Food Imaging and 3D Volume Sensing for Automatic Nutrient Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diet monitoring technologies require manual entry of food intake and lack integration with automated volume measurement and nutrient analysis, leading to user inconvenience and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system combining 3D scanners and 2D/3D digital imaging sensors to capture and analyze food items, leveraging network-based databases for automated nutrient and caloric tracking, using spectral signatures and volumetric data to provide nutritional information without manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual entry of food intake is required, then users can track dietary consumption, but user convenience deteriorates and effectiveness reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images of food items using integrated cameras and sensors, then autonomously analyzes the images to identify food types, estimate portions, and calculate nutritional information. This self-service approach eliminates manual entry requirements while maintaining tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical entry with automated optical sensing and image processing systems. Multiple sensors capture spectral and spatial data, which are then processed through algorithms to automatically determine food characteristics and nutritional content.
2Measurement precision
If handheld spectrometer devices are used for chemical composition analysis, then nutrient identification is achieved, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (visible light cameras, near-infrared sensors, depth sensors) into a single integrated system. This merging allows the device to perform both visual identification and spectral analysis simultaneously, replacing the need for separate handheld spectrometers while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: visual food identification, portion size estimation, spectral composition analysis, and nutritional calculation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into one universal tool.
3Productivity
If automated image analysis is implemented, then nutritional information can be obtained instantly, but technology complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes images by capturing multiple spectral bands and depth information simultaneously, then performs preliminary segmentation and feature extraction before final nutritional analysis. This staged approach enables rapid processing while managing computational complexity through systematic breakdown of tasks.
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
Enables automatic monitoring of food and nutrient intake, providing instant nutritional facts and ingredient labels, reducing user effort and enhancing dietary management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
capture a spectral image including a visible light image and a series of near-infrared (NIR) images
Implementation Method 2
capture a three-dimensional image of the food item... determining a volume of the food item based on the three-dimensional image
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method and system for using one or more sensors configured to capture two- dimensional and/or three dimensional image data of one or more objects. In particular, the method and system combine one or more digital sensors with visible and near infrared illumination to capture visible and non-visible range spectral image data for one or more objects. The captured spectral image data can be used to separate and identify the one or more objects. Additionally, the three-dimensional image data can be used to determine a volume for each of the one or more objects. The identification and volumetric data for one or more objects can be used individually or in combination to obtain characteristics about the objects. The method and system provide the user with the ability to capture images of one or more objects and obtain related characteristics or information about each of the one or more objects.