Caloric Intake Measurement via Spectroscopy and 3D Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current external devices for monitoring food consumption face a dilemma between personal privacy and measurement accuracy, with highly accurate devices being intrusive and non-intrusive devices relying on user compliance, which affects their effectiveness in tracking caloric intake.
Innovation Solution
Development of an external, non-implantable device that balances privacy concerns with high accuracy by using advanced imaging and data analysis techniques to automatically detect and identify food consumption without continuous video monitoring or user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous video monitoring is used to automatically detect food consumption, then measurement accuracy is improved, but personal privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from continuous video monitoring. Instead of continuously recording video, the system takes snapshots or uses intermittent imaging only when eating events are detected through other sensors (accelerometer, microphone), thereby achieving accurate food consumption measurement without the privacy intrusion of constant video surveillance.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensing modalities: accelerometer for detecting eating motions, microphone for detecting chewing sounds, and camera for capturing food images only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive measurement accuracy while the camera remains inactive most of the time, thus preserving privacy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-intrusive devices without continuous monitoring are used, then personal privacy is protected, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to reliance on user compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service monitoring by automatically detecting eating events through accelerometer and microphone sensors, and autonomously capturing food images and estimating caloric content. This eliminates the need for user compliance or manual input, as the system independently performs all measurement functions without requiring user activation or cooperation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (accelerometer detecting hand-to-mouth motions, microphone detecting chewing sounds) to trigger camera activation and initiate food analysis. This multi-sensor feedback mechanism ensures accurate detection of eating events and triggers appropriate measurement actions only when needed, maintaining both privacy and accuracy.
3Device complexity
If manual user input methods are used for food logging, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity in tracking caloric intake deteriorates due to user compliance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of user typing or selecting food items from menus with an automated optical recognition system. The camera captures food images, and computer vision algorithms automatically identify food types and estimate portions, substituting manual input mechanisms with automated image-based recognition that is both simple and highly effective.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable and accurate method for monitoring food consumption, enhancing user compliance and reducing privacy intrusions, thereby improving the management of energy balance and weight management.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging member for receiving optical radiation from a food item and capturing an image of the food item with the optical radiation
Implementation Method 2
receiving optical radiation from a food item and capturing an image of the food item with the optical radiation
Implementation Method 3
spectroscopic and 3D imaging analysis
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a caloric intake measuring system comprising: a spectroscopic sensor that collects data concerning light that is absorbed by or reflected from food, wherein this food is to be consumed by a person, and wherein this data is used to estimate the composition of this food; and an imaging device that takes images of this food from different angles, wherein these images from different angles are used to estimate the quantity of this food. Information concerning the estimated composition of the food and information concerning the estimated quantity of the food can be combined to estimate the person's caloric intake.