Nutritional Value Prediction via Power Supply Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optimizing nutrient intake is complex due to individual variations, requiring personalized approaches based on factors like gender, health status, and eating habits, and existing systems lack efficient methods for predicting nutritional values during food processing.

Innovation Solution

A nutritional value prediction system that uses a 'smart-plug' to determine processing characteristics of kitchen appliances by sensing power supply parameters, allowing for accurate prediction of nutritional values based on food identity and processing conditions, eliminating the need for post-processing measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If post-processing measurement is used to determine nutritional value, then measurement accuracy can be ensured, but user convenience deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutritional value measurement accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting nutritional value during the food processing operation itself, rather than measuring after processing. The predictor uses processing characteristics (temperature, time, appliance type) to calculate nutritional value in real-time, eliminating the need for post-processing measurement and weighing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If post-processing weighing and measurement is performed, then accurate nutritional value can be obtained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutritional value accuracyVSAvoidtime for nutritional assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical measurement systems (scales, post-processing analysis equipment) with a computational prediction system. The predictor calculates nutritional value based on processing characteristics data, substituting physical measurement with mathematical modeling to reduce time and operational steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If detailed food quantity measurement is performed, then prediction accuracy improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically obtaining food quantity data through the appliance's own sensors and processing characteristics, without requiring external measurement devices or manual input. The appliance itself provides the data needed for prediction, eliminating the need for separate weighing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 intuitive and accurate monitoring of nutritional intake by predicting nutritional values of processed food, considering factors like calorie, vitamin, and mineral content, improving user convenience and accuracy in assessing dietary intake.

Implementation Method 1

a parameter sensor adapted to detect a parameter of a power supply provided to the kitchen appliance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical parameter sensing: Ohmmeter

Data Source

PatentEP3555781B1A nutritional value prediction system and method
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3555781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3555781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3555781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a nutritional value prediction system. A nutritional value of processed food is predicted based on an identity of food to be processed and processing characteristics of a kitchen appliance used to process the food to be processed. Processing characteristics of the kitchen appliance are determined based on a sensed parameter of a power supply of the kitchen appliance.