Methods for measuring chewing ability, a chewing ability verification system, and a dedicated chewing stand.

Abstract

Invention details;

Description

Chewing ability measurement method, chewing ability confirmation system and dedicated mount

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for measuring chewing ability using chewing check gum, a system for checking chewing ability, and a dedicated mount for placing the chewing check gum.

[0002] In recent years, with the growing interest in healthy life expectancy, attention has been focused on "masticatory ability," which can be considered one of the barometers of this, and a simple method for assessing masticatory ability is needed. While masticatory ability can be assessed using dedicated equipment, a more convenient method is the "masticatory ability check gum" ("Xylitol Masticatory Ability Check Gum" (Non-Patent Document 1)). This masticatory ability check gum changes color from green to red as mastication progresses in the oral cavity, and the degree of color change can be used to assess masticatory ability.

[0003] As a means for reflecting the degree of color change in chewing ability, there are a method of visually determining the color of the chewed gum with reference to a 5-level or 10-level color scale (see Patent Documents 1 and 2), and a method of objectively measuring the color of the chewed gum using an instrument called a color difference meter.

[0004] The former method involves visually comparing the color of chewed gum with a color sample, which has the problem of lacking objectivity and accuracy, while the latter method has the problem of being difficult to use because the colorimeter used for the measurement is very expensive.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 5,443,927 (This publication describes a method for creating a color scale for assessing masticatory force.) Japanese Patent No. 5,843,567 (This publication describes a method for creating a color scale for assessing masticatory force.)

[0006] oralcare.co.jp / product / post-32.html

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and device that can objectively, accurately, and easily measure the color of chewed gum, and a method and device that can determine chewing ability based on the measured gum color.

[0008] Using a camera on a smartphone or other device and an image analysis app, the chewed gum placed on a special "mount" is photographed and analyzed, and chewing ability is determined based on the color of the gum.

[0009] Specifically, the subject places the chewed gum on a color chart made up of printed primary colors and a backing sheet showing the position where the gum should be placed. Next, the backing sheet and the gum on the backing sheet are photographed with a smartphone or other camera. The app then analyzes the image, calculating the degree of color change in the gum and assessing chewing ability.

[0010] The mount is characterized by including a color reference color (color chart), a gray color for brightness correction, and a marker for detecting the gum position, all of which are attached to the mount.

[0011] Using a color reference color (color chart) enables color analysis of photographed gum. Also, by placing gray around the color reference color (color chart), uneven illumination (such as the degree of light hitting the color chart) of the color reference color (color chart) can be corrected, enabling accurate brightness correction of the color reference color (color chart). Furthermore, including a marker for detecting gum position allows for accurate detection of the position of the placed gum, enabling accurate analysis of the color of the gum.

[0012] The analysis mechanism can be realized by processing using a dedicated program or application software.

[0013] According to the present invention, the color of chewed gum can be objectively, accurately, and simply measured by photographing the gum placed on a measurement board with a camera such as a smartphone and analyzing the image, thereby enabling the evaluation of chewing ability.

[0014] Specifically, by referring to the image correction process applied to the color reference color (color chart) image, which is obtained as a single image, and using image data including the chewed gum, the accurate color of the gum can be detected and chewing ability can be determined, taking into account the image correction process applied to the gum image.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a dedicated mount according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a masticatory ability confirmation system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing performed in the masticatory ability confirmation system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a screen image diagram of a masticatory ability judgment result received by a user.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] In the detailed description of the embodiment of the present invention, the chewing check gum will be explained by taking "Xylitol Chewing Check Gum" (trade name) as an example. "Xylitol Chewing Check Gum" (trade name) is a special gum that is green before chewing, but as it is chewed well, its pH increases, changing from acidic to alkaline, and gradually changes from green to red.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a dedicated mount on which "Xylitol Chewing Check Gum" (product name) is placed after being chewed 60 times, for example.

