JP2020012846A - Olfactory sense system, odor identification device, and odor identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an olfactory sense system, an odor identification device and an odor identification method, capable of detecting, discriminating and recognizing specific odor simply even in a state where many and unspecified odor-causing substances are mixed.SOLUTION: An odor identification system comprises: an action array unit including at least two or more sensors that interact with an odor-causing substance included in an odor factor in a gas sample; a sensor data processing unit that processes data interacting with the odor factor in the action array unit; an odor factor information storage unit that stores the odor factor and interaction pattern information of the odor factor in advance; and a pattern identification unit that refers to the pattern processed by the sensor data processing unit and the information in the odor factor information storage unit, and then identifies the odor factor on the basis of the interaction pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an olfactory system, an odor discriminating apparatus, and an odor discriminating method, which recognize an odor itself by patterning. Further, the present invention relates to a sensor used in the system. Further, the present invention relates to a device used for the sensor.

  So far, it has been considered that odors are recognized as odor information (perceptual information) by various chemical substances simultaneously acting on olfactory cells. On the other hand, most of the odor sensing is intended to detect and measure a specific gaseous chemical substance related to an odor from a group of chemical substances constituting the odor (hereinafter also referred to as odor factor). It is.

  In other words, the purpose is to identify from the chemical substances that make up the odor, or to measure individual odor-causing substances, for example, odor-causing substances that have a characteristic odor, such as ammonia, mercaptan, aldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, and amine. In many cases, a chemical sensor designed in such a manner as an ammonia sensor or a hydrogen sulfide sensor is used.

  Such a sensor constitutes a surface state having physicochemical selectivity for a specific molecule, and utilizes a change in the surface state when the specific molecule reacts or is adsorbed on the surface, to specify the specific state. This is a method of measuring a substance or separating a specific odor-causing substance using a means for separating a chemical substance such as an adsorption column, for example, a chromatography method, and then measuring the substance.

  Sensor systems that can be used for individual separation measurement of such odor-causing substances include detectors that use surface plasmon (SPR) generated by the interaction of laser light with metal nanoparticles, semiconductor silicon A source, drain, and gate electrodes are provided on the top, a field effect transistor that utilizes the fact that a substance is adsorbed on the surface by forming a molecular selective film on the gate, and a substance on the surface of the surface acoustic wave propagation velocity There are a surface acoustic wave sensor that measures and detects a change due to adsorption, and a QCM sensor that utilizes the fact that the resonance frequency of a quartz oscillator fluctuates according to the weight of a substance attached to a surface.

  As an existing odor sensor, in these sensor systems, a thin film having a material selection system is formed on the surface of a detection unit, and thereby a specific substance causing an odor is detected.

  Some sensors use the change in carrier density due to the oxidation-reduction reaction of oxygen on the surface of a metal oxide semiconductor heated to a high temperature. However, in the case of this sensor, since an oxidation reaction of a reducing substance occurs on the surface, Cannot be covered with a film having a material selection system, and only a reducing substance can be measured. Therefore, the odorant is effective only for a limited odorant such as ammonia or hydrogen sulfide.

On the other hand, an array type odor sensor provided with a plurality of quartz oscillators is disclosed as a sensor using a quartz oscillator or the like. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
In this sensor, by arranging a plurality of quartz oscillators arranged in a specific direction with respect to the substrate, the gas containing the substance to be detected can be efficiently contacted with a large amount of gas, and the detection efficiency can be improved. Is disclosed to be improved.

  In Non-Patent Document 2, an attempt is made to perform multivariate analysis using a plurality of sensors to specify an odor. In this case, since the sensor system used is composed of a combination of single-function sensors that measure a specific chemical substance defined in advance, if the substance constituting the odor is known, the odor is expressed by multivariate analysis. I can do it.

  Furthermore, in order to detect and evaluate the odor itself as well as to detect and measure the specific substances that make up the odor as described above, a plurality of luminescent molecules that respond to molecules with different polarities are applied to the substrate. In recent years, an attempt has been made to perform odor imaging by exposing a substrate to a pattern peculiar to the odor when exposed to an odor factor, and photographing and recording this (Non Patent Literature 3: SCOPE project).

