Method and apparatus for measuring and controlling food intake of an individual

• US 20060036395A1
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Cronin, John, Shaya, Steven A., Roth, Douglas J., Brenner-Gati, Leona, Drehwing Edwards, Nancy
• Application Number:
  US11/181,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036395A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4146 for controlling caloric intake, e.g. diet control
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Provided herein is a method for monitoring dietary intake of food items. The method involves the steps of selecting a portion of food, weighing the portion, inputting the type and weight amount of the food into a computer, and obtaining the caloric content of the food by from a database. There is also provided an apparatus for monitoring dietary intake of food items. The apparatus includes a means for weighing a preselected portion of food, a computer for inputting the type and weight amount of the food therein, and a database operatively associated with the computer for obtaining the caloric content of the food.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring dietary caloric intake of food items, said method comprising:

a. selecting a portion of food;

b. weighing said portion and importing the value into a computer;

c. inputting the type of said food into a computer; and

d. obtaining the caloric content of said food by from a database.

e. Using the computer to calculate the caloric intake from the inputs.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying and storing said caloric intake on said computer.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step to correct portions size by determining an amount left unconsumed.

3. An apparatus for monitoring dietary caloric intake of food items, said apparatus comprising:

a. means for weighing a preselected portion of food;

b. a computer for inputting the type and weight amount of said food therein; and

c. a database operatively associated with said computer for obtaining the caloric content of said food.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a means for displaying and storing said caloric content on said computer.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further including a display to show an amount of food consumed in real time.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 further including a bar code reader for inputting the type and weight amount of said food therein.