WO1997016791A1

WO1997016791A1 - Slimmer's calculator

Info

Publication number: WO1997016791A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/017511
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarah May Watson; Marian Jane Way; Karen Miller-Kovach
Original assignee: Weight Watchers (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 1995-11-01
Filing date: 1996-11-01
Publication date: 1997-05-09
Also published as: EP0859981A1; IL124163A; AU7602696A; GB2302605A; GB2302605B; ZA968555B; BR9611402A; NZ322307A; AU714860B2; GB9522364D0

Abstract

In order to assist slimmers following a diet wherein he or she is allocated a maximum daily points target, the points being related to the calorific value and another parameter of food ingested, a calculator (1) is provided with means (6, ..., 22) to enable the user to enter a calorie value and a value for the other parameter, e.g. grams of saturated fat. The calculator (1) then calculates the points for the entered data. This points value may be subtracted from a 'points left' value to provide the user with an indication of the points they have left for the current day. Dietary fibre content may be input as a further parameter.

Description

Summer's Calculator

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a calculator for assisting a person on a diet.

Background to the Invention

Slimming diets have become extremely popular and many regimes have been proposed. Many such regimes are based on the simple proposition that in order to lose weight a person must eat food having fewer calories than she/he requires. The number of calories required by an individual is determined by his/her weight and level of activity. A heavy or active person requires more calories than a light or inactive person.

In order to establish the number of calories that a person requires in a day to support her/his energy demand, a value, termed the basal metabolic rate (BMR), is multiplied by a factor determined by the activity level of the person. The value of the BMR is dependent on the sex and weight of a person and tables of this data are readily available to those skilled in art of dietetics.

When a person is following a conventional calorie intake restriction diet (known colloquially as "counting calories"), his/her daily calorie demand is determined from her/his BMR and activity level. For instance, a moderately active woman weighing 60kg would have a BMR of 5565 kj/day and an activity factor of 1.3 giving a daily requirement of 7234kJ. In order for this person to lose 0.45kg (1lb) in one week, her daily calorie intake must be restricted to 5142kJ.

The present inventors have established that merely "counting calories" is not ideal and that other factors should be taken into account. However, taking into account additional factors requires the dieter to perform more complex mathematics which is difficult in the bustle of daily life. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus whereby a diet regime, more complex than mere "calorie counting", can be readily adhered to.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a calculator for assisting a person on a diet regime wherein said person is allocated a maximum daily points target, said points being related to the calorific value and another nutritional parameter of food ingested, the calculator comprising means for inputting a first number related to the calorific value of a food item, means for inputting a second number related to said other parameter of the food item, display means and processing means programmed to perform an algorithm so as to process said numbers to produce a resultant points value and to control the display to display said resultant points value.

Preferably, the other parameter is saturated fat content but the present invention is not restricted thereto. For example, the simple sugar content of foodstuff may be used as an alternative or additionally. Preferably, the algorithm is:

where p is the resultant points value, c is the calorific value related number, f is the number related to the other parameter, and k₁ and k₂ are constants. The value c may be in kilojoules or kilocalories and the constant k₁ is chosen so that the points target will be in the low tens. Numbers in the low tens are easier for people to deal with than the numbers in the thousands which

"calorie counting" involves. If the value c is to be entered in kilocalories, k₂ is preferably within the range k₁/35 to A/10, more preferably k₁/17.5.

However, if the value c is to be entered in kilojoules, k₂ is preferably in the range k₁/146.7 to k₁/41.8, more preferably k₁/72.8. The values for k₂ are based on the assumption that f is in grams. Suitable scaling factors will be needed if f is in other units. Conveniently, the resultant points value will be rounded up or down to an integer value. However, values in the range 0.25 to 0.74999 may be rounded to 0.5 and values below 0.25 rounded to 0.0.

An alternative algorithm is:

In this algorithm, f represents total fat content and r represents the weight of roughage or dietary fibre in a portion of food. If the value c is entered in kilocalories, k₂ is preferably in the range k₁/2.5 to k₁/1.5, more preferably in the region of k₁/2. If the value c is entered in kilocalories, k₃ is preferably in the range k₁/20 to k₁/5, more preferably in the region of k₁/10. The values for k₂, k₃ and are based on the assumption that f and r are in grams. Suitable scaling factors will be needed if f or r is in other units. Preferably, the calculator has an alphanumeric display. However, a purely numeric display could be used.

Conveniently, the processing means is operable to accumulate said resultant points value. In this way, the calculator can inform a user of the points used or still available in a day.

Prepackaged food in many countries is labelled with the calorie, saturated fat and dietary fibre content and a user need only enter these values as necessary into a calculator according to the present invention. However, when food is sold loose or served in a restaurant, this information is not available. In order to solve this problem, the calculator may include memory means storing a database of data related to the calorific value and one or more other parameters of a plurality of foodstuffs. Thus, a user will be able to enter the necessary data by identifying the foodstuff and its quantity. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a calculator according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry of a calculator according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the calculator of Figure

1;

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a calculator according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the calculator of Figure

4; and

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of a calculator according to the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the calculator of Figure 5.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a calculator according to the present invention is physically similar to a conventional calculator and comprises a housing 1, a keypad 3, an on/off switch 4 and an alphanumeric display 5. The keypad 3, however, is tailored to the calculator's particular function and comprises keys 6,.., 15 for numbers 0 to 9, key 16 for the decimal point, a calories (CAL) key 17, a saturated fats (SAT FAT) key 18, a calculate (POINTS) key 19, an accumulate (STORE) key 20, a clear (CLEAR) key 21 and a new day (NEW DAY) key 22. Referring to Figure 2, the electronic circuitry of the calculator comprises a microprocessor 25, a ROM 27, a RAM 29, a keypad interface circuit 31, a display driver circuit 33 and a bus 35 which interconnects the active components. The keypad interface circuit 31 is coupled to the keypad 3 and detects key presses and notifies the microprocessor 25 of the operation of any of the keys 6,..,22. The display driver circuit 33 controls the display in response to commands form the microprocessor 25. The ROM 27 stores the control program for the microprocessor 25 and constants used in calculations, and the RAM 29 is used to store data input by a user, the results of calculations and intermediate values. The RAM 29 is of a non-volatile type or is provided with power independently of the main on/off switch 4. The operation of the calculator shown in Figure 1 will now be described. In the following, description of the control of the display 5 in direct response to key presses will be omitted for the sake of clarity. However, it will be appreciated that the microprocessor 25 will control the display 5, via the display driver circuit 33, to indicate to a user that a key 6,..,22 has been fully pressed. Operation of the number and decimal point keys 6,.., 16 will result in the display of numbers in the manner of a conventional calculator. Operation of the other keys will be indicated by a suitable descriptive word, e.g. NEW DAY, POINTS, STORING etc.. Referring to Figure 3, when the calculator is switched on, it performs a self test routine si during which target and current points left values in the RAM 29 are displayed on the display 5 with the messages "TARGET" and

"POINTS LEFT TODAY" respectively. If the self test routine s1 reveals no faults, the microprocessor 25 loops through three keypress test steps comprising "is the NEW DAY key 22" being pressed s2, "is a number or decimal point key 6,..,16" being pressed for direct entry of points 53 and "is the CAL key 17" being pressed for calculation of points 54.

If it is determined, at step s2, that the NEW DAY key 22 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s5. At step s5, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly determines whether a numerical key 6, ..,16 is being pressed to enable the user to enter his/her points target for the day. If a key other than a numerical key 6,..,16 is being pressed, step s6 is performed. At step s6, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the STORE key 20 is being pressed. If not, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly interrogates the keypad interface circuit 31 until it has been pressed. When the STORE key 20 is pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s7. At step s7, the microprocessor 25 stores the input points target, or restores the previous value if no numerical keys 6,..,16 have been pressed, in the RAM 29, and sets an accumulated points value, stored in the RAM 29, to zero. The display 5 is then updated at step s20, to show the messages "TARGET n" and "POINTS LEFT TODAY n - accumulated points value", where n is the target value.

If it is determined, at steps 3, that a number or decimal point key, that is a numerical key, 6,..,16 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s8. At step s8, the microprocessor 25 determines whether additional numerical keys 6,.., 16 are being entered. Once a key other than a numerical key 6,.., 16 is pressed, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s9 where it determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the

STORE key 20 is being pressed at step s10. If the STORE key 20 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 returns to step s9.

If the STORE key 20 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s11 where the entered number is added to the accumulated points total stored in the RAM 29. Finally, the target and points left values are displayed at step S20.

If it is determined, at step s4, that the CAL key 17 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly performs a number entry step, step s13, until a non-numeric key is pressed. This enables a user to enter the calorie value for an item of food. When this occurs, the microprocessor 25 determines whether it is the CLEAR key 21 which is being pressed, step s14. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the SAT FAT key 18 is being pressed, step s15. If the answer at step s15 is no, the microprocessor 25 returns to step S14.

