JP2007299700A - Oral switch and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oral switch which can be fixed easily in a predetermined position in a mouth and cause hardly any malfunction. <P>SOLUTION: The oral switch 10 is composed of a mouthpiece 11 to be fixed in a mouth, one or a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 12, 13 which can be pushed by a tongue and a controlling unit 19 which receives an output signal from the piezoelectric sensors 12, 13 and send a signal to an external unit 17. The manufacturing method of the same is to paste the piezoelectric sensors on the mouthpiece 11 and then to press and bond a thermoplastic material further on the piezoelectric sensors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a switch that is used by a wearer, for example, a physically handicapped person due to cervical cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, upper limb defect, and the like, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Conventionally, when a physically handicapped person (for example, a patient with cervical spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, upper limb defect, etc.) operates an IT device such as a personal computer, for example, a ring for fixing in the oral cavity and a lower layer of the ring A mouth-pointing device that is turned on and off by pressing the operation lever with a tongue (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-259091

However, the invention of Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to fix the intraoral pointing device at a predetermined position in the oral cavity. Further, since the lever portion protrudes, there is a problem that the tongue is inadvertently hit and malfunction is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an intraoral switch that is easy to be fixed at a predetermined position in the oral cavity and is less likely to malfunction, and a method for manufacturing the same.

An intraoral switch according to the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a mouthpiece to be installed in the oral cavity, one or more piezoelectric sensors that are provided on the mouthpiece and can be pressed with a tongue, and an output from the piezoelectric sensor. And a control device capable of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal to an external device.
Here, as a pressure-sensitive element (piezoelectric body) of a piezoelectric sensor, there are a resistance input type and a capacitance type. However, since these require a power source separately, a voltage is generated by pressing, and no power is required. It is preferable to use a thin film piezoelectric element. Note that the thin film piezoelectric element may be formed of an inorganic material and may be formed of an organic material, both of which are applicable. Examples of the external device that receives an output signal from the control device include a personal computer, a television, a home game machine, and an environmental control device (ECS). For example, the environmental control device can be used to move the bed up and down, raise and lower the body, receive and transmit calls, open and close the electronic lock on the intercom and front doors, turn on and off the lights, adjust the volume of the TV and adjust the channel. It is a device that performs change, adjustment of an air conditioner, lighting on / off, etc. with one or a small number of switches. The above-described operation can be performed by attaching an intraoral switch to the environmental control device.

In the intraoral switch according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device is disposed outside the oral cavity and connected to the piezoelectric sensor by a wire.
In the intraoral switch according to the present invention, the control device includes a receiving unit that receives an output signal from the piezoelectric sensor, and a transmitting unit that can transmit to the external device, and the output signal from the receiving unit is You may transmit to this transmission part by radio.
Here, the radio signal includes a radio wave signal, an ultrasonic wave, an optical signal, and the like.

In the intraoral switch according to the present invention, the piezoelectric sensor is a thin film piezoelectric film in which a film-like substrate, a piezoelectric layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and an electrode layer formed on both outer surfaces are laminated. It is preferable to have.
As the material of the substrate, a material mainly composed of metal, a material mainly composed of ceramic, a material mainly composed of a polymer compound, or the like can be used.

Here, as a material having a metal as a main component, for example, aluminum, iron, nickel, chromium, copper, titanium, tungsten, silicon, magnesium, zinc, tin, molybdenum, niobium, zirconia, platinum, gold, silver, palladium Any one or more of rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, yttrium, or alloys thereof, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and the like can be used.
In addition, the materials mainly composed of ceramic materials include aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, molybdenum silicide, molybdenum boride, boron nitride, boron carbide, boride. Any one or more of titanium, sialon and the like can be used.

Furthermore, as a material having a polymer compound as a main component (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “polymer material”), for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, Any one or two or more of polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfucavinylidene, polyethylene naphthalate, polyetherimide, and polyetheretherketone can be used.
The material of the base material is preferably a film mainly composed of a polymer having characteristics such as flexibility, light weight, and easy handling, and in particular, a polyimide system excellent in heat resistance, dielectric breakdown strength, and mechanical strength. Is preferred.

