WO2007032015A2 - Brosse a dents - Google Patents

Brosse a dents Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007032015A2
WO2007032015A2 PCT/IL2006/001089 IL2006001089W WO2007032015A2 WO 2007032015 A2 WO2007032015 A2 WO 2007032015A2 IL 2006001089 W IL2006001089 W IL 2006001089W WO 2007032015 A2 WO2007032015 A2 WO 2007032015A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toothbrush
brushing
sensor
time
signalling device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IL2006/001089
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007032015A3 (fr
Inventor
Emad Gith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2007032015A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007032015A2/fr
Publication of WO2007032015A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007032015A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0004—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means
    • A46B15/0006—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means with a controlling brush technique device, e.g. stroke movement measuring device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0004—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means
    • A46B15/0008—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0038—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with signalling means
    • A46B15/0044—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with signalling means with light signalling means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to an apparatus and technique useful in dental care.
  • Duration and repetition rate of teeth brushing are dependent on the attention and motivation of the user. Therefore such values have to be assimilated, especially by children.
  • Various techniques indicating to a toothbrush user that the correct brushing time has elapsed are known.
  • European patent application EU0610072B1 discloses a toothbrush wherein the head, bristles and/or handle of which contain a dispersed thermochromic material that changes color due to heat transferred by a user while brushing his or her teeth.
  • US patent 5,864,288 discloses a toothbrush holder including an automatically activated timer for measuring the time in which the toothbrush is taken off the holder. An alarm is activated when the brush is returned to its place before the correct brushing time elapsed.
  • US patent 5704087 discloses a toothbrush equipped with electronic means for measuring the time interval between a visit to the dentist and the time when the next visit is to take place. The toothbrush remains "dormant" during this time interval. At the end of the interval, electronic means are activated to provide a visual and/or audible alert to the user of the toothbrush. The signal is delivered during actual use of the brush.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic description of a toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the process for indicating deviations from the elapsed brushing time from the desired value according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a process employing two sensors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system and method in accordance with the present invention provide a teeth brushing monitoring system which is useful in educating a user, typically a child, to conduct repetitive and proper brushing of teeth.
  • the method is useful in motivating a user to repeat proper brushing of teeth by means of visual signalling indicating that the elapsed time of a current teeth brushing session is sufficient. The visual indication remains unchanged until such time as a user, or a supervisor, is reminded that a new brushing of teeth session is due, as is further described infra.
  • the system of the invention lends itself comparatively easily to incorporation in electrically operated tooth brushes, since such brushes already contain circuitry and energizing components. Reference is first made to Fig. 1 schematically showing a toothbrush according
  • Toothbrush 10 includes handle 11 and head 12 with bristles 13.
  • Visual signalling device 14 on the face of handle 11 is in such position as to be easily seen when taking the brush in
  • sensor 15 Inside handle 11 are housed sensor 15, electrical circuitry including an integrated circuit (IC) and related discrete circuit elements collectively represented by rectangle 16 and battery 17. Biasing springs and electric conducting wires, not shown, provide the electrical connection between battery 17, and a conventional button cell, electrical circuitry 16, sensor 15 and
  • IC integrated circuit
  • Biasing springs and electric conducting wires not shown, provide the electrical connection between battery 17, and a conventional button cell, electrical circuitry 16, sensor 15 and
  • battery 17 is chargeable and an electric circuit
  • Fig. 2 a block diagram of the
  • Touch sensor 30 responds to touch by activating programmable controller 32.
  • the activated controller then reads the time provided by clock 34 and further analyzes the data stream provided by touch sensor 30 and by optional motion detection sensor 36.
  • Controller 32 measures the time of onset of brushing and brushing duration and issues an indication, relating to the brushing time by means of signalling device
  • Touch sensor 30 is typically a membrane type touch switch positioned such as to be activated by a user's finger during use of the toothbrush.
  • One type of touch sensor is a capacitive sensor indicating that a user holds the brush by measuring a change in capacitance resulting from the proximity of the hand.
  • Optional motion detection device 36 typically uses a piezoelectric sensor, the output voltage of which is analyzed to indicate movements typical of the periodic vibrations associated with brushing of teeth.
  • a light emitting diode (LED), or a miniature liquid crystal display (LCD) can be used by signalling device 38.
  • Memory 40 consisting of RAM, ROM and/or EPROM provides for storing programs, constants and/or programmable constants, and for working memory.
  • the controller is operative in measuring the elapsed time for each single session of brushing of teeth and in indicating the last brushing time.
  • the elapsed time between two successive sessions of brushing of teeth is also measured by the system and compared to a desired repetition cycle time.
  • the system indicates to a user that the current brushing of teeth session has taken place. Such an indication is given by alternately switching a LED between on and off states, or alternately designating a specific colour of the LCD to a specific state.
  • An exemplary scenario can better explain the method provided by the present invention is as follows.
  • a user starts brushing his/her teeth employing a toothbrush of the invention.
  • Touch sensor 30 activates the controller to measure and record the activation time.
  • the elapsed time from the activation time is constantly compared to a stored constant value of prescribed brushing time.
  • a LED changes its state from an "on” to an "off' state, or vice versa.
  • the colour of the LCD changes from the one displayed hue, to a contrasting hue.
  • the user having observed a change in colour or illumination, can stop brushing his/her teeth and put the toothbrush back in place.
