WO2018046723A1

WO2018046723A1 - Dental treatment means coupling element with sensors

Info

Publication number: WO2018046723A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/072726
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin Ohmer
Original assignee: Benjamin Ohmer
Priority date: 2016-09-12
Filing date: 2017-09-11
Publication date: 2018-03-15
Also published as: DE102017215945A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling element for attaching to an electric dental treatment means, in particular an electric toothbrush, at least comprising a housing for receiving at least the following: a sensor device for detecting position, speed, acceleration, and/or rotation data, wherein the sensor device is designed as a position, speed, acceleration, and/or rotation sensor; a communication device, in particular a Bluetooth interface, for wirelessly exchanging data with an additional device, in particular a terminal with an optical output device; an energy storage device for providing electric energy for the operation of the sensor device and the communication device; and an energy providing device for providing electric energy for supplying the energy storage device and/or for operating the sensor device and the communication device, wherein the housing has a coupling interface for coupling to an electric dental treatment means in a defined manner.

Description

Zahnbehandlungsmittelankoppelelement with sensors

The present invention relates to a coupling element for attachment to an electrical dental treatment composition according to claim 1, to methods for determining a resulting in a dental treatment movement or movement history of a dental treatment agent according to claim 14 on a computer program product and according to claim 15 to a set.

Advantageous methods for the combined optical and inertial sensor-based detection of movement patterns in dental treatments are known from the prior art. Such methods are e.g. described by the publications WO2016016323A1 and WO2014202438A1.

Document DE102013015537A1 discloses a method of monitoring dental treatment movements and outputting correction parameters for adjusting the dental treatment movements. The method comprises the steps of coupling a detection device to the dental treatment means, the detection device having at least one acceleration and / or rotation sensor and wherein the dental treatment agent is a non-electric toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, moving the dental treatment agent for treating surface portions of the teeth at least in an X- / Y-plane, wherein by means of the detection device data relating to at least one movement parameter of the dental treatment means are detected, and providing the acquired data to a processor means for determining the movement pattern matching the detected movement pattern with stored in a database movement patterns, deriving or determining correction parameters for adjusting the movement of the dental treatment means in dependence on the adjusted movement patterns and in real time outputting information by means of an output device depending on the derived or specific correction parameters.

Furthermore, document US2015 / 0127371 A1 discloses a movement tracker which can be coupled to a dental treatment agent.

There is a very large amount of electrical dental treatment products, especially electric toothbrushes that are used daily or purchased new. There are first electric toothbrushes, in particular the series GENIUS or SmartSeries of Oral-B, which are equipped with motion sensors. Such electric toothbrushes are very expensive and therefore only limited suitable for the mass market. Regarding the l Building an app area, however, a very large spread is required because only so investments in software products, such as by using the brushed movement data recorded driving paid, worthwhile.

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a possibility that by means of non-optical sensors also movements of electrical dental treatment means can be detected and / or made manageable, which have no motion sensors per se.

The aforementioned object is achieved by a coupling element according to claim 1. The coupling element serves for attachment to an electrical dental treatment, in particular an electric toothbrush. The coupling means may alternatively also be referred to as a dental treatment agent coupling element. Preferably, the coupling element comprises at least one housing for receiving a sensor device for detecting position, speed, acceleration and / or rotation data, wherein the sensor device preferably as inertial or as position, speed acceleration and / or rotation sensor, in particular non-optical Motion sensor element or at least partially non-optical motion sensor element is formed. Furthermore, the coupling element preferably has a communication device, in particular a Bluetooth interface or WLAN or mobile radio interface or NFC interface, for wireless data exchange with a further device or external device, in particular a terminal device with optical and / or acoustic output device, such. a smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet PC, a smartmirror, a laptop, a computer, a digital picture frame. Furthermore, the coupling element preferably has an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for operating the sensor device and the communication device. Particularly preferably, the coupling element has an energy supply device for providing electrical energy for supplying the energy storage device and / or for operating the sensor device and / or the communication device. Most preferably, the housing has a coupling interface for defined, in particular mechanical and / or material, coupling with an electrical dental treatment agent.

The coupling element according to the invention can also as

Zahnbehandlungsmittelankoppelelement be designated.

This solution is advantageous in that the coupling element can be arranged on the dental treatment agent and thereby follows the movements of the dental treatment agent.

The sensor device serves for detecting the motion sensor data and the Communication device for transmitting the motion sensor data in raw form or in already processed form to a processing device, in particular a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal. Thus, all electrical dental treatment means can be made "smart" by the present invention, ie, the movement data can be evaluated and / or used to control eg games.

Further preferred embodiments are the subject of the following description parts and / or the dependent claims.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, an inductive energy supply device is provided for providing electrical energy for one or more devices arranged in the housing and for supplying energy to an electrical dental treatment device that can be coupled to the housing. The energy supply device preferably has a receiving means for the inductive absorption of energy and a delivery means for the inductive delivery of energy. The receiving means is preferably arranged below the dispensing means in the housing.

This embodiment is advantageous in that a coupling element has been provided which can be arranged between the charging station and the electric toothbrush in conventional electric toothbrushes. The coupling means may therefore receive energy from the charging station to operate the sensor and / or communication device and in turn provide energy for charging the battery of the dental treatment agent to the dental treatment means.

Alternatively, the energy supply device may preferably consist of the exception means and the delivery means. The energy spreading device is preferably arranged in the housing, in particular completely or majority (mass or volume) arranged in the housing.

