Electric toothbrush outputting melody by vibration and method of operation thereof

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush including: a toothbrush head; a vibration generating portion that generates vibration to the toothbrush head; and a processor that determines sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data as an object of output, and controls an operation of the vibration generating portion based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric toothbrush outputting a melody by vibration and a method for operating the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] In general, vibration noise generated when a product of an electric toothbrush operates has been considered as an element that brings inconvenience to a user. Therefore, various researches have been conducted on a technology for reducing vibration noise of an electric toothbrush, and in the case of a current sonic electric toothbrush, vibration noise is managed to be 70 dB or less, and in the case of a rotary electric toothbrush, vibration noise is managed to be 80 to 90 dB or less, and thus it can be seen that vibration noise plays a role as an element that determines the quality of an electric toothbrush.

[0003] On the other hand, in recent years, attempts have been made to output sound using vibration of such a toothbrush.

[0004] However, in the case of a conventional electric toothbrush, in order to output a melody or music, it is necessary to have a separately provided speaker, and in the characteristics of a product that is often in contact with water, an additional structure for waterproofing is required, and thus there is a problem in that complexity and manufacturing costs increase. SUMMARY

[0005] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0006] The present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush outputting a melody by vibration without having a separately provided speaker and a method for operating the same.

[0007] The present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush providing a melody that conforms to the preference of each individual user while performing a rinsing function and a method for operating the same.

[0008] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0009] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush device and a method for operating the same, the electric toothbrush device including a toothbrush head, a vibration generating part generating vibration to the toothbrush head, and a processor determining sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data as an object of output, and controlling operation of the vibration generating part based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data to generate vibration corresponding to the sound source data to the toothbrush head.

[0010] The toothbrush head is configured in a plurality, the vibration generating part is configured in a plurality corresponding to the plurality of toothbrush heads, respectively, and the processor independently controls the plurality of vibration generating parts to independently generate vibration to the plurality of toothbrush heads.

[0011] The sound source data is multi-channel sound source data, and the processor independently controls the plurality of vibration generating parts based on channel vibration data corresponding to each channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data.

[0012] The toothbrush head includes a first toothbrush head and a second toothbrush head, the vibration generation section includes a first vibration generation section corresponding to the first toothbrush head and a second vibration generation section corresponding to the second toothbrush head, the processor controls the first vibration generation section to generate vibration corresponding to left channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data at the first toothbrush head based on left channel vibration data corresponding to the left channel sound source data, and controls the second vibration generation section to generate vibration corresponding to right channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data at the second toothbrush head based on right channel vibration data corresponding to the right channel sound source data.

[0013] Further comprising: a collision prevention section that prevents collision between the plurality of vibration generation sections.

[0014] Further comprising: a communication section that communicates with an external device, the processor receiving sound source data or vibration data from the external device through the communication section.

[0015] The processor receives sound source data from the external device through the communication section, and generates vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

[0016] The processor sequentially performs sampling, quantization, and encoding on the sound source data to generate vibration data of a PWM waveform.

[0017] The processor receives vibration data corresponding to the sound source data from the external device through the communication section, and controls the operation of the vibration generation section based on the received vibration data.

[0018] The vibration data is a PWM waveform signal converted from the sound source data in the external device.

[0019] Further comprising: a memory that stores sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data,

[0020] One embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of: determining sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data as an object of output; controlling the operation of the vibration generation section based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data; and generating vibration at the toothbrush head by the operation of the vibration generation section.

[0021] The step of controlling the operation of the vibration generation section based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data includes the step of independently controlling a plurality of vibration generation sections based on channel vibration data corresponding to each of the multi-channel sound source data, and the step of generating vibration at the toothbrush head by the operation of the vibration generation section includes the step of independently generating vibration at a plurality of toothbrush heads by the independent operations of the plurality of vibration generation sections.

[0022] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a recording medium recording a method of operating an electric toothbrush, the method of operating the electric toothbrush including the steps of: determining sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data as an output object; controlling operation of a vibration generating unit based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data; and generating vibration in a toothbrush head by the operation of the vibration generating unit.

[0023] Effects of Invention

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure have the advantage of providing an electric toothbrush that can listen to music while brushing.

[0025] The electric toothbrush of one embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to output a melody through a simple structure without having a separately provided speaker.

[0026] The electric toothbrush of embodiments of the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to provide a brushing mode with music desired by a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electric toothbrush system of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is a control block diagram of an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of an external device linked to an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an actual structure of an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating vibration data corresponding to sound source data by an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 7 is an example diagram illustrating an example of sound source data of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 8 is an example diagram illustrating a sampling process, which is one of processes of generating vibration data of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 9 is an example diagram illustrating a quantization process, which is one of processes of generating vibration data of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the processes of generating vibration data, that is, an encoding process, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of vibration data, that is, a PWM waveform, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 12 is a flowchart for explaining a method of an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a vibrating toothbrush receives sound source data from an external device and outputs vibration corresponding to the sound source data.

