Software to control vibration

Abstract

A processor containing software allowing for measuring the speed of a motor, and adjusting that speed by pulse width modulation is provided. A dedicated voltage limiter prevents excess speed, and a battery charge management controller to charge the battery and monitor the battery charge status, ensures battery voltage is regulated to 3.3 V. These additional features contribute to safety, such that when included on an orthodontic remodeling device they allow safe and effective vibration, with minimal changes in frequency and force and no danger of excess speed or power.

1 . A method of maintaining a constant safe and effective vibration, said method comprising:
 a) providing a vibrating motor with an encoder operably connected to a processor having software that counts a time between a first encoder event and a second encoder event;   b) comparing said time to a target frequency;   c) adjusting a motor speed via pulse width modulation to increase or decrease said motor speed as appropriate to maintain said target frequency;   such that a vibrating orthodontic remodeling device comprising an intraoral bite plate and an extraoral vibration source employing said method vibrates at a frequency between 20-40 Hz with a variance of ≦2 Hz, and a force between 0.1-0.5 N with a variance of ≦0.05 N when said bite plate is bitten by a patient and said device is activated.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said processor records usage data in said memory and on demand transmits said usage data via said data port to a patient or provider. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said processor collects usage data, including date and length of use, and stores said usage data in said memory and wherein embedded code is contained in said processor so as to convert the usage data into a graphic representation including daily use and average daily use when such usage data is downloaded to a computer via said data port. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting battery voltage to 3.3 V using a battery charge management controller operatively coupled to said battery and said processor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting the vibration motor's drive voltage to 1.2 V with a dedicated voltage regulator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting motor speed uses a low-side transistor switch controlled by said processor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said encoder is an integrated optical encoder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is a 32-bit low power processor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said processor interfaces to a memory for storage and retrieval of usage data and is operably coupled to a data port. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vibration motor is a 6V DC motor having an off-set weight and an 8 line integrated optical encoder. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said vibration motor is a 6V DC motor having an off-set weight and an 8 line integrated optical encoder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising limiting battery voltage to 3.3 V using a battery charge management controller operatively coupled to said battery and said processor, and limiting the vibration motor's drive voltage to 1.2 V with a dedicated voltage regulator, and wherein adjusting motor speed uses a low-side transistor switch controlled by said processor. 
     
     
         13 . A method of maintaining a constant safe and effective orthodontic force and frequency, said method comprising:
 a) providing a processor to control an offset weight vibration motor and a battery to power said processor and said motor;   b) said processor interfacing with an acceleration sensor or an encoder on said motor;   c) measuring a speed of said motor with said acceleration sensor or said encoder; and   d) regulating said speed of said motor by pulse width modulation and by a dedicated voltage regulator that limits a drive voltage of said motor;   such that an orthodontic remodeling device comprising an intraoral bite plate and an extraoral vibration source employing the method of steps a-d vibrates at a frequency between 20-40 Hz with a variance of ≦2 Hz, and a force between 0.1-0.5 N with a variance of ≦0.05 N when said bite plate is bitten by a patient and said device is activated.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said processor interfaces to a memory for storage and retrieval of usage data and is operably coupled to a data port. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said processor records usage data in said memory and transmits said usage data on demand via said data port to a patient or provider. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said processor collects usage data, including date and length of use, and stores said usage data in said memory and wherein embedded code is contained in said processor so as to convert the usage data into a graphic representation including daily use and average daily use when such usage data is downloaded to a computer via said data port. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein regulating said speed uses a low-side transistor switch controlled by said processor via pulse width modulation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said voltage regulator limits the motor drive voltage to 1.2 V. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising limiting battery voltage using a battery charge management controller operatively coupled to said battery and said processor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said processor is a 32-bit low power processor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said encoder is an integrated optical encoder.