Goal-Based Toothbrush Control for Adaptive Brushing Routines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care systems do not consider varying user brushing goals for different sessions, such as deep cleaning versus quick refresh, leading to ineffective brushing routines and evaluations.
Innovation Solution
An oral care system that includes a toothbrush with a user interface and programmable processor to receive brushing goals, determining personalized brushing routines and evaluations based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed brushing routine is used for all sessions, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to different user brushing goals (deep cleaning vs. quick refresh)
Solution Approach 1:
The brushing routine is made dynamic by allowing users to select different brushing goals (deep cleaning, quick refresh, sensitive teeth) before each session. The system then automatically adjusts the routine parameters including duration, vibration intensity, and brush head movement patterns to match the selected goal, transforming a static fixed routine into an adaptive dynamic one.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as vibration frequency, brush head movement speed, and session duration based on the selected brushing goal. For example, deep cleaning mode increases vibration intensity and extends duration, while quick refresh mode reduces both, thereby adapting the system behavior to match user needs without requiring manual adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If a standardized brushing evaluation is used for all sessions, then the evaluation process is simple, but it cannot accurately assess brushing effectiveness for different user goals
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring actual brushing parameters (duration, intensity, coverage) and comparing them against the selected goal's target parameters. It provides real-time and post-session feedback to users, indicating whether the brushing session met the intended goals, thereby enabling accurate assessment tailored to each user's specific objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation criteria are made dynamic by adjusting the assessment parameters based on the selected brushing goal. The system evaluates different aspects of brushing performance depending on the goal - focusing on thoroughness for deep cleaning modes and speed/efficiency for quick refresh modes, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a completely complex evaluation system.
3Productivity
If the system provides detailed personalized brushing routines, then brushing effectiveness is improved, but the user interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by presenting users with simplified goal selection options (deep cleaning, quick refresh, sensitive teeth) before the brushing session begins. This pre-configures the entire brushing routine including duration, intensity, and movement patterns, so that when the user selects a goal, the detailed personalized routine is automatically generated and applied without requiring the user to manually configure complex parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating and applying the personalized brushing routine based on the user's goal selection. Once the user chooses a brushing goal, the system independently configures all relevant parameters and executes the optimized routine without requiring continuous user input or manual adjustment, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving brushing effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system that includes a toothbrush; a user interface configured to receive a brushing goal from a user; and a programmable processor operably coupled to the user interface. The programmable processor can be configured to receive brushing goal data indicative of the brushing goal received by the user interface; and determine, based at least in part on the brushing goal data, at least one of a suggested brushing routine and a brushing evaluation for a brushing session.