Oral care device and oral care method

Abstract

An oral care device according to the present invention comprises a body part (10) and a fixing member (11a). The body part (10) has an imaging device which is provided to an extreme end (head part (10a)) that is one end of the body part (10) and which includes an imaging part (imaging optical system (12)) that captures an image including a care site and reflected light and fluorescence from the care site. The fixing member (11a) can be changed between a first state where the fixing member (11a) covers the extreme end by being connected to the extreme end, at least a portion of which that corresponds to the imaging device is covered with a transparent cover (99), and a second state where the fixing member (11a) is separate from the body part (10). An opening (11v) is provided to a portion of the fixing member (11a) that corresponds to the imaging device in the first state. A recessed part (11t) is provided to an inner surface of the fixing member (11a) that faces to a surface of the extreme end in the first state. A protruding part (10d) which fits in the recessed part (11t) with the cover (99) therebetween is formed on the extreme end.

Description

Oral care device and method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an oral care device and a method for using the oral care device.

[0002] Images obtained by photographing the oral cavity have been used for oral care, and various oral cameras have been developed for such applications. On the other hand, oral cameras tend to be relatively expensive, and when assuming consumer-use ones, it is required to be shareable within a community such as each household. Therefore, it is conceivable to use the main body of the oral camera in common and provide a cover for the insertion part into the oral cavity. Although not an oral camera, as a cover for an intraoral measurement device, for example, a cover for an intraoral measurement device shown in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-51968

[0004] However, since the cover also tends to become unhygienic, it is desirable to discard the cover itself at a certain cycle (for example, every time it is used). From such a perspective, the oral care device using the conventional cover was not appropriately configured. In view of this, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a more appropriately configured oral care device.

[0005] An oral care device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an oral care device including a main body part and a fixing member. The main body part has a light source provided at a tip part which is one end part of the main body part and emits light of a predetermined wavelength to which dental plaque reacts toward a care site, and an imaging unit that images the care site and an image including reflected light and fluorescence from the care site. The fixing member is configured to be able to change between a first state in which the tip part is covered by being coupled to the tip part in a state where a cover with at least a portion corresponding to the imaging device being transparent is put on, and a second state in which it is separated from the main body part. In the first state, an opening is provided at a portion corresponding to the imaging device. In the first state, a recess is provided on an inner surface facing the surface of the tip part, and a convex part that fits into the recess through the cover is formed at the tip part.

[0006] Furthermore, a method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for fixing a fixing member to a main body in an oral care device comprising a main body and a fixing member, wherein the main body has a photographic device including a light source provided at one end of the main body, which emits light of a predetermined wavelength that reacts with plaque toward a care area, and a photographic unit that photographs the care area and an image including reflected light and fluorescence from the care area, and the fixing member covers the tip by being coupled to the tip, at least in a state where a transparent cover is placed over the portion corresponding to the photographic device, in a first state The device is configured to be switchable between a first state and a second state in which it is separated from the main body, and in the first state, an opening is provided at a location corresponding to the imaging device, and in the first state, a recess is provided on the surface facing the surface of the tip, and in the first state, a protrusion is formed on the tip at a position that fits into the recess, and the method involves placing the cover over the tip, and then changing the fixing member from the second state to the first state with respect to the tip with the cover on, thereby fitting the protrusion into the recess through the cover and fixing it.

[0007] This disclosure can provide more appropriately configured oral care devices.

[0008] Figure 1 is an external view of the main body of the oral care system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the head portion according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the head portion according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is an external view when the fixing member according to the embodiment is attached to the main body. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the fixing flow of the fixing member according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is an external view when the fixing member according to another example of the embodiment is attached to the main body. Figure 7 is an external view when the fixing member according to yet another example of the embodiment is attached to the main body. Figure 8 is an external view when the fixing member according to yet another example of the embodiment is attached to the main body. Figure 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the oral care system according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of image data according to the embodiment.

[0009] In order to allow the cover to be discarded after a certain cycle (for example, after each use), an inexpensive cover needs to be used. Moreover, since the cover covers the imaging device for intraoral imaging, at least the part corresponding to the imaging device needs to be transparent so that images can be taken through the cover. For this reason, a flexible bag-like material made of transparent vinyl or similar material would be suitable as the cover. On the other hand, if the cover is a flexible bag-like material, one problem arises in that the cover covers the imaging device. That is, the cover may form wrinkles or other defects in front of the imaging device, which may negatively affect image acquisition. Therefore, we provide an oral care device that uses a fixing member fixed to the main body together with the cover to suppress the formation of wrinkles or other defects in the cover in front of the imaging device.

