KR101388960B1 - Implant teeth connector for wireless communication, and communication system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an implant teeth connector for wireless communication, and a communication system using the same. An implant teeth connector for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention has one side connected to a housing which is implanted in an alveolar bone inside the gum, and the other side connected to a tooth head. The implant teeth connector for wireless communication includes: a voice signal acquisition unit for acquiring a voice signal from a user; a communication unit for transmitting the voice signal to an external communication device, and receiving, from the external communication device, a response signal corresponding to the voice signal; a control unit for setting data communication with the external communication device, transmitting the voice signal through the communication unit, and converting the response signal into a vibration signal; and a vibration signal output unit for outputting the vibration signal through the housing in a bone conduction manner. Accordingly, data communication with an external communication device can be performed by using a tooth implant, thereby having no need to use a separate microphone or speaker.

Description

Implant tooth connection device for wireless communication and communication system using same {IMPLANT TEETH CONNECTOR FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication and a communication system using the same. More particularly, a technique for an implant device capable of communicating with an external wireless device is disclosed.

In the next generation computing technology, various researches similar to the ubiquitous concept are implemented in each field and are strategically integrated so that studies are being conducted to build a future ubiquitous society. In recent years, technologies have been developed to make a computer a part of the human body by allowing a wearable computer to be worn like clothes or glasses. Future development of implant computer technology is expected.

On the other hand, the dental implant (dental implant) is a function of natural teeth by planting a bio-compatible implant body in the jaw bone through additional surgery, such as bone graft, bone elongation in the jaw bone of the site where the tooth is missing or pulled out Means dental care to restore. There is a need for using such a dental implant as an implant computer.

Republic of Korea Utility Model Publication No. 20-2008-0002026 (published on June 23, 2008) of the prior art relates to a "bone-conducting hearing aid mounted on the teeth", the voice signal through the vibration of the vibrator to the head bones of the human body Disclosed is a technique for wearing a hearing aid on a tooth using bone conduction speaker technology that enables subjective awareness.

However, in the case of the conventional technique, since the voice signal is simply converted into a vibration signal and transmitted in a bone conduction manner, there is a need for a technique capable of data communication with an external communication device.

Technical problem to be solved by the present invention, using a dental implant can communicate data with an external communication device, can transmit sound in a bone conduction method, the implantable tooth connection device for wireless communication capable of self-generation and communication using the same To provide a system.

Implant tooth connection device for a wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, one side is connected to the housing implanted in the alveolar bone inside the gum, the other side is connected to the tooth head, the voice signal acquisition unit for obtaining a voice signal from the user And a communication unit for transmitting the voice signal to an external communication device, receiving a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device, setting data communication with the external communication device, and transmitting the voice signal through the communication unit. And a control unit for converting the response signal into a vibration signal, and a vibration signal output unit for outputting the vibration signal through a bone conduction method through the housing.

The voice signal obtaining unit may obtain the voice signal of the user from the moment when the pressure is applied through the tooth head to the moment when the pressure is released.

The controller may acquire the voice signal, transmit the voice signal, or convert the response signal into a vibration signal using the pressure pattern applied through the tooth head.

The apparatus may further include a piezoelectric generator converting the pressure applied through the tooth head into electricity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a communication system using an implant dental connection device for wireless communication includes an external communication device, a voice signal acquisition unit for acquiring a voice signal from a user, and transmitting the voice signal to the external communication device. And establishing a data communication with the communication unit for receiving a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device, and transmitting the voice signal through the communication unit, and converting the response signal into a vibration signal. A wireless communication implant tooth including a control unit for converting and a vibration signal output unit for outputting the vibration signal in a bone conduction manner through a housing placed in the alveolar bone, one side of which is connected to the housing and the other side of which is connected to the tooth head. It includes a connecting device.

Accordingly, data communication with an external communication device using a dental implant may not use a separate microphone or speaker. In addition, by delivering sound in a bone conduction manner, external sound can be delivered without obstruction. Also, it can be semi-permanently used by self-power generation.

1 is a block diagram of a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication included in the communication system according to Figure 1,
3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining the transmission of a voice signal to an external communication device in a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram for describing outputting a response signal corresponding to a voice signal from an external communication device as a vibration signal in a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to FIG. 1;
Figure 5 is a block diagram of an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention,
6 is a detailed configuration of the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to FIG.
7 is a configuration diagram of a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a detailed configuration diagram of an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication included in the communication system of FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used are terms selected in consideration of the functions in the embodiments, and the meaning of the terms may vary depending on the user, the intention or the precedent of the operator, and the like. Therefore, the meaning of the terms used in the following embodiments is defined according to the definition when specifically defined in this specification, and unless otherwise defined, it should be interpreted in a sense generally recognized by those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram of a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an external communication device 30 and an implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication.

The external communication device 30 is a terminal capable of network communication with the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication. For example, a stationary terminal such as a fixed point of sale (POS) terminal, a kiosk or a desktop, or a mobile terminal such as a portable POS (point of sale) terminal, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a PDA or a notebook. In this case, the external communication device 30 may perform short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth with the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the external communication device 30 may recognize the voice signal from the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication. For example, a voice may be recognized by converting a voice included in a voice signal received from the implant tooth connection device 100 into a text using a STT module. In this case, the external communication device 30 can extract the query word from the recognized voice signal.

Also, the external communication device 30 may be connected to an Internet server (not shown). For example, when the external communication device 30 extracts a query word of a voice signal received from the implant tooth connection device 100, a response signal may be generated by searching through the Internet. The response signal means an answer to a query term included in the voice signal. When the query term included in the user's voice signal is related to the current location information, news, contact, etc., a response signal can be generated using a predetermined database or a search engine of the Internet server.

Implant tooth connection device 100 for a wireless communication is a small communication device that one side is connected to the housing 10 is implanted in the alveolar bone (1), the other side is connected to the tooth head (20). That is, the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication connects the housing 10 which is implanted in the alveolar bone 1 and the tooth head 20 which is an artificial tooth in the gum 2, and communicates with the external communication device 30 by network communication. This is possible. Implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication, both sides are accommodated in the housing 10 and the tooth head 20, respectively, to make a fixed connection.

For example, the housing 10 placed in the alveolar bone 1 is formed with a first receiving groove 11 having a thread formed therein. One side of the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication is connected to the first receiving groove 11, and in this case, one side of the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication 100 is coupled with a thread formed in the first receiving groove 11. A thread is formed. In addition, a second accommodating groove 21 in which a thread is formed is formed in the tooth head 20. The other side of the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication is connected to the second receiving groove 21, and in this case, the other side of the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication is fastened with a screw thread formed in the second receiving groove 21. A thread is formed.

In addition, the implant connection device 100 for wireless communication obtains a voice signal from the user and transmits it to the external communication device (30). In addition, the implant connection device 100 for wireless communication receives a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device (30). In addition, the implant connection device 100 for wireless communication converts the response signal into a vibration signal and outputs it in a bone conduction method through the housing 10. Hereinafter, the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a detailed configuration of the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication included in the communication system according to FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, an implant tooth connection apparatus 100 for wireless communication includes a voice signal acquisition unit 110, a communication unit 120, a vibration signal output unit 130, and a control unit 140.

The audio signal acquisition unit 110 acquires a voice signal from the user using the small recording means. In this case, the voice signal obtaining unit 110 can set the voice frequency differently according to the setting of the user. The implant dental connection device 100 for wireless communication is accommodated in the tooth head 20, but is installed spaced apart at a small interval so that the voice signal acquisition unit 110 may receive a user's sound wave. The voice signal obtaining unit 110 may store a voice signal in an internal memory (not shown), and the stored voice signal may be automatically deleted after a predetermined time elapses.

In addition, the voice signal acquisition unit 110 may obtain a voice signal of the user from the moment the pressure is applied through the tooth head 20 to the moment the pressure is released. The voice signal acquisition unit 110 may include a pressure sensor (not shown) to check whether pressure is applied through the tooth head 20. When the user chews food or when the teeth oppose each other up and down, pressure may be applied through the tooth head 20. The voice signal acquisition unit 110 may start acquiring a voice signal when a pressure is applied, and the operation may be changed according to a pattern in which the pressure is applied.

The communication unit 120 transmits a voice signal to the external communication device 30 and receives a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device 30. [ The communication unit 120 can communicate with the external communication device 30 through short-range communication such as Bluetooth. In the case of using Bluetooth, an attempt is made to pair with an adjacent external communication device 30, and the external communication device 30 may be paired with the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication only by inputting a preset password for security.

