CN101454055A - Oral care gaming system and methods - Google Patents

Oral care gaming system and methods Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101454055A
CN101454055A CN 200780019006 CN200780019006A CN101454055A CN 101454055 A CN101454055 A CN 101454055A CN 200780019006 CN200780019006 CN 200780019006 CN 200780019006 A CN200780019006 A CN 200780019006A CN 101454055 A CN101454055 A CN 101454055A
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China
Prior art keywords
oral care
user
care implement
electronic game
output
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CN 200780019006
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
S·K·帕克
D·C·戴顿
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Umagination Labs LP
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Umagination Labs LP
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Abstract

An oral care gaining system and methods are provided for promoting and rewarding proper oral care techniques and behaviors and for controlling an electronic and/or video game. The system and methods enable a user to play an electronic and/or video game while performing certain oral care activities. The efficacy of a user's oral care techniques enables the user to improve their game play and to achieve the goals of the game. The system includes an oral care tool configured as a game enabler/controller and a base unit configured as an electronic gaming apparatus. Using the oral care tool, a user performs oral care and interacts with an electronic and/or video game the base unit implements and runs. The base unit includes a video display that displays video outputs of an electronic and/or video game. The oral care tool is actuated to enable an electronic and/or video game, and includes sensors for detecting characteristics of a user's oral care techniques and behaviors that serve as inputs to an electronic and/or video game.

Description

Oral care gaming system and method
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of oral care gaming system and method, be used to promote and reward correct oral care techniques and behavior, and be used to control electronics and/or video-game.Especially, described system and method allows the user to carry out electronics and/or video-game when carrying out oral care, and wherein the effect of user's oral care techniques raising user's recreation is carried out.
Background technology
The pith that MC is for example brushed teeth, teeth space backguy and/or gingival massage are considered to healthy comprehensively and health care.A lot of oral care products and exercise may be by people, comprise that children like, because such product and exercise are uncomfortable and/or dull.Thereby people tend to for its tooth and/or gum insufficient, inconsistent with and/or nurse roughly.In addition, people comprise that children usually brush teeth and do not reach the time enough amount with abundant cleaning teeth, and/or can not be correctly or as one man draw dental floss or nurse its gum.
The people of dentists recommend for proper oral care and optimal oral hygiene are whenever brushing teeth at least two minutes after the meal with abundant cleaning teeth.In addition, dentists recommend is carried out the teeth space backguy at every turn after scrubbing.It is impatient and/or boring that children may become when brushing teeth, and stopped to scrub or scrubbing roughly or inconsistently before scrubbing in two minutes that finish suggestion.As a result, children possibly can't carry out effective oral care techniques, and possibly can't obtain enough or best MC and health care.
Summary of the invention
The invention provides a kind of system and method, it creates happy more environment for MC, realizes electronics and/or video-game, and the user can finish recreation well and/or obtain Mission Objective by carrying out correct oral care techniques therein.For example, in the situation of brushing teeth, described system and method encourages the user to use this system to brush teeth on the time cycle of suggestion, and brushes teeth with the technology of recommending, so that the user can carry out electronics and/or video-game and towards the direction effort that obtains one or more Mission Objectives.Use to improve or improved recreation shows the effect of rewarding user's oral care techniques and behavior, encourages thus and strengthens such technology and behavior.Described system and method encourages especially brushing teeth and the lasting time cycle of advising of children's rule of user thus.Yet the situation that the invention is not restricted to brush teeth, and those skilled in the art will recognize that system and method for the present invention can dispose and be used for many different MC work, including but not limited to teeth space backguy, gingival massage and tooth water spray.
On the one hand, the invention provides a kind of oral care gaming system, it comprises first oral care implement, is used for maintaining or treating the oral cavity or the state of organ wherein.Described oral care implement comprises one or more sensors, is used to detect the temperature in user oral cavity; And communicator, be used for communicating, but described another assembly is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation with another assembly.But described oral care gaming system further comprises the electronic game station that is connected with described oral care implement with mode of operation.Described electronic game station comprises communicator, is used for communicating with described oral care implement; And processor, be used to control at least one electronic game.Described at least one electronic game provides can be by the output of user's perception of described oral care implement.And the output of described electronic game is in response to the input that receives from described one or more sensors.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise one or more following features.The communicator of described oral care implement and the communicator of described electronic game system comprise one or more electric conductors, and it is connected to described electronic game station with described oral care implement.As an alternative or supplement, in the communicator of described oral care implement and the communicator of described electronic game system at least one comprises wireless transmitting system, and it is used for setting up radio communication and connects between described oral care implement and described electronic game station.Described electronic game station further comprises memory, but its be connected with described processor with mode of operation and store at least one group of instruction, described instruction is used to realize the therapy of at least a MC maintenance or treatment.The output of described electronic game realizes according to described at least one group of instruction.
Embodiments of the present invention can also comprise one or more following features.Described electronic game station further comprises at least one external communication ports, is used for being connected with at least one input unit, and described input unit is with respect to described electronic game station or the described first oral care implement remote arrangement.Described at least one input unit comprises as in the lower device at least one: computer, and calculation element, and configuration is used to provide the Internet communication device that inputs to described processor.Described electronic game station further comprises and is used for setting up the device that radio communication connects between described electronic game station and at least one input equipment, and described input unit is with respect to described electronic game station or the described first oral care implement remote arrangement.
Embodiments of the present invention can further comprise one or more following features.Timer is used for determining for given oral care session use duration of described first oral care implement.Detect at described one or more temperature sensors under the situation that use stops, described processor is imported from described one or more temperature sensors receptions of described first oral care implement before described given oral care session stops, the output of described electronic game stops.Detect at described one or more temperature sensors under the situation that use recovers, described processor is imported from described one or more temperature sensors receptions of described first oral care implement before given interval stops, the output of described electronic game recovers.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise one or more following features.But described another assembly that is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation comprises described electronic game station at least.Described system further comprises at least the second oral care implement, and it is used for oral cavity or the wherein maintenance or the treatment of the state of organ.Described second oral care implement comprises and is used to the communicator that detects one or more sensors of user's oral temperature and be used for communicating with described another assembly, but described another assembly is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation.Described another assembly comprises described electronic game station at least.Reception is connected to the output of identical electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described first and second oral care implements.As an alternative or supplement, reception is connected to the output of first electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described first oral care implement, and receives the output that is connected to second electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described second oral care implement.
Embodiments of the present invention can also comprise one or more following features.Described oral care implement comprises the device that is selected from by the group that constitutes with lower device: toothbrush, dental floss, gingival irritation utensil, water injector, be configured to its arbitrarily combination instrument, with and combination arbitrarily.Each comprises the device that is selected from by the group that constitutes with lower device described first and second oral care implements: toothbrush, dental floss, gingival irritation utensil, water injector, be configured to its arbitrarily combination instrument, with and combination arbitrarily.As an alternative or supplement, described first oral care implement further comprises and is used to detect one or more sensors that described first oral care implement is applied to user oral cavity and user's tooth pressure one of at least, and the output of wherein said electronic game is in response to the one or more inputs that receive from described one or more pressure sensors.As an alternative or supplement, described first oral care implement further comprise be used to detect described first oral care implement in the neutralization of user oral cavity along the moving of user's tooth, direction and acceleration one or more sensors one of at least, and the output of wherein said electronic game is in response to the input that receives from described motion, direction or acceleration transducer.Described electronic game station further comprises the video display of the output that is used to show described electronic game.
On the other hand, the invention provides a kind of method that promotes correct MC, described method comprises the temperature in the sensing user oral cavity, the use of indication oral care implement in the user oral cavity, and will be sent to processor as input from the output of one or more sensor sensing temperatures, this processor is used to control electronic game, and described electronic game provides can be by the output of user's perception of described oral care implement.The recreation output that provides in response to receiving from the input of described one or more temperature sensors further is provided described method.
The embodiment of the inventive method can comprise one or more following features.Described method further comprises in response to receiving from the stopping of input of described one or more temperature sensors and stops recreation output, and comprises in response to receiving in the time interval from the recovery of the input of described one or more temperature sensors and recover recreation output.Wherein provide recreation output to comprise,, during oral care session, continue recreation output in response to the input that receives from described one or more temperature sensors.Carry out according at least one group of instruction during the described oral care session.
In other respects, the invention provides a kind of and oral care gaming and carry out mutual method.Described method comprises, thereby select oral care tool head and be connected to handle to make oral care implement complete, the active electron game station is selected electronic game, and the one or more physical parameters of sensing, described parameter is indicated the use of described oral care implement.Described method further comprises, physical parametric data is transferred to the processor of described electronic game station, receive described physical parametric data at described processor, use described physical parametric data to produce and show the output of described electronic game, and point out user's oral care session of described oral care implement to stop.
The embodiment of this method of the present invention can comprise one or more following features.The sensing of one or more physical parameters is comprised temperature in the sensing user oral cavity, reside in the oral cavity at oral care implement described in the oral care process.Described method further comprises by identification draws from the one or more signs of described oral care tool head or the input of encoding, and discerns the user of described oral care implement.As an alternative or supplement, described method comprises by identification draws from the one or more signs of described oral care tool head or the input of encoding, and identification will be used the oral care of described oral care implement execution.
Each embodiment of the present invention provides one or more following performances.Oral care gaming system can be configured with oral care implement, described oral care implement structure and maintenance or the treatment of arranging to be used for oral cavity, gum and/or tooth, and with the implement device/controller of playing games.Described oral care implement comprises one or more input switches and one or more sensor, integrate with described instrument, be used for the user utilize described instrument carry out oral care function and when movable user for system realize electronics and/or video-game amusement.Described oral care implement can utilize input that the user provides and sensor to export to carry out and control electronics and/or video-game.Described system can provide oral care feedback for the user, to impel and to strengthen the user and carry out and improve oral care efficacy.Described system can provide feedback about its oral care efficacy for the user, by improving or improving user's recreation performance, game score, game progress and/or obtain the mutual with it electronics of one or more described users and/or the target of video-game.
Described oral care implement communicates with the base unit of configuration as electronic game station, by wired or wireless connection.Described base unit comprises microcomputer system, power supply and timer or real-time clock, wherein each all provides and outputs to video display and one or more loudspeaker, described video display provides the video image of electronics and/or video-game, and described loudspeaker provides the audible feedback of recreation.Described microcomputer system comprises addressable memory or replaceable memory, and it is used for realizing, starts, carries out and/or shows one or more electronics and/or video-game in conjunction with the software of electronical computer.Described base unit comprises one or more external communication ports, be used for communicating with at least the second oral care implement and receiving input from it, described second oral care implement is arranged and is away from described oral care implement and comprises one or more inputs, is used to provide recreation input and game control to instruct to described base unit.Described one or more external communication ports also allows described base unit and one or more other calculation elements, computer and/or internet to interconnect, and/or be provided for the POP of external memory, and/or provide interconnection to be used for external software is downloaded to described base unit.
Described microcomputer system can dispose and be used for analyzing and generation oral care efficacy grade, and described efficacy ratings can be used for revising, and for example raising or improvement game score, recreation show and obtain Mission Objective.Described efficacy ratings is produced by described microcomputer system, use one or more outputs that reside in the sensor in the described oral care implement, described sensor detection, sensing and/or measure these movable characteristics when the user uses described oral care implement to carry out oral care.
After the inspection following accompanying drawing that provides, detailed description and claim, these and other aspect and embodiment and the present invention self of the present invention will be understood more completely.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of an embodiment of oral care gaming system;
Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of oral care implement shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of base unit shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is the decomposition diagram and the partial interior view of oral care implement shown in Fig. 1 and 2, and it is configured to toothbrush recreation implement device/controller;
Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of oral care gaming system;
Fig. 5 A is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of oral care gaming system; And
Fig. 6 is a block flow diagram, shown use Fig. 1,5 and 5A shown in the oral care gaming method of system.
The specific embodiment
Embodiments of the invention provide a kind of oral care gaming system, are used to realize one or more electronics and/or video-game, and the user of the system of permission is by carrying out the carrying out of oral care control electronics and/or video-game.Described system allows one or more electronics and/or video-game, and wherein the raising of the acquisition of Mission Objective and recreation achievement can realize by user's oral care techniques and behavior.Described system is by acquisition that improve or improved recreation achievement and Mission Objective, provides feedback about its technology and behavior effect for the user during MC.By allowing user user to carry out electronics and/or video-game in oral care session, described system allows user's amusement and excitation and encouragement user make great efforts obtaining correct oral care techniques and finally to obtain best MC.
The exemplary embodiment of described oral care gaming system and method comprises a kind of oral care implement, is used to carry out various oral care function and is used to take on recreation implement device/controller.Described system further comprises base unit, but its be connected with described oral care implement with mode of operation, take on electronic game station, arrange away from described oral care implement and be used for operation and show one and/or a plurality of electronics and/or video-game.Use the described oral care implement that is used for oral care function, the electronics of the user of system and the operation of described base unit and/or video-game are carried out mutual and are interacted.Described oral care implement comprises one or more sensors, is used to detect the orientation of user to described oral care implement, and the oral care techniques and the behavior that are used for sensing, detection and/or measurement user.When opening, described sensor and described base unit communicate, and encourage described base unit to realize, start, carry out thus and/or show recreation.Especially, described sensor provides sensor feedback output, is input to microprocessor and/or the microcomputer system that is included in described oral care implement and/or the described base unit respectively as input signal.Described is that processor and/or microcomputer system are programmed the one or more efficacy ratings that are used to analyze described sensor feedback input and calculating user's oral care techniques and behavior.The programming of described system is used for efficacy ratings with the user and is converted into recreation achievement raising or improved, game score and/or obtains one or more Mission Objectives.
Described oral care implement further comprises the device that is used for carrying out with described base unit the wired and/or radio communication of hardware, and can further comprise one or more manual input switches, be used to produce signal and be delivered to described base unit as recreation input and game control order.Described base unit comprises and is used for the wired and/or radio communication device of hardware of communicating by letter with described oral care implement.Described base unit further comprises the video display of the video image that is used to provide electronics and/or video-game, and one or more loudspeaker that is used to produce the audible feedback of electronics and/or video-game.Described base unit comprises microcomputer system, this system comprises one or more power supplys, timer or real-time clock and addressable memory or exchangeable memory, and described memory combination is used to realize and be used to move the software of electronical computer of one or more electronics and/or video-game.Described base unit can also comprise one or more manual input switches, is used to select the operator scheme of described system and is used for producing the recreation input and the game control instruction.Described base unit can further comprise one or more external communication ports, be used to allow described base unit and one or more other assemblies to interconnect, these assemblies can combine with described system, such assembly is including but not limited to one or more other input units, for example one or more computers, the Internet communication device and/or calculation element are with respect to described oral care implement remote arrangement and comprise one or more inputs to be used for the producing recreation input and game control is instructed.As an alternative, described base unit can be configured and be programmed to provide radio communication with these other input units.Described one or more external communication ports can also be arranged to and allow to interconnect with the internet, and/or be used to be provided for receiving the POP of external memory, and/or be used to provide the ability of download external software.In addition, described base unit can be programmed to communicate by letter with at least one second oral care implement, be used to receive recreation input and control instruction and from the sensor feedback input of described second oral care implement, thereby thus described system and method be configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system.
Referring to Fig. 1, one aspect of the present invention provides a kind of oral care gaming system 10, comprises oral care implement 12 and base unit 14.Described oral care implement 12 is configured and is arranged to maintenance or the treatment that is used for oral cavity, gum and/or tooth, and further be designed and be configured to the implement device/controller of playing, so that communicate with described base unit 14 and carry out alternately with the electronics and/or the video-game of described base unit 14.Described oral care implement 12 can or be configured to its instrument of combination arbitrarily including but not limited to toothbrush, dental floss, gingival irritation utensil, water injector, and configuration is used to carry out one or more oral care function or activity, for example scrubs, teeth space backguy, massage or water spray action.For purpose disclosed by the invention, use the mark of toothbrush 12 below and in scrubbing the environment of tooth, describe described oral care implement 12.Those skilled in the art will be appreciated that, the invention is not restricted to toothbrush 12 illustrated and that describe, and predict described oral care implement 12 and can comprise other oral care appliances and utensil, such as but not limited to above-mentioned, be used to carry out any various oral care function.
Described base unit 14 is designed and disposes as electronic game station, and be used for carrying out alternately with described oral care implement 12 and communicating by letter and be used to realize the electronic installation of one or more electronics and/or video-game as will be described below comprising.Described base unit 14 comprises shell 16 and video display 18, for example video-frequency monitor or lcd screen, described video display 18 link to each other with described shell 16 and are configured for and show described base unit 14 is that realize, that start, that carry out and/or show the one or more electronics and/or the video images of video-game.Described base unit 14 further comprises one or more loudspeakers 20, be used for being created in one or more recreation realization, start and audible feedback that the process of carrying out produces.Described shell 16 can further limit socket 22, and it is configured for the described instrument 12 of reception and when not using it is assemblied on the described base unit 12 thus.As will be described below, described oral care implement 12 can be configured to receive removedly a plurality of interchangeable oral care tool head 24, head toothbrushes for example, thus described instrument 12 can be used by a plurality of users.Described oral care implement 12 also can be configured for and receive a plurality of different, interchangeable oral care tool head 24 removedly, wherein each 24 is configured for and carries out specific oral care function, for example brushes teeth, teeth space backguy, gingival massage or tooth water spray.
In one embodiment, system 10 is arranged to a plurality of users, described shell 16 can limit a plurality of tool heads sockets 26, and each is configured for reception for an independent user's of system 10 tool heads 24 and thus it is assembled to described shell 16.In another embodiment, system 10 is configured for and carries out a plurality of oral care function, described shell 16 can limit a plurality of sockets 26, each is configured for and receives one or more different tool heads 24 and thus it is assembled to described shell 16, described tool heads 24 for example is head toothbrushes, dental floss head, gingival irritation end and/or fountain head, is used for each oral care function that described system 10 carries out.
Described base unit 14 can further comprise one or more manual input switches 30 and 32, and it operatively is connected with the electronic installation of described base unit 14, and is as will be described below.Described switch 30 and 32 is arranged along shell 16, to allow user's 28 one or more switches 30 of visit and 32 to offer described base unit 14, so that electronics and/or the video-game selecting the operator scheme of described base unit 14 and carry out and/or control described base unit 14 with input and the game control instruction of will playing.
As shown in fig. 1, in the preferred embodiment of system 10, but described oral care implement 12 is connected with mode of operation with described base unit 14 and is used for radio communication 13.User 28 communicates by letter with described base unit 14, by carrying out oral care function with manually holding and handle described instrument 12, and select the operator scheme of described system 10 and provide recreation input and game control instructed to offer described base unit 12 along the one or more manual input switch (not shown) of described instrument 12 and/or by the one or more manual input switch 30 and 32 that encourages described base unit 14 by excitation, encourage described base unit 14 to carry out, start, carry out thus and/or show electronics and/or video-game.
Referring to Fig. 2 and further with reference to figure 1, schematic diagram has shown an exemplary oral care implement 12, and it comprises tool heads 24 and handle 25.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, described tool heads 24 is the head toothbrushes 24 that comprise a large amount of bristles 23.Described instrument 12 further comprises one or more sensors 34 and 36, one or more manual input switch 38, printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) 40 and relevant electronic installation, intercommunication module 41, one or more power supply 42 and one or more loudspeaker 44.
Described tool heads 24 is configured within it that portion holds one or more sensors 34, and described handle 25 is configured within it, and portion holds one or more sensors 36.Described sensor 34 and 36 can comprise various sensors, is used to detect, sensing and/or measure one or more physical parameters of oral care, as variable, characteristic and the behavior of the MC that uses described oral care implement 12 to carry out.When one or more in described sensor 34 and 36 started in the oral care process, described communication module 41 was transferred to described base unit 14 with wireless mode with sensor output so that encourage described base unit 14 to carry out, start, carry out and/or show electronics and/or video-game.The game content interaction that the user of described system 10 can move by performance and the described base unit 14 by described one or more sensors 34 and 36 oral care function that detect thus.
The sensor 34 of described tool heads 24 can comprise one or more pressure sensors, it is used to detect the pressure that described bristle 23 and/or described brush 24 are applied to user oral cavity and/or tooth, and/or one or more accelerometers, it is used for the motion of the described brush 24 of sensing or scrubs acceleration, and/or one or more temperature or heat sensor, it is used for measuring in the process of scrubbing the temperature in user's mouth or oral cavity.As below will describing, the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 helps to guarantee, use that described brush 24 carries out scrub in the oral cavity that occurs in the user rather than described user only simulates and scrubs so that play and mark.
The one or more sensors 36 that are placed on described handle 25 inside can comprise one or more strain gauges, load cell, pressure sensor, accelerometer, gravity quadrant sensor, gyroscope and/or other motions or load sensing apparatus or sensor.
Described sensor 34 and 36 is encouraged by oral care, and produces sensor output so that encourage, start, carry out and control the electronics and/or the video-game of described base unit 14.Be in the preferred embodiment of toothbrush for example at described oral care implement 12, when user's tool using 12 is scrubbed its tooth, detect or measure the specific technology of scrubbing and behavior, for example correct toothbrushing force, scrubbing action, dental surface, for example top, bottom, inboard, the outer surface scrubbed and scrub duration, for example preset time cycle about uniformity and direction by one or more in sensor 34 and 36.Described sensor 34 and 36 output are analyzed by the microprocessor 46 of described oral care implement 12 and/or the microcomputer system 50 of described base unit 14, as below will describing, be converted to game control, game score and electronics and/or video-game improved or raising with the described sensor output that produces efficacy ratings and will represent user's toothbrushing technique and behavior and carry out.The potentiality of recreation performance that to improve or improved, higher game score and one or more Mission Objectives depend on the user thus actual scrub movable with and toothbrushing technique and behavior.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, described brush 24 portion within it comprises one or more temperature or heat sensor 34, is used for detecting when user's 28 tool usings 12 are brushed teeth the temperature in user 28 oral cavity.The output of temperature and heat sensor 34 allow user's 28 tool usings 12 carry out in the described base unit 14 recreation and, as already mentioned, guaranteeing that described user 28 brushes teeth in its oral cavity by tool using 12 carries out described recreation, and this is opposite so that carry out described recreation by the simulation activity of brushing teeth with described user 28.In addition, the output of temperature or heat sensor 34 can be used to measure the duration of brushing teeth, and for example described base unit 14 is preset and/or is programmed so that the predetermined period of time of following the tracks of and controlling.If the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 indication, before ending, stops using the described time cycle the brush teeth activity of instrument 12 in the user oral cavity, then described base unit 14 can be programmed to different ways stopping in response to the described activity of scrubbing, describe as following, for example comprise, exceeded limit default or programming or the time interval then suspend recreation and carry out if scrub the interval that stops.
In addition, the microprocessor 46 of described oral care implement 12 and/or the microcomputer system 50 of described base unit 14 can be exported by analyte sensors, for example produce sensor output from one or more pressure sensors 34 and 36, the pressure that bristle 23 that representative is detected and brush 24 impose on user's tooth, and/or from the output of the sensor of one or more accelerometers 34 and 36, represent the action/motion of brush 24 about direction, uniformity and/or acceleration.As below describing, described microprocessor 46 and/or described microcomputer system 50 can be used as discrete variable or the independent analysis temperature of parameter or heat sensor 34, pressure sensor 34 and 36 and/or accelerometer 34 and 36 sensor output, and/or be bonded to each other or combine to help to produce the efficacy ratings of user's toothbrushing technique and behavior with other sensors outputs that obtain from other sensors 34 and 36.For example, the output of temperature or heat sensor 34 can be analyzed in conjunction with the output of pressure sensor 36, so as duration of brushing teeth about the user to be provided and scrub during in the user scrub the inhomogeneity efficacy ratings of technology.
The brush 24 of described oral tool 12 can be motorless or dynamic, and dynamic or motorless brush 24 can use with any sensor 34 above-mentioned and 36.In a preferred embodiment, described brush 24 is by one or more power supply 42 power supplies.Power supply 42 resides in the handle 25 and comprises independent current source 42, such as but not limited to battery, fuel cell, photocell, chemical cell or any other independent electrical power.
In addition, described oral tool 12 is configured for and receives a plurality of brushes 24 removedly.Each brush 24 is configured for and is connected to described instrument 12 removedly, thus described system 10 is configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system 10.As below describing, in a preferred embodiment, each brush 24 is programmed and/or is encoded 80, so that the specific user 28 that identification is associated with described brush 24, thereby when described brush 24 is connected to described oral care implement 12, described base unit 14 is the described brush 24 of microcomputer 50 identifications of base unit 14 for example, discerns the specific user 28 of described system 10 thus.Will describe with reference to Fig. 5 as following, described programming and/or 80 the brush 24 of encoding help described system 10 is configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system 10.
In a preferred embodiment, described instrument 12 further comprises one or more manual input switches 38, and these switches are provided with along described handle 25, thereby each switch 38 can encourage from a zone of described handle 25 outsides.But each switch 38 further is provided with and is disposed for being connected with the electronic installation of mode of operation with the printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) 40 that is included in described handle 25 inside.The activation of described one or more switch 38 produces output signal, it is transferred to described PCB40 and is received as recreation input and game control instruction by it, and described communication module 41 is sent to described base unit 14 with these recreation inputs and game control instruction with wireless mode.In a preferred embodiment, the activation that is positioned at one or more switches 30 of described base unit 14 and 32 activation and/or one or more switches 38 of arranging along described handle for tool 25 provides recreation input and game control command signal to described base unit 14, is used for realizing startup, carry out and controlling electronics and/or video-game.