[0010] An oral care device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an oral care device comprising a main body and a fixing member, the main body having a photographic device provided at the tip, which is one end of the main body, which includes a light source that emits light of a predetermined wavelength that plaque reacts to toward the care site, and a photographic unit that photographs the care site and an image including reflected light and fluorescence from the care site, the fixing member is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the tip is covered by a transparent cover at least at the portion corresponding to the photographic device and a second state in which it is separated from the main body, the first state having an opening at the portion corresponding to the photographic device and a recess on the inner surface facing the surface of the tip, and the tip having a protrusion that fits into the recess through the cover.

[0011] According to this design, the oral care device holds the cover between its convex and concave portions, and a pulling force acts on the cover towards the positions where the convex and concave portions are formed. In other words, by pulling the cover with the convex and concave portions, wrinkles that may form on the cover in front of the imaging device can be suppressed. Therefore, even while using an inexpensive cover, the oral care device can be configured more appropriately to suppress the impact of the cover on the imaging device.

[0012] For example, the oral care device according to the second embodiment is the oral care device described in the first embodiment, wherein the protrusion is provided on the surface of the tip facing away from the imaging device.

[0013] According to this, the oral care device can hold the cover between a protrusion on the surface of the tip facing away from the imaging device and a recess in the fixing member.

[0014] For example, the oral care device according to the third embodiment is the oral care device described in the first or second embodiment, wherein the fixing member has a recessed space from the inner surface, and in the first state, a space capable of accommodating a part of the cover is provided on the tip end side of the tip.

[0015] According to this, if a portion of the cover of the oral care device is left over at the very tip of the device, the influence of the cover on the imaging device can be further suppressed by accommodating that portion of the cover in the space.

[0016] For example, the oral care device according to the fourth embodiment is the oral care device according to the first embodiment, wherein the tip portion includes a transparent panel that protrudes outward, the imaging device emits light of a predetermined wavelength through the transparent panel provided on the front side and captures an image through the transparent panel, the convex portion is a protruding part of the transparent panel and the concave portion is an opening.

[0017] According to this, the oral care device can hold the cover between a protruding portion of the transparent panel provided on the front side of the imaging device and a recessed portion of the fixing member.

[0018] For example, the oral care device according to the fifth embodiment is the oral care device described in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the fixing member has a cylindrical body provided around the opening and extending in a direction intersecting the opening, which blocks at least a portion of the light passing through the opening.

[0019] According to this, the oral care device can block at least some of the light passing through the opening with its cylindrical body.

[0020] For example, the oral care device according to the sixth embodiment is the oral care device described in the fifth embodiment, wherein the cylindrical body has a shape that expands in diameter as it moves away from the opening.

[0021] According to this, the oral care device can block at least some of the light passing through the opening by having a cylindrical body with a shape that widens in diameter as it moves away from the opening.

[0022] For example, the oral care device according to the seventh embodiment is the oral care device described in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the fixing member is provided around the opening and has a brush consisting of a bundle of bristles extending in a direction intersecting the opening.

[0023] According to this, the oral care device can take images of the inside of the mouth and brush (clean) the teeth with a brush consisting of bristles that extend in a direction intersecting the mouth opening.

[0024] For example, the oral care device according to the eighth embodiment is the oral care device described in any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the main body has a neck portion connected to the tip portion and extending toward the other end of the main body, and the fixing member covers at least a part of the neck portion in the first state.

[0025] According to this, the fixing member can be secured by covering the neck portion that extends from the tip to the other end of the oral care device.

[0026] Furthermore, the method according to the ninth embodiment includes a main body which has a tip portion that is one end of the main body which has an imaging device which includes a light source that emits light of a predetermined wavelength that plaque reacts to toward the care area and an imaging unit that captures an image including the care area and reflected light and fluorescence from the care area, and a fixing member which is configured to change between a first state in which the tip portion is covered by a transparent cover at least the portion corresponding to the imaging device and a second state in which it is separated from the main body, an opening is provided at the portion corresponding to the imaging device in the first state, a recess is provided on the surface facing the surface of the tip portion in the first state and a convex portion is formed on the tip portion in a position that fits into the recess in the first state, and the method is to cover the tip portion with a cover and change the fixing member from the second state to the first state so that the convex portion fits into the recess through the cover and fixes it to the tip portion with the cover on.

