JP7756376B2 - Oral cleaning system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure generally relates to an oral cleaning system and a program. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an oral cleaning system including a communication-capable oral cleaning device and a processing system, and a program used in the oral cleaning system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system for operating an electric toothbrush in more than one operating mode during a brushing event. The system includes an electric toothbrush and a user interface.

The electric toothbrush has a toothbrush body, a brush head, a motor that drives the brush head, and a motor controller. The controller is preprogrammed to generate at least one mode/time profile of operation in which the electric toothbrush operates in one operating mode for a selected time during a single brushing event and then automatically changes to at least one other operating mode at another selected time that is different from the one operating mode. The selected times for these operating modes total the duration of a single brushing event.

The user interface can be operated by the user to initiate operation of the mode/time profile.

Special Publication No. 2009-534081

In oral cleaning systems for cleaning the user's oral cavity, it may be desirable to improve user convenience.

The purpose of this disclosure is to improve user convenience.

An oral cleaning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an oral cleaning device and a processing system configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device. The processing system includes an imaging unit and a display control unit. The display control unit displays a model video serving as an example of an oral cavity cleaning method using the oral cleaning device and a perioral image of a region including the user's oral cavity captured by the imaging unit on the same display unit so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other. The oral cleaning device includes a drive unit and an operation unit for receiving commands to start and stop operation of the drive unit. The display control unit starts playing the model video when the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to start the operation, and pauses or ends playing the model video when the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to stop the operation.

A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors used in a processing system including an imaging unit and configured to communicate with an oral cleaning device to execute a display control process. The display control process includes displaying, on the same display unit, a model video that serves as a model of an oral cavity cleaning method using the oral cleaning device and a perioral image of an area including the user's oral cavity captured by the imaging unit, so that at least a portion of the display periods overlap each other. The oral cleaning device includes a drive unit and an operation unit for receiving commands to start and stop the operation of the drive unit. In the display control process, when the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to start the operation, playback of the model video is started, and when the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to stop the operation, playback of the model video is paused or stopped.

This disclosure has the advantage of making it possible to improve user convenience.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an oral cleaning system including an oral cleaning device and a treatment system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the oral cleaning device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the drive unit of the oral cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a question screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a question screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a question screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a brushing order display screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a brushing order setting screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a course setting screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a course selection screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toothbrushing screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the amplitude of the brush of the oral cleaning device and the detected physical quantity. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a result display screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a calendar screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an initial medical interview screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a recommended mode display screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the oral cleaning system. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the oral cleaning system. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a deletion screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the oral cleaning system. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the oral cleaning system. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a calendar screen displayed by the processing system. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a calendar screen displayed by the processing system.

The oral cleaning device 100, processing system 500, and oral cleaning system 900 according to the embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures described in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the size and thickness ratios of the components in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

(1) Overview As shown in Fig. 1, the oral cleaning system 900 includes an oral cleaning device 100 and a processing system 500. The oral cleaning system 900 is a system in which the oral cleaning device 100 and the processing system 500 operate by transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

The oral cleaning device 100 is an electric device for cleaning the inside of a user's mouth. The oral cleaning device 100 includes a drive unit 13 including a motor, and a control unit 14 that controls the drive unit 13. In this embodiment, the oral cleaning device 100 is a so-called electric toothbrush 1 that drives the brush 30 (see Figure 2) by operation of the drive unit 13.

The processing system 500 includes a processing unit 56 and a communication unit 54. The processing unit 56 executes various processes by running programs (applications). The communication unit 54 is an interface for communicating with the oral cleaning device 100. In other words, the processing system 500 is configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device 100.

The processing unit 56 of the processing system 500 includes a response receiving unit 612, a drive information generating unit 613, and a transmission processing unit 616.

The answer acceptance unit 612 performs answer acceptance processing. The answer acceptance processing includes accepting answers to questions regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity.

The drive information generation unit 613 performs drive information generation processing. The drive information generation processing includes generating drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit 13 provided in the oral cleaning device 100 based on the response received by the response receiving unit 612 during the response receiving processing.

The transmission processing unit 616 performs transmission processing. The transmission processing includes transmitting the drive information generated by the drive information generation unit 613 in the drive information generation processing to the oral cleaning device 100.

The control unit 14 (drive control unit 141) of the oral cleaning device 100 drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the drive information transmitted from the processing system 500.

In this way, in the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, drive information (device operation setting data) is generated based on answers to questions regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. Furthermore, the control unit 14 (drive control unit 141) of the oral cleaning device 100 drives the drive unit 13 according to the generated drive information. In other words, the user can generate drive information suitable for the user's oral cavity simply by answering questions. Furthermore, the generated drive information can operate the oral cleaning device 100 to suit the condition of the user's oral cavity. Therefore, according to the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, drive information suitable for each individual user can be easily created, and the drive unit 13 can be operated according to the created drive information, which has the advantage of improving user convenience.

The program of this embodiment also causes one or more processors used in a processing system 500 configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device 100, which drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the drive information, to execute a response reception process, a drive information generation process, and a transmission process. The response reception process includes receiving a response to a question regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. The drive information generation process includes generating drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit 13 based on the response received in the response reception process. The transmission process includes transmitting the drive information generated in the drive information generation process to the oral cleaning device 100.

Furthermore, the oral cleaning device 100 of this embodiment is configured to communicate with the processing system 500. The oral cleaning device 100 includes a drive unit 13 and a control unit 14 (drive control unit 141) that drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit 13 transmitted from the processing system 500.

The program of this embodiment also causes one or more processors used in the oral cleaning device 100, which is equipped with a drive unit 13 and configured to communicate with the processing system 500, to execute a drive process. The drive process includes driving the drive unit 13 in accordance with drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit 13 transmitted from the processing system 500.

The above program and oral cleaning device 100 can also improve user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, the drive unit 13 of the oral cleaning device 100 is configured to reciprocate the brush 30. The oral cleaning device 100 also includes a detection unit 19 that detects physical quantities related to the amplitude of the brush 30 when the brush 30 is being reciprocated by the drive unit 13. The processing system 500 also includes a presentation unit 633 that performs presentation processing. The presentation processing includes presenting an estimated result of the state of pressing the brush 30 against a region in the oral cavity based on the physical quantities detected by the detection unit 19.

In this way, the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment presents an estimated result of the state of pressure of the brush 30 against an area in the oral cavity (e.g., teeth) based on the physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30 detected by the detection unit 19. Therefore, the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment has the advantage of being able to notify the user, for example, if the brush 30 is being pressed too hard, thereby improving user convenience.

The program of this embodiment also causes one or more processors used in the processing system 500, which is configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device 100 and detects physical quantities related to the amplitude of the brush 30 while the brush 30 is being reciprocated, to execute a presentation process. The presentation process includes presenting an estimated result of the state of pressure of the brush 30 against a region within the oral cavity based on the physical quantities detected by the oral cleaning device 100.

The oral cleaning device 100 of this embodiment is also configured to communicate with a processing system 500 that has the function of presenting information. The oral cleaning device 100 comprises a brush 30, a drive unit 13, a detection unit 19, and a transmission unit (communication unit 20). The drive unit 13 drives the brush 30 to reciprocate. The detection unit 19 detects physical quantities related to the amplitude of the brush 30 while the brush 30 is being driven to reciprocate by the drive unit 13. The transmission unit transmits the physical quantities detected by the detection unit 19 to the processing system 50 to present an estimated result of the state of pressing of the brush 30 against a site in the oral cavity based on the physical quantities detected by the detection unit 19.

The above program and oral cleaning device 100 can also improve user convenience.

Furthermore, in the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, the processing system 500 includes an imaging unit 55 and a display control unit 62. The display control unit 62 performs display control processing. The display control processing includes displaying a model video W10 that serves as an example of a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device 100 and a perioral image W210 captured by the imaging unit 55 of an area including the user's oral cavity on the same display unit 51 so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other (see FIG. 12).

In this way, in the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, the model video W10 and the oral cavity periphery image W210 are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 51. Therefore, with the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment, the user can clean the oral cavity while simultaneously viewing both the model video W10 and the oral cavity periphery image W210, which has the advantage of improving user convenience.

The program of this embodiment also causes one or more processors used in the processing system 500, which is equipped with an imaging unit 55 and configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device 100, to execute a display control process. The display control process includes displaying, on the same display unit 51, a model video W10 that serves as an example of a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device 100, and a perioral image W210 of an area including the user's oral cavity captured by the imaging unit 55, so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other.

Even with the above program, it is possible to improve user convenience.

(2) Details The oral cleaning device 100, the processing system 500, and the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

As described above, the oral cleaning device 100 of this embodiment is a so-called electric toothbrush 1. Therefore, in the following description, the oral cleaning device 100 may be referred to as the "electric toothbrush 1."

The processing system 500 of this embodiment also includes a portable information terminal (terminal device) 5. In this embodiment, the processing system 500 specifically includes only the information terminal 5.

(2.1) Oral Cleaning Device First, the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

As shown in Figure 2, the electric toothbrush 1 comprises a main body 10 and a brush 30. The brush 30 is detachably attached to the main body 10.

In the following, as an example, three mutually orthogonal axes are defined: the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. In particular, the axis along the length of the main body 10 is referred to as the "Z-axis," and the axis along the extension direction of the bristles 31 of the brush 30 when the brush 30 is attached to the main body 10 is referred to as the "X-axis." The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are all imaginary axes, and the arrows indicating "X," "Y," and "Z" in the drawings are merely used for explanatory purposes and have no physical substance. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, in the following, when the brush 30 is attached to the main body 10, the direction along the Z-axis from the main body 10 toward the brush 30 will sometimes be referred to as "up," and the opposite direction as "down." However, these directions are not intended to limit the orientation of the electric toothbrush 1 when in use.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 10 includes a housing 11, a shaft 12, a drive unit 13, a control unit 14, a memory unit 15, a power supply unit 16, an operation unit 17, a status display unit 18, a detection unit 19, and a communication unit 20.

The housing 11 includes a main housing 111, a cap 112, and a bottom 113. The housing 11 also includes a shaft 12, a drive unit 13, a control unit 14, a memory unit 15, a power supply unit 16, an operation unit 17, a status display unit 18, a detection unit 19, and a communication unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main housing 111 is a long cylinder extending along the Z axis, with both ends (top and bottom) open. The cap portion 112 is attached to the main housing 111 so as to close the opening at the top end of the main housing 111. The bottom portion 113 is attached to the main housing 111 so as to close the opening at the bottom end of the main housing 111. The cap portion 112 has an opening that allows the shaft 12 to protrude to the outside when attached to the top end of the main housing 111.

The shaft 12 is a long shaft extending along the Z-axis. The brush 30 is removably attached to the shaft 12. More specifically, the upper end of the shaft 12 protrudes from the top surface of the housing 11, and the brush 30 is removably attached to this upper end. Meanwhile, the lower end of the shaft 12 is housed within the housing 11 and is connected to the drive unit 13 inside the housing 11. As a result, power generated by the drive unit 13 is transmitted to the brush 30 via the shaft 12.

The drive unit 13 is configured to drive the shaft body 12. The drive unit 13 includes a first drive unit 131 and a second drive unit 132.

The first drive unit 131 is configured to cause the shaft body 12 to move back and forth in its axial direction (along the Z axis). Specifically, the first drive unit 131 is equipped with a linear motor that moves back and forth in the direction along the Z axis. When the first drive unit 131 causes the shaft body 12 to move back and forth along the Z axis, the brush 30 also moves back and forth along the Z axis. In short, the drive unit 13 (first drive unit 131) is configured to drive the brush 30 back and forth. The first drive unit 131 causes the shaft body 12 to move back and forth at a frequency of several hundred Hz and an amplitude on the order of millimeters, for example. As an example, the first drive unit 131 causes the shaft body 12 to move back and forth at a frequency of 260 Hz.

The second drive unit 132 is configured to vibrate the shaft body 12 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the second drive unit 132 is equipped with a vibration motor with a weight eccentrically attached to the motor's output shaft. When the motor is driven, the second drive unit 132 applies a force to the shaft body 12 that vibrates the shaft body 12 in the X-axis direction.

The control unit 14 is electrically connected to the drive unit 13, memory unit 15, power supply unit 16, operation unit 17, status display unit 18, detection unit 19, communication unit 20, etc. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the drive unit 13, memory unit 15, power supply unit 16, status display unit 18, detection unit 19, communication unit 20, etc.

The control unit 14 includes, for example, a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The microcontroller realizes the functions of the control unit 14 by executing a program recorded in one or more memories with one or more processors. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory, or may be provided recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or provided via a telecommunications line. In other words, the program causes one or more processors to function as the control unit 14.

The control unit 14 includes a drive control unit 141 and an operation setting unit 142.

The drive control unit 141 drives the drive unit 13 in response to an electrical signal from the operation unit 17. The drive control unit 141 controls the operation of the drive unit 13 in accordance with a predetermined drive mode (pre-set when the electric toothbrush 1 is manufactured). The drive mode includes the amplitude and frequency of the linear motor provided in the first drive unit 131 and the frequency of the motor provided in the second drive unit 132. In other words, the drive control unit 141 controls the amplitude and frequency of the linear motor provided in the first drive unit 131 and the frequency of the motor provided in the second drive unit 132 in accordance with the drive mode. The electric toothbrush 1 of this embodiment has multiple drive modes. The drive control unit 141 drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with one of the multiple drive modes.

Here, the multiple drive modes include five drive modes: first drive mode to fifth drive mode.

The first drive mode is a mode in which both the first drive unit 131 and the second drive unit 132 are operated to move the brush 30 in the Z-axis and X-axis directions. Hereinafter, the first drive mode may be referred to as the "W-CLEAN mode."

The second drive mode is a mode in which only the first drive unit 131 is operated to cause the brush 30 to reciprocate in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the second drive mode is a mode in which there is no amplitude in the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the second drive mode may be referred to as the "NORMAL mode."

The third drive mode is a mode in which only the first drive unit 131 is operated to reciprocate the brush 30 in the Z-axis direction. In the third drive mode, the amplitude of the linear motor (and therefore the brush 30) is smaller than in the second drive mode. Hereinafter, the third drive mode may be referred to as the "SOFT mode."

The fourth drive mode is a mode in which only the first drive unit 131 is operated to reciprocate the brush 30 in the Z-axis direction. In the fourth drive mode, the amplitude of the linear motor is even smaller than in the third drive mode. Hereinafter, the fourth drive mode may be referred to as the "SENSITIVE mode."

The fifth drive mode is a mode in which both the first drive unit 131 and the second drive unit 132 are operated to move the brush 30 in the Z-axis and X-axis directions. While the first to fourth drive modes are modes primarily for brushing teeth, the fifth drive mode is a mode primarily for massaging the gums. Hereinafter, the fifth drive mode may be referred to as the "W-GUMCARE mode."

The drive control unit 141 controls the operation of the first drive unit 131 so that the amplitude of the linear motor of the first drive unit 131 is a constant value preset for each drive mode.

Figure 3 is a graph showing the time variation of the back electromotive force L1 generated by the linear motor and the current L2 output to the linear motor when the amplitude of the linear motor of the first drive unit 131 is controlled to a constant value by the drive control unit 141. As shown in Figure 3, when viewed over the period T1 (one cycle) in which the linear motor makes one reciprocating motion, the current L2 output to the linear motor is set to 0 during a predetermined period T2 immediately after the turning point P1 of the reciprocating motion. During this period T2, the linear motor moves due to the inertial force of the reciprocating motion, and a back electromotive force L1 approximately proportional to the amplitude of the reciprocating motion is generated in the linear motor. As shown in Figure 3, the time variation of the back electromotive force L1 during this period T2 is approximately represented by a linear function. The greater the slope of this linear function, the greater the back electromotive force L1, indicating that the linear motor is operating at a larger amplitude. Conversely, the smaller the slope, the smaller the back electromotive force L1, indicating that the linear motor is operating at a smaller amplitude.

