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`Primary document | F
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`* NOTICE *
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`JPO and INPITare not responsible for any damages caused bythe use ofthis
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`translation.
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`1. This document has been translated by computer. So the translation may not reflect the
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`original precisely.
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`2. **** shows a word which cannot be translated.
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`3. In the drawings, any words are not translated.
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`(19) [Publication country] JP
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`(12) [Kind of official gazette] A
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`(11) [Publication number] 2017086322
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`(43) [Date of publication of application] 20170525
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`(54) [Title of the invention] GUSTATORY SENSE EVALUATION DIAGNOSIS DEVICE, GUSTAT
`
`ORY SENSE EVALUATION DIAGNOSIS METHOD OF GUSTATORY SENSE EVALUATION DIAG
`
`NOSIS DEVICE
`
`(51) [International Patent Classification]
`
`A61B 5/11
`
`(2006.01)
`
`[FI]
`
`A61B 5/10
`
`310K
`
`

`

`(21) [Application number] 2015218636
`
`(22) [Filing date] 20151106
`
`(71) [Applicant]
`
`[Name] TOHOKU UNIV
`
`(72) [Inventor]
`
`[Full name] YAMAYA TOMOYUKI
`
`[Full name] SHIRAISHI YASUYUKI
`
`[Full name] MIURA HIDEKAZU
`
`[Full name] INOUE YUSUKE
`
`[Full name] TAIRA YASUNORI
`
`[Full name] YAMADA AKIHIRO
`
`Mapes
`WVEPy ey
`
`:
`:
`
`CLANS
`KOS
`
`(57) [Overview]
`
`PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gustatory sense evaluation diagnosis device and a
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`gustatory sense evaluation diagnosis method capable of noninvasively performing gustator
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`y sense evaluation diagnosis of functionality which is sensibility reaction to food and drink
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`

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`with a simple configuration.
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`SOLUTION: A gustatory sense evaluation diagnosis device includes: a body surface motion
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`detection unit; a deglutition movementanalysis unit for performing analysis processing co
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`ncerning a deglutition movement based on a signal obtained by the body surface motion d
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`etection unit; an input unit to which gustatory sense evaluation data is input; a data base
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`generation unit storing a database in a storage unit, the data base associating gustatory s
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`ense evaluation data input by the input unit and analysis results from the deglutition move
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`ment analysis unit; and a gustatory sense evaluation diagnosis unit for performing process
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`ing concerning gustatory sense evaluation diagnosis based on the signal obtained by the b
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`ody surface motion detection unit and the analysis result by the deglutition movement anal
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`ysis unit stored in the database in the storage unit.
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`SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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`

`

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`

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`[Patent Claims]
`
`[Claim 1]
`
`A body surface motion detecting part ;
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`A swallowing motion analysis part for performing an analysis process relating to swallowin
`
`g movement based on a signal obtained by the body surface motion detection part ;
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`An input part for inputting taste evaluation data ;
`
`A database generating part which stores in a storage part a database which associates the
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`taste evaluation data inputted by the input part with an analysis result by the swallowing
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`movementanalysis part ;
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`A taste evaluation diagnostic part for performing processing relating to taste evaluation dia
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`gnosis on the basis of a signal obtained by the body surface motion detection part and an
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`analysis result by the swallowing movement analysis part stored in a database of the stora
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`ge part ;
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`A taste evaluation diagnostic device comprising :.
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`[Claim 2]
`
`The body surface motion detecting unit includes an acceleration detecting unit for the body
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`surface.
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`The swallowing motion analysis unit performs a process of calculating the intensity informa
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`tion of the frequency component of the acceleration signal based on the acceleration signal
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`obtained by the body surface acceleration detection unit.
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`The database generation unit stores in the storage unit a database in which the taste evalu
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`ation data, the acceleration signal, and the intensity information of the frequency compone
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`nts of the acceleration signal are associated.
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`The taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the taste evaluatio
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`n diagnosis unit performs processing relating to the taste evaluation diagnosis based on an
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`acceleration signal obtained by the body surface acceleration detection unit and an analysi
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`s result of the swallowing motion analysis unit stored in the database.
`
`[Claim 3]
`
`The body surface motion detecting unit includes an imaging unit for a body surface.
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`A feature point extraction processing unit for extracting feature points based on an image
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`captured by the body surface imaging unit ;
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`An area specifying part for specifying an area of the variable part based on displacement o
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`f a plurality of feature points extracted by the feature point extracting part ;
`
`The device has a swallowing variation analysis part which calculates at least one of a powe
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`r spectrum of a displacement, a speed and a speed of an area specified by the area specify
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`ing part, and a power spectrum of an acceleration and an acceleration.
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`The database generation unit stores a database in which the taste evaluation data and the
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`analysis result by the swallowing variation analysis unit are associated with each other int
`
`he storage unit.
`
`

