Communication by change in taste

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the possibilities and enjoyment of communication by changes in taste, as well as the concept of expanding the sense of taste. When the tongue is electrically stimulated, it senses a characteristic taste. We developed various apparatuses to change the taste of food and drinks based on this effect [1]. An apparatus for drinks, comprising two electrically conducting straws, is used to change the taste of the drink by the formation of an electrical circuit inside the mouth only when drinking by holding both straws in the mouth. In the case of two persons each having one straw in their mouths, shaking hands causes electricity to flow, resulting in the change in taste. With a chopsticks/fork type of apparatus, the taste changes by the electric current that flows through the human body when one person helps the other to eat. In the case of both types of apparatuses, it is possible to control the voltage by a PWM(pulse width modulation) and the pattern by a relay, and a variety of tastes can be produced by a personal computer.

Exploring the Design Space for Human-Food-Technology Interaction: An Approach from the Lens of Eating Experiences

“…Moreover, sweet -sour, and sweet -bitter pairings were considered by only 4 [20,123,125,185], and 3 [24,56,118] papers, respectively, usually to support contrasting experiences. The remaining 9 papers focusing on taste considered other combinations [121,127,141,146,183] or single tastes [74,126,128,166].…”

“…The first and most common type uses a bespoke tongue probe to apply electric current to the tongue [141,[146][147][148][149]166]. The second type uses a single pole apparatus, such as a fork or chopstick in which electric current passes through the mouth and body via a second contact point of the hand holding it [74,126,128]. The third type uses a device with two opposite polarity probes, for instance a straw, with the tongue used to connect the circuit [74,128].…”

Development and evaluation of interactive system for synchronizing electric taste and visual content

“…We have already proposed the polar opposite circuit [6], and we newly propose the single-pole circuit. Herein, we introduce these apparatuses.…”

“…In a recent study, we used electric taste to study the problem of irreversible change [6]. Humans perceive electric stimuli as a characteristic electric taste, which is used in gustatory testing.…”

Prediction of Eating Activity using Smartwatch

“…There are various fields of studies, such as study to prevent overeating by judging whether the number of chewing is appropriately [16,19], research to estimate the calorie and balance using image recognition and propose an appropriate diet balance [17], and research to estimate the texture from the analysis of chewing sound using bone conduction microphone [32]. Also, studies using physical information were also being conducted such as research using augmented reality to change the size of food [21] and the research to perceive the taste by applying electric stimulation to the tongue [20]. A meal log can record various information about a meal, such as what the user ate when he or she ate and how long the meal took.…”