JP2002350312A - Odor identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of clearly representing a wide variety of actual odors through standard odors of relatively less kinds. SOLUTION: For each of n (n: any integer of 2 or more) standard odors, measurements by m (m: same as n) odor sensors are performed. Similarly, such measurement by m odor sensors are done for an odor of a sample. In m-dimensional odor space, an orthogonal projection vector of the sample odor vector to each standard odor vector is calculated, thereby obtains the contribution ratio of each standard odor to the sample odor. This contribution ratio for ach standard vector is represented on a display or printed out in a recognizable graphic form. Thus any challenge may easily and visually be understood such as, to which standard odor or to which mixture of two standard odors the sample odor is close, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention outputs (displays, prints out, etc.) a result measured by an odor measuring device, an odor measuring device, a gas alarm device or the like so as to be easily understood by a measurer or a user. Device for

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An odor sensor measures a concentration of a specific substance with a specific gas sensor to measure only the intensity of the odor, and a plurality of gas sensors use not only the odor intensity but also the type of odor. There is also one that also performs identification.

In the latter type of odor sensor, conventionally, only the relative relationship between the measured sensors was represented based on the detection signal obtained by each gas sensor. Specifically, sample A and sample B are close, but sample C
Is apart. Examples of the identification method include a method of determining the similarity of a combination pattern of detection outputs of a plurality of gas sensors, a method using various multivariate analysis methods such as cluster analysis and principal component analysis, and a method using a neural network. Was used.

[0004]

In the latter type of odor sensor, relative comparison between measured samples was easy, but absolute measurement was not possible.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to use a relatively small number of types of standard odors to express various actual odors. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of performing the following.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, an odor discriminating apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a) m odor sensors (m is an integer of 2 or more); and b) n odor sensors. (n is an integer of 2 or more) for each of the standard odors, and storage means for storing the measurement results of the m odor sensors; c) in the m-dimensional odor space formed by the measurement results of the m odor sensors Vector operation means for calculating the relationship between the odor vector represented by the measurement result of the sample and the n standard odor vectors represented by the stored standard odor measurement results, d) Output means for visually outputting.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS When one standard odor is measured by m odor sensors, the intensity is output from each odor sensor, so that m data are generated. These can be mathematically considered to represent one vector (odor vector) in an m-dimensional space (odor space). Thus, measuring n standard odors produces n odor vectors in an m-dimensional odor space. The storage means stores these data.

Next, when the sample is measured by the same m odor sensors, the data is also represented by one vector in the m-dimensional odor space. The smell vector of this sample,
By calculating the relationship with the above-mentioned n standard odor vectors in various ways, and visually outputting the result,
The user can visually grasp the relationship between the sample odor and the n standard odors. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily visually grasp which standard smell of the sample is closer to which standard smell, or which standard smell is closer to the mixed smell of which standard smell.

[0009]

According to the odor discriminating apparatus according to the present invention, conventional numerical values (odor index, odor intensity) and sensory words ("smell similar to burnt smell", "smell like fish rot", etc.) ) Can be visually expressed. This allows
The relationship with existing standards can be grasped more quantitatively and intuitively. And because you can visualize the relationship between standard odors like this,
It is not always possible to express a single standard odor, not just an existing standard odor, but it is also possible to properly represent a sample odor that can be expressed in relation to multiple standard odors. It becomes possible. That is, without having to prepare many standard smells,
Only a relatively small number of standard odors can be used to identify the odor of the sample.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The detailed contents and effects of the present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an odor discriminating apparatus 10 embodying the present invention. The apparatus includes a suction port 11 for aspirating a sample, a pre-processing unit 12 for performing pre-processing on the sucked sample, a standard odor generating unit 13 for generating a standard odor, a three-way valve 14 for switching between the sample and the standard odor, a sample or A sensor unit 15 having a plurality of odor sensors for measuring a standard odor, and a suction pump 1 for drawing a sample or a standard odor toward the sensor unit 15
6. While controlling the operation of the entire device, the sensor unit 1
The control / processing unit 17 for inputting and analyzing the result measured in step 5 is constituted.

The pre-processing section 12 removes water, concentrates / dilutes a sample, removes interfering gases, and the like. In the standard odor generating section 13, various standard odors are produced by mixing raw gas generated from a cylinder (gas), liquid, and solid. As for the raw material gas, if it is a gas at normal temperature, it is sealed in a gas cylinder, and a certain amount is taken out and used. In the case of a liquid, it is placed in a glass container or the like, and is kept at a predetermined temperature, or a odor is generated by bubbling nitrogen gas. Solid substances generate an odor when maintained at a predetermined temperature. The control / processing unit 17 generates a necessary type of standard odor by using these source gases as they are or by controlling the mixing ratio.

The control / processing section 17 operates the pump 16 and switches the three-way valve 14 to draw the first standard odor S ₁ thus produced into the sensor section 15. In the sensor unit 15, a plurality of odor sensor measures the first intensity of the standard odor S ₁ thereof, respectively, control the measurement result,
Output to the processing unit 17. Here, assuming that the number of odor sensors is, for example, 10, the 10 measurement data DS _1,1 , DS _2,1,.
S _10,1 is sent from the sensor unit 15 to the control / processing unit 17. The control / processing unit 17 stores the transmitted data in a storage device (memory, HDD, or the like). These 10
Data are formed by the outputs of the ten sensors.
One vector F _S1 (DS _1,1 , DS
_2,1 , ..., DS _10,1 ).

Next, the standard odor generating section 13 is controlled to generate a second standard odor S _2, which is drawn into the sensor section 15. As a result, another 10 measurement data DS _1,2 , DS _2,2 , ..., D
S _{10 and 2} are sent from the sensor unit 15 to the control / processing unit 17,
It is stored there. These data are represented by another vector F _S2 (DS _1,2 , DS _2,2 , ..., DS _10,
2 ) is composed.