`

`The taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the taste evaluatio
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`n diagnosis unit performs a process relating to the taste evaluation based on an image cap
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`tured by the body surface imaging unit and an analysis result obtained by the swallowing
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`motion analysis unit stored in the database.
`
`[Claim 4]
`
`For each pixel of an imaged image, the body surface imaging unit outputs the distance info
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`rmation between the body surface imaging unit and the subject in association with each ot
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`her.
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`The taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the feature point e
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`xtracting unit extracts a feature point based on the image captured by the body surface im
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`aging unit and the distance information.
`
`[Claim 5]
`
`The swallowing motion analysis unit includes a respiration variation analysis unit that perfo
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`rms an analysis process on a respiratory variation based on an image captured by the bod
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`y surface imaging unit.
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`The database generation unit stores a database in which the taste evaluation data and the
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`analysis result by the respiratory variation analysis unit are associated with each other in t
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`he storage unit.
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`The taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the taste evaluatio
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`n diagnosis unit performs processing relating to the taste evaluation diagnosis on the basis
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`of an image captured by the body surface imaging unit, an analysis result obtained by the
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`swallowing motion analysis unit stored in the database, and an analysis result obtained by
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`the respiration variation analysis unit.
`
`[Claim 6]
`
`A body surface motion detecting section, a swallowing motion analyzing section for perfor
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`ming analysis processing relating to swallowing motion based on a signal obtained by the b
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`ody surface motion detecting section, an input section for inputting taste evaluation data,
`
`and taste evaluation data input by the input section ; A database generating part which sto
`
`res a database in which the result of analysis by the swallowing movement analyzing part i
`
`s associated with a storage part ; A taste evaluation diagnostic method for a taste evaluati
`
`on diagnostic device includes a taste evaluation diagnostic unit for performing taste evalua
`
`tion diagnosis on the basis of a signal obtained by a body surface motion detection unit an
`
`d an analysis result by the swallowing motion analysis unit stored in a database of the stor
`
`age unit.
`
`A step of generating a signal by the body surface motion detecting section ;
`
`The taste evaluation diagnostic unit includes a step of performing a process relating to a ta
`
`ste evaluation diagnosis on the basis of a signal generated by the body surface motion det
`
`ection unit and an analysis result of the swallowing motion analysis unit stored in a databa
`
`se of the storage unit.
`
`

`

`A taste evaluation diagnosing method of taste evaluation diagnostic equipment.
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`
`
`[Detailed description of the invention]
`
`[Technical field]
`
`[0001]
`
`The present invention relates to a taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus and a taste evalua
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`tion diagnosis method for a taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus.
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`[Background of the Invention]
`
`[0002]
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`A taste sensory test is one in which a test person (panelists) specializes the test according
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`to certain criteria. As described in Non-Patent Document 1, there is no uniform standard at
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`present, and it is realistic that an inspection execution organization uniquely determines ea
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`ch.
`
`[0003]
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`Taste is essentially sensory andis large in individual differences. It is based on a sensory e
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`valuation when an examined person actually eats. In addition, since a difference in the sto
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`rage state of food to be inspected, a method of preparation, and the like may be affected, i
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`t is considered that a uniform evaluation is still difficult at present. Improvement in technic
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`al of a measuring methodis desired.
`
`[0004]
`
`Patent Document 1 describes a continuous swallowing motion measuring apparatus using
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`a plurality of reflective optical sensors arranged along the vertical movement direction of t
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`he thyroid cartilage at the time of ingestion of food.
`
`[0005]
`
`In Patent Document 2, a method is described in which a waveform data of a surface muscl
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`e potential of a muscle of a pharynx portion is subjected to frequency analysis to evaluate
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`an impression of a beverage through a throat.
`
`[0006]
`
`In Patent Document 3, there is described an imaging means for irradiating 3 or more light
`
`emitting means for irradiating a head and neck surface with light of different wavelengths,
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`an imaging means for separating the light reflected on the head and head surfaces of the h
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`ead and neck and acquiring spectroscopic image data in time series, and a device for meas
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`uring a masticatory movement or swallowing movement based on the spectral image data
`
`acquired by the imaging means.
`
`[Prior art reference]
`
`[Patent document]
`
`

