U.S. patent application number 10/144501 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for computer-assisted method for analyzing consumptions.
Invention is credited to Moore, Steven Jerome.
Application Number | 20040267098 10/144501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24326977 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040267098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore, Steven Jerome |
December 30, 2004 |
Computer-assisted method for analyzing consumptions
Abstract
A computer-assisted system and method for adjudging the effect
of consumable intakes on physiological parameters is disclosed
wherein a consumer records in a database a plurality of consumable
identifiers identifiying consumables consumed, the amounts of each
consumable consumed, times of consumption of each consumable, a
plurality of physiological measurements and time of physiological
measurements, and such information is computationally related to
consumption information, such as nutritional information, linked to
the consumable identifier in another database.
Inventors: |
Moore, Steven Jerome;
(Newtown, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVEN J. MOORE
17 Cobblestone Lane
Newton
CT
06470
US
|
Family ID: |
24326977 |
Appl. No.: |
10/144501 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10144501 |
May 13, 2002 |
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09491844 |
Jan 26, 2000 |
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6387049 |
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09491844 |
Jan 26, 2000 |
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09185133 |
Nov 3, 1998 |
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6032676 |
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09185133 |
Nov 3, 1998 |
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08581894 |
Jan 2, 1996 |
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5687497 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/300 ;
128/920 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 20/10 20180101;
G09F 19/02 20130101; Y10S 128/921 20130101; G16H 20/60 20180101;
A47G 19/2227 20130101; A47G 2019/225 20130101; G16H 10/60
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/300 ;
128/920 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer-assisted method for analyzing the consumption habits
of a consumer comprising: electronically coupling consumption
information with respect to a consumable with a consumable
identifier; retrieving said consumption information upon input of
said consumable identifier; computationally-relating said
consumption information from one consumable with said consumption
information from a plurality of other consumables.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumable is a foodstuff.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumable is a drug.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumable is a pre-packaged
good.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumption information is
nutritional information.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumption information is
ingredient and ingredient concentration information.
7. A computer-assisted system for analyzing the consumption habits
of a consumer comprising: a first database means for storing
consumable identifiers correlated with consumption information with
respect thereto; a second database means for storing consumable
identifiers correlated with the amount of each consumable consumed
by a consumer, and the time of consumption of each consumable; a
data processing means for receiving information from said first and
second database means and correlating said consumption information
stored in said first database means with the information stored in
said second database means.
8. The computer-assisted system of claim 7 wherein said second
database means further stores measurements of physiological
parameters correlated with the time of measurement.
9. The computer-assisted system of claim 8 wherein said data
processing system is further programmed to computationally
manipulate said measurements of physiological parameters with said
consumable information.
10. The computer-assisted system of claim 9 wherein said
physiological parameters includes blood glucose levels.
11. The computer-assisted system of claim 9 wherein said
physiological parameters includes body weight.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the consumable is a
foodstuff.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein the consumable is a drug.
14. The method of claim 2 wherein the consumable is a pre-packaged
good.
15. A method for providing a consumer of foodstuffs with means for
adjudging nutritional status comprising: marking foodstuffs with
foodstuff identifiers; correlating said foodstuff identifiers with
the nutritional content of said foodstuff by data processing means;
storing said foodstuff identifiers coupled with the nutritional
content of said foodstuff in a first data storage unit; inputting
said foodstuff identifiers into a second data storage unit upon
consumption of said foodstuffs and electronically correlating the
same with the amount of foodstuff consumed and the time of
consumption; transmitting the information stored in said second
data storage unit to a central processing unit electronically
coupled to said first data storage unit; computationally
co-processing nutritional information stored in said first data
storage unit with said amount of each foodstuff consumed by a
consumer and said time of consumption information stored in said
second data storage unit; providing a read-out of nutritional
status based on said computational co-processing.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said second database means
further stores measurements of physiological parameters correlated
with the time of measurement.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising a means for
computationally co-processing physiological parameter measurements
stored in said second database means in correlation with the time
of measurement of said physiological parameter with said
nutritional information.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said physiological parameter is
weight.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein said physiological parameter is
blood glucose concentration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for correlating daily consumable intakes with physiological
parameters. More specifically, it relates to a computer-assisted
system and method for adjudging the effect of consumable intakes,
such as the amount of calories, fat, protein, carbohydrate,
minerals and vitamins consumed daily, or the amount of a drug
ingested daily, on physiological parameters, such as weight, blood
glucose levels, or red blood cell count.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A great body of literature has been in published in the last
fifty years pertaining to the importance of good consumption habits
in the maintenance of health. While the general public is far more
educated as to such matters than their ancestors, several studies
suggest poor consumption habits still pervade in our society.
