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US4570636A
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US
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Method of electrically synthesizing sense of taste
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-06-06
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2004-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A method of electrically synthesizing the sense of taste includes a step of previously determining respective time-varying, gustatory potential curves of the saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, and sourness, a step of generating first and second voltage outputs having substantially the same time-potential characteristics as respective gustatory potential curves of the saltiness and bitterness; and a step of combining voltages sampled from the first and second voltage outputs so that a potential curve formed of the sampled voltages has substantially the same time-potential characteristics as the gustatory potential curve of one selected from the sweetness and sourness, to form a third voltage output indicating the selected one of the sweetness and sourness.
Inventors
- 👤 Isoji Kurose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of electrically synthesizing the sense of taste, comprising: a first step of previously determining time-varying, gustatory potential curves representative of each of saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, and sourness; a second step of generating first and second voltage outputs, said first and second voltage outputs having substantially the same time-potential characteristics as said gustatory potential curves representative of saltiness and bitterness, respectively; a third step of performing a sampling operation for said first and second voltage outputs, and combining the sampled voltages so that a composite output of said sampled voltages has substantially the same time-potential characteristics as said gustatory potential curve representative of one selected from sweetness and sourness, to generate a third voltage output; and a fourth step of applying the third voltage output to the lingual papilla of a person.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of electrically synthesizing the sense of taste, comprising: a first step of previously determining time-varying, gustatory potential curves representative of each of saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, and sourness; a second step of generating first and second voltage outputs, said first and second voltage outputs having substantially the same time-potential characteristics as said gustatory potential curves representative of saltiness and bitterness, respectively; a third step of performing a sampling operation for said first and second voltage outputs, and combining the sampled voltages so that a composite output of said sampled voltages has substantially the same time-potential characteristics as said gustatory potential curve representative of one selected from sweetness and sourness, to generate a third voltage output; and a fourth step of applying the third voltage output to the lingual papilla of a person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of electrically synthesizing the sense of taste according to claim 1, wherein said third step includes a step of adjusting the level of voltages sampled from at least one of said first and second voltage outputs, and a step of combining the level-adjusted voltages with voltages sampled from the other voltage output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of electrically synthesizing the sense of taste according to claim 2, further comprising a step of adjusting the voltage value of said third voltage output so as to obtain the voltage value to be applied to the lingual papilla of a person.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |