Dining plate system with visual stimulating, sensing and/or communication means, and method of using
DCFirst Claim
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1. An active foodware system comprising:
- a foodware structure having a plurality of dining surfaces, each dining surface supported by a dining plate, said each dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said each dining surface, said each dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said each dining surface; and
a visual stimulating component that is software programmable for emitting light from said region for providing a user with information or entertainment while dining.
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Abstract
A dining plate unit includes a visual stimulating component to provide light emanating from the dining plate unit, means for sensing various conditions related to the dining plate, and/or means for wirelessly communicating the sensed data, means for wirelessly transferring power, or means for generating sound. The dining plate unit can be a single component where the device and related circuitry are all contained in the unit, or it can be at least two components: an upper translucent dining plate, and a mating underplate including the devices and circuitry for directing light through the upper translucent dining plate.
73 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An active foodware system comprising:
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a foodware structure having a plurality of dining surfaces, each dining surface supported by a dining plate, said each dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said each dining surface, said each dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said each dining surface; and a visual stimulating component that is software programmable for emitting light from said region for providing a user with information or entertainment while dining. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An active foodware system comprising:
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a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface; a sensing component for sensing (a) weight, position, proximity, pressure, center of mass, calories, moisture, light, color, reflectivity, opacity, density, temperature, velocity, or acceleration of said food, or (b) heart rate or blood pressure of a diner, or (c) an active foodware member of a place setting other than a utensil; a visual stimulating component for providing stimulation related to said sensing; and a mating structure removable from said dining plate, said mating structure for removably mating said mating structure with said dining plate and for positioning said dining plate for dining, said mating structure comprising said sensing component. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An active foodware system comprising:
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a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface; a sensing component for sensing weight of said food; a visual stimulating component for providing stimulation related to said sensing; and a mating structure removable from said dining plate, said mating structure for removably mating with said dining plate and for positioning said dining plate for dining, said mating structure comprising said sensing component. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An active foodware system comprising:
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a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface; a visual stimulating component; and a communication component for (a) wirelessly communicating data or (b) electrical power; wherein said visual stimulating component is for providing stimulation related to said communicating. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An active foodware system comprising:
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a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface; a visual stimulating component for emitting light from said region for providing a user with information or entertainment while dining; and a mating structure removable from said dining plate, said mating structure for removably mating with said dining plate and for positioning said dining plate for dining; wherein said mating structure comprises a light source, and said dining plate comprises a translucent portion or a light guide for positioning in functional relation to said light source when said mating structure is removably mated with said dining plate.
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39. A method employing a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface, said method comprising the steps of:
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placing said food on said dining plate; a sensing component sensing weight of said food and providing sensing data; a visual stimulating component providing stimulation related to said sensing data; and at least one of sensing said weight while a diner is dining, wirelessly communicating said weight while a diner is dining, and employing a mating structure for removably mating with said dining plate and for positioning said dining plate for dining and mating said dining plate with said mating structure. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method employing a dining surface supported by a dining plate, said dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding said dining surface, said dining surface recessed for receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said dining surface, said method comprising the steps of:
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placing said food on said dining plate; a sensing component providing sensing data, said sensing component sensing (a) said food, other than sensing weight of said food from under said dining plate, (b) a diner, or (c) an active foodware member of a place setting; a visual stimulating component providing stimulation related to said sensing data; and a communication component wirelessly communicating said sensing data. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification