KR101009617B1 - Electric toothbrush with imaging function and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric toothbrush having an imaging function and an imaging method thereof are disclosed. The electric toothbrush according to the present invention includes an input unit for selecting an operation mode of the electric toothbrush; A bristle drive unit which is started to be driven by the electric toothbrush function mode selection; A camera unit which starts driving by selecting a camera mode and outputs an image signal corresponding to a subject; And an illumination unit which starts driving through the input unit or starts driving by selecting the camera mode to irradiate light to the subject. According to the present invention, the user can quickly and conveniently check the internal condition of the oral cavity.

Toothbrush, caries, wound

Description

Electric toothbrush having digital imaging function and imaging method TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush, and more particularly, to an electric toothbrush having an imaging function and an imaging method thereof.

In general, toothbrushes are used to prevent the occurrence of tooth decay and tooth disease by removing food debris and plaque between the gaps. With proper brushing, you can expect not only an oral hygiene effect but also a whitening effect.

Such a toothbrush is roughly classified into a manual type in which a user brushes manually, and an electric type in which the bristle moves straight up and down with rotational movement or vibration according to the driving of the motor.

Manual toothbrushes that have been commonly used in the past have been limited to brushing teeth quickly as the user moves the bristles up, down, left, and right, so that the teeth are cleaned. The spread of brushable electric toothbrushes is rapidly spreading.

However, the conventional electric toothbrush is only for quick and convenient brushing, and it is possible to check the oral condition of the user (for example, the location of dental caries or tartar, the location of attachment of food waste, the wounded area, etc.). There are limitations that cannot be used for other purposes.

In addition, there is a limitation that the electric toothbrush can not be used for u health services to provide health care services such as preventive diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care anytime, anywhere by connecting ICT and health care.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention allows the user to quickly and conveniently check the internal condition of the oral cavity (for example, the location of caries or tartar, the location of attachment of food waste, the wound site, etc.) by using the imaging function. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric toothbrush having an imaging function and an imaging method thereof.

In addition, the present invention is to provide an electric toothbrush having an imaging function and a method for imaging the same so that the user can check the internal state of the oral cavity so that safe brushing is possible by using the electric toothbrush.

In addition, the present invention enables the user to check the internal condition of the oral cavity with the imaging function to enable hospital treatment at the appropriate time in the case of caries, tooth damage (for example, cracking, discoloration, etc.) To provide a toothbrush and an imaging method thereof.

The present invention also provides an electric toothbrush having an imaging function capable of preparing for a ubiquitous medical environment by enabling the transmission of image data of an internal state of the oral cavity imaged using an imaging function to the outside through a communication network, and a method for providing the same. will be.

Other objects of the present invention will be readily understood through the following description.

An electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit for selecting an operation mode of the electric toothbrush; A bristle drive unit which is started to be driven by the electric toothbrush function mode selection; A camera unit which starts driving by selecting a camera mode and outputs an image signal corresponding to a subject; And an illumination unit which starts driving through the input unit or starts driving by selecting the camera mode to irradiate light to the subject.

The electric toothbrush may further include a display unit provided at one side of the electric toothbrush to output an image corresponding to the image signal.

The electric toothbrush may further include an image data generator configured to generate image data corresponding to the subject by a photographing command.

The electric toothbrush may further include a data output unit configured to transmit data corresponding to the image signal or the image data to a combined digital processing apparatus through a wired or wireless communication network.

The electric toothbrush may further include a controller configured to determine whether a color value of a predetermined pixel exceeds a predetermined color reference value by using the image signal and to control a photographing command to be performed when the electric toothbrush exceeds the predetermined color reference value. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing an imaging function, comprising: determining whether a color value for a predetermined pixel exceeds a predetermined color reference value by using an image signal input from a camera unit; And if it exceeds, controlling the photographing of the subject to be performed.

The method of performing an imaging function may include: receiving a selection of the camera mode among an electric toothbrush function mode and a camera mode; And starting driving of the camera unit and the lighting unit.

The predetermined color reference value may be a color reference value designated for detection of one or more of tooth decay and a wound site.

The method may further include transmitting image data generated by photographing the subject to a combined digital processing apparatus through a wired or wireless communication network.

The present invention has the effect that the user can quickly and conveniently check the internal state of the mouth (for example, the location of the dental caries or tartar, the attachment location of food waste, the wound site, etc.) using the imaging function.

In addition, the present invention also has the effect of allowing the user to check the internal state of the oral cavity by using an electric toothbrush safe brushing.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of allowing the user to check the internal condition of the oral cavity to allow the treatment of the hospital at the appropriate time in the case of caries, tooth damage (for example, cracking, discoloration, etc.).