The drive control unit 141 reads the value of the back electromotive force L1 at time point P2, a predetermined time (< period T2) after the turning point P1. Then, using a conversion table showing the correspondence between the value of the back electromotive force L1 and power, the drive control unit 141 determines the power corresponding to the read value of the back electromotive force L1. The drive control unit 141 supplies the linear motor with a current L2 corresponding to the determined power. In this way, the drive control unit 141 controls the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the linear motor to be constant. Note that the drive control unit 141 may determine the power using an arithmetic expression showing the correspondence between the value of the back electromotive force L1 and power instead of or in addition to the conversion table. Furthermore, a conversion table is pre-stored in the storage unit 15 for each of the multiple drive modes (first to fifth drive modes).

The drive control unit 141 drives the drive unit 13 according to the "course." The "course" followed by the drive control unit 141 is selected by the operation setting unit 142.

In this embodiment, the operation setting unit 142 selects one course from a predetermined number (three) of courses stored in the memory unit 15 in response to operation of the operation unit 17.

For example, after the user operates the operation button 171 of the operation unit 17 to turn on the power of the electric toothbrush 1, the operation setting unit 142 selects one course from a predetermined number of courses depending on the number of times the operation button 171 is operated within a predetermined time.

In this disclosure, "course" refers to information indicating the drive content of the drive unit 13 when a user cleans the oral cavity once using the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1).

A course includes a combination of the length of time for which the drive unit 13 is driven and the drive mode in which the drive unit 13 is driven. The operation time in a course is the time required to clean the entire inside of the user's mouth once. The drive mode in a course is a drive mode selected from the first to fifth drive modes described above.

In one course, the operating time is divided into multiple cleaning periods, and different drive modes can be set for each of the multiple cleaning periods. For example, the operating time is divided into 16 cleaning periods, from the first cleaning period to the sixteenth cleaning period, and one drive mode from the first drive mode to the fifth drive mode can be set for each of the first cleaning period to the sixteenth cleaning period. In other words, when driving the drive unit 13 according to this "course," the drive control unit 141 drives the drive unit 13 in the drive mode set for the first cleaning period during the first cleaning period. Furthermore, after the end of the first cleaning period, the drive control unit 141 drives the drive unit 13 in the drive mode set for the second cleaning period during the second cleaning period. The drive control unit 141 performs similar operations until the end of the sixteenth cleaning period.

As will be described in more detail below, a "course" can be created by the user using the processing system 500 (information terminal 5), and the created course is transmitted from the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1). The course transmitted from the processing system 500 is stored in the memory unit 15 by the operation setting unit 142. Hereinafter, the course will also be referred to as "drive information."

The memory unit 15 includes, for example, electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). Alternatively, the memory unit 15 may be a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 15 stores course information (driving information) and the like received from the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) via the communication unit 20. The memory unit 15 may also serve as the memory of the microcontroller that constitutes the control unit 14.

The power supply unit 16 supplies operating power to each component of the electric toothbrush 1. The power supply unit 16 includes, for example, a rechargeable battery and a charge/discharge circuit. The rechargeable battery is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The charge/discharge circuit controls the charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery. The charge/discharge circuit includes, for example, a receiving coil. The receiving coil receives energy from the external power supply coil through electromagnetic induction with the coil and outputs it to the rechargeable battery. In other words, the charge/discharge circuit charges the rechargeable battery via contactless power supply.

The operation unit 17 accepts user operations. The operation unit 17 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the accepted user operation to the control unit 14. The operation unit 17 has a mechanical switch such as a push switch or a slide switch. In this embodiment, the operation unit 17 is equipped with an operation button 171 that includes a mechanical switch. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation button 171 is arranged on the side of the main housing 111 of the housing 11.

The operation unit 17 accepts starting and stopping of the operation of the drive unit 13 in response to the user's operation of the operation button 171. The operation unit 17 also accepts switching of courses in response to the user's operation of the operation button 171.

More specifically, in the electric toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, when the operation button 171 is operated while the drive unit 13 is stopped, the power to the electric toothbrush 1 is turned on. The operation setting unit 142 then selects the first of a predetermined number (three) of courses, and the drive control unit 141 starts operation of the drive unit 13 according to the course (first course) selected by the operation setting unit 142. When the operation button 171 is operated within a predetermined time (e.g., five seconds) after the drive unit 13 starts operation according to the first course, the operation setting unit 142 selects the second of the three courses, and the drive control unit 141 starts operation of the drive unit 13 according to the course (second course) selected by the operation setting unit 142. Furthermore, if the operation button 171 is operated within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the drive unit 13 starts operating according to the second course, the operation setting unit 142 selects the third of the three courses, and the drive control unit 141 starts operating the drive unit 13 according to the course (third course) selected by the operation setting unit 142. Furthermore, if the operation button 171 is operated within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the drive unit 13 starts operating according to the third course, the drive control unit 141 ends the operation of the drive unit 13.

In other words, the control unit 14 (operation setting unit 142) accepts course switching for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the drive unit 13 starts operating according to each course. On the other hand, once the predetermined time has elapsed after the drive unit 13 starts operating according to each course, the control unit 14 (operation setting unit 142) confirms the course.

When the operation button 171 is operated after the course has been confirmed, the drive control unit 141 temporarily suspends the operation of the drive unit 13. If the operation button 171 is operated again within a predetermined waiting time (e.g., 5 seconds) after temporarily suspending the operation of the drive unit 13, the drive control unit 141 causes the drive unit 13 to resume operation according to each course. On the other hand, if the waiting time has elapsed without the operation button 171 being operated after temporarily suspending the operation of the drive unit 13, the drive control unit 141 terminates the operation of the drive unit 13 according to the course.

When the control unit 14 changes the operation of the drive unit 13 (start, stop, pause, resume, switch course) in response to an operation on the operation unit 17, it causes the communication unit 20 to transmit a status signal indicating the state of the drive unit 13 after the change to the processing system 500 (information terminal 5).

The status display unit 18 displays the status of the electric toothbrush 1. The status display unit 18 is equipped with multiple light sources and displays multiple states of the electric toothbrush 1 by switching the lighting states of the multiple light sources. The status display unit 18 is arranged on the side of the main housing 111 of the housing 11. The status display unit 18 is equipped with a course display unit 181, a charging display unit 182, a connection display unit 183, and a communication display unit 184. The course display unit 181, charging display unit 182, connection display unit 183, and communication display unit 184 are arranged, together with the operation button 171, in a line along the Z axis on the side of the main housing 111 of the housing 11.

The course display unit 181 has multiple display windows (here, three, representing the number of courses stored in the memory unit 15) and multiple light sources (here, three) corresponding to the multiple display windows. The course display unit 181 displays the currently selected course by turning on one of the multiple light sources.

The charging display unit 182 has multiple (here, three) display windows and multiple (here, three) light sources corresponding to the multiple display windows. The charging display unit 182 displays the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery by lighting up one or more of the three light sources.

The connection indicator 183 has one display window and one light source corresponding to the display window. By switching the light source on and off, the connection indicator 183 indicates whether the charging coil of the charge/discharge circuit is electrically connected to the power supply coil (i.e., whether the rechargeable battery is being charged).

The communication display unit 184 has one display window and one light source corresponding to the display window. The communication display unit 184 switches the light source on and off to indicate whether a wireless connection (link) has been established between the communication unit 20 and the processing system 500 (information terminal 5).

Of the multiple light sources provided in the status display unit 18, the light sources of the course display unit 181, charging display unit 182, and communication display unit 184 are, for example, blue LEDs, and the light source of the connection display unit 183 is, for example, a red LED. However, this is not limited to this, and each of the multiple light sources may include an LED of any emitting color, or may include a light source other than an LED. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the course display unit 181 and/or charging display unit 182 to have multiple display windows. For example, multiple light sources with different emitting colors may correspond to one display window, and different states may be displayed by switching the light source that is lit.

The detection unit 19 detects a physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30 while the brush 30 is being driven reciprocally by the drive unit 13 (first drive unit 131). As described above, in the reciprocating motion of the linear motor, the change over time in the back electromotive force L1 generated in the linear motor within a predetermined period T2 from the turning point P1 (see Figure 3) is approximately proportional to the amplitude of the brush 30. Therefore, the detection unit 19 detects the value of the back electromotive force L1 at time point P2 in each period T1 as the physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30. For convenience, the value of the back electromotive force L1 at time point P2 (physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30) will be referred to below as the "SPD value."

The detection unit 19 transmits information indicating the detected physical quantity (SPD value) to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 transmits a detection signal including the information (SPD value) received from the detection unit 19 to the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) via the communication unit 20. In short, the communication unit 20 functions as a transmission unit that transmits the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19. The control unit 14 may transmit all of the SPD values detected in each cycle as a detection signal, or may thin out the SPD values at appropriate time intervals (for example, every few cycles) and transmit the detection signal.

The communication unit 20 has a communication function for performing wireless communication using radio waves. The communication unit 20 has, as its communication functions, a receiving function for receiving wireless signals from the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) and a transmitting function for transmitting wireless signals to the processing system 500 (information terminal 5). The communication unit 20 performs wireless communication using, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy communication method. However, this is not limited to this, and the communication method of the communication unit 20 may also be another wireless communication method, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication unit 20 may also be provided with a communication interface that can be connected to the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) via a wired connection.

(2.2) Configuration of Information Terminal Next, the configuration of the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As described above, in this embodiment, the processing system 500 includes only the information terminal 5.

The information terminal 5 is realized, for example, as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by the user of the oral cleaning device 100 or their family, or as a personal computer. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the information terminal 5 is a smartphone carried by the user.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 5 has a display unit 51, an operation unit 52, an audio interface unit 53, a communication unit 54, an imaging unit 55, a processing unit 56, and a storage unit 57. In this embodiment, as described above, the information terminal 5 is a general-purpose smartphone. This information terminal 5 functions as an information terminal 5 by installing dedicated application software (program) and activating this application software.

The display unit 51 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, etc. The display unit 51 displays various screens in response to user input to the operation unit 52. In other words, the display unit 51 displays various information to the user.

The operation unit 52 accepts user operations and outputs a signal corresponding to the user operations. In this embodiment, the information terminal 5 is a general-purpose smartphone, and the operation unit 52 is integrated with the display unit 51 to form a touch panel display. In a touch panel display, the information terminal 5 determines that an object such as a button has been operated when the operation unit 52 detects an operation (tap, swipe, drag, etc.) of an object such as a button on each screen displayed on the display unit 51. In other words, the display unit 51 and the operation unit 52 function as a user interface that accepts operation inputs from the user in addition to displaying various types of information.

The audio interface unit 53 has audio input and output functions. That is, the audio interface unit 53 receives the user's voice through a microphone and outputs the voice through a speaker. The audio interface unit 53 allows the user to operate the information terminal 5 through voice input and receive information from the information terminal 5 through voice output.

The communication unit 54 has a communication function for performing wireless communication using radio waves with the communication unit 20 of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1). The communication unit 54 performs wireless communication using, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy communication method. However, this is not limited to this, and the communication method of the communication unit 54 may also be another wireless communication method, such as Wi-Fi. The communication unit 54 may also have a communication interface that can be connected to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) via a wired connection.

The imaging unit 55 is a so-called camera that captures images. The imaging area of the imaging unit 55 is set so that, when a typical user is looking at the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5, the area including the user's oral cavity is included within the imaging area. In other words, when an image captured by the imaging unit 55 is displayed on the display unit 51 while the user is looking at the display unit 51, an image of the area around the user's oral cavity captured from the front will be displayed on the display unit 51.

The processing unit 56 controls the operation of each unit of the information terminal 5. The processing unit 56 is primarily composed of a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In the information terminal 5, the functions of the processing unit 56 are realized by the one or more processors executing a program stored in the memory. The program may be pre-stored in the memory, provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or provided recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The processing unit 56 will be described later.

The storage unit 57 includes, for example, electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Alternatively, the storage unit 57 may be a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 57 stores information (driving information) about the course created by the processing unit 56 (the course creation unit 610 described below). The storage unit 57 may also serve as the memory of the microcontroller that constitutes the processing unit 56.

(2.3) Processing Unit The processing unit 56 will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing unit 56 has a course control unit 61, a display control unit 62, and an evaluation unit 63. The course control unit 61, the display control unit 62, and the evaluation unit 63 do not represent physical components, but rather represent functions realized by the processing unit 56.

(2.3.1) Course As shown in FIG. 1, the course control unit 61 has a course creation unit 610 and a course setting unit 615 .

The course creation unit 610 is configured to create the above-mentioned course (driving information). The course creation unit 610 interactively creates a course suitable for the user using the display unit 51 and operation unit 52 (touch panel display) of the information terminal 5.

As mentioned above, the course (driving information) includes a combination of operating time information and driving mode information.

Here, the course (driving information) includes basic operating data and may optionally include specific operating data.

The basic operation data is data for cleaning the entire dentition in the oral cavity using the electric toothbrush 1. The basic operation data includes a combination of operation time information and drive mode information.

The specific operation data is data for cleaning teeth in a specific tooth arrangement using the electric toothbrush 1 when the user's dentition includes teeth in a specific tooth arrangement. The specific operation data includes a combination of operation time information and drive mode information.

The course creation unit 610 presents questions to the user. Based on the answers obtained to the questions, the course creation unit 610 determines the operation time and drive mode of the basic operation data, determines whether to include specific operation data in the drive information, and if specific operation data is to be included, determines the operation time and drive mode of the specific operation data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the course creation unit 610 includes a question unit 611, a response reception unit 612, and a drive information generation unit 613.

The question unit 611 presents the user with questions regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. The answer receiving unit 612 receives answers to the questions presented by the question unit 611.

Here, the question unit 611 presents questions to the user by displaying various screens on the display unit 51. The screens that the question unit 611 displays on the display unit 51 may include multiple options (option objects). In other words, the questions presented by the question unit 611 are multiple-choice. The answer receiving unit 612 receives answers based on operations performed by the user on the screen of the display unit 51. The answer receiving unit 612 receives answers to questions based on the user operating one of multiple option objects included in the screen displayed on the display unit 51.

In this embodiment, the questions presented by the question unit 611 include questions about cleaning the user's oral cavity and questions about the condition of the user's oral cavity. In other words, the question unit 611 presents multiple questions.

Questions regarding the user's oral hygiene include questions regarding the user's tooth brushing. Questions regarding the user's tooth brushing may be, for example, questions about how the user normally brushes their teeth (i.e., questions about their usual tooth brushing routine).

Questions about the user's tooth brushing include questions about the strength of tooth brushing. The strength of tooth brushing refers to, for example, the pressure of the brush 30 (bristles 31) against the teeth and/or the speed at which the brush 30 (bristles 31) moves against the teeth. The question unit 611 presents a question about the strength of tooth brushing as a question, and the answer receiving unit 612 receives an answer about the strength of tooth brushing as an answer.

Questions about the user's tooth brushing include questions about tooth brushing time, which is the length of time spent brushing teeth. The questioning unit 611 presents a question about tooth brushing time as a question, and the answer receiving unit 612 receives an answer about tooth brushing time as an answer.

The question unit 611 and the answer receiving unit 612 display the basic question screen D1 on the display unit 51 and receive answers regarding tooth brushing strength and tooth brushing time based on operations performed by the user on the basic question screen D1.

Figure 4 shows an example of the basic question screen D1 displayed on the display unit 51. The basic question screen D1 includes a first question region R1, a first answer region R2, a second question region R3, and a second answer region R4. In this embodiment, when the basic question screen D1 is divided into four regions vertically (along the long sides of the basic question screen D1), the first question region R1, first answer region R2, second question region R3, and second answer region R4 are set in order from top to bottom as follows: first question region R1, first answer region R2, second question region R3, and second answer region R4.

The first question area R1 is an area for displaying a question about tooth brushing strength. For example, the first question area R1 displays the text "Please select a strength" as a question about tooth brushing strength. The first answer area R2 is an area for accepting an answer to the question about tooth brushing strength. For example, multiple option objects are displayed in the first answer area R2. Here, the multiple option objects include four option objects B1 to B4: "Strong," "Normal," "Weak," and "Very Weak."

The second question area R3 is an area for displaying a question about tooth brushing time. For example, the second question area R3 displays the text "Please select the length of time you want to brush your teeth" as a question about tooth brushing time. The second answer area R4 is an area for accepting an answer to the question about tooth brushing time. For example, multiple choice objects are displayed in the second answer area R4. Here, the multiple choice objects include three choice objects B5 to B7: "Normal (approximately 2 minutes)," "Slightly longer (approximately 3 minutes)," and "Thorough care (approximately 4 minutes)."

