Toothbrush navigation system and method for toothbrush navigation

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toothbrush navigation system, comprising a toothbrush, an optical sensor device separate from the toothbrush, and a display device separate from the toothbrush and communicatively connected to the optical sensor device in order to display instructions and / or status information for toothbrushing, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for toothbrushing navigation and a computer program, in particular an application software for a mobile terminal.

[0003] Despite numerous measures to improve general toothbrushing behavior, such as staining plaque, detailed instructions and exercises in training institutions, and technical improvements in oral hygiene aids, especially electric toothbrushes, it has not yet been possible to significantly improve average toothbrushing skills in the population. While children and older people often have deficiencies in manual skills, inadequate oral hygiene results are often due to the difficulty and inability to monitor the brushing results. Therefore, regular professional dental cleanings are offered and performed in dental practices, but these generally cannot be performed daily and are also expensive.

[0004] To monitor toothbrushing behavior, various methods and devices have been available for several years. These provide the toothbrush user with information about the current brushing pressure and, in particular, warn against excessive or insufficient brushing pressure. Such a warning can be provided, for example, by illuminating or changing the color of an LED on the neck of the toothbrush.

[0005] However, the electronics required for a brush pressure indicator in the toothbrush typically result in a cumbersome, oversized brush handle, which impedes purely manual operation. Another disadvantage is that the aforementioned electrical and electronic components result in a more expensive product than a purely manual toothbrush. Furthermore, regularly recharging or replacing the toothbrush's electrical energy storage device can sometimes be inconvenient for the user.

[0006] US 6,389,636 B1 describes a toothbrush without a power supply (i.e., in particular, without an integrated battery or mains connection), in which the degree of brush pressure is indicated by an optical signal. The optical signal is generated by a piezochromic material that is applied to the toothbrush and displays a specific or possibly changing color depending on the degree of pressure. This allows the user to recognize, for example, via the optical signal, in which the color of the piezochromic material disappears, that they are pressing the brush too hard, which could injure the gums and wear down the teeth.

[0007] In addition to providing information on the current brushing pressure, it is particularly advantageous to provide the toothbrush user with position-orientating assistance so that the user can reliably assess and improve the result of brushing their teeth.

[0008] In this regard, a few toothbrush navigation systems are now known in the state of the art in which the toothbrush either detects its spatial position in relation to the user's dentition by means of various sensors or in which the spatial position of the toothbrush is detected by a separate optical sensor device (for example by a smartphone mounted on a mirror), in each case with the aim of providing the user with instructions and / or status information for brushing the teeth.

[0009] Detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush itself requires correspondingly complex electronics in the toothbrush, with the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0010] Detecting the brush position via an external sensor device is proposed, for example, in DE 10 2011 103 301 B4. This can involve a dental brushing device in which the user's face is recorded with the toothbrush placed in the mouth using a TOF camera. The position of the toothbrush is calculated from the distances to object points on the toothbrush determined by the camera.

[0011] A disadvantage of this system, however, is that the toothbrush still requires its own pressure sensors and therefore still requires some electronic components and a power storage device to detect the brush pressure. Furthermore, it has been shown that, in practice, detecting the toothbrush in conjunction with an internal sensor device often does not yet result in sufficiently accurate detection of the brush position.

[0012] Other relevant prior art documents are: DE 10 2014 001163 A1, US 2012 / 310593 A1 and US 11 213 120 B2.

[0013] In view of the known state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush navigation system by means of which the current brushing result can be made available to the user comprehensively and with high accuracy, preferably with a simple, cost-effective design of the toothbrush.

[0014] The present invention is also based on the object of providing a method for toothbrushing navigation and a computer program by which the current brushing result can be provided to the user comprehensively and with high accuracy, preferably with a simple, cost-effective toothbrush design. This object is achieved for the toothbrushing navigation system with the features listed in claim 1. With regard to the method, the object is achieved by the features of claim 14, and with regard to the computer program, by the features of claim 15.

[0015] The dependent claims and the features described below relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention.

[0016] A toothbrush navigation system is provided, comprising a toothbrush, an optical sensor device separate from the toothbrush for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush, and a display device separate from the toothbrush and communicatively connected to the optical sensor device in order to recognizably display instructions and / or status information for brushing teeth for a user of the toothbrush on the basis of the spatial position of the toothbrush detected by the optical sensor device.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, a spatial position (also known as a "pose") is understood to mean a position and / or orientation. Therefore, it may be provided to detect the position and / or orientation of the toothbrush using the optical sensor device.

[0018] The detection of the spatial position is preferably understood in relation to the face of a toothbrush user, in particular in relation to the dentition of the toothbrush user, even if this is not explicitly mentioned below. In this way, the spatial position of the toothbrush can be detected in relation to the user's teeth or tooth surfaces.