This odor imaging system uses a multi-probe film in which particles that combine a compound that recognizes a plurality of odors and, for example, fluorescent nanoparticles for detection are arranged.
With this configuration, when each particle is combined with a specific odor factor, the particle emits light, which can be captured and visualized by a CCD camera or the like.

Japanese Patent No. 4737726

Enose Instruments Instruments Co., Ltd. http: // e-nose. co. jp / product00. html Tokyo Institute of Technology Laboratory Magazine LANDFALL No. 39, p. 19-22, April 2000 (http://silvia.mn.ee.titletech.ac.jp/system.html) SCOPE project (http://o.ed.kyushu-u.ac.jp/SCOPE/Welcome.html)

  However, such a sensor can detect information on a substance having a specific molecular structure or a combination of specified substances based on, for example, the presence or absence of electric resistance or the level of the electric resistance. Since it is merely the identification of the causative substance (molecule) of the odor specified by the molecular weight, etc., even if the presence or absence of the substance can be detected, the odor obtained by using human olfaction such as an olfactory test It is difficult to detect and identify information as a measurement result.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses an odor sensor, but in reality, only the detection and quantification of a specific molecule is possible due to the strength of the vibration frequency corresponding to the specific molecule.

  In addition, in the multivariate analysis shown in Non-Patent Document 2, since the substance measured by each individual sensor used for a plurality of sensors needs to be specified in advance, the substance that is not assumed by each sensor may be used. The composed odor cannot be accurately expressed.

  In other words, odors generally have a complex configuration consisting of multiple chemical substances, so odor information can be obtained and expressed simply by combining a single-function sensor that identifies a specific DUT contained in a certain odor. There is a problem that it is difficult to do.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the method of the above-mentioned SCOPE project, light emission by a fluorescent substance is captured. However, since an excitation light source, a CCD camera, and the like necessary for emitting light are required, in this case, the apparatus itself becomes large-scale, and it is difficult to easily identify and identify an odor.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an olfactory system, odor identification device, and odor identification method that can easily detect, distinguish, and recognize a specific odor even in a mixed state of an unspecified number of odor-causing substances. The purpose is to do.

The olfactory system of the present invention provides the following means in order to solve the above problems.
(1) An action array section including at least two or more sensors interacting with at least one or more of a group of odor-causing substances of an object as an action array, and odor pattern information indicating a result of the interaction obtained from the action array. A odor factor information storage unit storing odor information comprising known odor factor information and known odor substance pattern information, and the odor processed by the sensor data processing unit A pattern identification unit that refers to the pattern information and the information in the odor factor information storage unit, and matches and identifies the known odor information in which the odor of the measured object is stored based on the reaction pattern. Olfactory system.

(2) The olfactory system according to (1), wherein the sensor is a quartz oscillator sensor.
(3) The olfactory system according to (1), wherein the sensor is a surface acoustic wave sensor.
(4) The olfactory system according to (1), wherein the sensor is a field-effect transistor sensor.
(5) The olfactory system according to (1), wherein the sensor is a charge-coupled device sensor. (6) The olfactory system according to (1), wherein the sensor is an organic conductive polymer sensor.

(7) The olfactory system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the arrangement of the sensor is changeable.
(8) The olfactory system according to any one of (1) to (7), further including a sensor information unit that stores array information of the sensors.
(9) The olfactory system according to any one of (1) to (8), further including a sample acquisition unit that captures a sample including the measurement target.

(10) Interacting a sample with a sensor array including at least two sensors, processing sensor information of interaction information of the interacted sensors, and collating the sensor data processed information with odor factor information. And identifying the odor by the collation.

(11) The odor identification method according to (10), wherein the sensor is a quartz oscillator sensor.
(12) The odor identification method according to (10), wherein the sensor is a surface acoustic wave sensor.
(13) The odor identification method according to (10), wherein the sensor is a field effect transistor sensor.
(14) The odor identification method according to (10), wherein the sensor is a charge-coupled device sensor.
(15) The odor identification method according to (10), wherein the sensor is an organic conductive polymer sensor.
(16) The odor identification method according to any one of (10) to (15), wherein the arrangement of the sensor is changeable.

