DE102007032303A1 - Apparatus for measuring food nutritional values, when following a controlled diet, has a computer together with a scanning unit and weighing scales linked to a nutritional value data set - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus to register the nutritional values of foodstuff (20) has a computer (30) together with a scanner unit (40) and weighing scales (50). A section of the memory holds at least one nutritional value data set in an external memory (71). The scanner unit has a scanner and/or a radio frequency identity (RFID) receiver and/or a camera.

Description

The The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for Registration of nutritional values, in particular in the field of weight loss or the weight gain.

at Persons, especially persons who follow diets, it may be necessary to know the nutritional values to capture the food consumed daily and this to play in a certain form.

The U.S. Patent 6,040,531 For example, Figure 1 shows a person on a diet computer to control body weight whose food selection is based on a calculated number of points.

The known methods can not, a considerable relief to enable the collection of nutritional data, or the nutritional values in a comprehensible form to present for a long time.

task The invention is to provide nutritional value and weight of consumable To read and process food and present it that, for example, a person on diet their nutritional status can query or control.

These The object is achieved by the device according to the invention, and the method according to the independent Claims solved. Further advantageous embodiments The invention are defined in the dependent claims where.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for detecting nutritional values ( 10 ) of food ( 20 ), comprising a computer unit ( 30 ), the device further comprising a reading unit ( 40 ) and a weighing unit ( 50 ).

Under the acquisition of nutritional values is preferably the recording, most preferably matching and / or saving, most prefers processing these nutritional values as nutritional data or nutritional data sets understood. nutrition information or nutritional data records are preferably in digital Form before.

Of the Nutritional value of a food is preferred in the unit Calorie / weight, more preferably in the unit joule / weight specified. For liquids, the nutritional value preferably in the unit calorie / volume, more preferably in the unit Joule / volume indicated. As nutritional value is preferred the quantitative nutritional value / (weight or volume) used, which is used to evaluate the usable energy, i. H. of the physiological Calorific value, which is used experimentally by burning of a food. Main ingredients of nutritional value of a food are the content of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, Vitamins, trace elements and / or the content of usable energy.

food are preferably all foods or luxury foods, d. H. all food and drinks.

The Computer unit is a hardware, which preferably receive data, particularly preferably can process data in any form. The computer unit is preferably a mobile phone, particularly preferably a handheld or PDA, most preferably a PC. Preferably, the computer unit has a Processor for data processing, for data synchronization, for operation of software and / or other applications. The computer unit preferably utilizes the input information of preferably all peripheral devices, such as reading units, weighing units, input units, memory, Servers, etc.

The Reading unit is preferably a unit for identifying a Food. The reading unit is preferably an optical detection unit and / or a receiver unit. The reading unit is preferably over an interface connected to the computer unit. The interfaces are preferably cable connections, particularly preferred WLAN connections, most preferably blue tooth or infrared interfaces.

The Weighing unit is preferably a measuring unit for determining the mass a food over preferably the direct measurement the weight. These are preferably electrical, more preferably electromagnetic scales. Just like the reading unit has the weighing unit an interface to the computer unit. The interface variants are preferably the same as in the reading unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises ( 1 ) further comprises a first memory area ( 70 ) for storing at least one nutritional value data set ( 11 ).

Of the first storage area is preferably a storage medium. The storage medium is preferably an internal memory of the computer unit, especially preferably a semi-permanent memory such as an EPROM or EEPROM or Flash or MRAM or FRAM memory, such as Hard drives, USB sticks, etc.

On the first storage area is preferably at least one nutritional value data set in the form of a nutritional table with nutritional values of Food stored or stored. A nutritional table is preferably a table containing all nutritional values from foods, such as joules or kcal to one Reference weight lists. The nutritional content is preferred per 100 g listed, more preferably per weight of the package contents. For liquids, the nutritional content is preferred per liquid volume, for example given in ml. The nutritional value table is preferably in digital form. In the nutritional value table, each product, i. H. food preferably columns associated with information. In a column is For example, the nutritional value in joules / reference weight is preferred specified. In the other columns, additional information is preferred. such as diabetic information, tolerability for allergy sufferers, dye information, etc. listed. The nutritional value table preferably contains all foods, which have an EAN code.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first memory area ( 70 ) an external memory ( 71 ).

Of the first memory area preferably comprises a connection to a external memory. This connection is preferably a cable connection, particularly preferred is a wireless connection, such as Wi-Fi, blue tooth, infrared, etc.

Of the external memory is preferably a semi-permanent memory, such as all types of hard drives or flash memories. Especially Preferably, the external storage is a server.

On The external memory may be preferred over the Internet be accessed. This external memory preferably contains a nutritional database, which preferably has an extended Nutritional table is. Has a nutritional database prefers the same structure, i. H. the same structure as the one already described nutritional table. It contains nutritional values of Food. This is preferably a comparison with the nutritional value table easily possible. The nutritional database contains prefers all products available worldwide with nutritional value / reference weight indication.

In a further preferred embodiment, the reading unit ( 40 ) a scanner ( 41 ) or an RFID receiver ( 42 ) or a camera ( 43 ).

When Scanners are any device for optical data acquisition or for optical three-dimensional shape detection or for scanning Codes, in particular barcodes, EAN codes or other codes.

When RFID receiver means a receiver, which in particular transponder reads information in which preferred an electromagnetic field is generated while a transmitter information radiates. Preferably, transmitters are possible, which without generated electromagnetic field send information.

Under A camera is understood according to the invention Device, which optical information of an object receives. This can be, for example, three-dimensional information be. Preferably, digital cameras are used here.

All possible reading units are preferred in the computer unit integrated. The acquired information is preferred for processing passed on to the computer unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises ( 1 ) a display ( 90 ).

One Display is an electrical or electronic display of information. Preferably, a display is an LED display, particularly preferred a LCD or CRT or TFT or SED or OLED screen, the most preferably a touch screen.

On the display prefers to display the actual nutritional values which a person received by eating a food Has. The display preferably shows the accumulated, recorded, specific nutritional values of a period, d. H. prefers the last hour (s), more preferably per day, most preferred per week or 10 days each. A combination is as well possible, as an extended period. It is also preferred the average intake of specific nutritional values / period displayed.

In a further preferred embodiment, the weighing unit ( 50 ) a tara weighing ( 51 ).

Under Tarawaage is preferably understood a balance, which can create a difference weight. A tara weighing preferably works mechanically, more preferably electromagnetically, most preferably electrically. The tara weighing may preferably forward weight information to a computer unit. A Tarawaage preferably comprises two weighing places, particularly preferably a weighing place. By operating an input element, an applied weight is preferably held or stored in the balance. Particularly preferably, other weights can be stored by re-laying. Most preferably, differences are formed between two or more stored weights. The weighing unit is preferably connected via an interface with the computer unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises ( 1 ) a second memory area ( 31 ), for storage by the reading unit ( 40 ) and / or the weighing unit ( 50 ).

Of the second memory area is preferably a storage medium, especially preferred a device for memory, such as a "card slot" or, for example, a USB port. As a slot for the card slot are preferably SM, CF, MMC, SD, xD memory cards suitable.

When Memory medium come all common memory variants in question. Preferably, the second memory area is a volatile one internal memory, such as RAM or SRAM. here we can preferably temporary data is stored.

Prefers the second memory area is an internal semi-permanent memory, such as a hard disk.

storage area 1 and memory area 2 are preferably individual memory, especially preferably parts of the same memory. On the second memory area are preferably read-in data (by reading and weighing unit), particularly preferably data of the nutritional value data set (i.e. Nutritional value of foods), most preferably that calculated result (= specific nutritional value) from nutritional value, associated food and its weight stored. The stored data are preferably listed in tabular form. Primary data are the specific nutritional values which are preferred Information can be assigned in further columns. This additional information For example, the person is the specific nutritional value be credited, the time of taking the nutritional values, the date, etc.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises an input unit ( 32 ).

A manual input unit, is a unit for manual detection and disclosure of data. Using the manual input unit prefers data of the computer unit, data in the nutritional value table, Nutrition database data, data on the storage areas changed manually. The input unit is preferably one Keyboard, more preferably a touch screen, most preferred a combination (possibility of softkeys). Prefers the input unit is integrated in the computer unit. Prefers if the manual input unit is also an external input unit, which connected via an interface with the computer unit is. All possible interface variations are possible for example, infrared, most preferably blue tooth, most prefers a cable connection.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method, wherein
a food ( 20 ) is identified,
the nutritional value ( 10 ) of the identified food ( 20 ) is determined
the weight of the food ( 20 ) is detected,
a specific nutritional value ( 10.1 ) of the food.

Prefers the food is removed from a repository when it is removed identified by a reader, or more preferably again when going back. Reading units are preferred Barcode scanner, particularly preferred RFID reader, most preferred Cameras.

Prefers the product information or the name of the food becomes manual preferably entered via a keyboard when the food has no EAN code and is therefore identified via the eyes must become.

Prefers the food, especially its packaging, on removal from the repository, over one Barcode scanner pulled. The barcode scanner captures those on the barcode deposited product information, or the name of the food.

Prefers an RFID reader is used to read a transponder, which is preferably applied in the packaging of food is. Preferably, the RFID reader is used to produce a food For example, identify without contact and / or to locate it. An RFID reader becomes data preferably automatically detected. These data are preferably the weight the contents of the package, especially the nutritional values of the package contents, or a combination of this information.

Prefers the product is identified by a camera. The camera does one or more shots of the food, preferably equal this information with existing images and identifies the Name of the product.

All Reading units thus preferentially pursue the goal, the food to identify, d. H. prefers the name of the food. This information is processed by a computer unit and stored in filed a second memory area.

The Weighing unit weighs the food. As weighing unit is preferred a conventional food scale, particularly preferred a digital scale, most preferably a scale with interface used to a computer unit. Weighing is preferred by manually placing the food on the weighing unit. Preferably, the weighing unit has a zero reset during the weighing process. For example, a bowl can be placed on it The weighing unit will be reset and then Food, such as fruits are weighed. The case Information collected is preferably via an interface sent to the computer unit. Particularly preferred is the balance a Tarawaage.

The Weight information of the food is transmitted to the computer unit, preferably wireless. This information is preferred, as is the identification information stored in the second memory area.

Of the Nutritional value of the food is detected in the one Matching the identified food with a nutritional value table takes place. The nutritional value table is a table on which preferably all foods with EAN code filed are, especially preferred foods with their nutritional value are stored.

By identifying a food and weighing this food, all data are preferably available to match the nutritional value table and to calculate the actual nutritional value. The following equation is solved:
Weight · nutritional value = specific nutritional value

The Weight of the food is obtained by hanging up Food on a Libra. The nutritional value of this food is taken from a nutritional table. The unity of the Nutritional value is a specific nutritional value per reference weight of one specific food. The concrete nutritional value is an information in preferably Joule or kcal.

Under Reference weight is a reference value, given in a unit of weight to which a specific nutritional value of a food. Preference is given to the concrete Nutritional values per reference weight and food allocation over a keyboard entered once in the nutritional value table, most preferably downloaded, most preferably one Nutrition database adjusted. The reference weight is preferably 100 g, d. H. Specific nutritional values are preferred each 100 g associated with a food. Preference is given by weighing and reading the food a comparison between "concrete Nutritional value per food / reference weight "and" weighed Weight. "This allows the specific nutritional value the weight calculated.

The Computer unit brings the necessary power to either to record the weight of a product, or the name of the identified one Product or data for the nutritional value table record, or to perform reconciliations, or data to Save or a combination of these operations perform. Computer units, can all data receiving and / or processing equipment, as preferred CPU-based computers, particularly preferred handhelds, on Most preferred to be cell phones.

In a further preferred embodiment, a weight determination of the food ( 20 ) before and after consumption.

Prefers is used to determine the weight before and after consumption Tarawaage used. The Tarawaage preferably weighs the food the removal from a repository and / or if necessary when returning to the repository. The result determined weight difference is preferably to the computer unit forwarded.

Prefers the determined data are processed by a software.

The Software used is preferably compatible with all mentioned Computer units. The software is preferably a calculation software, most preferably a spreadsheet program, most preferably a processing program. The software preferably saves all data collected, such as the weight consumed by the food, the nutritional values of the food, etc.

These Data is preferably stored in a table on a memory.

In In one embodiment, software is preferred Commitment. The software calculates preferably by subtraction a maximum value of specific nutritional values and a recorded or recorded actual nutritional value the amount and / or type of the products which may still be consumed.

When calculating nutritional values, the following scenarios may occur:
In the event that a food is not returned to the repository after collection and registration of the actual nutritional value of the food, it is preferred by the software of the person using the food removed from the storage, the specific nutritional value of this food credited, most preferably deducted from the maximum daily requirement of specific nutritional values.

kick the case that a person takes food from a repository This removal is recognized only parts of the food be consumed and the rest returned to the repository is, is in the preferred re-registration of the food and / or a weighing process of the actual nutritional value calculated which derived from the difference of specific nutritional values and returned concrete Nutrition facts arises. This difference value is now preferred recorded by the software and preferably entered in a table.

For example There is a special case when a food from the repository is removed, only parts of it are consumed and the rest, for example is thrown away. The same effect arises when food be removed from the repository and then immediately, for example because of exceeding the expiration date, thrown away become. In both cases, a manual correction is preferred made in the processing program.

In a further preferred method step, the concrete nutritional values ( 10.1 ) are displayed as a list, and / or totaled and / or averaged over a period of time.

Prefers different forms of presentation are selected, in which presents the concrete nutritional values, d. H. visible, noticeable be made. The concrete nutritional values become visible preferably via a display. The concrete nutritional values are preferably listed, most preferably added up, most preferably displayed as average, or in combination. Preference is given to the listing and / or the summation and / or the average in preferably selectable periods displayed. These periods are preferably 12 hours, 24 Hours, 3 days, 7 days, 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year.

In a further preferred method step, a manual correction of the food ( 20 ) and / or the weight of the food ( 20 ) and / or the specific nutritional value ( 10.1 ) of the food.

Under Manual correction is the modification of recorded ones or stored data, which are preferably created by reading or weighing are. Preferably, the changes are preferred over an input unit, or a touch screen performed. An input unit is for example a keyboard, a mouse, a etc.

In a further preferred method step, the nutritional values ( 10 ) stored in a first memory area ( 70 ) are stored with the current nutritional values stored on an external storage area ( 71 ) are matched.

The Nutritional values, preferably stored on the first storage area, d. H. for example, the nutritional table on your own PC at home, is preferred with the current nutritional values, matched to an external memory area.

Of the External storage space is preferably a server on which nutritional values all world-wide nutritional values stored by food.

Prefers this server, or the current nutrient values on it serviced by a diet program company and / or with the latest food data, such as nutritional values matched by food, more preferably from a merger extended to diet participants by uploading private databases.

In a further preferred embodiment, a further method step is provided, wherein individual persons ( 80 ) be identified.

The Identification takes place, for example, via fingerprint or PIN code entry or radio frequency identification or reading a chip card, etc. Preferred is a repository, for example a fridge, only open when an identification a person is done.

By individual registration features preferably use multiple People a repository. Furthermore, individual Foods are preferably assigned to individual persons. For example, when taking out an unallocated food, a warning signal sounds preferably. Preferred may several individual persons registered in the processing program become.

Prefers finds an adjustment with the respective individual nutritional value table an individual person instead. For example, has a person C is a food C2, with a weight C3 and the calculated from it concrete nutritional value C4 taken from a repository, This specific nutritional value is preferred in the nutritional value table the person C registered.

In The description of the figures will be a further embodiment shown. The figure shows:

1 a schematic representation of a device for acquiring nutritional data.

In 1 becomes a device for the detection of nutritional values 10 described. The device consists of a computer unit 30 , which is a Pocket PC here. In this Pocket PC 30 is a barcode scanner 40 integrated. Furthermore, the Pocket PC includes 30 a flat storage 31 and a touch screen 32 , There is also an electronic tara tag 51 via Bluetooth with the Pocket PC 30 connected. Over the internet is the server 71 with the Pocket PC 30 connected.

Now you take a refrigerator, for example, a packaging 25 with a barcode, which is a piece of cake 20 with a nutritional value 10 of 250 kcal / 100 g. The Pocket PC 30 with the integrated barcode scanner 40 is about the barcode of the packaging 25 drawn. As a result, the scanner reads in the information encoded by the barcode and recognizes the content, here: "Sachertorte." The scanned information "Sachertorte" is now read by the Pocket PC 30 on the flat storage 31 stored. Furthermore, the piece Sachertorte on the Tarawaage 51 placed. The Libra 51 Detects the weight of 200 g of the cake piece and stores the value in an internal memory. The piece of cake is not completely consumed and it leaves 100 g left. The leftover piece of cake will be on the scales again 51 placed. The resulting 100 g weight reading will be subtracted from the first weighed weight and the result will be sent to the Pocket PC via a Bluetooth connection 30 Posted. The Pocket PC puts the weight in memory 31 and assign it to the food 20 , in this case the Sachertorte too.

The following data are now stored: 100 g Sachertorte were consumed. The Pocket PC will then connect to the Internet to access the server 71 access. On the server 71 All foods with EAN codes and related nutritional values are stored in a nutritional chart. The Pocket PC will search the server for the "Sachertorte" food and its nutritional value, which will then be sent to the Pocket PC 30 loaded and with the stored information in memory 31 compared or compared. The nutritional value for the Sachertorte is 250 kcal / 100 g, so the 100 g Sacher Sachet consumed will have a specific nutritional value of 250 kcal on the flash memory 31 entered. This information will now be on the touch screen 32 output.

10

nutritional value

10.1

concretely nutritional value

11

Nutritional record

20

food

25

packaging with barcode

30

computer unit

31

storage area 2

32

manual input unit

33

PC

40

reader

41

scanner

42

RFID receiver

43

camera

50

weighing unit

51

tare

52

bathroom scales

60

software

70

storage area 1 (nutritional table)

71

external Memory (Nutrition Database)

80

individual person

90

display

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 6040531 [0003]

Claims (14)

Contraption ( 1 ) for the collection of nutritional values ( 10 ) of food ( 20 ), comprising a computer unit ( 30 ), characterized in that the device ( 1 ) further comprises a reading unit ( 40 ) and a weighing unit ( 50 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the device ( 1 ) further comprises a first memory area ( 70 ), for storing at least one nutritional value data set ( 11 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first memory area ( 70 ) an external memory ( 71 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reading unit ( 40 ) a scanner ( 41 ) and / or an RFID receiver ( 42 ) and / or a camera ( 43 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device ( 1 ) a display ( 90 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the weighing unit ( 50 ) a tara weighing ( 51 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device has a second memory area ( 31 ), for storage by the reading unit ( 40 ) and / or the weighing unit ( 50 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device comprises an input unit ( 32 ). Method for detecting nutritional values ( 10 ) of a food ( 20 ), comprising the following steps: identifying a food ( 20 ), Determining the nutritional value ( 10 ) of the identified food ( 20 ) Detecting the weight of the food ( 20 ), Calculating a specific nutritional value ( 10.1 ) of the food ( 20 ). Method according to claim 10, characterized by the additional step of determining the weight of the food ( 20 ) before and after consumption. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by the additional step: displaying the specific nutritional values ( 10.1 ) as a list, and / or summed up and / or as an average over a period of time. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the additional step: manual correction of the food ( 20 ) and / or the weight of the food ( 20 ) and / or the specific nutritional value ( 10.1 ) of the food. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the additional step: balancing the nutritional values ( 10 ) stored in a first memory area ( 70 ) are stored with the current nutritional values stored on an external storage area ( 71 ) are stored. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by the additional step: identification of an individual person ( 80 ).