[0027] According to this, the fixing member can be properly secured to the main body of the oral care device.

[0028] These comprehensive or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0029] The embodiments will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0030] The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art may fully understand this disclosure, and they are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0031] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] [1-1. Configuration of the Main Body] Figure 1 is an external view of the main body 10 of the oral care device in the oral care system according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the part covered by the cover 99 is shown by a dashed line. The oral care device consists of the main body 10 and a fixing member 11a (see Figure 4), which will be described later.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 has a long, toothbrush-like housing that can be handled with one hand. The housing includes a head portion 10a (also called the tip portion) that is placed in the user's oral cavity during dental imaging, a handle portion 10b that the user grasps, and a neck portion 10c that connects the head portion 10a and the handle portion 10b. The cover 99 continuously covers at least a portion of the head portion 10a and the neck portion 10c that are inserted into the user's oral cavity, and is a closed bag-like shape on the head portion 10a side. As a result, the inside of the cover 99 does not easily become unsanitary even when placed in the oral cavity, and the main body 10 can be shared.

[0033] Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged views of the head portion 10a shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the side facing away from Figure 3, and conversely, Figure 3 shows the side facing away from Figure 2. In Figures 2 and 3, the cover 99 is removed. In Figure 3, a portion of the head portion 10a is shown as a dashed line to indicate the position of the imaging device.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the head unit 10a is equipped with an imaging optical system 12 (also called the imaging unit) and an imaging device consisting of a plurality of LEDs 26A to 26D.

[0035] For example, the imaging optical system 12 is incorporated into the head portion 10a and the neck portion 10c. For example, the imaging optical system 12 includes an image sensor and a lens arranged on its optical axis.

[0036] The image sensor is an imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) element.

[0037] The imaging optical system 12 may also include a blue light cut filter that cuts out the blue wavelength light component contained in the light incident on the image sensor.

[0038] The multiple LEDs 26A to 26D are illumination devices (light sources) that irradiate light onto the tooth being photographed during imaging. The multiple LEDs 26A to 26D are, for example, blue LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit blue light with a peak wavelength of 405 nm. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the multiple LEDs 26A to 26D are arranged to surround the entrance of the imaging optical system 12. At least some of the multiple LEDs 26A to 26D may be white LEDs. In addition, any light source may be used instead of LEDs.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the head portion 10a is provided with a convex portion 10d that protrudes outward from the surface. The convex portion 10d is used when a fixing member, which will be described later, is fixed to the main body portion 10. The convex portion 10d is provided, for example, on the surface facing away from the imaging device (the back side of the imaging device). In other words, the convex portion 10d is formed on the surface of the head portion 10a at the position furthest from the imaging device. Alternatively, it can be said that the convex portion 10d is formed on the surface of the head portion 10a at a position where the shortest distance from the imaging device to the convex portion 10d is approximately the same in all directions (hereinafter also referred to as a position where the surface distance is approximately equal).

[0040] The oral care system according to this embodiment has one or more attachments, i.e., fixing members, that can be attached to and detached while the cover 99 is placed over the main body 10. The oral care system also has an oral camera mode for taking pictures of the condition inside the oral cavity and a toothbrush mode for displaying the condition inside the oral cavity while brushing teeth.

[0041] [1-2. Configuration of Fixing Member] Figure 4 is an external view of the fixing member according to the embodiment when it is attached to the main body. In Figure 4, the cross-section of the fixing member 11a when it is cut along a straight line connecting the imaging device and the protrusion 10d and the longitudinal direction in which the main body 10 extends is shown in the blowing outlet portion. In this blowing outlet portion, only the cross-section of the fixing member 11a is shown, and the main body 10 is shown as a plan view, not a cross-section.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, in oral camera mode, a fixing member 11a having a light-shielding function is attached to the head unit 10a to reduce the influence of ambient light. With the fixing member 11a attached to the head unit 10a, the imaging device can capture images through the opening 11v provided on the front of the imaging device. The fixing member 11a is made of an elastically deformable material such as silicone rubber, and is attached to the head unit 10a by extending the insertion opening on the lower side of the paper and inserting the head unit 10a.