Once the SAT FAT key 18 has been pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs another number entry step, step s16. This enables a user to enter the quantity in grams of saturated fats for the food item. At step s17, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s18 to determine whether the POINTS key 19 is being pressed. If the POINTS key 19 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 returns to step s17. If, however, the POINTS key 19 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s19. At step s19, the microprocessor 25 calculates the points for the food item according to the equation:

where p is the points value, c is the number of kilocalories entered and f is the number of grams of saturated fat entered. The microprocessor 25 then causes the display driver 33 to display the points value on the display 5.

Once the points value has been displayed, the microprocessor 25 moves to step s9. If, for instance, the displayed points value is greater than the points left for the user for the current day, the user may not eat the food item and can press the CLEAR key 21.

After step s20 is performed, the microprocessor 25 re-enters the loop of steps s2, s3 and s4.

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5.

Referring to Figure 4, a slimmer's calculator is substantially the same as the embodiment described above and the same features are indicated with the same reference numbers. However, this embodiment is provided with a SCAN UP key 40 and a SCAN DOWN key 41. These keys are used in conjunction with a database of points values for different food items stored in the ROM 27 (Figure 2) to enable a user to use the calculator when the calorie and saturated fat values for a food item are not available, for instance when eating in a restaurant.

The operation of the calculator, shown in Figure 4, will now be described with reference to Figure 5.

The operation of the calculator of Figure 4 is that same as that of the calculator of Figure 1 except for the addition of a step, step s21, to the keypress test loop and an associated routine. If the answers to the tests at steps s2, s3 and s4 are all no, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the SCAN UP key 40 or the SCAN DOWN key 41 is being pressed. If one of these keys is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 first tests whether it is the SCAN DOWN key 41 which is being pressed at step s22. If the SCAN DOWN key 41 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 reads the first record from the database in the ROM 27 and causes it to be displayed (step s23). The display 5 will comprise an identification of a food item, a number of points and the unit to which the points relate, for instance BANANA 1 EACH, STEAK 2 100G or COLA 1 100ML. Then the microprocessor 25 returns to step s22.

If it is not the SCAN DOWN key 41 which is being pressed, the

microprocessor 25 confirms that the SCAN UP key 40 is being pressed. If this is the case, the microprocessor 25 performs step s25 which comprises causing the last item in the database to be displayed on the display 5. Then the microprocessor 25 returns to step s22.

If the SCAN UP key 40 or the SCAN DOWN key 41 is being pressed at this time, the microprocessor 25 moves to step s23 or step s25 as appropriate. However, on this occasion, the preceding or succeeding database entry will be displayed, depending on which key is being pressed.

If neither the SCAN UP key 40 nor the SCAN DOWN key 41 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s27 where it determines whether a numerical key 6,.., 16 is being pressed. If a numerical key 6,..,16 is being pressed, the

microprocessor 25 returns step s22. Otherwise, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s28 where it determines whether the POINTS key 19 is being pressed. If not, the microprocessor 25 returns to step s22. However, if it is, the microprocessor 25 performs step s29. At step s29, the microprocessor 25 multiplies the points value for the last displayed database entry by the number entered by the user. The result is displayed on the display 5. Next, the microprocessor 25 moves to step s9.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to Figures 2, 6 and 7.

Referring to Figure 6, the summer's calculator is substantially the same as in the first embodiment described above and the same features are indicated with the same reference numbers. However, this embodiment is provided with a dietary fibre (FIBRE) key 50 and the SAT FAT key 18 is now a FAT key. This key is divided so that a user can enter the weight of dietary fibre in a portion of food.

The operation of the calculator, shown in Figure 6, will now be described with reference to Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 7, when the calculator is switched on, it performs a self test routine s101 during which targets and current points left values in the RAM 29 are displayed on the display 5 with the messages "TARGET" and "POINTS LEFT TODAY" respectively. If the self test routine s101 reveals no faults, the microprocessor 25 loops through three keypress test steps comprising "is the NEW DAY key 22" being pressed s102, "is a number or decimal point key 6,..,16" being pressed for direct entry of points and "is the CAL key 17" being pressed for calculation of points.

If it is determined, at step s102 that the NEW DAY key 22 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s105. At step s105, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly determines whether a numerical key 6,..,16 is being pressed to enable the user to enter his/her points target for the day. If a key other than a numerical key 6,.. ,16 is being pressed, step s106 is performed. At step s106, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the STORE key 20 is being pressed. If not, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly interrogates the keypad interface circuit 31 until it has been pressed. When the STORE key 20 is pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s107. At step s107, the microprocessor 25 stores the input target, or restores the previous value if no numerical keys 6,..,16 have been pressed, in the RAM 29, and sets an accumulated points value, stored in the RAM 29, to zero. The display 5 is then updated at step s120, to show the messages "TARGET n" and "POINTS LEFT TODAY n - accumulated points value", where n is the target value.

