Sample discriminating method

A method of discriminating a sample with a sensor system which quantifies the concentration of a target substance contained in the sample by measuring electric current, said method comprising the steps of:

• using a ratio of a measured current value to a time-differential value of the current value as a discriminating parameter;
• defining a discrimination function for discriminating among a plurality of the samples using a plurality of said discriminating parameters, said discrimination function using said discriminating parameters as independent variables, and said independent variables being multiplied by respective constants which are different from one another;
• using a numeric value obtained by substituting the values of said discriminating parameters into said discrimination function, as a discriminating index;
• and
• discriminating the kind of each of the samples based on said discriminating index.