Abstract:
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to training a user in controlling and limiting total calorie consumption, and consequently body weight, by encouraging the user to perform specified consuming actions such as chewing slowly, adjusting a time interval between bites, detecting the early points of satiation, etc. The disclosure is therefore a “calorie pacer” that naturally reduces calorie consumption by re-teaching a user how to eat on a step-by-step basis. The slower eating pace results in a person feeling full before the intake of excessive food portions. The result is fewer calories consumed. Sensors and microcontrollers throughout a place setting are utilized to prompt the user, for example, when to take bites, how big of a bite to take, when to take a drink, etc and record the data in an efficient manner that allows for analysis, monitoring of progress, and personalized feedback.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/111,335, filed Nov. 4, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety into this disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to health and nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to devices and methods for controlling caloric intake which results in weight gain or loss. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Uncontrolled eating habits and calorie overconsumption have resulted in rising obesity rates. Obesity may be defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on a person&#39;s health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. The health and social impacts of obesity are numerous. Obesity increases the risk of illness from more than 30 serious medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, turning out to be one of the top killers in the country. Those that suffer from extreme obesity, that is, having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 30, experience mobility issues and in some cases must resort to expensive personal transportation devices. This is steadily increasing the cost of healthcare in the country, in addition to the constant social stigmatization and discrimination in employment and academic settings. 
     The condition has swept the nation—currently 127 million adults (over half of the population) in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese, and 9 million are severely obese. The obesity epidemic is predicted to get worse. Many experts suggest that if nothing is done to curb this problem, well over 80% of our nation will be overweight by 2010. There have been several efforts to curb the obesity epidemic, but most are misguided or ineffective when applied. Diet programs designed to reduce overweight or prevent weight gain lack a long-term perspective and the ability to curtail calorie over-consumption in the long run for months, years, or decades. Expensive diet programs, specialty health foods, and even diet pills do not stand a chance against cheap, widely available, and massively advertised food. A lack of proper guidance ultimately results in the uncontrolled eating habits leading to obesity. Exercise regimens may be ineffective as weight control measures when accompanied by calorie overconsumption at a level that is in excess of what is needed to maintain daily caloric needs. In many instances, weight control can only be brought about by calorie intake control. This can be by bariatric surgery, i.e. forcibly, or voluntarily food intake reduction. Surprisingly, there are few other options, since digestive enzyme inhibitors have given mixed results. 
     What is needed is a treatment to control calorie intake and weight gain over long periods of time within a traditional dietary selection specific for individual families and communities. The treatment has to address calorie consumption at a very basic level by changing a person&#39;s eating habits. The treatment should be simple to administer, effective and capable of aiding individuals adjust their consumption of calories over a life-time. It should be a change in eating style that leads to a lifelong adjustment to reduced and decelerated calorie consumption, not a short term or transient change with high probability for recurrence of older eating habits that are associated with calorie overconsumption and weight gain. The treatment should provide a gradual and permanent transition in eating habits that lead from high calorie consumption to ever reducing calorie intakes until ideal bodyweights are approached. 
     The first key issue in calorie consumption is the “rate of calorie consumption” during individual meals. During the time period between the beginning of a meal and the feeling of satiation (about 15 min in an average adult) the rate of calorie consumption needs to be minimized and used to consume calories at a deliberately reduced rate in order to minimize calorie intake before the end of a meal. Such a habit of slow eating needs to be trained over long periods of time (months, years) in order to become permanently accepted even in the presence of challenges to the contrary. Chewing periods need to be maximized and easy calorie consumption (e.g. liquid calorie consumption) minimized. All of these habits require a systematic training to eat deliberately slow in an environment (e.g. in terms of culinary traditions, economics, etc.) that is compatible over long periods, i.e. a lifetime. Learning to eat slowly can be achieved within family traditions (“Grandma&#39;s cooking is the best anyhow”) without the need for specific and often costly diet programs that offer no long term perspective (“can&#39;t wait to get off this diet”). 
