Detecting Mastication: A Wearable Approach

We explore using the Outer Ear Interface (OEI) to recognize eating activities. OEI contains a 3D gyroscope and a set of proximity sensors encapsulated in an off-the-shelf earpiece to monitor jaw movement by measuring ear canal deformation. In a laboratory setting with 20 participants, OEI could distinguish eating from other activities, such as walking, talking, and silently reading, with over 90% accuracy (user independent). In a second study, six subjects wore the system for 6 hours each while performing their normal daily activities. OEI correctly classified five minute segments of time as eating or non-eating with 93% accuracy (user dependent).