WO2016150649A1

WO2016150649A1 - Device for supplying a user with nutrients

Info

Publication number: WO2016150649A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/054053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucia SCHUSTER; Holger LÖFFLER; Anne Peijan; Rudolf Metz; Andreas SCHÜSSLER; Evgeni Rehfuss; Sebastian Winner; Manuel Fischer
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-03-25
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Also published as: DE102015205373A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (110) for individually supplying a user with nutrients. The device (110) comprises a production unit (103) which is designed to receive a plurality of containers (201, 202) with a corresponding number of different edible and/or drinkable sub-components. Each of the different sub-components contains at least partly different nutrients. Furthermore, the device (110) comprises a control unit (101) which is designed to ascertain health data (111) relating to the user. The control unit (101) is further designed to ascertain quantities for the plurality of different sub-components on the basis of the health data (111), said sub- components providing the nutrients for the user. Additionally, the control unit (101) is designed to trigger the production unit (103) to dispense the plurality of different sub-components according to the ascertained quantities.

Description

Device for supplying a user with nutrients

The invention relates to a device for supplying a user with nutrients. In particular, the invention relates to a device for producing a foodstuff which contains quantities of nutrients which are adapted to the individual needs of a user.

A well-balanced diet is useful for improving well-being and overall health. In particular, it makes sense to regularly take sufficient amounts of different nutrients (especially carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and / or water).

The present document addresses the technical problem of providing a device that efficiently provides a user with quantities of nutrients adapted to the individual needs of the user.

The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims or the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. According to one aspect of the invention, a device for individually providing a user with nutrients is described. The device may e.g. a household appliance, in particular a household appliance, be. The nutrients may include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and / or water. In particular, the nutrients individually determined and provided by the device may comprise proteins, minerals and / or vitamins.

The apparatus includes a manufacturing unit configured to receive a plurality of containers (eg, capsules and / or cartridges) having a corresponding plurality of different, consumable, and / or drinkable component parts. Included the different subcomponents each have at least partially different nutrients. Thus, a multiplicity of different nutrients (eg different vitamins and / or different mineral substances) can be provided via the multiplicity of containers. The device also includes a controller (eg, a processor with a software program) configured to determine health data regarding the user. The control unit is further set up on the basis of the health data to determine quantities for the multiplicity of different subcomponents by which nutrients are provided to the user. The nutrients provided via the different subcomponents may be, in particular, the nutrients (and in particular certain amounts of nutrients) that the user requires, in view of the health data. In addition, the control unit is set up to cause the manufacturing unit to output the plurality of different subcomponents in accordance with the determined quantities.

The device can thus automatically provide the user with an individual

Combination of nutrients are provided, which is adapted to the needs of the user. The individual needs arise in particular from the individual health data of the user. This makes it easier for the user to eat healthily.

The health data may include general information about the user, e.g. weight, height, age and / or gender of the user. Furthermore, the health data may include information about a disease (e.g., a diabetes disorder) of the user. In addition, the health data may include information about the user's physical activities, e.g. a number of steps taken and / or taken in a certain period of time, a course of a sleep phase of the user and / or a course of the heart pulse of the user. From such

Health data can be used to precisely determine the need for different nutrients. The health data can be obtained, for example, from a smartphone of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the health data from a measuring device, in particular from a heart rate monitor, from a blood analyzer and / or by a

Sphygmomanometer related. For example, the health data may be collected by a software application on the user's smartphone and provided to the device for nutritional purposes (e.g., via a wireless device)

Communication link). Thus, the health data can be efficiently provided on the nutrient supply device.

The containers may be removable and interchangeable. Thus, different subcomponents (with different nutrients) can be provided in the device.

A container may have identification means. Exemplary identification means are a QR code, a bar code, a magnetic chip, an electronic chip, an outer appearance of the container, an identification pattern and / or an identification number. The control unit may be arranged to determine, based on the identification means, information regarding the subcomponent located in the container. Thus, the controller can efficiently determine what nutrients can be provided by the device. This can then be taken into account in the determination of the quantities of the multiplicity of subcomponents which are provided by the device.

