JP4711097B2 - Mastication counter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mastication count device that counts the number of mastications associated with eating.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, the number of young adults who have not developed their teeth and jawbones has increased rapidly. One of the causes is thought to be in eating habits, and the spread of processed foods and cooked foods that are easily processed and cooked resulted in a significant reduction in the number of chews associated with eating. The reduction in the number of habitual chewing not only prevents the development of teeth and jawbones, but also makes it easier for youth to eat unbalanced foods, and even if they do not eat, they swallow them without chewing enough, This will cause an excessive burden on the digestive tract.
[0003]
In school lunches and hospital dentistry, it seems that the importance of mastication in eating habits and eating is spoken orally or written, but it has not been so effective in itself, The fact is that no other effective measures have been taken. In the first place, eating is literally eating, and even if you have conversations while eating, eating while counting the number of chewing is a normal daily habit. It is impossible. In other words, knowing the number of times of chewing as objective data is rare in normal eating habits, and this is effective even if the importance of chewing in eating is reiterated. It is thought that it is the biggest reason that cannot be given.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a means capable of simply counting the number of mastications as objective data.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and includes a detecting means for detecting biological fluctuations associated with mastication, a counting means for counting the number of mastications based on the detected biological fluctuation signal, and the number of chewing times counted. The above-described problem is solved by providing a mastication counting device that includes display means for displaying and a detection means, a counting means, and / or a wireless line connecting the display means.
[0006]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a chewing frequency counting device having such a configuration, wherein the detecting means includes an electrode for detecting the surface myoelectric potential of the masticatory muscle and an amplification circuit for amplifying the detected surface myoelectric potential. By solving this problem, the above-mentioned problems are solved.
[0007]
Furthermore, the present invention provides the above-mentioned problem by providing a mastication number counting device in which, in the mastication number counting device configured as described above, the counting means includes a counting circuit that counts the number of mastication times based on a biological variation signal. It is a solution.
[0008]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a mastication count device having a structure as described above, wherein the display means includes a display, a drive circuit for driving the display, and a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit. This solves the above problem.
[0009]
Further, the present invention provides a mastication counting device having the above-described configuration, wherein the wireless circuit demodulates the biological variation signal from the high frequency, the modulation circuit that generates a high frequency including the biological variation signal, the transmitting / receiving antenna for transmitting and receiving the high frequency. The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing a mastication counting device including a demodulating circuit.
[0010]
Furthermore, the present invention provides the mastication count device according to the above-described configuration by providing a mastication count device in which the wireless circuit includes an A / D conversion circuit that digitally converts a biological fluctuation signal. It is a solution.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a mastication counting device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a detection means for electrically detecting biological fluctuations associated with mastication, in particular, fluctuations in surface myoelectric potentials of masticatory muscles such as masseter and temporal muscles associated with mastication. In this example, a pair of electrodes 1a and 1a ′ for detecting the surface myoelectric potential of the masticatory muscles are provided, one electrode 1a functions as a surface electrode, and the other electrode 1a ′ functions as a ground electrode. Reference numeral 1b denotes an amplifier circuit that amplifies the surface myoelectric potential detected by the electrodes 1a and 1a 'to a predetermined level. Usually, the amplifier circuit exhibits uniform amplification characteristics in a wide frequency band, and allows allowable input, input impedance, and S / N. A differential amplifier circuit having a large ratio and discrimination ratio and a small input capacity is used. Note that an impedance matching circuit and a filter circuit may be provided at the input end and / or the output end of the amplifier circuit 1b as necessary.
