Electrical taste presentation device

Abstract

To provide an electrical taste presentation device capable of suppressing reduction in effect of presenting a taste to a user.SOLUTION: An electrical taste presentation device comprises: a slender first electrode brought into contact with a first portion of the chin of a human body; a slender second electrode brought into contact with a second portion of the chin of the human body; and an electric signal generation part which applies an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode. Alternatively, the electrical taste presentation device comprises: a plurality of first electrodes brought into contact with the first portion of the chin of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes brought into contact with the second portion of the chin of the human body; and an electric signal generation part which applies the electric signal between a plurality of the first electrodes and a plurality of the second electrodes. The electrical taste presentation device applies the electric signal to a taste organ of the human body by the first electrodes and the second electrodes to present the electrical taste to the human body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electro-gustatory presentation device.

Background Art

[0002] Excessive intake of salt and sugar has been reported as one of the causes of health problems. On the other hand, a low-salt diet with reduced salt content is recommended, but it generally reduces the sense of satiety with respect to food.

[0003] As a method of presenting a sufficient taste that can satisfy even a low-salt diet that is considered "tasteless" and reduces the sense of satiety with respect to food, a technique of electrically presenting taste by applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity has been disclosed.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gustatory electrical stimulation device that attaches an electrode for applying an electrical signal to the user's head. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electro-gustatory presentation device that installs an electrode at the user's fingertip and applies an electrical signal through tableware such as chopsticks or forks having conductivity and food ingredients.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the gustatory electrical stimulation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the electro-gustatory presentation device disclosed in Patent Document 2, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, there is a problem that the user may feel pain or discomfort, and as a result, the taste presentation effect on the user may be reduced.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electro-gustatory presentation device capable of suppressing a reduction in the gustatory presentation effect on a user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to the present invention, an electro-gustatory presentation device having the following configuration is provided. [1] An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation by applying an electrical stimulus to a human body, the electro-gustatory presentation device including: an elongated first electrode that abuts on a first part of the jaw of the human body; an elongated second electrode that abuts on a second part of the jaw of the human body; and an electrical signal generation unit that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electro-gustatory presentation device presenting electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electrical signal to the gustatory organ of the human body with the first electrode and the second electrode. [2] An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation by applying an electrical stimulus to a human body, the electro-gustatory presentation device including: a plurality of first electrodes that abuts on a first part of the jaw of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes that abuts on a second part of the jaw of the human body; and an electrical signal generation unit that applies an electrical signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, the electro-gustatory presentation device presenting electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electrical signal to the gustatory organ of the human body with the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

[0009] According to the present invention, by making the shapes of the first electrode that abuts against the first part of the human jaw and the second electrode that abuts against the second part of the human jaw into elongated shapes, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, suppressing the possibility of causing pain or discomfort to the user, and thus suppressing the reduction in the taste presentation effect on the user. Further, according to the present invention, by dividing the first electrode that abuts against the first part of the human jaw into a plurality and dividing the second electrode that abuts against the second part of the human jaw into a plurality, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, suppressing the possibility of causing pain or discomfort to the user, and thus suppressing the reduction in the taste presentation effect on the user.

[0010] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. [3][1] or [2] The electro-gustatory presentation device according to any one of the above, wherein the electrical signal generation unit applies the electrical signal by switching between an anodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode or a cathodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode every predetermined time. [4][1] to [3] The electro-gustatory presentation device according to any one of the above, wherein the electrical signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a third value at every first predetermined interval from a first value to a second value. [5][4] The electro-gustatory presentation device according to the above, wherein the electrical signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a fifth value at every second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to a fourth value. [6][1] to [5] The electro-gustatory presentation device according to any one of the above, wherein the electrical signal generation unit applies the electrical signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the human body. An electro-gustatory presentation device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the electric signal generation unit applies the electric signal so as to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the human body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the gustatory presentation effect on the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each feature shown in the embodiments described below can be combined with each other. Also, the invention can be achieved independently for each feature.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of presenting electro-gustation by using an electro-gustatory presentation device 10 and applying electric stimulation to a human body (hereinafter referred to as “user U”). The electro-gustatory presentation device 10 is provided, for example, on a mask 1 that can be worn so as to cover the user U's jaw (the central part of the mandible, which is the center of the face below the mouth) by hanging strings on the user U's right ear and left ear. The electro-gustatory presentation device 10 applies an electric signal between a long and narrow first electrode 15 (see FIG. 2) that abuts on an application site 2 of the user U's jaw (corresponding to the “first part” of the present invention) and a long and narrow second electrode 16 (see FIG. 2) that abuts on an application site 3 of the user U's jaw (corresponding to the “second part” of the present invention) to form a closed circuit in the peripheral part of the jaw, and thereby presents electro-gustation to the user U by applying an electric signal to the user U's gustatory organ.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mask 1 to which the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the mask 1 (the mounting surface to the face of the user U), an elongated first electrode 15 is attached so as to contact the approval site 2 of the user U's jaw, and an elongated second electrode 16 is attached so as to contact the approval site 3 of the user U's jaw.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the approval site 2 is the front or back surface of the right jaw of the user U. Further, the approval site 3 is the front or back surface of the left jaw of the user U. Note that the approval site 2 may be the front or back surface of one of the upper and lower sides of the right jaw of the user U, and the approval site 3 may be the front or back surface of the other of the upper and lower sides of the right jaw of the user U. Further, the approval site 2 may be the front or back surface of one of the upper and lower sides of the left jaw of the user U, and the approval site 3 may be the front or back surface of the other of the upper and lower sides of the left jaw of the user U.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the electro-gustatory 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 as its configuration.