Thus, the energy supply device may be formed as an induction device. The energy supply device preferably has a receiving means, which inductively converts transmitted energy into electrical energy and provides for supplying the energy storage device and / or for operating the sensor device and / or the communication device. In addition, the

Energy supply device on a dispensing means that converts electrical energy of the receiving means and / or the energy storage device for inductive deployment. Preferably, the receiving means is arranged below the dispensing means in the housing. The receiving means preferably has a coil, in particular a copper coil, with preferably more than 10 or more than 20 or more than 30 turns, for picking up the energy transmitted by the charging station. The coil has a radius of at least 2mm or at least 2,5mm or at least 3mm or at least 4mm or at least 4,5mm or at least 5mm or at least 5,5mm or at least 6mm or at least 8mm. The radius of the coil is preferably less than 3 mm or preferably less than 4 mm or preferably less than 5 mm or preferably less than 6 mm. The coil wire preferably has a diameter smaller than 1 mm or smaller than 0.5 mm or smaller than 0.3 mm or smaller than 0.1 mm. The dispensing means preferably has a core, in particular a metal core, in particular an electrically conductive metal, in particular an iron core. The core is preferably surrounded in its circumferential direction by a coil. The coil superimposed on the core in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) preferably at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 20% or at least 30% or at least 40% or at least 50%. The coil superimposed on the core in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) preferably not more than 85% or maximum of 75% or maximum of 60% or maximum of 50% or maximum of 40% or maximum of 30% or maximum of 25% or maximum to 20% or a maximum of 15%.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing forms on the underside of a recess extending into the interior of the housing, wherein the recess at least partially surrounded by the receiving means, in particular the coil, in particular enclosed, and the housing forms a peg-like on the upper side Projection from, wherein at least a portion of the dispensing means, in particular the core, at least partially disposed in the interior of the pin-like projection.

Alternatively, the core may extend out of the housing. Preferably, an interface between the core and the interior of the housing is watertight and / or vapor-tight sealed. The core preferably extends oblong. Thus, a part of the core in the interior of the housing is particularly preferably surrounded by a coil and a further part of the core protrudes out of the housing. The core may in this case consist of a stainless metal or alloy or have a stainless metal layer or stainless alloy layer. Additionally or alternatively, the core may be coated with a polymer or ceramic material or glass.

This embodiment is advantageous because the coupling element can thus form a mechanical connection between the electrical dental treatment means and / or the charging station. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, an energy supply device for providing electrical energy for one or more devices arranged in the housing is arranged in the housing, wherein the energy transfer device generates electrical energy by means of energy harvesting.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the energy spreading device converts ambient electromagnetic radiation, in particular from WLAN transmitters, in particular according to the standard 802.1 1 and / or 802.1 1 a and / or 802.1 1 b and / or 802.1 1 h and / or 802.1 1 g and / or 802.1 1 n and / or 802.1 1 ac and / or 802.1 l ad, and / or of mobile radio transmitters (in particular according to the GSM and / or LTE standard) and / or of radio transmitters and / or television transmitters, and / or sunlight and / or vibrations, in particular the vibrations occurring during operation of the electrical dental treatment means, into electrical energy. In the case of obtaining electrical energy from sunlight, preferably at least one solar cell element in the circumferential direction of the housing is provided as part of the housing wall and / or in addition to the housing wall.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, an energy supply device for providing electrical energy for one or more arranged in the housing device is arranged in the housing, wherein the Energreitreitstellungseinrichtung is designed for coupling an external cable connection for supplying electrical energy from an external power source or power supply device.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a connecting element for attaching the coupling element to an electrical dental treatment means is formed or arranged on the coupling element. In this case, the connecting element preferably serves for detachable or non-detachable, in particular non-destructively detachable or non-destructive insoluble, coupling and / or decoupling of the coupling element to the electrical dental treatment agent.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing, in particular on the upper side, an adhesive bond for cohesive coupling with an electric dental treatment agent and / or on the housing is a hose-like element, in particular of a polymeric material, in particular silicone, arranged, wherein the tubular element a receiving point for preferably frictional recordings of an electrical dental treatment agent, in particular a lower end of an electric dental treatment means having. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is sealed watertight.

Preferably, the housing according to ISO 20653 or DIN EN 60529 protected against dripping water falling dripping water, when the housing is tilted up to 15 ° or against falling water spray to 60 ° against the vertical or against all-round splash or against all-sided splash with increased pressure.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more optical display devices, in particular bulbs, are / are arranged in or on the housing, wherein the display device (s) is / are configurable via the communication device, in particular the brightness and / or color and / or a lighting pattern or lighting history or an information output adjustable.

Preferably, the coupling element has more than one light source, in particular exactly, at least or at most 2 bulbs or exactly, at least or at most 3 bulbs or exactly, at least or at most 4 bulbs or exactly, at least or at most 5 bulbs or exactly, at least or at most 10 bulbs , Preferably, a plurality of bulbs, in particular three bulbs, in particular different color, at the same time operable.

The present invention further relates to a method for determining a movement or course of movement resulting from a dental treatment

Dental treatment at least comprising the steps: moving the

Dental treatment means for treating surface portions of the teeth at least in an X- / Y-plane, wherein by means of at least one optical detection means data on the head of the treated person are detected, providing the detected

Data to a processor device for determining the movement or the

Movement course, wherein the processor device defines a three-dimensional reference system, which at least temporarily in a movement of the dental treatment means in

Room moved with the dental treatment agent, wherein the reference system means

Sensor data from one or more sensor devices one with the

The coupling element is connected to the dental treatment agent connected to the dental treatment agent, at least during the dental treatment is physically connected to the dental treatment,

Determination of the movement or course of movement, whereby for the determination of the

Movement or the course of motion, the data detected by the optical detection means and the data detected by the sensor means are used, wherein the optical detection means the position of the head of the treated Person is determined and from the position of the head and the sensor data, the movement or the course of movement is determined.

The present invention further relates to a method of determining a dental treatment or movement progression of a dental treatment means, comprising at least the steps of: moving the dental treatment agent to treat surface portions of the teeth at least in an XY plane; optical data acquisition means are detected with respect to at least one movement parameter of the dental treatment agent relative to a moving with the head of the treated person reference frame, the data representing characteristic points on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or lines on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or surface portions of the dental treatment agent Providing the acquired data to a processor device for determining the movement or the course of the movement, wherein the processor device is another three-dimensional reference system defined, which moves during a movement of the dental treatment means at least temporarily in space with the dental treatment agent, wherein the further reference system of the characteristic points on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or the lines on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or the surface portions of the dental treatment agent is formed wherein the characteristic points and / or lines and / or surfaces are formed by differently bright and dark and / or differently colored portions of the dental treatment agent and / or the coupling element, providing sensor data from one or more sensor devices of a coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling element is physically connected to the dental treatment means at least during the dental treatment, determining the movement or the course of the movement, wherein for determining the movement or the B The position of the dental treatment agent is determined by the optical detection device and determines the movement or the course of movement from the position of the dental treatment agent or from the positions of the dental treatment agent and the sensor data becomes.

The present invention further relates to a method for determining a movement of a dental treatment means, in particular a toothbrush, resulting during a dental treatment, in particular tooth cleaning, comprising at least the steps of: providing at least a part of the means by means of an optical detection device acquired data, in particular image data, relating to a movement parameter of a tooth treatment means moving at least in an XY plane relative to a reference system moving with the head of a treated person to a processor device for determining the movement, wherein the data are characteristic body points of the hand surface, body lines of the Hand surface and / or body surfaces of the hand, in particular the fingers, with which the dental treatment agent is performed, defining a further three-dimensional reference system by the processor means, which moves with a movement of the dental treatment agent in space with the dental treatment agent, the further reference system by the characteristic body points of the hand, body lines of the hand and / or body surfaces of the hand with which the dental treatment means is guided, providing sensor data from one or more sensor devices a coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling element, at least during the dental treatment with the dental treatment means is physically connected, determining the movement or the course of motion, wherein for determining the movement or the course of motion, the data detected by the optical detection means and the used by the coupling element, wherein the position of the dental treatment agent is determined by the optical detection means and the movement or the course of movement is determined from the position of the dental treatment agent or from the positions of the dental treatment means and the sensor data.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, prior to the determination of the movement, a determination of positions of at least one finger, in particular a plurality of fingers, of the hand guiding the dental treatment means takes place in different relative positions of the dental treatment means relative to the head of the person for determining the respectively treated portions of the teeth, the determination of end positions of the hand guiding the dental treatment means relative to the head of the person is carried out by evaluating the relative positions of the reference frame moving with the head of a treated person relative to the further reference frame, wherein the determination of the end position preferably takes place by means of data obtained during the output of Dental treatment hints for treating the posterior or posterior teeth are detected by the optical detection device.

The body points, body lines and / or body surfaces are additionally or alternatively preferably identified in each case by characteristic color distributions or grayscale distributions. By means of the determination of a relative movement between the reference system moving with the head of the person being treated and the further reference system, additionally or alternatively preferably the number of passing movements of the treatment area of the dental treatment means is determined via at least one tooth surface portion of at least one tooth when the at least one tooth surface portion is passed over.

The optical detection device is additionally or alternatively preferably a CMOS camera, a CCD camera, an NMOS camera, a LiveMos camera or a time-of-flight camera.

The movement is additionally or alternatively preferably determined by evaluating the relative movements of the specific reference systems, wherein the evaluation comprises a determination of maximum deviations and / or average deviations and / or local deviations and / or matches of one or more or all motion parameters or the evaluation in Depending on concretization data causes.

The processor device additionally or alternatively preferably accesses an image data library which comprises image data for the dental treatment agent for more than 50% of all possible orientations of the dental treatment device relative to the optical detection device.

The dental treatment means additionally or alternatively preferably has a communication device for wireless data exchange with the processor device, operating conditions of the dental treatment device being predeterminable and / or selectable and / or adjustable via operating and / or adjustment elements arranged on the dental treatment means and operating state data being transmitted to the device by means of the communication device Processor device can be transmitted, in particular to different, in particular more than 2 or 3 or 4, operating modes.

The dental treatment means additionally or alternatively preferably has a communication device for wireless data exchange with the processor device, wherein by the communication device design data to the dental treatment means to the processor device can be transmitted, wherein the data are provided on a storage element of the dental treatment agent or determined by the dental treatment or by the Dental treatment are made available. The movement may additionally or alternatively preferably be determined from the data acquired by means of the optical detection device and from operating state data and / or shape data transmitted to the processor device via a communication device of the dental treatment device.

Additionally or alternatively preferred by the optical detection device, the orientation of the head relative to the optical detection device is determined, wherein the sensor data for determining the movement pattern or the movement are evaluated depending on a degree of alignment of the head relative to the optical detection device.

The present invention further relates to a method of determining a dental treatment or movement progression of a dental treatment means, comprising at least the steps of: moving the dental treatment agent to treat surface portions of the teeth at least in an XY plane; detecting data from at least one movement parameter of the head of the treated person, providing sensor data from one or more non-optical sensor devices of a detection device, wherein the detection device is physically connected to the dental treatment means at least during the dental treatment or is arranged in the region of the dental treatment device , Determining the movement or the course of movement, wherein the orientation of the head relative to the optical detection device is determined by the optical detection device, wherein i, the sensor data for determining the course of the movement or the movement are evaluated as a function of a degree of alignment of the head relative to the optical detection device.