The control unit may be configured to access a predefined knowledge base. The knowledge base can provide scientifically sound recommendations for nutrition. In particular, the knowledge base can indicate which amounts of nutrients a user should take under different boundary conditions. On the basis of the health data, it can be determined which concrete boundary conditions exist, and from the knowledge base then the concrete amounts of nutrients, which the user should take. The device may include, for example, a memory unit, wherein the knowledge base is stored at least partially on the memory unit. By providing a locally stored knowledge base, the device for nutrient supply can independently determine the quantities of subcomponents to be dispensed. Alternatively or additionally, the Device comprise a communication unit (eg, a WLAN communication unit), and the knowledge base may be at least partially stored on an external server. The control unit can be set up to access the external server and thus the knowledge base via the communication unit. By accessing an external knowledge base, it can be ensured that the quantities of nutrients provided to the user are always determined on the basis of a current state of knowledge.

The control unit may be configured to use the knowledge base to determine a first quantity of a first nutrient that the user should consume in view of the health data. The amounts for the plurality of subcomponents may be determined such that the output quantities of the plurality of subcomponents include in total at least the first amount of the first nutrient. Furthermore, based on the knowledge base, a second amount of a second nutrient may be determined which the user should consume in view of the health data, wherein the first nutrient and the second nutrient are different. The amounts for the plurality of subcomponents may then be determined such that the dispensed amounts of the plurality of subcomponents additionally contain at least the second amount of the second nutrient. It can thus be ensured in a precise manner that the user is supplied with the required amounts of one or more nutrients.

The manufacturing unit may include a mixer configured to receive and mix subcomponents from at least two containers of the plurality of containers. The subcomponents can then be output in mixed form. For example, a mixed powder having a variety of required nutrients may be dispensed from the device. This mixed powder may then be supplemented e.g. be added to a drink.

The plurality of containers may include at least one container for a liquid base component (eg, water). Furthermore, the plurality of containers may comprise at least one container for an additional component, wherein the additional component is at least a nutrient other than water. The manufacturing unit may be configured to mix the liquid base component with the additive component to produce a beverage. Thus, beverages can be provided with a composition of nutrients adapted to the needs of the user. The manufacturing unit may include a food printer configured to produce a solid food according to a predefined 3-dimensional shape from the plurality of different component parts. It can thus

Food are provided which have an outwardly pleasing appearance.

The manufacturing unit may comprise cooking means, in particular means for cooking and / or baking, which are arranged to produce a cooked food from at least part of the plurality of partial components. The device may include a user interface that allows the user to make an entry in response to which the plurality of different subcomponents are output in accordance with the determined amounts. Furthermore, an identity of the user can be determined via the user interface. Thus, it can be achieved that the device can be used by a multiplicity of different users and that food with an adapted combination of nutrients is provided for each individual user.

The controller may be configured to determine historical levels of nutrients that have been ingested by a user in the past (eg within the last 24 hours). Furthermore, the control unit can be set up to determine the quantities for the multiplicity of different subcomponents, depending also on the historical quantities of nutrients. In particular, an individual nutrient balance for the user can be determined on the basis of the historical quantities. It can then be determined based on the health data and on the basis of the individual nutrient balance, which nutrients the user still needs for a healthy diet. The nutrients still needed can then be output by the device via specific amounts of the plurality of different subcomponents. It should be noted that the equipment and systems described in this document can be used alone or in combination with other devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any

Aspects of the devices and systems described in this document are combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

Furthermore, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 1 shows an exemplary system and an exemplary device for nutrient supply; and

Figure 2 is an exemplary manufacturing unit. As stated above, the present document is concerned with the technical task of producing a food adapted to the nutritional needs of a user. In this regard, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 for making a food comprising a combination of nutrients adapted to the needs of a user. The system 100 includes an external electronic device 102 for collecting health data 11 1. Furthermore, the system includes a device 1 10 for nutrient supply.

The device 1 10 for nutrient supply comprises a control unit 101, which is set up to determine health data 1 1 1 of a user. The health data 1 1 1 of a user comprise one or more of:

General information about the user (e.g., weight, height, age, gender, etc.);

• information about diseases of the user (e.g., diabetes); and or

· Information about physical activities of the user (number of steps that have gone and / or taken, course of sleep phases, course of the heart pulse, etc.). The health data 1 1 1 can be through one or more external electronic devices

102 (e.g., by a personal electronic device such as a smartphone, electronic scale, etc.).

The control unit 101 is set based on the health data 1 1 1 a

Nutrition recommendation for the user to determine. The nutritional recommendation includes the amounts of a variety of different nutrients that the user should eat for a balanced diet. For this purpose, the control unit 101 can access a knowledge base which comprises empirical values and / or rules for determining the nutritional recommendation. The knowledge base can be on one

Storage unit 105 of the device 1 10 to be stored for nutrient supply.

