Oral Care System

Abstract

A body care appliance for personal use is disclosed. The body care appliance includes a toothbrush; a display device and a sensing device. The display device displays interactive representations that can be controlled interactively from the toothbrush by means of a control device. The sensing device senses at least one operating parameter relating to the toothbrush, wherein the sensing device has position sensing means for sensing the relative position of the toothbrush to the body part of the appliance user. The representations can be controlled by means of the control device depending on the sensed relative position

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / IB2010 / 052258, filed May 20, 2010, which claims priority to EP 09006802.4, filed May 20, 2009, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure relates to a body care appliance for personal use, in particular in the form of an oral care system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a toothbrush and a display device for displaying interactive representations that can be controlled interactively from the toothbrush by means of a control device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In order to increase the incentive for regular brushing, brushing devices are provided with screens or displays on which video games are shown that can be controlled interactively from the toothbrush. Children in particular are motivated by the additionally provided entertainment value to brush their teeth re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a personal body care appliance that includes a toothbrush and a display device. The display device can display interactive representations that can be controlled by the user using the toothbrush. The appliance also has sensing devices that can sense various parameters related to the toothbrush, such as its position relative to the user's body. The representations displayed on the display can be controlled based on the sensed position. This technology allows for a more intuitive and personalized experience for users who use the appliance.

Problems solved by technology

Even though a certain adaptation to the individual user is guaranteed by these means, the degree of the personalization as well as the adaptability to the respective needs is limited.

However, an interactive control of the game shown on the display from the toothbrush is not provided; rather, a control of the program shown on the display takes place by means of input keys arranged on the display part itself, so that the entertainment value and the learning effect are limited.

Patent applications US 2008 / 0141478 and US 2008 / 0141476 show further brushing devices with a display on which interactively controllable games are shown, wherein several toothbrushes can communicate with one another in order to be able to play games against one another competitively, such as for example “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” However, the displays are attached to the handpiece of the toothbrushes themselves hereby, so that a game that supports the correct brushing cannot be played during the brushing.

Even though such entertainment games increase the incentive to also actually use the body care appliance such as for example a toothbrush, the danger exists that the games come to the fore and precisely with children, divert their attention so much that the actual goal of improving the efficiency of the body care and body brushing suffers.

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