Questions regarding the condition of the user's oral cavity include questions regarding the condition of the user's gums. That is, the questioning unit 611 presents questions regarding the condition of the gums, and the answer receiving unit 612 receives answers regarding the condition of the gums. Here, the answer receiving unit 612 receives input regarding the condition of the oral cavity for each of multiple divided regions Cn (n is a natural number) into which the oral cavity is divided.

The question unit 611 and the answer receiving unit 612 display the condition question screen D2 on the display unit 51 and receive answers to questions about the condition of the gums based on operations performed by the user on the condition question screen D2.

Figure 5 shows an example of the status question screen D2 displayed on the display unit 51. The status question screen D2 includes a third question area R5 and a third answer area R6. In this embodiment, the third answer area R6 is set below the third question area R5 on the status question screen D2.

The third question area R5 is an area for displaying questions about the condition of the user's gums. For example, the third question area R5 displays the following text as a question about the condition of the gums: "Please select the area on the dental chart that is swollen, bleeding, or painful." In other words, the question about the condition of the gums includes a question that prompts the user to select an area of the entire gum area that requires more attention than other areas when brushing.

The third answer area R6 is an area for accepting answers to questions about the condition of the gums. For example, an oral cavity image W1 (dental chart), which is an image simulating the inside of the oral cavity, is displayed in the third answer area R6. The oral cavity image W1 includes multiple divided areas Cn, and multiple selection objects are set corresponding to each of the multiple divided areas Cn.

Here, the oral cavity image W1 includes 12 divided regions Cn, from the first divided region C1 to the twelfth divided region C12.

The first divided area C1 is the area on the front side of the maxilla, and corresponds to upper left tooth number 4 (upper left first premolar) to upper left tooth number 7 (upper left second molar). The second divided area C2 is the area on the front side of the maxilla, and corresponds to upper left tooth number 3 (upper right canine) to upper right tooth number 3 (upper right canine). The third divided area C3 is the area on the front side of the maxilla, and corresponds to upper right tooth number 4 (upper right first premolar) to upper right tooth number 7 (upper right second molar).

The fourth divided area C4 is the area on the back side of the upper jaw, and corresponds to upper left tooth number 4 (upper left first premolar) to upper left tooth number 7 (upper left second molar). The fifth divided area C5 is the area on the back side of the upper jaw, and corresponds to upper left tooth number 3 (upper left canine) to upper right tooth number 3 (upper right canine). The sixth divided area C6 is the area on the back side of the upper jaw, and corresponds to upper right tooth number 4 (upper right first premolar) to upper right tooth number 7 (upper right second molar).

The seventh divided area C7 is the area on the front side of the mandible, corresponding to lower left tooth number 4 (lower left first premolar) to lower left tooth number 7 (lower left second molar). The eighth divided area C8 is the area on the front side of the mandible, corresponding to lower left tooth number 3 (lower left canine) to lower right tooth number 3 (lower right canine). The ninth divided area C9 is the area on the front side of the mandible, corresponding to lower right tooth number 4 (lower right first premolar) to lower right tooth number 7 (lower right second molar).

The tenth divided area C10 is the area on the back side of the mandible, and corresponds to lower left tooth number 4 (lower left first premolar) to lower left tooth number 7 (lower left second molar). The eleventh divided area C11 is the area on the back side of the mandible, and corresponds to lower left tooth number 3 (lower right canine) to lower right tooth number 3 (lower right canine). The twelfth divided area C12 is the area on the back side of the mandible, and corresponds to lower right tooth number 4 (lower right first premolar) to lower right tooth number 7 (lower right second molar).

In other words, the multiple divided regions Cn are set as units consisting of groups of one or more (here, multiple) teeth.

In order to help the user intuitively understand, oral cavity image W1 differs from a typical dental chart in that the dentition on the user's left side is shown on the left and the dentition on the user's right side is shown on the right. In the example shown in Figure 5, oral cavity image W1 does not include third molars (wisdom teeth), but oral cavity image W1 may also include third molars.

The answer receiving unit 612 receives input of the state of the gum area of the corresponding divided area Cn depending on whether a selection object corresponding to each of the first divided area C1 to twelfth divided area C12 is selected. In other words, when a selection object corresponding to a certain divided area Cn is selected, the gum area of the divided area Cn corresponding to this selection object is considered to be an area that requires more attention when brushing than other areas. In the example shown in Figure 5, the areas selected by the user (here, the sixth divided area C6 and the eighth divided area C8) are indicated by dotted hatching.

In short, the answer receiving unit 612 receives, as an answer, input of the condition of the gums for each of the multiple divided regions Cn into which the oral cavity is divided.

Questions regarding the condition of the user's oral cavity include questions regarding the alignment of the user's teeth. That is, the questioning unit 611 presents questions regarding the alignment of the user's teeth, and the answer receiving unit 612 receives input of a selection of the type of tooth in a specific alignment from the user's teeth and the position of the tooth in the specific alignment as an answer.

The question unit 611 and the answer receiving unit 612 display the teeth alignment question screen D3 on the display unit 51 and receive answers to questions about teeth alignment based on operations performed by the user on the teeth alignment question screen D3.

In this embodiment, the type of teeth in a particular tooth alignment may include double teeth, irregular teeth, and twisted teeth. Double teeth are teeth that grow sideways, and may refer to, for example, a condition in which a canine tooth protrudes further outward (anteriorly) than the teeth on either side. Irregular teeth may refer to, for example, a condition in which the tip of a tooth is not aligned with the tips of the teeth on either side in the anterior-posterior direction. Twisted teeth may refer to, for example, a condition in which a tooth is rotated around its long axis, causing the left and right ends of the tooth to not be aligned with the teeth on either side in the anterior-posterior direction.

Figure 6 shows an example of the teeth alignment question screen D3 displayed on the display unit 51. The teeth alignment question screen D3 includes a fourth question area R7 and a fourth answer area R8. In this embodiment, the fourth answer area R8 is set below the fourth question area R7 on the teeth alignment question screen D3.

The fourth question area R7 is an area for displaying questions about the user's teeth alignment. For example, the fourth question area R7 displays the following text as a question about teeth alignment: "Does your teeth have the following positions?" In other words, the question about teeth alignment includes a question that prompts the user to select the type of tooth in a specific tooth alignment and the position of that tooth.

The fourth answer area R8 is an area for accepting answers to questions about the user's teeth alignment. The fourth answer area R8 displays multiple selection objects corresponding to tooth types with specific tooth alignment, as well as an oral cavity image W3 (dental chart), which is an image simulating the inside of the oral cavity.

Here, the multiple selection objects include three selection objects B8 to B10: "double tooth," "uneven," and "twist." In addition, in oral cavity image W3, a selection object is set for each of the multiple (here, 28) teeth.

The answer receiving unit 612 receives input of the selection of the type of tooth in a specific tooth alignment and its position when the user selects one of the selection objects B8 to B10 for the type of tooth in a specific tooth alignment, and then selects one or more teeth (selection objects) from among the multiple teeth.

In other words, teeth with a specific tooth alignment are selected tooth by tooth. In the example shown in Figure 6, the teeth (top right no. 1 and top right no. 4) selected by the user as having a specific tooth alignment (here, double teeth) are shown with dotted hatching.

In the fourth answer area R8, multiple selection objects B8-B10 indicating tooth types with specific tooth alignment are colored differently. Furthermore, when a tooth with a specific tooth alignment (selection object) is selected in the oral cavity image W3, that tooth is colored in a color indicating the specific tooth alignment type (the same color as one of the selection objects B8-B10).

The driving information generation unit 613 generates driving information (course) based on the answers received by the answer reception unit 612. As described above, the driving information includes basic motion data and may optionally include specific motion data.

The drive information generation unit 613 generates basic operation data based on the answers to the questions about "tooth brushing time," "tooth brushing strength," and "gum condition."

As described above, the basic operation data is data for cleaning the entire dentition in the user's oral cavity. The basic operation data divides the user's oral cavity into multiple cleaning areas Em (m is a natural number), and assigns a cleaning time and drive mode to each cleaning area Em.

Here, the multiple cleaning areas Em include 16 areas, from the first cleaning area E1 to the sixteenth cleaning area E16 (see Figure 7).

The first cleaning area E1 corresponds to the front side of upper left tooth number 4 (upper left first premolar) to upper left tooth number 7 (upper left second molar). The first cleaning area E1 is connected to (corresponding to) the first divided area C1. The second cleaning area E2 corresponds to the front side of upper left tooth number 3 (upper right canine) to upper right tooth number 3 (upper right canine). The second cleaning area E2 is connected to the second divided area C2. The third cleaning area E3 corresponds to the front side of upper right tooth number 4 (upper right first premolar) to upper right tooth number 7 (upper right second molar). The third cleaning area E3 is connected to the third divided area C3.

The fourth cleaning area E4 corresponds to the backside of upper left tooth number 4 (upper left first premolar) to upper left tooth number 7 (upper left second molar). The fourth cleaning area E4 is connected to the fourth divided area C4. The fifth cleaning area E5 corresponds to the backside of upper left tooth number 3 (upper right canine) to upper right tooth number 3 (upper right canine). The fifth cleaning area E5 is connected to the fifth divided area C5. The sixth cleaning area E6 corresponds to the backside of upper right tooth number 4 (upper right first premolar) to upper right tooth number 7 (upper right second molar). The sixth cleaning area E6 is connected to the sixth divided area C6.

The seventh cleaning area E7 corresponds to the front side of lower left tooth number 4 (lower left first premolar) to lower left tooth number 7 (lower left second molar). The seventh cleaning area E7 is connected to the seventh divided area C7. The eighth cleaning area E8 corresponds to the front side of lower left tooth number 3 (lower left canine) to lower right tooth number 3 (lower right canine). The eighth cleaning area E8 is connected to the eighth divided area C8. The ninth cleaning area E9 corresponds to the front side of lower right tooth number 4 (lower right first premolar) to lower right tooth number 7 (lower right second molar). The ninth cleaning area E9 is connected to the ninth divided area C9.

The tenth cleaning area E10 corresponds to the backside of the lower left tooth number 4 (lower left first premolar) to the lower left tooth number 7 (lower left second molar). The tenth cleaning area E10 is connected to the tenth divided area C10. The eleventh cleaning area E11 corresponds to the backside of the lower left tooth number 3 (lower left canine) to the lower right tooth number 3 (lower right canine). The eleventh cleaning area E11 is connected to the eleventh divided area C11. The twelfth cleaning area E12 corresponds to the backside of the lower right tooth number 4 (lower right first premolar) to the lower right tooth number 7 (lower right second molar). The twelfth cleaning area E12 is connected to the twelfth divided area C12.

The first cleaning area E1 to the twelfth cleaning area E12 are connected to and correspond to the first divided area C1 to the twelfth divided area C12, respectively.

The thirteenth cleaning area E13 corresponds to the occlusal surfaces of upper left tooth number 4 (upper left first premolar) to upper left tooth number 7 (upper left second molar). The fourteenth cleaning area E14 corresponds to the occlusal surfaces of upper right tooth number 4 (upper right first premolar) to upper right tooth number 7 (upper right second molar). The fifteenth cleaning area E15 corresponds to the occlusal surfaces of lower left tooth number 4 (lower left first premolar) to lower left tooth number 7 (lower left second molar). The sixteenth cleaning area E16 corresponds to the occlusal surfaces of lower right tooth number 4 (lower right first premolar) to lower right tooth number 7 (lower right second molar).

In the oral cavity image W4 in Figure 7, for ease of understanding, the symbols for the first cleaning area E1 to the twelfth cleaning area E12 are attached to the divided areas Cn connected to them.

The drive information generation unit 613 first determines the operation time in the basic operation data based on the answer to the question about "tooth brushing time" received by the answer reception unit 612. If the "normal" option object B5 in the second answer area R4 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the operation time to be two minutes. If the "slightly longer" option object B6 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the operation time to be three minutes, and if the "careful care" option object B7 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the operation time to be four minutes.

The drive information generation unit 613 also determines the cleaning time for each cleaning area Em based on the determined operation time. The cleaning time may be, for example, 7.5 seconds (e.g., the operation time (e.g., 2 minutes) divided equally by the number of cleaning areas Em (e.g., 16), or it may be an appropriate division of the operation time at a ratio pre-assigned to each cleaning area Em.

The drive information generation unit 613 then determines the drive mode in the basic operation data based on the answer to the question about "tooth brushing strength" and the answer to the question about "gum condition" received by the answer reception unit 612. The drive information generation unit 613 determines the drive mode for each of the multiple cleaning areas Em.

The drive information generation unit 613 first determines the basic drive mode based on the answer to the question "Toothbrushing strength." More specifically, if the "Strong" option object B1 in the first answer area R2 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the basic drive mode to be the "First drive mode (W-CLEAN mode)." If the "Normal" option object B2 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the basic drive mode to be the "Second drive mode (NORMAL mode)." If the "Weak" option object B3 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the basic drive mode to be the "Third drive mode (SOFT mode)." If the "Very Weak" option object B4 is selected, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the basic drive mode to be the "Fourth drive mode (SENSITIVE mode)."

Next, the drive information generation unit 613 modifies the determined basic drive mode for each cleaning area Em based on the answer to the question about "gum condition." That is, the drive information generation unit 613 modifies the drive mode of the cleaning area Em, among the first cleaning area E1 to the twelfth cleaning area E12, that is connected to the divided area Cn selected by the user in the third answer area R6, to a drive mode with an amplitude one step smaller than the basic drive mode. For example, if the basic drive mode is "first drive mode," the drive information generation unit 613 modifies the drive mode of the cleaning area Em that is connected to the selected divided area Cn to "second drive mode." Furthermore, if the basic drive mode is "second drive mode," the drive information generation unit 613 modifies the drive mode of the cleaning area Em that is connected to the selected divided area Cn to "third drive mode." Furthermore, if the basic drive mode is the "third drive mode," the drive information generation unit 613 corrects the drive mode of the cleaning region Em connected to the selected divided region Cn to the "fourth drive mode." If the basic drive mode is the "fourth drive mode," there is no drive mode with a smaller amplitude than the fourth drive mode, so the drive information generation unit 613 maintains the drive mode at the "fourth drive mode" without correcting it.

The basic drive mode may be set as the drive mode for the 13th cleaning area E13 to the 16th cleaning area E16, regardless of the answer to the question about the "condition of the gums." Alternatively, if the drive mode of one of the cleaning areas adjacent to the 13th cleaning area E13 to the 16th cleaning area E16 in the front-to-rear direction (in the case of the 13th cleaning area E13, this would be the first cleaning area E1 and the fourth cleaning area E4) is modified, the drive mode for the 13th cleaning area E13 to the 16th cleaning area E16 may be set to the modified drive mode.

In short, the drive information generation unit 613 sets one of multiple drive modes (first drive mode to fourth drive mode) for each of the multiple cleaning regions Em into which the oral cavity is divided.

In this embodiment, the basic operation data of the drive information is created using the procedure described above. In the example shown in Figure 7, the first drive mode (W-CLEAN mode) is set for each of the first cleaning area E1 to the sixteenth cleaning area E16.

The drive information generation unit 613 generates specific operation data based on the answer to the question about "tooth alignment." As described above, the specific operation data is data for cleaning teeth with a specific tooth alignment. If "teeth with a specific tooth alignment" is not selected in response to the question about "tooth alignment," the drive information generation unit 613 does not generate specific operation data. Therefore, in this case, the drive information (course) includes only basic operation data and does not include specific operation data.

The drive information generation unit 613 determines the movement time for the specific movement data based on the type of teeth selected as the teeth of the specific tooth alignment. For example, the memory unit 57 stores (sets) a reference time for each type of tooth of the specific tooth alignment (double teeth, uneven teeth, twisted). The drive information generation unit 613 reads the reference time from the memory unit 57 according to the type of tooth selected as the teeth of the specific tooth alignment, and sets the read reference time as the movement time. Note that in this embodiment, the reference time is the same regardless of the type of tooth of the specific tooth alignment (double teeth, uneven teeth, twisted).