In addition, the communication unit 120 may include a pressure sensor (not shown) to check whether pressure is applied through the tooth head 20. That is, the communication unit 120 may vary in operation depending on the pressure pattern applied through the tooth head 20. For example, when one pressure is applied within a predetermined time, a voice signal is transmitted. When two pressures are applied, a response signal is received. When three pressures are applied, the communication can be terminated.

The vibration signal output unit 130 outputs the vibration signal obtained by converting the response signal into the vibration frequency through the housing 10 in a bone conduction method. The vibration signal output unit 130 outputs a vibration signal to the housing 10 by a bone conduction method using a small vibration device. Since the housing 10 is placed in the alveolar bone 1, the vibration signal transmitted through the housing 10 is transmitted to the inner ear through the skull. In this case, the intensity of the vibration signal may vary depending on the setting of the user.

The control unit 140 establishes data communication with the external communication device 30 using the communication unit 120. [ The control unit 140 causes a unique identification ID to be transmitted to the external communication device 30 and causes data communication with the connected external communication device 30. [ The control unit 140 transmits the voice signal to the external communication device 30 through the communication unit 120. [ The control unit 140 receives a response signal from the external communication device 30 through the communication unit 120, and converts the response signal into a vibration signal. The response signal may be in the form of a voice or a letter, and the vibration signal is a signal representing a response signal in terms of a vibration frequency.

In addition, the controller 140 may include a pressure sensor (not shown) to check whether pressure is applied through the tooth head 20. The control unit 140 may control the voice signal acquisition unit 110, the communication unit 120, and the vibration signal output unit 130 using a pressure pattern. For example, when one pressure is applied within a predetermined time, the voice signal acquisition unit 110 acquires a voice signal, and when the pressure is applied twice, the communication unit 120 transmits voice signals. The communication can be terminated if the conferencing pressure is applied.

Although the voice signal acquisition unit 110, the communication unit 120 and the control unit 140 each include a pressure sensor in the above description, the voice signal acquisition unit 110, the communication unit 120, and the control unit 140 It is also possible to share one pressure sensor.

On the other hand, the implant dental connection device 100 for wireless communication may include an internal power source (150). The internal power supply 150 supplies power to the voice signal acquisition unit 110, the communication unit 120, the control unit 140, and the vibration signal output unit 130. The internal power source 150 may include a rechargeable battery such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), alkaline battery, Ni-Mh, sealed lead acid (SLA), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium polymer But the present invention is not limited thereto.

Figure 3 is an exemplary view for explaining the transmission of a voice signal to an external communication device in the communication system using the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to Figure 1, Figure 4 using the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to Figure 1 It is an exemplary view for explaining the output of the response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device as a vibration signal in the communication system.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is assumed that the implant communication apparatus 100 for wireless communication and the external communication device 30 are connected on a network. The implant dental connection device 100 for wireless communication is received and fixed between the housing 10 and the tooth head 20 which are implanted in the alveolar bone 1 inside the gum 2. The implant tooth connection device 100 for a wireless communication acquires a voice signal 301 of a "how about the weather today" and transmits it to the external communication device 30. The external communication device 30 receives the voice signal 301 and generates a response signal 302 for today's weather. In this case, the response signal 302 can be configured in various forms according to the user's setting such as "temperature 18 [deg.] C, humidity 20%" The external communication device 30 transmits the generated response signal 302 to the implant tooth connection device 100 for wireless communication.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the implant connection device 100 for a wireless communication receives the response signal 302 from the external communication device 30, the response tooth signal 302 is converted into a vibration signal 303 and output. In this case, the vibration signal 303 is output in a bone conduction manner through the housing 10 etched in the alveolar bone 1. The vibration signal 303 is transmitted to the inner ear through the alveolar bone 1 and the skull.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a detailed configuration diagram of an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to FIG. 5.

5 and 6, the implant tooth connection device 500 for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention is a voice signal acquisition unit 510, communication unit 520, vibration signal output unit 530, the control unit 540, an internal power source 550, and a piezoelectric generator 560. Here, the voice signal acquisition unit 510, the communication unit 520, the vibration signal output unit 530, the control unit 540 and the internal power supply 550 is a voice signal acquisition of the implant connection device 100 for wireless communication of FIG. Since the unit 110, the communication unit 120, the vibration signal output unit 130, the control unit 140 and the internal power supply 150 is the same configuration, description thereof will be omitted.

