Wireless Foot Control Logic for Multi-Device Dental Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for wireless control of medical or dental devices using foot controls are impractical and error-prone due to the complexity of selecting the correct device for data transmission, often hindered by footwear and user interaction difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A method where each medical or dental device is assigned a unique identification code and rank, allowing the foot control's control logic to automatically select the device for data transmission based on received identification codes and predetermined rankings, ensuring clear and reliable device selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user manually selects the device for data transmission using an actuator on the foot control, then the system can control multiple devices, but the operation becomes cumbersome and error-prone due to footwear constraints and complex selection procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control multiple devicesVSAvoiduser interaction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines which device should receive control signals by evaluating active devices and their current operational states, eliminating the need for manual user selection. The foot control unit autonomously selects the target device based on predefined criteria such as device activity status and priority rankings, making the system self-sufficient in device selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the operational state of connected devices and uses this feedback information to dynamically determine which device should receive control signals. The foot control unit receives status information from devices and automatically adjusts its target selection based on real-time device states, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides multiple selection methods (actuator, voice control, graphical interface), then device selection flexibility increases, but the complexity of the system and potential for user error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the device selection function from the user's responsibility and transfers it to the system's automatic determination logic. By removing the manual selection mechanism (actuator, voice interface, graphical UI) and replacing it with automated device state evaluation, the system eliminates the complexity associated with multiple selection methods while maintaining the ability to control multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the foot control automatically selects the device based on active status, then ease of operation improves, but the system cannot prioritize specific devices over others

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic device selectionVSAvoiddevice priority control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different priority levels to different devices based on their specific roles and importance in the operational context. Each device can have a predefined priority ranking that the foot control unit considers when automatically selecting the target device. This allows the system to maintain automatic selection ease of operation while incorporating device-specific priority qualities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures priority rankings and device priority settings before operation begins. These preliminary configurations allow the automatic device selection algorithm to quickly determine the appropriate target device without requiring real-time user input, while still respecting predetermined priority hierarchies established during system setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3876239B1Method for wireless transmission of data in a medical or dental system and such medical or dental system
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 W & H DENTALWERK BURMOOS GMBH
  • EP3876239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3876239B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Method for wireless data transmission in a medical or dental system (50, 70, 100) comprising a foot controller (1) and at least two devices (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N) that can be wirelessly controlled by the foot controller (1), wherein each device (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N) is assigned a specific identification code, and wherein, in the method, a control logic (3) provided in the foot controller (1) selects, on the basis of data packets (4, 4A-4N; 5, 5A-5N), the device (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N) to which operating data is wirelessly transmitted, wherein each of the devices (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N) is assigned its own data packet (4, 4A-4N; 5, 5A-5N) which contains the specific The identification code of the device to which the data packet (4, 4A-4N; 5, 5A-5N) is assigned comprises an individual rank of a ranking of the devices (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N) assigned to that device (2, 2A-2N; 6, 6A-6N).