Electric taste device

Abstract

An electric taste presentation device capable of suppressing a reduction in the effect of presenting taste to a user is provided. [Solution] The electric taste presentation device includes a first electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with a first portion of the jaw of the human body, a second electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with a second portion of the jaw of the human body, and an electric signal generating unit that applies an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode. Alternatively, the electric taste presentation device includes a plurality of first electrodes that are brought into contact with the first portion of the jaw of the human body, a plurality of second electrodes that are brought into contact with the second portion of the jaw of the human body, and an electric signal generating unit that applies an electric signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. The electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste to the human body by applying an electric signal to the taste organs of the human body by the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric taste presentation device. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been reported that excessive intake of salt and sugar is one of the causes of health problems. On the other hand, low-salt diets that limit salt intake are recommended, but this generally reduces the sense of satisfaction from meals.

[0003] As a method for providing a sufficient taste to be satisfying even with a low-salt diet that is considered to be "bland" and reduces a sense of satisfaction with the meal, a technique has been disclosed in which taste is presented electrically by applying electrical stimulation to the taste organs in the user's mouth.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical gustatory stimulation device in which electrodes that apply an electrical signal to the user's head are attached, while Patent Document 2 discloses an electrical taste presentation device in which electrodes are placed on the user's fingertips and electrical signals are applied via conductive tableware such as chopsticks and forks and food ingredients. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-42991 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-45399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the electrical gustatory stimulation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the electrical gustatory presentation device disclosed in Patent Document 2 had the problem that when electrical stimulation was applied to the taste organs in the user's mouth, the user may experience pain or discomfort, and ultimately the effect of presenting taste to the user may be reduced.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric taste presentation device that can suppress a reduction in the effect of presenting taste to a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an electric taste presentation device having the following configuration. [1] An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste by electrical stimulation to the human body, comprising: a first electrode having an elongated shape that is abutted against a first part of the jaw of the human body; a second electrode having an elongated shape that is abutted against a second part of the jaw of the human body; and an electric signal generating unit that applies an electric signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste to the human body by applying the electric signal to a taste organ of the human body via the first electrode and the second electrode. [2] An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste by electrical stimulation to the human body, comprising: a plurality of first electrodes that are abutted against a first part of the jaw of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes that are abutted against a second part of the jaw of the human body; and an electric signal generating unit that applies an electric signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste to the human body by applying the electric signals to the taste organs of the human body via the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

[0009] According to the present invention, by making the first electrode that is abutted against the first part of the jaw of the human body to apply an electric signal and the second electrode that is abutted against the second part of the jaw of the human body into an elongated shape, when an electrical stimulation is given to the taste organ in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electric signal to the jaw is dispersed, thereby suppressing the possibility of the user experiencing pain or discomfort, and thus suppressing the reduction in the effect of presenting the taste to the user. Also, according to the present invention, by dividing the first electrode that is abutted against the first part of the jaw of the human body to apply an electric signal into a plurality of parts and dividing the second electrode that is abutted against the second part of the jaw of the human body into a plurality of parts, when an electrical stimulation is given to the taste organ in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electric signal to the jaw is dispersed, thereby suppressing the possibility of the user experiencing pain or discomfort, and thus suppressing the reduction in the effect of presenting the taste to the user.

[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below can be combined with each other. [3] An electric taste presentation device as described in [1] or [2], wherein the electrical signal generating 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 and a cathodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode at predetermined time intervals. [4] An electric taste presentation device as described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the electrical signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal from a first value to a second value by a third value at each first predetermined interval. [5] An electric taste presentation device as described in [4], wherein the electrical signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a fifth value at each second predetermined interval that is longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to the fourth value. [6] An electric taste presentation device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the electric signal generating unit applies the electric signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the human body. [7] An electric taste presentation device as described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the electric signal generating unit applies the electric signal so as to stimulate muscles of the human body involved in swallowing. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the effect of presenting taste to a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how an electric taste sensation is presented by electrical stimulation to the human body. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mask on which an electric taste presentation device is provided. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an electric taste presentation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each feature described in the following embodiment can be combined with each other. Also, each feature can be an invention independently.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how an electric taste sensation is presented by electrical stimulation to a human body (hereinafter, referred to as "user U") using an electric taste sensation presentation device 10. The electric taste sensation presentation device 10 is provided on a mask 1 that can be worn by, for example, hanging strings around the right and left ears of the user U and covering the chin of the user U (the central part of the mandible, which is below the mouth and is the center of the face). The electric taste sensation presentation device 10 applies an electric signal between a first electrode 15 (see FIG. 2) having an elongated shape that is in contact with an application part 2 (corresponding to the "first part" of the present invention) of the user U's chin and a second electrode 16 (see FIG. 2) having an elongated shape that is in contact with an application part 3 (corresponding to the "second part" of the present invention) of the user U's chin to form a closed circuit around the chin, and thus presents an electric taste sensation to the user U by applying an electric signal to the taste organs of the user U.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mask 1 provided with an electric taste presentation device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, a first electrode 15 having an elongated shape is attached to the back side of the mask 1 (the side worn on the face of a user U) so as to abut against an application site 2 on the chin of the user U, and a second electrode 16 having an elongated shape is attached so as to abut against an application site 3 on the chin of the user U.