[0039] Figure 13 is a flowchart for explaining a method of an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a vibrating toothbrush receives vibration data corresponding to sound source data from an external device and outputs vibration.

[0040] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vibration generator that generates vibration based on vibration data of an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a vibration generator that generates vibration based on vibration data of an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method of an electric toothbrush of the present disclosure in which the electric toothbrush has a plurality of vibration generators and a brush head.

[0043] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of a sample in which an electric toothbrush of the present disclosure has a plurality of vibration generators and a brush head.

[0044] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of a sample in which an electric toothbrush of the present disclosure has a plurality of vibration generators and a brush head.

[0045] Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of a sample in which an electric toothbrush of the present disclosure has a plurality of vibration generators and a brush head.

[0046] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a sample in which an electric toothbrush of one embodiment of the present disclosure has a plurality of brush heads.

[0047] Figure 21 and Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a practical use sample in which an electric toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure has a plurality of brush heads.

[0048] Figure 23 and Figure 24is an example view illustrating a screen of an external device linked with the electric toothbrush of the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Hereinafter, the embodiments related to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The end words of the constituent elements, i.e., "module" and "part" used in the following description are given or mixed only in consideration of convenience in writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles distinguished from each other by themselves.

[0050] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the electric toothbrush system of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] The electric toothbrush system of the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured of the electric toothbrush 100 and the external device 200.

[0052] The electric toothbrush 100 is a toothbrush equipped with a wireless communication module. The electric toothbrush 100 transmits and receives signals with the external device 200.

[0053] The external device 200 is linked with the electric toothbrush 100. The external device 200 can perform wireless communication with the electric toothbrush 100, generate vibration data corresponding to sound source data, and transmit the generated vibration data to the electric toothbrush 100. In addition, the external device 200 receives a vibration data generation signal from the electric toothbrush 100, and generates vibration data corresponding to sound source data and transmits the generated vibration data to the electric toothbrush 100.

[0054] The external device 200 converts sound source data such as a song, a voice, etc. into vibration data corresponding to the sound source data, and in particular, converts the sound source data into vibration data from which sound is output from the electric toothbrush 100. This will be described later.

[0055] The electric toothbrush 100 can operate in a rinsing mode, a melody mode, etc.

[0056] The melody mode refers to a mode in which the electric toothbrush 100 changes the vibration frequency or the vibration intensity of the brush head, etc. to output sound based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

[0057] The rinsing mode refers to a mode in which vibration is provided in order to clean the user's oral cavity.

[0058] The electric toothbrush 100 can provide the rinsing mode and the melody mode at the same time. For example, the electric toothbrush 100 can operate only in the rinsing mode or operate in the rinsing mode and the melody mode at the same time.

[0059] The external device 200 can be embodied in various forms of a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PC, a notebook, etc. The external device 200 includes all electronic devices that can communicate with the electric toothbrush 100 and convert an analog signal into a digital signal.

[0060] For example, the user terminal includes a portable electronic device such as an electric handset, a tablet notebook, etc.

[0061] However, the user terminal, the mobile terminal, the smartphone, the PC, the notebook, etc. are merely exemplified for convenience of explanation, and the external device 200 can be embodied in various forms of electronic devices.

[0062] The electric toothbrush 100 and the external device 200 are wirelessly connected to each other to transmit and receive information therebetween.

[0063] Figure 2 A control block diagram of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] The electric toothbrush 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one or all of a memory 110, a communication part 130, a vibration generating part 150, a power supply part 170, and a processor 190. In addition, the electric toothbrush 100 can include other constituent elements in addition to the constituent elements shown. Figure 2 The electric toothbrush 100 can include other constituent elements in addition to the constituent elements shown.

[0065] The memory 110 can store sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data. The sound source data refers to an analog signal such as a voice, a song, etc. The vibration data corresponding to the sound source data refers to data that converts an analog signal of the sound source data into a digital signal corresponding thereto in order to drive the vibration generating part 150 of the electric toothbrush 100 described later. The vibration data refers to data including information on at least one or more of a vibration frequency, a vibration intensity, etc. For example, the vibration data can include a PWM signal for controlling the vibration generating part 150 described later, etc., but this is merely exemplified.

[0066] The communication part 130 performs near field wireless communication with the communication part 230 of the external device 200 described later. As an example, the near field wireless communication standard is a low power Bluetooth standard, but this is merely exemplified.