[0005] Nutritional studies suggest that people today continue to
consume foods containing high amounts of saturated fat, too many
calories, and too few vitamins and minerals, although they know
these foods to be "unhealthy." Likewise, public awareness of the
fact that drugs may cause serious side-effects, has not eventuated
in a substantial reduction in the misuse and over-use of, for
example, over-the-counter medications. A significant factor in many
people's poor diets and abuse of medications is the tremendous
explosion of multi-ingredient pre-packaged foodstuffs and drugs
that has occurred within the last century.
[0006] In response to an outcry of world-wide health experts with
respect to less than "healthy" ingredients not infrequently found
in pre-packaged consumables, many governments have mandated that
manufacturers of pre-packaged consumables provide in their
labelling certain consumption information such as the identity of
the ingredients, the concentration of ingredients and/or
nutritional information. In the United States foodstuff information
not atypically includes the ingredients contained within the
foodstuff, the number of calories in a serving, the number of
servings in a container, the percentage of fat, protein,
carbohydrates provided by a serving, and a measure of the vitamins
and minerals provided by the foodstuff. Over-the-counter
medications are not infrequently labelled to delineate the drug
products, and concentration of drug products, contained within each
tablet of the medication.
[0007] In order to keep the public more informed concerning the
foodstuffs they eat, some governments have further required
manufacturers to compare the nutritional contents of their products
against a standard daily nutritional recommendation, e.g. the
"Daily Value" or "Recommend Daily Allowance" or "Minimum Daily
Allowance." Such comparisons are often made in terms of
percentages. While such information has gone a long way towards
educating people with respect to the nutritional value of what they
eat, most people do not have the time or patience to consider
whether the foods they eat over a day, week or month are providing
them with a nutritionally balanced diet. The latter observation is
confirmed by the large number of obese people in the Western
World.
[0008] In a similar vein, many governments require manufacturers of
drugs to label their drugs with warnings concerning the
side-effects that may be elicited by consumption of the drug. While
most consumers are aware of the existence of warning labelling, few
people take the time to read all of the warnings appended with
every drug which they consume daily. This is particularly true with
respect to over-the-counter medications. Side-effects caused by
these drugs are often attributed to other causes.
[0009] Presently, monitoring of dietary and medication consumption,
as well as the consumption of other consumables, is cumbersome.
Such monitoring is conventionally done by use of log books in which
the subject records the consumables, and the quantity of
consumables consumed during a particular day.
[0010] Nutrition counseling not uncommonly involves the use of
complex algorithms and calculations. Dietary diligence or the use
of restricted menu lists is frequently prescribed in a universal
manner, rather than tailoring the counseling to the individuals
themselves. Nearly everyone is familiar with diet books which
propound strict regimens of meals or which limit food consumption
to particular food stuffs. More recently, cards which permit
persons to select form a prolifery of food stuffs in select
categories have been introduced. While easier to follow than strict
dietary regimens, such cards fail to take into account the
widespread "cheating" that occurs by persons throughout the day.
Specialized meals are not always available to a person during the
day, especially at work.
[0011] Counseling with respect to drug use is presently limited
mostly to consultations with pharmacists and physicians.
Consultations with physicians tend to be brief and nearly always
center on the appropriate use of prescribed medications.
Consultations with pharmacists while generally longer, and while
often concerning both prescription and over-the-counter
medications, are often limited by the ever-increasing time
constraints being placed on pharmacists to fill more prescriptions
per hour. As with nutritional consultations, drug consultations
frequently involve the use of algorithms, especially in regard to
the determination of when steady-state blood levels, or maximum
blood levels, of a drug given on a repeated dosage schedule will be
achieved. Variations in physiological parameters often plateau when
drug blood concentrations level off.
