JP2002539427A - Chemical sensor system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The disclosed chemical sensor system is modular based and has the flexibility to perform at-line monitoring and online monitoring. The system is divided into a processing module, a sample handling module, a sensor module, and a user interface module. The system can be used in a wide range of industries, such as water quality monitoring and fermentation processes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chemical sensor systems, and more specifically to systems for at-line or on-line monitoring of products or processes.

[0002]

[Prior art]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Chemical sensor array systems for sensing in the liquid, gas or vapor phase include:
It has been widely used as a laboratory instrument for measuring headspace volatiles, including arrays, also called electronic nose as a subclass. Typical application examples include quality control of raw materials and final products, new product development, correlation with sensitive panel data, and the like. All instruments introduced to date, including those commercially available such as EEVeNOSE 5000, and those developed through academic or industrial research programs, were essentially stand-alone integrated systems for laboratory use. These instruments are relatively large and the typical base unit size is 0.5mx 0.45mx 0.4m
In addition, a PC for assembling a program for performing analysis and acquiring and displaying data is included as a user interface.

[0003] At-line or on-line instruments based on chemical sensor array technology (SAT) have been proposed for monitoring production processes. These instruments have been designed as modified versions of large laboratory instruments with a simplified user interface and reduced functionality.

[0004] The term "at line" as used herein is defined to mean that a monitoring instrument is located next to a point of interest, from which a sample can be introduced by manual or automatic means. Product or process analysis may be performed on individual samples or on samples from batch production. Also, the term "online" means that there is a physical connection between the monitoring system and the sensing point, so that the product or process
It is defined as meaning that it can be monitored either individually or in batch production or on a continuous basis. In this "on-line" system, sampling is automatic. Also, "inline" systems are a subset of online systems.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to the present invention, there is provided a chemical sensor system for at-line or on-line monitoring of a product or process, the system comprising a sample handling module for obtaining a sample of a substance to be sensed. And a sensor module including an array of sensors arranged to sense a sample, and a processing module for deriving information from the output of the sensor module using pattern recognition.

An advantage of using an at-line or on-line monitoring technique is that the measurement of the sample can be performed "at the point of use" or on-site, thus monitoring the product or process in real time. The monitoring process may include one or more physical or chemical procedures used in the processing, conversion, or manufacture of intermediate or final products. The process may be performed at a fixed location, or the product may be moved between locations during the process. In a manufacturing environment, at-line or on-line monitoring allows immediate corrective action if a product or process deviates from normal or acceptable performance or quality. Delays in sampling for laboratory-based remote offline analysis are often unacceptable. An at-line or on-line monitor is therefore preferred in many areas of the industry and in environments where the system is monitoring a hazardous condition, such as the occurrence of fire or toxic vapors.

[0007] The present invention offers significant advantages over previously proposed devices. The modular construction of the system allows the system to be easily adapted for a particular product or process line that monitors at one station or several distributed stations of the line, so that a particular at-line or online monitor The system can be optimized for function as a whole. Whatever application is required for the system, optimal performance and maximum flexibility can be easily achieved by properly selecting and implementing modules. For example, the sample handling module can utilize at least one of the following techniques to obtain a sample, including a portable liquid, a headspace,
Sample vaporization, liquid sparging, probe during solid headspace, direct insertion of an array of liquid phase chemical sensors into the sample or sample stream, gas line, atmosphere monitor. Other techniques may be employed. Thus, for a particular system, it is necessary to select a sample handling module that uses the appropriate technique for the substance to be sensed, but other modules of the system can be used at other stages of the production line or at another stage. The line can also be common with other systems according to the invention used to monitor products or processes. Thus, the present invention allows for maximum flexibility in system design, optimizing system performance, minimizing manufacturing complexity, and thus increasing reliability and reducing costs, Provide sufficient benefits. Since each module comprises a separate physical unit, a variety of different modules based on different technologies or having different functions can be utilized in the same system. The modules can be made completely independent or include a mounting device so that, for example, one module can be attached to another module.

[0008] Chemical sensor systems include, for example, system control and data acquisition (SCAD).
A) The system provides information about the operation of the production line or process that can be used in the control feedback system, such that the data produced by the system is fed back to determine the control hardware settings. Feedback can also be provided to the monitoring system itself, for example, to adjust sensor settings or sampling periods.

