WO2018182043A1 - Device for detecting mastication or swallowing - Google Patents

Device for detecting mastication or swallowing Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018182043A1
WO2018182043A1 PCT/JP2018/014112 JP2018014112W WO2018182043A1 WO 2018182043 A1 WO2018182043 A1 WO 2018182043A1 JP 2018014112 W JP2018014112 W JP 2018014112W WO 2018182043 A1 WO2018182043 A1 WO 2018182043A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mastication
unit
swallowing
displacement sensor
detection
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PCT/JP2018/014112
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
惠一 石上
こう滋 大津
典昭 清水
明夫 小林
Original Assignee
コンピュータ・ハイテック株式会社
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Application filed by コンピュータ・ハイテック株式会社 filed Critical コンピュータ・ハイテック株式会社
Priority to JP2019509438A priority Critical patent/JP7032765B2/en
Publication of WO2018182043A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018182043A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a technique for detecting mastication or swallowing.
  • Recent research has revealed that mastication has many positive effects such as promoting brain activation. If there is a device for detecting mastication, the number of mastications can be increased, and the health of the person's mind and body is promoted.
  • swallowing is a physical function highly related to mastication. Although the ability of swallowing declines due to aging, etc., conscious swallowing on a daily basis suppresses the decline in ability. Therefore, as with mastication, if there is a device for detecting swallowing, conscious swallowing can be promoted, and health of the person's mind and body is promoted.
  • Patent Document 1 describes a mastication frequency recording device that attaches a tension detection sensor to a person's cheek, counts the number of mastications based on the detection result of the tension detection sensor, and records and displays the counted number.
  • Patent Document 2 describes a swallowing function evaluation training device that measures the number of times that the intensity of an electrical signal emitted from a piezo film exceeds a predetermined threshold value by attaching a piezo film to a human throat.
  • the waveform of the signal output by the displacement sensor affixed to the cheek or the like with one mastication may include multiple undulations. Therefore, if mastication is detected simply when the amplitude of the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor exceeds the upper threshold or the amplitude falls below the lower threshold, mastication that is not actually performed is erroneously detected. May end up. The same applies to swallowing.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide means for correctly detecting mastication or swallowing.
  • the present invention smoothes the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor, which obtains the output signal of the displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of the human head or neck, and the output signal of the displacement sensor.
  • a detection device including a smoothing unit to be converted and a detection unit that detects mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing unit.
  • the detection device it is possible to detect mastication or swallowing with higher accuracy than in the case based on the waveform indicated by the output signal of the unsmoothed displacement sensor.
  • a configuration including a count unit that counts the number of chewing or swallowing detected by the detection unit may be employed as the second aspect.
  • the number of chewing or swallowing can be facilitated.
  • a configuration in which the smoothing unit smoothes a waveform indicated by an output signal of the displacement sensor by a filter that attenuates a high frequency component is a third aspect. It may be adopted.
  • the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor is smoothed by software processing.
  • the detection unit determines a threshold based on an output signal of a specified period of the displacement sensor and is smoothed by the smoothing unit.
  • a configuration in which mastication or swallowing is detected based on the comparison result between the waveform and the threshold value may be employed as the fourth aspect.
  • mastication or swallowing is detected even if the amplitude of the output signal of the displacement sensor varies from person to person.
  • the configuration in which the detection unit detects mastication or swallowing during the specified period in addition to the period after the specified period is the fifth configuration. You may employ
  • mastication or swallowing performed during the period for determining the threshold is also detected.
  • the acquisition unit acquires an output signal of a microphone that picks up a voice uttered by the person, and the detection unit outputs an output signal of the microphone.
  • a configuration in which the person's utterance period is specified using, and mastication or swallowing is not detected during the utterance period may be adopted as the sixth aspect.
  • the detection device avoids the inconvenience of erroneously detecting mastication or swallowing during utterance.
  • a configuration in which the microphone is provided and the microphone is a bone conduction microphone may be adopted as the seventh aspect.
  • the utterance period is correctly specified even in a noisy environment.
  • the detection apparatus includes signal separation means for separating a sound signal included in the output signal of the displacement sensor from the output signal, and the detection unit includes the signal separation.
  • a configuration may be adopted as an eighth aspect in which the utterance period of the person is specified using the sound signal separated by the means, and chewing or swallowing is not detected during the utterance period.
  • the detection device avoids the inconvenience of erroneously detecting mastication or swallowing during utterance.
  • a configuration including the displacement sensor may be adopted as the ninth aspect.
  • the user does not need to separately prepare a displacement sensor.
  • a configuration including a communication unit that communicates with the server device via a network may be adopted as the tenth aspect.
  • an administrator or the like can remotely confirm the operation status of the detection device or mastication or swallowing detected by the detection device.
  • the acquisition unit is attached to the output signal of the first displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of the human head and the predetermined part of the human neck.
  • the smoothing unit obtains an output signal of the second displacement sensor, and the smoothing unit cuts off a waveform indicated by the output signal of the first displacement sensor and a waveform indicated by the output signal of the second displacement sensor.
  • the detection unit detects mastication based on the waveform indicated by the output signal of the first displacement sensor smoothed by the smoothing unit, and smoothed by the smoothing unit.
  • the detecting unit identifies a period during which swallowing is performed by the person using the output signal of the second displacement sensor, Swallowing Does not detect the chewing period are configuration that may be employed as the eleventh aspect.
  • mastication and swallowing performed as a series of operations can be detected in parallel.
  • the detection device includes a count unit that counts the number of times each of chewing and swallowing detected by the detection unit, and the counting unit is after the period during which the swallowing is performed.
  • a configuration in which the mastication detected by the detection unit is counted again from 1 may be adopted as the twelfth aspect.
  • the detection device According to the detection device according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to know the state of mastication performed for individual swallowing.
  • the present invention provides a process for acquiring an output signal of a displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of a human head or neck in a computer, and a process for smoothing a waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor.
  • a program for executing a process of detecting mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing process is provided as a thirteenth aspect.
  • mastication or swallowing is detected with high accuracy by the computer.
  • mastication or swallowing is correctly detected.
  • the external view of the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure which showed the use condition of the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment.
  • the figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment acquires.
  • the figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor after the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment performed smoothing.
  • the figure for demonstrating the process in which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment detects mastication The figure which illustrated the screen which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment displays during the count of the number of mastication.
  • FIG. 1 is an external view of the mastication detection device 1.
  • the mastication detection device 1 includes a main body 11, a displacement sensor 12 wired to the main body 11, and a microphone 13 wired to the main body 11.
  • the main body 11 includes a speaker 111, a display 112, a button group 113, and a control unit 114.
  • the speaker 111 generates a guide sound to be described later.
  • the display 112 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various information such as the counted number of mastications.
  • the button group 113 has a plurality of buttons and accepts user operations.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the button group 113 has a total of five buttons, a “SELECT” button, an “UP” button, a “DOWN” button, a “START” button, and a “STOP” button.
  • the number and arrangement of buttons may be arbitrarily changed.
  • the control unit 114 is, for example, a computer including a memory, a processor that performs data processing according to a program stored in the memory, and an input / output interface that inputs and outputs data between external devices.
  • the control unit 114 may be configured as a dedicated device having an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
  • the displacement sensor 12 is affixed to a predetermined part of the user's head and outputs an amplitude signal corresponding to a displacement (amount of distortion) due to a change in shape that occurs at the predetermined position when the user chews.
  • An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the displacement sensor 12 is attached is, for example, in the vicinity of the chin joint of the cheek, but may be any part of the head as long as the shape is changed by mastication.
  • the microphone 13 picks up the voice uttered by the user and outputs a signal indicating the voice of the picked up user.
  • the microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone, for example, and is attached to a predetermined part of the user's head, and picks up the vibration of the voice emitted by the user and transmitted to the face surface through the skull.
  • An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the microphone 13 is attached is, for example, near the temple. However, any part may be used as long as the part vibrates due to the user's voice.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are attached to the user's head.
  • the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are attached to the user's face with, for example, a medical tape.
  • the displacement sensor 12 When the user performs mastication with the displacement sensor 12 attached to the head, the displacement sensor 12 outputs a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head as a result of mastication.
  • the signal output from the displacement sensor 12 indicates not only mastication but also a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head while the user speaks. Therefore, the mastication detection device 1 does not detect mastication during a period in which a signal indicating sound is output from the microphone 13 (hereinafter referred to as “speech period”). The specification of the utterance period will be described later.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 114.
  • the control unit 114 is a computer
  • the acquisition unit 1141 is mainly realized by an input / output interface
  • the storage unit 1146 is mainly realized by a memory
  • the other components are mainly stored in a memory. It is realized by data processing by a processor according to a stored program.
  • the acquisition unit 1141 acquires a signal from an external device.
  • the acquisition unit 1141 acquires a displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 that acquires a signal indicating displacement output from the displacement sensor 12 (hereinafter referred to as “displacement signal”), and a signal that indicates sound output from the microphone 13 (hereinafter referred to as “sound”).
  • the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the waveform indicated by the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 12) acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 substantially in real time.
  • the smoothing unit 1142 has a filter, and smoothes the waveform by attenuating a high frequency component of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal by the filter.
  • the sound filter unit 1143 performs a filter process for passing the frequency component of the human voice and attenuating other frequency components with respect to the sound signal (output signal of the microphone 13) acquired by the sound signal acquiring unit 11412. By this filtering process, the audio filter unit 1143 generates a sound signal containing a lot of voice components uttered by the user.
  • the detection / counting unit 1144 includes a detection unit 11441 that detects mastication, and a count unit 11442 that counts the number of detected mastications.
  • the detection unit 11441 detects the peak and bottom of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142. More specifically, the detection unit 11441 has a period in which the displacement signal exceeds the upper threshold when the displacement signal increases from a value smaller than the upper threshold to a value larger than the upper threshold and then decreases to a value smaller than the upper threshold. Is detected as a period showing a peak.
  • the detection unit 11441 indicates the bottom during which the displacement signal is below the lower limit threshold. Detect as a period. And detection part 11441 detects one mastication, when one bottom is detected after detecting one peak.
  • a set of peaks and bottoms one peak constituting one mastication and the bottom appearing thereafter are referred to as “a set of peaks and bottoms”.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of a waveform indicated by the displacement signal before smoothing.
  • the waveform shown in FIG. 4 is a waveform when the user performs mastication twice with the displacement sensor 12 attached to a predetermined part of the head.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of a waveform indicated by the displacement signal after smoothing by the smoothing unit 1142 is performed. 4 and 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the displacement signal.
  • the broken line T U is the upper threshold of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (hereinafter, the upper limit threshold T U) indicates, the broken line T L is the lower threshold (hereinafter, the lower limit threshold T L) shows a. 4 and 5, P 1 , P 2 ,... Are periods in which the displacement signal shows a peak, and B 1 , B 2 ,... Are periods in which the displacement signal shows a bottom.
  • P 2 and B 1 are the first peak and bottom set
  • P 4 and B 2 are the second peak and bottom set
  • P 6 and B 3 are the third peak and bottom set. It becomes.
  • This third set of peaks and bottoms appears due to noise generated due to, for example, something touching the displacement sensor 12 during the second mastication. In this case, two sets of peaks and bottoms appear in the waveform indicating the second mastication, and erroneous detection of mastication occurs.
  • P 2 and B 1 are the first peak and bottom set
  • P 5 and B 2 are the second peak and bottom set. Therefore, the detection unit 11441 can correctly detect mastication.
  • the counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastications performed after the “START” button is pressed, for example, by sequentially adding mastications correctly detected by the detection unit 11441 as described above.
  • the thresholds (upper limit threshold T U and lower limit threshold T L ) are fixed values. However, the range in which the amplitude of the displacement signal changes with the user's mastication varies depending on the characteristics of the user's mastication, the position where the displacement sensor 12 is affixed, the affixing method, and the like. Absent. Therefore, the detection portion 11441 mastication detection device 1 has a function of automatically adjusting the threshold (upper limit threshold T U and lower threshold T L) to detect the chewing.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a threshold value determination method by the detection unit 11441.
  • the horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude of the displacement signal.
  • a graph E 1 in FIG. 6 is a displacement signal after the smoothing shown in FIG.
  • the peak value on the positive side of the displacement signal indicated by the graph E 1 (the maximum value closest to the amplitude) is decreased with a predetermined time constant in a region equal to or greater than the predetermined value L U. Indicates the value.
  • the negative peak value (minimum minimum value of the amplitude) of the displacement signal indicated by the graph E 1 is increased with a predetermined time constant in a region below the predetermined value L L. Indicates the value.
  • the detecting unit 11441 acquires the smoothed displacement signal (the value indicated by the graph E 1 ) from the smoothing unit 1142, the value indicated by the graph E 2 and the value indicated by the graph E 2 are substantially based on the acquired displacement signal in real time.
  • graph E 3 calculates the value indicated.
  • the detection unit 11441 calculates a predetermined ratio (e.g., 0.8) to a value indicated by the graph E 2 the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit threshold T U.
  • the detection unit 11441 calculates a predetermined ratio to a value indicated by the graph E 3 (e.g., 0.8) the value obtained by multiplying the lower limit threshold T L.
  • Graph E 4 represents the upper limit threshold T U calculated by the detection unit 11441
  • the graph E 5 is showing a lower threshold T L is calculated by the detection unit 11441.
  • P 1, P 2, ⁇ the displacement signal specified by using the upper threshold T U to change over time is calculated as described above is a period indicated peaks.
  • B 1 , B 2 ,... are periods in which the displacement signal specified by using the lower limit threshold value T L that changes with time calculated as described above indicates the bottom.
  • the guide unit 1145 instructs the speaker 111 (sound generator) to generate a sound that guides the timing of mastication.
  • the storage unit 1146 stores various data.
  • the data storage unit 1146 stores, includes data indicating a chewing number of data, counting section 11442 has counted indicating the upper threshold T U and lower threshold T L which is determined by, for example, the detection unit 11441.