     A second critical issue is to avoid calorie consumption after the feeling of satiation has been detected (i.e. stuffing). The instant satiation sets, calorie consumption has to be terminated, irrespective of the amount of food still available. Instructions needs to be given to stop eating and leftovers stored until the next meal. Discontinuation of calorie consumption past the point of satiation should be rewarded. Slow eating and cessation of calorie consumption at a meal need to be trained for long periods of time by means of a new technology in form of “smart place sets” that help monitor calorie consumption and provide feedback and guidance for slow eating and limited calorie consumption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods designed to control the rate as well as total calorie consumption at a meal, and consequently body weight of a user, by encouraging the user to perform specified consuming actions such as chewing slowly and for progressively longer periods of time, adjusting a time interval between bites, placing a utensil down between bites, terminating eating at the point of satiation, etc. The invention is therefore a “calorie pacer” that naturally reduces calorie consumption by re-teaching a user how to eat on a step-by-step basis. The slower eating pace results in a person feeling full at a point when a minimal number of calories has been consumed (and stuffing has been avoided). Current research journal articles demonstrate health benefits from consuming fewer calories including a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, among many potential conditions. The present invention helps a user minimize the rate of calorie and total calorie consumption during a meal by dynamically presenting the user with suggestions for low calorie fluid consumption, pacing the meal, maximizing chewing action, and ceasing consumption when there is no more hunger sensation. The present invention therefore assists in the retraining of eating habits towards a lifetime of controlled calorie consumption. Patterns in the user&#39;s consumption are associated with desired patterns in order to regulate the consumption of the user. Over time, the user&#39;s consumption patterns or eating habits are altered, resulting in a desired outcome such as weight loss. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a system for controlling caloric intake of a user. The system includes at least one microcontroller including a processor and a memory (either connected or wireless), an input in communication with the microcontroller, an output in communication with the microcontroller, a sensor in communication with the microcontroller, scales under plates and glasses to detect weight change, and a logic unit on the memory. The logic includes detecting a first consuming action performed by the user, and prompting the user to perform a second consuming action after a time interval until the user signals they are no longer hungry. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a device for controlling the rate and the total amount of caloric intake of a user. The device includes a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, an input in communication with the processor, an output in communication with the processor, a sensor in communication with the processor, and a logic unit on the memory. The logic includes detecting a first consuming action performed by the user, and prompting the user to perform a second consuming action after a time interval. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method for monitoring and regulating a caloric intake of a user. The method includes detecting a first consuming action performed by the user during a consumption of a meal, and prompting the user to perform a second consuming action after a time interval. The first consuming action is detected by a sensor and the second consuming action is prompted by an output. Scales are built into a placemat holding the plate and a coaster holding the glass. As food and drink is consumed, changes in weight are sensed and display to the user via a microprocessor that records the sequence of events during the meal. This could be combined with the simple sensor idea. The scale sensors provide input for type of food or drinks such that from the weight change an approximate amount of calories are computed, for instance using calorie standard tables, and communicated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  show a system for controlling weight gain, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a method for controlling weight gain, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows another method of controlling caloric intake, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a progression of paced eating, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternate system for controlling weight gain, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show a sensor incorporated within a microcontroller, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  show a portable device which is incorporated with a utensil, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows another exemplary system embodying the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  disclose a device  900  that can be removably coupled to a utensil, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  discloses tableware incorporating a plurality of sensors, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a screenshot of a caloric intake monitor program, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  show a tooth sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a system for controlling caloric intake including a tooth sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention controls overall calorie consumption by monitoring a user&#39;s eating patterns and by directing the user how to appropriately consume a meal. Logic on a computer readable medium is paired with a processor and at least one sensor to determine various patterns in consuming actions performed by a user during consumption of a meal. The sensors detect a consuming action, such as by the motion of a utensil held by the user. Based on patterns determined in the user&#39;s consuming actions, the logic may determine that adjustments to the user&#39;s consumption are needed. These adjustments are communicated to the user in the form of suggestions conveyed via an output. For instance, a display outputs a message to remind the user to slow down the frequency of consuming actions, wherein the frequency is measured by detecting a utensil being picked up and set down. Users can be trained via a video, comprehensive instruction booklets, classes, etc. An initial trial or learning period may be undertaken to train both the system and the user. Furthermore, a user profile may be stored on a memory within the system, the user profile including the user&#39;s consumption patterns, physical statistics of the user, as well as programmed goals and desired patterns for the user. These elements may be separate components of a system, or combined with the utensil resulting in a highly compact intelligent calorie-pacing utensil. 