`

`[0007]
`
`[Patent document 1]JP 2009-160459A
`
`[Patent document 2]JP 2011-200662A
`
`[Patent document 3]JP 2013-31650A
`
`[Non-patent documents]
`
`[0008]
`
`[Non-patent document 1]Examination of food texture evaluation by a questionnaire metho
`
`d utilizing oral / pharyngeal sensation ( Evaluation of food texture by a questionnaire utilizi
`
`ng oropharyngeal sensation )
`
`: Yamada **, Near - Waizumi, Ken'ichi Ozaki, Corner **, Tan
`
`aka ** : Japanese Journal of Comprehensive Rehabilitation Science 4(2013), Pagel - 6,(20
`
`14.01.
`
`[Summary of the invention]
`
`[Problem to be solved by the invention]
`
`[0009]
`
`However, in the devices (methods) described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a reflection type
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`optical sensor, a sensor for measuring a surface muscle potential, an imaging unit, and the
`
`like are used to analyze a swallowing movementor the like, but a complicated deviceis re
`
`quired, and complicated analysis processing is required.
`
`[Means for solving the problem]
`
`[0010]
`
`The taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has at least the followin
`
`g configuration.
`
`Taste evaluation diagnostic equipment is a motion detection part for body surfaces,
`
`A swallowing motion analysis part for performing an analysis process relating to swallowin
`
`g movementbased on a signal obtained by the body surface motion detection part ;
`
`An input part for inputting taste evaluation data ;
`
`A database generating part which stores in a storage part a database which associates the
`
`taste evaluation data inputted by the input part with an analysis result by the swallowing
`
`movementanalysis part ;
`
`A taste evaluation diagnostic part which performs processing relating to taste evaluation di
`
`agnosis based on a signal obtained by the body surface motion detection part and an analy
`
`sis result by the swallowing motion analysis part stored in a database of the storage part is
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`provided.
`
`[0011]
`
`Further, the taste evaluation diagnostic method of the taste evaluation diagnostic apparatu
`
`s of the present invention has at least the following constitution.
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`A body surface motion detecting section, a swallowing motion analyzing section for perfor
`
`ming analysis processing relating to swallowing motion based on a signal obtained by the b
`
`ody surface motion detecting section, an input section for inputting taste evaluation data,
`
`and taste evaluation data input by the input section ; A database generating part which sto
`
`

