Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a chemical sensor device to detect a substance on the basis of a variation in resonance frequency, occurring when any of sensitive membranes adsorbs or desorbs the substance. The chemical sensor device includes a plurality of vibrators provided with the sensitive membranes exhibiting desorption and adsorption properties for different substances, respectively. Each vibrator, including a piezoelectric substrate, is vibrated by applying an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric substrate to deform the piezoelectric substrate. Adsorption or desorption of a substance on or from any of the sensitive membranes results in variation in the resonance frequency of each vibrator. As a result, detection of the substance is enabled.

<CIT> discloses a chemical sensor and associated data processing.

In accordance with the chemical sensor device, an odor including a plurality of substances can be detected. The odor of a gas is specified based on the pattern of the reaction values of each sensitive membrane, that is, the composition ratio between the plurality of substances included in the odor.

Patent Literature <NUM>: Unexamined <CIT>.

However, the chemical sensor device described above has had a problem that variations in the results of detection of the odor of even a gas in which the composition ratio between substances is identical occurs depending on a difference in situation in detection. This is because the sensitivities of the sensitive membranes are changed depending on an environmental condition such as, for example, a humidity or the number of measurements.

The present disclosure was made under such actual circumstances with an objective to provide an odor detection system, an odor detection method, and a program, in which variations in the results of detection of an odor can be reduced.

In order to achieve the objective described above, an odor detection system according to claims <NUM> and <NUM> is provided, together with the corresponding methods, claims <NUM> and <NUM>, and the corresponding computer program products, claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

In accordance with the present disclosure, variations in the results of detection of an odor can be reduced regardless of the number of measurements or the condition of an environment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or similar portions are denoted by the same reference characters.

First, Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure is described. As illustrated in <FIG>, an odor detection system <NUM> includes a substance sensor <NUM> and an information-processing device <NUM>. The odor detection system <NUM> detects a plurality of substances a to j included in the odor of a gas.

The substance sensor <NUM> includes, in correspondence with the substances a to j, sensitive membranes <NUM> to react with the substances a to j, respectively. Hereinafter, the sensitive membranes <NUM> are also referred to as sensitive membranes a to j corresponding to the substances a to j, with which the sensitive membranes a to j react, respectively. The substance sensor <NUM> detects the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, and outputs signals indicating the detected reaction values.

The information-processing device <NUM> performs information processing for detecting the odor of a gas. The information-processing device <NUM> includes a storage <NUM>, an odor specifier <NUM>, a reaction value calculator <NUM>, a percentage calculator <NUM>, and a display <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> stores the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM>, in correspondence with time of the detection whenever the reaction values are detected. The storage <NUM> stores the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j to react with the substances a to j, output from the substance sensor <NUM>, for example, in association with time (points of detection) at which the reaction values are detected. The reaction values of the sensitive membranes <NUM> to react with the substances a to j have a pattern, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>. The reaction value of the ordinate of <FIG> indicates the signal level of a detection signal from the substance sensor <NUM>, changed by reaction of each sensitive membrane <NUM> with each substance in the substance sensor <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the odor specifier <NUM> specifies an odor included in a gas on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM> and stored in the storage <NUM>. For example, it is assumed that an odor A consists of substances a, b, and c, an odor B consists of substances d and e, and an odor C consists of substances f, g, and h. It is assumed that the odor specifier <NUM> stores the pattern for reference of the reaction values of the substances a, b, and c of the odor A, the pattern for reference of the reaction values of the substances d and e of the odor B, and the pattern for reference of the reaction values of the substances f, g, and h of the odor C.

