PERSONAL CARE SYSTEM FOR ADDING A SENSOR FUNCTIONALITY TO THE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention is directed to a personal care system (100) configured to allow an addition of a sensor functionality to the system (100). The system (100) comprises a data reader (102) for receiving a code (200), and a programmable controller (104). The system (100) is configured for triggering a software reconfiguration of a software associated with at least one hardware component (106) of the system (100) based on the code (200) received by the data reader (102). The programmable controller (104) is configured for changing a control of the hardware component (106) of the system (100) based on the triggered software reconfiguration. The change of the control of the hardware component (106) of the system (100) causes an addition of a sensor functionality to the hardware component (106) of the system (100).

Claims

1. A personal care system for performing a personal care function, the system being configured to allow an addition of a sensor functionality to the system, the system comprising: a data reader for receiving a code, a programmable controller, wherein the system is configured for triggering a software reconfiguration of a software associated with at least one hardware component of the system based on the code received by the data reader, wherein the programmable controller is configured for changing a control of the hardware component of the system based on the triggered software reconfiguration, and wherein the change of the control of the hardware component of the system causes an addition of a sensor functionality to the hardware component of the system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the addition of the sensor functionality to the hardware component is an implementation of a sensor functionality that is added to an already existing sensor functionality of the hardware component of the system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hardware component of the system is a component without a sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration, wherein the hardware component becomes a sensor due to the software reconfiguration.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the addition of the sensor functionality to the hardware component is an extension of at least one sensor functionality, in particular an increase of a measuring accuracy and/or of a measuring range, of the hardware component of the system.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the software reconfiguration is configured for triggering an addition of a further type of data analysis, which is performed on data generated by the hardware component of the system with the added sensor functionality.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the code comprises a pointer element wherein the system is configured for reading out the pointer element, wherein the system is configured for downloading at least one data element from an online database based on the read-out pointer element, and wherein the system is configured for triggering the software reconfiguration based on the downloaded data element.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises: a reusable handle for receiving a toothbrush or brush head and/or a flossing unit, a reusable mouthpiece configured for being coupled to a replaceable cleaning part.

8. A method for adding a sensor functionality to a personal care system, wherein the personal care system is for performing a personal care function, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a code by a data reader of the system, triggering a software reconfiguration of a software associated with at least one hardware component of the system based on the code received by the data reader, changing a control of the hardware component of the system based on the triggered software reconfiguration, and wherein the change of the control of the hardware component of the system causes an addition of a sensor functionality to the hardware component of the system.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of: adding an additional sensor functionality to the hardware component with at least one sensor functionality of the system before the software reconfiguration based on the change of the control of the hardware component.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of: adding an additional sensor functionality to the hardware component without a sensor functionality of the system before the software reconfiguration based on the change of the control of the hardware component.

11. The method according claim 8, further comprising the step of: triggering an addition of a further type of data analysis, which is performed on data generated by the hardware component of the system with the added sensor functionality.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: reading out a pointer element from a code, downloading at least one data element from an online database based on the read-out pointer element, and triggering the software reconfiguration based on the downloaded data element.

13. A computer program, which instructs when executed a processor unit to perform the steps of the method according to claim 9 .

14. The system of claim 6 wherein the pointer element comprises a hyperlink.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] FIG. 1 shows a personal care system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows a support unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] FIG. 3 shows a support unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0121] FIG. 4 shows a support unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] FIG. 6 shows a diagram illustrating the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0124] FIG. 1 shows the personal care system 100 configured to allow the addition of the sensor functionality to the system 100. The system 100 comprises the data reader 102 for receiving the code 200. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises the programmable controller 104. The system 100 is configured for triggering the software reconfiguration of the software associated with at least one hardware component 106 of the system 100 based on the code 200 received by the data reader 102. Moreover, the programmable controller 104 is configured for changing the control of the hardware component 106 of the system 100 based on the triggered software reconfiguration. In addition, the change of the control of the hardware component 106 of the system 100 causes the addition of the sensor functionality to the hardware component 106 of the system 100.

[0125] The advantage of this system 100 as described before and hereinafter, is that an additional sensor functionality can be added to the system 100 or a hardware component 106 of the system 100 and thereby, the personal care procedure performed by the system 100 can be improved which will lead to an increase of usability for a user of the system 100.

[0126] FIG. 1 shows the system 100, which comprises the data reader 102, the programmable controller 104, a hardware component 106, the hardware component with the sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration 108, and the hardware component without the sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration 110. The data reader 102 is configured for receiving the code 200. The code 200 may comprise the pointer element 202, which refers to an online database 300. The programmable controller 104 may change the control of the hardware component 106 based on the triggered software reconfiguration initiated by the system 100 based on the code 200 received by the data reader 102. The hardware component 106 can be a component and/or a part of the system 100, which may comprise the sensor functionality or does not comprise the sensor functionality. In case the hardware component comprises the sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration 108, said hardware component 108 is capable of generating measuring data before the software reconfiguration. In addition, the hardware component can be the component without the sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration 110, wherein said hardware component 110 is not able to generate measuring data before the software reconfiguration.

