WO2010070645A1

WO2010070645A1 - Method and system for monitoring eating habits

Info

Publication number: WO2010070645A1
Application number: PCT/IL2009/001196
Authority: WO
Inventors: Omer Einav; Nurit Einav
Original assignee: Omer Einav; Nurit Einav
Priority date: 2008-12-17
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring eating patterns of an eater. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor configured for detecting at least one eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater, a computing unit configured for identifying an eating pattern according to the at least one eating event, and an output unit configured for allowing the guidance of the eater according to the identified eating pattern.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING EATING HABITS

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates a system, an apparatus and a method for monitoring eating habits and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system, an apparatus, and a method for monitoring and/or guiding eating habits according to outputs of one or more sensors.

As commonly known, different people have different eating habits. As eating habits have a strong effect on the healthiness, quality of life, and appearance of a person, many people are interested in changing them. During the last years, the demand for changing eating habits has increased dramatically, for instance in various areas of business, sports, school and the like.

Many diet programs have been developed over the years to guide people how to change their eating habits. Some diet programs have been developed for people with eating disorders. However, when a person has developed what could be regarded as an eating disorder such as for instance obesity it is very hard to reach back to normal eating behaviors.

During the last decade systems and methods for supporting a person who selected to change her eating habits and/or to go through a diet program have been developed. For example, U.S Patent Application No. 6,765,488, filed on March 11, 2002, describes a portable device that helps a person control food consumption by slowing the eating process to a pace that provides time for the human brain to signal (through hormones such as Sulfated Cholecystokinin) a "sensation of fullness" before overeating or "binge eating" can occur, to normalize mealtime social behavior by encouraging relaxation and conversation when eating with others, and to control medical conditions including Bulimia and Anorexia. The apparatus includes red and green lights, a circuit that controls energization of the lights, and a pushbutton switch that operates a portion of a circuit. When the push button is depressed, the circuit energizes the red light for a predetermined wait period such as 20 seconds (which can be varied), to indicate that the person should not eat. Then, the circuit energizes the green light, to indicate that the person can take one or two bites of food at his/her convenience. After taking one or two bites, the person depresses the push button to cause the red light to be energized. This cycle continues until the meal is over. A person can depress a button to place the device in a "fast start" adaptive mode, wherein the wait period when the red light is on, gradually increases from a short period such as 7 seconds to 20 seconds during a time such as three minutes, and then continues at 20 second periods for the rest of the meal. Another example is described in U.S Patent Application No. 5,908,301, filed

January 3, 1997, describes an interactive pre-set and adjustable behavior modification device suitable for encouraging modification of various behaviors, such as reduced or increased food intake, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption for example, having a plurality of parameters from which a user may selectably choose and adjust a program or accept the default program. The device monitors, and if selected by a user, adjusts, any behavior sequence which includes behavior actions and behavior intervals. If a preset program is selected and the default used, no record of any behavior action or interval is maintained. All other programs selected are recorded and automatically adjusted for the next behavior sequence. A display on the device shows the user what has been selected and the operation of the program. It has a multiple output signals alerting a user of when to begin the next behavior action; when the pre-determined number of behavior actions has been attained; when the pre-determined number of behavior actions is being exceeded; and a special alert signal. The device is configured to accept, and modify automatically or manually, a user's intended goal and the rate at which the user desires to attain the goal. In relation to goal and rate, it is configured to accept and modify the user's physical condition at the start of each program which, when so entered, reevaluates the progress and adjusts related programs accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE- INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring eating patterns of an eater. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor configured for detecting at least one eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater, a computing unit configured for identifying an eating pattern according to the at least one eating event, and an output unit configured for allowing the guidance of the eater according to the identified eating pattern. Optionally, the at least one sensor comprises a quantity sensor configured for measuring the quantity of the bite portion, the computing unit being configured for performing the identification according to the quantity.

Optionally, the at least one sensor comprises a movement sensor configured for measuring a duration of each the eating event, the computing unit being configured for performing the identification according to the duration.

Optionally, the output unit comprising a communication unit configured for forwarding the identified eating pattern to a management unit, the management unit being configured for performing the guidance. More optionally, the output unit is configured for presenting the guidance.

Optionally, the output unit comprises a member of a group consisting of: a display configured for performing the guidance by displaying at least one eating instruction, a set of lights configured for displaying the guidance by lighting, an audio delivering system configured for performing the guidance by playing at least one eating instruction, a tactile delivering system configured for performing the guidance by inducing a tactile sensation representing at least one eating instruction, a releasing mechanism configured for performing the guidance by releasing taste materials, and a releasing mechanism configured for performing the guidance by releasing smell materials. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises an eating utensil shaped portion configured for carrying the bite portion.

More optionally, the at least one sensor comprises a spectrometer for detecting at least one nutritious property of the bite portion, the computing unit being configured for identifying the eating pattern according to the at least one nutritious property. More optionally, the at least one sensor is configured for detecting a property of the carried bite portion by measuring a strain applied on the utensil shaped portion.

Optionally, the computing unit is configured for identifying the eating pattern by estimating the frequency of the at least one eating event.

More optionally, the eating utensil shaped portion is integrally formed. More optionally, the eating utensil shaped portion is detachable.

More optionally, the eating utensil shaped portion is shaped as a member from a group consisting of: a fork, a spoon, a tea spoon, a chopstick, and serving spoon. Optionally, the at least one sensor, the computing unit, and output unit are embedded into a member of a group consisting of: frames, a ring, a necklace, cellophane, and a personal digital assistance (PDA).