[0018] The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and controls the overall operation of the electro-gustatory presentation device 10.

[0019] A part of the storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and is used as a work area when executing processes based on various programs by the control unit 11.

[0020] Also, a part of the storage unit 12 is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data and programs used for the processing of the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 can hold a database including one or more tables for recording various information, processing results, and the like.

[0021] The programs stored in the storage unit 12 are, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing the basic functions of the electro-gustatory presentation device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for realizing various functions, and the like.

[0022] The electric signal generation unit 13 applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the electric signal generation unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as the anode and the second electrode 16 as the cathode, and applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (anode electric stimulation state). Alternatively, the electric signal generation unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as the cathode and the second electrode 16 as the anode, and applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (cathode electric stimulation state). When an electric signal is applied between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16, a taste adjustment current flows through the taste organs in the oral cavity due to the applied electric signal, and the taste in the oral cavity is enhanced, suppressed, or presented.

[0023] The electric signal generation unit 13 generates electric signals of various waveforms by combining the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent time, etc. of the electric signal in order to evoke and suppress taste.

[0024] The electric signal generation unit 13 can enhance or suppress salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami tastes by variously combining the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent time, etc. of the electric signal. Also, the electric signal generation unit 13 can present taste by individually enhancing or suppressing each of salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami tastes.

[0025] In addition, the electrical signal generation unit 13 can provide the "tastiness" obtained from a meal by variously combining the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent duration, etc. of the electrical signal to enhance or suppress umami, spiciness, fattiness, astringency, coolness, richness, and thickness, and further presenting the spread and persistence of these tastes.

[0026] In the present embodiment, when the elongated first electrode 15 abuts on the approval site 2 of the user U's jaw and the elongated second electrode 16 abuts on the approval site 3 of the user U's jaw, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the oral cavity of the user U, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, suppressing the possibility of causing pain or discomfort to the user U, and thus suppressing the reduction of the taste presentation effect on the user U.

[0027] Note that, from the perspective of reducing the bias of the location where pain or discomfort occurs to the user U, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may apply an electrical signal by switching between an anodic electrical stimulation state where the first electrode 15 is the anode and the second electrode 16 is the cathode, or a cathodic electrical stimulation state where the first electrode 15 is the cathode and the second electrode 16 is the anode, every predetermined time (for example, several milliseconds).

[0028] In addition, from the perspective of further alleviating the skin discomfort or pain caused to the user U by gradually increasing the magnitude of the electrical signal (that is, increasing the electrical signal while gradually getting the user U accustomed to the skin discomfort or pain), regarding the magnitude of the electrical signal, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may increase it by a third value (for example, 0.1 mA) every first predetermined interval (for example, 5 seconds) from a first value (for example, 0.5 mA) to a second value (for example, 1.0 mA). In this case, regarding the magnitude of the electrical signal, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may increase it by a fifth value (for example, 0.1 mA) every second predetermined interval (for example, 10 seconds), which is longer than the first predetermined interval (for example, 5 seconds), from the second value (for example, 1.0 mA) to a fourth value (for example, 1.5 mA).