[0012] The monitoring of consumable intake, especially with regard
to nutritional balance and drug intake, is arguably as important as
the monitoring of such physiological parameters as blood pressure
and pulse rate alone. Numerous computerized devices have been
introduced to record and display physiological parameters, see e.g.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,682 (temperature, pulse rate, and respiration
rate). Such devices have greatly aided physicians in tailoring
therapeutic strategies to the individual especially if such
measurements are taken over a long period of time. For example, a
patient's drug therapy is often based on multi-daily blood pressure
readings taken by a patient with a computerized blood pressure
monitor, such multiple readings being far more indicative of the
patient's blood pressure status than one isolated reading at the
physician's office.
[0013] Nutritional status has long been known to impact greatly
upon physiological homeostasis. Over the past two centuries,
scientists have discovered numerous components in our foodstuffs
that are necessary to our health--many of these substances being
referred to as "essential vitamins." In the last half of the
twentieth century, scientists further discovered that many
substances present in foodstuffs, while not needed by the body for
immediate survival, greatly aid in the maintenance of good
health--e.g. fiber and "nonessential vitamins". Scientists further
learned that balance in protein/fat/carbohydrate consumption is
also of importance in longevity.
[0014] In a similar vein, consumption of drugs, while often
ameliorating a perturbation in homeostasis, not infrequently cause
physiological abnormalities themselves. This effect is often noted
when patients chose over-the-counter ("OTC") drugs without the aid
of health professionals. For example, decongestants may increase
blood pressure.
[0015] Consumable intakes may have significant effects upon the
morbidity rate of persons inflicted with several diseases. Many
people require a special diet which places their nutritional needs
outside of the standard daily nutritional recommendation. Further,
many people can not consume certain drugs which are freely
available in OTC preparations.
[0016] For example, diabetics are often cautioned by their
physicians to carefully monitor their daily intake of protein, fat
and carbohydrates. For many diabetics, variations in dietary
consumption, especially of carbohydrates, can have dramatic effects
on their requirement for insulin. Different foodstuffs not
uncommonly have different effects on a person's blood glucose
level, a level which is important for good heath. Blood glucose
measurements are taken by diabetics numerous times during the day,
especially after meals. Diabetics are frequently warned to refrain
from cough preparations etc., which contain high sucrose
concentrations.
[0017] Consonantly, persons afflicted with Folling's disease
("PKU") must be careful with respect to their consumption of foods
containing phenylalanine. Person's with Folling's disease have a
congenital abnormality which eventuates in a deficit of
phenylalanine 4-monoxygenase activity. Consumption of phenylalanine
by PKU patients over prolonged periods of time may result in
neurologic abnormalities. Person's with Folling's disease not
uncommonly monitor their blood or urine phenylalanine levels
daily.
[0018] As further example, persons with depression are not
infrequently placed on monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Persons on the
drug (and 2 weeks after discontinuing the drug) are cautioned
against eating foods with high tyramine or tryptophan content. They
are further cautioned about consuming drugs which contain
decongestants. Consumption of any of these consumables may lead to
a hypertensive crisis.
[0019] While much is known pertaining to the physiological effect
of certain consumables in select maladies, little has been done to
relate the effect of daily consumption of the multitude of
consumables to physiological perturbations. The latter is most
likely due to the difficulty in getting subjects to record their
daily consumptions and the need to solve often complex algorithms
in order to appropriately adjudge such relationships.
[0020] A relatively recent development in the consumable processing
art, as well as product sales in general, has been the
identification of a consumable by a unique identifier encoded in
the form of a "bar code". Heretofore, the bar code has been used to
identify the product and its manufacturer, used to re-order goods
and employed at check-out counters for coupling the product to a
price.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION
[0021] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
computer-assisted system and method for electronically coupling
consumption information with respect to consumables, including, but
not limited to, food stuffs, drugs, cosmetics, with
consumable-identifiers, for retrieving such consumption information
upon input of a consumable-identifier, and for
computationally-relating the consumption information from one
consumable with the consumption information from a plurality of
other consumables.
[0022] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
method and apparatus which permits correlation of human
physiological parameters, such as body weight or blood glucose
levels, with consumable intake over set time periods.