[0019] The dedicated mount 10 includes a sheet formed of, for example, paper (cardboard), plastic plate, metal plate, etc. The dedicated mount 10 is, for example, substantially square, and a gum placement position 11 is indicated in the center thereof, where a chewed chewing check gum (hereinafter simply referred to as "gum") is placed. The dedicated mount 10 also has a color reference color (color chart) 12 printed on it, for example, in an area extending left and right along the top edge 10U. The color chart 12 indicates the colors that serve as a reference for detecting the color of the gum placed in the gum placement position 11. Specifically, the color chart 12 includes four color blocks: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), arranged horizontally (left and right) along the top edge 10U of the dedicated mount 10. Since color representation is not common in the drawings of this patent application, the four color blocks are labeled C, M, Y, and K instead of color.

[0020] Gum position detection markers 13L and 13R are displayed on the dedicated mount 10 on both the left and right sides of the color chart 12. The gum position detection markers 13L and 13R are necessary for identifying the position on the dedicated mount 10 where the gum is placed, in other words, the gum detection position so that the gum placed on the dedicated mount 10 can be correctly detected. The gum position detection markers 13L and 13R identify an area 14, shown by a dashed line as an example, as the detection area, and the color in the detection area 14 (i.e., the color of the gum) can be detected.

[0021] As in the present embodiment, by arranging the two gum position detection markers 13L and 13R at a distance from each other, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the position of the detection area 14. Furthermore, the positions of the color chart 12 and the gray color 15 can also be detected accurately.

[0022] In the dedicated mount 10 according to the present embodiment, two gum position detection markers 13L, 13R are displayed on the left and right sides of the color chart 12. However, three or four gum position detection markers may be displayed on the mount 10. Also, only one gum position detection marker may be displayed depending on the display content of the marker.

[0023] The gum position detection marker may be, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

[0024] On the dedicated mount 10, a gray area 15 is displayed in the area surrounding the color chart 12 and the gum position detection markers 13L, 13R. The gray area 15 is provided to correct uneven illuminance (such as the way light hits the color chart 12) of the color chart 12 when the color chart 12 is read. By providing the gray area 15, the color of the color chart 12 and the gum can be read as colors based on the same brightness. This improves the accuracy of gum color detection.

[0025] In this embodiment, the gray color 15 is also displayed around the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R, but it is sufficient that the gray color 15 is displayed at least in the peripheral area of ​​the color chart 12.

[0026] In this embodiment, an achromatic gray color is used as the gray color 15 as an example. However, instead of the achromatic gray color, it is also possible to use a single illuminance determination reference color, for example, a single color (not achromatic) with a medium luminance that is not too bright.

[0027] As a modification of the dedicated mount 10, a specific QR code (registered trademark) may be printed on the gum placement position 11. By reading the printed QR code (registered trademark) with a camera 31 of a smartphone 30 (described later), a web application may be launched, and processing may be performed between the smartphone 30 and the server 40.

[0028] Furthermore, a preferred form of the dedicated mount 10 is to position the color chart 12, the gum position detection markers 13L, 13R, and the gray color 15 on one side of the mount surface, for example, on one end side (specifically, on the upper side 10U side), and determine the position of the gum on the remaining mount surface area, so that the position of the gum does not interfere with the color chart 12, the gum position detection markers 13L, 13R, and the gray color 15, making it easy to use and position the gum.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a masticatory ability confirmation system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The masticatory ability confirmation system 20 can be configured by, for example, a smartphone 30 and a server 40 .

[0031] The smartphone 30 generally includes a camera 31, a display unit 32 that can display images captured by the camera 31, and an image correction processing unit 33 that corrects the images captured by the camera 31. The image correction processing unit 33 may be configured as hardware, but is usually configured to perform image correction processing specific to each model of smartphone 30 using software.

[0032] Furthermore, the smartphone 30 is provided with a transmitting / receiving unit 34 for transmitting and receiving (communicating) data such as image data.

[0033] By installing a specific smartphone application on the smartphone 30, or by launching a specific web application as described above, the smartphone 30 can communicate with the server 40, have the server 40 execute a specified process, and obtain the results.

[0034] In this embodiment, an example of using a smartphone 30 is described, but communication with the server 40 may be performed using various information processing terminals such as a PC (personal computer) with a camera function, a tablet, etc., without being limited to a smartphone 30.

