Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02285781 1999-10-08
TOOTHBRUSH TIMING AND MOTION SENSING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved toothbrush system for ensuring
adequate
motion and time of brushing. More specifically, the invention relates to a
means of monitoring a
user's toothbrushing motion activity in combination with a timing system and
an indicating means.
to
BACKGROUND ART
The most common causes for dental problems are cavities and periodontitis.
Periodontitis
refers to the gradual deterioration of matter surrounding the tooth, and
cavities refer to spaces or
pits formed in a tooth by decay. Bacteria that eventually lead to dental
problems if not properly
treated cause both periodontitis and cavities.
There are many ways to reduce or eliminate the harmful bacteria, thereby
limiting tooth
decay and periodontal problems. A healthy diet with the recommended vitamins
and minerals is
important. In addition, a regular regime of brushing and flossing combined
with dental
2o examinations are the best known methods for preserving ones teeth.
Proper brushing and flossing removes food residues and plaque build-up,
decreasing the
bacteria around the teeth. It is recommended that a person brush their teeth
three times a day,
using the correct motion and activity for two minutes. However, it has been
noted that a large
number of people do not follow these guidelines. Most people do not brush for
the suggested two
minute time interval, without the proper motion, and not three times per day.
There is a problem with the training and monitoring of children to assure that
they regularly
and adequately brush their teeth. Children are more apt to skip brushing or do
a superficial job at
brushing unless closely supervised. Without attentive supervision, a child may
merely wet the
toothbrush and barely place the brush in their mouth.
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Close parental attention is not always possible. Three minute egg-timers and
other timers of
all sorts have been known to be used, but absent parental supervision, these
are not reliable
indicators of actual, effective brushing time and action. Parents, and their
well-intended children,
need a better system for self monitoring and parental monitoring of everyday
brushing activities
during the child's formative years.
Besides children, the older population also needs a mechanism to keep track of
brushing
time. The elderly tend to have a lessened attentive span and have difficulty
in assessing time
to periods, especially if inflicted with a cognitive disease. As the number of
senior citizens increases
the need for a toothbrushing aid increases. A timer with an indicator
appropriate for elder persons
would provide the means for proper brushing time.
There have been various attempts to mark the length of time a person brushes
by
providing acoustic and/or visual aids. The prior art toothbrush timer and
signaling devices lack
the necessary elements to make them effective and commercially viable.
U.S. Patent 5,673,451 discloses an instructional toothbrush that has an
indicator means
incorporated into the toothbrush. The indicator acknowledges when the
toothbrush is being
operated with a lateral motion to close the switch in series with the
indicator. The switch is
angularly positioned so that a lateral motion completes the circuit and
activates the indicator. No
timing circuitry is disclosed.
An adaptive load sensor toothbrush is shown in U.S. Patent 5,784,742, wherein
the
electric load of the toothbrush drive is an indication of the pressure exerted
on the teeth. Too
much pressure causes an indicator to warn the user to decrease the force or
pressure. A similar
variation is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,493,747.
In U.S. patent 4,788,734, a toothbrush is equipped with an indicator means,
either sound
3o visual or a combination, and is activated by a switch. A computer means has
timing circuitry
which measures a predetermined time period before activating the indicator
means indicating that
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the brushing period is completed. Similarly, U.S. Patent 5,438,726 has a
manual switch that is
used to set a counter and indicate when completed. No motion sensing mechanism
is discussed.
A programmable device which emits an audible alarm to indicate when a pre-
selected
tooth brushing times is completed activated by the insertion of the toothbrush
into the device is
shown in U.S. patent. 5,184,959. There is no motion sensor to indicate whether
the person
paused after placing the toothbrush head into the device or whether the user
paused while
brushing.
1o An electric toothbrush with a timer is discussed in U.S. Patent 4,450,599
wherein the
timer is activated when the pressure exerted on the bristles exceeds a
predetermined level. This
unit tracks the actual time the minimum pressure is applied.
A sensing electronic toothbrush is described in U.S. patent 5,133,102 wherein
current is
caused to flow through the toothbrush by grasping the brush and bringing it
into contact with the
teeth. There is no particular motion required once the current path is
established.
