Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition that analyzes individual health parameters and dietary requirements to determine the most suitable dairy products for consumption. Additionally, the device is also capable of ensuring food safety and quality by assessing the composition of dairy products, including their probiotic content and potential contaminants, thereby promoting optimal health and well-being.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dairy products are a vital part of human nutrition, providing essential nutrients such as calcium, proteins, and probiotics. However, individuals have diverse dietary needs and health conditions that require personalized recommendations for dairy consumption. Some people may be lactose intolerant, allergic to certain dairy components, or have specific dietary restrictions due to medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. In such cases, consumers often struggle to identify the right dairy products that align with their health requirements. Additionally, ensuring the quality and safety of dairy products is crucial, as contamination, spoilage, or imbalanced nutritional content can negatively impact health.

[0003] The challenge of selecting suitable dairy products is further complicated by the lack of real-time health monitoring and nutritional analysis. While individuals can seek dietary guidance from nutritionists, such recommendations may not be dynamically adjusted based on their changing health conditions. Moreover, there is no immediate feedback system to alert users if a dairy product contains undesired ingredients or lacks sufficient nutrients tailored to their needs. As a result, many consumers either consume inappropriate dairy products or entirely avoid them, potentially missing out on essential nutritional benefits.

[0004] Furthermore, existing dairy selection methods do not offer a comprehensive approach that combines personalized health monitoring, real-time analysis, and automated recommendations. Users often rely on manual selection processes that are not scientifically validated, leading to inefficient or even harmful dietary choices. Additionally, food safety concerns such as contamination, improper storage, and nutrient degradation remain largely unaddressed in conventional dairy management systems, making it challenging for consumers to make informed decisions.

[0005] CN1998031A discloses a customised nutritional serving made up of ingredients stored within a device incorporating the system. The device has a controller in whose memory is stored an inventory of the ingredients available in the device, their compositions and properties and customer profile data. The controller is programmed to formulate a serving which best matches the customised serving selected by the customer within constraints set by the programming taking into account the inventory of ingredients and the health profile of the customer. The customer is then presented with the selected serving and either accepts it or modifies it. The device is then programmed to prepare and dispense the final selection.

[0006] WO2018197477A1 discloses a method to enable personalized nutrition through the individualization of nutritional requirements and nutritional guidance in a subject or group of subjects. A method of maintaining personal nutrient and micronutrient levels in a subject or group of subjects is also provided.

[0007] Conventionally, several existing methods focus on general nutritional guidance, but they fail to provide personalized dairy recommendations based on an individual’s unique health profile. Moreover, these methods lack real-time monitoring and adaptive decision-making, leaving users without accurate information on whether a dairy product is suitable for them.

