is below the allowable range, the instruction information output unit 32 displays the words "exhale more strongly" above the indicator B2. In other words, the instruction information output unit 32 outputs instruction information regarding the strength of exhaling so that the pressure detection value of the pressure sensor 15 falls within a predetermined pressure range (allowable range). Note that the instruction information output unit 32 may also output instruction information regarding the strength of exhaling so that the pressure difference between the pressure detection value before exhaling and the pressure detection value during exhaling falls within a predetermined pressure range.

[0099] The indicator B3 displays the distance between the subject's face and the air inlet 41 when the subject blows their breath as a bar, and also displays a mark Mk3 indicating the allowable distance range and a cursor CS3 indicating the measurement value of the distance sensor 16. In the illustrated example, because the measurement value of the distance sensor 16 is below (close to) the allowable range, the instruction information output unit 32 displays the words "please move further away" above the indicator B3. This allows the distance between the subject's face and the air inlet 41 to be maintained within a predetermined distance range, reducing the possibility of the sensitive unit 12 being exposed to skin gases or oral odors emitted from the subject's face due to the subject's face being too close to the air inlet 41.

[0100] In this way, the display device 23 of the electronic device 20 displays an instruction screen that displays instruction information indicating the breath discharge state using text or images, so the subject can blow breath into the sensitive unit 12 in an appropriate discharge state while looking at the instruction screen. Furthermore, the instruction information output unit 32 can update the instruction information as appropriate during the breath discharge period TB1 based on the detection results of the detection unit S1 that the communication unit 25 periodically receives from the sensor module 10. Therefore, the subject can adjust the discharge state while looking at the instruction screen, and breath detection can be performed in an appropriate discharge state.

[0101] 2, the display control unit 33 may display an indicator indicating the flow rate of exhaled air. Here, if the flow rate of exhaled air blown into the blowing port 41 is equal to or lower than the flow rate of the pump P1, the flow rate of exhaled air drawn into the flow path 53 in which the sensitive unit 12 is disposed may become unstable. Therefore, if the flow rate of exhaled air blown into the blowing port 41 is equal to or lower than the flow rate of the pump P1, the instruction information output unit 32 may simply display the words "Please exhale more forcefully" on the instruction screen, thereby instructing the subject to exhale more forcefully.

[0102] After that, when the measurement of the exhaled breath is completed (step ST8), the sensor module 10 transmits (outputs) the time series data (measurement results) of the electrical characteristic values ​​(e.g., resistance values) of the sensitive part 12 from the communication part 19 to the electronic device 20 (ST9).

[0103] When the communication unit 25 of the electronic device 20 receives time series data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive part 12 from the sensor module 10, the exhalation determination unit 34 determines the state of the exhalation by inputting the time series data of the electrical characteristic values ​​of the sensitive part 12, for example, in the first period TA1, the second period TA2, and the third period TA3, into a learning model (step ST10).

[0104] When the determination process is completed, the determination result output unit 35 outputs the determination result of the breath state (step ST11). More specifically, the display control unit 33 generates screen data for displaying the determination result output by the determination result output unit 35, and outputs this screen data to the display device 23, thereby causing the display device 23 to display the determination result of the breath state.

[0105] For example, when the breath determination unit 34 determines whether or not the breath has an odor as the breath state, or whether or not the breath has a good odor, the determination result output unit 35 may cause the display device 23 to display the determination result regarding the odor of the breath. Furthermore, when the breath determination unit 34 determines whether or not the alcohol concentration in the breath exceeds a reference value as the breath state, the determination result output unit 35 may cause the display device 23 to display the determination result regarding whether or not the alcohol concentration in the breath exceeds a reference value.

[0106] (3) Modifications The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Various modifications to the above embodiment are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, functions similar to those of the breath detection system 1 may be embodied in a breath detection method executed by the breath detection system 1, a computer program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like. A breath detection method according to one aspect includes a switching step and an instruction information output step. The switching step switches from a first exposure state in which a sensitive unit 12 sensitive to one or more gas components contained in the breath of the subject is exposed to a reference gas to a second exposure state in which the sensitive unit 12 is exposed to the breath of the subject. The instruction information output step outputs instruction information instructing the subject on the breath exhalation state in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state. Furthermore, a (computer) program according to one aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the above breath detection method.