[0019] According to the invention, the toothbrush has at least one pressure indicator for optically displaying the brush pressure, wherein the optical sensor device is configured to use the brush pressure display of the pressure indicator as an optical marker when detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush.

[0020] The advantage of the aforementioned toothbrushing navigation system is that the toothbrush handle can be designed more ergonomically, as the sensors for detecting the brush's position within the toothbrush are no longer required. This allows the brush handle to be designed more like a conventional manual toothbrush.

[0021] Furthermore, the costs for a corresponding product can be reduced by eliminating the need for complex electrical and electronic components in the toothbrush.

[0022] Because the external sensor device, or one separate from the toothbrush, uses the brush pressure reading of the toothbrush's pressure indicator as an optical marker, the accuracy of detecting the toothbrush's spatial position can be significantly improved. The pressure indicator can therefore, on the one hand, assist the user in handling the toothbrush and, on the other hand, improve the toothbrush's position detection for brushing navigation.

[0023] In the context of the invention, the toothbrush can in principle be any toothbrush, for example an electric toothbrush (e.g. rotary toothbrush, sonic toothbrush, ultrasonic toothbrush).

[0024] In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, however, it can be provided that the toothbrush is a manual toothbrush.

[0025] For the purposes of the invention, a manual toothbrush is understood to mean, in particular, a toothbrush that can be operated purely manually. The bristles or bristle attachment of the manual toothbrush are therefore preferably not driven (neither rotating, vibrating, nor in any other way).

[0026] The term "manual toothbrush" can particularly include toothbrushes that do not contain any electronic components, such as LEDs, electronic sensors, electric drives or electrochemical energy storage devices.

[0027] The use of a manual toothbrush can further enhance the advantages of the invention, as the electronics and the requirements for electronics in the toothbrush can be further reduced. Therefore, electrical and electronic components in the toothbrush can preferably be completely eliminated.

[0028] Last but not least, surveys (e.g., a 2013 forsa survey with 60% of the German population using manual toothbrushes) suggest that, despite the proven advantages of electric toothbrushes in terms of tooth cleaning effectiveness, a large proportion of consumers continue to use manual toothbrushes for various reasons. Recent studies have also surprisingly shown that the effectiveness of plaque removal during brushing is not improved by sonic activation of a sonic toothbrush (see Zahnärztliche Mitteilungen (zm), issue 5 of March 1, 2022, pages 18 / 19).

[0029] In particular, navigation support for a manual toothbrush can therefore be advantageous and is still unknown in the state of the art.

[0030] The pressure indicator can, in principle, be of any design. For example, the pressure indicator can comprise an electronic pressure sensor and an electronic display device (e.g., a single- or multi-color LED or a corresponding LED ring).

[0031] Preferably, however, the pressure indicator is designed as a passive pressure indicator, in particular to visually indicate the brushing pressure in a purely chemical and / or mechanical way. In this case, any electronics can preferably be omitted from the toothbrush. In particular, an electrical energy storage device (e.g., battery or rechargeable battery pack) for powering the pressure indicator can also be omitted.

[0032] Preferably, a pressure indicator is provided which can indicate a change in the brush pressure reversibly and without the use of electrical or electronic components.

[0033] The pressure indicator is preferably designed to directly combine the indication or display of the brush pressure with the sensory detection of the brush pressure. Therefore, the pressure indicator preferably combines the brush pressure display directly with the pressure sensor. In particular, it can be provided that the pressure indicator has a signal-emitting section and a pressure-receiving section, which are preferably identical, spatially overlap, or at least directly adjacent to one another.

[0034] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided in particular that the pressure indicator has at least one piezochromic component made of a piezochromic material.

[0035] It can thus preferably be provided that the pressure force caused by the brush pressure results in at least one specific color of the aforementioned piezochromic component and / or material for the brush pressure indicator. The brush pressure can therefore be particularly easy to read for the toothbrush user and, if applicable, the optical sensor device.

[0036] The optical sensor device can be configured to detect a color of the pressure indicator as an optical marker, in particular the color of the aforementioned piezochromic component or material.

[0037] Therefore, in the present invention, a material exhibiting physical characteristics of piezochromism can preferably be used to indicate plaster pressure forces. Piezochromism is the property of solids to change color when subjected to pressure. This color change is generally reversible.

[0038] For example, liquid crystal of cholesteryl esters can be used as a piezochromic material. Further possible piezochromic materials that can be used within the scope of the invention are described and explained in DE 10 2009 035 363 A1, the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated into the present description by reference. In principle, any piezochromic material with color changes under the influence of conventional cleaning pressure forces and with color change switching speeds in the range of seconds according to the prior art can be used for the invention.

