Apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual

• US 9,566,714 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Design LLC
• Original Assignee: Design LLC
• Inventors: Dekar, Jonathan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMBESS, YOLANDA RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/793,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/00 Table-ware crumb trays A47L13/52; table knives B26B
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/08 Serving devices for one-handed persons
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/10 Devices for counting or marking the number of consumptions on beverage-dispensing apparatus B65D, B67D; counting in general G06M
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/12 Consumption counters combined with table-ware or table-service
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/008 Manipulators for service tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/08 by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of 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. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual'"'"'s physical data and communicate such data to a remote location.

Claims

1. A feeding device comprising:

a food compartment;

a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and

a sensor, said sensor used to determine the quantity of food contained in the food compartment.

2. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including said sensor used to determine the type of food contained in the food compartment.

3. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a database;

a processor, said processor receiving information from said sensor and operative to identify the nutritional value of the food contained in the food compartment based in part on information from said sensor.

4. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a camera.

5. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a load cell.

6. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a sensor monitoring physical data of the individual, said physical data at least one of the following blood pressure, glucose levels, pulse, tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen level, heart rate, temperature, respiration rate and other biometric values; and

a communication module, said communication module receiving and transmitting said physical data to a remote location.

7. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a camera operative to capture images of both the individual and the food; and

a communication module, said communication module receiving and transmitting said images to a remote location.

8. A feeding device comprising:

a food compartment;

a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and

a sensor, said sensor used to determine the type of food contained in the food compartment.

9. A feeding device as set forth in claim 8 including:

a database;

a processor, said processor receiving information from said sensor and operative to identify the nutritional value of the food contained in the food compartment based in part on information from said sensor.

10. A feeding device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sensor includes a camera.

12. A feeding device as set forth in claim 8 including:

a camera operative to capture images of both the individual and the food; and

a communication module, said communication module receiving and transmitting said images to a remote location.

11. A feeding device comprising:

a food compartment;

a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and

a sensor, said sensor used to determine the type of food contained in the food compartment;

a sensor monitoring physical data of the individual, said physical data at least one of the following blood pressure, glucose levels, pulse, tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen level, heart rate, temperature, respiration rate and other biometric values; and

a communication module, said communication module receiving and transmitting said physical data to a remote location.