  • the display instruction unit 1147 instructs the display 112 to display various information such as the number of mastications counted by the detection / counting unit 1144.
  • the operation of the mastication detection apparatus 1 will be described.
  • the user operates, for example, the “SELECT” button, the “UP” button, the “DOWN” button, etc. to set the target number of chewing times, the chewing speed, etc., and then operates the “START” button
  • the mastication detecting device 1 The guide sound is started at a tempo corresponding to the set chewing speed. Specifically, the guide unit 1145 starts to issue a guide sound to the speaker 111, and the speaker 111 starts to generate the guide sound.
  • the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 starts acquiring the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12, and the sound signal acquisition unit 11412 starts acquiring the sound signal output from the microphone 13.
  • a displacement signal indicating a waveform corresponding to the mastication by the user is smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142 and delivered to the detection / counting unit 1144.
  • the detection unit 11441 of the detection / counting unit 1144 receives the smoothed displacement signal from the smoothing unit 1142 and also receives the sound signal containing a large amount of the voice component uttered by the user from the audio filter unit 1143.
  • the detection unit 11441 is based on the smoothed displacement signal received from the smoothing unit 1142 and substantially changes in real time in the real-time upper limit threshold value T U and the graph E 4 and the graph E 5 shown in FIG.
  • the lower limit threshold value T L is continuously calculated, and a period in which the smoothed displacement signal acquired from the smoothing unit 1142 shows a peak and a period in which the bottom is shown are specified.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing in which the detection / counting unit 1144 counts the number of mastications.
  • FIG. 7A is a graph showing periods (P 1 , P 2 ,%) Indicating peaks detected by the detection unit 11441 and periods (B 1 , B 2 ,...) Indicating bottoms.
  • FIG. 7B shows the change over time in the volume of the sound indicated by the sound signal subjected to the filter processing that the detection unit 11441 receives from the audio filter unit 1143.
  • the horizontal axis in FIGS. 7A and 7B indicates time.
  • the vertical axis in FIG. 7B indicates the volume.
  • the detection unit 11441 identifies a period in which the volume shown in FIG. 7B exceeds a predetermined threshold T S as a period during which the user is speaking, that is, an utterance period.
  • a predetermined threshold T S as a period during which the user is speaking.
  • the period C is an utterance period.
  • the detection unit 11441 detects the case where the peak and the bottom illustrated in FIG. However, the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication during the utterance period. In the example of FIG. 7, the detection unit 11441 detects one mastication for each of the set of peak P 2 and bottom B 1 and the set of peak P 6 and bottom B 5 that appear in periods other than the utterance period C. . That is, regarding the set of peak P 3 and bottom B 2 and the set of peak P 4 and bottom B 3 that appear in the utterance period C, they are not detected as mastication.
  • the counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastications detected by the detecting unit 11441 as described above.
  • the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication in the utterance period
  • a method of canceling the detection of the set may be adopted.
  • the method in which the detection unit 11441 detects mastication regardless of whether or not it is in the utterance period and the counting unit 11442 does not count mastication in the utterance period is also synonymous with the method in which the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication in the utterance period. It is.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplifying a screen displayed on the display 112 in accordance with an instruction from the display instruction unit 1147 while the number of chewing times is counted. While watching the number of mastications (cumulative value) and the remaining number of times displayed on the display 112, the user performs mastication until the target number of times is reached.
  • the user can obtain motivation to perform a target number of times of mastication at a target speed. As a result, the chewing of the user is promoted, and the mental and physical health of the user is improved.
  • a mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 is different from the mastication detection device 1 in that it detects swallowing performed by the same person in parallel with mastication.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not have a function that does not detect mastication during the voice period.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 has a part of the configuration and operation in common with the mastication detection device 1. Therefore, hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 and the mastication detection device 1, and the description of the points common to the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 and the mastication detection device 1 will be omitted as appropriate. To do. Moreover, in the figure used for the following description, the same code
  • FIG. 9 is an external view of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 includes a displacement sensor 23 instead of the microphone 13 included in the mastication detection apparatus 1.
  • the displacement sensor 23 is affixed to a predetermined part of the user's neck and outputs an amplitude signal corresponding to a displacement (amount of distortion) due to a change in shape that occurs at the predetermined position when the user swallows.
  • An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the displacement sensor 23 is attached is, for example, the vicinity of the pharynx, but may be any part of the cervix as long as the shape is changed by swallowing.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the displacement sensor 12 is attached to the user's head and the displacement sensor 23 is attached to the same user's neck.
  • the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23 are affixed to a user's body with a medical tape etc., for example.
  • the displacement sensor 12 When the user performs mastication and swallowing as a series of operations while the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23 are attached to the body, the displacement sensor 12 generates a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head accompanying mastication.
  • the displacement sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the neck as swallowing.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 114.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the audio filter unit 1143 included in the mastication detection device 1. Further, the acquisition unit 1141 included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the sound signal acquisition unit 11412 included in the acquisition unit 1141 of the mastication detection device 1.
  • the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 acquires a displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 23 and a first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111 that acquires a displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12.
  • a second displacement signal acquisition unit 114112 is provided.
  • the smoothing unit 1142 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 smoothes the waveform indicated by the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 12) acquired by the first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111 substantially in real time. It has the 1st smoothing part 11421 and the 2nd smoothing part 11422 which smoothes the waveform which the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 23) acquired by the 2nd displacement signal acquisition part 114112 shows in real time substantially. .
  • Both the first smoothing unit 11421 and the second smoothing unit 11422 perform low-pass filter processing for attenuating the high-frequency component of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal.
  • the displacement signal is smoothed by the low-pass filter processing.
  • the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter process performed by the first smoothing unit 11421 is different from the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter process performed by the second smoothing unit 11422.
  • the average cycle of chewing is shorter than the average cycle of swallowing. Therefore, the cutoff frequency of the second smoothing unit 11422 is set lower than the cutoff frequency of the first smoothing unit 11421.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411.
  • the upper graph in FIG. 12 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111
  • the lower graph in FIG. 12 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the second displacement signal acquisition unit 114112. ing.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142.
  • the upper graph in FIG. 13 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421
  • the lower graph in FIG. 13 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the second smoothing unit 11422. Illustrated.
  • the detection unit 11441 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 is smoothed by the first detection unit 114411 that detects mastication using the displacement signal smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421 and the second smoothing unit 11422.
  • the procedure in which the second detection unit 114412 detects swallowing is the same as the procedure in which the first detection unit 114411 detects mastication, except that the upper and lower thresholds used are different.
  • the 2nd detection part 114412 specifies the period when swallowing is performed with the detection of swallowing.
  • the first detection unit 114411 does not detect mastication during the period of swallowing specified by the second detection unit 114412. This is because mastication and swallowing are usually impossible.
  • the counting unit 11442 included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes a first counting unit 114421 that counts the number of mastications detected by the first detection unit 114411 and a second counting unit that counts the number of swallowing detected by the second detection unit 114412.
  • a counting unit 114422 is included.
  • the data indicating the number of swallows counted by the first count unit 114421 and the data indicating the number of mastications counted by the second count unit 114422 are sequentially overwritten in the storage unit 1146.
  • the control unit 114 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 includes a calculation unit 2148 as a functional component that the control unit 114 of the mastication detection apparatus 1 does not have.
  • the calculation unit 2148 performs a predetermined calculation using the number of mastications counted by the first count unit 114421 and the number of swallows counted by the second count unit 114422.
  • the calculation performed by the calculation unit 2148 is a process of dividing the number of mastications at the time when swallowing is detected by the number of swallows up to that time.
  • the average number of mastications for each swallow is calculated.
  • Data indicating the average number of mastications for each swallow calculated by the calculation unit 2148 is overwritten in the storage unit 1146 every time swallowing is detected.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display 112 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 while counting the number of times of mastication and swallowing is performed. While watching the number of mastications (cumulative value) and the remaining number of times displayed on the display 112, the user performs mastication until the target number of times is reached. Meanwhile, when the user performs swallowing, the display of the number of swallowing (cumulative value) and the average number of mastications for each swallowing is also updated.
  • the user can consciously perform swallowing as well as mastication. As a result, the function of the user's swallowing is suppressed and the mental and physical health of the user is maintained.
  • the microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone.
  • the type of the microphone 13 is not limited to the bone conduction microphone, and a normal microphone (a microphone that picks up sound transmitted through the air) may be employed.
  • a normal microphone a microphone that picks up sound transmitted through the air
  • the microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone, the user's voice is often picked up and the surrounding sounds are not picked up so much.
  • the guide unit 1145 instructs the speaker 111 to generate a guide sound.
  • the guide unit 1145 may instruct the light emitting device to emit guide light.
  • the display 112 may be used as the light emitting device, or the mastication detection device 1 includes a light emitting device having a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the light emitting device emits light according to an instruction from the guide unit 1145. May be.
  • the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal using a filter that attenuates high frequency components.
  • the method by which the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal is not limited to the method using a filter that attenuates high frequency components.
  • the smoothing unit 1142 may output the moving average value of the displacement signal as a smoothed displacement signal.
  • the microphone 13 is affixed on a user's face.
  • the method of attaching the microphone 13 to the user is not limited to pasting.
  • the microphone 13 may be fixed while being pressed against the surface of the user's face by a headband or the like.
  • the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12 may be input to the main body 11 after the sound signal output from the microphone 13 is mixed.
  • the control unit 114 includes a signal separation unit that performs a filtering process on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 1141 and separates the displacement signal and the sound signal from the signal. Then, the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal separated by the signal separation unit. Moreover, the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the sound signal isolate
  • the main body 11 may have at least one input terminal.
  • the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the output signal of the microphone 13.
  • the detection unit 11441 may specify the utterance period based on a sound signal included in the output signal of the displacement sensor 12.
  • the control unit 114 includes a signal separation unit that performs a filtering process on the displacement signal acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 and separates a sound signal included in the displacement signal from the displacement signal.
  • the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the sound signal isolate
  • the microphone 13 is not required.
  • the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are wired to the main body 11.
  • both or one of the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 may be wirelessly connected to the main body 11.
  • the displacement sensor 23 may be wirelessly connected to the main body 11.
  • the method of calculating the upper limit threshold value T U and the lower limit threshold value T L performed by the detection unit 11441 is not limited to the method illustrated in the first embodiment described above, and the past output signal (displacement signal) of the displacement sensor 12 is used.
  • the maximum value in the peak period appearing in the past displacement signal is calculated as a weighted average value using a weight that decreases according to the elapsed time as the upper limit threshold T U
  • the bottom value appearing in the past displacement signal is calculated.
  • a method of calculating a value obtained by performing a weighted average of the minimum values in the period using a weight that decreases according to the elapsed time as the lower limit threshold value T L may be employed.
  • the detection unit 11441 determines thresholds (upper limit threshold and lower limit threshold) based on an output signal output from the displacement sensor 12 or the displacement sensor 23 during a period designated by the user or the like, the detection unit 11441 Even if a configuration in which mastication or swallowing performed in a specified period, that is, a period in which a displacement signal is monitored to determine a threshold value, is detected and the counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastication or swallowing is employed. Good.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining the operation of the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 in this modification.
  • the graph in FIG. 15 schematically shows displacement signals output from the displacement sensor 12 before and after the start of mastication.
  • the user presses the “START” button of the button group 113 with a finger at time t1, and starts mastication while maintaining the state. Subsequently, after the user completes mastication at least once, the user releases his / her finger from the “START” button at time t2.
  • a period A shown in FIG. 15 is a period during which the user has pressed the “START” button (specified period).
  • the detection unit 11441 identifies an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the displacement signal in the period A triggered by the release of the finger from the “START” button, and a predetermined ratio (for example, 0.7) less than 1 for the upper limit value.
  • a value obtained by multiplying is determined as the upper limit threshold value, and a value obtained by multiplying the lower limit value by a predetermined ratio less than 1 (for example, 0.7) is determined as the lower limit threshold value.
  • these threshold values are determined at time point t3. Thereafter, the detection unit 11441 quickly detects mastication in the period A.
  • the detection unit 11441 detects the mastication indicated by the displacement signal used for determining the threshold retroactively after the threshold value for detecting mastication is determined at the time point t3. Thereafter, the number of mastications performed after time t2 is added to the number of mastications performed in period A.
  • mastication performed within a period required for the determination of the threshold is also detected, for example, when performing mastication reaching the target number of times, it is not necessary to perform extra mastication for determination of the threshold, desirable.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not specify the utterance period, but the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the microphone 13 and the like, similar to the mastication detection device 1, A configuration in which the utterance period is specified and mastication or swallowing is not detected in the utterance period may be employed.
  • FIG. 16 is a graph for explaining the operation of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 in this modification.
  • the upper graph in FIG. 16 shows the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12 and smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421, and the lower graph in FIG. 16 is output from the displacement sensor 23, and the second smoothing unit
  • the displacement signal smoothed by 11422 is shown, and the horizontal axis (time axis) is aligned.
  • First count unit 114421 first counts from 1 the number of chewing cycles detected by first detection unit 114411 in period B. Thereafter, when swallowing is detected by the second detection unit 114412 in the period C, the first count unit 114421 resets the number of mastications counted in the period B to 0, and in the period D following the period C, the first detection unit The number of mastications detected by 114411 is counted again from 1.
  • the first count unit 114421 performs the same process in a period following the period D (periods E, F).
  • the mastication detection device 1 includes the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13. Instead of this, the mastication detection device 1 does not include at least one of the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13, and at least one of the displacement sensor and the microphone that the mastication detection device 1 does not have is connected to the mastication detection device 1. It may be adopted.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23. Instead of this, the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include at least one of the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23, and at least one of the displacement sensors that the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not have is included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2.
  • a connected configuration may be employed.
  • the main body 11 of the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include at least one of the speaker 111 and the display 112, and at least one of the speaker and the display that the main body 11 does not have is connected to the main body 11. May be adopted.