(17) A sensor unit including at least two sensors for sensing a measurement target, a sensor data processing unit for processing data of a reaction in the sensor unit, and a measurement target is identified by a sensor data pattern created by the sensor data processing. An odor identification device comprising:
(18) The odor discriminating apparatus according to (17), wherein the sensor is a quartz oscillator sensor.
(19) The odor discriminating apparatus according to (17), wherein the sensor is a surface acoustic wave sensor.
(20) The odor discriminating apparatus according to (17), wherein the sensor is a field effect transistor sensor.
(21) The odor discriminating apparatus according to (17), wherein the sensor is a charge-coupled device sensor.
(22) The odor discriminating apparatus according to (17), wherein the sensor is an organic conductive polymer sensor.
(23) The odor discriminating apparatus according to any one of (17) to (22), wherein the sensor is changeable in arrangement.

  (24) a sample acquisition unit that captures a sample including a measurement target, an action array unit that interacts with each odor factor in the sample, and includes at least two or more sensors whose arrangement can be changed, and an odor factor in the action array unit. A sensor data processing unit that processes a pattern interacting with the odor factor information storage unit that stores the odor factor information and the interaction pattern information of the odor factor in advance, and stores sensor array information of the reaction array unit The sensor data processing unit, and refers to the data processed by the sensor data processing unit, the information in the odor factor information storage unit and the information in the sensor array information unit, and based on the interaction pattern, An olfactory system comprising: a pattern identification unit that identifies a factor.

  (25) a computer, a sample acquisition unit for capturing a sample including a measurement target, a reaction array unit including at least two or more sensors capable of changing the arrangement that interact with each odor factor in the sample, and a reaction array unit A sensor data processing unit that processes data interacting with the odor factor, an odor factor information storage unit that stores the odor factor information and the interaction pattern information of the odor factor in advance, and a sensor array of the reaction array unit A sensor array information section for storing information, and referring to the data processed by the sensor data processing section, the information of the odor factor information storage section and the information of the sensor array information section, and based on the interaction pattern thereof. And a pattern identification unit for identifying the odor.

  By using the system of the present invention, it is possible to detect a specific “smell” in an environment where a plurality of substances are actually mixed, which has conventionally been difficult to detect and identify. As a result, detection / identification and expression of a specific odor composed of an unspecified substance group (which is not limited to a specific substance constituting the odor), which has conventionally been difficult to detect / identify and express, are performed. Can be possible.

It is a schematic diagram of the olfactory system of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the sensor array used for the olfactory system of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crystal unit used in a sensor array used in the olfactory system of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the crystal oscillator used for the sensor array used for the olfactory system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the olfactory system of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the interaction of the odor causing substance in the sensor array used for the olfactory system of this invention, and sequence information. It is a system conceptual diagram which shows the process of detecting and discriminating the smell of apple and coffee as an example of use of the olfactory system of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a mobile phone incorporating a sensor array unit as an example of using the olfactory system of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

1. Olfactory system The system of the present invention comprises an odor sample, that is, an action array section including at least two or more sensors interacting with an odor factor in the atmosphere at a specific place, and a pattern in response to an odor-causing substance in the action array section. A sensor data processing unit to be processed, an odor factor information storage unit that stores the odor information and the action pattern information of the odor in advance, and information of the pattern processed by the sensor data processing unit and the odor factor information storage unit And a pattern identification unit that identifies the odor based on the action pattern.

Here, the “smell” includes a specific molecule or a group of different molecules, each of which can be obtained by humans or organisms containing the same as olfactory information, with their respective concentrations.
"Odor-causing substance" means a specific molecule or compound that constitutes an odor.
“Odor factor” refers to a substance group that includes a plurality of odor-causing substances and has a specific configuration of the odor.

Generally, the nose olfactory mechanism of animals including humans can be described as follows.
When the odor factor enters from the nose, the odor-causing substance dissolves into the special mucous membrane called the olfactory epithelium at the top of the nasal cavity, and the olfactory cells in the olfactory epithelium generate electrical signals. (The limbic system), causing a sense of smell.

  Here, olfactory receptors (smell sensors) that catch odors are present in the olfactory hair that has spread to the mucosal layer of the olfactory epithelium. Then, several olfactory receptors react to one odor-causing substance included in the odor factor to detect the odor. Also, when the concentration of the odor changes, the combination of olfactory receptors that react changes, and the odor is perceived as a different odor.

