Dental treatment device

Abstract

The dental treatment device may include a light-emitting device configured to emit light according to a selected one of a plurality of operational functions. The dental treatment device may also include a sensor configured to output a movement signal representative of a movement of the dental treatment device, and at least one processor. The processor may be configured to perform an operation that may include determining a first movement of the dental treatment device based on the movement signal, and directing a change in an operational function of the light-emitting device in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light-emitting device having a first state. The operation may also include directing a change in a state of the light-emitting device in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light-emitting device having a second state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments discussed in this disclosure relate to dental treatment devices.

Background Art

[0002] Photo-curing polymer materials are widely used in the field of dentistry for adhesion, sealing, and restoration, and can be cured or solidified when exposed to a radiation source. Such photoactive materials generally cure when exposed to a specific radiation spectrum depending on the type of photoactive agent used. In some cases, photo-curing dental materials are convenient for dentists because the curing process can be initiated when desired.

[0003] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in the environments described above. Rather, this background art is provided only to illustrate an example of the technical field in which some of the embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dental treatment device may include a light emitting device configured to emit light according to a selected function among a plurality of operating functions. The light emitted by the light emitting device may be different for each of the plurality of operating functions, and the plurality of operating functions may be configured for dental treatment of a patient. The dental treatment device may also include a sensor configured to output a movement signal representative of movement of the dental treatment device, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the light emitting device. The processor may be configured to execute an operation. The operation may include determining a first movement of the dental treatment device based on the movement signal, and in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device having a first state, instructing a change in an operating function of the light emitting device. The operation may also include, in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device having a second state, instructing a change in a state of the light emitting device.

[0005] Exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated with further specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figures 2A - 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figures 5A - 5E

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0007] Some embodiments in the present disclosure relate to a dental treatment device that may include multiple different operating functions. For example, the dental treatment device may include an operating function called a curing function, which is configured to emit light to cure a light-curable dental material. As another example, the dental treatment device may include another operating function called a diagnostic function, which is configured to emit light for examining an elliptical cavity of a patient, including teeth, gums, tongue, or other parts of the patient's oral cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device may include multiple operating modes for each function. For example, different operating modes of the curing function may include different light intensities and / or different light emission durations. Different operating modes of the diagnostic function may include emission of light of different wavelengths, such as white light, black light, or light of other wavelengths.

[0009] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device may be configured to start or stop light emission, change operating functions, and / or change the operating mode of a specific function in response to user input. The user input may be obtained by the dental treatment device based on movement of the dental treatment device by the user or user interaction using one or more buttons of the dental treatment device. For example, when the user shakes the dental treatment device left and right, the dental treatment device may be switched between different modes of the diagnostic function. Alternatively or additionally, when the user shakes the dental treatment device up and down in a drum-tap manner, the dental treatment device may be switched between different modes of the curing function.

[0010] In some embodiments, the same user input may result in different responses by the dental treatment device based on the state of the dental treatment device. For example, in response to the dental treatment device emitting light for a diagnostic function, the dental treatment device may stop emitting light by shaking the dental treatment device back and forth. In these and other embodiments, in response to the dental treatment device not emitting light, the dental treatment device may change the mode of the diagnostic function by shaking the dental treatment device back and forth.

[0011] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device may further include a visual indicator that indicates the current function and state of the dental treatment device. For example, the visual indicator may be a different color for different modes and / or different functions. As another example, the visual indicator may have a different emission pattern for different modes and / or different functions. For example, when the dental treatment device is emitting light, the visual indicator may have a first color and / or emission pattern that is different from when the dental treatment device is not emitting light.

[0012] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device may be configured to broadcast a sound corresponding to a change in the state of the dental treatment device. For example, when the dental treatment device begins to emit light, the dental treatment device may broadcast a first sound with an increasing pitch, and when the dental treatment device stops emitting light, the dental treatment device may broadcast a second sound with a decreasing pitch.

[0013] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary dental treatment device 100. The dental treatment device 100 may be configured in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The dental treatment device 100 may include a first end 110 and a second end 120. An intermediate section 130 may extend between the first end 110 and the second end 120. A portion of the first end 110 and the intermediate section 130 may have a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape may be sized and configured to be gripped by an operator of the dental treatment device 100.

[0014] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device 100 may be configured to be battery-powered. When the dental treatment device 100 is configured to be battery-powered, it may include a shape as shown in FIG. 1. In these and other embodiments, the battery may be housed within the first end 110. Alternatively or additionally, the dental treatment device 100 may be powered by an external power source. In these and other embodiments, the first end 110 of the dental treatment device 100 may be configured to have a cord for coupling the dental treatment device 100 to an external power source.

[0015] The second end 120 of the dental treatment device 100 may include a lens 150 and a light emitting device housed within the dental treatment device 100 adjacent to the lens 150. The lens 150 may be configured to allow light to pass therethrough, and the light emitting device may be configured to emit light that can pass through the lens 150. The light may be generated by a light source within the dental treatment device 100 such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light may be emitted in a direction away from the surface of the lens 150. In some embodiments, the lens 150 may be removably attached to the dental treatment device 100. In these and other embodiments, different lenses may be attached to the dental treatment device 100 for different operations of the dental treatment device 100.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second end 120 of the dental treatment device 100 may be sized and configured to be disposed within a patient's oral cavity. For example, the second end 120 may include a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape of the second end 120 may include a central internal axis that extends along a cylindrical shape parallel to the direction of the emitted light passing through the lens 150.

[0017] In some embodiments, the central internal axis of the second end 120 may be substantially perpendicular to the central internal axis of the first end 110. In these and other embodiments, the central internal axis of the second end 120 may form an angle of 60 degrees to 90 degrees with the central internal axis of the first end 110. For example, the angle may be 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, or 90 degrees, or some angle therebetween.

[0018] In these and other embodiments, the second end 120 may be smaller than the first end 110. For example, the second end 120 may have a smaller width, length, and / or depth than the first end 110. In these and other embodiments, the intermediate section 130 may taper as it approaches the second end 120. In these and other embodiments, the portion of the intermediate section 130 near the second end 120 may have a width, length, and / or depth that is smaller than that of the second end 120.

[0019] At the location where the intermediate section 130 begins to taper, the dental treatment device 100 may include a first input device 140 and a second input device 142. The first input device 140 may include a button and may be disposed on the first side of the dental treatment device 100, opposite the second side through which light is emitted through the lens 150. The second input device 142 may include a button and may be disposed on the second side of the dental treatment device 100.

[0020] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device 100 may include a plurality of different operating functions related to the emission of light by a light emitting device. In these and other embodiments, the wavelength of the light, the intensity of the light, the temperature of the light, and / or the light emission duration may be different for each of the functions. In these and other embodiments, each of the operating functions of the dental treatment device 100 may be configured for the dental treatment of a patient.

[0021] In some embodiments, some of the operating functions may be curing functions. The curing function may be configured to emit light to cure a photocurable dental material. For example, during a patient's dental treatment, an amount of photocurable filling material may be placed within a tooth cavity. The lens 150 may be disposed adjacent to the photocurable filling material. Light may be emitted by the dental treatment device 100 to initiate polymerization and subsequent curing of the photocurable filling material within the tooth cavity.

[0022] In some embodiments, the light emitted during the curing function may include wavelengths in the range of 300 to 600 nanometers. Alternatively or additionally, the range of the wavelength of the light may be 350 to 550 nanometers. In these and other embodiments, the light may include one or more peak intensities. For example, the light may include peak intensities within the range of 380 to 400 nanometers, 425 to 480 nanometers, or some combination thereof.

[0023] The dental treatment device 100 may include multiple curing functions. Different curing functions may sometimes be referred to in the present disclosure as curing modes. However, the mode of a function can also be a function and is simply called a mode for ease of explanation. The curing modes may differ based on the wavelength of the light, the intensity of the light, and / or the light emission duration. In some embodiments, one or more different light sources (e.g., LEDs) and / or lenses may be used for different curing modes.

[0024] In some embodiments, some of the operating functions may be diagnostic functions. The diagnostic function may be configured to emit light to assist in diagnosing the condition within the oral cavity or examining the oral cavity. For example, during a patient's dental treatment, an examination of the oral cavity may be performed to check the condition of the gums, teeth, or other aspects of the oral cavity. A diagnosis regarding the gums, teeth, or another aspect of the oral cavity may be obtained from the examination of the oral cavity.

[0025] In some embodiments, the light emitted during the diagnostic function may include wavelengths less than 500 nanometers. Alternatively or additionally, the range of wavelengths of the light may be less than 420 nanometers. Alternatively or additionally, the range of wavelengths of the light may include light in the visible spectrum. For example, different temperatures in the visible spectrum, including temperatures from 2000K to 7000K, may be used.