[0016] In this embodiment, the application part 2 is the front or back surface of the right jaw of the user U. Moreover, the application part 3 is the front or back surface of the left jaw of the user U. Note that the application part 2 may be the front or back surface of one of the upper and lower parts of the right jaw of the user U, and the application part 3 may be the front or back surface of the other of the upper and lower parts of the right jaw of the user U. Also, the application part 2 may be the front or back surface of one of the upper and lower parts of the left jaw of the user U, and the application part 3 may be the front or back surface of the other of the upper and lower parts of the left jaw of the user U.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electric taste presentation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the electric taste presentation device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an electric signal generation unit 13, a battery unit 14, a first electrode 15, and a second electrode 16.

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

[0019] A part of the storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and is used as a work area when the control unit 11 executes processes based on various programs.

[0020] Furthermore, a part of the storage unit 12 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data and programs used in 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 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for implementing basic functions of the electric taste presentation device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for implementing various functions, and the like.

[0022] The electric signal generating 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 generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as an anode and the second electrode 16 as a cathode, and applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (anodal electric stimulation state). Alternatively, the electric signal generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as a cathode and the second electrode 16 as an anode, and applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (cathodal electric stimulation state). When an electric signal is applied between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16, a taste adjusting current flows in the taste organ 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 generating unit 13 generates electric signals of various waveforms by combining the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent time, etc. of the electric signal in order to induce or suppress the sense of taste.

[0024] The electrical signal generating unit 13 can enhance or suppress saltiness, sourness, bitterness, sweetness, and umaminess by variously combining the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent time, etc. of the electrical signal. In addition, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can present tastes by individually enhancing or suppressing each of the saltiness, sourness, bitterness, sweetness, and umaminess.

[0025] In addition, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can enhance or suppress astringency, spiciness, fatty taste, harshness, coolness, richness, and fullness by combining various amplitudes, frequencies, waveforms, intermittence times, etc. of the electrical signal, and further provide a sense of breadth and duration of these tastes, thereby providing the "deliciousness" that can be obtained from a meal.

[0026] In this embodiment, an elongated first electrode 15 is abutted against application area 2 of the user U's jaw, and an elongated second electrode 16 is abutted against application area 3 of the user U's jaw. By this, when electrically stimulating the taste organs in the user U's mouth, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, thereby reducing the risk of pain or discomfort to the user U, and ultimately reducing the reduction in the effect of presenting taste to the user U.

[0027] In addition, in order to reduce the bias in the areas where pain or discomfort occurs to the user U, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal by switching between an anodal electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode 15 is an anode and the second electrode 16 is a cathode, and a cathodal electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode 15 is a cathode and the second electrode 16 is an anode, every predetermined time (e.g., every few milliseconds).

[0028] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of gradually increasing the magnitude of the electrical signal to further alleviate the skin discomfort and pain caused to the user U (i.e., increasing the electrical signal while gradually getting the user U used to the skin discomfort and pain), the electrical signal generating unit 13 may increase the magnitude of the electrical signal from the first value (e.g., 0.5 mA) to the second value (e.g., 1.0 mA) by a third value (e.g., 0.1 mA) at each first predetermined interval (e.g., 5 seconds). In this case, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may increase the magnitude of the electrical signal from the second value (e.g., 1.0 mA) to the fourth value (e.g., 1.5 mA) by a fifth value (e.g., 0.1 mA) at each second predetermined interval (e.g., 10 seconds) longer than the first predetermined interval (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0029] In addition, from the viewpoint of further alleviating the skin discomfort or pain experienced by the user U, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may stop applying the electrical signal for a second predetermined period (e.g., 1 minute) after applying the electrical signal for each first predetermined period (e.g., 3 minutes).