Optionally, the at least one sensor, the computing unit, and output unit are embedded into a member of a group consisting of: a card, a pen shaped element, and a personal digital assistance (PDA).

Optionally the card and/or the pen element may be foldable/expandable to fit the bottom of a dish, a plate ,a glass or the like.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a tag reader configured for reading a plurality of tags each indicative of at least one of a food product, at least one nutritious value, and a quantity, the computing unit being configured for identifying the eating pattern according to at least one of the plurality of tags, the at least one tag being associated with the bite portion.

Optionally, the guidance comprises at least one eating instruction for guiding a member of a group consisting of, a chewing pace, food amount consumption, fluid amount consumption, eating period, bite sizing, food type consumption, and amount of consumed calories.

Optionally, the bite portion is a fluid consumption portion.

Optionally, the at least one sensor is integrated into a napkin, a plate, and a saucer.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring eating patterns of an eater. The method comprises detecting at least eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater, identifying an eating pattern according to the at least eating event, and presenting at least one guidance instruction according to the identified eating pattern.

Optionally, the detecting comprises gathering data related to at least one property of at least one of the at least eating event and bite portion, the identifying comprises identifying the eating pattern according to a combination of the gathered data.

Optionally, the method further comprises estimating a compliance of the eater with a diet program according to the eating pattern, the at least one guidance instruction being determined according to the compliance. Optionally, the method further comprises calculating a frequency of the at least eating event, the identifying being performed according to the frequency.

Optionally, the method further comprises comprising identifying a nutritious property of the bite portion in each the eating event, the identifying is performed according to the nutritious property.

Optionally, the detecting further comprises detecting a location of the eater, the identifying comprising identifying the eating pattern according to the location.

Optionally, the detecting further comprises calculating an amount of calories in the bit portion, the identifying comprising identifying the eating pattern according to the amount of calories.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an eating utensil add-on that comprises an eating monitoring unit for monitoring an eating pattern of an eater and an attachment element configured for attaching the monitoring unit to an eating utensil. Optionally, the eating monitoring unit is configured for detecting at least one property of a bite portion carried by the eating utensil, the monitoring being performed according to the at least one property.

Optionally, the eating monitoring unit comprises a strain detector configured for detecting a strain applied on the eating utensil, the monitoring being performed according to the strain.

Optionally, the eating utensil add-on further comprises a utensil type detector configured for detecting a type of eating utensil, the monitoring being performed according to the type.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a dining kit having a plurality of tableware elements. The dining kit comprises a plurality of tableware elements having at least one sensor configured for detecting at least one property of at least one eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by an eater and a management unit configured for receiving the at least one property and identifying an eating pattern of the eater accordingly. Optionally, the plurality of tableware elements comprises a dish, at least one of the at least one sensor being embedded into the dish. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring a diet program of an eater. The method comprises detecting a plurality of eating events during each a plurality of bite portions are consumed by the eater, evaluating at least one property of at least one of the bite portion and the plurality of eating events, estimating a compliance level of the eater with a diet program according to the at least one property, and presenting an indication of the estimation to the eater.

Optionally, the method further comprises receiving information pertaining to the eater and adjusting the diet program accordingly before the evaluating. Optionally, the information comprises a member of a group consisting of: requested dieting period, age, medical information, exercise information, data pertaining to eating pattern of the eater, data pertaining to culinary preferences of the eater, and data pertaining to eating habits of a family member of the eater.

Optionally, the method further comprises selecting the diet program from a plurality of diet programs according to a member of a group consisting of: the eater selection and at least one property of the eater.

Optionally, the method further comprises adjusting the diet program according to data related to the eater.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system. For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an eating monitoring device, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGs. 2A-2C are respectively lateral, angular, and top schematic illustrations of an exemplary monitoring device that is designed to function as a fork, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGs. 3A-3D are respectively lateral, top, frontal, and angular schematic illustrations of an exemplary monitoring device that is designed to function as a spoon, according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIGs. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of exemplary weight sensor, according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a monitoring device embedded in a chopstick, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a monitoring device having a different component arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 7A is a lateral schematic illustration for an eating monitoring add-on, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary eating utensils which is designed to be connected to the eating monitoring add-on, such as the one depicted in FIG. 7 A, according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 8 is an angular schematic illustration of the monitoring add-on, which is described in relation to FIG. 7A, having a different arrangement of quantity sensors, according to some embodiment of the present arrangement;

