Electric taste presentation device

Abstract

Provided is an electric taste presentation device capable of suppressing a decrease in taste presentation effect to a user. The electric taste presentation device includes: a first electrode (or a plurality of first electrodes) having an elongated shape that comes into contact with a first portion of the lower jaw of a human body; a second electrode (or a plurality of second electrodes) having an elongated shape that comes into contact with a second portion of the lower jaw of the human body; and an electric signal generation unit that applies an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode. The application part (2) can be the front surface or the rear surface of the right jaw (left cheek), and the application part (3) can be the front surface or the rear surface of the left jaw (right cheek). The application site (2) may be a front surface or a rear surface of one of an upper side and a lower side of the left jaw (right cheek), and the application site (3) may be a front surface or a rear surface of the other of the upper side and the lower side of the left jaw (right cheek). The electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste to a human body by applying an electric signal to a taste organ of the human body through the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic taste presentation device. Background Technology

[0002] Excessive salt and sugar intake has been reported as a contributing factor to health problems. On the other hand, while a low-sodium diet that controls salt intake is recommended, this often reduces food satisfaction.

[0003] As a method to provide a satisfying and full sense of taste even with a so-called "light" low-sodium diet that reduces dietary satisfaction, a technique has been disclosed that presents taste electrically by applying electrical stimulation to the taste organs in the user's mouth.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a taste electrostimulation device equipped with electrodes that apply electrical signals to the user's head. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an electro-taste presentation device that applies electrical signals via conductive tableware and food, such as chopsticks or forks, by placing electrodes on the user's fingertips.

[0005] Prior technology documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-42991 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-45399 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve However, in the taste electrostimulation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the taste presentation device disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that when the taste organs in the user's mouth are electrically stimulated, the user may experience pain or discomfort, which may lead to a reduction in the taste presentation effect.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic taste presentation device that can suppress the reduction of the taste presentation effect on the user.

[0007] Methods for solving problems According to the present invention, an electric taste presentation device having the following structure is provided.

[0008] [1]: An electro-taste presentation device that presents electro-taste by electrical stimulation of a human body, comprising: a first electrode of an elongated shape abutting a first portion of the lower jaw of the human body; a second electrode of an elongated shape abutting a second portion of the lower jaw of the human body; and an electrical signal generating unit that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electro-taste presentation device applying the electrical signal to the taste organs of the human body through the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby presenting electro-taste to the human body.

[0009] [2]: An electro-taste presentation device that presents electro-taste by electrical stimulation of a human body, comprising: a plurality of first electrodes abutting a first portion of the mandible of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes abutting a second portion of the mandible of the human body; and an electrical signal generating unit that applies an electrical signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the electro-taste presentation device applies the electrical signal to the taste organs of the human body through the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, thereby presenting electro-taste to the human body.

[0010] According to the present invention, by making the first electrode, which is attached to the first part of the human mandible for applying an electrical signal, and the second electrode, which is attached to the second part of the human mandible, elongated, the range of electrical signal application to the mandible can be dispersed when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, thereby suppressing the risk of pain or discomfort to the user, and further suppressing the reduction of the taste presentation effect to the user. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by dividing the first electrode, which is attached to the first part of the human mandible for applying an electrical signal, and the second electrode, which is attached to the second part of the human mandible, into multiple parts, the range of electrical signal application to the mandible can be dispersed when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, thereby suppressing the risk of pain or discomfort to the user, and further suppressing the reduction of the taste presentation effect to the user.

[0011] The following describes various embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0012] [3]: The electro-taste presentation device according to [1] or [2], wherein the electrical signal generating unit applies the electrical signal by switching between an anode electrical stimulation state and a cathode electrical stimulation state at predetermined intervals, wherein in the anode electrical stimulation state, the first electrode is the anode and the second electrode is the cathode, and in the cathode electrical stimulation state, the first electrode is the cathode and the second electrode is the anode.

[0013] [4]: The electric taste presentation device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the electrical signal generating unit adjusts the magnitude of the electrical signal by increasing a third value every first predetermined interval from a first value to a second value.

[0014] [5]: According to the electro-taste presentation device of [4], the electrical signal generating unit adjusts the magnitude of the electrical signal by increasing the fifth value at a second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to the fourth value.

[0015] [6]: The electro-taste presentation device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the electrical signal generating unit applies the electrical signal in a manner that stimulates the vagus nerve of the human body.

[0016] [7]: An electro-taste presentation device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the electrical signal generating unit applies the electrical signal in a manner that stimulates the swallowing-related muscles of the human body.

[0017] Invention Effects According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the taste presentation effect on the user. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates how electrical taste can be perceived through electrical stimulation of the human body.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of a mask equipped with an electronic taste presentation device.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the electro-taste presentation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features shown in the embodiments described below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can independently constitute an invention.