[0039] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the pressure indicator is applied and / or contained on a surface of the toothbrush, in particular on the surface of a brush handle of the toothbrush.

[0040] The pressure indicator can in principle be arranged at any location on the toothbrush that is suitable for detection by the sensor device (e.g. on the brush neck) - possibly even on the brush head (e.g. on the side of the brush head facing away from the bristles).

[0041] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the pressure indicator is at least partially covered and / or encased by a transparent layer.

[0042] In this way, the pressure indicator can be protected from mechanical and / or chemical damage and yet still be clearly visible to the user and / or the sensor device.

[0043] It can be provided that the pressure indicator or brush pressure indicator is arranged at least partially around the toothbrush, in particular partially or completely around the toothbrush. This allows for particularly good recognition regardless of the orientation of the toothbrush.

[0044] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the toothbrush has at least one reference marking, in particular a static reference marking, which can be used by the sensor device in addition to the brush pressure indicator when detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush.

[0045] Preferably, the reference marking has at least two different color values ​​and / or at least two different graphic representations distributed along the circumference of the toothbrush. In this way, the orientation or alignment of the toothbrush can be more easily detected by the sensor device.

[0046] For particularly good recognizability for the sensor device, the reference marking can be arranged at least partially around the toothbrush, in particular partially or completely around the toothbrush in a ring shape.

[0047] The optical sensor device can comprise at least one optical sensor of basically any desired design for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush.

[0048] The optical sensor device can, for example, comprise a digital camera, or the at least one optical sensor can be designed as an electronic image converter of a digital camera.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the optical sensor device can be part of a mobile terminal, for example a mobile phone or smartphone.

[0050] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided in particular that the optical sensor device for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush has a 3D camera system.

[0051] The 3D camera system can, in principle, be any camera system (e.g., a stereo camera system). A TOF camera system is preferred.

[0052] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the optical sensor device is designed to detect the brush pressure indicated by the pressure indicator in addition to the spatial position of the toothbrush.

[0053] The optical sensor device can therefore, for example, infer the current brush pressure from the color of the pressure indicator or the brush pressure display (e.g. from the color of the aforementioned piezochromic component or material).

[0054] The brush pressure detected by the optical sensor device can then be provided, for example, to the display device in order to present the brush pressure to the user in addition to the brush pressure display via the display device and / or to combine the brush pressure with the detected position information of the toothbrush in order to present the user with even better instructions and status information on the brushing progress.

[0055] The playback device can, in principle, be any playback device, for example, an acoustic playback device for reproducing acoustic, e.g., machine-spoken instructions and information. However, an optical playback device is preferably provided (optionally supplemented by an acoustic information transmission), for example, an optical display, preferably an optical display of a mobile device.

[0056] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the display device is configured to visually display jaw segments, teeth or tooth surfaces in order to be able to display the instructions for action and / or status information particularly clearly using individual teeth or tooth surfaces.

[0057] Preferably, all four jaw segments are depicted; particularly preferably, all teeth of the jaw are depicted; most preferably, all tooth surfaces of the teeth of the jaw are depicted. The representation of the jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces can also be abstracted (e.g., using circles or symbols).

[0058] In particular, buccal and / or oral and / or occlusal and / or incisal tooth surfaces and / or interdental spaces can be optically displayed by the display device.

[0059] The information can preferably be displayed in a mirror image by the display device. This has the advantage that the user's habitual viewing of a mirror image makes spatial orientation with respect to the toothbrush in use easier.

[0060] The representation of jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces can be customized. For example, gaps, dentures, etc. can be entered via an input device and then displayed by the display device. For example, the display device can be configured as a touchscreen.

[0061] The current spatial position of the toothbrush, as detected by the sensor device, can be displayed by the display device using a graphic symbol (e.g., a stylized toothbrush) next to or on the jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the currently treated areas can be highlighted (e.g., by displaying them in a different color).

[0062] In one embodiment of the invention, the display device can be configured to change the representation of the jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces depending on the current and / or previous spatial position of the toothbrush detected by the optical sensor device and / or depending on the brush pressure. The location of the displayed jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces on which the aforementioned changes are made preferably depends on the detected position of the toothbrush.

[0063] In particular, the brightness and / or saturation and / or hue of at least one color and / or density of graphic characters or patterns can be changed depending on the current and / or previous spatial position of the toothbrush detected by the optical sensor device and / or depending on the brush pressure. The changes can serve, in particular, as a measure of the brushing result and / or as a brush pressure monitor.

[0064] In this way, an improvement in oral hygiene performed using a toothbrush can be achieved by showing the user the current brushing result during brushing in a clear manner and in relation to the individual jaw segments, teeth or tooth surfaces.