The drive information generation unit 613 also determines the drive mode in the specific operation data based on the position of the tooth selected by the response reception unit 612 as the tooth with a specific tooth alignment. The drive information generation unit 613, for example, extracts multiple cleaning areas Em that include the selected tooth, and determines the drive mode in the specific operation data for this selected tooth based on the drive mode in the basic operation data for the extracted multiple cleaning areas Em. For example, the drive information generation unit 613 determines the drive mode with the smallest amplitude among the drive modes in the basic operation data for the multiple cleaning areas Em that include the selected tooth as the drive mode in the specific operation data. For example, the tooth selected as the tooth with a specific tooth alignment is "upper left number 4 (upper left first premolar)." In this case, the multiple cleaning areas Em that include the selected tooth (upper left number 4) are the first cleaning area E1, the fourth cleaning area E4, and the thirteenth cleaning area E13. Furthermore, the drive mode for the first cleaning region E1 is the "second drive mode," the drive mode for the fourth cleaning region E4 is the "third drive mode," and the drive mode for the thirteenth cleaning region E13 is the "second drive mode." In this case, the drive mode with the smallest amplitude is the "third drive mode." Therefore, in this case, the drive information generator 613 determines that the drive mode in the specific operation data for the selected tooth (top left, number 4) is the "third drive mode."

If multiple teeth are selected as having a specific tooth alignment in response to the "tooth alignment" question, the drive information generator 613 determines the operation time and drive mode for each of the selected teeth. In this case, the specific operation data will include a combination of operation time information and drive mode information for each of the selected teeth.

In the drive information (course), the operation of the drive unit 13 according to the specific operation data is set to be executed after the operation of the drive unit 13 according to the basic operation data has finished. In other words, when the drive unit 13 is driven according to the drive information (course), the electric toothbrush 1 will clean the entire row of teeth in the oral cavity based on the basic operation data, and then clean the teeth in a specific row (if there are multiple teeth, it will clean each tooth in turn).

The course creation unit 610 creates drive information (course) according to the procedure described above. As can be seen from the procedure described above, the drive information generation unit 613 generates drive information for the period from the start to the end of the tooth brushing time received by the response reception unit 612.

The driving information (course) created by the course creation unit 610 is linked to identification information for identifying the driving information (for example, a "course name" created by the user) and stored in the memory unit 57.

The course creation unit 610 further includes a change acceptance unit 614. The change acceptance unit 614 accepts input to change the drive information generated by the drive information generation unit 613.

In this embodiment, the change receiving unit 614 receives input to change the drive information for each of the multiple cleaning regions Em into which the oral cavity is divided.

The change acceptance unit 614 displays a change screen D4 on the display unit 51 for accepting changes to the drive information, and accepts input to change the drive information based on operations performed by the user on the change screen D4. In this case, the change acceptance unit 614 accepts changes to the basic operation data of the drive information.

For example, when driving information (course) is created by the course creation unit 610, the change acceptance unit 614 displays the change screen D4 on the display unit 51. Furthermore, at any time after the driving information is created, the change acceptance unit 614 displays the change screen D4 on the display unit 51 in response to a user operation on the operation unit 52.

Figure 7 shows an example of the change screen D4 displayed on the display unit 51. The change screen D4 includes an explanation display area R9, a selected image display area R10, and a decision area R11. In this embodiment, when the change screen D4 is divided vertically into three areas, the explanation display area R9, the selected image display area R10, and the decision area R11 are set so that, from top to bottom, they are the explanation display area R9, the selected image display area R10, and the decision area R11.

Explanation display area R9 displays a sentence explaining to the user that the course (drive information) can be changed, such as "Your personalized course is complete! If you want to customize it in detail, please set it on the screen below." Also, explanation display area R9 displays a sentence explaining how to change the drive information, such as "How to change: 1. Select the mode to change. 2. Select the area to change the strength from the tooth chart."

The selection image display area R10 is an area that allows the user to select the cleaning area Em for changing the drive mode and the drive mode after the change. The selection image display area R10 displays an oral cavity image W4 (dental chart) that simulates the inside of the oral cavity, and multiple selection objects corresponding to multiple drive modes (first drive mode to fourth drive mode).

In oral cavity image W4, a selection object is set for each of multiple (here, 16) cleaning regions Em. In other words, the change receiving unit 614 receives the selection of the cleaning region Em for which the drive mode will be changed for each of the multiple cleaning regions Em (first cleaning region E1 to sixteenth cleaning region E16) that divide the oral cavity. Note that the drive mode for each of the thirteenth cleaning region E13 to sixteenth cleaning region E16 may be selectable independently, or may be changed in accordance with the change in the drive mode of the cleaning region Em adjacent in the forward/backward direction.

The multiple selection objects here include four selection objects B11 to B14: "First driving mode (W-CLEAN mode)," "Second driving mode (NORMAL mode)," "Third driving mode (SOFT mode)," and "Fourth driving mode (SENSITIVE mode)." The four selection objects B11 to B14 are assigned different colors.

Before the user changes the drive information (course), each of the multiple cleaning areas Em in the oral cavity image W4 displays a color corresponding to the drive mode set for each cleaning area Em in the drive information (basic operation data) to be changed.

When the user selects one of the multiple (four) selection objects B11 to B14 and then selects one or more cleaning areas Em from the multiple cleaning areas Em (selection objects) in the oral cavity image W4, a new drive mode is set for the selected cleaning areas Em. Furthermore, the selected cleaning areas Em are displayed in a color corresponding to the new drive mode, allowing the user to intuitively understand that the drive mode has changed.

A decision object B15 is displayed in the decision area R11. When the user operates the decision object B15, the change acceptance unit 614 changes the drive mode for each of the multiple cleaning areas Em in the drive information (course) to the drive mode indicated by the oral cavity image W4 in the selection diagram display area R10.

The change acceptance unit 614 stores the changed driving information (course) in the memory unit 57. The change acceptance unit 614 may store the changed driving information in the memory unit 57 together with the identification information (course name) that was linked to the driving information before the change (i.e., update the driving information linked to the identification information). Alternatively, the change acceptance unit 614 may store the changed driving information in the memory unit 57, linked to new identification information.

As described above, the drive information (course) includes a combination of operating time and drive mode. In this embodiment, the drive information also includes information on the brushing order. In this embodiment, the brushing order is set by default when the course is created.

Figure 8 shows an example of the brushing order display screen D5, which shows the default brushing order. The brushing order display screen D5 includes a brushing order display area R15. The brushing order display screen D5 can be displayed in response to a user operation on the operation unit 52.

The brushing order display area R15 displays a brushing order display image W5, which shows the order in which the oral cavity should be cleaned using circled numbers 1 to 8 and arrows. The default brushing order, as shown in Figure 8, is as follows: first cleaning area E1, second cleaning area E2, third cleaning area E3, ninth cleaning area E9, eighth cleaning area E8, seventh cleaning area E7, tenth cleaning area E10, eleventh cleaning area E11, twelfth cleaning area E12, sixth cleaning area E6, fifth cleaning area E5, fourth cleaning area E4, thirteenth cleaning area E13, fourteenth cleaning area E14, sixteenth cleaning area E16, and fifteenth cleaning area E15.

The change acceptance unit 614 further accepts input for changing the brushing order. The change acceptance unit 614 displays a brushing order setting screen D6 on the display unit 51 for accepting changes to the brushing order, and accepts input for changing the brushing order based on operations performed by the user on the brushing order setting screen D6.

Figure 9 is an example of the brushing order setting screen D6 displayed on the display unit 51. The brushing order setting screen D6 includes an explanation display area R16, a brushing order display area R17, and a start position acceptance area R18. In this embodiment, when the brushing order setting screen D6 is divided vertically into three areas, the explanation display area R16, the brushing order display area R17, and the start position acceptance area R18 are set so that, from top to bottom, they are the explanation display area R16, the brushing order display area R17, and the start position acceptance area R18.

The instruction display area R16 displays the text "Please select the starting position for brushing your teeth" to encourage the user to change the brushing order.

The brushing order display area R17 displays a brushing order display image W6, which shows the order in which the oral cavity should be cleaned using circled numbers 1 to 8 and arrows.

The start position receiving area R18 displays multiple option objects for selecting a start position for brushing. The multiple option objects include four option objects B16-B19—"upper left," "lower left," "upper right," and "lower right"—for selecting which of the four corners of the oral cavity to start brushing from, and three option objects B20-B22—"cheek side," "bite," and "tongue side"—for selecting which position in the oral cavity to start brushing from. In short, the user can select a start position for brushing from a total of 12 options, combining the four options (option objects B16-B19) and the three options (option objects B20-B22).

The change acceptance unit 614 determines the starting position for brushing (e.g., "upper left" and "cheek side") in response to the user's selection of option objects B16 to B22, and displays circled numbers 1 to 8 and arrows indicating the brushing order in the brushing order display area R17 in accordance with the determined starting position for brushing.

In this embodiment, once the starting position for brushing teeth (cleaning area Em as the starting position) is determined, the brushing order for the remaining cleaning areas is automatically determined based on the cleaning area Em as the starting position.

In this way, the change acceptance unit 614 changes the brushing order. In addition, the drive information is updated according to the changed brushing order.

As described above, the course control unit 61 can create new courses (driving information) using the course creation unit 610. In addition, one or more courses are created in advance by default in the information terminal 5 (a program for realizing the functions of the processing unit 56).

The course setting unit 615 sets a predetermined number (here, three) of courses from among these multiple courses (candidate courses) that will be used to actually drive the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1.

Hereinafter, each of the predetermined number of courses set by the course setting unit 615 will also be referred to as a "set course."

The course setting unit 615 displays a course setting screen D7 for course setting on the display unit 51, allowing the user to select a set course.

Figure 10 is an example of the course setting screen D7. The course setting screen D7 includes a predetermined number (three) of setting regions R21 to R23 corresponding to a predetermined number (three) of set courses. In this embodiment, setting regions R21, R22, and R23 are set in the direction along the long side of the course setting screen D7, in order from top to bottom: setting region R21, setting region R22, and setting region R23. The top setting region R21 corresponds to the first set course, the middle setting region R22 corresponds to the second set course, and the bottom setting region R23 corresponds to the third set course.

In this embodiment, the first set course is a course created by default within the program. In this embodiment, the first set course is a course in which the operation time of the basic operation data is unlimited (continuous) and the drive mode is set to the first drive mode (W-CLEAN mode). Furthermore, the first set course does not include specific operation data. In this embodiment, the first set course cannot be changed by the user.

The second and third set courses are each selectively set from among multiple course candidates in response to user operation. Selection object B32 is displayed in setting area R22, and selection object B33 is displayed in setting area R23.

For example, when the user operates selection object B32 or B33, the course setting unit 615 displays the course selection screen D8 for selecting a course.

Figure 11 is an example of the course selection screen D8. The course selection screen D8 may include multiple option objects. Here, the multiple option objects correspond one-to-one to the multiple course candidates. Of the multiple option objects shown in Figure 11, option objects B34 to B36, "CUSTOM2," "Dad," and "Mom," correspond to courses (driving information) created by the course creation unit 610 and stored in the memory unit 57. Of the multiple option objects shown in Figure 11, option objects B37 to B41, "W-CLEAN," "NORMAL," "SOFT," "W-GUMCARE," and "SENSITIVE," correspond to courses (driving information) created by default in the program. In this embodiment, the multiple option objects B34 to B41 are arranged in a row within the course selection screen D8 along the long side of the course selection screen D8.

When the user selects one of the multiple option objects B34 to B41 included on the course selection screen D8, the course setting unit 615 sets the course (driving information) corresponding to the selected option object as the set course.

As shown in FIG. 1, the course setting unit 615 includes a transmission processing unit 616. The transmission processing unit 616 transmits information about the set course set by the course setting unit 615 to the electric toothbrush 1 via the communication unit 54. In short, the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) includes a transmission processing unit 616 that transmits the drive information (course) generated by the drive information generation unit 613 to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1).

When the control unit 14 (operation setting unit 142) of the electric toothbrush 1 receives information about the set course via the communication unit 20, it stores the received information about the set course in the memory unit 15. In other words, the electric toothbrush 1 and the information terminal 5 communicate with each other to synchronize the stored courses (operation information).

(2.3.2) Display The display control unit 62 controls the screens displayed on the display unit 51. The display control unit 62 causes the display unit 51 to display various screens (basic question screen D1, change screen D4, course setting screen D7, etc.) in accordance with the control of the course control unit 61 described above.

In addition, when the electric toothbrush 1 drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the drive information, the display control unit 62 causes the toothbrushing screens D11 to D16 to be displayed on the display unit 51.

Figures 12 to 17 show examples of toothbrushing screens D11 to D16 displayed on the display unit 51. Toothbrushing screens D11 to D16 include a first region R31 and a second region R32. In this embodiment, when toothbrushing screens D11 to D16 are divided vertically into two regions, first region R31 is displayed on the upper side and second region R32 is displayed on the lower side. Second region R32 is an area within toothbrushing screens D11 to D16 that is different from first region R31. More specifically, second region R32 is an area that does not overlap with first region R31.

The first region R31 is an area for displaying the model video W10. The model video W10 is a video that serves as a model for how to clean the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1). The model video W10 is stored in the memory unit 57. The display control unit 62 displays the model video W10 in the first region R31 in response to a status signal (a signal indicating the status of the drive unit 13) transmitted from the electric toothbrush 1. In short, the display control unit 62 displays the model video W10 on the display unit 51 when the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the drive information (course).

For example, upon receiving a status signal from the electric toothbrush 1 indicating that the drive unit 13 should start operating according to the first course, the display control unit 62 starts playing the model video W10 corresponding to the first course (set course). Furthermore, upon receiving a status signal from the electric toothbrush 1 indicating that the drive unit 13 should temporarily stop operating, the display control unit 62 pauses the playback of the model video W10 that is currently being played. If the display control unit 62 receives a status signal from the electric toothbrush 1 indicating that the drive unit 13 should resume operating before a predetermined waiting time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the playback of the model video W10 was paused, the display control unit 62 resumes the playback of the model video W10 from where it left off. If the waiting time has elapsed since the playback of the model video W10 was paused without receiving a status signal indicating that the drive unit 13 should resume operating, the display control unit 62 ends the playback of the model video W10.

In short, the display control unit 62 starts playing the model video W10 when the operation unit 17 of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) accepts the start of operation. Furthermore, the display control unit 62 pauses or ends the playback of the model video W10 when the operation unit 17 of the oral cleaning device 100 accepts the stop of operation. Furthermore, the display control unit 62 resumes the playback of the model video W10 from the middle if the operation unit 17 of the oral cleaning device 100 accepts the resumption of operation before a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the playback of the model video W10 was paused. Furthermore, if the waiting time has elapsed since the playback of the model video W10 was paused without the operation unit 17 of the oral cleaning device 100 accepting the resumption of operation, the display control unit 62 ends the playback of the model video W10.

The length of playback time of the model video W10 matches the length of operation time of the drive information (course information). Therefore, when the operation of the drive unit 13 according to the course in the electric toothbrush 1 ends, playback of the model video W10 on the display unit 51 also ends at the same time. In short, when the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the drive information, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 51 to display a video (model video W10) that serves as a model of how to clean the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device 100, in conjunction with the period from the start to the end of the tooth brushing session.

In the model video W10, an image W12 that resembles the brush 30 of the electric toothbrush 1 is superimposed on an image W11 that resembles the inside of a human mouth. As shown in Figures 12 to 14, in the model video W10, the position of the brush in the image W12 that resembles the brush 30 is moved over time (in the order of Figures 13, 14, and 12). This instructs the user on the location in the mouth that should be brushed using the electric toothbrush 1. As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the model video W10 may also include comments (advice) on how to brush teeth.

On toothbrushing screens D11 to D16, a bar graph W13 is displayed below the first region R31 (between the first region R31 and the second region R32). The bar graph W13 indicates the amount of time that has been played in the model video W10.

An image different from the model video W10 is displayed in the second region R32. That is, the display control unit 62 displays the model video W10 in the first region R31 while simultaneously displaying an image different from the model video W10 in the second region R32.

The image candidates displayed in the second region R32 include the captured image W21 and the status image W22.

Captured image W21 is an image (real-time image) captured by the imaging unit 55. As described above, the imaging area of the imaging unit 55 is set so that the area around the oral cavity, including the user's oral cavity, is included within the imaging area when a typical user is looking at the display unit 51. Therefore, when the user is looking at the display unit 51, captured image W21 is a perioral cavity image W210 captured by the imaging unit 55 of an area including the user's oral cavity. In other words, the candidate images displayed in the second region R32 include the perioral cavity image W210 and the status image W22. Furthermore, the display control unit 62 displays the model video W10 in the first region R31 within the display unit 51, and displays the perioral cavity image W210 in a second region R32, different from the first region R31, within the display unit 51 (see FIG. 12).