In addition, one or more switches 38 of described oral care implement 12 can be realized when activating and/or the certain operational modes of triggering system 10, including but not limited to video play mode, display mode and/or non-video pattern.For example, described video play mode allows the user to use described oral care implement 12 to carry out electronics and/or video-game when triggering.In display mode, described system 10 on video display 18, show user for example game data, for example game state, game result, recreation identity, Mission Objective obtain and with user's other relevant information of performance of playing.In addition, described system 10 shows users' oral care data at described video display 18, comprises for example oral care regimens of efficacy ratings and regulation.Such game data and oral care data can and be stored by described system 10 records, and are shown at described video display 18 by described system 10 afterwards, as current, accumulation and/or historical compilation, file and record.When activating, the non-video pattern of described system 10 allows the user that described oral care implement 12 is used for oral care function and does not carry out electronics and/or video-game.
Can stipulate various arbitrarily configurations and structure along one or more switches 38 that handle 25 is arranged, including but not limited to pressure-sensitive touch pad, small game handle, discrete button, toggle switch, slide switch, it makes up arbitrarily and be suitable for realizing importing and instruct other input configuration and structures of control signal.
As shown in Figure 2, in a preferred embodiment, but described PCB 40 is connected to one or more switches 36 of described instrument 12 with mode of operation, but and is connected to the one or more power supplys 42 that are arranged on described handle 25 inside with mode of operation equally.In a preferred embodiment, described PCB 40 comprises microprocessor 46, as mentioned above its is configured for the output signal of analyte sensors, described microprocessor 46 receives described signal of sensor as input from described one or more sensors 34 and 36, and be used for analyzing and/or reception recreation input and game control instruction, its one or more switches 38 from described instrument 12 receive these play input and game control instructions.
In addition, but described PCB 40 is connected to described intercommunication module 41 with mode of operation, and this module is configured between described oral care implement 12 and described base unit 14 and sets up wireless connections 13.Described communication module 41 realizes the wireless transmission 13 of output signals, and described microprocessor 46 provides described output signal as the analyte sensors feedback and analyze and/or receive result from the recreation input and the game control instruction of described switch 38.Described communication module 41 comprises one or more transmitting devices, be configured and be programmed to and be used to set up wireless connections 13, be used for the output of any described microprocessor 46, described sensor 34 and 36 and the one or more manual input switch 38 of described oral care implement 12 be sent to described base unit 14.The transmitting device of described communication module 41 can including but not limited to infrared or laser LED device, 802.11 interfaces,
Figure A200780019006D0017185257QIETU
Connect, other infrared (RF) transmitting devices and system, with and combination arbitrarily.
Further referring to Fig. 2, described instrument 12 comprises one or more loudspeakers 44, be configured for the audio frequency output of generation from audible feedback, described base unit 14 produces described audible feedback as the result who realizes, starts and/or carry out electronics and/or video-game.In a preferred embodiment, described one or more loudspeakers 44 are included in the inside of described handle 25, but and are connected to described PCB 40 and communication module 41 so that receive audible feedback from described base unit 14 with mode of operation.
Referring to Fig. 3 and further with reference to Fig. 1 and 2, shown an exemplary exemplary system design of described base unit 14.In a preferred embodiment, described base unit 14 is configured and is programmed for as electronic game station, comprises microcomputer system 50, video display 18, one or more loudspeaker 20, power supply 52, timer or real-time clock 54, addressable memory or replaceable memory 56, one or more manual input switch 30 and 32, intercommunication module 58 and one or more external communication ports 60.
But described microcomputer system 50 is connected to described power supply 52, described video display 18, for example video-frequency monitor or lcd screen, described one or more manual input switches 30 and 32, described one or more loudspeakers 20 and described timer or real-time clock 54 with mode of operation.Described one or more manual input switch 30 and 32 provide input signal to described microcomputer system 50 to realize and/or to activate the certain operational modes of described system 10, including but not limited to video play mode, display mode and/or non-video pattern, as described above.In addition, realize, start, carry out from the described input signal of manual input switch 30 and 32 and/or show electronics and/or the video-game that resides in the described base unit 14.
The video output of described microcomputer system 50 and described timer or real-time clock 54 is produced to described video display 18, video display 18 is configured for display video output with the electronics that described base unit 14 operations are provided and/or the video image of video-game, and provides described base unit 14 and described oral care implement 12 mutual video image.In addition, the output of the audible feedback of described microcomputer system 50 is produced to described one or more loudspeaker 20, and described one or more loudspeakers 20 are configured for the output of audio plays feedback with the electronics that produces described base unit 14 operations and/or the sound of video-game.
In addition, but described microcomputer system 50 is connected to described addressable memory or replaceable memory 56 with mode of operation, its in conjunction with about one or more electronics and/software of electronical computer of video-game is used for the configuration and the described base unit 14 of programming.
In addition, but described microcomputer system 50 is connected to described intercommunication module 58 with mode of operation.In a preferred embodiment, described intercommunication module 58 is configured and is programmed to the radio communication connection 13 that is used to produce between described base unit 14 and the described oral care implement 12.Described communication module 58 comprises one or more transmitting devices, be used between described base unit 14 and described oral care implement 12, setting up wireless connections 13, including but not limited to infrared or laser LED device, 802.11 interfaces, Connect, other infrared (RF) transmitting devices and system, with and combination arbitrarily.
But described microcomputer system 50 is connected to described one or more external communication ports 60 with mode of operation equally.Described one or more external communication ports 60 can comprise and be used to allow described base unit 14 and the port that can interconnect in conjunction with one or more other assemblies 62 of described system 10, including but not limited to one or more other input units, for example one or more desktops and/or laptop computer, the Internet communication device and/or other calculation elements, with respect to described oral care implement 12 remote arrangement and be configured and be programmed for and be used to produce recreation input and game control instruction and be used to transmit such input and instruct described base unit 14.In one embodiment, the intercommunication module 41 of described base unit 14 can be configured and be programmed for and be used to provide described base unit 14 to be connected 13 ' with radio communication between one and a plurality of other assemblies 62.
Described one or more external communication ports 60 can comprise equally and be used to allow to connect the internet and/or provide POP to be used to the port of the ability that receives external memory and/or download external software is provided.
Will describe with reference to figure 5 as following, the especially described microcomputer system 50 of a lot of assemblies of described base unit 14, described intercommunication module 58, memory 56, described video display 18 and/or described loudspeaker 20, can be configured and be programmed for to be used for setting up and be connected 13 ' with the radio communication of at least the second oral care implement 12 ', instruct to allow described base unit 14 to receive and handle from the recreation input and the game control of described second oral tool 12 ', and from the sensor feedback output of the sensor of described second oral tool 12 ', thereby described system 10 is configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system 10.
As previously mentioned, described base unit 14 comprises addressable memory or replaceable memory 56, but and connects outside and/or remote memory 65 with mode of operation via one or more described external communication ports 60 and/or described intercommunication module 58 alternatively.The memory 56 of described base unit 14 is combined with the software of electronical computer, is used to use described system 10 to realize one or more electronics and/or video-game.In addition, memory 56 can comprise default, programming and/or programmable instruction set, impel described system 10 to carry out and realize oral care session, for example be the specific user 28 of described system 10 determine especially and/or determine especially for specific oral care or function, and the oral care regimens of impelling described system 10 to carry out and realize regulation, comprise a plurality of oral care session, for example be that the specific user 28 of described system 10 determines especially and determine especially for specific oral care or function.
The memory 56 and/or the external memory storage 65 of described base unit 14 are configured for record, the sensor feedback that compiling and storage are provided by the sensor 34 and 36 in described one or more oral care implements 12 and 12 ', the efficacy ratings that described microprocessor 41 and/or described microcomputer system 50 produce, and/or game data, thereby, described base unit 14 can produce and show or provide the user to rinse the technology of washing and behavior by other modes, efficacy ratings current, accumulation and/or historical file, record and report, and the Mission Objective of user's recreation performance and acquisition.
Referring to Fig. 4, illustrate the exploded perspective and the partial interior view of an exemplary oral care implement 12, wherein toothbrush is constructed and be arranged to described instrument 12 according to the present invention.Described oral care implement 12 comprises brush 24, is configured with a plurality of bristles 13 at the terminal 24A of described brush 24.As described above, but described instrument 12 further comprise the one or more sensors 36 that are contained in handle 25 inside, one or more manual input switch 38, be connected to PCB 40, one or more power supply 42 and one or more loudspeaker 44 of described microprocessor 46 and described communication module 41 with mode of operation.