The odor specifier <NUM> specifies the odor included in the gas by determining whether or not the pattern of the detected reaction values of the substances, illustrated in <FIG>, corresponds to the pattern of the odor A, corresponds to the pattern of the odor B, or corresponds to the pattern of the odor C, on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, stored in the storage <NUM>. Specifically, the odor specifier <NUM> performs comparison between the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a, b, and c related to the odor A and the pattern for reference of the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a, b, and c for the odor A, to determine whether or not the odor A is included in the gas. Moreover, the odor specifier <NUM> performs comparison between the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes d and e related to the odor B and the pattern for reference of the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes d and e for the odor B, to determine whether or not the odor B is included in the gas. Moreover, the odor specifier <NUM> performs comparison between the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes f, g, and h related to the odor C and the pattern for reference of the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes f, g, and h for the odor C, to determine whether or not the odor C is included in the gas. Descriptions are made on the assumption that the pattern of the reaction values illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the pattern of the odors A, B, and C, and that the odors A, B, and C are specified.

Referring back to <FIG>, the reaction value calculator <NUM> calculates reaction values corresponding to the odors specified by the odor specifier <NUM> on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM>. Specifically, the reaction value calculator <NUM> calculates, as the reaction values corresponding to the odors, the total values, corresponding to the odors, of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the reaction value calculator <NUM> adds the reaction values of the substances a, b, and c related to the odor A to calculate the total value of the reaction values, adds the reaction values of the substances d and e related to the odor B to calculate the total value of the reaction values, and adds the reaction values of the substances f, g, and h related to the odor C to calculate the total value of the reaction values. <FIG> collectively indicates the total values as the reaction values corresponding to the odors.

The reaction values corresponding to the odors are not limited to the total values of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes <NUM>. The reaction values may be the average values of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes <NUM>. The reaction values corresponding to the odors may be preferably representative values representing the levels of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes <NUM> with which the substances included in the odors react.

Referring back to <FIG>, the percentage calculator <NUM> calculates the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors specified by the odor specifier <NUM> to the totals of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM>. For example, the percentage calculator <NUM> converts the reaction values of the odors A, B, and C, indicated in <FIG> into the percentages of the reaction values of the odors A, B, and C to the total of all the reaction values indicated in <FIG>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the display <NUM> displays the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the percentage calculator <NUM>, so that comparison of the percentages is enabled between the odors specified by the odor specifier <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> displays a bar graph as illustrated in <FIG>. The bar graph enables comparison of the percentages of the odors A, B, and C of the gas to the total.

The display <NUM> can also display another content. For example, the display <NUM> can display the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM>, so that comparison of the reaction values is enabled between the odors specified by the odor specifier <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> displays a bar graph as illustrated in <FIG>. The bar graph enables comparison of the reaction values of the odors A, B, and C of the gas between the odors A, B, and C.

Further, the display <NUM> can display the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM>, and the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the percentage calculator <NUM>, so that comparison of the reaction values and the percentages is enabled. The display <NUM> displays, for example, the bar graph that is illustrated in <FIG> and indicates the reaction values corresponding to the odors A, B, and C, and the bar graph that is illustrated in <FIG> and indicates the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors A, B, and C, so that comparison of the bar graphs is enabled.

Further, the display <NUM> can display at least one of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM>, and the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated by the percentage calculator <NUM>, so that comparison of the at least one between different detection points is enabled, on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, stored in the storage <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> is capable of performing comparative display of reaction values corresponding to the odors A, B, and C in the first and second measurements for gases containing the same constituents, as illustrated in <FIG>. Moreover, the display <NUM> is capable of performing comparative display of the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors A, B, and C in the first and second measurements for gases containing the same constituents, as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, the display <NUM> can simultaneously perform the comparative display illustrated in <FIG> and the comparative display illustrated in <FIG>.

Performing such display enables recognition that the percentages of the odor A, B, or C in the first and second measurements were equal in comparison between the first and second measurements in the case of the conversion into the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors although the sensitivities of the sensitive membranes <NUM> and the reaction values corresponding to the odors A, B, and C in the second measurement are less than those in the first measurement.

The number of different detection points between which comparison is performed is not limited to two. Comparison between three or more detection points is also possible.