  • the visual signal namely the state of the LED or the hue of the LCD does not change until another session of teeth brushing takes place for a sufficient amount of time. Such visual signalling will not occur if the measured brushing duration does not reach the prescribed value. Therefore, a parent who knows that a prescribed morning brushing session changes the colour of the LCD to "red", for example, can easily see whether his/her child has provided the criteria for a change in LCD colour.
  • Visual signalling can be provided by various low energy consuming display systems and/or lighting elements. Typical small sized and low energy consuming displays are LCD displays. Light emitting solid state devices such as LEDs can provide lighting at a small energy cost.
  • Mechanical signalling devices are well known in the art. Among them vibratory devices are well known in the art as producing signals for attracting the attention of users of communications terminals. Vibrating cellular phones and other electronic systems use buzzers, ringers or vibratory devices for attracting the attention of users. Sound generator signalling devices produce a higher frequency of mechanical vibration can be used as well for the purpose of attracting attention.
  • Small piezoelectric sound generating devices are typically used as mechanical vibration generators.
  • one sensor is implemented.
  • the sensor in such a case is employed to sense and confirm the actual brushing of teeth as can be interpreted from the signal sent by one such sensor.
  • the distribution of signals from the sensor in time can be used to more accurately confirm and characterize the brushing action.
  • an accelerometer is incorporated within the handle to sense vertical accelerations of the horizontal brush.
  • a movement as may be recommended by dentists a more complex combination of vertical and horizontal acceleration or movement sensors may be required.
  • a cyclic (over time) brushing activity can be expected and interpreted as a cyclic (over time) series of accelerations whether in one, two or three dimensions.
  • Another sensor preferably to be used is a pressure sensor that can sense the actual grip on the toothbrush, or the pressure of the brush against the teeth.
  • a set of pressure sensors oriented in appropriate directions can be used instead of accelerometers to determine quantitative aspects of the brushing movement in three dimensions. Such aspects are typically duration, cyclic parameters, and pressure.
  • Yet another possible sensor is a contact sensor such as a touch switch, or an electronic circuitry such as a RC, or RLC circuits the voltage of which is sensitive to changes in the capacity values induced by a user holding the toothbrush. The use of piezoelectric units was discussed above.
  • the signalling device of the invention is associated with time dependent events related to brushing of teeth.
  • the signals of the sensors that interpret physical parameters are used by the algorithms implemented in the controller to indicate usage characteristics of the toothbrush.
  • the system includes a motion detection device/sensor
  • its output signal is analyzed to check whether it has characteristics of a cyclic motion, which are typical for tooth brushing such as the average cycle time and its variance, and/or mean values and ranges of voltage amplitudes. If such measured features are different than corresponding stored values, the system returns to check whether the brush is being used.
  • FIG. 3 a flowchart of the interpretation algorithm of a single sensor
  • the system is in a standby 50.
  • An input signal sent by a pressure sensor activates the controller in step 52, invoking reading of the time value.
  • the processor measures the elapsed time in step 54. If the elapsed time surpasses a certain predefined period to as verified in step 56, the processor changes the status of the signalling device in step 58 to indicate usage and to indicate reuse requirement after several hours.
  • Such reuse requirement indicating the need for an evening brush for example, is implemented for example, by blinking, activating an additional LED or by displaying specific symbol while employing same colour coding, in cases in which a LCD is employed, or a rhythmic signal if a mechanical signal is set off.
  • the process concludes by signalling the end of a prescribed brushing time and the controller returns to the standby state.
  • the controller records the time of the end of a current brushing duration by which the brushing repetition cycle is compared to the stored desired value. When the duration exceeds a certain stored desired value, optical or audible signalling takes place.
  • two sensors are implemented to monitor the actual brushing, and to increase the confidence level in the analysis of the brushing.
  • Fig. 4 showing a flowchart of the process according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system waits in step 70 for an input to be received 72 from sensor A, indicating that the toothbrush is in use. Such input invokes the measurement of time elapsed in step 74.
  • the system checks for input from sensor B which is, for example,
  • step 76 If such input has
  • step 80 To an analysis of the signals from sensor B is carried out in step 80 and its characteristics are compared in step 82 to stored characteristic values corresponding to a model of brushing of teeth. If matching the measured and stored values fit within predefined limits, the status of the signalling device is changed in step 84, providing an indication that brushing of teeth has been accomplished. If this matching fails the system returns in step 70 to wait for new input from sensor A.
  • the use of a more complex layout of motion detectors and or pressure detectors can be used to monitor brushing movements and evaluate the quality of brushing.
  • a sound signal is activated when the duration of brushing the teeth has passed a predefined value.
  • the sensors may be used to monitor the actual movements of the brush so that a specific combination of horizontal and vertical movement can be calculated and used as a threshold for announcing sufficiency of the brushing activity, with or without taking in account the time spent for brushing.
  • the system can be set for providing an alarm for the user or supervisor (e.g. a parent).
  • a blinking or flaring visual signal can be applied in such cases rather than the mere changing of colour or hue.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de détection et de contrôle à alimentation électrique d'une brosse à dents qui permet d'indiquer des paramètres d'activité de brossage à un utilisateur. La brosse utilise un ou plusieurs capteurs permettant de contrôler des paramètres de mouvement dans une ou plusieurs dimensions. Une horloge mesure le temps écoulé depuis le début du mouvement, et calcule la durée de l'activité et/ou le temps écoulé depuis la fin de l'activité. Un ou plusieurs dispositifs de signalisation indiquent à un utilisateur des événements en fonction du temps.
PCT/IL2006/001089 2005-09-18 2006-09-17 Brosse a dents Ceased WO2007032015A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL17092105 2005-09-18
IL170921 2005-09-18
IL171055 2005-09-22
IL17105505 2005-09-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007032015A2 true WO2007032015A2 (fr) 2007-03-22
WO2007032015A3 WO2007032015A3 (fr) 2007-09-20