[0107] Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. In the following modifications, components common to the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0108] The execution entity of the breath detection system 1 or breath detection method of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the functions of the execution entity of the breath detection system 1 or breath detection method of the present disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits, such as ICs or LSIs, are referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, very large-scale integration (VLSI), or ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the connections within the LSI or the circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be employed as a processor. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0109] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple functions of the breath detection system 1 that are distributed between the sensor module 10 and the electronic device 20 may be integrated into one housing. For example, the functions of the acquisition unit 31, the instruction information output unit 32, the display control unit 33, the breath determination unit 34, the determination result output unit 35, and the user interface 27 may be integrated into the housing 40 of the sensor module 10. Furthermore, the functions of the sensor module 10 may be built into the electronic device 20.

[0110] Conversely, it is not essential for the breath detection system 1 that multiple functions are integrated into a single housing; the components of the breath detection system 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the breath detection system 1, for example, some of the functions of the breath detection system 1, may be realized by the cloud (cloud computing), etc. For example, the breath determination unit 34 may determine the characteristics of the breath using a trained model stored on the cloud. That is, the breath determination unit 34 of the breath detection system 1 may input time-series data of the output of the sensor 12 during the breath detection period TA into a trained model stored on the cloud and obtain a determination result from the trained model stored on the cloud, thereby determining the characteristics of the breath.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the instruction information output unit 32 outputs all of the opening information, flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information as instruction information, but it may also output one or more of the opening information, flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information as instruction information, or it may output other information related to the ejection state.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the breath determination unit 34 may perform processing to determine the person who blew breath based on the component pattern of the breath. The control unit 21 of the electronic device 20 may use the result of the determination of the person by the breath determination unit 34 for personal authentication when starting up application software, for example, and may allow only persons who have been granted permission to use the application software to run it.

[0113] In the breath detection system 1 of the above embodiment, the sensitive unit 12 includes 16 sensor elements Ax, but the number of sensor elements Ax can be changed as appropriate. In the breath detection system 1 of the above embodiment, the 16 sensor elements Ax are arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns, but the arrangement of the multiple sensor elements Ax is not limited to the arrangement in the above embodiment, and the multiple sensor elements may be arranged in a line or may be arranged at intervals on one or more concentric circles.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the electronic device 20 to which the sensor module 10 is connected is not limited to a smartphone. The electronic device 20 may be a tablet computer terminal or a dedicated measuring device as long as it has a user interface for presenting instruction information to the subject.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the exhalation determination unit 34 detects the state of exhalation based on the change pattern of the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive unit 12 during the exhalation detection period TA, but the detection method for detecting the state of exhalation can be changed as appropriate. The exhalation determination unit 34 may detect the state of exhalation from, for example, the amount of change in the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive unit 12 in the second exposure state relative to the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive unit 12 in the first exposure state.

[0116] The switching protocol between the first exposure state and the second exposure state during the breath detection period TA described in the above embodiment is an example, and the switching protocol between the first exposure state and the second exposure state can be changed as appropriate.

[0117] In the above embodiment, a temperature control element may be provided to maintain the temperature of the sensitive part 12 at a predetermined temperature. For example, a temperature control element such as a heater that maintains a constant temperature of the sensitive part 12 may be disposed on the back side of the substrate 120 on which the sensitive part 12 is disposed. By using the temperature control element to maintain the temperature of the sensitive part 12 at a predetermined temperature, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the electrical characteristics of the sensitive part 12 in response to changes in the ambient temperature.

[0118] (Summary) The above-described embodiments and the like disclose the following aspects.

[0119] The breath detection method of the first aspect includes a switching step and an instruction information output step. In the switching step, a first exposure state in which a sensitive part (12) sensitive to one or more gas components contained in the breath of a subject is exposed to a reference gas is switched to a second exposure state in which the sensitive part (12) is exposed to the breath of the subject. In the instruction information output step, instruction information instructing the subject on a breath exhalation state is output in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state.