`

`res a database in which the result of analysis by the swallowing movement analyzing part i
`
`s associated with a storage part ; A taste evaluation diagnostic method for a taste evaluati
`
`on diagnostic device includes a taste evaluation diagnostic unit for performing taste evalua
`
`tion diagnosis on the basis of a signal obtained by a body surface motion detection unit an
`
`d an analysis result by the swallowing motion analysis unit stored in a database of the stor
`
`age unit.
`
`A step of generating a signal by the body surface motion detecting section ;
`
`The taste evaluation diagnostic unit may include a step of performing a process relating to
`
`a taste evaluation diagnosis on the basis of a signal generated by the body surface motion
`
`detection unit and an analysis result of the swallowing motion analysis unit stored in a dat
`
`abase of the storage unit.
`
`[Effect of the Invention]
`
`[0012]
`
`According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a taste evaluation diagnosis ap
`
`paratus capable of non-invasively performing a taste evaluation diagnosis of functionality
`
`which is a sensory reaction to food and drink with a simple configuration.
`
`According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a taste evaluation diagnostic m
`
`ethod for a taste evaluation diagnosis apparatus which can non-invasively perform a taste
`
`evaluation diagnosis of a function that is a sensory reaction to food and drink with a simple
`
`configuration.
`
`[Brief Description of the Drawings]
`
`[0013]
`
`[Fig. 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus
`
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention ;.
`
`[Fig. 2]FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an acceleration detection uni
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`t for a body surface attached to a human body;.
`
`[Fig. 3]The figure showing an example of operation of the acceleration detector for body s
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`urfaces stuck on the human body, the figure in which (a) shows the state of the acceleratio
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`n detector for body surfaces before a deglutition, and the figure in which (b) shows the sta
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`te of the acceleration detector for body surfaces at the time of a deglutition.
`
`[Fig. 4]The figure showing an example of the signal from the acceleration detector for bod
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`y surfaces, the figure showing an example of the signal with which (a) shows the accelerati
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`on of x axial direction, the figure showing an example of the signal with which (b) shows t
`
`he acceleration of y axial direction, and the figure showing an example of the signal with w
`
`hich (c) showsthe acceleration of z axial direction.
`
`[Fig. 5]The figure showing an example of the signal from the acceleration detector for bod
`
`y surfaces, the figure showing an example of the signal with which (a) shows the accelerati
`
`on of x axial direction, and the figure showing the power spectrum of the signal which sho
`
`wed (b) to (a).
`
`[Fig. 6]The figure showing an example of a power spectrum when the figure showing an ex
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`

`

`ample of a power spectrum when the figure for describing the relation between a power sp
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`ectrum and taste evaluation and (a) carry out taste evaluation to it being delicious, and
`
`(b) carry out taste evaluation to it not being delicious.
`
`[Fig. 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the taste evaluation di
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`agnostic apparatus according to the 1 embodiment of the present invention ;.
`
`[Fig. 8]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus
`
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention ;.
`
`[Fig. 9]The figure showing an example of the functional block of a control part.
`
`[Fig. LO]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by an imaging unit
`
`[Fig. 11]The figure showing an example of an optical flow.
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`[Fig. 12]The figure showing an example of a motion of the pars laryngea pharyngis.
`
`[Fig. 13]The figure for describing a motion of the protruding part of the pars laryngea phar
`
`yngis, the state where a protruding part moves (a) to the lower part from the upper neigh
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`borhood, the state where a protruding part moves (b) to the upper part from the lower par
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`t, and the figure, in which, as for (c), a protruding part shows an example in the state of b
`
`eing placed at the upper part.
`
`[Fig. 14]The test subject Al -- beauty -- the figure in which the figure showing an example
`
`of the detecting signal by the deglutition operation at the time of sensing as tasting and
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`(a) show displacement, (b) shows speed, and (c) shows an example of acceleration.
`
`[Fig. 15]It is the figure in which the figure showing an example of the detecting signal by t
`
`he deglutition operation at the time of sensing that it is unsavory by the test subject Al an
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`d (a) show displacement, (b) shows speed, and (c) shows an example of acceleration.
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`[Fig. 16]The test subject A2 -- beauty -- the figure in which the figure showing an example
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`of the detecting signal by the deglutition operation at the time of sensing as tasting and
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`(a) show displacement, (b) shows speed, and (c) shows an example of acceleration.
`
`[Fig. 17]It is the figure in which the figure showing an example of the detecting signal by t
`
`he deglutition operation at the time of sensing that it is unsavory by the test subject A2 an
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`d (a) show displacement, (b) shows speed, and (c) shows an example of acceleration.
`
`[Fig. 18](b) is the figure showing an example of a power spectrum, the figure in which (a)
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`shows an example of the power spectrum of speed, and the figure showing an example of
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`the power spectrum of acceleration.
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`[Fig. 19]The figure showing an example of the inhalation-of-air speed in pleasant state or
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`an unpleasantstate.
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`[Mode for carrying out the invention]
`
`[0014]
`
`<A 1st embodiment>
`
`A taste evaluation diagnostic device according to a 1 embodiment of the present invention
`
`includes : a body surface motion detection unit such as an acceleration detection unit for a
`
`body surface ; and a swallowing motion analysis unit for performing an analysis process re
`
`lating to a swallowing motion on the basis of a signal obtained by the body surface motion
`
`