  • the computer performs processing performed by the device exemplified by the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2
  • a program for realizing the apparatus by a computer is provided.
  • the program may be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium, or may be distributed in a form distributed to a computer via a network such as the Internet.
  • the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 described above may include a communication unit, and may perform data communication with the server device via a network.
  • the administrator confirms and manages the operation status of the plurality of mastication detection devices 1 or mastication / swallowing detection devices 2 used by different users remotely via the server device, the detection result of mastication or swallowing, and the like. can do.
  • the mastication detection apparatus 1 counts the number of mastications by the counting unit 11442.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 counts the number of mastications and the number of swallows by the counting unit 11442.
  • the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the counting unit 11442 and detects mastication or swallowing, a configuration that does not count those times may be employed.
  • the storage unit 1146 stores, for example, data indicating the timing at which mastication or swallowing is detected in time series. This data is used, for example, by a doctor or the like for guidance on mastication or swallowing.
  • the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment described above may be modified so that only mastication is detected without detecting mastication.
  • the detection unit 11441 detects a peak first from the displacement signal and then detects the bottom, it detects a single mastication. Described as an example. Whether the peak or the bottom corresponding to one mastication appears first depends on the direction in which the displacement sensor is attached to the head. Therefore, when the detection unit 11441 detects a peak first, when detecting the peak and a set of bottoms following the peak, the detection unit 11441 detects one mastication, and when detecting the bottom first, When a bottom and a set of peaks following the bottom are detected, one chewing is detected.
  • the detection unit 11441 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment detects mastication and when the detection unit 11441 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment detects detection of swallowing. It is.
  • the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the speaker 111, and guides the timing of mastication by the sound emitted by the speaker 111.
  • the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 may not include the speaker 111. In this case, the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 may guide the timing of mastication by, for example, blinking dots on the display 112, or may not be performed.
  • First smoothing unit 11422 ... Second smoothing unit, 11441 ... Detection unit, 11442 ... Count unit, 114111 ... First displacement signal acquisition unit , 114112 ... second displacement signal acquisition unit, 114411 ... first detection unit, 114412 ... second detection unit, 114421 ... 1 count unit, 114,422 ... the second count unit.

Abstract

Provided is a means for correctly detecting mastication or swallowing. This mastication detection device 1 is provided with a main body 11, a displacement sensor 12 connected to the main body 11, and a microphone 13. The displacement sensor 12 is attached to the cheeks or the like of a user, and the microphone 13 is attached in the vicinity of the temples or the like of the user. The main body 11 smoothens a waveform represented by an output signal of the displacement sensor 12, detects mastication from the shape of the waveform after the smoothening, and counts the instances of detected mastication. However, the main body 11 specifies, on the basis of the output signal of the microphone 13, an utterance period of a user and does not perform the detection of mastication during the utterance period. The user, while masticating in synchronization with guide sounds output from a speaker 111, checks the cumulative value of mastication instances displayed on a display 112, and can thus easily achieve a target mastication count.

Description

咀嚼又は嚥下の検知装置Mastication or swallowing detection device
　本発明は、咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する技術に関する。 The present invention relates to a technique for detecting mastication or swallowing.
　近年の研究により、咀嚼は、脳の活性化を促す等の多くの好影響をもたらすことが明らかになってきている。咀嚼を検知する装置があれば、咀嚼回数の増加を促すことができ、人の心身における健康の増進が促される。 Recent research has revealed that mastication has many positive effects such as promoting brain activation. If there is a device for detecting mastication, the number of mastications can be increased, and the health of the person's mind and body is promoted.
　また、咀嚼と関連性の高い身体機能として嚥下がある。嚥下の能力は高齢化等により衰えるが、日々、意識的な嚥下を行うことで能力の低下が抑止される。従って、咀嚼と同様に、嚥下を検知する装置があれば、意識的な嚥下を促すことができ、人の心身における健康の増進が促される。 Also, swallowing is a physical function highly related to mastication. Although the ability of swallowing declines due to aging, etc., conscious swallowing on a daily basis suppresses the decline in ability. Therefore, as with mastication, if there is a device for detecting swallowing, conscious swallowing can be promoted, and health of the person's mind and body is promoted.
　例えば、特許文献１には、人の頬に張力検知センサを貼り付け、張力検知センサの検知結果に基づき咀嚼回数を数え、数えた回数を記録し表示する咀嚼回数記録装置が記載されている。 For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mastication frequency recording device that attaches a tension detection sensor to a person's cheek, counts the number of mastications based on the detection result of the tension detection sensor, and records and displays the counted number.
　また、特許文献２には、人の咽頭部にピエゾフィルムを貼り付け、ピエゾフィルムから発せられる電気信号の強度が所定の閾値を超えた回数を計測する嚥下機能評価訓練装置が記載されている。 Also, Patent Document 2 describes a swallowing function evaluation training device that measures the number of times that the intensity of an electrical signal emitted from a piezo film exceeds a predetermined threshold value by attaching a piezo film to a human throat.
特開平０７－１７１１３６号公報Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-171136 特開２０１２－２１７５２５号公報JP 2012-217525 A
　頬等に貼り付けた変位センサが１回の咀嚼に伴い出力する信号の波形には、複数回の起伏が含まれる場合がある。そのため、単純に変位センサの出力信号が示す波形の振幅が上限閾値を超えたこと、又は、振幅が下限閾値を下回ったことをもって咀嚼を検知すると、実際には行われていない咀嚼を誤って検知してしまう場合がある。嚥下に関しても同様である。 The waveform of the signal output by the displacement sensor affixed to the cheek or the like with one mastication may include multiple undulations. Therefore, if mastication is detected simply when the amplitude of the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor exceeds the upper threshold or the amplitude falls below the lower threshold, mastication that is not actually performed is erroneously detected. May end up. The same applies to swallowing.
　上記の事情に鑑み、本発明は咀嚼又は嚥下を正しく検知する手段を提供することを目的とする。 In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide means for correctly detecting mastication or swallowing.
　上記の課題を解決するため、本発明は、人の頭部又は頸部の所定部位に貼り付けられた変位センサの出力信号を取得する取得部と、前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する平滑化部と、前記平滑化部により平滑化された波形に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する検知部とを備える検知装置を第１の態様として提供する。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention smoothes the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor, which obtains the output signal of the displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of the human head or neck, and the output signal of the displacement sensor. As a first aspect, there is provided a detection device including a smoothing unit to be converted and a detection unit that detects mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing unit.
　上記の第１の態様に係る検知装置によれば、平滑化されていない変位センサの出力信号が示す波形に基づく場合と比較し、高い精度で咀嚼又は嚥下を検知することができる。 According to the detection device according to the first aspect, it is possible to detect mastication or swallowing with higher accuracy than in the case based on the waveform indicated by the output signal of the unsmoothed displacement sensor.
　上記の第１の態様に係る検知装置において、前記検知部により検知された咀嚼又は嚥下の回数をカウントするカウント部を備える、という構成が第２の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the first aspect described above, a configuration including a count unit that counts the number of chewing or swallowing detected by the detection unit may be employed as the second aspect.
　上記の第２の態様に係る検知装置によれば、咀嚼又は嚥下の回数を容易にすることができる。 According to the detection device according to the second aspect, the number of chewing or swallowing can be facilitated.
　上記の第１又は第２の態様に係る検知装置において、前記平滑化部は高周波数成分を減衰させるフィルタにより前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する、という構成が第３の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the first or second aspect, a configuration in which the smoothing unit smoothes a waveform indicated by an output signal of the displacement sensor by a filter that attenuates a high frequency component is a third aspect. It may be adopted.
　上記の第３の態様に係る検知装置によれば、ソフトウェア処理により、変位センサの出力信号が示す波形の平滑化が行われる。 According to the detection device according to the third aspect, the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor is smoothed by software processing.
　上記の第１乃至第３のいずれかの態様に係る検知装置において、前記検知部は、前記変位センサの指定された期間の出力信号に基づき閾値を決定し、前記平滑化部により平滑化された波形と前記閾値との比較結果に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する、という構成が第４の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detection unit determines a threshold based on an output signal of a specified period of the displacement sensor and is smoothed by the smoothing unit. A configuration in which mastication or swallowing is detected based on the comparison result between the waveform and the threshold value may be employed as the fourth aspect.
　上記の第４の態様に係る検知装置によれば、変位センサの出力信号の振幅が人によって異なっても、咀嚼又は嚥下が検知される。 According to the detection device according to the fourth aspect, mastication or swallowing is detected even if the amplitude of the output signal of the displacement sensor varies from person to person.
　上記の第４の態様に係る検知装置において、前記検知部は、前記指定された期間後の期間に加え、前記指定された期間中に関しても、咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する、という構成が第５の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the fourth aspect, the configuration in which the detection unit detects mastication or swallowing during the specified period in addition to the period after the specified period is the fifth configuration. You may employ | adopt as an aspect.
　上記の第５の態様に係る検知装置によれば、閾値を決定するための期間に行われた咀嚼又は嚥下も検知される。 According to the detection device according to the fifth aspect, mastication or swallowing performed during the period for determining the threshold is also detected.
　上記の第１乃至第５のいずれかの態様に係る検知装置において、前記取得部は、前記人が発する声を拾音するマイクの出力信号を取得し、前記検知部は、前記マイクの出力信号を用いて前記人の発声期間を特定し、前記発声期間中に関しては咀嚼又は嚥下を検知しない、という構成が第６の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the acquisition unit acquires an output signal of a microphone that picks up a voice uttered by the person, and the detection unit outputs an output signal of the microphone. A configuration in which the person's utterance period is specified using, and mastication or swallowing is not detected during the utterance period may be adopted as the sixth aspect.
　上記の第６の態様に係る検知装置によれば、発声中に誤って咀嚼又は嚥下が検知される不都合が回避される。 The detection device according to the sixth aspect described above avoids the inconvenience of erroneously detecting mastication or swallowing during utterance.
　上記の第６の態様に係る検知装置において、前記マイクを備え、前記マイクは骨伝導マイクである、という構成が第７の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the sixth aspect, a configuration in which the microphone is provided and the microphone is a bone conduction microphone may be adopted as the seventh aspect.
　上記の第７の態様に係る検知装置によれば、騒音の多い環境下においても、発声期間の特定が正しく行われる。 According to the detection device according to the seventh aspect, the utterance period is correctly specified even in a noisy environment.
　上記の第１乃至第５のいずれかの態様に係る検知装置において、前記変位センサの出力信号に含まれる音信号を当該出力信号から分離する信号分離手段を備え、前記検知部は、前記信号分離手段により分離された音信号を用いて前記人の発声期間を特定し、前記発声期間中に関しては咀嚼又は嚥下を検知しない、という構成が第８の態様として採用されてもよい。 The detection apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects includes signal separation means for separating a sound signal included in the output signal of the displacement sensor from the output signal, and the detection unit includes the signal separation. A configuration may be adopted as an eighth aspect in which the utterance period of the person is specified using the sound signal separated by the means, and chewing or swallowing is not detected during the utterance period.
　上記の第８の態様に係る検知装置によれば、発声中に誤って咀嚼又は嚥下が検知される不都合が回避される。 The detection device according to the eighth aspect described above avoids the inconvenience of erroneously detecting mastication or swallowing during utterance.
　上記の第１乃至第８のいずれかの態様に係る検知装置において、前記変位センサを備える、という構成が第９の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a configuration including the displacement sensor may be adopted as the ninth aspect.
　上記の第９の態様に係る検知装置によれば、ユーザは変位センサを別途準備する必要がない。 According to the detection device according to the ninth aspect described above, the user does not need to separately prepare a displacement sensor.
　上記の第１乃至第９のいずれかの態様に係る検知装置において、ネットワークを介してサーバ装置と通信を行う通信手段を備える、という構成が第１０の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a configuration including a communication unit that communicates with the server device via a network may be adopted as the tenth aspect.
　上記の第１０の態様に係る検知装置によれば、管理者等は遠隔的に検知装置の動作状況や検知装置により検知された咀嚼又は嚥下を確認することができる。 According to the detection device according to the tenth aspect described above, an administrator or the like can remotely confirm the operation status of the detection device or mastication or swallowing detected by the detection device.
　上記の第１の態様に係る検知装置において、前記取得部は、人の頭部の所定部位に貼り付けられた第１の変位センサの出力信号と、前記人の頸部の所定部位に取り付けられた第２の変位センサの出力信号を取得し、前記平滑化部は、前記第１の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形と前記第２の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を互いに異なるカットオフ周波数のローパスフィルタにより平滑化し、前記検知部は、前記平滑化部により平滑化された前記第１の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形に基づき咀嚼を検知し、前記平滑化部により平滑化された前記第２の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形に基づき嚥下を検知し、前記検知部は、前記第２の変位センサの出力信号を用いて前記人により嚥下が行われている期間を特定し、前記嚥下が行われている期間に咀嚼を検知しない、という構成が第１１の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the first aspect, the acquisition unit is attached to the output signal of the first displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of the human head and the predetermined part of the human neck. The smoothing unit obtains an output signal of the second displacement sensor, and the smoothing unit cuts off a waveform indicated by the output signal of the first displacement sensor and a waveform indicated by the output signal of the second displacement sensor. The detection unit detects mastication based on the waveform indicated by the output signal of the first displacement sensor smoothed by the smoothing unit, and smoothed by the smoothing unit. Detecting swallowing based on the waveform indicated by the output signal of the second displacement sensor, the detecting unit identifies a period during which swallowing is performed by the person using the output signal of the second displacement sensor, Swallowing Does not detect the chewing period are configuration that may be employed as the eleventh aspect.
　上記の第１１の態様に係る検知装置によれば、一連の動作として行われる咀嚼と嚥下を並行して検知することができる。 According to the detection device according to the eleventh aspect, mastication and swallowing performed as a series of operations can be detected in parallel.