The material for forming the piezoelectric layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance having piezoelectricity. As an example, a material containing a composite oxide having a perovskite structure (ABO ₃ ) as a main component, or wurtzite. A material mainly composed of a compound having an ore structure can be used.
Examples of the composite oxide having a perovskite structure include Pb (Zr, Ti) O ₃ , PbTiO ₃ , BaTiO ₃ , SrTiO ₃ , (Pb, La) (Zr, Ti) O ₃ , LiNbO ₃ , TaNbO _{3, and the} like. . Examples of the wurtzite type compound include aluminum nitride, gallium nitride, indium nitride, beryllium oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, zinc sulfide, and silver iodide. One of these is selected. It ’s fine.

As a method for forming the piezoelectric layer, a sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, a laser ablation method, an ion plating method, a CVD method, an MOCVD method, and the like are known, and a preferable one is appropriately selected from them. The thickness of the piezoelectric layer is usually preferably from 0.1 to 100 μm, more preferably from 0.5 to 30 μm. That is, if the thickness is less than 0.1 μm, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient output. Conversely, if the thickness exceeds 100 μm, the flexibility becomes poor and there is a risk of causing cracks and peeling.

Furthermore, as a material for forming the electrode layer, a conductive material of metal or alloy such as aluminum, nickel, platinum, gold, silver, or copper, or a conductive material of metal oxide or metal nitride can be used.
The formation method of an electrode layer is not specifically limited, For example, physical vapor deposition methods, such as a coating process, a plating method, sputtering method, or a vacuum evaporation method, can be used.

In the intraoral switch according to the present invention, the mouthpiece covers 4 to 10 teeth in front of the upper dentition (upper front teeth to premolars), and the piezoelectric sensor is inserted into the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is mounted. It is preferable that it is attached so that it may be arrange | positioned inside.
In the intraoral switch according to the present invention, the mouthpiece is preferably formed of a thermoplastic material whose biosafety has been confirmed.

The fact that biosafety has been confirmed is a material approved as a medical material or a dental material, and examples of the thermoplastic material used include a thermoplastic resin. Here, as the thermoplastic resin, for example, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl chloride copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene, polybutene, polybutadiene, polymethylbenten, polystyrene, styrene resin, polyester, polyamide , Polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, silicone, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetal, polyacrylonitrile, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polymethacrylate, polyvinyloxyethyl methacrylate, polyethylene methacrylate, Ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer, polysulfone, trans polyisoprene, polycaprolactone, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer, gutta percha, co Le, shellac, and there is either 1 or 2 or more such as coumarone-indene resin. Moreover, it is preferable to use what the thermoplastic material to use softens at 60 degreeC or more and hardens | cures at 50 degrees C or less, for example.

The manufacturing method of an intraoral switch according to the present invention that meets the above-described object includes a mouthpiece formed of a thermoplastic resin whose biological safety has been confirmed, and one or more that are provided on the mouthpiece and can be pressed with a tongue. A method of manufacturing an intraoral switch comprising: a piezoelectric sensor; and a control device capable of receiving an output signal from the piezoelectric sensor and transmitting the output signal to an external device,
After the piezoelectric sensor is attached to the mouthpiece, a thermoplastic material is further pressure-bonded to the upper portion of the piezoelectric sensor.

In the intraoral switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, since the piezoelectric sensor is provided on the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece can be easily mounted at a predetermined position in the oral cavity, and the piezoelectric sensor is disposed at the predetermined position. Can do. In addition, since the part with which it installs in an oral cavity is a mouthpiece, it is hard to come off.
In particular, in the intraoral switch according to claim 2, since the control device is disposed outside the oral cavity and connected to the piezoelectric sensor by wire, it is possible to prevent aspiration (ingestion) of the mouthpiece and the piezoelectric sensor. it can.

In the intraoral switch according to claim 3, the control device includes a receiving unit that receives the output signal from the piezoelectric sensor and a transmitting unit that can transmit to the external device, and the output signal from the receiving unit is sent to the transmitting unit. Since it is transmitted by radio, a code that obstructs wearing and operation is not necessary. Further, since there is no restriction due to the length of the cord, the wearer can move freely.
5. The intraoral switch according to claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is a thin film piezoelectric film in which a film-like substrate, a piezoelectric layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and an electrode layer formed on both outer surfaces are laminated. Therefore, the piezoelectric sensor can be formed thin, and the protruding length from the mouthpiece can be reduced. Moreover, since a voltage is generated by pressing the thin film piezoelectric film, no electric power is required. For example, when a battery is mounted on the control device, the life of the battery can be extended accordingly. Further, since the piezoelectric sensor is thin, the height of the protruding portion from the mouthpiece is reduced, the tongue is unlikely to contact the piezoelectric sensor inadvertently, and malfunction is unlikely to occur.