As discussed above, first considering the sample handling module, various techniques can be used to obtain a sample. Modules that utilize a liquid headspace are suitable for monitoring atmospheric volatiles on a liquid sample. Liquid sparging involves flushing a liquid sample with an inert gas to release volatiles. The probe includes, for example, a flexible tube and a pump for capturing a sample. At the solid headspace, atmospheric volatiles are monitored on the solid sample. In a gas line, the sample is withdrawn from the gas stream, which is particularly suitable for processes involving fermentation. The sample handling module can use atmospheric techniques, for example, passive monitoring of a local environment such as fire detection. Other techniques may be appropriate for other applications. When monitoring a sample in the liquid phase, the sensor array will be inserted into the sample or into the sample stream.

[0010] The sample handling module can also be adjusted to obtain samples without operator intervention to create an automatic procedure, such that samples are taken at discrete time intervals or continuously. it can. Modules are discontinuous,
Switching between batch and continuous sampling may occur at a particular time in the production process, depending on where the sample is taken, or for other reasons.

In some systems, the sampling module includes a means for introducing a calibration or reference sample. Alternatively, this may be done with a sensor module. This allows calibration or checking of sensor array performance.

Various sensor technologies can be incorporated in the sensor module.
Usefully, the sensor module includes a sensor array using at least one of the following types of sensor technologies, which include mass sensing sensors, electronic conductance or capacitance sensors, field effect sensors,
Calorie measurement sensor, electrochemical sensor (for example, current measurement, potential difference measurement, electric conductivity measurement sensor), photochemical or photometric sensor, biosensor.
In fact, any sensor that produces a useful output in response to a change in a property when a chemical is sensed is suitable. Mass sensing sensors use, for example, bulk acoustic wave or surface acoustic wave technology. Electronic conductance and capacitance sensors are, for example, chemical resistors based on conductive polymer or metal oxide semiconductor materials. The calorie measurement sensor is, for example, a peristaltic. The electrochemical sensor is, for example, a potentiometric cell. Infrared and fiber optic based technologies can be used for photochemical or photometric sensors. Biosensors and electrochemical sensors are particularly suitable for liquid phase sensing.

The system of the present invention may include a sensor array having sensors of only one technology type. In such a case, the sensor environment can be specifically tailored to the use of that type of sensor. In another case, the sensor array includes sensors that combine different technology types. This increases sensitivity and / or in some cases enhances discrimination, but adjusts the particular combination to the substance being sensed.

[0014] The sensor array includes several features that determine, for example, a sample handling capacity for receiving a sample from a sample handling module.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing module processes the data for the samples to format the data when applying pattern recognition (PARC) techniques. However, in other systems, formatting can also be performed at the sensor module. The pattern recognition technology used in the processing module includes:
At least one of the following techniques may be used, including statistical methods (eg, principal component analysis (PCA) or multiple discriminant analysis (MDA)), fuzzy logic, pseudo-neutral networks, proprietary classification algorithms It is. The technique or techniques applied will depend on the substance being sensed and the application made by the system of information acquired through the monitoring technique.

Means for performing built-in system diagnostics to extract test data or information from each module, from a combination of modules, or from the entire system to evaluate the performance and condition of individual modules or systems It may be included in the system. This may include providing a well-characterized test signal or test data to a module or system and measuring the output for a known or expected result. This may include providing a test calibration or reference chemical sample to the system.

In some embodiments, at least one of the sample handling module, the sensor module, and the processing module incorporates an integrated user interface for passing information to and / or from a user. I have.
Alternatively or additionally, the system may include a user interface module. The user may be a human operator, a device, a data storage device, or any non-human user.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface module includes means for presenting information to an operator and / or receiving input from the operator. This module may include a display such as provided by a PC monitor, liquid crystal display, LED or warning light, and may include, for example, audio information to provide a warning. The operator can enter the system through a keyboard or touch-sensitive screen included in the user interface module. In another system, the user interface module comprises, as it were, a communication line capable of digital communication with a factory or field network. This can, for example, provide feedback to the production line according to information obtained through the monitoring procedure. Alternatively, the data can be logged for later analysis.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of a sample handling module, a sensor module, a processing module, and a user interface module is provided.
One has a plurality of sub-modules. Thus, for example, one sub-module of a sensor module includes one type of sensor technology, and another sub-module also includes another type of sensor technology. These are combined with one another to form a complete sensor module. This increases flexibility while still retaining the benefits of the modular structure of the system.