In addition, the present invention has the effect of being able to transmit the image data of the internal state of the image taken by using the imaging function to the outside through the communication network to prepare for the ubiquitous medical environment.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "having" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an external view of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electric toothbrush includes a power supply unit 110, an input unit 120, a bristle driving unit 130, a camera unit 140, an illumination unit 150, a display unit 160, a storage unit 170, and a data output unit. 180 and the controller 190 may be included.

The power supply unit 110 supplies driving power for the operation of the electric toothbrush (ie, operation of the bristle driving unit 130, imaging of an external image, etc.). The power supply unit 110 may include at least one of a rechargeable battery for receiving and charging power from an external power source, a terminal for connection with an external power source, a battery insertion unit, and the like.

The input unit 120 is a means for receiving a user command for starting the operation of the electric toothbrush, terminating the operation, selecting an operation mode (eg, bristle driving, driving the camera unit, etc.). The input unit 120 may be variously implemented without limitation as long as the input unit 120 may receive a user command such as a key button or a touch pad. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the input unit 120 may be provided on one side of the electric toothbrush and be exposed to an external surface, or may be implemented in the form of a touch screen integrally with the display unit 160. .

The bristle driving unit 130 allows the bristle formed at the distal end of the electric toothbrush to be designated according to a user's command (for example, a rotary motion or a repetitive linear reciprocating motion). It is apparent to those skilled in the art that gears are provided in the electric toothbrush body 210 and / or the bristle part 220 so that the bristles may be rotated or linearly reciprocated by the operation of the bristle drive unit 130. Description is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bristle portion 220 is formed to be coupled to one side of the toothbrush body 210 for brushing. In addition, the bristle portion 220 may be separated from the toothbrush body 210 in order to meet the need of replacement.

The camera unit 140 is a means for capturing a state inside the mouth of the user and may include a lens, an image sensor, and the like.

The lighting unit 150 is a means for supplying light for capturing a state inside the user's mouth. The lighting unit 150 may include, for example, a lighting LED 270. The lighting unit 150 may be turned on in conjunction with the start point of the operation of the camera unit 140, and is independently turned on by manipulation of the input unit 120 so that the state of the oral cavity can be observed. It can also be turned on. In addition, the lighting unit 150 may be turned on at a time when a photographing command is input (ie, immediately before the photographing of the oral cavity state) by a user operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the camera unit 140 and the lighting unit 150 may be formed at one end of the toothbrush body 210 and protected by the cover 250 to prevent inflow of moisture or toothpaste. Can be. The user removes the bristles 220 from the toothbrush body 210 and opens the cover 250 to expose the lens 260, and the like, and then the toothbrush body 210 in the user's mouth so that the lens 260 faces the front. ), You can check the oral condition.

The display unit 160 is a display unit for displaying the state of the oral cavity input through the camera unit 140 in the preview mode or displaying the captured image data. The display unit 160 may be provided at one side of the electric toothbrush. Can be. Here, the preview mode refers to a state in which an external image input through the camera unit 140 is displayed in real time without a photographing command being input after starting the camera unit 140. In the present specification, the electric toothbrush will be described in the assumption that the electric toothbrush is operated in the preview mode after the start of the operation of the camera unit 140 until the shooting command input time. .

In addition, the display unit 160 may further display the operation state of the electric toothbrush (eg, the current operation mode of the electric toothbrush, the battery level, the remaining capacity of the memory, etc.).

The storage unit 170 is a storage space in which setting information for operating the electric toothbrush, image data corresponding to an external image photographed using the camera unit 140, and the like are stored.

The data output unit 180 is a means for outputting image data stored in the storage unit 170 and / or an external image which is displayed in real time in the preview mode to the combined digital processing apparatus through a wired / wireless communication network. For example, the image data stored in the storage unit 170 may be transmitted to a user computer, a mobile communication terminal, or the like through a short range wireless communication network or to a user computer connected through a wired cable such as a USB connection method.

The control unit 190 controls the operation of the electric toothbrush as a whole. In addition, as will be described later with reference to the related drawings, the controller 190 may control to capture the current external image by determining whether it is time to take a picture using an image signal input through the camera unit 140. have. In addition, the controller 190 may generate an image signal input through the camera unit 140 as encoded image data to perform a photographing operation.