In the intraoral switch according to claim 5, the mouthpiece covers 4 to 10 teeth in front of the upper dentition, and is attached so that the piezoelectric sensor is disposed inside the mouth when the mouthpiece is attached. Therefore, the mouthpiece is hard to come off, and the range in which the tongue is moved is moderate, so that the wearer is less burdened.
In the intraoral switch according to claim 6, since the mouthpiece is formed of a thermoplastic material whose biological safety has been confirmed, harmful substances do not elute at the time of use, and can be used with confidence. The mouthpiece can be easily made according to the wearer.

8. The method of manufacturing an intraoral switch according to claim 7, wherein one or two or more piezoelectric sensors are attached to a mouthpiece formed of a thermoplastic material whose biosafety has been confirmed, and then the upper portion of the piezoelectric sensor. In addition, since the thermoplastic material is further pressure-bonded, the piezoelectric sensor can be easily attached to the mouthpiece. In addition, since the piezoelectric sensor is covered with a thermoplastic material whose biological safety has been confirmed, the mouthpiece to be inserted into the oral cavity is completely covered with the thermoplastic resin, ensuring safety during use and It is possible to prevent a short circuit due to moisture (for example, saliva) inside.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
Here, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an intraoral switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are a side sectional view and a rear view showing a mounting state of the mouthpiece of the intraoral switch, respectively. FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a piezoelectric sensor of the intraoral switch, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device for the intraoral switch, and FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (F) are explanatory diagrams showing a manufacturing method of the intraoral switch. FIG. 6 is a graph showing an output waveform of the piezoelectric sensor of the intraoral switch, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a signal processing method of the piezoelectric sensor of the intraoral switch.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the intraoral switch 10 which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, the intraoral switch 10 is a dental ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin (heat) that is an example of a thermoplastic material that has been confirmed to be biosafety, softened at 60 ° C. or higher and hardened at 50 ° C. or lower. A mouthpiece 11 formed in accordance with the tooth shape of a wearer (for example, a physically handicapped person) A by a plastic resin, and provided on the mouthpiece 11, with the tongue when the wearer A wears the mouthpiece 11 One or more, for example, two piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 that are attached to a position where they can be pressed and generate electricity (piezoelectricity) due to distortion caused by pressing, and output signals from the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 disposed outside the oral cavity Wirelessly connected to the receiving unit 16 and the receiving unit 16 via the shielded cables 14 and 15, respectively, and connected to the personal computer 17 as an example of an external device with a USB cable. Via 17a and a control unit 19 provided with a transmission capable of transmitting 18 output signal. Each will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the mouthpiece 11 has 4 to 10 teeth in front of the upper dentition of the wearer A, for example, 8 teeth (that is, the central incisor B side to the left and right from the middle, respectively) It is formed so as to cover up to incisors C, canines D, and first premolars E). The piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are positioned so as to straddle the inside of the oral cavity when the wearer A wears the mouthpiece 11, for example, the back side of the left and right side incisors C and the canines D (the lingual side, the same applies hereinafter). It is attached and the wearer A can press with the tongue F.

As shown in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric sensor 12 (13) is formed of polyimide, which is an example of a polymer material, and has a film-like substrate 20 having a thickness of 5 to 100 μm (12.5 μm in the present embodiment). For example, aluminum nitride is vapor-deposited on one surface of the substrate 20 and has a thickness of 0.5 to 10 μm (in this embodiment, 1 μm), and further on both outer surfaces, that is, the substrate 20 and Thin film piezoelectric film 24 formed by laminating electrode layers 22 and 23 each having a thickness of 0.01 to 0.5 μm (in this embodiment, 0.1 μm) formed by depositing aluminum on the surface of piezoelectric layer 21. have.