Thus, for example, eight kinds of standard odors are generated
And measured with 10 odor sensors, DS_1,1, DS_2,1,
…, DS_10,8, DS_10,880 data of the control / processing unit 17
It will be stored in the storage device. These are in 10 dimensions
Eight vectors F in the space_S1(DS_1,1, DS_2,1,…, DS
_10,1),…, F_S8(DS_1,8, DS_2,8,…, DS_10,8). each
Standard odor vector F_Sk(K = 1 to 8)
The fragrance of S is vector F _SkThe size of that standard smell
Indicates strength.

Generally, since different types of odors are produced as standard odors, these standard odor vectors F _Sk (k = 1 to 8) are mathematically independent vectors in a 10-dimensional odor space. I have. The space formed by these eight standard odor vectors F _{S1 to} F _S8 (a partial space of the 10-dimensional odor space) is called a standard odor space.

Next, the three-way valve 14 is switched, and the smell of the sample to be measured (sample 1) is drawn into the sensor unit 15 for measurement. The measurement results of the sample 1 by the ten odor sensors are also sent to the control / processing unit 17 and stored in the storage device. These data also constitute one vector F _U1 (DU _1,2 , DU _2,2 ,..., DU _10,2 ) in the odor space.

The control / processing unit 17 calculates the following data from the data DU _1,1 , DU _2,2 ,..., DU _10,2 of the measurement results of the sample and the standard odor data measured and stored first. Is performed. T _k = {(F _U1 · F _Sk ) / | F _Sk | ² } · F _Sk where F _U1 represents the odor vector of sample 1 and F _Sk (k = 1 to
8) represents each standard odor vector, and (F _U1 · F _Sk )
Represents the inner product of both vectors. T _k obtained by the above equation is mathematically an orthogonal projection vector of the sample odor vector F _U1 onto the standard odor vector F _Sk (FIG. 2).

The orthogonal projection vector T _k (k = 1 to 8) of the odor vector of the sample 1 to each standard odor vector F _Sk (k = 1 to 8)
T _k | | size of can be considered as the contribution of each standard odor to the sample 1 of the odor (unit, the size of the standard odor vector F _Sk). An example of the contribution of each standard to the two samples is shown in FIG.

The control / processing unit 17 further calculates
The value of the contribution rate is output in a form that is easy for the user to understand. Out
An example of the force is shown in FIG. In addition, each standard
The value of the odor contribution is determined by the odor intensity (sample
Size of the smell vector | F _UChanges when |) changes
In some cases. In other words, the odor quality of the sample
It may change depending on the strength of the scent. Therefore, the sample
If you want to output the odor measurement results,
It is desirable to output the same strength at the same time. Some
Defines a predetermined vector length and represents the measurement result
Adjust the sample concentration so that the vector is that long
You may do so.

FIG. 4 is a bar graph format, but other various formats such as a pie chart (pie chart) and a web (spider web) graph can also be output. It is desirable that a printout be possible as an output destination in addition to the display. With these visual outputs, the user can easily know what standard smell the sample smell is close to and what the smell is composed of.

Another output example will be described below. In the above example (FIG. 4), all the contribution ratios of each standard odor are output. For example, when the odor vector of the sample is close to the vector of a certain standard odor (the angle between the two is small), such contribution ratio Is significant, but if the distance from the vector of a certain standard odor is large (the angle between them is large), the odor of the sample is qualitatively different from the standard odor, even if the value of the contribution ratio is large. Can be considered different. When the absolute value | F _Sk | of the standard odor vector is small, it may occur that the angle is large but the contribution rate is large. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, the value of the contribution rate of the standard odor S ₂ is large, but the odor vector of the sample and the standard odor vector S ₂ are considerably apart, and the standard odor S ₂ has some relationship with the odor of the sample. It is not reasonable to say

Then, the control / processing section 17 calculates the angles (θ ₁ , θ _{2 in} FIG. ₂ ) between the odor vector of the sample and each standard odor vector, and sets the angle to a certain value (for example, 5 degrees or 5 degrees). If it is 10 degrees or more, the standard contribution rate may not be output. An example is shown in FIG. This allows the smell of the sample to be represented more concisely and allows the user to more easily understand and judge the quality of the sample.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration example of an odor identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a sample odor vector and a standard odor vector.

FIG. 3 is a calculation example of contribution rates of eight kinds of standard odors to Sample 1 and Sample 2.

FIG. 4 is an example of an output of the odor identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another output example of the odor identification device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Smell identification device 11 ... Suction port 12 ... Pre-processing part 13 ... Standard odor generation part 14 ... Three-way valve 15 ... Sensor part 16 ... Suction pump 17 ... Control / processing part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Junichi Kita 1 Nishinokyo Kuwaharacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Inside Shimadzu Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Measurement results of each of a) m (m is an integer of 2 or more) odor sensors and b) n (n is an integer of 2 or more) standard odor sensors with the m odor sensors. And c) an odor vector represented by the measurement result of the sample in the m-dimensional odor space formed by the measurement results of the m odor sensors, and the stored measurement result of the standard odor. An odor discriminating apparatus comprising: vector calculating means for calculating a relationship with n standard odor vectors represented by: d) output means for visually outputting the calculation result. 2. The odor according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates a contribution ratio of each standard odor to the sample odor based on an inner product of the odor vector of the sample and each standard odor vector. Identification device. 3. The arithmetic means calculates an angle between the odor vector of the sample and each standard odor vector, and outputs a diagram representing the odor vector of the sample only with the standard odor vector whose angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Claim 1 sending to means
An odor discriminating apparatus according to claim 1.