DYNAMIC NUTRITION TRACKING UTENSILS

• US 20160296053A1
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Umar Rahim Bakhsh
• Original Assignee: Umar Rahim Bakhsh
• Inventors: Bakhsh, Umar Rahim
• Granted Patent: US 9,939,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/02 Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/023 Forks; Forks with ejectors
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/04 Spoons; Pastry servers
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/08 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/186 meter; timer
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/22 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/12 Consumption counters combined with table-ware or table-service
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/008 comprising electronic or electrical features, e.g. illuminating means, computing devices or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 3/02 Table-knives B26B9/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4146 for controlling caloric intake, e.g. diet control
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/56 combined with handles of tools or household implements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic nutrition tracking with utensils. In an example embodiment, a food consumption utensil may include a handle portion, a food loading portion adjacent to the handle portion, the food loading portion having a first surface and a second surface, and a controller positioned within the handle portion. The food consumption utensil may include an accelerometer positioned within the handle portion and in communication with the controller, and a force measurement device configured to measure a force imparted at the first surface of the food loading portion.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A food consumption utensil comprising:

a handle portion;

a food loading portion adjacent to the handle portion, the food loading portion comprising a first surface and a second surface;

a controller positioned within the handle portion;

an accelerometer positioned within the handle portion and in communication with the controller; and

a force measurement device configured to measure a force imparted at the first surface of the food loading portion.

22. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein the force measurement device is a first strain gauge that is positioned at the food loading portion, and the first strain gauge is in communication with the controller.

23. The food consumption utensil of claim 22, further comprising:

a second strain gauge in communication with the controller, wherein the second strain gauge is positioned about the second surface of the food loading portion;

wherein the first strain gauge is positioned about the first surface of the food loading portion; and

wherein the first surface is spaced apart from the second surface.

24. The food consumption utensil of claim 23, wherein the first surface is configured to move independent of the second surface.

25. The food consumption utensil of claim 23, wherein the controller is configured to determine a weight at the first surface of the food loading portion based at least in part on feedback from the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge.

26. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein the force measurement device is a force sensor located at the first surface of the food loading portion.

27. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein:

the food loading portion is pivotable with respect to the handle portion;

the food loading portion comprises a lever that pivots with the food loading portion; and

the force measurement device is a load cell in contact with the lever and configured to measure force via the lever.

28. The food consumption utensil of claim 27, wherein the load cell is positioned within the handle portion and the lever extends from the food loading portion into the handle portion.

29. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein:

the food loading portion is detachable from the handle portion; and

the handle portion comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock and release the food loading portion.

30. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein the food loading portion is magnetically attached to the handle portion.

31. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein the food loading portion is configured to deflect with respect to the handle portion.

32. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, further comprising:

an electronic nose positioned about the handle portion and configured to detect an odor at the food loading portion.

33. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, further comprising:

a camera positioned about the handle portion and configured to capture an image of the food loading portion.

34. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, further comprising:

a wireless communication device in communication with the controller; and

a rechargeable battery.

35. The food consumption utensil of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to:

detect one or more gestures based at least in part on feedback from the accelerometer.

36. A method comprising:

receiving, by one or more computer processors coupled to at least one memory, a first user input from a user indicative of a meal event initiation;

identifying a first food item;

receiving first accelerometer data indicative of a first gesture;

associating the first gesture with the first food item;

identifying a second food item;

receiving second accelerometer data indicative of a second gesture;

associating the second gesture with the second food item;

detecting a motion event;

determining that the motion event corresponds to the first gesture;

triggering, based at least in part on the motion event, a force measurement;

determining a weight based at least in part on force data from the force measurement;

identifying nutritional information associated with the first food item;

automatically determining that a food consumption event is complete based at least in part on a change in force; and

determining consumed nutrition values based at least in part on the weight and the nutritional information associated with the first food item.

37. A food consumption utensil comprising:

a handle;

a food loading portion attached to the handle;

a controller inside the handle;

a battery inside the handle;

an accelerometer inside the handle;

a radio inside the handle; and

a weight measurement device configured to measure a weight at the food loading portion, wherein the food consumption utensil is configured to communicate weight measurements via wireless communication.