[0008] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that provides real-time analysis recommendations for dairy consumption. The device should monitor user health parameters, analyze the nutritional content of dairy products, and deliver personalized suggestions to ensure that consumers select dairy products best suited for their well-being.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing users with customized dietary recommendations based on their individual health parameters, including body composition and nutritional requirements, thereby ensuring that users consume the most suitable dairy products suitable to their specific needs, promoting optimal health and well-being.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of ensuring that dairy products are safe for consumption by analyzing their composition, detecting probiotics, contaminants, and other chemical compounds, thereby helping users maintain a healthy diet by identifying and modifying dairy products based on real-time assessments of their dietary tolerance and nutritional preferences.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of eliminating the manual effort required for selecting, processing, and preparing dairy products by automating the entire process, thereby analysing modifying, and dispensing dairy products in a controlled manner, making it highly beneficial for users seeking a hassle-free and health-conscious lifestyle.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition that enables users to receive customized nutritional insights based on their body composition and medical history. The device continuously monitors and evaluates the nutritional value of dairy products and dynamically adjusts recommendations to meet the user’s dietary needs.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition comprises a housing having multiple storage chambers configured to store multiple dairy products, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit is installed on the housing and integrated with an image recognition protocol, adapted to analyze type of dairy product stored inside the chambers, a touch interactive display panel attached with the housing, configured to receive personal and medical information of a user as input into a user profile of the user created in a database connected with a microcontroller for reference, a rectangular base is attached with that front portion of the housing that is accessed by a user for attaining a standing posture over the base, plurality of weight sensors spatially arranged over the base to measure the user’s weight, wherein a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) unit is installed on a vertical pole provided on the base to scan the user to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition to access user's calcium and mineral requirements, a cylindrical container connected to a pneumatic rod attached inside the housing, the pneumatic rod is integrated with multiple motorized hinges and ball-and-socket joints, allowing controlled movement of the container for scooping an optimum quantity of determined dairy product from the chamber and transfer over a testing vessel arranged inside the body, a pair of telescopic links movably attached to a motorized slider mounted on ceiling of the housing, the rods extend and retract dynamically to reach various dairy product stored inside the vessel, a biosensor and an electrochemical sensor is integrated at end effector of the links, configured to detect probiotic content in dairy products, analyzing concentration of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, and pathogens, contaminants, and other chemical compounds.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a heating unit integrated within the vessel to heat the dairy product to a pre-defined temperature, a Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy sensor integrated within the vessel to analyze chemical composition of milk, detect fat, protein, lactose, and non-fat solid content, an electronic valve attached with a multi-sectioned box provided inside the vessel to open for dispensing almond powder and water stored inside the box over the dairy product, to promote gut health, a three-finger gripper arrangement provided inside the housing for securely grasping hardened dairy products, a motorized conveyor belt is positioned adjacent to the vessel to transport the collected dairy product over the vessel, a strainer is integrated within the testing vessel, configured to filter out unwanted particulates or impurities from dairy product before dispensing, a level sensor is integrated with each storage chambers, to measure quantity of dairy product being dispensed and ensure alignment with user's dietary needs, a motorized stirrer unit is positioned at inner base of the vessel, configured to blend almonds and water into almond milk, a cleaning plate is mounted on sidewall of the strainer, integrated with a pneumatic plunger, to remove the detected obstruction via the cleaning plate, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of dairy product, a cutting unit is attached with ceiling portion of the housing, configured to slice or section the solid dairy product, for further testing via the electrochemical sensor and biosensor, an iris unit is attached with the vessel, configured to dispense predefined amounts of diary product over an auxiliary flask positioned inside the housing by the user via a cavity crafted on front portion of the housing and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0022] The present invention relates to a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition that analyzes user health parameters and suggests suitable dairy consumption plans to meet their specific nutritional requirements. Additionally, the proposed device ensures that dairy products are safe and beneficial by conducting real-time assessments of their probiotic levels, fat content, and potential allergens, in cases where certain dairy products exceed recommended thresholds.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a dairy product management device for personalized nutrition is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 having multiple storage chambers 102, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 is installed on the housing 101, a touch interactive display panel 104 attached with the housing 101, a rectangular base 105 is attached with that front portion of the housing 101, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) unit 106 is installed on a vertical pole 107 provided on the base 105, a cylindrical container 108 connected to a pneumatic rod 109 attached inside the housing 101, a pair of telescopic links 110 movably attached to a motorized slider 111 mounted on ceiling of the housing 101, a biosensor 112 and an electrochemical sensor 113 is integrated at end effector of the links 110, a testing vessel 114 arranged inside the housing 101, an electronic valve 115 attached with a multi-sectioned box 116 provided inside the vessel 114, a three-finger gripper arrangement 117 provided inside the housing 101, a motorized conveyor belt 118 is positioned adjacent to the vessel 114, a strainer 119 is integrated within the testing vessel 114, a motorized stirrer unit 120 is positioned at inner base 105 of the vessel 114, a cleaning plate 121 is mounted on sidewall of the strainer 119, integrated with a pneumatic plunger 122, an iris unit 123 is attached with the vessel 114, a cavity 124 crafted on front portion of the housing 101.

[0024] The device disclosed herein comprises a housing 101, which serves as a main structure of the device and is developed to be accessed by a user for storing dairy products. The housing 101 is constructed with multiple storage chambers 102, where the user stores dairy products. To initiate the operation, the device, the user is required to activate the device first by pressing a push button installed on the housing 101. The push button typically consists of a button cap which is the visible rounded part of the button that the user presses. When the user pushes the push button, it pushes down a plunger, which is a small rod or a cylinder. Inside the push button, there are electrical contacts made of electrical materials like metal. When the user presses the push button, it completes the electrical circuit, allowing current to flow and triggering an inbuilt microcontroller’s operation, which operatively linked with the device.

