Odor presentation method and odor presentation system

Abstract

This odor presentation method includes: (a) a step for repeatedly acquiring odor information outputted from a sensor (16); (b) a step for, each time the odor information is acquired in (a), identifying the odor of a sample gas on the basis of the acquired odor information and updating presentation content for causing a presentation unit (6) to present the result of identification; and (c) a step for outputting the presentation content updated in (b) to the presentation unit (6).

Description

Odor presentation method and odor presentation system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an odor presentation method and an odor presentation system.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A recognition system that recognizes an object based on odor data obtained by measuring the odor of the object is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, in the production process of brandy, a distilled liquor made from fruit, a blending process is carried out in which a person blends (blends) multiple types of brandy with different aging years to achieve a desired brandy smell. This blending process requires skilled human experience and intuition, and is not something that just anyone can do, so there is a demand for automation using the conventional identification system described above.

[0004] International Publication No. 2020 / 116490

[0005] However, with the above-mentioned conventional identification systems, it is difficult to detect the smell of brandy, which changes from moment to moment as it is blended, and therefore automation of the blending process has not yet been realized.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an odor presentation method and an odor presentation system that can cause a presentation unit to present the results of identifying the odor of a sample gas that changes from moment to moment.

[0007] An odor presentation method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an odor presentation method using a sensor that outputs odor information corresponding to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas, and includes the steps of: (a) repeatedly acquiring the odor information output from the sensor; (b) each time odor information is acquired in (a), identifying the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information and updating the presentation content to display the identification result on a presentation unit; and (c) outputting the presentation content updated in (b) to the presentation unit.

[0008] In addition, an odor presentation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor that outputs odor information corresponding to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas, an acquisition unit that repeatedly acquires the odor information output from the sensor, an update unit that identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information each time the acquisition unit acquires odor information and updates the presentation content to present the identification result to the presentation unit, and an output unit that outputs the presentation content updated by the update unit to the presentation unit.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), or may be realized by any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0010] According to an odor presentation method and the like relating to one aspect of the present disclosure, the presentation unit can present the results of identifying the odor of the sample gas, which changes from moment to moment.

[0011] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of an odor presentation system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an odor presentation system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of odor information output from a sensor of the odor presentation system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a sensor of the odor presentation system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the odor presentation system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of change in presentation content over time according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an odor presentation system according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of change in presentation content over time according to embodiment 2.

[0012] (Technology 1) An odor presentation method using a sensor that outputs odor information according to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas, comprising: (a) a step of repeatedly acquiring the odor information output from the sensor; (b) a step of identifying the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information each time odor information is acquired in (a) and updating the presentation content to display the identification result on a presentation unit; and (c) a step of outputting the presentation content updated in (b) to the presentation unit.

[0013] According to Technology 1, each time odor information is acquired, the odor of the sample gas is identified based on the acquired odor information, and the presentation content for displaying the identification result on the presentation unit is updated. The updated presentation content is then output to the presentation unit. This allows the presentation unit to display the constantly changing odor identification result of the sample gas. As a result, for example, in a brandy blending process, a user can easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas is the desired odor based on the presentation content presented on the presentation unit.

[0014] (Technology 2) The odor presentation method according to Technology 1, wherein the presentation unit includes a display panel that displays an image showing the presentation content.

[0015] According to Technology 2, for example, a user can easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas is the desired odor by looking at an image showing the presented content displayed on a display panel.

[0016] (Technology 3) The odor presentation method according to Technology 2, wherein the presentation unit includes a plurality of the display panels, and each of the plurality of display panels displays a plurality of images showing the presentation content.

[0017] According to Technology 3, for example, a user can more easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas is the desired odor by viewing multiple images showing the presented content displayed on multiple display panels.

[0018] (Technology 4) The odor presentation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3, wherein the presentation unit includes a speaker that outputs a sound indicating the presentation content.

[0019] According to Technology 4, for example, the user can easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas is the desired odor by listening to the audio output from the speaker indicating the presented content.

[0020] (Technology 5) The odor presentation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein the presentation unit includes a vibration element that generates vibrations that indicate the presentation content.

[0021] According to Technology 5, for example, a user can easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas is the desired odor by perceiving the vibrations that indicate the content of the presentation generated by the vibration element.

[0022] (Technology 6) The odor presentation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 5, wherein the presentation unit includes an odor output unit that reproduces and outputs an odor that represents the presentation content.