Furthermore, lead wires 25 and 26 constituting the shield cable 14 (15) are attached to the electrode layers 22 and 23, respectively. For attaching the lead wires 25 and 26 to the electrode layers 22 and 23, a known method such as a bonding method using silver paste or a bonding method using ultrasonic waves can be used.
The piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are attached to the mouthpiece 11 by bending the central portion of the thin film piezoelectric film 24 with the electrode layer 23 provided on the piezoelectric layer 21 inside. As described above, the sensitivity is improved by folding the thin film piezoelectric film 24 in two. However, the thin film piezoelectric film 24 may not be folded or may be folded two or more times. In addition, a thin film piezoelectric film may be provided with piezoelectric layers on both outer sides of the substrate, and electrode layers may be formed on both sides to improve sensitivity. Furthermore, the same resin (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin 40a) as that forming the mouthpiece 11 is used to cover the surfaces of the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 attached to the mouthpiece 11, so that moisture in the oral cavity (eg, saliva), etc. Prevents short circuit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving unit 16 of the control device 19 is connected to the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 via shielded cables 14 and 15, respectively, and amplifies the first output signal from the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13. Charge amplifiers 27 and 28 having capacitors not to be connected, a first microcomputer 29 connected to the charge amplifiers 27 and 28, and a second output signal connected to the microcomputer 29 and output from the microcomputer 29 to the transmitter 18. It has a wireless chip 30 for transmission, an antenna 31 connected to the wireless chip 30, a power source for driving the microcomputer 29 and the wireless chip 30, for example, a battery 44. The microcomputer 29 is an interface (not shown) connected to the charge amplifiers 27 and 28 and the wireless chip 30, and an AD converter that converts an analog signal constituting the first output signal from the charge amplifiers 27 and 28 into a digital signal. (Not shown), a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown), and a program for processing a first output signal from the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 in the ROM. Is remembered. The microcomputer 29 is connected to a threshold setting means (not shown) so that the pressing force (that is, the output voltage) to the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 and the pressing time can be set in advance. Yes.

The transmission unit 18 of the control device 19 includes an antenna 32 that receives the second output signal from the reception unit 16, a reception wireless chip 33 connected to the antenna 32, and a first connection connected to the wireless chip 33. 2 and a USB-serial conversion chip 35 connected to an interface (not shown) for connecting a USB cable 17a connected to a USB port (not shown) of the personal computer 17 is connected. The transmitter 18 is connected to the microcomputer 34, and the light emitting diode 36 that emits light when only the piezoelectric sensor 12 is pressed, the light emitting diode 37 that emits light when only the piezoelectric sensor 13 is pressed, and the piezoelectric sensor 12 and the piezoelectric sensor 13 are substantially included. A buzzer 38 is attached that emits when pressed simultaneously. The microcomputer 34 includes an interface (not shown), a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM processes the second output signal from the receiving unit 16 and transmits the third output signal to the personal computer 17. A processing program for operating the light emitting diodes 36 and 37 or the buzzer 38 in accordance with the second output signal is stored.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 (A)-(F), the preparation method of the mouthpiece 11 of the intraoral switch 10 and the attachment method of the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 to the mouthpiece 11 are demonstrated.
First, for example, a disc-shaped dental ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin 40 having a thickness of 5 mm and a diameter of 10 cm is softened by putting it in hot water at 60 to 90 ° C., for example, for an upper tooth prepared in advance. Molding is performed so as to cover eight teeth from the central incisor B to the first premolar E to the left and right of the upper teeth of the general-purpose dentition model 41 (A), and the base mouthpiece 42 is produced (B). Further, after pasting the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 to which the shield cables 14 and 15 are respectively connected to the left and right side incisors C and canine teeth D on the back side of the base mouthpiece 42 (C), a new one is added. The peripheral surfaces of the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are covered with the softened ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin 40a and pressed (D). The base mouthpiece 42 to which the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are attached is removed from the general-purpose dentition model 41 to adjust the shape, and the original mouthpiece 43 to which the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are attached is produced (E). Furthermore, after warming and softening the original mouthpiece 43, by applying lip pressure, tongue pressure, and occlusal pressure in the oral cavity of the wearer A, the original mouthpiece 43 is adjusted to a shape that matches the tooth profile of the wearer A, A mouthpiece 11 dedicated to the wearer A to which the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are attached is made (F).

Thus, since the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are attached to the mouthpiece 11, the intraoral switch 10 is easy to wear and is difficult to come off. Moreover, since the mouthpiece 11 is fixed in the oral cavity, the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are fixedly disposed at predetermined positions (here, the back side of the left and right side incisors C and the canines D), so that it is difficult to make a mistake. Since the mouthpiece 11 is made of a thermoplastic material, it can be adjusted according to the tooth profile of the wearer and can be easily made. Moreover, since the shield cables 14 and 15 are connected to the mouthpiece 11, it is possible to prevent the mouthpiece 11 and the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 from being swallowed.