[0127] For example, the hardware component 106 is the hardware component with the sensor functionality before the software reconfiguration 108. Said hardware component 108 is for example a fluid pressure sensor, which is capable of measuring the pressure of the flossing fluid in the flossing conduit. The data reader 102 is configured for receiving the code 200. The code 200 can be transferred from the data reader 102 to the programmable controller 104. The programmable controller 104, e.g. a processor unit interconnected with an actuator and a data storage, can trigger the software reconfiguration based on the received code 200. Furthermore, the programmable controller 104 can be configured for establishing the connection between the system 100 and the online database 300 for downloading required information for the software reconfiguration from the online database 300 based on the received code 200. The connection between the system 100 and the online database 300 can be established by the programmable controller 104 via a handheld device, e.g. a smartphone, which is connected via Bluetooth to the system 100 and is connected to the online database 300 via Wi-Fi. In this case, the code 200 can comprise the pointer element 202, e.g. a link, which gives the programmable controller 104 the instruction to download the required information, as described above. After the software reconfiguration, an additional sensor functionality is added to said hardware component 108 and thereby the hardware component 108 gains the sensor functionality, e.g. the capability to measure the flow of the flossing fluid in the flossing conduit of an oral care device.

[0128] FIG. 2 shows an oral care system with the support unit 400, which is mechanically coupled to the mouthpiece 416, which receives the dental arch of the user. Mouthpiece 416 is a full or half arc-shaped cleaning element. Moreover, the support unit 400 of mouthpiece 416 is the reusable part and comprises the drive mechanism for the cleaning and/or flossing functionalities. The support unit 400 comprises the data reader 402, the programmable controller 404 and at least one hardware component 406. The data reader 402 is configured for receiving the code 200 from the mouthpiece 416, wherein the support unit 400 is configured for triggering the software reconfiguration based on the received code 200 and with no additional data or internet access. The programmable controller 404 of the support unit 400 is configured for changing control of the hardware component 406 of the support unit 400 based on the triggered software reconfiguration.

[0129] In an embodiment of FIG. 2, the support unit 400 and the mouthpiece 416 are for cleaning (brushing and flossing teeth) or soft tissue treatment, and thereby form an independent oral care system/device. The mouthpiece 416 might be completely insertable into an oral cavity of the user. The mouthpiece 416 comprises at least one hardware component 406, which can be any component for treating an oral cavity, e.g. a light unit for gum tissue treatment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hardware component 406 comprises also a light sensor, which is capable of measuring the relevant parameter for the treatment of the oral cavity. Based on the software reconfiguration performed by the programmable controller 404, the sensor functionality of measuring the light reflected from the teeth by the light sensor is added to the oral care system shown in FIG. 2. It is to be noted that of course also other additions of sensor functionalities could be added to the oral care system shown in FIG. 2, as was explained in detail before and will be explained hereinafter.

[0130] FIG. 3 shows a support unit embodied as the handle 500 for receiving a brush and/or a flossing unit (not shown) or an arc-shaped cleaning element. The handle 500 comprises the data reader 402 for receiving the code 200. In addition, the handle 500 comprises the programmable controller 404 which is configured for triggering the software reconfiguration of the software associated with the at least one hardware component 406 with or without sensor functionality of the handle 500. Furthermore, the handle 500 may comprise the power train 408 (or a fluid reservoir and a fluid actuator; both not shown) which is configured for powering the brush head and/or the flossing unit (see FIG. 4) of the support unit 500, i.e. the handle 500. In addition, the handle 500 may comprise an adapter element 410, which is configured for transferring the power, respectively torque, and sensor signals from the brush head or flossing unit 600 to the handle 500 and/or from the handle 500 to the attachable cleaning unit 600, i.e. brush head and/or flossing unit 600.

[0131] FIG. 4 shows the attachable cleaning unit 600 embodied as the brush head, which is attachable to a handle, like e.g. handle 500. The attachable cleaning unit 600, e.g. a brush head and/or flossing head, comprises the data reader 402, which is configured for receiving the code 200. In addition, the attachable cleaning unit 600 comprises the programmable controller 404. In addition, the attachable cleaning unit 600 comprises the hardware component 406, e.g. a sensor and/or a component without a sensor functionality. In addition, the attachable cleaning unit comprises element 412, which finally interacts with the teeth for carrying out the brushing of the teeth and/or flossing of the teeth. In addition, the attachable cleaning unit 600 can comprise the device 414 for generating sensor data, e.g. a flow and/or pressure sensor, so that the device 414 forms the hardware component of the attachable cleaning unit 600, to which the sensor functionality is added according to the present invention.

