Oral Care Sensor Movement Detection and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oral health care device tracking technologies do not account for user movement, leading to inaccurate feedback and suboptimal oral hygiene results, as they assume a stationary head position.
Innovation Solution
A system with a location and movement compliance sensor that detects user movement during oral health care device use, comparing the sensed movement to threshold values and providing feedback through a user interface when the movement exceeds these thresholds, using sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, or cameras to capture and analyze movement data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tracking technology is used to monitor oral health care device location, then device location tracking is achieved, but user movement is not accounted for leading to inaccurate feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) within the oral health care device handle, creating a nested sensor array that detects both device position and user head movements simultaneously. This nested configuration allows the system to differentiate between intentional device movements and unintentional head movements without adding external system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing algorithm that filters and differentiates between device movements and user head movements. This intermediary layer processes raw sensor data to distinguish purposeful brushing actions from compensatory head movements, providing corrected feedback that accounts for user movement without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides continuous feedback to guide user technique, then brushing technique improvement is achieved, but user distraction increases when movement thresholds are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feedback parameters that adjust based on detected movement types. When purposeful technique adjustments are detected, the system provides detailed guidance feedback. When compensatory head movements are detected, the system modifies feedback intensity or type to minimize distraction while maintaining technique guidance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-level feedback system that provides real-time technique guidance through visual, auditory, or haptic channels. The feedback mechanism includes threshold-based alerts for significant movements and continuous guidance for technique refinement, allowing users to receive necessary information without being overwhelmed by excessive notifications.
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 system provides accurate feedback to enhance user compliance and improve oral hygiene by adjusting for user movement, leading to better brushing techniques and more effective cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
using sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, or cameras to capture and analyze movement data
Implementation Method 2
using sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, or cameras to capture and analyze movement data
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for reducing distraction of a user (10) of an oral health care device (102), includes: a sensor (112) configured to determine positions of the user during use of the oral health care device; a processor (150) in communication with the sensor and configured to calculate differences between the determined positions and to determine if the differences reach or exceed a threshold value for notifying the user; and a user interface (114) in communication with the processor and configured to alter from a normal state in an event the differences between the determined positions reach or exceed the threshold value for notifying the user.