　上記の第１１の態様に係る検知装置において、前記検知部により検知された咀嚼及び嚥下の各々の回数をカウントするカウント部を備え、前記カウント部は、前記嚥下が行われている期間より後に前記検知部により検知された咀嚼を１からカウントし直すという構成が第１２の態様として採用されてもよい。 In the detection device according to the eleventh aspect described above, the detection device includes a count unit that counts the number of times each of chewing and swallowing detected by the detection unit, and the counting unit is after the period during which the swallowing is performed. A configuration in which the mastication detected by the detection unit is counted again from 1 may be adopted as the twelfth aspect.
　上記の第１２の態様に係る検知装置によれば、個々の嚥下のために行われる咀嚼の状態を知ることができる。 According to the detection device according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to know the state of mastication performed for individual swallowing.
　また、本発明は、コンピュータに、人の頭部又は頸部の所定部位に貼り付けられた変位センサの出力信号を取得する処理と、前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する処理と、前記平滑化する処理によって平滑化した波形に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する処理とを実行させるためのプログラムを第１３の態様として提供する。 Further, the present invention provides a process for acquiring an output signal of a displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of a human head or neck in a computer, and a process for smoothing a waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor. A program for executing a process of detecting mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing process is provided as a thirteenth aspect.
　上記の第１３の態様に係るプログラムによれば、コンピュータにより、高い精度で咀嚼又は嚥下が検出される。 According to the program according to the thirteenth aspect, mastication or swallowing is detected with high accuracy by the computer.
　本発明によれば、咀嚼又は嚥下が正しく検知される。 According to the present invention, mastication or swallowing is correctly detected.
第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置の外観図。The external view of the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置の使用状態を示した図。The figure which showed the use condition of the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置の制御ユニットの機能構成を示した図。The figure which showed the function structure of the control unit of the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置が取得する変位センサの出力信号を示した図。The figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment acquires. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置が平滑化を行った後の変位センサの出力信号を示した図。The figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor after the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment performed smoothing. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置において咀嚼の検知に用いられる閾値の決定方法を説明するための図。The figure for demonstrating the determination method of the threshold value used for the detection of mastication in the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置が咀嚼を検知する処理を説明するための図。The figure for demonstrating the process in which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment detects mastication. 第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置が咀嚼回数のカウント中に表示する画面を例示した図。The figure which illustrated the screen which the mastication detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment displays during the count of the number of mastication. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置の外観図。The external view of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置の使用状態を示した図。The figure which showed the use condition of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置の制御ユニットの機能構成を示した図。The figure which showed the function structure of the control unit of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置が取得する変位センサの出力信号を示した図。The figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor which the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment acquires. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置が平滑化を行った後の変位センサの出力信号を示した図。The figure which showed the output signal of the displacement sensor after the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment performed smoothing. 第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置が咀嚼及び嚥下の回数のカウント中に表示する画面を例示した図。The figure which illustrated the screen which the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment displays while counting the frequency | count of mastication and swallowing. 一変形例に係る咀嚼検知装置又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置の動作を説明するための図。The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the mastication detection apparatus or mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on one modification. 一変形例に係る咀嚼検知装置又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置の動作を説明するための図。The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the mastication detection apparatus or mastication / swallowing detection apparatus which concerns on one modification.
［第１実施形態］
　以下に本発明の一実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置１を説明する。図１は咀嚼検知装置１の外観図である。咀嚼検知装置１は、本体１１と、本体１１に有線接続された変位センサ１２と、本体１１に有線接続されたマイク１３を備える。 [First Embodiment]
A mastication detection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an external view of the mastication detection device 1. The mastication detection device 1 includes a main body 11, a displacement sensor 12 wired to the main body 11, and a microphone 13 wired to the main body 11.
　本体１１は、スピーカ１１１と、ディスプレイ１１２と、ボタン群１１３と、制御ユニット１１４を備える。スピーカ１１１は後述するガイド音を発音する。ディスプレイ１１２は、例えば液晶ディスプレイであり、カウントされた咀嚼回数等の各種情報を表示する。 The main body 11 includes a speaker 111, a display 112, a button group 113, and a control unit 114. The speaker 111 generates a guide sound to be described later. The display 112 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various information such as the counted number of mastications.
　ボタン群１１３は複数のボタンを有し、ユーザによる操作を受け付ける。図１には、ボタン群１１３が「SELECT」ボタン、「UP」ボタン、「DOWN」ボタン、「START」ボタン、「STOP」ボタンの計５つのボタンを有する場合が例示されているが、これらのボタンの数、配置等は任意に変更されてよい。 The button group 113 has a plurality of buttons and accepts user operations. FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the button group 113 has a total of five buttons, a “SELECT” button, an “UP” button, a “DOWN” button, a “START” button, and a “STOP” button. The number and arrangement of buttons may be arbitrarily changed.
　制御ユニット１１４は、例えば、メモリと、メモリに記憶されているプログラムに従いデータ処理を行うプロセッサと、外部の装置との間でデータの入出力を行う入出力インタフェースを備えるコンピュータである。ただし、制御ユニット１１４が、ＡＳＩＣ（Application Specific Integrated Circuit）、ＦＰＧＡ（Field-Programmable Gate Array）等の集積回路を有する専用装置として構成されてもよい。 The control unit 114 is, for example, a computer including a memory, a processor that performs data processing according to a program stored in the memory, and an input / output interface that inputs and outputs data between external devices. However, the control unit 114 may be configured as a dedicated device having an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
　変位センサ１２は、ユーザの頭部の所定部位に貼り付けられ、ユーザの咀嚼時に当該所定位置に生じる形状の変化による変位（歪み量）に応じた振幅の信号を出力する。変位センサ１２が貼り付けられる所定部位として適当な部位は、例えば頬の顎関節近傍であるが、咀嚼により形状が変化する部位であれば頭部のいずれの部位であってもよい。 The displacement sensor 12 is affixed to a predetermined part of the user's head and outputs an amplitude signal corresponding to a displacement (amount of distortion) due to a change in shape that occurs at the predetermined position when the user chews. An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the displacement sensor 12 is attached is, for example, in the vicinity of the chin joint of the cheek, but may be any part of the head as long as the shape is changed by mastication.
　マイク１３は、ユーザが発する声を拾音し、拾音したユーザの音声を示す信号を出力する。マイク１３は、例えば骨伝導マイクであり、ユーザの頭部の所定部位に貼り付けられ、ユーザが発し頭蓋骨を介して顔の表面に伝わってくる声の振動を拾う。マイク１３が貼り付けられる所定部位として適当な部位は、例えばこめかみ付近であるが、ユーザの発声により振動する部位であればいずれの部位であってもよい。 The microphone 13 picks up the voice uttered by the user and outputs a signal indicating the voice of the picked up user. The microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone, for example, and is attached to a predetermined part of the user's head, and picks up the vibration of the voice emitted by the user and transmitted to the face surface through the skull. An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the microphone 13 is attached is, for example, near the temple. However, any part may be used as long as the part vibrates due to the user's voice.
　図２は、ユーザの頭部に変位センサ１２及びマイク１３が貼り付けられた状態を示した図である。変位センサ１２及びマイク１３は、例えば医療用テープ等によりユーザの顔に貼り付けられる。 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are attached to the user's head. The displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are attached to the user's face with, for example, a medical tape.
　変位センサ１２が頭部に貼り付けられた状態でユーザが咀嚼を行うと、変位センサ１２からは咀嚼に伴い頭部の表面に生じる形状の変化を示す信号が出力される。ただし、変位センサ１２が出力する信号は、咀嚼だけでなく、ユーザが発声する間に頭部の表面に生じる形状の変化も示す。そのため、咀嚼検知装置１は、マイク１３から音声を示す信号が出力されている期間（以下、「発声期間」という）は咀嚼の検知を行わない。発声期間の特定等については後述する。 When the user performs mastication with the displacement sensor 12 attached to the head, the displacement sensor 12 outputs a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head as a result of mastication. However, the signal output from the displacement sensor 12 indicates not only mastication but also a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head while the user speaks. Therefore, the mastication detection device 1 does not detect mastication during a period in which a signal indicating sound is output from the microphone 13 (hereinafter referred to as “speech period”). The specification of the utterance period will be described later.
　図３は、制御ユニット１１４の機能構成を示した図である。例えば制御ユニット１１４がコンピュータである場合、図３に示される構成部のうち、取得部１１４１は主として入出力インタフェースにより実現され、記憶部１１４６は主としてメモリにより実現され、その他の構成部は主としてメモリに記憶されたプログラムに従ったプロセッサによるデータ処理により実現される。 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 114. For example, when the control unit 114 is a computer, among the components shown in FIG. 3, the acquisition unit 1141 is mainly realized by an input / output interface, the storage unit 1146 is mainly realized by a memory, and the other components are mainly stored in a memory. It is realized by data processing by a processor according to a stored program.
　以下、制御ユニット１１４が備える構成部を説明する。取得部１１４１は、外部の装置から信号を取得する。取得部１１４１は、変位センサ１２から出力される変位を示す信号（以下、「変位信号」という）を取得する変位信号取得部１１４１１と、マイク１３から出力される音を示す信号（以下、「音信号」という）を取得する音信号取得部１１４１２と、ボタン群１１３から出力されるユーザにより行われた操作を示す信号（以下、「操作信号」という）を取得する操作信号取得部１１４１３を有する。 Hereinafter, components included in the control unit 114 will be described. The acquisition unit 1141 acquires a signal from an external device. The acquisition unit 1141 acquires a displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 that acquires a signal indicating displacement output from the displacement sensor 12 (hereinafter referred to as “displacement signal”), and a signal that indicates sound output from the microphone 13 (hereinafter referred to as “sound”). A sound signal acquisition unit 11412 that acquires a “signal” and an operation signal acquisition unit 11413 that acquires a signal (hereinafter referred to as an “operation signal”) indicating an operation performed by the user output from the button group 113.
　平滑化部１１４２は、変位信号取得部１１４１１により取得された変位信号（変位センサ１２の出力信号）が示す波形を、実質的にリアルタイムに平滑化する。平滑化部１１４２はフィルタを有し、フィルタによって変位信号が示す波形の高周波数成分を減衰させることにより、波形の平滑化を行う。 The smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the waveform indicated by the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 12) acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 substantially in real time. The smoothing unit 1142 has a filter, and smoothes the waveform by attenuating a high frequency component of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal by the filter.
　音声フィルタ部１１４３は、音信号取得部１１４１２により取得された音信号（マイク１３の出力信号）に対し、人の音声の周波数成分を通過させ、他の周波数成分を減衰させるフィルタ処理を行う。このフィルタ処理により、音声フィルタ部１１４３は、ユーザが発した声の成分を多く含んだ音信号を生成する。 The sound filter unit 1143 performs a filter process for passing the frequency component of the human voice and attenuating other frequency components with respect to the sound signal (output signal of the microphone 13) acquired by the sound signal acquiring unit 11412. By this filtering process, the audio filter unit 1143 generates a sound signal containing a lot of voice components uttered by the user.
　検知・カウント部１１４４は、咀嚼を検知する検知部１１４４１と、検知した咀嚼の回数をカウントするカウント部１１４４２を有する。 The detection / counting unit 1144 includes a detection unit 11441 that detects mastication, and a count unit 11442 that counts the number of detected mastications.
　検知部１１４４１は、まず、平滑化部１１４２により平滑化された変位信号が示す波形のピークとボトムを検知する。より具体的には、検知部１１４４１は、変位信号が上限閾値より小さい値から上限閾値より大きい値に増加した後、上限閾値より小さい値に減少した場合、変位信号が上限閾値を上回っていた期間をピークを示す期間として検知する。 First, the detection unit 11441 detects the peak and bottom of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142. More specifically, the detection unit 11441 has a period in which the displacement signal exceeds the upper threshold when the displacement signal increases from a value smaller than the upper threshold to a value larger than the upper threshold and then decreases to a value smaller than the upper threshold. Is detected as a period showing a peak.
　また、検知部１１４４１は、変位信号が下限閾値より大きい値から下限閾値より小さい値に減少した後、下限閾値より大きい値に増加した場合、変位信号が下限閾値を下回っていた期間をボトムを示す期間として検知する。そして、検知部１１４４１は、１つのピークを検知した後に１つのボトムを検知した場合、１回の咀嚼を検知する。以下、１回の咀嚼を構成する１つのピークとその後に現れるボトムを「ピークとボトムのセット」という。 In addition, when the displacement signal decreases from a value greater than the lower limit threshold to a value smaller than the lower limit threshold and then increases to a value greater than the lower limit threshold, the detection unit 11441 indicates the bottom during which the displacement signal is below the lower limit threshold. Detect as a period. And detection part 11441 detects one mastication, when one bottom is detected after detecting one peak. Hereinafter, one peak constituting one mastication and the bottom appearing thereafter are referred to as “a set of peaks and bottoms”.
　図４は、平滑化の行われる前の変位信号が示す波形の例を示している。図４に示す波形は、変位センサ１２が頭部の所定部位に貼り付けられた状態でユーザが２回の咀嚼を行った場合の波形である。図５は、平滑化部１１４２による平滑化の行われた後の変位信号が示す波形の例を示している。図４及び図５の横軸は時間を示し、縦軸は変位信号の振幅を示す。また、図４及び図５の破線ＴUは上限閾値（以下、上限閾値ＴU）を示し、破線ＴLは下限閾値（以下、下限閾値ＴL）を示す。そして、図４及び図５において、Ｐ1、Ｐ2、・・・は変位信号がピークを示す期間であり、Ｂ1、Ｂ2、・・・は変位信号がボトムを示す期間である。 FIG. 4 shows an example of a waveform indicated by the displacement signal before smoothing. The waveform shown in FIG. 4 is a waveform when the user performs mastication twice with the displacement sensor 12 attached to a predetermined part of the head. FIG. 5 shows an example of a waveform indicated by the displacement signal after smoothing by the smoothing unit 1142 is performed. 4 and 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the displacement signal. The broken line T U is the upper threshold of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (hereinafter, the upper limit threshold T U) indicates, the broken line T L is the lower threshold (hereinafter, the lower limit threshold T L) shows a. 4 and 5, P 1 , P 2 ,... Are periods in which the displacement signal shows a peak, and B 1 , B 2 ,... Are periods in which the displacement signal shows a bottom.