The piezoelectric generator 560 converts the pressure applied through the tooth head 20 into electricity. The piezoelectric generator 560 is installed on the surface in contact with the tooth head 20. The pressure generator is applied to the tooth head 20 whenever the user ingests food and chews to convert the pressure energy into electrical energy and store it in the internal power source 550. In this case, the internal power source 550 may be nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), alkaline batteries, nickel hydrogen (Ni-Mh), sealed lead acid (SLA), lithium ions (Li-ion), lithium polymers (Li-polymer), or the like. Rechargeable battery may be used, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The tooth head 20 is fixed to one side of the connection device for wireless communication, but may be installed to be spaced apart by a small distance.

Accordingly, the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication uses the self-power generation through its own internal power source 550 or the piezoelectric generator 560 to obtain a voice signal acquisition unit 510, a communication unit 520, and a vibration signal output unit 530. And power to the controller 540.

7 is a block diagram of a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a communication system using an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an external communication device 30, an implant tooth connection device 700 for wireless communication, and an identification means 800. do. Here, since the external communication device 30 has the same configuration as the external communication device 30 of FIG. 1, description thereof will be omitted.

Implant tooth connection device for wireless communication 700 is a small communication device that one side is connected to the housing 10 is placed in the alveolar bone (1), the other side is connected to the tooth head (20). That is, the implant tooth connection device 700 for wireless communication connects the housing 10 which is placed in the alveolar bone 1 and the tooth head 20 which is an artificial tooth in the gum 2, and communicates with the external communication device 30 by network communication. This is possible. The implant tooth connection device for wireless communication 700 is fixed to both sides are received in the housing 10 and the tooth head 20, respectively. In this case, the antenna 802 is formed inside the tooth head 20. The antenna 802 is used to identify the tag 801 inside the identification means 800 described later.

The identification means 800 may be formed in a spherical shape of a non-toxic silicon material, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The identification means 800 has a tag 801 formed therein, and the tag 801 may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) or a near field communication (NFC) tag 801, but is not limited thereto. The identification means 800 is used to set whether to operate the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication as the tag 801 information is read from the implant communication device for wireless communication.

For example, when the user places the identification means 800 between the upper and lower teeth head 20, the tag of the identification means 800 through the tooth head 20 connected to the implant tooth connection device 700 for wireless communication ( 801) Information is read. Subsequently, the implantable tooth connection device 700 for wireless communication acquires a voice signal of the user and transmits the voice signal to the external communication device 30 only when the tag 801 information of the identification means 800 is read. That is, the implant tooth connection device 700 for wireless communication may operate only when the user bites the identification means 800 with the teeth.

FIG. 8 is a detailed configuration diagram of an implant tooth connection device for wireless communication included in the communication system of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, an implant tooth connection apparatus 700 for wireless communication according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a voice signal acquisition unit 710, a communication unit 720, a tag identification unit 725, and a vibration signal output unit ( 730 and the control unit 740. In this case, the voice signal acquisition unit 710, the communication unit 720 and the vibration signal output unit 730 is the voice signal acquisition unit 110, the communication unit 120 and the wireless communication implant tooth connection device 100 of FIG. Since the vibration signal output unit 130 has the same configuration, a description thereof will be omitted.

The tag identification unit 725 is formed at a position in contact with the tooth head, and may acquire tag information when the identification means is close by using an antenna formed inside the tooth head. The tag identification unit 725 transmits the tag information to the control unit 740 to check whether the acquired tag information matches the preset tag information. In this case, there may be a plurality of identification means, and each identification means may be set to include different tag information. That is, the operation of the implant tooth connection device can be set differently using different identification means depending on the situation.

If it is determined that the tag information identified by the tag identification unit 725 is valid, the controller 740 acquires the user's voice signal using the voice signal acquisition unit 710. If the tag information is not valid or the tag information cannot be confirmed by the tag identification unit 725, the controller 740 may stop acquiring the user's voice signal from the voice signal acquisition unit 710.