[0026] The dental treatment device 100 may include a plurality of diagnostic functions. Different diagnostic functions may sometimes be referred to in this disclosure as diagnostic modes. However, a diagnostic mode may also be a function, and for simplicity of explanation, it is referred to as a mode. Diagnostic modes may differ based on the wavelength of light, the temperature of the light, the intensity of the light, and / or the light emission duration. In some embodiments, one or more different light sources and / or lenses may be used for different diagnostic modes.

[0027] In some embodiments, the user input obtained through the first input device 140 and the second input device 142 may be configured to change the state, operating function, and / or mode of the operating function of the dental treatment device 100. In these and other embodiments, the state of the dental treatment device 100 may represent whether the dental treatment device 100 is emitting light. For example, the dental treatment device 100 when emitting light may have a first state such as a bright state. The dental treatment device 100 when not emitting light may have a second state such as a dark state.

[0028] In some embodiments, in the bright state, the state of the dental treatment device 100 may change to the dark state by the dental treatment device 100 stopping the emission of light in response to an input obtained from the first input device 140 and / or the second input device 142.

[0029] In some embodiments, in a dark state, the state of the dental treatment device 100 may change to a bright state by the dental treatment device 100 starting to emit light based on an input obtained from the first input device 140 and / or the second input device 142. Alternatively or additionally, based on an input obtained from the first input device 140 and / or the second input device 142, the state of the dental treatment device 100 may be maintained as a dark state, and the function or operation mode of the dental treatment device 100 may change. Alternatively or additionally, based on an input obtained from the first input device 140 and / or the second input device 142, the dental treatment device 100 may enter or exit the sleep mode. In these and other embodiments, different operations may be performed by the dental treatment device 100 based on the state of the dental treatment device 100 according to an input obtained from the first input device 140 and / or the second input device 142.

[0030] In some embodiments, the user input may be obtained by a motion sensor within the dental treatment device 100. For example, the motion sensor may obtain the movement of the dental treatment device 100 caused by the user of the dental treatment device 100. A specific movement of the dental treatment device 100 may be detected by the motion sensor and recognized as a movement associated with the user input. The resulting user input from the movement may be configured to change the state, operating function, and / or mode of the operating function of the dental treatment device 100.

[0031] In some embodiments, in a bright state, the state of the dental treatment device 100 may change to a dark state by the dental treatment device 100 stopping to emit light due to one or more movements of the dental treatment device 100.

[0032] In some embodiments, in the dark state, the state of the dental treatment device 100 is maintained as a dark state by one or more movements of the dental treatment device 100, and the function and / or operating mode of the dental treatment device 100 may change. In these and other embodiments, different operations may be performed by the dental treatment device 100 based on the state of the dental treatment device 100 by some movements. For example, in the bright state and the first operating function, the first movement and the second movement of the dental treatment device 100 may change the state of the dental treatment device 100 to a dark state. As another example, in the bright state and the second operating function, the first movement and the second movement of the dental treatment device 100 may not change the state of the dental treatment device 100 so that the bright state of the dental treatment device 100 is maintained. Alternatively or additionally, in the dark state, the first movement of the dental treatment device 100 may change the operating function of the dental treatment device 100 to the first operating function and / or the mode of the first operating function. In these and other embodiments, in the dark state, the second movement of the dental treatment device 100 may change the operating function of the dental treatment device 100 to the second operating function and / or the mode of the second operating function.

[0033] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device 100 may include a visual indicator. For example, the button 140 may change the color or the lighting pattern, such as changing between lighting and blinking of the same color or changing between colors, to indicate the state of the dental treatment device. In these and other embodiments, the visual indicator may visually indicate the state, operating function, and / or operating mode of the dental treatment device 100. For example, the dental treatment device 100 may present different visual displays for each of the different operating modes. For example, for the first mode of the first function, the visual display may be the first lit color, and for the second mode of the first function, the visual display may be the second lit color. As another example, for the first mode of the second function, the visual display may be the third non-blinking color, and for the second mode of the second function, the visual display may be the third blinking color.

[0034] As another example, the dental treatment device 100 may present different visual displays based on the state of the dental treatment device 100. In these and other embodiments, the visual indicator may have a unique color and / or illumination pattern when the dental treatment device 100 is in a bright state and emitting light. When the dental treatment device 100 is not emitting light and is in a dark state, the visual indicator may include an indication of the function and / or operating mode of the dental treatment device 100.

[0035] In some embodiments, the visual indicator may be disposed on the dental treatment device 100 such that the visual indicator can be seen when the dental treatment device 100 is in use, such as when the second end 120 is disposed within the patient's oral cavity. Thus, the operator of the dental treatment device 100 can check the state of the dental treatment device 100 during use of the dental treatment device 100 without removing the dental treatment device 100 from the patient's oral cavity.

[0036] In some embodiments, the dental treatment device 100 may be configured to broadcast an audible indication when the state of the dental treatment device 100 changes. The state of the dental treatment device 100 may change when there is a change in the state, operating function, and / or mode of operation of the dental treatment device 100. In some embodiments, different audible indications may be associated with different states of the dental treatment device 100. The audible indications may differ in intensity, pitch, and / or pattern.

[0037] As an example, when the dental treatment device 100 changes to a bright state, a first voice indication may be broadcast, and when the dental treatment device 100 changes to a dark state, a second voice indication may be broadcast. In some embodiments, the first voice indication when the dental treatment device 100 changes to a bright state may include a change in the pitch of the voice indication. For example, when the dental treatment device 100 changes to a bright state, the pitch of the voice indication may increase, and when the dental treatment device 100 changes to a dark state, the pitch of the voice indication may decrease. The voice indication may provide another way for the user of the dental treatment device 100 to ensure that the selected state of the dental treatment device 100 is the desired state of the dental treatment device 100. Thus, the voice indication may provide a means of safety, which helps the user avoid placing the dental treatment device 100 in an undesirable state or maintaining the dental treatment device in an undesirable state.

[0038] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the dental treatment device 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the dental treatment device 100 may not include a second input device 142. Alternatively or additionally, the first input device 140 and the second input device 142 may be arranged at different positions along the dental treatment device 100. As another example, the shape of the dental treatment device 100 may be different from that described or illustrated in the present disclosure.

[0039] Figures 2A-2C show schematic diagrams 200a, 200b, and 200c showing exemplary movements of a dental treatment device. The schematic diagram 200 may be configured in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The schematic diagram 200 may show a ground 210, a direction of the earth's gravity 212, a first path 220, a second path 230, and a third path 240.

[0040] Movement of a dental treatment device, such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1, along the first path 220, the second path 230, and / or the third path 240 can be an example of movement of the dental treatment device recognized as movement associated with user input to the dental treatment device.

[0041] The direction of the first path 220 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the earth's gravity 212 and may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the ground 210. The first path 220 may include one or more movements along the first path 220. For example, a movement along the first path 220 may start at a first position of the first path 220 closest to the ground 210 and proceed along the first path 220 to a second position further from the ground 210. An example of the first path 220 is shown by the dental treatment device 250 in the diagram 200b of FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the first path 220 may be similar to a drum tap operation in which the dental treatment device 250 moves forward in the air.

[0042] The direction of the second path 230 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the ground 210 and may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the earth's gravity 212. The second path 230 may include a movement along the second path 230. For example, a movement along the second path 230 may start at a first position along the second path 230 and proceed to a second position along the second path 230. An example of the second path 230 is shown by the dental treatment device 260 in the diagram 200c of FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 2C, the second path 230 may be similar to a swaying operation in which the dental treatment device 250 moves in a lateral movement in the air.

[0043] The direction of the third path 240 can be a circular path along which the distance between the dental treatment device and the ground 210 changes. The third path 240 may include one or more vibrations along the third path 240. For example, a vibration along the third path 240 may start at a first position along the third path 240, proceed along the third path 240, and return to the first position.

[0044] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Diagram 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, other paths may be recognized as movements associated with user input to the dental treatment device. For example, a path that traverses obliquely with respect to the ground 210 may be recognized as a movement associated with user input to the dental treatment device.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, a path that can be recognized as a movement associated with user input to the dental treatment device may be based on the orientation of a movement capture device such as an accelerometer or other device within the dental treatment device. The movement capture device may be configured to record the movement of the dental treatment device. For example, a path that can be recognized as a movement associated with user input may be associated with the axis of the movement capture device. For example, the movement shown in Figure 2B may be associated with the y-axis of the movement capture device when the dental treatment device is oriented as shown in Figure 2B. Thus, depending on the orientation of the dental treatment device, the movement captured by the movement capture device can change. For example, by rotating the orientation of the dental treatment device by 90 degrees from the orientation shown in Figure 2B, the y-axis of the movement capture device can be rotated. In this way, a movement such as that shown in Figure 2C may be registered as a movement along the z-axis of the movement capture device.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the dental treatment device is oriented as shown in Figures 2B and 2C, as described above, the movement shown in Figure 2B may be associated with the y-axis of the movement capture device. In these and other embodiments, when the dental treatment device is oriented as shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the movement shown in Figure 2C may be associated with the x-axis of the movement capture device.