[0023] In one embodiment, a foodstuff identifier is linked in a
first database to the nutritional information generally provided on
pre-packaged foodstuffs, or is linked to estimated nutritional
information with respect to a non-prepackaged foodstuffs. Using an
electronic means, a consumer of the foodstuff converts the
foodstuff identifier on the packages of the pre-packaged
foodstuffs, or the foodstuff identifiers associated with the
non-prepackaged product in a book, manual, database or other
compendium, which are consumed during the day into a digital
datastream which is downloaded into a second data processing unit
which is processed along with time data with respect to the time of
consumption and stored in a second database. Along with the
foodstuff identifiers, the consumer may also input approximate
serving size or amount consumed, thereby storing digitalized
information in the second database regarding the foodstuff
consumed, the amount of each particular foodstuff consumed, and the
time of consumption. Physiological measurements such as weight
gain, or blood sugar concentrations may also be input into the
second database coupled with time data. At set time intervals,
typically daily or weekly, the consumer sends to a first data
processing unit connected to the first database the digitalized
information stored in the second database. The first data
processing unit correlates the nutritional information pertaining
to each foodstuff reported to have been consumed during the time
interval and with computational manipulation, adjusting for amount
consumed, provides a readout of nutritional parameters, such as
total calories or carbohydrates, consumed over the time period.
Recommendations for improving the diet may be addended to the
readout of the nutritional parameters by linking the
recommendations to the results of pre-programmed nutritional
algorithms or manually by a nutritionist or other qualified
professional. If physiological measurements were also input, the
first data processing unit may use algorithms well-known in the art
to determine whether variations in physiological measurements may
be related to foodstuff consumption.
[0024] In another embodiment, a consumable (such as a drug)
identifier is linked in a first database connected to a first data
processing unit to the ingredient information generally provided on
pre-packaged consumables, or is linked to estimated ingredient
information with respect to a non-prepackaged consumables. Using an
electronic means, a consumer of the consumables converts the
consumable identifier on the packages of the pre-packaged
consumables, or the consumable identifiers associated with the
non-prepackaged consumable in a book, manual, database or other
compendium, which are consumed during the day into a digital
datastream which is downloaded into a second data processing unit
which is processed along with time data with respect to the time of
consumption and stored in a second database. Along with the
consumable identifiers, the consumer may also input the amount
consumed, thereby storing digitalized information in the second
database regarding each consumable consumed, the amount of each
consumable consumed, and the time of consumption in the second
database. Physiological measurements such as blood pressure or
pulse rate may also be input into the second database coupled with
time data. At set time intervals, typically daily or weekly, the
consumer sends to a first data processing unit connected to the
first database the digitalized information stored in the second
database. The first data processing unit correlates the ingredient
information stored in the first database with each consumable
reported to have been consumed during the time interval. The data
processing unit in such embodiment is programmed such that it
recognizes changes in the measured physiological parameter having
been measured over the defined time period and such that it can
relate known effects and side-effects of the consumed ingredients
with the measured parameter. For example, it is well-known in the
art that sympathomimetic drugs can increase blood pressure. An
increase in blood pressure over time can be computationally related
to an increase in sympathomimetic consumption. Further, it is
well-known in the art that most drugs following first order
kinetics will reach steady-state blood concentrations after
approximately four half-times. The processing unit can be provided
with such half-time information such-that it can be determined if
any change of the measured physiological parameter dissipates after
the four half-times of each ingredient transpires--such dissipation
strengthening the conclusion that the drug is leading to an change
in the measured parameter. Recommendations for adjusting the
consumption habits of the consumer may be generated by means of a
program or manually by a pharmacist, pharmacologist, toxicologist,
physician, nurse or other qualified professional.
[0025] The present invention covers the concept that the first
database and second database may be the same or different databases
maintained or housed in the same data processing unit. The present
invention also covers the concept that the consumption habits of
either humans or animals may be monitored.
[0026] There are many possible modifications and changes which
could be made to the system without straying from the applicant's
present invention. Such modifications would be obvious to those
skilled in the art and should not limit the scope of applicant's
claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] For a more complete understanding of the objects of the
present invention, the Detailed Description of the Illustrative
Embodiments thereof is to be taken in connection with the following
drawing, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is schematic flow diagram of a process according to
the invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a microchip-based
device designed to store identifiers pertaining to consumables
consumed over time along with time data, and which permits
correlation of the same to physiological parameters.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process by which information
stored in the microchip-based device of FIG. 2 is downloaded and
stored in a first database coupling product identifiers to
information concerning the product.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process by which advisory
actions pertaining to consumption habits is generated in response
to consumable intakes and physiological parameter measurements
recorded over time.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a data flow chart of a method by which nutritional
advisories pertaining to consumed foodstuffs may be generated.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process by which weight control
can be effectuated utilizing the invention by removing particular
foodstuffs from the diet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a
schematic flow diagram of a preferred embodiment for correlating
measurements of human physiological parameters with consumable
intakes. Consumable identifier 8 is attached to a consumable, such
as a foodstuff 12 or drug 14, or is related in a book, manual,
pamphlet or similar compendia to a particular consumable or type of
consumable 13. A plurality of first databases, such as nutrition
database 19 and drug database 20, is maintained by means of a first
data processing unit 18 wherein consumption information of a
particular consumable, e.g. nutritional information or ingredient
composition information, is related with the consumable identifier.
