Electronic Nose Multi-Dimensional Sample Space Odor Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic nose technologies primarily focus on odor detection and discrimination, but lack the ability to effectively communicate or replicate odor quality, as they typically use one-dimensional axes to convey information which is insufficient to replicate an odor's complex characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional sample space is used to represent odors measured by an electronic nose, allowing for the selection of natural language templates based on the proximity of measurements to known samples, and the synthesis of odors using a mixture of chemicals indicated by the location in this space, incorporating the concept of Just Noticeable Difference (JND) for sensory systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electronic nose uses one-dimensional axis to convey odor information, then the system is simple, but the odor quality cannot be effectively communicated or replicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the representation of odor information from a one-dimensional axis to a multi-dimensional sample space. Each dimension in the sample space corresponds to a specific odor quality attribute (e.g., fruity, floral, spicy), enabling comprehensive characterization and communication of complex odor profiles that cannot be captured by single-axis rating systems.
2Measurement precision
If electronic nose focuses on odor detection and discrimination, then the detection capability is strong, but the ability to report odor quality and enable replication is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic nose system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: detection, discrimination, quality characterization, and replication guidance. The multi-dimensional sample space framework enables the same device to not only detect and discriminate odors but also to report quality attributes and provide information for odor replication, making the system universally applicable to various odor analysis tasks.
3Loss of information
If multi-dimensional sample space is used to represent odors, then odor assessment comprehensiveness is improved, but the complexity of analysis and data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex odor representation is segmented into multiple independent dimensions, where each dimension corresponds to a specific odor quality attribute. This segmentation allows the system to process and interpret complex odor profiles by analyzing individual dimensions separately, reducing the cognitive and computational load while maintaining comprehensive odor characterization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assessing odors, comprises providing an electronic nose that extracts measurements from odors, from which measurements at least n chemical descriptors are extracted where n is greater than unity, and typically around 18. The electronic nose is applied to an odor, and odor information is extracted. The information is plotted to a first location on an n-dimensional sample space, each dimension being related to a respective one of the n chemical descriptors or otherwise optimized for the particular enose and the measurements it makes; and an assessment of the odor is provided based on the plotted location. The assessment may be a description based on odor describing terms, or may be a chemical description in terms of chemicals that can synthesize the odor, and the odor may then be synthesized based on the chemical description.