Incentivizing foodstuff consumption through the use of augmented reality features

Abstract

Introduced here are techniques for incentivizing the consumption of foodstuffs through the use of augmented reality features. A parent may initiate an application on a mobile phone and scan a plate of one or more foodstuffs by initiating a live view captured by a camera. The parent can then select a given foodstuff that a child is unlikely to consume. When the child views the given foodstuff through the mobile phone, a portion of an augmented reality feature could be shown. For example, the child may be able to see the tail of a creature, a corner of a item, etc. As the child consumes the given foodstuff, additional portion(s) of the augmented reality feature are exposed, and the augmented reality feature becomes increasingly visible. Such a technique incentivizes the child to continue eating the given foodstuff so that the augmented reality feature can be fully seen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 launching a software program on a computing device that includes a camera;   initiating a live view of one or more foodstuffs that is captured by the camera;   automatically identifying each foodstuff; and   generating an augmented reality feature that is at least partially hidden beneath a particular foodstuff of the one or more foodstuffs when viewed using the computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein each foodstuff is a food or a beverage. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the augmented reality feature is a digital creature or a digital item. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the particular foodstuff is one of multiple foodstuffs on a plate, a cup, or a bowl that include distinct augmented reality features. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 animating a portion of the augmented reality feature that is exposed from the particular foodstuff.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 animating a surface of the particular foodstuff,   wherein said animating indicates where the augmented reality feature is hidden within the particular foodstuff.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring the live view of the one or more foodstuffs that is captured by the camera;   determining that the particular foodstuff has been at least partially consumed by an individual;   displaying an additional portion of the augmented reality feature based on an amount of the particular foodstuff that has been consumed by the individual;   generating metadata specifying that the additional portion of the augmented reality feature has been exposed.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 causing a communication link to be established between the computing device and a network-connected server system responsible for supporting the software program; and   transmitting the metadata to the network-connected server system.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein reception of the metadata prompts the network-connected server system to create a database record that specifies the augmented reality feature should be made accessible to the individual through the software program. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 launching a software program on a computing device that includes an optical sensor;   causing the optical sensor to capture a view of a foodstuff;   receiving first user input indicative of a selection of the foodstuff;   generating an augmented reality feature that is at least partially hidden beneath the foodstuff when viewed using the computing device; and   saving an association between the foodstuff and the augmented reality feature in a memory.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the view includes a moving image or a static image. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving second user input indicative of a specification of a characteristic of the augmented reality feature.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the characteristic of the augmented reality feature is an animation, a color, or a feature type. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the foodstuff is one of multiple foodstuffs on a plate. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 automatically identifying each foodstuff of the multiple foodstuffs by
 performing image processing in order to identify shapes, colors, or a combination thereof that are indicative of certain foodstuffs, or 
 recognizing a branded code that conveys information about a corresponding foodstuff. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the branded code is affixed to packaging that secures the corresponding foodstuff or a loose item secured within the packaging. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the branded code includes a machine-readable element, a human-readable element, a structural element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the branded code includes a bar code or a Quick Response (QR) code that is scannable by the software program. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 causing a communication link to be established between the computing device and a network-connected server system responsible for supporting the software program; and   transmitting metadata regarding the foodstuff, the augmented reality feature, or both to the network-connected server system.   
     
     
         20 . A computer system comprising:
 a processor operable to execute instructions stored in a memory; and   the memory that includes specific instructions for creating augmented reality features to incentivize the consumption of foodstuffs,   wherein execution of the specific instructions cause the processor to:
 enable a first image of a foodstuff to be captured using an optical sensor; 
 generate an augmented reality feature having
 a first portion hidden beneath the foodstuff, and 
 a second portion exposed from beneath the foodstuff; 
 
 enable a second image of the foodstuff to be captured using the optical sensor; 
 examine the second image to determine whether the foodstuff has been at least partially consumed; and 
 responsive to a determination that the foodstuff has been at least partially consumed,
 cause a third portion of the augmented reality feature to be exposed from beneath the foodstuff due to consumption of the foodstuff. 
 
   
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the third portion is initially part of the first portion that is hidden beneath the foodstuff. 
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor and the memory are included in a network-connected server system responsible for supporting a software program executing on a computing device. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the first image and the second image are static images or moving images included in a live view.