Toothbrush Motion Tracking Markers Without Bulky Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic motion tracking oral care implements, such as toothbrushes, are bulky, expensive, and lack the aesthetics and comfortable handling of conventional toothbrushes, failing to meet user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A visually-detectable motion tracking system for oral care implements, such as toothbrushes, incorporating multi-colored tracking indicia or markers that are configured to be detected by a programmable processor and digital tracking camera, preserving the streamlined contours of conventional toothbrushes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic motion tracking components are integrated into the oral care implement, then motion tracking capability is improved, but the device becomes bulky and loses aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motion tracking function from the oral care implement body, placing it in a separate external device that communicates with the implement via RFID technology. This allows the implement to maintain its streamlined contours while still providing motion tracking capability through the external device that detects and tracks the implement's movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags and external detection devices as intermediaries between the oral care implement and the motion tracking system. The RFID tag embedded in the implement communicates with an external tracking device, enabling motion tracking without integrating bulky electronic components into the implement itself.
2Extent of automation
If electronic motion tracking components are integrated into the oral care implement, then motion tracking capability is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expensive electronic motion tracking components from the oral care implement and places them in a separate external device. Only a simple, low-cost RFID tag remains in the implement, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full motion tracking functionality through the external device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID technology to create a digital representation or 'copy' of the implement's motion data without requiring physical sensors or electronics in the implement itself. This allows motion tracking functionality to be achieved through field detection rather than direct physical measurement, reducing hardware costs.
3Measurement precision
If visual tracking features are added to the oral care implement, then motion tracking accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visual processing and motion analysis complexity from the oral care implement and places it in an external device. The implement itself only contains simple visual markers or RFID tags, while the external device performs the complex image processing and motion analysis algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual markers or RFID tags as intermediaries that carry motion information. These simple markers on the implement communicate position and orientation data to an external tracking device, which then performs the complex analysis to determine brushing motion accuracy without adding complexity to the implement itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
An oral care system includes an oral care implement and motion tracking attachment configured to allow tracking of the implement during an oral care activity such as tooth brushing. The oral care implement may include a handle and head. The tracking attachment is coupled to the implement and comprises colored tracking markers detectable by a programmable visual-based motion tracking unit. The tracking attachment in one configuration may comprise a housing with plural insertable tracking colored wedges. In another configuration, a colored tracking portion colored panels and optional colored neck band may be formed on or attached to the oral care implement. Both the tracking attachment and tracking portion embodiments as applicable facilitate tracking at least one of a position, orientation, movement, and the like of the oral care implement to which it is attached. The tracking attachment may be non-electric in nature without any onboard electronics in some embodiments.