`

`detection unit. A database generating part for storing in a storage part, an input part for in
`
`putting taste evaluation data, and a database which associates the taste evaluation data in
`
`putted by the input part with an analysis result by the swallowing movement analysis part
`
`, A taste evaluation diagnostic part which performs processing relating to taste evaluation
`
`diagnosis based on a signal obtained by the body surface motion detection part and an ana
`
`lysis result by the swallowing motion analysis part stored in a database of the storage part
`
`is provided.
`
`In the present embodiment, the swallowing motion analyzing unit performs processing for
`
`calculating the intensity information (power spectrum) of the frequency component of the
`
`acceleration signal based on the acceleration signal obtained by the body surface accelerati
`
`on detecting unit. Further, the database generation unit stores a database in which the inte
`
`nsity information of the frequency components of the taste evaluation data, the acceleratio
`
`n signal, and the acceleration signal are associated with each other in the storage unit. Fur
`
`ther, the taste evaluation diagnosis unit performs processing relating to the taste evaluatio
`
`n diagnosis on the basis of an acceleration signal obtained by the acceleration detection un
`
`it for the body surface and an analysis result of the swallowing motion analysis unit stored
`
`in the database.
`
`[0015]
`
`Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the a
`
`ccompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, the d
`
`etails shown. In the following description of each of the drawings, parts common to those
`
`described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descript
`
`ions will be partially omitted.
`
`[0016]
`
`As shown in FIG. 1, the taste evaluation diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the 1 embo
`
`diment of the present invention includes an acceleration detection unit 1 for a body surface
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`as a body surface motion detection unit and a information processing apparatus 2 (a comp
`
`uter).
`
`[0017]
`
`As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body surface acceleration detecting unit 1 is disposed ata
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`predetermined body surface position such as a larynx, a pharynx, a neck, or a face of the
`
`human body A. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the body surface acceleration
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`detecting unit 1 is attached to the front surface of the larynx by an adhesive material such
`
`as cellophane tape. When food, beverage, or the like is eaten, the body surface acceleratio
`
`n detecting unit 1 detects the movement of the human body surface due to swallowing, ch
`
`ewing, and the like, and outputs the detected acceleration signal to the information proces
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`sing apparatus 2.
`
`[0018]
`
`Specifically, the body surface acceleration detecting unit 1 includes an acceleration sensor
`
`11 (acceleration detecting unit), a CPU 12, a communication unit 13, and the like.
`
`

`

`As the acceleration sensor 11, a 3 axis acceleration sensor such as a capacitance type, a pi
`
`ezoresistive type, or a piezoelectric type can be employed. The acceleration sensor 11 can
`
`detect acceleration of the sensor itself and gravitational acceleration. In addition, in the ex
`
`ample shown in FIG. 2, a vertical direction of the human bodyA is defined as an x-axis dir
`
`ection, a front-rear direction is defined as a y-axis direction, and a left-right direction is def
`
`ined as a z-axis direction.
`
`[0019]
`
`The CPU 12 outputs a signal indicating an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor
`
`11 via the communication unit 13.
`
`[0020]
`
`The communication unit 13 transmits a signal showing an acceleration to the information p
`
`rocessing apparatus 2 (computer) under the control of the CPU 12 via a wireless or wired c
`
`ommunication path.
`
`[0021]
`
`The information processing apparatus 2 performs a taste evaluation process, a database cr
`
`eation process related to the taste evaluation, and the like on the basis of a signal indicatin
`
`g an acceleration from the acceleration detecting unit 1.
`
`As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a communication unit
`
`21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a sound generation unit 24, a storage unit 25, a co
`
`ntrol unit 26 (CPU), and the like. Each component (the communication unit 21, the input u
`
`nit 22, the display unit 23, the sound generation unit 24, and the storage unit 25) is electri
`
`cally connected to the control unit 26 (the CPU) via a communication line 27.
`
`[0022]
`
`Under the control of the control unit 26, the communication unit 21 communicates with th
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`e body surface acceleration detecting unit 1 via a wireless or wired communication path, a
`
`nd receives a signal indicating an acceleration from the body surface acceleration detecting
`
`unit 1.
`
`[0023]
`
`The input unit 22 is an operation input unit such as a button, a switch, a keyboard, a mous
`
`e, a touch panel, and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to an input to the contro
`
`| unit 26.
`
`[0024]
`
`The display unit 23 is a display device such as an LED or a liquid crystal display device, an
`
`d performs display under the control of the control unit 26.
`
`The sound generation unit 24 is a sound generation device such as a speaker, and perform
`
`s sound generation under the control of the control unit 26.
`
`The storage unit 25 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a magnetic recording / repr
`
`oducing device, or an SSD. The storage unit 25 stores a program and various data. Furthe
`
`r, the storage unit 25 functions as a work area for executing a program. In addition, the st
`
`orage unit 25 stores a database in which the taste evaluation data to be searched and the i
`
`ntensity information of the frequency componentto be searched are associated with each
`
`