     Various configurations of the present invention are described in the embodiments presented below. However, for clarity: “Logic”, as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to any information having the form of instruction signals and/or data that may be applied to affect the operation of a processor. Examples of “processors” are computer processors (processing units), microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers and microcontrollers, etc. Logic may be formed from signals stored in a memory coupled to a processor. A software program is one example of such logic. Examples of memories that may store logic include RAM (random access memory), flash memories, ROMS (read-only memories), EPROMS (erasable programmable read-only memories), and EEPROMS (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories). Logic may also be comprised by digital and/or analog hardware circuits, for example, hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations. Logic may be formed from combinations of software and hardware. 
     A “utensil”, as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to any tool used to insert food into the mouth. Examples of a utensil include a spoon, a fork, a knife, a cup, chopsticks, etc. 
     A “consuming action”, as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to the consumption of any specific measure of a portion of food suitable for one bite. The specific measure may be a tablespoonful, forkful, mouthful, or a specific weight measured by a weight sensor embedded in the tableware or the utensil. A bite is an example of one consuming action. 
     For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g.,  132  and  232 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, then that conflicting description given for that particular embodiment shall govern. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a system for controlling overall calorie consumption, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a microcontroller portion  100  having a display  102  and buttons  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The microcontroller portion is in communication with a sensor  106  via a wired or wireless connection. Sensor  106  detects the presence of a utensil, for instance, fork  120 , and transmits a signal to microcontroller  100  via a wired or wireless connection. Microcontroller  100  further includes a CPU  110  and a memory  112 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . Memory  112  stores logic  114 . 
     Before beginning consumption of a meal, a user of the system activates the system by, for instance, pushing one of buttons  104 . Buttons  104  are the input in the present embodiment. However, other inputs will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art, such as microphones, touchscreens, etc. The user may also activate the system by raising fork  120  off of sensor  106 . Sensor  106  generates a presence signal that is processed by CPU  110 . Upon commencement of a meal, logic  114  is programmed to suggest to the user, via display  102 , a consuming action, or a suggestion to adjust the user&#39;s consumption of the meal. For instance, the logic may convey a message to the user to consume a bite or portion of the meal. The message may read: “Please take a bite of the meal” or “Are you still hungry?” as a message on display  102 . Although display  102  is shown as an exemplary output, other outputs will be apparent, such as a speaker narrating a voice instruction, a buzzer, LED lights, a vibrator, etc. 
     When the user follows the suggestion by taking a bite, sensor  106  determines that fork  120  is being used, and appropriately sends a signal to microcontroller  100 . Sensor  106  may be any sensor capable of detecting a presence or motion of utensil  120 , such as a weight sensor, light sensor, capacitance sensor, accelerometer, etc. So long as a sensor  106  can determine the presence or movement of utensil  120 , the measured signal can be used by logic  114  to determine a plurality of consuming actions by the user. When the user places fork  120  upon sensor  106  between bites, microcontroller  100  measures the time until fork  120  is picked up again. The acquired data is used to determine a time interval between subsequent bites, a time for chewing, and an estimated rate of calorie consumption. Other measurements include fat calories consumed, protein consumed, percentage of daily values consumed, etc., based upon a meal profile that is activated by the user before beginning consumption of the meal. These measurements are recorded in a user profile stored within memory  112 , and can be compiled into a consumption pattern for the user. These measurements may further include a time, day, etc. such that this information is available and/or can be used for determining timing intervals of bites. Furthermore, the measurements can be compared with a set of target or desired consumption patterns. An example of a consumption pattern is described in  FIG. 4 . 
     Further embodiments include sensors to determine plate and glass weight in communication with the microcontroller. The display screen serves to display on-line weight/computed calorie intake during a meal, instructions for pacing during the meal, feedback regarding the state of satiation, meal termination, etc. The display is a touchscreen in some embodiments allowing it to function as an input as well. 
     Based on any combination of detected/recorded consuming actions pattern or a pre-defined consumption pattern, the system presents suggestions to the user to modify his or her consuming actions to conform to a desired pattern. The modifications may be minimal at first, such as gently encouraging the user to chew slowly, to take more time between bites or portions, to drink water, or to adjust the size of a portion or bite of the meal. The system may further suggest general eating habits for the user, such as chewing the food to the point of no texture, or ceasing eating when the user is no longer hungry. Other helpful suggestions include fully swallowing a bite before taking the subsequent bite, taking breaks, etc. 