[0025] As the microcontroller gets activates, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101 to capture multiple images of the dairy product to analyze type of dairy product stored inside the chambers 102 with the help of an image recognition protocol. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the dairy product.

[0026] The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification by utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence protocols. The image captured by the imaging unit 103 is real-time images of the dairy product. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines type of dairy product stored inside the chambers 102 via the image recognition protocol.

[0027] The front portion of the housing 101 features a touch-interactive display panel 104, which serves as the primary interface for the user. Through this display, the user inputs personal and medical information, which is then stored in a user profile within a database linked to a microcontroller. To further enhance user interaction and data collection, the housing 101 is mounted on a rectangular base 105, designed to support a standing posture for the user. The base 105 is embedded with a plurality of weight sensors that dynamically measure the user's housing 101 weight. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) unit 106, mounted on a vertical pole 107 attached to the base 105, is configured to scan the user, analyzing bone mineral density (BMD) and housing 101 composition. This allows the microcontroller to assess the user's calcium and mineral requirements, determining the most suitable type and quantity of dairy product for consumption.

[0028] To facilitate the retrieval and handling of dairy products, a cylindrical container 108 is connected to a pneumatic rod 109 positioned inside the housing 101. The pneumatic rod 109 is integrated with multiple motorized hinges and ball-and-socket joints, enabling controlled movement for scooping an optimum quantity of the selected dairy product. The retrieved product is transferred to a testing vessel 114 arranged within the housing 101 for further quality assessment and customization.

[0029] To ensure comprehensive analysis of the dairy products, the device incorporates a pair of telescopic links 110, movably attached to a motorized slider 111 mounted on the ceiling of the housing 101. These telescopic links 110 extend and retract dynamically to reach various dairy products stored in the vessel 114. The end effector of the telescopic links 110 is equipped with a biosensor 112 and an electrochemical sensor 113. The biosensor 112 detects the probiotic content in dairy products, specifically analyzing the concentration of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. Simultaneously, the electrochemical sensor 113 identifies the presence of pathogens, contaminants, and other chemical compounds, ensuring the safety and quality of the dairy product before consumption.

[0030] A heating unit is integrated within the testing vessel 114, actuated by the microcontroller to heat the dairy product to a predefined temperature. The heating unit used herein is preferably a copper coil that generates heat when an electric current passes through the coil. When an electric current runs through a copper wire the electrons come across the resistive forces of the medium’s material, releasing energy that is expended in the form of heat energy. The copper coil is properly insulated to prevent any heat loss and also direct the generated heat towards the dairy product. based 105 on the user’s medical history and dietary patterns, the microcontroller predicts the user’s level of tolerance to probiotic dairy products and dynamically adjusts the heating temperature to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption.

[0031] To further analyze and optimize the nutritional content of dairy products, a Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy sensor is installed within the testing vessel 114. This sensor evaluates the chemical composition of milk, detecting levels of fat, protein, lactose, and non-fat solids. If the microcontroller determines that the fat content exceeds a predefined threshold, which might contribute to weight gain. The device automatically dispenses almond powder and water from a multi-sectioned box 116 integrated within the vessel 114. This supplementation process ensures a balanced nutritional profile, promoting gut health and digestion.

[0032] For handling solid dairy products, a three-finger gripper arrangement 117 is provided inside the housing 101. The three-finger gripper arrangement 117 is a robotic mechanism designed to grasp, hold, and manipulate objects with precision and stability. The arrangement typically consists of three independently controlled fingers, each equipped with sensors and actuators to provide a firm and adaptable grip on objects of varying shapes and sizes. The gripper operates by synchronizing the movement of its fingers, ensuring an even distribution of force to prevent damage to delicate objects while maintaining a secure hold. The gripper, is actuated by the microcontroller, securely grasps hardened dairy products, allowing precise manipulation during processing. A motorized conveyor belt 118 positioned adjacent to the vessel 114 ensures smooth transportation of the dairy product from storage to the testing vessel 114.

