Electric taste presentation device

Abstract

Provided is an electric taste presentation device capable of suppressing a reduction in a taste presentation effect for a user. The present invention provides an electric taste presentation device comprising: a long, thin (or a plurality of) first electrode abutting on a first section of the jaw of a human body; a long, thin (or a plurality of) second electrode abutting on a second section of the jaw of the human body; and an electrical signal generation unit for applying an electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode. An application site 2 is the front face or rear face of the right side of the jaw (left cheek), and an application site 3 is the front face or rear face of the left side of the jaw (right cheek). The application site 2 may be the front face or rear face of one of an upper section and a lower section of the left side of the jaw (right cheek), and the application site 3 may be the front face or rear face of the other one of the upper section and the lower section of the left side of the jaw (right cheek). The electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste to the human body by applying an electrical signal to the taste organ of the human body by means of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

Electric taste presentation device

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

[0002] Excessive intake of salt and sugar has been reported as one of the causes of health problems. While low-salt diets are recommended, they generally reduce the sense of satisfaction with meals.

[0003] As a method for providing a sufficient taste sensation to be satisfying even with a low-salt diet, which is considered to have a "bland taste" that reduces the sense of satisfaction with the meal, a method has been disclosed in which taste sensations are electrically presented 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, and Patent Document 2 discloses an electrical taste presentation device in which electrodes are placed on the user's fingertips and an electrical signal is applied via conductive tableware such as chopsticks and forks and food ingredients.

[0005] JP 2018-42991 A JP 2021-45399 A

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

[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.

[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 sensation by electrical stimulation to a human body, comprising: a first elongated electrode that is brought into contact with a first portion of the jaw of the human body; a second elongated electrode that is brought into contact with a second portion of the jaw of the human body; and an electric signal generator that applies an electric signal between the first and second electrodes, wherein the electric taste presentation device presents an electric taste sensation to the human body by applying the electric signal to a taste organ of the human body via the first and second electrodes. [2] An electric taste presentation device that presents an electric taste sensation by electrical stimulation to the human body, comprising: a plurality of first electrodes that are brought into contact with a first portion of the jaw of the human body; a plurality of second electrodes that are brought into contact with a second portion of the jaw 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, wherein the electric signal presentation device presents an electric taste sensation 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.

[0009] According to the present invention, by making the first electrode that is brought into contact with a first portion of the human jaw to apply an electrical signal and the second electrode that is brought into contact with a second portion of the human jaw elongated, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, thereby reducing the risk of the user experiencing pain or discomfort, and thereby reducing the effectiveness of presenting taste to the user.Furthermore, according to the present invention, by dividing the first electrode that is brought into contact with the first portion of the human jaw to apply an electrical signal into multiple parts and dividing the second electrode that is brought into contact with the second portion of the human jaw into multiple parts, when electrical stimulation is applied to the taste organs in the user's oral cavity, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw is dispersed, thereby reducing the risk of the user experiencing pain or discomfort, and thereby reducing the effectiveness of presenting taste to the user.

[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention are exemplified below. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. [3] The electric taste presentation device described in [1] or [2], wherein the electric signal generation unit applies the electric 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] The electric taste presentation device described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the electric signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electric signal from a first value to a second value by a third value at first predetermined intervals. [5] The electric taste presentation device described in [4], wherein the electric signal generation unit increases the magnitude of the electric signal from the second value to a fourth value by a fifth value at second predetermined intervals longer than the first predetermined intervals. [6] The 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] The 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 muscles involved in swallowing of the human body.

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

[0012] The present invention relates to an electric taste presentation device for providing electric taste sensations to a human body by electrically stimulating the human body. The present invention also relates to a mask having an electric taste presentation device. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be modified in various ways.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can be an invention independently.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the use of an electric gustatory sensation presentation device 10 to present an electric taste sensation by electrical stimulation to a human body (hereinafter referred to as "user U"). The electric gustatory sensation presentation device 10 is attached to a mask 1 that can be worn by, for example, hanging strings around the user U's right and left ears and covering the user U's chin (the central portion of the mandible, below the mouth and in the center of the face). The electric gustatory sensation presentation device 10 applies an electric signal between an elongated first electrode 15 (see FIG. 2 ) that contacts an application site 2 (corresponding to the "first portion" of the present invention) on the user U's chin and an elongated second electrode 16 (see FIG. 2 ) that contacts an application site 3 (corresponding to the "second portion" of the present invention) on the user U's chin, forming a closed circuit around the chin. This applies an electric signal to the user U's taste organs, thereby presenting an electric taste sensation to the user U.

[0015] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mask 1 provided with the 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 surface worn on the face of the user U) so as to abut against the application site 2 of the chin of the user U, and a second electrode 16 having an elongated shape is attached so as to abut against the application site 3 of the chin of the user U.