     As described above, the present invention is predicated upon the fact that increasing a user&#39;s awareness about the rate of his or her calorie consumption and simultaneously encouraging the user to adjust this rate will result in more effective control of calorie consumption, and therefore, weight. A method for effectively controlling the rate of calorie consumption is described with respect to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 . A method of controlling caloric intake begins with the detection of the presence of food or drink S 240 . This detection occurs through sensors within the system, incorporated within tableware, or alternatively, through a command submitted by the user. Optional step S 242  suggests that the user drinks water before starting. This helps to lower the user&#39;s appetite for food. A suggestion is then indicated that the user take a bite S 244 . The system measures the time interval between bites S 246 . This may be accomplished for instance via a sensor measurement that detects when a utensil is laid down. Alternatively, this may be measured by a weight of a portion of food consumed or by sensing a subject exhibiting chewing behavior. Other means of determining a bite action will be apparent in light of the various sensors described above. Upon determining a bite interval, the bite interval is compared with a predefined or desired bite interval associated with the user and derived from control measurements. The bite interval may be recorded and stored in a user profile. With this information, the system determines whether or not the user is taking bites too fast S 250 . If it is determined that the user is taking bites too fast, then a suggestion is made to the user to slow down S 248 . This slowing can be accomplished by, for example, increasing the time between bites, chewing slower, chewing longer, etc. The system continues to measure the interval between bites S 246  and continues encouraging the user to adjust their consuming actions until a desired pattern is reached. The system then queries the user whether the user is still hungry S 254 . The prompt or suggestion may be presented periodically, after a predefined number of bites is reached, or after a specified caloric intake is attained. The predefined and specified data may be stored in a profile associated with the user. Until the user responds to prompt S 254  in the negative, the system continues to provide suggestions S 244  to the user. Then, the recorded pattern may be stored for further retrieval, and the method ends. 
       FIG. 3  shows another method of controlling caloric intake, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method begins with a user placing an eating utensil on a sensor S 340 . A drink of water is suggested S 344 . A suggestion is made to pick up the utensil and take a bite of food S 346 . After taking a bite, the user returns the utensil to the sensor S 348 . This indicates to the system that a bite has been taken, and a counter is incrementally increased S 350 . After every 5 bites a prompt is provided to the user to check if their hunger is satisfied S 354 . The user may indicate that he wishes to continue eating, at which point the system continues suggesting consuming actions S 346 . If the user enters that he or she is no longer hungry, then a message may be sent to stop eating, the remaining food may be stored for later consumption, and the method ends. The user is rewarded and encouraged by an oral/visual signal for compliance with the instructions. Thus, a user is regularly reminded to stop eating based on the number of bites taken, or the number of calories consumed. 
     As mentioned herein, exemplary embodiments of the present invention allow for recording of initial consumption patterns during a trial period, and store the patterns in a profile associated with the user. Subsequently, each time the user consumes a meal, the time intervals between bites are gradually increased. In further embodiments, the progress is logged and exported to a computer for further data processing. 
       FIG. 4  shows a progression of paced eating, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the chart includes arrows  450  indicating bites or portions of a meal arranged over a horizontal time axis  456 . A sequence of bites  450  constitutes a trend or progression of a meal over time. The figure shows a trial level progression  452 , a Level 1 progression  453 , a Level 2 progression  454 , and a Level 3 progression  455 . The various levels are preprogrammed and stored as desired progressions. Alternatively, the progression is set at the time of each meal based on a previous consumption of a meal. For instance, during trial level progression  452 , the system for controlling caloric intake observes the user&#39;s eating habits. As the user places a utensil down, the system determines that the user is between bites and can thus calculate a number of bites, a frequency of bites, calories consumed, etc. Trial level progression  452  is observed with bites  450  distributed along time axis  456 . In embodiments of the invention, trial level progression  452  lasts for a few days or longer. During Level 1 progression  453 , the user is trained to take a bite when prompted, to properly place their utensil after each successive bite, and to chew food properly. The user is also trained to drink and to stop eating when feeling full. In embodiments of the invention, Level 1 progression  453  lasts from day six until day twenty. After Level 1 progression  453  the user begins Level 2 progression  454 . Level 2 progression  454  cues successive bites  450  by the user, indicated to the user via a display device, beep, vibration, etc. In embodiments of the invention, Level 2 progression  454  lasts between days seven and thirty-four. With Level 2 progression  454  finished, Level 3 progression  455  begins increasing the time between the user&#39;s bites  450 . The user is prompted to take bites  450  less frequently, allowing the user more time between bites  450  to feel satiated. The user also properly digests food as the user has more time for chewing, resulting in optimal nutrient absorption. 