The function of the information-processing device <NUM> of the odor detection system <NUM> described above is implemented by hardware configurations illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the odor detection system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an external storage <NUM>, an operation device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, and an input/output device <NUM> as the hardware configurations. All of the memory <NUM>, the external storage <NUM>, the operation device <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, and the input/output device <NUM> are connected to the controller <NUM> through an internal bus <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU executes processing in accordance with a program <NUM> stored in the external storage <NUM>, to thereby implement each component of the odor detection system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The memory <NUM> includes random-access memory (RAM). The program <NUM> stored in the external storage <NUM> is loaded into the RAM of the memory <NUM>. The CPU executes the program <NUM> loaded into the RAM. In addition, the memory <NUM> is used as a work area (temporary storage area for data) for the controller <NUM>.

The external storage <NUM> includes a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk, a digital versatile disc random-access memory (DVD-RAM), or a digital versatile disc rewritable (DVD-RW). The program <NUM> to be executed by the controller <NUM> is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the external storage <NUM>, and the program <NUM> is read in the memory <NUM>. In accordance with an instruction provided by the controller <NUM>, the external storage <NUM> supplies data to be used when the program <NUM> is executed, to the controller <NUM>, and stores data supplied from the controller <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the storage <NUM>, odor specifier <NUM>, reaction value calculator <NUM>, and percentage calculator <NUM> of the odor detection system <NUM> correspond to the controller <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the external storage <NUM>.

The operation device <NUM> is a man-machine interface to be operated by an operator. The operation device <NUM> includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and a keyboard. An operated input into the operation device <NUM> is transmitted to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> executes the program <NUM> in accordance with the content of the operated input.

The display device <NUM> is a man-machine interface to display an image. The display device <NUM> includes a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display device <NUM> displays at least one of the reaction value of a detected odor and the percentage of the reaction value of the odor. The display device <NUM> corresponds to the display <NUM>. The operation device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> may be unified into a single touch panel.

The input/output device <NUM> is an interface that can input and output information into and from the substance sensor <NUM>. Through the input/output device <NUM>, a detection instruction for the substance sensor <NUM> is output, and a signal indicating the reaction value of each sensitive membrane <NUM> from the substance sensor <NUM> is input.

The external storage <NUM> can be connected to a non-transitory recording medium <NUM>. The program <NUM> is stored in the recording medium <NUM>. The program <NUM> may be configured to be transferred from the recording medium <NUM> to the external storage <NUM>, and to be written in the external storage <NUM>.

Processing in the odor detection system <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure, that is, an odor detection method to be executed by the odor detection system <NUM> to detect the odor of a gas is now described. The processing is classified roughly into: detection processing of detecting the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j by allowing the substance sensor <NUM> to perform the detection; and analytical display processing of an odor, based on the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM>.

First, the detection processing is described. As illustrated in <FIG>, the information-processing device <NUM> waits until a detection instruction is input by an operated input (step S1; No). Specifically, the controller <NUM> waits for the detection instruction by the input operated by the operation device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the detection instruction is input by the operated input (step S1; Yes), the information-processing device <NUM> outputs the detection instruction to the substance sensor <NUM> (step S2). Specifically, the controller <NUM> outputs the detection instruction to the substance sensor <NUM> through the input/output device <NUM> when the input operated by the operation device <NUM> is the detection instruction, as illustrated in <FIG>. The substance sensor <NUM> detects the substances a to j included in the gas, and outputs a signal indicating the reaction value of each of the sensitive membranes a to j to the input/output device <NUM>. The input/output device <NUM> converts the signals into the data of the reaction values, and supplies the data to the controller <NUM>. As described above, steps S1 and S2 correspond to a detection step in the present embodiment.

During this period, the information-processing device <NUM> waits until a reaction value is received (step S3; No). When the reaction value is received (step S3; Yes), the storage <NUM> stores the reaction value (step S4). Specifically, the controller <NUM> associates the reaction value with detection time, and allows the reaction value to be stored in the external storage <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

After step S4, the information-processing device <NUM> goes back to step S1. Thereafter, whenever steps S1 to S4 are repeated, the substance sensor <NUM> detects the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, and the storage <NUM> stores the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, associated with the detection time. The detection processing is performed in such a manner.