　図４の例では、Ｐ2とＢ1が１つめのピークとボトムのセット、Ｐ4とＢ2が２つめのピークとボトムのセット、Ｐ6とＢ3が３つめのピークとボトムのセットとなる。この３つめのピークとボトムのセットは、２回目の咀嚼が行われている間に、例えば変位センサ１２に何かが触れた等の理由により生じたノイズにより現れたものである。この場合、２回目の咀嚼を示す波形にピークとボトムのセットが２つ現れてしまい、咀嚼の誤検知が生じてしまう。 In the example of FIG. 4, P 2 and B 1 are the first peak and bottom set, P 4 and B 2 are the second peak and bottom set, and P 6 and B 3 are the third peak and bottom set. It becomes. This third set of peaks and bottoms appears due to noise generated due to, for example, something touching the displacement sensor 12 during the second mastication. In this case, two sets of peaks and bottoms appear in the waveform indicating the second mastication, and erroneous detection of mastication occurs.
　一方、図５の例では、Ｐ2とＢ1が１つめのピークとボトムのセット、Ｐ5とＢ2が２つめのピークとボトムのセットとなる。従って、検知部１１４４１は咀嚼を正しく検知することができる。 On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 5, P 2 and B 1 are the first peak and bottom set, and P 5 and B 2 are the second peak and bottom set. Therefore, the detection unit 11441 can correctly detect mastication.
　カウント部１１４４２は、上記のように検知部１１４４１により正しく検知される咀嚼を順次加算してゆくことで、例えば、「START」ボタンが押された後に行われた咀嚼の回数をカウントする。 The counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastications performed after the “START” button is pressed, for example, by sequentially adding mastications correctly detected by the detection unit 11441 as described above.
　上述の説明においては、便宜上、閾値（上限閾値ＴU及び下限閾値ＴL）は固定値であるものとした。しかしながら、ユーザの咀嚼に伴い変位信号の振幅が変化する範囲は、ユーザの咀嚼の特性や変位センサ１２が貼られる位置、貼り方等によって異なるため、同じ閾値が常に適切な閾値であるとは限らない。そのため、咀嚼検知装置１の検知部１１４４１は咀嚼を検知するために閾値（上限閾値ＴU及び下限閾値ＴL）を自動調整する機能を備えている。 In the above description, for the sake of convenience, the thresholds (upper limit threshold T U and lower limit threshold T L ) are fixed values. However, the range in which the amplitude of the displacement signal changes with the user's mastication varies depending on the characteristics of the user's mastication, the position where the displacement sensor 12 is affixed, the affixing method, and the like. Absent. Therefore, the detection portion 11441 mastication detection device 1 has a function of automatically adjusting the threshold (upper limit threshold T U and lower threshold T L) to detect the chewing.
　図６は、検知部１１４４１による閾値の決定方法を説明するための図である。図６の横軸は時間を示し、縦軸は変位信号の振幅を示す。図６のグラフＥ1は、図５に示した平滑化の行われた後の変位信号である。図６のグラフＥ2は、グラフＥ1が示す変位信号の正側の尖頭値（振幅の直近の最大値）を、所定の値ＬU以上の領域において、所定の時定数で減少させた値を示す。図６のグラフＥ3は、グラフＥ1が示す変位信号の負側の尖頭値（振幅の直近の最小値）を、所定の値ＬL以下の領域において、所定の時定数で増加させた値を示す。 FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a threshold value determination method by the detection unit 11441. The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude of the displacement signal. A graph E 1 in FIG. 6 is a displacement signal after the smoothing shown in FIG. In the graph E 2 of FIG. 6, the peak value on the positive side of the displacement signal indicated by the graph E 1 (the maximum value closest to the amplitude) is decreased with a predetermined time constant in a region equal to or greater than the predetermined value L U. Indicates the value. In the graph E 3 in FIG. 6, the negative peak value (minimum minimum value of the amplitude) of the displacement signal indicated by the graph E 1 is increased with a predetermined time constant in a region below the predetermined value L L. Indicates the value.
　検知部１１４４１は、平滑化部１１４２から平滑化の行われた変位信号（グラフＥ1が示す値）を取得すると、実質的にリアルタイムに、取得した変位信号に基づき、グラフＥ2が示す値及びグラフＥ3が示す値を算出する。続いて、検知部１１４４１は、グラフＥ2が示す値に所定比率（例えば、０．８）を乗じた値を上限閾値ＴUとして算出する。また、検知部１１４４１は、グラフＥ3が示す値に所定比率（例えば、０．８）を乗じた値を下限閾値ＴLとして算出する。グラフＥ4は検知部１１４４１により算出される上限閾値ＴUを示し、グラフＥ5は検知部１１４４１により算出される下限閾値ＴLを示す。 When the detecting unit 11441 acquires the smoothed displacement signal (the value indicated by the graph E 1 ) from the smoothing unit 1142, the value indicated by the graph E 2 and the value indicated by the graph E 2 are substantially based on the acquired displacement signal in real time. graph E 3 calculates the value indicated. Subsequently, the detection unit 11441 calculates a predetermined ratio (e.g., 0.8) to a value indicated by the graph E 2 the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit threshold T U. Further, the detection unit 11441 calculates a predetermined ratio to a value indicated by the graph E 3 (e.g., 0.8) the value obtained by multiplying the lower limit threshold T L. Graph E 4 represents the upper limit threshold T U calculated by the detection unit 11441, the graph E 5 is showing a lower threshold T L is calculated by the detection unit 11441.
　図６において、Ｐ1、Ｐ2、・・・は、上記のように算出される経時変化する上限閾値ＴUを用いて特定される変位信号がピークを示す期間である。また、Ｂ1、Ｂ2、・・・は、上記のように算出される経時変化する下限閾値ＴLを用いて特定される変位信号がボトムを示す期間である。 In FIG. 6, P 1, P 2, ··· , the displacement signal specified by using the upper threshold T U to change over time is calculated as described above is a period indicated peaks. B 1 , B 2 ,... Are periods in which the displacement signal specified by using the lower limit threshold value T L that changes with time calculated as described above indicates the bottom.
　図３を参照しつつ、制御ユニット１１４の機能構成の説明を続ける。ガイド部１１４５は、咀嚼のタイミングをガイドする音の発音をスピーカ１１１（発音装置）に指示する。記憶部１１４６は、各種データを記憶する。記憶部１１４６が記憶するデータには、例えば検知部１１４４１により決定された上限閾値ＴU及び下限閾値ＴLを示すデータ、カウント部１１４４２がカウントした咀嚼回数を示すデータ等が含まれる。 The description of the functional configuration of the control unit 114 will be continued with reference to FIG. The guide unit 1145 instructs the speaker 111 (sound generator) to generate a sound that guides the timing of mastication. The storage unit 1146 stores various data. The data storage unit 1146 stores, includes data indicating a chewing number of data, counting section 11442 has counted indicating the upper threshold T U and lower threshold T L which is determined by, for example, the detection unit 11441.
　表示指示部１１４７は、検知・カウント部１１４４によりカウントされた咀嚼回数等の各種情報の表示をディスプレイ１１２に指示する。 The display instruction unit 1147 instructs the display 112 to display various information such as the number of mastications counted by the detection / counting unit 1144.
　続いて、咀嚼検知装置１の動作を説明する。ユーザが例えば「SELECT」ボタン、「UP」ボタン、「DOWN」ボタン等を操作して、目標とする咀嚼回数、咀嚼速度等を設定した後、「START」ボタンを操作すると、咀嚼検知装置１は設定された咀嚼速度に応じたテンポでガイド音の発音を開始する。具体的には、ガイド部１１４５によりスピーカ１１１に対するガイド音の発音の指示が開始され、スピーカ１１１によりガイド音の発音が開始される。 Subsequently, the operation of the mastication detection apparatus 1 will be described. When the user operates, for example, the “SELECT” button, the “UP” button, the “DOWN” button, etc. to set the target number of chewing times, the chewing speed, etc., and then operates the “START” button, the mastication detecting device 1 The guide sound is started at a tempo corresponding to the set chewing speed. Specifically, the guide unit 1145 starts to issue a guide sound to the speaker 111, and the speaker 111 starts to generate the guide sound.
　同時に、変位信号取得部１１４１１により、変位センサ１２から出力される変位信号の取得が開始され、また、音信号取得部１１４１２により、マイク１３から出力される音信号の取得が開始される。 At the same time, the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 starts acquiring the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12, and the sound signal acquisition unit 11412 starts acquiring the sound signal output from the microphone 13.
　ユーザは、スピーカ１１１から発せられるガイド音に合わせて咀嚼を行う。ユーザによる咀嚼に応じた波形を示す変位信号は、平滑化部１１４２により平滑化されて検知・カウント部１１４４に引き渡される。 The user chews according to the guide sound emitted from the speaker 111. A displacement signal indicating a waveform corresponding to the mastication by the user is smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142 and delivered to the detection / counting unit 1144.
　検知・カウント部１１４４の検知部１１４４１は、平滑化部１１４２から平滑化された変位信号を受け取るとともに、音声フィルタ部１１４３からユーザが発した声の成分を多く含んだ音信号を受け取る。検知部１１４４１は、平滑化部１１４２から受け取る平滑化された変位信号に基づき、実質的にリアルタイムに、図６のグラフＥ4及びグラフＥ5に例示されるような経時変化する上限閾値ＴU及び下限閾値ＴLを継続的に算出し、平滑化部１１４２から取得した平滑化された変位信号がピークを示す期間及びボトムを示す期間を特定する。 The detection unit 11441 of the detection / counting unit 1144 receives the smoothed displacement signal from the smoothing unit 1142 and also receives the sound signal containing a large amount of the voice component uttered by the user from the audio filter unit 1143. The detection unit 11441 is based on the smoothed displacement signal received from the smoothing unit 1142 and substantially changes in real time in the real-time upper limit threshold value T U and the graph E 4 and the graph E 5 shown in FIG. The lower limit threshold value T L is continuously calculated, and a period in which the smoothed displacement signal acquired from the smoothing unit 1142 shows a peak and a period in which the bottom is shown are specified.
　図７は、検知・カウント部１１４４が咀嚼回数をカウントする処理を説明するための図である。図７（Ａ）は検知部１１４４１が検知したピークを示す期間（Ｐ1、Ｐ2、・・・）及びボトムを示す期間（Ｂ1、Ｂ2、・・・）を示したグラフである。また、図７（Ｂ）は検知部１１４４１が音声フィルタ部１１４３から受け取るフィルタ処理の行われた音信号が示す音の音量の経時変化を示している。図７（Ａ）及び図７（Ｂ）の横軸は時間を示している。また、図７（Ｂ）の縦軸は音量を示している。 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing in which the detection / counting unit 1144 counts the number of mastications. FIG. 7A is a graph showing periods (P 1 , P 2 ,...) Indicating peaks detected by the detection unit 11441 and periods (B 1 , B 2 ,...) Indicating bottoms. FIG. 7B shows the change over time in the volume of the sound indicated by the sound signal subjected to the filter processing that the detection unit 11441 receives from the audio filter unit 1143. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 7A and 7B indicates time. In addition, the vertical axis in FIG. 7B indicates the volume.
　検知部１１４４１は、図７（Ｂ）に示す音量が所定の閾値ＴSを超えている期間をユーザが発声している期間、すなわち発声期間として特定する。図７（Ｂ）の例では、期間Ｃが発声期間である。 The detection unit 11441 identifies a period in which the volume shown in FIG. 7B exceeds a predetermined threshold T S as a period during which the user is speaking, that is, an utterance period. In the example of FIG. 7B, the period C is an utterance period.
　検知部１１４４１は、発声期間の特定と並行して、図７（Ａ）に示すピークとボトムがセットで現れた場合を咀嚼として検知する。ただし、検知部１１４４１は、発声期間においては咀嚼の検知を行わない。図７の例では、検知部１１４４１は、発声期間Ｃ以外の期間に現れる、ピークＰ2とボトムＢ1のセットと、ピークＰ6とボトムＢ5のセットの各々に関し１回の咀嚼を検知する。すなわち、発声期間Ｃにおいて現れるピークＰ3とボトムＢ2のセットと、ピークＰ4とボトムＢ3のセットに関しては、それらを咀嚼として検知しない。 In parallel with the specification of the utterance period, the detection unit 11441 detects the case where the peak and the bottom illustrated in FIG. However, the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication during the utterance period. In the example of FIG. 7, the detection unit 11441 detects one mastication for each of the set of peak P 2 and bottom B 1 and the set of peak P 6 and bottom B 5 that appear in periods other than the utterance period C. . That is, regarding the set of peak P 3 and bottom B 2 and the set of peak P 4 and bottom B 3 that appear in the utterance period C, they are not detected as mastication.
　カウント部１１４４２は、上記のように検知部１１４４１により検知される咀嚼の回数をカウントする。 The counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastications detected by the detecting unit 11441 as described above.
　なお、検知部１１４４１が発声期間における咀嚼を検知しない方法として、発声期間か否かにかかわらずピークとボトムのセットが現れた場合をいったん咀嚼として検知した後、それらのセットのうち発声期間に現れたセットに関してはその検知を取り消す方法が採用されてもよい。また、検知部１１４４１は発声期間であるか否かにかかわらず咀嚼を検知し、カウント部１１４４２が発声期間における咀嚼をカウントしない方法もまた、検知部１１４４１が発声期間における咀嚼を検知しない方法と同義である。 Note that as a method in which the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication in the utterance period, a case where a peak and bottom set appears regardless of the utterance period is detected as mastication, and then appears in the utterance period of those sets. A method of canceling the detection of the set may be adopted. Further, the method in which the detection unit 11441 detects mastication regardless of whether or not it is in the utterance period and the counting unit 11442 does not count mastication in the utterance period is also synonymous with the method in which the detection unit 11441 does not detect mastication in the utterance period. It is.
