Finger Ring with Electromagnetic Energy Sensor for Monitoring Food Consumption
This invention is finger ring with an electromagnetic energy sensor for monitoring a person's food consumption. In an example, this device can monitor a person's food consumption by measuring changes in the electromagnetic impedance, resistance, conductivity, or permittivity of finger tissue. In an example, this finger-worn device can comprise an electromagnetic resonator between an electromagnetic energy emitter and an electromagnetic energy receiver.
1 . A finger-worn device for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising:
a ring which is configured to be worn on a person's finger, wherein this ring further comprises:
an electromagnetic energy sensor which is configured to measure parameters or patterns of electromagnetic energy transmitted through the person's finger tissue, wherein these parameters or patterns of electromagnetic energy are changed by the person's consumption of food and analyzed to monitor the person's food consumption;
a power source;
a data processor; and
a data transmitter.
2 . The device in claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy sensor is an electromagnetic impedance sensor which measures the impedance of the person's finger tissue.
3 . The device in claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy sensor is an electromagnetic resistance sensor which measures the resistance of the person's finger tissue.
4 . The device in claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy sensor is an electromagnetic conductivity sensor which measures the conductivity of the person's finger tissue.
5 . A finger-worn device for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising:
a ring which is configured to be worn on a person's finger, wherein this ring further comprises:
an electromagnetic energy emitter which is configured to emit electromagnetic energy into the person's finger tissue at a first location;
an electromagnetic energy receiver which is configured to receive electromagnetic energy from the person's finger tissue at a second location, wherein parameters or patterns of the received electromagnetic energy are changed by the person's consumption of food and analyzed to monitor the person's food consumption;
a power source;
a data processor; and
a data transmitter.
6 . The device in claim 5 wherein the parameters or patterns of the electromagnetic energy include the impedance of the person's finger tissue.
7 . The device in claim 5 wherein the parameters or patterns of the electromagnetic energy include the resistance of the person's finger tissue.
8 . The device in claim 5 wherein the parameters or patterns of the electromagnetic energy include the conductivity of the person's finger tissue.
9 . The device in claim 5 wherein the parameters or patterns of the electromagnetic energy include the permittivity of the person's finger tissue.
10 . The device in claim 5 wherein the device further comprises a plurality of electromagnetic energy emitters or electromagnetic energy receivers distributed around the circumference of the finger ring.
11 . The device in claim 5 wherein the finger ring further comprises an electromagnetic resonator between the electromagnetic energy emitter and the electromagnetic energy receiver.
12 . The device in claim 11 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises a split ring.
13 . The device in claim 11 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises two or more nested rings.
14 . The device in claim 11 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises two or more stacked rings.
15 . The device in claim 11 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises a spiral.
16 . A finger-worn device for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising:
a ring which is configured to be worn on a person's finger, wherein this ring further comprises:
an electromagnetic energy emitter which is configured to emit electromagnetic energy at a first location;
an electromagnetic energy receiver which is configured to receive electromagnetic energy at a second location, wherein parameters or patterns of the received electromagnetic energy are changed by the person's consumption of food and analyzed to monitor the person's food consumption;
an electromagnetic energy resonator between the electromagnetic energy emitter and the electromagnetic energy receiver;
a power source;
a data processor; and
a data transmitter.
17 . The device in claim 16 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises a split ring.
18 . The device in claim 16 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises two or more nested rings.
19 . The device in claim 16 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises two or more stacked rings.
20 . The device in claim 16 wherein the electromagnetic resonator comprises a spiral.