The system 100 further includes a user interface 104 (e.g., with a touch-sensitive screen) that allows a user to initiate the production of a food product. Possibly. For example, the user interface 104 may be provided as an application on a personal electronic device (e.g., smartphone). Furthermore, the device 1 10 for nutrient supply comprises a production unit

103 for producing a food. Specifically, the control unit 101 is configured to cause the manufacturing unit 103 to produce a food according to the previously-found nutritional recommendation.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary manufacturing unit 103 for producing a liquid food (e.g., a smoothie or a fruit juice beverage). The

Manufacturing unit 103 has a plurality of containers 201, 202 for subcomponents of a food. The subcomponents may comprise individual nutrients or mixtures of nutrients. For example, one or more containers 201 may hold liquid base components (eg, water or juices) for making a beverage. Furthermore, one or more containers 202 may contain liquid or powdery additives (eg vitamins, proteins, dietary supplements, etc.). The individual subcomponents from the containers 201, 202 can be supplied in variable amounts to a mixer 203 (eg via individually controllable valves). In the process, the quantities of the individual subcomponents supplied to the mixer 203 depend from the nutritional recommendation determined for the user. In the mixer 203, the beverage individually adapted to the user is created and provided via an output module 204 (eg via an outlet valve).

The device 1 10 for nutrient supply is thus set up to determine health data 1 1 1 of a user. This health data 1 1 1 can be collected from various other electronic devices 102 (smartphone, scale, heart rate monitor, etc.) and can be optionally wirelessly transmitted to the control unit 101 (eg via Bluetooth, wireless local area network, WLAN, and / or Near Field Communication, NFC). The health data 1 1 1 (also referred to as vital data) can be analyzed by the control unit 101, and it can be an optimal for the user

Nutrition recommendation to be determined. Further, a manufacturing unit 103 may be caused to prepare foods (e.g., smoothies or nutritional bars) according to the nutritional recommendation. The sub-components for the preparation of a food may be provided in replaceable containers 201, 202 (e.g., capsules, cartridges, etc.).

The control unit 101 may create a personal profile for a user, wherein the personal profile indicates the personal nutritional requirements for the user. The personal profile may be stored on the storage unit 105. The user may optionally edit the personal profile via the user interface 104.

The production unit 103 can be set up to process subcomponents with different consistency (liquid, solid, doughy, powdery, etc.). The individual containers 201, 202 for the individual subcomponents may include identification means (e.g., a code, an electronic chip, etc.) that enable the content of a container 201, 202, and in particular the consistency of the content, to be determined. To produce a food, the exactly required amount of a subcomponent can be taken from a container 201, 202 according to a prescription corresponding to the nutritional recommendation.

The individual subcomponents can be mixed in a mixer 203. Alternatively or additionally, the individual subcomponents can be arranged at least partially in a specific three-dimensional (3D) arrangement in order to produce a foodstuff. provide medium with a desired shape (eg by a 3D print of the food). If necessary, several subcomponents can be printed simultaneously. The manufacturing unit 103 may include modules that enable individual ones

To heat, bake, cook, and / or cool partial components or a collection of partial components.

By the device 1 10 for nutrient supply can e.g. Be prepared a beverage containing (if necessary) all necessary for a user nutrients. In another example, the device 10 may print a bar containing all the necessary nutrients. In another example, a complete dish with optimal nutritional composition can be made from a 3D food printer.

The health data 1 1 1 required for preparing a nutritional recommendation can be collected by an app of a smartphone and provided to the control unit 101. Exemplary sources of health data 1 1 1 are apparatus for measuring blood sugar levels, movement monitoring bracelets, applications for sleep monitoring, applications for counting steps, fitness and health apps of a smartphone, etc. Based on the determined nutritional recommendation, it is possible to regularly (eg once a month) Day or week, or several times a day / week) required food produced by the system 100. The production of a food can be initiated via the user interface 104. Alternatively or additionally, the production of a food can take place automatically (without input by a user), if necessary without the user having the opportunity to make adjustments.

As part of the preparation process, the production unit 103 takes from the manually inserted containers 201, 202 the desired amounts of subcomponents (eg, ingredients, nutrients, and / or flavorings) needed for the personal food. These subcomponents can be mixed and optionally arranged according to a desired shape. In the case of a drink, the component parts may be mixed to form a liquid mass and, in the case of a bar, the component parts may be mixed to form a dough, and in the case of a mixture At least some of the subcomponents may be mixed before 3D printing. The (partially mixed) subcomponents can then be made into a desired shape by means of SD printing and cooked, baked, heated, cooled, dried or the like during the 3D printing or following the 3D printing according to the recipe. become. Thus, an attractive food can be provided which contains the optimal composition of nutrients for a single user.