In addition, the control unit 740 transmits the obtained voice signal to the external communication device through the communication unit 720, and receives a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device. In this case, the communication unit 720 may receive a response signal using an antenna formed inside the tooth head. The controller 740 generates a vibration signal corresponding to the response signal and outputs the vibration signal using the vibration signal output unit in a bone conduction manner.

On the other hand, the implant communication device 700 for wireless communication may include an internal power source (750). The internal power source 750 supplies power to the voice signal acquisition unit 710, the communication unit 720, the vibration signal output unit 730, and the control unit 740. The internal power source 750 is a rechargeable battery such as nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), alkaline battery, nickel hydrogen (Ni-Mh), sealed lead acid (SLA), lithium ion (Li-ion), or lithium polymer (Li-polymer). It may be used, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

On the other hand, the implant tooth connection device for wireless communication 700 may further include a piezoelectric generator 760. The piezoelectric generator 760 converts the pressure applied through the tooth head into electricity. The piezoelectric generator 760 is installed on the surface in contact with the tooth head. The piezoelectric generator 760 applies pressure to the tooth head every time the user ingests food and chews, thereby converting the pressure energy into electrical energy and storing it in the internal power source 750.

As such, the implantable tooth connection device for wireless communication and the communication system using the same according to embodiments of the present invention may not use a separate microphone or speaker by performing data communication with an external communication device using a dental implant. In addition, by delivering sound in a bone conduction manner, external sound can be delivered without obstruction. Also, it can be semi-permanently used by self-power generation.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, Therefore, the present invention should be construed as a description of the claims which are intended to cover obvious variations that can be derived from the described embodiments.

1: alveolar bone 2: gum
10 housing 11 first receiving groove
20: tooth head 21: second receiving groove
30: External communication device
100: implant tooth connection device 110: voice signal acquisition unit
120: communication unit 130: vibration signal output unit
140: control unit 150: internal power source
301: audio signal 302: response signal
303: Vibration signal
500: implant tooth connection device 510: voice signal acquisition unit
520: communication unit 530: vibration signal output unit
540: control unit 550: internal power
560: piezoelectric power generation unit
700: implant tooth connection device 710: voice signal acquisition unit
720: communication unit 725: tag identification unit
730: vibration signal output unit 740: control unit
750: internal power 760: piezoelectric power generation unit
800: identification means 801: tag
802: antenna

Claims (5)

In one side is connected to the housing is placed in the alveolar bone inside the gum, the other side is connected to the tooth head in the implant tooth connection device,
A voice signal obtaining unit for obtaining a voice signal from a user;
A communication unit for transmitting the voice signal to an external communication device and receiving a response signal corresponding to the voice signal from the external communication device;
A control unit for establishing data communication with the external communication device, transmitting the voice signal through the communication unit, and converting the response signal into a vibration signal;
A vibration signal output unit for outputting the vibration signal through the housing in a bone conduction manner;
A piezoelectric generator converting the pressure applied through the tooth head into electricity; And
And a tag identification unit formed at a position in contact with the tooth head and acquiring tag information when the identification means having a tag formed therein is close by using an antenna formed inside the tooth head. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the speech signal obtaining unit comprises:
Implant connection device for wireless communication to obtain the voice signal of the user from the moment the pressure is applied through the tooth head to the moment when the pressure is released. The method of claim 1,
Wherein,
Implant tooth connection device for a wireless communication using the pressure pattern applied through the tooth head, to obtain the voice signal, to transmit the voice signal or to convert the response signal into a vibration signal. delete External communication device;
Identification means having a tag formed therein; And
One side is connected to the housing, the other side is connected to the tooth head, the voice signal acquisition unit for obtaining a voice signal from the user, and transmits the voice signal to the external communication device, the voice signal from the external communication device A communication unit configured to receive a response signal corresponding to the control unit, to establish data communication with the external communication device, to transmit the voice signal through the communication unit, and to convert the response signal into a vibration signal; A vibration signal output unit for outputting the vibration signal through a housing in a bone conduction manner, a piezoelectric power generation unit for converting the pressure applied through the tooth head into electricity, and a position in contact with the tooth head, Including a tag identification unit for obtaining tag information when the identification means is close using an antenna formed therein Communication implant wireless communication system using a dental implant communication connection device comprising a connection unit teeth.

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