The analytical display processing is now described. As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the information-processing device <NUM> waits until a display instruction is input (step S11; No). As illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> waits for the display instruction input operated by the operation device <NUM>. Detection time is designated in the display instruction. When no detection time is designated, the latest reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j are targeted for analysis.

When the display instruction is input by the input operated by the operation device <NUM> (step S11; Yes), the odor specifier <NUM> reads the reaction values at the detection time designated in the display instruction from the storage <NUM> (step S12). Specifically, the controller <NUM> reads the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j at the designated detection time from the external storage <NUM> into the memory <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> reads the pattern for reference of the reaction values of the odors A, B, C,. from the external storage <NUM> into the memory <NUM>.

Subsequently, the odor specifier <NUM> specifies the odor of the gas on the basis of the read reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j at the detection time (step S13; odor specific step). Specifically, the controller <NUM> compares the pattern of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, read into the memory <NUM>, and the pattern for reference of the reaction values corresponding to the odors to specify the odor included in the gas, as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the odor A is specified based on the pattern of the reaction values of the substances a, b, and c, the odor B is specified based on the pattern of the reaction values of the substances d and e, and the odor C is specified based on the pattern of the reaction values of the substances f, g, and h.

Subsequently, the reaction value calculator <NUM> calculates the reaction value corresponding to the odor specified in step S13 on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j (step S14; reaction value calculation step). Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> calculates the total values of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, stored in the memory <NUM>, in correspondence with the odors, and allows the total values to be stored as the reaction values corresponding to the odors in the memory <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the reaction values of the substances a, b, and c are added up for the odor A to calculate the reaction value of the odor A, the reaction values of the substances d and e are added up for the odor B to calculate the reaction value of the odor B, and the reaction values of the substances f, g, and h are added up for the odor C to calculate the reaction value of the odor C.

Further, the percentage calculator <NUM> determines whether or not the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor is displayed (step S15). When the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor is displayed (step S15; Yes), the percentage calculator <NUM> calculates the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor specified in step S13 to the total of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated in step S14 (step S16; percentage calculation step). Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> reads the reaction values corresponding to the odors, read from the memory <NUM>, into the memory <NUM> to calculate the total of the reaction values, calculates the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor to the total, and allows the percentage to be stored in the memory <NUM>. Herein, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the percentages of the odor A, the odor B, and the odor C are calculated.

Then, the display <NUM> performs display (step S17; display step). Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> allows the bar graph illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG> to be displayed on the display device <NUM> on the basis of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, calculated in the memory <NUM>, or the percentages of the reaction values, in accordance with a designated content, in response to the display instruction described above. As a result, comparative display of the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors between the odors is enabled.

After step S17, the processing in the information-processing device <NUM> returns to step S11. In such a manner, the analytical display processing is executed.

In accordance with the odor detection system <NUM>, an odor included in a gas can be analyzed from various aspects. For example, when an odor D (for example, mint) is newly added in the case of detecting a mouth odor, and detecting an odor A (for example, garlic), an odor B (for example, alcohol), and an odor C (for example, tobacco), it is difficult to recognize the effect of the odor D because display of reaction values illustrated in <FIG> merely shows that only the odor D is added. In contrast, as a result of conversion into the percentages of reaction values corresponding to the odors and display the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors as illustrated in <FIG>, the inclusion of the odor D in the mouth odor is found to result in decreases in the percentages of the reaction values of the other odors A, B, and C, and therefore, the display enables recognition that the uncomfortable smells can be reduced.

Both display of reaction values in <FIG> and display of the percentages of the reaction values in <FIG> reveal that an odor C is reduced when an odor D (for example, mint) is newly added in the case of detecting a mouth odor and detecting an odor A (for example, garlic), an odor B (for example, alcohol), and the odor C (for example, tobacco). In comparison between <FIG> and <FIG>, however, the display of the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors, illustrated in <FIG>, more easily allows confirmation that the addition of the odor D results in a great decrease in the percentage of the odor C.