     As mentioned herein, the present invention may be incorporated in a system, with the various steps of the method being implemented in different system components.  FIG. 5  shows an alternate system for controlling caloric intake, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system of  FIG. 5  includes an interface portion  500  having a display  502  and an input  504 . However, in this system, the interface portion communicates input and output commands between a user and an external terminal  540 . External terminal  540  houses the logic  542  and a database  543 , the database including a user profile and/or a meal profile. External terminal  540  acts as the microcontroller of foregoing exemplary embodiments. The system also includes a sensor  506  to detect the presence/absence of a utensil such as fork  520  and transmits a signal that is received by logic  542  either via interface  544  or via a direct connection. Communication between interface  544 , sensor  506 , and terminal  540  may occur wirelessly or via interface cables. 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , a user of the system activates the system by, for instance, pushing one of buttons  504  or by lifting fork  520  from sensor  506 . Logic  542  suggests to the user, via display  502 , a consuming action, or a suggestion to adjust the user&#39;s consumption of the meal. When sensor  506  determines that fork  520  is being used, a signal is transmitted to logic  542 , and stored as a progression in database  543  to be compiled into a consumption pattern for the user, as described above. 
     In some embodiments the external terminal connects to a database of nutritional information. The connection can be through any data connection such as through a service provider or the INTERNET. The database of nutritional information includes caloric information such as calorie standard tables. A user may use these values instead of inputting the caloric information manually. 
     Other configurations of the system are possible.  FIGS. 6A-6C  show a microcontroller  600 , which further incorporates a sensor within it.  FIG. 6A  shows the top view of microcontroller  600 , including a display  602 , input  604 , and logic  614 . From the side view of  FIG. 6B , it can be seen that display  602  and input  604  are incorporated within a top portion  661 , which is coupled via hinge  662  to a bottom portion  660 . Hinge  662  is spring-loaded, such that if any additional weight, such as that of utensil  620 , is added to the top portion  661 , then the device  600  folds, activating a switch or sensor that generates a signal to be processed by logic  614 . Hinge  662  may be outfitted with a spring such that microcontroller collapses under the weight of a utensil. Alternatively, top portion  661  may include sensors to detect the presence of utensil  620 , such as those seen in the external sensor of  FIG. 1 . Microcontroller  600  may further include a transceiver for communication with an external terminal, or other external sensors such as the ones described in  FIG. 8   
     Further embodiments include sensors to determine plate and glass weight in communication with the microcontroller. The display screen serves to display on-line weight/computed calorie intake during a meal, instructions for pacing during the meal, feedback regarding the state of satiation, meal termination, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is incorporated within a small and portable device which attaches to the end of utensil. The device instructs the user how to pace their caloric intake through the meal. An example of such a device is shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B . Microcontroller  700  includes a display  702 , an input  704 , and a logic  714 . The microcontroller  700  is small enough to be attached to the end of a utensil  720 . Furthermore, a sensor can be incorporated into microcontroller  700  to detect a consuming action by the user. Such a sensor may be a light, capacitance, heat, pressure, or motion sensor such as an accelerometer. Microcontroller  700  is unclipped from utensil  720  for when utensil  720  is washed. Alternately, microcontroller  700  may be waterproof sealed for easy washing of utensil  720 . Microcontroller  700  is small and positioned off of the eating surface so as not to bother or distract others at the table. 
     The microcontroller of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  includes a vibrator in alternate embodiments. The device still instructs the user to when to perform the next consuming action. However, if the user attempts to perform a consuming action before the next time interval has begun, then the vibrator activates, alerting the user that it is too soon to take the next bite. 