　図８は、咀嚼回数のカウントが行われる間に、表示指示部１１４７の指示に従いディスプレイ１１２が表示する画面を例示した図である。ユーザはディスプレイ１１２に表示される咀嚼回数（累積値）と残り回数を見ながら、目標として設定した回数に達するまで咀嚼を行う。 FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplifying a screen displayed on the display 112 in accordance with an instruction from the display instruction unit 1147 while the number of chewing times is counted. While watching the number of mastications (cumulative value) and the remaining number of times displayed on the display 112, the user performs mastication until the target number of times is reached.
　上述した咀嚼検知装置１によれば、ユーザは目標とする回数の咀嚼を、目標とする速さで行う動機付けを得ることができる。その結果、ユーザの咀嚼が促され、ユーザの心身の健康が増進される。 According to the mastication detection apparatus 1 described above, the user can obtain motivation to perform a target number of times of mastication at a target speed. As a result, the chewing of the user is promoted, and the mental and physical health of the user is improved.
［第２実施形態］
　以下に本発明の上述した実施形態とは異なる一実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２を説明する。咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、咀嚼検知装置１と比較し、咀嚼と並行し同じ人が行う嚥下を検知する点が異なっている。なお、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、音声期間において咀嚼の検知を行わない機能を備えない。 [Second Embodiment]
A mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The mastication / swallowing detection device 2 is different from the mastication detection device 1 in that it detects swallowing performed by the same person in parallel with mastication. The mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not have a function that does not detect mastication during the voice period.
　咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、構成及び動作の一部が咀嚼検知装置１と共通している。従って、以下、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が咀嚼検知装置１と異なっている点を中心に説明を行い、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が咀嚼検知装置１と共通する点については適宜、その説明を省略する。また、以下の説明に用いる図において、咀嚼検知装置１と咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が備える共通又は対応する構成部には同じ符号を用いる。 The mastication / swallowing detection device 2 has a part of the configuration and operation in common with the mastication detection device 1. Therefore, hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 and the mastication detection device 1, and the description of the points common to the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 and the mastication detection device 1 will be omitted as appropriate. To do. Moreover, in the figure used for the following description, the same code | symbol is used for the common or corresponding component with which the mastication detection apparatus 1 and the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 are equipped.
　図９は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の外観図である。咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、咀嚼検知装置１が備えるマイク１３に代えて、変位センサ２３を備える。 FIG. 9 is an external view of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2. The mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 includes a displacement sensor 23 instead of the microphone 13 included in the mastication detection apparatus 1.
　変位センサ２３は、ユーザの頸部の所定部位に貼り付けられ、ユーザの嚥下時に当該所定位置に生じる形状の変化による変位（歪み量）に応じた振幅の信号を出力する。変位センサ２３が貼り付けられる所定部位として適当な部位は、例えば咽頭部近傍であるが、嚥下により形状が変化する部位であれば頸部のいずれの部位であってもよい。 The displacement sensor 23 is affixed to a predetermined part of the user's neck and outputs an amplitude signal corresponding to a displacement (amount of distortion) due to a change in shape that occurs at the predetermined position when the user swallows. An appropriate part as the predetermined part to which the displacement sensor 23 is attached is, for example, the vicinity of the pharynx, but may be any part of the cervix as long as the shape is changed by swallowing.
　図１０は、ユーザの頭部に変位センサ１２が貼り付けられ、同じユーザの頸部に変位センサ２３が貼り付けられた状態を示した図である。変位センサ１２及び変位センサ２３は、例えば医療用テープ等によりユーザの身体に貼り付けられる。 FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the displacement sensor 12 is attached to the user's head and the displacement sensor 23 is attached to the same user's neck. The displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23 are affixed to a user's body with a medical tape etc., for example.
　変位センサ１２と変位センサ２３が身体に貼り付けられた状態でユーザが咀嚼及び嚥下を一連の動作として行うと、変位センサ１２からは咀嚼に伴い頭部の表面に生じる形状の変化を示す信号が出力され、変位センサ２３からは嚥下に伴い頸部の表面に生じる形状の変化を示す信号が出力される。 When the user performs mastication and swallowing as a series of operations while the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23 are attached to the body, the displacement sensor 12 generates a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the head accompanying mastication. The displacement sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating a change in shape that occurs on the surface of the neck as swallowing.
　図１１は、制御ユニット１１４の機能構成を示した図である。咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、咀嚼検知装置１が備える音声フィルタ部１１４３を備えない。また、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が備える取得部１１４１は、咀嚼検知装置１の取得部１１４１が有する音信号取得部１１４１２を有しない。 FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 114. The mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the audio filter unit 1143 included in the mastication detection device 1. Further, the acquisition unit 1141 included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the sound signal acquisition unit 11412 included in the acquisition unit 1141 of the mastication detection device 1.
　また、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が有する変位信号取得部１１４１１は、変位センサ１２から出力される変位信号を取得する第１変位信号取得部１１４１１１と、変位センサ２３から出力される変位信号を取得する第２変位信号取得部１１４１１２を有する。 Further, the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 acquires a displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 23 and a first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111 that acquires a displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12. A second displacement signal acquisition unit 114112 is provided.
　また、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が有する平滑化部１１４２は、第１変位信号取得部１１４１１１により取得された変位信号（変位センサ１２の出力信号）が示す波形を、実質的にリアルタイムに平滑化する第１平滑化部１１４２１と、第２変位信号取得部１１４１１２により取得された変位信号（変位センサ２３の出力信号）が示す波形を、実質的にリアルタイムに平滑化する第２平滑化部１１４２２を有する。 Further, the smoothing unit 1142 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 smoothes the waveform indicated by the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 12) acquired by the first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111 substantially in real time. It has the 1st smoothing part 11421 and the 2nd smoothing part 11422 which smoothes the waveform which the displacement signal (output signal of the displacement sensor 23) acquired by the 2nd displacement signal acquisition part 114112 shows in real time substantially. .
　第１平滑化部１１４２１と第２平滑化部１１４２２はいずれも変位信号が示す波形の高周波数成分を減衰させるローパスフィルタ処理を行う。このローパスフィルタ処理により変位信号が平滑化される。ただし、第１平滑化部１１４２１が行うローパスフィルタ処理のカットオフ周波数と、第２平滑化部１１４２２が行うローパスフィルタ処理のカットオフ周波数は異なっている。咀嚼の平均的な周期は嚥下の平均的な周期より短い。従って、第２平滑化部１１４２２のカットオフ周波数は、第１平滑化部１１４２１のカットオフ周波数より低く設定されている。 Both the first smoothing unit 11421 and the second smoothing unit 11422 perform low-pass filter processing for attenuating the high-frequency component of the waveform indicated by the displacement signal. The displacement signal is smoothed by the low-pass filter processing. However, the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter process performed by the first smoothing unit 11421 is different from the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter process performed by the second smoothing unit 11422. The average cycle of chewing is shorter than the average cycle of swallowing. Therefore, the cutoff frequency of the second smoothing unit 11422 is set lower than the cutoff frequency of the first smoothing unit 11421.
　図１２は、変位信号取得部１１４１１が取得する変位信号の波形を例示したグラフである。図１２の上側のグラフは第１変位信号取得部１１４１１１が取得する変位信号の波形を例示し、図１２の下側のグラフは第２変位信号取得部１１４１１２が取得する変位信号の波形を例示している。 FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411. The upper graph in FIG. 12 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the first displacement signal acquisition unit 114111, and the lower graph in FIG. 12 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal acquired by the second displacement signal acquisition unit 114112. ing.
　また、図１３は、平滑化部１１４２により平滑化された変位信号の波形を例示したグラフである。図１３の上側のグラフは第１平滑化部１１４２１により平滑化された変位信号の波形を例示し、図１３の下側のグラフは第２平滑化部１１４２２により平滑化された変位信号の波形を例示している。 FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the smoothing unit 1142. The upper graph in FIG. 13 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421, and the lower graph in FIG. 13 illustrates the waveform of the displacement signal smoothed by the second smoothing unit 11422. Illustrated.
　図１１を参照し、制御ユニット１１４の機能構成の説明を続ける。咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が有する検知部１１４４１は、第１平滑化部１１４２１により平滑化された変位信号を用いて咀嚼を検知する第１検知部１１４４１１と、第２平滑化部１１４２２により平滑化された変位信号を用いて嚥下を検知する第２検知部１１４４１２を有する。 Referring to FIG. 11, the description of the functional configuration of the control unit 114 is continued. The detection unit 11441 included in the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 is smoothed by the first detection unit 114411 that detects mastication using the displacement signal smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421 and the second smoothing unit 11422. A second detection unit 114412 that detects swallowing using the displacement signal.
　第２検知部１１４４１２が嚥下を検知する手順は、用いられる上限閾値及び下限閾値が異なる点を除き、第１検知部１１４４１１が咀嚼を検知する手順と同様である。 The procedure in which the second detection unit 114412 detects swallowing is the same as the procedure in which the first detection unit 114411 detects mastication, except that the upper and lower thresholds used are different.
　第２検知部１１４４１２は、嚥下の検知に伴い、嚥下が行われている期間を特定する。第１検知部１１４４１１は、第２検知部１１４４１２により特定された、嚥下が行われている期間に咀嚼を検知しない。咀嚼と嚥下を同時に行うことは通常不可能であるためである。 The 2nd detection part 114412 specifies the period when swallowing is performed with the detection of swallowing. The first detection unit 114411 does not detect mastication during the period of swallowing specified by the second detection unit 114412. This is because mastication and swallowing are usually impossible.
　咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が有するカウント部１１４４２は、第１検知部１１４４１１が検知した咀嚼の回数をカウントする第１カウント部１１４４２１と、第２検知部１１４４１２が検知した嚥下の回数をカウントする第２カウント部１１４４２２を有する。 The counting unit 11442 included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes a first counting unit 114421 that counts the number of mastications detected by the first detection unit 114411 and a second counting unit that counts the number of swallowing detected by the second detection unit 114412. A counting unit 114422 is included.
　第１カウント部１１４４２１がカウントする嚥下回数を示すデータと、第２カウント部１１４４２２がカウントする咀嚼回数を示すデータは順次、記憶部１１４６に上書きされる。 The data indicating the number of swallows counted by the first count unit 114421 and the data indicating the number of mastications counted by the second count unit 114422 are sequentially overwritten in the storage unit 1146.
　咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の制御ユニット１１４は、咀嚼検知装置１の制御ユニット１１４が有しない機能構成部として、演算部２１４８を備える。演算部２１４８は、第１カウント部１１４４２１によりカウントされた咀嚼回数と、第２カウント部１１４４２２によりカウントされた嚥下回数を用いて、所定の演算を行う。 The control unit 114 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 includes a calculation unit 2148 as a functional component that the control unit 114 of the mastication detection apparatus 1 does not have. The calculation unit 2148 performs a predetermined calculation using the number of mastications counted by the first count unit 114421 and the number of swallows counted by the second count unit 114422.
　以下の説明において、演算部２１４８が行う演算は、嚥下が検知された時点の咀嚼回数をその時点までの嚥下回数で除算する処理であるものとする。この演算により、嚥下毎の咀嚼の平均回数が算出される。演算部２１４８により算出された嚥下毎の咀嚼の平均回数を示すデータは、嚥下が検知される毎に記憶部１１４６に上書きされる。 In the following description, it is assumed that the calculation performed by the calculation unit 2148 is a process of dividing the number of mastications at the time when swallowing is detected by the number of swallows up to that time. By this calculation, the average number of mastications for each swallow is calculated. Data indicating the average number of mastications for each swallow calculated by the calculation unit 2148 is overwritten in the storage unit 1146 every time swallowing is detected.
　図１４は、咀嚼及び嚥下の回数のカウントが行われる間に、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２のディスプレイ１１２が表示する画面を例示した図である。ユーザはディスプレイ１１２に表示される咀嚼回数（累積値）と残り回数を見ながら、目標として設定した回数に達するまで咀嚼を行う。その間、ユーザが嚥下を行うと、嚥下回数（累積値）と嚥下毎の咀嚼の平均回数の表示も更新される。 FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display 112 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 while counting the number of times of mastication and swallowing is performed. While watching the number of mastications (cumulative value) and the remaining number of times displayed on the display 112, the user performs mastication until the target number of times is reached. Meanwhile, when the user performs swallowing, the display of the number of swallowing (cumulative value) and the average number of mastications for each swallowing is also updated.
　上述した咀嚼検知装置１によれば、ユーザは咀嚼と共に嚥下も意識的に行うことができる。その結果、ユーザの嚥下の機能低下が抑制され、ユーザの心身の健康が維持される。 According to the mastication detection apparatus 1 described above, the user can consciously perform swallowing as well as mastication. As a result, the function of the user's swallowing is suppressed and the mental and physical health of the user is maintained.
［変形例］
　上述した第１実施形態及び第２実施形態は本発明の技術的思想の範囲内において様々に変形可能である。以下にそれらの変形の例を示す。なお、これらの変形例は適宜組み合わせられてもよい。 [Modification]
The first and second embodiments described above can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Examples of these modifications are shown below. These modifications may be combined as appropriate.
（１）上述した第１実施形態において、マイク１３は骨伝導マイクである。マイク１３の種別は骨伝導マイクに限られず、通常のマイク（空気中を伝わる音を拾うマイク）が採用されてもよい。ただし、マイク１３が骨伝導マイクである場合、ユーザの音声をよく拾い、周囲の音はあまり拾わないため、望ましい。 (1) In the first embodiment described above, the microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone. The type of the microphone 13 is not limited to the bone conduction microphone, and a normal microphone (a microphone that picks up sound transmitted through the air) may be employed. However, when the microphone 13 is a bone conduction microphone, the user's voice is often picked up and the surrounding sounds are not picked up so much.