The present invention is thus based on the finding that the non-optical sensor data for detecting the movement pattern or the movement pattern are sufficient if the alignment of the head with respect to the optical detection device have a minimum alignment with one another. If it is thus determined via the optical detection device that the head of the person is aligned sufficiently precisely with respect to the optical detection device, then it can be ruled out that the person moves impermissibly, ie runs through the apartment, turns, etc. The sensor data does not Optical and / or optical sensor device are thus detected in a sufficiently fixed space reference system and thus suffice to determine the movement of the dental treatment means relative to the head of the person. This solution therefore does not require a large amount of data different detection devices, in particular an optical and at least one non-optical detection device, are detected and evaluated in combination with each other. Furthermore, the face of a person is visually easier to grasp than a hand or a dental treatment. Particularly preferably, the sensor device is formed by an inertial sensor which forms a plurality of acceleration sensors and at least one rotation sensor, in particular a plurality of rotation sensors.

The degree of alignment preferably describes the face portion detectable by the face of the person by means of the optical detection device, whereby a message or a signal is output to the person via an output device, in particular a display or via the dental treatment means, as soon as the alignment degree falls below a threshold parameter, the message or the signal conveys an indication to increase the degree of alignment. Preferably, the message is output when the degree of alignment is less than 75% or less than 65% or less than 55% or less than 50% or less than 45% or less than 40% or less than 35% or less than 30% or less represents 25% or less than 20% or less than 15% or less than 10% or less than 5% or less than 3% of the face area of the person. The face area is preferably defined by the area between the outer and / or rear ends of the auricles and between the upper edge of the forehead and the lower edge of the chin.

Particularly preferably, the sensor data for determining the movement, the movement pattern or the movement pattern is used when the degree of orientation is more than 15% or more than 20% or more than 25% or more than 30% or more than 35% or more than 40% or more than 45% or more than 50% or more than 55% or more than 60% or more than 65% or more than 70% or more than 75% or more than 80% or more than 85% or more than 90% or represents more than 95% or more than 97% of the facial area.

Preferably, the electronics in the coupling element is activated by an external event. This means that, for example, the sensor device (s) and / or the communication device are supplied with energy, in particular electricity. Preferably, the communication device establishes a connection with a further device, in particular a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal, for data transmission. In this case, the detection of an environmental change by means of an environmental sensor can serve as an event. The environmental sensor may in this case be part of the coupling element and is preferably arranged in the interior of the housing. The environment sensor can detect, for example, a change in the brightness and / or the noise. brightness changes occur, for example, by turning on or off a light source or opening or closing a shutter. Noise changes occur, for example, through the operation of blinds or through the verbal communication of people. For example, the environmental sensor may identify certain linguistic codes of a human, such as "toothbrush on", or detect the change in volume level., Preferably, an event will not be recognized as an event unless a predetermined criterion that identifies the respective event is quantitatively at a predetermined threshold Alternatively, the coupling element may always or at predetermined intervals or routines attempt to connect to a preferred already registered mobile terminal, Alternatively or additionally, the interruption of the coupling between the coupling element and the charging station, in particular the cancellation of an electrical connection between the coupling element In this case, for example, a change in the energy supply, in particular a voltage drop, is preferably detected on the input side, which then activates the activation of individual or several or all of the electronic components n of the coupling element and / or the structure of the communication link with the other device, in particular mobile terminal causes. The individual activated electronic components are then preferably supplied with electrical energy by the energy storage device. Additionally or alternatively, a movement of the coupling element and thus a detection of movement data, in particular an acceleration and / or rotation and / or inclination, can be regarded as an external event by means of the sensor device. In order to determine the movement or the course of motion, it is particularly preferable to use only the data recorded by means of the sensor device or not to use the data recorded by means of the optical detection device, in particular the camera.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the degree of alignment describes the face portion detectable by the face of the person by means of the optical detection means, whereby a message or a signal is output to the person via an output device, in particular a display or via the dental treatment means, as soon as the degree of alignment falls below a threshold parameter, the message or signal conveying an indication to increase the degree of alignment.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, only the data recorded by means of the sensor device are used to determine the movement or the course of the movement. The present invention further relates to a computer program product for carrying out a method mentioned above.

The present invention further relates to a set of a coupling member according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and an adapter for locating on the pin-like projection, the adapter being configured to enclose the pin-like projection in the circumferential direction and to form a coupling portion for coupling an electric dental treatment means is.

The present invention further relates to a set of a coupling element according to one of claims 1 to 10 and an electric dental treatment agent.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set comprises at least one adapter for placing on the peg-like projection, wherein the adapter is designed for enclosing the peg-like projection in the circumferential direction and for forming a coupling region for coupling an electrical dental treatment means.

An electric dental treatment or coupling element described herein, at least comprising a fingerprint sensor for identifying the user. Additionally or alternatively, a communication device, in particular Bluetooth, for exchanging data with a mobile terminal or e.g. WiFi for data exchange with a router to which other devices, in particular screens are coupled. Furthermore, an input device for activating the mobile terminal or another device connected to the dental treatment device via the communication device, in particular a screen or a smart mirror or smartphone or tablet PC or radio or music system or television, as a component of the coupling element or as part of the dental treatment, is preferred. in particular an electric toothbrush, provided. The input device can in this case serve to set device parameters of the connected device. Thus, e.g. the volume setting of the connected device may be changed and / or content to be played by the device, such as videos or games or news or apps, may be selected and / or accessed.

Preferably, the fingerprint sensor is disposed on the dental treatment means so that the longitudinal extension direction of a finger to be laid is parallel or less than 90 ° or less than 60 ° or less than 45 ° or less than 30 ° to the longitudinal direction of the dental treatment means. Particularly preferably, fingerprints can be stored to multiple users. Furthermore, the a user assignable settings after successful identification selected, in particular automatically. The settings are preferably stored on the dental treatment device and / or on the connected device and / or on a server. Depending on the identification, a device assigned to the respective user is particularly preferably linked or coupled to the dental treatment means via the communication device for data exchange. Furthermore, digital content, in particular apps or videos or music, in particular radio stations, online channels, MP3 data, are selected and controlled as a function of the identification. Furthermore, a limiting instance, in particular on the dental treatment device or the connected device, can be carried out, which effects a limitation of the contents as a function of users or user data, in particular the age and / or the location. Furthermore, the identification of the user or the toothbrushing person can be used or used or used as a permission or prohibition criterion for the purchase of goods and / or services displayed on the terminal, in particular the mobile terminal.