[0120] According to this aspect, the instruction information is output in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, thereby reducing the possibility that exhalation detection is performed when the exhalation state is inappropriate.

[0121] In the breath detection method of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the instruction information includes at least one of mouth opening information, flow rate information, intensity information, and distance information. The mouth opening information is information regarding the degree to which the subject's mouth is open when exhaling. The flow rate information is information regarding the flow rate of the breath. The intensity information is information regarding the strength of the breath. The distance information is information regarding the distance between the subject and the blowing port (41) through which the subject blows the breath.

[0122] According to this aspect, by outputting instruction information regarding at least one of the mouth opening, the flow rate of the exhaled air, the strength of the exhaled air, and the distance between the inlet (41) and the subject, the possibility of exhaled air being detected when the exhaled air is in an inappropriate state can be reduced.

[0123] The breath detection method of the third aspect is the same as that of the second aspect, and further includes an acquisition step of acquiring breath-related information related to the state of breath exhalation by the subject. In the instruction information output step, instruction information created based on the breath-related information is output in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state.

[0124] According to this aspect, instruction information can be output based on breath-related information relating to the actual exhalation state of the subject.

[0125] In the breath detection method of the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the acquisition step acquires image information of the subject's mouth as breath-related information by image processing an image of an imaging unit (13) that captures an image of the subject's face, and the instruction information output step outputs mouth opening information relating to the degree of mouth opening based on the image information.

[0126] According to this aspect, it is possible to output, as instruction information, mouth opening information relating to the degree to which the subject's mouth is open, based on image information of the subject's mouth.

[0127] In the breath detection method of the fifth aspect, in the third or fourth aspect, the acquisition step acquires a pressure detection value as breath-related information from a pressure sensor (15) that detects the pressure of breath blown by the subject into the blowing port (41). The instruction information output step outputs strength information relating to the strength of the breath based on the pressure detection value.

[0128] According to this aspect, strength information relating to the strength of exhalation can be output as instruction information based on the pressure detection value detected by the pressure sensor (15).

[0129] In a sixth aspect of the breath detection method, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the acquisition step acquires a flow rate detection value as breath-related information from a flow rate sensor (14) that detects the flow rate of breath blown by the subject into the blowing port (41). The instruction information output step outputs flow rate information relating to the breath flow rate based on the flow rate detection value.

[0130] According to this aspect, flow rate information relating to the flow rate of exhaled breath can be output as instruction information based on the flow rate detection value detected by the flow rate sensor (14).

[0131] In the seventh aspect of the breath detection method, in the sixth aspect, the instruction information output step outputs flow rate information instructing the amount of breath discharged so that the flow rate of the breath is greater than the flow rate of the pump (P1) that causes the breath blown into the blowing port (41) to flow into the flow path (53) in which the sensitive part (12) is arranged.

[0132] According to this embodiment, the exhaled air can be stably blown onto the sensitive part (12).

[0133] In the eighth aspect of the breath detection method, in the seventh aspect, breath that exceeds the flow rate of the pump (P1) is exhausted through an exhaust flow path (55) that does not pass through the flow path (53) in which the sensitive part (12) is arranged.

[0134] According to this aspect, by exhausting the exhaled air exceeding the flow rate of the pump (P1) from the exhaust flow path (55), the flow rate of the exhaled air introduced into the flow path (53) in which the sensitive part (12) is arranged can be kept constant, which has the advantage of improving the accuracy of the determination of the exhaled air.

[0135] In a ninth aspect of the breath detection method, in any one of the third to eighth aspects, the acquisition step acquires a distance detection value as breath-related information from a distance sensor (16) that detects the distance between the blowing opening (41) and the subject, and the instruction information output step outputs instruction information regarding the distance between the blowing opening (41) and the subject based on the distance detection value so that the distance between the blowing opening (41) and the subject falls within a predetermined distance range.

[0136] According to this aspect, it is possible to output instruction information regarding the distance between the blow-in opening (41) and the subject based on the distance detection value detected by the distance sensor (16).