[0067] The communication unit 130 communicates with the communication unit 230 of the external device 200 described later using various wired / wireless communication technologies. The communication unit 130 receives sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data from the communication unit 2130 of the external device 200. The electric toothbrush 100 of another embodiment of the present application can not have the communication unit 130, but in a case where vibration occurs using the sound source data or the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data stored in the storage 110, the communication unit 130 and the external device 200 can not be provided and the electric toothbrush 100 alone can operate. That is, in a case where the electric toothbrush 100 operates in a melody mode using the sound source data or the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data stored in the storage 110 without interaction with the external device 200, the operation can be performed by the operation button or the touch display provided in the electric toothbrush 100 alone.

[0068] The vibration generation unit 150 outputs vibration based on a control signal of the vibration data of the processor 190. The vibration generation unit 150 includes a magnet, a coil, a support unit, an elastic unit, a motor, or the like.

[0069] The vibration output from the vibration generation unit 150 is transmitted to the toothbrush head 103 described later (refer to Figure 4 ) through a vibration transmission member. The vibration transmission member refers to a member that performs a function of transmitting vibration generated in the vibration generation unit 150 to the toothbrush head 103 (refer to Figure 4 ). That is, the vibration generation unit 150 is configured to transmit vibration to the toothbrush head to embody a rinsing effect, and functions to generate a melody in the mouth. When the electric toothbrush 100 is put in the mouth to perform rinsing, the melody sounds in the mouth to produce a more noticeable and louder sound.

[0070] As for a method of transmitting vibration to the toothbrush head, there are an electromagnetic method composed of a magnet, a coil, and a bracket as shown in Figure 14 , a motor method driven by a motor, and the like. In order to emit a melody, the frequency needs to be precisely adjusted, and thus the electromagnetic method is suitable. Therefore, in the present specification, a case where the vibration generation unit 150 is configured in the electromagnetic method is described, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] In a case where a plurality of toothbrush heads 103 (refer to Figure 4 ) are provided, the vibration generation unit 150 is configured in a plurality corresponding to the number of the plurality of toothbrush heads 103 (refer to Figure 4 ). As an example, the vibration generation unit 150 includes a first vibration generation unit 150-1 and a second vibration generation unit 150-2.

[0072] The power supply unit 170 supplies power to the components of the electric toothbrush 100.

[0073] The processor 190 controls the overall operation of the electric toothbrush 100.

[0074] The processor 190 controls the operation of the vibration generating portion 150 on the basis of the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data in order to output sound to the brush head 103 (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0075] In a case where the vibration generating portion 150 is configured in a plurality, the processor 190 independently controls the plurality of vibration generating portions 150-1, 150-2. For example, in a case where the sound source data is multi-channel sound source data, the processor 190 independently controls the plurality of vibration generating portions 150-1, 150-2 on the basis of the vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data. In a case where the channels of the multi-channel sound source data are two, that is, in a case where the sound source data is stereo sound source, the processor 190 controls the first vibration generating portion 150-1 on the basis of left channel vibration data corresponding to left channel sound source data, and controls the second vibration generating portion 150-2 on the basis of right channel vibration data.

[0076] The processor 190 controls the operation of the vibration generating portion 150 on the basis of the vibration data stored in the storage 110.

[0077] The processor 190 receives the sound source data from the external device 200 through the communication portion 130, and generates the vibration data corresponding to the received sound source data.

[0078] The processor 190 generates the multi-channel vibration data corresponding to the multi-channel sound source data.

[0079] In addition, the processor 190 controls at least one or more of the vibration frequency or the vibration intensity of the vibration generating portion 150 on the basis of the vibration data received from the external device 200 through the communication portion 130.

[0080] Further, the specific operation of the processor 190 will be described later.

[0081] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of an external device linked with the electric toothbrush of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] The external device 200 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least a part or all of the display 210, the communication portion 230, the storage 250, the sound recognition portion 270, and the processor 290. In addition, the external device 200 includes other constituent elements in addition to the constituent elements shown in the drawing. Figure 3

[0083] ​The display 210 displays a screen showing a melody directory stored in the external device 200 or the electric toothbrush 100, a screen showing a process of converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and the like, various information related to the sound output in the electric toothbrush 100.

[0084] The display 210 can be embodied in a form of a touch screen or a mirror display.

[0085] The communication part 230 can perform near field wireless communication with the communication part 130 of the electric toothbrush 100. As a near field wireless communication standard, a low power Bluetooth standard can be used.

[0086] The memory 250 can store sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data, and the like.

[0087] The sound recognition part 270 can recognize an external sound. The sound recognition part 270 is a microphone.

[0088] The processor 290 can control the overall structure of the external device 200. For example, the processor 290 can convert an external sound recognized through the sound recognition part 270 into a digital signal. The processor 290 converts the external sound recognized through the sound recognition part 270 into a digital signal, that is, vibration data.

[0089] The processor 290 controls the memory 250 in a manner of storing the converted vibration data. In addition, the processor 290 transmits sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data to the electric toothbrush 100 through the communication part 230.

[0090] Further, a specific action of the processor 290 will be described later.

[0091] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an actual structure of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0092] Referring to Figure 4 , the electric toothbrush 100 is configured of a main body 101 and a brush head 103.

[0093] The main body 101 further includes Figure 2 the memory 110, the vibration generation part 150, the power supply part 170, the processor 190, the user input part 140, and the communication part 130 according to an embodiment, which are described above.

[0094] Figure 4 In the embodiment, the user input part 140 of the electric toothbrush 100 is illustrated in a case of being formed of a touch display, but the user input part 140 can be embodied in various forms such as a push button, a touch display, and the like.

[0095] As Figure 4As shown, in a case where the user input unit 140 is formed as a touch display, the electric toothbrush 100 displays a power button icon 1007 and a music icon that can be output by the electric toothbrush on the user input unit 140.

[0096] The power button icon 1007 refers to an icon that receives a command to turn on / off the power of the electric toothbrush 100.

[0097] The music icon that can be output by the electric toothbrush refers to music that can be output through the brush head at a time desired by the user, in a case where vibration data corresponding to the icon is stored in the memory 110 of the electric toothbrush 100.

[0098] The music icon that can be output includes a dance music icon 1001, a ballad music icon 1002, a lullaby music icon 1003, a user designated 1 music icon 1004, a user designated 2 music icon 1005, and a user designated 3 music icon 1006.

[0099] The user designated 1 icon 1004, the user designated 2 icon 1005, and the user designated 3 icon 1006 refer to icons that store vibration data corresponding to sound source data desired by the user, in a case where the sound source data is converted into the vibration data and stored in the memory 110.

[0100] When the user selects a desired melody in the user input unit 140, vibration of the vibration generating unit 150 provided to the main body 101 of the electric toothbrush 100 is transmitted to the brush head 103 and the melody is output. In this case, the user can perform a rinse while listening to the melody.

[0101] On the other hand, in the case of the conventional electric toothbrush, vibration noise generated in the vibration generating unit 150 is recognized as an element that causes discomfort to the user, and the vibration noise is managed in a manner to reduce such vibration noise.

[0102] However, the electric toothbrush 100 of the embodiment of the disclosure provides a melody mode that matches vibration sound generated in the vibration generating unit 150 with a scale and outputs the sound to the brush head.

[0103] In addition, the electric toothbrush 100 is provided in which the user directly selects a desired sound source and operates in a user customized melody mode.

[0104] Before describing the electric toothbrush 100 of the embodiment of the disclosure, each scale constituting a melody has a standard frequency. For example, '4 octaves do' has a frequency of 261 hz, '4 octaves re' has a frequency of 293 hz, and '4 octaves mi' has a frequency of 329 hz.

[0105] Accordingly, the electric toothbrush 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure can output a sound similar to that of '4 octaves do' when the vibration frequency is output as 258 hz, a sound similar to that of '4 octaves re' when the vibration frequency is output as 300 hz, and a sound similar to that of '4 octaves mi' when the vibration frequency is output as 333 hz.

[0106] Accordingly, when the vibration frequency of the electric toothbrush 100 is sequentially changed from 258 hz to 300 hz and 333 hz and output, the sounds of 'do, re, mi' can be sequentially output.

[0107] Accordingly, when the vibration frequency of the electric toothbrush 100 is sequentially changed from 258 hz to 300 hz and 333 hz and output, the sounds of 'do, re, mi' can be sequentially output.

[0108] Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating the electric toothbrush of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] The electric toothbrush 100 decides object sound source data (S501).

[0110] The processor 190 receives input of object sound source data which is decided to be output as a melody, through the user input unit 140. In addition, the processor 190 can receive input of object sound source data which is decided to be output as a melody, from the external device 200.

[0111] The processor 190 judges whether vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is stored (S503).

[0112] The processor 190 judges whether vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is stored in the storage 110.

[0113] When the vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is not stored in the storage 110, the processor 190 generates vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data (S505).

[0114] As for a method of generating vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data, it will be described in detail later by Figures 6 to 11 .

[0115] The processor 190 generates vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data, and controls the vibration generating unit 150 based on the vibration data (S507).

[0116] In a case where the vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is stored in the storage 110, the processor 190 controls the vibration generating portion 150 on the basis of the vibration data (S507).

