Patent Publication Number: US-11375853-B2

Title: Foodware system having visual-stimulating, sensing, heating, and wireless-communication components

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field of this invention is devices associated with food presentation and/or consumption. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Much of our lives are spent consuming food, including beverages. Ingestion is the primary object. However, there are a number of situations where one wishes to have some additional experience with eating. With a number of people, one can have a conversation associated with the consumption. However, eating alone can be a solitary experience. We have all seen restaurants where the diners are involved in eating and watching television. Children can be recalcitrant when a parent is trying to feed them. To encourage children to eat, various plate designs have been used. Labels on containers are static and limited to having a printed design. Fast food chains have various dishes with graphic designs, such as the latest movie hero. In these situations the diner is involved with stimuli other than the food for different purposes. The other stimuli can involve entertainment, distraction, reward or the like. 
     For the most part the diner does not have control over what is being presented, as in the case of television, or the presentation is static and quickly loses its attraction, as in dining plate design. In addition, there is an interest in using the period of time in which the diner is eating to present information. 
     Also, there is an interest in providing dishware, utensils and beverage containers with attractive designs. At dinners, there is an effort to have the china, glassware, and utensils to be properly related to have an attractive table. On many occasions, one is celebrating an event or holiday where the decorations are related to the event or holiday. Having separate sets of china for each event is beyond the ability of most households to afford and store. 
     Furthermore, one is interested in providing dynamic flexible components, where the programs for the viewer can be readily changed, adapted to particular situations, and expanded, as desired. A personal computer (“PC”) provides opportunities to devise programs that can be related to specific situations associated with dining. Even with the decreasing costs of computers, the computer is still a significant investment to be dedicated to a dining experience. Being able to use available data processing equipment without the investment associated with a dedicated instrument is advantageous. Marrying dishware with data processing equipment already owned by a user provides substantial economic advantages and encourages the combination of food presentation with a programmed data processor. 
     There are a number of devices that are found in non-analogous art and have found different purposes than providing a dining experience. For example, the game Pong, invented by Nolan Bushnell, was provided as a visual game to allow two players to compete in bouncing a virtual ball against a virtual wall. Such game could be produced in a table form where the players ostensibly could have had food that was supported by the table. However, the potential for food to be present existed, but the food was not associated with the game and the presence of food was incidental to the purpose of device. Other devices have been used to weigh food, such as a food scale. Conceivably, a food scale could have a processor for indicating the weight and allied information, e.g., units of weight, but any visual presentation is limited to weight and not to consumption of food. 
     An opportunity exists to provide devices associated with food presentation that provide more than support for the food and can be modified in relation to the needs of a particular situation. 
     RELEVANT LITERATURE 
     Garmaise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,925, describes a mug for sensing and indicating the temperature of its liquid contents. Tipton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,553, describes a container with light encapsulated in the sidewall for illuminating the sidewall. Crapio, U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,793, describes a utensil with exposed LED. Reber, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,606, describes a food storage container with humidity sensor. de Lange, U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,761, describes a utensil holder with light for illuminating the food at the working end of the utensil. Voskoboinik, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355, describes cable-like electroluminescent light sources. Albert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,970, describes a sound-emitting utensil. Carson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,247 B1, describes a liquid container and method for producing a holographic image on the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates to foodware systems with single media or multimedia capabilities and optionally communication capabilities. Active foodware systems are provided producing sensory signals, particularly in recognizable formats, where the signals are initiated by an independent action, generally related to the food being presented. Such active foodware systems may also be associated with user input, such as verbal or contact, and can also be programmable. Typical active foodware system feedback will usually include at least one of visual, auditory and haptic feedback, employing optical sources, such as point light sources, images, and information; oral sources, such as microphones, speakers and voice synthesizers, allowing for verbal interaction and communication capability; and the like. The active foodware system may directly or indirectly provide the signals, where the active foodware system, particularly translucent plates or dishes, can be seated on an underplate having the indicated capabilities. 
     Components of the devices include processors, memory, computer programs in the memory, power sources, feedback devices, speakers, fiber optic components, light sources, ports, and the like. In many instances when a light source is referred to as a light emitting diode (LED) the light source may be a laser diode. The active foodware system can have independent data processing and a monitor or be fitted to a laptop PC where the laptop monitor provides the visual presentation and data processing, analysis of signals obtained from the active foodware system and the opportunity to vary the visual presentation. The active foodware system of the subject invention has a multitude of uses, including but not limited to informing or entertaining the user/diner, and may display television signals, radio signals, music player signals, computer signals and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a child using an active foodware system, such as a plate, fork and cup. 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view of a translucent square eating plate serving as a dining surface, a transmissive element and a support element, which eating plate is over a square underplate with LCD panel on its top.  FIG. 2B  is an end view of the translucent square plate over the square underplate.  FIG. 2C  is an end view of the square underplate with LCD panel on top. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of a round eating plate with light guides, such as light fibers, and associated circuitry inside the body of the plate.  FIG. 3B  is an end view of a light fiber inside the body of the plate. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are examples of simple designs which may be made by embedding light guides into a plate with translucent top surface. Each line shown inside the periphery of the round plate represents a portion of a light guide. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a light channel in the plate of  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of a light fiber in a channel in the plate of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of a plate with a light channel.  FIG. 6B  is a top view of a plate with a light fiber in a channel. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  are cross-sectional views of light fibers.  FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of an unclad light fiber.  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of a light fiber with a portion of its cladding removed.  FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view of a light fiber with a portion of its wall etched or roughened. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of a light guide, such as a light fiber, with light emitting diode (LED).  FIG. 8B  is an electrical schematic of a circuit for driving the LED.  FIG. 8C  is an electrical schematic of a circuit for driving one or a multiplicity of LEDs with an LED driver integrated circuit. 
         FIGS. 9A-9D  are plan views of plates with various active foodware system designs produced by one or more visual display technologies, such as light guides, light fibers, electroluminescent wire elements, LEDs, LCD panels, and the like. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are three frontal views of an active foodware system container with a programmable moving image.  FIG. 10D  is a plan view of the container with image panel and circuitry components. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of a plate with one or more active components, including, but not limited to a light guide, an LED, an LCD panel, an on/off button, a digital processor and a battery. The interconnections are not shown for clarity. 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional side view of a dining plate positioned in functional relation to a dining plate base (also referred to as an underplate) where the dining plate has one or more sensors, and where the dining plate and dining plate base can communicate information between each other.  FIG. 12B  is a simplified cross-sectional view of the dining plate of  FIG. 12A  where only the connector is shown.  FIG. 12C  is a side view of the dining plate base of  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13  is an electrical block diagram of a processor communicating with a variety of sensing and stimulation components, including display devices, of an active foodware system item of the subject invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of an eating utensil (fork) with one or more active components, in this case, three light guides, an on/off switch, a battery and an electrical circuit. 
         FIGS. 15A-15C  are plan views of various active foodware system utensils with one or more active components.  FIG. 15D  is a side view of a cup with one or more active components. No circuitry is shown for clarity. 
         FIG. 16A  is a side view of a cup with one or more active components. In this case, the active component is oil suspended in a non-oil-based liquid. Shown is an optional illuminating component in the base of the cup.  FIG. 16B  is a side view of a utensil (knife) with one or more active components, such as oil in a non-oil-based liquid. Shown is an optional illuminating component in the base of the handle.  FIG. 16C  is a plan view of the cup of  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17A  is a side view of a container with a label with one or more active components. In this case, one active component is a light fiber. Also shown are an LED, on/off switch and circuit.  FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 17A  with a label with one or more active components.  FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional view of a container with one or more active components inside the wall of the container.  FIG. 17D  is a cross-sectional view of a container with one or more active components inside the container. In this case, one active component is alight fiber.  FIG. 17E  is a cross-sectional side view of the container of  FIG. 17D  with one or more active components inside the container. A light fiber is shown. 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are side views of containers with labels with one or more active components.  FIG. 18A  shows a 7-segment display.  FIG. 18B  shows a more complicated label including an LCD panel and speaker.  FIG. 18C  is a block diagram circuit associated with  FIGS. 18A and 18B . The circuitry is not shown on  FIGS. 18A and 18B  for clarity. 
         FIG. 19A  is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with a rotating component inside.  FIG. 19B  is a plan view of the rotating component of  FIG. 19A . Additionally, the rotating component may comprise one or more active components. Among other things, the non-rotating portion of the eating plate may comprise one or more light guiding, light transmitting, light modifying or light distorting components. 
         FIG. 20A  is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with rotating component inside, where the dining plate is in functional relation to a dining plate base (also referred to as an underplate) with a powered rotating device magnetically coupled to the rotating component.  FIG. 20B  is a plan view of one example of magnetically coupled rotating device. 
         FIGS. 21A-21D  are plan views of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with a multi-pixel LCD display capable of displaying static images or images which appear to move. 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of an active eating plate where information is displayed and updated around the perimeter of the dining surface. 
         FIG. 23A  is a plan view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with multiple compartments and one or more active components. In this case, the compartments include LCD panels where a small figure may be displayed to encourage the user/diner.  FIG. 23B  is a plan view of a control pad for communicating information to the plate of  FIG. 23A . 
         FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with a visual sensory stimulating component positioned in functional relation.  FIG. 24B  is a perspective view of a food container with visual sensory stimulating component positioned in functional relation. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate with three food dishes, a paused primary video behind a secondary video, a remote control for controlling the active foodware system, including at least one of the active foodware dining plate, an active foodware cup and an active foodware utensil. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an active foodware dining surface computer cover and a laptop computer that the active foodware dining surface computer cover fits over. 
         FIG. 27A  is a perspective view of the underside of an active foodware dining surface computer cover where the computer monitor food shield articulates with the computer keyboard food shield.  FIG. 27B  is a perspective view of the active foodware dining surface computer cover where the computer monitor food shield is folded back to mate with the computer keyboard food shield. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a portion of an active foodware dining surface with a food-sensing platform and food dish. 
         FIG. 29A  is a cross section of a food-sensing platform portion of an active foodware dining surface.  FIG. 29B  is a cross section of a second type of food-sensing platform portion of an active foodware dining surface.  FIG. 29C  is a cross section of a third type of food-sensing platform portion of an active foodware dining surface.  FIG. 29D  is a cross section of a third type of food-sensing platform portion of an active foodware dining surface. 
         FIG. 30  is a circuit block diagram of a processor receiving weight information from a food-sensing platform of an active foodware dining plate. 
         FIG. 31  is a block diagram of a computer processor receiving encoder information from a food-sensing platform of an active foodware dining plate and outputting a signal to illuminate one or more lights on the active foodware dining plate. 
         FIG. 32  is a flowchart describing a portion of an exemplary computer program controlling an active foodware dining plate. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a tablet computer and computer cover comprising three dining compartments, each exemplifying different feedback lighting. 
         FIG. 34  is an active foodware system in the form of a laptop computer with four dining surfaces: one to the side of the monitor, one capable of being swiveled in front of the monitor and two covering a portion of the laptop and to the side of the keyboard. 
         FIG. 35  is a gamepad with foodware cover. 
         FIG. 36  is a portable music player with active foodware docking dish. 
         FIG. 37A  is a cross section of an active foodware system with a dining plate inductively receiving electrical energy from an underplate.  FIG. 37B  is a plan view of the dining plate of  FIG. 37A .  FIG. 37C  is a plan view of the underplate of  FIG. 37A .  FIG. 37D  is an exemplary circuit employed by the plate and underplate of  FIG. 37A . 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of an active foodware system transmitting a signal to an external display. 
         FIG. 39  is a cross section of an active foodware system where a passive translucent plate with a dining surface receives light from a visual display underplate through an optical coupler. 
         FIG. 40A  is a plan view of another active foodware system where a passive plate receives light from a visual display through an optical coupler.  FIG. 40B  is a cross section view of the passive plate of  FIG. 40A . 
         FIG. 41A  is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising a portable computer and adjustable structure for positioning food and beverages in convenient proximity to the computer.  FIG. 41B  is a perspective view of the adjustable structure of  FIG. 41A .  FIG. 41C  is a perspective view of the adjustable structure of  FIG. 41A  where the extension of the frame and surface are capable of being adjusted. 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising an active foodware plate, at least one dining surface, and display devices to be received by, or for attachment to, the active foodware plate. 
         FIG. 43  is a computer monitor showing a graphical user interface for a computer program for communicating with an active foodware system. 
         FIG. 44  is a computer monitor showing another graphical user interface for a computer program for communicating with an active foodware system. 
         FIG. 45  is a cross section view of an active foodware system with a dining surface and an optical sensor for detecting food. 
         FIG. 46  is a plan view of an active foodware system with a dining surface and an optical sensor for detecting food. 
         FIG. 47A  is a cross section view of an assembled active foodware system including a passive plate with a dining surface and one or more light guides, and a removable active underplate with one or more light sources for emitting light into the one or more light guides of the passive plate.  FIG. 47B  is a cross section view of the unassembled passive plate and active underplate of  FIG. 47A .  FIG. 47C  is a cross section view of an assembled active foodware system including a passive plate with a dining surface and one or more light guides, and a removable active underplate with one or more light sources for emitting light into the one or more light guides of the passive plate.  FIG. 47C  also shows an optional motor and rotating translucent film for affecting the emitted light before it reaches the one or more light guides. 
         FIGS. 48A-48I  are cross section views of typical active foodware plate forms. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An active foodware system is provided that can afford single media or multimedia presentation. The active foodware system comprises devices that provide at least one of visual, auditory and haptic stimuli, usually at least visual, where the stimuli can be related to the food being presented. The active foodware system may comprise a power source, a device or devices for producing signals and may also include a device or devices for sensing and/or receiving signals and a processor for processing signals and/or data. The active foodware system may include all of the sensing and stimuli producing devices. The active foodware system may also include the circuitry to control the devices and perform the various activities provided by the active foodware system. 
     The active foodware system comprises as a central element a dining surface. The dining surface is equivalent to an eating surface and is the exposed surface of an eating or dining plate. The dining surface will be recessed as compared to a region surrounding the dining surface. The recessed surface serves to receive food and the surrounding region prevents spillage. In combination with the dining surface will be a mechanical structure supporting the dining surface. 
     Also as part of the system will be at least one of a sensing component, a stimulating component or a processor component; or the mechanical structure will have a form to separably receive a processor module. Typically, when the mechanical structure has a stimulating component as other than a software controlled graphical display below the dining surface, then light emanates from the dining surface or the mechanical structure is integral with the dining surface. When the sensing component senses weight, typically the stimulating component will include information other than information provided by a scale. 
     Typically one of the sensing, stimulating or processor components will be in functional relationship with a mechanical structure. These components may be attached, integral, molded or sealed into, encased, in contact with, connected to or otherwise directly involved with the mechanical structure. Alternatively, the mechanical structure may have a “space,” where space includes a cavity, slot, opening, etc., for receiving a processor component, usually with the mechanical structure able to cover at least a portion of the processor component, particularly during dining. 
     The mechanical structure is intended to be supported by furniture, such as a dining table, desk, high chair, and the like, types of furniture that find use for dining, although not necessarily limited to dining. The furniture raises the mechanical structure to a level where dining is convenient with the mechanical structure, but may raise the dining surface to a level somewhat higher than the level at which one normally dines. The height to which the mechanical structure is raised will generally be about 2.5 feet or greater and less than about 3.5 feet, where the mechanical structure will generally raise the dining surface to less than about 1 foot above the support. In the case of a plate, the dining surface may be raised about an inch or less. 
     The active foodware system typically has a dining plate having an exposed dining surface for receiving and presenting food. Referring to a “dining plate” or “dining dish,” the dining plate or dining dish typically includes any recessed relatively flat dining surface, deeper dining dish, dining bowl, and the like, where one typically uses a utensil or one&#39;s fingers to remove the food. It may also include a controller, such as a switch, control circuit, processor, etc. for controlling sensory stimulation or sensing components. Thus the active foodware system can appeal to various organoleptic characteristics. The stimulating and sensing components can be related to the food being presented, either directly or indirectly, such as presence of the food, consumption of the food, temperature, food menu, selection, etc., or providing attention-attracting stimuli, such as entertainment, information, educational presentation, promotional advertisements, etc., which can keep the diner interested and close to the food. The plate may be a unitary object that includes the dining surface, a light transmissive entity and a support member, where the latter may be the same structural element. Usually, the plate will be associated with a light generator that may be separate or be part of the same structural element. There can be one or more dining surfaces that are contiguous or separated. Each dining surface will usually be in close proximity or juxtaposition to one or more stimulating, e.g., transmissive, entities. Generally, the area under the dining surface will be light transmissive when the light generator is below the dining surface. Typically, the sensing component will be part of the mechanical structure. 
