PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mastication frequency detector that is capable of detecting mastication frequency with high accuracy compared with a conventional technique.SOLUTION: The mastication frequency detector includes: first detection means that contains an optical sensor and that outputs a first detection signal by detecting change in the movement of the external auditory canal which moves with the masticatory movement of a subject first comparison means that outputs a first comparison result signal by comparing the first detection signal with a prescribed first threshold value second detection means that contains a pressure sensor, optical sensor or acceleration sensor, and that outputs a second detection signal by detecting change in the movement of the jaws which move with the masticatory movement of the subject second comparison means that outputs a second comparison result signal by comparing the second detection signal with a prescribed second threshold value calculation means that outputs as the first and second calculation frequency by counting the frequency when the first and second comparison result signals are each outputted and control means that calculates to output the masticatory frequency of the subject based on the first and second calculation frequencies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2COPYRIGHT: (C)2018,JPO&INPIT【課題】従来技術に比較して高精度で咀嚼回数を検出することができる咀嚼回数検出装置を提供する。【解決手段】咀嚼回数検出装置は、光センサを含み、被験者の咀嚼運動に伴って動く外耳道の運動の変化を検出して第1の検出信号を出力する第1の検出手段と、上記第1の検出信号を所定の第1のしきい値と比較して第1の比較結果信号を出力する第1の比較手段と、圧力センサ、光センサ又は加速度センサを含み、上記被験者の咀嚼運動に伴って動く顎の運動の変化を検出して第2の検出信号を出力する第2の検出手段と、上記第2の検出信号を所定の第2のしきい値と比較して第2の比較結果信号を出力する第2の比較手段と、第1及び第2の比較結果信号がそれぞれ出力されるときの回数を計数して第1及び第2の計数回数として出力する計数手段と、第1及び第2の計数回数に基づいて被験者の咀嚼回数を演算して出力する制御手段とを備える。【選択図】図2