Information (e.g., ingredients, calories, nutrients) about a manufactured food may be stored in the storage unit 105 and taken into account in the preparation of a subsequent food. Thus, it can be taken into account in the production, which nutrients a user has already taken to himself.

By the device described in this document 1 10 the production of food is made possible, which are tailored exactly to the personal needs of a user. By automatically taking into account health and / or fitness data, the production of a food takes place with minimal effort for the user.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed devices and systems.

Claims

Device (1 10) for individually supplying a user with nutrients, the device (1 10) comprising:

- A manufacturing unit (103) adapted to receive a plurality of containers (201, 202) with a corresponding plurality of different, eatable and / or drinkable, sub-components, wherein the different sub-components each contain at least partially different nutrients; and

a control unit (101) that is set up

- to determine health data (1 1 1) regarding the user;

- to determine quantities for the multitude of different subcomponents that provide nutrients to the user based on the health data (1 1 1); and

to cause the manufacturing unit (103) to issue the plurality of different subcomponents in accordance with the determined amounts.

Apparatus (1 10) according to claim 1, wherein the health data (1 1 1) comprises one or more of

general information about the user, in particular weight, height, age and / or gender of the user;

- Information about a disease of the user; and or

Information about physical activities of the user, in particular a number of gone and / or run steps, a course of a sleep phase of the user and / or a course of the heart pulse of the user.

Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Health data (1 1 1) to be obtained from

- a smartphone (102) of the user; and or

- A measuring device, in particular a heart rate monitor, a

Blood analyzer and / or a blood pressure monitor. Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

a container (201, 202) of the plurality of containers (201, 202)

Identification means; and

- The control unit (101) is arranged, based on the identification means, to determine information regarding the sub-component, which is located in the container (201, 202).

Apparatus (1 10) according to claim 4, wherein the identification means comprises one or more of:

- a QR code;

- a barcode;

a magnetic chip;

an electronic chip;

an external appearance of the container (201, 202);

an identification pattern; and or

- an identification number.

Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is set up,

- to access a predefined knowledge base;

- using the knowledge base, to identify a first quantity of a first nutrient that the user should consume in view of the health data (1 1 1); and

to determine the quantities for the plurality of subcomponents such that the dispensed amounts of the plurality of subcomponents contains at least the first amount of the first nutrient.

Device (1 10) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (101) is set up,

- using the knowledge base to determine a second quantity of a second nutrient that the user should consume in view of the health data (1 1 1), the first nutrient and the second nutrient being different; and to determine the amounts for the plurality of subcomponents such that the dispensed amounts of the plurality of subcomponents contains at least the second amount of the second nutrient.

8. Device (1 10) according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein

- The device (1 10) comprises a memory unit (105); and

the knowledge base is at least partially stored on the storage unit (105); and or

- The device (1 10) comprises a communication unit; and

the knowledge base is at least partially stored on an external server; and

- The control unit (101) is arranged to access the communication unit to the external server.

9. Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the production unit (103) comprises a mixer (203) which is arranged, subcomponents of at least two containers (201, 202) of the plurality of containers (201, 202) and mix.

10. Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The plurality of containers (201, 202) comprises at least one container (201) for a liquid base component;

- The plurality of containers (201, 202) comprises at least one container (202) for an additional component, wherein the additional component comprises at least one nutrient other than water; and

- The manufacturing unit (103) is adapted to mix the liquid base component with the additional component to produce a beverage.

1 1. The apparatus (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the manufacturing unit (103) comprises a food printer configured to produce a solid food according to a predefined 3-dimensional shape from the plurality of different component parts.

Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the production unit (1 10) comprises cooking means, in particular means for cooking and / or baking, which are adapted to produce a cooked food from at least a part of the plurality of subcomponents.

The apparatus (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (110) has a user interface (104) which allows the user to make an input, in response, the plurality of different subcomponents according to the determined ones Quantities is output.

14. Device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is set up,

- identify historical levels of nutrients that have been ingested by the user in the past; and

- to determine the quantities for the multitude of different subcomponents depending on the historical quantities of nutrients.

The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nutrients comprise one or more of: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and / or water.