KR100691966B1 - The meal time and meal quantity control apparatus and that method - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling a meal time and a meal quantity are provided to prevent a user from rapidly overeating or too slowly eating by outputting a voice signal and turning on a display lamp based on the meal time and the meal quantity set by the user. In an apparatus for controlling a meal time and a meal quantity, a controller receives a signal from a sensor and transmits a signal to an external device, and performs an operation required for driving the apparatus. A first weight sensor(10) and a second weight sensor(15) transmit a measured value to an A/D converter of a controller(60), and are installed in a meal vessel container and a meal tool container respectively. A voice outputting unit(20) transmits a voice signal to a voice signal output device. A displaying unit(30) is turned on by a turn-on signal of the controller(60). A time counter(40) transmits time information to the controller(60) by being connected to an input unit of the controller(60). A meal quantity setting unit(50) inputs a variation value of the meal quantity. A meal time setting unit(55) inputs a variation value of the meal time. A power unit(70) supplies power to each component. And an external container is composed of the meal vessel container and the meal tool container.

Description

Meal Time and Meal Control Device and Method {THE MEAL TIME AND MEAL QUANTITY CONTROL APPARATUS AND THAT METHOD}

1 is a block diagram of a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an overall circuit diagram of a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a photograph of a microcontroller applied to the embodiment of the mealtime and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a photograph of the weight sensor applied to the embodiment of the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view of a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view cut a portion of the inner meal time and meal control apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a state showing an example of placing a meal bowl and meal utensils in the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a complete flow chart of the meal time and meal amount control method of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for measuring the weight of the food amount changed in the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus and method of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: first weight sensor unit 15: second weight sensor unit

20: audio output unit 30: display unit

40: time counter unit 50: meal amount setting unit

55: meal time setting unit 60: control unit

70: power supply unit 75: power management unit

100: meal container enclosure 110: hanging jaw

120: eating utensils enclosure 200: first bowl

210: second bowl 220: chopsticks

230: cutlery

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling meal time and meal amount, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing a voice and an indicator light so as to eat at a certain time and a certain amount at a time of meal.

Modern people are always chasing their lives because of many things, resulting in shorter eating times and eating irregularities such as fast eating or binge eating at once. This often leads to various adult diseases and overweight or underweight. In addition, young children grow up looking at adults with abnormal eating habits and have poor eating habits. Many dietary supplements and health supplements are available, but they do not help you have a good habit for your most important diet. There was no device or method to warn you to eat at a certain time and to warn or guide you to eat at a time and quantity that meets your criteria.

Meal time and meal amount adjusting device and method of the present invention is to provide a device and method for providing a warning or guidance with a voice and indicator lights so that you can eat a certain meal time and a certain amount of meals as described above to improve a good eating habits There is this.

The present invention relates to a meal time and a meal control device and method.

Meal time and meal amount adjusting device and method of the present invention outputs a voice warning based on the meal time and the amount of meals set by the user at the time of eating, so that the indicator lights up to warn the user of eating too much or too quickly It can give you the effect of preventing obesity and underweight.

In addition, by using it continuously for a certain period of time, there is an effect that can eat the right eating habits.

Meal time and meal amount adjusting device of the present invention

A control unit 60 which receives a signal from a sensor, transmits a signal to an external device, and performs calculations necessary for the operation of the device;

A first weight sensor unit 10 which transmits the measured value to the A / D converter unit of the control unit 60 and is installed in the meal container enclosure 100;

A second weight sensor unit 15 which transmits the measured value to the A / D converter unit of the control unit 60 and is installed in the meal utensil enclosure unit 120;

A voice output unit 20 for transmitting a predetermined voice signal to the voice signal output means when the voice output signal is input from the controller 60;

A display unit 30 which is turned on by the lighting signal of the control unit 60;

A time counter unit 40 connected to an input unit of the control unit 60 to transmit time information to the control unit 60;

A meal amount setting unit 50 connected to the A / D input unit of the controller 60 for inputting a change value of the meal amount to be set;

A meal time setting unit 55 connected to the A / D input unit of the controller 60 to input a change value of a meal time to be set;

A power supply unit 70 for generating power for operation of the device and supplying the power to each component;

A power management unit 75 installed in a power output unit of the power supply unit 70 and controlling power supplied to each component;

It is configured to include an enclosure consisting of a meal container enclosure 100 and a meal utensil enclosure 120.