FIGs. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E are schematic illustrations of exemplary accessories that embedded a monitoring device for detecting and evaluating eating events and/or characteristics thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9F is a schematic illustration of a dining kit, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a method for guiding a monitored eater, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. HA and HB are schematic illustrations of a portable scale kit, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. HC and HD are schematic illustrations of another portable scale kit, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates a system, an apparatus and a method for monitoring eating habits and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system, an apparatus, and a method for monitoring and/or guiding eating habits according to outputs of one or more sensors.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method and a device for monitoring eating patterns and/or habits of an eater. The device and the method may be used for educating the eater, for example for improving her eating patterns and/or changing her eating habits. Optionally, the device is used for monitoring a diet program. The device, which optionally has an eating utensil shaped portion may perform the monitoring while the eater consumes food. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors, such as weight and/or movement sensors and/or optical presence sensor for detecting one or more eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater. For example, the device may detect the event by measuring the strain of the eating utensil shaped portion. The device further comprises a computing unit for identifying an eating pattern according to the detected eating events and an output unit for allowing the guidance of the eater according to the identified eating pattern. Optionally, the guidance is presented as an alert while the eater eats.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device is an add-on which is configured to be attached to an eating utensil and monitoring the eater while she uses it. In some embodiments of the present invention, the device is embedded in accessories which are worn and/or used by the eater, such as frames, a ring, a necklace, and a cellular phone.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a dining kit having a plurality of tableware elements. The dining kit comprises a plurality of tableware elements, such as an eating placement, eating utensils and dishes having at least one sensor for detecting one or more properties of bite portions which are consumed by an eater or one or more properties of the eating event during which they are taken. The dining kit further comprises a management unit, optionally embedded into one of the tableware elements, for receiving, optionally wirelessly, the detected properties and identifying an eating pattern of the eater accordingly. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a diet program of an eater, such as a program for reducing weight, gaining weight, adjusting the body to a sport event, such as a contest, and increasing muscle mass. The method is based on detecting a plurality of eating events during each a plurality of bite portions are consumed by the eater and evaluating at least one property of at least one of the eating events and/or the bite portions which are consumed during the eating events. The method further comprises estimating a compliance level of the eater with a diet program according to the evaluated properties and presenting an indication of the estimation to the eater. In such a manner, the eater may receive an indication whether she comply with the diet programs requirements and/or limitations. Optionally, the diet program is adjusted to characteristics of the user, for example to her medical condition, for instance diabetic or non-diabetic, food preferences, age, gender and the like.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of an eating monitoring device 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The eating monitoring device 100, referred to herein as a monitoring device comprises one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties of an eating event of a monitored eater. As used herein an eating event means one or more eating sessions during which the eater consumes a bite portion.

As used herein eating pattern may mean a quantity of food which is consumed by the monitored eater in a eating event, the calories which are consumed by the monitored eater during a eating event, the frequency of eating events in a certain period, the eating period, for example by calculating the time between the first and last bite and/or any eating pattern which indicative of the eating habits of the monitored eater. Optionally, the one or more sensors include a quantity sensor 101 which is configured for generating an output which is indicative of the portion of food that is consumed in an eating event and/or a movement sensor 102, such as an optical sensor, for generating an output that reflects the length of the eating event and/or the frequency thereof, for example by counting the number of eating events in a predefined periods, such as a second, a minute, an hour and the like. As used herein an eating event means an event during which a monitored eater consumes a bite portion of a certain food. Such a bite portion may be understood herein a portion which is carried by on an eating utensil which is used for feeding the eater and/or a portion that is carried by the hand of the eater during the portion consuming event. Additionally or alternatively, such a bite portion may also be understood as a fluid portion, sip of a soup, sip of a drink, and/or any fluid that is consumed by the eater during the portion consuming event. The bite portion may be scaled and/or measured by a weight detector which is designed to estimate the weight of a food portion before and after a portion consuming event and identify size a bite portion and/or the frequency thereof. The weight sensor may be integrated in a napkin, a plate, a saucer a ring a pen shaped unit, a coin, a flat rod, a credit card size scale, a small scale unit or the like.

The weight sensor unit can be made of one piece, multiple pieces, a foldable unit, an inflatable unit, or the like. The weight sensor unit may be made to fit in a pocket a purse or the like. The weight sensor unit may be shaped in various ways and may be placed under a plate, a cup, a food item, or the like to allow measurement of eating habits parameters such as weight of food consumed time and pace of consumption and the like.

The weight sensor unit may be operated using various known methods of weight measurements such as a strain gauge, a peizo electric unit, a pressure sensitive unit a displacement sensitive unit and the like. In some embodiment of the invention the weight sensor may be embedded in to a portable personal scale kit shaped like a foldable card or a pen. The outputs of the one or more sensors are used for monitoring eating patterns, for example as described below. The monitoring device 100 further comprises a computing unit 103, such as a central computing unit (CPU), for processing the outputs of the sensors 101, 102. As further described below, the outputs may be locally processed by the computing unit 103 and/or forwarded to an external computing unit, such as a central server, via a communication unit 105. The communication unit 105 is optionally designed to establish a communication, optionally wireless, with a remote server and/or a management unit, for example as described below, for allowing the forwarding of the sensor's outputs and/or the output of the processing thereof, for example as described below. The communication unit 105 may comprise a short-range radio interface, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver, which is defined according to IEEE 802.15.1 specification that is incorporated herein by reference, optionally utilizing a Bluetooth™ enhanced data rate (EDR) chip that is defined according to Bluetooth™ core specification version 2.0 + EDR of the Bluetooth™ special interest group (SIG), which is incorporated herein by reference, or a Wibree® transceiver. Optionally, the communication unit 105 comprises a radio transceiver that uses ultra-wideband (UWB) frequencies. In such an embodiment, the wireless interface 3 may establish the WPAN 4 according to WiMedia™ specification or according to the Wireless USB (WUSB), which are incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the communication unit 105 supports a serial port profile (SPP) connections between the monitoring device 100 and the remote server and/or management unit. Optionally, the communication unit 105 comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface such as a radio transceiver that uses high frequency radio signals, which are defined according to a WLAN standard, for example 802.11a, 802.11b, 802. Hg, and 802. Hn standards, which are herein incorporated by reference. The WLAN interface optionally uses high frequency radio signals. In such an embodiment, the WLAN interface is defined according to WiMAX™ IEEE 802.16 standard or wireless Fire Wire IEEE 802.15.3 standard, which are incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the management unit is a client terminal, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a Smartphone, a thin client, a laptop, a wrist watch, and/or any other terminal which may be used by the monitored eater and/or a caretaker thereof to view the eating patterns and/or sensor's outputs. Such a communication unit 105 may be used for integrating data from other eating monitoring devices, such as monitored refrigerators, ovens, and/or the like. The monitoring device 100 further comprises a memory unit 104, such as a nonvolatile memory (NVM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for storing the outputs of the sensors and/or the processing thereof. Optionally, the memory unit 104 is used for storing eating patterns which are detected by an analysis of the sensors' outputs. In use, the computing unit 103 may be used for processing the outputs of the sensors 101, 102 and to generate, and optionally store in the memory unit 104 a value and/or a set of values that reflect the eating pattern analysis, for example as described below. Optionally, as further described below, the memory unit 104 is used for storing a diet program and/or one or more eating patterns. In use, these records are utilized by the computing unit 103 that may match them to the identified eating patterns, for example as described below. Optionally, the monitoring device 100 further comprises an identifier for determining the identity of the eater. In such a manner a number of users may use the same monitoring device 100 while being monitored separately.

