WO2013191613A1

WO2013191613A1 - A method and a device adapted to practice simulated eating

Info

Publication number: WO2013191613A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cecilia Bergh; Per Södersten; Loannis LOAKEIMIDIS
Original assignee: Mandometer Ab
Priority date: 2012-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-24
Publication date: 2013-12-27
Also published as: JP6682092B2; CA2880216A1; AU2020201693A1; AU2022202986A1; AU2018202329A1; JP2015523599A; AU2013277815A1; AU2016204985A1; EP2923290A1; CN104823192A

Abstract

The present invention sets forth a method and a device adapted to practice eating from a real first screen (10) and a virtual second screen (18), for persons in need of a regulated eating technique. The person that simulates eating from the second screen (18) is guided to eat healthy without actual food-intake in accordance with the developments of Pavlov's theses on creating compulsory eating behaviors.

Description

A method and a device adapted to practice simulated eating

Technical Field

The present invention pertains to a method and a device adapted to practice eating from a real first screen for persons in need of a regulated eating technique, which illustrates how a meal should be taken in from beginning to the end.

Background Art

Over a hundred years ago Pavlov illustrated that most of the physiology of the stomach and intestinal channels can become compulsory by any given form of stimulus. A piece of food that is to say a non-compulsory stimuli triggers a physiological response from the stomach/intestine, and if stimulus that is not food related is combined with the piece of food several times then the non-food related stimuli will eventually trigger the same physiological response as it has become a compulsory response to the stimuli. The

Pavlovian compulsory principle is one of the most explored in the field of behavioral science including the field of neurobehavioral science.

The document US 2010/0236839 A1 to Bergh et al describes a device utilized to measure intake of food and rating satiety. It does not teach how to simulate intake of food from a computer screen where a person chews it without an intake of actual/real food, according to Pavlovian principles.

WO 2011/037513 A1 describes a variant of what is described through US

2010/0236839 A1. But it neither teaches how to simulate intake of food from a computer screen where a person chews it without an intake of actual/real food, according to Pavlovian principles.

The following patent application documents US 2002/0128992, and US2001/0000810 A1 to Alabaster describes how to compose a meal on screen. But not how to simulate intake of food from a computer screen where a person chews it without an intake of actual/real food, according to Pavlovian principles.

US patent application document US 2012/0127157 A1 to Adler et al describes an avatar, where the avatar can receive inputs identifying physiological events. This document does not teach how to simulate intake of food from a computer screen where a person chews it without an intake of actual/real food, according to Pavlovian principles.

Summary of the invention

The present invention has as one aim among many to through virtual-simulation by a real screen such as computer screens, TV-screens, smart phone screens or any other known screens to practice persons to simulate eating healthy online in accordance with

Pavlovian principles, and others. By providing the present invention it is possible to simulate eating without consuming real food whenever a person likes to simulate eating, and almost wherever the person is situated. This has never been suggested in the technical field.

Herein, the present invention sets forth a method adapted to practice simulated eating in front of a real first screen, for persons in need of a regulated eating technique, which illustrates/controls the intake of a meal from beginning to end. Hence, the invention comprises:

generating graphical screen images on said first real screen for a virtual/simulated meal through a computer program that shows graphics of a second virtual screen adapted to register eating pace/speed, through graphics of a virtual apparatus on the first real screen, which on the simulated screen for a person that is utilizing the program for simulated eating from a graphic of china with food from a database of different meals placed on a virtual scale, which registers simulated food intake, the intake of food is

virtually/simulated-registered on a training curve of eating pace on the virtual screen;

generating a real time curve on the virtual screen, which shows a person's eating pace as well as the amount of food that has been eaten during the simulation of a meal, the healthy acceptable meal real time eating pace should adhere to the training curve of eating pace; and

simulated chewing of the food by the person that simulates eating with the guidance of visual feedback from the virtual screen, which results in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones, and a sensation of satiety in the person that is thereby taught to eat healthy through a simulation of a meal.

In one embodiment of the present invention a training curve is achieved for satiety in the shape of a sigmoid-curve illustrated on the virtual screen as well as that the person that simulates eating registers intermittently its simulated satiety in the shape of graph points from the person's perception of satiety, when healthy satiety is achieved it should adhere to the sigmoid-curve.

In another embodiment of the present invention it comprises a method to a training curve that is descending from the beginning to the end of a meal.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a graphic of an avatar, which chews in a healthy pace shown on the virtual screen in order to control the simulated chewing pace of a person that simulates eating.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention it is comprised by a graphic and/or sound of a metronome controlling the person that simulates eating to chew in a healthy pace.