[0065] For example, it can be provided that either the aforementioned changes (e.g. color or density values) are changed uniformly for each jaw segment, tooth or tooth surface or, with appropriate accuracy of the sensor device, are changed heterogeneously to a greater or lesser extent within a jaw segment, tooth or tooth surface.

[0066] The aforementioned changes can also be made either continuously or discretely. In particular, a two-stage or "binary" display is also possible, allowing you to selectively display areas as cleaned or uncleaned, or to signal excessive brush pressure in an area.

[0067] The display device can be configured to make the aforementioned changes in the area which, as detected by the sensor device, corresponds to the area actually being worked with the toothbrush. For example, the jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces can initially be displayed in any color, such as red, with the color red symbolizing the plaque adhering to the tooth surfaces. As tooth brushing progresses, this original color can, for example, first be displayed pink (signaling to the user a decrease in plaque) and finally white (signaling to the user freedom from plaque and thus a very good brushing result) upon reaching defined values ​​of the sensor data. In a similar way, changes to graphic symbols, such as a decrease in the density of a hatching or a checkered pattern, can also be used to display the brushing result.

[0068] The aforementioned changes may depend on the brush movement technique detected by the sensor device. For example, a detected correct brushing technique (i.e., with circular movements) may result in a greater increase in color brightness than an incorrect brushing technique (i.e., with straight, scrubbing movements).

[0069] It can be provided that the duration of a brushing pressure detected by the sensor device is determined by means of a time-measuring device of the toothbrushing navigation system (e.g., a time-measuring device of the sensor device, the display device, and / or the control device mentioned below). Preferably, the extent of the aforementioned changes in the jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces can then be determined by the display device as a function of the strength of the brushing pressure and / or the duration of the brushing pressure.

[0070] It has been shown that brush pressure contributes significantly to the cleaning result. In addition to the ability to navigate the oral cavity, it is therefore important to teach the user to always apply the correct brush pressure. For example, jaw segments, teeth, or tooth surfaces may be indicated as completely cleaned more quickly when using the optimal brush pressure than when using too little or too much brush pressure.

[0071] For example, it can be provided that the data recorded by the sensor device regarding the strength of the brush pressure and the duration of the brush pressure are evaluated in inverse proportion to each other. In this case, the time measurement is usefully started, for example, when a detectable brush pressure is present and then ended as soon as no more brush pressure is detected. This means that the higher one value is, the lower the other value must be to achieve the same cleaning result. For example, the higher the brush pressure is, the shorter the brushing time must be to achieve the same effect.

[0072] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the toothbrushing navigation system also has a control device which is separate from the toothbrush and which is communicatively connected to the optical sensor device and the display device and is configured to process the information detected by the optical sensor device and to make it available to the display device.

[0073] The control device can be embodied as a microprocessor. Instead of a microprocessor, any other device can also be provided for implementing the control device, for example, one or more arrangements of discrete electrical components on a circuit board, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another programmable circuit, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or a commercially available computer.

[0074] The control device can preferably perform all information processing and information storage tasks, in particular all computing tasks, within the toothbrushing navigation system. However, the control device can also perform only some of these tasks. Information processing and information storage can also be distributed decentrally within the toothbrushing navigation system, for example, between the sensor device and the display device, which have respective control units. In principle, the control device can also be distributed decentrally within the toothbrushing navigation system.

[0075] The control device is preferably a microprocessor of a mobile terminal, for example a mobile phone.

[0076] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the control device is configured to process frontal and / or top view and / or lateral digital images of the user's teeth for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush and for localizing the tooth surfaces displayed by the display device on which optical changes are made.

[0077] The control device can in particular be configured to link the detected position information of the sensor device relating to the toothbrush with the spatial position of the user (in particular his head or dentition) and therefore to determine the relative position of the toothbrush to dentition segments, teeth or tooth surfaces of the user.

[0078] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the optical sensor device, the playback device and / or the control device are contained in a common electronic device.

[0079] Preferably, the shared electronic device is a mobile device, in particular a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

[0080] In a further development of the invention, the toothbrushing navigation system can be provided with a holding device for fastening or at least positioning the optical sensor device and / or the display device to or on a surrounding structure. In particular, the holding device can be designed to accommodate the shared electronic device (for example, the aforementioned mobile terminal).

[0081] The holding device may preferably comprise at least one suction cup in order to attach the optical sensor device and / or the display device, in particular the common electronic device, to a smooth surface, such as a (bathroom) mirror.