Reference is now made to FIGs. 2A-2C, which are respectively lateral, angular, and top schematic illustrations of an exemplary monitoring device 100 which is designed to function as a fork and to a FIGs. 3A-3D, which are respectively lateral, top, frontal, and angular schematic illustrations of an exemplary monitoring device 100 which is designed to function as a spoon, according to some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the monitoring device 100 may be designed to function as any eating utensil, such as a chopstick, for example as depicted in FIG. 5, and a teaspoon.

In such an embodiment, the monitoring device 100 comprises a carrying portion 207 which may be referred to as a utensil shaped portion. The utensil shaped portion is designed to carry a bite portion during a eating event and a handle 208 which is designed to support the carrying portion 207 and optionally to contain some or the entire element referred to in relation to FIG. 1.

As depicted in FIGs. 2A-2C and. 3A-3D, the monitoring device 100 may used an eating utensil. Optionally, the monitoring device 100 comprises a presentation unit which is designed to display, play, and generating a tactile sensation for presenting one or more of the outputs of the sensors, the identified eating patterns and/or an alarm which is generated according to the identified eating patterns and/or the complies thereof with predefined eating patterns or historical patterns. As shown at 204, the presentation unit may be a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and or set light - emitting diodes (LEDs), which are used for the aforementioned presentation. The presentation unit may comprise an audio feedback system, speakers, and/or any other device that may be used for presenting audible instructions and/or alarms. The presentation unit may comprise a tactile feedback system, such as a vibrator, for presenting tactile instructions and/or alarms. Optionally, the monitoring device 100 comprises an input unit 205 for turning the monitoring device 100 on and/or off, to select an operational mode, to configure each one of the modes, to rate food products, to select and/or adjust diet programs and/or add data which is related to the consumed food, for example as described below. As described above, the monitoring device comprises sensors, such as a quantity sensor. Optionally, the quantity is a weight sensor. As used herein, a weight sensor means a strain gauge load cell, a force balance, a variable resistance sensor, and or any other sensor that is configured for generating an output that may be analyzed for estimating the weight of the portion which is consumed during an eating event.

Reference is now also made to FIGs. 4A and 4B which are schematic illustrations of exemplary weight sensor, according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIGs. 4A and 4B depict an exemplary strain gauge sensor 301 which is used to measure the deformation, which may be referred to as strain, of the carrying portion 207. As depicted, the strain gauge sensor 301 consists of an insulating flexible backing 302 which supports a metallic foil pattern 303, as shown at FIG. 4A, or a rod 304, optionally metallic, as shown at FIG. 4B. A gauge 305 is attached to one side of the flexible backing 302 and the carrying portion 207 is attached to and/or supported by the other side (not shown). As the object is deformed, the foil 303 or rod 304 is deformed, causing its electrical resistance to change. As commonly known, such a resistance change is related to the strain and may be used for calculating a gauge factor which is indicative of the pressure, load, and/or weight applied by the carried portion. The exemplary strain gauge sensor 301 is optionally positioned in the binding point between the handle 208 and the carrying portion 207. It should be noted that the exemplary strain gauge sensors which are depicted in FIGs. 4A and 4B may be used for measuring strain in other eating utensils, such as chopsticks, for example as depicted in FIG. 5, and/or in a monitoring device 100 having other component arrangement, for example as depicted in FIG. 6.

In use, the gauge sensor 301 detects bite portions which are carried by the carrying portion 207 and optionally forwards them to the computing unit 103. Optionally, the computing unit 103 calculates an eating pattern based on these outputs. Optionally, the computing unit 103 combines the outputs with information gathered by other sensors, such as. the movement sensor, for example as described below. Optionally the outputs are stored in the database 104, optionally with a time stamp. In such a manner, the calculation of eating patterns, which are based on a plurality of outputs, is allowed. Optionally, the computing unit 103 is used for combining data that is captured during a number of eating events, consecutive, in a certain period, and/or selected on demand, for example using a user interface on the monitoring device 100, for example as shown at 204 and 205.

