Patent ID: 7167815

Claim:
A method of measuring the intensity of an odour, the method comprising the steps of: providing data defining, for each of a set of reference compounds (r j ), a respective first function (G j ) indicative of the relationship between the concentration (C m ) of the reference compound and the response (S m ) of a set of odour sensors in an odour measurement device of a first type to said reference compound (r j ) at said concentration (C m ); providing data defining, for each of said set of reference compounds (r j ), a respective second function (F j ) indicative of the relationship between a range of different concentrations (Cn) of said reference compound and respective odour-intensity ratings (I n ) assigned by a sensory panel to the reference compound over said range of different concentrations (Cn); measuring the response (s x ) of a set of odour sensors in an odour measurement device of said first type when exposed to an odour sample under test (x), and converting the measured response data (S x ) into an odour intensity index (I x ) by applying a combination of said first and second functions to said measured response data (S x ).