     Active foodware system components can include or be adapted to include a data processor and visual feedback display unit in an active foodware system. By designing an active foodware system component to fit the unit to form an integral structure, the resulting active foodware system has the flexibility of the unit in providing stimuli while at the same time presenting food to the viewer. Also, signals from the active foodware system component can be processed by the data processor and be used in providing the stimuli. The data processor and visual feedback display unit may be provided by a personal computer, such as a laptop computer with a monitor, or a game console. When the data processor and monitor are integral to other components of the active foodware system, other than a separable dining surface, the combined unit will be referred to as the “sensory unit.” When the data processor and monitor are separable from the other components of the active foodware system, other than a separable dining surface, such other components will be referred to as the “separable sensory unit.” 
     A subassembly of the subject invention employs a dining plate with an exposed dining surface and a connector to an external processor for controlling the stimuli. In this way, the subassembly can be sold as an individual entity separate from the processor, where the user may connect the subassembly to the external processor. By having appropriate components integrated with the plate in the subassembly, these can be controlled by the external processor when the subassembly is connected to the external processor. 
     For the purposes of this invention the “active foodware system” includes all of the components that serve as elements to present, store, utilize or consume food and provide sensory stimulation, sensing and controlling. The active foodware system includes foodware, such as dishware, utensils, containers, flatware, stemware, and ancillary devices used with such entities, such as cup holders. The active foodware system may comprise components or subsystems comprising individual components. A distinction will be made between physically separable and inseparable components and subsystems of the active foodware system. In the system there will be at least a dining surface, such as a dining plate, dining bowl or dining dish, from which food is consumed. The dining surface may be supported by one member of a place setting when in use. There is at least one active component that provides sensory stimulation. There may be one or more passive components. In describing the invention, those components generating or using electrical power will be referred to as “active” components and active subsystems comprise at least one active component. Each of the active components is active in employing electrical power to provide feedback to a user/diner and/or sensing user/diner input. Those components or subsystems that do not generate or use electrical power will be referred to as “passive” components or subsystems, respectively. 
     In referring to a processor, the processor may be programmable or non-programmable, e.g., hard wired, and there may be one or more processors. Programming may be accomplished with hardware or software. A programmable processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and the like, which is typically connected to ROM and RAM and has a software program in the ROM and/or RAM controlling the programmable processor&#39;s operation. The processor may also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA), Field-Programmable Logic Array (FPLA), Programmable Array Logic (PAL), and the like. The processor will provide for receiving signals from sensors and outputting stimuli of the active foodware system. The processor can be part of an existing system, particularly a commercially available system, having in addition to the processor a graphic display and optionally one or more ports for connection to electronics of the mechanical structure. Such existing systems include generically laptops, where “Laptops” refers to the family of laptop computers, tablet computers, handheld computers, intelligent mobile terminals, and the like. The existing systems also include generically gamepads, where “Gamepads” refers to gamepads, game consoles, and the like. As exemplary are the Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation® Game Console, Microsoft Xbox®, etc. 
     The active foodware system may also include sensing capability. Sensing may involve sensing components, including but not limited to contact sensors, touchscreens, motion sensors, proximity sensors, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, sound sensors and the like. The sensing capability may be associated with food characteristics, such as weight, position, center of mass, temperature, movement, color, reflectivity, opacity, size, density, volume, etc. 
     Stimulation directed to the diner can provide encouragement to eat, rewards for eating, minatory messages, educational messages, information, directions concerning food selection, etc. A portion of the dining surface may have access reversibly blocked. For example, access to dessert may be blocked until the active foodware system senses that the other foods have been eaten. 
     Other forms of stimulation may include heating of the plate and food, e.g. a heating element in the plate, color patterns, pictures, photographs, etc. For visual stimulation, a light generator is employed. The light generator may take various forms, such as an LCD, LED, electroluminescent wire, fluorescent light, plasma display, neon light, incandescent light, optical fiber, light channel or tube, CRT, etc. When referring to a light generator as a component of a system, the associated video processing, interface and circuitry is inherently included if not explicitly included. When referring to a light generator as a component of a system, the light generator may also include a touch screen, even if not explicitly shown. 
     The active foodware system can include utensils and vessels with the dining plate. The different components of a place setting may each provide stimulation and sensing and may communicate with each other and a user of the active foodware system. For example, one can provide that the proximity or contact of a utensil to the dining plate can result in encouragement to bring the utensil to the food on the dining surface and recognize when the utensil is moved away from the dining surface. 
     In distinguishing the subject invention devices from a food scale, the scale is limited to provide solely information about the weight of the food, such as the weight, the units, e.g., grams, in which the weight is presented, cost, and the like. 
     The active foodware system may be used in a restaurant and provide a food menu, which may be hierarchical. Such an active foodware system may display an image of various food options on the dining surface as the food would actually look if ordered. The active foodware system may allow diner input, ordering and payment, for example, by sensing contact with the plate or voice input. A diner&#39;s order on the active foodware system may be automatically directed to the kitchen. 
     Of particular interest are dining plates, which can be used for presenting food, particularly with conventional or active utensils and drinking receptacles, for demonstration of various designs, for providing information or entertainment, etc. The dining plate will usually be the center of the active foodware system involving most, if not all, of the stimuli to the user/diner. 
     The dining plates may be active systems or subsystems and have all or some of the circuitry and stimuli producing devices contained in the dining plate. For example, by molding an upper or lower layer of a dining plate having compartments and channels for housing the devices and connecting the devices, the various devices may readily be placed in their appropriate positions and relationships and connected accordingly. One may then seal all of the devices with potting compound, epoxy, fiberglass, and the like, to protect the devices and connectors from moisture. A complementary layer, e.g., undercover, can be attached while the sealant is curing, so as to be bonded to the sealant and provide for an attractive dining plate, e.g., an attractive underlayer. Alternatively, one may provide for a channel proximal to the edge of the dining plate with an underlayer having a ridge fitting into the channel. By having a sealant in the channel or on the ridge, fitting the ridge into the channel will hermetically seal the upper and lower layers to form the dining plate. The design will allow for chambers, leads or the like at the periphery of the dining plate for connection to other components, such as batteries, antennae, etc. A compartment can be provided at the periphery for receiving a battery that would be in operative connection with the internal devices through leads, pads, etc., that can be made of corrosion resistant materials, to allow for washing of the dining plate after removing the battery. 
     The manner in which the upper and lower layers of the plate are sealed is to provide for a water resistant seal. In this way the dining plate can be washed and the devices and circuitry between the layers are protected from corrosion. By having an external power source or providing for a sealed compartment for receiving a power source, one can provide an integral plate that only lacks the power source, but can be connected with the power source when in use. 
     The dining plate unit may have an upper dining plate, of which at least a portion is translucent, and an underplate having the various devices for the stimuli or sensing. Such translucent plate would include the dining surface, a transmissive entity and further serve as a support structure for the dining surface. The translucent plate can be glass or various plastics, such as polycarbonate, PVC, Plexiglas, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly-4-methylpentene-1, Delrin, etc. The translucent plate may be readily molded and typically will be relatively thin to allow for efficient transmission of light from the underplate. Thicknesses in the range of about 1 to 10 mm may be employed. In addition, various designs may be incorporated into the translucent dining plate to cooperate with the stimuli emanating from the underplate. 
     The foodware system may be capable of communicating data, such as sending data or receiving downloaded data, such as video files, movies, pictures, designs, audio files, computer programs, etc. The data communication may be done offline or streamed in real time. The data communication may be via a wired or wireless link. The data communication may be from or to a website. The data communication may be from or to a server computer. Data communication may be from or to a peer-to-peer network. Data communication may be via any convenient protocol, including http, https, ftp, and the like. The active foodware system may accept external hardware media such as DVDs, CDs, memory sticks, floppy disks, hard drives and the like, where the content may be seen and/or heard on the active foodware system. By having ports, connectors, transmitters or receivers for receiving external signals that can then be presented as stimuli, the active foodware system provides great flexibility. Thus, the active foodware system can be self-contained or rely on external devices to provide signals which are then presented to the user/diner. 
     The data received by the active foodware system can be utilized in different ways depending upon the type of received data. Typically, if the data is a picture file format, the active foodware system will display a digital image; if the data is a movie or video format, then the active foodware system will display movie or video; if the data is a haptic feedback file format, the active foodware system will provide haptic feedback; if the data is an audio file format, the active foodware system will play sound; and if the data is a computer program, the active foodware system will run the program. However, one type of data may be converted into a different stimulation; for example, an audio format may be converted into a haptic format and/or visual format or may be used to augment a visual image. 
     By “image” is intended a representation formed by light emission at different sites, usually of other than a simple geometric form. For the most part, the image will be formed by a plurality of light-emitting sites. Light-emitting sites may be obtained with one or more electroluminescent elements, a plurality of LEDs, an LCD display, a fluorescent display, a plasma display, a plurality of incandescent lights, and the like. Simple geometric forms include circles and various regular polygons of from 3-4 sides, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. 
     The active foodware system may comprise a mechanical structure having a dining surface and comprising any one of a stimulating component, a sensing component and a processor component, with the component being in proximity to the dining surface, with the dining surface being recessed in relation to a region surrounding the dining surface, with the dining surface being recessed for receiving food and preventing spillage from said dining surface, and in the event that the stimulating component is a visual stimulating component, (a) the visual stimulating component has a plurality of sites that emit light that produces other than a single simple geometric form, or (b) the visual stimulating component is sealed in the mechanical structure. 
     The active foodware system may also comprise: a dining surface, where the dining surface is recessed in relation to a region surrounding the dining surface, where the dining surface is recessed for receiving food and preventing spillage from the dining surface, and in combination with the dining surface, further comprising a mechanical structure for supporting the dining surface, and (1) in functional relationship to the mechanical structure, any one of the following functioning while dining: a sensing component, a stimulating component and a processor component, with the proviso that (a) when the mechanical structure has a visual stimulating component and the stimulating component is other than a software controlled graphical display, either (i) light emanates from the dining surface from a plurality of sites that emit light that produces other than a single simple geometric form, or (ii) the visual stimulating component is sealed in the mechanical structure or (b) when the sensing component senses weight, the stimulating component includes information other than information provided by a scale; or (2) the mechanical structure has an adjustable support structure, a horizontal dining platform for supporting food in a raised position, while a keyboard is positioned at least partially under the dining platform, at least a portion of the dining platform being translucent to permit viewing at least a portion of the keyboard during dining. 
     Typical active foodware system visual displays include light guides (such as optical fibers, electroluminescent light sources, light channels in the active foodware system material, light tubes, and the like), liquid crystal displays, light emitting diodes, laser diodes, plasma displays, fluorescent lights, fluorescing fluids, incandescent lights, and the like. The active foodware system may include haptic feedback, including but not limited to vibrotactile feedback, tactile feedback, electrocutaneous feedback, and force feedback, so the user/diner may feel desired vibrations, jolts, impacts or movements of the active foodware system. A useful vibrotactile feedback element is a rotating motor with eccentric mass, such as is found in vibrating cell phones. Typical auditory feedback displays include voice-coil speakers, piezoelectric speakers, and the like, including speakers and sound-generating elements used in cell phones. 
     The active foodware system may accept wired or wireless input that affects the visual, auditory or haptic display of the active foodware system, such as signals from a data processor. For example, the active foodware system may accept voice input, wired or wireless mouse input, wired or wireless peripheral device input. Games may be played using the active foodware system where the active foodware system dining plate comprises a visual feedback display. The active foodware system may have built-in controls for controlling the displayed content, providing game control input, communicating with other active foodware systems, and the like. 
     Embodiments of particular interest include having a passive or active component or subsystem comprising the dining surface that interacts with a separable active component or subsystem. For example, one may have an underplate as an active subsystem under a dining plate having a dining surface. Such underplate may rest on a table, be part of a table or be affixed to a table. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the dining plate is translucent while the underplate transmits visual sensory stimulation through the translucent portion of the dining plate. Another example, is the use of a data processor, e.g., laptop computer, and visual feedback display, e.g., monitor, that fits with a subsystem comprising a dining surface. The subsystem optionally includes a sensor for sensing changes in the amount of food present and provides feedback. One can also provide for recognition by the data processor of a unit of food related to an average amount per intake and have the sensor recognize when the change in the amount is unrelated to an average intake, e.g., where the food is discarded. 
     One may be interested in sensing the position of food on the dining surface. Various technologies that may be employed as the sensing component include infrared emitters/detectors, cameras, including CCD cameras, touch screens, pressure and weight sensors, ultrasonics, radar, temperature sensors, lasers, proximity sensors, and the like. Depending upon the technology, the different entities would be positioned in different known ways in relation to the dining surface. A signal from the sensing component may be transmitted to a stimulating component to modulate the stimulation. The sensed information can be used in a variety of ways by the active foodware system. For instance, if it is detected that while a child is eating, food is being moved about the dish rather than being consumed, the parent may be notified or the stimulation to the child may be altered. The parent may be notified by phone, email, pager, auditory signal, etc. In another embodiment, designs, both colors and patterns, displayed at the dining surface may be varied. Attractively, one could have simulated electrostatic patterns related to the position of the food. 
     One item of an active foodware system may communicate information with another item of an active foodware system. An active foodware system fork may communicate its movement to an active foodware system dining plate of the same user/diner or the active foodware system dining plate of a different user/diner. A computer which typically is not in physical contact with the active foodware system may communicate with the active foodware system in real time or offline. 
     Active foodware systems may include corded telephone technology, cordless telephone technology, walkie talkie technology, mobile/cellular telephone technology, internet access, web searching technology, and the like. 
     Advertisers may combine promotions with active foodware systems. For example, a fast-food store may provide active foodware system cups, dining plates and/or utensils with moving and/or talking movie characters or interactive games on them. 
     The subject active foodware system serves to provide an enhanced dining experience. One can present to a diner a visual, aural, haptic or other sensory stimulation to enhance the dining experience. A dining surface is maintained in proximity to a stimulating component. Of particular interest is to have a processor to communicate with the stimulating component to provide the desired stimulation. The method comprises presenting food to a diner on such dining surface; running a computer program on a computer with instructions for selecting at least one active foodware system; transferring data from the computer memory to the processor; and depending upon the type of the data, displaying, playing or operating the data, in conjunction with a member of the active foodware system, such as a dining plate or underplate. The selected member will have a receiver for receiving and storing the data. One may also select data from a data source to be included in the data transferred to the active foodware system member. In this way, stimulation may be provided during the consumption of the food. The stimulation can be related to the food and its consumption, providing information about the food, its preparation, its characteristics, etc. 
     Of particular interest is sensing the weight of the food on a dining surface. Visual or auditory stimuli in relation to the weight of food sensed can be provided. Auditory signals may be provided that relate to the consumption of the food and provide rewards, instructions, etc., in relation to such consumption. 