`

`other.
`
`[0025]
`
`The control unit 26 comprehensively controls each componentof the information processin
`
`g apparatus 2. Further, the control unit 26 executes a program stored in the storage unit 2
`
`5, thereby realizing the function of the present invention on a information processing appa
`
`ratus 2 (computer).
`
`Specifically, the control unit 26 includes a swallowing motion analysis unit 261, a database
`
`generation unit 262, a taste evaluation diagnosis unit 263, and the like.
`
`[0026]
`
`The swallowing motion analysis unit 261 performs an analysis process on the swallowing m
`
`otion based on the signal obtained by the acceleration detection unit 1. In detail, the swall
`
`owing motion analysis unit 261 calculates the intensity information of the frequency compo
`
`nent of the acceleration signal based on the acceleration signal obtained from the body sur
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`face acceleration detection unit 1.
`
`[0027]
`
`When generating the database, the database generation unit 262 stores the intensity infor
`
`mation of the frequency component of the acceleration signal and the taste evaluation dat
`
`a input by the input unit (operation input unit) in association with each other as search tar
`
`gets and stores them in the database DB to generate a database DB related to the taste ev
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`aluation data.
`
`[0028]
`
`In the taste evaluation diagnostic part 263, when an acceleration signal is obtained by an
`
`acceleration detecting part 1 for the body surface, the intensity information of the frequenc
`
`y componentof the acceleration signal by the analysis of the swallowing motion analyzing
`
`part 261 is obtained. A taste evaluation diagnosis is performed on the basis of the intensit
`
`y information of the frequency component to be retrieved stored in the database DB of the
`
`storage unit 25, based on the taste evaluation data specified.
`
`[0029]
`
`Further, the taste evaluation diagnostic unit 263 specifies the taste evaluation data based
`
`on the characteristic information (such as the feature pattern) calculated from the intensit
`
`y information of the frequency component of the acceleration signal.
`
`[0030]
`
`Next, an example of the movement of the acceleration detection unit 1 will be described.
`
`For example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the body surface acceleration detecting unit 1
`
`is affixed to the larynx PL of the human body A using an adhesive or the like. Before and b
`
`efore the subject eats food or drink, the acceleration detecting unit 1 for the body surfacei
`
`S arranged at the position shown in FIG. 3 a. The laryngeal bulge of the laryngeal part PL i
`
`s caused by an inthyroid cartilage located in the middle of the throat, and when swallowin
`
`g, the upper part of the thyroid gland and the esophagus are moved in response to the sw
`
`