Reference is now made, once again, to FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 1 the eating monitoring device 100 comprises a quantity sensor 101 for evaluating the bite portion that is consumed during an eating event. Additionally or alternatively, the pattern monitoring device 100 further comprises a movement sensor 102 for detecting an eating event and/or evaluating the frequency of the eating events. Optionally, the movement sensor 102 comprises an accelerometer, an image sensor, which may be referred to as an optical sensor, a radio frequency (RF) based positioning sensor, a range sensor, a tiltmeter, and/or any other sensor which may be used for detecting and/or evaluating a movement of the pattern monitoring device 100. For example, an optical LED sensor may be used for detecting the presence of food on an eating utensil. As depicted in FIG. 1, the outputs of the movement sensor 102 are forwarded to the computing unit 103. Optionally, the computing unit 103 calculates an eating pattern based on these outputs For example, the image sensor may take an image of the bite portion and/or the total portion before and after the consumption and the computing unit 103 calculates an eating pattern based on thereupon. Optionally, the computing unit 103 combines the outputs with outputs of other sensors, such as the quantity sensor 101. For example, the computing unit 103 may calculate the frequency of eating events in a certain period. In such a manner, the computing unit 103 may determine whether the monitored eater eats in a recommended phase, optionally according to values and/or patterns which are recorded in the database. In another example, the consumption quantity of the monitored eater in a certain period is calculated according to a combination of the outputs of the quantity and movement sensors 101, 102. Reference is now made to FIG. 7A, which is a schematic lateral illustration for an eating monitoring add-on 400, which may be referred to herein as a monitoring addon 400, according to some embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises the communication unit 105, the memory unit 104, and the computing unit 103 depicted in FIG. 1. These components are optionally integrated into a housing 401 of the monitoring add-on 400, for example as depicted in FIG. 402. Optionally, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises one or more quantity sensors 101, such as the aforementioned strain gauge sensor 301 for measuring the weight of the portion carried by the carrying portion 207. The add-on 400 is optionally designed to be assembled in the handle of an eating utensil 404, as shown at FIG. 7A.

The monitoring add-on 400 allows the monitoring eater to replace the eating utensil she uses. In such a manner, the eating habits and/or patterns of the monitoring eater may be monitored in various types of meals, regardless to the required eating utensil. The replaced eating utensils may be regular eating utensils and/or eating utensil which are compatible to work the monitoring add-on 400, for example as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8. Such compatible eating utensils, for example as depicted in FIG. 7B, may include one or more designated connectors to improve the attachment thereof to the monitoring add-on 400. Additionally or alternatively, the compatible eating utensils may include integrated sensors, such a pressure sensor for detecting food presence and/or a spectrometer and/or a spectrometer probe, a chemical detector and/or a chemical receptor for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the bit portion which is carried by the carrying portion 207. For example, if the bite portion is a fluid portion, the color may indicate the type of the fluid, for example whether the fluid is a soup, wine, soft drink, beer, water and/or any nonalcoholic or carbonated drinks. As shown at 201, such sensors may also be incorporated into the monitoring devices which are described in relation to FIGs. 2A-2C and FIGs. 3A-3D.

Optionally, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises an eating utensil sensor (not shown) for detecting which eating utensil the monitoring add-on 400 is currently assembled. For example, the utensil sensor may determine whether the monitored eater currently uses a spoon, a tea spoon, and/or a fork. Optionally a tag representing the eating utensil is optionally stored, in association to the related bite portion weight, in the memory unit 104. Such a tag may used for weighting the related bite portion weight data, and/or to select and/or to adjust the analysis thereof, for example during the eating pattern identification and or the generation of an eating pattern alert, for instance as described below.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 8, which is an angular schematic illustration of the monitoring add-on 400 which is described in relation to FIG. 7A having a different arrangement of quantity sensors, according to some embodiment of the present arrangement. As depicted in FIG. 8, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises a shaft 601 having, in one end, a utensil capturing element 602, such as a pincer, for capturing the eating utensil lower and upper supporting elements 602 for respectively contacting the upper and lower walls of the housing of the monitoring add-on 400. The shaft 601 bounds the tilting of the eating utensil and provides a firm eating utensil holding. Optionally, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises supporting knobs 605 for delimiting the movement of the shaft 601.

Optionally, the monitoring add-on 400 comprises strain detectors 603. One of the connecting elements 602 is designed to be in contact with the strain detectors 603 when the carrying portion 207 is loaded and the other is designed to be in contact with the strain detectors 603 when the carrying portion 207 is unloaded. In such a manner, the strain detectors 603 may determine the strain that is applied on the carrying portion 207, optionally as described above.

Reference is now made to FIGs. 9 A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E which are schematic illustrations of exemplary accessories that embedded a monitoring device for detecting and evaluating eating events and/or characteristics thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Such characteristics may include the size of each bite potion, the frequency of eating events, and/or the composition in each bit portion, for example using the sensors which are described above. These exemplary monitoring devices 100 are designed to be worn by the monitored eater and optionally to detect and evaluating eating events and/or characteristics thereof using sensor, such as the aforementioned sensors. FIG. 9 A depicts frames embedded with the monitoring device 100 and its image sensor 901 and spectrometer 902. FIG. 9B depicts an ear device embedded with the monitoring device 100 and its image sensor 901 and spectrometer 902. FIG. 9C depicts a ring embedded with the monitoring device 100 and its image sensor 901 and spectrometer 902. FIG. 9D depicts a necklace embedded with the monitoring device 100 and its image sensor 901 and spectrometer 902. The embedded image sensor 901 may be used for detecting eating events, for example using images processing techniques to detect eating gestures of the monitored eater. Optionally, the embedded image sensor 901 is used for evaluating the size of a bite portion, such as the size of a portion carried by an eating utensil and/or the hand of the monitored eater. Optionally, the spectrometer 902 is used for evaluating the content of the portion, for example using known food analyses for measuring the amount of specific organic substances. Theses food analyses are known in the art and therefore not discussed herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the monitoring device 100 is embedded into a PDA or a Smartphone, such as a cellular phone, for example as shown at FIG. 9E. In such an embodiment, the sensors of the cellular phone, such as the camera thereof, may be used as sensors 901, 902 of the monitoring device 100. Additionally or alternatively, the cellular phone is embedded with the aforementioned management unit.

