Incentivizing foodstuff consumption through the use of augmented reality features
Introduced here are techniques for incentivizing the consumption of foodstuffs through the use of augmented reality features. A parent may initiate an application on a mobile phone and scan a plate of one or more foodstuffs by initiating a live view captured by a camera. The parent can then select a given foodstuff that a child is unlikely to consume. When the child views the given foodstuff through the mobile phone, a portion of an augmented reality feature could be shown. For example, the child may be able to see the tail of a creature, a corner of a item, etc. As the child consumes the given foodstuff, additional portion(s) of the augmented reality feature are exposed, and the augmented reality feature becomes increasingly visible. Such a technique incentivizes the child to continue eating the given foodstuff so that the augmented reality feature can be fully seen.
1. A method for incentivizing the consumption of foodstuffs through the use of augmented reality features, the method comprising:
launching an application on a mobile phone that includes a camera;
causing a communication link to be established between the mobile phone and a network-connected server system responsible for supporting the application;
initiating a live view of one or more foodstuffs that is captured by the camera;
automatically identifying each foodstuff; and
generating an augmented reality feature that is at least partially hidden beneath a particular foodstuff of the one or more foodstuffs when viewed using the mobile phone.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each foodstuff is a food or a beverage.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the augmented reality feature is a digital creature or a digital item.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the particular foodstuff is one of multiple foodstuffs on a plate, a cup, or a bowl that include distinct augmented reality features.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
animating a portion of the augmented reality feature that is exposed from the particular foodstuff.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
animating a surface of the particular foodstuff,
wherein said animating indicates where the augmented reality feature is hidden within the particular foodstuff.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring the live view of the one or more foodstuffs that is captured by the camera;
determining that the particular foodstuff has been partially or entirely consumed by an individual;
displaying additional portions of the augmented reality feature based on an amount of the particular foodstuff that has been consumed by the individual;
generating metadata specifying that the additional portions of the augmented reality feature have been exposed; and
transmitting the metadata to the network-connected server system.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein reception of the metadata prompts the network-connected server system to create a database record that specifies the augmented reality feature should be made accessible to the individual through the application.
9. A method for creating augmented reality features that can be used to incentivize the consumption of foodstuffs, the method comprising:
launching an application on a computing device that includes an optical sensor;
causing a communication link to be established between the computing device and a network-connected server system responsible for supporting the application;
initiating a live view of a foodstuff that is captured by the optical sensor;
receiving first input from a user indicative of a selection of the foodstuff;
generating an augmented reality feature that is at least partially hidden from an individual beneath the foodstuff when viewed using the computing device; and
saving an association between the foodstuff and the augmented reality feature in a memory.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving second input from the user indicative of a specification of a characteristic of the augmented reality feature.
11. The method of claim of claim 10 , wherein the characteristic of the augmented reality feature is an animation, a color, or a feature type.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the foodstuff is one of multiple foodstuffs on a plate.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein some or all of the multiple foodstuffs are associated with a corresponding augmented reality feature.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
automatically identifying each foodstuff of the multiple foodstuffs by
performing image processing in order to identify shapes, colors, or some combination thereof that are indicative of certain foodstuffs, or
recognizing a branded code that conveys information about a corresponding foodstuff.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the branded code is affixed to packaging that secures the corresponding foodstuff or a loose item secured within the packaging.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the branded code includes machine-readable elements, human-readable elements, structural elements, or some combination thereof.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the branded code includes a bar code or a Quick Response (QR) code that is readily scannable by the application.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the branded code is included on a purchase receipt that represents proof of purchase of the foodstuff.
19. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
monitoring the live view of the foodstuff that is captured by the optical sensor;
determining that the foodstuff has been partially or entirely consumed by the individual; and
exposing additional portions of the augmented reality feature as the individual consumes the foodstuff.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
transmitting metadata regarding the foodstuff, the augmented reality feature, or both to the network-connected server system,
wherein reception of the metadata prompts the network-connected server system to create a database record that specifies the augmented reality feature should be made accessible to the individual through the application.
21. A computer system comprising:
a processor operable to execute instructions stored in a memory; and
the memory that includes specific instructions for creating augmented reality features in order to incentivize the consumption of foodstuffs,
wherein execution of the specific instructions cause the processor to:
capture a view of a foodstuff using an optical sensor;
generate an augmented reality feature having
a first portion that is hidden beneath the foodstuff, and
a second portion that is exposed from beneath the particular foodstuff and visible when viewed using the computing device;
monitoring the live view of the foodstuff that is captured by the optical sensor;
determining that the foodstuff has been partially or entirely consumed; and
presenting a third portion of the augmented reality feature that is exposed due to consumption of the foodstuff.
22. The computer system of claim 21 , wherein the third portion is initially part of the first portion that is hidden beneath the foodstuff.
23. The computer system of claim 21 , wherein the processor and the memory are included in a network-connected server system responsible for supporting the application.
24. The computer system of claim 21 , wherein capturing the view of the foodstuff using the optical sensor comprises:
initiating a live view of the foodstuff; or
capturing a static image of the foodstuff.
25. The computer system of claim 21 , wherein execution of the specific instructions further cause the processor to:
perform image processing on individual video frames of a live view of the foodstuff.
26. The computer system of claim 25 , wherein said performing comprises:
performing image segmentation on the individual video frames in order to automatically detect changes in an amount of the foodstuff.