If it is determined, at step s103, that a number or decimal point key, that is a numerical key, 6,.., 16 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s108. At step s108, the microprocessor 25 determines whether additional numerical keys 6,.., 16 are being entered. Once a key other than a numerical key 6,.., 16 is pressed, the microprocessor 25 moves on to step s109 where it determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the STORE key 20 is being pressed at step s110. If the STORE key 20 is not being pressed,the microprocessor 25 returns to step 109. If the STORE key 20 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step sill where the entered number is added to the accumulated points total stored in the RAM 29. Finally, the target and points left values are displayed at step s120.

If it is determined, at step s104, that the CAL key 17 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 repeatedly performs a number entry step, s113, until a non-numeric key is pressed. This enables a user to enter the calorie value of an item of food. When this occurs, the microprocessor 25 determines whether it is the CLEAR key 21 that is being pressed, step s114. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 determines that the FAT key 18 is being pressed, step s115. If the answer at step s115 is no, the microprocessor 25 returns to step s114.

Once the FAT key 18 has been pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs another number entry step, step 116. This enables the user to enter the quantity in grams of fats for the food item. At step s117, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s121 to determine whether the fibre (FIBRE) key 50 is being pressed. If the fibre (FIBRE) key 50 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 returns to step 117.

Once the fibre (FIBRE) key 50 has been pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs another number entry step, step s122. This enables a user to enter the quantity in grams of dietary fibre for the food item. At step s123, the microprocessor 25 determines whether the CLEAR key 21 is being pressed. If the CLEAR key 21 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s118 to determine whether the POINTS key 19 is being pressed. If the POINTS key 19 is not being pressed, the microprocessor 25 returns to step s123. If, however, the POINTS key 19 is being pressed, the microprocessor 25 performs step s119. At step s119, the microprocessor 25 calculates the points for the food item according to the equation:

where p is the points value, c is the number of kilocalories entered, f is the number of grams of fat entered and r is the number of grams of dietary fibre entered. The microprocessor 25 then causes the display driver 33

to display the points value on the display 5.

Once the points value has been displayed, the microprocessor 25 moves the step s109. If, for instance, the displayed points value is greater than the points left for the use for the current day, the user may not eat the food item and can press the CLEAR key 21.

After step s120 is performed, the microprocessor 25 re-enters the loop of steps s102, s103 and s104.

The skilled person will appreciate that many variants of the present invention are possible. For instance, the calculator may be provided with an

alphanumeric keyboard and be programmed to allow a user to enter all or part of a word for searching the database. Additionally, a user could use the keyboard to add records to the database. The art of calculators includes many techniques for updating stored data and the skilled person will readily see how these might be applied to the present invention.

The skilled person will also appreciate that a calculator, according to the present invention, may have a subset of the features of the described embodiments. For example, the storing of the target and "points left today" values may be omitted.

Furthermore, the features of the second and third embodiments may be combined in a single calculator.

Claims

1. A calculator for assisting a person on a diet regime wherein said person is allocated a maximum daily points target, said points being related to the calorific value and another nutritional parameter of food ingested, the calculator comprising means (3) for inputting a first number related to the calorific value of a food item, means (3) for inputting a second number related to said other parameter of the food item, display means (5) and processing means (25) programmed to perform an algorithm so as to process said numbers to produce a resultant points value and to control the display to display said resultant points value.

2. A calculator according to claim 1, wherein the other parameter is the saturated fat content.

3. A calculator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the algorithm is:

where p is the resultant points value, c is the calorific value related number, f is the number related to the other parameter, and k₁ and k₂ are constants.

4. A calculator according to claim 1, including means for inputting a third number related to a further nutritional parameter of a food item, wherein said other parameter is total fat content and the further parameter is the dietary fibre content.

5. A calculator according to claim 4, wherein the algorithm is:

where p is the resultant points value, c is the calorific value related number, f is the number related to the other parameter, and r is the number related to a further parameter, and k ₁, k₂ and k₃ are constants.

6. A calculator according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is operable to accumulate said resultant points value.

7. A calculator according to any preceding claim, including memory means (27) storing a database of data related to the calorific value and the other parameter of a plurality of foodstuffs.

8. A calculator according to any preceding claim, including input means (3) whereby said points may be directly input.