[0047] In some embodiments, certain criteria may be met before a path is recognized as a movement associated with user input to a dental treatment device. For example, a movement capture device may capture the movement of the dental treatment device. Any movement along an axis not associated with the path may be ignored. Alternatively or additionally, any movement along an axis associated with a path having no directional force that meets one or more specific thresholds may likewise be ignored.

[0048] In some embodiments, in addition to movement along an axis associated with a path having a first force that meets a first threshold, for that movement to be recognized as user input, the movement may have a second force that meets a second threshold, and the second force may be opposite the first force. For example, the movement may include a first force (e.g., acceleration in the x direction) and a second force (e.g., deceleration in the x direction).

[0049] In these and other embodiments, for the movement to be recognized as user input, the second force may occur within a specific time interval of the first force. Thus, if otherwise, a second force that would meet the criteria for movement to be recognized as user input occurs outside a specific time interval from the occurrence of the first force, the dental treatment device may not recognize the movement including the first force and the second force as user input.

[0050] For example, FIG. 2D shows a diagram 200d showing the forces sensed by the movement of a dental treatment device, showing how the first and second forces of the movement can meet the first and second thresholds within a specific time interview. Diagram 200d may be configured according to at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. Diagram 200d may show specific criteria that may be met before a path is recognized as a movement associated with user input to a dental treatment device.

[0051] For example, the graph 200d may include a force axis, a time axis, a time interval 270, a first force threshold 272, and a second force threshold 274. The graph 200d may further show three force signals that may be output by a sensor such as an accelerometer, namely, a first force signal 280, a second force signal 290, and a third force signal 292. Each of the force signals may correspond to one sensing axis of the accelerometer.

[0052] As an example, the second force signal 290 and the third force signal 292 may each be associated with an axis not associated with the path. As a result, the second force signal 290 and the third force signal 292 may be ignored. The first force signal 280 may be associated with an axis associated with the path. Further, the first force signal 280 may have a first peak 282 that satisfies the first force threshold 272 and a second peak 284 that satisfies the second force threshold 274. Alternatively or additionally, the first peak 282 and the second peak 284 may occur within the time interval 270. For example, the time interval may be from 10 milliseconds to 30 milliseconds, such as 22 milliseconds, 23 milliseconds, 24 milliseconds, or 25 milliseconds. Thus, the movement resulting in the first force signal 280 may be recognized by the dental treatment device as a movement associated with a user input.

[0053] As an example, the first force signal 280 may represent a tapping operation as shown in FIG. 2B. For example, the user may start from the top position and accelerate the dental treatment device 250 and move it toward the bottom position. The force caused by the acceleration of the movement from the top position may result in a portion of the first force signal 280 that is before the first peak 282 and includes the first peak 282. As the dental treatment device 250 approaches the bottom position, the user may decelerate the dental treatment device 250 and stop the dental treatment device 250 at the bottom position. The force caused by the deceleration to stop at the bottom position may result in a portion of the first force signal 280 that is after the first peak 282 and includes the second peak 284. Note that the force caused by the deceleration is opposite to the force caused by the acceleration. Thus, the movement of the dental treatment device 250 in a single direction can be recognized by the dental treatment device 250 as a user input. The dental treatment device 250 may not require movement in a first direction and a second direction, such as back and forth movement, in order to be recognized by the dental treatment device 250 as a user input.

[0054] In some embodiments, in addition to the first movement along an axis associated with a path having a directional force that meets a specific threshold to recognize the movement as a user input, a second movement in that axis having a directional force that meets the specific threshold and in a direction opposite to the first movement may occur. For example, the first movement may be in the positive z direction and the second movement may be in the negative z direction.

[0055] In these and other embodiments, for the movement to be recognized as a user input, the second movement may occur within a specific time interval of the first movement. Thus, if the second movement, which would otherwise meet the criteria for movement to be recognized as a user input, occurs outside a specific time interval from the occurrence of the first movement, the dental treatment device may not recognize the first movement and the second movement as a user input.

[0056] For example, a first movement in the positive x-direction that exceeds a specific threshold can be captured by the movement capture device. A second movement in the negative x-direction that exceeds a specific threshold can be captured by the movement capture device. The second movement can occur within a specific time interval of the first movement. As a result, the dental treatment device can record the first and second movements of the dental treatment device as user input and execute related functions as described in the present disclosure.

[0057] As another example, a first movement in the positive z-direction that exceeds a specific threshold can be captured by the movement capture device. A second movement in the negative z-direction that exceeds a specific threshold can be captured by the movement capture device. The second movement may not occur within a specific time interval of the first movement. Therefore, there may be no user input associated with the movement of the dental treatment device.

[0058] As another example, a first movement in the positive z-direction that exceeds a specific threshold can be captured by the movement capture device. A second movement that can occur within a specific time interval of the first movement can be captured by the movement capture device in the negative z-direction that does not exceed the specific threshold. Therefore, there may be no user input associated with the movement of the dental treatment device.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary dental treatment device 300. The dental treatment device 300 can be configured according to at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The dental treatment device 300 can include a processor 310, a memory 320, a user input system 330, a light emission system 340, and a sensor system 350.

[0060] In general, processor 310 can include any suitable dedicated or general-purpose computer, computing entity, or processing device that includes various computer hardware or software modules, and can be configured to execute instructions stored on any applicable computer-readable storage medium. For example, processor 310 can include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a parallel processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or a tensor processing unit (TPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other digital or analog circuit configured to interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data.

[0061] Although processor 310 is shown as a single processor in FIG. 3, it is understood that it can include any number of processors configured to individually or collectively execute any number of operations described herein. In some embodiments, processor 310 may interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data stored in memory 320. In some embodiments, processor 310 may execute program instructions stored in memory 320.

[0062] For example, in some embodiments, processor 310 may execute program instructions stored in memory 320 regarding a curing function or a diagnostic function that the dental treatment device 300 can execute as instructed by the instructions. In these and other embodiments, the instructions can be used to execute one or more of the operations 400 or methods 500 or methods 600 of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

[0063] Memory 320 may include a computer-readable storage medium or one or more computer-readable storage media for carrying or holding computer-executable instructions or data structures. Such computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer such as processor 310.

[0064] By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can include non-transitory computer-readable storage media, which include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory devices (e.g., solid state memory devices), or any other storage media that can be used to carry or store particular program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable storage media.

[0065] Computer-executable instructions can include, for example, instructions and data configured to cause processor 310 to perform a particular operation or a group of operations as described in this disclosure. In these and other embodiments, the term "non-transitory" as used in this disclosure should be construed to exclude only the types of transitory media that were held to be outside the scope of patentable subject matter in the Federal Circuit decision In re Nuijten, 500 F.3d 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0066] In some embodiments, the user input system 330 may include any device that enables a user to interface with the dental treatment device 300. For example, the user input system 330 may include a first input device 332 and a second input device 334. The first input device 332 may be a button or some other type of input device. The first input device 332 may provide a signal to the processor 310 in response to the user's interaction with the first input device 332. In some embodiments, the first input device 332 may provide a display when the user starts or stops interacting with the first input device 332. For example, when the user presses and releases a button.

[0067] In some embodiments, the second input device 334 may be a button or some other type of input device. The second input device 334 may provide a signal to the processor 310 in response to the user's interaction with the second input device 334. In these and other embodiments, the second input device 334 may provide a display when the user starts or stops interacting with the second input device 334.

[0068] The light emission system 340 may include a light emission device 342. The light emission device 342 may include one or more light emitting diodes or other light emitting elements. For example, the light emission device 342 may include a single semiconductor device that includes one or more light emitting diodes or other light emitting elements. The light emission system 340 may include one or more elements and / or circuits, such as a driver circuit, configured to cause the light emission device 342 to emit light, stop emitting light, and change the wavelength, intensity, duration, and / or temperature of the emitted light.

[0069] In some embodiments, the light emission system 340 may cause the light emission device 342 to emit light, stop emitting light, and change the wavelength, intensity, duration, and / or temperature of the emitted light based on instructions from the processor 310. For example, the light emission system 340 may cause the light emission device 342 to emit light or stop emitting light in response to an instruction from the processor 310. Alternatively or additionally, the light emission system 340 may cause the light emission device 342 to emit light associated with a specific function or a mode of a specific function, such as a curing function or a diagnostic function, in response to an instruction from the processor 310. In some embodiments, the processor 310 may be configured to instruct the light emission system 340 to emit light according to the current mode of the current function. The current mode of the current function may be the most recently selected mode and function based on input from the user.

