ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
First Claim
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
- bristles;
a driving unit for driving the bristles;
an orientation detection sensor for detecting the orientation of the electric toothbrush; and
an electrode-based contact detection unit for detecting contact with a body,wherein the contact detection unit includes a first detection unit for detecting contact with or proximity to a rear surface side of a brush portion in which the bristles are disposed;
the electric toothbrush further comprises;
a detection unit for detecting orientation information of the electric toothbrush based on an output from the orientation detection sensor; and
an area estimation unit for estimating a brushing area based on at least the orientation information, andwherein the area estimation unit includes a determination unit for determining, in the case where the brushing area determined based on the orientation information is a dentition surface on a right buccal side or a left lingual side or a dentition surface on a left buccal side or a right lingual side, whether the brushing area corresponds to the buccal side or the lingual side based on an electric signal obtained from the first detection unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric toothbrush includes bristles, a bristle driving unit, an orientation detection sensor, and an electrode-based contact detection unit for detecting contact with a body. The contact detection unit includes a first detection unit for detecting contact with or proximity to a rear surface side of a brush portion. The electric toothbrush detects orientation information based on an output from the orientation detection sensor, and estimates a brushing area based on at least the orientation information. In the area estimation, in the case where the brushing area determined based on the orientation information is a dentition surface on a right buccal side or a left lingual side or a dentition surface on a left buccal side or a right lingual side, it is determined whether the brushing area corresponds to the buccal side or the lingual side based on an electric signal obtained from the first detection unit.
46 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
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bristles; a driving unit for driving the bristles; an orientation detection sensor for detecting the orientation of the electric toothbrush; and an electrode-based contact detection unit for detecting contact with a body, wherein the contact detection unit includes a first detection unit for detecting contact with or proximity to a rear surface side of a brush portion in which the bristles are disposed; the electric toothbrush further comprises; a detection unit for detecting orientation information of the electric toothbrush based on an output from the orientation detection sensor; and an area estimation unit for estimating a brushing area based on at least the orientation information, and wherein the area estimation unit includes a determination unit for determining, in the case where the brushing area determined based on the orientation information is a dentition surface on a right buccal side or a left lingual side or a dentition surface on a left buccal side or a right lingual side, whether the brushing area corresponds to the buccal side or the lingual side based on an electric signal obtained from the first detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification