Wearable Imaging Device for Monitoring Food Consumption using Gesture Recognition
This invention is a device and method for automatically monitoring a person's caloric intake comprising: an automatic-imaging member that is worn on the person; and an image-analyzing member that automatically analyzes pictures taken by the automatic-imaging member in order to monitor caloric intake using gesture recognition or human motion recognition.
1 . A device that automatically monitors caloric intake comprising:
an automatic-imaging member that is worn on a person; and
an image-analyzing member which automatically analyzes pictures taken by the automatic-imaging member in order to monitor caloric intake, wherein the image-analyzing member uses one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: human motion recognition or identification; and gesture recognition or identification.
2 . The device in claim 1 wherein gesture recognition methods are used to track the location of the person's hand.
3 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member uses gesture recognition methods to shift its focus so as to always maintain a line of sight to the person's hand and/or to scan for potential reachable food sources.
4 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member scans space in order to identify the person's hand and then scans space surrounding the person's hand in order to identify food sources.
5 . The device in claim 1 wherein gesture recognition methods are used to detect and measure hand-to-mouth proximity and interaction.
6 . The device in claim 1 wherein indications that a person is eating are selected from the group consisting of: inclination, twisting, or rolling of the person's hand, wrist, or arm; inclination of the person's lower arm or upper arm; and bending of the person's shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger joints.
7 . The device in claim 1 wherein the image-analyzing member analyzes one or more factors selected from the group consisting of: number of times that the person brings food to their mouth; and sizes of portions of food that the person brings to their mouth.
8 . The device in claim 1 wherein the image-analyzing member analyzes one or more factors selected from the group consisting of: number of reachable food sources; types of reachable food sources; and changes in the volume of food at a reachable food source.
9 . The device in claim 1 wherein the image-analyzing member uses one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: pattern recognition or identification; face recognition or identification; food recognition or identification; word recognition or identification; logo recognition or identification; bar code recognition or identification; and 3D modeling.
10 . The device in claim 1 wherein this device identifies the types and quantities of food consumed based on: pattern recognition of food itself; recognition of words on food packaging or containers; recognition of food brand images and logos; recognition of product identification codes; and/or the number of cycles of food moving along the food consumption pathway.
11 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member takes pictures continually.
12 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member is automatically activated to take pictures when a person eats based on a sensor selected from the group consisting of: accelerometer, inclinometer, motion sensor, sound sensor, smell sensor, blood pressure sensor, heart rate sensor, EEG sensor, ECG sensor, EMG sensor, electrochemical sensor, gastric activity sensor, GPS sensor, location sensor, image sensor, optical sensor, piezoelectric sensor, respiration sensor, strain gauge, electrogoniometer, chewing sensor, swallow sensor, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor.
13 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member is worn in a manner similar to a wrist watch, bracelet, arm band, or finger ring.
14 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member is worn in a manner similar to eyeglasses.
15 . The device in claim 1 wherein the automatic-imaging member is worn in a manner similar to a necklace, pendant, dog tags, or brooch.
16 . A device that automatically monitors caloric intake comprising:
an automatic-imaging member that is worn on a person; and
an image-analyzing member which automatically analyzes pictures taken by the automatic-imaging member in order to monitor caloric intake, wherein indications that a person is eating are selected from the group consisting of: inclination, twisting, or rolling of the person's hand, wrist, or arm; inclination of the person's lower arm or upper arm; and bending of the person's shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger joints.
17 . The device in claim 16 wherein gesture recognition methods are used to track the location of the person's hand.
18 . The device in claim 16 wherein the automatic-imaging member uses gesture recognition methods to shift its focus so as to always maintain a line of sight to the person's hand and/or to scan for potential reachable food sources.
19 . The device in claim 16 wherein the automatic-imaging member scans space in order to identify the person's hand and then scans space surrounding the person's hand in order to identify food sources.
20 . A method to automatically monitor caloric intake comprising:
having a person wear an automatic-imaging member; and
automatically analyzing pictures taken by the automatic-imaging member in order to monitor caloric intake using one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: human motion recognition or identification; and gesture recognition or identification.