[0070] In some embodiments, the sensor system 350 may be configured to provide an input to the processor 310 from one or more of the first sensor 352 and the second sensor 354. In some embodiments, the first sensor 352 may be an accelerometer or other type of sensor configured to detect movement. The first sensor 352 may provide a signal indicating the movement of the first sensor 352 to the processor 310.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second sensor 354 may be configured to detect the temperature of the light emission system 340. For example, the second sensor 354 may be configured to provide a signal indicating the temperature of the light emission system 340 to the processor 310.

[0072] In some embodiments, the processor 310 may obtain a signal from the sensor system 350. For example, the processor 310 may obtain a signal from the second sensor 354. The processor 310 may instruct the light emission system 340 to stop emitting light in response to a signal from the second sensor 354 indicating that the temperature of the light emission system 340 exceeds a threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 310 may not instruct the light emission system 340 to direct light in response to a user input to emit light in response to the temperature exceeding a threshold.

[0073] As another example, the processor 310 may obtain a signal from the first sensor 352. The processor 310 may be configured to analyze a signal from the first sensor 352 regarding movement detected by the first sensor 352. In these and other embodiments, the processor 310 may analyze a signal from the first sensor 352 to determine characteristics of the signal. The processor 310 may determine whether the characteristics of the signal match the characteristics of one or more specific movements based on the characteristics of the signal. The processor 310 may determine that the detected movement corresponds to a user input in response to the characteristics of the signal matching the characteristics of one or more specific movements. The processor 310 may perform an operation associated with the user input in response to the movement corresponding to the user input. For example, the processor 310 may change the current light emission mode or may instruct the light emission system 340 to stop emitting light in response to a user input.

[0074] For example, in some embodiments, the first movement may correspond to a first function and the second movement may correspond to a second function. The processor 310 may instruct the light emission system 340 to stop emitting light in response to the first movement being detected and the light emission device 342 emitting light. Similarly, the processor 310 may instruct the light emission system 340 to stop emitting light in response to the second movement being detected and the light emission device 342 emitting light.

[0075] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a first movement, the light emitting device 342 not emitting light, and the current mode being a mode of the second function, the processor 310 may select the first mode of the first function as the current mode. Based on the first mode of the first function being the current mode, when a user input is obtained to emit light, the processor 310 may instruct the light emitting device 342 to emit light corresponding to the first mode of the first function. Thus, in response to the first movement and the current mode being a mode of the second function, the detection of the first movement may result in a change from the second function to the mode of the first function.

[0076] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a first movement, the light emitting device 342 not emitting light, and the first mode of the first function being the current mode, the processor 310 may select the second mode of the first function as the current mode. Thus, in response to the first movement and the current mode being a mode of the first function, the detection of the first movement may result in a change between the modes of the first function.

[0077] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a second movement, the light emitting device 342 not emitting light, and the mode of the first function being the current mode, the processor 310 may select the first mode of the second function as the current mode. Based on the first mode of the second function being the current mode, when a user input is obtained to emit light, the processor 310 may instruct the light emitting device 342 to emit light corresponding to the first mode of the second function. Thus, in response to the second movement and the current mode being a mode of the first function, the detection of the second movement may result in a change from the first function to the mode of the second function.

[0078] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a second movement, the light emitting device 342 not emitting light, and the first mode of the second function being the current mode, the processor 310 may select the second mode of the second function as the current mode. Thus, in response to the second movement and the current mode being a mode of the second function, the detection of the second movement may result in a change between modes of the second function.

[0079] In some embodiments, the processor 310 may obtain signals from the first input device 332 and the second input device 334. The processor 310 may be configured to determine the length of time the user has interacted with each of the first input device 332 and the second input device 334. In these and other embodiments, the processor 310 may compare the length of time to one or more thresholds. Based on the comparison, the processor 310 may change the current light emission mode, or the processor 310 may instruct the light emission system 340 to stop emitting light or to emit light. In these and other embodiments, the processor 310 may select the current mode based on the previous current mode in a manner similar to the operations performed by the processor 310 in response to the first movement and the second movement. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 310 may enter or exit one or more states, such as a sleep state, based on the comparison.

[0080] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the dental treatment device 300 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the dental treatment device 300 may include a communication unit that includes any component, device, system, or combination thereof configured to transmit or receive information via a network. For example, the communication unit may include a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device (such as an antenna), and / or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth® device, an 802.6 device (e.g., a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)), a WiFi® device, a WiMAX® device, cellular communication equipment, etc.).

[0081] As another example, the user input system 330 may include fewer or additional input devices than the first input device 332 and the second input device 334. Alternatively or additionally, the dental treatment device 300 may include additional sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the dental treatment device 300 may include one or more visual indicators. The visual indicator may be a light indicator or any other visual indicator. The visual indicator may indicate the current mode of the dental treatment device 300.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary operation 400 of a dental treatment device. The operation 400 may be configured according to at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. The operation 400 may be performed by a device, a combination of devices, or a system such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 or the dental treatment device 300 of FIG. 3 or another device in some embodiments. In these and other embodiments, the operation 400 may be performed based on the execution of instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Although various blocks are shown as separate blocks, depending on the desired implementation, they may be further divided into more blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or removed.

[0083] Operation 400 may start at block 402, where a first movement of the dental treatment device may be determined based on a movement signal. In some embodiments, the first movement may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the earth's gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the first movement may be in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the earth's gravity.

[0084] At block 404, in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device having a first state, a change in the operating function of the light emitting device may be instructed.

[0085] At block 406, in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device having a second state, a change in the state of the light emitting device may be instructed. In some embodiments, instructing a change in the state of the light emitting device may include instructing the light emitting device to change to the first state.

[0086] In some embodiments, the state of the light emitting device may determine the emission of light by the light emitting device. In these and other embodiments, the light emitting device may have a first state when the light emitting device is not emitting light and may have a second state when the light emitting device is emitting light.

[0087] It is understood that for this process, operation, and other processes and operations disclosed herein, the functions and / or operations performed may be implemented in a different order. Further, the functions and operations outlined are provided by way of example only, and some of the functions and operations may be optional, may be combined in a way that results in fewer functions and operations, or may be extended to additional functions and operations, without departing from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0088] For example, in some embodiments, operation 400 may further include determining a second movement of the dental treatment device based on a movement signal and selecting a second operating function among a plurality of operating functions in response to the second movement of the dental treatment device and the light emitting device having a first state. Operation 400 may further include instructing the light emitting device to stop emitting light in response to the second movement of the dental treatment device and the light emitting device having a second state. In these and other embodiments, the second movement may be in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the earth's gravity.

[0089] As another example, operation 400 may further include instructing the light emitting device to stop emitting light for a first exposure time when the first function is selected and instructing the light emitting device to stop emitting light for a second exposure time when the second function is selected. In these and other embodiments, the second exposure time may be longer than the first exposure time.

[0090] Figures 5A - 5E show a flowchart of an exemplary operating method 500 of a dental treatment device. Method 500 may be configured according to at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. One or more operations of method 500 may be performed, in some embodiments, by a device, a combination of devices, or a system such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 or the dental treatment device 300 of FIG. 3 or another device. In these and other embodiments, method 500 may be performed based on the execution of instructions stored on one or more non - transitory computer - readable media. Although various blocks are shown as separate blocks, depending on the desired implementation, they may be further divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or removed.

[0091] Method 500 may begin at block 502, where the dental treatment device may enter sleep mode. Sleep mode may be a low power mode of the dental treatment device. In sleep mode, the dental treatment device may not emit light, and other functions of the dental treatment device may be terminated and / or reduced.

[0092] At block 504, it may be determined whether a user input has been received. In response to receiving a user input, method 500 may proceed to block 506. In response to not receiving a user input, method 500 may continue at block 504. User input may include movement of the dental treatment device by the user or interaction of the user with a button of the dental treatment device. For example, the user pressing or releasing a button may be a user input. Alternatively or additionally, any movement detected by a sensor of the dental treatment device may be the movement of the dental treatment device determined at block 504.

[0093] At block 506, the dental treatment device may exit sleep mode in response to movement being detected at block 504. At block 510, it may be determined whether movement of the dental treatment device has been detected. In response to movement of the dental treatment device being detected, method 500 may proceed to block 516. In response to movement of the dental treatment device not being detected, method 500 may proceed to block 512. The movement detected by the dental treatment device may be movement corresponding to a specific movement associated with user input. For example, the movement detected by the dental treatment device at block 510 may correspond to one or more movements as shown in FIG. 2.