[0043] Around the opening 11v, a cylindrical body 11u extending in a direction intersecting the opening 11v (for example, a direction perpendicular to the opening plane in which the opening 11v expands) is provided. By absorbing or reflecting light, the cylindrical body 11u can block at least a part of the light passing through the opening 11v when the cylindrical body 11u does not exist. By providing the cylindrical body 11u, the fixing member 11a can exhibit a light-shielding function. The shape of the cylindrical body 11u may be any shape as long as it is cylindrical. For example, the cylindrical body 11u in the present embodiment has a shape that expands in diameter as it moves away from the opening 11v.

[0044] By providing the cylindrical body 11u in this way, the influence of external light in image shooting can be reduced. As a result, the quality of the captured image is improved, and the accuracy of the processing using the image can be improved. Note that instead of the cylindrical body 11u, a hood with a part of the cylinder removed may be provided. Alternatively, the cylindrical body 11u may not be provided. In the present embodiment, the fixing member 11a does not have to have other functions as long as it has a function for stabilizing the cover 99 covering the head portion 10a.

[0045] Hereinafter, the function for stabilizing the cover 99 of the fixing member 11a will be described. A concave portion 11t is formed in the fixing member 11a at a position corresponding to the convex portion 10d. As a result, when the fixing member 11a is attached, the convex portion 10d fits into the concave portion 11t. Here, since the cover 99 covers the head portion 10a, it is outside the convex portion 10d. And when the fixing member 11a is attached, the concave portion 11t is disposed further outside the cover 99 outside the convex portion 10d. That is, the cover 99 is sandwiched between the convex portion 10d and the concave portion 11t. As a result, a pulling force acts on the cover 99 toward the positions where the convex portion 10d and the concave portion 11t are formed.

[0046] As described above, since the convex portion 10d is formed at a position where the surface distance from the imaging device is substantially equal, when viewed from the position of the imaging device, the cover 99 is pulled by substantially equal forces in all directions. Then, at the position of the imaging device, wrinkles are less likely to be formed on the cover 99, and it becomes easier for the imaging device to capture an appropriate image even through the cover 99. Also, in this way, by the pulling force acting on the cover 99, the cover 99 comes to be pressed against the surface of the imaging device. In the imaging of an image, the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 26A to 26D may be scattered or reflected in the crossing direction when it reaches the cover 99 if the cover 99 floats from the surface of the imaging device, which may have an adverse effect on the imaging of the image. As described above, there is an advantage that such an adverse effect can be suppressed by pressing the cover 99 against the surface of the imaging device.

[0047] Since the cover 99 is manufactured at the lowest possible cost, there are portions that do not match the shape of the head portion 10a. For example, when covered with the head portion 10a, when closing the vinyl to form a bag shape, there is a portion that does not match the shape of the head portion 10a at the leading end side of the head portion 10a in the direction of the main body portion 10. That is, there is an excess in the cover 99 with respect to the shape of the head portion 10a. Therefore, by retreating such an excess portion of the cover 99, the mounting property of the fixing member 11a to the head portion 10a can be improved.

[0048] In the present embodiment, in the fixing member 11a, at a position corresponding to the leading end side of the head portion 10a, a space 11s recessed from the inner surface of the fixing member 11a is provided. The space 11s is a hole recessed from the inner surface of the fixing member 11a and penetrating to the outer surface, but it can also be a cavity that does not penetrate to the outer surface. Since the space 11s is a hole recessed from the inner surface of the fixing member 11a and penetrating to the outer surface, there is also an advantage that moisture remaining on the inner surface when the fixing member 11a is washed with water dries easily. Although an example of providing the space 11s in the fixing member 11a has been described, a space having a similar effect may be provided by recessing the head portion 10a instead of the space 11s.

[0049] Furthermore, as can be seen from the fact that the space 11s is a hole that penetrates from the inner surface to the outer surface, although the fixing member 11a covers the head portion 10a, a part of the head portion 10a may be exposed. In other words, the fixing member 11a is shaped to cover at least a part of the head portion 10a when installed.

[0050] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process of fixing the fixing member according to the embodiment. As described above, the method for fixing the fixing member 11a to the main body 10 is carried out in the flow shown in Figure 5. That is, the cover 99 is placed over the head 10a, and the cover 99 continuously covers from the head 10a to the neck 10c (S101). With the cover 99 still in place, the fixing member 11a is attached over the cover 99 and fixed by fitting the convex portion 10d into the concave portion 11t (S102). As a result, the cover 99 is pulled between the convex portion 10d and the concave portion 11t, making it less likely for wrinkles to form on the front part of the cover 99 that would adversely affect imaging. In other words, it is possible to enable the sharing of the main body 10 with an inexpensive cover 99 that can be discarded after a certain cycle (for example, after each use), while making it less likely for the cover 99 to adversely affect the image capture by the imaging device. Therefore, it is possible to provide an oral care system or oral care device (main body 10 and fixing member 11a) that is more appropriately configured from the standpoint of being shareable and easy to capture appropriate images.