     The subject invention is further described in detail hereunder referring to the embodiments provided in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows a user/diner  100  seated at a table  101  using a variety of active foodware system items, including an active dining plate  102 , an active fork  103  and an active cup  104 . Only these three active component examples are shown in the figure; however, many different items used to eat, drink, contain, serve, support, pour, store, prepare, hold, and mix food, when comprising active or passive components, may be considered as active foodware systems according to the subject invention. For clarity, the active dining plate  102  does not have any food on it. Such active component may comprise one or a multiplicity of a variety of active sensory stimulating and sensing components. Visual sensory stimulating components include but are not limited to light emitting diodes (LEDs), optical fibers, optical tubes, electroluminescent light sources, optical channels, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, fluorescing fluids, and the like. Such active foodware system may comprise one or a multiplicity of auditory sensory stimulating components, including but not limited to voice-coil speakers, piezo-electric speakers, and other sound generating components. Such active foodware system may comprise one or a multiplicity of sensing components, including but not limited to contact sensors, touchscreens, motion sensors, proximity sensors, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, sound sensors and the like. Such active foodware system may also comprise one or a multiplicity of haptic feedback components, including but not limited to tactile, vibrotactile and force feedback components to provide tactile and force feedback to the user/diner. Such active foodware system may provide a multimedia dining experience to the user/diner. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  provide one embodiment of the subject active foodware system invention where an LCD screen is positioned in functional relation to a dining plate surface, in this case under the dining plate. This embodiment provides a rectangular active foodware system  213  comprising an active underplate or active underplate subsystem  201  with LCD visual display  202  and a passive eating plate  200  with at least a portion of the top surface  212  being translucent to allow viewing of at least a portion of the information provided by the visual display  202 . The passive dining plate  200  may be attached to the active underplate  201  or left unattached.  FIG. 2A  is a plan view of the passive dining plate placed over the active underplate.  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the passive dining plate  200  above the active underplate  201 .  FIG. 2C  is a side view of the active underplate. The passive dining plate  200  may contact the table via supports  210  where the active underplate is accessible via openings  211  between the supports  210 . Alternately, the passive dining plate may be supported by the active underplate and not contact the table surface directly. 
     The active underplate  201  of  FIGS. 2A-2C  comprises a processor  203  which generates a display control signal that is used by the display amplification circuitry  214  to drive the visual display  202 . The interconnections are not shown here in  FIGS. 2A-2C , but a general functional block diagram is provided later in  FIG. 13 . The electrical details are known to those skilled in the art. The active underplate  201  further comprises battery  204 , electrical adapter/battery charger connector  208 , speaker  207 , on/off switch  206 , external media slot  205  and data adaptor  209 . The external media slot  205  may accept any of a variety of past, present or future media, including but not limited to CDs, DVDs, floppies, tape, memory sticks, and the like. The data adaptor  209  represents one or a multiplicity of port connectors for a variety of wireless and wireline data, and may be a USB connector, Firewire connector, serial connector, parallel connector, infrared connector, electromagnetic connector, and the like. In  FIGS. 2A-2C , data adaptor  209  and electrical adaptor/battery charger connector  208  are optionally obstructed by supports  210  for safety reasons to prevent wired connection during dining to any device that might present an electrical hazard if a liquid were spilled on the wire or connection during dining. 
       FIG. 3A  is a plan view of one embodiment of the subject invention where a visual display is made up of light guides, such as light fibers, electroluminescent light sources, light tubes, light channels and the like being placed in functional relation to a dining plate. In this embodiment, representations for two eyes and a smile are illuminated by light guides. The left eye comprises light guide  301  and associated LED  302 ; the right eye comprises light guide  303  and associated LED  304 ; and the smile comprises light guide  305  and associated LED  306 .  FIG. 3A  also shows a power source  307 , on/off switch  308  (such as a single pole, single throw switch), electrical resistors  309 ,  310 , and  311 , along with the interconnections. The embodiment as shown provides a very simple circuit where pressing the on/off switch illuminates the LEDs and their associated light guides. In a more complicated embodiment, a processor may be used to provide more sophisticated lighting effects. Electrical circuits to provide a wide variety of lighting effects are well known by those skilled in the art. 
     The power source  307  may be a battery, and may be rechargeable and may be replaceable. The battery may also be manufactured into the plate such that is cannot be user replaced. If rechargeable, the battery may be removed and recharged. Alternatively, the battery may be left in the plate and recharged via a connector (not shown) on the plate. If it is desired to not have any openings or connectors to the plate, the battery may also be associated with a transformer (not shown) in the dining plate so it can be inductively charged via an external electromagnetic field, such as provided in  FIGS. 37A-37D . The battery may also be associated with a photovoltaic cell (not shown) in the dining plate which charges the battery using light. 
     The lighting power source, circuitry and/or one or more lighting components may be removable. The lighting components and circuitry may be located inside the material of the dining plate or positioned below the dining surface. In such cases, enough of the material between the dining surface of the dining plate and the lighting component(s) should be translucent to permit at least a portion of the light escaping from the lighting component(s) to be viewed by the user/diner. The dining plate may be manufactured from typical dining plate materials, such as China, glass, ceramic, plastic, porcelain and the like. Translucent portions of the dining plate are made from any hard non-toxic translucent material, such as glass, plastic and the like. Translucent liquids may also be encapsulated between the light source and surface of the dining plate. 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of the dining plate of  FIG. 3A  where only the light guide  305  and associated LED  306  producing the smile are shown for clarity, and which in this case are located inside the material of the dining plate. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are various dining plate designs that can be easily produced using the light guide embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Multiple light guides may co-exist in a single dining plate and be selectively activated to provide the illusion that the face is changing expression. In  FIGS. 4A-4B , the lines making up the eyes and mouth may be produced using one or a multiplicity of light guides per facial line. 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view at section  5 A- 5 A of the dining plate  500  of  FIG. 6A . There is a channel  501  in the dining plate for directing and diffusing light from light source  502  on its way to the reflective surface  507 . Light may be reflected internally or the light may refract. The refracted light that escapes the surface of the dining plate may be viewed by the user/diner. The diameter of the channel may be selected so that a desired amount of light escapes the channel for viewing by the user/diner. The surface roughness and optional coatings may also be selected to determine the amount of light that escapes the channel. Such augmentation of the channel may be graded to provide a desired intensity of glow along the channel by the user/diner. For example, it might be desired to have the ends of the channel emit more light, i.e., glow more, than the middle, or vice versa, or it might be desired to have a uniform glow along the length of the channel. 
     In a related embodiment, the channel may be filled with a fluorescing gas, material, liquid or other fluid, and where the light source  502  is an energy source that causes the gas, material or fluid to fluoresce. 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view at section  6 B- 6 B of the dining plate  503 . There is a channel  505  into which a light guide  504 , such as an optical fiber, electroluminescent light source, or light tube, resides. The light guide has a light source  506  at one end and may have an optional reflective surface  508  at the other. The index of refraction of the light guide and of the dining plate channel, as well as any gap between the guide and channel wall, may be selected to produce the desired amount of refraction and perceived glow of the channel by the user/diner. Such optical technology is known by those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 7A  is a cross section of a light guide  700 . Such a guide may be an optical fiber, electroluminescent light source, optical tube, or any other appropriate light guiding element.  FIG. 7B  is a light guide  701  with cladding  702  to help prevent light from escaping. In  FIG. 7B , a portion  703  of the cladding has been removed to allow a desired amount of light to escape from a desire section of the guide.  FIG. 7C  is a cross section of a light guide  704  where a portion  705  of the light guide has been modified to allow light to escape. A light guide may be modified using a variety of techniques, such as by etching, scoring, and the like. 
       FIG. 8A  is a side view of a light guide  800 . There is a light source  801  at one end and an optional reflective surface  802  at the other end. The light guide may be an optical fiber, electroluminescent light source, light tube or any other suitable light guiding element where light can be allowed to escape and pass through a translucent material for the user/diner to see. When the light guide is an optical fiber, theoretically, light  803  that does not exceed a critical angle of incidence with the surface will be internally reflected, whereas light  804  that does exceed the critical angle of incidence will be refracted according to Snell&#39;s Law. Refracted light that passes through a translucent material may be viewed by the user/diner. The light guide may also be a light tube with openings permitting the light to escape in desired locations and amounts. 
     Light sources are commonly light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or laser diodes, but can be any of a variety of light producing devices, including incandescent lights, electroluminescent elements, fluorescent lights, glowing coils, and the like. 
       FIG. 8B  is a simple electrical circuit schematic for driving an LED. When the switch  805  is closed, electrical current  806  from the power source  807  passes through the wires  808 , through the resistor  809  and through the LED  810 , causing it to give off light. 
       FIG. 8C  shows an integrated circuit block  811  with a digital processor and memory and powered by a power source  812 . When the processor detects that the switch  813  is closed, it runs a program in its memory that determines which of the light sources  814  to energize and when. The technology for creating such a circuit is known to those skilled in the art and actual circuit implementations may vary considerably. The invention is not limited to an embodiment using the simple exemplary circuits provided here. 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  are active foodware system dining plates with varying visual display designs and technologies. Auditory output may be combined with any of these visual displays.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  are dining plates  900  and  901 , respectively, using light guides to create desired patterns and designs. Each of the lines  902  and  903  may be illuminated using optical guides, including but not limited to “lossy” optical fibers (i.e., which allow some light to escape to be viewed by the user/diner), electroluminescent light sources, light channels, light tubes and the like. 
       FIG. 9C  is a dining plate  904  comprising one or a multiplicity of LEDs  905  which may be illuminated in a desired sequence or in response to user/diner or food activity. The LEDs may be any of a variety of technologies and desirable colors, including but not limited to, red, yellow, blue, green, and the like. A matrix of colored LEDs may be used in combination to produce a composite image where one or more LEDs represent a single picture element (pixel). 
       FIG. 9D  is an active foodware system dining plate  906  comprising an active LCD screen capable of displaying a large number of different images. The LCD screen may have a uniform matrix of pixels where any arbitrary image or alphanumeric character may be displayed. Alternatively, to reduce cost and complexity, the LCD screen may include only portions of a limited number of images or alphanumeric characters. By sequencing the LCD through a pattern of pixels or preset image portions, the user/diner may perceive an object or alphanumeric character to move. Moving or non-moving objects visually displayed by the active foodware system may be associated with aural stimulation from the active foodware system to provide a multimedia experience. 
     The user/diner may load pictures or movies onto the active foodware system dining plate for display, such as wedding pictures, baby pictures, pictures or movies from a trip and the like. Entertaining and/or other desired images, artwork, videos, graphics, sounds, haptic sensations, “screen savers” and the like, may be downloaded from websites for display on a member of an active foodware system, such as a dining plate. Digital images of the tablecloth or other desirable colors or patterns may be loaded and displayed on the dining plate so the dining plate matches the tablecloth or a dinner party theme. Slideshows may be displayed on the active foodware system plate. Movies may be displayed on the active foodware system dining plate. The dining plate may be associated with a television tuner, TV cable, satellite dish, and the like, such that the user/diner may watch television on their dining plate. The active foodware system dining plate may serve as a computer monitor. Sounds may be recorded and played back through a speaker or vibrating portion associated with the dining plate. For example, the dining plate could display stationary or moving text saying, “Happy Birthday, Jill!” while simultaneously audibly displaying the “Happy Birthday” song through the speaker. At the end of the song, an image or movie of Jill as a baby may be displayed on the dining plate. 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  are three frontal views of an active foodware system liquid container, in this case an active foodware cup  1000  comprising a visual display  1001 , auditory display  1002 , user/diner interaction controls  1003 , processor  1004  and power source  1005 . The three views show an image perceived by the user/diner to move from the right to left by successively changing the displayed position of the image. The visual display uses any technology capable of displaying an image, including but not limited to LCD technology, LED technology, plasma screen technology, electroluminescent technology, and the like. The cup may have user controls for turning on the visual display, interacting with the image, playing a game, communicating with others, or otherwise controlling the operation of the cup. The cup may provide auditory feedback to the user/diner via the auditory display  1002 . The auditory feedback may be sounds associated with the image and the sounds need not be associated with the image. The auditory feedback may contain speech, music, beeps and other noises and sounds. The auditory feedback may provide advertisements and entertainment. The cup may accept auditory input from the user/diner via a microphone (not shown).  FIG. 10D  is a plan view of the active foodware system cup  1000  of  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
       FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware system dining plate  1100  comprising a variety of visual displays, including an LCD screen  1101 , a light guide  1102  with associated light-guide-illuminating LED  1103  and a separate LED  1104 . Although one of each of three visual display components is shown in  FIG. 11 , an active foodware system may comprise only one of these visual display components, or it may comprise more than one of such visual displays, and/or an active foodware system may comprise other visual displays not shown in this figure, such as a plasma display, a fluorescent display, and the like. The active foodware system dining plate of  FIG. 11  also comprises a switch  1105 , which may be used to turn on/off the visual display(s), a power source  1106  and a processor  1107 . An active foodware system may comprise multiple switches and controls to control a variety of modes and functions of the active foodware system dining plate. The power source may comprise a battery, rechargeable battery, A/C to D/C power supply, transformer and the like. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and the like, and may have associated with it computer memory, such as RAM and ROM, and have a computer program in the memory. The processor may also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) or Programmable Array Logic (PAL). The processor has connections to the visual displays, switch and power source, where the processor is able to cause the visual displays to be illuminated in a desired manner and/or display a desired image. Interconnections between the components of  FIG. 11  and the specific electrical circuitry are known by those skilled in the art, and so they have been omitted from the figure for clarity. 
       FIGS. 12A-12C  are side cross-sectional views of an active foodware system comprising an dining plate  1200  in functional relation to a non-dining underplate  1201 , where the dining plate and non-dining underplate are not permanently affixed to each other. Such a configuration of the dining plate  1200  and non-dining underplate  1201  finds use when it is desired to submerge the dining plate in water or place it in a dishwasher, which, depending on design choices, might not be advisable for the non-dining underplate. For instance, the non-dining underplate might have a cord and wall plug  1202  for 110V or other high voltage alternating current electrical power. The non-dining plate might also have a speaker  1203  (such as a voice-coil speaker), microphone  1204 , a switch  1205 , a processor  1206  and other components and compartments  1207  that might not fare well if submerged in water. 
     The dining plate of  FIGS. 12A and 12B  has at least one sensory element capable of providing feedback or sensing a state. Such a sensory element includes, but is not limited to an LED  1213 , and LCD screen  1214 , a light guide  1215 , an electroluminescent element, a plasma screen, a fluorescent light, an illuminating fluid, a haptic feedback actuator  1216  (such as a vibrotactile feedback actuator (e.g., an eccentric mass actuator), a tactile feedback actuator, a force-feedback actuator, and the like), a pressure sensor  1208 , a temperature sensor  1209 , a tilt sensor, a proximity sensor, a speaker  1203 , a microphone  1204 , an electromagnetic sensor, a motion sensor, a position sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a calorimeter, and the like. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 12A , a pressure sensor  1208  may comprise a strain gage placed under the surface of the dining plate and electrically connected to a Wheatstone bridge electrical circuit (not shown, but known to those skilled in the art). A temperature sensor  1209  may comprise a thermistor (electrical circuit not shown, but known to those skilled in the art). A proximity sensor may comprise an infrared emitter-detector pair of LEDs  1210  (electrical circuit not shown, but known to those skilled in the art). These sensors communicate their signals to the processor (memory and interconnections not shown, but known to those skilled in the art) via the connector  1211  on the dining plate mating with connector  1212  on the non-dining underplate. In conjunction with or independent of the temperature sensor  1209  one may have a heating element  1217  that serves to heat the food and, if desired, maintain the food at a desired temperature, where the temperature sensor  1209  may be used to control the heating element  1217 . 
     The dining plate of  FIG. 12B  may communicate information with the non-dining underplate of  FIG. 12C  via a wired or wireless connection. Wired connections include, but are not limited to comprising metal contacts which touch mating metal contacts. Wireless connections include, but are not limited to electromagnetic communication, light-based communication, acoustic communication, and the like. Electromagnetic communication may be used to communicate data as well as power (typically via a transformer). Light-based communication may include optoisolators. 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a processor  1300 , such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. The processor may have associated with it computer memory, such as RAM and ROM, and have a computer program in the memory. The processor may also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) or Programmable Array Logic (PAL). The processor is communicating with one or more sensing and display devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to visual indicators including LEDs  1301 , which may have associated control hardware and software  1302 , LCDs  1303 , which may have associated control hardware and software  1304 , plasma displays, electroluminescent light sources and fluorescent displays, CRTs, speakers  1305 , including voice-coil and piezo-electric speakers, which may have associated control hardware and software  1306 , microphones  1307 , motors  1308  which may have associated control hardware and software  1309 , force- and tactile-feedback displays, motion sensors, temperature sensors  1310 , pressure sensors  1311 , contact sensors, moisture sensors, humidity sensors, tilt sensors, wireless ports, USB communication ports  1312 , serial ports, parallel ports, Fire-wire ports, CD drives  1313 , memory card ports, on/off and other control switches  1314 , antennae  1315 , power sources  1316 , and the like. Any of the sensing and display devices may have their own dedicated control hardware and software even though not explicitly shown in the figure. 
