METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING FOOD TYPE AND POSITION

• US 20130268111A1
• Filed: 06/05/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Design LLC
• Original Assignee: Design LLC
• Inventors: Dekar, Jonathan P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,918,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• 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

A method and apparatus for determining the position and type of food located in a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the type of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The sensor may also be used to determine the position or location of the food. The method contemplates having at least one and may include multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the type and location of the food in the food compartment an individual may select a certain type of food from a specific food compartment. In addition, transmitting the location or position of the food to the feed arm results in a more efficient delivery system. Further, knowing the type of food located in the food compartment enables transmission of data to a remote location wherein the data includes or is the basis for information or reports relating to the type of food consumed, including the nutritional value thereof. In addition, the sensor may also monitor the food compartment and/or container and send data, including images, in real-time to a remote location.

Claims

1. A feeding device comprising:

a food compartment;

a food sensor; and

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

2. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is connected to said feed arm.

3. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is a visual sensor.

4. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is a two-dimensional RGB camera.

5. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is a stereo camera.

6. A feeding device set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is operative to identify the type of food contained in the food compartment.

7. A feeding device set forth in claim 1 wherein said food sensor is operative to identify the position of the food placed within the food compartment.

8. A feeding device set forth in claim 1 including a communications module, said communications module transmitting data relating to the food contained in the food compartment to a remote location.

9. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including a processor receiving an input from said sensor;

said processor generating an output including relative positional information of said food in said feeding device, a control unit receiving information as to the relative positional information and generating a control signal directing the feed arm assembly to retrieve at least a portion of the content of the food compartment.

10. A feeding device is set forth in claim 1 including a processor receiving an input from said sensor;

said processor generating an output including information relating to the type of said food in said feeding device, a control unit receiving information as to the type of said food and generating a control signal directing the feed arm assembly to retrieve at least a portion of the content of the food compartment.

11. A feeding device is set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a camera operative to capture an image of the food compartment and the food located therein, said processor connected to said camera and operative to analyze said image and generate positional information of the food in said food compartment;

and

a controller connected to said processor and operative to control said feed arm based on said positional information.

12. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a camera operative to capture an image of the food compartment and the food located therein, said processor connected to said camera and operative to analyze said image and generate food type information related to the food in said food compartment;

and

a controller connected to said processor and operative to control said feed arm based on said food type information.

13. A method of removing food from a food compartment containing at least one food for consumption by an individual comprising:

providing a feed arm assembly;

providing a food sensor, using said sensor to perceive a characteristic associated with the food in said food compartment;

transmitting a signal corresponding to the characteristic to said feed arm; and

operating said feed arm based on said signal such that said feed arm retrieves at least a portion of the contents of the food compartment.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the steps of providing a camera, using said camera to capture an image of the food compartment and the contents thereof;

and

analyzing the image and generating an output signal corresponding to the type of food located in said food compartment.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 using said output signal to provide data to a remote location relating to the food contained in the food compartment.

16. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the step of using said sensor to perceive a characteristic associated with the food in said food compartment includes determining the position of the food in said food compartment.

17. A method of determining the presence of food in a food compartment of a feeding device suitable for containing at least one food and transferring the food to an individual for consumption comprising:

providing a food sensor, using said sensor to perceive a characteristic of the food contained in the food compartment;

analyzing said characteristic to determine the type of food located in the food compartment; and

generating an output signal corresponding to the type of food located in the food compartment and transmitting said output signal to a controller; and

operating a feed arm to transfer food from the food compartment.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 including the steps of providing a plurality of food compartments wherein each of said food compartments contains at least one food said method including the steps of perceiving a characteristic of the food located in each food compartment;

using said characteristic to determine the type of food located in each food compartment and sending a signal representing the type of food in each food compartment to a controller;

said controller operative to receive an input signal from the individual relating to selection of a food type; and

said controller generating a control signal operative to actuate a feed arm to obtain the selected food item from the food compartment.

19. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the step of providing a food sensor includes providing a camera and using said camera to capture an image of the food compartment and the contents thereof;

and

transmitting image captured by said camera to a remote location.

20. A method as set forth in claim 17 using said output signal to provide data to a remote location relating to the food contained in the food compartment.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said data includes information relating to the nutritional value of the food contained in the food compartment.