It should be noted that any other accessories may embedded the monitoring device 100 to allow detecting and evaluating eating events and/or characteristics thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Such accessories do not have to physically contact the bite portion. For example, a monitoring device 100 that is embedded in a ring, as shown at FIG. 9C, may be detect eating events be detecting eating gestures, optionally according by matching the output of a movement sensor to a predefined movement track. Such detection may be used for monitoring any eating events during which the monitored eater uses her hands, with and/or without a utensil. Optionally, eater-specific movements, such a hand to mouth movements, are mapped and tagged to allow more accurate detection and evaluation of the specific actions which are performed by the eater. It should be noted that different profiles should be used for different accessories as the sensors intercept related data from different angles and/or distances.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 9F, which is a schematic illustration of a dining kit 150 having a plurality of tableware elements, such as dishes, glasses, and eating utensils and one or more monitoring devices which are embedded therein, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, each monitoring device is defined as described in relation to FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 9F, such a dining kit 150 may include one or more dishes, such as plates, cup saucers, or bowls, with an embedded monitoring device, for example as shown 153. Optionally, the kit comprises a dinning eating placement 155 with embedded monitoring device. Optionally, the dining kit 150 comprises a management unit 154 for gathering data from the monitoring device. Optionally, the management unit 154 is embedded in one of the members of the kit 150, preferably the placeholder 155. In such an embodiment, each monitoring device comprises a communication unit, for example as depicted in numeral 105 of FIG. 1. The management unit 154 gathers the outputs of the sensors and/or the detected eating pattern and calculates an eating pattern and/or an eating pattern summary based thereupon. Optionally, the management unit 154 establishes and manages a wireless network, such as a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Each one of the monitoring devices 100 communicates with the management unit 154 via the WPAN. Optionally, the kit further comprises one or more eating utensils which are embedded with a monitoring device, for example as shown at 151, 152, and/or 153. Optionally, the kit further comprises a digital napkin (not shown) for monitoring the consumption of finger food. In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 100 further comprises a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of a utensil and/or a bite portion in a proximity to the monitored eater. Optionally, elements of the dining kit 150, such as napkins and plates, are embedded with weight sensors for measuring changes in the weight of the served food. And calculate the food consumes. In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 100 further comprises a tag reader, such as a barcode reader, for reading a plurality of tags which are indicative of different food products, nutritious values, and/or quantities. In use, the monitored eater or her caretaker uses the tag reader to for scanning a tag, such as a barcode, which is associated with the source of the bite portion, for example a barcode that is placed on the package of a consumed product.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 100 further comprises a position sensor for detecting the position of the monitored eater. In such a manner, the location of the monitored eater, for example in the kitchen, the living room and/or bedroom may be detected and used for identifying the eating pattern thereof. For example, if eating events are detected in a place which has been designated by the system as a non eating area, an alert and/or a guiding instruction is presented. The detecting of eating events in relation to the location they occur allows guiding the monitored eater to adopt eating different habits. For example, the monitoring device 100 may alert the monitored eater after eating events are detected in non eating areas and/or outside of designated eating areas, for example in the living room, the office, the bedroom, and/or in the car. In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 100 the outputs of the sensors are used for calculating the size of each bite portion. In such an embodiment the monitoring device 100 may guide the user to eat smaller and/or bigger amounts every bite. The weight may be calculated by sensors such as piezoelectric sensors that measure changes in the weight of the bite portion and/or of the food portion.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device 100 the outputs of the sensors are used for calculating the amount of calories which are consumed by the monitored eater in a certain period. The calories which are consumed in each eating event may be calculated by combining data that is related to the weight of the related bite portion, for example according to output of the quantity sensor 101 and the food type, for example according to the output of the spectrometer, the barcode reader which is described below, a related input, such as a press of a button or a voice command, which is received from the monitored eater or a caretaker thereof.

Reference is now being made to FIG. 11 which is a schematic illustration of a personal portable scale configured as a foldable card 1101 or as a foldable pen 1102, according to some embodiments of the present invention. These units may be designed to fit into a pocket and/or a purse. It can also be fitted (not shown) with additional physical/physiological measurement elements such as a pedometer, pulse rate measurement, glucose meter body fat measurement and the like. According to some embodiment of the invention, a weight sensor such as a strain gauge and or a displacement button is positioned on the main body 1103 and on two foldable arms 1104 the unit may also be fitted with connectors e.g. USB or a wireless communication element e.g. Bluetooth. In some embodiment of the invention on board feedback is provided for example a speaker 1105, an LED 1106 a vibrating element etc. In some embodiment of the invention, the unit is designed to be placed under a dining article, such as a plate, and to measure the consumed weight portion as shown in the example 1107. In some embodiments of the present invention, a special algorithm may be incorporated to element 502, as shown in FIG. 10 that will clean the noise signal from using utensil on a plate and adding portions to the plate. The same algorithm may be used for identifying the pace of eating, as described in this document. Algorithms may be used to also link between the portion consumed characteristics, for example a bite size, a pace, and the like and a picture of the portion captured by an image sensor. Optionally, the amount of the consumed calories may be computed based on the calculated weight and additional information, such as information extracted by processing an image of the consumed food, see for example Sun, Mingui et. al., Determination of food portion size by image processing, Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2008;2008:871-4, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the personal portable scale includes a communication interface, such as a wireless interface, for example a Bluetooth™ or a Wi-Fi™ interface which communicates with an image capturing device, such as a camera, a video camera, and/or a cellular phone, a personal digital assistance (PDA), and/or any other computing unit having a n image sensor. In such an embodiment the personal portable scale may receive an image of a food portion placed on the dining article and process it to estimate the caloric value thereof. This data, in combination with the weight of the food portion allows calculating the amount of calories consumed by the eater.