[0094] At block 512, it may be determined whether a button has been pressed and released. In response to the button being pressed and released, method 500 may proceed to block 540. In response to the button not being pressed and not being released, method 500 may proceed to block 514.

[0095] In block 514, it can be determined whether the first timer has expired. In response to the first timer having expired, method 500 can proceed to block 502. In response to the first timer not having expired, method 500 can proceed to block 510. The first timer can start in response to the dental treatment device exiting sleep mode in block 506.

[0096] In block 516, it can be determined whether the movement of the dental treatment device is a first movement. In response to the movement of the dental treatment device being a first movement, method 500 can proceed to block 518. In response to the movement of the dental treatment device not being a first movement, method 500 can proceed to block 528. For example, it can be determined whether the movement of the dental treatment device is a first movement that follows a first path such as the first path 220 in FIG. 2.

[0097] In block 518, it can be determined whether the dental treatment device is emitting light. In response to the dental treatment device emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 520. In response to the dental treatment device not emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 522. In block 520, the dental treatment device can stop emitting light.

[0098] In block 522, it can be determined whether the current operating mode is a mode of a first operating function. In response to the current operating mode being a mode of a first operating function, method 500 can proceed to block 524. In response to the current operating mode not being a mode of a first operating function, method 500 can proceed to block 526. For example, the current operating mode can be a mode of a second operating function.

[0099] In block 524, the current operating mode of the dental treatment device can be changed to another mode of the first operating function. For example, if the current operating mode is the first mode of the first function, the current operating mode can be changed to the second mode of the first function.

[0100] In block 526, the current operating mode of the dental treatment device can be changed from a second operating function to a first mode of the first operating function. In block 528, it can be determined whether the movement of the dental treatment device is a second movement. In response to the movement of the dental treatment device being a second movement, method 500 can proceed to block 530. For example, it can be determined whether the movement of the dental treatment device is a second movement that follows a second path, such as the second path 230 of FIG. 2. In response to the movement of the dental treatment device not being a second movement, method 500 can proceed to block 510. For example, if the movement is neither a first movement nor a second movement, the movement of the device may not be associated with a specific movement corresponding to a user input for changing a function or operating mode and / or for stopping the emission of light.

[0101] In block 530, it can be determined whether the dental treatment device is emitting light. In response to the dental treatment device emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 566. In response to the dental treatment device not emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 532.

[0102] In block 566, it can be determined whether the current operating mode is a mode of the first operating function. In response to the current operating mode being a mode of the first operating function, method 500 can proceed to block 568. In block 568, the dental treatment device can stop emitting light. In response to the current operating mode not being a mode of the first operating function, method 500 can proceed to block 510. For example, the current operating mode can be a mode of the second operating function. Thus, when the current operating mode is a mode of the second operating function and movement is detected while light is being emitted, that movement may not change the state of the dental treatment device. Thus, the dental treatment device may not change its state in response to movement (otherwise, if the dental treatment device is not emitting light, the state of the dental treatment device would change).

[0103] In block 532, it can be determined whether the current operation mode is the mode of the second operation function. In response to the current operation mode being the mode of the second operation function, method 500 can proceed to block 534. In response to the current operation mode not being the mode of the second operation function, method 500 can proceed to block 536. For example, the current operation mode can be the mode of the first operation function.

[0104] In block 534, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed to another mode of the second operation function. For example, if the current operation mode is the first mode of the second function, the current operation mode can be changed to the second mode of the second function.

[0105] In block 536, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed from the first operation function to the first mode of the second operation function. In block 540, it can be determined whether the dental treatment device is emitting light. In response to the dental treatment device emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 542. In block 542, the dental treatment device can stop emitting light. In response to the dental treatment device not emitting light, method 500 can proceed to block 544.

[0106] In block 544, it can be determined whether the first button and the second button are pressed and released together. In response to the first button and the second button being pressed and released together, method 500 can proceed to block 546. In response to the first button and the second button not being pressed and released together, method 500 can continue at block 550.

[0107] In block 546, it can be determined whether the time during which the first button and the second button have been pressed is longer than a first threshold. In response to that time being longer than the first threshold, method 500 can proceed to block 502 and enter the sleep mode. In response to that time not being longer than the first threshold, method 500 can proceed to block 548.

[0108] In block 548, the dental treatment device can start emitting light according to the current operation mode. In block 550, it can be determined whether the time during which the button has been pressed is longer than a second threshold. In response to that time being longer than the second threshold, method 500 can proceed to block 522. In response to that time not being longer than the second threshold, method 500 can proceed to block 548. The second threshold may be shorter than the first threshold described with respect to block 546. The determination in 550 can determine whether either the first or the second button has been pressed for a time less than the second threshold. By pressing either the first or the second button for a time less than the second threshold, in block 548, the dental treatment device can be made to start emitting light.

[0109] In block 552, it can be determined whether the first button has been pressed and released. In response to the first button having been pressed and released, method 500 can proceed to block 554. In response to the first button not having been pressed and released, method 500 can proceed to block 560. The determination that the first button has not been pressed and released indicates that the second button has been pressed and released, because it has been previously determined that one of the first button and the second button has been pressed and released, and if the first button has not been pressed and released, then the second button has been pressed and released.

[0110] In block 554, it can be determined whether the current operation mode is the mode of the first operation function. In response to the current operation mode being the mode of the first operation function, method 500 can proceed to block 556. In response to the current operation mode not being the mode of the first operation function, that is, the current mode being the mode of the second function, method 500 can proceed to block 558.

[0111] In block 556, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed to another mode of the first operation function. In block 558, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed from the second operation function to the first mode of the first operation function.

[0112] In block 560, it can be determined whether the current operation mode is the mode of the second operation function. In response to the current operation mode being the mode of the second operation function, method 500 can proceed to block 562. In response to the current operation mode not being the mode of the second operation function, that is, the current mode being the mode of the first function, method 500 can proceed to block 564.

[0113] In block 562, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed to another mode of the second operation function. In block 564, the current operation mode of the dental treatment device can be changed from the mode of the first operation function to the first mode of the second operation function.

[0114] It is understood that for this process, operation, and method disclosed herein, as well as other processes, operations, and methods, the functions and / or operations performed may be implemented in a different order. Further, the functions and operations outlined are provided by way of example only, and some of the functions and operations may be optional, may be combined to result in fewer functions and operations, or may be extended to additional functions and operations, without departing from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0115] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary operating method 600 of a dental treatment device. The method 600 may be configured according to at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. One or more operations of the method 600 may, in some embodiments, be performed by a device, a combination of devices, or a system such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 or the dental treatment device 300 of FIG. 3 or another device. In these and other embodiments, the method 600 may be performed based on the execution of instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Although various blocks are shown as separate blocks, depending on the desired implementation, they may be further divided into more blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or removed.

[0116] The method 600 may start at block 602, where a first user input may be obtained at the dental treatment device. At block 604, in response to the first user input, light may be emitted by the dental treatment device according to a first function among a plurality of operating functions of the dental treatment device. The light emitted by the dental treatment device may be different for each of the plurality of operating functions, and the plurality of operating functions may be configured for the dental treatment of a patient using the dental treatment device.

[0117] At block 606, a movement signal representing the movement of the dental treatment device may be obtained. At block 608, based on the movement signal, a first movement of the dental treatment device may be determined. In some embodiments, the first movement may be a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the earth's gravity.

[0118] At block 610, instead of changing the operating function of the dental treatment device in response to the first movement of the dental treatment device when the dental treatment device is not emitting light, the emission of light may be stopped by the dental treatment device in response to the first movement when the dental treatment device is emitting light. In these and other embodiments, when the first function is selected, the emission of light may be stopped at the first exposure time.

[0119] It is understood that for this process, operation, and method disclosed in this specification, as well as other processes, operations, and methods, the functions and / or operations to be executed may be implemented in a different order. Further, the functions and operations outlined are provided by way of example only, and some of the functions and operations may be optional, may be combined to result in fewer functions and operations, or may be extended to additional functions and operations, without departing from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0120] For example, in some embodiments, method 600 may further include obtaining a second movement signal representing a second movement of the dental treatment device and determining the second movement of the dental treatment device based on the second movement signal. Instead of stopping the emission of light by the dental treatment device when the dental treatment device is emitting light, method 600 may further include selecting a second operating function among a plurality of operating functions in response to the second movement of the dental treatment device when the dental treatment device is not emitting light.