In addition, the meal container enclosure 100 of the enclosure is characterized in that the locking step 110 is formed so that the meal container does not deviate out of the measurement range.

On the other hand, the meal time and meal control method

a) setting a meal time in the meal time setting unit and setting a meal amount in the meal amount setting unit 50 (S10 and S20);

b) When the meal container is placed in the meal container enclosure 100, the initial weight measured by the first weight sensor unit 10 is stored in the memory of the controller 60, and the initial time is controlled from the time counter 40. (S30, S40) stored in the memory of 60;

c) comparing the initial weight stored in the memory of the control unit 60 and the value input from the first weight sensor unit 10 in step b) in the control unit 60 and calculating the changed weight to the memory of the control unit 60; Storing the time when the weight is changed in the memory of the controller 60;

d) comparing the amount of change in weight calculated in step c) with the amount of meal set in step a), if the error value is within a predetermined allowable range, turning on a normal light or outputting a voice indicating that a person is eating normally; c) Comparing the amount of change in weight calculated in step with the amount of meal set in step a), if the error value is out of a predetermined allowable range, lighting a non-brand lamp or outputting a voice of abnormal meal (S60, S70, S80) )Wow;

e) When the change in weight is measured from the second weight sensor unit 15 installed in the eating utensil enclosure 120, the measurement is performed a plurality of times at regular intervals, and when the same value is measured, the whole execution is finished, otherwise c) The step is made to go back to step (S90).

In addition, in the steps c) to e), the first weight sensor unit 10 and the second weight sensor unit 15 measure the weight by measuring a plurality of times at a predetermined time interval and measuring a constant value three or more times. When stored in the control unit 60 as a normal measurement value.

In addition, after the execution of the entire execution in step e) is compared to the meal time and the amount of meal of a predetermined input meal, characterized in that the output of the sound and indicators for normal and abnormal.

It is characterized in that before the step a) by the voice output or the indicator to indicate a predetermined input meal (morning, lunch, dinner).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus and method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

With reference to the overall configuration of Figure 1 will be described a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

Meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention, the first weight sensor unit 10, the second weight sensor unit 15, the audio output unit 20, the display unit 30, the control unit 60, the time counter unit 40 ), The meal time setting unit 55, the meal amount setting unit 50, the power supply unit 70, the power management unit 75, the enclosure.

Meal time and meal amount adjusting device of the present invention receives the time and the amount of time it takes to eat a bite by the user in the meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50.

2 is an overall circuit diagram of a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50 are made of variable resistors connected to the A / D input terminals of the control unit 60. The meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50 are configured by means for receiving different values by the user's selection. As shown in FIG. 2, a variable resistor may be used to receive and select a value that is changed to the A / D input terminal of the control unit 60. Each switch may be provided by installing a plurality of switches in the digital input terminal of the control unit 60. You can also get a different value for each. In addition, a key for inputting a digital value may be installed in the digital input terminal of the controller 60 to receive the value.

Meal time setting unit 55 is a part for setting the time taken to eat for the next bite after eating a cutlery. Since each person is different, you can set a time that works for you.

Meal amount setting unit 50 is a portion for setting the amount when eating a cutlery. Meal amount setting unit 50 is also a part for setting the amount of time when eating a cutlery by the user.

The meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50 can be configured using the variable resistor or the digital switch described above. The controller 60 compares the values set by the meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50 with the values sensed by the weight sensors 10 and 15 to determine normal meals and abnormal meals.

As shown in FIG. 2, in order to receive a value using a variable resistor, an input is received using an A / D input unit of the control unit 60 that converts the converted value of the variable resistor into a digital value.

The controller 60 is a microcontroller, CPI, which controls the overall process of the present invention. It can be configured as one of PL. In the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the control unit 60 is configured of a microcontroller PB1 manufactured by Compiler Technologies. Figure 3 is a photograph showing the appearance of the microcontroller PB1. The A / D input terminal of the PB1 is electrically connected to the first weight sensor unit 10, the second weight sensor unit 15, the meal time setting unit 55, and the meal amount setting unit 50 to receive an analog value. .

The weight value sensed by the control unit 60 compares the set meal time with the amount of meal and sends a voice output signal to the voice output unit 20 or outputs a signal for turning on the LED of the display unit 30. An operation procedure of comparing the weight value sensed by the control unit 60 with the set value and sending an operation signal by the compared value will be described in more detail in the following operation part.