As shown in Figure 12, the angle of the model video W10 and the angle of the oral cavity periphery image W210 are approximately the same (the angle from which the person is viewed from the front).

As shown in Figure 13, the status image W22 displays information about the operating status of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1).

The status image W22 includes an image W23 that indicates the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery of the electric toothbrush 1. As shown in FIG. 13, the image W23 includes a frame that resembles a battery and multiple scales that increase or decrease within the frame depending on the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery.

Status image W22 includes image W24, which indicates the currently used course among multiple courses. As shown in FIG. 13, image W24 includes three marks corresponding to a predetermined number (three) of set courses. In image W24, the currently used course is indicated by displaying one of the three marks corresponding to the currently used course (set course) in a different color from the other two marks.

The status image W22 includes an image W25 that indicates the elapsed time. As shown in FIG. 13, the image W25 displays the elapsed time from the start of operation of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 (i.e., the start of playback of the model video W10) in a count-up format. The elapsed time may also be displayed in a count-down format.

The status image W22 includes an image W26 that indicates the drive mode. As shown in FIG. 13, the image W26 displays the drive mode of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 (in the example of FIG. 13, the text "W-CLEAN" corresponds to the first drive mode).

Status image W22 also includes image W27, which simulates the inside of a human mouth. Image W27 displays the cleaning area Em to be cleaned in a different color from the other areas.

The display control unit 62 switches the image displayed in the second region R32 between the oral cavity periphery image W210 and the status image W22 in accordance with the user's selection. For example, when the display control unit 62 receives a left or right swipe in the second region R32 (an operation of sliding a finger while the finger is touching the touch panel display), the display control unit 62 switches the image displayed in the second region R32. For example, when the captured image W21 (oral cavity periphery image W210) is displayed in the second region R32 and the second region R32 is swiped from right to left, the display control unit 62 displays the status image W22 in the second region R32. Furthermore, when the status image W22 is displayed in the second region R32 and the second region R32 is swiped from left to right, the display control unit 62 displays the captured image W21 in the second region R32.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 62 may also display (superimpose) images W24 to W26 relating to the operating state of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) on the captured image W21 (perioral image W210).

Furthermore, if the imaging unit 55 is not permitted to capture an image or the display of an image captured by the imaging unit 55 on the display unit 51 is not permitted, the display control unit 62 may display a warning image W29 (see FIG. 14) in the second region R32. The warning image W29 may include a statement explaining that the imaging unit 55 is not permitted to capture an image or that the display of an image captured by the imaging unit 55 is not permitted.

As described above, the driving information (course) includes basic movement data and may optionally include specific movement data. Therefore, the model video W10 also includes a basic model video W101 corresponding to the basic movement data and may optionally include a specific model video W102 (see Figure 17) corresponding to the specific movement data.

The display control unit 62 includes a basic display control unit 621 and a specific display control unit 622.

The basic display control unit 621 displays the basic model video W101 on the display unit 51 (first region R31).

The basic model video W101 includes multiple partial videos. One partial video is a video that serves as a model for how to clean one cleaning area Em. In this embodiment, the basic model video W101 includes 16 partial videos corresponding to the 16 cleaning areas Em. The basic display control unit 621 sequentially displays the multiple (16) partial videos in the first area R31 according to the "brushing order" of the currently used course. Therefore, the display unit 51 displays the basic model video W101 that corresponds to the currently used course (operating time, drive mode, brushing order).

The length of playback time of the basic model video W101 matches the length of operation time of the basic operation data. Therefore, when the operation of the drive unit 13 based on the basic operation data ends, playback of the basic model video W101 also ends at the same time.

As shown in Figures 12 to 16, the basic model video W101 includes an image W11 that simulates the inside of a person's oral cavity and an image W12 that simulates a brush 30. As shown in Figures 12 to 16, the model video W10 (basic model video W101) includes an image W11 of the inside of a person's oral cavity viewed from the front with their mouth open.

The specific display control unit 622 displays the specific model video W102 on the display unit 51 (first region R31). After playback of the basic model video W101 ends, the specific display control unit 622 starts playback of the specific model video W102.

The specific display control unit 622 displays a specific model video W102 corresponding to the type of teeth in a specific tooth alignment (double teeth, uneven teeth, twisted). That is, multiple specific model video W102 candidates corresponding to the type and position of teeth in a specific tooth alignment are stored in the memory unit 57. The specific display control unit 622 displays a video corresponding to the type and position of teeth in a specific tooth alignment on the display unit 51 (first region R31). The length of playback time of the specific model video W102 matches the reference time for the corresponding tooth type.

If multiple teeth are selected as teeth with a specific tooth alignment, the specific display control unit 622 can display multiple specific model videos W102 in succession.

In short, when the control unit 14 (drive control unit 141) of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with the specific operation data, the display control unit 62 (specific display control unit 622) causes the display unit 51 to display a video (specific model video W102) that serves as an example of the cleaning method for cleaning the teeth selected by the response receiving unit 612, in conjunction with the period of operation of the drive unit 13 based on the specific operation data.

As shown in FIG. 17, the specific model video W102 includes an image W11 that simulates the inside of a human mouth and an image W12 that simulates the brush of an electric toothbrush 1. However, image W12 of the specific model video W102 is an image that simulates a point brush for cleaning teeth with a specific tooth alignment.

As shown in FIG. 17, even when the display control unit 62 (specific display control unit 622) displays the captured image W21 or the status image W22 in the second region R32, the specific example video W102 is displayed in the first region R31. However, in the example of FIG. 17, since image capture by the image capture unit 55 is not permitted, a warning image W29 is displayed in the second region R32.

The specific display control unit 622 may display an image prompting the user to replace the brush 30 after the basic display control unit 621 has finished playing the basic model video W101. The specific display control unit 622 may start playing the specific model video W102 when the operation unit 52 is operated while the image prompting the user to replace the brush 30 is being displayed, or when a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed since the image began to be displayed. When the information terminal 5 starts playing the specific model video W102, it may send a signal to that effect to the electric toothbrush 1, causing the electric toothbrush 1 to start operating in accordance with the specific operation data.

(2.3.3) Evaluation The evaluation unit 63 evaluates how the user is using the electric toothbrush 1. Here, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates how the user is using the electric toothbrush 1 based on the state of pressure of the brush 30 while the electric toothbrush 1 is in operation. Specifically, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates how the user is using the electric toothbrush 1 based on the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19 of the electric toothbrush 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the evaluation unit 63 includes an acquisition unit 631, an estimation unit 632, a presentation unit 633, and a determination unit 634.

The acquisition unit 631 acquires a physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30. Specifically, the acquisition unit 631 acquires the physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30 by receiving a detection signal from the electric toothbrush 1 via the communication unit 54. In this case, the physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush 30 is the SPD value.

The estimation unit 632 estimates the state of pressing the brush 30 against the target object. When a user is cleaning the inside of their mouth with the electric toothbrush 1, the target object against which the brush 30 is pressed is a part of the user's mouth (a part with which the brush 30 is in contact).

Specifically, the estimation unit 632 estimates the state of pressing of the brush 30 against the target object (area in the oral cavity) based on the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19. The state of pressing of the brush 30 against the target object estimated by the estimation unit 632 includes the state related to the strength of the pressing force of the brush 30 against the target object (area in the oral cavity).

As described above, the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19 increases as the amplitude of the brush 30 increases, and decreases as the amplitude of the brush 30 decreases. For example, there is a roughly proportional relationship between the amplitude of the brush 30 and the physical quantity (SPD value) related to the amplitude of the brush 30, as shown in Figure 18.

Furthermore, a large amplitude of the brush 30 means that the brush 30 is reciprocating without being subjected to an excessive load. Conversely, a small amplitude of the brush 30 means that a large load is being applied to the brush 30, thereby suppressing (hindering) the reciprocating motion of the brush 30. In short, a small amplitude of the brush 30, in other words a small SPD value, indicates that the pressing force of the brush 30 against the target object is large (excessive).

The estimation unit 632 estimates the magnitude of the pressing force using the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19. For example, the estimation unit 632 substitutes the physical quantity (SPD value) into a predetermined mathematical formula (for example, stored in the memory unit 57) and uses the obtained value as the estimated value of the magnitude of the pressing force.

The estimation unit 632 compares the magnitude of the obtained pressing force (estimated value) with predetermined thresholds. The thresholds include a first threshold and a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold (second threshold > first threshold). The estimation unit 632 compares the magnitude of the pressing force with the first threshold and second threshold. The thresholds (first threshold and second threshold) are stored in, for example, the memory unit 57.

The presentation unit 633 presents the estimation result of the state of pressing of the brush 30 against the target object, estimated by the estimation unit 632. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 633 displays the estimation result on the display unit 51. In short, the presentation unit 633 presents the estimation result by display.

The presentation unit 633 presents whether the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than a threshold. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 633 presents whether the magnitude of the pressing force is less than a first threshold, equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, or equal to or greater than the second threshold.

If the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the presenting unit 633 displays a thin frame line F1 in a predetermined color (e.g., light red) around the model video W10 (first region R31), as shown in FIG. 15. In this way, the presenting unit 633 notifies (warns) the user that the magnitude of the pressing force is relatively large.

Furthermore, if the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the presenting unit 633 displays a thick frame line F2 in a predetermined color (e.g., dark red) around the model video W10 (first region R31), as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the presenting unit 633 also displays a warning message such as "You are pressing too hard" within the frame line F2. In this way, the presenting unit 633 notifies (warns) the user that the pressing force is excessive.

In short, the presentation unit 633 issues a warning when the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than a threshold. Furthermore, the presentation unit 633 issues different warnings depending on whether the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the first threshold but less than the second threshold, or equal to or greater than the second threshold.

The presentation unit 633 displays a warning (displays frame lines F1 and F2) in approximately real time according to the magnitude of the pressing force. However, for ease of viewing by the user, it is preferable that once the warning display is displayed, it continues to be displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) even if the pressing force falls below the threshold.

In addition to the method of calculating the magnitude of the pressing force from the SPD value as described above, the estimation unit 632 may simply estimate that the pressing force is large when the SPD value falls below a certain predetermined threshold value.

In this case, the estimation unit 632 compares the SPD value with predetermined thresholds. The thresholds include a third threshold and a fourth threshold that is smaller than the third threshold (third threshold > fourth threshold). The estimation unit 632 compares the SPD value with the third threshold and fourth threshold. The thresholds (third threshold and fourth threshold) are stored in, for example, the memory unit 57.

The presentation unit 633 presents whether the SPD value is less than a threshold value. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 633 presents whether the SPD value is greater than or equal to the third threshold value, less than the third threshold value and greater than or equal to the fourth threshold value, or less than the fourth threshold value.

If the SPD value is less than the third threshold and greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, the presenting unit 633 displays a thin frame line F1 in a predetermined color (e.g., light red) around the model video W10 (first region R31), as shown in FIG. 15. In this way, the presenting unit 633 notifies (warns) the user that the pressing force is relatively large.

Furthermore, if the SPD value is less than the fourth threshold, the presentation unit 633 displays a thick frame line F2 in a predetermined color (e.g., dark red) around the model video W10 (first region R31), as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the presentation unit 633 also displays a warning message such as "You are pressing too hard" within the frame line F2. In this way, the presentation unit 633 notifies (warns) the user that the pressing force is excessive.

In short, the presentation unit 633 issues a warning when the SPD value is less than the threshold value. Furthermore, the presentation unit 633 issues different warnings when the SPD value is less than the third threshold value and equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value, and when the SPD value is less than the fourth threshold value.

The presentation unit 633 displays a warning (displays borders F1 and F2) in approximately real time according to the SPD value. However, for ease of viewing by the user, it is preferable that once the warning display has been displayed, it continues to be displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) even if the SPD value exceeds the threshold value.

By displaying a warning on the display unit 51, the user can see that they are pressing the brush 30 too hard against the object to be cleaned (teeth or gums). This prevents excessive pressure on the object to be cleaned when brushing teeth, which can contribute to promoting the user's oral health.

As described above, the amplitude of the brush 30 differs depending on the drive mode (amplitude in the second drive mode > amplitude in the third drive mode > amplitude in the fourth drive mode). Therefore, the slope of the linear function representing the back electromotive force L1 (see Figure 3) during the period T2 in the no-load state also differs depending on the drive mode, and the SPD value in the no-load state also differs depending on the drive mode. For this reason, in this embodiment, the memory unit 57 stores different thresholds (different first thresholds and different second thresholds) for multiple drive modes. The estimation unit 632 then reads from the memory unit 57 the threshold corresponding to the drive mode in which the drive unit 13 is currently operating, and uses it to compare with the magnitude of the pressing force.

In short, the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) has multiple drive modes with different amplitudes for the brush 30. A different threshold value is set for each of the multiple drive modes.

In the electric toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, when the drive unit 13 is driven in the fourth drive mode (SENSITIVE mode), the amplitude of the brush 30 is relatively small. This makes it difficult to accurately measure the value of the back electromotive force at time point P2, and therefore difficult to accurately estimate the magnitude of the pressing force. Therefore, in the information terminal 5 of this embodiment, when the drive unit 13 is driven in the fourth drive mode, it is preferable that the estimation unit 632 does not estimate the pressing force and the presentation unit 633 does not display a warning.

The determination unit 634 determines the level of the user's operation skill with respect to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) based on the result of the estimation of the pressing state by the estimation unit 632. Specifically, the determination unit 634 determines the level of the user's operation skill with respect to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) based on the magnitude of the pressing force estimated by the estimation unit 632. In this case, the user's operation skill determined by the determination unit 634 is the strength of contact of the brush 30 with the target object (a part in the oral cavity).

The judgment unit 634 judges the level of the user's operation skill based on the estimated pressing force when the entire oral cavity is cleaned in accordance with the drive information.

The determination unit 634 first determines the magnitude of the pressing force for each of the multiple cleaning areas Em (first cleaning area E1 to sixteenth cleaning area E16).

As described above, the electric toothbrush 1 sequentially switches drive modes according to the brushing order of the multiple cleaning areas Em included in the drive information. Furthermore, the information terminal 5 sequentially displays multiple partial videos of the basic model video W101 according to the brushing order of the multiple cleaning areas Em included in the drive information. The determination unit 634 assumes that the user is using the electric toothbrush 1 to clean the cleaning areas Em displayed in the basic model video W101, using the basic model video W101 as a model, and determines the magnitude of the pressing force for each cleaning area Em.

The determination unit 634 determines the magnitude of the pressing force for each cleaning area Em in three stages.

The determination unit 634 determines that the pressure is "too strong" when, for example, a first determination condition is met. The first determination condition is, for example, that the time during the cleaning time corresponding to each cleaning area Em during which the magnitude of the pressing force exceeds a second threshold is equal to or longer than a predetermined first threshold time.

For example, if the second judgment condition is met, the judgment unit 634 judges the pressure to be "slightly too strong (strong)." The second judgment condition is, for example, that the time during the cleaning time corresponding to each cleaning area Em during which the magnitude of the pressing force exceeds the second threshold is less than the first threshold time and greater than or equal to the second threshold time (< the first threshold time).

For example, if the second judgment condition is not met for each cleaning area Em (if the time during which the magnitude of the pressing force exceeds the second threshold is less than the second threshold time), the judgment unit 634 judges the cleaning area Em to be "just right (moderate)."

The determination unit 634 determines the level of the user's operation skill based on the determination results regarding the magnitude of the pressing force applied to each of the first cleaning area E1 to the sixteenth cleaning area E16.

After the determination unit 634 has completed its determination, the presentation unit 633 causes the display unit 51 to display the result display screen D21.

Figure 19 shows an example of the result display screen D21 displayed on the display unit 51. The result display screen D21 includes a first result display area R41, a second result display area R42, and an explanation display area R43.

The first result display area R41 is an area for displaying information corresponding to the user's operation skill as determined by the determination unit 634. For example, advice information corresponding to the user's operation skill is displayed in the first result display area R41 according to the result of the determination of the user's operation skill. Different advice information is displayed in the first result display area R41 according to the level of the operation skill as determined by the determination unit 634.