[0121] In some embodiments, the second movement may be in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the earth's gravity. As another example, method 600 may further include obtaining a second movement signal representing a second movement of the dental treatment device after a first exposure time and determining the second movement of the dental treatment device based on the second movement signal. Method 600 may also include obtaining a second user input at the dental treatment device and causing the dental treatment device to emit light according to the second operating function in response to the second movement and the second user input of the dental treatment device.

[0122] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 700 of operation of a dental treatment device. Method 700 may be configured in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. One or more operations of method 700 may, in some embodiments, be performed by a device, a combination of devices, or a system such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 or the dental treatment device 300 of FIG. 3 or another device. In these and other embodiments, method 700 may be performed based on the execution of instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Although various blocks are shown as separate blocks, depending on the desired implementation, they may be further divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or removed.

[0123] Generally, method 700 may be used to detect movement of a dental treatment device. The movement of the dental treatment device may be used to control the dental treatment device. For example, the movement detected by method 700 may be used in method 500 of FIGS. 5A-5F. As an example, method 700 may be performed at block 510 of method 500 and may be used to detect movement corresponding to a particular movement associated with user input to the dental treatment device. The particular type of movement output by method 700 may be used at blocks 516 and 528 of method 500 that take into account the type of movement detected.

[0124] In these and other embodiments, examples of movement by a user can include tapping or swaying as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, respectively. Method 700 can determine whether the movement by the user includes criteria sufficient to enable the movement by the user to be recorded as a user input. For example, the user input can be a single downward tap as shown in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, a single downward tap may include criteria sufficient to enable the movement by the user to be recorded as a user input based on a minimum acceleration and a minimum deceleration within a particular time frame. Using method 700, it can be determined whether a minimum acceleration and a minimum deceleration occur within a particular time frame in the movement of the tap to enable the movement by the user to be recorded as a user input.

[0125] Method 700 can begin at block 702, where a force signal can be monitored. The force signal can be monitored by a processor of a dental treatment device, such as processor 310 of FIG. 3. The force signal can be obtained by the processor from a sensor within the dental treatment device, such as first sensor 352 or second sensor 354. The force signal can indicate a force applied to the dental treatment device. The force can be applied to the dental treatment device based on movement of the dental treatment device. For example, based on the acceleration of the dental treatment device and based on the mass of the dental treatment device, a force can be applied to the dental treatment device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the force signal may include a plurality of force signals. Each of the plurality of force signals may correspond to a different sensing axis of the sensor generating the force signal. For example, the sensor may have three sensing axes. In these and other embodiments, those sensing axes may correspond to three orthogonal planes such as the x, y, and z planes of a Cartesian coordinate system. In these and other embodiments, the force signals may be acquired simultaneously for each of the three axes. Thus, the force signal may include an x-axis force signal, a y-axis force signal, and a z-axis force signal. For example, the force signal shown in FIG. 2D may be an example of an acquired force signal. In these and other embodiments, the force signal may be data that is continuously output by the sensor and continuously monitored by the processor with respect to a threshold of the force signal.

[0127] In block 704, it may be determined whether one or more of the force signals have a magnitude greater than a first magnitude threshold. In response to one of the force signals having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold, method 700 may proceed to block 706. In response to there being no force signal having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold, method 700 may proceed to block 702 and the force signal may continue to be monitored. As an example, block 704 may be used to determine whether the movement of the dental treatment device indicated by the force signal meets the minimum acceleration of a single downward tap recorded as a user input.

[0128] In these and other embodiments, in block 704, it may also be determined whether a force signal having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold has a positive force indicating acceleration rather than deceleration of the dental treatment device. In these and other embodiments, if the force signal indicates deceleration of the dental treatment device, the method may proceed to block 702 and the force signal may continue to be monitored.

[0129] In block 706, it can be determined whether two or more of the force signals have a magnitude greater than a first magnitude threshold. In response to two or more of the force signals having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold, method 700 can proceed to block 710. In response to only one of the force signals having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold, method 700 can proceed to block 708.

[0130] In block 708, a force signal having a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold can be designated as the selected force signal, and the sensing axis of the selected force signal can be recorded as the current movement axis. The current movement axis can indicate the sensing axis along which movement of the dental treatment device can be detected. For example, if the current movement axis is the y-axis, movement along the first path 220 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, i.e., movement in the y-plane such as a tap operation, can be detected by method 700.

[0131] In block 710, the force signal having the greatest magnitude among the force signals can be designated as the selected force signal, and the sensing axis of the selected force signal can be recorded as the current movement axis. Thus, if two or more force signals have a magnitude greater than the first magnitude threshold, the force signal with the greatest magnitude can become the selected force signal, and the sensing axis of the selected force signal can be recorded as the current movement axis. For example, when the user moves the dental treatment device laterally, both the x-axis force signal and the y-axis force signal may become greater than the threshold. In these and other embodiments, the x-axis force signal can correspond to a shaking movement, and the y-axis force signal can correspond to a tap movement. Since the two force signals correspond to different movements, only one of the force signals can be selected to determine whether a movement associated with the force signal is occurring. In these and other embodiments, the force signal that is the greatest can be selected.

[0132] In block 712, the selected force signal can continue to be monitored. Other force signals may not continue to be monitored with respect to blocks 714, 716, 718, and 720 of method 700. In these and other embodiments, only the selected force signal is monitored to determine whether the current movement along the sensing axis of the selected force signal includes characteristics corresponding to a particular movement associated with a user input to the dental treatment device. In short, when the user starts a movement along the sensing axis of the selected force signal that includes one or more, but not all, of the characteristics of a particular movement once associated with a user input, method 700 ignores other movements of the dental treatment device and determines whether the user has completed generating a movement having all of the characteristics of the particular movement associated with the user input.

[0133] As an example, the movement associated with the user input can be a tapping movement as shown in FIG. 2B in the y-axis plane. That the first magnitude threshold is satisfied by the force signal can indicate that the user has started moving the dental treatment device with sufficient acceleration to satisfy the first magnitude threshold. The higher the first magnitude threshold, the more the user needs to accelerate the dental treatment device in the y-axis plane to include the characteristics corresponding to the tapping movement associated with the user input in the movement. After the user starts a tapping movement in the y-axis plane, other movements outside the y-axis plane may not result in a complete tapping movement that includes the characteristics corresponding to the tapping movement associated with the user input. As a result, method 700 does not consider other movements outside the y-axis plane until it can be determined whether the started tapping movement includes all or none of the characteristics corresponding to the tapping movement associated with the user input.

[0134] In block 714, it can be determined whether the selected force signal has a magnitude greater than a second magnitude threshold and is opposite to the force used in block 704. The determination made in block 714 may occur at a time after the determination is made in block 704. In response to the selected force signal having a magnitude greater than the second magnitude threshold and being opposite to the force, method 700 may proceed to block 716. In response to the selected force signal not having a magnitude greater than the second magnitude threshold and / or not being opposite to the force, method 700 may proceed to block 702 and the force signal may continue to be monitored.

[0135] In these and other embodiments, for the selected force signal to be opposite to the force signal being monitored at block 702 may indicate that the force is the result of a movement opposite to the movement occurring at block 702. For example, deceleration at block 712 may result in an opposite force to the acceleration at block 702. As another example, FIG. 2D shows a first force signal 280 having a first force at a first time and a second force opposite to the first force at a second time after the first time. For example, the first peak 282 of the first force signal 280 may be used to satisfy a first magnitude threshold in block 704, and the second peak 284 of the first force signal 280 may be used to satisfy a second magnitude threshold in block 714.

[0136] As an example, with respect to FIG. 2B, the user may move the dental treatment device 250 starting from the top position, accelerating and moving towards the bottom position. The force caused by the acceleration of the movement from the top position can be compared with a first magnitude threshold at block 704. As the dental treatment device 250 approaches the lower position, the user may decelerate the dental treatment device 250 and stop the dental treatment device 250 at the bottom position. The force caused by the deceleration to stop at the bottom position can be compared with a second magnitude threshold at block 714. Note that the force caused by the deceleration is opposite to the force caused by the acceleration. Thus, the movement of the dental treatment device 250 in a single direction can be recognized by the dental treatment device 250 as a user input. Therefore, the dental treatment device 250 may not need to move in a first direction and a second direction such as back and forth movement in order to be recognized by the dental treatment device 250 as a user input.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second magnitude threshold may be the same as the first magnitude threshold. For example, the tap movement associated with the user input may include the characteristic that the user accelerates at least at the first speed and then the user decelerates at least at the first speed. Alternatively or additionally, the second magnitude threshold may be different from the first magnitude threshold. For example, the second magnitude threshold may be greater than or less than the first magnitude threshold, which indicates that the user may decelerate faster or slower in order to cause the movement associated with the user input.