In a preferred embodiment, described brush 24 is power-actuated, and the structure and be arranged to no instrument, removable be connected and separate with described handle 25.In a preferred embodiment, described brush 24 via quick connection with lock 70 and be connected removedly and separate, described quick connection and lock 70 and be configured and be arranged in the terminal 24B of described brush 24 with mechanical connection or dynamo-electric connected mode with described handle 25.The quick connection of described mechanical system and lock 70 and can comprise any various mechanical connections, including but not limited to be threaded, bayonet socket connection, right-angled bend connection, ball detent, springlock connect and other frame for movement or structure arbitrarily, with provide described brush 24 and receiver 72 fast, being connected of locking, as below describing, at least a portion with described brush 24 is connected to described handle 25 thus.As an alternative, described quick connection can be dynamo-electric the connection with locking 70, comprise the conduction tie point, for example along its distal portions 70A and/or its proximal part 70B layout or inner endways, described conduction tie point is complementary with the conduction tie point that for example is arranged on described brush 25 inside, thereby helps to keep the signal of telecommunication transmission between described handle 25 and the described brush 25.
Described instrument 12 further comprises receiver 72, it is configured with being arranged to and is used to receive described quick at least a portion that is connected and locks 70 near-end 70B, and at least a portion that receives the end 24 of described handle 25, thereby described brush 24 is connected with handle 25 in removable mode.Described receiver 72 can be configured and be arranged to elasticity receiver 72, for example is made of one or more elasticity or similar material, thereby uses described receiver 72 in conjunction with one or more sensors 36.As described above, such sensor 36 can comprise one or more strain gauges, load cell, pressure sensor, accelerometer, gravity quadrant sensor, gyroscope and/or other motions or load sensing apparatus or sensor.Described elasticity receiver 72 realizes that the pressure that will be applied on the described oral care implement 12 is transformed into sensor 36, is used for for example motion of instrument 12 or the detection or the measurement of load.
As an alternative or replenish, described receiver 72 can be dynamo-electric the connection, comprise the conduction tie point of for example arranging along distal portions 72A, this tie point is with for example quick to be connected and to lock the conduction tie point that 70 far-end and/or proximal part 70A and 70B arrange be complementary along described, thereby helps to support the signal of telecommunication transmission between described handle 25 and the described brush 25.Described receiver 72 can comprise the conduction tie point of for example arranging along its proximal part 72B equally, this tie point is complementary with the conduction tie point of for example arranging along the far-end 24 of described handle 25, thereby helps to support that the signal of telecommunication between described handle 25 and the described brush 24 transmits.
As mentioned above in addition, in a preferred embodiment, described brush 24 be configured and be arranged to described oral care implement 12 be used to provide identification or code signal to the electronic installation of described handle 25 coding annex 80, comprise described PCB 40 and described microprocessor 40 and/or to the electronic installation of described base unit 14, comprise described microcomputer system 50, discern individual brush 24, the user that is associated with this particular brushhead 24 of identification thus thereby the electronic installation of described system 10 combines with the programmed logic of described system 10 or software.In this way, described system 10 is configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system 10, and its use of following the tracks of individual brush 24 is to follow the tracks of the use of each 28 pairs of described system 10 of individual user.
In addition, the computer software of system 10 can be programmed and/or be programmable, the sign or the code signal that are used for combination and are used to discern brush 24, as password or the software passwords discerned by the microcomputer 50 of for example described base unit 10 of described system 10, impel described base unit 14 to move one or more electronics and/or video-game according to rule one group of agreement and/or that play, described rule is to determine especially about the sign and the code signal of specific user's 28 identifications for described system 10.Described system 10 can be provided as the electronics and/or the video-game of specific user 28 personal settings of described system 10 thus.
Software is the assembly of some or all embodiment of described system 10.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, software is stored in the memory 56 of base unit 14, is designed for to realize various electronics and/or video-game.In addition, software is designed for the realization oral care regimens, for example is used for oral cavity maintenance or treatment, and it is that each user 28 for system 10 determines especially, and/or as below describing with reference to figure 5A, be to determine especially for each oral care that system's 10 configurations are carried out.
The electronics of system 10 and/or video-game are designed and programme to be used to provide amusement, and be used to impel the user to carry out correct oral care techniques and behavior, when the user uses oral care implement 12 to carry out oral care and carries out the electronics of base unit 14 and/or during video-game, the feedback that offers the user by system 10 is encouraged and is strengthened correct technology and behavior.Such feedback includes but not limited to, in response to the user's oral care techniques and the behavioural trait of system's 10 sensings and analysis, recreation raising or improved is carried out, game score and/or obtain one or more Mission Objectives.In addition, system 10 impels the user to adhere to the oral care regimens that the software of system 10 is realized, as below describing.
In general, when the sensor 34 and 36 of described oral care implement 12 detected various oral care and/or these movable characteristics, the electronic installation of these sensors 34 and 36 the described base unit 14 of output drive was to carry out, to start, to carry out and/or to show electronics and/or video-game according to the software of system 10.For example, be configured in the preferred embodiment of toothbrush at described oral care implement 12 as described above, the temperature of described brush 24 or heat sensor 34 detect the existence of described brush 24 in the user oral cavity, that detects the described oral care implement 12 of the use that takes place thus in the user oral cavity actually scrubs activity, and this is opposite with simulation of using described oral care implement 12 activity of brushing teeth.The output of temperature or heat sensor 34 is analyzed by the microcomputer system 50 in microprocessor in the instrument 12 46 and/or the base unit 14, thereby, thereby the software startup of system 10, carry out, carry out and/or show electronics and/or video-game for system 10 provides in the oral cavity that the indicating toothbrushing activity occurs in the user.In addition, the output that microprocessor 46 and/or microcomputer system 50 are analyzed from other sensors 36, thereby for system 10 provides the oral care techniques of representing the user and the feedback of behavioural trait, thereby the software of system 10 is carried out, starts, is carried out and/or shows electronics and/or video-game.In addition, recreation input that excitation by described one or more input switches 30,32 and 38 provides and game control instruction are received as input signal and analysis by described microprocessor 46 and/or microcomputer system 50, for system 10 provides recreation input and instruction, thereby the software of system 10 is carried out, starts, is carried out and/or shows electronics and/or video-game.The electronics of described base unit 14 operations and/or the content of video-game are also carried out, control and/or revised to the software of system 10.
In addition, efficacy ratings from the output of sensor 34 and 36 be analyzed and be calculated to described microprocessor 46 and/or described microcomputer system 50 can according to the software of system 10, and it represents appropriateness, appropriateness and/or the adequacy of user's oral care techniques and behavior.The software of system 10 can utilize user's efficacy ratings, for example such as the temperature grade (emission of in oral cavity scrubbing) relevant with direction with the motion of toothbrush 12, scrub the duration grade, scrub pressure rating, and/or other grades relevant with the characteristic of brushing teeth, individually or with any combination, recreation with raising or improvement user is carried out, and especially user's game control, recreation performance, scoring, game progress and Mission Objective obtains.In addition, carrying out in the process of electronics and/or video-game, the software responses of system 10 carries out, controls and/or revise the content of recreation in such efficacy ratings.System 10 realizes user's recreation performance thus as feedback, and it impels and strengthens the user and continue its oral care, the duration of the oral care session that for example describes below, and revise or improve its oral care techniques.
In a preferred embodiment, the output of temperature or heat sensor 34 is used by the software that resides in the system 10 in described base unit 14 memories 56, to start, to carry out, to carry out and/or to show electronics and/or video-game.As mentioned above, the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 guarantees that the activity of brushing teeth occurs in user's the oral cavity, plays to avoid the user only to simulate the activity of brushing teeth.In addition, the software of system 10 can be designed as the output of described temperature of use or heat sensor 34 to carry out oral care session, continue the specific time at 14 operation electronics of base unit described in this process and/or video-game, as long as the user utilizes described toothbrush 12 to brush teeth in its oral cavity.
The oral care sessions that described system 10 realizes can be by the producer of system 10 or pre-if pre-programmed by doctor, dentist, father and mother or other people, for example use described base unit 14 and one or more manual input switch 30 and 32 and/or use another assembly 62, as described above for example desktop computer, laptop computer or other calculation elements.In addition or as an alternative, the software of system 10 can be programmable, to produce, to revise and/or to change oral care sessions.For example, the software of system 10 can be in advance if pre-programmed and/or can be programmable, to allow the user to carry out the electronics and/or the video-game of predetermined quantity oral care sessions every day, every day three times for example, each session has predetermined time duration, for example two minutes, to encourage continuous and the activity of brushing teeth rule.Scrub session and can on the specific time cycle, be formulated plan, for example on 12 or 24 hours periods, have enforceable quiescent period for given user between session, described during this period base unit 14 is brushing teeth between the session of being planned avoiding of disarm state for this user.Plan scrubbed session and enforceable quiescent period encourages the user to brush teeth at regular intervals thus, for example after the meal, adjoining land starts the process of scrubbing just to playing to avoid the user.
