Server-Based Odor Analyzer Selection for Sensor Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional odor sensors require a large number of analyzers to detect multiple types of odors and respond to varying environmental conditions, making device miniaturization and versatility challenging, especially for handheld or smartphone-sized devices.
Innovation Solution
A server apparatus and method that dynamically selects and transmits an appropriate analyzer to a terminal device for odor analysis, allowing for efficient analysis of multiple odor types and environmental conditions without the need for a large number of pre-implemented analyzers, using a system with an analyzer holding unit, selection unit, and transmission unit connected to a terminal apparatus for sensor data collection and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of analyzers are implemented in the odor sensor apparatus to detect multiple types of odors and respond to various environmental conditions, then the detection capability and versatility are improved, but the device size and complexity increase, making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the analyzer functionality into separate modules stored in storage unit 106. Instead of implementing all analyzers within the sensor apparatus, the system segments the analysis functions and stores them as separate data files, allowing the sensor apparatus to load only the necessary analyzer for the current detection task.
Solution Approach 2:
The server apparatus 200 acts as an intermediary between the user and the odor sensor apparatus 100. The server stores multiple analyzers, receives sensor data from the apparatus, determines which analyzer is appropriate based on the detection target and environmental conditions, and transmits the selected analyzer back to the apparatus. This intermediary approach allows the compact sensor apparatus to access a comprehensive library of analyzers without having to store them all locally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analyzers are pre-implemented in the odor sensor apparatus to handle different odor types and environmental conditions, then the system's adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation and device portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic analyzer selection where the appropriate analyzer is chosen at runtime based on the current detection target and environmental conditions. The server apparatus 200 receives sensor data, determines the optimal analyzer based on current conditions, and transmits it to the odor sensor apparatus 100. This dynamic approach allows the compact device to adapt to various scenarios without pre-loading multiple analyzers.
Solution Approach 2:
The server apparatus 200 performs preliminary determination of the appropriate analyzer before the actual odor detection and analysis. By pre-determining which analyzer should be used based on the detection target and environmental conditions, the system avoids the need for the sensor apparatus to evaluate and select from multiple analyzers, simplifying the operation of the portable device.
3Measurement precision
If a comprehensive library of analyzers is stored locally in the odor sensor apparatus, then analysis accuracy for various targets is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the comprehensive analyzer library from the odor sensor apparatus 100 and stores it in the external server apparatus 200. The server apparatus stores the comprehensive library of analyzers in its storage unit, while the sensor apparatus only stores minimal data structures to manage analyzer requests and received analyzers. This extraction allows the sensor apparatus to maintain high analysis accuracy through access to comprehensive analyzers without bearing the storage burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient odor detection and analysis across various targets and environmental conditions using a reduced number of analyzers, facilitating device miniaturization and adaptability, thereby improving the versatility of odor sensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoresistive element is embedded in each bridge. In such a configuration, the circular portion deforms due to stress occurring in the sensitive membrane when a substance sticks to the sensitive membrane, resulting in stress being applied to the bridges. As a result, the electrical resistance of the piezoresistive elements embedded in the bridges changes greatly, thus enabling the substance stuck to the sensitive membrane to be detected from the resistance value.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal apparatus 20 includes a sensor data collection unit 21 that collects sensor data from an odor sensor 40 that outputs the sensor data in reaction to a plurality of types of odors, an analyzer acquisition unit 22 that, in the case where an analyzer capable of analyzing a designated odor analysis target is transmitted thereto from a server apparatus 10 that holds a plurality of analyzers for analyzing odor analysis targets by analyzing the sensor data, acquires the analyzer transmitted thereto, an analysis execution unit 23 that executes analysis processing of the designated odor analysis target, by applying the acquired analyzer to the collected sensor data, and an analysis result holding unit 24 that holds information indicating a result of the analysis processing.