[0035] The server 40 is provided with various functional processing units, such as a transmitting / receiving unit 41 for communicating with the client-side smartphone 30, which is the user, a marker position identification processing unit 42, a brightness correction amount calculation unit 43, a color correction amount calculation unit 44, a color change amount calculation unit 45, and a masticatory ability assessment result image creation unit 46. The functions of these functional processing units 41 to 46 may be realized by data pre-recorded in the server 40 and a predetermined program (software).

[0036] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the content of the processing performed in the masticatory ability confirmation system 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, the left half shows the processing on the user side in the order of processing, including actions manually performed by the user. The right half shows the flow of processing performed on the server (i.e., processing performed based on a program).

[0037] 3, the user first chews "Xylitol Chewing Check Gum" (product name) 60 times, for example (step U1). Then, the chewed gum is placed in the gum placement position 11 on the dedicated mount 10 (step U2).

[0038] Next, after launching a smartphone application or web application for checking chewing ability, the dedicated mount 10 on which the gum is placed is photographed with the camera of the smartphone 30 (step U3).

[0039] As in the example described above, if a specific QR code (registered trademark) is written at the gum placement position 11 on the dedicated mount 10, the specific QR code (registered trademark) may be read to launch a web application before placing the gum.

[0040] When the dedicated mount 10 on which the gum is placed is photographed with the camera of the smartphone 30, the photograph is taken so that the color chart 12, the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R, the gray color 15, and the gum displayed on the dedicated mount 10 are all visible.

[0041] When a photograph is taken with the camera 31 of the smartphone 30, the smartphone 30 may automatically perform model-specific image correction processing on the photographed image using a camera app (step U4).

[0042] However, even if this image correction process is performed, it is an image correction process for the entire captured image, and different image correction processes are not performed separately for the image of the color chart 12 and the image of the gum, so it does not have any effect on the detection of the gum color in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The smartphone 30 transmits image data of the dedicated mount 10 captured by the camera 31 to the server 40 (step U5).

[0044] When the server 40 receives image data of the dedicated mount 10 through a smartphone application or a web application (step S1), the server 40 recognizes the images of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R in the image data (step S2). If the server 40 cannot recognize the images of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R in the image data (NO in step S3), the server 40 sends an instruction to the smartphone 30 to re-photograph the dedicated mount 10 (step S4).

[0045] On the other hand, if the images of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R can be recognized in the image data (YES in step S3), it can be determined that all necessary images have been captured on the dedicated mount 10. More specifically, with reference to Fig. 1, if the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R on the dedicated mount 10 are recognizably captured in the captured image, it can be determined that the color chart 12 and gray color 15 between them, and the image of the detection area 14 in the center below the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R, are also captured.

[0046] Therefore, the server 40 identifies the image area 12 in which the color chart 12 is displayed, based on the positions of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R, and detects the RGB values ​​of the CMYK color markers in the image area 12. The server 40 also identifies the image area 15 in which the gray color 15 is displayed, based on the positions of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R, and detects the luminosity value of the gray color in the image area 15 (for example, the luminosity value, which is one of 256 levels when expressed in 8 bits).

[0047] Then, the RGB values ​​of the detected CMYK color markers are corrected using the luminous intensity values ​​of the gray color in the area adjacent to the CMYK color markers, thereby correcting uneven illumination of the color chart 12 (step S5).

[0048] That is, in step S5, the RGB values ​​of the CMYK color markers are corrected using the luminous intensity value of the gray color in order to remove the influence of the light source from the RGB values ​​of the CMYK color markers in the image area 12 where the color chart 12 is displayed (cancel the influence of the light source).

[0049] Next, the server 40 calculates the amount of color correction by the smartphone 30 (step S6). The calculation of the amount of color correction uses the RGB values ​​of the CMYK color markers corrected in step S5.

[0050] By comparing the photographed image of the color chart 12 with the color chart 12 printed on the dedicated mount 10, it is possible to calculate the extent and content of color correction performed by the smartphone 30. Then, the difference (correction amount) in hue, brightness, saturation, etc. between the color chart 12 printed on the dedicated mount 10 and the image of the color chart 12 photographed by the smartphone 30 can be calculated, for example, using a correction formula.

