Abstract: A device for providing an indication of brushing activity of a toothbrush comprises an accelerometer configured to produce acceleration data from motion of the toothbrush, and components for filtering the acceleration data to produce gravitational components and filtering the acceleration data to produce linear acceleration components. The device further comprises a component for projecting the gravitational components and the linear acceleration components into an n-dimensional space, where and for performing a clustering process on the projections of gravitational components and linear acceleration components into n-dimensional space to produce clustering results. The clustering results comprise a plurality of clusters each of which represents a brushing area.

Abstract: A toothbrush device is disclosed comprising a motion sensor for sensing motion of the device to produce motion data and a signal analysis unit for analysing the motion data to produce brushing data. A light communication module is arranged to transmit the brushing data to an external device using a light source. This can allow the brushing data to be transmitted without the need to provide a radio frequency transmission module and/or using a light source which also provides visual feedback to the user. The external device may comprise a camera arranged to produce image data, and a processor arranged to process an image of the light source to obtain the brushing data.

Abstract: An electric toothbrushing device is disclosed, the device comprising means (16) for producing vibration of a toothbrush head (14), means (24, 32, 40, 42, 44) for producing an orientation signal indicating of an area of the mouth being brushed, and means (47, 48, 49) for producing a pressure signal indicating a pressure applied to the toothbrush head. The device further comprises processing means (46) arranged to link values of the orientation signal with values of the pressure signal in order to provide feedback to a user regarding a brushing pressure applied to each of a plurality of different areas of the mouth. By linking values of the orientation signal with values of the pressure signal, the user can be better informed about which parts of the mouth are being or have been brushed too hard. This can help the user to correct their brushing technique.

Abstract: An electric toothbrushing device is disclosed, the device comprising vibration means for producing vibration of a toothbrush head and a controller for controlling the vibration means. The device also comprises a motion sensor for sensing motion of the toothbrushing device to produce motion data, and a signal analysis unit for analysing the motion data to produce a feedback signal. The controller is arranged to adjust the vibration produced by the vibration means in dependence on the feedback signal. Such a configuration can be used to improve the feedback provided to the user and/or help to correct deficiencies in the user's brushing technique.

Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a toothbrush (4), the system comprising an orientation sensor (27) configured for attachment to a toothbrush (4) and one or more processors (29) configured to receive orientation information from the orientation sensor (27). The one or more processors (29) are further configured to determine whether the sensor (27) is in a first orientation (41) or a second orientation (33). The first orientation (41) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the left (42) of a user's mouth. The second orientation (33) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the right (40) of a user's mouth.

Abstract: A device for providing an indication of brushing activity of a toothbrush is disclosed. The device comprises an accelerometer 18 configured to produce acceleration data from motion of the toothbrush 2, means 13 for filtering the acceleration data to produce gravitational components, and for filtering the acceleration data to produce linear acceleration components. The device further comprises means 15 for projecting the gravitational components and the linear acceleration components into an n-dimensional space, where and for performing a clustering process on the projections of gravitational components and linear acceleration components into n-dimensional space to produce clustering results. The clustering results comprise a plurality of clusters 52-54 each of which represents a brushing area.

Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a toothbrush (4), the system comprising an orientation sensor (27) configured for attachment to a toothbrush (4) and one or more processors (29) configured to receive orientation information from the orientation sensor (27). The one or more processors (29) are further configured to determine whether the sensor (27) is in a first orientation (41) or a second orientation (33). The first orientation (41) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the left (42) of a user's mouth. The second orientation (33) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the right (40) of a user's mouth.