Toothbrush usage monitoring system
US6786732B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA46B2200/1066
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method is proposed for analysing the usage of a toothbrush made by a subject. The position of the toothbrush is monitored using a position sensor on the brush, and the position of the teeth is monitored by a position sensor mounted in a known fixed relation to the teeth. The resultant data is used to find the relative positions of the toothbrush and teeth over time. Statistical analysis of this data permits the identification of habitual brushing failures by subjects of the toothbrush. The toothbrush may transmit the output of its position sensor to a data analysis unit as a wireless signal. The toothbrush may also be provided with further sensors, such as pH and pressure sensors, the output of which is used in the statistical analysis to enrich the results.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.