[0137] The breath detection method of a tenth aspect is any one of the first to ninth aspects, and further includes an exhalation determination step and a determination result output step. In the exhalation determination step, the state of the exhalation is determined based on the electrical characteristic value of the sensitive part (12) during the breath detection period including the second exposure state. In the determination result output step, the determination result of the exhalation determination step is output.

[0138] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the state of exhalation is detected when the state of exhalation is inappropriate.

[0139] A program according to an eleventh aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the breath detection method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0140] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility that exhalation detection will be performed when the exhalation state is inappropriate.

[0141] A sensor module (10) of a twelfth aspect includes a sensitive unit (12), a blowing port (41) through which a subject blows exhaled breath, an inlet (42) for introducing a reference gas, a gas valve (VB1), a flow path control unit (111), and an output unit (112). The gas valve (VB1) connects a flow path (53) in which the sensitive unit (12) is disposed to the blowing port (41) or the inlet (42). The flow path control unit (111) controls the gas valve (VB1) to switch the exposure state of the sensitive unit (12) between a first exposure state in which the sensitive unit (12) is exposed to the reference gas, and a second exposure state in which the sensitive unit (12) is exposed to exhaled breath. The output unit (112) outputs exposure period information relating to each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state to an electronic device (20). The electronic device (20) has a user interface (27) capable of outputting instruction information to the subject instructing the subject on the state of exhalation.

[0142] According to this aspect, the electronic device (20) can grasp the duration of each of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information. Therefore, the electronic device (20) can output instruction information instructing the subject on the breath discharge state in synchronization with each of the durations of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, thereby reducing the possibility that breath detection will be performed in an inappropriate breath discharge state.

[0143] The sensor module (10) of a thirteenth aspect is the sensor module (10) of the twelfth aspect, further comprising a detection unit (S1) that detects an event related to the state of exhalation by the subject. The output unit (112) further outputs the detection result of the detection unit (S1) to the electronic device (20) as exhalation-related information.

[0144] According to this aspect, the electronic device (20) can output instruction information based on breath-related information related to the actual exhalation state of the subject.

[0145] In the sensor module (10) of the 14th aspect, in the 12th or 13th aspect, a shielding wall (54) that overlaps with the sensitive part (12) is provided upstream of the sensitive part (12) in the flow path (53) in which the sensitive part (12) is arranged, as viewed from the direction in which the gas flows through the flow path (53).

[0146] According to this aspect, the exhaled airflow flowing through the flow path (53) directly hits the sensitive part (12), thereby reducing the possibility of the temperature of the sensitive part (12) changing, and reducing the possibility of the electrical characteristic value fluctuating due to the temperature change of the sensitive part (12).

[0147] The sensor module (10) of a fifteenth aspect is any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, and further includes a filter (61) provided between the inlet (42) and the flow path (53) in which the sensitive part (12) is disposed. The filter (61) is capable of reducing moisture contained in the reference gas.

[0148] According to this aspect, the moisture contained in the reference gas is reduced by the filter (61), thereby making it possible to suppress deterioration of the sensitive part (12).

[0149] A breath detection system (1) of a sixteenth aspect includes the sensor module (10) of any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects and an electronic device (20) having a user interface (27). The electronic device (20) outputs, via the user interface (27), instruction information instructing the subject on the state of exhalation in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state, based on exposure period information input from the sensor module (10).

[0150] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility that exhalation detection will be performed when the exhalation state is inappropriate.

[0151] Not limited to the above aspects, various configurations (including modified examples) of the breath detection system (1) according to the embodiment can be embodied as a breath detection method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, etc.

[0152] The configurations according to the second to tenth aspects are not essential for the breath detection method and may be omitted as appropriate. The configurations according to the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects are not essential for the sensor module (10) and may be omitted as appropriate.

[0153] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 breath detection system 10 sensor module 12 sensitive section 13 imaging section 14 flow rate sensor 15 pressure sensor 16 distance sensor 20 electronic device 27 user interface 41 blowing port 42 inlet 53 flow path 54 shielding wall 61 filter 111 flow path control section 112 output section P1 pump S1 detection section VB1 gas valve

Claims

1. A switching step of switching from a first exposure state in which a sensitive part having sensitivity to one or more gas components contained in the breath of a subject is exposed to a reference gas to a second exposure state in which the sensitive part is exposed to the breath of the subject; and an instruction information output step of outputting instruction information for instructing the subject about the exhalation state of the breath in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state. A breath detection method comprising the above steps.