[0082] The invention also relates to a method for toothbrushing navigation, comprising at least the following method steps: Detecting the spatial position of a toothbrush by means of an optical sensor device separate from the toothbrush, using an optical brush pressure display of a pressure indicator arranged on the toothbrush as an optical marker; and reproducing instructions and / or status information for brushing teeth based on the detected spatial position of the toothbrush for a user of the toothbrush by means of a display device separate from the toothbrush and communicatively connected to the optical sensor device.

[0083] The advantage of the invention is that a user receives a clear and vivid picture of his current brushing result at the time of dental care using a toothbrush and can immediately take countermeasures to achieve good oral hygiene if the brushing result is not sufficient.

[0084] A further advantage is that the method can be used in dental practices or dental prophylaxis centers as a training aid for children and adolescents to improve oral hygiene, whereby the user is intuitively guided by the clear and consistent visual representation, which increases motivation.

[0085] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising control commands which, when the program is executed by a control device (e.g. the control device mentioned above), cause the control device to carry out the method according to the above and following explanations.

[0086] The computer program is preferably an application software for a mobile device (particularly known as an "app").

[0087] The optical sensor device and / or the display device can be activated by means of the computer program and / or the control device. Furthermore, the position and / or movement and / or brush pressure of the brush head of the toothbrush, and in particular of the bristle area, can be calculated and visually displayed via the aforementioned computer program and / or the control device.

[0088] Features described in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention, specifically the toothbrushing navigation system according to the invention, the method for toothbrushing navigation, and the computer program, can also be advantageously implemented for the other subject matters of the invention. Likewise, advantages mentioned in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention can also be understood to apply to the other subject matters of the invention.

[0089] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," or "with" do not exclude other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the," which indicate a singular number of steps or features, do not exclude a plurality of features or steps—and vice versa.

[0090] In a purist embodiment of the invention, however, it may also be provided that the features introduced in the invention with the terms "comprising," "having," or "with" are listed exhaustively. Accordingly, one or more lists of features may be considered complete within the scope of the invention, for example, for each claim. The invention may, for example, consist exclusively of the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0091] It should be noted that terms such as "first" or "second" etc. are used primarily for reasons of distinguishing between respective device or process features and are not necessarily intended to indicate that features are mutually dependent or related to one another.

[0092] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the values ​​and parameters described herein include deviations or fluctuations of ±10% or less, preferably ±5% or less, more preferably ±1% or less, and most preferably ±0.1% or less of the respective specified value or parameter, provided that these deviations are not excluded in the practical implementation of the invention. The specification of ranges by initial and final values ​​also includes all those values ​​and fractions enclosed by the respective specified range, in particular the initial and final values ​​and a respective mean value.

[0093] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0094] The figures each show preferred embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are illustrated in combination with one another. Features of one embodiment can also be implemented independently of the other features of the same embodiment and can therefore be readily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations and subcombinations with features of other embodiments.

[0095] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0096] They show schematically: Figure 1 shows a toothbrush navigation system with a toothbrush, a sensor device, and a display device, wherein the sensor device and the display device are components of a common electrical device, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a toothbrush navigation system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the sensor device and the display device are designed as separate components; Figure 3 shows a toothbrush of a toothbrush navigation system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a toothbrush of a toothbrush navigation system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a toothbrush of a toothbrush navigation system according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a toothbrush of a toothbrush navigation system according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0097] Figure 1shows a first embodiment of a toothbrush navigation system 1 according to the invention.

[0098] The toothbrush navigation system 1 shown in the exemplary embodiments comprises a toothbrush 2, which is, for example, a purely manual toothbrush for manual operation. The toothbrush 2 comprises a brush head 3 with a bristle array 4, which is attached to a brush handle 5. Optionally, the brush head 3 or at least the bristle array 4 can be replaceable. The brush handle 5 is divided into a brush neck 6 facing the brush head 3 and a brush handle 7.

[0099] A pressure indicator 8 for visual brush pressure display is arranged in the area of ​​the brush neck 6. For easier recognition, the brush head 3 is Figure 1shown in section. In the exemplary embodiments, the pressure indicator 8 has a piezochromic component 9 made of a piezochromic material. The piezochromic component 9 comprises a signal-emitting section 10, which is clearly arranged on the brush neck 6, and a pressure-receiving section 11, which is accommodated in the brush head 3. The signal-emitting section 10 is preferably arranged in a ring around the toothbrush 2, so that the brush pressure indicator or the pressure indicator 8 is clearly visible from all sides.

[0100] In addition, the toothbrush 2 has a static reference marking 12 in the region of the brush neck 6, which preferably also extends in a ring around the toothbrush 2. The static reference marking 12 is preferably divided into several segments 13 (for example, four segments), each with a different color or graphic pattern.

[0101] If the user places the toothbrush 2 with the brush head 3 into the mouth, the reference marking 12 and at least the signal-emitting section 10 of the piezochromic component 9 preferably remain outside the mouth, even when brushing the rearmost molars, due to the corresponding dimensioning of the toothbrush 2.