[0051] The server 40 also detects the image (i.e., the image of the gum) captured in the detection area 14 of the dedicated mount 10 based on the positions of the gum position detection markers 13L and 13R. Because the color chart 12 and the gum have different physical properties, there are slight differences in brightness and the like between the captured image of the color chart 12 and the image of the gum. However, the same color correction as that performed by the smartphone 30 on the image of the color chart 12 has also been applied to the image of the gum. Therefore, the server 40 applies the calculated correction formula to the color of the detected image of the gum to detect the correct color (true color) of the gum (step S6).

[0052] The true color of the gum thus obtained is then compared with a pre-registered reference color (the color of the xylitol chewing check gum before chewing) to calculate the amount of color change of the gum due to chewing (step S7).

[0053] The calculated amount of color change is then applied to a pre-registered color scale for determining the masticatory ability of xylitol gum, and an image showing the masticatory ability determination result is created (step S8).

[0054] The created image of the masticatory ability assessment result is transmitted to the smartphone 30 (step S9).

[0055] The user receives the image of the chewing ability assessment result on the smartphone 30 (step U6), and can understand his / her own chewing ability and use it to improve his / her lifestyle habits in the future.

[0056] For reference, FIG. 4 shows a screen image of the masticatory ability assessment results received by the user.

[0057] In the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the masticatory ability confirmation system configured by the smartphone 30 and the server 40 has been described.

[0058] However, the masticatory ability confirmation system according to the present invention can also be configured only by the smartphone 30. In that case, various functional processing units such as the marker position identification processing unit 42, the brightness correction amount calculation unit 43, the color correction amount calculation unit 44, the color change amount calculation unit 45, and the masticatory ability assessment result image creation unit 46 shown in the server 40 in Fig. 2 are realized by software by installing data and a predetermined program (software) recorded in advance in the smartphone 30.

[0059] The content of the software processing performed by the smartphone 30 is a combination of the processing flows shown by both the user and the server, excluding steps U5 and U6 and steps S1 and S9 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the amount of color change of the gum due to mastication is calculated in step S7, but it is also possible to omit calculating the amount of color change. One way to omit calculating the amount of color change is to detect the true color of the gum that has changed due to mastication in step S6, and then apply the true color of the gum to, for example, a parameter that correlates masticatory ability with the color change of the gum, thereby determining and distinguishing to what extent the true color of the gum after mastication is due to masticatory ability.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but is defined as follows based on the claims.

[0062] The present invention is a method for measuring masticatory ability using a chewing check gum, which includes the steps of: placing the chewing check gum after mastication on a dedicated mount 10 on which a color reference color 12 is displayed; photographing the dedicated mount 10 on which the chewing check gum is placed with a camera to create an image in which the color reference color 12 and the chewing check gum are both captured; and comparing the color reference color 12 in the created image with the color reference color 12 displayed on the dedicated mount 10 to determine the chewing ability. The method for measuring masticatory ability includes the steps of: calculating a correction amount for the color of the captured color reference color image; detecting the true color of the chewing check gum placed on a dedicated mount 10 by applying the calculated correction amount for the color of the captured image of the chewing check gum; and calculating the amount of color change of the gum due to mastication by comparing the detected true color of the chewing check gum with a pre-registered color of the chewing check gum before mastication.

[0063] The present invention also provides a method for measuring masticatory ability using a chewing check gum, comprising the steps of: placing the chewing check gum after mastication on a dedicated mount 10 on which a color reference color 12 is displayed; photographing the dedicated mount 10 on which the chewing check gum is placed with a camera to create an image showing the color reference color 12 and the chewing check gum together; and comparing the color reference color 12 in the created image with the color reference color 12 displayed on the dedicated mount 10 to determine the color of the photograph. The method for measuring chewing ability includes the steps of: calculating a correction amount for the color of a chromatic reference color image; detecting the true color of the chewing check gum placed on a dedicated mount 10 by applying the calculated correction amount for the color of a photographed image of the chewing check gum; and outputting the chewing ability of a person who chewed the chewing check gum by applying the detected true color of the chewing check gum to a pre-stored color scale for determining chewing ability.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention is a method for measuring masticatory ability, in which a single illuminance judgment reference color is displayed on the dedicated mount 10 in an area adjacent to the color reference color, and the step of calculating the correction amount for the color of the color reference color image includes a step of correcting illuminance unevenness of the color reference color 12 based on the lightness of the single illuminance judgment reference color.