     Not all possible sensing and stimulating components or devices according to the subject invention are shown in  FIG. 13 . Only a few exemplary sensing and display devices are depicted, and the details of the interconnections and interface hardware and software are known to those skilled in the art. There is a multitude of sensing and display technologies capable of providing the desired results, and not all such specific technologies are listed. For example, when a motor  1308  is listed, it may be an electrical motor, pneumatic motor, piezo-electric motor, hydraulic motor, or any other technology for producing a linear or angular displacement based on a control signal. When a temperature sensor is listed, it may be a thermistor, thermocouple, and the like, or any other device for detecting temperature and converting it into a usable signal. When a power source is listed, it may be a battery, A/C adapter, transformer, or any other device for storing, converting or generating electrical power. 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view of a dining utensil  1400  which includes active sensing and feedback. More specifically, the dining utensil is a fork, where light guides  1401  extend into the tines  1402  from LEDs  1403  positioned in the handle  1404 . There is also an on/off switch  1405 , power source  1406  and circuitry  1407  positioned in the handle  1404 . The LEDs  1403  are connected to the circuitry  1407  via interconnections  1408 , the switch  1405  is connected to the circuitry  1407  via interconnections  1409  and the power source  1406  is connected to the circuitry  1407  via interconnections  1410 . The details of the circuitry  1407  are known to those skilled in the art. The switch  1405  may be any contact or proximity sensor, and the power source  1406  may be any device for supplying power, including but not limited to a battery. 
       FIGS. 15A-15C  are plan views of three different examples of active dining utensils. In  FIG. 15A , a fork  1500  has light guides  1501  emanating from light sources  1502  and where the light guides direct light emission for illuminating desired portions of the fork, such as each of three tines  1503 . A power source, on/off switch, control electronics and interconnections are not shown for clarity and are known to those skilled in the art. Similarly,  FIG. 15B  is a spoon  1504  with light guides  1505  emanating from light sources  1506  and where the light guides direct light emission for illuminating desired portions of the spoon, such as a pattern in the end of the spoon  1507 . Again, electrical details are omitted for clarity and are known to those skilled in the art.  FIG. 15C  is a knife  1508  with light guide  1509  emanating from a light source  1510  and where the light guide directs light emission for illuminating desired portions of the knife such as the blade  1511  of the knife. Again, electrical details are omitted for clarity and are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 15D  is a drinking container  1512  with multiple active components. In this embodiment, four different light guide examples are shown, including a star  1513 , a crescent moon  1514 , a double wavy line  1515  and a spiral  1516 . In this figure, the spiral  1516  is shown on an optional straw associated with the drinking container. Each light guide is associated with a light source and each light guide directs light emission for illuminating desired portions of the container. The drinking container as shown also comprises a light source  1517  without light guide. The light source may be an LED. Again, electrical details are omitted for clarity and are known to those skilled in the art. In each of the  FIGS. 15A-15D , the light sources may be energized in a desired spatial or temporal pattern and may be energized based on a signal from any of a variety of sensors (not shown) and including but not limited to a contact sensor, tilt sensor, moisture sensor, temperature sensor, auditory sensor, radio frequency sensor, electromagnetic sensor, optical sensor, and the like. 
       FIGS. 16A and 16C  are a side view and plan view, respectively, of a drinking container  1600  with active components. In this embodiment, the container wall  1601  is filled with two liquids such as water with oil, where the specific gravity of the oil is greater than that of the water. In the base  1602  of the container are a lighting source  1603  and a heating source. In this embodiment, the lighting source is an incandescent light and also serves as the heating source. There may also be an on/off switch  1604 , power source  1605 , electrical control circuitry  1606  and interconnections  1607 . In this embodiment, the electrical control circuitry is an electrical resistor and the power source is a battery. Such electronics may also be distributed throughout the container wall and need not be concentrated only in the base. The details of such electrical circuitry are known to those skilled in the art. Since oil and water don&#39;t mix, the oil will exist in amorphous shapes  1608  throughout the water  1609 . Additionally, since the oil is heavier than water the oil shapes will sink to the bottom of the water near the base of the container. There the heating source will heat the oil, and surrounding water, causing the oil to rise to nearer the top of the container wall while the cooler oil shapes and the water nearer the top sink toward the bottom. Over time, some oil shapes will separate into multiple pieces, while other oil shapes will recombine. Additionally, due to the varying optical properties of the oil and water, the light source in the base will create interesting and entertaining optical patterns as the oil shapes move. 
     The specific type of oil and/or the particular properties of the water may be selected to provide desired physical and optical properties. For instance, different oils may exhibit desirable fluorescing properties; they may have different separating and recombining properties and may sink and rise at different rates. 
       FIG. 16B  is an dining utensil comprising similar oil-water technology. In this embodiment, a knife handle  1610  has oil  1611  and water  1612  in it, and also comprises a lighting and heating source, along with the associated electronics, which are not shown in this embodiment and are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIGS. 16A-16C  are simple examples of components of an active foodware system, such as a drinking container and an dining utensil, which possess active components. The particular exemplifications shown in these figures are illustrative of these types of components and is not intended to be limiting. 
     Active foodware systems may also comprise electrostatic technology. For example, a component of an active foodware system may be partially hollow and filled with a gas containing ions and an energized electrode such that where the user/diner contacts the external surface of the component of the active foodware system an electrical arc will occur, looking like a miniature lightning bolt from the electrode to the point of user/diner contact. Such technology is known to those skilled in the art and the details are not presented explicitly but are incorporated herein by reference. 
     An active foodware system is desirable in many applications, including entertainment and promotion at home and in a restaurant. For example, fast food chains may provide an active foodware system as a promotional item. Active foodware systems with lighting sources will make it fun to eat in an otherwise dark environment. Lighting sources may include black lights, and oils may include associated fluorescence matched to the black lights. 
       FIG. 17A  is a frontal view of a liquid container  1700  with an active component. In this particular embodiment a beer bottle has a label  1701  with light guide  1702 , light source  1703 , function control switch  1704  and electrical circuitry  1705  which contains an electrical power source. As is the case with other light guides, the light guide guides light from the light source to one or more locations where the light is emitted for the user/diner to see. The light may be emitted over the entire length of the light guide, over a portion of the light guide and/or at one or more discrete points. In the embodiment of  FIG. 17A  an indicia of label  1701 , such as the name of a beer, is illuminated, producing a similar visual effect to a miniature neon street sign. Light sources producing different colors may be used. 
       FIG. 17B  is a cutaway top view of  FIG. 17A  showing the light guide  1702  and associated components affixed to the label  1701  which is affixed to the front of the liquid container. 
       FIG. 17C  is a cutaway view similar to  FIG. 17B , but where the lighting source  1706  and light guide  1707  are positioned inside the wall  1708  of the liquid container. The light from the lighting source may be guided in a variety of manners, including via a light fiber, electroluminescent light source, a light tube, a light channel which may contain air, gas, or another fluid, which may fluoresce, and the like. The associated electronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 17D  is a cutaway view of  FIG. 17E  where at least a portion of the light guide  1709  is located inside the liquid  1710  of the liquid container  1711 . The light from the lighting source  1712  may be guided in a variety of manners, including via a light fiber, a light tube, and the like. With such a location, the light guide  1709  can illuminate the liquid  1710  being contained. The light source  1712  may be located in a variety of convenient places, including inside the wall of the container, in the liquid inside the container, or in any location where light from the light source can enter the light guide. The associated electronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 17E  is a side cross-section view of the liquid container  1711  of  FIG. 17D , where at least a portion of the light guide  1709  is positioned inside the liquid  1710  in the liquid container. The associated electronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 18A  is a frontal view of a liquid container  1800  with an active label. The label  1801  may include a variety of display elements such as pictures or the segments of a 7-segment display  1802 . The active elements of the label may include LCD or LED technology. The label may have a function switch  1803  which may be used to turn on/off the display and select the desired images to display. The associated electronics, including the power source, are not shown for clarity but are known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 18B  is a frontal view of a liquid container  1804  with a label with a matrix of individually controllable picture elements (pixels) capable of producing a large number of desirable images. The label  1805  may be a separate component associated with the liquid container or the label may be a region of the container itself comprising one or more active components. Similar to a television screen, the pixels may produce text  1806  or other images  1807  which may appear to move given appropriate pixel sequencing. The label of this specific embodiment also comprises an auditory output device  1808 . Such an auditory output device may be a piezo-electric speaker, voice-coil speaker, or any other suitable device for producing sound. The label as shown also comprises a function control switch  1809 ; although, multiple function control switches may be used. The function control switch may turn on/off the visual display, may turn on/off the auditory output and may select from one or more visual or auditory displays. 
       FIG. 18C  is an electrical block diagram comprising a processor  1810 , function control switch  1811 , power source  1812 , audio amplifier  1813 , audio output device  1814  and visual display with driver  1815 . The electrical block diagram also includes one or more optional sensors  1816  and optional wireless communication capabilities  1817 . The label may also include a microphone (not shown) to detect spoken user/diner input. Sensors include, but are not limited to, contact sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, positions sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, auditory sensors, liquid level sensors, sensors to detect whether the container is open, and the like. Details of the electrical block diagram and how to physically implement it are known to those skilled in the art. 
     With the embodiment of  FIG. 18B  a user/diner may see and/or hear moving advertisements on the label. Advertisements may be associated with signals from one or more sensors. A vendor can send updated advertisements that may be associated with signals from one or more sensors. For example, if a sensor is a global positioning system (GPS), a liquid container vendor may send an advertisement specific to the user/diner&#39;s city or restaurant. A restaurant may send an advertisement to a user/diner inside their restaurant, and the user/diner may respond by activating a function control switch on the liquid container or by speaking into the microphone. Using sensors, information may be collected about the user/diner. 
     Many of the embodiments depicted thus far have included a liquid container but are meant to exemplify how active components may be associated with a broad class of active foodware systems and not limited to liquid containers. 
       FIG. 19A  is a side cross-sectional view of an active dining plate  1900  comprising a stationary dining surface  1901  and a movable inner portion  1902 . In this embodiment, the movable inner portion is a rotating disk being rotated by a flat “pancake” motor  1903 . A plan view of the rotating disk is shown in  FIG. 19B . The stationary dining surface may comprise one or more active elements, including but not limited to LEDs  1904  and light guides. The stationary dining surface may also comprise a portion  1905  which is translucent such that light coming from the movable inner portion can be seen by the user/diner. The dining surface may have one or more elements for diffusing, modifying or transmitting light coming from the movable inner portion. Such elements may include light guides  1906 , components  1907  with different shapes and indices of refraction, translucent films, and the like. The movable inner portion  1902  may comprise one or more active components, including but not limited to light sources such as LEDs  1908 , light guides with associated light sources  1909 , LED or LCD panels  1910 , reflective surfaces  1911 , electroluminescent elements, and the like. Text and images may be displayed and may provide advertisements. Kaleidoscopic images may be produced. Details of the electrical circuitry have been omitted for clarity but are known to those skilled in the art. As with other embodiments, the active technologies shown in the embodiment here with a dining plate may also be applied to other active foodware system components, including cups, utensils and the like. 
       FIG. 20A  is a side cross-section view of a stationary dining surface  2000  with a first movable inner portion  2001 . Although the active sensing and feedback features are not redrawn in  FIG. 20A  for clarity, the stationary dining surface  2000  and first movable inner portion  2001  of the embodiment of  FIG. 20A  may have similar active sensing and feedback features to the stationary dining surface  1901  and movable inner portion  1902 , respectively, of  FIGS. 19A and 19B ; however, rather than the first movable inner portion  2001  being directly moved by a motor, the first movable inner portion  2001  of the embodiment of  FIG. 20A  is magnetically coupled via magnets to a second movable portion  2002  which is moved by a motor  2003  and which may be positioned below the first movable portion  2001 . There are various ways to magnetically couple the first movable portion with the second movable portion such that movement of the second movable portion causes the first movable portion to move. For example, the second movable portion may have magnets  2004 , which may be permanent magnets or electromagnets, which are positioned in functional relation to iron-based objects  2005  in the first movable portion, such that the magnetic fields  2006  provided by the magnets of the second movable portion pass through the stationary dining surface  2000  and provide a magnetic attraction to the iron-based objects  2005  in the first movable portion  2001 . Accordingly, as the first movable portion moves, the second movable portion similarly moves. Alternatively, the first movable portion may comprise magnets, either permanent magnets or electromagnets, which magnetically couple to iron-based objects in the motorized second movable portion. 
       FIGS. 21A-21D  are plan views of an embodiment of an active dining plate  2100  where a refreshable moving image, depicted as a spider  2101 , may be viewed by the user/diner. The image may be generated by a variety of technologies including an LCD screen in functional relation to the dining plate. For instance, the LCD screen may be affixed to the dining plate, or it may be positioned beneath the top surface and viewed through optics in the dining plate. The dining plate may comprise optics, including but not limited to optics which enlarge the image, decrease the size of the image, distort the image, redirect all or a portion of the light from the image or allow the image to be viewed unaltered.  FIGS. 21A-21D  show images of a moving spider at different times. In  FIG. 21A , the spider  2101  is at the top of the active dining plate  2100 ; in  FIG. 21B , the spider  2101  has crawled counterclockwise around the perimeter of the active dining plate  2100 ; in  FIG. 21C , the spider  2101  has crawled even further counterclockwise; and in  FIG. 21D , the spider  2101  has descended down a web  2102 . 
       FIG. 22  is a plan view of an active dining plate  2200  where information is displayed. In this embodiment, the information is displayed around the periphery of the dining plate; although, it could be displayed at any convenient location on the dining plate. The information may include, but is not limited to, text, graphics, images, advertisements  2201 , news flashes, stock quotes  2202 , time  2203 , temperature, weather, sports scores, song information which may be accompanied by music coming from a speaker associated with the plate, appointment notification, a phone number, a greeting, and the like. The information that is displayed on the active foodware system dining plate may be pre-programmed into memory associated with the dining plate, it may be received in real time and/or it may be provided to the dining plate via wired or wireless technology, external media, and the like. 
       FIG. 23A  is a plan view of an active foodware system dining plate  2300 . This embodiment has a movable character  2301  for communicating with the user/diner. The plate also comprises optional boundaries  2302  and partition labels  2303  associated with the contents  2304  of the partitions. The boundaries may be physical or visually displayed boarders. The character may communicate with the user/diner, for example a child, where the character entertains, encourages and/or coaches, and the like, the user/diner while eating. The character may be a computer generated animation, recorded video, and the like. Visual, auditory and haptic feedback may be associated with the character. In one scenario, the character may use auditory feedback to tell a young user/diner how good beans taste and that all his friends finish their beans, so the young user/diner is encouraged to eat a food he might otherwise not. 
       FIG. 23B  is a plan view of a computing device  2305  which is able to communicate with the active foodware system dining plate  2300 , or in general, with any active foodware system component. In this embodiment, the computing device is handheld and has a touch screen  2306 , including a graphical display, with optional stylus  2307  and keyboard  2308 . The computing device may communicate with the active foodware system dining plate wirelessly or via wires. The details of such wired and/or wireless communication is known by those skilled in the art. One application is that a parent may use the computing device to communicate with a child user/diner via their active foodware system dining plate. For example, using an optional stylus  2307 , the parent may touch a part of a touch screen  2306  on the computing device corresponding to a particular location or food on the child&#39;s active foodware system dining plate and which may invoke a desired response from the moveable character  2301  or may invoke some other feedback to the child. For example, the parent may touch a partition  2309  on their touch screen labeled “BEANS,” causing the character animated on the dining plate to appear to jump over the partition on the dining plate from the “MEAT” to the “BEANS,” and using auditory or visual feedback ask the child if he would please eat some beans. The dining plate may have contact or proximity sensing (not shown, but known to those skilled in the art) capable of detecting that the child is using a utensil in proximity to the beans such that the character then gives positively reinforcing feedback to the child. There may be a wide variety of commands the parent can invoke from the computing device that produce desired feedback to the child user/diner via his active foodware system. 
       FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of a dining plate  2400  with food  2401  on it and with a visual display  2402 , such as an LCD or plasma display in close functional relationship to the dining plate. In this embodiment, the visual display  2402  is attached to the dining plate  2400  such that there is at least a portion of the visual display  2402  which is not intended to be covered by food  2401 . The visual display  2402  may be attached to the dining plate  2400  by a hinge  2403  such that the angle of the visual display may be changed by the user/diner. Such optional hinge includes, but is not limited to two-piece hinges with a mating pin, living hinges, flexible joints, and the like. The visual display  2402  may be able to be tilted all the way back so it lies in the same plane as the dining plate  2400 . The visual display  2402  may also be able to be tilted all the way forward so it covers the dining plate  2400 . The control and communication circuitry of the visual display is known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be located at any convenient location, including behind the visual display screen or under the dining plate. The circuitry is not shown here for clarity. One advantage of this embodiment is that information  2404  of the visual display  2402  will not be obscured by food  2401 , yet the visual display  2402  is still closely associated with the dining plate  2400 . Auditory sensory stimulating components, sensing components and/or haptic components may also be associated with the dining plate of this embodiment. 
       FIG. 24B  is a perspective view of a food container  2405  with food  2406  in it and with a visual display  2407 , such as an LCD, electroluminescent display, LED display or plasma display in close functional relationship to the container. A typical use for this embodiment is found with fast food restaurants, such as where children&#39;s meals, chicken pieces and the like are distributed. In this embodiment, the visual display  2407  is associated with the lid  2410  of the food container such that there is at least a portion of the visual display  2407  which is not intended to be covered by the food  2406 . The visual display  2407  may be affixed to the lid  2410  of the food container, which may be flexibly attached to the bottom portion  2411  of the food container by a hinge  2408  such that the angle of the visual display may be changed by the user/diner. Such optional hinge  2408  includes, but is not limited to two-piece hinges with a mating pin, living hinges, flexible joints, and the like. The food container lid with associated visual display may be able to be tilted all the way back so the visual display lies in the same plane as the bottom surface of the bottom portion of the food container. The food container lid with associated visual display may also be able to be tilted all the way forward so the lid covers the bottom portion of the food container. The control and communication circuitry of the visual display is known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be located at any convenient location on or about the food container, including in the lid behind the associated visual display screen or under the bottom portion of the food container. The circuitry is not shown here for clarity. One advantage of this embodiment is that information  2409  of the visual display  2407  will not be obscured by food  2406 , yet the visual display  2407  is still closely associated with the food container  2405 . Auditory sensory stimulating components, sensing components and/or haptic components may also be associated with the food container of this embodiment. 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an active foodware system  2520  comprising a structure  2518 . In this embodiment there are three food dishes  2500 ,  2501  and  2502 , respectively, each dish being on a food-sensing platform (not shown). A first video  2519  of a cartoon comprising a monkey  2505  and elephant  2504  is being displayed on the screen  2503 . The example is demonstrating the case where the food  2506  from at least one food dish  2500  is not being eaten fast enough such that lights  2507  associated with the food dish  2500  are illuminated, the first video  2519  is paused and a second video  2508  predominates where a character  2509  of the second video  2508  encourages the diner (in this case, “Billy”) to please eat more of the food  2506  in a particular food dish  2500 . 
     Other active foodware components of the active foodware system include a fork  2510  with lighted tines  2511  and a drinking cup  2512  with lighted designs  2513  and an LED  2514 . For further description of these and other foodware components refer to  FIGS. 14-16 . Operation of the active foodware system  2520  may be controlled by other devices. Controller  2515 , as depicted, allows a person to direct commands to the diner to eat from a specified dish by pressing any of the buttons  2516 ,  2521  and  2522 . The controller  2515  sends a wireless signal  2517  to controlling circuitry (not shown) in the structure  2518 . The wireless signal  2517  causes the first video  2519  to pause and launches the second video  2508 , where the second video  2508  instructs the diner to eat more of the food  2506  in the dish  2500 . The signal  2517  also causes lights  2507  to be illuminated. The signal  2517  may be transmitted to the circuitry using infrared or RF technology, and the like. Alternately, the signal  2517  may be sent using a wired connection. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an active foodware system  2607 . In a first useful embodiment, the structure  2600  includes an integral processor (not visible) and a display  2602 ; in a second useful embodiment, the structure  2600  is capable of receiving a processor and display, such as may be provided by a laptop computer  2601  with display  2603  and keyboard  2605 . In the second embodiment typically at least a portion  2604  of the structure  2600  covers at least a portion  2608  of the laptop computer  2601 , and protects the laptop computer  2601  and its keyboard  2605  from food. Also in the second embodiment, the screen  2602  of the structure  2600  is translucent and protects the laptop display  2603  from food. In both the first and second embodiments, the structure  2600  includes at least one food dish where at least one characteristic or attribute of food (not shown) put on the dining surface of the dish is sensed. Typical food characteristics that are sensed include weight and center of mass. In the figure, three dishes  2606  are depicted. Regardless of whether the structure  2600  includes an integral display or receives a display, the structure  2600  may include stimulating components, such as visual, auditory or haptic stimulating components, none of which are shown in  FIG. 26 . Typical visual stimulating components include LEDs and electroluminescent wire. The sensing circuitry is not shown and typically is connected either by wire or wirelessly to the circuitry associated with the processor. A computer program controlling the processor may cause an action in response to the characteristic of the food that is sensed. For example, a video or music file being displayed by a stimulating component may be paused if the food is not being consumed at a desired rate as determined by a sensor sensing the weight of the food over time. 
       FIGS. 27A and 27B  are perspective views of a portion of an active foodware system structure  2700 . The structure  2700  is capable of receiving a processor and display, such as provided by the laptop computer  2601  of  FIG. 26 . The structure  2700  may include any of a variety of useful stimulation and sensing components, none of which are shown in  FIGS. 27A and 27B . Rather,  FIGS. 27A and 27B  are simplified here to exemplify key concepts of a useful hinge structure, such as may be employed by the second embodiment of  FIG. 26 . When the hinge structure of  FIGS. 27A and 27B  is employed by the second embodiment of  FIG. 26 , the view of  FIGS. 27A and 27B  is looking up from the lower right of the structure  2600  of  FIG. 26 . The hinge structure permits the structure  2700  to open into a first configuration ( FIG. 27A ), where it may cover all or a portion of a laptop computer  2601  to protect it from food. The hinge structure also permits the structure  2700  to close in a second configuration ( FIG. 27B ), where it becomes more compact for storage and also serves to protect sensing and circuitry components. 
     In  FIGS. 27A and 27B  the active foodware structure  2700  has a display structure  2701  for supporting a translucent surface  2703  in proximity to the display  2603  of the laptop  2601  to protect the display  2603  from food. The display structure  2701  may rest on, contact or register to the frame surrounding the display  2603 . The display structure  2701  includes links  2705  and  2708  and, via hinge pins  2707  and  2710 , respectively, is positioned relative to a structure surface  2704  which includes mating links  2706  and  2709 , respectively. The edge  2702  between the structure surface  2704  and mating link  2709  is identified to help clarify the relation between the configurations of  FIGS. 27A and 27B . 
       FIG. 28  is a close-up perspective view of a portion of an active foodware system  2800  including a structure with a surface  2801 , a food-sensing surface  2802  and a dining dish  2803 . Sometimes, the food-sensing surface  2802  with its electrical circuitry is referred to as an active component; whereas, the dining dish  2803  when it contains no electronics is referred to as a passive component. The food-sensing surface  2802  may lie below, lie at the same level or lie above the structure surface  2801 . The dining dish  2803 , which may be microwavable, refrigerator safe, freezer safe, oven safe, etc., is typically filled with food and then placed on the food-sensing surface. The circuitry for the food-sensing surface is not shown. The portion of an active foodware system  2800  may include any of a variety of useful and desirable stimulation and sensing components, and may represent the front portion of the active foodware systems of  FIGS. 25-27 . The cross-section A-A through the portion of the active foodware system  2800  of  FIG. 28  that includes the food-sensing surface  2802  is further described in  FIGS. 29A-29D . Each embodiment of  FIGS. 29A-29D  is sometimes referred to as a type of active subsystem. 
       FIG. 29A  is a first embodiment of cross section A-A through the portion of the active foodware system  2800  of  FIG. 28  that includes the food-sensing surface  2802 . The food-sensing surface  2907  and the surface  2903  of  FIG. 29A  correspond to the food-sensing surface  2802  and the surface  2801 , respectively, of  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 29A  a load cell  2900  is used to measure the “combined weight” of the food-sensing surface  2907 , a food dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2918 , and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. In this first embodiment, the active foodware system  2800  employing the load cell  2900  senses in real time changes in the weight of food present on the dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food is being eaten, and the active foodware system  2800  causes a corresponding stimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person. 
     In  FIG. 29A , the end  2901  of the load cell  2900  is spaced away from the surface  2903  by a spacer  2902  and affixed to the surface  2903  by a fastener  2904 . The end  2905  of the load cell  2900  is affixed to the food-sensing surface  2907  by a fastener  2908  and spaced away from the food-sensing surface  2907  by a spacer  2906 . Food spilled from the food dish  2803  is prevented from reaching the load cell  2900  and its associated electrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal  2909 . The seal  2909  is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between the food-sensing surface  2907  and the surface  2903 . 
     The load cell  2900  has a flexible section  2910  that helps direct bending in a known manner. The flexible section  2910  of the load cell  2900  may be created by removing material from the load cell, such as by drilling, sanding, machining, milling, etc. The flexible section  2910  may also be created by an appropriate mold in the case where the load cell is molded or cast. The flexible section  2910  of the load cell  2900  causes a “double bending” of the load cell  2900  when a load is applied to the end  2905  relative to the end  2901 , resulting in a deflection of the end  2905  relative to the end  2901 . The load cell  2900  has four strain gages  2911 ,  2912 ,  2913  and  2914  mounted near the flexible section  2910  to measure the amount of double bending when the end  2905  deflects relative to the end  2901  due to the combined weight. Wires from the strain gages are omitted from the drawing for clarity. As food is added to the dining surface of the dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2907 , the end  2905  deflects further relative to the end  2901 , and the strain gages  2911  and  2914  increase their strain while the strain gages  2912  and  2913  decrease their strain. Similarly, as food is removed from the dining surface of the dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2907 , the deflection of the end  2905  relative to the end  2901  decreases, and the strain gages  2911  and  2914  decrease their strain while the strain gages  2912  and  2913  increase their strain. An electrical circuit which converts signals from the strain gages into an electrical signal related to the combined weight is provided in  FIG. 30 . 
     One useful embodiment of the load cell  2900  is made from an aluminum alloy, where the depth dimension (into the page) and height dimension typically range from M″ to 1″, and the length dimension typically ranges from 1″ to 6″. Transducer Techniques® of Temecula, Calif. manufactures such load cells, including their EBB Series. Another type of load cell which may be employed to sense weight of food on the food-sensing surface is a “thin beam” load cell, which may be made from a material such as 301 SS beryllium copper with a thinner height dimension that typically ranges from 0.002″ to 0.1″. Again, Transducer Techniques manufactures such thin beam load cells, including their TBS series. 
       FIG. 29B  is a second embodiment of cross section A-A through the portion of the active foodware system  2800  of  FIG. 28  that includes the food-sensing surface  2802 . The food-sensing surface  2918  and the surface  2920  of  FIG. 29B  correspond to the food-sensing surface  2802  and the surface  2801 , respectively, of  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 29B  a compression load cell  2915  is used to measure the “combined weight” of the food-sensing surface  2918 , a food dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2918 , and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. In this second embodiment, the active foodware system  2800  employing the compression load cell  2915  senses in real time changes in the weight of food present on the dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food is being eaten, and the active foodware system  2800  causes a corresponding stimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person. 
     In  FIG. 29B , the food-sensing surface  2918  rests on the load button  2917  of the compression load cell  2915  which rests on the recessed section  2916  of the surface  2920 . Food spilled from the food dish  2803  is prevented from reaching the compression load cell  2915  and its associated electrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal  2919 . The seal  2919  is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between the food-sensing surface  2918  and the surface  2920 . 
     As food is added to the dining surface of dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2918 , the load button  2917  applies pressure to the body of the compression load cell  2915 . The applied pressure is typically sensed by strain gages inside the body of the compression load cell  2915 . Electrical wires from the compression load cell  2915  are omitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electrical circuit consistent with the configuration of strain gages employed, the combined weight and changes in the amount of food present on the dining surface can be measured. A typical electrical circuit is similar to the circuit of  FIG. 30 . When three or more compression load cells  2915  are used, the center of mass of the food on the dining surface can also be measured. 
     One useful embodiment of the compression load cell  2915  is made from heat treated 17-4ph stainless steel, with body diameter ranging from ¼″ to 3″ and height ranging from ⅛″ to 2″. Transducer Techniques manufactures such compression load cells, including their SLB series. 
       FIG. 29C  is a third embodiment of cross section A-A through the portion of the active foodware system  2800  of  FIG. 28  that includes the food-sensing surface  2802 . The food-sensing surface  2921  and the surface  2932  of  FIG. 29C  correspond to the food-sensing surface  2802  and the surface  2801 , respectively, of  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 29C  a displacement sensor  2946  is used to measure the displacement of the food-sensing surface  2921  resulting from the “combined weight” of the food-sensing surface  2921 , a food dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2921 , and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. The displacement sensor  2946  has a movable element  2931  attached to the food-sensing surface  2921  and a stationary element  2930  attached to spring-retention member  2928 . The displacement sensor  2946  may be any convenient displacement sensor, including but not limited to (1) a linear encoder, where a movable element  2931  has encoder slots, and a stationary element  2930  contains optical sensors for sensing the encoder slots; (2) an LVDT (linear variable displacement transducer) where a movable element  2931  is the LVDT movable core, and a stationary element  2930  contains the sensing coil; (3) an optical displacement sensor and the like. In this third embodiment, the active foodware system  2800  employing the displacement sensor  2946  senses in real time changes in displacement corresponding to changes in the weight of food present on the dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food is being eaten, and the active foodware system  2800  causes a corresponding stimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person. 
     In  FIG. 29C , the food-sensing surface  2921  rests on the compression springs  2926  and  2927  which are attached to the surface  2920  by guide members  2922  and  2923 , respectively. The guide members  2922  and  2923  pass through guide openings  2924  and  2925 , respectively, of the food-sensing surface  2921 . The guide members  2922  and  2923  are affixed at one end to a surface  2932  and have spring-retention members  2928  and  2929  at the other end. Accordingly, springs  2926  and  2927  apply a force between the spring-retention members  2928  and  2929  and the food-sensing surface  2921 . There is at least one compression spring with associate guide member, and typically there are more than two compression springs with associated guide members. Food spilled from the food dish  2803  is prevented from reaching the compression springs  2926  and  2927 , guide members  2922  and  2923 , displacement sensor  2946  and its associated electrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal  2933  which follows the perimeter of the opening in the surface  2932  and is attached to the surface  2932  and to the food-sensing surface  2921 . The seal  2933  is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between the food-sensing surface  2921  and the surface  2932 . 
     As food is added to the dining surface of dish  2803  resting on the food-sensing surface  2921 , the food-sensing surface  2921  compresses compression springs  2926  and  2927  against spring-retention members  2928  and  2929 , respectively, while a displacement sensor  2946  measures the displacement of food-sensing surface  2921  relative to a spring-retention member  2929 . Electrical wires from the displacement sensor  2946  are omitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electrical circuit consistent with the type of displacement sensor employed, the combined weight and changes in the amount of food present on the dining surface can be measured. A block diagram of an electrical circuit which converts signals from a linear encoder into an electrical signal related to the combined weight is provided in  FIG. 31 . Multiple displacement sensors may be used, and when three or more displacement sensors are used, the center of mass of the food on the dining surface can also be measured. 