[0030] The battery unit 14 stores, for example, power to be supplied to each unit of the electric taste presentation device 10 (for example, the control unit 11 and the electric signal generating unit 13, etc.). The battery unit 14 can, for example, be repeatedly discharged and charged. Note that the electric taste presentation device 10 may receive power 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 above in detail, in this embodiment, the electric taste presentation device 10 includes an elongated first electrode 15 that is brought into contact with a first portion (application portion 2) of the jaw of the human body (user U), an elongated second electrode 16 that is brought into contact with a second portion (application portion 3) of the jaw of the human body (user U), and an electric signal generating unit 13 that applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16. The electric taste presentation device 10 presents an electric taste to the human body (user U) by applying an electric signal to the taste organs of the human body (user U) through the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16.

[0032] According to this embodiment configured in this manner, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user U's mouth, the range in which the electrical signal is applied to the jaw is dispersed, thereby reducing the risk of the user U experiencing pain or discomfort, and ultimately reducing the reduction in the effect of presenting taste to the user U.

[0033] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the elongated first electrode 15 is in contact with the application site 2 of the user U's jaw, and the elongated second electrode 16 is in contact with the application site 3 of the user U's jaw, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of first electrodes 15 may be separately in contact with the application site 2 of the user U's jaw, and a plurality of second electrodes 16 may be separately in contact with the application site 3 of the user U's jaw. Even in this case, when providing electrical stimulation to the taste organs in the user U's mouth, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw can be dispersed to reduce the risk of pain or discomfort to the user U, and thus the reduction in the effect of presenting the taste to the user U can be reduced.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 to a position on the jaw where the vagus nerve of the user U is stimulated while applying an electrical signal to the taste organ of the user U. When the vagus nerve of the user U is stimulated, in addition to the effect of presenting an electric taste to the user U, a pain relief effect (for example, relief of headache, lower back pain, and stiff shoulders, and improvement of kidney disease), an obesity relief effect due to a stimulating effect on the satiety center, and the like can be obtained. Note that the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the involvement and associated muscles of the headache, lower back pain, and stiff shoulders of the user U, and the trigeminal nerve.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 to a position on the jaw where 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 electric taste to the user U, an effect of inducing a swallowing movement (an effect of improving a swallowing disorder) and the like can be obtained. Note that the electrical signal generating 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 an effect of inducing a swallowing movement (an effect of improving a swallowing disorder).

[0036] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but 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, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1: mask, 2, 3: application site, 10: electric taste sensation device, 11: control unit, 12: memory unit, 13: electric signal generation unit, 14: battery unit, 15: first electrode, 16: second electrode

Claims

1. An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste sensation by electrical stimulation to a human body, a first electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with an upper portion of the left jaw of the human body, and a second electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with a lower portion of the left jaw of the human body, or a first electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with an upper portion of the right jaw of the human body, and a second electrode having an elongated shape that is brought into contact with a lower portion of the right jaw of the human body; an electrical signal generating unit that applies an electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode; Equipped with An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste to the human body by applying the electric signal to a taste organ of the human body via the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste sensation by electrical stimulation to a human body, a plurality of first electrodes contacted above the left jaw of the human body and a plurality of second electrodes contacted below the left jaw of the human body, or a plurality of first electrodes contacted above the right jaw of the human body and a plurality of second electrodes contacted below the right jaw of the human body; an electrical signal generating unit that applies an electrical signal between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes; Equipped with An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste to the human body by applying the electric signal to a taste organ of the human body via the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

3. 3. The electric taste presentation device according to claim 1, The electrical signal generating 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 and a cathodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode at predetermined time intervals. Electric taste presentation device.

4. 3. The electric taste presentation device according to claim 1, the electrical signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal from the first value to the second value by a third value at each first predetermined interval; Electric taste presentation device.

5. 5. The electric taste presentation device according to claim 4, the electrical signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electrical signal by a fifth value at second predetermined intervals longer than the first predetermined intervals from the second value to the fourth value. Electric taste presentation device.

6. 3. The electric taste presentation device according to claim 1, The electrical signal generating unit applies the electrical signal so as to stimulate the vagus nerve of the human body. Electric taste presentation device.

7. 3. The electric taste presentation device according to claim 1, The electrical signal generating unit applies the electrical signal so as to stimulate the swallowing-related muscles of the human body. Electric taste presentation device.

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