[0029] Further, from the perspective of further alleviating the skin discomfort and pain experienced by the user U, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may stop applying the electrical signal for a second predetermined period (e.g., 1 minute) every time the electrical signal is applied for a first predetermined period (e.g., 3 minutes).

[0030] The battery unit 14 stores, for example, the power supplied to each part of the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 (e.g., the control unit 11, the electrical signal generation unit 13, etc.). The battery unit 14 can, for example, repeatedly discharge and charge. Note that the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 may receive power supply from an external power source via a power cord instead of or in addition to the battery unit 14. In this case, the power cord is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a cord with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal.

[0031] As described in detail above, in this embodiment, the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 includes an elongated first electrode 15 that abuts against the first part (application site 2) of the user U's jaw, an elongated second electrode 16 that abuts against the second part (application site 3) of the user U's jaw, and an electrical signal generation unit 13 that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16. Then, the electro-gustatory presentation device 10 presents electro-gustation to the user U by applying an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U through the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16.

[0032] According to this embodiment configured as described above, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the user U's oral cavity, the range of application of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, suppressing the possibility of pain and discomfort occurring in the user U, and thus suppressing the reduction in the taste presentation effect on the user U.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the elongated first electrode 15 is brought into contact with the approval site 2 of the user U's jaw, and the elongated second electrode 16 is brought into contact with the approval site 3 of the user U's jaw. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of first electrodes 15 may be separately brought into contact with the approval site 2 of the user U's jaw, and a plurality of second electrodes 16 may be separately brought into contact with the approval site 3 of the user U's jaw. Even in this case, when applying an electrical stimulus to the taste organs in the oral cavity of the user U, the range of application of the electrical signal to the jaw can be dispersed to suppress the possibility of causing pain or discomfort to the user U, and ultimately suppress the reduction of the taste presentation effect on the user U.

[0034] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the user U. In this case, it is only necessary that the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 can be brought into contact with the position of the jaw such that the vagus nerve of the user U is stimulated while applying an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U. When the vagus nerve of the user U is stimulated, in addition to the effect of presenting an electro-taste to the user U, a pain relief effect (for example, relief of headache, low back pain, shoulder stiffness, and improvement of kidney disease), a weight loss effect by the stimulating action on the satiety center, and the like can be obtained. Note that the electrical signal generation unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the headache, low back pain, shoulder stiffness involvement, related muscles, and trigeminal nerve of the user U in order to obtain the effect of relieving headache, low back pain, and shoulder stiffness.

[0035] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the electrical signal generation unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the user U. In this case, it is only necessary that the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 can be brought into contact with the position of the jaw such that the swallowing-related muscles of the user U are stimulated while applying an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U. When the swallowing-related muscles of the user U are stimulated, in addition to the effect of presenting an electro-taste to the user U, an induction effect of swallowing movement (improvement effect of swallowing disorder) and the like can be obtained. Note that the electrical signal generation unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the superior laryngeal nerve (sensory nerve) of the user U in order to obtain the induction effect of swallowing movement (improvement effect of swallowing disorder).

[0036] As described above, various embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Such embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1: Mask, 2, 3: Approved parts, 10: Electro-gustatory presentation device, 11: Control unit, 12: Storage unit, 13: Electric signal generation unit, 14: Battery unit, 15: First electrode, 16: Second electrode

Claims

1. An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation by electrical stimulation to the human body, a first elongated electrode that abuts against a first part of the jaw of the human body, a second elongated electrode that abuts against a second part of the jaw of the human body, an electrical signal generation unit that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electrical signal to the gustatory organ of the human body with the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. An electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation by electrical stimulation to the human body, a plurality of first electrodes that abuts against a first part of the jaw of the human body, a plurality of second electrodes that abuts against a second part of the jaw of the human body, an electrical signal generation unit that applies an electrical signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and an electro-gustatory presentation device that presents electro-gustation to the human body by applying the electrical signal to the gustatory organ of the human body with the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

3. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrical signal generation unit applies the electrical signal by switching between an anodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode or a cathodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode every predetermined time. Electro-gustatory presentation device.

4. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrical signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a third value at every first predetermined interval from a first value to a second value. Electro-gustatory presentation device.

5. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 4, wherein the electrical signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a fifth value at every second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to the fourth value. Electro-gustatory presentation device.

6. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrical signal generation unit applies the electrical signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the human body. Electro-gustatory presentation device.

7. The electro-gustatory presentation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrical signal generation unit applies the electrical signal so as to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the human body. Electro-gustatory presentation device.

Images