The first databases 18 also contain consumer identification
information related to a consumer who is authorized to use the
system. Such consumer identification information generally relates
to the consumer's name, address and account number as well as
certain physiological parameters such as age, height, weight and
build. A consumer purchases consumables with identifiers
pre-attached, 12, 14, or purchases a book, manual, pamphlet or
similar compendia which relates particular consumables, or types of
consumables, with consumable identifiers, 13. Each time a
consumable is consumed or shortly thereafter, the consumer inputs
the consumable identifier, along with the amount of consumable
consumed, and the time of consumption into a second database by
means of a second data processing unit 9 which may be coupled to an
electronic reading device, such as an optical scanner 11 and/or
keyboard 10. The second data processing unit 9 if provided with an
internal clock may also use the time of entry of the data into the
second database as the time of consumption. The consumer may also
input physiological data by keyboard 10, or other electronic means,
into the second databases, such physiological data including weight
and blood glucose concentration, coupled with the time of
measurement of the physiological measurement. After a plurality of
consumptions and/or physiological measurements, the consumer
transmits 17, by means including telecommunication means, as for
example modem 16 or phone coupler 15, the data stored in the second
database in second data processing unit 9 to the first data
processing unit 18 which is electronically coupled to the first
databases. The first data processing unit 18 is pre-programmed to
computationally relate, after correlating the consumer
identification information maintained therein with the consumer
identification information maintained in the second database of the
second data processing unit 9, the consumable information with
respect to a particular consumable stored in the plurality of first
databases with the information pertaining to the quantity of that
consumable consumed and its time of consumption, maintained in the
second database by correlating the food identifiers. The first data
processing unit is further pre-programmed with consumption
algorithms, such as those well-known in the nutrition and
pharmaceutical art, relating consumption parameters to one or more
physiological parameters. After processing and computationally
relating these parameters 21, second data processing unit 18 is
programmed to generate an advisory report advising changes in
consumption habits of the consumer, such as changes in foodstuff
consumption 25 or drug consumption 26. The electronic readout may
be transmitted via telecommunications means back to the consumer,
as by facsimile machine 22, or a hard copy printed by printing
means 23 can be sent to the consumer by post 24, if both the first
data processing means and second data processing means are not
housed at in the same location.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram
illustrating an embodiment of second data processing device 9
designed to store identifiers pertaining to consumables consumed
over time along with time data, and which permits input of
physiological parametric data which may be coupled with time
data.
[0036] In this embodiment of second data processing device 9
optical scanner detectors 27 are housed within the unit rather than
connected thereto as shown in 11 of FIG. 1. Optical scanner
detectors 27 are coupled to a bar code reader 28 of the prior art,
such bar code reader 28 comprising a plurality of analog-to-digital
converts 29, bar width counters 30, first-in first-out registers
("FIFOs") 31, and composers 32. Numerical data held in FIFOs 31 are
sent to decoder 33 in accordance with a command sent from processor
34. For simplicity, lines for transferring command signals and
response signals between processor 34 and other units of bar code
reader 28 such as FIFOs 31 and decoder 33 are omitted. Processor 34
is connected to read-only memory ("ROM") 37 used for storing
programs used in processor 34 and random-access memory ("RAM") 38
which is used as a work area during processing. Processor 34
processes bar code data sent from decoder 33 and couples the same
to time data provided by clock 39. Such processed bar code data is
stored in memory storage unit 40. Second data processing device 9
further provides for input of physiological parameter data by
keyboard means 35. Such input is decoded by decoder 36 and the
physiological data is processed such as to couple it with time data
provided by clock 39. Such processed physiological data is stored
in memory storage unit 40. Information stored in memory storage
unit 40 may be transmitted to first data processing unit 18 through
external read port 41 coupled to modem 16, telephone coupler 15, or
other communications means.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart of a
process by which information stored in the microchip-based device
of FIG. 2 is downloaded and stored in databases of first data
processing unit 18 which is programmed to couple product
identifiers to information concerning the product. First data
processing unit 18 autoconfigures to accept the modem speed and bit
rate of incoming data (FIG. 3a) being transmitted from second data
processing unit 9. The customer handle is subsequently determined
(FIG. 3b) to determine which customer directory the information is
to be directed towards (FIG. 3c). Information is stored in customer
subdirectories by determining whether the information string
relates to a consumed item or measured physiological parameter
(FIG. 3d). The type of physiological data, such a weight data,
blood glucose data, blood pressure measurement data, etc., is
determined (FIG. 3e) and stored along with time data coupled
thereto in a subdirectory directed to the physiological measurement
(FIG. 3f). In response to consumed item data the first data
processing unit may directly-store such information along with time
data in an appropriate consumable item directory, such as that for
food items consumed or drugs consumed, for later processing or it
may be programmed to retrieve certain consumable information
pertaining to the consumed item (FIG. 3g) and to store the same
along with item identification in an appropriate consumable item
directory (FIG. 3h).