（２）上述した実施形態において、ガイド部１１４５はガイド音の発音をスピーカ１１１に指示する。これに代えて、もしくは加えて、ガイド部１１４５が発光装置に対しガイド光の発光を指示してもよい。なお、発光装置としてディスプレイ１１２が用いられてもよいし、咀嚼検知装置１がＬＥＤ（Light Emitting Diode）等の発光素子を有する発光装置を備え、その発光装置がガイド部１１４５の指示に従い発光を行ってもよい。 (2) In the above-described embodiment, the guide unit 1145 instructs the speaker 111 to generate a guide sound. Instead of or in addition, the guide unit 1145 may instruct the light emitting device to emit guide light. The display 112 may be used as the light emitting device, or the mastication detection device 1 includes a light emitting device having a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the light emitting device emits light according to an instruction from the guide unit 1145. May be.
（３）上述した実施形態において、平滑化部１１４２は高周波数成分を減衰させるフィルタにより変位信号の平滑化を行う。平滑化部１１４２が変位信号を平滑化する方法は高周波数成分を減衰させるフィルタを用いる方法に限られない。例えば、平滑化部１１４２が変位信号の移動平均値を平滑化された変位信号として出力してもよい。 (3) In the above-described embodiment, the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal using a filter that attenuates high frequency components. The method by which the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal is not limited to the method using a filter that attenuates high frequency components. For example, the smoothing unit 1142 may output the moving average value of the displacement signal as a smoothed displacement signal.
（４）上述した第１実施形態において、マイク１３はユーザの顔に貼り付けられる。マイク１３をユーザに装着する方法は貼り付けに限られない。例えば、ヘッドバンド等によりマイク１３がユーザの顔の表面に押しつけられた状態で固定されてもよい。 (4) In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the microphone 13 is affixed on a user's face. The method of attaching the microphone 13 to the user is not limited to pasting. For example, the microphone 13 may be fixed while being pressed against the surface of the user's face by a headband or the like.
（５）上述した第１実施形態において、変位センサ１２から出力される変位信号が、マイク１３から出力される音信号をミキシングされた後、本体１１に入力されてもよい。この場合、制御ユニット１１４は、取得部１１４１により取得された信号に対しフィルタ処理を行い、当該信号から変位信号と音信号を分離する信号分離手段を備える。そして、平滑化部１１４２は信号分離手段により分離された変位信号を平滑化する。また、検知部１１４４１は、信号分離手段により分離された音信号に基づき発声期間を特定する。この変形例においては、本体１１は入力端子を最低１つ有せばよい。 (5) In the first embodiment described above, the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12 may be input to the main body 11 after the sound signal output from the microphone 13 is mixed. In this case, the control unit 114 includes a signal separation unit that performs a filtering process on the signal acquired by the acquisition unit 1141 and separates the displacement signal and the sound signal from the signal. Then, the smoothing unit 1142 smoothes the displacement signal separated by the signal separation unit. Moreover, the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the sound signal isolate | separated by the signal separation means. In this modification, the main body 11 may have at least one input terminal.
（６）上述した第１実施形態において、検知部１１４４１はマイク１３の出力信号に基づき発声期間を特定する。これに代えて、検知部１１４４１が変位センサ１２の出力信号に含まれる音信号に基づき発声期間を特定してもよい。この場合、制御ユニット１１４は、変位信号取得部１１４１１により取得された変位信号に対しフィルタ処理を行い、変位信号から変位信号に含まれる音信号を分離する信号分離手段を備える。そして、検知部１１４４１は、信号分離手段により分離された音信号に基づき発声期間を特定する。この変形例においては、マイク１３を要さない。 (6) In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the output signal of the microphone 13. FIG. Instead of this, the detection unit 11441 may specify the utterance period based on a sound signal included in the output signal of the displacement sensor 12. In this case, the control unit 114 includes a signal separation unit that performs a filtering process on the displacement signal acquired by the displacement signal acquisition unit 11411 and separates a sound signal included in the displacement signal from the displacement signal. And the detection part 11441 specifies an utterance period based on the sound signal isolate | separated by the signal separation means. In this modification, the microphone 13 is not required.
（７）上述した第１実施形態において、変位センサ１２とマイク１３は本体１１に有線接続される。これに代えて、変位センサ１２及びマイク１３の両方、或いは一方が本体１１と無線接続されてもよい。また、上述した第２実施形態において、変位センサ２３が本体１１と無線接続されてもよい。 (7) In the first embodiment described above, the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 are wired to the main body 11. Alternatively, both or one of the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13 may be wirelessly connected to the main body 11. In the second embodiment described above, the displacement sensor 23 may be wirelessly connected to the main body 11.
（８）上述した実施形態においては、平滑化された変位信号がピーク及びボトムを示す期間を特定するための閾値の自動調整が継続的に行われる。これに代えて、固定の閾値が用いられてもよい（図５参照）。 (8) In the embodiment described above, automatic adjustment of the threshold value for specifying the period in which the smoothed displacement signal indicates the peak and the bottom is continuously performed. Instead, a fixed threshold value may be used (see FIG. 5).
（９）検知部１１４４１により行われる上限閾値ＴU及び下限閾値ＴLの算出の方法は上述した第１実施形態に例示の方法に限られず、変位センサ１２の過去の出力信号（変位信号）に基づき閾値を決定する様々な方法が採用可能である。例えば、過去の変位信号に現れたピークの期間における最大値を、経過時間に応じて減少するウェイトを用いて加重平均した値を上限閾値ＴUとして算出し、過去の変位信号に現れたボトムの期間における最小値を、経過時間に応じて減少するウェイトを用いて加重平均した値を下限閾値ＴLとして算出する方法等が採用されてもよい。 (9) The method of calculating the upper limit threshold value T U and the lower limit threshold value T L performed by the detection unit 11441 is not limited to the method illustrated in the first embodiment described above, and the past output signal (displacement signal) of the displacement sensor 12 is used. Various methods for determining the threshold based on the above can be employed. For example, the maximum value in the peak period appearing in the past displacement signal is calculated as a weighted average value using a weight that decreases according to the elapsed time as the upper limit threshold T U , and the bottom value appearing in the past displacement signal is calculated. For example, a method of calculating a value obtained by performing a weighted average of the minimum values in the period using a weight that decreases according to the elapsed time as the lower limit threshold value T L may be employed.
（１０）検知部１１４４１が、ユーザ等により指定された期間に変位センサ１２又は変位センサ２３から出力された出力信号に基づき閾値（上限閾値及び下限閾値）を決定する場合、検知部１１４４１が、当該指定された期間、すなわち、閾値を決定するために変位信号を監視する期間において行われた咀嚼又は嚥下を検知し、カウント部１１４４２がそれらの咀嚼又は嚥下の回数をカウントする構成が採用されてもよい。 (10) When the detection unit 11441 determines thresholds (upper limit threshold and lower limit threshold) based on an output signal output from the displacement sensor 12 or the displacement sensor 23 during a period designated by the user or the like, the detection unit 11441 Even if a configuration in which mastication or swallowing performed in a specified period, that is, a period in which a displacement signal is monitored to determine a threshold value, is detected and the counting unit 11442 counts the number of mastication or swallowing is employed. Good.
　図１５は、この変形例における咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の動作を説明するためのグラフである。図１５のグラフは、咀嚼の開始前後に変位センサ１２から出力される変位信号を模式的に示している。ユーザは、時点ｔ１にボタン群１１３の「START」ボタンを指で押下し、その状態を維持しながら咀嚼を開始する。続いて、ユーザは、１回以上、咀嚼を終えた後、時点ｔ２において「START」ボタンから指を離す。図１５に示される期間Ａが、ユーザが「START」ボタンを押下していた期間（指定された期間）である。 FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining the operation of the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 in this modification. The graph in FIG. 15 schematically shows displacement signals output from the displacement sensor 12 before and after the start of mastication. The user presses the “START” button of the button group 113 with a finger at time t1, and starts mastication while maintaining the state. Subsequently, after the user completes mastication at least once, the user releases his / her finger from the “START” button at time t2. A period A shown in FIG. 15 is a period during which the user has pressed the “START” button (specified period).
　検知部１１４４１は、「START」ボタンから指が離されたことをトリガに、期間Ａにおける変位信号の上限値と下限値を特定し、上限値に１未満の所定比率（例えば、０．７）を乗じた値を上限閾値に決定し、下限値に１未満の所定比率（例えば、０．７）を乗じた値を下限閾値に決定する。図１５においては、それらの閾値の決定が時点ｔ３において行われている。その後、検知部１１４４１は、速やかに期間Ａにおける咀嚼の検知を行う。その結果、ユーザが「START」ボタンから指を離した後、すぐさま、ディスプレイ１１２には期間Ａに行われた咀嚼の回数が表示される。すなわち、検知部１１４４１は、咀嚼を検知するための閾値の決定を時点ｔ３において行った後、過去にさかのぼって、閾値の決定に用いた変位信号が示す咀嚼も検知する。その後、時点ｔ２より後に行われた咀嚼の回数が、期間Ａにおいて行われた咀嚼の回数に加算されてゆく。 The detection unit 11441 identifies an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the displacement signal in the period A triggered by the release of the finger from the “START” button, and a predetermined ratio (for example, 0.7) less than 1 for the upper limit value. A value obtained by multiplying is determined as the upper limit threshold value, and a value obtained by multiplying the lower limit value by a predetermined ratio less than 1 (for example, 0.7) is determined as the lower limit threshold value. In FIG. 15, these threshold values are determined at time point t3. Thereafter, the detection unit 11441 quickly detects mastication in the period A. As a result, immediately after the user lifts his / her finger from the “START” button, the number of mastications performed in period A is displayed on the display 112. That is, the detection unit 11441 detects the mastication indicated by the displacement signal used for determining the threshold retroactively after the threshold value for detecting mastication is determined at the time point t3. Thereafter, the number of mastications performed after time t2 is added to the number of mastications performed in period A.
　この変形例によれば、閾値の決定に要する期間内に行われた咀嚼も検知されるため、例えば目標回数に達する咀嚼を行う際、閾値の決定のために余分な咀嚼を行う必要がなく、望ましい。 According to this modified example, mastication performed within a period required for the determination of the threshold is also detected, for example, when performing mastication reaching the target number of times, it is not necessary to perform extra mastication for determination of the threshold, desirable.
　上記は咀嚼の検知に関する説明であるが、この変形例は嚥下の検知に関しても同様に採用可能である。 The above is an explanation relating to detection of mastication, but this modification can also be applied to detection of swallowing.
（１１）上述した第２実施形態において、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は発声期間の特定を行わないものとしたが、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が咀嚼検知装置１と同様にマイク１３等を備え、発声期間を特定し、発声期間においては咀嚼又は嚥下を検知しない、という構成が採用されてもよい。 (11) In the second embodiment described above, the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not specify the utterance period, but the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the microphone 13 and the like, similar to the mastication detection device 1, A configuration in which the utterance period is specified and mastication or swallowing is not detected in the utterance period may be employed.
（１２）上述した第２実施形態において、第２検知部１１４４１２が嚥下を検知した場合、第１カウント部１１４４２１がカウントする咀嚼の回数を０にリセットし、その後に第１検知部１１４４１１により検知される咀嚼の回数を１からカウントし直す構成が採用されてもよい。 (12) In the second embodiment described above, when the second detection unit 114412 detects swallowing, the number of mastications counted by the first count unit 114421 is reset to 0, and then detected by the first detection unit 114411. A configuration may be adopted in which the number of chewing times is counted again from 1.
　図１６は、この変形例における咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の動作を説明するためのグラフである。図１６の上側のグラフは変位センサ１２から出力され、第１平滑化部１１４２１により平滑化された変位信号を示し、図１６の下側のグラフは変位センサ２３から出力され、第２平滑化部１１４２２により平滑化された変位信号を示し、横軸（時間軸）が揃えられている。 FIG. 16 is a graph for explaining the operation of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 in this modification. The upper graph in FIG. 16 shows the displacement signal output from the displacement sensor 12 and smoothed by the first smoothing unit 11421, and the lower graph in FIG. 16 is output from the displacement sensor 23, and the second smoothing unit The displacement signal smoothed by 11422 is shown, and the horizontal axis (time axis) is aligned.
　第１カウント部１１４４２１はまず、期間Ｂにおいて、第１検知部１１４４１１により検知された咀嚼の回数を１からカウントする。その後、期間Ｃにおいて第２検知部１１４４１２により嚥下が検知されると、第１カウント部１１４４２１は期間Ｂにおいてカウントした咀嚼の回数を０にリセットし、期間Ｃに続く期間Ｄにおいて、第１検知部１１４４１１により検知された咀嚼の回数を１からカウントし直す。第１カウント部１１４４２１は、期間Ｄに続く期間（期間Ｅ、Ｆ・・・）においても同様の処理を行う。 First count unit 114421 first counts from 1 the number of chewing cycles detected by first detection unit 114411 in period B. Thereafter, when swallowing is detected by the second detection unit 114412 in the period C, the first count unit 114421 resets the number of mastications counted in the period B to 0, and in the period D following the period C, the first detection unit The number of mastications detected by 114411 is counted again from 1. The first count unit 114421 performs the same process in a period following the period D (periods E, F...).
　この変形例によれば、設定された嚥下毎の目標回数の咀嚼の達成が促される。 According to this modified example, it is promoted to achieve mastication for the set number of times for each swallowing.
（１３）上述した実施形態の説明に用いた具体的な数値や算出式等はあくまで例示であって、他の様々な数値や算出式等が採用され得る。 (13) Specific numerical values, calculation formulas, and the like used in the description of the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and various other numerical values, calculation formulas, and the like can be employed.