In one example, the first result display area R41 displays the following text as advice information, as shown in FIG. 19: "Brush your teeth carefully, making sure to brush each tooth carefully." In another example, the first result display area R41 displays the following text as advice information: "You're pressing the brush a little too hard. Next time, make sure you're applying enough pressure so that the bristles don't spread apart." In another example, the first result display area R41 displays the following text as advice information: "You're brushing well. Continue applying the same amount of pressure as you did this time."

In short, the presentation unit 633 presents different advice information depending on the level of the user's operation skill determined by the determination unit 634.

The second result display area R42 is an area for displaying the determination result of the magnitude of the pressing force in each of the multiple cleaning areas Em, as determined by the determination unit 634. As shown in FIG. 19, the second result display area R42 displays an oral cavity image W31 (dental chart), which is an image simulating the inside of the oral cavity. The oral cavity image W31 includes the first cleaning area E1 to the sixteenth cleaning area E16. In the oral cavity image W31, each cleaning area Em is colored according to the determination result of the magnitude of the pressing force.

The explanation display area R43 is an area for displaying an explanation of the results of the pressure force magnitude determination. As shown in FIG. 19, the explanation display area R43 displays an explanation image W32 that shows the relationship between the stages of the pressure force magnitude determination result and the corresponding colors.

In the example of Figure 19, the fourth cleaning zone E4, fifth cleaning zone E5, seventh cleaning zone E7 to eleventh cleaning zone E11, and thirteenth cleaning zone E13 to fifteenth cleaning zone E15 are each judged to be "too strong." The first cleaning zone E1 is judged to be "slightly too strong." The second cleaning zone E2, third cleaning zone E3, sixth cleaning zone E6, and twelfth cleaning zone E12 are judged to be "just right." In the example of Figure 19, the operating unit 17 was operated, ending the operation of the drive unit 13, before the start of the operation to clean the sixteenth cleaning zone E16, so the sixteenth cleaning zone E16 is judged to be "unevaluated."

The presentation unit 633 may display the result display screen D21 only if the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 has been driven for a predetermined percentage (e.g., 75%) or more of the operating time of the drive information (basic operation data). In the example of Figure 19, the first result display area R41 displays a notice stating that the result display screen D21 will only be displayed if the drive unit 13 has been driven for a predetermined percentage or more of the operating time.

The judgment result by the judgment unit 634 (the judgment result of the magnitude of the pressing force) is associated with the date and time and stored in the memory unit 57. For example, with the calendar screen D22 including the calendar image W33 shown in FIG. 20 displayed on the display unit 51, the user can operate the object B50 for the date marked with a tooth to check the graph (pie chart) W34 showing the judgment result for the oral cleaning performed on that day.

In the electric toothbrush 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 19 detects a physical quantity (SPD value) related to the amplitude of the brush. The amplitude of the brush can decrease not only when the movement of the bristles 31 of the brush 30 is suppressed, but also when the movement of the handle of the brush 30 is suppressed. Therefore, the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment can detect, for example, when the handle of the brush 30 is in contact with the inside of the user's cheek.

(3) Operation An example of the operation of the oral cleaning system 900 including the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) and the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) will be described below. As described above, the information terminal 5 functions as the information terminal 5 by activating dedicated application software (program). Hereinafter, this application software will also be referred to as a "linked app."

(3.1) Initial Operation When the linked app is launched for the first time, the information terminal 5 performs an initial operation. The initial operation may include, for example, presenting an explanation of how to use the linked app, establishing a wireless connection between the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) and the information terminal 5, and presenting a recommended basic driving mode.

The information terminal 5, for example, displays an appropriate screen on the display unit 51 to provide instructions on how to use the linked app.

The information terminal 5 establishes a wireless connection with the electric toothbrush 1 by receiving a wireless signal from the electric toothbrush 1 while displaying an appropriate screen (a screen prompting the user to connect to the electric toothbrush 1) on the display unit 51. The electric toothbrush 1 transmits a wireless signal, for example, when the operation unit 17 (operation button 171) is operated or when the charging coil of the power supply unit 16 is electrically connected to or disconnected from the power supply coil.

The information terminal 5 presents a recommended basic operating mode based on questions about the user's oral condition. For example, the information terminal 5 displays an initial medical interview screen D31 containing multiple questions on the display unit 51, accepts answers to the multiple questions based on operations performed by the user on the initial medical interview screen D31, and presents a recommended basic operating mode based on the accepted answers.

Figure 21 shows an example of the initial medical interview screen D31 displayed on the display unit 51. The initial medical interview screen D31 includes an explanation display area R51, an initial question area R52, and a decision area R53. In this embodiment, when the initial medical interview screen D31 is divided vertically into three areas, the explanation display area R51, initial question area R52, and decision area R53 are set so that, from top to bottom, they are the explanation display area R51, the initial question area R52, and the decision area R53.

The explanation display area R51 is an area that displays a sentence explaining that initial questions will be asked, and for example, displays the text "Please tell us about the condition and care of your mouth."

The initial question area R52 is an area for displaying a question and accepting answers to the question. For user convenience, the question presented in the initial operation is a multiple-choice question that allows the user to select an answer from two options.

Initial question area R52 displays multiple questions and two option objects B51, B52 for each of the multiple questions. In the example of FIG. 21, the multiple questions include a question asking about dental visits, a question asking about experience using an electric toothbrush, a question asking about gum bleeding, a question asking about swollen gums, a question asking about gum pain, a question asking about the condition of the gums, and a question asking about the presence of wisdom teeth. An operation object B53 is displayed in area R520, which displays the question asking about the condition of the gums. When the user operates operation object B53, the imaging unit 55 captures an image of the user's oral cavity and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 51. This allows the user to check the condition of their gums.

A decision object B54 is displayed in the decision area R53. When the user inputs answers (selects options) to multiple questions and operates the decision object B54, the answers input by the user are confirmed. It is preferable that the decision object B54 cannot be operated until answers to all questions have been input.

When the decision object B54 is operated and an answer to the question is received, the information terminal 5 determines the recommended basic driving mode based on the received answer. The information terminal 5 also displays a recommended mode display screen D32, such as that shown in FIG. 22, on the display unit 51, and presents the recommended basic driving mode ("W-CLEAN mode" in the example of FIG. 22).

In this way, by presenting the recommended basic drive mode during initial operation, the user can understand the drive mode that best suits the condition of their oral cavity, which can improve user convenience. For example, the user can refer to the recommended basic drive mode when answering a question about "tooth brushing strength."

During initial operation, the information terminal 5 may further drive the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 based on the recommended basic drive mode to allow the user to clean the oral cavity.

In addition, the initial medical interview screen D31 may be displayable in response to a user's operation on the operation unit 52 at any time other than when the linked app is first launched.

(3.2) Basic Operation Next, the basic operation of the oral cleaning system 900 based on the linked app will be described.

(3.2.1) Course Setting As described above, the control unit 14 of the electric toothbrush 1 drives the drive unit 13 in accordance with a course selected in response to an operation on the operation unit 17 from among a predetermined number (three) of courses stored in the memory unit 15. Furthermore, the information terminal 5 displays on the display unit 51 the model video W10 corresponding to the course selected on the operation unit 17. This course setting method will be described with reference to FIG. 23 .

In the initial state (S1), a predetermined number (three) of courses (set courses) are set by default in the memory unit 57 of the information terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 10, one of the three courses set by default is, for example, a course that includes only basic operation data, has unlimited (continuous) operation time, and uses the first drive mode (W-CLEAN mode) as the drive mode. Another of the three courses is, for example, a course that includes only basic operation data, has unlimited (continuous) operation time, and uses the second drive mode (NORMAL mode) as the drive mode. The remaining one of the three courses is, for example, a course that includes only basic operation data, has unlimited (continuous) operation time, and uses the third drive mode (SOFT mode) as the drive mode.

In addition, in the initial state, the memory unit 15 of the electric toothbrush 1 also stores the same three courses (set courses) as the three courses (set courses) of the information terminal 5. In other words, the three courses stored in the memory unit 15 of the electric toothbrush 1 and the three set courses stored in the memory unit 57 of the information terminal 5 are synchronized in the initial state.

If the user wishes to change the course of the electric toothbrush 1 (S2: Yes), the user operates the information terminal 5 to display the course setting screen D7 shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 51. The course setting screen D7 displays selection objects B32 and B33 for selecting which of the three courses to change. As described above, in this embodiment, the course corresponding to the setting area R21 cannot be changed by the user. When the user selects either of the two selection objects B32 and B33, the course selection screen D8 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 51. The course selection screen D8 includes multiple option objects B34 to B41 indicating multiple course options stored in the memory unit 57. In other words, multiple course options are presented to the user (S3).

As described above, one or more of the multiple course candidates may be courses (driving information) created by the course creation unit 610. In the example of Figure 11, the courses corresponding to option objects B34 to B36 for "CUSTOM2," "Dad," and "Mom" are courses (driving information) created by the course creation unit 610.

When the user selects any option object on the course selection screen D8 (S4: Yes), the course corresponding to the selected option object is set in the location of the selected object on the course setting screen D7. As a result, the changed course (set course) is set on the information terminal 5 (S5).

An update object B42 is also displayed on the course setting screen D7. When the user operates the update object B42, the information terminal 5 communicates wirelessly with the electric toothbrush 1 and transmits a course signal (drive information signal) including the changed course (drive information) to the electric toothbrush 1 (S6). Upon receiving the course signal, the electric toothbrush 1 updates the course stored in the memory unit 15 to the course specified in the course signal (S7). This synchronizes the course (set course) of the information terminal 5 with the course of the electric toothbrush 1. The course signal may include only information about the changed course, or may include information about all (three) courses.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the course setting screen D7, operation objects B43 to B45 for changing the details of the course are displayed adjacent to each of the three setting areas R21 to R23. When operation objects B43 to B45 are operated, a screen for changing, for example, the brushing order, brushing time, etc. may be displayed.

(3.2.2) Course Creation As described above, the information terminal 5 can create a course suitable for the user interactively with the user using the display unit 51 and operation unit 52 of the information terminal 5. This course creation method will be described with reference to FIG.

When creating a course, the user operates the information terminal 5 to display a course creation screen on the display unit 51. The course creation screen here includes a basic question screen D1 shown in FIG. 4, a condition question screen D2 shown in FIG. 5, and a teeth alignment question screen D3 shown in FIG. 6. The basic question screen D1, condition question screen D2, and teeth alignment question screen D3 can be switched in order by, for example, scrolling up and down the screen displayed on the display unit 51.

The course creation screen includes a plurality of questions regarding the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. The questions are presented to the user by displaying the course creation screen on the display unit 51. In short, the course creation method includes a question presentation process (S101) that presents questions regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. Furthermore, the information terminal 5 (answer reception unit 612) accepts answers to the questions by the user operating the course creation screen. In short, the course creation method includes an answer reception process (S102) that accepts answers to the questions.

The information terminal 5 (drive information generation unit 613) generates drive information (course) based on the received response. The drive information is information related to the drive mode of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1. In short, the course creation method includes a drive information generation process (S103) that generates drive information related to the drive mode of the drive unit 13 based on the response received in the response reception process.

Furthermore, after generating the drive information, the information terminal 5 transmits the drive information (course) to the electric toothbrush 1 in response to user operation. More specifically, as explained in the section "(3.2.1) Course Setting," when the created course is set as the set course and the update object B42 on the course setting screen D7 is operated, a course signal containing information about this course is transmitted to the electric toothbrush 1. In short, the course creation method includes a transmission process (S104) that transmits the drive information generated in the drive information generation process to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1).

The information terminal 5 also accepts changes to the created course. When the user wants to change the driving information (course information), the user operates the information terminal 5 to display the change screen D4 on the display unit 51. The information terminal 5 (change acceptance unit 614) changes the course (driving information) based on the operation performed by the user on the change screen D4. In short, the course creation method includes a change acceptance process (S105) that accepts input to change the driving information generated by the driving information generation process.

When the drive information is changed during the change acceptance process (S105: Yes), the information terminal 5 transmits the changed drive information (course) to the electric toothbrush 1 in response to the user's operation (S104).

The information terminal 5 also accepts the deletion of created courses. When deleting a course (driving information), the user operates the information terminal 5 to display a deletion selection screen on the display unit 51. The deletion selection screen includes one or more option objects indicating created courses, similar to the course selection screen D8 shown in FIG. 11, for example. When one of these option objects is selected by the user, the information terminal 5 displays the deletion screen D41 shown in FIG. 25. The deletion screen D41 includes a mode display area R61 and a decision area R62. The mode display area R61 displays, for example, an oral cavity image W41 (dental chart), which is an image simulating the inside of the oral cavity. In the oral cavity image W41, each cleaning area Em is colored according to the corresponding driving mode. The decision area R62 displays a decision object B61. When the user operates the decision object B61, this course is deleted. Additionally, a cancel object is displayed in the upper area of the mode display area R61, and when the user operates the cancel object, the deletion of this course is canceled.

(3.2.3) Interlocking Display The interlocking app displays the model video W10 on the display unit 51 in conjunction with the user's oral cleaning action using the electric toothbrush 1. This display control method will be described with reference to FIG.

The electric toothbrush 1 starts operation on the selected course in response to the user's operation of the operation button 171 of the operation unit 17 (S201). Furthermore, when the electric toothbrush 1 starts operation, it transmits a status signal indicating that operation has started (hereinafter also referred to as a "start signal") to the information terminal 5, thereby notifying the information terminal 5 that operation has started.

Upon receiving the start signal from the electric toothbrush 1, the information terminal 5 displays toothbrushing screens D11-D16 on the display unit 51, displays the model video W10 in the first region R31, and starts playback of the model video W10 (S202). At this time, the information terminal 5 also displays the captured image W21 captured by the imaging unit 55 in the second region R32 in response to a user operation (S203). As described above, the captured image W21 captured by the imaging unit 55 may be a perioral image W210 capturing an area including the user's oral cavity. In short, the display control method includes display control processing (S202, S203) for displaying the model video W10, which serves as a model for a method of cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1), and the perioral image W210 captured by the imaging unit 55 capturing an area including the user's oral cavity, on the same display unit 51 so that at least a portion of their display periods overlap.

When the drive unit 13 is being driven in accordance with the drive information, the electric toothbrush 1 determines whether the operating time has elapsed (S204). If the operating time has elapsed (S204: Yes), the electric toothbrush 1 terminates the operation of the drive unit 13, and the information terminal 5 terminates the playback of the model video W10 (S205).

If the operating unit 17 is operated to stop the operation of the drive unit 13 (S206: Yes) before the operating time has elapsed (S204: No), the electric toothbrush 1 stops the drive unit 13 (S207). The electric toothbrush 1 also transmits a status signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "stop signal") indicating that operation has stopped to the information terminal 5. Upon receiving the stop signal from the electric toothbrush 1, the information terminal 5 stops playback of the model video W10 (S208).

The electric toothbrush 1 waits to see whether the operation unit 17 is operated to resume operation of the drive unit 13 within a predetermined waiting time after the operation unit 17 accepts the request to stop operation (S209). If the operation unit 17 accepts the request to resume operation (S209: Yes), the electric toothbrush 1 resumes operation of the drive unit 13 from the middle of the course (S210) and transmits a status signal indicating that operation has resumed (hereinafter also referred to as the "resume signal") to the information terminal 5. Upon receiving the resume signal from the electric toothbrush 1, the information terminal 5 resumes playback of the model video W10 from the middle (S211).

On the other hand, if the standby time has elapsed (S212: Yes) after the operation unit 17 has accepted a request to stop operation without accepting a request to resume operation (S209: No), the electric toothbrush 1 terminates the operation of the drive unit 13 (S205). Furthermore, if the standby time has elapsed (S212: Yes) after the information terminal 5 has received a stop signal from the electric toothbrush 1 without receiving a resume signal (S209: No), the information terminal 5 terminates video playback (S205).

Note that the order of the steps is not limited to the order shown in Figure 26. For example, steps S202 and S203, and/or steps S207 and S208 may be performed simultaneously.

Furthermore, the linked app displays the level of the user's operation skill with respect to the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) on the display unit 51. This display control method will be described with reference to Figure 27.

The electric toothbrush 1 begins operation in the selected course in response to the user's operation of the operation button 171 of the operation unit 17 (S301). Furthermore, once the electric toothbrush 1 begins operation, it transmits a start signal to the information terminal 5 to notify the information terminal 5 that operation has begun.