In general, the software of system 10 according to be stored in instruction set in described base unit 14 memories 56 realize oral care sessions, described memory be programmable and/or carry out as described above pre-if pre-programmed.According to the incompatible programming port of instruction set chamber nursing process and quiescent period, permission system 10 is attached to described oral care session in the oral care regimens into user's special provision.Such therapy is carried out and/or controlled to the software of system 10 according to described default, pre-programmed and/or the programmable instruction set that is stored in the memory 56, with the oral care regimens of specific user 28 regulations that are embodied as system 10.In addition, will describe with reference to figure 5A as following, the software of system 10 can be realized the oral care regimens of regulation for specific oral care, carry out specific nursing activity and/or the oral care regimens of control regulation by default, pre-programmed and/or programmable instruction set in the memory 56 according to being stored in for the software of described thus system 10, and such nursing activity includes but not limited to brush teeth, teeth space backguy, gingival massage and/or tooth water spray.That preset, pre-programmed and/or programmable oral care sessions and therapy help system 10 are forbidden the abuse to system 10, and each user of Motivational systems 10 adheres to the oral care regimens stipulated.
In the situation of brushing teeth, the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 uses by the software of system 10 whether the user had stopped using described toothbrush 12 scrubbing in its oral cavity before scrubbing the session termination to detect.For example; if described temperature or heat sensor 34 detect scrub in the session and before default, pre-programmed and/or programmable process duration for example stopped in two minutes interrupting or stopping the activity of scrubbing in the user oral cavity; then the software of system 10 will impel the carrying out that described base unit 14 suspends or stops electronics and/or video-game, and for example detect to scrub under the movable situation about recovering in the user oral cavity in 3 or 5 seconds at interval at official hour at described temperature or heat sensor 34 and recover described recreation.If sensor 34 detects the active interrupt or stopped surpassing the cycle at interval that limits of brushing teeth in the user oral cavity, then the software of system 10 stops base unit 14 to restart described recreation, arrives up to the session of scrubbing of next one plan.
The output of temperature or heat sensor 34 can be connected with 36 output with other sensors 34 of toothbrush 12, for example such as one or more pressure sensors 34 and 36 and/or one or more accelerometers 34 and 36 output.As described above, one or more pressure sensors 34 and 36 can reside in the described toothbrush 12, detect the pressure that described bristle 23 and brush 24 are applied to user's tooth when using described toothbrush 12 to brush teeth the user, detect contacting of described toothbrush 12 and user's dental surface thus.System 10 can analyze the output of described pressure sensor 34 and 36, it is combined as independent variable or with the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34, to produce efficacy ratings, as described above.Combine separately or with the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 and to analyze the output of described pressure sensor 34 and 36, can help system 10 determine whether the activity of brushing teeth occurs in user's the oral cavity and detect stopping of the activity of brushing teeth, and detecting most surfaces that whether user be applied to toothbrush 12 its tooth finishing enough activities of brushing teeth, this only keeps described toothbrush 12 or be placed in its oral cavity and/or to lean on the single part of its tooth opposite to play with the user.
In addition, one or more accelerometers 34 and 36 can reside in the described toothbrush 12, detecting the action or the motion of described brush 24 and/or described toothbrush 12, evaluating described action or travel direction and uniformity, and/or measure the acceleration of described brush 24 and/or described toothbrush 12.System 10 can be used as that independent variable is analyzed separately or combines with the output of described temperature or heat sensor 324 and analyzes the output of described accelerometer 34 and 36, to produce efficacy ratings, as described above.Combine separately or with the output of described temperature or heat sensor 34 and to analyze the output of described accelerometer 34 and 36, can help system 10 determine whether the activity of brushing teeth occurs in user's the oral cavity and detect stopping of the activity of brushing teeth, and detect the user whether with enough speed on dental surface, move described toothbrush 12 and user whether with described toothbrush application to the most surfaces of its tooth finishing enough activities of brushing teeth, this only keeps described toothbrush 12 or be placed in its oral cavity and/or to lean on the single part of its tooth opposite to play with the user.
In this way, system 10 can utilize separately described temperature or heat sensor 34 output or with described one or more pressure sensors 34 and 36 and/or described one or more accelerometers 34 and 36 output combine, guarantee that with help system 10 users correctly use described toothbrush 12 to finish enough activities of brushing teeth.
Referring to Fig. 5, the present invention provides a kind of oral care gaming system 10 that comprises at least one second oral care implement 12 ' on the other hand, and described second oral care implement 12 ' is configured and is arranged to and is used for maintenance or treats oral cavity, gum and/or tooth.Described second oral care implement 12 ' further is designed and is configured to the implement device/controller of playing, describe with reference to Fig. 1-4 as top, so that communicate with base unit 14 and carry out alternately with the electronics and/or the video-game of described base unit 14.Described second oral care implement 12 ' permission system 10 is configured to a plurality of users or a plurality of players' system 10, each realization among two or more users of 10 permission systems 10 of wherein said system and identical or different electronics and/or the video-game of carrying out described base unit 14, perhaps carry out separately or carry out simultaneously with other users in identical oral care sessions, the user uses described oral care implement 12 and 12 ' to be engaged in oral care.
Referring to Fig. 5 A and with further reference to Fig. 1-4, the present invention provides a kind of system 10 that is designed and is disposed for to carry out multiple oral care function on the other hand, and system 10 can use oral care implement 12 to carry out different oral care function with its user 28 thus.As described above, described oral care implement 12 is configured for reception and is used for connecting a plurality of different tool heads 24,24 ', 24 in removable mode "; each tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " be configured for the described instrument 12 of removable connection, to help that described system 10 is configured to multifunction system.Each tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " be designed and be disposed for to carry out one or more oral care function; can be including but not limited to head toothbrushes 24, dental floss head 24 ', gingival irritation 24 ", fountain head and/or realization be configured to its any combination, with finish including but not limited to brush teeth, the oral care function of teeth space backguy, gingival massage and/or tooth water spray.
As described above, each tool heads 24,24 ', 24 of described multifunction system 10 " be programmed and/or encode 80 one-tenth be used for identification and described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " the specific user 28 that is associated, thereby when described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " when being connected to described oral care implement 12; base unit 14 is microcomputer 50 identification facility heads 24,24 ', 24 for example ", for example use from described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " sign or the code signal that receive, the specific user 28 of recognition system 10 thus.In addition, each tool heads 24,24 ', 24 of described multifunction system 10 " further programmed and/or further encoded 80; to discern described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " one or more specific functions, thereby when described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " when being connected to described oral care implement 12; base unit 14 is the described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 of microcomputer 50 identifications for example " oral care function carried out, for example use from described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " sign or the signal that receive.
For example, when described flossing tool head 24 ' is connected to described oral care implement 12, base unit 14 for example the specific user 28 of microcomputer 50 identifications and also the oral care function that will carry out of identification be the teeth space backguy.
By the described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 of described base unit 14 identifications " specific user 28 and described tool heads 24,24 ', 24 " oral care function, impel the software of system 10 realize according to be stored in one or more instruction sets in base unit 14 memories 56 default or pre-programmed and/or programmable oral care session.As described above, when user 28 uses described oral care implement 12 to carry out oral care, the software of system 10 impels base unit 14 to realize one or more electronics and/or video-game during oral care session, as long as user 28 correctly uses described oral care implement 12.For example, when the specific user 28 of identification described head toothbrushes 24 and this head toothbrushes 24, the software of system 10 impels base unit 14 to realize electronics and/or video-game in the oral care session of brushing teeth.When the oral care session of brushing teeth stopped, base unit 14 stopped described recreation.Thereafter, described user 28 can use another kind of tool heads, for example replace described head toothbrushes 24 such as flossing head 24 '.By base unit 14 described flossing heads 24 ' of identification and specific user 28 time, the software of system 10 impels base unit 14 to realize identical or different electronics and/or video-game in teeth space backguy process.Similarly, when teeth space backguy process stops, user 28 can use a gingival irritation described flossing head 24 ' of 24 ' replacement, and impels base unit 14 to realize that in the gingival massage process to specific user's 28 programmings identical or different electronics and/or video-game are to continue like the software class of system 10.The software responses of system 10 is in identification facility head 24,24 ', 24 " and the specific user 28 of oral care implement 12 and the various oral care session that realize, permission system 10 realizes being included as the oral care regimens of the different oral care session of these user's 28 regulations.For example, can preprogrammed instruction set have for example two minutes specific duration with the regulation process of brushing teeth for specific user 28, and similarly regulation teeth space backguy process and/or gingival massage process each has the specific duration for this specific user 28.In this way, system 10 allows users 28 at certain hour on the cycle, for example carry out one or more electronics and/or video-game on the total duration of specific oral care session, this is gratifying during for described user 28, and each oral care function that allows or encourage described user 28 to carry out in the regulation oral care regimens.
Referring to Fig. 6 and further with reference to figure 1-5, shown the example process that comprises a plurality of steps, user 28 is undertaken by described process and described oral care gaming system 10 alternately.This process only is an example and unrestricted, its can be for example by add, deletion and/or the step shown in rearranging make amendment.