`

`allowing operation, thereby changing the raised position of the surface of the body.
`
`[0031]
`
`Specifically, when the subject eats food or drink, and when swallowing, the body surface di
`
`splaces according to the swallowing operation as shown in FIG. 3 (b), and the body surface
`
`acceleration detecting unit 1 moves corresponding to the swallowing operation. The body s
`
`urface acceleration detecting unit 1 transmits a signal indicating an acceleration at the tim
`
`e of swallowing to the information processing apparatus 2. In other words, the movement
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`of the body surface acceleration detecting unit 1 with the swallowing motion is observed, a
`
`nd sensing for peristalsis is realized.
`
`An acceleration detecting part 1 for a body surface is arranged at a position where an accel
`
`eration of a displacement of a body surface corresponding to a swallowing operation of as
`
`ubject at eating and drinking is easily detected.
`
`[0032]
`
`Next, an example of an acceleration signal obtained by the body surface acceleration detec
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`ting unit 1 when the subject eats bread as a food will be described. In FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c),
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`the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents acceleration in the x-a
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`xis direction, acceleration in the y-axis direction, and acceleration in the z-axis direction.
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`Whena Subject eats a pan, an acceleration detecting unit 1 detects an acceleration of a bo
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`dy surface according to a swallowing operation of a subject, and outputs a signal indicating
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`an acceleration in the x-axis direction, an acceleration in the y-axis direction, and an accel
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`eration in the z-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c, for example. In other words, t
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`he body surface acceleration detecting unit 1 highly accurately detects the movementof th
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`e body surface due to the continuous swallowing motion and the peristaltic motion.
`
`[0033]
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`Next, a description will be given of the detection of the movement of the body surface of t
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`he larynx by the acceleration detecting unit for the body surface and the power spectrum o
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`f the acceleration signal detected by the acceleration detecting unit for the body surface w
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`hen the subject is swallowed by the subject.
`
`[0034]
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`In FIG. 5 a, the vertical axis represents acceleration in the x-axis direction and the horizon
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`tal axis represents time. The swallowing motion analysis unit 261 of the control unit 26 (C
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`PU) calculates the intensity information of the frequency component of the acceleration sig
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`nal based on the acceleration signal by the body surface acceleration detection unit 1. Spe
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`cifically, when an acceleration signal is obtained as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the swallowing mo
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`tion analysis unit 261 of the control unit 26 calculates the intensity information of the freq
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`uency componentof the acceleration signal as shown in FIG. 5 (b) by performing signal an
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`alysis processing such as Fourier transform processing. In FIG. 5 b, a horizontal axis indica
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`tes a frequency, and a vertical axis indicates a power spectrum (an intensity of a frequency
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`component of an acceleration signal). In the example shown in FIG. 5 b, the power spectru
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`m is large in the low frequency component and lower in the high frequency.
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`

`

`[0035]
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`As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the body surface acceleration detection unit 1 can detect body surf
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`ace movement due to continuous swallowing motion and peristaltic motion. By quantitative
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`ly analyzing this power spectrum, it is possible to evaluate the taste with respect to sweet
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`ness, saltiness, bitterness, taste, deliciousness, and the like.
`
`[0036]
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`Specifically, there is a difference in the continuous swallowing motion and the peristaltic m
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`otion between a case in which a subject has eaten food or drink and a case in which it feel
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`s delicious, for example, and a case in whichit is not tasty, and a difference in power spect
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`rum occurs due to an acceleration signal detected by the acceleration detecting unit 1.
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`[0037]
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`The present inventors have confirmed that there is a difference in power spectrum due to
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`an acceleration signal detected by the acceleration detecting unit 1 for the body surface w
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`hen the subject feels to be tasty at the time of eating and drinking and that the subject fee
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`Is not to be tasty, and there is a characteristic in each of them.
`
`[0038]
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`More specifically, when the subject feels delicious, a power spectrum as shown in FIG. 6a i
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`s obtained from an acceleration signal from the acceleration detector 1. In addition, when t
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`he subject feels that the subject is not palatable, a power spectrum as shown in FIG. 6bis
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`obtained from an acceleration signal obtained by the acceleration detecting unit 1.
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`When the power spectrum is compared, if the subject feels delicious, there is a large peak
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`around the frequency of 0.3 Hz in the low frequency range as shown in FIG. 6 a.
`
`[0039]
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`In other words, when the subject feels delicious, it becomes a power spectrum having a lar
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`ge peak around a frequency of 0.3 Hz in a low frequency range, and when the subject feel
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`s that the subject is not delicious, it becomes a power spectrum having no characteristic p
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`eak around a frequency of 0.3 Hz in a low frequency range.
`
`[0040]
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`That is, the taste evaluation diagnostic unit 263 analyzes the acceleration signal of the bod
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`y surface acceleration detection unit 1. For example, as the feature information calculated
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`from the intensity information of the acceleration signal, it is possible to objectively and qu
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`antitatively determine the taste evaluation of the subject based on the information indicati
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`ng the magnitude of the peak of the low frequency region and the presence or absence of
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`the peak in the power sp