Although not shown in the drawing, the electric toothbrush further includes a data input unit for receiving data for updating one or more operation algorithms or control programs of the bristle driver 130, the camera unit 140, the controller 190, and the like. It may include.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a powered toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a coupling external view of the electric toothbrush and cradle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electric toothbrush may include a power supply unit 110, an input unit 120, a bristle driving unit 130, a camera unit 140, an illumination unit 150, and a controller 190.

As compared with the above description with reference to FIG. 1, the electric toothbrush may omit one or more of the display unit 160 and the storage unit 170.

In this case, when operated in the preview mode, by outputting the image signal input through the camera unit 140 to the external digital processing device, the user's own oral state through the image displayed through the display unit of the digital processing device There is an advantage that can be confirmed.

In this case, the controller 190 converts the image signal generated according to a real-time image signal and a photographing command through the camera unit 140 into a data format for output to an external digital processing apparatus, and then the data output unit 180. Output via

Of course, the display unit 160 may also be provided on one side of the electric toothbrush. In this case, whether the user wants to display the image corresponding to the oral condition on the display unit 160 provided in the electric toothbrush through manipulation of the input unit 120. Alternatively, the display may be selected to be displayed on the display unit provided in the digital processing device or to be displayed on both sides.

In addition, since the image signal input through the camera unit 140 may be generated as image data and may not need to be stored in the electric toothbrush, the storage unit 170 may also be omitted. However, a storage space for storing data necessary for driving the electric toothbrush and a work space for generating image data according to a photographing command may be required.

4 illustrates a case where the external digital processing device is a cradle 410. The electric toothbrush may be charged with the power supply 110 by being supplied with power in a state mounted on the cradle 410, and may be connected to each other through a communication port. In addition, it is apparent that the electric toothbrush and the cradle 410 may be connected in a short-range wireless communication method.

As illustrated in the figure, one side of the cradle 410 may be provided with a display unit 420, the input unit 430, the user is provided in the cradle 410 in a state in which the electric toothbrush and cradle 410 is coupled It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the electric toothbrush may be controlled through the operation of the input unit 430.

5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 190 of the electric toothbrush determines whether it has been switched to a power on state in step 510.

If it is switched to the power-on state, the controller 190 proceeds to step 515 to determine whether the operation mode by the user operation is the camera mode.

If it is not the camera mode (ie, the powered toothbrush function mode), control proceeds to step 520 to control the powered toothbrush function mode to start.

However, if it is determined in step 515 that the camera mode is selected, the controller 190 proceeds to step 525 to control the camera function to start driving. In this case, the controller 190 may control the lighting unit 150 to start operation together (that is, turn on the lighting LED).

In operation 530, the controller 190 outputs an image signal input in real time through the camera unit 140 to the display unit to perform the preview mode. In this case, when the display unit 160 is provided on the electric toothbrush, the preview mode may be performed in the same or similar manner as in the case of a mobile communication terminal having a conventional camera function. However, when the preview mode is performed through the display unit provided in the external digital processing apparatus, the controller 190 may precede the process of converting the input image signal into a transmission data format.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an imaging operation of the electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 610, the controller 190 controls the camera unit 140 and / or the lighting unit 150 to start the camera function.

In operation 615, the controller 190 controls the display unit 160 to perform the preview mode.

Subsequently, the controller 190 determines whether a photographing command is input. If no shooting command is input, the process proceeds to step 615 again. However, if a shooting command is input, the process proceeds to step 625, in which the controller 190 causes the image signal according to the shooting command to be generated as image data. The encoding process may be necessary to generate the image data. The generated image data may be stored in the storage unit 170, displayed on the display unit 160, or transmitted to an external digital processing apparatus through the data output unit 180. have.

However, as described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the preview operation process is not an essential procedure.

7 is a block diagram of a control unit for performing a camera function according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating an imaging operation of the electric toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 190 may include an image input unit 730, a condition determiner 735, an imaging controller 740, and an image data generator 745 to perform a camera function. The image input unit 730 may be included in the camera unit 140, and the image data generator 745 may be an independent component controlled by the controller 190.

The image input unit 730 receives an image signal from the image sensor 710. The image sensor 710 generates and outputs an electrical image signal corresponding to an optical image signal corresponding to a subject input through the lens 260. The lens 260 may include a focus lens that enlarges and reduces the subject while moving forward and backward in the optical axis direction and receives an optical image signal corresponding to the subject, a zoom lens, and an aperture that controls the amount of light.

The image input unit 730 may further perform a pure signal extraction function by removing noise from the input image signal.