[0051] In the above description, the tip portion is described as having a protrusion 10d positioned away from the imaging device. However, the protrusion 10d may be positioned at any location on the head portion 10a as long as the objective of pulling the cover 99 towards the front of the imaging device is achieved. For example, the protrusion 10d may be positioned between the position of the imaging device and the position away from the imaging device. As an example of such a position, it may be provided at the very front end of the head portion 10a, or it may be provided at either the left or right end of the head portion 10a that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 10 and the optical axis direction of the imaging device.

[0052] As another example, we will describe an example in which a protrusion 10e, which replaces the protrusion 10d, can be placed on the front side of the imaging device. Figure 6 is an external view when a fixing member according to another embodiment is attached to the main body. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the fixing member 11a and a plan view of the main body 10 from the same viewpoint as the blowout portion shown in Figure 4.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, a protrusion 10e is provided on the front of the imaging device. The protrusion 10e is a transparent panel that protects the front side of the imaging device and does not significantly affect the image capture by the imaging device, and is composed of a protruding portion of the transparent panel that protrudes outward from the head portion 10a. The recess 11t into which the protrusion 10e fits is composed of an opening 11v. This simplifies the structure of the fixing member 11a, making it possible to facilitate the manufacture of the oral care system. Moreover, since the protrusion 10e fits into the opening 11v, it has approximately the same shape as the opening 11v, and the cover 99 is sandwiched between the side surface of the protrusion 10e and the inner surface of the opening 11v. At this time, when viewed from the front side of the imaging device, the distance from the center of the transparent panel to the opening 11v is approximately uniform, so when viewed from the center of the transparent cover, i.e., the center of the imaging device, approximately equal tensile forces act on the cover 99 in all directions. As a result, wrinkles are less likely to form on the cover 99 at the position of the imaging device, and the imaging device can capture a proper image even through the cover 99.

[0054] Furthermore, as another example, we will describe an example in which a fixing member 11b having a brush 11w instead of a cylindrical body 11u is used. Figure 7 is an external view when a fixing member according to another example of the embodiment is attached to the main body.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the main body 10 may be equipped with a fixing member 11b having a brush 11w as a fixing member that can be attached to or removed from the main body 10. The fixing members 11a and 11b are in a relationship that allows them to be interchanged, with one being removed and the other attached. Therefore, the shape of the main body 10 is as described above, and the fixing member 11b also has a recess (not shown) into which the protrusion 10d fits.

[0056] The fixing member 11b is modified in which the cylindrical body 11u of the fixing member 11a is replaced with a brush 11w. In other words, the brush 11w is composed of bundles of bristles arranged around the opening 11v. Each bundle of bristles extends in a direction intersecting the opening 11v (for example, in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface where the opening 11v widens). With this configuration, when the fixing member 11b is attached, it is possible to brush the teeth while taking images. Note that the fixing member 11b is made of a harder (less elastically deformable) material than the fixing member 11a in order to withstand the brushing pressure. For example, polyacetal resin can be used as the material for the fixing member 11b. The fixing member 11b is connected to the imaging device side and the opposite side only at the connection part on the tip side, and is not connected anywhere else. When the fixing member 11b is attached, the connecting portion is deformed to increase the distance between the imaging device side and the back-facing surface side, and as the elasticity of the connecting portion returns it to its original shape, the convex portion 10d and the concave portion fit together.

[0057] Furthermore, as yet another example, we will describe an example in which a fixing member 11c is used that covers the main body 10 over a larger area (contact area) than the fixing member. Figure 8 is an external view when a fixing member according to yet another example of the embodiment is attached to the main body.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the main body 10 may be equipped with a fixing member 11c that is detachable from the main body 10 and covers the area from the head portion 10a to the neck portion 10c. The fixing members 11a and 11c are interchangeable, with one being removed and the other attached. Therefore, the shape of the main body 10 is as described above, and the fixing member 11c also has a recess (not shown) into which the protrusion 10d fits.

