Accelerometer-Based Brushing Motion Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current oral hygiene devices lack the ability to provide real-time feedback on the quality of brushing technique, making it difficult for users to maintain correct oral hygiene practices over time, especially outside professional guidance.

Innovation Solution

An electronic toothbrush equipped with sensors, such as accelerometers and Hall Effect sensors, that analyze motion characteristics and provide feedback to users through visual, auditory, or haptic means, ensuring proper brushing technique is maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an oral hygiene device includes sensors and feedback mechanisms to monitor brushing technique, then the quality of oral hygiene practice is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of oral hygiene practiceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms using accelerometers to monitor brushing motion characteristics and provide immediate guidance to users through visual, auditory, or haptic signals. This feedback loop enables users to correct their technique during brushing, ensuring proper oral hygiene practice while managing device complexity through targeted sensor placement and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If professional guidance is provided to correct oral hygiene technique, then the accuracy of technique is improved, but the time and accessibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of techniqueVSAvoidtime for correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to self-correct their brushing technique through integrated sensors and real-time feedback mechanisms. The device autonomously monitors motion characteristics, compares them against proper technique parameters, and provides immediate corrective guidance without requiring external professional intervention, thus eliminating time loss and improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person professional guidance with an electronic sensing and feedback system. Accelerometers and processors substitute for human experts, automatically analyzing brushing motions and providing corrections, thereby eliminating the time and accessibility constraints of scheduling and traveling to professional appointments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If real-time feedback is provided during brushing, then the effectiveness of oral hygiene is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of oral hygieneVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic sampling of brushing motion data rather than continuous monitoring. The accelerometers capture motion characteristics at specific intervals during the brushing cycle, and the processor analyzes these discrete data points to provide feedback. This periodic approach maintains effectiveness by detecting technique deviations while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables users to receive immediate feedback on their brushing technique, enhancing the effectiveness and consistency of oral hygiene practices, promoting better oral health through continuous improvement.

Implementation Method 1

at least one accelerometer operable to determine a quality of a brushing motion of the oral hygiene device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

at least one sensor mounted within the magnetic field produced by the magnet, the data corresponding to deformations of the magnetic field relative to the at least one sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11786033B2Methods and systems for extracting brushing motion characteristics of a user using an oral hygiene device including at least one accelerometer to provide feedback to a user

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, motion information of an oral hygiene device is received from one or more accelerometers (32) located within the oral hygiene device. The received motion information is compared to a targeted motion of the oral hygiene device. The user operating the oral hygiene device is then provided with feedback in response to determining that the received motion information is within a predefined range of the targeted motion information.