Method and apparatus for scanning of food and medicine to provide outputs relative to a user profile

Abstract

A method and apparatus for recording foods and medicines by scanning and relating scanned data to a stored medical profile specific to an individual. In a preferred embodiment, quantities of foods or medicines are sensed by scanning to relate consumption data or interaction data when a user should be aware of possible adverse interactions. Various types of databases are disclosed. Wireless transfer of data is contemplated, with location of consumption recorded and transferred as well in a particular embodiment.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method of providing product information to a user, said product information pertaining to a product, said product being internally consumable by said user, said method comprising: 
 storing said product information within an items database, said items database being disposed within a remote computer;    storing user data within a profile database, said user data being information about said user, said profile database being located within said remote computer;    storing profile data within said profile database, said profile data being information about interactions between said foods and medicines;    entering packaging data into an input device, said input device being separate and distinct from said remote computer, said input device being portable, said packaging data being additional information pertaining to said product;    searching said items database for said product information, said input device using said packaging data to search said items database for said product information.    
     
     
         28 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said product information includes barcode numbers, product name, product, produce suggested serving size, nutrients contained within the product, chemicals contained within the product, and processing techniques.  
     
     
         29 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 displaying said product information on a display, said display being located on said input device.    
     
     
         30 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 retrieving said product information from said items database, said input device retrieving said product information from said items database and comparing said received product information with said profile data.    
     
     
         31 . The method as set forth in  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 warning said user of possible allergy or incompatibility to said product, said warning being based upon a result of said step of comparing.    
     
     
         32 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said input device includes an optical scanner.  
     
     
         33 . The method as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being a barcode, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said barcode.  
     
     
         34 . The method as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being text, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said text.  
     
     
         35 . The method as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being handwriting, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said handwriting.  
     
     
         36 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said items database is a removable storage medium.  
     
     
         37 . The method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said input device.  
     
     
         38 . The method as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said central computer.  
     
     
         39 . The method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said profile database is a removable storage medium.  
     
     
         40 . The method as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said input device.  
     
     
         41 . The method as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said central computer.  
     
     
         42 . A device comprising: 
 an input device, said input device being separate and distinct from a remote computer, said input device being portable,    packaging data being entered into said input device, said packaging data being information pertaining to a product, said product being internally consumable by a user,    said input device using said packaging data to search an items database for product information, wherein:    said remote computer contains said items database and a profile database,    said product information is stored within said items database, said product information being additional information pertaining to said product,    user data and profile data are stored within said profile database, said user data being information about said user, said profile data being information about interactions between said foods and medicines.    
     
     
         43 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said product information includes barcode numbers, product name, product, produce suggested serving size, nutrients contained within the product, chemicals contained within the product, and processing techniques.  
     
     
         44 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said product information on a display, said display being located on said input device.  
     
     
         45 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said input device retrieves said product information from said items database and compares said received product information with said profile data to provide a comparison.  
     
     
         46 . The device as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein said input device warns said user of possible allergy or incompatibility to said product, said warning being based upon said comparison.  
     
     
         47 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said input device includes an optical scanner.  
     
     
         48 . The device as set forth in  claim 47 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being a barcode, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said barcode.  
     
     
         49 . The device as set forth in  claim 47 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being text, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said text.  
     
     
         50 . The device as set forth in  claim 47 , wherein said product includes indicia for describing said product, said indicia being handwriting, said optical scanner entering said packaging data into said input device by scanning said handwriting.  
     
     
         51 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said items database is a removable storage medium.  
     
     
         52 . The device as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said input device.  
     
     
         53 . The device as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said central computer.  
     
     
         54 . The device as set forth in  claim 42 , wherein said profile database is a removable storage medium.  
     
     
         55 . The device as set forth in  claim 54 ,, wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said input device.  
     
     
         56 . The device as set forth in  claim 54 , wherein said removable storage medium is disposed on said central computer.