In the present embodiment, the detection processing and the analytical display processing are processing based on an event driven method, in which detection and analytical display can be separately performed. However, the detection processing and the analytical display processing may be processing in series.

As described above, the function of the information-processing device <NUM> is implemented by allowing the hardware resources illustrated in <FIG> to execute the detection processing program illustrated in <FIG> and the analytical display processing program illustrated in <FIG>.

As described in detail above, variations in the detection results of the odors A, B, C,. can be reduced because the accurate percentages of the odors included in the gas can be determined regardless of a change in the sensitivities of the sensitive membranes <NUM> depending on the number of measurements, in accordance with the present embodiment. Changes in the percentages of the odors due to addition or reduction of a new odor (<FIG> and <FIG>) and the influence of the addition or reduction of the new odor on the other odors (<FIG> and <FIG>) can be analyzed when the variations in the detection results of the odors A, B, C,. can be reduced.

The odor detection system <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be configured to display only the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors rather than to display the reaction values corresponding to the odors. In such a case, the determination in step S15 is not performed.

Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure is now described. As illustrated in <FIG>, an odor detection system <NUM> according to the present embodiment is different from the odor detection system <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> described above in that an information-processing device <NUM> includes a coefficient corrector <NUM> and in that the odor detection system <NUM> includes an environmental sensor <NUM>. The environmental sensor <NUM> is connected to the information-processing device <NUM> through an input/output device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, the odor detection system <NUM> includes the environmental sensor <NUM> to detect the environmental condition of a gas. In the present embodiment, the environmental condition to be detected by the environmental sensor <NUM> is a humidity. Examples of the humidity include humidities based on various standards. However, absolute humidity, relative humidity, or the like based on any standard may be used as the humidity.

The coefficient corrector <NUM> corrects the reaction values of sensitive membranes a to j, detected by a substance sensor <NUM>, in correspondence with the sensitive membranes a to j, with coefficients corresponding to the sensitive membranes a to j, set depending on the condition of an environment surrounding the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the environmental sensor <NUM>. For example, with regard to the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j vary depending on the humidity even when the amounts of substances a to j included in the gas are equal, as illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the coefficient corrector <NUM> includes coefficients varying with humidity, as illustrated in <FIG>, in correspondence with the sensitive membranes a to j, and multiplies the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j by the coefficient corresponding to the then detected humidity to correct the reaction values. As a result, for example, the reaction values corresponding to the sensitive membranes a to j at a humidity of <NUM>% are as indicated by the bar graph of "AFTER CORRECTION" illustrated in <FIG>. According to the bar graph, the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j at a humidity of <NUM>% are equal to the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j at a humidity of <NUM>%.

Conversely, the coefficients can be determined by detecting the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j while changing humidity for a gas with the same constituents, and comparing the reaction values at each humidity. In other words, calibration is enabled in such a manner. In such a case, for example, coefficients may be detected at humidities of <NUM>% and <NUM>%, and may be interpolated based on the detection results to determine each coefficient at the other humidities.

The coefficients illustrated in <FIG> are coefficients in a case in which the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j at a humidity of <NUM>% are set to <NUM>; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, coefficients for the other sensitive membranes b to j in a case in which the reaction value of the sensitive membrane a is always set to <NUM> may be used. In the case of using such coefficients, the percentages of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j can also be appropriately corrected to in turn precisely display the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors.

In <FIG>, the characteristics of the coefficient with respect to the humidity are illustrated in a linear manner; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The characteristics of the coefficient with respect to the humidity may be in a non-linear manner.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a storage <NUM> stores the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM>, in correspondence with time of the detection whenever the reaction values are detected. An odor specifier <NUM> specifies the odor of the gas on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, corrected by the coefficient corrector <NUM>. A reaction value calculator <NUM> calculates the reaction value corresponding to the odor specified by the odor specifier <NUM> on the basis of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, corrected by the coefficient corrector <NUM>. A display <NUM> displays the reaction value corresponding to the odor, calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM>, so that comparison of the reaction value is enabled in the odor specified by the odor specifier <NUM>.