（１４）上述した第１実施形態において、咀嚼検知装置１は変位センサ１２及びマイク１３を備える。これに代えて、咀嚼検知装置１が変位センサ１２及びマイク１３の少なくとも一方を備えず、咀嚼検知装置１に対し咀嚼検知装置１が有さない変位センサ及びマイクの少なくとも一方が接続される構成が採用されてもよい。 (14) In the first embodiment described above, the mastication detection device 1 includes the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13. Instead of this, the mastication detection device 1 does not include at least one of the displacement sensor 12 and the microphone 13, and at least one of the displacement sensor and the microphone that the mastication detection device 1 does not have is connected to the mastication detection device 1. It may be adopted.
　また、上述した第２実施形態において、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は変位センサ１２及び変位センサ２３を備える。これに代えて、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が変位センサ１２及び変位センサ２３の少なくとも一方を備えず、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２に対し咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が有さない変位センサの少なくとも一方が接続される構成が採用されてもよい。 In the second embodiment described above, the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23. Instead of this, the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include at least one of the displacement sensor 12 and the displacement sensor 23, and at least one of the displacement sensors that the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not have is included in the mastication / swallowing detection device 2. A connected configuration may be employed.
　また、咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の本体１１がスピーカ１１１及びディスプレイ１１２の少なくとも一方を備えず、本体１１に対し本体１１が有さないスピーカ及びディスプレイの少なくとも一方が接続される構成が採用されてもよい。 Further, the main body 11 of the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include at least one of the speaker 111 and the display 112, and at least one of the speaker and the display that the main body 11 does not have is connected to the main body 11. May be adopted.
（１５）本発明は上述した咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２に例示される装置に加え、咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２に例示される装置が行う処理をコンピュータに実行させることで、コンピュータによって当該装置を実現させるためのプログラムを提供する。当該プログラムは、記録媒体に記録された状態で配布されてもよいし、インターネット等のネットワークを介してコンピュータに配信される形で配布されてもよい。 (15) In the present invention, in addition to the device exemplified by the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 described above, the computer performs processing performed by the device exemplified by the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 By doing so, a program for realizing the apparatus by a computer is provided. The program may be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium, or may be distributed in a form distributed to a computer via a network such as the Internet.
（１６）上述した咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２が通信部を備え、ネットワーク経由でサーバ装置とデータ通信を行ってもよい。この場合、例えば管理者等は、サーバ装置を介して遠隔的に異なるユーザにより用いられる複数の咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の動作状況、咀嚼又は嚥下の検知結果等を確認、管理することができる。 (16) The mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 described above may include a communication unit, and may perform data communication with the server device via a network. In this case, for example, the administrator confirms and manages the operation status of the plurality of mastication detection devices 1 or mastication / swallowing detection devices 2 used by different users remotely via the server device, the detection result of mastication or swallowing, and the like. can do.
（１７）上述した第１実施形態において、咀嚼検知装置１はカウント部１１４４２により咀嚼回数をカウントする。また、上述した第２実施形態において、咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２はカウント部１１４４２により咀嚼回数及び嚥下回数をカウントする。咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２がカウント部１１４４２を備えず、咀嚼又は嚥下の検知は行うが、それらの回数をカウントしない構成が採用されてもよい。 (17) In the first embodiment described above, the mastication detection apparatus 1 counts the number of mastications by the counting unit 11442. In the second embodiment described above, the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 counts the number of mastications and the number of swallows by the counting unit 11442. Although the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 does not include the counting unit 11442 and detects mastication or swallowing, a configuration that does not count those times may be employed.
　この変形例においては、記憶部１１４６には、例えば、咀嚼又は嚥下が検知されたタイミングを時系列で示すデータが記憶される。このデータは、例えば医師等により、咀嚼又は嚥下の指導等に利用される。 In this modification, the storage unit 1146 stores, for example, data indicating the timing at which mastication or swallowing is detected in time series. This data is used, for example, by a doctor or the like for guidance on mastication or swallowing.
（１８）上述した第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２を変形し、咀嚼の検知は行わず、嚥下のみを検知する装置としてもよい。 (18) The mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment described above may be modified so that only mastication is detected without detecting mastication.
（１９）上述した第１実施形態に係る咀嚼検知装置１の説明において、検知部１１４４１が変位信号から最初にピークを検知し、その後、ボトムを検知した際、１回の咀嚼を検知する場合を例として説明した。１回の咀嚼に応じたピークとボトムのいずれが先に現れるかは、変位センサを頭部に貼り付ける方向による。従って、検知部１１４４１は、先にピークを検知した場合は、そのピークと、そのピークに続くボトムのセットを検知した際、１回の咀嚼を検知し、先にボトムを検知した場合は、そのボトムと、そのボトムに続くピークのセットを検知した際、１回の咀嚼を検知する。第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の検知部１１４４１が咀嚼の検知を行う場合と、第２実施形態に係る咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２の検知部１１４４１が嚥下の検知を行う場合も同様である。 (19) In the description of the mastication detection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, when the detection unit 11441 detects a peak first from the displacement signal and then detects the bottom, it detects a single mastication. Described as an example. Whether the peak or the bottom corresponding to one mastication appears first depends on the direction in which the displacement sensor is attached to the head. Therefore, when the detection unit 11441 detects a peak first, when detecting the peak and a set of bottoms following the peak, the detection unit 11441 detects one mastication, and when detecting the bottom first, When a bottom and a set of peaks following the bottom are detected, one chewing is detected. The same applies when the detection unit 11441 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment detects mastication and when the detection unit 11441 of the mastication / swallowing detection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment detects detection of swallowing. It is.
（２０）上述した実施形態において、咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２はスピーカ１１１を備え、咀嚼のタイミングをスピーカ１１１が発する音によりガイドする。咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２がスピーカ１１１を備えなくてもよい。この場合、咀嚼検知装置１又は咀嚼・嚥下検知装置２は、例えばディスプレイ１１２におけるドットの点滅等により咀嚼のタイミングをガイドしてもよいし、ガイドが行われなくてもよい。 (20) In the above-described embodiment, the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 includes the speaker 111, and guides the timing of mastication by the sound emitted by the speaker 111. The mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 may not include the speaker 111. In this case, the mastication detection device 1 or the mastication / swallowing detection device 2 may guide the timing of mastication by, for example, blinking dots on the display 112, or may not be performed.
１…咀嚼検知装置、２…咀嚼・嚥下検知装置、１１…本体、１２…変位センサ、１３…マイク、２３…変位センサ、１１１…スピーカ、１１２…ディスプレイ、１１３…ボタン群、１１４…制御ユニット、１１４１…取得部、１１４２…平滑化部、１１４３…音声フィルタ部、１１４４…検知・カウント部、１１４５…ガイド部、１１４６…記憶部、１１４７…表示指示部、２１４８…演算部、１１４１１…変位信号取得部、１１４１２…音信号取得部、１１４１３…操作信号取得部、１１４２１…第１平滑化部、１１４２２…第２平滑化部、１１４４１…検知部、１１４４２…カウント部、１１４１１１…第１変位信号取得部、１１４１１２…第２変位信号取得部、１１４４１１…第１検知部、１１４４１２…第２検知部、１１４４２１…第１カウント部、１１４４２２…第２カウント部。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mastication detection apparatus, 2 ... Mastication / swallowing detection apparatus, 11 ... Main body, 12 ... Displacement sensor, 13 ... Microphone, 23 ... Displacement sensor, 111 ... Speaker, 112 ... Display, 113 ... Button group, 114 ... Control unit, 1141 ... Acquisition unit, 1422 ... Smoothing unit, 1143 ... Audio filter unit, 1144 ... Detection / counting unit, 1145 ... Guide unit, 1146 ... Storage unit, 1147 ... Display instruction unit, 2148 ... Calculation unit, 11411 ... Displacement signal acquisition 11412 ... Sound signal acquisition unit, 11413 ... Operation signal acquisition unit, 11421 ... First smoothing unit, 11422 ... Second smoothing unit, 11441 ... Detection unit, 11442 ... Count unit, 114111 ... First displacement signal acquisition unit , 114112 ... second displacement signal acquisition unit, 114411 ... first detection unit, 114412 ... second detection unit, 114421 ... 1 count unit, 114,422 ... the second count unit.

Claims (13)

  1. 　人の頭部又は頸部の所定部位に貼り付けられた変位センサの出力信号を取得する取得部と、
    　前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する平滑化部と、
    　前記平滑化部により平滑化された波形に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する検知部と
    　を備える検知装置。     An acquisition unit for acquiring an output signal of a displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of a human head or neck; and
    A smoothing unit that smoothes the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor;
    A detection device comprising: a detection unit that detects mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing unit.
  2. 　前記検知部により検知された咀嚼又は嚥下の回数をカウントするカウント部
    　を備える請求項１に記載の検知装置。     The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a count unit that counts the number of chewing or swallowing detected by the detection unit.
  3. 　前記平滑化部は高周波数成分を減衰させるフィルタにより前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する
    　請求項１又は２に記載の検知装置。     The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the smoothing unit smoothes a waveform indicated by an output signal of the displacement sensor by a filter that attenuates a high frequency component.
  4. 　前記検知部は、前記変位センサの指定された期間の出力信号に基づき閾値を決定し、前記平滑化部により平滑化された波形と前記閾値との比較結果に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する
    　請求項１乃至３のいずれか１項に記載の検知装置。     The detection unit determines a threshold based on an output signal for a specified period of the displacement sensor, and detects mastication or swallowing based on a comparison result between the waveform smoothed by the smoothing unit and the threshold. The detection device according to any one of 1 to 3.
  5. 　前記検知部は、前記指定された期間後の期間に加え、前記指定された期間中に関しても、咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する
    　請求項４に記載の検知装置。     The detection device according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects mastication or swallowing not only during the specified period but also during the specified period.
  6. 　前記取得部は、前記人が発する声を拾音するマイクの出力信号を取得し、
    　前記検知部は、前記マイクの出力信号を用いて前記人の発声期間を特定し、前記発声期間中に関しては咀嚼又は嚥下を検知しない
    　請求項１乃至５のいずれか１項に記載の検知装置。     The acquisition unit acquires an output signal of a microphone that picks up a voice uttered by the person,
    The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection unit specifies an utterance period of the person using an output signal of the microphone, and does not detect mastication or swallowing during the utterance period.
  7. 　前記マイクを備え、
    　前記マイクは骨伝導マイクである
    　請求項６に記載の検知装置。     Comprising the microphone,
    The detection device according to claim 6, wherein the microphone is a bone conduction microphone.
  8. 　前記変位センサの出力信号に含まれる音信号を当該出力信号から分離する信号分離手段を備え、
    　前記検知部は、前記信号分離手段により分離された音信号を用いて前記人の発声期間を特定し、前記発声期間中に関しては咀嚼又は嚥下を検知しない
    　請求項１乃至５のいずれか１項に記載の検知装置。     Comprising signal separation means for separating a sound signal included in the output signal of the displacement sensor from the output signal;
    The detection unit identifies the utterance period of the person using the sound signal separated by the signal separation unit, and does not detect mastication or swallowing during the utterance period. The detection device described.
  9. 　前記変位センサ
    　を備える請求項１乃至８のいずれか１項に記載の検知装置。     The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the displacement sensor.
  10. 　ネットワークを介してサーバ装置と通信を行う通信手段を備える
    　請求項１乃至９のいずれか１項に記載の検知装置。     The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that communicates with a server device via a network.
  11. 　前記取得部は、人の頭部の所定部位に貼り付けられた第１の変位センサの出力信号と、前記人の頸部の所定部位に取り付けられた第２の変位センサの出力信号を取得し、
    　前記平滑化部は、前記第１の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形と前記第２の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を互いに異なるカットオフ周波数のローパスフィルタにより平滑化し、
    　前記検知部は、前記平滑化部により平滑化された前記第１の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形に基づき咀嚼を検知し、前記平滑化部により平滑化された前記第２の変位センサの出力信号が示す波形に基づき嚥下を検知し、
    　前記検知部は、前記第２の変位センサの出力信号を用いて前記人により嚥下が行われている期間を特定し、前記嚥下が行われている期間に咀嚼を検知しない
    　請求項１に記載の検知装置。     The acquisition unit acquires an output signal of a first displacement sensor attached to a predetermined part of a person's head and an output signal of a second displacement sensor attached to the predetermined part of the person's neck. ,
    The smoothing unit smoothes the waveform indicated by the output signal of the first displacement sensor and the waveform indicated by the output signal of the second displacement sensor by a low-pass filter having different cutoff frequencies,
    The detection unit detects mastication based on a waveform indicated by an output signal of the first displacement sensor smoothed by the smoothing unit, and an output of the second displacement sensor smoothed by the smoothing unit. Detect swallowing based on the signal waveform,
    The detection unit identifies a period during which swallowing is performed by the person using an output signal of the second displacement sensor, and does not detect mastication during the period during which the swallowing is performed. Detection device.
  12. 　前記検知部により検知された咀嚼及び嚥下の各々の回数をカウントするカウント部を備え、
    　前記カウント部は、前記嚥下が行われている期間より後に前記検知部により検知された咀嚼を１からカウントし直す
    　請求項１１に記載の検知装置。     A counting unit for counting the number of times each of mastication and swallowing detected by the detection unit,
    The detection device according to claim 11, wherein the counting unit recounts mastication detected by the detection unit from 1 after a period during which the swallowing is performed.
  13. 　コンピュータに、
    　人の頭部又は頸部の所定部位に貼り付けられた変位センサの出力信号を取得する処理と、
    　前記変位センサの出力信号が示す波形を平滑化する処理と、
    　前記平滑化する処理によって平滑化した波形に基づき咀嚼又は嚥下を検知する処理と
    　を実行させるためのプログラム。     On the computer,
    Processing for obtaining an output signal of a displacement sensor affixed to a predetermined part of a human head or neck; and
    Processing to smooth the waveform indicated by the output signal of the displacement sensor;
    A program for executing a process of detecting mastication or swallowing based on the waveform smoothed by the smoothing process.
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