[0102] The toothbrush navigation system 1 also has an optical sensor device 14, which is separate from the toothbrush 2, for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush 2, as well as a display device 15, which is also separate from the toothbrush 2 and is communicatively connected to the optical sensor device 14, in order to recognizably display instructions and / or status information for brushing teeth for a user of the toothbrush 2 on the basis of the spatial position of the toothbrush 2 detected by the optical sensor device 14.

[0103] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the optical sensor device 14 and the display device 15 are contained in a common electronic device 16, which is shown as a mobile phone or smartphone by way of example.

[0104] Alternatively, the sensor device 14 and the display device 15 can also be designed separately, as in the embodiment of the Figure 2 is indicated. In a distributed configuration, a respective radio module 17 can be provided in the sensor device 14 and in the playback device 15 to establish a wireless communication connection (e.g., Bluetooth or WLAN) between the sensor device 14 and the playback device 15. A wired data connection is, of course, also possible.

[0105] The optical sensor device 14 is configured to use the brush pressure reading of the pressure indicator 8 as an optical marker when detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush 2. The static reference marking 12 can also be used. Advantageously, the sensor device 14 can also detect the brush pressure indicated by the pressure indicator 8.

[0106] The optical sensor device 14 can, for example, be the front camera of a mobile phone 16, as in the embodiment of the Figure 1 The optical sensor 18 of the sensor device can therefore be the electronic image converter of the front camera of the mobile phone 16.

[0107] A 3D camera system for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush 2 may be advantageous, preferably a TOF camera system, for example, if the sensor device 14 and the display device 15 are designed separately, as shown in Figure 2. In the case of a TOF camera, a photonic mixer detector (PMD sensor), for example, can be provided as the optical sensor 18. Optionally, the sensor device 14, particularly if the sensor device 14 has a TOF camera system, can have a light source 19 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) to illuminate the scene or to provide light pulses for the TOF camera system. Preferably, an infrared light source is provided.

[0108] The toothbrush navigation system 1 preferably also comprises a control device 20 which is separate from the toothbrush 2 and which is communicatively connected to the optical sensor device 14 and the display device 15 and is configured to process the information acquired by the optical sensor device 14 and to make it available to the display device 15. The control device 20 is preferably a control device 20 of the common electronic device 16, for example a microprocessor of the mobile phone 16 in Figure 1 . However, it can also be provided that the control device 20 is part of the optical sensor device 14 and / or the display device 15 or that one of these devices 14, 15 takes over the control significantly or completely (e.g. in a distributed arrangement according to Figure 2 ). Thus, in Figure 2Two control devices 20 are shown as examples: a first control device 20 in the sensor device 14 and a second control device 20 in the playback device. Both control devices 20 can be connected to the respective radio module 17 and thus configured to communicate with each other or exchange information and / or control commands.

[0109] A computer program may preferably be provided, in particular an application software (a so-called "app") for a mobile terminal, comprising control commands which, when the program is executed by a control device 20, cause the control device 20 to carry out a suitable method for toothbrushing navigation.

[0110] After starting the computer program or application software via the control device 20, the optical sensor device 14, i.e. the digital camera of the mobile phone 16 (or another optical sensor 18 of a separate digital camera) can be activated.

[0111] In order to detect all relevant optical signals (reference marking 12, brush pressure display of the piezochromic component 9 and, if applicable, the user's face or teeth) by means of the optical sensor device 14, the mobile phone 16 or the separate sensor device 14 can preferably be positioned slightly above the head in front of the user.

[0112] If, for example, the user brushes the outer surface (buccal) of the right, upper, rearmost molar (rearmost tooth) with the toothbrush 2, the position of the brush head 3 can be determined as follows. First, the control device 20 uses the computer program to determine the area, e.g., the two rearmost teeth in the mouth, where the brush head 3 is located from the optical data acquired by the optical sensor device 14 from the segments 13 facing the sensor device 14 and the distance of the reference marking 12 to the mouth area. In this case, the values ​​stored in the computer program for the dimensions of the toothbrush 2, its components, and the reference marking 12, for example, using photogrammetric aids and markings, serve as reference variables for the most accurate determination of the position range with respect to the brushed tooth or group of teeth and the respective surface position.With regard to the position of the tooth surfaces, a distinction can be made between the outside (buccal, labial), inside (lingual, palatal), and the chewing or incisal surface (occlusal, incisal). Furthermore, digital images of the user's teeth, for example, from the side, from the front, and from above, are created and stored in the control device 20. Using the computer program, the comparison of the initially determined position values ​​for the brush head 3 with the individually stored images of the dentition can then lead to an even more precise position determination, so that in the example, the computer program defines the last upper right molar as the brushed tooth, and the outer surface (buccal) as the brushed tooth surface.