The input device may have a multiplicity of identical or different input elements, in particular buttons and / or touch elements and / or setting wheels.

The input device or an input element of the input device can also be designed as a fingerprint sensor or as the previously described fingerprint sensor.

The objects of the publications WO2016016323A1 and WO2014202438A1 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the subject of this document. Furthermore, all other patent applications of the applicant of this specification, which are filed on the same day at the same receiving Office, also made in full the subject of this document.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of appended drawings in which exemplary features according to the invention, processor devices or systems for detecting the

Movement patterns are shown in a dental treatment. Elements of the devices and methods according to the invention, which in the figures least in the

Substantially match their function, this can be the same

Be characterized reference numerals, these components or elements not in all

Figures must be quantified or explained. The invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. 1a shows a side view of an exemplary coupling element according to the invention;

1 b shows a cross-sectional view of the representation shown in FIG. 1 a along the section A-A shown in FIG. 1 a;

Fig. 2a is a plan view of the top of an exemplary inventive

Coupling element;

Fig. 2b is a side view of an exemplary invention

Coupling element;

Fig. 2c is a plan view of the underside of an exemplary inventive

Coupling element;

Fig. 2d is a perspective view of an exemplary invention

Coupling element;

2e another perspective view of an exemplary inventive

Coupling element;

Fig. 3a shows a set of a dental treatment agent, in particular an electrical

Toothbrush, a coupling means according to the invention and an external power supply device, in a state or a configuration in which electrical energy is transmitted from the external power supply device to the coupling element according to the invention and / or from the coupling element according to the invention to the dental treatment;

3b shows the objects: dental treatment agent, coupling element according to the invention and external energy supply device separated from each other, this representation further shows that on a dental treatment agent, in particular an electric toothbrush, and / or on the coupling element one or more input device / s for selection, activation, deselection and / or interaction with functions of the coupled terminal, in particular mobile terminal, can be designed or arranged,

Fig. 3c, a dental treatment with coupled inventive

Coupling element, wherein the coupling element with an external power supply device (as shown in Fig. 3a) or via a Cable connection with an external power supply device (not shown) can be coupled and / or wherein the dental treatment agent is further supplied by the coupling element with electrical energy and / or wherein the sensor device follows movements of the dental treatment agent and detects this, in particular signal technology, and / or wherein preferably one or at least one electrical component of the coupling element according to the invention is activated as a result of an interruption of the energy supply to an external energy supply device,

Fig. 3d by means of a coupling element, in particular a hose-like

Elements, coupled to the dental treatment agent according to the invention coupling element,

Fig. 3e with a coupling element, in particular a hose-like

Element, provided or equipped inventive coupling element,

3f a coupling element which is connected to a cable, in particular for data and / or energy supply,

4a shows another example of a coupling element according to the invention,

4b shows a still further design of a coupling element according to the invention,

Fig. 4c is a bottom view of the invention shown in Fig. 4b

Coupling element,

4d shows a representation of a coupling element according to the invention in one

Coupling state with a dental treatment, wherein the optical sensor means for optical detection of head components is disposed on the opposite side of the cleaning elements of the support member,

4e an illustration of a coupling element according to the invention in one

Coupling state with a dental treatment, wherein the optical sensor means for optically detecting head components on the same side of the support member, on which the cleaning elements are arranged, is arranged, 1 a shows a side view of an exemplary coupling element 1 according to the invention, which is preferably designed for attachment to an electrical dental treatment means 2 (see FIGS. 3 a - 3f), in particular an electric toothbrush.

1 a shows an exemplary sectional view through the device shown in FIG. 1 a or the coupling element 1 shown in FIG. 1 a. The devices or means shown in the interior of the coupling element 1 are shown purely schematically, whereby their shape, Volume, cross-sectional area and position may differ in other versions. Furthermore, alternatively, additional or fewer devices or means may be provided in the coupling element 1.

Preferably, the coupling element 1 comprises a housing 4 for receiving at least one sensor device 6 for detecting position, speed, acceleration and / or rotation data. In this case, the sensor device 6 is preferably designed as an inertial sensor, in particular as a position, speed, acceleration and / or rotation sensor. In particular, the sensor device 6 preferably has at least one and preferably two or at least two or three or at least three or four or at least four sensor elements which do not optically detect the respective movement and / or position and / or acceleration. That several sensors can be used to detect the same property, e.g. Be provided accelerated. In addition or as an alternative, a plurality of sensors, in particular two or at least two or three or at least three or four or at least four, may be provided for preferably non-optical detection of different properties (for example acceleration or rotation or speed).

Furthermore, the coupling element 1 preferably has at least one, in particular wireless or radio-based, communication device 8, in particular a Bluetooth interface and / or WiFi interface and / or NFC interface, for preferably wireless data exchange. The data exchange can take place here via a router, a mobile radio network, in particular GSM, or directly or directly to another device, in particular a mobile terminal, such as a tablet PC or smartphone or a smartwatch. Instead of a mobile terminal, a smartmirror can also be used.