[0023] According to Technology 6, for example, a user can easily determine whether the smell of the sample gas is the desired smell by perceiving the smell indicating the presentation content output from the smell output unit.

[0024] (Technology 7) The odor presentation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 6, wherein in (a), odor information output from the sensor is repeatedly acquired via a network.

[0025] According to Technology 7, even if the sensor is located in a remote location, odor information output from the sensor can be easily acquired via a network.

[0026] (Technology 8) The odor presentation method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 7, further comprising: (d) a step of accepting a user's operation to set an update interval for the presentation content.

[0027] According to technique 8, the user can arbitrarily set the update interval of the presented content.

[0028] (Technology 9) An odor presentation system comprising: a sensor that outputs odor information according to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas; an acquisition unit that repeatedly acquires the odor information output from the sensor; an update unit that identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information each time the acquisition unit acquires odor information, and updates the presentation content to present the identification result on a presentation unit; and an output unit that outputs the presentation content updated by the update unit to the presentation unit.

[0029] According to Technology 9, each time the acquisition unit acquires odor information, the update unit identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information and updates the presentation content to be displayed on the presentation unit. The output unit outputs the presentation content updated by the update unit to the presentation unit. This allows the presentation unit to display the constantly changing odor identification results of the sample gas. As a result, for example, in a brandy blending process, a user can easily determine whether the odor of the sample gas has become the desired odor based on the presentation content displayed on the presentation unit.

[0030] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium.

[0031] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0033] (Embodiment 1) [1. Configuration of odor presentation system] The configuration of an odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a graph showing an example of odor information output from the sensor 16 of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the sensor 16 of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1.

[0034] The odor presentation system 2 is a system for identifying the odor of a sample gas and presenting the identification result. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the odor presentation system 2 identifies the odor of a sample gas, which is a gas volatilized from brandy blended by a person 4 (an example of a user) in a blending process, which is one step in the brandy manufacturing process, and causes a presentation unit 6 (described later) to present the identification result. Note that in this blending process, the person 4 uses a ladle 10 to take small amounts of multiple types of brandy, each with a different aging period, from multiple barrels 8 and bottles the resulting brandy to blend a brandy with a desired odor (flavor).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the odor presentation system 2 includes an exposure unit 12, a control unit 14, a sensor 16, and a controller 18.

[0036] The exposure unit 12 is a mechanism for exposing the sensor 16 to the sample gas. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the exposure unit 12 includes a container 20, a pump 22, and a heater 24.

[0037] The container 20 is, for example, a box-shaped container for housing the sensor 16 and the heater 24, and is located at the location where the brandy blending process takes place. An inlet pipe 26 is connected to the opening at the upstream end of the container 20. The tip of the inlet pipe 26 extends to the location where the blended brandy is bottled. In addition, an outlet pipe 28 is connected to the opening at the downstream end of the container 20.

[0038] The pump 22 is, for example, a suction pump, and is disposed in an exhaust pipe 28. When the pump 22 is driven, the sample gas volatilized from the brandy prepared in the preparation process is introduced into the container 20 via the inlet pipe 26. When the pump 22 is driven, the sample gas introduced into the container 20 is discharged to the outside of the container 20 via the outlet pipe 28. As a result, the sensor 16 disposed inside the container 20 is constantly exposed to the sample gas while the pump 22 is driven.

[0039] The heater 24 is, for example, an electric heater that generates heat due to electrical resistance to supplied power. The heater 24 is housed inside the container 20 and is arranged so as to be in contact with the sensor 16. When the heater 24 is energized, heat from the heater 24 is transferred to the sensor 16, thereby heating the sensor 16.

[0040] The control unit 14 continuously drives the pump 22 while the brandy blending process is being performed. The control unit 14 also controls the energization of the heater 24. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the control unit 14 stops energizing the heater 24 during the first period T1 of the period Tm, which is made up of a first period T1 (e.g., 6 seconds) and a second period T2 (e.g., 18 seconds) following the first period T1. As a result, the heater 24 is maintained in a non-heating state, i.e., not heating the sensor 16, throughout the first period T1. Furthermore, the control unit 14 energizes the heater 24 during the second period T2 of the period Tm. As a result, the heater 24 is maintained in a heating state, i.e., heating the sensor 16, throughout the second period T2.