  Armua focused on the fact that multiple odor-causing substances with different molecular structures gave similar odors, and found that at least a part of the molecule giving the similar odor was very similar in appearance. This suggests that the receptor may recognize the general structure of the molecule.

  In addition, Shoichi Tozaki's book, "Identities of" smell "and" scent "" explains that these olfactory receptors recognize the frequency of each odor-causing substance.

  In this way, olfactory receptors can identify compounds such as molecular weight, redox potential, and functional groups and their bonding positions, which have been used in chemical analysis, among the attributes of odor-causing substances. It has been thought that it is easier to explain that it is not the direct information but the indirect property of the substance such as the outline information of the molecule.

In the system of the present invention, as described above, the action array section including a plurality of sensors acts like this olfactory receptor, thereby detecting a plurality of odors and controlling a plurality of odor-causing substances by controlling the concentration of the odors. This makes it possible to recognize the contained odor itself.
Therefore, it is a sensor that simulates how "smell" interacts with the nose and is detected as specific information, and individually identifies "smell-causing substances" The principle is different from that of the prior art in which the “smell” is specified by the above.
1a. Olfactory system

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the odor identification system of the present invention.
The odor identification system 100 according to the present invention includes a sample information acquisition unit 110, a communication unit 120, and an information processing unit 130.

  The sample information acquisition unit 110 provided for acquiring information on the odor sample includes a sample acquisition unit 111 for capturing an odor sample, a sensor array unit 112 provided with at least two sensors that interact with the substance of the acquired sample, and A sensor data processing unit 113 for processing sensor data of the sample substance and the operation state of the sensor array unit 112 is provided.

  The communication unit 120 connects the sample information acquisition unit 110 and the information processing unit 130. For example, means for establishing various networks such as direct connection, RS-232, USB, wireless or wired LAN, and WiFi can be used as appropriate.

  In the information processing unit 130, for example, a data receiving unit 131 that acquires a sample for identification, receives the data, and stores the odor information in advance with respect to the odor factor in order to refer to the received data. An odor factor information storage unit 132, a sensor array information storage unit 133 for storing information on a sensor array unit arranged in the system for referring to the odor factor data; A recognition information pattern in the sensor array unit 112 is registered in advance, and a pattern recognition unit 114 to be referred to when measuring a sample, and further, judgment data obtained by referring to these system units and information of the sample are displayed. The display unit 115 is provided.

In the system of the present invention, it is possible to select a sensor to be arranged in the sensor array unit 112 according to a substance to be measured. That is, a sensor having characteristics specific to the odor-causing substance to be detected and identified can be appropriately selected and arranged.
Since at least two sensors are arranged, it is possible to specifically detect a plurality of odor-causing substances included in the odor factor.
By changing the detection sensitivity of each sensor, the concentration of the odor-causing substance to be measured can be measured.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to measure any odor-causing substance present in the gas as a sample. Furthermore, in the past, it was possible to measure only the strength of the odor peculiar to the molecule simply from the amount of the individual molecule contained in the odor factor, etc. In other words, it is possible to identify and specify a complex of a plurality of odor causing substances.

Further, the system of the present invention is provided with an information communication unit 120 for transmitting the sample information data obtained by the sample information obtaining unit 110 to the information processing unit 130.
That is, the information on the sample substance that has been obtained, acted on, and processed by the sensor data in the sample information obtaining unit 110 is transmitted to the information processing unit 130 through the information unit 120, and the sensor data processing pattern and the odor factor information stored in the system server. By referring to the unit 112 or by referring to the sensor data processing pattern and the information of both the odor factor information storage unit 112 and the sensor array information storage unit 113, the display pattern detected by the sensor of the action array unit 132 Thereby, it becomes possible to detect and identify a specific odor among odor factors to be measured.
1b. Sensor array

  In the sensor array unit 112 of the system 100 of the present invention, at least two odor sensors are provided. The number of sensors to be arranged is not particularly limited, and may be a structure in which two or more sensors are arranged.

  Most of the conventional so-called odor sensors have only one probe for detecting odor-causing substance molecules. In such a case, only qualitative or quantitative measurement of the odor-causing substance molecules alone can be performed.

