Method and system for automated guidance to a subject to build healthy chewing habits to facilitate adherence to a healthy food intake routine

A method for providing automated guidance to a subject to form desired chewing habits of food intake or to facilitate adherence to a person-specific healthy food intake routine, the method comprising the following steps:

• a. providing an electronic device configured for operating in an automated guiding sequence and for generating at least one signal prompt, the electronic device is further configured to detect each food intake bite and each food chew facial movement of the subject using an image sensor operatively connected thereto or integrated therewith,
• b. initiating the electronic device of step (a) and operating the electronic device to provide a confirmation signal to the subject indicating a start of the automated guiding sequence,
• c. operating the electronic device to generate a first food intake “bite” signal prompt to invite the subject to take a first bite of food to be consumed,
• d. operating the electronic device to detect and count actual food intake bites via using the image sensor to detect facial movements of the subject corresponding to a food intake bite,
• e. operating the electronic device to activate a series of “chew” signal prompts comprising a preselected number of individual audio or video chew signal prompts spaced apart in time at a preselected frequency,
• f. operating the electronic device to detect and count actual food chews via using the image sensor to detect facial movements of the subject corresponding to food chewing, and
• g. repeating steps (c) through (f) for additional food intake bites and chews until the food is consumed or the automated guiding sequence is stopped.

A system for automated guidance for a subject to form desired chewing habits of food intake or to facilitate adherence to person-specific healthy food intake routine;

• the system comprising an electronic device configured for automatic operation in a predefined guiding sequence and for generating at least one signal prompt,
• wherein the electronic device is operably connected to a server and at least one database via a communication network,
• wherein the electronic device is configured to detect each food intake bite and food chew facial movements of the subject using an image sensor operatively connected thereto or integrated therewith,
• wherein the electronic device is further configured to:
• a. generate a confirmation signal to confirm initiation of an automated guiding sequence,
• b. automatically generate a first food intake “bite” signal prompt to guide the subject to take a first bite of food to be consumed,
• c. automatically detect and count actual food intake bites via observing facial movements of the subject using the image sensor,
• d. automatically generate a series of “chew” signal prompt counts comprising a preselected number of individual audio or video chew signal prompt counts spaced apart in time at a preselected frequency,
• e. automatically detect and count actual food chews by using the image sensor to observe jaw and other facial movements of the subject, and
• f. automatically repeating steps (c) through (e) for detecting further food intake bites and chews until the food is consumed or the automated guiding sequence is stopped.