Preferred is a registration, in particular initial registration, or a coupling by means of an NFC interface between the terminal, in particular mobile terminal, and the

Coupling element 1 vornehmbar. In this coupling or registration, those required for another type of communication, in particular Bluetooth or WiFi, are preferred

Settings and facilities made and / or deposited. Furthermore, the coupling element 1 preferably has an energy storage device 10 for providing electrical energy for operating the sensor device 6 and / or the communication device 8. The energy storage device 10 is in this case preferably a battery, in particular a rechargeable battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery. Particularly preferred is an energy supply device for providing electrical energy for supplying the energy storage device 10 and / or for operating the sensor device 6 and / or the communication device 8 is provided. Furthermore, the housing 4 preferably has a coupling interface 14 for defined coupling with an electrical dental treatment means 2.

The energy supply device can additionally or alternatively be designed to provide electrical energy for or to an electric dental treatment device 2 that can be coupled to the housing 4. The energy supply device preferably has a delivery means 18 designed for the inductive delivery of energy.

The energy spreading device can thus additionally or alternatively be a device for supplying devices or means which are arranged in the coupling element 1. In particular, the energy supply device can serve for charging the energy storage device 10. Alternatively or additionally, the energy supply device for supplying energy to an external or can be coupled to the coupling element 1 further device 2, in particular an electrical dental treatment, be.

Thus, the energy storage device 10 may be e.g. be understood as an energy supply device, in particular, if it provides the power to operate the communication device 8 and / or the sensor device 6 and / or to supply energy to an external device 2.

Furthermore, the receiving means 16 can be understood as an energy provisioning device, since the receiving means 16 also contains energy for operating the sensor device 6 and / or the communication device 8 and / or for charging the energy storage device 10 and / or for forwarding to an external device, such as the dental treatment device 2, provides.

Alternatively, an energy supply device may be understood as a device which also comprises or forms a power supply device, in particular to supply the energy storage device 10 with electrical energy, such as a mains connection, a solar cell device, a device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy or a device for converting from Heat in electrical energy, in particular piezoelectric element / s. Preferably, a power supply device designed in this way is likewise arranged on or in the housing 4.

The housing 4 preferably forms a pin-like projection 28 as the coupling interface 14 for coupling to the electrical dental treatment means 2, preferably on the upper side. Further, at least a portion of the dispensing means 18 is preferably at least partially disposed in the interior 30 of the pin-like projection 28.

The energy supply device particularly preferably has a receiving means 16 for inductive absorption of energy. The receiving means 16 may be arranged below the dispensing means 18 in the housing 4.

The housing 4 preferably has, as a further coupling interface 20 for coupling with an external positioning device, in particular an external power supply device 22, on the underside a recess 26 extending into the interior 24 of the housing 4.

The recess 26 is preferably at least partially surrounded by the receiving means 16, in particular enclosed.

The energy spreading device preferably has an internal energy supply device which generates electrical energy by means of energy harvesting.

The internal power supply device preferably converts ambient electromagnetic radiation, in particular from WLAN transmitters, in particular according to the standard 802.1 1 and / or 802.1 1 a and / or 802.1 1 b and / or 802.1 1 h and / or 802.1 1 g and / or 802.1 1 η and / or 802.1 1 ac and / or 802.1 1 ad, and / or of mobile radio transmitters and / or radio transmitters and / or television transmitters and / or sunlight and / or vibrations, in particular the vibrations occurring during operation of a coupled electric dental treatment means 2, into electrical energy.

The energy spreading device is preferably designed for coupling an external cable connection for supplying electrical energy from an external energy supply device 22.

Preferably, a connecting element 34 for attaching the coupling element 1 to an electrical dental treatment means 2 is formed or arranged on the coupling element 1. The housing 4, in particular on the upper side, preferably has an adhesive connection 36 for integral coupling with an electrical dental treatment agent 2 and / or a hose-like element 38, in particular of a polymer material, in particular silicone, is arranged on the housing 4. The tubular element 38 preferably has a receiving point for the preferably non-positive receptacles of an electric dental treatment means 2, in particular a lower end of an electric dental treatment means 2.

Preferably, the housing 4 is sealed watertight.

Furthermore, one or more optical display devices / s 40, in particular bulbs, are preferably arranged in or on the housing 4, wherein the display device / s 40 is / are configurable via the communication device 8, in particular the brightness and / or color and / or a Illumination pattern or illumination course or an information output adjustable.

It can be seen that the peg-like projection 28 or the first coupling means 14 preferably at least in sections and particularly preferably in the axial direction or in its longitudinal direction (preferably the direction with the greatest extent) majority (in particular surface or volume) the further or second coupling means 20 or the recess 26 or recess 26 overlaid.

The housing 4 preferably forms a main body 5, in which the receiving means 16 and / or the sensor device 6 and / or the communication device 8 and / or the energy storage device 10 is preferably arranged, and furthermore the housing forms the pin-like projection 28, in which preferably the dispensing means 18 is arranged at least partially and preferably in the majority (in terms of volume). Furthermore, the housing 4 is preferably designed such that the main body 5 surrounds the further coupling element 20 or forms as a recess or depression 26 therein. Preferably, the peripheral surface has a cylindrical shape or a shape deviating from a cylindrical shape.

The present invention thus relates to a coupling element for attachment to an electrical dental treatment agent, in particular an electric toothbrush. Preferably, the coupling element comprises a housing for receiving at least one sensor device for detecting position, speed, acceleration and / or rotation data, wherein the sensor device is preferably designed as position, speed acceleration and / or rotation sensor. Furthermore, in the housing or in the housing interior is preferably a communication device, in particular a Bluetooth interface, for wireless data exchange with a further device, in particular a terminal with optical output device arranged. Furthermore, an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for operating the sensor device and the communication device inside the housing is preferably arranged. Furthermore, an energy supply device for supplying electrical energy for supplying the energy storage device and / or for operating the sensor device and the communication device in the housing or housing interior is preferably arranged. The housing preferably has a coupling interface for defined coupling with an electrical dental treatment agent.