In still another embodiment of the present invention it is comprised by a graphic of an icon or another graphic picture blinking flashing and/or by sound controlling/guiding a person that simulates eating to chew in a healthy pace. Moreover, the present invention sets forth a device adapted to practice simulated eating from a real first screen for persons in need of a regulated eating technique, which illustrates the intake of a meal from beginning to end. The inventive device thus comprises:

means for creating of graphic screen images on the first real screen for a virtual meal that is shown graphically on a second virtual screen adapted to register eating pace through graphics on a virtual apparatus on the first real screen on the virtual screen for a person that is utilizing the program for simulated eating from a graphic of china with food placed on a virtual scale, which registers when virtual food is taken in/consumed, the food being registered against a training curve of eating pace on the virtual screen;

a data base with different meals to be selected by a person as a course for a simulated meal;

means for creating a real time curve on the virtual screen that shows a person's eating pace as well as the amount of food virtually eaten during the meal, the healthy acceptable meal real eating pace should adhere to the training curve of eating pace; and means for addressing virtual-chewing of food through the guidance of visual feedback from the virtual screen by a person that simulates eating, which results in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones, and the experience of satiety in the person, which becomes taught to eat healthy through a simulated meal.

The attached dependent system claims of the present invention adhere to the attached dependent method claims.

A brief description of the drawings

Henceforth, reference is had to the accompanying drawings throughout the present description for a better understanding of the present inventions embodiments, and given examples, wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment with a computer screen in picture reproduces an apparatus for simulated eating practicing in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the same picture as in Fig. 1 extended with utensils, a plate and a glass in picture in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a similar picture as in Fig. 2 extended with a vessel for storing of food as well as food placed on the plate in the picture, wherein the plate has been placed on the scale in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the same picture as in Fig. 3, but extended by that the plate has been filled with food for an entire meal as well as liquid in the glass in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 schematically illustrates in picture an apparatus that practices eating where the screen shows a scale for satiety registration before a meal of food is taken in in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates in picture training curves of eating pace and satiety on the screen as well as the real pace of which a person is eating with when the food is virtually removed from the plate in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates in picture in accordance with Fig. 6 when more food is virtually removed from the plate in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The present invention regards a practicing to eat by internet/web/computer programs on a computer for a compulsory eating behavior of a person, which needs support when eating because of for instance bulimia, anorexia, obesity/overweight or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

As previously mentioned Pavlov illustrated over a hundred years ago that most of the stomach and intestinal channels physiology could become compulsory by just about any kind of stimulus. A piece of food, a non-compulsory stimuli, for instance triggers a physiological response from the stomach and intestines, and if a stimulus that is non food related is combined with the piece of food multiple times then finally the non-food related stimuli will also trigger the same physiological response in the stomach and intestines by functioning as a compulsory stimulus. This Pavlovian compulsory principle is one of the most examined principles in behavioral science including the field of neurobehavioral science research.

The method and device in accordance with the present invention, also known as Mandomeal ® as a working title, is based on the hypothesis that it is possible to create a compulsory healthy physiology in the stomach and intestinal channels through

"virtual/simulated-eating" for instance by practicing/mimicking to eat virtual-food that is shown on a computer screen, and simulate eating as if the food was real by chewing on a tidbit that a person has consumed in simulation at a healthy pace with the aid of visual feedback from an avatar 36, also chewing in a healthy pace on the screen ultimately resulting in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones and a sensation of satiety in the person eating in simulation.

According to research audiology feedback can also guide a person to eat at an healthy pace, which is about 25-30 g / min with a chewing rate of about 5 g, wherein it is beneficial to indicate the chewing rate with a sound/vibration at a rate of five times per minute to the person utilizing the present inventions method and device in order for the person to learn to eat at a healthy pace without eating real food. Means in the context of the present invention comprises software, hardware, and firmware.

Fig. 1 illustrates in this embodiment, a computer screen 10 that in picture renders an apparatus 12 to practice virtual-eating, wherein the apparatus 12 is connected 14 to a scale 16 as well as the apparatus having a screen 18 to illustrate virtual-eating data that has been taken in by a person utilizing a computer to practice simulated eating in accordance with the present invention. The food is provided through a database (not shown) with different meals to be selected by a person as a course for a simulated meal. In one embodiment meals recorded in the database could be shown on the real screen 10 to choose a meal by for instance clicking/touching the image of the meal/course.

Furthermore, Fig. 2 illustrates the same screen image as Fig. 1 , extended with utensils, plate 20 and a glass in accordance with the present invention. The plate shall be placed on the scale 16, and for this purpose the utensils can through dedicated software for this purpose be utilized to simulate eating food from the plate 20 by a person that is practicing to eat with the aid of the computer screen 10 through for example computer mouse clicks.