  In contrast, the sensor array unit 112 of the system 100 of the present invention has a plurality of sensors. In addition, each sensor can be configured to show a specific reaction to the molecule to be acted on, and the degree of action on each molecule of interest can be adjusted.

  With such a configuration, it is only necessary to provide as many sensors as necessary to detect as many substances as the user of the system desires to detect and specify, and thereby, a plurality of odor-causing substances included in the odor factor are provided. Can be quantitatively and qualitatively measured, and this odor factor can be entirely identified.

  That is, in the sensor array in the sensor array unit 112 of the present invention, the number of sensors that specifically act on a specific substance molecule, the arrangement and the type of the sensor, and the reaction pattern of the entire array when actuated are arbitrarily determined. It can be decided after designing. By storing the reaction pattern in the sensor array information storage unit provided in the information processing unit 110 in advance, it becomes possible to collate the response pattern with the response in the sensor array unit 112 to each odor factor. It is possible to identify the aggregate of the causative substances, thereby making it possible to identify the odor factor itself including a plurality of odor causative substances that cannot be realized by the conventional odor sensor.

The sensor used here is not particularly limited, and various sensors can be appropriately used according to the purpose at that time or the like.
Examples of the sensor include, for example, an electrochemical sensor, a MOS field effect transistor sensor, a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, an organic conductive polymer sensor, a crystal oscillator sensor (QCM sensor), a surface acoustic wave sensor, a charge-coupled device sensor, and the like. Is raised.
Among these sensors, for example, a quartz oscillator sensor is preferably used.

FIG. 2 is a plan perspective view of a sensor array 200 using a crystal resonator element (QCM element) 210 as an example of a usable sensor.
The QCM type sensor multi-array 200 of the present invention mounts a plurality of QCM elements 210 including a quartz substrate 220, a vibrating part 230, a functional film 240 provided on the vibrating part surface, and a vibration excitation electrode 250 (not shown). This is a multi-array QCM sensor in which one or more multiple QCM elements 210 having different functional films 240 are mounted on a common substrate 200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the QCM element, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the element.
1c. It is well known that a QCM element crystal resonator, that is, a QCM element, is a mass sensor that detects a change in weight on an electrode surface as a change in frequency. Generally, as shown in FIG. 3, an electrode and a functional film 340 for adsorbing gas or odor molecules are disposed on one surface of a quartz substrate 320, and an excitation electrode 350 is disposed on the opposite surface. Having.

When the QCM element 310 is driven to vibrate by the excitation electrode 350 and the odor molecule as the substance to be measured reaches the functional film 340 on the surface of the QCM element 310 which is in contact with the outside air, the odor molecule is adsorbed and interacts with the resonance frequency of the QCM element 310. Changes. The frequency change is specified electrically.
There are various types of chemical sensors conventionally used. Particularly, in the case of a physical vibration detecting element such as a QCM, that is, a quartz oscillator, the device is downsized, that is, the thickness is reduced and the electrode area is reduced. If the value is also reduced, the resonance frequency of the crystal resonator or the like increases, and as a result, there is a characteristic that the frequency change rate increases and the detection limit decreases. Thereby, there is a feature that even a low concentration of a chemical substance can be detected.

  By arbitrarily mounting and arranging a plurality of QCM elements using these different functional films on a common substrate, a multi-array QCM sensor system of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. The excitation electrode of each QCM element is wired to a frequency counter or the like, and electrically specifies a frequency change of each QCM element as described above.

  The QCM elements coated with different functional films interact differently with the odor-causing substance to be measured. By arranging the sensors provided with these different functional films on the array, it is possible to detect and analyze the frequency change of each QCM element, and qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the odor factor.

For example, more specifically, which odor substance is adsorbed and detected as information in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction as an arrangement rule of each QCM element having different functional films arranged on a common substrate. It is possible to obtain a qualitative odor pattern consisting of at least three dimensions of the sensor array information and the frequency change (adsorption characteristics and mutual left / right degree) of the same QCM element group.
Here, the QCM element (310) and the excitation electrode (350) can be formed of any conductive material.

  Examples include inorganic materials such as gold, silver, platinum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-based alloys, silicon, carbon, and carbon nanotubes, and organic materials such as conductive polymers such as polypyrrole and polyaniline. it can.