In step 100, user 28 selects oral care tool head 24 and is connected to described oral care implement 12.In the situation of a plurality of user system 10, user 28 selects design or is assigned to this specific user's 28 tool heads 24.In the situation of multifunction system 10, user 28 selects design or is assigned to this specific user 28 and is suitable for oral care function or the movable tool heads 24,24 ', 24 that this user 28 will carry out ".
In step 110, user 28 connects power supply or opens base unit 14, and uses one or more input switches 30 and 32 select operating modes.User 28 uses the switch 30 and 32 on one or more input switches 38 of described handle 25 and/or the described base unit 14 to open described oral care implement 12.User 28 can use one or more in the described external communication ports 60 that electronics and/or video-game are loaded into described base unit 14, so that one or more new and/or additional recreation to be provided.
In step 115, the for example described microcomputer 50 of described base unit 14 in the situation of a plurality of user system 10, use be received from described pre-programmed and/or sign of encoding 80 tool heads 24 or the user 28 that code signal comes recognition system 10, and further oral care function or the activity that will carry out by system 10 of identification, for example use 80 tool heads 24,24 ', 24 any one different programming and/or coding that receive from multifunction system 10 " sign or additional signal.
In step 120, the sensor 34 of the one or more types in the described oral care implement 12 and 36 detects oral care, especially user's oral care techniques and behavioural trait.In a preferred embodiment, the temperature in one or more temperature or the heat sensor 34 detection user oral cavities.In addition, system 10 can comprise one or more pressure sensors 34 and 36, its detect described oral care implement 12 be applied to user's tooth and/pressure on the gum, and/or can comprise one or more accelerometers, it detects the action of described oral care implement 12 or the direction and the uniformity of motion and/or acceleration.
In step 130, sensor 34 and 36 output are transferred to base unit 14 as the signal of representative data, connect by hardware wired connection and/or the radio communication that is based upon between described instrument 12 and the described base unit 14.
In step 140, base unit 14 receives described signal and communicates with microcomputer system 50.
In step 150, described microcomputer system 50 is carried out, starts, is carried out by food display 18 in response to the reception of described signal and/or shows that one or more electronics and/or video-game, described electronics and/or video-game reside in the memory 56 of described base unit 14 and/or downloaded from external source by COM1 60 by user 28.As follow-up basis of carrying out, described microcomputer system 50 is analyzed from one or more described sensors 34 and 36 signal datas that provide to produce and to upgrade user 28 oral care efficacy grade.Described microcomputer system 50 uses one or more described oral care efficacy grades to produce carry out based on one or more grades and ludic activity demonstration of modification.Described oral care efficacy grade interim and/or persistent storage in memory 56, with file and the record that provides current, accumulation and/or historical relevant oral care efficacy grade, signal data, performed oral care and/or user to play performance.
In certain embodiments, recreation continues in step 160, user 28 produces with described microcomputer system 50 and carries out alternately for the output of video display 18, use will play input and game control of described one or more input switch 38 to instruct and to offer base unit 14, carry out alternately with shown game content thus, and/or user's 28 tool usings 12, by oral care, carry out alternately with shown game content by described one or more sensors 34 and 36 detections, sensing and/or measurement.
In step 170, the oral care of described recreation input and game control instruction and/or described instrument 12 is transferred to base unit 14.
In step 180, operation and show the electronics of described base unit 14 and/or the situation of video-game under, the oral care that described microcomputer system 50 is abideed by described recreation input and game control instruction and/or described instrument 12 produces selected response and action to carry out.
In step 190, game running up to counter or real-time clock 54 count down to default, pre-programmed and/or programmable numerical value, for example represent the duration of oral care session, the described recreation of base unit 14 interruptions is carried out arriving up to next oral care session thus.
Other embodiment are also contained within scope of the present invention and the essence.For example, with reference to Fig. 1,5 and the system 10 described of 5A can be configured and be adapted to promote user beyond the young child, thereby, base unit 14 is realized one or more electronics and/or video-game, for example crossword puzzle, letter sequence group speech or other word games, these are to be older children, teenager and/or adult's design and configuration.In addition, system 10 can be configured to, especially, base unit 14 can comprise and be used for connecting the device that receives data or information flow from one or more sources by wireless, cable, satellite and/or internet, so that receive information and the data that are suitable for by older children, teenager and adult's using system 10.For example, system 10 can be configured for as follow-up basis of carrying out or receive data or information flow about any various phenomenons intermittently, these phenomenons are including but not limited to weather forecast, quotations on the stock market and day, week and the newspaper of the moon and the publication of magazine, receive data or information thus, and lasting alternatively or temporary being stored in the memory 56, and the video display 18 that is shown in base unit 14.In this case, 28 couples of users be used for the utilization of oral care implement 12 of oral care and/or sensor 34 and 36 output and/or be provided to the input of system 10 via input switch 30,32,38, realized, activated, operated and/or revised the data that are shown in video display 18 or the content of information flow.For example, when user 28 used oral care implement 12 for example to be used to brush teeth, user 28 can check that system 10 receives and be shown in the daily paper of video display 18 via data flow.When the output of sensor 34 and 36 continues to be provided to system 10, these outputs can keep the demonstration of described daily paper on video display 18, perhaps in other words, during user 28 utilizes oral care implement 12 to be used to brush teeth, continue, for example detect by sensor 34 and 36.In addition, user 28 can operate or revise the content that is shown in video display 18, by encouraging any one input switch 30,32 and 38, thereby in the situation that shows newspaper, user 28 can be with the newspaper page turning, for example by encouraging the level and/or the vertically scrolling function of video display 18.
In addition, the software of system 10 can be configured for analysis, compiling and/or storage sensor 34 and efficacy ratings, user that 36 output, microprocessor 46 and/or microcomputer system 50 produce play performance and any other information relevant with system 10, and/or user and system 10 produce compilation, record and the report that current, accumulation and/or historical relevant oral care and recreation show alternately.In addition, system 10 can the display mode that be configured for further as mentioned above, can show current, accumulation and/or historical compilation, record and report by software analysis, compiling and/or the storage of system 10 therein on video display 18.In addition, system 10 can download such current, accumulation and/or historical compilation, record and report, for example via one or more external communication ports 60.
In other cases, any current, accumulation and/or historical compilation, record and the report about game data or oral care data by system's 10 generations and maintenance can be transferred to remote external memory 65, and/or can or more preferably connect 13 ' by the hardware wired connection and be transferred to other assemblies 62 one or more and system's 10 cooperations by radio communication, for example remote desktop or laptop computer are used for showing and/or storing these data.
In another case, oral care implement 12 and base unit 14 can be operably connected, connect 13 and 13 ' via hardware wired connection or contact and radio communication as an alternative or supplement, described radio communication connect via intercommunication module 41 and 58 be based upon instrument 12 and 12 ' and base unit 14 between.Described hardware wired connection or link can use described instrument 12 and 12 ' with described base unit 14 between the realizations of one or more cables, its be configured for instrument 12 and 12 ' and base unit 14 between conducting electrical signals.In addition, described one or more cables both can comprise the holding wire that reaches base unit 14, also can comprise power line from base unit 14 so that provide electric energy for instrument 12 and 12 '.Hardware wired connection or link help to reduce the processing electronic installation that resides in the instrument 12.
At least one example embodiment of the present invention described above, those skilled in the art will be easy to expect various replacements, modification and improvement.Such replacement, modification and improvement intention are included within scope of the present invention and the essence.The present invention can be by microprocessor and/or microcomputer system and relevant software realization, and described software indicates these calculation elements to implement various operations and function.Because the characteristic of software and these calculation elements, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention may be embodied as wired hardware, firmware and/or software, perhaps these any combination.Therefore, the description of front is only as an example and not as limiting.Boundary of the present invention is only limited by following claim and equivalents thereof.

Claims (29)

1. oral care gaming system comprises:
A) first oral care implement, it is configured in the oral cavity or the wherein maintenance or the treatment of the state of organ, and described oral care implement comprises:
One or more sensors are used to detect the temperature in user oral cavity;
Communicator is used for communicating with another assembly, but described another assembly is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation; And
B) electronic game station, but its be connected with described oral care implement with mode of operation, described electronic game station comprises:
Communicator is used for communicating with described oral care implement;
Processor, it is configured at least one electronic game of control, and described electronic game provides the output by user's perception of described oral care implement, and the output of described electronic game is in response to the input that receives from described one or more sensors.
2. the described system of claim 1, the communicator of wherein said oral care implement and the communicator of described electronic game system comprise one or more electric conductors, and it is connected to described electronic game station with described oral care implement.
3. the described system of claim 1, in the communicator of wherein said oral care implement and the communicator of described electronic game system at least one comprises wireless transmitting system, and it is configured for and sets up the radio communication connection between described oral care implement and described electronic game station.