While the drive unit 13 is operating, the detection unit 19 of the electric toothbrush 1 detects a physical quantity (SPD value) related to the amplitude of the brush 30. In short, the display control method includes a detection process (S302) that detects a physical quantity (SPD value) related to the amplitude of the brush 30 while the brush 30 is being driven back and forth by the drive unit 13. The electric toothbrush 1 also transmits a detection signal including the SPD value to the information terminal 5, and the information terminal 5 (acquisition unit 631) acquires the SPD value by receiving the detection signal. In short, the display control method includes a transmission process (S303) that transmits the physical quantity (SPD value) related to the amplitude of the brush 30 from the electric toothbrush 1 to the information terminal 5.

Once the SPD value is acquired, the information terminal 5 (estimation unit 632) estimates the magnitude of the pressing force using the acquired SPD value (S304) and compares the estimated magnitude of the pressing force with a predetermined threshold value (S305).

When it is detected that the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S306: Yes), the information terminal 5 (display control unit 62) displays a warning on the display unit 51 (S307). In short, the display control method includes a presentation process that presents an estimate of the state of pressing of the brush 30 against a region within the oral cavity based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit 19. The display control method also includes a warning process that issues a warning when the magnitude of the estimated pressing force is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

Furthermore, when the drive unit 13 is being driven in accordance with the drive information, the electric toothbrush 1 determines whether the operating time has elapsed (S308). If the operating time has elapsed (S308: Yes), the electric toothbrush 1 terminates the operation of the drive unit 13 (S309).

When the operation of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 is completed, the information terminal 5 (determination unit 634) determines the level of the user's operation skill with respect to the electric toothbrush 1 based on the magnitude of the estimated pressing force (S310). Furthermore, the information terminal 5 (presentation unit 633) displays a result display screen D21 on the display unit 51, showing the determination result of the level of the user's operation skill (S311).

If the operating unit 17 is operated to stop the operation of the drive unit 13 (S312: Yes) before the operation time has elapsed (S308: No), the electric toothbrush 1 stops the drive unit 13. The electric toothbrush 1 also sends a stop signal to the information terminal 5, waits for the standby time to elapse, and then terminates the operation of the drive unit 13 (S313).

If the operation of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 is terminated midway (S313), the information terminal 5 (determination unit 634) determines whether the ratio of the time during which the drive unit 13 was driven to the total operating time is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (e.g., 75%) (S314).

Only when the predetermined percentage is met or exceeded, the information terminal 5 (determination unit 634) determines the level of the user's operation skill with respect to the electric toothbrush 1 (S310), and displays a result display screen D21 showing the determination result of the level of the user's operation skill (S311).

(3.3) Other Functions Hereinafter, other functions of the oral cleaning system 900 of this embodiment will be described.

The information terminal 5 has a replacement notification function that notifies the user of the brush replacement date, which serves as an indication of when the brush 30 should be replaced.

For example, with the calendar screen D51 including the calendar image W33 shown in FIG. 28 displayed on the display unit 51, the user selects the object B71 for the appropriate date and performs the appropriate operation to set the date on which the user began using the brush 30 (start date of use). Once the start date of use is set, the information terminal 5 automatically sets the date a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start date of use as the brush replacement date. Furthermore, the information terminal 5 displays the text "Brush Replacement Date" on the day in the calendar image W33 that corresponds to the brush replacement date, as in the calendar screen D52 shown in FIG. 29. Note that, while the "predetermined period" in the example of FIG. 29 is three days, the predetermined period may be, for example, one week, one month, or three months. The "predetermined period" may be changeable by the user.

The information terminal 5 also has the function of determining whether to start (including restart) or stop (including pause) the operation of the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 based on the audio acquired by the audio interface unit 53 (microphone).

The drive unit 13 (first drive unit 131) of the electric toothbrush 1 drives the motor at a frequency included in the audible sound band. Therefore, while the drive unit 13 is driving, sound is generated at a frequency corresponding to the motor's drive frequency. Therefore, the information terminal 5 determines whether the electric toothbrush 1 is driving based on whether the audio interface unit 53 has acquired sound at a frequency corresponding to the motor's drive frequency. In other words, the information terminal 5 has a sound mode that determines whether the electric toothbrush 1 is operating based on the drive sound of the drive unit 13.

In addition, the information terminal 5 may control the playback/stop of the model video W10 based on the start/stop of the drive sound of the drive unit 13.

The information terminal 5 also has the ability to communicate with an external server. The server collects data related to the operation of the electric toothbrush 1 from the information terminal 5. For example, the server may collect data on the pressing force for each of the multiple cleaning areas Em estimated by the estimation unit 632.

(4) Modifications The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Modifications of the embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

The oral cleaning system 900 of the present disclosure includes a computer system in the processing unit 56 of the processing system 500, the control unit 14 of the oral cleaning device 100, etc. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system to realize the functions of the processing unit 56 or control unit 14 of the present disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits, such as ICs or LSIs, are referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), which are programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or logic devices that allow the internal connections of the LSI to be reconfigured or the circuit partitions within the LSI to be reconfigured, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, a microcontroller may also be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

Furthermore, it is not essential for the oral cleaning system 900 that the multiple functions of the processing system 500 and the oral cleaning device 100 are concentrated within a single housing; the components of the processing system 500 and the oral cleaning device 100 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the processing unit 56 and the like in the processing system 500 may be realized, for example, by a server or the cloud (cloud computing).

The oral cleaning device 100 is not limited to the electric toothbrush 1. In one variation, the oral cleaning device 100 may be, for example, an oral irrigator that cleans the inside of the oral cavity with a water flow.

In one variant, the drive unit 13 of the electric toothbrush 1 does not have to include both the first drive unit 131 and the second drive unit 132, but may include only one of them (for example, only the first drive unit 131).

In one variant, the program that realizes the functions of the control unit 14 may be rewritable via the communication unit 20.

In one variant, the number of courses that can be stored in the memory unit 15 is not limited to three, but may be one, two, four or more.

In one variant, the power supply unit 16 may include a primary battery instead of or in addition to a rechargeable battery.

In one variant, the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) may be equipped with an imaging unit. In this case, the display control unit 62 of the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) may display an image captured by the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device 100 in the second region R32 of the display unit 51. In this case, the model video W10 may be a video of the oral cavity as seen from the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device 100. In short, the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) may transmit data captured using the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device 100 to the processing system 500 (information terminal 5). The oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1) may also generate basic screen construction data. The basic screen construction data is data for constructing screen data in the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) by processing the data captured by the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device 100 in conjunction with the drive information.

In one variant, the information terminal 5 is not limited to a general-purpose device, but may be a dedicated device.

In one variant, the processing system 500 may include multiple devices (e.g., a portable information terminal 5 and a stationary processing device, etc.). For example, among the functions of the processing system 500, the function of the processing unit 56 may be realized by a device other than the information terminal 5 (a stationary processing device, a server, etc.).

In one variant, the display unit 51 may be a display or the like installed in place of a mirror in a bathroom or the like. In this case, it is preferable that the imaging unit 55 is also installed in the bathroom together with the display.

In one variation, the question unit 611 may present the question in a manner other than a display. For example, the question unit 611 may present the question by voice via the audio interface unit 53 or via an external sound generating device (such as a speaker) connected to the communication unit 54.

In one variation, the processing unit 56 may not include the question unit 611. In other words, the processing unit 56 may not have the function of performing question presentation processing. For example, the answer receiving unit 612 may receive answers to questions presented on other media, such as paper.

In one variation, the questions presented by the questioning unit 611 are not limited to multiple choice questions. For example, the questions presented by the questioning unit 611 may include open-ended questions. For example, a question about tooth brushing time may be open-ended.

In one variant, the questions presented by the question unit 611 are not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiment. For example, questions about the user's toothbrushing may include questions about how to use toothpaste (whether to use it or not, how much to use, etc.). Questions about the state of the user's oral cavity may include questions about the whiteness of the user's teeth, questions about the state of the user's tongue, questions about the state of stains on the user's teeth, questions about the user's orthodontics, questions about the user's wisdom teeth, etc. Questions presented by the question unit 611 may also include questions about the user's dominant hand (the hand that holds the electric toothbrush 1 when brushing teeth), questions about the user's age (for example, a question that allows the user to select whether they are an adult or a child), etc.

In one variant, the operation unit 52 may be equipped with an interface other than a touch panel display (e.g., physical buttons, etc.). The answer receiving unit 612 may receive answers via an interface other than a touch panel display (e.g., physical buttons, etc.).

In one variation, the answer receiving unit 612 may receive answers via means other than the operation unit 52. For example, the answer receiving unit 612 may receive answers by voice via the audio interface unit 53 or via an external receiver (such as a microphone) connected to the communication unit 54.

The method of correcting the drive mode by the drive information generation unit 613 is not limited to the method described in the embodiment. In one variation, the drive information generation unit 613 may correct the drive mode of the cleaning area Em connected to the selected divided area Cn to a predetermined specific drive mode (e.g., the fourth drive mode) regardless of the basic drive mode. Furthermore, if the basic drive mode is the "fourth drive mode," the drive information generation unit 613 may correct the drive mode of the cleaning area Em connected to the selected divided area Cn to the fifth drive mode, which has a smaller amplitude than the fourth drive mode.

In one variation, the drive information generation unit 613 may generate a drive mode. That is, rather than selecting one drive mode from a plurality of predetermined drive modes, the drive information generation unit 613 may generate a new drive mode and assign the new drive mode to one of the cleaning areas Em.

In one variant, the number, range, etc. of the divided areas Cn and/or cleaning areas Em may be variable depending on the user's operation on the processing system 500 (information terminal 5).

In one variant, the change acceptance unit 614 may also be able to change the order of cleaning areas Em other than the cleaning area Em that serves as the starting position in response to user operation.

In one variant, the model video W10 may be selected from a video for right-handed people and a video for left-handed people depending on the user's dominant hand.

In one variant, the display control unit 62 may recognize and cut out only the area including the oral cavity from the entire image captured by the imaging unit 55, and display the cut-out area on the display unit 51 as the oral cavity periphery image W210.

In one variant, the display control unit 62 does not need to display the model video W10 and the oral cavity periphery image W210 in different regions (first region R31 and second region R32). For example, the display control unit 62 may display the model video W10 (line drawing) superimposed on the oral cavity periphery image W210.

In one variant, the standby time (the waiting time from when the drive unit 13 pauses until it finishes operating) may be variable. For example, the processing system 500 (information terminal 5) may be equipped with a standby time setting unit that accepts changes to the standby time and sets the standby time.

In one variant, the processing system 500 may allow the user to select the start point of playback of the model video W10. For example, if the length of the model video W10 is two minutes, playback of the model video W10 may be started at any point within the two minutes (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1 minute 17 seconds, etc.). In this case, the control unit 14 of the oral cleaning device 100 may drive the drive unit 13 based on the drive information from the time corresponding to the start point of playback of the model video W10 within the operating time (2 minutes) of the drive information.

In one variant, the display control unit 62 may cause the display unit 51 to display the captured image W21 (perioral image W210) at any time, regardless of the operation of the electric toothbrush 1.

In one variant, the estimation unit 632 may estimate something other than the state related to the level of the pressing force of the brush 30 based on the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19. For example, the estimation unit 632 may estimate whether the brush 30 is being moved too much, etc., based on the frequency of fluctuations in the SPD value.

In one variant, part or all of the estimation unit 632 may be provided in the control unit 14 of the oral cleaning device 100 (electric toothbrush 1). For example, the control unit 14 of the oral cleaning device 100 may estimate the pressing force based on the SPD value and transmit the estimated pressing force to the processing system 500. Alternatively, the control unit 14 of the oral cleaning device 100 may compare the pressing force with a threshold value and transmit the comparison result to the processing system 500.

The manner in which the warning is displayed by the presenting unit 633 is not limited to the display of the frame lines F1 and F2. In one variation, the presenting unit 633 may display a bar graph indicating the magnitude of the pressure at an appropriate position on the display unit 51 (for example, in the area between the first region R31 and the second region R32).

In one variation, the presentation unit 633 may present the inference result (including a warning) in a manner other than a display. For example, the presentation unit 633 may present the inference result (warning) by sound (e.g., a beep, etc.).

In one variant, the oral cleaning system 900 (oral cleaning device 100 or processing system 500) may determine whether the brush 30 is in contact with a part of the oral cavity (i.e., whether teeth are actually being brushed) based on the physical quantity (SPD value) detected by the detection unit 19. In other words, when a load is applied to the brush 30, the amplitude of the brush 30 is smaller than when the brush 30 is driven without a load. Therefore, by using fluctuations in the SPD value, etc., it is possible to determine whether teeth are actually being brushed, etc.

(5) Aspects The following aspects are disclosed from the above-described embodiments and modifications.

The oral cleaning system (900) of the first aspect comprises an oral cleaning device (100) and a processing system (500) configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device (100). The processing system (500) comprises an answer receiving unit (612), a drive information generating unit (613), and a transmission processing unit (616). The answer receiving unit (612) receives answers to questions regarding at least one of the cleaning of the user's oral cavity and the condition of the oral cavity. The drive information generating unit (613) generates drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit (13) provided in the oral cleaning device (100) based on the answers received by the answer receiving unit (612). The transmission processing unit (616) transmits the drive information generated by the drive information generating unit (613) to the oral cleaning device (100). The oral cleaning device (100) comprises a drive unit (13) and a control unit (14). The control unit (14) drives the drive unit (13) in accordance with the drive information transmitted from the processing system (500).

This aspect has the advantage that it is possible to easily create drive information that is suited to each individual user and to operate the drive unit (13) according to the created drive information, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the second aspect, the processing system (500) of the first aspect further includes a display control unit (62). When the oral cleaning device (100) drives the drive unit (13) in accordance with the drive information, the display control unit (62) causes the display unit (51) to display a video that serves as an example of a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device (100).

This aspect allows users to clean their oral cavity while watching a video example, improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the third aspect, in the first aspect, the questions include questions about the user's tooth brushing.

This aspect makes it possible to easily create drive information that is appropriate for the user's toothbrushing condition, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the question includes a question about tooth brushing time, which is the length of time for brushing teeth. The answer receiving unit (612) receives input of the tooth brushing time as an answer. The drive information generating unit (613) generates drive information for the period from the start to the end of the tooth brushing time received by the answer receiving unit (612). The processing system (500) further includes a display control unit (62). When the oral cleaning device (100) drives the drive unit (13) in accordance with the drive information, the display control unit (62) displays on the display unit (51) a video that serves as an example of how to clean the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device (100) in conjunction with the period from the start to the end of the tooth brushing time.

This aspect allows users to clean their oral cavity while watching a video example, improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the question includes a question about the condition of the user's gums. The answer receiving unit (612) receives, as an answer, input of the condition of the gums for each of a plurality of divided regions (Cn) into which the oral cavity is divided.

This aspect makes it possible to easily create drive information suited to the state of the gums in multiple divided regions (Cn) that divide the user's oral cavity, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the oral cleaning device (100) has multiple drive modes. The drive information generation unit (613) sets one of the multiple drive modes for each of multiple cleaning regions (Em) into which the oral cavity is divided.

This aspect makes it possible to set drive modes for multiple cleaning areas (Em) that divide the user's oral cavity depending on the condition of the user's oral cavity, thereby improving user convenience.

In the seventh aspect of the oral cleaning system (900), in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the question includes a question about the user's tooth alignment. The answer receiving unit (612) receives, as an answer, input of a selection of the type of tooth in a specific tooth alignment from the user's tooth alignment and the position of the tooth in the specific tooth alignment. The drive information generating unit (613) generates drive information to include specific operation data for cleaning the tooth selected by the answer receiving unit (612). When the control unit (14) of the oral cleaning device (100) drives the drive unit (13) in accordance with the specific operation data, the processing system (500) displays, on the display unit (51), a video (specific example video W102) that serves as a model of a cleaning method for cleaning the tooth selected by the answer receiving unit (612), in conjunction with the period of operation of the drive unit (13) based on the specific operation data.

This aspect allows users to clean teeth with a specific tooth alignment while watching a model video, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the processing system (500) further includes a change receiving unit (614). The change receiving unit (614) receives input for changing the drive information generated by the drive information generating unit (613).

