Method for generating user flavor preference profiles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating a flavor preference profile for a user including the steps of obtaining user food preference information for a user regarding a plurality of food elements, the user food preference information being provided by the user, obtaining correlation information regarding the plurality of food elements and a plurality of flavor categories, the correlation information providing a correlation between user preference for each food element and user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories, determining, by a microprocessor and based on the user food preference information and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories, and generating preference output data for the user based on the result of the determining.

1 . A method of generating a flavor preference profile for a user, comprising:
 obtaining user food preference information for a user regarding a plurality of food elements, the user food preference information being provided by the user;   obtaining correlation information regarding the plurality of food elements and a plurality of flavor categories, the correlation information providing a correlation between user preference for each food element and user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories;   determining, by a microprocessor and based on the user food preference information and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories; and   generating preference output data for the user based on the result of the determining.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining demographic data regarding the user;   obtaining second correlation information regarding the demographic data and the plurality of flavor categories, the second correlation information providing a correlation between the demographic data and user preference for each flavor category,   wherein the determining further comprises:   determining, by the microprocessor and based on the demographic data, user food preference information, second correlation information and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 obtaining additional user food preference information provided by the user regarding food consumption context;   obtaining third correlation information regarding the additional user food preference and the plurality of flavor categories, the third correlation information providing a correlation between the additional user food preference information and user preference for each flavor category,   wherein the determining further comprises:   determining, by the microprocessor and based on the demographic data, the user preference information, the additional user food preference information, the second correlation information, the third correlation information, and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the food consumption context includes one of information regarding textures, smells, feelings, tastes, cooking methods, and temperatures of food. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 determining neophobic characteristics of the user based on the demographic data, the user preference information, and the additional user food preference information, wherein   the neophobic characteristics of the user include one of information indicating the agreeability of the user to new foods and information indicating the agreeability of the user to new styles of foods.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the generating generates output data in a format for use in generating a graphical representation of a flavor profile of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a graphical representation of a flavor profile of the user based on the output data.   
     
     
         9 . A method of determining a flavor perception profile for a food element, comprising:
 obtaining characteristic information including ingredient information for the food element;   obtaining correlation information regarding the ingredient information and a plurality of flavor categories, the correlation information providing a correlation between ingredients included in the ingredient information and expected perception for each flavor category;   determining, by a microprocessor and based on the characteristic information and the correlation information, a relative perception value for each of the plurality of flavor categories for the food element; and   generating the flavor perception profile for the food element based on the result of the determining.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 obtaining alteration information regarding the ingredient information based on the characteristic information, wherein   the determining further comprises determining, by the microprocessor and based on the characteristic information, the alteration information and the correlation information, the relative perception value for each of the plurality of flavor categories for the food element.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the food element is a recipe for a prepared food. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the characteristic information includes cooking instructions. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the alteration information includes at least one of ingredient interaction information and preparation transformation information. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 obtaining alteration information regarding the ingredient information based on the characteristic information, wherein   the obtaining correlation information further comprises obtaining the correlation information regarding the ingredient information and the plurality of flavor categories, the correlation information providing a correlation between ingredients altered according to the alteration information and the expected perception for each flavor category, and   the determining further comprises determining, by the microprocessor and based on the characteristic information, the alteration information and the correlation information, the relative perception value for each of the plurality of flavor categories for the food element.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for generating a flavor preference profile for a user, comprising:
 a first obtaining unit implemented by processing circuitry and configured to obtain user food preference information for a user regarding a plurality of food elements, the user food preference information being provided by the user,   a second obtaining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to obtain correlation information regarding the plurality of food elements and a plurality of flavor categories, the correlation information providing a correlation between user preference for each food element and user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories,   a determining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to determine, based on the user food preference information and the correlation information, a relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories, and   a generating unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to generate preference output data for the user based on the result of the determining by the determining unit.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a third obtaining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to obtain demographic data regarding the user;   a fourth obtaining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to obtain second correlation information regarding the demographic data and the plurality of flavor categories, the second correlation information providing a correlation between the demographic data and user preference for each flavor category,   wherein the determining unit is further configured to determine, based on the demographic data, user food preference information, second correlation information and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a fifth obtaining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to obtain additional user food preference information provided by a user regarding food consumption context;   a sixth obtaining unit implemented by the processing circuitry and configured to obtain third correlation information regarding the additional user food preference and the plurality of flavor categories, the third correlation information providing a correlation between the additional user food preference information and user preference for each flavor category,   wherein the determining unit is further configured to determine, based on the demographic data, the user preference information, the additional user food preference information, the second correlation information, the third correlation information, and the correlation information, the relative user preference for each of the plurality of flavor categories.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the food consumption context includes one of information regarding textures, smells, feelings, tastes, cooking methods, and temperatures of food. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a second determining unit configured to determine neophobic characteristics of the user based on the demographic data, the user preference information, and the additional user food preference information,   wherein the neophobic characteristics of the user include one of information indicating the agreeability of the user to new foods and information indicating the agreeability of the user to new styles of foods.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the generating unit is further configured to generate preference output data in a format for use in generating a graphical representation of a flavor profile of the user. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second generating unit configured to generate a graphical representation of a flavor preference profile of the user based on the preference output data.   
     
     
         23 - 30 . (canceled)