[0041] That is, the control unit 14 repeatedly switches the heater 24 between a non-heating state and a heating state, with the period Tm as a cycle. As a result, the heater 24 alternates between a non-heating state in which the sensor 16 is not heated during a first period T1 of the period Tm and a heating state in which the sensor 16 is heated during a second period T2 of the period Tm. In the heating state, the heater 24 heats the sensor 16, thereby increasing the temperature of the sensor 16. In the non-heating state, the heater 24 stops heating the sensor 16, and the sensor 16 dissipates heat, thereby decreasing the temperature of the sensor 16.

[0042] In the non-heated state, odor molecules contained in the sample gas are adsorbed onto the sensor 16. Then, by heating the sensor 16 with the heater 24 in the heated state, the odor molecules that adhered to the sensor 16 in the non-heated state immediately before the heated state are desorbed (volatilized), and the sensor 16 can be cleaned.

[0043] The sensor 16 is housed within the container 20 and, upon exposure to sample gas introduced into the container 20, outputs odor information, which is a detection signal corresponding to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in the sample gas. As shown in FIG. 4 , the sensor 16 is configured, for example, as an electrical resistance sensor and has multiple (e.g., a total of 16, CH1 to CH16) sensing elements 30 with different sensing characteristics. Each of the multiple sensing elements 30 has a sensing portion 32 formed of a sensitive film and a pair of electrodes 34, 36 electrically connected to the sensing portion 32. The electrical resistance value of the sensing portion 32 changes depending on the adsorption concentration of odor molecules in the sample gas to the sensing portion 32. Each of the multiple sensing elements 30 outputs odor information corresponding to the electrical resistance value of the sensing portion 32 as a voltage signal or a current signal to the controller 18 via the pair of electrodes 34, 36.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a graph schematically illustrating the change over time in odor information output from the sensor 16. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 3 represents time, and the vertical axis represents signal intensity. Note that the odor information shown in FIG. 3 is odor information output from one sensor element 30 of the sensor 16 (e.g., the sensor element of CH1). As shown in FIG. 3, the value of the odor information (signal intensity) output from the sensor 16 changes over time over the period Tm. Specifically, during the first period T1 in which the sensor 16 is not heated by the heater 24, the sensing unit 32 of the sensor 16 adsorbs odor molecules contained in the sample gas, thereby increasing the value of the odor information output from the sensor 16. Thereafter, during the second period T2 in which the sensor 16 is heated by the heater 24, the odor molecules desorb from the sensing unit 32 of the sensor 16, thereby decreasing the value of the odor information output from the sensor 16.

[0045] The controller 18 has an acquisition unit 38, an update unit 40, and an output unit 42. The controller 18 is configured as a terminal device such as a personal computer, and is placed at a location where the brandy blending process is carried out.

[0046] The acquisition unit 38 repeatedly acquires odor information output from the sensor 16 in the first period T1 for each period Tm. Then, each time the acquisition unit 38 acquires odor information output from the sensor 16, it outputs the acquired odor information to the update unit 40. Note that the acquisition unit 38 may also acquire odor information output from the sensor 16 in the second period T2. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 38 may repeatedly acquire odor information output from the sensor 16 in the first period T1 or the second period T2 for each of a plurality of periods Tm (e.g., every 2Tm).

[0047] The update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38. Specifically, the update unit 40 calculates feature quantities of the odor information from the acquisition unit 38 and inputs the calculated feature quantities into the trained model to identify the odor intensity of each of multiple odor items that make up the odor of the sample gas. Note that odor items are items that indicate the characteristics of an odor (aroma), such as a sweet fruity odor, a woody odor, or a citrus odor.

[0048] Here, the trained model is constructed by performing machine learning using, as training data, known odor molecules and feature quantities calculated from odor information output from the sensor 16 exposed to a sample gas containing the known odor molecules. To construct a logical model in machine learning, for example, a neural network, a random forest, a support vector machine, or a self-organizing map is used.

[0049] The update unit 40 also generates, as the presentation content, an image 44 for displaying (an example of presentation) the identification result on the presentation unit 6. Then, every time odor information is acquired by the acquisition unit 38, the update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38 and updates the presentation content previously generated.