The control unit 60 as a component receives a value sensed by the weight sensor, compares the input value, and outputs a voice based on the compared value, but transmits a signal to light an indicator signal.

The weight sensor units 10 and 15 will be described. The weight sensor unit 10, 15 is a portion for measuring the weight change of the container and the contents of the container to be placed on the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention. The weight sensor units 10 and 15 are composed of a first weight sensor unit 10 and a second weight sensor unit 15.

The first weight sensor unit 10 is installed inside the meal container enclosure 100. The first weight sensor unit 10 measures the change in weight of the contents contained in the meal container and the meal container.

The second weight sensor unit 15 is installed inside the eating utensil enclosure 120 in which the eating utensils are placed to check the state of the eating utensils, ie, chopsticks or cutlery.

Figure 4 is a photograph showing the appearance of the weight sensors 10, 15 used as a component in the overall circuit diagram of FIG. 4 is a weight sensor that is easy to install and flexible, named FlexForce manufactured by TEKSCAN.

The voice output unit 20 is configured using a voice recording and reproducing chip. In the audio output unit 20, the pre-recorded voice is reproduced by the output signal of the control unit 60. In the overall circuit diagram of Fig. 2, a circuit is constructed using WINBOND's voice recording / reproducing chip ISD2540. When the output signal is transmitted from the control unit 60 to the voice reproducing terminal of the voice recording / reproducing chip, the control unit 60 outputs the prerecorded voice. The voice recorded in the voice output unit 20 may record various types of voices for various users to output voices suitable for the situation.

Various voices are stored in a memory of the voice output unit 20 and the corresponding voice is output through the output unit with reference to the address. Voice recording and playback chip In addition to the ISD2540, a chip capable of storing voice may be replaced with another chip.

The display unit 30 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 60 and used to show a normal state and an abnormal state due to a set value. Connected to the digital output of the control unit 60, the normal state is lit in the blue LED, and when abnormal, it is lit in the yellow or red LED. It is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 60 allows the user who is eating to know his meal status.

The time counter unit 40 is used to count the time during a meal or to count the current time. The time counter 40 used in the overall circuit diagram of FIG. 2 used a DS1302 chip that counts the date and time. The DS1302 chip is a dedicated chip for time counts that can be connected to a 32.768KHZ oscillator to obtain real-time values.

The value of the time counter unit 40 reads the time together when the measured value of the first weight sensor unit 10 and the second weight sensor unit 15 changes in the control unit 60 to determine normal and abnormal meal conditions. Used to distinguish. In addition to the DS1302 chip, any component that can read time changes in real time can be replaced.

The power supply unit 70 is a part for supplying power to the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a 5V regulator capable of supplying 5V, which is a supply power for operating the control unit 60 and the sensor unit, and a -5V regulator are configured to stably supply power to the power supply unit 70.

The power supply unit 70 can be produced in any form as long as it can produce and supply power for operation. However, it should be installed inside and manufactured to a size that can fit inside the apparatus of the present invention.

The power management unit 75 is a part for controlling the power supplied from the power supply unit 70 of the present invention. In the overall circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the power management unit 75 is configured by using the MB3841 which is a power management switch chip. When a signal is transmitted from the first weight sensor unit 10 connected to the CONTROL terminal of the MB3841 by the weight change, power is output to the OUT terminal. The output power is transmitted to each part of the device of the present invention to operate the device of the present invention.

The enclosure is made to install and fix each of the above components. The enclosure is divided into a meal container enclosure 100 and a meal utensil enclosure 120, and the weight sensors 10 and 15 are respectively installed inside the meal container enclosure 100 and the meal tool enclosure 120. .

In the meal container enclosure 100 of the enclosure, a locking jaw 110 is formed to keep the container out of the measurement range. Hanging jaw 110 serves to prevent the container from deviating from the measuring range of the device and serves to separate from the place to place the eating utensils.

5 is an overall perspective view of the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, an elliptical shape may be formed, and various shapes may be changed as necessary.

As shown in the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 6, the weight sensors 10 and 15 are installed inside the meal container enclosure 100 and the meal utensil enclosure 120 of the enclosure.

7 is a perspective view of the meal vessels 200 and 210 and the meal utensils 220 and 230 placed on the apparatus of the present invention.

The meal time and meal amount adjusting method of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention. The main part of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is summarized in the following steps. Each step will be described.