  Also, for example, by using a functionally graded film in which the strength such as hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity is slightly sloped by the concentration distribution or chemical modification in the spatial axis direction, each array can be used for the odor-causing substance as the analyte. Can interact slightly differently.

In addition, by changing the resonance frequency of each vibrator, it is possible to reduce the influence of other coexisting vibrators, that is, crosstalk, which is preferable. Each oscillator in the common substrate can be arbitrarily designed so as to exhibit different sensitivities.
When the resonance frequency of each crystal resonator is the same, it has been attempted to change the thickness by changing the thickness of the odor adsorption film. In addition, elements having different resonance frequencies (for example, an overtone mode in which the thickness of a quartz substrate is changed) can be used.

As the type of the common substrate, a silicon substrate, a substrate made of quartz crystal, a printed wiring board, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, or the like can be used.
The common substrate (300) is a multilayer wiring substrate such as an interposer substrate, and an excitation electrode (500) for exciting the quartz substrate, mounting wiring, and an electrode (301) for energizing are arranged at arbitrary positions. In order to conduct to an electric ground or another electronic circuit board, it is connected to a bump such as that shown at 302.

As an example of the shape of the crystal oscillator, the convex shape is smaller, the energy is sealed in the oscillator, interference between the oscillators in the substrate is prevented, and the Q value is expected to improve at the same time. This is a preferred shape.
The quartz oscillator has a convex shape (lens shape or convex top) with a thickness distribution. One side is a separate excitation electrode (electrode for inputting vibration voltage), and the conductive film is opposite to the excitation electrode. It can be configured to be installed at a position facing the surface.

It is known that this makes it possible to suppress coupling with other vibration modes and to prevent interference such as propagation and reflection between crystal vibrators when the vibrator is multi-arrayed. Therefore, as the size and the capacity are reduced, the distance between the transducers is shortened, and the effect is increased.
Similarly, the Q value and the conductance can be improved by the effect of containing vibration energy, and the crystal resonator can be made less susceptible to external contact interference without reducing the vibration energy even if the size is reduced. As a result, the S / N ratio is improved and the sensitivity is increased.

  Note that the QCM sensor formed here has a structure called an inverted mesa type or a convex type, which can be closely mounted on a surface, and is therefore suitable for miniaturization. In the present embodiment, a convex type suitable for a smaller size is taken as an example, but if there is a more optimal shape, it can be selected.

Also, a convex hybrid type in which a convex is inserted in a concave portion of an inverted mesa has been tried. Further, not only the circular shape but also the elliptical shape can improve the sensitivity (Q value) of the QCM element, and a more optimal one may be used in consideration of cost and the like.
As described above, as an example of the configuration of the sensor array of the present invention, a sensor array using a quartz oscillator has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.
2. Smell identification method

Next, an odor identification method used in the present system will be described.
2a. Odor identifying method Overview Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing an outline of the odor identifying method of the present invention.
First, the sample information acquisition unit 110 of the odor identification system 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is brought into contact with an odor factor to be measured (step 501). With this contact, molecules of the odor factor are taken in from the sample acquisition unit 111 and sent to the sensor array unit 112 (step 502).

  The sensor array unit 112 has a multi-array structure in which at least two or more sensors are arranged. Here, each sensor interacts to a specific degree for each target odor-causing substance, and interacts with various odor-causing substances included in the odor factor. The gas containing the odor factor is brought into contact with the array portion, and the result of the interaction indicated by each sensor is obtained as data (step 503).

The interaction data is, for example, a light emission response, a change in electric resistance, or a change in vibration frequency, depending on the sensor used.
The pattern of the interaction data is associated with a specific odor factor to be measured, and sensor data processing is performed as information including position information of a sensor reacting on the sensor array and information on the strength of the interaction (step 504).

Next, the interaction pattern information subjected to the sensor data processing is transmitted to the information processing unit 130, and the data in the sensor array information storage unit 132 and the odor factor information storage unit 133 is referred to (step 505). The pattern is read, and the odor factor is identified (step 506).
Here, when it is desired to detect a single odor-causing substance, it is possible to specify the odor-causing substance by referencing and collating only the odor-causing substance information without referring to the sensor array information.
2b. Concrete example

Next, the flow of the identification method will be specifically described with reference to the flow of FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the interaction and sequence information of the odor-causing substances in the sensor array.
FIG. 7 is a system conceptual diagram showing a process of detecting and identifying the aroma of apple and coffee as an example.