[0050] The image 44 generated by the update unit 40 is, for example, a radar chart showing the odor intensity of each of multiple odor items A, B, and C that make up the odor of the sample gas, as shown in (a) to (c) of Figure 6 (described later). Here, the radar chart is a graph in which the odor intensity score (0.0 to 1.0) of the odor item corresponding to each axis is plotted on a radar chart coordinate system with a center at the origin and multiple axes corresponding to the multiple odor items A, B, and C, respectively, and the plotted points are connected by lines to the plotted points on adjacent axes to form a polygon. Furthermore, for example, odor item A indicates a sweet, fruity odor, odor item B indicates a citrus odor, and odor item C indicates a woody odor.

[0051] The odor presentation system 2 may also include a reception unit that receives an operation from the person 4 to set the update interval of the content presented by the update unit 40. This allows the person 4 to arbitrarily set the update interval of the content presented depending on the progress of the blending, etc.

[0052] The output unit 42 outputs an image 44 showing the presentation content generated and updated by the update unit 40 to the presentation unit 6 .

[0053] The presentation unit 6 is a display panel that displays an image 44 showing the presentation content output from the output unit 42. As shown in Fig. 1, the presentation unit 6 is installed in a position visible to the person 4 mixing the brandy. The person 4 mixes the brandy while looking at the image 44 displayed on the presentation unit 6.

[0054] [2. Operation of the Odor Presentation System] Next, the operation of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the odor presentation system 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the presentation content according to embodiment 1.

[0055] 5, when the blending of brandy begins (S11), the control unit 14 drives the pump 22 and energizes the heater 24. The person 4 uses the ladle 10 to take out a small amount of each of a plurality of types of brandy with different aging periods from a plurality of barrels 8, and blends a brandy with a desired aroma while looking at the image 44 displayed on the display unit 6.

[0056] In the following explanation, we will assume that the odor items A, B, and C that make up the desired odor are the odor intensities shown by the radar chart in Figure 6 (c) (odor item A = 0.9, odor item B = 0.5, odor item C = 0.6).

[0057] The sensor 16 is exposed to the sample gas volatilized from the prepared brandy and outputs odor information. The acquisition unit 38 acquires the odor information from the sensor 16 (S12).

[0058] Next, the update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38, and generates an image 44 as presentation content for displaying the identification result on the presentation unit 6 (S13).

[0059] Next, the output unit 42 outputs an image 44 showing the presentation content generated by the update unit 40 to the presentation unit 6 (S14). At this time, a radar chart image 44, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, is displayed on the presentation unit 6. By looking at the radar chart image 44 displayed on the presentation unit 6, the person 4 can know the odor intensity of each of the odor items A, B, and C that make up the odor of the blended brandy at this point in time. In the radar chart shown in FIG. 6A, odor item A = 1.0, odor item B = 0.5, and odor item C = 0.2, so the person 4 can determine that the odor of the blended brandy has not yet reached the desired odor.

[0060] If the blending of the brandy is not complete (No in S15), the process returns to step S12, and person 4 continues blending the brandy. At this time, the smell of the sample gas volatilized from the blended brandy changes, and accordingly, the smell information output from sensor 16 changes. Next, acquisition unit 38 acquires the smell information from sensor 16 (S12).

[0061] Next, the update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38, and updates the presentation content (image 44 shown in Figure 6(a)) generated immediately before (S13).

[0062] Next, the output unit 42 outputs an image 44 showing the presentation content updated by the update unit 40 to the presentation unit 6 (S14). At this time, an image 44 of a radar chart such as that shown in Fig. 6(b) is displayed on the presentation unit 6. In the radar chart shown in Fig. 6(b), odor item A = 0.9, odor item B = 0.5, and odor item C = 0.4, so the person 4 can determine that the odor of the blended brandy has not yet become the desired odor.

[0063] If the blending of the brandy is not complete (No in S15), the process returns to step S12, where person 4 continues blending the brandy. At this time, the odor of the sample gas volatilized from the blended brandy further changes, and accordingly, the odor information output from sensor 16 further changes. Next, acquisition unit 38 acquires the odor information from sensor 16 (S12).

[0064] Next, the update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38, and updates the presentation content (image 44 shown in Figure 6(b)) generated immediately before (S13).

[0065] Next, the output unit 42 outputs an image 44 showing the presentation content updated by the update unit 40 to the presentation unit 6 (S14). At this time, an image 44 of a radar chart such as that shown in Fig. 6(c) is displayed on the presentation unit 6. In the radar chart shown in Fig. 6(c), odor item A = 0.9, odor item B = 0.5, and odor item C = 0.6, so the person 4 can determine that the odor of the blended brandy is the desired odor, and ends blending the brandy.