Many people also fail to replace toothbrushes as often as is recommended. An
older
toothbrush does not provide the necessary bristle action to clean away debris
and can damage gums.
2o An improper brushing due to an old toothbrush may give a false impression
of cleaning because the
user brushed for the proper amount of time.
The prior art devices do not have the necessary features and elements to be
effective in
measuring the actual brushing time and reporting this information to the user.
What is needed is a
device that measures the time that the toothbrush is actually brushing the
teeth. The device
should not count the non-brushing times where the user pauses or stops
brushing. Such a device
should be cost-effective to manufacture and market, and be adaptable to
existing manual
toothbrushes. This device should employ an indicator means that stores the
brushing results for a
certain interval so that a parent or guardian can check to see if the teeth
were brushed properly.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, in it's simplest form, is a battery powered electronic circuit
with a motion
sensor that detects and signals when a threshold level of brushing motion is
occurnng and stops
signaling when the brushing motion falls below the threshold motion level. The
device is readily
adaptable to fit over existing manual toothbrushes or be incorporated into a
new manual toothbrush.
A timer accumulates the time of proper brushing motion up to the desired
minimum time, and an
indicator mechanism notified the user when the time limit is met. The
indicator results are stored
for a certain time interval allowing the indicator to be monitored.
The circuit includes a signal holding feature, which retains the indicator of
a proper length
brushing. This allows a child to demonstrate to the parent, that the sequence
was completed
properly and allow the parent to monitor brushing with lesser supervision.
One embodiment of the circuit includes a counter that counts the total cycles
of use and an
indicator signals when the toothbrush should be replaced.
The circuit may be integrated into a toothbrush handgrip attachment, or even
integrated into
a toothbrush design. Such a design may feature replaceable brush sections or
elements.
Timing the duration of the shaking motion monitors toothbrush use. Adequate
brushing is
indicated when a certain period of cumulative motion is detected. The
indication is held for a period
of time, allowing a parent to confirm the successful brushing.
The anticipation of a successful indication also encourages children to keep
brushing until
the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
Allows parents to confirm that the children have brushed their teeth with the
adequate
motion for an adequate time interval.
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An object of the invention is a toothbrush timing and motion sensing system
comprising a
computing means, wherein the computing means has a timing means for measuring
periods of
active brushing, and wherein the computing means calculates a total active
brushing time by adding
the periods of active brushing that occur within a predetermined allowable
time interval, and
determines a successful brushing period when the total active brushing time
exceeds a
predetermined brushing time interval. There is a motion sensor connected to
the computing
means, wherein the motion sensor detects a brushing motion, and wherein the
brushing motion
determines the periods of active brushing. An indicator means for indicating
completion of the
successful brushing period, wherein the indicator has a means for holding the
indicator means. A
1 o power source is connected to the computing means, the indicator, and the
motion sensor.
A further object of the invention, wherein the indicator means is a light
emitting diode.
Another object further comprises a speaker, wherein the indicator means
includes a sound
indicator.
And another object wherein the power source is a disposable battery. It is
also possible to
have an AC power source.
2o An object further providing the computing means as a microcontroller.
Yet a further object of the invention, wherein the motion sensor is a steel
ball encased
within a metallic cylinder, and wherein the cylinder has a first wire and a
second wire separately
disposed on one end of the cylinder, and the sensor detects when the ball
contacts the first and
second wire.
And another object, wherein the motion sensor comprises a sealed metallic
cylinder with a
spring having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the spring is fixedly
attached at the fixed end
to a first end of the cylinder, and wherein a first wire is connected to the
first end and a second
3o wire is connected to the free end of the spring.
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Yet another object, wherein the computing means counts each brushing motion,
and
wherein the computing means determines a successful brushing period when the
count exceeds a
predetermined successful brushing count.
Another object includes an engagable toothbrush head that engages the
toothbrush handle.
An object of the invention is for a toothbrush timing and motion sensing
system comprising
a toothbrush sleeve having a handle portion on a first end and a toothbrush
engaging portion on a
second end, wherein electronic components are mounted in the handle portion.