The practicing to simulated eating is continued in accordance with Fig. 3, wherein the computer screen 10 presents a food course that the person that is practicing to simulate the process of eating. The person is requested to place virtual food on the plate, whereby the virtual screen 18 shall show/indicate food, in one example in accordance with the present invention that corresponds with approximately 95-105 grams, 55 grams in Fig 3.

In Fig. 4 the virtual screen 18 illustrates that 100 grams of food has been placed on the plate and the person that is practicing to eat is prompted to begin eating when ready. Alternatively, the screen 18 can show a percentage-scale of food on the plate. In one embodiment the screen 18 can be a blown up image on the screen 10 to aid the person in seeing the eating results registered.

Fig. 5 illustrates in picture the apparatus for practicing to eat where its screen shows a scale 16 for satiety registration that the person who is simulating eating is requested to mark the feeling of satiety before the intake of food in accordance with the present invention on the scale 16, which the person will be requested to do during the course of a meal.

Moreover Fig. 6 illustrates in picture training curves of eating pace 28 and satiety 26 on the screen 18 as well as the real pace 30 that a person/avatar is simulating eating/chewing with when food is removed virtually from the plate in addition to registering graphic points 32 for satiety in accordance with the present invention.

On the screen it is shown that the person who is practicing to eat has an eating pace that is healthy because the curve 32 in large follows the training curve 28. Even the feeling of satiety of the person that is practicing to eat in accordance with the present invention is healthy when the two registrations of satiety 32 in Fig. 6 in large adhere to the sigmoid-curve 26, which is a scientifically based measuring curve developed by the present applicants researchers that has been shown to mimic a healthy eaters feeling of satiety. Furthermore, in Fig. 6 the person is requested/prompted to simulate eating a tidbit of food to chew 34 i.e. the person with a computer cursor clicks on the plate.

Fig. 7 illustrates a picture in accordance with Fig. 6 where more food has been virtually-removed from the plate in accordance with the present invention, and where the method according to Fig. 6 is repeated with registrations of satiety 32 with real eating pace 30 that follows the training curve 28 of eating pace with the sigmoid-curve 26 of satiety.

Hence, in accordance with the conditions of the present invention a method as well as a device is adapted to practice eating from a real first screen 10, which shows a person that is in need of a regulated eating technique showing how a meal is taken in/consumed from the beginning to the end. Hereby, graphical screen images are generated from a first real screen 10 for a virtual/simulated meal through a computer program for this purpose. The program shows graphics of a second virtual screen 18 adapted to register eating pace 30 through a graphic of a virtual scale 16 for a person that is utilizing the program for virtual-eating, which is shown on the first real screen 10 and on the virtual screen 18 on a graphic of china 20 with food placed on the scale. That it is food that is being shown is evident from Fig. 3-7, wherein it is registered when food is virtually taken in 30, where the intake of food 30 is virtually connected to a training curve 28 of eating pace on the virtual screen 18 of persons with a healthy food intake.

Moreover, a real curve 30 is generated on the virtual screen 18, which shows a person's eating pace/speed along with the food that has been eaten during the simulation of a meal, where for a healthy acceptable meal the real eating pace should match the training curve 28 of eating pace. In one embodiment of the present invention the amount of food- intake is illustrated on the Y-axis of a graph, and the pace of food-intake is shown on the X- axis.

The chewing of food by the person that is virtual-eating is done under the guidance of visual feedback from the virtual screen, which results in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones and a feeling of satiety in the person that is thereby virtually trained to eat at a healthy. Furthermore, Fig. 6-7 illustrates a training curve of satiety in the form of a sigmoid-curve 26 that is shown on the virtual screen 18 as well as that the person that simulates eating registers its virtual satiety 32 intermittently in the form of graph points of a persons perceived satiety, which when a healthy satiety is achieved should adhere to the sigmoid-curve 26. In one embodiment of the present invention the training curve 28 is descending from the beginning of a meal to the end, which has been scientifically proven by the applicant's researchers to be natural for healthy eating.