[0138] At block 716, it can be determined whether the time difference between the time when the first magnitude threshold is satisfied and the time when the second magnitude threshold is satisfied is less than a time threshold. In response to the time difference being less than the time threshold, method 700 may proceed to block 718. In response to the time difference not being less than the time threshold, method 700 may proceed to block 702 and the force signal may continue to be monitored.

[0139] The time threshold can determine the length of time of movement between the acceleration phase of movement and the deceleration phase of movement, as proven by the first size threshold and the second size threshold being satisfied. For example, a larger time threshold can enable smaller or larger movements, such as a tap with an arc length between 7.6 cm and 91 cm (3 inches and 36 inches), to be determined as user input. In contrast, a smaller time threshold can enable smaller movements, such as a tap with an arc length between 7.6 cm and 15 cm (3 inches and 6 inches), to be determined as user input. In these and other embodiments, the time threshold can be based on the first size threshold and the second size threshold.

[0140] In block 718, it can be determined whether the current axis of movement corresponds to the axis of movement associated with the user input to the dental treatment device. In response to the current axis of movement corresponding to the axis of movement associated with the user input, method 700 can proceed to block 720. In response to the current axis of movement not corresponding to the axis of movement associated with the user input, method 700 can proceed to block 702, and the force signal can continue to be monitored.

[0141] For example, the current axis of movement can be the x-axis. The wag shown in FIG. 2C can be movement along the x-axis. Since the current axis of movement corresponds to the axis of movement of the user input, it can be determined that the movement detected by method 700 corresponds to the user input. As another example, the current axis of movement can be the z-axis. It is also possible that the movement corresponding to the user input does not occur along the z-axis. As a result, it can be determined that the movement detected by method 700 does not correspond to the user input.

[0142] In block 720, a display of movement associated with user input may be output. For example, method 700 may determine that the dental treatment device has moved with a tapping motion as shown in FIG. 2B. In steps 516 and 528 of FIG. 5, a display of user input may be provided and used to cause a change in the light emitted by the light emitting device of the dental treatment device, for example, to control the device. After a movement associated with user input is determined, method 700 may return to block 702 and continue to monitor for further user input.

[0143] It is understood that for this process, operation, and method disclosed herein, and for other processes, operations, and methods, the functions and / or operations performed may be implemented in a different order. Further, the functions and operations outlined are provided by way of example only, and some of the functions and operations may be optional and may be combined or extended to fewer functions and operations or additional functions and operations without departing from the essence of the disclosed embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, block 718 may be between blocks 708 and 712 and between blocks 710 and 712. In these and other embodiments, if the current axis of movement does not correspond to the movement corresponding to the user input, method 700 may proceed to block 702 and blocks 712, 714, and 716 may not occur.

[0144] Note that method 700 can help reduce the likelihood that unwanted or unintentional movement will cause a change in the light emitted by the light emitting device of a dental treatment device. Reducing the likelihood that unwanted movement will cause a change in the light emitted by the light emitting device can be a safety feature of the dental treatment device. For example, without the criteria of FIG. 7, if the dental treatment device were to fall, the movement of the fall could cause the light emitting device to emit light, and that light could potentially be directed at the user's eyes. However, using the criteria of FIG. 7, the first size threshold, the second size threshold, and the time threshold can be set so that the light emitting device does not emit light even if the dental treatment device falls. For example, the first size threshold may be set higher than the force generated by gravity, and the time threshold may be set short enough so that a fall over 15 cm (6 inches) has a large time difference between the acceleration phase and the deceleration phase that is greater than the time threshold. Further, meeting the criteria may enable a change in mode (such as the type or pattern of light emitted), or may result in the cessation of light emission, while as another safety feature, another separate action, such as pressing a button, may be required to cause the dental treatment device to emit light.

[0145] Alternatively or additionally, the criteria of FIG. 7 may further reduce the likelihood that unwanted movement will cause a change in the light emitted by the dental treatment device. For example, the first size threshold, the second size threshold, and the time threshold may be set such that movement of the dental treatment device during normal dental activity will not cause a change in the light emitted by the dental treatment device. Rather, only unnatural dental treatment movement may cause a change in the light emitted by the dental treatment device. Thus, the criteria of FIG. 7 may reduce the likelihood that the movement of the user of the dental treatment device will unintentionally cause a change in the light emitted by the dental treatment device. Thus, the first size threshold, the second size threshold, and the time threshold may be set such that only intentional movement of the user outside of normal dental treatment movement will cause a change in the light emitted by the dental treatment device. In these and other embodiments, the first size threshold, the second size threshold, and the time threshold may be set such that they can be moved by an average adult.

[0146] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 800 of operation of a dental treatment device. Method 800 may be configured in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the present disclosure. One or more operations of method 800 may be performed by a device, a combination of devices, or a system such as the dental treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 or the dental treatment device 300 of FIG. 3 or another device in some embodiments. In these and other embodiments, method 800 may be performed based on the execution of instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Although the various blocks are shown as separate blocks, they may be further divided, combined into fewer blocks, or removed, depending on the desired implementation.

[0147] Method 800 may begin at block 802, where a first force applied to a dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a first force threshold may be detected using a force signal representative of movement of the dental treatment device. At block 804, the force signal may be used to detect a second force applied to the dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a second force threshold.

[0148] At block 806, movement of the dental treatment device may be detected in response to the second force being opposite the first force. In some embodiments, movement of the dental treatment device may be further detected in response to both the first force and the second force occurring along the same sensing axis of the sensor. Alternatively or additionally, movement of the dental treatment device may be further detected in response to a time difference between the occurrence of the first force and the occurrence of the second force satisfying a time threshold. Alternatively or additionally, movement of the dental treatment device may be further detected in response to the sensing axes along which the first force and the second force occur corresponding to the movement. In these and other embodiments, movement may not be detected for the first force and the second force occurring along a second sensing axis of the sensor that does not correspond to the movement.

[0149] At block 808, a change in a light emitting device of the dental treatment device may occur in response to the detected movement. It is understood that for this and other processes, operations, and methods disclosed herein, the functions and / or operations performed may be implemented in a different order. Further, the functions and operations outlined are provided by way of example only, and some of the functions and operations may be optional and may be combined in ways that deviate from the essence of the disclosed embodiments to result in fewer functions and operations, or may be extended to additional functions and operations.

[0150] For example, in some embodiments, method 800 may further include using a force signal to detect a third force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than a first force threshold, and using the force signal to detect a fourth force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than a second force threshold. Method 800 may further include detecting a second movement of the dental treatment device that is different from the movement of the dental treatment device in response to the fourth force being opposite the third force and both the fourth force and the third force occurring along a second sensing axis of the sensor. Method 800 may also further include instructing a second change to the light emitting device that is different from the change to the light emitting device in response to the detected movement.

[0151] As another example, in method 800, the first force and the second force may occur along a first sensing axis of the sensor. In these and other embodiments, method 800 may further include using a force signal to detect a third force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than a first force threshold, and selecting the first force as a first conditional force in response to the first force being greater than the third force. Method 800 may also further include using a force signal to detect a fifth force occurring on a second sensing axis of the sensor that is applied to the dental treatment device and is greater than a second force threshold, and selecting the second force as a second conditional force in response to the second force occurring on the same sensing axis of the sensor as the first conditional force instead of selecting the fifth force occurring on a different sensing axis of the sensor. Method 800 may further include comparing the direction of the first conditional force to the direction of the second conditional force. In these and other embodiments, movement of the dental treatment device may be detected in response to the direction of the first conditional force being opposite the direction of the second conditional force.

[0152] As described above, the embodiments described in this specification may include the use of a special-purpose or general-purpose computer (e.g., the processor 310 in FIG. 3) that includes various computer hardware or software modules, as will be described in more detail below. Further, as described above, the embodiments described herein may be implemented using a computer-readable medium (e.g., the memory 320 in FIG. 3) for hosting or holding computer-executable instructions or data structures stored therein.

[0153] In some embodiments, the different components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processes (e.g., as separate threads) running on a computing system. Some of the systems and methods described herein are generally described as being implemented by software (stored in and / or executed by general-purpose hardware), but specific hardware implementations, or combinations of software implementations and specific hardware implementations, are also possible and contemplated.

[0154] In accordance with common practice, the various features shown in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. The figures presented in this disclosure are not intended to be actual diagrams of any particular apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations used to illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity. Further, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Accordingly, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or all of the operations of a particular method.

[0155] The terms used in this specification and in particular in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims) are generally intended to be open terms (e.g., the term "including" should be construed as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be construed as "having at least", the term "includes" should be construed as "includes but is not limited to", etc.).