[0113] Furthermore, in the example, the user exerts pressure on the outer surface of the tooth with their hand via the brush handle 7 and the brush head 3 while brushing. By pressing the toothbrush 2 with the bristle area 4 against the tooth, a compressive force is exerted on the piezochromic material via the pressure-absorbing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9. In this example, the piezochromic component 9 preferably comprises a hollow body, in the cavity of which the piezochromic material is located. The piezochromic material is selected such that, when certain pressure forces are applied, it reproducibly assumes a specific color, with a color change capability within seconds.

[0114] Due to a preferably transparent boundary of the hollow body of the piezochromic component 9 and the toothbrush material, the piezochromic material emits its current color to the outside as an optical signal, whereby the brush pressure indication generated thereby is detected via the optical sensor device 14 and transmitted to the control device 20. From the assignment of values ​​for the brush pressure force to the corresponding colors of the piezochromic material defined in the computer program, a value for the pressure force of the bristle field 4 is determined by the computer program.

[0115] Via the optical playback device 15, which in the embodiment of the Figure 1 to the optical display of the mobile phone 16 and in the embodiment of the Figure 2If it is a separate display, a tooth chart 21 consisting of individual teeth 22 or tooth surfaces can be shown. Due to the computer program, which processes the recorded values ​​for the spatial position of the brush head 3 and the brush pressure and transmits corresponding data to the control device 20 for controlling the optical display device 15, the user can ultimately be provided with tooth brushing navigation; specifically, by displaying the current brushing result to the user through optical changes on the tooth surface 22 in the tooth chart 21, which corresponds to the tooth surface actually brushed in the mouth.

[0116] The optical change on the tooth surface 22 represented in the tooth diagram 21 can occur, for example, in such a way that the color of the represented tooth surface 22 changes from dark to light as the brushing duration, recorded by a time-measuring device, progresses and / or as the brush pressure increases. Furthermore, the movements of the reference marking 12 during tooth brushing can be additionally detected by the optical sensor device 14 and processed via the control device 20 in such a way that the degree of effectiveness of the tooth brushing is displayed by the optical display device 15.

[0117] Both the mobile phone 16 according to Figure 1 as well as the sensor device 14 and display device 15 according to Figure 2 can be attached to a smooth surface (e.g. a mirror, a tile, etc.) via a respective holding device 23 with one or more suction cups 24.

[0118] In the Figures 3 to 6 Further exemplary embodiments of the toothbrush navigation system 1 are presented - without claiming to be complete. In particular, various possibilities for applying pressure to the piezochromic material are proposed. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, only the front section of the toothbrush 2 is shown in a lateral sectional view in longitudinal section. The variants shown are to be understood only as examples; countless other variants according to the invention for applying pressure to the piezochromic material are encompassed by the invention, although not all of them need to be presented for a basic understanding of the pressure application.

[0119] In the embodiment of the Figure 3The pressure-absorbing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9 is located between a bristle-bearing lamella 25 and a back lamella 26 of the brush head 3, which is rigidly connected to the brush neck 6. The bristle-bearing lamella 25 and the back lamella 26 are connected via at least one band element 27 in such a way that the exerted brush pressure force is transferred directly to the pressure-absorbing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9 and thereby to the piezochromic material contained therein. Consequently, the color of the piezochromic material in the signal-emitting section 10 of the piezochromic component 9 in the brush neck 6 changes in the same way.

[0120] In the area of ​​the signal-emitting section 10, the toothbrush 2 is provided with a transparent layer 28 around the piezochromic component 9, so that the piezochromic component 9 is protected on the one hand, but the color of the piezochromic material still penetrates to the outside as an optical signal.

[0121] In Figure 4The pressure-sensing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9 is preferably arranged in the front section of the brush handle 7 facing the brush neck 6, specifically preferably on the back side 29 of the brush handle 7, against which the thumb-opposite fingers or the thumb and / or part of the user's palm generally rest during normal use of the toothbrush 2. When the toothbrush 2 is pressed against the tooth surfaces, a resulting pressure force component is created via at least one adjacent finger and / or the palm against the pressure-sensing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9. This pressure force is subsequently transferred to the piezochromic material, which thereby changes color. The color change is then emitted as an optical signal via the signal-emitting section 10 in the brush neck 6 through the transparent layer 28.

[0122] Figure 5shows a variant of the pressure application on the piezochromic material with a spatial recess 30, which in the example is preferably wedge-shaped and in Figure 5 is exaggerated.