[0117] First, referring to Figures 6 to 11 , the method of generating vibration data corresponding to sound source data by the electric toothbrush of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0118] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the method of generating vibration data corresponding to sound source data by the electric toothbrush of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of sound source data of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the processes in the process of generating vibration data, that is, a sampling process of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the processes in the process of generating vibration data, that is, a quantization process of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the processes in the process of generating vibration data, that is, an encoding process of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of vibration data, that is, a PWM waveform of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] The processor 190 receives sound source data (S101). The processor 190 receives sound source data from an external device through the communication portion 130, and receives sound source data stored in the storage 110. This is merely an example, and the processor 190 can also receive sound source data through various other ways.

[0125] The sound source data is an analog signal. The analog signal refers to a continuous signal as shown in Figure 7 . The analog signal needs to be converted into a digital signal, which is a driving signal of the vibration generating portion 150 of the electric toothbrush 100, in order to drive the vibration generating portion 150.

[0126] Returning to Figure 6 , the processor 190 performs sampling on the received sound source data (S103). Sampling refers to a process of calculating the amplitude value of a continuously changing signal at a certain time interval as one step performed in order to convert an analog signal into a digital signal.

[0127] For example, the processor 190 performs extraction of a signal at a certain time interval T as shown in Figure 8sampling of the amplitude value S(t) of the continuously varying signal as shown.

[0128] Returning to Figure 6 , the processor 190 performs quantization on the sampled sound source (S105). The quantization refers to a process of converting the sampled data into an integer.

[0129] For example, the processor 190 can perform a quantization process of converting the sampled data as shown in Figure 9 into an integer.

[0130] Returning to Figure 6 , the processor 190 encodes the signal that has undergone the quantization process (S107). The encoding refers to a process of converting the signal converted into an integer through the quantization process into a binary number of 0 and 1.

[0131] For example, the processor 190 can perform an encoding process of converting the quantized data as shown in Figure 10 into a digital signal, i.e., a binary number.

[0132] The above-described S103, S105, S107 steps, which are a PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) process, refer to a process of modulating an analog signal, i.e., sound source data, into a digital signal.

[0133] Returning to Figure 6 , the processor 190 generates a PWM waveform using the converted digital signal (S109). The processor 190 converts the analog signal, i.e., the sound source, into a digital signal, i.e., the PWM waveform.

[0134] The PWM waveform refers to a driving signal for driving the vibration generating part 150 of the electric toothbrush 100 of the disclosure. The PWM waveform includes information of at least one or more of a vibration frequency and a vibration intensity of the vibration generating part 150 of the electric toothbrush 100.

[0135] In the present specification, the PWM waveform refers to vibration data for driving the vibration generating part 150 of the electric toothbrush 100. For example, the period of the PWM waveform is inversely proportional to the vibration frequency, and thus when the period of the PWM waveform changes, the vibration frequency of the electric toothbrush 100 changes, and when the duty and the amplitude of the PWM waveform change, the vibration intensity of the electric toothbrush 100 changes.

[0136] As Figure 11As shown, the processor 190 adjusts the intensity of the vibration by adjusting the duty cycle and the amplitude of the PWM waveform, and adjusts the frequency of the vibration by adjusting the period of the PWM waveform.

[0137] Returning back to Figure 6 , the processor 190 can transmit the generated PWM waveform, i.e., the vibration data (S111). The processor 190 can transmit the vibration data to the vibration generating part 150.

[0138] In addition, the processor 190 can store the vibration data in the storage 110.

[0139] With the above-described embodiments, the electric toothbrush system of the present disclosure has the advantage that a sound source desired by the user can be extracted as a digital signal suitable for the form of the vibration generating part 150 of the electric toothbrush 100, and output to the electric toothbrush 100.

[0140] On the other hand, the process of generating vibration data corresponding to the above-described sound source data is performed by the processor 290 of the external device 200 in conjunction with the electric toothbrush 100. In this regard, it will be described later in Figure 13 .

[0141] Figure 12 is a flowchart for describing a method of receiving sound source data from an external device by a vibration toothbrush of an embodiment of the present disclosure, and outputting vibration corresponding to the sound source data.

[0142] The electric toothbrush 100 decides the target sound source data (S1201), and judges whether the target sound source data is stored (S1203). Steps S1201 and S1203 are the same as the above-described steps S501 and S503, and thus repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0143] In the case where the target sound source data is not stored, the processor 190 of the electric toothbrush 100 transmits a sound source data request signal to the external device 200 (S1209).

[0144] Upon receiving the sound source data request signal from the electric toothbrush 100, the external device 200 transmits the sound source data to the electric toothbrush 100 (S1211). The processor 290 of the external device 200 controls the communication part 230 of the external device 200 to transmit the sound source data.

[0145] The electric toothbrush 100 receives the target sound source data through the communication part 130 (S1204).