[0156] Furthermore, if a specific number of introduced claim limitations is intended, such intent is explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of an explicit recitation, such intent does not exist. For example, for purposes of illustration, the following appended claims may include the use of introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim limitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that a claim limitation introduced by an indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim limitation to embodiments containing only one such limitation (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should be construed as "at least one" or "one or more"), and the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim limitations.

[0157] In addition, even if a specific number of introduced claim limitations are explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitations mean at least the recited number (e.g., a mere recitation of "two recitations" without other modifiers means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Further, when notations similar to "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" are used, generally, such a configuration is intended to include only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C, etc. For example, the use of the term "and / or" is intended to be interpreted in this way.

[0158] Furthermore, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, the claims, or the drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of those terms, any of those terms, or both of those terms. For example, "A or B" should be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B", or "A and B".

[0159] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. is not necessarily used in this specification to imply a particular order or number of elements. Generally, terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. are used as general identifiers to distinguish different elements. Unless it is indicated that terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. imply a particular order, these terms should not be understood to imply a particular order. Furthermore, unless it is indicated that terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. imply a particular number of elements, these terms should not be understood to imply a particular number of elements. For example, the first widget may be described as having a first side, and the second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term "second side" with respect to the second widget is for the purpose of distinguishing such a side of the second widget from the "first side" of the first widget, and does not imply that the second widget has two sides.

[0160] All examples and conditional language described herein are intended for educational purposes to assist the reader in understanding the present invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to the development of the art, and should be construed as not being limited to such specifically described examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dental treatment device, a light emitting device configured to emit light based on a selected function among a plurality of functions including a curing function and a diagnostic function for dental treatment of a patient and a selected operation mode for the selected function, each of the plurality of functions including a plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes being different based on at least one of wavelength of light, intensity of light, and light emission duration such that the light emitted by the light emitting device is different for each of the plurality of operation modes for each of the plurality of functions; a sensor configured to output a force signal representing movement of the dental treatment device; at least one processor communicably coupled to the light emitting device and the sensor, wherein the processor uses the force signal to detect a first force applied to the dental treatment device at a magnitude greater than a first force threshold; uses the force signal to detect a second force applied to the dental treatment device at a magnitude greater than a second force threshold; in response to the direction of the second force being opposite to the direction of the first force on the same sensing axis of the sensor, determines a first movement of the dental treatment device, the first movement including a sway of the dental treatment device in a direction substantially parallel to the ground; in response to the first movement and the light emitting device not emitting light, selects one mode among a plurality of first modes of the diagnostic function among the plurality of functions; is configured to, in response to the first movement and the light emitting device emitting light, instruct the light emitting device to stop emitting light; determines a second movement of the dental treatment device based on the force signal, the second movement including a tap of the dental treatment device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground; in response to the second movement and the light emitting device emitting light for the diagnostic function among the plurality of functions, instructs the light emitting device to stop emitting light; enables the light emitting device to continue emitting light in response to the second movement and the light emitting device emitting light for the curing function among the plurality of functions. A dental treatment device configured to select one of a plurality of second modes of the curing function among the plurality of functions in response to the second movement and the fact that the light emitting device is not emitting light.

2. A first button configured to output a first signal in response to user interaction using the first button, the user interaction including pressing and releasing the first button, and the first button; A second button configured to output a second signal in response to user interaction using the second button, the user interaction including pressing and releasing the second button, and further comprising the second button; The processor is communicatively coupled to the first button and the second button; The processor further: Compares the duration of the first signal with a first threshold; In response to the light emitting device emitting light and any duration of the first signal, instructs the light emitting device to stop emitting light; In response to the light emitting device not emitting light and the duration of the first signal being less than the first threshold, instructs the light emitting device to emit light; In response to the light emitting device not emitting light and the duration of the first signal being greater than or equal to the first threshold, is configured to select one of the plurality of first modes of the diagnostic function; Compares the duration of the second signal with a second threshold; In response to the light emitting device emitting light and any duration of the second signal, instructs the light emitting device to stop emitting light; In response to the light emitting device not emitting light and the duration of the second signal being less than the second threshold, instructs the light emitting device to emit light; In response to the light emitting device not emitting light and the duration of the second signal being greater than or equal to the second threshold, is configured to select one of the plurality of second modes of the curing function; The dental treatment device according to claim 1.

3. The processor: When the diagnostic function is selected, instructs the light emitting device to stop emitting light after a first exposure time; The dental treatment device according to claim 2, further configured to instruct the light emitting device to stop emitting light after a second exposure time when the hardening function is selected.

4. The dental treatment device according to claim 3, wherein the second exposure time is greater than the first exposure time.

5. A dental treatment device, A light emitting device configured to emit light according to a selected function among a plurality of operating functions, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting device is different for each of the plurality of operating functions, and the plurality of operating functions are configured for dental treatment of a patient, a light emitting device; A sensor configured to output a force signal representing movement of the dental treatment device; At least one processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the light emitting device, comprising: The processor is configured to execute an operation, The operation is Detecting a first force applied to the dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a first force threshold using the force signal; Detecting a second force applied to the dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a second force threshold using the force signal; Determining a first movement of the dental treatment device in response to the direction of the second force being opposite to the direction of the first force on the same sensing axis of the sensor, wherein the first movement is a tap or shake of the dental treatment device; In response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device not emitting light, instructing a change in the operating function of the light emitting device; In response to the first movement of the dental treatment device and in response to the light emitting device emitting light, instructing the light emitting device to stop emitting light, a dental treatment device.

6. The dental treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to instruct the broadcast of a sound whose pitch changes in response to the stop of light emission.

7. The dental treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to instruct a change in illumination of a visual indicator in response to the stop of light emission.

8. The processor is Determining a second movement perpendicular to the first movement of the dental treatment device based on the force signal, In response to the second movement of the dental treatment device and the light emission device not emitting light, select the curing function among the plurality of operating functions, In response to the second movement of the dental treatment device and the light emission device emitting light with respect to the diagnostic function, instruct the light emission device to stop emitting light, The dental treatment device according to claim 5, further configured to enable the light emission device to continue emitting light in response to the second movement of the dental treatment device and the light emission device emitting light with respect to the curing function.

9. The dental treatment device according to claim 8, wherein the second movement is in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the earth's gravity, and the first movement is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the earth's gravity.

10. The processor is When the diagnostic function is selected, instruct the light emission device to stop emitting light at a first exposure time, The dental treatment device according to claim 5, further configured to instruct the light emission device to stop emitting light at a second exposure time when the curing function is selected.

11. The dental treatment device according to claim 10, wherein the second exposure time is longer than the first exposure time.

12. A dental treatment device, A light emission device configured to emit light, A sensor configured to output a force signal representing the movement of the dental treatment device, At least one processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the light emission device, comprising: The processor is configured to execute an operation, The operation is Using the force signal to detect a first force applied to the dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a first force threshold, Using the force signal to detect a second force applied to the dental treatment device with a magnitude greater than a second force threshold, Detecting the movement of the dental treatment device in response to the direction of the second force being opposite to the direction of the first force on the same sensing axis of the sensor, wherein the movement is a tap or shake of the dental treatment device, A dental treatment device including instructing a change of the light emission device in response to the detected movement.

13. The dental treatment device according to claim 12, wherein the movement of the dental treatment device is detected in further response to a time difference between the generation of the first force and the generation of the second force satisfying a time threshold.

14. The movement of the dental treatment device is detected in further response to the sensing axis on which the first force and the second force occur corresponding to the movement, and the movement is not detected by the first force and the second force occurring on a second sensing axis of the sensor that does not correspond to the movement. The dental treatment device according to claim 13.

15. The operation is using the force signal to detect a third force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than the first force threshold; using the force signal to detect a fourth force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than the second force threshold; detecting a second movement of the dental treatment device that is different from the movement of the dental treatment device in response to the fourth force being opposite to the third force and both the fourth force and the third force occurring on the second sensing axis of the sensor; The dental treatment device according to claim 14, further comprising instructing a second change of the light emitting device that is different from the change of the light emitting device in response to the detected movement.

16. The first force and the second force occur on a first sensing axis of the sensor, and the operation is using the force signal to detect a third force applied to the dental treatment device that is greater than the first force threshold; selecting the first force as a first conditional force in response to the first force being greater than the third force; using the force signal to detect a fifth force occurring on the second sensing axis of the sensor, the fifth force being applied to the dental treatment device and being greater than the second force threshold; selecting the second force as a second conditional force in response to the second force occurring on the same sensing axis of the sensor as the first conditional force instead of selecting the fifth force occurring on a different sensing axis of the sensor. Comparing the direction of the first conditional force with the direction of the second conditional force, and detecting the movement of the dental treatment device in response to the direction of the first conditional force being opposite to the direction of the second conditional force, the dental treatment device according to claim 12, further comprising comparing.

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