[0123] The spatial recess 30 is arranged in the rear area of ​​the brush neck 6. The pressure-absorbing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9 is mounted in the spatial recess 30. The recess 30 mechanically divides the brush neck 6 into a section 31 near the brush head and a section 32 far from the brush head.

[0124] When pressure is applied during the toothbrushing process, the angle between the section 31 near the brush head and the section 32 far from the brush head of the brush neck 6 decreases mechanically. This narrows the recess 30, which exerts a corresponding pressure on the pressure-absorbing section 11 of the piezochromic component 9. The piezochromic material then changes color, which is transmitted outward as an optical signal via the signal-emitting section 10 located directly next to the pressure-absorbing section 11.

[0125] Figure 6 corresponds to the embodiment of the Figure 5, with the difference that next to the recess 30 there is a joint 33, preferably a hinge (for example, a so-called film hinge), which, when pressure is applied during toothbrushing, facilitates and supports or guides the rotation of the section 31 near the brush head and the section 32 far from the brush head relative to each other. This allows the pressure force exerted on the piezochromic material to be varied or increased in a more controlled manner.

Claims

1. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1), comprising - a toothbrush (2); - an optical sensor device (14), separate from the toothbrush (2), for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush (2); and - a presentation device (15), separate from the toothbrush (2) and communicatively connected to the optical sensor device (14) for presenting instructions and / or status information for brushing teeth on the basis of the spatial position of the toothbrush (2) detected by the optical sensor device (14) in a manner recognisable to a user of the toothbrush (2), characterised in that the toothbrush (2) has at least one pressure indicator (8) for visually indicating the brush pressure, wherein the optical sensor device (14) is configured to use the brush pressure indication of the pressure indicator (8) as an optical marker when detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush (2), and wherein the pressure indicator (8) is a passive pressure indicator (8) for optically indicating the brush pressure in a purely chemical and / or mechanical manner.

2. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the toothbrush (2) is a manual toothbrush.

3. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pressure indicator (8) has at least one piezochromic component (9) made of a piezochromic material.

4. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pressure indicator (8) is applied to a surface of a brush handle (5) of the toothbrush (2) and / or is contained in the brush handle (5).

5. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pressure indicator (8) is at least partially enclosed by a transparent layer (28).

6. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the toothbrush (2) has at least one static reference marking (12) which can be used by the sensor device (14) in addition to the brush pressure display when detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush (2), wherein the reference marking (12) has at least two different colour values and / or at least two different graphic representations.

7. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the optical sensor device (14) for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush has a 3D camera system, preferably a TOF camera system.

8. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the optical sensor device (14) is configured to detect, in addition to the spatial position of the toothbrush (2), the brush pressure indicated by the pressure indicator (8).

9. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the presentation device (15) is configured to visually display tooth surfaces (22) and to change the display of the tooth surfaces (22), in particular brightness and / or saturation and / or hue of at least one colour and / or density of graphic symbols or patterns, as a function of the current and / or earlier spatial position of the toothbrush (2) detected by the optical sensor device (14) and / or as a function of the brush pressure.

10. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised by a control device (20) separate from the toothbrush (2), which is communicatively connected to the optical sensor device (14) and the presentation device (15) and is configured to process the information detected by the optical sensor device (14) and to make it available to the presentation device (15).

11. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to claims 9 and 10, characterised in that the control device (20) is configured to process digital images of the user's teeth from the front and / or above and / or from the side for detecting the spatial position of the toothbrush (2) and for localising the tooth surfaces (22) presented by the presentation device (15), on which optical changes are made.

12. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the optical sensor device (14), the presentation device (15) and / or the control device (20) are contained in a common electronic device (16), preferably in a mobile device, in particular in a mobile telephone.

13. Tooth-brushing navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by a holding device (23) having a suction cup (24) for attaching the optical sensor device (14) and / or the presentation device (15) to a smooth surface.

14. Non-therapeutic method for tooth-brushing navigation, comprising at least the following steps: - detecting the spatial position of a toothbrush (2) by means of an optical sensor device (14) separate from the toothbrush (2) using an optical brush pressure indication of a pressure indicator (8) arranged on the toothbrush (2) as an optical marker, wherein a passive pressure indicator (8) is used as the pressure indicator (8) in order to indicate the brush pressure optically in a purely chemical and / or mechanical manner; and - reproducing instructions for use and / or status information for brushing teeth on the basis of the detected spatial position of the toothbrush (2) for a user of the toothbrush (2) by means of a presentation device (15) that is separate from the toothbrush (2) and is communicatively connected to the optical sensor device (14).

15. Computer program, in particular application software for a mobile terminal (16) having an optical sensor device (14), comprising control instructions which, when the program is executed by a control device (20), cause the latter to execute the method according to claim 14.