Virtual reality integrated caloric tabulator

• US 6,341,295 B1
• Filed: 01/20/1999
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stotler M. Gail
• Original Assignee: Stotler M. Gail
• Inventors: Stotler, M. Gail
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Tan V.
• Application Number:
  US09/234,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 708/100, 708/105, 708/131-133
• US Class Current: 708/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/025 adapted to a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An improved caloric tabulator that uses virtual reality techniques to give real time feedback to individuals desiring dietary advice and information via a hand held computer.

Claims

1. A caloric tabulator system, comprising:

a self-contained portable hand-held computer having a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and input keys and a display both in communication with the processor;

baseline means for receiving and storing basal metabolism rate (BMR) caloric information regarding a user, including the input keys for receiving the BMR information and the memory for storing the BMR Information;

the processor configured to calculate a daily and weekly caloric balance and provide output data including icon representations for caloric addition items, caloric subtraction items, a selected one of the calculated daily or weekly balance, and positive feedback or negative feedback to the display responsive to the value selected balance;

the display being operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to receive and display the output data, including the icon representations; and

the input keys configured to allow a user to select among the icon representations for at least one of caloric addition items, caloric subtraction items, calculated balances and feedback.

2. The feedback tabulator of claim 1, wherein the number of input keys is less than nine.

3. The feedback tabulator of claim 1, wherein the number of input keys is six.

4. The feedback tabulator of claim 1, wherein the input keys provide data entry selected from the group consisting essentially of icon selection, enter data, undo entry, start time, stop time, request for daily total and request for weekly total.

5. The feedback tabulator of claim 1, wherein the input keys provide data entry selected from the group consisting essentially of icon selection, enter data, undo entry, stopwatch commands, request for caloric total.

6. The feedback tabulator of claim 1, wherein the caloric tabulator is less than nine square inches in maximum cross-sectional area and is less than one-half inch thick.

7. The feedback tabulator of claim 6, wherein the caloric tabulator is less than four square inches in maximum cross-sectional area and is less than one-half inch thick.

8. The feedback tabulator of claim 6, wherein the tabulator has an exterior shape and color representative of a food item.

9. The feedback tabulator of claim 7, wherein the exterior shape is of a fruit or vegetable.