[0022] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a scenario where an electro-taste presentation device 10 is used to present an electro-taste sensation through electrical stimulation of a human body (hereinafter referred to as "user U"). The electro-taste presentation device 10 is, for example, mounted on a mask 1 worn by hanging straps over the right and left ears of user U to cover the lower jaw (the central portion of the mandible located below the mouth and serving as the center of the face). The electro-taste presentation device 10 has an elongated first electrode 15 (see reference 'A') at the application site 2 (corresponding to "Part 1" of the present invention) abutting against the lower jaw of user U. Figure 2 The elongated second electrode 16 (see reference ) and the application site 3 (corresponding to the "second part" of the present invention) abutting against the user's chin. Figure 2 An electrical signal is applied between the two parts of the mandible, thereby forming a closed circuit in the periphery of the mandible, and then presenting an electric taste to the user U by applying an electrical signal to the user U's taste organs.

[0023] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the structure of a face mask 1 equipped with an electro-taste presentation device 10. (See diagram for example.) Figure 2 As shown, a first electrode 15 in an elongated shape is installed on the inner side of the mask 1 (the wearing side facing the user's face) in such a way that it abuts against the application part 2 of the user's chin, and a second electrode 16 in an elongated shape is installed in such a way that it abuts against the application part 3 of the user's chin.

[0024] In this embodiment, application site 2 is the front or back of the right mandible of user U. Furthermore, application site 3 is the front or back of the left mandible of user U. Alternatively, application site 2 may also be the front or back of either the upper or lower part of the right mandible of user U, and application site 3 may also be the front or back of the other upper or lower part of the right mandible of user U. Similarly, application site 2 may also be the front or back of either the upper or lower part of the left mandible of user U, and application site 3 may also be the front or back of the other upper or lower part of the left mandible of user U.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the electro-taste presentation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the electric taste presentation device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an electrical signal generation unit 13, a battery unit 14, a first electrode 15, and a second electrode 16.

[0026] The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., which controls the overall operation of the electronic taste presentation device 10.

[0027] A portion of the storage unit 12 may be composed of, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the control unit 11 performs processing based on various programs.

[0028] Furthermore, a portion of the storage unit 12 may be a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), storing various data and programs used by the control unit 11 for processing. The storage unit 12 can maintain a database containing one or more tables for recording various information and processing results.

[0029] The programs stored in the storage unit 12 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for implementing the basic functions of the electric taste presentation device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, and programs for implementing various functions.

[0030] Under the control of the control unit 11, the electrical signal generating unit 13 applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16. For example, the electrical signal generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as the anode and the second electrode 16 as the cathode, and applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (anodic electrical stimulation state). Alternatively, the electrical signal generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as the cathode and the second electrode 16 as the anode, and applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (cathode electrical stimulation state). When an electrical signal is applied between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16, the applied electrical signal causes a taste-modulating current to flow to the taste organs in the oral cavity, thereby enhancing, inhibiting, or presenting taste in the oral cavity.

[0031] In order to induce or suppress taste, the electrical signal generating unit 13 generates an electrical signal that combines various waveforms such as amplitude, frequency, waveform, and discontinuity time of the electrical signal.

[0032] The electrical signal generating unit 13 can enhance or suppress salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami tastes by varying the amplitude, frequency, waveform, and duration of various combined electrical signals. Furthermore, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can present taste sensations by individually enhancing or suppressing salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami tastes.

[0033] Furthermore, the electrical signal generating unit 13 enhances or suppresses astringent, spicy, fatty, pungent, refreshing, mellow, and rich flavors by varying the amplitude, frequency, waveform, and duration of various combined electrical signals. In turn, by presenting the diffusion and persistence of these flavors, it can provide a "delicious" experience from food.

[0034] In this embodiment, by placing the elongated first electrode 15 against the application site 2 of the user U's lower jaw and the elongated second electrode 16 against the application site 3 of the user U's lower jaw, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user U's mouth, the range of electrical signal application to the lower jaw can be dispersed, thereby suppressing the risk of pain or discomfort for the user U, and thus suppressing the reduction of the taste presentation effect on the user U.

[0035] In addition, from the viewpoint of reducing the deviation of the location where the user U experiences pain or discomfort, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may also switch between an anode electrical stimulation state and a cathode electrical stimulation state at predetermined intervals (e.g., milliseconds) to apply an electrical signal. In the anode electrical stimulation state, the first electrode 15 is the anode and the second electrode 16 is the cathode. In the cathode electrical stimulation state, the first electrode 15 is the cathode and the second electrode 16 is the anode.

[0036] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further alleviating the user U's skin discomfort or pain by progressively increasing the magnitude of the electrical signal (i.e., increasing the electrical signal while progressively adapting the user to the skin discomfort or pain), the electrical signal generation unit 13 may increase the magnitude of the electrical signal from a first value (e.g., 0.5mA) to a second value (e.g., 1.0mA), and then increase it to a third value (e.g., 0.1mA) every first predetermined interval (e.g., 5 seconds). In this case, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may also increase the magnitude of the electrical signal from a second value (e.g., 1.0mA) to a fourth value (e.g., 1.5mA), and then increase it to a fifth value (e.g., 0.1mA) every second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval (e.g., 10 seconds).