[0012]
Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 denotes a wireless line that connects the detecting means 1 and a counting means to be described later. Reference numeral 2a in the wireless line 2 is an A / D conversion circuit for digitally converting the surface myoelectric potential. According to the sampling theorem, the surface myoelectric potential amplified by the amplifier circuit 1b exceeds twice the maximum pulse frequency. , Sample at 8 kHz, and quantize the sampled values into 8-bit binary numbers by dividing the angle from 45 to 100 degrees in the sine wave by 5 degrees. Reference numeral 2b connected to the output terminal of the A / D conversion circuit 2a is a compression circuit for narrowing the high-frequency bandwidth, and for example, a general-purpose circuit such as a continuous slope delta modulation circuit is used. Reference numeral 2c connected to the output terminal of the compression circuit 2b is a scramble circuit for spreading the modulation spectrum, and its output bit string is generated in accordance with, for example, a calling mode polynomial (= 1 + X ^{- 18} + X ^{- 23} ). Can do. Reference numeral 2d connected to the output terminal of the scramble circuit 2c is a filter that suppresses a rapid frequency transition during modulation. For example, a general-purpose Gaussian filter is used. 2e connected to the output terminal of the filter 2d is a spread spectrum modulation circuit, for example, a frequency shift keying method such as a phase continuous frequency shift keying method, a Gaussian minimum shift keying method, or an amplitude. A shift keying method or a phase shift keying method is used. The frequency shift keying method is preferable, and it is easy to reduce the size of the radio line and save power when using this method. Reference numerals 2f and 2f ′ denote transmission / reception antennas for transmitting and receiving a high frequency including surface myoelectric potentials, which are respectively connected to an output terminal of the modulation circuit 2e and an input terminal of a demodulation circuit to be described later. Or one of them is omitted. Reference numeral 2g denotes a demodulation circuit, and, for example, an envelope detection method, a synchronous detection method, or a delay detection method is used according to the modulation method of the modulation circuit 2e. The demodulation circuit 2 includes a descrambling circuit that multiplies the reception signal by a calling mode polynomial, and an error correction circuit is provided as necessary.
[0013]
Reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1 is a counting means for counting the number of mastications based on the biological fluctuation signal detected by the detecting means 1. In this example, the counting means 3 includes a counting circuit 3a that adds 1 each time a pulse of surface myoelectric potential demodulated by the demodulating circuit 2g is input, and a power supply that resets the counting circuit 3a every time the power is turned on. It is constituted by a reset circuit 3b interlocked with the switch. Both the counting circuit and the reset circuit may be general-purpose, and for example, an addition type binary counting circuit or a decimal counting circuit using a combination of a plurality of T-type flip-flops is used as the counting circuit.
[0014]
Reference numeral 4 in FIG. 1 is a display means for displaying the number of mastications counted by the counting means 3, and in this example, the display 4a, a drive circuit 4b for driving the display 4a, and an output signal from the counting circuit 3a. And a control circuit 4c having a reset function for controlling the drive circuit 4b. As the display 4a, a liquid crystal display or an electroluminescence display formed in a panel shape is usually used. For example, a cathode ray tube display or a plasma display may be used as necessary. In order to drive the display 4a, for example, a general-purpose simple matrix system or an active matrix system can be adopted. Note that the display means 4 stores, for example, a target number of chewing times, an actually detected number of chewing times, a comment, a picture, a pattern, a figure, etc. with respect to the actually detected number of chewing times, and outputs them. When installing a microcomputer and interface, as well as a low-frequency amplifier, a loudspeaker, a printer, etc., the number of mastications and comments regarding the number of mastications are displayed as text information, image information and / or audio information, or desired data regarding the number of mastications Can be recorded, and data can be compared with each other.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a locking device according to the present invention used in contact with the head. In this locking tool, for example, a pair of electrodes 1a and 1a ', an amplifier circuit 1b, and an A / D in FIG. The substrate 6 on which the conversion circuit 2a, the compression circuit 2b, the scramble circuit 2c, the filter 2d, and the modulation circuit 2e are attached, and the transmitting antenna 2f, together with a power battery and a power switch (not shown), constitute a predetermined electric circuit. In such a connected state, a part of the pair of electrodes 1a and 1a ′ is exposed to the outside of the housing 5 and accommodated.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a display unit according to the present invention that is easy to see and operate on a table or the like. In this display unit, for example, a receiving antenna 2f ', a demodulating circuit 2g, a counting circuit 3, a display 4a, a driving circuit 4b, and a control circuit in FIG. 4c, together with switches 7 such as a power battery (not shown), a power switch, and a reset switch, in a state in which these are connected to form a predetermined electric circuit, the display section of the display 4a and the pressing section of the switches 7 Is exposed and housed outside the housing 5 '.