       FIG. 8  shows another exemplary system embodying the present invention. Microcontroller portion  800  includes a screen  802 , an input  804 , and a logic  814 . Microcontroller  800  communicates with a light sensor  806  having a light source  870  that detects the presence of a utensil such as fork  820 . Signals generated by light sensor  806  constitute one of several actions undertaken by a user of utensil  820 , such as taking a bite. Display  802  is used to suggest, for instance, that the user drink water, take the first bite of food, and place utensil  820  onto sensor  806 . Logic  814  uses signals generated by sensor  806  to determine a bite interval, a chewing time, etc. As the user continues consuming the meal, display  802  displays constant reminders of the stages of eating (chewing, drinking, utensil setting down). Every few bites, display  802  asks the user the question “are you still hungry?” If the user answers this question “no” then the device recommends that the user stop consuming food. Microcontroller  800 , through display  802 , recommends that the remaining food be stored/refrigerated until the next meal or discarded and provides positive feedback for compliance. Display  802  shows messages such as, “Congratulations! You avoided unnecessary food intake and possible weight gain”. 
       FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C disclose a microcontroller device  900  that can be removably coupled to a utensil  920 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, microcontroller  900  includes a display  902 , a button  904 , a sensor  906 , a logic  914 , a hinge  982 , and a utensil channel  980 . A user slips a utensil  920  into utensil channel  980  on either a front portion  984  or a back portion  986  of microcontroller device  900  and rotates the two portions towards each other about hinge  982  around utensil  920 . Front portion  984  and back portion  986  may clip together with utensil  920  securely in between the two portions. Utensil channel  980  may include a non-slip material or texture in order to keep microcontroller device  900  from slipping off of utensil  920 . With microcontroller device  900  securely attached to utensil  920 , the user may use microcontroller device  900  similarly to other embodiments. Display  902  displays suggestions to the user while button  904  provides an input for the user. Logic  914  is programmed to suggest to the user, via display  902 , a consuming action, or a suggestion to adjust the user&#39;s consumption of the meal. Sensor  906  determines whether or not utensil  920  is being used, and appropriately sends a signal to microcontroller  900 . 
     Alternate embodiments make use of a vibrator as well to alert the user when the user attempts to perform a consuming action prior to the start of the next time interval. 
     The devices and methods disclosed above are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to functioning as a calorie pacer to slow eating habits. The user may be able to input desired settings and change the invention&#39;s operation to allow the user to increase their calories consumed as well, for instance to help people with eating disorders gain weight. This allows the present invention to be a fully functioning calorie control system and assist a user in reaching a variety of goals. 
     Furthermore, the present invention can be applied in many different ways related to the consumption of food. Liquid calories and consumption may be measured either by a straw-like device or measuring changes in weight. Calorie containing beverages and food can have their caloric density input by the user and the total calories consumed can be monitored and tabulated. Other embodiments incorporate the same designs and expand the device or system&#39;s ability to record data over the entire meal. An electronic table set may also be used in this fashion to record every action that occurs. The system of the present invention is used in a “smart place setting” that tracks everything from appetizers and drinks to desserts and coffees at the end of the meal. 
       FIG. 10  shows tableware incorporating a plurality of sensors to create a smart place setting, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system includes a microcontroller  1000  in the form of a computer, a transceiver  1048  in communication with microcontroller  1000 , a display  1044 , a keyboard  1046 , a logic  1090  onboard microcontroller  1000 , a plate sensor  1094 , a plate transceiver  1095 , a glass sensor  1092 , a glass transceiver  1093 , a utensil sensor  1096 , a utensil transceiver  1097 , a chair sensor  1098 , and a chair transceiver  1095 . Plate sensor  1094 , glass sensor  1092 , and utensil sensor  1096  each contain weight sensors to determine the current weight of a meal, drink, etc. Transceiver  1048  communicates with plate transceiver  1095 , glass transceiver  1093 , and utensil transceiver  1097  to receive measurements, states, etc. from each of the sensors of the system. For instance, plate sensor  1094  may detect that two grams of food have been removed from the user&#39;s plate. Plate transceiver  1095  sends this measurement to transceiver  1048  of microcontroller  1000 . Similarly, glass sensor  1092  may detect changes in the weight of the user&#39;s glass or may detect that the user has lifted his glass. These measurements or states are sent from glass transceiver  1093  to transceiver  1048  of microcontroller  1000 . Chair sensor  1098  detects changes in the weight of the user. These measurements are sent from chair transceiver  1095  to transceiver  1048  of microcontroller  1000 . Utensil sensor  1096  detects the presence or absence of a utensil  1020  as well as when utensil  1020  is replaced or removed, etc. Utensil transceiver  1097  transmits this information to transceiver  1048  of microcontroller  1000 . Display  1044  displays suggestions to the user or users while keyboard  1046  provides an input for the user. Logic  1090  is programmed to suggest to the user, via display  1044 , a consuming action, or a suggestion to adjust the user&#39;s consumption of the meal. 
