Method and program product for weighing food items

• US 8,770,983 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nicolaos Batsikouras
• Original Assignee: Nicolaos Batsikouras
• Inventors: Batsikouras, Nicolaos
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hadizonooz, Banafsheh
• Application Number:
  US13/426,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20130029298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 434/27, 434/127, 177/25.13, 177/238
• US Class Current: 434/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4146 for controlling caloric intake, e.g. diet control
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition

Abstract

A method and program product comprises the steps of receiving information comprising at least a user'"'"'s physical data. The information being input using a user interface device and being stored electronically. A user'"'"'s plate of food items placed on a scale support structure is identified. The plate comprises a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments being configured to retain a food item. Weight information is received from a plurality of weighing devices. Each of the weighing devices is operable to electronically communicate a weight of one of the compartments and its contents. The weight information is processed to at least determine weight and nutritional information for the food items. At least the determined weight and nutritional information for the food item in each compartment and a total weight and nutritional information for the food items in the plate is communicated.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

Receiving information comprising user'"'"'s physical and identification data, the information being input using a graphical user interface device and being stored electronically;

Providing a plate of food items wherein the plate comprises a plurality of moveable compartments, each of the compartments being configured to retain a food item;

Providing a scale support structure in electronic communication with user'"'"'s plate of food item, comprising a plurality of pedestal portions, each of the plurality of pedestal portions being configured to lift an associated compartment from the plate, the scale support structure further comprising a plurality of weighing devices in communication with the plurality of pedestal portions;

Identifying a user'"'"'s plate of food items placed on the scale support structure;

wherein each compartment'"'"'s identification information is electronically communicated from plate to the scale support structure;

Receiving weight information from the plurality of weighing devices, each of the weighing devices being operable to electronically communicate the weight of one of the compartments and its contents;

Processing the weight information to at least determine weight and nutritional information for the food items; and

Communicating to external computing devices via a wireless communication link at least the determined weight and nutritional information for the food item in each compartment and a total weight and nutritional information for the food items in the plate.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving at least one dietary goal for the user.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of communicating dietary recommendations at least in part based on the dietary goal.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of identifying the user'"'"'s time frame for achieving the dietary goal.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of assigning points at least in part based on said processing of weight information and the dietary goal for tracking the user'"'"'s progress in achieving the dietary goal.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of storing the user'"'"'s information, dietary goal, time frame, processed weight information and points along with the user'"'"'s identification.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, in which the user interface is a graphic user interface.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, in which each of the compartments further comprises an identification tag.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of receiving identification information from the identification tags.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving identification tag information being input using the user interface device.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, in which said communicating communicates to a mobile computing device.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a processor to perform the following steps:

receiving information comprising at least a user'"'"'s physical data, the information being input using a user interface device and being stored electronically;

identifying a user'"'"'s plate of food items placed on a scale support structure, the plate comprising a plurality of moveable compartments, each of the compartments being configured to retain a food item, the scale support structure comprising a plurality pedestal portions, each of the plurality of pedestal portions being configured to lift an associated compartment from the plate, the scale support structure further comprising a plurality of weighting devices in communication with the plurality of pedestal portions;

receiving weight information from the plurality of weighing devices, each the weighing devices being operable to electronically communicate a weight of one of the compartments and its contents;

processing the weight information to at least determine weight and nutritional information for the food items; and

communicating to the user at least the determined weight and nutritional information for the food item in each compartment and a total weight and nutritional information for the food items in the plate.

13. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of receiving at least one dietary goal for the user.

14. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of communicating dietary recommendations at least in part based on the dietary goal.

15. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of identifying the user'"'"'s time frame for achieving the dietary goal.

16. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of assigning points at least in part based on said processing of weight information and the dietary goal for tracking the user'"'"'s progress in achieving the dietary goal.

17. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of storing the user'"'"'s information, dietary goal, time frame, processed weight information and points along with the user'"'"'s identification.

18. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 12, in which each of the compartments further comprises an identification tag.

19. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of receiving identification information from the identification tags.

20. A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

receiving information comprising at least a user'"'"'s physical data and at least one dietary goal for the user, the information being input using a graphical user interface device and being stored electronically;

identifying the user'"'"'s time flame for achieving the dietary goal;

communicating dietary recommendations at least in part based on the user'"'"'s physical data, time frame and the dietary goal;

providing a plate of food items wherein the plate comprises a plurality of moveable compartments, each of the compartments being configured to retain a food item;

providing a scale support structure in electronic communication with user'"'"'s plate of food item, comprising a plurality of pedestal portions, each of the plurality of pedestal portions being configured to lift an associated compartment from the plate, the scale support structure further comprising a plurality of weighing devices in communication with the plurality of pedestal portions;

identifying a user'"'"'s plate of food items placed on the scale support structure, said identifying further comprising receiving identification information from the identification tags;

receiving identification tag information being input using the user interface device;

receiving weight information from the plurality of weighing devices, each the weighing devices being operable to electronically communicate a weight of one of the compartments and its contents;

processing the weight information and the identification tag information to at least determine weight and nutritional information for the food items;

assigning points at least in part based on said processing and the dietary goal for tracking the user'"'"'s progress in achieving the dietary goal;

communicating at least the determined weight and nutritional information for the food item in each compartment, a total weight and nutritional information for the food items in the plate and the points; and

storing the user'"'"'s information, dietary goal, time frame, processed weight information and points along with the user'"'"'s identification data.