[0146] The processor 190 of the electric toothbrush 100 generates vibration data corresponding to the received object sound source data (S1205), and controls the vibration generating section 150 based on the vibration data (S1207). The steps of generating vibration data and generating vibration (steps S1205, S1207) are the same as the steps of generating vibration data and generating vibration (steps S505, S507) described in Figure 5

[0147] Through the above-described embodiments, the electric toothbrush 100 of the present disclosure receives sound source data from the external device 200, and generates vibration data corresponding to the received sound source data, and then controls the vibration generating section 150 based on the vibration data.

[0148] On the other hand, the process of generating vibration data is performed by the processor 290 of the external device 200 linked to the electric toothbrush.

[0149] Next, a method of performing a process of generating vibration data corresponding to sound source data by the external device 200 linked to the electric toothbrush will be described. Figure 13

[0150] Figure 13 is a flowchart for describing a method of outputting vibration by the vibration toothbrush of the embodiments of the present disclosure receiving vibration data corresponding to sound source data from an external device.

[0151] The electric toothbrush 100 decides object sound source data (S1301), and judges whether or not the object sound source data is stored (S1303). The steps S1301, S1303 are the same as the steps S501, S503 described above, and thus the repeated description is omitted.

[0152] In a case where vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is not stored, the electric toothbrush 100 transmits a vibration data generation signal to the external device 200 (S1304).

[0153] When the vibration data generation signal is received from the electric toothbrush 100, the external device 200 generates vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data (S1305). The processor 290 of the external device 200 receives Figure 6 the steps of S101, S103, S105, S107, S109 of the external device 200, that is, the sound source data, are subjected to the steps of Sampling, Quantization, Encoding, and PWM waveform generation to generate vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

[0154] The processor 290 of the external device 200 transmits the generated vibration data to the electric toothbrush 100 (S1306).

[0155] ​​The electric toothbrush 100 receives the vibration data from the external device 200 (S1307).

[0156] When the vibration data corresponding to the object sound source data is stored or the vibration data is received from the external device 200, the electric toothbrush 100 controls the vibration generating portion 150 based on the vibration data (S1308).

[0157] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the vibration generating portion that generates vibration based on the vibration data of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0158] The processor 190 of the electric toothbrush 100 controls the operation of the vibration generating portion 150 based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

[0159] The vibration generating portion 150 of the electric toothbrush 100 includes a magnet 155, a coil 151, and a support portion 153.

[0160] When the alternating current flows in the coil 151 of the vibration generating portion 150, the attractive force or the repulsive force acts between the coil 151 and the magnet 155, and vibration is generated.

[0161] The support portion 153 is formed in a manner of surrounding the magnet 155, thereby performing the function of supporting the magnet 155 when the magnet 155 vibrates, to maintain the vibration direction of the magnet 155 constant.

[0162] The vibration transmitting member 143 performs the function of transmitting the vibration of the vibration generating portion 150 to the toothbrush head 103.

[0163] The electric toothbrush 100 includes an elastic portion 141 connected to one side of the vibration generating portion 150. The elastic portion 141 includes an elastic member such as a spring, and can perform the function of amplifying the vibration generated in the vibration generating portion 150.

[0164] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the vibration generating portion that generates vibration based on the vibration data of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] As shown in Figure 15 , the vibration generating portion 150 of the electric toothbrush 100 includes a housing 157.

[0166] The housing 157 surrounds the magnet 155 and the coil 151 as a member that separates a distance, and forms an empty space in the vibration generating portion 150, thereby performing the function of amplifying the vibration (i.e., sound).

[0167] On the other hand, the electric toothbrush 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a plurality of vibration generating portions 150 and toothbrush heads 103.

[0168] Figure 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating the electric toothbrush when the electric toothbrush has a plurality of vibration generators and a brush head according to the present disclosure.

[0169] The electric toothbrush 100 determines the object sound source data (S1601).

[0170] The step S1601 is the same as the step S501 described above, and thus the repeated explanation is omitted.

[0171] The processor 190 determines whether the object sound source data is multi-channel sound source data (S1602).

[0172] The multi-channel sound source data refers to sound source data in which channels of sound source data are divided into a plurality of channels in order to make a listener feel a sense of space, and signals are transmitted. For example, the multi-channel sound source data includes stereo type sound source data, 5.1 channel sound source data, etc.

[0173] In a case where the object sound source data is not multi-channel sound source data, the processor 190 can generate channel vibration data corresponding to each of the channels of the object sound source data (S1604). Figure 5 The step S503 described above is executed.

[0174] In a case where the object sound source data is multi-channel sound source data, the processor 190 determines whether channel vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data exists (S1603).

[0175] The channel vibration data refers to vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data. For example, in a case where the channel is 2, the channel vibration data includes left channel vibration data corresponding to left channel sound source data and right channel vibration data corresponding to right channel sound source data.

