Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual's physical data and communicate such data to a remote location.

Abstract: A method for operating a feeding device, the feeding device including a feed arm operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position, typically adjacent an individual. The method includes operating the feeding device in a predetermined pattern or sequence to retrieve food from the food compartment. The method uses multiple utensil pathways whereby the feeding device includes an initial utensil pattern or sequence and a subsequent pattern or sequence.

Abstract: A method for operating a feeding device, the feeding device including a feed arm operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position, typically adjacent an individual. The method includes operating the feeding device in a predetermined pattern or sequence to retrieve food from the food compartment. The method uses multiple utensil pathways whereby the feeding device includes an initial utensil pattern or sequence and a subsequent pattern or sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual's physical data and communicate such data to a remote location.

Abstract: A feeding device including a feed arm assembly operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position located adjacent an individual. The feeding device including a timer that times the period the feed arm assembly remains stationary. An indicator connected to the timing circuit becomes active when a predetermined time period is exceeded reminding or prompting a user or other third party to use or cycle the feeding device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an individual's mouth and using a feeding device to transfer food to the individual. For example, the apparatus includes a facial recognition sensor that approximates the location of the individual's mouth. Based in part on the output of the facial recognition sensor a feed arm assembly delivers or transfers food to the individual's mouth. In addition to a facial recognition sensor, distance or proximity sensors can also be used to determine the location of the individual's mouth.

Abstract: A feeding device including a feed arm assembly operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position located adjacent an individual. The feeding device including a timer that times the period the feed arm assembly remains stationary. An indicator connected to the timing circuit becomes active when a predetermined time period is exceeded reminding or prompting a user or other third party to use or cycle the feeding device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and type of food located in a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the type of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The sensor may also be used to determine the position or location of the food. The method contemplates having at least one and may include multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the type and location of the food in the food compartment an individual may select a certain type of food from a specific food compartment. In addition, transmitting the location or position of the food to the feed arm results in a more efficient delivery system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the quantity of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The method contemplates having multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the quantity of the food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Knowing the amount or quantity of the food removed from the container the nutritional value of the food may be determined. In addition, a sensor may also monitor the individual removing the food from the food compartment that is monitoring the individual while eating or drinking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an individual's mouth and using a feeding device to transfer food to the individual. For example, the apparatus includes a facial recognition sensor that approximates the location of the individual's mouth. Based in part on the output of the facial recognition sensor a feed arm assembly delivers or transfers food to the individual's mouth. In addition to a facial recognition sensor, distance or proximity sensors can also be used to determine the location of the individual's mouth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and type of food located in a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the type of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The sensor may also be used to determine the position or location of the food. The method contemplates having at least one and may include multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the type and location of the food in the food compartment an individual may select a certain type of food from a specific food compartment. In addition, transmitting the location or position of the food to the feed arm results in a more efficient delivery system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. For example, the method includes a sensor to determine the quantity of the solid or liquids located in the food compartment or container. The method contemplates having multiple containers or food compartments wherein a container holds liquids and a food compartment holds solids or semi-solids. By determining the quantity of the food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Knowing the amount or quantity of the food removed from the container the nutritional value of the food may be determined. In addition, a sensor may also monitor the individual removing the food from the food compartment that is monitoring the individual while eating or drinking.

Abstract: A self-feeding device for a user and method operating is provided. The self-feeding device includes a base assembly having a housing with an upper wall, a lower wall and a sidewall extending therebetween the upper wall and the lower wall. A plate is disposed on the upper housing wall of the base assembly, and the plate includes a food compartment having a food item located therein. A feed arm assembly located on the base assembly includes an arm moveable with a predetermined degree of freedom, and a feeding utensil is coupled to the feed arm. A controller actuates the feed arm assembly to obtain the food/drink item from the food compartment via the feed utensil, and to transfer the food item to the user. The methodology includes software to control operation of the self-feeding device within a STORAGE mode, a SELECT mode, and a RETRIEVE food and drink mode.

Abstract: A self-feeding device for a user and method operating is provided. The self-feeding device includes a base assembly having a housing with an upper wall, a lower wall and a sidewall extending therebetween the upper wall and the lower wall. A plate is disposed on the upper housing wall of the base assembly, and the plate includes a food compartment having a food item located therein. A feed arm assembly located on the base assembly includes an arm moveable with a predetermined degree of freedom, and a feeding utensil is coupled to the feed arm. A controller actuates the feed arm assembly to obtain the food/drink item from the food compartment via the feed utensil, and to transfer the food item to the user. The methodology includes software to control operation of the self-feeding device within a STORAGE mode, a SELECT mode, and a RETRIEVE food and drink mode.