[0059] The fixing member 11c is shaped to cover the neck portion 10c. As shown in the figure, the neck portion 10c is thinner than the head portion 10a, so the fixing member 11c catches in the detachment direction at the boundary between the head portion 10a and the neck portion 10c. For this reason, the fixing member 11c is fixed to the main body portion 10 more stably than the fixing member 11a (it is less likely to come off the main body portion 10). Here, a protrusion can also be provided on the neck portion 10c. In that case, a recess should be formed in the portion of the fixing member 11c that covers the neck portion 10c to correspond to the protrusion on the neck portion 10c. These protrusions and recesses are provided not so much to reduce the effect of the cover 99 on the imaging device, but rather to ensure the secure fixation of the fixing member 11c to the main body portion 10. As a result, the neck portion 10c can be used to fix the device to the main body portion 10 more stably than the fixing member 11a.

[0060] [1-3. Overall Functional Configuration] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the oral care system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the oral care system according to this embodiment is generally configured to use the main body 10 to photograph the dentition and to perform image processing on the captured image.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the oral care system includes an oral care device comprising a main body 10 and a fixing member 11a, a mobile terminal 70, and a cloud server 80. The mobile terminal 70 is, for example, a wireless communication-enabled smartphone or tablet. The mobile terminal 70 includes, for example, a touchscreen 72 capable of displaying dental images as an input and output device. The mobile terminal 70 functions as the user interface for the oral care system.

[0062] The cloud server 80 is a server that can communicate with the mobile terminal 70 via the internet or the like, and provides the mobile terminal 70 with an application for using the main unit 10. For example, the user downloads the application from the cloud server 80 and installs it on the mobile terminal 70. The cloud server 80 also acquires dental images captured by the main unit 10 via the mobile terminal 70.

[0063] The main unit 10 includes a central control unit 50, which is the main part that controls the system, a plurality of LEDs 26A to 26D, an LED control unit 54, an actuator 36, an actuator 40, a lens driver 56, and a position sensor 90.

[0064] Furthermore, the main unit 10 includes a wireless communication module 58 that communicates wirelessly with the mobile terminal 70, and a power supply control unit 60 that supplies power to the central control unit 50 and the like.

[0065] The central control unit 50 of the main unit 10 is mounted, for example, on the handle portion 10b of the main unit 10. For example, the central control unit 50 also includes a controller 62 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that executes various processes described later, and a memory 64 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs for causing the controller 62 to execute various processes. In addition to programs, the memory 64 also stores dental images (image data) captured by the image sensor 14 and various setting data.

[0066] The controller 62 transmits the dental image output from the image sensor 14 to the mobile terminal 70 via the wireless communication module 58. The mobile terminal 70 displays the transmitted dental image on the touchscreen 72, thereby presenting the dental image to the user.

[0067] The LED control unit 54 is mounted, for example, on the handle portion 10b of the main body 10, and controls the lighting and extinguishing of the multiple LEDs 26A to 26D based on control signals from the controller 62. The LED control unit 54 is composed of, for example, a circuit.

[0068] The actuator 36 is mounted, for example, on the head portion 10a or the neck portion 10c of the main body 10, and adjusts the composition of the imaging optical system 12. Specifically, the actuator 36 moves the housing that holds the image sensor 14, etc., in the direction of extension of the optical axis in order to adjust the field of view.

[0069] The actuator 40 is mounted, for example, on the head portion 10a or the neck portion 10c of the main body 10, and adjusts the focus of the imaging optical system 12. Specifically, the actuator 40 moves the lens in the direction of extension of the optical axis to adjust the focus.

[0070] The lens driver 56 is mounted, for example, on the handle portion 10b of the main body 10, and controls the actuators 36 and 40 based on control signals from the controller 62 of the central control unit 50. The lens driver 56 is composed of, for example, a circuit.

[0071] The wireless communication module 58 is mounted, for example, on the handle portion 10b of the main unit 10 and communicates wirelessly with the mobile terminal 70 based on control signals from the controller 62. The wireless communication module 58 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 70 in accordance with existing communication standards such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®. Dental images are transmitted from the main unit 10 to the mobile terminal 70 via the wireless communication module 58. Operation signals are also transmitted from the mobile terminal 70 to the main unit 10 via the wireless communication module 58.

[0072] In this embodiment, the power control unit 60 is mounted on the handle portion 10b of the main body 10 and distributes power from the battery 66 to the central control unit 50, LED control unit 54, lens driver 56, and wireless communication module 58. The power control unit 60 is composed of, for example, a circuit. In this embodiment, the battery 66 is a rechargeable secondary battery and is wirelessly charged by an external charger 69 connected to a commercial power source via a coil 68 mounted on the main body 10.