[0038] Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow chart of a
process by which advisory actions pertaining to consumption habits
is generated in response to consumable intakes and physiological
parameter measurements recorded over time. Customer database
directories and subdirectories are accessed (FIG. 4a), including
those directories related to information pertaining to the
customer's physiological status, such as age, height, build, etc.
(FIG. 4b). Intake information is correlated with the selected
physiological parameter(s) of concern (FIG. 4c), as for example
foodstuff consumption being correlated with weight and/or blood
glucose concentrations, or drug consumption being correlated with
blood pressure measurements (FIG. 4d). Algorithms relating the
physiological parameter(s) of concern with the type of intake are
selected (FIG. 4e,f) and solved. Advisory actions correlated with
the result of the algorithm-computation are then selected (FIG. 4g)
and subsequently printed so as to be directed to the consumer of
the consumables (FIG. 4h).
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary data flow chart of a process
by which nutritional advisories pertaining to consumed foodstuffs
may be generated. Information pertaining to the nutritional
composition of the foodstuff identifiers entered over a set period
of time is first retrieved (FIG. 5a) as well as information
pertaining to the amount of each foodstuff consumed (FIG. 5g,h).
The percentage of protein, fat, carbohydrate encompassed by each
food stuff, and the totality of foodstuffs eaten during the time
period of concern, is determined (FIG. 5b). If the total percentage
of the diet during the select period is comprised of more than 20%
protein (FIG. 5c) or greater than 25% fat (FIG. 5d), advisories
actions suggesting a reduction in protein consumption (FIG. 5n) or
in fat consumption (FIG. 5p) are generated. Commendatory advisory
actions may also be issued if consumption is within dietary
guidelines (FIG. 5o). After determining the total mass of
foodstuffs consumed over the period in question (FIG. 5i), total
calories consumed may be determined by multiplying the total
percentage of protein, fat and carbohydrate by the appropriate
conversion multiplicand (FIG. 5e), adding the result (FIG. 5f) and
multiplying the same by the total mass of foodstuffs consumed over
that period (FIG. 5j). After consultation with a look-up table
correlating calorie consumption with parameters such as age, height
and build (FIG. 51), it is determined whether the total calories
consumed over the set period is greater than the recommended
calorie consumption in the look-up table (FIG. 5k). If the number
of calories consumed is greater than the recommended consumption
for that time period, an advisory action suggesting reduction in
the consumption of foodstuffs over that time period may be
generated, or if in the alternative, the consumption is less than
that in the look up table (but not extraordinarily so), an advisory
action commending calorie intake over than period of time may be
generated (FIG. 5m).
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a flow chart of a
process by which weight control can be effectuated utilizing the
invention by removing particular foodstuffs from the diet. The
period of time over which a particular weight gain occurs is
determined (FIG. 6a), as for example 1 pound per 1 month. All
excess calorie consumptions within each weight gain period are
determined (FIG. 6b), as for example the excess calorie
consumptions per month. Average excess calorie consumptions for
each weight gain time period is then calculated (FIG. 6c). It is
then determined the consumption of which food product most closely
approximates the average excess calorie consumption during the
weight gain period (FIG. 6d). An advisory action suggesting removal
of the food product from the diet is then issued (FIG. 6e).
* * * * *