  In this example also, only the information on the odor-causing substance can be used to detect and identify the odor-causing factor. By referring to both sensor-related information and sensor information, which have previously registered sensor configuration information and sensor product information, etc., it is possible to perform data processing according to a specific pattern when using the sensor. Become.

  With this configuration, the odor factor information to be measured can be associated with the personal information of the user who uses the sensor. For example, this related information can be applied to personal authentication and other security technologies, and can also be used for medical diagnosis technology, and its use can be expanded.

  First, the user causes the odor identification system of the present invention to specify a specific odor factor to be measured by the sensor. In this example, the object to be measured is an odor of apple and coffee, and odor A and odor B, respectively. These odors are stored in the odor factor information storage unit as odor factors.

First, a sample containing an odor factor of apple and coffee is brought into contact with the present system to obtain a sample (step 501). The obtained sample gas is sent to the sensor array unit 600 in FIG. 6 where a reaction occurs.
Here, the QCM element group 601 coated with different functional films, which is mounted on the sensor system of the present invention, causes different interactions with a plurality of odor-causing substances contained in the apple or coffee, and the respective QCM elements The element outputs a frequency change according to each reaction.

  In other words, in a certain element group 601, the element group of (X1, Yn) strongly interacts with, for example, the aroma component of apple, that is, amyl acetate, which is an odorant, and its degree becomes weaker as n of Yn increases. To go. On the other hand, the element group (Xn, Y1) has a functional film that strongly interacts with hexyl acetate or the like, and the degree of the interaction decreases as n of Xn increases.

The element group of (X2, Yn) interacts with caffeine, which is an aroma component of coffee, the element group of (X3, Yn) interacts with theophylline, and the element group of (X4, Yn) interacts with theobromine. It has a configuration having a functional film to be formed.
These configurations (position information and functional film information) and sensor product information (product information (sensor serial number, array position information (X, Y), type of each QCM element, etc.)) are previously stored in the sensor array shown in FIG. It is stored in the information storage unit 132.

With such a configuration, each of the elements 601 can detect, as a pattern, a change in the vibration frequency of the QCM element that is correlated with the element arrangement in accordance with the concentration of the aroma component.
The frequency change of each element generated by the odor substance of the sample and the interaction between the elements is sent as digital data to the sensor data processing unit 113, where it is converted into, for example, image data by performing sensor data processing. The sensor array information is obtained (Step 504).

  At this time, the pattern output from the sensor and information in the database are compared using general sensor data processing. For example, as a general sensor data processing technique, an approximate information processing technique such as a two-dimensional barcode reader, face recognition, or fingerprint authentication can be used.

  In this way, when there is an interaction between the elements 601 shown in FIG. 6, an output corresponding to the strength of the interaction of the functional film is output from each element 601 and at the same time, the array information of each element 601 is output. Is done.

  At this time, for example, the electronic device equipped with the system of the present invention transmits the product information (product information (serial number of the sensor, array position, etc.) of the sensor element or the like previously stored in the sensor array information storage unit via the network. Information (X, Y), the type of each QCM element, etc.) is referred to on the network, and the odor pattern (X, Y, QCM output) is calculated by comparing the output data of the frequency change of each QCM element. That is, an array matrix pattern as shown in FIG.

Then, in step 505, the above-mentioned interaction pattern data is compared with the sensor array information storage section which stores the data of the odorant information storage section, the characteristics and arrangement of the sensor array section, and the sensor information as a product. The odor factor contained in the sample is specified by referring to the sample (step 506).
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, if the output pattern is similar to or corresponds to the smell pattern of apple or coffee, the user is told that "smell A is a smell similar to apple" and "smell B is coffee. The smell is similar. "

  As described above, the olfactory system of the present invention acquires the interaction pattern between the arrangement rule information of the QCM elements of the sensor system stored in advance and the odor factor obtained from the output information, and at the same time, obtains the odor factor information constructed on the network. By referring to the database storing the odor, the odor can be easily specified in the cloud environment in the device of the user equipped with the sensor system of the present invention.