[0033] The device also integrates a strainer 119 within the testing vessel 114, configured to filter out unwanted particulates or impurities before dispensing the dairy product. Additionally, each storage chamber 102 is equipped with a level sensor, which continuously monitors the quantity of dairy product being dispensed, ensuring that it aligns with the user’s personalized dietary plan. The level sensor typically emits high-frequency sound waves towards the product. The level sensor measures the time taken by the sound waves to bounce back which is used to calculate the distance to the product surface. The microcontroller interprets the sensor’s output converts it into meaningful information such level in inches.

[0034] For enhanced functionality, a motorized stirrer unit 120 is positioned at the inner base 105 of the vessel 114, specifically designed to blend almonds and water into almond milk. The stirrer unit 120 is equipped with blades or paddles that are capable of effectively mixing the paint when in operation. These blades are strategically positioned to create turbulence and ensure thorough mixing of the almonds and water into almond milk. The stirrer unit 120 is connected to a small and powerful electric motor that provides the necessary rotatory motion to the stirrer unit 120 to effectively blend the almonds and water into almond milk. This feature ensures that users who require a lower-fat dairy alternative benefit from a nutrient-rich supplement without excessive fat intake.

[0035] To maintain hygiene and prevent obstructions in the flow of liquid dairy products, a cleaning plate 121 is mounted on the sidewall of the strainer 119. The cleaning plate 121 is integrated with a pneumatic plunger 122, which is actuated by the microcontroller if the imaging unit 103 detects debris blocking the flow. The plunger 122 removes the detected obstruction, ensuring an uninterrupted dispensing process.

[0036] For solid dairy products, a cutting unit is attached to the ceiling portion of the housing 101. This unit is designed to slice or section solid dairy products before they undergo further analysis using the biosensor 112 and electrochemical sensor 113. This ensures that both solid and liquid dairy products are thoroughly evaluated before being dispensed to the user.

[0037] The dispensing process is controlled by an iris unit 123 attached to the vessel 114, allowing for precise release of dairy products. The iris unit 123 dispenses a predefined amount of dairy product over an auxiliary flask, which is manually positioned inside the housing 101 by the user via a dedicated cavity 124 on the front panel of the device. This ensures that the user receives the correct portion size of dairy based on their health and dietary recommendations.

[0038] Additionally, to provide users with detailed health insights, the device presents a personalized questionnaire on the interactive display panel 104. This questionnaire collects information on symptoms, allergies, specific diseases, and dietary restrictions, enabling the microcontroller to fine-tune its recommendations.

[0039] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0040] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the process begins with the user interacting with the touch-interactive display panel 104, where they input dietary preferences, medical history, and nutritional goals. Additionally, the weight sensors on the base 105 and the DEXA unit scan the user's housing 101 weight, bone mineral density, and housing 101 composition, transmitting this data to the microcontroller for analysis. This step allows the microcontroller to determine the ideal dairy intake, customized to the user's needs. Once the user's profile and health parameters are assessed, the imaging unit 103 scans the storage chambers 102 inside the housing 101 to identify the available dairy products. Based on the user’s dietary needs, the microcontroller selects the appropriate dairy product, and the pneumatic rod 109 with motorized hinges retrieves it from the storage chamber. The dairy product is then transferred to the testing vessel 114, where multiple sensors, including biosensors 112 and electrochemical sensor 113, analyze its probiotic content, chemical composition, and potential contaminants, ensuring safety and nutritional quality. If the selected dairy product requires nutritional modification, the microcontroller dynamically adjusts fat content using the NIR spectroscopy sensor. If fat levels exceed recommended limits, the device automatically dispenses almond powder and water from the internal chamber, creating the healthier alternative. Additionally, the heating unit inside the vessel 114 warms the dairy product to the optimal temperature, enhancing digestion and probiotic effectiveness based on user-specific dietary needs. For solid dairy products, the three-finger gripper and motorized conveyor belt 118 ensure smooth handling, while the cutting unit sections the product into smaller portions before analysis. the strainer 119 and cleaning plate 121 prevent blockages, ensuring uninterrupted dispensing. When the dairy product is ready, the motorized stirrer (if required) blends necessary supplements before the iris-controlled dispensing microcontroller releases the precise portion into the auxiliary flask.