2. The breath detection method according to claim 1, wherein the instruction information includes at least one of opening information regarding the degree of opening of the mouth when the subject exhales, flow rate information regarding the flow rate of the breath, intensity information regarding the strength of the breath, and distance information regarding the distance between the blowing port to which the subject blows the breath and the subject.

3. Further comprising an acquisition step of acquiring breath-related information related to the exhalation state of the breath by the subject, and in the instruction information output step, outputting the instruction information created based on the breath-related information in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state. The breath detection method according to claim 2.

4. In the acquisition step, by image-processing an image of an imaging unit that photographs the face of the subject, image information of the mouth of the subject is acquired as the breath-related information, and in the instruction information output step, the opening information regarding the degree of opening of the mouth is output based on the image information. The breath detection method according to claim 3.

5. In the acquisition step, a pressure detection value is acquired as the breath-related information from a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the breath blown by the subject into the blowing port, and in the instruction information output step, the intensity information regarding the strength of the breath is output based on the pressure detection value. The breath detection method according to claim 3.

6. In the acquisition step, a flow rate detection value is acquired as the breath-related information from a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of the breath blown by the subject into the blowing port, and in the instruction information output step, the flow rate information regarding the flow rate of the breath is output based on the flow rate detection value. The breath detection method according to claim 3.

7. The exhalation detection method according to claim 6, wherein in the instruction information output step, flow rate information for instructing the discharge amount of the exhalation is output so that the flow rate of the exhalation is greater than the flow rate of a pump that causes the exhalation blown into the blowing port to flow into the flow path in which the sensing unit is disposed.

8. The exhalation detection method according to claim 7, wherein the exhalation exceeding the flow rate of the pump is exhausted through an exhaust flow path that does not pass through the flow path in which the sensing unit is disposed.

9. The exhalation detection method according to claim 3, wherein in the acquisition step, a distance detection value is acquired as the exhalation-related information from a distance sensor that detects the distance between the blowing port and the subject, and in the instruction information output step, instruction information regarding the distance between the blowing port and the subject is output so that the distance between the blowing port and the subject falls within a predetermined distance range based on the distance detection value.

10. The exhalation detection method according to claim 1, further comprising an exhalation determination step of determining the state of the exhalation based on the electrical characteristic value of the sensing unit during an exhalation detection period including the second exposure state, and a determination result output step of outputting the determination result of the exhalation determination step.

11. A program for causing a computer system to execute the exhalation detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A sensor module comprising: a sensing unit; a blowing port into which a subject blows exhalation; an introduction port for introducing a reference gas; a gas valve that connects the flow path in which the sensing unit is disposed to the blowing port or the introduction port; a flow path control unit that can switch the exposure state of the sensing unit to a first exposure state in which the sensing unit is exposed to the reference gas or a second exposure state in which the sensing unit is exposed to the exhalation by controlling the gas valve; and an output unit that outputs exposure period information regarding each of the first exposure state and the second exposure state to an electronic device having a user interface capable of outputting instruction information for instructing the subject about the discharge state of the exhalation to the subject.

13. The sensor module according to claim 12, further comprising a detection unit that detects an event related to the discharge state of the exhalation by the subject, wherein the output unit further outputs the detection result of the detection unit to the electronic device.

14. In the flow path where the sensing unit is disposed, a shielding wall that overlaps the sensing unit is provided upstream of the sensing unit when viewed from the direction in which gas flows in the flow path. The sensor module according to claim 12.

15. The sensor module according to claim 12, further comprising a filter provided between the inlet and the flow path where the sensing unit is disposed, the filter being capable of reducing moisture contained in the reference gas.

16. An exhalation detection system, comprising: the sensor module according to any one of claims 12 to 15; and the electronic device having the user interface, wherein the electronic device outputs, via the user interface, instruction information for instructing the subject to exhale in synchronization with each period of the first exposure state and the second exposure state based on the exposure period information input from the sensor module.

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