Of course, the database allows the user to arbitrarily register the odor target together with the odor pattern. Therefore, a more secure and secure system can be designed.
3. Odor identification device

  An odor discriminating apparatus according to the present invention includes a configuration for executing the above-described olfactory system and its method.

That is, a sensor unit including at least two sensors for sensing a measurement target, a sensor data processing unit for processing data of a reaction in the sensor unit, and a measurement target are identified by a sensor data pattern created by the sensor data processing. A pattern identification unit.
The sensor unit and the pattern identification unit correspond to the sample information unit 110 and the integrated system unit 130 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. Each unit may be provided in one device, or may be provided as separate devices. You may comprise. These examples are illustrated below.
4. Examples of using the system

4a. Mobile device provided with an olfactory system The system of the present invention can reduce the size of the sensor array unit, so that the sample information acquisition unit can be incorporated in a mobile device such as a smartphone. In that case, the information processing unit may be incorporated in the device, or the information processing unit may be configured to refer to information necessary for the information processing unit provided outside the device via a network communication unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a portable device in which the sensor array unit of the present invention is incorporated.
The installation position of the sensor array can be set arbitrarily. In FIG. 8, for example, the sensor array unit 802 is provided immediately below the duct 801 of the microphone installation unit of the smartphone 800 (immediately below the home button and immediately below the microphone component). . With this configuration, it is possible to provide a health check function capable of detecting an intraoral trouble due to periodontal disease or visceral disease, for example.
4b. Wearable device with olfactory system

Since the system can be incorporated in a small device, it can be used as an odor sensor, for example, by mounting the system or the device on a wearable device that is likely to be on the market at present. For example, if a system device is mounted on glasses or the like, it can be used not only as an e-nose but also in various other uses.
4c. Use for air purifiers, air conditioners, air conditioners, etc.

By using the system of the present invention in an air conditioner or the like, it becomes possible to measure and identify indoor odor factors and thereby perform processing such as purifying the air as needed, thereby providing higher quality functions. Can be.
4d. Application to medical use such as inhalation diagnostic device

  In current medical care, a technique for diagnosing a disease using a specific substance contained in breath as a marker is being developed. In such a case, it is conceivable that the use of the system of the present invention will improve the diagnostic accuracy even for breath containing a plurality of markers / detection substances. When this system is used for such a diagnostic application, the system of the present invention can be designed and manufactured as a medical device itself, or the system of the present invention can be incorporated. And the like, and the information acquired by the sensor array unit can be used for remote diagnosis at a medical institution or the like by communication with a server.

  When a plurality of independent sensor elements each having a different functional film on the surface are arranged and mounted in an order according to a certain rule, this rule is recorded at an arbitrary place on a network together with manufacturing information, and the rule is It can be changed and recorded for each product information consisting of an arbitrary cluster such as each individual product, each manufacturing batch, each manufacturing factory, and the response pattern for a specific odor can be measured by the sensor mounted on each individual device that measured the pattern. There is provided an olfactory system characterized by reading array pattern data of the sensor from product information from an arbitrary location on a network and collating to identify an odor.

  The olfactory system, the odor identification method and the identification device of the present invention can determine and identify odor factors that could not be identified by a conventional odor sensor as a whole. Also, it is possible to detect and recognize the odor factor composed of them. Thereby, not only can it be used as an odor sensor in various devices, but also it can be applied to air purifiers, medical uses, and the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Odor identification system 110 Sample information section 111 Sample acquisition section 112 Sensor array section 113 Sensor element data processing section 130 Total odor information system section 132 Sensor array information storage section 133 Odor factor information storage section 134 Pattern identification section

Claims (1)

An action array unit including at least two or more sensors interacting with at least one or more odor-causing substances included in the odor factor of the measured object;
A sensor data processing unit that processes the result of the interaction obtained from the effect array as odor pattern information,
An odor factor information storage unit that stores odor information including known odor factor information and pattern information of the known odor substance,
And the known odor information in which the odor of the measured object is stored based on the reaction pattern with reference to the odor pattern information processed by the sensor data processing unit and the information in the odor factor information storage unit. And a pattern identification unit for collating and identifying the olfactory system.

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