Setting the meal time in the meal time setting unit 55, and setting the meal amount in the meal amount setting unit 50 (S10, S20) is a meal time from the meal time setting unit 55 and the meal amount setting unit 50 and When the user selects a meal time and meal amount of a cutlery suitable for himself / herself by using an external switch, the value is stored in the memory of the controller 60 and the value of the meal container including the contents is changed. Compare with the changed value.

 When the meal container is placed in the meal container enclosure 100, the initial weight measured by the first weight sensor unit 10 is stored in a memory of the controller 60, and the initial time is controlled from the time counter 40. Step (S30, S40) is stored in the memory of the step to set the initial initial value for raising a good eating habits of the user who wants to eat meal to store the initial weight of the meal container and the contents put on the meal container enclosure of the enclosure do.

In this step, the initial weight stored in the memory of the control unit 60 and the value input from the first weight sensor unit 10 are compared in the control unit 60, the changed weight is calculated and stored in the memory of the control unit 60, and the weight The step of storing the time when the time is changed in the memory of the control unit 60 counts the meal time and meal amount set by the user and the time until the amount and amount reduced by the user eating. At this time, the control unit 60 sends a data transmission signal to the DS1302 and receives a data value for the time transmitted from the DS1302.

When the error value is within a predetermined allowable range compared to the amount of change in weight calculated by the controller 60 and the amount of meal initially set, the normal light is turned on or a voice is outputted during normal meal, and the amount of change in weight calculated When the error value is out of a predetermined allowable range compared to the amount of meal initially set, the step of lighting an abnormal indicator or outputting a voice of abnormal meal (S60, S70, S80) is performed by the voice output unit. 20 or the display unit 30 sends a corresponding control signal to inform the user of the situation.

When a change in weight is sensed by the second weight sensor installed in the eating utensil enclosure 120, the measurement is performed a plurality of times at a predetermined interval, and when the same value is measured, the entire execution is terminated. It is made to go back to the step of receiving the change value from the weight sensor unit 10 (S90).

In addition, the control unit 60 may be able to send a voice output or a display for a meal when a certain meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from the time counter unit 40.

For example, if it is set through a time setting unit or another input unit to eat at 7am, 12am, 6pm, the control unit 60 reads the time from the time counter unit 40, and then outputs a voice when the set time is reached. The data output signal is transmitted to the unit 20 or the display unit 20 so as to make a voice or a display of the content recommending a meal. The contents of the voice are 'time to eat' and the display can be used in various ways that can be recognized, such as lighting for human recognition.

<Example of operation>

1. The meal time setting unit 55 of the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention is set to 40 seconds.

2. Set the meal volume setting portion to 20g.

3. Place the container with the contents to eat in the container.

4. The voice is output from the voice output unit 20, 'meal is ready.'

4. 400g of the initial weight of the meal container is measured and sent to the controller 60 and stored in the memory of the controller 60. This time is also transferred from the DS1302 chip.

5. Eat 30g of food.

7. It is measured that the weight of the entire meal container, which was placed on the meal container enclosure 100 by the first weight sensor unit 10, is changed.

8. The value measured by the first weight sensor unit 10 is compared with the amount of meal set by the initial user in the control unit 60, at which time time is also received from the DS1302 chip to store the change amount.

9. The amount is lower than the user set value. The time flowed less than the comparison value.

10. The control unit 60 sends a signal to the voice output unit 20 to output a memory portion in which a signal for outputting a voice, such as 'eat a little bit' and 'eat slowly' is stored, and the red LED lights up. Send it.

11. Put the cutlery and chopsticks on the eating utensil enclosure (120).

12. The same value is measured at regular intervals.

13. Compare it to the amount of the desired ideal meal stored at the time of manufacture.

14. The compared value is less than the ideal one meal stored.

15. The control unit sends a voice output signal to the voice output unit 20 so as to output a voice meaning 'you have eaten less than the standard'.

<Example 2>

1. The meal time setting unit 55 of the meal time and meal amount adjusting apparatus of the present invention is set to 30 seconds.

2. Set the meal amount setting portion to 20g.

3. Place the container with the contents to eat in the container.

4. The converted value is input from the first weight sensor 10 and the control unit 60 sends a voice output signal to the voice output unit 20 so that the voice of 'meal is ready.'

5. 300g of the initial weight of the meal container is measured and sent to the control unit 60 is stored in the memory of the control unit 60.

6. Eat 10g of food.

7. It is measured that the lifted weight of the meal container enclosure is changed by the first weight sensor unit 10.

8. The value measured from the first weight sensor unit 10 is compared with the amount of meal set by the initial user in the control unit 60 and the change amount of time is then stored.