There is a
l0 computing means, wherein the computing means has a timing means for
measuring periods of
active brushing, and wherein the computing means calculates a total active
brushing time by adding
the periods of active brushing that occur within a predetermined allowable
time interval, and
determines a successful brushing period when the total active brushing time
exceeds a
predetermined brushing time interval. There is a motion sensor connected to
the computing means,
wherein the motion sensor detects a brushing motion, and wherein the brushing
motion determines
the periods of active brushing. The system further provides an indicator means
for indicating
completion of the successful brushing period, wherein the indicator has a
means for holding the
indicator means. There is also a power source connected to the computing
means, the indicator, and
the motion sensor.
2o
Additional object includes the handle portion with a removeable end cap, so
that the
battery can be replaced.
Another object wherein the sleeve is an elastomeric material with an easy-
gripping
surface.
An object of the invention includes a method for improving the tooth brushing
process
using a toothbrush with timing and motion sensing means, comprising the steps
of maintaining
the toothbrush in a sleep mode when not in use. Detecting when the toothbrush
is being used in a
3o manner that triggers a motion sensor. Measuring active toothbrushing
periods, and ceasing to
measure said periods if the user stops using the toothbrush in a manner that
triggers the motion
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sensor. Adding the active toothbrushing periods within a time interval to
produce a total brushing
period. Comparing the total brushing period to a predetermined brushing time
period. Indicating
a successful brushing results when the total brushing period exceeds the
predetermined brushing
time period. Holding the successful brushing results for a monitoring period,
and resetting the
system and returning to the low sleep mode.
A further object includes the step of playing an audible indication when the
total brushing
period exceeds the predetermined brushing time period.
1o Objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily
apparent to those
skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein I have
shown and described
only a preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of
the best mode
contemplated by me on carrying out my invention.
Other objects, features and advantages are apparent from description in
conjunction with
the accompanying claims, drawings and specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2o FIG. 1 a basic block diagram of the toothbrush elements;
FIG. 2 illustrates a layout of the components onto a circuit board;
FIG. 3 is a schematic of the toothbrush timing and motion system;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of the toothbrush timing and motion system
incorporated into a handle;
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the toothbrush timing and motion system
incorporated into a sleeve
that conforms to the handle of an existing toothbrush;
FIG. 6 is a detailed depiction of the motion sensing mechanism incorporating a
rolling ball;
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FIG. 7 is a detailed depiction of the motion sensing mechanism incorporating a
spring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the basic block diagram of FIG. 1, a motion sensor 10 is connected to a
computing
means 20. The computing means is energized by a power source 30. An indicator
35
communicates with a user and is controlled by the computing means 20. The
power source 30
can be a battery, household AC, or solar. In the preferred embodiment, for
ease and safety, a
1o battery is utilized. The batteries may be replaceable or rechargeable,
however in the preferred
embodiment it is non-replaceable and the unit is disposable.
FIG. 2 illustrates a possible packaging layout 22 for the invention on a
component board
25. A battery 50 is fitted onto the board 25, and a processor or
microcontroller 60, visual
indicator 45, audible indicator 40 and motion sensor 10 are all connected to
the board 25. The
design is implemented using a microcontroller 60, which is essentially a
complete computer on a
single chip, and permits the present invention to be fabricated within a small
package, easily
incorporated into a tooth brushing handle or as a sleeve. The modern
microcontrollers 60 are
extremely low power devices that run for long period of time on a single
battery cell 50.
As shown in FIG. 2, the computing means 20 can be a microcontroller or
microprocessor,
and is connected to at least one type of indicator. Typically, an audible
indicator 40, and/or visual
indicator 45 are installed and indicate the results as determined by the
microcontroller that
monitors the motion sensor 10. A visual indicator 45, such as an LED or LCD,
also retains the
brushing results for later viewing. The audible indicator 40 can be a beeper,
bell, or play a
melody or tune. Other indicating means include a vibration means, or a
combination of indicator
means.