Next, with reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, operation | movement of the intraoral switch 10 is demonstrated. Since the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 operate in the same manner, the piezoelectric sensor 12 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the piezoelectric sensor 12 is pressed (that is, pressed by the tongue), the current immediately returns to the reference value after a positive current (ON signal) is generated. When the pressing is further stopped (that is, the tongue is released), a negative current (off signal) is generated, and the current immediately returns to the reference value. Therefore, the time (pressing time) from when the piezoelectric sensor 12 is pressed until it is released can be measured by measuring the time of the on signal and the off signal with a timer. The current value shown in FIG. 6 is amplified by the charge amplifier 27.

The intraoral switch 10 analyzes the received output signals (ON signal and OFF signal) of the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 by a program stored in the microcomputer 29 by the microcomputer 29 of the receiving unit 16 of the control device 19. As shown in FIG. 7, when an ON signal is received from the piezoelectric sensor 12 (a), measurement of time after the piezoelectric sensors 12 and 13 are pressed by a timer (not shown) built in the microcomputer 29 is started. .
Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the piezoelectric sensor 12 continues to be pressed for a predetermined time (also referred to as a long press determination time, for example, 1 second), that is, within 1 second from the start of measurement. When the OFF signal is not received (b), it is determined as “long press”, and the output signal 1 is transmitted. Thereafter, when the wearer A releases the piezoelectric sensor 12 and receives an off signal, the wearer A returns to the standby state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the pressing time to the piezoelectric sensor 12 is within one second, that is, when an off signal is received within one second from the start of measurement (c), “short press” Determination is made and an output signal 2 is transmitted.
Furthermore, when the piezoelectric sensor 13 is pressed within one second (ie, substantially simultaneously) (d), it is determined as “simultaneous pressing” and the output signal 3 is transmitted. Is done. Thereafter, when the wearer A releases the piezoelectric sensor 12 and the piezoelectric sensor 13, the respective off signals are transmitted to return to the standby state.

In addition, when an ON signal of the piezoelectric sensor 13 is received without an ON signal from the piezoelectric sensor 12 (e), an OFF signal is received from the piezoelectric sensor 13 before one second has elapsed from the measurement of the ON signal from the piezoelectric sensor 13 ( f) and “short press” are determined and the output signal 5 is transmitted, and when 1 second elapses (g), “long press” is determined and the output signal 4 is transmitted and before 1 second elapses. When an ON signal is received from the piezoelectric sensor 12 (h), it is determined as “simultaneous pressing” and an output signal 3 is transmitted.

Output signals 1 to 5 (second output signals) from the microcomputer 29 are sent to the microcomputer 34 via the wireless chip 30 and the antenna 31 of the receiver 16 and the antenna 32 and the wireless chip 33 of the transmitter 18. When the microcomputer 34 receives the output signals 1 to 5, the microcomputer 34 transmits the output signals A to E to the personal computer 17 connected to the transmission unit 18, and outputs the output signals 1 and 2 indicating that the piezoelectric sensor 12 is pressed. When receiving, the light emitting diode 36 is turned on, and when the output signals 4 and 5 indicating that the piezoelectric sensor 13 is pressed are received, the light emitting diode 37 is turned on and the output indicating that the piezoelectric sensor 12 and the piezoelectric sensor 13 are pressed simultaneously. When the signal 3 is received, the buzzer 38 is uttered.

Next, the operation method of the personal computer 17 by the intraoral switch 10 is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, the USB cable 17a connected to the transmission unit 18 of the control device 19 is connected to the personal computer 17, and the mouthpiece 11 of the intraoral switch 10 is placed in the mouth of the wearer A as shown in FIG. Wear. Here, when the wearer A presses or separates one or both of the piezoelectric sensor 12 and the piezoelectric sensor 13 with the tongue, the first output signal (the ON signal and the piezoelectric sensor 12 and / or the piezoelectric sensor 13 is output). Off signal). The received first output signal is analyzed by the microcomputer 29 of the receiving unit 16 and transmitted as output signals 1 to 5 to the microcomputer 34 of the transmitting unit 18. The microcomputer 34 is connected to the personal computer 17, the light emitting diodes 36 and 37, and the buzzer. A signal is transmitted to 38.