[0132] FIG. 5 shows the diagram illustrating the steps of the method 700 for adding the sensor functionality to a personal care system. The method comprises the step of receiving S1 the code 200 by the data reader 102 of the system 100. Furthermore, the method 700 comprises the step of triggering S2 the software reconfiguration of the software associated with at least one hardware component 106 of the system 100 based on the code 200 received by the data reader.

[0133] Furthermore, the method 700 comprises the step of changing S3 the control of the hardware component 106 of the system 100 based on the triggered software reconfiguration. In addition, the change of the control of the hardware component 106 of the system 100 causes an addition of the sensor functionality to the hardware component 106 of the system 100.

[0134] For example, the data reader 102, e.g. a RFID reader, receives the code 200 from a RFID transponder. The data reader can be configured for transferring the code 200 to the programmable controller 104, as described before and herein after. The programmable controller 104, e.g. a processor unit, triggers the software reconfiguration, e.g. a software update, of the software associated with the hardware component 106, e.g. the fluid pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the flossing fluid in the flossing conduit. Due to the software reconfiguration the sensor functionality, e.g. measuring the flow of the flossing fluid in the flossing conduit, is added to said hardware component 106.

[0135] FIG. 6 shows the further method 710 for adding the sensor functionality to a personal care system. The further method 710 comprises the step of receiving S1 the code 200, e.g. reading out the QR-tag with the camera as data reader 102, triggering the software reconfiguration S2, e.g. a software update performed by the programmable controller 104, and changing S3 the control of the hardware component 106, e.g. adding the sensor functionality to said hardware component 106, as described before and herein after. Furthermore, the further method 710 comprises the step adding S4 an additional sensor functionality component 106 with at least one sensor functionality of the system 100 before the software reconfiguration based on the change of the control of the hardware component 106.

[0136] For example, an interdental space detection sensor can be upgraded by software reconfiguration to enable also occlusal tooth surface sensing. Such an oral care system is configured for detecting whether during the displacement of the cleaning device in the user’s mouth over a critical, predefined length no interdental spaces are detected. In such a case the oral care system is configured to assume that the cleaning device is at an occlusal surface.

[0137] Furthermore, the further method 710 may comprise the step of adding S5 an additional sensor functionality to the hardware component 106 without the sensor functionality of the system 100 before the software reconfiguration based on the change of the control of the hardware component 106.

[0138] For example, the hardware component 106 is not capable of measuring the parameter of the hardware component 106 before the software reconfiguration. After the software reconfiguration the hardware component 106 is capable of measure the parameter, e.g. revolution per minute, of the hardware component 106, as described before and herein after.

[0139] Moreover, the further method 710 may comprise the step of triggering S6 an addition of the further type of data analysis, which is performed on data generated by the hardware component 106 of the system 100 with the added sensor functionality.

[0140] In a non-limiting example, the hardware component 106 is the flow sensor for measuring the flow of the flossing fluid in the flossing conduit. In this example, the further data analysis can identify peaks in the flow of the flossing fluid over time and based on the identified peaks the oral care procedure can be further improved as outline above.

[0141] The further method 710 may comprise the steps of reading out S7 the pointer element 202 from the code 200. Furthermore, the further method 710 may comprise the step of downloading S8 at least one data element from an online database 300 based on the read-out pointer element 202. In addition, the further method 710 may comprise the step of triggering S9 the software reconfiguration based on the downloaded data element.

[0142] For example, the code 200 is the QR-tag comprising the pointer element 202, which is the link stored in the QR-tag. The programmable controller 104 can establish the connection to an online database 300, e.g. directly or via a handheld device like a smartphone, as described before and herein after. The programmable controller 104 can download all information necessary for the software reconfiguration, e.g. a data element for a software update, from the online database 300 via the established connection between the programmable controller 104 and the online database 300. After the download is complete, the programmable controller 104 can trigger the software reconfiguration based on all the downloaded information for adding the sensor functionality to the hardware component 106.

[0143] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. “a”, “an” or “the”, this includes a plurality of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. It is to be understood that terms used are interchangeable and under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and/or by means of a suitably programmed processor. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. Measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may advantageously be used in combination.

[0144] The reference symbols used in the Figures are listed in a summary form in the following list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the Figures.

TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCE SIGNS 100 personal care system 102 data reader 104 programmable controller 106 hardware component 108 hardware component with a sensor functionality before software reconfiguration 110 hardware component without a sensor functionality before software reconfiguration 200 code 202 pointer element 300 online database 400 support unit 402 data reader 404 programmable controller 406 hardware component 408 power train 410 adapted element 412 element for brushing teeth and/or flossing teeth 414 device for generating sensor data 500 handle 600 attachable cleaning unit 700 method 710 further method S1 receiving S2 triggering S3 changing S4 adding S5 adding S6 triggering S7 reading out S8 downloading S9 triggering