Alternatively the user may input the food type (e.g. to the smart phone) and calories will be calculated based on food type and weight..

Reference is now, once again, to FIG. 1 and to FIG. 10, which is a schematic illustration of a method 500 for guiding a monitored eater, for example for changing eating habits, improving eating patterns, and/or complying with a diet program requirements, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, the diet program is adjusted according to data related to the eater, such as respective physiological, biological, and/or medical data. First, as shown at 501 the outputs of the eating event and/or movement and/or quantity sensors 101, 102 are received. The received outputs may be stored, for example in the database 104. Optionally, each stored record is time stamped, for example according to the outputs of an internal clock and/or the computing unit's clock.

Then, as shown at 502, an eating pattern is identified according to the received outputs. The identification may be performed according to pattern matching techniques which are known in the art and therefore not discussed in great detail.

Then, as shown at 503, the user is guided according to the identified eating pattern. As used herein guiding includes alerting, playing a media file having guiding content, displaying a recommendation and/or any combination thereof. Optionally, each one of the eating patterns stored in the database 104 is associated with an alert and/or a media file having guiding content. In such a manner, when a certain eating pattern is identified, the associated alert and/or guiding pattern is presented.

Optionally, the guiding media file comprises a set of verbal and/or textual eating instructions, such as "eat slower", "eat faster", "reduce bite portion", "reduce bite portion", and "change consumed product". Optionally, the alert is visual, textual, audible, and/or tactile.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the guiding is provided during an eating session. In such an embodiment the monitoring device may dictate the eating pace, for example by playing repetitive sounds in a recommend eating pace and/or notifying the monitored user when his eating pace exceed the recommend pace. Optionally, the guiding is provided as tactile events, lights, sounds, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the releasing taste and/or smell materials. In such a manner, the monitoring device comprises a releasing mechanism for releasing the taste and/or smell materials for providing the guidance during the eating session. The taste and/or smell materials change the eating experience and therefore may effect the eating patterns of the eater. For example, a release of sweeteners may indicate the eater that she ate enough.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the alerting is designed to notify the monitored eater that the detected eating events occur outside define eating periods and/or locations. The alerting, as described above, may be visual audible, and/or tactile.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned method and or monitoring device are used monitoring a diet of a monitored eater during her daily routine. In such an embodiment, the gathered data may be used for issuing reports and/or summaries that reflects the eater's eating habits. Optionally, the aforementioned method and/or monitoring device are used for supporting the monitored eater during a diet program. Optionally, some physiological or physical sensors or system may be used in conjunction with the system to provide the user feedback on her physical condition ,her exercise level or general daily activity, for example a pedometer for recording the number of steps, a bio impedance measure for estimating body fat, heart rate, blood pressure and the like. The data may be analyzed to determine its impact on the user's diet program and/or medical status. Optionally, the diet program defines an amount and/or type of food and/or which should be consumed in a certain period and/or the nutritious values of the food which should be consumed in a certain period. Optionally, the diet program defines a certain goal, such as a recommended or requested body mass or weight. Optionally, the diet program is adapted to the monitoring eater, for example adjusted according to his goals and/or diet preferences, such as a requested dieting period, culinary preferences, drugs and/or special dietary needs, for example adjusted for diabetic patients and/or compared to certain norms and/or values, such as the weight, habits, and/or body mass of family members. Optionally, the diet program is a diet program selected for the monitored eater by a medication and/or software or a program that is designed to adjust diet programs to eaters. It should be noted that such a monitoring method may be used for long periods of 21 days, 28 days, a month, few months, a year, few years and the like. In such a manner, a behavioral change of the eating habits of the eater may be detected, evaluated, and/or reevaluated. Optionally, the monitored progress is tied to other data which is related to the patient, such as the weight and/or various medical indications, such as cholesterol and fat levels, of the eater. In such an embodiment, the gathered data and/or identified eating patterns are matched with a diet program, optionally locally stored in the monitoring device and/or in the management unit to estimate, optionally to rank, the monitored eater's compliance with the diet program. Optionally, the guiding and/or alarms are generated with respect to the monitored eater's compliance. For example, the monitoring device verifies that the monitored eater does not consume more than it should in a certain period, such as an hour, a day, a week, a month, and/or a year and/or an event, such as a meal or the like. Optionally, the matched diet program is tailored to a specific personal dietary which is adjusted to the eater. Optionally, the diet program is adjusted according to the change of the monitored eater's eating habits and/or according to the progress of the monitored eater. Optionally, the monitored device comprises a number of different diet programs and/or a connection for uploading new diet programs and/or updating existing diet programs. In such a manner, the monitored eater, his caretaker, and/or the computing unit may select a diet program which is adapted to the monitored eater. Optionally, the statistical data which is based on the outputs of the sensors of the monitoring device 100 is used for selecting one of the different diet programs. Optionally, the statistical data that is based on the outputs of the sensors of the monitoring device 100 is used adjusting a current diet program. Optionally, the management unit and/or the monitoring device is configured to support educating children how to improve their eating habits.