In a useful embodiment, a plurality or at least one of the following types of modules are included, the modules being a sample handling module, a sensor module, a processing module, a user interface module. Various combinations of modules are tailored to the particular application in which the system is used. The system may include a set of modules that are interconnected differently than another set of modules included in the system.

In some systems, for example, microwave or RF over a wireless link
Means are included for communicating with at least one of the modules or between the modules via communication.

The system can be built with each module located locally at a monitoring point or some remotely.

The system includes some or all of the following aspects distributed among the modules included in the system. The distribution of these functions will depend on the particular system. Functions included include, for example, sample transfer (eg, manifolds, valves, mass flow controllers or pumps), sample conditioning (eg, using filters or temperature controls), sensor flow cells (eg,
Sensors, sensor housings and temperature control), signal conditioning (including, for example, generation of electrical signals), signal communication (eg, by transferring analog or digital signals), data acquisition (collecting data points to display signal information) Preprocessing (eg, averaging, electrical filtering, transformation and feature extraction), pattern recognition, classification, output of information to a user interface or process line. For example, data acquisition may be performed by a sensor module or a processing module depending on how a particular system is designed.

The present invention is useful when used in the following applications.

Water industry and environment, eg water treatment plant intake defense, sewage / wastewater treatment plant intake defense, wastewater monitoring, treated water monitoring and refrigerant detection such as liquid spill and discharge, leaks, air analysis, odor and industrial emissions .

Fermentation, for example, process monitoring, endpoint determination and prediction, contamination detection, process efficiency optimization, process deviation monitoring and batch addition point detection.

Food and beverages, eg raw material quality, natural product quality, contamination and scratch detection, credibility testing (eg orange juice concentration), further roasting, baking, pasteurisation, fermentation, distillation, freezing, drying Direct monitoring of processes such as freeze-drying.

The quality / condition of the intermediate products generated, impact and release to the environment, dosage of additives / enhancing agents, mixing, sedimentation, final product quality, product stability, detection of contamination and off-flavors on packaging, Detection of leaky packaging, monitoring of scratches during transportation, deterioration or damage of products due to bacteria, bacteria, oxidation, etc., check of product quality, credibility check, detection of genetically modified foods and raw materials, detection of agricultural products, radiation-processed foods Supermarket checkout sensor system for detection, fruit ripeness, and groceries.

Petrochemicals, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, eg, identity verification (container contents vs. labeling), QC tests (purity and grade), process monitoring, eg, distillation, cracking, synthetic procedures, catalytic conversion, environmental Impact and release, as well as packaging, such as dosage additives, mixing monitoring, formulation, grading, product quality evaluation, product stability, sensory evaluation and leak detection (content and odor), correct labeling versus content, leakage Detection (tankers, storage tanks, pipelines), detection of aromas and odors, additives to natural gas.

Medical, hygiene, microbial monitoring, eg, monitoring of body fluids such as blood, urine, respiration, secretions from skin and other organs, clinical diagnosis using them, eg, UTI by urine odor test Detection, clinical diagnosis from respiration, for example, diabetes,
Exposure to chemicals in industrial / work environments by cancer, gastric ulcer, kidney disease, urine or respiratory monitoring. Industrial toxicity, skin volatiles as markers for bacteria, e.g.
Intestinal bacteria, anesthetic gas monitoring, animal health monitoring, forensic science application from its volatile labeling (hygiene).

Safety, eg, drug detection / screening, explosives detection screening, fire detection / predictive systems based on vapor sensing, hazardous / toxic substances.

Transportation, for example, monitoring of in-vehicle environment such as exhaust gas analysis, measurement of vehicle interior components.

[0033] Household and personal care, such as the use of cosmetics, perfumes, fragrances, management of detergents and aerosols.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 (Detailed description of preferred embodiments) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the chemical sensor system, that is, the SAT system includes, as an embodiment, a sample handling module 1, a sensor module 2, a processing module 3, and a user interface module 4. Each of these modules consists of individual physical units separate from the other modules.
In other embodiments, a separate user interface module can be omitted. The connection between the modules is determined on the basis of whether the signal to be transmitted is an electrical signal or an optical signal, or for example what the sample of the substance is between the sample handling module 1 and the sensor module 2. Each module may incorporate one or more of the features described above. For example, in this system, the sensor module 2
May be configured with an array of sensors of one technical type, or may be configured with an array of sensors that combines several technical types.

The other figures show some aspects of the implementation of the system, in each figure the sample handling module is SH and the sensor module is S
M, the processing module is PM, and the user interface module is U
It is represented by I.