9. The amount is less than the user set. Time passed more than the comparison value.

10. The control unit 60 sends a signal to the voice output unit 20, 'eat a little bit', 'eat a little bit' and outputs a yellow LED.

11. Put the cutlery and chopsticks on the eating utensil enclosure (120).

12. The same value is measured at regular intervals.

13. Compare with the ideal amount of meat stored during manufacture.

14. Less than the ideal meal saved.

15. The control unit sends a voice output signal to the voice output unit 20 so as to output the voice of 'You have eaten less than the standard.'

Meal time and meal amount adjusting device and method of the present invention outputs a voice warning based on the time and amount of meals set by the user when eating, the indicator lights up so that the user is eating too much quantity or too slow to warn It can help to prevent obesity and underweight.

In addition, by using it continuously for a certain time, there is an effect that can listen to the correct eating habits.

Claims (6)

In the device which outputs sound or light by change of weight or time, A control unit 60 which receives a signal from a sensor, transmits a signal to an external device, and performs a calculation necessary for the operation of the device; A first weight sensor unit 10 which transmits the measured value to the A / D converter unit of the control unit 60 and is installed in the meal container enclosure; A second weight sensor unit 15 which transmits the measured value to the A / D converter unit of the control unit 60 and is installed in the meal utensil enclosure; A voice output unit 20 for transmitting a predetermined voice signal to the voice signal output means when the voice output signal is input from the controller 60; A display unit 30 which is turned on by the lighting signal of the control unit 60; A time counter unit 40 connected to an input unit of the control unit 60 to transmit time information to the control unit 60; A meal amount setting unit 50 connected to the A / D input unit of the controller 60 for inputting a change value of the meal amount to be set; A meal time setting unit 55 connected to the A / D input unit of the controller 60 to input a change value of a meal time to be set; A power supply unit 70 for generating power for operation of the device and supplying the power to each component; A power management unit 75 installed in a power output unit of the power supply unit 70 and controlling power supplied to each component; Consists of an enclosure consisting of a meal container enclosure 100 that can put a meal container and a meal tool enclosure 120 that can put a meal utensil, Meal time and volume control device. The method of claim 1, The meal container enclosure 100 of the enclosure is characterized in that the locking step 110 is formed so that the meal container does not deviate out of the measurement range, Meal time and volume control device. In the method of outputting a voice or a light by a change of weight or time, a) setting a meal time in the meal time setting unit and setting a meal amount in the meal amount setting unit 50 (S10 and S20); b) When the meal container is placed in the meal container enclosure 100, the initial weight measured by the first weight sensor unit 10 is stored in the memory of the controller 60 and the initial time is controlled from the time counter 40. (S30, S40) stored in the memory of 60; c) comparing the initial weight stored in the memory of the control unit 60 and the value input from the first weight sensor unit 10 in step b) in the control unit 60 and calculating the changed weight to the memory of the control unit 60; Storing the time when the weight is changed in the memory of the controller 60; d) comparing the amount of change in weight calculated in step c) with the amount of meal set in step a), if the error value is within a predetermined allowable range, turning on a normal light or outputting a voice indicating that a person is eating normally; c) When the error value is out of a predetermined allowable range compared with the amount of change of the weight calculated in the step and the meal amount set in the step a), lighting an abnormal indicator or outputting an abnormal meal (S60, S70, S80). Wow; e) When a change in weight is sensed from the second weight sensor unit 15 installed in the eating utensil enclosure 120, the measurement is performed a plurality of times at a predetermined interval, and when the same value is measured, the whole execution is finished, otherwise c) Consisting of a step (S90) to go back to the step of, Meal time and amount of meal control. The method of claim 3, The method of measuring the weight in the first weight sensor unit 10 and the second weight sensor unit 15 in the steps c) to e) is measured a plurality of times at regular time intervals when a certain value is measured three or more times. Characterized in that stored in the control unit 60 as a normal measured value, Meal time and amount of meal control. The method of claim 3, After the completion of the entire execution in step e) by comparing the meal time and the amount of meal of the predetermined amount of one meal, characterized in that the output of the sound and indicators relating to normal and abnormal, Meal time and amount of meal control. The method of claim 3, Before the step a) characterized in that it informs the time of a predetermined input meal (morning, lunch, dinner) by the voice output or indicator light, Meal time and amount of meal control.

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