[0017]
The use method of the mastication count device of this example will be described. Since the mastication number display circuit of this example is thus configured, the surface electrode 1a is in the vicinity of the masticatory muscle and the ground electrode 1a 'is masticated when eating. When a locking tool is attached to the head so as to abut on a portion other than the muscle, the apparatus is activated in this state, and when food is chewed, the output surface of the amplification circuit 1b has a corrugated surface muscle as shown in FIG. Potential is output. As seen in FIG. 4, the surface myoelectric potential of the masticatory muscles is appropriately amplified because the number of pulses corresponds to the number of masticatory movements of closing, tooth contact, tightening and opening, By counting the number of pulses by the counting circuit, the number of chewing times can be displayed on the display 4a in the display unit. The number of chewing times can be displayed by appropriately operating the reset switch to display the total number of chewing times in one feeding or only a part of the number of chewing times desired.
[0018]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the counting unit 3 is interposed between the wireless line 2 and the display unit 4 has been described. However, the counting unit 3 is provided between the detecting unit 1 and the wireless line 2 as necessary. May be provided. In addition to the surface myoelectric potential in the masticatory muscles, for example, the surface fluctuations in the vicinity of the ear cavity and lower jaw of the masticatory muscles and the masticatory sound generated by the oral cavity can be detected by detecting means using a shape memory alloy. It can also be detected as a fluctuation. Whichever variation is used, it is also possible to detect and display, together with the number of mastications, elements other than the number of mastications closely related to mastication, for example, the strength of mastication. The strength of mastication can be estimated from, for example, the height and width of a pulse in the surface myoelectric potential of FIG. In the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the counting unit and the display unit are wirelessly connected by radio waves has been described. However, the communication method should not be limited to the radio wave type. An expression can also be adopted.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
Since the chewing frequency counting device according to the present invention is configured as described above, the user or an assistant thereof can accurately know the number of chewing operations of the user as objective data. The chewing frequency counting device of the present invention separates, for example, a part to be attached to the body, such as a detection means, and a part, such as a display means, which tends to hinder eating when coming into contact with the body, Since they are communicated with each other through a wireless line, there is an advantage that they can be easily used regularly until a desired chewing habit can be obtained without substantially changing the normal eating habits. In particular, when the detection means, the counting means, and / or the display means are communicated by radio, when the digitally converted biological fluctuation signal is communicated by a spread spectrum radio link, there is virtually no miscounting of chewing counts due to external noise. In addition to being able to do so, it becomes extremely easy to reduce the size and power consumption of a wireless line.
[0020]
It can be said that this invention having such remarkable effects is a very significant invention that contributes to the world.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a locking tool according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a display unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of surface myoelectric potential amplified by an amplifier circuit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Detection means 1a, 1a 'Electrode 1b Amplifier circuit 2 Radio | wireless line 2a A / D conversion circuit 2b Compression circuit 2c Scramble circuit 2d Filter 2e Modulation circuit 2f, 2f' Transmission / reception antenna 2g Demodulation circuit 3 Counting means 3a Counting circuit 3b Reset circuit 4 Display means 4a Display 4b Drive circuit 4c Control circuit 5, 5 'Housing 6 Substrate 7 Switch

Claims (4)

Either the surface electrode that makes contact with the masticatory muscles or the ground electrode that makes contact with a part other than the masticatory muscles is formed near the distal ends of the U-shaped housing that is molded into a U-shape that is attached to the head. The number of mastications based on the detected surface myoelectric potential , detection means each including an electrode for detecting the surface myoelectric potential of the masticatory muscles, an amplification circuit for amplifying the detected surface myoelectric potential , A mastication number counting device comprising counting means for counting, display means for displaying the counted number of chewing times, and a wireless line for communicating the detecting means, counting means and / or display means. And display the display means, a drive circuit for driving the display, chewing number counting apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit. The mastication according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the wireless line includes a modulation circuit that generates a high frequency including a surface myoelectric potential , a transmission / reception antenna that transmits and receives a high frequency, and a demodulation circuit that demodulates the surface myoelectric potential from the high frequency. Counting device. The mastication count device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the wireless line includes an A / D conversion circuit for digitally converting surface myoelectric potential .

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