Processing in the odor detection system <NUM> according to the present embodiment is now described. Detection processing in the odor detection system <NUM> is different from the detection processing in the odor detection system <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> described above.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the information-processing device <NUM> waits until a detection instruction is input by operated input (step S1; No). Specifically, a controller <NUM> waits for the detection instruction by the input operated by an operation device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the detection instruction is input by the operated input (step S1; Yes), the information-processing device <NUM> outputs the detection instruction to the substance sensor <NUM> (step S2). Specifically, the controller <NUM> outputs the detection instruction to the substance sensor <NUM> through the input/output device <NUM> when the input operated by the operation device <NUM> is the detection instruction, as illustrated in <FIG>. The substance sensor <NUM> detects the substances a to j included in the gas, and outputs a signal indicating the reaction value of each of the sensitive membranes a to j to the input/output device <NUM>. The input/output device <NUM> converts the signals into the data of the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, and supplies the data to the controller <NUM>.

During this period, the information-processing device <NUM> waits until a reaction value is received (step S3; No). When the reaction value is received (step S3; Yes), the information-processing device <NUM> acquires the environmental condition from the environmental sensor <NUM> (step S21). Specifically, the controller <NUM> acquires humidity data from the environmental sensor <NUM> through the input/output device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Subsequently, the coefficient corrector <NUM> determines a coefficient on the basis of the acquired environmental information (step S22). For example, the coefficient corrector <NUM> substitutes the humidity detected by the environmental sensor <NUM> into a formula for calculation of a coefficient indicated in the graph illustrated in <FIG>, to determine a coefficient corresponding to the humidity.

Subsequently, the coefficient corrector <NUM> corrects the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j, detected by the substance sensor <NUM>, in correspondence with the sensitive membranes a to j, with coefficients corresponding to the sensitive membranes a to j, set depending on the environmental condition (step S23; coefficient correction step).

Subsequently, the storage <NUM> stores the reaction values corrected with the coefficients (step S4). Specifically, the controller <NUM> associates the reaction values, corrected with the coefficients, with detection times, and allows the reaction values to be stored in the external storage <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

After step S4, the information-processing device <NUM> returns to step S1. Whenever steps S1 to S3, S21, S22, S23, and S4 are repeated, a reaction value that is associated with detection time and is corrected is stored in the storage <NUM>, that is, an external storage <NUM>. The detection processing is performed in such a manner.

Like the odor detection system <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> described above, specification of an odor by the odor specifier <NUM> (step S13), calculation of a reaction value corresponding to an odor by the reaction value calculator <NUM> (step S14), calculation of a percentage by a percentage calculator <NUM> (step S16), display by the display <NUM> (step S17), and the like are also performed in the odor detection system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In such analytical display processing, the display <NUM> can display the reaction values calculated by the reaction value calculator <NUM> so that comparison of the reaction values is enabled between the specified odors. Moreover, the display <NUM> displays the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors so that comparison of the percentages is enabled between the specified odors. Further, the display <NUM> displays the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors and the reaction values corresponding to the odors so that comparison of the percentages and the reaction values is enabled. Further, the display <NUM> displays at least one of the percentages of the reaction values corresponding to the odors and the reaction values corresponding to the odors so that comparison of the at least one is enabled between the different points of detection.

In the present embodiment, the reaction values of the sensitive membranes are corrected based on humidity. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The environmental condition includes at least one of a humidity, a temperature, and an air pressure. In such a case, coefficients corresponding to the humidity, the temperature, and the air pressure may be included, or a coefficient corresponding to a combination of environmental conditions such as the humidity and the temperature may be included.