FIG. 4a shows a further example of a coupling element 1 according to the invention for attachment to an electrical dental treatment means 2, in particular an electric toothbrush. This particular embodiment preferably comprises at least one housing 4 for receiving at least: an optical sensor device, in particular at least or exactly one or at least or exactly two or at least or exactly three cameras, in particular for detecting position, speed, acceleration and / or or rotation data. The optical sensor device is in this case preferably attached to a boom or an arm. The boom or arm is in this case preferably connected to a main body of the coupling element 1, in particular firmly connected. In this case, the optical sensor device is preferably formed by one or at least one CCD chip or a time-of-flight or a real-sensor camera. In addition, an at least partially or completely non-optical sensor device 6 for detecting position, speed, acceleration and / or rotation data can be provided. The non-optical sensor device is preferably an inertial sensor system. Particularly preferably, the non-optical sensor device 6 is designed as a position, speed acceleration and / or rotation sensor. Furthermore, a communication device 8, in particular a Bluetooth interface and / or WLAN interface and / or NFC interface, is preferably designed or provided for wireless data exchange in the main body or in the arm or arm. Furthermore, at least or exactly one energy supply device for providing electrical energy for operating the optical and / or non-optical sensor device 6 and the communication device 8 is preferably provided or formed. The housing 4 further has a coupling interface 14 for defined coupling with an electrical dental treatment means 2. The coupling interface can for Generating a non-positive, field-locking, cohesive and / or positive coupling be designed.

The energy supply device is additionally or alternatively provided for the provision of electrical energy for an electric dental treatment means 2 which can be coupled to the housing 4, wherein the energy supply device has a dispensing means 18 designed for the inductive delivery of energy.

The housing 4 forms as a coupling interface 14 for coupling with the electric dental treatment means 2 on the top side a pin-like projection 28, wherein at least a portion of the dispensing means 18 is at least partially disposed in the interior 30 of the pin-like projection 28.

The energy supply device preferably has a receiving means 16 for the inductive absorption of energy.

The receiving means 16 is preferably arranged below the dispensing means 18 in the housing 4.

The energy spreading device has an internal energy supply device which generates electrical energy by means of energy harvesting, and / or has an energy storage device 10, in particular a rechargeable battery or rechargeable battery.

Furthermore, the optical sensor device 7 is oriented such that when cleaning the teeth with the Zahnbehandlungsmittelkopf 9, the teeth, in particular the teeth brushed at the moment or adjacent to the respective teeth brushed teeth / tooth, in particular immediately adjacent teeth / tooth and / or Mouth, in particular one or both lips, and / or a different from the mouth facial component, in particular the nose or a part of the nose and / or the chin or a part of the chin.

4d shows an illustration of a coupling element 1 according to the invention in a coupling state with a dental treatment means 2, wherein the optical sensor device 7 for optically detecting head components is arranged on the side of the carrier element 76 opposite the cleaning elements 74.

FIG. 4e shows an illustration of a coupling element 1 according to the invention in a coupling state with a dental treatment means 2, wherein the optical sensor device 7 for the optical detection of head components on the same side of the Support member 76, on which the cleaning element e 9 are arranged, is arranged.

Of course, the camera or the cameras of the sensor device can also stand or be aligned at a different angle or rotation relative to the cleaning element or the cleaning elements 74.

Particularly preferably, a position determination and / or determination of the course of movement of the toothbrush takes place as a function of sensor values of the optical sensor device, in particular as a result of image evaluation. Furthermore, the position determination and / or movement course determination can additionally or alternatively be effected by a combined evaluation of the sensor values of the optical sensor device and of a non-optical sensor device, in particular of the coupling element. Furthermore, in addition or as an alternative to the position determination and / or the determination of the course of motion, image acquisition can take place by means of a further terminal, in particular a mobile terminal or smart mirror or screen (with camera). Thus, image acquisition of the movement of the hand and / or the dental treatment means is preferably carried out by means of an optical detection device of the terminal and optical detection of the teeth and / or oral components and / or facial components and movement detection by means of the non-optical sensor device or inertial sensor. The combined evaluation of this detection data or sensor data for a very stable motion determination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 coupling element

2 dental treatment, in particular electric toothbrush

4 housing

5 main body

6 sensor device

7 optical sensor device

8 communication device

9 dental treatment head

10 energy storage device Inner surface of the pin-like projection Connecting element Adhesive connection Magnetic connection Tubular element Non-positive connection Optical display device Upper mounting surface (with which the bottom of the dental treatment agent can be brought into contact or on which the dental treatment agent can be lowered) lower footprint, which can be brought into contact with the ground or a charging station collar peripheral surface main body peripheral surface first coupling element peripheral surface further coupling element hand part Replacement part Brush head set Boom or arm Bristles or cleaning element / s and / or care element / e Carrier element for picking up the bristles or forming the replacement part ac Illuminant / marking Charging station Cable Input device 0 Fingerprint sensor 2 Touchscreen or touchpad for entering commands by means of contact with a human finger

Claims

claims

1. Coupling element (1) for attachment to an electrical dental treatment means (2), in particular an electric toothbrush, at least comprising a housing (4) for receiving at least: a sensor device (6) for detecting position, speed, acceleration and or rotation data, wherein the sensor device (6) is designed as a position, speed acceleration and / or rotation sensor, a communication device (8), in particular a Bluetooth interface, for wireless data exchange, an energy supply device for providing electrical energy for operating the sensor device (6 ) and the communication device (8), wherein the housing (4) has a coupling interface (14) for defined coupling with an electric dental treatment means (2).

2. Coupling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy supply device is additionally or alternatively provided for providing electrical energy for an electrically tooth treatment means (2) which can be coupled to the housing (4), wherein the energy supply device comprises a delivery device ( 18).