In order to ease the process of a person that is practicing to eat in accordance with the present invention, the graphics of a an avatar 36 in Fig. 6 and 7 that is chewing in a healthy pace is shown on the virtual screen 18 to virtually guide the chewing pace of the person that simulates eating. Alternatively, in one embodiment it is the graphics and/or the sound of a metronome that controls the person that simulates eating to chew 34 in a healthy pace. Likewise, the present invention comprises that the graphic of an icon or another graphical image that blinks/flashes and/or by sound controls the person that simulates eating to chew in a healthy pace. Herein, the pace of chewing could be of a frequency of about 1 bite/(1 ,5-1,7 sec), which is illustrated by the avatar 36 in Fig. 6 and 7 that of course is movable in the screen 10, and could also show a more natural image of a chewing human. An avatar is for instance a graphical representation of a user/person that is eating of off the computer screen 10 in accordance with the present invention or the users alter ego/character as a 3D-shape as in games or virtual worlds and in 2D in the form of an icon in Internet forums or other online networks.

The attached set of claims determines other possible embodiments of the present invention to a person skilled in the art of the present technical field.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method adapted to practice simulated eating in front of a real first screen (10), for persons in need of a regulated eating technique, which illustrates the intake of a meal from beginning to end, characterized by comprising:

generating graphical screen images on said first real screen (10) for a simulated meal through a computer program that shows graphics of a second virtual screen (18) adapted to register eating pace (30), through graphics of a virtual apparatus (12) on said first real screen (10), which on the virtual screen (18) for a person that is utilizing the program for simulated eating from a graphic of china (20) with food from a database of different meals placed on a virtual scale (12), which registers said simulated food intake, said intake of food is virtually registered on a training curve (28) of eating pace on the virtual screen (18);

generating a real time curve (30) on the virtual screen (18), which shows a person's eating pace as well as the amount of food that has been eaten during a simulation of a meal, said healthy acceptable meal real time eating pace (30) should adhere to the training curve (28) of eating pace; and

simulated chewing (34) of the food by the person that simulates eating with the guidance of visual feedback from said virtual screen, which results in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones, and a sensation of satiety in the person that is thereby taught to eat healthy through simulation.

2. A method according to claim 1 , characterized by a training curve (26) for satiety in the shape of a sigmoid-curve illustrated on the virtual screen (18) as well as that the person that simulates eating registers intermittently its simulated satiety in the shape of graph points (32) from the person's perception of satiety, when healthy satiety is achieved it adheres to the sigmoid-curve (26).

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized by a training curve (28) that is descending from the beginning to the end of a meal.

4. A method according to claim 1 , characterized by a graphic of an avatar (36), which chews in a healthy pace shown on the virtual screen in order to control the simulated chewing pace (34) of a person that simulates eating.

5. A method according to claim 1 , characterized by a graphic and/or sound of a metronome controlling the person that simulates eating to chew in a healthy pace.

6. A method according to claim 1 , characterized by a graphic of an icon or another graphic picture blinking/flashing and/or by sound controlling a person that simulates eating to chew in a healthy pace.

7. A device adapted to practice simulated eating from a real first screen (10) for persons in need of a regulated eating technique, which illustrates the intake of a meal from beginning to end, characterized by comprising:

means for creating of graphic screen images on said first real screen (10) for a virtual meal that is shown graphically on a second virtual screen (18) adapted to register eating pace through graphics on an apparatus (12) on said first real screen (10) on the virtual screen (18) for a person that is utilizing the program for virtual-eating from a graphic of china (20) with food placed on a scale (16), which registers when virtual food is taken in, said food being registered against a training curve (28) of eating pace on the virtual screen (18);

means for creating a real time curve (30) on the virtual screen (18) that shows a persons simulated eating pace as well as the amount of food eaten during said simulation of a meal, said healthy acceptable meal real eating pace, said (30) should adhere to the training curve (28) of eating pace; and

means for addressing simulated chewing (34) of food through the guidance of visual feedback from the virtual screen (18), by a person that simulates eating, which results in a compulsory release of stomach and intestinal hormones, and the experience of satiety in the person, which becomes taught to eat healthy through simulation.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized by a training curve for satiety in the shape of a sigmoid-curve (26) shown on the virtual screen (18) as well as the person that simulates eating registers the simulated satiety intermittently in the shape of points on a graph (32) from the person's perception of satiety, when healthy satiety is achieved it adheres to the sigmoid-curve (26).

9. A device according to claim 7, characterized by that said training curve (28) is descending from the beginning to the end of the meal.

10. A device according to claim 7, characterized by a graphic of an avatar (36), which chews in a healthy pace that is shown on the virtual screen (18) in order to control the virtual-chewing pace of the person that simulates eating.

11. A device according to claim 7, characterized by a graphic and/or sound of a metronome controlling the person that simulates eating to chew at a healthy pace.

12. A device according to claim 7, characterized by a graphic of an icon or another graphic of a picture blinking/flashing and/or by sound controlling a person that simulates eating to chew at a healthy pace.