Referring to FIG. 2, three sample handling modules 5, 6, 7 are dispersed at different locations along the production line and arranged to obtain a sample of the substance to be detected at each location. The output of each sample handling module 5, 6, 7 is input to a common sensor module 8, which detects substances simultaneously or continuously from different sample handling modules and relates to the substance at each location. Get the data. This information is then transmitted to the processing module 9, which performs pre-processing and pattern recognition,
, 7 identify the quality and / or identity of the sampled material. This information is then transmitted to the user interface module 10 for display to the operator. The operator then uses this information to control the manufacturing process.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment incorporating a single sample handling module 11. The output of the sample handling module 11 is transmitted in parallel to the three sensor modules 12, 13, 14 to increase the identification information. In this embodiment, each sensor module 12, 13, 14 uses a different technology, but this is not essential. Outputs of the sensor modules 12, 13, and 14 are input to a processing module 15 that performs data analysis. In this configuration, the output of the processing module 15 has a control signal that is input via a user interface module 16 that forms a data link that provides automatic feedback to the manufacturing process.

Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of sample handling modules 17, 18, 19
Are connected to different sensor modules 20, 21, and 22, respectively. Each sample handling module and associated sensor module is located on the production line and their output is shared by a common processing module 23 located remotely from it.
Is transmitted to The output of the processing module 23 is input to the user interface module 24.

FIG. 5 shows another configuration. This system is in a distributed form and requires an at-line or online display. Thus, each of the sample handling modules 25, 26, 27 and the associated sensor modules 28, 29, 30 have an associated user interface module 31, 32, 33 with a display, these modules being at-line or online. It is arranged in. A central processing module 34 is remotely located, the central processing module 34 includes sensor modules 28, 29,
30 and is configured to receive information from the user interface modules 31, 32, 33 and transmit information in response thereto.

FIG. 6 shows another configuration, in which a first set of modules 35 is located at one location and a second set of modules 36 is located at another location to provide local processing and localization. A distributed system for performing the display is formed.

FIG. 7 shows a distributed system with a local processor with remote display capabilities.

FIG. 8 shows a single location measurement system with both local processing and local display capabilities.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement with local processing capability but no remote display capability.

FIG. 10 shows a single measurement location with both remote processing and remote display capabilities.

FIG. 11 shows a single measurement location with remote processing capability and local display capability.

FIG. 12 shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 5, but with the user interface module omitted and the user interface module being completely integrated within the sensor module. It is different in that it is. In this system, the processing module 37 also supplies control signals to both the sample handling modules 38, 39, 40 and the sensor modules 41, 42, 43 and adjusts their operation based on data obtained from the samples. . The processing module 37 also controls the processing line and the manufacturing control system 44.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show parts of another system according to the invention. This system has a processing module 45, a user interface module 46, a sensor module 47, and a sample handling module 48, as shown in FIG.

The processing module 45 includes a single board computer (Single board Compute).
r: SBC) and a hard drive. Driving devices for various input / output devices are integrated in the SBC. An Ethernet connector for direct connection to a local area network (LAN) is also provided. Also provided are connectors to the flat panel display and connectors that can be used for button input forming the user interface module 46. In addition, a communication port (RS485) is provided that is used to connect to any sensor module 47 and / or sample handling module 48 that incorporates an RS485 interface IC.

FIG. 14 shows the sensor module 47, where only the electrical connection to the sampler is shown, not the physical connection. Sensor array 4
9 can be housed in a housing 50 which is temperature controlled by a tube connection for passing a sample (gas phase sample) over the sensor. Alternatively, the sensor array can perform sample in-line analysis. Sensors detect these ambient atmospheres. In this case, temperature control is not required, but the temperature control function still exists.
This extra functionality is necessary for modularity.

The types of sensors that can be used in the sensor module 47 of this embodiment include three types of sensors, namely, a BAW (bulk acoustic wave) sensor, a SAW (surface acoustic wave) sensor, and a chemical resistant sensor. These different technical types of sensor modules
Since they all use the same interface hardware and interface protocol, they are compatible without any hardware modifications.

FIG. 15 shows a sample handling module. Examples of sample handling sensors 51 used in current systems include relative humidity sensors, temperature sensors, and flow sensors. Sample handling hardware 5
2 has a mass flow controller and a valve. There is also a connection from interface electronics 53 to drive other hardware, such as a temperature control unit, pump, etc. This embodiment also incorporates an example of redundant functions to form a modular system. The sample handling module also has a microcomputer 54 and an RS485 interface IC 55.