       FIG. 29D  is a fourth embodiment of cross section A-A through the portion of the active foodware system  2800  of  FIG. 28  that includes the food-sensing surface  2802 . The food-sensing surface  2934  and the surface  2947  of  FIG. 29D  correspond to the food-sensing surface  2802  and the surface  2801 , respectively, of  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 29D  at least one displacement sensor is used to measure the displacement of the food-sensing surface  2934  resulting from the “combined weight” of the food-sensing surface  2934 , a food dish  2945  resting on the food-sensing surface  2934 , and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. The displacement sensor employed may be any convenient displacement sensor, including but not limited to (1) a linear encoder, (2) an LVDT (linear variable displacement transducer), (3) an optical displacement sensor, and the like. The left portion of  FIG. 29D  shows the use of an optical displacement sensor  2948 , while the right portion of  FIG. 29D  shows the use of a linear encoder  2949 . Typically, a single displacement sensor technology is employed; however, two different displacement sensor technologies are exemplified in  FIG. 29D . The displacement sensor  2948  includes an infrared emitter-detector pair  2940  which senses the amount of infrared light that is reflected from the reflective surface  2941 , which is rigidly attached to the food-sensing surface  2934 . As the food-sensing surface moves up and down, the reflective surface  2941  moves closer to, and further from, respectively, the infrared emitter-detector pair  2940 , and so the signal from the infrared emitter-detector pair  2940  increases and decreases, respectively. The displacement sensor  2949  includes and infrared emitter-detector pair  2937  which reflects light off of a stationary encoder element  2939  which is attached to a surface  2947 . The stationary encoder element  2939  has a series of light reflective and non-reflective lines  2938  such that when the infrared emitter-detector pair  2937  moves relative to the stationary encoder element  2939  and passes by the series of light reflective and non-reflective lines  2938  the electrical signal from the infrared emitter-detector pair  2937  increases and decreases, respectively. The peaks of the electrical signal may be counted to determine the location of the infrared emitter-detector pair  2937  relative to the stationary encoder element  2939 . In this fourth embodiment, the active foodware system  2800  employing at least one displacement sensor senses in real time changes in displacement corresponding to changes in the weight of food present on the dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food is being eaten, and the active foodware system  2800  causes a corresponding stimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person. 
     For a given combined weight, the amount of displacement of the food-sensing surface  2934  relative to the surface  2947  is determined by the tension in the tension springs  2942  and  2943  which are attached at one end to food-sensing surface portions  2935  and  2936 , respectively, and at the other end to the surface  2947 . There is at least one tension spring, and typically there are more than two tension springs. Food spilled from the food dish  2945  is prevented from reaching the tension springs  2942  and  2943 , displacement sensors  2949  and  2948  and their associated electrical circuits (not shown) by a seal  2944  which follows the perimeter of the opening in the surface  2947  and is attached to the surface  2947  and to the food-sensing surface  2934 . The seal  2944  is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between the food-sensing surface  2934  and the surface  2947 . 
     As food is added to the dining surface of the dish  2945  resting on the food-sensing surface  2934 , the food-sensing surface  2934  extends the tension springs  2942  and  2943  while the displacement sensors  2949  and/or  2948  measure the displacement of food-sensing surface  2934  relative to the surface  2947 . Electrical wires from the displacement sensors  2949  and  2948  are omitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electrical circuit consistent with the type of displacement sensor employed, the combined weight and changes in the amount of food present on the dining surface can be measured. Multiple displacement sensors may be used, and when three or more displacement sensors are used, the center of mass of the food on the dining surface can also be measured. 
       FIG. 30  is an electrical circuit which converts signals from strain gages of a load cell into an electrical signal related to the deflection of the load cell. Such an electrical circuit may be employed to determine the deflection of the load cell of  FIG. 29A  or  FIG. 29B . Relating to  FIG. 29A , the strain gages  2911 ,  2912 ,  2913  and  2914  correspond to  FIG. 30  as the strain gages  3000 ,  3002 ,  3003  and  3001  which are wired in a Wheatstone Bridge configuration. As the load cell  2900  deflects under the load of food, the strain gages  3000  and  3001  experience tension (positive strain) and the strain gages  3002  and  3003  experience compression (negative strain). These four strain gages form two separate voltage dividers of the excitation voltage  3004 . The voltage divider consisting of the strain gages  3001  and  3002  produces a voltage  3005 , and the voltage divider consisting of the strain gages  3003  and  3000  produces a voltage  3006 . The difference in these two voltages  3005  and  3006  is determined by the instrumentation amplifier  3007 . An instrumentation amplifier typically has a high-impedance input stage, which often includes amplification and filtering, followed by a differential amplification stage. An instrumentation amplifier may be realized by a single integrated circuit or may be realized using multiple integrated circuits and discrete components, such as operational amplifiers, resistors, capacitors and the like. The output voltage  3008  of the instrumentation amplifier  3007  may be filtered by a filter  3009 . Such a filter may be any convenient filter, including a second order Butterworth filter realized by a Sallen-Key operational amplifier topology. The filtered analog voltage  3010  is input to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  3011  which may use the excitation voltage  3004  as the conversion reference inputs  3012  and  3013 . The ADC  3011  may be any convenient converter and may be a single integrated circuit or be realized using multiple integrated circuits and discrete components. The ADC  3011  may be any desired resolution. The digital data  3014  from the ADC  3011  is inputted to a processor  3015  for processing. 
       FIG. 31  is a block diagram of an electrical circuit which converts signals from a linear encoder into an electrical signal related to the combined weight and which outputs a light stimulus. Such a circuit may be employed by the displacement sensors of  FIGS. 29C and 29D . The linear encoder  3100  may be any convenient linear encoder, including an optical linear encoder. An optical linear encoder typically has a movable element which is movable relative to a housing, where the movable element is opaque with slots or translucent bands. The housing typically has an infrared emitter for transmitting light and an infrared detector for receiving light that passes through the slots or translucent bands of the movable element. The linear encoder may be used to measure the displacement between the moveable element and the housing. An infrared emitter-detector that was used in an exemplary embodiment is a Fairchild H21LTB Optologic® Optical Interrupter Switch. 
     The linear encoder  3100  outputs an encoder signal  3101  comprising two pulse trains one quarter period out of phase. The quadrature detector  3102  converts the encoder signal  3101  into a single pulse train and a direction signal, collectively referred to as the quadrature output signal  3103 . The quadrature detector  3102  may be a specialized single integrated circuit or realized using a 74LS74 flip flop or equivalent. The counter  3104  receives the quadrature signal  3103  and determines a total count signal  3105  corresponding to the absolute position of the linear encoder. A counter that was used in an exemplary embodiment is a Fairchild 74F579A1 integrated circuit. The processor  3106  receives the total count signal  3105  and processes it. Based on the value of the total count signal  3105 , the processor  3106  may output a light command  3107  to a latch  3108  which stores the command as the stored light command  3109 . The latch  3108  that was used in an exemplary embodiment is a 74LS373. The stored light command  3109  is input to the optical driver  3110  which generates the necessary signal  3111  to turn on the light  3112 . In an exemplary embodiment the optical driver  3110  is a 7406 integrated circuit and the light  3112  is an LED. 
       FIG. 32  is a block diagram of an exemplary algorithm and logic of a computer program for controlling an embodiment of the subject invention. The logic is for an embodiment where a child is to be encouraged to eat one or more foods at least at a minimum rate. The form of encouragement provided by this embodiment is his being allowed to watch a video of his choice while eating, as long as he eats each of the foods in front of him fast enough until each is sufficiently gone. Any of a variety of single- or multimedia forms of entertainment or information may provide the encouragement. In this embodiment, if the child does not eat each of the foods at least at a specified minimum rate, his desired video is paused and a warning video is run which specifically asks the child to eat the food he isn&#39;t eating fast enough so his desired video may continue playing. 
     In particular, the program starts with block  3200 . At this point, the child&#39;s video may be started if it is not already playing. After performing typical programming initialization, such as memory allocation, the weights of each food compartment are queried in block  3201  by the program. Querying the weight may include reading the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter  3011  in  FIG. 30 . Various functions of the weights are then determined by the program. For example, the rate of change of weight in each food compartment is typically calculated. The absolute weights of the foods in each compartment, as well as, the rate of decrease of weight, are compared to desired values in block  3202 . Until the weight in each compartment is below a specified level, then as long as the rate of decrease of weight of each food compartment (which is assumed to correlate with the rate of consumption of the food in the respective compartments) is beyond a required level, the video (i.e., the type of encouragement in this case) is allowed to continue. 
     If the rate of decrease of food in a particular compartment is not fast enough, then a warning signal is provided to the diner as denoted by block  3203 . A typical warning signal includes the flashing of one or more lights, typically LEDs, and may include LEDs of different color, and the flashing may be in a variety of sequences. The weights of the food compartments are queried again as depicted by block  3204  and the necessary conditions are again tested. 
     If a warning signal was provided following the previous test and still the rate of food consumption is not fast enough in one or more food compartments as determined in block  3205  then the video is paused and one or more severe warnings are issued to the diner, such as shown by block  3206 . Such severe warnings may include LEDs that are consistently on and a graphical character that comes on a video monitor and specifically informs the diner that the video will not continue until more of a particular food is eaten. The parent may also be alerted by any of a variety of methods, including paging, calling on the phone, email, an auditory signal, text message, and the like. The graphical character associated with a severe warning may be selected by a parent to be a cartoon that the child diner specifically likes, respects or identifies with. The character and its attributes (such as synthesized voice parameters and movement information) may be selected in variety of ways, including selection from a library of characters in memory on the active foodware system, or the character and its attributes may be downloaded from a website. The request the character makes may be entered into a file by the parent and spoken by the active foodware system in a synthesized voice corresponding to the cartoon character. An exemplary character might be a mouse, and an exemplary request is the following: “Hey Billy. We&#39;re having a lot of fun watching the video together, but we won&#39;t be able to keep watching it unless you eat more vegetables.” The character may then point to the particular dish that isn&#39;t being eaten from quickly enough. 
     The weight of the food compartments are monitored again as shown by block  3207 . If sufficient food is still not being consumed, as determined by block  3208 , control of the program returns to block  3206 . The parent may enter multiple requests to be spoken by the character, where each time block  3206  is run, a different request may be spoken. Such requests may be selected to be spoken by the character at random or in a particular sequence, such as may be desired when successively more severe warnings are to be issued. 
     When the weight of each food container falls below predetermined levels the program terminates. Prior to program termination the parent may be alerted that the child has finished eating by any of a variety of methods, including paging, calling on the phone, email, auditory signal, text message, and the like. Also prior to program termination, the character may issue a congratulatory stored message, such as: “Good boy, Billy! Thank you for eating all your food. I look forward to watching another video with you again later.” 
       FIG. 33  is an active foodware system comprising a computer  3301  and an active foodware computer cover  3300 . In the figure, the computer  3301  is a portable tablet computer. The active foodware computer cover  3300  shows a few exemplary features that an active foodware cover may comprise; however, the active foodware computer cover  3300  embodiment as shown is not intended to limit the scope of features or structure that active foodware computer covers may comprise. In general, an active foodware computer cover comprises typically at least one food compartment, at least one sensory stimulating or sensing component, and cleanable material (typically plastic) for covering and protecting from spilled food at least a portion of a computer, such as the visual display screen  3309  and keyboard  3310  of a computer  3301 . 
     In  FIG. 33  the active foodware computer cover  3300  illustrates three different food compartments; however, typically, when an active foodware computer cover has multiple food compartments each compartment will be of the same general design. The food compartment  3302  includes electroluminescent visual stimulation  3305  outlining at least a portion of the food compartment  3302 . The food compartment  3303  includes LED visual stimulation  3306  positioned on the food compartment. The food compartment  3304  includes LED visual stimulation  3307  positioned near the food compartment. As shown, the active foodware computer cover  3300  has a transparent screen  3308  for covering the visual feedback display screen  3309  of the computer  3301 . 
     The visual stimulation of a food compartment ( 3302 ,  3303  or  3304 ) may be activated in association with a computer program running on the computer  3301 . The active foodware computer cover  3300  typically communicates information with the computer  3301  via wired or wireless technology. The computer  3301  may also provide electrical power to the active foodware computer cover  3300  via wired or wireless technology. When electrical power is provided wirelessly, it is typically provided via inductively coupling the active foodware computer cover  3300  with the computer  3301 . 
     The food compartments may include food sensors, such as weight sensors or optical sensors, for detecting food and/or monitoring consumption of the food in the food compartments. The food compartments may also be used with dishes that may be removed for cleaning and/or microwaving. 
       FIG. 34  is an active foodware system  3400  illustrating how and where food compartments may be positioned relative to a keyboard and monitor. The active foodware system  3400  may comprise an active foodware computer cover and computer, or it may be an integrated unit. The following description is for the case where the active foodware system  3400  is an integrated unit, i.e., the food compartments and any associated stimulation or sensing are integrated into a computer structure comprising a processor, memory, keyboard, visual display, and other components typically associated with a laptop computer. 
     The active foodware system  3400  comprises a transparent cover  3402  over an LCD monitor, where the transparent cover  3402  forms a water tight seal with the monitor housing  3401 . A food compartment  3405  is attached to the monitor housing  3401  and to the side of the monitor screen and transparent cover  3402 . A food compartment  3406  is attached to the monitor housing  3401  via a swivel mounting. The swivel mounting comprises a first link  3407  with a first end extending from the food compartment  3406  and a second end attached to the first end of a second link  3408  by a hinge pin  3409 . The second end (i.e., non-pinned end) of the second link  3408  is attached to the monitor housing  3401 . Accordingly, the food compartment  3406  may be rotated to a variety of desired positions, such as in front of the monitor or the side. 
     Food compartments  3410  and  3411  are mounted to the keyboard housing  3412  and typically mounted to the side of the keyboard  3404 ; although, either food compartment  3410  or  3411  may also cover a portion or all of the keyboard  3404 . As shown, the keyboard  3404  is covered by a cleanable material  3403  which is typically a transparent, flexible plastic. Although not explicitly shown, as with other embodiments, the food compartments may comprise stimulating and/or sensing components, and such component may communicate with a processor. 
       FIG. 35  is an active foodware system comprising a hand-held computer  3505  and an active foodware computer cover  3500  which fits over the hand-held computer  3505 . The hand-held computer  3505  may be most any portable device comprising a visual display  3508 , processor, memory and a computer program. Types of portable devices include a game pad, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable PC, mobile telephone, and the like. Examples of such portable devices include the PlayStation Portable® (PSP) by Sony, the Game Boy® Micro by Nintendo, the Tungsten hand-held computer by Palm, Treo® cell phone by Palm and the Blackberry® by Research In Motion. In the figure, the hand-held computer  3505  has user inputs  3506  and  3507 . The active foodware computer cover  3500  has a structure  3501  and food compartments  3502  and  3503 ; although, only one food compartment is necessary. The active foodware computer cover  3500  also has a transparent material, such as plastic, attached to the structure  3501  which allows the user to see important information on the visual display  3508 , such as a video or gaming feedback, but prevents food from damaging the hand-held computer  3505  and associated components. 
     As was discussed relative to other embodiments of the subject invention, the food compartments may include stimulating and/or sensing components. Such components include LEDs, electroluminescent elements, food sensing devices such as load cells, and the like. The active foodware computer cover  3500  may communicate one or more signals with the hand-held computer  3505 , where such communication may be via wire or wireless connection. The active foodware computer cover  3500  may operate in association with a computer program running on the hand-held computer  3505 . For example, the hand-held computer  3505  may run a video that is paused by a computer program running on the hand-held computer  3505  if the user isn&#39;t eating food in the food compartments  3502  and  3503  at a desired rate as sensed by load cells associated with the food compartments  3502  and  3503 . If the video is the output display of a videogame, in addition to pausing the game, the game could deduct points from the user if the user weren&#39;t eating at a desired rate. The controls  3506  and  3507  of the hand-held computer  3505  may be fully covered, partially covered or not covered at all by the active foodware computer cover  3500  depending on the desired level of control accessibility. 