[0016] In this embodiment, the application area 2 is the front or back surface of the right jaw of the user U. The application area 3 is the front or back surface of the left jaw of the user U. The application area 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 area 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. The application area 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 area 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 memory 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 configured with, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), 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 memory unit 12 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing the basic functions of the electric taste presentation device 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, and programs for realizing various functions.

[0022] The electrical signal generating unit 13 applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the electrical signal generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as an anode and the second electrode 16 as a cathode, and applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (anodal electrical stimulation state). Alternatively, the electrical signal generating unit 13 sets the first electrode 15 as a cathode and the second electrode 16 as an anode, and applies an electrical signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 (cathodal 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 through the taste organs in the oral cavity, thereby enhancing, suppressing, or presenting a taste sensation in the oral cavity.

[0023] The electrical signal generating unit 13 generates electrical signals of various waveforms that combine the amplitude, frequency, waveform, intermittent time, etc. of the electrical signal in order to induce or suppress taste sensation.

[0024] The electrical signal generating 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 electrical signal. Furthermore, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can present taste sensations by individually enhancing or suppressing each of the salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami tastes.

[0025] Furthermore, the electrical signal generating unit 13 can enhance or suppress astringency, spiciness, fatty taste, harshness, coolness, richness, and thickness by combining various amplitudes, frequencies, waveforms, intermittent times, etc. of the electrical signal, and further present the breadth and duration of these flavors, thereby providing the "delicious taste" that can be obtained from a meal.

[0026] In this embodiment, an elongated first electrode 15 is abutted against the application area 2 of the user U's jaw, and an elongated second electrode 16 is abutted against the application area 3 of the user U's jaw.This means that when electrical stimulation is given to the taste organs in the user U's mouth, the range of application 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 anodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode 15 is the anode and the second electrode 16 is the cathode, and a cathodic electrical stimulation state in which the first electrode 15 is the cathode and the second electrode 16 is the 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 accustomed to the skin discomfort and pain), the electrical signal generating unit 13 may increase the magnitude of the electrical signal from a first value (e.g., 0.5 mA) to a second value (e.g., 1.0 mA) by a third value (e.g., 0.1 mA) at a 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 a fourth value (e.g., 1.5 mA) by a fifth value (e.g., 0.1 mA) at a second predetermined interval (e.g., 10 seconds) that is longer than the first predetermined interval (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0029] In addition, from the viewpoint of further alleviating the skin discomfort and 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 a 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 (e.g., the control unit 11, 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 gustatory sensation presentation device 10 includes an elongated first electrode 15 that is brought into contact with a first portion (application site 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 site 3) of the jaw of the human body (user U), and an electric signal generation unit 13 that applies an electric signal between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16. The electric gustatory sensation presentation device 10 presents an electric taste sensation to the human body (user U) by applying an electric signal to the taste organs of the human body (user U) via 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 of application of the electrical signal 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 electrically stimulating the taste organs in the user U's oral cavity, the application range of the electrical signal to the jaw can be dispersed, thereby reducing the risk of pain or discomfort to the user U and ultimately reducing the effect of presenting the taste to the user U.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal to stimulate the vagus nerve of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply the electrical signal to the user U's taste organs while abutting the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 at a position on the jaw that stimulates the vagus nerve of the user U. Stimulating the vagus nerve of the user U not only provides the user U with an electric taste sensation, but also provides pain relief (e.g., relief of headaches, lower back pain, and stiff shoulders, and improvement of kidney disease), and obesity relief by stimulating the satiety center. Note that the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal to stimulate the muscles involved in headaches, lower back pain, and stiff shoulders, or the trigeminal nerve of the user U, in order to achieve the effect of relieving headaches, lower back pain, and stiff shoulders.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electrical signal generating unit 13 may apply an electrical signal so as to stimulate the swallowing muscles of the user U. In this case, it is sufficient to apply an electrical signal to the taste organs of the user U and to abut the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 16 at a position on the jaw where the swallowing muscles of the user U are stimulated. When the swallowing muscles of the user U are stimulated, in addition to the effect of presenting an electric taste sensation to the user U, an effect of inducing swallowing movements (an effect of improving swallowing disorders) 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 the effect of inducing swallowing movements (an effect of improving swallowing disorders).

[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 may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0037] 1: mask, 2, 3: application site, 10: electric taste presentation 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 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.

3. An electric taste presentation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electric signal generating unit applies the electric signal by switching at predetermined time intervals 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.

4. An electric taste presentation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electric signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electric signal from the first value to the second value by a third value at each first predetermined interval.

5. An electric taste presentation device as described in claim 4, wherein the electric signal generating unit increases the magnitude of the electric signal by a fifth value at each second predetermined interval longer than the first predetermined interval from the second value to the fourth value.

6. An electric taste presentation device as described in claim 1 or 2, 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 claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric signal generating unit applies the electric signal so as to stimulate muscles involved in swallowing in the human body.

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