There are studies of sample handling for two different applications: fermentation monitoring and water quality monitoring.

In the case of fermentation, an aeration line is provided, from which the sample is discharged into the gas phase. The sample discharged from the vent line is passed through the sample handling hardware 48 and the sensor module 47. The vent line in front of the sample handling module 48 may be provided with a filter or condenser. If the flow from the vent line is high, only a small part of the flow can be diverted from the system. FIG. 16 shows the response curves for five BAW sensor arrays measuring the headspace of the yeast fermentation using an online modular sensor array system.

In the case of water quality monitoring, water is passed through a sparger (porous dispersion tube) unit. Next, a carrier gas source that is being bubbled through the liquid sample is connected to the sparger unit. Volatiles in the water are released into a carrier gas, which is then passed through a sensor module. FIG. 17 shows multiple discriminant analysis of data obtained from raw river water samples using the at-line modular sensor array system (
It is a Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) plot. The sensor array data obtained from the non-polluted raw water before and after the occurrence of the contamination was calculated as Route 1 to Route 2M.
Shown on DA plots, plotted as circles and squares, respectively.
The contaminated water is “detected” by the value of Route 1 on the horizontal axis and is shown by a cross (+) plot.

The sensor signals of the sample handling module 48 are processed by the microcomputer 54 before being interfaced to the microcomputer 54 by the electronic device and communicated to the processing module 45. Again, an RS485 interface IC is used to ensure that the signals from the microcomputer match the multi-drop serial data link. In order to be able to switch the system between different states or to change certain parameters, such as, for example, the flow rate, the signal from the processing module 45 is
8 must be passed.

A protocol is provided to allow bi-directional communication between the processing module 45 and any sensor 47 or sample handling module 48 on the RS485 bus. By providing the following protocol, any number of modules can be interconnected up to the physical limits of the bus. To prevent two modules from transmitting data at once, the processing module 45 controls which module is allowed to transmit. Regarding communication, it is assumed that the processing module 45 is a master and the sensor module 47 and the sample handling module 48 are slaves. The microcomputer software in each module is programmed with a unique identity created from the unit type and the number of nodes. Providing an identity split between the unit type and the number of nodes allows two modules of the same type to be used in each system with a different number of nodes. There is also a global identifier that allows messages from the processing module to be sent to all modules.
The processing module polls each module sequentially according to a message returning the state of the module. Upon receiving a polling message, each module returns a message describing the state of the module. This status string of data is specific to this module type. This status string contains the sensor data,
Can hold diagnostic information and other status information. The status message holds identifier information. If processing module 45 does not receive a status return message, it knows that there is an error in the data link. The processing module 45 can also transmit other commands to the various modules so that the various modules can control various functions such as, for example, changed sensor parameters, changed physical variables, and the like.

All messages have information describing the start and end of data information. There is also error detection information that gives each module a means to check whether all data is correctly accepted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows another system according to the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates another system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows part of another system according to the invention.

FIG. 14 shows part of another system according to the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a part of another system according to the invention.

FIG. 16 shows the results obtained using the system according to the invention.

FIG. 17 shows the results obtained using the system according to the invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72 ) Inventor Byfield Mark Philippe Essex CIO 95 5K Great Yieldham Highfield Winter Haven (no address) (72) Inventor Hascock Stanley Leicester United States Georgia 30542 Flowy Branch Willowbrook Trail 6711 F-term (reference) 2G047 AA01 AD02 BA04 BC02 BC15 CA01 2G058 AA01 AA03 GA01 GA11 GA20 GB01 GB10 GD00 HA04

Claims (52)