[0073] The position sensor 90 is a sensor for detecting the attitude and position of the main body 10, and is, for example, a multi-axis (in this case, three axes: x, y, and z) accelerometer. For example, the position sensor 90 may be a six-axis sensor having a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope.

[0074] [1-4. Functional Configuration of the Mobile Terminal] Figure 10 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 70. The mobile terminal 70 comprises an acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, a UI generation unit 103, and a display unit 104.

[0075] The acquisition unit 101 acquires image data transmitted from the main unit 10. The determination unit 102 determines from the acquired image data whether or not a fixing member is attached to the main unit 10, and the type of fixing member that is attached.

[0076] The UI generation unit 103 generates a UI image to be displayed on the display unit 104 based on the determination result of the determination unit 102. For example, the UI generation unit 103 stores multiple GUI (Graphical User Interface) components for receiving input of multiple items, and multiple item-related information which is information about multiple items. The UI generation unit 103 determines which GUI components or item-related information to place on the UI screen from the multiple GUI components and multiple item-related information according to the determination result of the determination unit 102.

[0077] The functions of the acquisition unit 101, the determination unit 102, and the UI generation unit 103 are realized, for example, by a processor such as a CPU in the mobile terminal 70 executing a program stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 70. At least a portion of the acquisition unit 101, the determination unit 102, and the UI generation unit 103 may be composed of circuits.

[0078] The display unit 104 is a display device provided by the mobile terminal 70 and displays the UI image generated by the UI generation unit 103. The display unit 104 may also display intraoral image data acquired by the acquisition unit 101, or image data generated from said image data.

[0079] [2. Operation] [2-1. Operation of the mobile terminal 70] The operation of the oral care system is described below. The processes described below are repeated, for example, at predetermined time intervals. The processes described below may also be executed triggered by user operation or other conditions.

[0080] First, the acquisition unit 101 acquires image data transmitted from the main unit 10. This image data is obtained when the user uses the main unit 10 to photograph their own teeth and gums in their oral cavity. This image data is also obtained when the main unit 10 irradiates the teeth with light including the wavelength range of blue light and photographs the teeth that are showing a fluorescence reaction. Here, blue light is an example of irradiation light with a predetermined wavelength that excites fluorescent substances contained in dental plaque. The fluorescent substance is, for example, porphyrin.

[0081] Here, the image data may be a video or one or more still images. Furthermore, if the image data is a video or multiple still images, the image data may be transmitted frame by frame of the video or per still image. In the case of a video, the image data may be transmitted for every multiple frames. Additionally, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire sensor data from the main unit 10 in addition to the image data.

[0082] Next, the determination unit 102 determines, based on the acquired image data, whether or not a fixing member is attached to the main body 10, and / or the type of fixing member that is attached. Based on this determination result, the determination unit 102 switches between oral camera mode and toothbrush mode.

[0083] As described above, in oral camera mode, fixing member 11a or fixing member 11c is attached to the main body 10. In toothbrush mode, fixing member 11b is attached to the main body 10.

[0084] Therefore, when the fixing member 11b is attached to the main body 10, the UI generation unit 103 sets the operation mode to toothbrush mode and generates a UI image corresponding to the toothbrush mode.

[0085] On the other hand, if the fixing member 11b is not attached to the main body 10, the UI generation unit 103 sets the operation mode to oral camera mode and generates a UI image corresponding to the oral camera mode. Here, the state in which the fixing member 11b is not attached to the main body 10 is, for example, the state in which the fixing member 11a or fixing member 11c is attached to the main body 10.

[0086] Next, the display unit 104 displays the generated UI image.

[0087] The image of the dentition captured in the oral care system is, for example, like the one shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of image data according to an embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of image data 201A when a fixing member 11a or fixing member 11c is attached. As shown in Figure 11, the image does not include anything other than the dentition, such as a part of the fixing member. On the other hand, when a fixing member 11b is attached, the brush 11w, which is a part of the fixing member 11b, is included in the image data 201A. In other words, the type of fixing member that is attached can be determined by whether or not a part of the fixing member is included in the image data 201A. Also, when no fixing member is attached and only the cover 99 is placed over it, errors such as the inability to adjust the focus occur in the image data 201A. Therefore, when such errors occur, it can be determined that no fixing member is attached.

[0088] [3. Other Embodiments] Although the oral care system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0089] For example, the above description mainly described the processing performed on the mobile terminal 70. At least some of these processes may be performed on the main unit 10 or the cloud server 80.