[0065] In the present invention, the single illuminance judgment reference color can be an achromatic gray color.

[0066] The present invention is a method for measuring chewing ability, in which position detection markers 13L and 13R are displayed on the dedicated mount 10, and the method includes a step of detecting an image of the color reference color 12 and an image of the chewing check gum based on the images of the position detection markers 13L and 13R in an image obtained by photographing the dedicated mount 10 with a camera.

[0067] The present invention also provides a system for checking masticatory ability using a chewing check gum, comprising: a camera for photographing a dedicated mount 10 on which a color reference color 12 is displayed, with the chewing check gum placed at a predetermined position after chewing; specific image extraction means for extracting an image of the color reference color 12 and an image of the chewing check gum from the image of the dedicated mount 10 photographed by the camera; and a correction means for correcting the color applied to the color reference color image by comparing the color reference color 12 displayed on the dedicated mount 10 with the color reference color extracted by the specific image extraction means. The chewing ability confirmation system includes: a correction amount calculation means for calculating a correct amount; a color detection means for detecting the true color of the chewing check gum placed on the dedicated mount 10 by correcting the color of the chewing check gum image extracted by the specific image extraction means by applying the correction amount for color calculated by the correction amount calculation means; and an output means for outputting the chewing ability of a person who chewed the chewing check gum by applying the true color of the chewing check gum detected by the color detection means to a pre-stored color scale for determining chewing ability.

[0068] The present invention is a chewing ability confirmation system in which position detection markers 13L and 13R for specifying the position of the image to be extracted are displayed on the dedicated mount 10, and the specific image extraction means specifies the positions of the color reference color image and chewing check gum image to be extracted based on the position detection marker images in the image of the dedicated mount 10 photographed by the camera, and extracts the image at the specified position.

[0069] The present invention also provides a chewing ability confirmation system that includes an information processing terminal equipped with a camera function, wherein the camera is configured using the camera function provided in the information processing terminal, and the specific image extraction means, the correction amount calculation means, the color detection means, and the output means are realized by a program installed in the information processing terminal.

[0070] Furthermore, the present invention is a chewing ability confirmation system that includes an information processing terminal and a server equipped with a camera function, wherein the camera is configured using the camera function provided in the information processing terminal, and the specific image extraction means, the correction amount calculation means, the color detection means, and the output means are realized by a program installed on the server.

[0071] The present invention is a dedicated mount 10 used to measure chewing ability using a chewing check gum, wherein a predetermined area on the surface of the mount is set as a position where the chewing check gum will be placed after chewing, a color reference color 12 is printed on the surface of the mount in a position different from the predetermined area, and position detection markers 13L, 13R are provided in relation to the printing position of the color reference color 12 on the mount for identifying the predetermined area.

[0072] The present invention is a dedicated mount on which a gray color is printed around the color reference color printed on the mount.

[0073] The dedicated mount of the present invention may include a sheet made of paper, plastic, or metal.

[0074] In the present invention, the color reference color, the position detection marker, and the gray color may be arranged close to one end of the surface of the dedicated mount, and the position for placing the chewing check gum may be set in the surface area of ​​the mount excluding the one end.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Dedicated mount 11 Gum placement position 12 Color reference colors 13L, 13R Position detection marker 14 Detection area 15 Gray color 20 Chewing ability confirmation system 30 Smartphone 31 Camera 32 Display unit 33 Image correction processing unit 34 Transmission / reception unit 40 Server 41 Transmission / reception unit 42 Marker position identification processing unit 43 Brightness correction amount calculation unit 44 Color correction amount calculation unit 45 Color change amount calculation unit 46 Chewing ability judgment result image creation unit

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