[0066] When the blending of the brandy is completed (Yes in S15), the control unit 14 stops driving the pump 22 and stops the supply of electricity to the heater 24. Thereafter, the operation of the odor presentation system 2 is terminated.

[0067] [3. Effects] As described above, each time the acquisition unit 38 acquires odor information, the update unit 40 identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information and updates the presentation content for displaying the identification result on the presentation unit 6. Furthermore, the output unit 42 outputs the presentation content updated by the update unit 40 to the presentation unit 6.

[0068] This allows the constantly changing odor identification results of the sample gas to be displayed on the display unit 6. As a result, for example, in the process of blending brandy, even if the person 4 does not have skilled experience or intuition, they can easily recreate the blend of brandy with a desired odor by looking at the displayed content on the display unit 6. Therefore, since anyone can easily recreate the blend of brandy, the brandy blending process can be automated.

[0069] (Embodiment 2) Next, the configuration of an odor presentation system 2A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an odor presentation system 2A according to embodiment 2. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of changes in presentation content over time according to embodiment 2. Note that in this embodiment, the same components as those in embodiment 1 above are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7, in an odor presentation system 2A according to the second embodiment, the configurations of an update unit 40A and an output unit 42A of a controller 18A are different from those of the first embodiment.

[0071] The update unit 40A identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38, and generates, as the presentation content, an image 46 for displaying the identification result on the presentation unit 6. Then, every time odor information is acquired by the acquisition unit 38, the update unit 40A identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the odor information acquired by the acquisition unit 38, and updates the presentation content previously generated.

[0072] The image 46 generated by the update unit 40A is a graph showing the change over time in the odor intensity of each of the multiple odor items A and B that make up the odor of the sample gas, as shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c). In Figures 8(a) to 8(c), the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents odor intensity. The solid line graph represents odor item A (e.g., a sweet, fruity odor), and the dashed line graph represents odor item B (e.g., a citrus odor).

[0073] Furthermore, the update unit 40A generates, as the presentation content, a sound to be output (an example of a presentation) from the presentation unit 48 (described later) to indicate the identification result. Then, every time the acquisition unit 38 acquires odor information, the update unit 40A updates the presentation content previously generated.

[0074] The output unit 42A outputs an image 46 indicating the presentation content generated and updated by the update unit 40A to the presentation unit 6. The output unit 42A also outputs a sound indicating the presentation content generated and updated by the update unit 40A to the presentation unit 48.

[0075] The presentation unit 48 is a speaker that outputs audio indicating the presentation content output from the output unit 42A. The presentation unit 48 is installed, for example, near the presentation unit 6. The person 4 (see FIG. 1 ) mixes, for example, brandy while looking at the image 46 displayed on the presentation unit 6 and listening to the audio output from the presentation unit 48.

[0076] 8(a) to 8(c), while person 4 is blending the brandy, the odor intensities of odor items A and B change over time in graph image 46 displayed on presentation unit 6. Also, while person 4 is blending the brandy, the volume of the sound (e.g., a beep) output from presentation unit 48 changes. Note that the volume of the sound output from presentation unit 48 increases as the odor intensity of odor item A approaches a threshold, for example.

[0077] For example, person 4 can determine that the blended brandy has achieved the desired odor when the odor intensity of odor item A exceeds a threshold in graph image 46 displayed on presentation unit 6. At this time, the volume of the sound output from presentation unit 48 reaches its maximum. This allows person 4 to realize that the blended brandy has achieved the desired odor, even if he or she takes his or her eyes off presentation unit 6.

[0078] Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0079] (Other Modifications) The odor presentation system according to one or more aspects has been described above based on the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiments, or forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments, may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0080] In the above-described embodiments, the presentation unit 6 is configured as a display panel, and the presentation unit 48 is configured as a speaker, but this is not limiting. The presentation unit may be configured as one of (a) a display panel that displays an image showing the presentation content, (b) a speaker that outputs a sound that shows the presentation content, (c) a vibration element that generates vibrations that show the presentation content (an example of presentation), or (d) an odor output unit that reproduces and outputs an odor that shows the presentation content (an example of presentation), or may be configured as a combination of two or more of these.

