Method of use of an electrical toothbrush operated with a mobile device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric hand-held personal care devices, such as toothbrushes, lack the ability to comprehensively collect and evaluate operating data for monitoring and optimizing personal care, and they often have standard settings that cannot be specifically adapted to individual users due to the high cost and complexity of advanced electronics, as well as limitations in size and environmental durability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a data transmission module with wireless bidirectional data transmission capabilities, including a microcontroller, antenna, and non-volatile memory, allowing for the acquisition, evaluation, and display of operating and sensor data, as well as the implementation of user-specific data for customized care programs and control functions, using technologies like NFC, Bluetooth, or other radio technologies for communication with mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If advanced electronics are added to enable comprehensive data collection and evaluation, then the functionality for monitoring and optimizing personal care is improved, but the device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection and evaluation capabilityVSAvoidelectronics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary that performs the complex data collection, evaluation, and customization functions. The handheld device communicates with the mobile device via wireless interface, allowing the mobile device to serve as an external brain that processes operating data and generates customized care programs, thereby avoiding the need to embed complex electronics in the handheld device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a wireless communication interface to create a digital connection between the handheld device and the mobile device. The mobile device creates a virtual extension of the handheld device's capabilities, copying and expanding its data processing and customization functions through software applications rather than physical hardware additions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonal care optimization capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary that provides advanced data analysis and customization capabilities without requiring expensive electronics in the handheld device. The wireless communication interface enables the mobile device to process operating data and generate customized care programs, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the universal capabilities of mobile devices (which most users already possess) to provide advanced personal care optimization functions. The mobile device application can handle data collection, evaluation, customization, and display functions that would otherwise require dedicated expensive electronics in each handheld device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the handheld device size is increased to accommodate more electronics, then the data collection and evaluation capabilities are improved, but the portability and ease of handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating data processing capabilityVSAvoidhandheld portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as an external intermediary that provides the data processing and evaluation capabilities without requiring physical space within the handheld device. The wireless communication interface enables the mobile device to receive operating data and provide customized care programs, allowing the handheld device to remain compact and portable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex electronics are added to enable customization, then the user-specific adaptability is improved, but the device reliability in wet and shock-prone environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-specific customization capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device acts as a protected intermediary that handles all complex electronics and customization functions remotely. The handheld device only contains simple wireless communication hardware, minimizing its electronic complexity and improving reliability in wet and shock-prone environments while still enabling user-specific customization through the mobile device application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3865089B1Method of use of an electrical toothbrush operated with a mobile device

Publication Date: 2024.12.18 TRISA HLDG AG

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AI summary

Method for operating an electric toothbrush (1) by means of a mobile device, wherein the toothbrush (1) is designed as a handheld device and includes a care part (3) for performing at least one electrically operated dental care function, a handle body (2) for holding the toothbrush (1) and an electronic part (38) for controlling the at least one electrically operated dental care function, wherein dental care parameters and/or dental care programs are wirelessly transmitted to the toothbrush (1) via a software application operated on the mobile device.