Electronic Device Food Parameter Estimation Using Reference Object Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring food parameters, such as calorie content, are either inconvenient or inaccurate, particularly in contactless methods where users cannot obtain actual calorie values from images of food.
Innovation Solution
A method using an electronic device with a touchscreen and camera that detects user operations, identifies food categories through image analysis, and calculates parameters like mass and nutrient content using pre-stored information and augmented reality models, allowing for accurate and convenient measurement of food parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless measurement method using image recognition is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference object with known dimensions as an intermediary between the camera and the food item. This reference object serves as a mediator to establish a reliable scaling relationship, enabling the system to convert image pixel measurements into real-world physical dimensions accurately, thus resolving the precision issue while maintaining contactless operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical weighing system with an optical measurement system using camera imaging and image processing. By substituting physical contact measurement with optical field measurement combined with reference object calibration, the system achieves contactless operation while maintaining measurement accuracy through mathematical modeling
2Measurement precision
If contact measurement method using electronic scale is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the measurement system to automatically complete the entire measurement process without user intervention. The system automatically detects the food item, identifies the reference object, calculates scaling relationships, and computes nutritional information, eliminating the need for manual weighing and category selection while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that combines image recognition, reference object detection, dimensional measurement, and nutritional calculation in a single device. This universal system can perform multiple functions (identification, measurement, calculation) that were previously distributed across separate tools, improving ease of operation while maintaining precision
3Ease of operation
If empirical calorie values are used in contactless method, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system uses the detected reference object to continuously calibrate and adjust the measurement scale. This feedback loop ensures that the calculated dimensions and subsequent nutritional values are based on actual measured data rather than empirical assumptions, significantly improving reliability while keeping the system automated and easy to use
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a method for estimating an object parameter and an electronic device, and relates to the field of electronic devices, so that accuracy of detecting an object parameter can be improved while a user can conveniently detect a food parameter. A specific solution is as follows: An electronic device detects a first operation of a user; starts a camera and collects a first target object in response to the first operation; determines a category of the first target object; determines a target parameter of the first target object based on the category of the first target object and first information of the first target object; and displays the category of the first target object and one or more parameters of the target parameter on a touchscreen, where the one or more parameters include mass.