In the present embodiment, a coefficient is determined based on the condition of an environment surrounding the sensitive membranes <NUM>, detected by the environmental sensor <NUM>; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a coefficient may be determined based on an environment condition input into the operation device <NUM> or on an environment condition provided through a communication network.

In accordance with the present embodiment, variations in the accuracy of the detection results of odors can be reduced regardless of changes in the sensitivities of the sensitive membranes a to j, depending on the environmental condition, as described in detail above.

In the odor detection system <NUM> according to each of the embodiments described above, the reaction values corresponding to odors can be displayed in various manners. As a result, various analyses of odors detected by the odor detection system <NUM> can be supported. For example, the display of the reaction values corresponding to the odors enables the examination of the sensitivities of the sensitive membranes a to j.

In each of the embodiments described above, the reaction values corresponding to the odors and the percentages of the reaction values are displayed by the bar graphs; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, data corresponding to odors may be displayed by another display method such as a circle graph or a polygonal line graph.

When each odor includes one kind of a substance, the reaction value calculator <NUM> is unnecessary, and the reaction values of the sensitive membranes a to j become the reaction values corresponding to the odors on an as-is basis.

In addition, the hardware or software configuration of the information-processing device <NUM> of the odor detection system <NUM> is an example, and can be optionally changed and modified.

A portion that plays a key role in processing in the odor detection system <NUM> including the controller <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the external storage <NUM>, the operation device <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the input/output device <NUM>, the internal bus <NUM>, and the like may be constructed as a dedicated system as described above, or may be implemented using a usual computer system. For example, the odor detection system <NUM> to execute the processing may be configured by distributing a computer program for executing the operation, stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium (flexible disc, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like), and by installing the computer program on a computer. A usual computer system may, for example, download the computer program, stored in a storage included in a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, to configure the odor detection system <NUM>.

Only an application program may be stored in a recording medium and a storage, for example, in the case of implementing the function of a computer by sharing between an operating system (OS) and the application program, or in cooperation between the OS and the application program.

A computer program can be superimposed on carrier waves, and distributed through a communication network. For example, the computer program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network to distribute the computer program through the network. It is also acceptable to make such a configuration may be made that the processing can be executed by starting the computer program and executing the computer program in a manner similar to that of another application program under the control of the OS.

The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claim 1:
An odor detection system (<NUM>), comprising:
a substance sensor (<NUM>) comprising a sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)) to react with a substance (a to j) included in an odor of a gas in correspondence with the substance (a to j), the substance sensor (<NUM>) being configured to detect a reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j);
an odor specifier (<NUM>) to specify the odor of the gas based on the reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)), detected by the substance sensor (<NUM>);
a reaction value calculator (<NUM>) to calculate a reaction value corresponding to the odor specified by the odor specifier (<NUM>) based on the reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)), detected by the substance sensor (<NUM>), wherein the reaction value corresponding to the odor specified by the odor specifier (<NUM>) is a representative value representing a level of the reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)) with which the substance (a to j) reacts;
a percentage calculator (<NUM>) to calculate a percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor specified by the odor specifier (<NUM>) to a total of all reaction values corresponding to the odor, calculated by the reaction value calculator (<NUM>); and
a display (<NUM>) to display the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor, calculated by the percentage calculator (<NUM>), so that comparison of the percentage is enabled in the odor specified by the odor specifier (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the odor detection system (<NUM>) further comprises:
a storage (<NUM>) to store the reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)), detected by the substance sensor (<NUM>), in correspondence with time of detection,
wherein the display (<NUM>) is configured to display the percentage of the reaction value corresponding to the odor, calculated by the percentage calculator (<NUM>), so that comparison of the percentage of the reaction value between different detection points is enabled, based on the reaction value of the sensitive membrane (<NUM> (a to j)), stored in the storage (<NUM>), wherein the display (<NUM>) is configured to perform comparative display of percentages of the reaction values corresponding to odors in first and second measurements for gases containing the same constituents.