[0081] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the presentation unit 6 is configured with one display panel, but is not limited to this and may be configured with multiple display panels. In this case, multiple types of odor items may be individually displayed on each of the multiple display panels. For example, if the presentation unit 6 is configured with a first display panel, a second display panel, and a third display panel, a graph showing odor item A, a graph showing odor item B, and a graph showing odor item C will be displayed on the first display panel, the second display panel, and the third display panel, respectively.

[0082] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the heater 24 is maintained in an unheated state for the first period T1 of the period Tm and in a heated state for the second period T2 of the period Tm. However, this is not limited to this. For example, a sample gas may be introduced into the container 20 for the first period T1 of the period Tm, and a reference gas (such as nitrogen gas or filtered gas) may be introduced into the container 20 for the second period T2 of the period Tm. As a result, the sensor 16 is exposed to the sample gas introduced into the container 20 for the first period T1 of the period Tm, and odor molecules contained in the sample gas are adsorbed to the sensor 16. Furthermore, the sensor 16 is exposed to the reference gas introduced into the container 20 for the second period T2 of the period Tm, and odor molecules adsorbed to the sensor 16 are desorbed by the flow of the reference gas.

[0083] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the odor presentation system 2 (2A) was applied when performing the brandy blending process, but this is not limited to this, and it can also be applied when blending, for example, fragrances, perfumes, air fresheners, deodorizers, and aroma oils.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the person 4 determines that the blended brandy has a desired odor by looking at the image 44 (46) displayed on the display unit 6, but this is not limiting. For example, a determination unit included in the controller 18 may analyze the image 44 (46) displayed on the display unit 6 to determine that the blended brandy has a desired odor. In this case, the determination unit may be configured with, for example, artificial intelligence.

[0085] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the acquisition unit 38 directly acquires the odor information output from the sensor 16. However, this is not limiting. For example, the acquisition unit 38 may acquire the odor information output from the sensor 16 via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the controller 18 is configured, for example, by a cloud server.

[0086] In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0087] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the odor identification system according to each of the above embodiments may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0088] Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be configured as an IC card or a standalone module that can be attached to each device. The IC card or module is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include the above-mentioned ultra-multifunctional LSI. The IC card or module achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates according to a computer program. The IC card or module may be tamper-resistant.

[0089] The odor presentation system of the present disclosure is useful, for example, in the blending process, which is one step in the brandy manufacturing process, when the presentation unit presents the results of identifying the odor of sample gas volatilized from blended brandy.

[0090] 2, 2A Odor presentation system 4 Person 6, 48 Presentation unit 8 Barrel 10 Ladle 12 Exposure unit 14 Control unit 16 Sensor 18, 18A Controller 20 Container 22 Pump 24 Heater 26 Inlet pipe 28 Outlet pipe 30 Sensing element 32 Sensing unit 34, 36 Electrode 38 Acquisition unit 40, 40A Update unit 42, 42A Output unit 44, 46 Image

Claims

1. An odor presentation method using a sensor that outputs odor information according to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas, comprising: (a) a step of repeatedly acquiring the odor information output from the sensor; (b) a step of identifying the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information each time odor information is acquired in (a) and updating the presentation content to display the identification result on a presentation unit; and (c) a step of outputting the presentation content updated in (b) to the presentation unit.

2. The odor presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the presentation unit includes a display panel that displays an image showing the presentation content.

3. The odor presentation method according to claim 2, wherein the presentation unit includes a plurality of display panels, and each of the plurality of display panels displays a plurality of images showing the presentation content.

4. The odor presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the presentation unit includes a speaker that outputs a sound indicating the presentation content.

5. The odor presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the presentation unit includes a vibration element that generates vibrations that indicate the presentation content.

6. The odor presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the presentation unit includes an odor output unit that reproduces and outputs an odor that represents the presentation content.

7. An odor presentation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in (a), odor information output from the sensor is repeatedly acquired via a network.

8. The odor presentation method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: (d) a step of accepting a user's operation to set an update interval for the presented content.

9. An odor presentation system comprising: a sensor that outputs odor information according to the adsorption concentration of odor molecules contained in a sample gas; an acquisition unit that repeatedly acquires the odor information output from the sensor; an update unit that identifies the odor of the sample gas based on the acquired odor information each time the acquisition unit acquires odor information and updates the presentation content to display the identification result on a presentation unit; and an output unit that outputs the presentation content updated by the update unit to the presentation unit.

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