     By using this “smart place setting”, the system may be applied to more than just one individual. Whole families may be tracked and measured, allowing calorie control to be a group activity. The smart place setting can also be applied to any eatery or restaurant, allowing the establishment to track consumption statistics of their patrons or offer the system of the present invention as a “perk” to eating at that location. The system may also be implemented in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, anywhere eating habits need adjustment. 
       FIG. 11  shows a screenshot of a caloric intake monitor program  1111  on device  1100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, caloric intake monitor program  1111  has a plurality of fields, including a time until next bite field  1113 , a total calories consumed field  1118 , a food weight field  1115 , a user weight field  1116 , a food selection field  1117 , and a tips field  1119 . Time until next bite field  1113  assists a user with caloric intake by notifying the user when to take another bite. Time until next bite field  1113  also notifies the user how long the user has to chew a current bite before the next bite. Total calories consumed field  1118  notifies the user of how many calories the user has consumed in the meal, in the day, in the week, etc., depending upon defined settings. Food weight field  1115  provides the weight of the portion of food being consumed and may be entered by the user or by sensors of the system. The weight of food provided in food weight field  1115  may decrease as the user consumes the portion of food. User weight field  1116  may be filled in by the user or by sensors of the system. Changes in this weight may be used to determine portions of food consumed by the user. This weight may also be used in determining portions, a rate of eating, etc. Food selection field  1117  allows the user to enter the type of food the user is eating. Food selection field  1117  may consist of check boxes with different types of food, a scroll menu, an entry, etc. Tips field  1119  provides the user with tips for the meal. These tips may include, for instance, “Chew slowly and thoroughly”, or “Take small bites.” An input, such as keyboard  1146 , allows the user to change values of the fields, select fields, etc. An antenna  1148  connected to a transceiver of device  1100  allows device  1100  to communicate with sensors, other devices, etc. 
     In other exemplary embodiments of the caloric intake monitor program the food selection field gives more options. Many meals are a combination of food, and each item has a different amount of calories per pound. In addition to check boxes, the food selection field has weight entry for each item. In further embodiments the list includes many more items including, for instance, cuts of beef instead of a general beef checkbox, etc. In even further embodiments frozen meals, fast food items, etc. include a code to be entered which pulls the exact calorie count from a database. The database may be on the memory of the microcontroller or on a network in communication with the microcontroller such as a service provider network or the INTERNET. 
       FIGS. 12A-12B  show a tooth sensor  1266 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, tooth sensor  1266  includes an antenna  1208 , a transceiver  1263 , a central processing unit (CPU)  1264 , and a memory  1265 . Tooth sensor  1266  is affixed behind a tooth of a user using dental adhesives, etc. Alternatively, tooth sensor  1266  may be a part of a retainer, a cap on a tooth, etc. Tooth sensor  1266  is able to sense bites, chewing actions, etc. Thus, tooth sensor  1266  allows a system to determine the user&#39;s eating stage. CPU  1263  controls the other components of tooth sensor  1266  according to logic on memory  1265 . Antenna  1208  with transceiver  1263  allows tooth sensor  1266  to communicate with the system. 
       FIG. 13  shows a system for controlling caloric intake including a tooth sensor  1366 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, tooth sensor  1366  is affixed to a tooth of a user. Tooth sensor  1366  wirelessly communicates with a microcontroller  1300 . These communications include sensed number of bites, chewing motions, etc. Microcontroller  1300  receives these communications through antenna  1308  coupled to a transceiver. The user is able to view sensed information on a display  1302  of microcontroller  1300 . An input button  1304  is available for the user to make selections, changes, etc. This method can monitor all food consumptions throughout the course of the day. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.