Family

ID=37865385

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2006/001089 Ceased WO2007032015A2 (fr) 2005-09-18 2006-09-17 Brosse a dents

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007032015A2 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012042493A1 (fr) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-05 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système de réglage d'amplitude d'un ustensile d'hygiène buccale
US8337213B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-12-25 Brushgate Oy Intelligent toothbrush monitoring device
US9277979B2 (en) 2008-02-27 2016-03-08 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dental position tracking system for a toothbrush
EP3117739A1 (fr) * 2015-07-17 2017-01-18 Wisdom Toothbrushes Limited Brosse a dents
US10117508B2 (en) 2014-07-22 2018-11-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Fastenable device for oral cavity position detection
US10299902B2 (en) 2014-07-22 2019-05-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Fastenable device for oral cavity position detection
US10702191B2 (en) 2015-09-08 2020-07-07 Braun Gmbh Determination of a currently treated body portion of a user
US10702206B2 (en) 2015-06-29 2020-07-07 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush for oral cavity position detection
US10713809B2 (en) 2016-02-16 2020-07-14 Braun Gmbh Interactive system setup concept
AU2017356208B2 (en) * 2016-11-14 2020-10-29 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system and method

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2282653B1 (fr) 2008-05-07 2017-10-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Brosse à dents interactive et module de sortie audio amovible

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5561881A (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-10-08 U.S. Philips Corporation Electric toothbrush
US6735802B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2004-05-18 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Brushhead replacement indicator system for power toothbrushes

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9277979B2 (en) 2008-02-27 2016-03-08 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dental position tracking system for a toothbrush
US8337213B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-12-25 Brushgate Oy Intelligent toothbrush monitoring device
US10813731B2 (en) 2010-09-30 2020-10-27 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System for amplitude adjustment of an oral care appliance
CN103140189A (zh) * 2010-09-30 2013-06-05 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 用于口腔护理器具幅度调节的系统
EP3381406A1 (fr) * 2010-09-30 2018-10-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Système de réglage d'amplitude d'un appareil de soins buccaux
WO2012042493A1 (fr) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-05 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système de réglage d'amplitude d'un ustensile d'hygiène buccale
US10117508B2 (en) 2014-07-22 2018-11-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Fastenable device for oral cavity position detection
US10299902B2 (en) 2014-07-22 2019-05-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Fastenable device for oral cavity position detection
US10702206B2 (en) 2015-06-29 2020-07-07 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush for oral cavity position detection
EP3117739A1 (fr) * 2015-07-17 2017-01-18 Wisdom Toothbrushes Limited Brosse a dents
US10702191B2 (en) 2015-09-08 2020-07-07 Braun Gmbh Determination of a currently treated body portion of a user
US10713809B2 (en) 2016-02-16 2020-07-14 Braun Gmbh Interactive system setup concept
AU2017356208B2 (en) * 2016-11-14 2020-10-29 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system and method
US10835028B2 (en) * 2016-11-14 2020-11-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system and method
AU2021200350B2 (en) * 2016-11-14 2022-10-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system and method
US11602216B2 (en) 2016-11-14 2023-03-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system and method

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