The motion sensor 10 can be any of the many types of mechanical "switches"
which open
3o and close upon being shaken. A logical vibration sensor is one embodiment
where a spring and
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cylinder type switch or rolling ball type switch similar to the type found in
flashing sneakers is
used as the motion sensor 10.
A circuit schematic is shown in FIG. 3, wherein a battery 50 is tied to the
microcontroller
60 and provides the necessary power source. Vibration sensor 80 is tied to an
input on the
microcontroller 60 and also pulled up to the battery power through a resistor
70. When the
vibration sensor 80 is open circuit, the microcontroller 60 input is at the
battery voltage, and
when the vibration sensor 80 is closed circuit, the microcontroller 60 input
is at ground voltage.
1o The microcontroller 60 turns the LEDI 90 visual indicator on and off, by
controlling the
voltage on the outl pin. When set to voltage Vss, current flows from battery
50 through LED1 90
and through current limiting resistor 100, and the LED 1 90 generates light.
When the
microcontroller 60 sets outl pin to voltage Vdd, no current flows through the
LED1 90, and
hence no light is generated.
The speaker 110 makes sound when the voltage from microcontroller 60 pin out2
changes between Vdd and Vss. When microcontroller 60 pin out2 is set to Vdd,
current flows
through the speaker 110 to ground. When microcontroller 60 pin out2 is set to
Vss, current flow
stops. This start and stop control of current flow through speaker 110
generates sound.
The circuitry can be embedded inside the toothbrush handle 170, as show in
FIG. 4. The
circuit board and components 22 are encased in a sealed handle 170. The visual
indicator 45 can
protrude through the handle exterior, but for watertightness, an opaque
covering of the handle
170 could cover the visual indicator 45. The toothbrush portion 150 can be
affixed to the handle
170 so that the entire unit is disposed of when the brush is worn or the
battery dies. The
microcontroller 60 can also be programmed to inform the user when a new brush
is required,
indicating the life expectancy of the unit, such as a flashing LED.
In another embodiment, the handle 170 has an interface 160 that allows for
3o interconnecting a toothbrush portion 150 to a handle portion 170. The
manufacturer can place the
electronics in the handle with detachable or replaceable brush heads. This
allows the user to
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replace the toothbrush portion 150 as needed, desired, or instructed, while
still using the same
battery. It is also within the scope of the invention to employ a replaceable
battery. Various
interconnecting means are possible, including a toothbrush portion 150 with a
stem having a
retainer clip that would interconnect with a mating slot in the toothbrush
handle 170. The system
can be designed to accept current toothbrush heads that are industry
standards.
The electronics can also be embedded in a sleeve 200, as shown in FIG. 5,
which slips
over the handle of an existing toothbrush. The inner sleeve section 210 is
designed to fit any
standard toothbrush, and has a width W and a length L designed to firmly affix
the standard
1o toothbrush to the handle 170. The advantage of situating the circuitry in a
sleeve 200 is that it
allows the toothbrush to be replaced while using the same battery. The
toothbrush can easily be
replaced as worn, while the electronics remains fixed in the sealed end 220.
The sleeve 200
allows users to select their own style and brand of toothbrush and still
provide the benefits of the
present invention. The sleeve 200 is an elastomeric material that fits almost
any toothbrush
handle snugly. There can be an end cap or retention means for sealing the
electronics yet still
allowing for battery replacement, although in the preferred embodiment it is
sealed.
The length L of the sleeve must be sufficient to firmly grasp the handle and
not allow
excessive slippage. The length L ranges from one inch to six inches, depending
on whether the
2o brush is an adult or child's toothbrush. The adult toothbrush tends to be
longer than a child's
toothbrush. The handle of an adult toothbrush is approximately six inches from
the gripping end
to the beginning of the bristles. For adult brushes, a larger length L is used
to firmly retain and
hold the toothbrush. The overall length of the present invention is kept to a
minimum by
incorporating the components onto a single component board in the end of the
handle.
The sleeve is also designed for easy grasping, especially by a child or the
elderly. The
soft exterior and enlarged gripping surface makes it easier to hold and brush.
FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the motion sensor as a tube 260, sealed at both
ends,
with a metal ball 250 inside. Two wires 270, 280 enter one end of the tube and
extend just a little
bit into the tube. When the tube is tilted, the metal ball 250 rolls back and
forth. When the ball
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250 reaches the end with the two wires and contacts the two wires, an
electrical circuit is created
across the wires. The motion sensor therefore behaves as an electrical switch
with switch closure
when the ball 250 is at one end of the tube.
Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, where a spring 320 is loosely fitted
inside a
metal cylinder 260. The spring 320 and cylinder 260 are firmly attached to a
common plane at
one end such that the spring 320 is not touching the walls of the cylinder
260. A first wire 310 is
attached to the spring and a second wire 300 is attached to the cylinder at
this fixed end. When
shaken, the spring 320 at the untethered end touches the cylinder wall,
creating an electrical
to circuit across the two wires. The type and length of the spring and the
distances of the wire and
cylinder are variables that determine the amount of motion required to make
the sensor function
properly.
Both of these sensors are found in flashing sneakers. The ball-in-tube sensor
has better
directional discrimination, while the spring-in-cylinder sensor is more
sensitive to any motion in
any axis.
The firmware inside the microcontroller functions as follows: when no
vibrations are
detected, the microcontroller is in low power sleep mode. Once constant
vibrations are detected,
2o the timer is started. By keeping the device in low power sleep mode until
constant vibrations are
detected preserves the life of the battery during the start-up time where a
user wets the brush, and
adds toothpaste. This time period is not counted towards the overall brushing
time.
The timer advances when consistent motion is detected. During periods having
little or no
motion, such as when the toothbrush is placed down or is being wet, the timer
is paused. When
the cumulative time of motion reaches the predetermined period within an
overall predetermined
time interval, the indicator is activated. The rate and length of the
indication can be programmed
as to extend the battery life.
3o In the preferred embodiment the indicator will show the successful brushing
indication
for sixty (60) minutes. This allows ample time for a parent to confirm the
brushing. After this
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"hold" period expires, the timer is reset and the microcontroller is returned
to a low power sleep
mode.
The period of active brushing is set for two (2) minutes according to present
dental
guidelines. The overall time interval within which the periods of active
brushing are accumulated
is approximately five (5) minutes.
An audible beeper is used to generate a short tone or melody when the brushing
period
has expired. This allows the user to know when to stop without looking at the
visible indicator.
to The audible/visual indicator can also be used to inform the user when the
toothbrush has to be
replaced.
The computation of brush time and brush replacement period can be computed
based on
the number of times the motion sensor switch is triggered. The microprocessor
can count the
number of successful triggering motions and store the number in memory. Thus,
a time interval
of brushing can be augmented with a motion count to extend the time interval
if the user is a
'lazy' brusher.
The motion sensor unit also can be used to set a minimum threshold of movement
required to trigger the counting. In the ball and wire embodiment, the unit is
disposed so that the
motion causes the ball to roll back and forth to trigger the circuit. The
weight of the ball, the
length of the cylinder and the placement of the wires can be used to alter the
threshold levels.
With the spring embodiment, the type of spring, number of coils, length of
spring, can all be used
to change the dynamics of the trigger. The threshold level will emulate the
minimum activity
required for adequate brushing.
The invention also incorporates a means of altering the time intervals of the
toothbrush
system. The user can set the total allowable time interval for measuring the
active brushing
periods in order to customize the system. The user can also alter the active
brushing period
3o required in order to obtain a successful brushing indication. This
customization increases the
flexibility so the user can adapt the system to the user's lifestyle and
habits.
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The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has
been
presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended
to be exhaustive or to
limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible
in light of the above teachings.
The invention is susceptible of many variations, all within the scope of the
claims. The
preferred embodiment described here and illustrated in the figures should not
be construed as in
any way limiting.
l0
No warranty is expressed or implied as to the actual degree of safety,
security or support
of any particular specimen of the invention in whole or in part, due to
differences in actual
production designs, materials and use of the products of the invention.
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