[0041] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A dairy product management device for personalized nutrition, comprising:

i) a housing 101 having multiple storage chambers 102 configured to store multiple dairy products, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 is installed on said housing 101 and integrated with an image recognition protocol, adapted to analyze type of dairy product stored inside said chambers 102;

ii) a touch interactive display panel 104 attached with said housing 101, configured to receive personal and medical information of a user as input into a user profile of said user created in a database connected with a microcontroller for reference, wherein a rectangular base 105 is attached with that front portion of said housing 101 that is accessed by a user for attaining a standing posture over said base 105;

iii) plurality of weight sensors spatially arranged over said base 105 to measure said user’s weight, wherein a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) unit 106 is installed on a vertical pole 107 which is provided on said base 105 to scan said user to determine Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and housing 101 composition to access user's calcium and mineral requirements, in accordance to which said microcontroller determines intake of specific type of dairy product best suitable for said user;

iv) a cylindrical container 108 connected to a pneumatic rod 109 attached inside said housing 101, wherein said pneumatic rod 109 is integrated with multiple motorized hinges and ball-and-socket joints, allowing controlled movement of said container 108 for scooping an optimum quantity of determined dairy product from said chamber 102 and transfer over a testing vessel 114 arranged inside said housing 101;

v) a pair of telescopic links 110 movably attached to a motorized slider 111 mounted on ceiling of said housing 101, said rods extend and retract dynamically to reach various dairy product stored inside said vessel 114, wherein a biosensor 112 and an electrochemical sensor 113 is integrated at end effector of said links 110, configured to detect probiotic content in dairy products, analyzing concentration of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, and pathogens, contaminants, and other chemical compounds, respectively;

vi) a heating unit integrated within said vessel 114 that is actuated by said microcontroller to heat said dairy product to a pre-defined temperature, wherein said microcontroller based on stored medical data and dietary patterns predict user’s level of tolerance to probiotic dairy products, and accordingly said microcontroller adjust the temperature dynamically based 105 on real-time lactose tolerance assessments;

vii) a Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy sensor integrated within said vessel 114 to analyze chemical composition of milk, detect fat, protein, lactose, and non-fat solid content, wherein in case said microcontroller determines fat content to exceed a predefined threshold value that contributes to weight gain, said microcontroller actuates an electronic valve 115 attached with a multi-sectioned box 116 provided inside said vessel 114 to open for dispensing almond powder and water stored inside said box 116 over said dairy product, to promote gut health; and

viii) a three-finger gripper arrangement 117 provided inside said housing 101 that is actuated by said microcontroller for securely grasping hardened dairy products, wherein a motorized conveyor belt 118 is positioned adjacent to said vessel 114 to transport said collected dairy product over said vessel 114.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller presents a detailed questionnaire on said display panel 104, designed to collect data on user conditions, symptoms, allergies, and specific diseases,, and other relevant preferences, to refine recommendations over time.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a strainer 119 is integrated within said testing vessel 114, configured to filter out unwanted particulates or impurities from dairy product before dispensing.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level sensor is integrated with each storage chambers 102, to measure quantity of dairy product being dispensed and ensure alignment with user's dietary needs.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized stirrer unit 120 is positioned at inner base 105 of said vessel 114, configured to blend almonds and water into almond milk.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cleaning plate 121 is mounted on sidewall of said strainer 119, integrated with a pneumatic plunger 122, in case said imaging unit 103 identifies debris obstructing liquid flow, said microcontroller regulates actuation of said plunger 122 to remove said detected obstruction via said cleaning plate 121, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of dairy product.

7) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cutting unit is attached with ceiling portion of said housing 101, configured to slice or section said solid dairy product, for further testing via said electrochemical sensor 113 and biosensor 112.

8) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an iris unit 123 is attached with said vessel 114, configured to dispense predefined amounts of diary product over an auxiliary flask positioned inside said housing 101 by said user via a cavity 124 crafted on front portion of said housing 101.

9) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components which are associated with said device.