Method and apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment containing at least one food comprising the steps of:
- using a sensor to determine the quantity of food in the food compartment;
determining the quantity of food in the food compartment prior to the individual removing food from the food compartment;
determining the quantity of food in the food compartment after the individual has ceased removing food from the food compartment;
determining the quantity of food removed from the food compartment;
monitoring an individual removing food from the food compartment, including determining whether the individual consumed the food removed from the food compartment; and
providing information relating to the quantity of food removed from the food compartment to a remote location spaced from said food compartment whereby a third party at the remote location may monitor the individual removing from the food compartment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the quantity of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The method contemplates having multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the quantity of the food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Knowing the amount or quantity of the food removed from the container the nutritional value of the food may be determined. In addition, a sensor may also monitor the individual removing the food from the food compartment that is monitoring the individual while eating or drinking.
10 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment containing at least one food comprising the steps of:
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using a sensor to determine the quantity of food in the food compartment; determining the quantity of food in the food compartment prior to the individual removing food from the food compartment; determining the quantity of food in the food compartment after the individual has ceased removing food from the food compartment; determining the quantity of food removed from the food compartment; monitoring an individual removing food from the food compartment, including determining whether the individual consumed the food removed from the food compartment; and providing information relating to the quantity of food removed from the food compartment to a remote location spaced from said food compartment whereby a third party at the remote location may monitor the individual removing from the food compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment containing at least one food comprising the steps of:
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using a camera to monitor the individual removing food from the food compartment and to determine whether the individual consumed the food removed from the food compartment; using said camera to determine the quantity of food removed from the food compartment; and using said camera to provide information to a remote location regarding the quantity of food consumed by the individual. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment containing at least one food comprising the steps of:
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placing food in the food compartment; providing a sensor associated with the food compartment, the sensor capable of monitoring and transmitting the weight of the food contained within the food compartment; measuring the weight of the food compartment prior to the individual consuming food from the food compartment; measuring the weight of the food compartment after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment; using the difference in weight of the food compartment to determine the quantity of food removed from the food compartment; and calculating the nutritional value of the food removed from the food compartment based on the quantity of food removed from the food compartment; providing a monitoring device capable of monitoring the individual removing food from the food compartment and using the monitoring device to monitor the quantity of food consumed by the individual; and providing information to a remote location regarding the quantity of food consumed by the individual. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification