Multi-mode prompting anti-shake diet auxiliary system

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-mode prompting anti-shake diet auxiliary system, and relates to the technical field of intelligent tableware, the multi-mode prompting anti-shake diet auxiliary system comprises an intelligent sensing bowl and intelligent anti-shake tableware, the intelligent sensing bowl is in communication connection with the intelligent anti-shake tableware, and the intelligent sensing bowl comprises a bowl body, a sensing module, a visual prompting module and a bowl bottom; the intelligent anti-shake tableware comprises a tableware body, a tremor suppression module and a touch prompt module. Through communication connection of the intelligent sensing bowls and the intelligent anti-shake tableware, active anti-shake, intelligent sensing and multi-mode prompting are integrated, a set of efficient diet auxiliary system is provided for patients with hand tremor and cognitive impairment, the feeding autonomy of the patients can be remarkably improved, accurate delivery of food is ensured through real-time tremor compensation, scattering is reduced, and the food quality is improved. The cognitive function of the patient can be effectively compensated, feeding is reminded, operation is guided, forgetting is prevented through visual and tactile prompts, meanwhile, the dignity and confidence of the patient are enhanced to a great extent, and the patient can finish dining autonomously and physically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart tableware technology, and in particular to a multimodal prompting and anti-shake eating assistance system. Background Technology

[0002] Patients with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) often face severe eating disorders, which significantly impact their quality of life and nutritional intake. PD patients have difficulty steadily bringing food to their mouths due to hand tremors, leading to frustration during the eating process; while AD patients have cognitive impairments, making them prone to forgetting to eat or how to use utensils.

[0003] Currently, most tableware on the market focuses on a single function. For example, mechanical anti-shake spoons using counterweights have a passive and limited damping effect, unable to actively adapt to changes in vibration frequency and amplitude, resulting in poor anti-shake performance. As for eating reminders and guidance functions, existing technologies are scarce or standalone, failing to effectively link with the eating action itself.

[0004] Furthermore, existing feeding aids are often isolated from each other, failing to form a collaborative system. They cannot sense the user's eating status and provide feedback to the tableware, lacking intelligence and interactivity. As a result, patients still require frequent intervention from caregivers, failing to fundamentally reduce the burden on caregivers and enhance the dignity of patients' independent eating. Therefore, this invention proposes a multimodal prompting and anti-shake feeding aid system to address the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to propose a multimodal prompting and anti-shake eating assistance system, which solves the problems that currently available tableware cannot actively adapt to changes in vibration frequency and amplitude, has poor anti-shake performance, and lacks or is independent in terms of eating reminders and guidance functions, failing to form an effective linkage with the eating action itself.

[0006] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is provided: A multimodal feedback and anti-shake eating assistance system, comprising a smart sensing bowl and smart anti-shake tableware, wherein the smart sensing bowl and the smart anti-shake tableware are communicatively connected, the smart sensing bowl comprising a bowl body, a sensing module, a visual prompting module, and a bowl bottom, the bowl bottom being located directly below the bowl body, the sensing module being installed between the bowl body and the bowl bottom, and the visual prompting module being installed on the outer wall of the bowl bottom, the smart anti-shake tableware comprising a tableware body, a vibration suppression module, and a tactile prompting module, wherein both the vibration suppression module and the tactile prompting module are installed inside the tableware body, the vibration suppression module being used to suppress hand tremors of the user, and the tactile prompting module being used to provide tactile prompts to the user.

[0007] A further improvement is that the sensing module is a pressure sensor, which is used to monitor changes in the weight of the food in the bowl.

[0008] A further improvement is that the visual cue module is an LED light strip, and the visual cue module is configured to emit lights of different colors, brightness, or flashing modes.

[0009] A further improvement is that the tremor suppression module is an active micro-compensation damper, including an inertial measurement unit for real-time detection of hand tremors, a processor for receiving measurement data from the inertial measurement unit and calculating and generating a tremor suppression compensation signal, and an actuator for generating a reverse force based on the compensation signal.

[0010] A further improvement is that the tactile prompting module is a vibration motor integrated inside the tableware body, and the tactile prompting module generates vibration reminders based on the sensing results of the sensing module or a preset time threshold.

[0011] A further improvement is that it also includes a central control module, which is fitted and installed inside the bottom of the bowl. The central control module is communicatively connected to the sensing module, visual cueing module, vibration suppression module, and tactile cueing module.

[0012] A further improvement is that: based on the pressure sensor data in the sensing module, if the central control module determines that no feeding action has occurred within a preset time, it triggers the visual prompt module and the tactile prompt module to issue visual and tactile reminders respectively.

[0013] A further improvement is that the cutlery body includes a handle and a functional head, the functional head being selected from either a spoon head or a fork head, the handle and the functional head being connected in a detachable modular manner, and the vibration suppression module being integrated into the handle.

[0014] A further improvement is that a threaded connector is fixed at one end of the functional head near the handle, and a threaded connection hole adapted to the threaded connector is provided at one end of the handle near the functional head.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By connecting intelligent sensing bowls and intelligent anti-shake tableware through communication, this invention integrates active anti-shake, intelligent sensing, and multimodal prompts, providing a highly efficient dietary assistance system for patients with hand tremors and cognitive impairment. It can significantly improve patients' autonomy in eating, ensure accurate food delivery through real-time tremor compensation, reduce spillage, effectively compensate for patients' cognitive function, and use visual and tactile prompts to remind and guide eating, preventing forgetting. At the same time, it greatly enhances patients' dignity and confidence, enabling them to complete meals independently with dignity, reducing the burden of care, and lowering the assistance intensity and time cost for caregivers. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view of the intelligent sensing bowl according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the intelligent sensing bowl according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a front view of the intelligent anti-shake tableware in the form of a spoon head according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view of the intelligent anti-shake tableware in the form of a spoon head according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a front view of the intelligent anti-shake tableware in the form of a fork head according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a side cross-sectional view of the intelligent anti-shake tableware in the form of a spoon head according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0022] The components include: 1. Intelligent sensing bowl; 2. Intelligent anti-shake tableware; 3. Central control module; 101. Bowl body; 102. Sensing module; 103. Visual prompting module; 104. Bowl bottom; 201. Tableware body; 202. Vibration suppression module; 203. Tactile prompting module; 2011. Handle; 2012. Functional head; 2013. Threaded connector; 2014. Threaded connection hole; 2015. Magnetic fitting protrusion; 2016. Magnetic fitting groove; 2021. Inertial measurement unit; 2022. Processor; 2023. Actuator. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that primarily occurs in old age or pre-old age. The main characteristics of the disease include progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-70% of cases. The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age.

[0025] Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease affecting the elderly. It primarily impacts the nervous system of middle-aged and older adults, leading to a range of motor and non-motor symptoms. The pathogenesis is related to the degeneration and death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, but the exact cause is not fully understood. High-risk groups are primarily people over 60 years of age, with slightly more men than women affected. The mortality rate is relatively low, but late-stage patients may face life-threatening complications.

[0026] Alzheimer's patients often experience hand tremors, leading to difficulty eating, food spillage, and feelings of frustration and shame; Parkinson's patients may forget how to properly use utensils or forget to eat altogether. This invention addresses the core pain point of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, focusing on practicality, operability, and immediate improvement in quality of life. It aims to compensate for cognitive function loss through external assistance and intervention.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a multimodal prompting and anti-shake eating assistance system. The system consists of a smart sensing bowl 1 and smart anti-shake tableware 2 connected via communication. This separate design conforms to natural eating habits and achieves system-level efficiency through collaborative work via communication, surpassing the limitations of single-function products. Specifically:

[0029] The intelligent sensing bowl 1 consists of a bowl body 101 for holding food, a sensing module 102 for sensing the amount of food, a visual prompting module 103 for issuing visual reminders to the user, and a bowl bottom 104 for providing support for the intelligent sensing bowl 1. The sensing module 102 is installed between the bowl body 101 and the bowl bottom 104, and the visual prompting module 103 is installed on the bowl bottom 104, providing visual prompts to the user based on the sensing results of the sensing module 102.

[0030] The intelligent anti-shake tableware 2 consists of a tableware body 201 for scooping food, a tremor suppression module 202 for suppressing the user's hand tremors, and a tactile prompting module 203 for providing tactile reminders to the user. The tremor suppression module 202 is located inside the tableware body 201 and is used to suppress the user's hand tremors. The tactile prompting module 203 is installed inside the tableware body 201.

[0031] In this embodiment, the sensing module 102 uses a pressure sensor to monitor the weight change of the food inside the bowl 101, so as to determine the user's eating action and the amount of food remaining. This is an indirect but extremely effective biological behavior sensing method, used to determine whether the user has eaten and how much food is left. The logic is simple and reliable.

[0032] In this embodiment, the visual prompting module 103 uses an LED light strip, which is embedded and surrounds the outer wall of the bowl bottom 104. The visual prompting module 103 is configured to emit lights of different colors, brightness, or flashing modes to perform the eating reminder function. By changing the color and flashing mode of the LED light strip, it provides gentle and non-irritating reminders and guidance. This prompt is also visible to the surrounding environment (such as caregivers).

[0033] In this embodiment, the tremor suppression module 202 uses an active micro-compensation damper, specifically including:

[0034] The Inertial Measurement Unit 2021 (IMU) is used to detect the acceleration, angular velocity, amplitude, and frequency of hand tremors in real time. The IMU directly and with high precision monitors hand movement posture and tremors, providing a data basis for active suppression.

[0035] Processor 2022 is used to receive data from the IMU and calculate and generate a compensation signal to suppress jitter;

[0036] The actuator 2023 generates a reverse force based on the compensation signal. The actuator is selected from either a piezoelectric ceramic actuator or a micro linear motor (in this embodiment, a piezoelectric ceramic actuator is selected). Using a piezoelectric ceramic or a micro linear motor as the actuator 2023 can generate a precise and rapid reverse force, and the compensation effect is far superior to that of the traditional passive counterweight mechanism.

[0037] In this embodiment, the tactile prompting module 203 uses a vibration motor, which is integrated inside the tableware body 201. It is configured to generate vibration reminders based on the sensing results of the sensing module 102 in the smart sensing bowl 1 or a preset time threshold. The vibration motor provides users with private and immediate tactile reminders, which directly act on the user's hand. It is especially effective for users with cognitive decline who may ignore visual cues.

[0038] The system also includes a central control module 3. The bottom of the bowl 104 has an open design, and the central control module 3 is fitted and fixed inside the bowl bottom 104. The central control module 3 is communicatively connected to the sensing module 102, the visual prompting module 103, the vibration suppression module 202, and the tactile prompting module 203. It is used to process the sensing information and coordinate the working mode of each module. The central control module 3 acts as the brain of the entire system, processing the sensor data from the intelligent sensing bowl 1 and the intelligent anti-vibration tableware 2, making decisions when the eating time is exceeded, and coordinating the control of all actuators (light strips, vibration motors, etc.) on the two devices.

[0039] In this embodiment, the central control module 3 is configured as follows:

[0040] Based on the pressure sensor data in the sensing module 102, if it is determined that no feeding action has occurred within a preset time, the visual prompting module 103 is triggered to issue a visual reminder, and the tactile prompting module 203 is triggered to issue a tactile reminder.

[0041] In this embodiment, the tableware body 201 consists of a handle 2011 held by the user and a functional head 2012 for scooping food. The functional head 2012 is either a spoon or a fork (selected according to the actual usage scenario). The vibration suppression module 202 is integrated inside the handle 2011. A threaded connector 2013 is fixed to one end of the functional head 2012 near the handle 2011, and an external thread is provided on it. A threaded connection hole 2014 is provided at one end of the handle 2011 near the functional head 2012, and the threaded connection hole 2014 is adapted to the threaded connector 2013. An internal thread is provided on its inner wall. Through the cooperation of the threaded connector 2013 and the threaded connection hole 2014, the handle 2011 and the functional head 2012 can be quickly switched and disassembled, which greatly facilitates cleaning and meets different dining needs (drinking soup, eating noodles, picking fruit).

[0042] In this embodiment, all electronic modules are cleverly integrated into the bottom of the bowl and inside the handle, with no exposed cables, ensuring the product's aesthetics, safety, and waterproof and stain-resistant properties, meeting the requirements of kitchen utensil usage scenarios.

[0043] In this embodiment, the intelligent sensing bowl 1 serves as the status sensing and prompting center, and the intelligent anti-shake tableware 2 serves as the action execution and tactile feedback unit. The two are connected through communication and are uniformly scheduled by the central control module 3, realizing closed-loop control of "perception-decision-execution".

[0044] The control method of this multimodal prompting and shaky eating assistance system includes the following steps:

[0045] S1, Placement and Power-On

[0046] The caregiver places food into the smart sensor bowl 1:

[0047] When the smart sensing bowl 1 is placed steadily on the table, the central control module 3 inside the bowl bottom 104 is turned on.

[0048] The sensing module 102 calibrates the zero point, and the visual prompting module 103 (LED light strip) emits a soft white light that stays on for one full circle, indicating that the intelligent sensing bowl 1 is ready;

[0049] S2. Cutlery Retrieval and Connection

[0050] When a user picks up the smart anti-shake cutlery 2, the action of picking it up will activate the vibration suppression module 202 and the tactile prompt module 203 inside the handle 2011.

[0051] The intelligent sensing bowl 1 and the intelligent anti-shake tableware 2 automatically complete the communication connection through low-power Bluetooth and other technologies. The handle 2011 vibrates slightly (tactile prompt), and the visual prompt module 103 flashes once to confirm successful pairing.

[0052] S3, Active image stabilization process (continuous)

[0053] When a user holds the smart anti-shake tableware 2 and scoops food from the smart sensing bowl 1 with their hand, the vibration suppression module 202 operates continuously:

[0054] The inertial measurement unit 2021 continuously monitors the acceleration and angular velocity of the hand at a high frequency;

[0055] The processor 2022 calculates the frequency and amplitude of the tremor in real time and generates cancellation instructions;

[0056] Actuator 2023 generates precise counterforce according to instructions, keeping functional head 2012 stable and greatly reducing vibration;

[0057] S4. Feeding Monitoring and Reminders

[0058] Central control module 3 continuously monitors data from sensing module 102, as shown in the following scenario:

[0059] Scenario A: Normal eating

[0060] Each time the user scoops food, the weight in the bowl will decrease in stages. The central control module 3 recognizes this change, determines it as normal eating, and does not trigger any reminders.

[0061] Scenario B: Forgetting to eat (not eating for an extended period of time)

[0062] If the central control module 3 does not detect a significant weight change within a preset time (2 minutes), the central control module 3 will initiate multi-level alerts:

[0063] Level 1 alert: Triggering the visual cue module 103 of the intelligent sensing bowl 1, the LED light strip starts flashing;

[0064] Second-level reminder: If there is still no feeding action after a period of time (30 seconds) following the first-level reminder, the system will simultaneously trigger:

[0065] Visual cue: The LED light strip is flashing at a faster frequency;

[0066] Haptic cue: Triggering the haptic cue module 203 inside the handle 2011 generates a clear vibration to directly alert the user's hand;

[0067] S5. Determining the end of eating:

[0068] When the sensing module 102 detects that the weight of the food in the smart sensing bowl 1 remains at an extremely low value for a long time and no longer changes, the central control module 3 determines that eating has ended.

[0069] S6. End prompt:

[0070] The LED light strip of the visual prompt module 103 emits a constant green light for 5 seconds to indicate "meal completed," providing positive feedback to the user.

[0071] Example 2

[0072] See Figure 6 This embodiment provides a multimodal prompting and anti-shake diet assistance system, which differs from Embodiment 1 in that:

[0073] The cutlery body 201 consists of a handle 2011 held by the user and a functional head 2012 for scooping food. The functional head 2012 is either a spoon or a fork (selected according to the actual usage scenario). The vibration suppression module 202 is integrated inside the handle 2011.

[0074] A magnetic engagement protrusion 2015 is fixed at one end of the functional head 2012 near the handle 2011, and a magnetic engagement groove 2016 is provided at one end of the handle 2011 near the functional head 2012. The magnetic engagement groove 2016 is compatible with the magnetic engagement protrusion 2015, and the two are magnetically engaged to realize the quick switching and disassembly of the handle 2011 and the functional head 2012.

[0075] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-modal prompt anti-shake diet auxiliary system, comprising a smart sensing bowl (1) and a smart anti-shake tableware (2), characterized in that: The intelligent perception bowl (1) is communicatively connected with the intelligent anti-shaking tableware (2), the intelligent perception bowl (1) comprises a bowl body (101), a perception module (102), a visual prompt module (103) and a bowl bottom (104), the bowl bottom (104) is located directly below the bowl body (101), the perception module (102) is installed between the bowl body (101) and the bowl bottom (104), the visual prompt module (103) is installed on the outer wall of the bowl bottom (104), the intelligent anti-shaking tableware (2) comprises a tableware body (201), a tremor suppression module (202) and a tactile prompt module (203), the tremor suppression module (202) and the tactile prompt module (203) are both installed inside the tableware body (201), the tremor suppression module (202) is used for suppressing hand tremor of a user, and the tactile prompt module (203) is used for providing tactile prompt to the user.

2. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The perception module (102) is a pressure sensor, and the perception module (102) is used for monitoring weight change of food in the bowl body (101).

3. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, wherein: The visual prompt module (103) is an LED light strip, and the visual prompt module (103) is configured to emit light of different colors, brightnesses or flashing modes.

4. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tremor suppression module (202) is an active micro-compensation damper, comprising an inertial measurement unit (2021) for detecting hand tremor in real time, a processor (2022) for receiving measurement data of the inertial measurement unit (2021) and calculating a compensation signal for suppressing tremor, and an actuator (2023) for generating a reverse force based on the compensation signal.

5. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, wherein: The tactile prompt module (203) is a vibration motor integrated inside the tableware body (201), and the tactile prompt module (203) generates a vibration reminder based on a sensing result of the perception module (102) or a preset time threshold.

6. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, wherein: A central control module (3) is further included, the central control module (3) is embeddedly installed on the inner side of the bowl bottom (104), and the central control module (3) is communicatively connected with the perception module (102), the visual prompt module (103), the tremor suppression module (202) and the tactile prompt module (203).

7. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The central control module (3) triggers the visual prompt module (103) and the tactile prompt module (203) to respectively give visual and tactile reminders based on pressure sensor data in the perception module (102) if it is judged that no eating action occurs within a preset time.

8. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 1, wherein: The tableware body (201) comprises a handle part (2011) and a functional head part (2012), the functional head part (2012) is selected from one of a spoon head or a fork head, the handle part (2011) and the functional head part (2012) are connected in a detachable and modularized mode, and the tremor suppression module (202) is integrated in the handle part (2011).

9. The multi-modal cueing anti-shake meal assistance system according to claim 8, characterized in that: A threaded connector (2013) is fixed to one end of the handle part (2011) close to the functional head part (2012), and a threaded connection hole (2014) matched with the threaded connector (2013) is formed in one end of the handle part (2011) close to the functional head part (2012).

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