4. the described system of claim 1, wherein said electronic game station further comprises memory, but it is connected with described processor with mode of operation and stores at least one group of instruction, and described instruction is used to realize the therapy of at least a MC maintenance or treatment.
5. the described system of claim 4, the output of wherein said electronic game realizes according to described at least one group of instruction.
6. the described system of claim 1, wherein said electronic game station further comprises at least one external communication ports, it is used for interconnecting mutually with at least one input unit, described input unit with respect to described electronic game station or described first oral care implement by remote arrangement.
7. the described system of claim 6, wherein said at least one input unit comprises as in the lower device at least one: computer, calculation element, and be used to provide the Internet communication device that inputs to described processor.
8. the described system of claim 1, wherein said electronic game station further comprises and be used for setting up the device that radio communication connects between described electronic game station and at least one input equipment, this device with respect to described electronic game station or described first oral care implement by remote arrangement.
9. the described system of claim 1 further comprises timer, is used for determining for given oral care session the use duration of described first oral care implement.
10. the described system of claim 9, wherein detect under the situation that use stops, described processor is imported from described one or more temperature sensors receptions of described first oral care implement before described given oral care session stops at described one or more temperature sensors, the output of described electronic game stops.
11. the described system of claim 10, wherein detect under the situation that use recovers, described processor is imported from described one or more temperature sensors receptions of described first oral care implement before given interval stops at described one or more temperature sensors, the output of described electronic game recovers.
12. the described system of claim 1, but described another assembly that wherein is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation comprises described electronic game station at least.
13. the described system of claim 1, further comprise at least the second oral care implement, it is configured in the oral cavity or the wherein maintenance or the treatment of the state of organ, described oral care implement comprises and is used to the communicator that detects one or more sensors of user's oral temperature and be used for communicating with described another assembly, but described another assembly is connected with described oral care gaming system with mode of operation, and wherein said another assembly comprises described electronic game station at least.
14. the described system of claim 13 wherein receives the output that is connected to identical electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described first and second oral care implements.
15. the described system of claim 13, wherein receive the output that is connected to first electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described first oral care implement, and receive the output that is connected to second electronic game from the input of one or more sensors of described second oral care implement.
16. the described system of claim 1, wherein said oral care implement comprises the device that is selected from by the group that constitutes with lower device: toothbrush, dental floss, gingival irritation utensil, water injector, be configured to its arbitrarily combination instrument, with and combination arbitrarily.
17. the described system of claim 13, each of wherein said first and second oral care implements comprises the device that is selected from by the group that constitutes with lower device: toothbrush, dental floss, gingival irritation utensil, water injector, be configured to its arbitrarily combination instrument, with and combination arbitrarily.
18. the described system of claim 1, wherein said first oral care implement further comprises and is used to detect one or more sensors of pressure one of at least that described first oral care implement is applied to user's oral cavity and user's tooth, and the output of wherein said electronic game is in response to the one or more inputs that receive from described one or more pressure sensors.
19. the described system of claim 1, wherein said first oral care implement further comprises and is used to detect described first oral care implement at least one of the one or more sensors of user's oral cavity neutralization along the moving of user's tooth, direction and acceleration, and the output of wherein said electronic game is in response to the input that receives from described motion, direction or acceleration transducer.
20. the described system of claim 1, wherein said electronic game station further comprises the video display of the output that is used to show described electronic game.
21. a method that promotes correct MC, this method comprises:
Temperature in the sensing user oral cavity, its indication oral care implement use in the user oral cavity;
To be sent to processor as input from the output of one or more sensor sensing temperatures, this processor is used to control electronic game, and described electronic game provides can be by the output of user's perception of described oral care implement; And
Provide in response to the recreation output that receives from the input of described one or more temperature sensors.
22. the described method of claim 21, wherein said method further comprise in response to receiving from the stopping of the input of described one or more temperature sensors, stop recreation output.
23. the described method of claim 22, wherein said method comprised in response to the recovery that receives in a time interval from the input of described one or more temperature sensors through a step, recovered recreation output.
24. the described method of claim 21 wherein provides recreation output to comprise in response to the input that receives from described one or more temperature sensors, continues recreation output during oral care session.
25. the described method of claim 24 is carried out according at least one group of instruction during the wherein said oral care session.
26. one kind is carried out mutual method with oral care gaming, this method comprises:
Select oral care tool head and be connected to handle, thereby finish oral care implement;
The active electron game station;
Select electronic game;
The one or more physical parameters of sensing, described parameter is indicated the use of described oral care implement;
Physical parametric data is transferred to the processor of described electronic game station;
Receive described physical parametric data at described processor;
Utilize described physical parametric data to produce and show the output of described electronic game; And
Point out user's oral care session of described oral care implement to stop.
27. the described method of claim 26 wherein comprises temperature in the sensing user oral cavity to the sensing of one or more physical parameters, resides in the oral cavity at oral care implement described in the oral care process.
28. the described method of claim 26 further comprises the one or more signs or the coding input of drawing from described oral care tool head by identification, discerns the user of described oral care implement.
29. the described method of claim 26 further comprises the one or more signs or the coding input of drawing from described oral care tool head by identification, the oral care that identification will use described oral care implement to carry out.
CN 200780019006 2006-03-24 2007-03-26 Oral care gaming system and methods Pending CN101454055A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78592006P 2006-03-24 2006-03-24
US60/785,920 2006-03-24
US60/851,373 2006-10-13
US11/728,259 2007-03-23

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Cited By (11)

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CN102665484A (en) * 2009-12-23 2012-09-12 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Position sensing toothbrush
CN102695472A (en) * 2010-01-08 2012-09-26 欧姆龙健康医疗事业株式会社 Electric toothbrush
CN102883678A (en) * 2010-05-07 2013-01-16 博朗有限公司 Toothbrush transmitting use data to a multimedia device
CN105559332A (en) * 2015-12-14 2016-05-11 江门大诚医疗器械有限公司 Intelligent toothbrush
CN105765589A (en) * 2013-11-26 2016-07-13 皇家飞利浦有限公司 Sleep mask gamification
CN105899161A (en) * 2014-01-06 2016-08-24 皇家飞利浦有限公司 System for reminding use of an oral care appliance
CN106998900A (en) * 2014-08-04 2017-08-01 达维德·萨波 System for checking correct oral hygiene operation
CN107920880A (en) * 2015-06-30 2018-04-17 博朗公司 Personal hygiene system
CN108135682A (en) * 2015-05-13 2018-06-08 科利布雷公司 Toothbrush system with the magnetometer monitored for oral hygiene
CN108201697A (en) * 2017-12-12 2018-06-26 上海极橙医疗科技有限公司 Tooth system is seen in gameization medical treatment
CN108741612A (en) * 2018-08-07 2018-11-06 南京林业大学 A kind of advice formula children toothbrushing systems and device

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102665484B (en) * 2009-12-23 2015-07-08 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Position sensing toothbrush
CN102665484A (en) * 2009-12-23 2012-09-12 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Position sensing toothbrush
CN102695472A (en) * 2010-01-08 2012-09-26 欧姆龙健康医疗事业株式会社 Electric toothbrush
CN102883678A (en) * 2010-05-07 2013-01-16 博朗有限公司 Toothbrush transmitting use data to a multimedia device
CN105765589A (en) * 2013-11-26 2016-07-13 皇家飞利浦有限公司 Sleep mask gamification
CN105899161A (en) * 2014-01-06 2016-08-24 皇家飞利浦有限公司 System for reminding use of an oral care appliance
US10548687B2 (en) 2014-01-06 2020-02-04 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System for reminding use of an oral care appliance
CN106998900B (en) * 2014-08-04 2019-10-25 达维德·萨波 System for checking correct oral hygiene operation
CN106998900A (en) * 2014-08-04 2017-08-01 达维德·萨波 System for checking correct oral hygiene operation
CN108135682B (en) * 2015-05-13 2023-11-24 科利布雷公司 Toothbrush system with magnetometer for oral hygiene monitoring
CN108135682A (en) * 2015-05-13 2018-06-08 科利布雷公司 Toothbrush system with the magnetometer monitored for oral hygiene
CN107920880A (en) * 2015-06-30 2018-04-17 博朗公司 Personal hygiene system
CN107920880B (en) * 2015-06-30 2021-09-21 博朗公司 Personal hygiene system
CN105559332A (en) * 2015-12-14 2016-05-11 江门大诚医疗器械有限公司 Intelligent toothbrush
CN108201697A (en) * 2017-12-12 2018-06-26 上海极橙医疗科技有限公司 Tooth system is seen in gameization medical treatment
CN108741612A (en) * 2018-08-07 2018-11-06 南京林业大学 A kind of advice formula children toothbrushing systems and device

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