3. Coupling element according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (4) as the coupling interface (14) for coupling with the electric dental treatment means (2) forms a pin-like projection (28) on the upper side, wherein at least a portion of the dispensing means (18) at least partially in the interior (30) of the pin-like projection (28) is arranged.

4. Coupling element according to claim 3, characterized in that the energy supply device has a receiving means (16) for the inductive absorption of energy, wherein the receiving means (16) below the dispensing means (18) in the housing (4) is arranged or the Energreitreitstellungseinrichtung for coupling a external cable connection for supplying electrical energy from an external power supply device (22) is formed.

5. coupling means according to any one of claims 4, characterized in that the housing (4) as a further coupling interface (20) for coupling with an external positioning means on the underside in the interior (24) of the housing (4) extending into recess (26) formed.

6. Coupling element according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess (26) at least partially surrounded by the receiving means (16), in particular enclosed, is.

7. Coupling element according to claim 2,

characterized in that

the energy spreading device has an internal energy supply device which generates electrical energy by means of energy harvesting and / or has an energy storage device (10).

8. Coupling element according to claim 7,

characterized in that the internal power supply device electromagnetic ambient radiation, in particular of WLAN transmitters, in particular according to the standard 802.1 1 and / or 802.1 1 a and / or 802.1 1 b and / or 802.1 1 h and / or 802.1 1 g and / or 802.1 1 η and / or 802.1 1 ac and / or 802.1 l ad, and / or mobile stations and / or radio stations and / or television channels, and / or

Sunlight and / or

Vibrations, in particular the vibrations occurring during operation of a coupled electrical dental treatment means (2), converts into electrical energy.

9. Coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8,

characterized in that

a connecting element (34) for attaching the coupling element (1) to an electrical dental treatment means (2) is formed or arranged on the coupling element (1),

in which

the housing (4), in particular on the upper side, has an adhesive connection (36) for materially coupled coupling to an electrical dental treatment agent (2) and / or on the housing (4) a hose-like element (38), in particular of a polymer material, in particular silicone, is arranged, wherein the tubular element (38) has a receiving point for preferably non-positive receptacles of an electric dental treatment means (2), in particular a lower end of an electric Dental treatment agent (2)

and or

wherein the housing (4) is sealed watertight.

10. Coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8,

characterized in that one or more optical display devices (40), in particular bulbs, are arranged in or on the housing (4), wherein the display device (s) is / are configurable via the communication device (8), in particular Brightness and / or color and / or a lighting pattern or lighting history or an information output adjustable.

1 1. Method for determining a movement or course of movement of a dental treatment agent resulting from a dental treatment, comprising at least the steps:

Moving the dental treatment agent to treat surface portions of the teeth at least in an XY plane;

wherein by means of at least one optical detection device data relating to the head of the treated person are detected,

Providing the acquired data to a processor device for determining the movement or the course of the movement,

wherein the processor means defines a three-dimensional reference system, which at least temporarily moves in the space with the dental treatment means during a movement of the dental treatment means, wherein the reference system by means of

Sensor data is determined by one or more sensor devices of a coupling element connected to the dental treatment means, according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element is physically connected to the dental treatment means at least during the dental treatment; determination of the movement or of the course of movement, the data detected by the optical detection device and the data acquired by the sensor device being used to determine the movement or the course of the movement, wherein Detection means the position of the head of the treated person is determined and from the position of the head and the sensor data, the movement or the course of movement is determined.

12. A method for determining a dental treatment resulting in a dental treatment or movement course of a dental treatment agent comprising at least the steps:

wherein data relating to at least one movement parameter of the dental treatment means relative to a reference frame moving with the head of the treated person are detected by means of at least one optical detection device,

the data representing characteristic points on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or lines on the surface of the dental treatment agent and / or surface portions of the dental treatment agent,

wherein the processor means defines another three-dimensional reference system which at least temporarily moves in space with the dental treatment means upon movement of the dental treatment means, the further reference system consisting of the characteristic points on the surface of the dental treatment means and / or the lines on the surface of the dental treatment means and / or or the surface portions of the dental treatment agent is formed,

wherein the characteristic points and / or lines and / or surfaces are formed by differently bright and dark and / or differently colored portions of the dental treatment agent and / or the coupling element, Providing sensor data from one or more sensor devices of a coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling element is physically connected to the dental treatment means at least during the dental treatment,

Determining the movement or the course of the movement, wherein the data detected by the optical detection device and the data acquired by the coupling element are used to determine the movement or the course of the movement, the position of the dental treatment device being determined by the optical detection device and the position of the dental treatment device or from the positions of the dental treatment and the sensor data, the movement or the course of movement is determined.

13. A method for determining a dental treatment resulting in a dental treatment, in particular tooth cleaning, movement of a dental treatment, in particular a toothbrush, comprising at least the steps:

Providing at least part of the data, in particular image data, recorded by means of an optical detection device with respect to a movement parameter of a dental treatment device moving at least in an XY plane relative to a reference system moving with the head of a treated person to a processor device for determining the movement,

the data representing characteristic body points of the hand surface, body lines of the hand surface and / or body surfaces of the hand, in particular the fingers with which the tooth treatment means is guided,

- Defining a further three-dimensional reference system by the processor device, which moves with a movement of the dental treatment agent in space with the dental treatment agent, the further reference system by the characteristic body points of the hand, body lines of the hand and / or body surfaces of the hand, led with the dental treatment is being formed,

- Providing sensor data from one or more sensor devices of a coupling element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling element is physically connected to the dental treatment agent at least during the dental treatment,

14. Computer program product for carrying out a method mentioned above.

15. An assembly of a coupling element according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and an electric dental treatment means (2) further comprising at least one adapter for placing on the pin-like projection (28), wherein the adapter for enclosing the pin-like projection (28) in the circumferential direction and the Forming a coupling region for coupling an electrical dental treatment agent is formed.