[0037] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further alleviating the skin discomfort or pain caused by the user U, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may also stop applying the electrical signal for a second predetermined period (e.g., 1 minute) after applying the electrical signal for a first predetermined period (e.g., 3 minutes).

[0038] The battery unit 14 stores power supplied to various parts of the electro-taste presentation device 10 (such as the control unit 11 or the electrical signal generation unit 13). The battery unit 14 can, for example, be repeatedly discharged and charged. Alternatively, the electro-taste presentation device 10 can replace the battery unit 14, or, based on the battery unit 14, receive power from an external power source via a power cord. In this case, the power cord is not particularly limited; for example, it can be a cord with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal.

[0039] As detailed above, in this embodiment, the electro-taste presentation device 10 includes: an elongated first electrode 15 abutting a first portion (application site 2) of the lower jaw of a human being (user U); an elongated second electrode 16 abutting a second portion (application site 3) of the lower jaw of a human being (user U); and an electrical signal generating unit 13 that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16. The electro-taste presentation device 10 applies an electrical signal to the taste organs of the human being (user U) through the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16, thereby presenting an electro-taste to the human being (user U).

[0040] According to this embodiment, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the mouth of user U, the range of electrical signal applied to the mandible can be dispersed, thereby suppressing the risk of pain or discomfort for user U, and thus suppressing the reduction of the taste presentation effect for user U.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described where an elongated first electrode 15 abuts against the application site 2 of the user U's lower jaw, and an elongated second electrode 16 abuts against the application site 3 of the user U's lower jaw; however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple first electrodes 15 may be separately abutted against the application site 2 of the user U's lower jaw, and multiple second electrodes 16 may be separately abutted against the application site 3 of the user U's lower jaw. Even in this case, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user U's oral cavity, the range of electrical signal application to the lower jaw can be dispersed, thereby suppressing the risk of pain or discomfort experienced by the user U, and further suppressing the reduction in the taste presentation effect on the user U.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can also apply an electrical signal by stimulating the vagus nerve of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U while placing the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 against the jaw position that can stimulate the vagus nerve of the user U. When the vagus nerve of the user U is stimulated, in addition to presenting an electro-taste effect to the user U, pain relief effects can also be obtained (e.g., relief of headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, or improvement of kidney disease), and relief of obesity due to stimulation of the satiety center. In addition, in order to obtain the relief effect of headaches, back pain, and shoulder pain, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can also apply an electrical signal by stimulating the muscles involved in the headache, back pain, and shoulder pain of the user U, or the trigeminal nerve.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can also apply an electrical signal to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U while placing the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 against the jaw position that can stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the user U. When the swallowing-related muscles of the user U are stimulated, in addition to presenting an electro-taste effect to the user U, a swallowing movement induction effect (improvement effect of swallowing disorders) can also be obtained. In addition, in order to obtain the swallowing movement induction effect (improvement effect of swallowing disorders), the electrical signal generating unit 13 can also apply an electrical signal to stimulate the superior laryngeal nerve (sensory nerve) of the user U.

[0044] The foregoing has described various embodiments of the present invention, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other ways, with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included within the scope of the invention described in the patent claims and their equivalents.

[0045] Symbol Explanation 1: Mask; 2, 3: Application site; 10: Electro-taste presentation device; 11: Control unit; 12: Storage unit; 13: Electrical signal generation unit; 14: Battery unit; 15: First electrode; 16: Second electrode.

Claims

1. An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents an electro-gustation to a human body by electrically stimulating the human body, comprising: an elongated first electrode that abuts a first portion of a mandible of the human body; an elongated second electrode that abuts a second portion of the mandible of the human body; and an electric signal generator that applies an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electro-gustatory presentation device presenting the electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electric signal to a gustatory organ of the human body via the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents an electro-gustation to a human body by electrically stimulating the human body, comprising: a plurality of first electrodes that abut a first portion of a mandible of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes that abut a second portion of the mandible of the human body; and an electric signal generator that applies an electric signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the electro-gustatory presentation device presenting the electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electric signal to a gustatory organ of the human body via the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

3. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric signal generator switches an anodal electric stimulation state or a cathodal electric stimulation state every predetermined time interval to apply the electric signal, in the anodal electric stimulation state, the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode, in the cathodal electric stimulation state, the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode.

4. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric signal generator adjusts a magnitude of the electric signal in such a manner that a third value is increased every first predetermined interval from a first value to a second value.

5. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 4, wherein the electric signal generator adjusts the magnitude of the electric signal in such a manner that a fifth value is increased every second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to a fourth value.

6. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric signal generator applies the electric signal in such a manner that a vagus nerve of the human body is stimulated.

7. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric signal generator applies the electric signal in such a manner that a swallowing-related muscle of the human body is stimulated. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Images