[Claims] 1. A sample handling module for obtaining a sample of a substance to be detected, a sensor module with an array of sensors arranged to detect the sample, and information from the output of the sensor module using pattern recognition. A chemical sensor system for at-line monitoring or on-line monitoring of a product or process, comprising: 2. The sample handling module comprises the following methods: portable, liquid headspace, liquid sparging, sample vaporization, probe, solid headspace, direct insertion of a sensor array into a sample or sample stream, gas line. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample is obtained using at least one of: and air monitoring. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said sample handling module is arranged to obtain a sample without operator intervention. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample handling module is arranged to take a plurality of samples at discrete time intervals.
The system according to any one of claims 2 and 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sample handling module is arranged to collect a continuous sample.
The system described in the section. 6. The sensor module according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises one of the following types of sensor technology: mass sensitive sensor, electronic conductance or capacitance sensor, field effect sensor, calorimeter sensor, electrochemical sensor, photochemical or photometric sensor and biosensor. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a sensor array using at least one of the following. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises sensors of only one technology type. 8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor array comprises sensors that combine various technology types. 9. The processing module according to claim 1, wherein the processing module processes data relating to a sample or a batch of samples and formats the data for applying a pattern recognition technique to the processing module. The system according to claim 1. 10. The pattern recognition technique uses at least one of the following methods: a statistical method, fuzzy logic, an artificial neural network, and a proprietary classifier algorithm. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sample handling module, the sensor module, and the processing module employs an integrated user interface.
The system according to claim 1. 12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface module for communicating information to and / or from a user. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein an output of the processing module is input to a user interface module. 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the user interface module has means for providing information to an operator and / or receiving information from the operator. 15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the user interface module does not include a means for communicating with an operator. 16. The user interface module according to claim 12, further comprising means for communicating information to and / or from a network external to the chemical sensor system. The described system. 17. The user interface module according to claim 12, further comprising means for providing control information of a monitored process.
The system according to any one of Claims 16 to 16. 18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user interface module comprises at least one of the following: an alarm, a touch-sensitive screen, and a digital communication means. System. 19. The sensor module comprising: means for obtaining data points representing signal information; and means for transmitting the obtained data points to one or both of a processing module and a user interface module. Item 19. The system according to any one of Items 1 to 18. 20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition is performed by a processing module. 21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing module comprises means for communicating information to and / or from a network external to the chemical sensor system. 22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing module has means for providing control information of a monitored process. 23. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing information from monitored data to control the system itself. 24. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a system-integrated diagnostic means for obtaining test data or information from a plurality of modules, a combination of modules and / or the whole system. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the sample handling module comprises means for introducing a calibrant or test sample into the sensor array. 26. The system according to claim 24, further comprising means for introducing a calibrant or a test sample into the sensor array. 27. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sample handling module, the sensor module, the processing module, and the user interface module have a plurality of sub-modules. 28. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for communicating with at least one module or between the modules via a wireless link. 29. The method according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following types of modules: a sample handling module, a sensor module, a processing module and a user interface module. System. 30. The system according to claim 29, comprising a plurality of sample handling modules connected to a common sensor module. 31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the sample handling module is connected to a plurality of sensor modules. 32. The system according to claim 29, comprising a plurality of sample handling modules, each sample handling module being connected to a respective different sensor module. 33. The system according to claim 32, wherein an output of said sensor module is connected to a common processing module. 34. The system according to claim 29, comprising a plurality of user interface modules, each user interface module being associated with a different sensor module. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein said user interface module comprises a user display. 36. The system according to claim 34, wherein each user interface module is connected to both a respective different sensor module and a common processing module. 37. A system comprising a first sample handling module, a sensor module, a processing module, and a second sample handling module, a sensor module, a processing module, wherein the first module and the second module are respectively different from the first and second modules. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the system is located at a location. 38. A first user interface module at a first location;
38. The system of claim 37, further comprising a second user interface module at a second location. 39. The system of claim 37, further comprising a user interface module located at a location remote from the first and second locations and connected to at least one first module and at least one second module. System. 40. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensor module, the processing module and the user interface module is locally located in the or another sample handling module. System. 41. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface module is located remotely from the sample handling module. 42. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface module and the processing module are located remotely from the sample handling module. 43. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing module is located remotely from the sample handling module, and the sensor module and the user interface module are located locally on the sample handling module. The described system. 44. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing module controls communication with another module. 45. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the modules have an identifier including a unit type and a number of nodes.
The system described in the section. 46. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for causing the processing module to communicate with the plurality of modules simultaneously. 47. The processing module according to claim 1, wherein the processing module sequentially polls another module for status information of the other module.
The system described in the section. 48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said status information includes identifier information, sensor data and / or diagnostic information. 49. The system according to claim 47, wherein each message communicated between the modules includes a start and end of data information. 50. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting an error in data transmitted between the modules. 51. The following products and processes: fishery, fermentation, food and beverage, intermediate product quality / conditions, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, hygiene, microbiology, security, transportation, and household / personal care. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 50, wherein at least one of the systems is monitored. 52. A chemical sensor system substantially as shown and described in one or more of the accompanying drawings.