[0176] When the channel vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data does not exist, the processor 190 generates the channel vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data (S1605).

[0177] The processor 190 generates the channel vibration data by applying the step S505 of generating the vibration data described above to each of the channel sound source data. For example, the processor 190 generates left channel vibration data corresponding to left channel sound source data and right channel vibration data corresponding to right channel sound source data.

[0178] The step S1605 of generating the channel vibration data corresponding to each of the channel sound source data described above can also be performed by the processor 290 of the external device 200 linked to the electric toothbrush.

[0179] In a case where the channel vibration data corresponding to the respective channel sound source data is present or the channel vibration data is generated, the processor 190 controls the vibration generating section independently based on the channel vibration data (S1607).

[0180] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the electric toothbrush of the present disclosure, which is provided with a plurality of vibration generating sections and a sample of a toothbrush head.

[0181] The vibration generating section 150 includes a first vibration generating section 150-1 and a second vibration generating section 150-2.

[0182] Inside the main body 101 of the electric toothbrush, the first vibration generating section 150-1 is provided on one side, and the second vibration generating section 150-2 is provided on the other side. Each of the vibration generating sections 150-1, 150-2 transmits vibration to the first toothbrush head 103-1 and the second toothbrush head 103-2 through the vibration transmission member 143.

[0183] In a case where the sound source data is multi-channel sound source data, the processor 190 controls a plurality of vibration generating sections 150 independently based on vibration data corresponding to the respective channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data.

[0184] Specifically, the processor 190 controls the first vibration generating section 150-1 based on left channel vibration data corresponding to the left channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data, and controls the second vibration generating section 150-2 based on right channel vibration data corresponding to the right channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data. In this case, the first toothbrush head 103-1 corresponding to the first vibration generating section 150-1 and the second toothbrush head 103-2 corresponding to the second vibration generating section 150-2 vibrate independently.

[0185] As a result, the electric toothbrush 100 of the present disclosure outputs vibration corresponding to the multi-channel sound source data, thereby outputting the multi-channel sound source through the vibration of the toothbrush head 103.

[0186] In the present specification, two toothbrush heads 103 and vibration generating sections 150 are illustrated, but this is merely an example.

[0187] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the electric toothbrush of the present disclosure, which is provided with a plurality of vibration generating sections and a sample of a toothbrush head.

[0188] In a case where the electric toothbrush 100 is provided with a plurality of vibration generating sections 150, each of the vibration generating sections 150 further includes a housing 157.

[0189] As described above, the case 157 encloses the magnet 155 and the coil 151 as a component that separates the interval, and generates an empty space in the vibration generating portion 150 to perform the role of amplifying the vibration (i.e., sound).

[0190] Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the electric toothbrush of the present disclosure, which has a plurality of vibration generating portions and a toothbrush head.

[0191] The electric toothbrush 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, which has a plurality of vibration generating portions 150 and a toothbrush head 103, has a collision preventing member 145 between the first vibration generating portion 150-1 and the second vibration generating portion 150-2.

[0192] The collision preventing member 145 is composed of a member that absorbs impact, such as rubber, an elastomer, a spring, or the like.

[0193] In a case where the first vibration generating portion 150-1 and the second vibration generating portion 150-2 are independently driven, the collision preventing member 145 performs the role of preventing the vibration of the first vibration generating portion 150-1 from affecting the vibration of the second vibration generating portion 150-2 or vice versa.

[0194] In addition, the collision preventing member 145 can also perform the role of preventing physical collision of the first vibration generating portion 150-1 and the second vibration generating portion 150-2.

[0195] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an electric toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which has a plurality of toothbrush heads.

[0196] Figure 21 and Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an actual use pattern of an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which has a plurality of toothbrush heads.

[0197] As described above, the electric toothbrush 100 has a plurality of toothbrush heads 103-1, 103-2, which independently vibrate by the vibration generating portions connected to each toothbrush head 103-1, 103-2, respectively.

[0198] Therefore, as shown in Figure 21 , a stereo type of sound is output, and the user can actually perform the rinsing of the mouth while listening to the music as shown in Figure 22 .

[0199] Figure 23 and Figure 24FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen of an external device linked with an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0200] The external device 200 displays the music icon 1010 output by the electric toothbrush 100 on the display 210.

[0201] The music icon 1010 outputtable by the electric toothbrush 100 refers to an icon indicating music outputtable in a sound source form when a user desires, due to the fact that vibration data in a PWM form corresponding to the music icon 1010 outputtable is stored in the memory 250 of the external device or the memory 110 of the electric toothbrush.