This aspect makes it possible to change the generated drive information, improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the change receiving unit (614) receives input to change the drive information for each of the multiple cleaning areas (Em) into which the oral cavity is divided.

This aspect makes it possible to change the drive information for each of the multiple cleaning areas (Em), thereby improving user convenience.

The program of the tenth aspect causes one or more processors used in a processing system (500) configured to communicate with an oral cleaning device (100) that drives a drive unit (13) in accordance with drive information to execute a response reception process (S102), a drive information generation process (S103), and a transmission process (S104). The response reception process (S102) includes receiving a response to a question regarding at least one of the user's oral cavity cleaning and the condition of the oral cavity. The drive information generation process (S103) includes generating drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit (13) based on the response received in the response reception process (S102). The transmission process (S104) includes transmitting the drive information generated in the drive information generation process (S103) to the oral cleaning device (100).

This aspect has the advantage of making it possible to easily create driving information that is suited to each individual user, thereby improving user convenience.

The oral cleaning device (100) of the eleventh aspect is configured to communicate with a processing system (500). The oral cleaning device (100) includes a drive unit (13) and a control unit (14). The control unit (14) drives the drive unit (13) in accordance with drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit (13) transmitted from the processing system (500).

This aspect has the advantage that it is possible to drive the drive unit (13) based on drive information that is suited to each individual user, thereby improving user convenience.

The program of the twelfth aspect is a program for causing one or more processors used in an oral cleaning device (100) that has a drive unit (13) and is configured to communicate with a processing system (500) to execute a drive process. The drive process includes driving the drive unit (13) in accordance with drive information regarding the drive mode of the drive unit (13) transmitted from the processing system (500).

This aspect has the advantage that it is possible to drive the drive unit (13) based on drive information that is suited to each individual user, thereby improving user convenience.

The oral cleaning system (900) of the thirteenth aspect comprises an oral cleaning device (100) and a processing system (500) configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device (100). The oral cleaning device (100) comprises a brush (30), a drive unit (13), and a detection unit (19). The drive unit (13) drives the brush (30) to move back and forth. The detection unit (19) detects a physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush (30) while the brush (30) is being driven back and forth by the drive unit (13). The processing system (500) comprises a presentation unit (633). The presentation unit (633) presents an estimated result of the state of pressing of the brush (30) against a region in the oral cavity based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit (19).

This aspect has the advantage of making it possible to notify the user when, for example, the brush (30) is being pressed too hard, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 14th aspect, in the 13th aspect, the presentation unit (633) presents the estimation result by display.

This aspect allows users to intuitively understand the estimation results, improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 15th aspect, in the 13th or 14th aspect, the state of pressing the brush (30) against the area in the oral cavity includes the state related to the strength of the pressing force of the brush (30) against the area in the oral cavity.

This aspect has the advantage of making it possible to notify the user when, for example, the brush (30) is being pressed too hard, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 16th aspect, in the 15th aspect, the presentation unit (633) issues a warning when the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

This aspect makes it possible to warn the user when the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than a threshold, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 17th aspect, in the 16th aspect, the threshold values include a first threshold value and a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value. The presentation unit (633) issues different warnings when the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the first threshold value but less than the second threshold value, and when the magnitude of the pressing force is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.

This aspect makes it possible to gradually alert the user, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 18th aspect, in the 16th or 17th aspect, the oral cleaning device (100) has multiple drive modes with different amplitudes of the brush (30). A different threshold value is set for each of the multiple drive modes.

This aspect makes it possible to alert the user using a threshold appropriate for the drive mode, thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 19th aspect, in any one of the 13th to 18th aspects, the processing system (500) further includes an estimation unit (632). The estimation unit (632) estimates the state of pressing of the brush (30) against a region in the oral cavity based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit (19).

In this aspect, since the estimation unit (632) is provided in the processing system (500), it is possible to reduce the processing load on the oral cleaning device (100).

The oral cleaning system (900) of the 20th aspect is any one of the 13th to 19th aspects, and further includes a determination unit (634). The determination unit (634) determines the level of the user's operating skill with respect to the oral cleaning device (100) based on the estimated result of the pressing state.

This aspect makes it possible to perform control according to the user's level of operation skill.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 21st aspect, in the 20th aspect, the presentation unit (633) presents different advice information depending on the level of operation skill determined by the determination unit (634).

This allows users to receive advice tailored to their operating skills, improving user convenience.

The program of the 22nd aspect causes one or more processors used in a processing system (500) configured to communicate with an oral cleaning device (100) that detects physical quantities related to the amplitude of the brush (30) while the brush (30) is being reciprocated to execute a presentation process (S307, S311). The presentation process (S307, S311) includes presenting an estimated result of the state of pressing of the brush (30) against a region in the oral cavity based on the physical quantities detected by the oral cleaning device (100).

This aspect has the advantage of making it possible to notify the user when, for example, the brush (30) is being pressed too hard, thereby improving user convenience.

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 23rd aspect is configured to communicate with a processing system (500) having a function of presenting information. The oral cleaning device (100) comprises a brush (30), a drive unit (13), a detection unit (19), and a transmission unit (communication unit 20). The drive unit (13) drives the brush (30) to reciprocate. The detection unit (19) detects physical quantities related to the amplitude of the brush (30) while the brush (30) is being driven to reciprocate by the drive unit (13). The transmission unit transmits the physical quantities detected by the detection unit (19) to the processing system (500) to present an estimated result of the state of pressing of the brush (30) against a region in the oral cavity based on the physical quantities detected by the detection unit (19).

This aspect has the advantage of making it possible to notify the user when, for example, the brush (30) is being pressed too hard, thereby improving user convenience.

The oral cleaning system (900) of the 24th aspect includes an oral cleaning device (100) and a processing system (500) configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device (100). The processing system (500) includes an imaging unit (55) and a display control unit (62). The display control unit (62) displays, on the same display unit (51), a model video (W10) that serves as a model for a method of cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device (100) and an oral cavity peripheral image (W210) captured by the imaging unit (55) of an area including the user's oral cavity, so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other.

This embodiment has the advantage that the user can clean the oral cavity while simultaneously viewing both the model video (W10) and the image of the oral cavity surrounding area (W210), thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 25th aspect, in the 24th aspect, the model video (W10) includes an image of the inside of the oral cavity from an angle viewing the person from the front with their mouth open.

This aspect makes it easier to match the angle of the model video (W10) with the angle of the oral cavity periphery image (W210), making it easier for the user to compare the model video (W10) with the oral cavity periphery image (W210), thereby improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 26th aspect, in the 24th or 25th aspect, the display control unit (62) displays a model video (W10) in a first area (R31) within the display unit (51), and displays an oral cavity peripheral image (W210) in a second area (R32) within the display unit (51) that is different from the first area (R31).

This aspect makes it easier for users to compare the model video (W10) with the oral cavity image (W210), improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 27th aspect, in the 26th aspect, the candidate images to be displayed in the second area (R32) include an oral cavity periphery image (W210) and a status image (W22) relating to the operating status of the oral cleaning device (100). The display control unit (62) switches the image to be displayed in the second area (R32) between the oral cavity periphery image (W210) and the status image (W22) in accordance with the user's selection.

This allows users to check the information they want to know, improving user convenience.

In the oral cleaning system (900) of the 28th aspect, in any one of the 24th to 27th aspects, the oral cleaning device (100) includes a drive unit (13) and an operation unit (17). The operation unit (17) accepts the start and stop of operation of the drive unit (13). When the operation unit (17) of the oral cleaning device (100) accepts the start of operation, the display control unit (62) starts playing the model video (W10), and when the operation unit (17) of the oral cleaning device (100) accepts the stop of operation, the display control unit (62) pauses or ends the playback of the model video (W10).

According to this aspect, it is possible to play back the model video (W10) in accordance with the operating state of the drive unit (13) of the oral cleaning device (100), thereby improving user convenience.

A program of a 29th aspect causes one or more processors used in a processing system (500) equipped with an imaging unit (55) and configured to communicate with an oral cleaning device (100) to execute display control processing (S202, S203). The display control processing (S202, S203) includes displaying, on the same display unit (51), a model video (W10) that serves as a model for a method of cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device (100) and a perioral image (W210) of an area including the user's oral cavity captured by the imaging unit (55) so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other.

This embodiment has the advantage that the user can clean the oral cavity while simultaneously viewing both the model video (W10) and the image of the oral cavity surrounding area (W210), thereby improving user convenience.

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 30th aspect is the 11th aspect, further comprising a memory unit (15) and an operation unit (17). The memory unit (15) stores a predetermined number of pieces of drive information, two or more pieces. The operation unit (17) accepts user operations. The control unit (14) comprises a drive control unit (141) and an operation setting unit (142). The operation setting unit (142) selects one piece of drive information from the predetermined number of pieces of drive information stored in the memory unit (15) in response to the user's operation on the operation unit (17). The drive control unit (141) drives the drive unit (13) based on the drive information selected by the operation setting unit (142).

In the oral cleaning device (100) of the 31st aspect, in the 30th aspect, when the operation setting unit (142) receives a drive information signal including drive information from the processing system (500), it updates at least one of the predetermined number of drive information items stored in the memory unit (15) in accordance with the received drive information signal.

The oral cleaning device operation setting system (oral cleaning system 900) of the 32nd aspect operates by transmitting and receiving data between an information terminal (5) and an oral cleaning device (100). The information terminal (5) includes a user question-answering unit (answer receiving unit 612) that receives user answer data while exchanging questions with the user when the device operation setting data is input from the information terminal (5) in order to generate device operation setting data (operation information) that triggers the operation of the oral cleaning device (100), a device operation setting data generating unit (operation information generating unit 613) that analyzes the user answer data received by the user question-answering unit and converts it into device operation setting data, and a device operation setting data transmitting unit (transmission processing unit 616) that transmits the data generated by the device operation setting data generating unit to the oral cleaning device (100). The oral cleaning device (100) includes a device operation setting unit (operation setting unit 142) that receives device operation setting data that triggers operation from the information terminal (5) and sets the operation of the oral cleaning device (100), and an oral cleaning device operation execution unit (drive control unit 141) that executes the operation set by the device operation setting unit.

The information terminal (5) of the 33rd aspect includes a user question and answer unit (answer receiving unit 612) that receives user answer data while exchanging questions with the user when the device operation setting data is input from the information terminal (5) in order to generate device operation setting data that triggers the operation of the oral cleaning device (100), a device operation setting data generation unit (drive information generation unit 613) that analyzes the user answer data received by the user question and answer unit and converts it into device operation setting data, and a device operation setting data transmission unit (transmission processing unit 616) that transmits the data (drive information) generated by the device operation setting data generation unit to the oral cleaning device (100).

In the information terminal (5) of the 34th aspect, in the 33rd aspect, the user question answering unit (question unit 611) has a function of asking the user questions about usual tooth brushing habits and the condition of the oral cavity.

In the information terminal (5) of the 35th aspect, in the 33rd aspect, the device operation setting data operates the oral cleaning device (100) in accordance with the user's tooth brushing and oral cavity condition.

The information terminal (5) of the 36th aspect is an information terminal that transmits and receives data to and from the oral cleaning device (100). The information terminal (5) simultaneously displays a tooth brushing method (model video W10) and a peripheral image (oral cavity peripheral image W210) including the oral cavity of a person using the oral cleaning device (100) on a tooth brushing status display unit (display unit 51) that displays data transmitted and received to and from the oral cleaning device (100).

The information terminal (5) of the 37th aspect is an information terminal that transmits and receives data to and from the oral cleansing device (100). The information terminal (5) includes an oral cleansing device pressing force estimation unit (estimation unit 632) that receives a brush amplitude signal (physical quantity related to the amplitude of the brush) from the oral cleansing device (100) and estimates the pressing force, and a display unit (display unit 51) that displays an image corresponding to the pressing force estimated by the oral cleansing device pressing force estimation unit.

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 38th aspect is an oral cleaning device (100) that receives device operation setting data (driving information) from an information terminal (5) that triggers the operation of the oral cleaning device (100). The device operation setting data is device operation setting data that corresponds to the analysis results of user response data received during a question-and-answer session with the user when the device operation setting data is input from the information terminal (5).

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 39th aspect is an oral cleaning device that transmits and receives data to and from an information terminal (5). The oral cleaning device (100) transmits tooth brushing status display data (status signal) to cause the information terminal (5) to display the data transmitted and received to and from the oral cleaning device (100). The oral cleaning device (100) transmits tooth brushing method display data (status signal) to simultaneously display a tooth brushing method (exemplary video W10) and a peripheral image (oral cavity peripheral image W210) including the oral cavity of a person using the oral cleaning device (100).

The oral cleaning device (100) of the fortieth aspect is an electric toothbrush that transmits and receives data to and from an information terminal (5). The oral cleaning device (100) transmits a brush amplitude signal from the oral cleaning device (100) to the information terminal (5) so that the information terminal (5) estimates the pressing force and displays an image corresponding to the estimated pressing force.

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 41st aspect is any one of the 38th to 40th aspects, and transmits data captured using the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device (100) to the information terminal (5).

The oral cleaning device (100) of the 42nd aspect is the 41st aspect, in which data captured by the imaging unit of the oral cleaning device (100) is processed in conjunction with device operation setting data to generate basic screen construction data for constructing screen data on the information terminal (5).

100 Oral cleaning device 13 Driving unit 14 Control unit 17 Operation unit 19 Detection unit 20 Communication unit (transmission unit)
30 Brush 500 Processing system 51 Display unit 55 Imaging unit 612 Response reception unit 613 Drive information generation unit 614 Change reception unit 616 Transmission processing unit 62 Display control unit 632 Estimation unit 633 Presentation unit 634 Determination unit 900 Oral cleaning system Cn Divided area Em Cleaning area R31 First area R32 Second area W10 Model video W102 Specific model video W210 Oral cavity peripheral image S102 Response reception processing S103 Drive information generation processing S104 Transmission processing S202, S203 Display control processing S307, S311 Presentation processing

Claims (7)

A mouthwashing device,
a processing system configured to communicate with the oral cleaning device;
Equipped with
The processing system includes:
An imaging unit;
a display control unit that displays a model video that serves as a model of a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device and an oral cavity periphery image captured by the imaging unit of an area including the user's oral cavity on the same display unit so that at least a portion of the display periods overlap each other;
Equipped with
The oral cleaning device includes:
A drive unit;
an operation unit for receiving instructions to start and stop the operation of the drive unit;
Equipped with
The display control unit
When the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to start the operation, playback of the model video is started;
When the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to stop the operation, the reproduction of the model video is paused or terminated.
Oral cleaning system. The model video includes an image of the oral cavity of a person with their mouth open, viewed from the front.
The oral cleaning system of claim 1 . The display control unit
displaying the model video in a first area of the display unit;
displaying the oral cavity periphery image in a second area different from the first area in the display unit;
The oral cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2. the image candidates to be displayed in the second area include the oral cavity periphery image and a status image relating to an operating status of the oral cleaning device;
the display control unit switches the image to be displayed in the second area between the oral cavity periphery image and the status image in response to a user selection.
The oral cleaning system according to claim 3 . The model video includes a plurality of partial videos that serve as models of cleaning methods for each of a plurality of cleaning regions obtained by dividing the oral cavity,
The display control unit sequentially displays the plurality of partial videos on the display unit in accordance with a predetermined brushing order.
An oral cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The display control unit
After temporarily suspending the playback of the model video in response to receiving a command to stop the operation at the operation unit of the oral cleaning device, if the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to resume the operation before a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the playback of the model video is resumed from the midpoint;
the reproduction of the model video is temporarily stopped in response to the reception of a command to stop the operation at the operation unit of the oral cleaning device, and then, when the waiting time has elapsed without the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receiving a command to restart the operation, the reproduction of the model video is terminated.
An oral cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. One or more processors used in a processing system configured to communicate with an oral cleaning device and including an imaging unit,
A program for executing a display control process in which a model video serving as a model of a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the oral cleaning device and an oral cavity periphery image captured by the imaging unit of an area including the oral cavity of a user are displayed on the same display unit so that at least a portion of the display period overlaps with each other,
The oral cleaning device includes a drive unit and an operation unit for starting and stopping the operation of the drive unit,
In the display control process,
When the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to start the operation, playback of the model video is started;
When the operation unit of the oral cleaning device receives a command to stop the operation, the reproduction of the model video is paused or terminated.
Program.