       FIG. 36  is an active foodware system  3600  capable of accepting a portable device  3604  such as a music player (e.g., an iPod® by Apple Computer), video player, mobile telephone, hand-held gamepad, hand-held computer, and the like. The active foodware system  3600  has a food compartment  3601 , a docking location  3602  which may comprise a cavity and/or connector, and may comprise a speaker. The speaker may be of any convenient speaker design including voice coil or piezoelectric. If it is desired to make the active plate  3700  water tight so it is dishwasher safe, a piezoelectric speaker may be preferred. The portable device  3604  typically includes a visual feedback screen  3607 , a user input control  3606  and a docking connector  3605 . A useful embodiment is where the portable device  3604  is an Apple iPod® playing a music video, where the music video is viewable while eating the food in the food compartment  3601  and the music is heard through the speaker  3603 . As with other embodiments, the food compartment  3601  may have associated stimulation and sensing technology (not shown). The sensing technology may comprise a food sensor, such as a load cell, for sensing the amount of food present. The active foodware system  3600  may contain an integral processor (not shown) or may use a processor associated with the portable device  3604  to acquire data from the food sensor and affect the operation of the portable device  3604 , such as pause its operation until food is consumed as desired. 
       FIG. 37A  is a cross-sectional view of an active foodware system comprising an active dining plate  3700  that receives electrical power wirelessly from an underplate  3711  using a transformer. The cross-section of the active dining plate  3700  of  FIG. 37A  is through section B-B of  FIG. 37B ; whereas, the cross-section of the underplate  3711  of  FIG. 37A  is through section C-C of  FIG. 37C .  FIG. 37B  is a plan view of the active dining plate  3700 ;  FIG. 37C  is a plan view of the underplate  3711  and  FIG. 37D  is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit for inductively transforming electrical power between the active dining plate  3700  and underplate  3711 . The numberings in  FIGS. 37A-37C  are consistent. 
     External electrical power, such as from a wall socket, power supply, battery and the like, enters the underplate  3711 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 37A-37C  the external power comes from a wall socket via the connector  3716 . The connector  3716  is connected via a wire  3715  to the underplate electronics module  3714  which may comprise a processor. The underplate electronics module  3714  comprises any circuitry for driving the leads  3722  and  3723  of the transformer primary coil  3713 . If the underplate  3711  comprises an underplate communications module  3717  the underplate electronics module  3714  may also communicate information with the underplate communications module  3717 . The underplate communications module  3717  may communicate information with an external processor via a wire  3718  and connector  3719 . The underplate communications module  3717  may also communicate information with an active dining plate communications module  3710  in the active dining plate  3700  via wireless technology including infrared (IR) light and radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves. When IR light is used to communicate information between the active dining plate communications module  3710  and the underplate communications module  3717  at least a portion of the active dining plate  3700  and the underplate  3711  between the active dining plate communications module  3710  and the underplate communications module  3717  is translucent. 
     The leads  3722  and  3723  are coiled around the core  3712  (which is typically made of iron) creating the primary coil  3713  of a transformer. When the active plate  3700  is placed on top of the underplate  3711  the core  3712  fits into the cavity  3702 . Ideally there is very little gap between the core  3712  and the wall of the cavity  3702 . Leads  3720  and  3721  from the active plate electronics module  3703  encircle the cavity creating the secondary coil  3701  of the transformer. When an alternating (A/C) voltage signal is placed across the leads  3722  and  3723  of the primary coil  3713  an electromagnetic field is set up in the core  3712  and alternating voltage exists across the leads  3720  and  3721  of the secondary coil  3701 . Ignoring parasitic and other non-ideal voltage losses, the magnitude of the alternating voltage appearing across the leads  3720  and  3721  of the secondary coil  3701  is equal to the alternating voltage appearing across the leads  3722  and  3723  of the primary coil  3713  times the ratio of windings of the secondary coil  3701  to windings of the primary coil  3713 . 
     The power conditioning module  3703  comprises the voltage rectification, regulation and conditioning circuitry associated with the transformer secondary coil  3701 . A block diagram including such circuitry is found in  FIG. 37D . The power conditioning module  3703  is connected to the active plate electronics module  3704  which typically comprises a processor for controlling the functionality of the active dining plate  3700 . If the active dining plate  3700  comprises an active plate communications module  3710  the active dining plate electronics module  3704  may also communicate information with the active dining plate communications module  3710 . 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 37A-37C  comprises an LCD display  3705  with a protective transparent screen  3706  in the active dining plate  3700 . The embodiment also includes a speaker  3707  recessed in a cavity  3708  on a sloping surface on the underneath portion of the active dining plate  3700 . The cavity  3708  has a lip  3709  such that any drips of liquid or food over the edge of the active dining plate will collect on and drip from the lip  3709  of the active plate  3700  and not drip onto the speaker. The active dining plate electronics module  3704  contains the controller for controlling the LCD display  3705  and speaker  3707 . 
       FIG. 37D  is a schematic diagram of the typical components of an electrical circuit for transmitting power from a wall socket through the underplate  3711  and wirelessly to the active dining plate  3700  using an inductive transformer. The electrical power from the wall socket is represented by V AC IN    3728 . This electrical power is provided to the underplate  3711  and drives the primary coil  3713  of the transformer with a core  3712 , where both the primary coil  3713  and transformer core  3712  reside in the underplate  3711 . The secondary coil  3701  of the transformer resides in the active dining plate  3700 . The output of the secondary coil  3701  is alternating current (A/C) so it is first rectified by the bridge rectifier comprising four power rectifying diodes  3724 . A part which suffices for such use is a 1N4001 rectifying diode. The output of the bridge rectifier is then low-pass filtered. There are many circuits suitable for low-pass filtering. The low-pass filter used in  FIG. 37D  is a simple passive low-pass filter comprising resistor R  3725  and capacitor C 1    3726 . To further smooth out ripple and provide the desired output voltage V DC OUT  for other electrical circuitry a voltage regulator  3727  is used followed by a capacitor  3729 . Using the transformer to inductively transmit electrical power from a wall socket to the active dining plate  3700  the active dining plate  3700  doesn&#39;t need any power connectors or battery compartments and thus can be made to be water tight and dishwasher safe. 
       FIG. 38  is an active foodware system where the active foodware dining plate  3800  communicates wirelessly with a monitor  3801  having a screen  3810  via a wireless transceiver  3802  on the active foodware dining plate  3800  and a wireless transceiver  3803  on the monitor  3801 . Each wireless transceiver may send or receive a wireless signal. The monitor  3801  may be a television or any other convenient video output device. The communication between the active foodware dining plate  3800  and monitor  3801  may also be via wired technology. The wireless technology can be any convenient and effective technology such as infrared (IR), radio frequency electromagnetic waves (RF) and the like. The active foodware dining plate  3800  may also communicate with a unit  3807  which then communicates by a wired or wireless connection  3808  with the monitor  3801 . The unit  3807  is a device which communicates with a monitor, including but not limited to a digital video recorder (DVR), TiVo, set-top box, DVD player, VCR, game console, and the like. The active foodware dining plate  3800  may communicate with the unit  3807  via wired or wireless link, but in  FIG. 38  the unit  3807  is shown to have a wireless transceiver  3809  to communicate a wireless signal with the active foodware dining plate&#39;s  3802  wireless transceiver  3802 . 
     The active foodware dining plate  3800  in the embodiment of  FIG. 38  has multiple food compartments  3804  and a speaker  3805 . This particular embodiment also shows the wireless transceiver  3802  extending from the main housing of the active foodware dining plate  3800  by a cable  3806 ; however, the wireless transceiver  3802  may be a part of the main housing or internal to the main housing. Eating activity in the food compartments  3804  may be sensed by sensing technology (not shown) and used to control the monitor  3801  and/or unit  3807 . For example, if the active foodware dining plate  3800  senses that food in food compartments  3804  is not being eaten at a desired rate, a video being displayed on the monitor screen  3810  may be paused until the desired rate is achieved. 
       FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view of an active foodware system with a passive dining plate  3900  on top of an optical coupler  3901  which guides light from the screen  3902  of a visual display  3903  on a supporting surface  3904 . At least a portion  3905  of the optical coupler  3901  contacts the passive dining plate  3900  and at least a portion  3906  of the optical coupler  3901  contacts the screen  3902 . At least a portion of the passive dining plate  3900  is translucent near where the passive dining plate  3900  contacts the portion  3905  of the optical coupler. The index of refraction and other physical and optical properties of the portions  3905  and  3906  of the optical coupler are selected to provide desired transfer of light from the screen  3902  of the visual display  3903  to the passive dining plate  3900 , which light then passes through the translucent passive dining plate  3900  and is observed by an observer. 
       FIGS. 40A and 40B  provide another embodiment of an active foodware system where light from a visual display screen is transmitted through an optional optical coupler and then through a passive dining plate for the diner to see.  FIG. 40A  is a plan view of the active foodware system and  FIG. 40B  is a cross section of  FIG. 40A  through section D-D. The passive dining plate  4000  has a dining portion  4001  intended for dining and an information portion comprising regions  4005 ,  4006 ,  4007 ,  4008 ,  4009 ,  4010 ,  4011 ,  4012 ,  4013 ,  4014 ,  4015  and  4016  intended to display information to the diner, where such regions are collectively referred to as the information portion  4017 . 
     The passive dining plate  4000  which has at least a portion which is translucent is placed in confronting relation to a visual display  4002  which has screen  4003 . An optional optical coupling structure  4004  provides optical coupling between the screen  4003  and the passive dining plate  4000 . For instance, by selection of the index of refraction of the optical coupling structure  4004  the bending of light from the time it leaves the screen  4003  until it enters the passive dining plate  4000  can be controlled. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 40A and 40B  the dining portion  4001  of the passive dining plate  4000  rests against the screen  4003 , and the information portion  4017  of the passive plate  4000  rests against the optical coupling structure  4004 . 
     In one exemplary application of the embodiment of  FIGS. 40A and 40B , thirteen (13) different digital images and/or videos are shown, one in the dining portion  4001  and one in each of the twelve regions of the information portion  4017 . In  FIG. 40A  the boundaries shown between each of the twelve regions of the information portion  4017  are purely graphical, such that the boundaries are displayed on the screen  4003  and observed through the passive dining plate  4000 . For instance, at a wedding anniversary party, a guest may see ten images from the wedding in regions of the information portion  4017 , two videos in the remaining two regions of the information portion  4017  and see an image of the wedding invitation in the dining portion  4001 . The passive dining plate  4000  may be easily washed in the dishwasher or placed in a microwave oven. 
     The visual display  4002  may comprise an auditory output, such as a speaker or speaker jack. The visual display  4002  may also comprise wired or wireless technology for transferring information to or from the visual display  4002 . The visual display  4002  may also comprise sensors and/or stimulators and/or a programmable processor for performing other desired functions. 
       FIG. 41A  is an active foodware system comprising a computer  4110  and a structure  4100  for holding food in a convenient location relative to the computer  4110  such that the diner may easily access the computer  4110  while eating and drinking without concern for spilling the food and drink on the computer  4110 , its keyboard  4111 , computer monitor  4112  or screen  4113 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 41A and 41B  the structure  4100  has a base  4107  on which the computer  4110  typically rests. An elevating structure for elevating food containers is attached by a section  4105  to the base  4107 . The section  4105  of the elevating structure is rotatably attached to a section  4103 , where the sections  4105  and  4103  are capable of rotating relative to each other around a separating region  4115 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 41B  the elevation of a section  4102  of the elevating structure relative to the section  4103  may be adjusted using a tightening band  4104 . For instance, when the tightening band  4104  is turned one way the elevation of the section  4102  relative to the section  4103  may be freely adjusted until the tightening band  4104  is turned the other way until tight. 
     A liquid container holder  4108  with a cavity  4109  is attached to the section  4102 . A drinking vessel  4114  may be placed in the cavity  4109 . A food tray comprising a frame  4106  and a surface  4101  is also attached to the section  4102 . Accordingly, both the liquid container holder  4108  and the food tray comprising the frame  4106  and the surface  4101  may be adjusted in both elevation and position relative to the computer  4110  via the elevating structure. Typically the surface  4101  is translucent to make it possible to see portions of the computer that would otherwise have an obstructed view. Likewise, the frame  4106  may also be translucent. The exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 41A and 41B  is configured for a diner who uses his right hand to access other items, such as a computer mouse, writing instrument, napkin and the like. Accordingly, the structure  4100  is shown with elevating structure on the left side and leaving an unobstructed gap on the right side between the computer  4110  and the frame  4106  with the surface  4101 . If desired, the frame  4106  with the surface  4101  may be rotated such that none, or only a portion, of the frame  4106  and surface  4101  cover the computer  4110 . 
     Similar to  FIG. 41B ,  FIG. 41C  provides another useful embodiment that comprises a base  4121 , an adjustable support structure extending from the base, a horizontal dining platform (also referred to as a food tray and a surface  4116 ) for supporting food, while a keyboard is positioned at least partially under the dining platform, and supported by the support structure in a raised position from the base  4121 , where typically at least a portion of the dining platform is translucent to permit viewing at least a portion of the keyboard during dining. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 41C  is similar to  FIG. 41B , but additionally, the food tray comprising a frame  4115  and a surface  4116  (where typically at least a portion of the surface  4116  is translucent) is capable of being extended or retracted, in addition to being rotated and adjusted up and down. In  FIG. 41C , the frame  4115  comprises a fixed frame member  4117  to which the fixed surface  4119  is attached, and a sliding frame member  4118  to which a sliding surface  4120  is attached. The sliding frame member  4118  with the sliding surface  4120  is able to be extended or retracted by the user relative to the fixed frame member  4117  with the fixed surface  4119 . Also exemplified in  FIG. 41C  is a base  4121  that is U-shaped comprising a first base leg  4122  and a second base leg  4123 . Depending on the desired spacing between the two legs,  4122  and  4123 , the two legs  4122  and  4123  may either be placed in front and/or behind, respectively, a laptop computer, such as a laptop computer  4110 , or may be placed underneath it. 
       FIG. 42  is an active foodware system comprising a dining plate unit  4200  which may further comprise one or more food compartments  4201 . The dining plate unit  4200  comprises a connector  4202  for connecting to a device. The connector  4202  may also support the connected device in a desired orientation. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 42 , the connector  4202  includes a cavity into which the device is inserted. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 42 , three exemplary devices are shown, but the subject invention is not limited to such three exemplary devices. The exemplary devices include a portable gaming unit  4208  (such as a Sony PlayStation Portable®), a computer monitor  4203  and a portable computer  4205 . The computer monitor  4203  may be part of a tablet computer, and the portable computer  4205  may be part of a mobile phone. The device may be connected to the dining plate unit  4200  via a wired or wireless connector, and such connection may be part of the connector  4202  or may be achieved by an external connection comprising a connector  4214  for connecting to the dining plate unit  4200  and a connector  4215  for connecting to the device, and where the connectors  4214  and  4215  are connected by a wire  4213 . The connectors  4214  and  4215  may be USB connectors, serial connectors, parallel connectors, or any other convenient wired or wireless connectors. 
     In  FIG. 42  the portable gaming unit  4208  has user input controls  4210  and  4212 , and has a visual display  4209 . The gaming unit also has auditory outputs, including a speaker  4217  and an audio output jack  4218 . The computer monitor  4203  has a screen  4204 , a speaker  4219  and an audio output jack  4220 . The portable computer  4205  has a visual display  4206 , user input buttons  4207 , a speaker  4221  and an audio output jack  4222 . When connected to the dining plate unit  4200 , auditory information from a device may be output from a speaker  4216  on the dining plate unit  4200 . Auditory information may also be input to the dining plate unit  4200  via an audio input jack  4223 . 
       FIG. 43  is a computer program with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a computer monitor  4300  with screen  4301 , where the GUI allows for easy visual selecting of content to be displayed on an active foodware system. In general, the computer program with GUI makes it easier and more intuitive for a hostess to “author” active foodware content. In one example of the computer program a hostess sets a physical table with four active foodware dining plates, where the dining plates each have a visual display. On her computer the hostess defines a graphical table icon  4302  with four graphical plate icons  4303 ,  4304 ,  4305  and  4306 . Alternately, the hostess may select a table icon with dining plates from a predefined list. Then the hostess may open a folder  4307  on her computer containing one or more graphical images  4308 ,  4309 ,  4310 ,  4311 ,  4312  and  4313 . Using her computer mouse  4314  and the well-known “drag and drop” computer mouse paradigm the hostess may “drag” the thumbnail icon of a desired image  4313  from the folder  4307  to a second location  4315  and then “drop” the thumbnail icon of the desired image over the graphical icon of a desired plate  4306 . The computer software interprets the action of dragging and dropping the thumbnail icon as a command to display a thumbnail of the image on the corresponding graphical icon of the desired plate and also to send the necessary image data to the physical active foodware dining plate corresponding to the graphical plate icon either via wireless or wired technology. 
     Properties of the image may also be configured using the computer program, such as where a slideshow may be exhibited on the dining plate. Such properties include the display of multiple images where the time of display for an image may be set by the hostess. The hostess may also select how one image wipes or fades into the next. The hostess may also select text or sound to be displayed with the image, such that a multimedia performance may be scripted for each physical dining plate. In general, selectable properties include properties commonly available by slideshow software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint®. 
     In the preceding example, the icon that is dragged and dropped from the folder  4307  represented an image. However, in general, the icon may represent an executable application, a video, a multimedia presentation, object linking and embedding (OLE), a communication link, a computer program, function, command, and the like that affects the operation of the active foodware system. 
       FIG. 44  is a computer program with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a computer monitor  4400  with screen  4401 , where the GUI allows for easy visual selecting of content to be displayed on an active foodware system. In general, the computer program with GUI makes it easier and more intuitive for a hostess to “author” active foodware content. In one example of the computer program a hostess sets a physical table with the active foodware dining plate  4000  of  FIGS. 40A and 40B . On her computer the hostess selects a graphical plate icon  4402 , corresponding to active foodware dining plate  4000 , with twelve graphical region icons  4403  through  4414 . Then the hostess may open a folder  4415  on her computer containing one or more graphical images  4416  through  4421 . Using her computer mouse  4422  and the well-known “drag and drop” computer mouse paradigm the hostess may “drag” the thumbnail icon of a desired image  4421  from the folder  4415  to a second location  4423  and then “drop” the thumbnail icon of the desired image over the graphical icon of a desired region icon  4412 . The computer software interprets the action of dragging and dropping the thumbnail icon as a command to display a thumbnail of the image in the corresponding graphical region icon and also to send the necessary image data either via wireless or wired technology to the physical active foodware dining plate  4000  and display it in the corresponding region  4011 . 
     Properties of the image may also be configured using the computer program, such as where a slideshow may be exhibited on the dining plate. Such properties include the display of multiple images where the time of display for an image may be set by the hostess. The hostess may also select how one image wipes or fades into the next. The hostess may also select text or sound to be displayed with the image, such that a multimedia performance may be scripted for each physical dining plate. In general, selectable properties include properties commonly available by slideshow software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint®. 
     In the preceding example, the icon that is dragged and dropped from the folder  4415  represented an image. However, in general, the icon may represent an executable application, a video, a multimedia presentation, object linking and embedding (OLE), a communication link, a computer program, function, command, and the like that affects the operation of the active foodware system. 
       FIG. 45  is a cross section of an active foodware system where food  4501  on a dining plate  4500  is detected by an optical sensor  4502 . Any convenient optical sensor may be used. The particular optical sensor  4502  in the embodiment of  FIG. 45  is an infrared emitter-detector sensor, where infrared (IR) light is emitted from the emitter  4503 , passes through a translucent portion  4505  of the dining plate  4500 , reflects off the surface of the food  4501  and is detected by the IR detector  4504 . Typically, the IR emitter  4503  is an LED or laser diode, and the IR detector  4504  is a photodiode, photo transistor, photo Darlington, photo cell, and the like. The driving and processing electrical circuitry for such sensors is known to those skilled in the art and so it is omitted from  FIG. 45  for clarity. If no food is present a very limited amount the emitted IR light will reflect and so the signal sensed by the IR detector  4504  will be small. In contrast, if food is present over the emitter  4503  a large portion of the emitted IR light will be reflected and so the signal sensed by the IR detector  4504  will be relatively large. In general, the signal returned by the IR detector  4504  is related to the amount of food present. Typically, more than one IR emitter-detector sensor is used. A large array of IR emitter-detector sensors may be used to provide the desired resolution for determining the amount of food present on the dining plate  4500 . 
       FIG. 46  is a plan view of an active foodware system comprising a dining plate  4600  where a light source  4607  emits light from a portion of the dining plate towards a light detector  4605  located at another portion of the dining plate  4600  where food  4610  may lie between the light source  4607  and the light detector  4605 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 46 , the light source  4607  is a laser diode that rotates about an axis  4608 . The laser diode may also be converted into a sheet of light by a lens or other means to eliminate the need to rotate the laser diode. The light from the laser diode  4607  passes through a translucent food barrier  4616  and is detected by a light detector  4605  unless it is blocked by the food  4610 . Using the light detector, the existence, amount and position of food  4610  may be determined. In  FIG. 46  the dining plate  4600  is partitioned into three sections containing the food  4610  and the light detector  4605  in a first section, food  4611  and  4612  and alight detector  4604  in a second section and food  4613  and alight detector  4606  in a third section. The light detector may be any convenient light detector, including but not limited to a charge coupled device (CCD) array, a linear CCD array, a camera, a CCD camera, a lateral-effect photodiode, an array of photodiodes, an array of phototransistors, an array of photocells, and the like. The driving and processing electrical circuitry for such emitters and detectors is known to those skilled in the art and is omitted from  FIG. 46  for clarity. 
       FIGS. 47A and 47B  are cross sections of an active foodware system comprising a passive dining plate  4700  and an active underplate  4706 . The passive dining plate  4700  comprises a dining surface  4701 , one or more light guides  4702  and a bottom surface  4703 . The passive dining plate  4700  may also comprise optical wave guides. Typical light guides include fiber optic wires, channels, tubes, and the like. The active underplate  4706  comprises one or more light sources  4711 . In the figure, each light source  4711  is a light emitting diode (LED) with a light emitting portion  4712 . The LEDs may be laser diodes and/or may emit light in any of a variety of desirable wavelengths. The light sources  4711  may be any desirable light source, including LEDs, laser diodes, electroluminescent light sources, liquid crystal display light sources (LCDs), fluorescent lights, plasma lights, incandescent lights, and the like. The active foodware system may comprise one or more light sources  4711 , and when a plurality of light sources  4711  are used, the light sources  4711  may all be the same type of light source or may be different types of light sources. 
     The light directed by the light guides  4702  may individually, or together, form an image enhancing the dining experience. Such an image may include, but is not limited to a face, a smiley face, such as provided by  FIGS. 4A-4D , a cartoon figure, a sun, a moon, a star, a pattern, a design, or any other desirable image. The image may be alterable by selectively energizing the light sources, by affecting the light after it has been energized, by affecting the light guide, or any other reasonable technique. By dynamically altering the image, the image may be made to appear to move. For instance, an action figure may appear to walk, crawl, fly, and the like; a face may appear to smile, wink, talk, frown, and the like; a pattern may appear to morph over time or to the beat of music, which music may also emanate from the active foodware system. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 47A and 47B , the active underplate  4706  also serves as a base for the passive dining plate  4700 . In the embodiment the active underplate  4706  has a protuberance  4709  which supports the light sources  4711 . The protuberance  4709  fits into a cavity  4710  in the passive plate  4700  and positions the light sources  4711  in functional relationship with the light guides  4702 . Typically, the light sources  4711  are positioned in confronting relationship to the light guides  4702 . Light emitted from the light sources  4711  is guided through the light guides  4702  and is allowed to disperse from the light guides  4702  at desired sites or regions providing a desired lighting effect to be viewed by a diner. There are various ways known to those skilled in the art to disperse light from a light guide, including but not limited to introducing discontinuities in the guide, altering the index of refraction, altering the translucency of the guide or its surroundings, abrading or etching the surface, changing the dimension of the light guide such that the angle of incidence of light is able to exceed the critical angle for total internal reflection, applying coatings, terminating the light guide, and the like. 
     In  FIG. 47B  the active underplate  4706  is shown to comprise a power source  4727 , a control switch  4725 , an optional processor  4726  and an optional speaker  4728 . The power source  4727  can comprise any convenient power source, including but not limited to a battery, a power adapter connector, an inductive transformer, such as shown in  FIGS. 37A-37D , and the like. The control switch  4725  may control any of a variety of functions, including but not limited to turning the lights on/off, selecting one of a variety of lighting effects, such as flashing or strobing, and may be used to select a mode of operation of the processor  4726 , and the like. The processor  4726  may be employed to control a variety of complex stimulations, including but not limited to outputting music to the speaker  4728  and synchronizing lighting effects to the associated musical beat. The processor  4726  may also receive data from, or transmit data to, either wired or wirelessly, other entities. Such data may comprise operational commands, desired stimulation, such as a desired lighting effect, desired music, and the like. The details of the electrical circuitry and interconnects are known to those skilled in the art and are omitted from the figure for clarity. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 47A and 47B  the active underplate  4706  is shown to comprise support structures  4708 . The active underplate  4706  is also shown to comprise underplate fasteners  4705  which fasten the active underplate  4706  to the passive dining plate  4700  dining plate fasteners  4704 . The underplate fasteners  4705  may be any convenient fastener, including but not limited to one or more simple protuberances that fit into the dining plate fasteners  4704  and hold the active underplate  4706  to the passive dining plate  4700  by friction. There are a multitude of other fastening techniques known to those skilled in the art that may be used, including hooks, clips, snaps, slide locks, tongue-in-groove locks, Velcro®, screws, and the like. 
       FIG. 47C  is a cross section of an active foodware system comprising a passive dining plate  4707  and an active underplate  4718 . The passive dining plate  4707  comprises a dining surface  4713 , one or more light guides  4714  and a bottom surface  4715 . The passive dining plate  4707  may also comprise optical wave guides. Typical light guides include fiber optic wires, channels, tubes, and the like. The active underplate  4718  comprises one or more light sources. In the figure, one light source  4720  is shown and which is an incandescent light. The light source  4720  may alternatively be an LED. The LED may be a laser diode and/or may emit light in any of a variety of desirable wavelengths. In general, the light source  4720  may be any desirable light source, including an LED, laser diode, electroluminescent light source, LCD, fluorescent light, plasma light, incandescent light, and the like. The active foodware system may comprise one or more light sources, and when a plurality of light sources are used, the light sources may all be the same type of light source or may be different types of light sources. 
     The light directed by the light guides  4714  may individually, or together, form an image which may enhance the dining experience. Such an image may include, but is not limited to a face, a smiley face, such as provided by  FIGS. 4A-4D , a cartoon figure, a sun, a moon, a star, a pattern, a design, or any other desirable image. The image may be alterable by selectively energizing the light sources, by affecting the light after it has been energized, by affecting the light guide, or any other reasonable technique. By dynamically altering the image, the image may be made to appear to move. For instance, an action figure may appear to walk, crawl, fly, and the like; a face may appear to smile, wink, talk, frown, and the like; a pattern may appear to morph over time or to the beat of music, which music may also emanate from the active foodware system. 
     Light emitted from the light source  4720  is altered by having it pass through a light modifier. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 47C , light modification is achieved with a moving translucent film  4724 . Movement of the translucent film  4724  may be predetermined or may be alterably controlled. The translucent film  4724  is moved by an actuator  4721 , such as a rotary electrical motor. There are a variety of other suitable actuators which may alternatively be employed which are known to those skilled in the art for moving a low-mass translucent film  4724 . As light emitted from the light source  4720  passes through the translucent film  4724  it takes on the color and pattern imparted by the translucent film  4724  before it enters the light guides  4714 . Accordingly, depending on the pattern on the translucent film  4724 , as the motor moves the translucent film  4724 , the light passing into and through the light guides, and ultimately dispersed for a diner to see, is varied. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 47C , the active underplate  4718  also serves as a base for the passive dining plate  4707 . The light source  4720  is positioned in functional relationship to the light guides  4714 , and typically the light source  4720  is positioned in confronting relationship to the light guides  4714 . Light emitted from the light source  4720  is guided through the light guides  4714  and is allowed to disperse from the light guides  4714  at desired sites or regions providing a desired lighting effect to be viewed by a diner. There are various ways known to those skilled in the art to disperse light from a light guide, including but not limited to introducing discontinuities in the guide, altering the index of refraction, altering the translucency of the guide or its surroundings, abrading or etching the surface, changing the dimension of the light guide such that the angle of incidence of light is able to exceed the critical angle for total internal reflection, applying coatings, terminating the light guide, and the like. 
     In  FIG. 47C  the active underplate  4718  is shown to comprise a power source  4730 , a control switch  4729 , an optional processor  4731  and an optional speaker  4732 . The power source  4730  can comprise any convenient power source, including but not limited to a battery, a power adapter connector, an inductive transformer, such as shown in  FIGS. 37A-37D , and the like. The control switch  4729  may control any of a variety of functions, including but not limited to turning the lights on/off, selecting one of a variety of lighting effects, such as flashing or strobing, may control the rate, direction and position of shaft of the motor, and may be used to select a mode of operation of the processor  4731 , and the like. The processor  4731  may be employed to control a variety of complex stimulations, including but not limited to outputting music to the speaker  4732  and synchronizing lighting effects to the associated musical beat. The processor  4731  may also receive data from, or transmit data to, either wired or wirelessly, other entities. Such data may comprise operational commands, desired stimulation, such as a desired lighting effect, desired music and the like. The details of the electrical circuitry and interconnects are known to those skilled in the art and are omitted from the figure for clarity. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 47C  the active underplate  4718  is shown to comprise support structures  4719 . The active underplate  4718  is also shown to comprise underplate fasteners  4717  which fasten the active underplate  4718  to the passive dining plate  4707  dining plate fasteners  4716 . The underplate fasteners  4717  may be any convenient fastener, including but not limited to one or more simple protuberances that fit into the dining plate fasteners  4716  and hold the active underplate  4706  to the passive dining plate  4700  by friction. There are a multitude of other fastening techniques known to those skilled in the art that may be used, including hooks, clips, snaps, slide locks, tongue-in-groove locks, Velcro®, screws, and the like. 
       FIGS. 48A-48I  are cross section views of typical dining plates forms which may be used in an active foodware system. Other dining plate forms may be alternately used in an active foodware system.  FIG. 48A  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4800  comprising a dining surface  4801  and upwardly curved surrounding surface  4802 . Typically, the surrounding surface is intended to direct food from the outer portion of the plate back toward the more central portion of the plate where the dining surface is, to reduce spillage, and to provide a convenient surface for grasping the plate. 
       FIG. 48B  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4804  comprising a dining surface  4803  and downwardly curved surrounding surface  4805 . 
       FIG. 48C  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4806  comprising a dining surface  4807  and relatively flat (in cross section) sloping surrounding surface  4808 . 
       FIG. 48D  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4809  comprising a dining surface  4810 , a first flat (in cross section) sloping surrounding surface  4811  and a second flat (in cross section) surrounding surface  4812  sloping less than the first sloping surrounding surface  4811 . 
       FIG. 48E  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4813  comprising a dining surface  4814 , a first upwardly curved surrounding surface  4815 , a second flat (in cross section) sloping surrounding surface  4816  and supports  4817 . 
       FIG. 48F  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4818  comprising a dining surface  4819 , a first vertical surrounding surface  4820  and a second flat (in cross section) sloping surrounding surface  4821 . 
       FIG. 48G  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4822  comprising a dining surface  4823 , a first vertical surrounding surface  4824  and a second horizontal surrounding surface  4825 . 
       FIG. 48H  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4826  comprising a dining surface  4827 , a first upwardly curving surrounding surface  4828 , a second horizontal surrounding surface  4829  and a downwardly curved outer edge  4830 . 
       FIG. 48I  is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate  4831  comprising a dining surface  4832  and vertical surrounding surface  4833 . 
     It is evident from the above description that a new way of using foodware in an active foodware system, particularly dinnerware, is provided. Instead of static dinnerware that while being attractive is passive, the subject dinnerware is active providing for numerous stimuli for a variety of purposes. The active foodware system dinnerware can be used to encourage young users or diners to eat their food, learn while eating, be responsive to requests and commands, be entertained, be monitored, listen to music, watch TV, communicate by means of the dinnerware, and the like. Adults may use the dinnerware to communicate with others, watch events, review activities, read email, search the internet, and the like. The subject active foodware system provides an entirely new paradigm in the use of common foodware and makes the active foodware system highly versatile in its applications. 
     All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.