The intraoral switch 10 can be used, for example, as an input device for an application for a physically handicapped person operating with a small number of switches (for example, an environmental control device, a TV remote controller, a home game machine, etc.) It can also be used as an input device for input support software (for example, Operate Navi, Kinex, etc.) that can input characters such as a word processor with a small number of switches instead of an input device such as a keyboard or mouse used by a user. .
The assignment of the output signals 1 to 5 from the intraoral switch 10 by each application may be stored in the intraoral switch 10 or set by each application. For example, when the intraoral switch 10 is used as an input device of a TV remote controller, “short press” by the piezoelectric sensor 12 changes the channel, “long press” turns the power on and off, and “short press” by the piezoelectric sensor 13 Can be processed as a small volume, “long press” can be increased in volume, and “simultaneous press” can be processed for calling.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, a part or all of the above-described embodiment and modification examples are combined. The present invention also includes the case where the intraoral switch of the present invention and the manufacturing method thereof are configured.
For example, in the intraoral switch of the above-described embodiment, dental ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin is used as the mouthpiece material. However, any thermoplastic material that has been confirmed to be biosafety may be used. In addition, although two piezoelectric sensors are attached to the mouthpiece, one or three or more may be attached, and the mouthpiece is used for upper teeth, but may be used for lower teeth.

In the above-described embodiment, a physically handicapped person due to cervical cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, upper limb deficiency, etc. operates a device such as a personal computer. It can also be used by healthy people. In addition, the intraoral switch 10 can be used for an input device of a home game machine, a remote control of a television, etc. Further, the operation of the environment control device, the operation of the bed, the operation of the electric wheelchair, the operation of the elevator, etc. You may make it perform.

It is explanatory drawing of the intraoral switch which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are a side sectional view and a rear view, respectively, showing a mounting state of the mouthpiece of the intraoral switch. It is explanatory drawing of the piezoelectric sensor of the same intraoral switch. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of the intraoral switch. (A)-(F) is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the intraoral switch. It is a graph which shows the output waveform of the piezoelectric sensor of the same intraoral switch. It is a flowchart of the signal processing method of the piezoelectric sensor of the same intraoral switch.

Explanation of symbols

10: intraoral switch, 11: mouthpiece, 12, 13: piezoelectric sensor, 14, 15: shielded cable, 16: receiving unit, 17: personal computer, 17a: USB cable, 18: transmitting unit, 19: control device, 20 : Substrate, 21: piezoelectric layer, 22, 23: electrode layer, 24: thin film piezoelectric film, 25, 26: lead wire, 27, 28: charge amplifier, 29: first microcomputer, 30: wireless chip, 31, 32: Antenna, 33: Wireless chip, 34: Second microcomputer, 35: USB-serial conversion chip, 36, 37: Light emitting diode, 38: Buzzer, 40, 40a: Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, 41: General-purpose tooth Row model, 42: Base mouthpiece, 43: Original mouthpiece, 44: Battery

Claims (7)

A mouthpiece to be worn in the oral cavity;
One or more piezoelectric sensors provided on the mouthpiece and pressable with a tongue;
An intraoral switch comprising: a control device capable of receiving an output signal from the piezoelectric sensor and transmitting the output signal to an external device. 2. The intraoral switch according to claim 1, wherein the control device is disposed outside the oral cavity and is connected to the piezoelectric sensor by a wire. 3. The intraoral switch according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a receiving unit that receives an output signal from the piezoelectric sensor, and a transmitting unit that can transmit to the external device. An intraoral switch, wherein an output signal from the receiving unit is transmitted to the transmitting unit by radio. The intraoral switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is formed on a film-like substrate, a piezoelectric layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and further on both outer surfaces. An intraoral switch comprising a thin film piezoelectric film laminated with an electrode layer. 5. The intraoral switch according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece covers up to 4 to 10 teeth in front of the upper dentition, and the piezoelectric sensor is inserted into the oral cavity when the mouthpiece is mounted. It is attached so that it may be arrange | positioned inside the intraoral switch. The intraoral switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mouthpiece is formed of a thermoplastic material whose biosafety has been confirmed. A mouthpiece formed of a thermoplastic material whose biosafety has been confirmed; one or more piezoelectric sensors provided on the mouthpiece that can be pressed with a tongue; and an output signal from the piezoelectric sensor; A method of manufacturing an intraoral switch having a control device capable of transmitting to an external device,
After the piezoelectric sensor is attached to the mouthpiece, a thermoplastic material is further pressure-bonded to the upper portion of the piezoelectric sensor.

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