[0202] The music icon 1010 outputtable includes a dance music icon 1001, a ballad music icon 1002, a lullaby music icon 1003, a user designated 1 music icon 1004, a user designated 2 music icon 1005, and a user designated 3 music icon 1006.

[0203] As described above, the user designated 1 icon 1004, the user designated 2 icon 1005, and the user designated 3 icon 1006 refer to icons stored when a user converts desired sound source data into vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

[0204] The external device 200 linked with the electric toothbrush 100 displays a screen indicating that data is being converted on the display 210, as shown in FIG. 10, when converting sound source data into vibration data corresponding to the sound source data. Figure 23

[0205] Accordingly, a user can recognize that a sound source of a melody desired by the user is being converted.

[0206] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described method can be embodied as a code readable by a processor in a medium in which a program is recorded. As an example of a medium readable by a processor, there are a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0207] The electric toothbrush and the external device as described above are not limited to the structures and methods of the above-described embodiments, but can be selectively combined with all or a part of each embodiment to be configured to achieve various modifications of the above-described embodiments.

[0208] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure.

[0209] ​Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are used to illustrate the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical ideas of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments.

[0210] The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the same scope are included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electric toothbrush, characterized in that, It includes: Toothbrush head; The vibration generating part vibrates the toothbrush head mentioned above. and The processor determines the sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the sound source data as output, and controls the operation of the vibration generating unit to generate vibrations in the toothbrush head corresponding to the sound source data based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data. The toothbrush head described above consists of multiple parts. The aforementioned vibration generating part and the aforementioned multiple toothbrush heads are respectively configured in multiple ways. The processor independently controls the multiple vibration generators, causing the multiple toothbrush heads to vibrate independently. The above sound source data is multi-channel sound source data. The processor independently controls the multiple vibration generators based on the channel vibration data corresponding to each channel of the multi-channel sound source data.

2. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned toothbrush head includes a first toothbrush head and a second toothbrush head. The aforementioned vibration generating unit includes a first vibration generating unit corresponding to the first toothbrush head and a second vibration generating unit corresponding to the second toothbrush head. The processor controls the first vibration generator to generate vibrations in the first toothbrush head corresponding to the left channel sound source data based on the left channel vibration data corresponding to the left channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data, and controls the second vibration generator to generate vibrations in the second toothbrush head corresponding to the right channel sound source data based on the right channel vibration data corresponding to the right channel sound source data of the multi-channel sound source data.

3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes: The collision prevention component prevents collisions between the aforementioned multiple vibration generating parts.

4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes: The communications department communicates with external devices. The processor receives the sound source data or vibration data from the external device via the communication unit.

5. The electric toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that, The processor receives the sound source data from the external device via the communication unit and generates the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data.

6. The electric toothbrush according to claim 5, characterized in that, The processor sequentially performs sampling, quantization, and encoding on the aforementioned sound source data to generate vibration data of the PWM waveform.

7. The electric toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that, The processor receives vibration data corresponding to the sound source data from the external device via the communication unit, and controls the operation of the vibration generating unit based on the received vibration data.

8. The electric toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that, The vibration data mentioned above are PWM waveform signals converted from the sound source data in the aforementioned external device.

9. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes: The memory stores the aforementioned sound source data or vibration data corresponding to the aforementioned sound source data. The processor controls the operation of the vibration generating unit to generate vibrations in the toothbrush head corresponding to the sound source data based on the vibration data stored in the memory corresponding to the sound source data.

10. A method for operating an electric toothbrush, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The sound source data or the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data is determined as the output. The operation of the vibration generator is controlled based on the vibration data corresponding to the aforementioned sound source data; and The toothbrush head vibrates through the action of the aforementioned vibration generator. The steps for controlling the operation of the vibration generator based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data include the following steps: Multiple vibration generators are independently controlled based on the channel vibration data corresponding to each channel of the multi-channel sound source data. The steps of vibrating the toothbrush head by the action of the aforementioned vibration generating part include the following steps: The multiple toothbrush heads vibrate independently through the independent action of the aforementioned multiple vibration generating parts.

11. A recording medium for recording a method of operating an electric toothbrush, characterized in that, The above action method includes the following steps: The sound source data or the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data is determined as the output. The operation of the vibration generator is controlled based on the vibration data corresponding to the aforementioned sound source data; and The toothbrush head vibrates through the action of the aforementioned vibration generator. The steps for controlling the operation of the vibration generator based on the vibration data corresponding to the sound source data include the following steps: Multiple vibration generators are independently controlled based on the channel vibration data corresponding to each channel of the multi-channel sound source data. The steps of vibrating the toothbrush head by the action of the aforementioned vibration generating part include the following steps: The multiple toothbrush heads vibrate independently through the independent action of the aforementioned multiple vibration generating parts.

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