[0090] Furthermore, each processing unit included in the oral care system according to the above embodiment is typically implemented as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually integrated into a single chip, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0091] Furthermore, integrated circuit implementation is not limited to LSIs; it may also be achieved using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. Alternatively, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor capable of reconfiguring the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used.

[0092] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, each component may be implemented by being composed of dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0093] Furthermore, this disclosure may be implemented as a control method or the like executed by an oral care system. Alternatively, this disclosure may be implemented as a main unit, a portable terminal, or a cloud server included in an oral care system.

[0094] Furthermore, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is just one example; multiple functional blocks can be implemented as a single functional block, a single functional block can be divided into multiple parts, or some functions can be moved to other functional blocks. In addition, the functions of multiple functional blocks with similar functions can be processed in parallel or time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0095] Furthermore, the order in which each step in the flowchart is performed is illustrative for the purpose of specifically illustrating this disclosure, and may be in a different order. Also, some of the above steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0096] Although one or more embodiments of an oral care system, etc., have been described above based on embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, various modifications that a person skilled in the art could conceive of are applied to these embodiments, and forms constructed by combining components from different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more embodiments.

[0097] This disclosure is applicable to oral care systems.

[0098] 10 Main body 10a Head 10b Handle 10c Neck 10d, 10e Protrusions 11a, 11b, 11c Fixing member 11s Space 11t Recess 11u Cylinder 11v Aperture 11w Brush 12 Imaging optical system 14 Image sensor 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D LED 36, 40 Actuator 50 Central control unit 54 LED control unit 56 Lens driver 58 Wireless communication module 60 Power control unit 62 Controller 64 Memory 66 Battery 68 Coil 69 Charger 70 Mobile terminal 72 Touchscreen 80 Cloud server 90 Position sensor 99 Cover 101 Acquisition unit 102 Judgment unit 103 UI generation unit 104 Display unit 201A Image data

Claims

1. An oral care device comprising a main body and a fixing member, wherein the main body has a photographic device provided at one end of the main body, which is the tip, which emits light of a predetermined wavelength that reacts with dental plaque toward the care area, and a photographic unit that takes an image of the care area, as well as reflected light and fluorescence from the care area, and the fixing member is configured to be switchable between a first state in which at least the portion corresponding to the photographic device is coupled to the tip, which is covered with a transparent cover, and a second state in which it is separated from the main body, wherein in the first state, an opening is provided at the portion corresponding to the photographic device, and in the first state, a recess is provided on the inner surface facing the surface of the tip, and the tip has a protrusion formed thereon that fits into the recess through the cover.

2. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is provided on the surface of the tip portion facing away from the imaging device.

3. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member has a recessed space from the inner surface, and in the first state, a space capable of accommodating a part of the cover is provided on the tip end side of the tip.

4. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion includes a transparent panel that protrudes outward, the imaging device emits light of a predetermined wavelength through the transparent panel provided on the front side and captures the image through the transparent panel, the convex portion is a protruding portion of the transparent panel, and the concave portion is the opening.

5. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is provided around the opening and has a cylindrical body extending in a direction intersecting the opening, which blocks at least a portion of the light passing through the opening.

6. The oral care device according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical body has a shape that expands in diameter as it moves away from the opening.

7. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is provided around the opening and has a brush consisting of a bundle of bristles extending in a direction intersecting the opening.

8. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a neck portion connected to the tip portion and extending toward the other end of the main body portion, and the fixing member covers at least a part of the neck portion in the first state.

9. A method for fixing a fixing member to a main body in an oral care device comprising a main body and a fixing member, wherein the main body has a photographic device provided at one end of the main body, which is the tip, and includes a light source that emits light of a predetermined wavelength that reacts to plaque toward a care area, and a photographic unit that photographs the care area and an image including reflected light and fluorescence from the care area, the fixing member is configured to be switchable between a first state in which at least a portion corresponding to the photographic device is coupled to the tip, which is covered with a transparent cover, and a second state in which it is separated from the main body, an opening is provided at the portion corresponding to the photographic device in the first state, a recess is provided on the surface facing the surface of the tip, and a protrusion is formed on the tip at a position that fits into the recess in the first state, the method is a method of covering the tip with the cover, and changing the fixing member from the second state to the first state with respect to the tip with the cover, thereby fitting the protrusion into the recess through the cover and fixing it.

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