Communication by Changes in Taste

1. Communication by Changes in Taste Hiromi Nakamura, Homei Miyashita Meiji University Japan Science and Technology Agency CHI 2011

2. OUTLINE • Introduction • Approach • Systems • Demonstrations • Concluding remarks

3. Introduction (1/3) • We discuss the possibilities andenjoyment of communication by changes in taste. • Humans use a varietyof seasonings and additives even though they arenutritionally poor. Ex: carbonated soft drinks Narumi et al. → The alteration in taste can be accomplished by using changes in vision, smell, etc.

4. Introduction (2/3) • Humans enjoy communication while eating and drinking. • In recent studies, researchers have proposed many types of distance communication. • However, face to face communication and skin contact with others are the primary way of communication.

5. Introduction (3/3) • The act of sharing food or feeding other people isknown to be enjoyable. • In this paper, we propose a system that changes taste using an electric stimulus and discuss the possibilities of communication by changes in taste.

6. Approach (1/4) • We use “electric taste” as a method to alter the taste of food and drink. • An apparatus for drinks: • → Comprising two electrically conducting straws. • → Using 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 .

7. Approach (2/4) 2) An apparatus for foods: → We developed the chopsticks/fork type of apparatus. → Change in taste depends on the change in current and voltage.

8. Approach (3/4) • The system use physical contact as the means to switch the circuit on and off. 1) For a single user Circuit of an apparatus for drinks Circuit of the chopsticks/fork type of apparatus

9. Approach (4/4) 2) For two users Using straw type of apparatus by two users Using fork type of apparatus by two users

10. One connects to the negative electrode and the other connects to the positive electrode pours drinks (electrolyte-containing) Inserts a positive electrode into the other straw and puts it in cup B. Inserts a negative electrode into a straw and puts it in cup A. Systems (1/2) • Analog mode

11. Adjust the pattern and the output voltage using a PWM output. Systems (2/2) • Digital mode

12. Demonstrations • They demonstrated their system at Make: Tokyo Meeting 06 and the 18th Workshop on Interactive Systems and Software. • The majority could perceive the electric taste and remarked that the taste of the beverage changed to sour, metallic, like soda, and so on. • However, some of them could not identify the electric taste. • System did not function because of a break in the circuit. • Taste disorder

13. Concluding remarks • Using this system and various sensors, it is possible to expand the sense of taste by allowing the tongue to sense phenomena to which it is not usually sensitive. • By inputting the physical information using sensors and outputting them as electric stimulus, people may succeed in sharing their emotions. • We believe that communication at the table using our system will make people feel closer.