The condition determiner 735 determines whether a color corresponding to a specific pixel satisfies a specified condition by using an image signal input from the image input unit 730. The specified condition may be a color value condition for determining caries, wounds, and the like, and may be stored in advance in the storage unit 170. Since the subject area to which the image signal is input is brightly illuminated by the operation of the lighting unit 150, the image signal will be input to the area of the tooth that is not the tooth decay or the color of the oral cavity surface. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, since the tooth decay is generally seen as a black color, a color value representing a specific value among the black colors may be set as the first reference value for detecting the tooth decay. Similarly, since the wound is generally accompanied by bleeding, a color value representing a specific value among the red colors may be set as a second reference value for detecting the wound. The reference values described above may be determined by various methods such as statistics.

It is apparent that the above-described determination may be preceded by an interpolation operation for allowing each pixel to have RGB and YUV values, and the interpolation operation may be performed by the image input unit 730, for example.

The imaging controller 740 controls to perform a photographing operation when a pixel value exceeding the reference value is found as a result of the determination by the condition determiner 735. In this case, it is possible to control that the photographing operation is performed by recognizing that tooth decay or wound has occurred only when the pixel values exceeding the reference value are found to be clustered to form a predetermined region. Through this, even when the user does not recognize at which position the tooth decay is possible, it is possible to automatically take a photograph of the corresponding area has the advantage of quickly recognizing the occurrence of the tooth decay.

In addition, if you set and apply an additional reference value to detect foreign substances (food waste, etc.) left after brushing, in addition to tooth decay or wound area, it is possible to accurately identify areas where brushing is insufficient by an automatic photographing method. It may be possible to induce brushing.

In addition, the imaging control unit 740 determines the presence or absence of the caries or wound more accurately to control the photographing operation, the same result in the same or similar position in the continuously input frame (that is, the occurrence of caries or wound) If is generated may be controlled to perform the shooting operation.

The image data generator 745 generates an image signal corresponding to the current subject as image data when the imaging controller 740 is instructed to perform a photographing operation. In order to generate the image data, the image data generator 745 may perform an encoding process.

8 shows an operation process of the control unit to automatically photograph the corresponding position when the caries or the wound is found.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step 810, the controller 190 controls the camera function to start driving.

Subsequently, when the camera unit 140 starts to be driven, the controller 190 performs a preview mode in operation 820. The preview mode may not be an essential step as described above.

In operation 830, the controller 190 determines whether the unique information corresponding to a specified condition (for example, the occurrence of a tooth decay or a wound part) is recognized by using an image signal input in real time through the camera unit 140. do.

If the peculiar information is recognized, the process proceeds to step 840, and the controller 190 recognizes that the photographing command is input and controls to generate image data corresponding to the image signal currently input.

However, if the singularity information was not recognized, the process proceeds to step 820 again.

Although the above has been described with reference to embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art may variously modify the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. And can be changed.

1 is a block diagram of an electric toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an external view of an electric toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electric toothbrush in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a coupling external view of the electric toothbrush and cradle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the electric toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the imaging operation process of the electric toothbrush in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram of a control unit for performing a camera function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flow chart showing an imaging operation process of the electric toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

As an electric toothbrush, An input unit for selecting an operation mode of the electric toothbrush; A bristle drive unit which is started to be driven by the electric toothbrush function mode selection; A camera unit which starts driving by selecting a camera mode and outputs an image signal corresponding to a subject; An illumination unit which starts driving through the input unit or starts driving by selecting the camera mode to irradiate light to the subject; And And a controller configured to determine whether a color value of a predetermined pixel exceeds a predetermined color reference value by using the image signal and to control a photographing command for the subject when the color value is exceeded. The method of claim 1, And a display unit provided at one side of the electric toothbrush to output an image corresponding to the video signal. The method of claim 1, And an image data generator for generating image data corresponding to the subject by a shooting command. The method of claim 3, And a data output unit for transmitting the data corresponding to the video signal or the image data to a digital processing apparatus coupled via a wired or wireless communication network. delete In the method of performing the imaging function, Determining whether a color value for a certain pixel exceeds a predetermined color reference value by using an image signal input from a camera unit; And If exceeding, the method of performing the imaging function in the electric toothbrush comprising the step of controlling to perform the shooting for the subject. The method of claim 6, Receiving a selection of the camera mode among an electric toothbrush function mode and a camera mode; And And a step of starting driving of the camera unit and the illumination unit is performed in advance. The method of claim 6, And the predetermined color reference value is a color reference value designated for detection of one or more of caries and wounds. The method of claim 6, And transmitting the image data generated by photographing the subject to a combined digital processing apparatus through a wired or wireless communication network.

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