Optionally, the management unit and/or the monitoring device allow the user to update the food she consumed and/oi not consumed. In such a manner, the detected eating habits are based on more data and optionally better reflect the progress of the monitored eater in a diet program. Optionally, the management unit and/or the monitoring device allow the eater to update other diet related events, such as physical exercise and/or medications. Optionally, the monitoring device interfaces with other monitoring devices, such as pedometers, running monitoring sensors, such as sneaker- based sensors, for example Nike™ plus+™. In such an embodiment, the diet program may be dynamically updated according to the outputs of the monitoring devices.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant methods and systems will be developed and the scope of the term sensor is intended to include all such new technologies a priori. As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term "consisting of means "including and limited to". The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range. Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for monitoring eating patterns of an eater, comprising: at least one sensor which detects at least one eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater; a computing unit which identifies an eating pattern according to said at least one eating event; and an output unit which allows the guidance of the eater according to said identified eating pattern.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a quantity sensor which measures the quantity of said bite portion, said computing unit performs said identification according to said quantity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a movement sensor which measures a duration of each said eating event, said computing unit performs said identification according to said duration.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said output unit comprising a communication unit which forwards said identified eating pattern to a management unit, said management unit being configured for performing said guidance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said output unit is configured for presenting said guidance.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said output unit .comprises a member of a group consisting of: a display configured for performing said guidance by displaying at least one eating instruction, a set of lights configured for displaying said guidance by lighting, an audio delivering system configured for performing said guidance by playing at least one eating instruction, a tactile delivering system configured for performing said guidance by inducing a tactile sensation representing at least one eating instruction, a releasing mechanism configured for performing said guidance by releasing taste materials, and a releasing mechanism configured for performing said guidance by releasing smell materials.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an eating utensil shaped portion configured for carrying said bite portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a spectrometer for detecting at least one nutritious property of said bite portion, said computing unit being configured for identifying said eating pattern according to said at least one nutritious property.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one sensor is configured for detecting a property of said carried bite portion by measuring a strain applied on said utensil shaped portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computing unit is configured for identifying said eating pattern by estimating the frequency of said at least one eating event.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said eating utensil shaped portion is integrally formed.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said eating utensil shaped portion is detachable.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said eating utensil shaped portion is shaped as a member from a group consisting of: a fork, a spoon, a tea spoon, a chopstick, and serving spoon.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor, said computing unit, and output unit are embedded into a member of a group consisting of: frames, a ring, a necklace, cellophane, and a personal digital assistance (PDA).

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tag reader configured for reading a plurality of tags each indicative of at least one of a food product, at least one nutritious value, and a quantity, said computing unit being configured for identifying said eating pattern according to at least one of said plurality of tags, said at least one tag being associated with said bite portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guidance comprises at least one eating instruction for guiding a member of a group consisting of, a chewing pace, a food amount consumption, fluid amount consumption, eating period, bite sizing, and a food type consumption.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bite portion is a fluid consumption portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is integrated into a napkin, a plate, and a saucer.

19. An apparatus for monitoring eating patterns of an eater, comprising: a carrier for supporting a dining article; at least one weight sensor integrated in said carrier and configured for measuring weight of a food portion placed in said dining article during a dining period; and a computing unit which computes an amount of calories consumed by the eater as a function of a change in said weight during said dining period and at least one additional property of said food portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprises a communication unit which receives an image of said food portion, said computing unit computes said at least one additional property by processing said image.

21. A method for monitoring eating patterns of an eater, comprising: detecting at least eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by the eater; identifying an eating pattern according to said at least eating event; and presenting at least one guidance instruction according to said identified eating pattern.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said detecting comprises gathering data related to at least one property of at least one of said at least eating event and bite portion, said identifying comprises identifying said eating pattern according to a combination of said gathered data.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising estimating a compliance of the eater with a diet program according to said eating pattern, said at least one guidance instruction being determined according to said compliance.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising calculating a frequency of said at least eating event, said identifying being performed according to said frequency.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising identifying a nutritious property of said bite portion in each said eating event, said identifying is performed according to said nutritious property.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said detecting further comprises detecting a location of the eater, said identifying comprising identifying said eating pattern according to said location.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said detecting further comprises calculating an amount of calories in said bit portion, said identifying comprising identifying said eating pattern according to said amount of calories.

28. An eating utensil add-on, comprising: an eating monitoring unit for monitoring an eating pattern of an eater; and an attachment element configured for attaching said monitoring unit to an eating utensil.

29. The eating utensil add-on of claim 28, wherein said eating monitoring unit is configured for detecting at least one property of a bite portion carried by said eating utensil, said monitoring being performed according to said at least one property.

30. The eating utensil add-on of claim 28, wherein said eating monitoring unit comprises a strain detector configured for detecting a strain applied on said eating utensil, said monitoring being performed according to said strain.

31. The eating utensil add-on of claim 28, further comprising a utensil type detector configured for detecting a type of eating utensil, said monitoring being performed according to said type.

32. A dining kit having a plurality of tableware elements, comprising: a plurality of tableware elements having at least one sensor configured for detecting at least one property of at least one eating event during which a bite portion is consumed by an eater; and a management unit configured for receiving said at least one property and identifying an eating pattern of said eater accordingly.

33. The dining kit of claim 32, wherein said plurality of tableware elements comprises a dish, at least one of said at least one sensor being embedded into said dish.

34. A method for monitoring a diet program of an eater, comprising: detecting a plurality of eating events during each a plurality of bite portions are consumed by the eater; evaluating at least one property of at least one of said bite portion and said plurality of eating events; estimating a compliance level of the eater with a diet program according to said at least one property; and presenting an indication of said estimation to the eater.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising receiving information pertaining to said eater and adjusting said diet program accordingly before said evaluating.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein said information comprises a member of a group consisting of: requested dieting period, age, medical information, exercise information, data pertaining to eating pattern of the eater, data pertaining to culinary preferences of the eater, and data pertaining to eating habits of a family member of the eater.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising selecting said diet program from a plurality of diet programs according to a member of a group consisting of: the eater selection and at least one property of the eater.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising adjusting said diet program according to data related to the eater.