(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0261185 A1
`Guney et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 15, 2007
`
`US 20070261185A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING AUTOMATED INSTRUCTIONS
`FOR MANTAINING ORAL HYGENE
`
`(76) Inventors:
`
`Ali G. Guney, Reston, VA (US);
`Siros Arefi. Potomac, MD (US);
`Bahram Nasehi, Gaithersburg,
`MD (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`DITTHAVONG MORI & STEINER, P.C.
`918 Prince St.
`Alexandria, VA 22314
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/747,551
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 11, 2007
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/799,492, filed on May
`11, 2006.
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A6IC 17/22
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........... 15/22.1: 15/105; 132/322; 132/323;
`434/263
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An oral hygiene product for providing a user aural instruc
`tion associated with a proper brushing technique. The oral
`hygiene product may be any dental device capable of
`providing an effective brushing technique to a user.
`
`
`
`is:
`
`101
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`119
`
`107
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`100
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 1 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2007 Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 2 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 15, 2007 Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 3 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`907
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 4 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 15, 2007 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 5 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 15, 2007 Sheet 5 of 7
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 6 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 7 of 12
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`FIG. 6
`
`(san)
`
`Brush upperright
`side of the mouth
`
`side of the mouth
`
`Brush lowerright
`
`Brush lowerleft
`
`side of the mouth
`side of the mouth
`
`Brush upperleft
`
`601
`
`603
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`605
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`607
`
`section
`
`Brush upperfront teeth
`
`Brush lowerfront teeth
`section
`
`(6.g., flossing andrinsing)
`
`Post brushing activity
`
`End
`
`609
`
`614
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`613
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 8 of 12
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`

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`US 2007/0261185 A1
`
`Nov. 15, 2007
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROVIDING AUTOMATED INSTRUCTIONS
`FOR MANTAINING ORAL HYGENE
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`0001. This application claims the benefit of the earlier
`filing date under 35 U.S.C. S 119(e) of U.S. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 60/799,492 filed May 11, 2006, entitled
`“Method and Apparatus for Providing Automated Instruc
`tions for Maintaining Oral Hygiene, the entirety of which
`are incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`0002 For individuals, learning proper brushing and floss
`ing technique is critical for good oral hygiene. Several
`factors are involved in brushing, for example: frequency and
`regularity of brushing, amount of proper time allocated for
`brushing, thoroughness of brushing within each part of oral
`cavity, and proper motions or brush strokes, etc. It is
`recognized that the effectiveness of brushing and flossing
`largely depends on applying techniques in which adequate
`time is spent on teeth within the various regions of the
`mouth. For children, proper brushing is an even greater
`challenge in that they lack interest in brushing, viewing Such
`task as undesirable and burdensome. Moreover, it is difficult
`to teach children to acquire proper oral care habits because
`of their lack of interest and because the parent may not be
`fully aware of what is the proper way to brush.
`0003. While much effort has been directed to the
`improvement of oral hygiene products, very little effort has
`been dedicated to teaching users on the proper brush tech
`nique in a manner that encourages users to brush and to learn
`effective brushing techniques.
`0004. Accordingly, there is a need for an approach to
`permit users to properly practice oral hygiene. There is also
`a need for a mechanism to encourage users to perform Such
`oral hygiene practices.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`0005. The embodiments of the invention are illustrated
`by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the
`figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
`reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
`0006 FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of exemplary tooth
`brushes capable of conveying instructions for proper brush
`ing techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`0007 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the delivery of brush
`ing instructions through a speaker, a display and/or a vibra
`tion mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0008 FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the regions of the
`mouth and associated brushing instructions that are con
`veyed by the toothbrushes of FIGS. 1A and 1B:
`0009 FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary circuit for
`providing the brushing instructions, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`0010 FIG. 5 is a flowchart for utilizing the toothbrushes
`of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart for proper brushing instruc
`0011
`tions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`0012. The described needs are addressed by various
`embodiments of the present invention, in which an approach
`is presented for conveying proper brushing and flossing
`techniques to the user through an instructive oral hygiene
`device (e.g., toothbrush or flossbrush). The device, accord
`ing to one embodiment, provides voice instructions using
`recognizable characters (e.g., famous cartoon characters in
`the case of children). This arrangement enables an interac
`tive experience that can increase the users interests in
`brushing as well as train these users to achieve proper
`technique.
`0013 Thus, an oral hygiene product and method for
`providing an instruction of proper brushing technique with
`an aural user interface is described. In the following descrip
`tion, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific
`details are set forth in order to provide a thorough under
`standing of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to
`one skilled in the art that the present invention may be
`practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent
`arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and
`devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid
`unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
`0014. Although the oral hygiene product is described in
`form of a toothbrush, it is noted that the voice instructions
`can be provided in a separate device (e.g., that can be
`attached to an existing toothbrush).
`0015 FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of exemplary tooth
`brushes capable of conveying instructions for proper brush
`ing techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention. An oral hygiene product 100 includes a
`fixed or detachable brush assembly 101 and a body 103 of
`toothbrush and an optional recharging base 105. The
`recharging base (e.g., AC power source) 105 includes a
`receiving part 107 having charger contacts 109 and a power
`line 111. The base 105 can alternatively be a section that
`houses non-rechargeable batteries (see FIG. 1B). The brush
`assembly 101 includes a brush head 113 or floss head 123
`attached to a shaft portion 115 having a shaft end 117 that fits
`into a receiving portion 121 of an end of the body 103. The
`brush head 113 includes a plurality of bristles 119 that are
`used for tooth brushing. It is contemplated that, in certain
`embodiment, the brush head 113 is replaceable. Alterna
`tively, the product 100 can be disposable; such that upon
`depletion of the batteries, the product 100 can simply be
`discarded.
`0016. In one embodiment, the body 103 is a hollowed
`body formed with a molded plastic housing and a griping
`portion. The detachable upper cap 121 being detachably to
`join the brush assembly 101. The brush assembly 101 can
`optionally be detachable from the body 103 and suitably
`connected by means of known methods.
`(0017. The body 103 and the brush head 113 are coupled
`by a coupling means. The body 103 constitutes a handle 125,
`and includes contacts 109 for electrical connection with the
`recharging base 105. The body 103 comprises a mechanism
`including an On/Off switch 127, a sealed loud speaker 139,
`an application module 137 (e.g., application specific inte
`grated chipset (ASIC) module), a housing containing a
`conventional battery pack 131 (DC power source), and a
`
`Exhibit 1032 - Page 9 of 12
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Nov. 15, 2007
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`motor 129 (along with a motor driver). In one embodiment,
`the switch 127 can enable and disable the speaker 139. The
`body 103 provides a water-resisting housing, in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment. Also, it is contemplated that
`the application module 137 can be a memory device that is
`removable and replaced with a device specifying instruc
`tions with other voices and/or background music.
`0018 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the delivery of brush
`ing instructions through a speaker, a display and/or a vibra
`tion mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. Instructions 201 for the proper brushing tech
`nique, in an exemplary embodiment, are played with music
`203 (which can be implemented as an optional preference
`for the user). The voice signals 205 are pre-recorded accord
`ing to the preferences of user (e.g., imitation of Voice of
`famous characters, such as well-known cartoon character
`207, or a celebrity human voice). This instructional feature
`can be controlled by a logic in circuit 137, which is activated
`by pushing an On/Off switch button 127. Further, a display
`209 can provide animation of the characters, for instance.
`The display can be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a
`series of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 209.
`0019. The instructions 201, including information on
`hygiene practices relating to pre- and/or post-brushing (e.g.,
`floss, rinse, properangle of brushing, or a warning message),
`can be played before, during or after the brushing activity.
`The warning message, for instance, can alert the user of
`potential problems, such as excessive bleeding upon brush
`ing, and to seek medical assistance (e.g., contact a dentist).
`0020. Further, according to an exemplary embodiment,
`the music (e.g., theme song) 203 can be played at various
`points between the voice prompts 201. For example, upon
`completion of one section, music 203 can be played before
`the device instructs the user to move on.
`0021. As mentioned, according to one embodiment of the
`present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates the quadrants 303 or
`areas of dentition and exemplary programmable contents
`301 to be stored memory (not shown). Such contents 301
`can include configurable parameters for the particular quad
`rants 303. By way of example, such parameters include a
`time field 305 to specify the duration associated with the
`specific quadrant, an instructions field 307 providing
`instructions for the quadrant, a voice field 309 to indicate the
`type of Voice signal (e.g., character) for the quadrant, and an
`LED field 311 to specify whether an LED indicator is used
`for the quadrant. In this manner, the instructions 307 can be
`tailored to cover different areas of the mouth (oral cavity) to
`which cleaning process is applied associated with time 305
`assigned to each of the quadrants (or portions) during a
`brushing activity. The oral cavity (human or otherwise) can
`conceptually be viewed as the following areas of dentition:
`upper front, upper right, lower right, lower front, lower left,
`and upper left. It is noted that the instructions can be
`recorded in any form as to provide the information to the
`user in a clear, understandable fashion. Moreover, in addi
`tion to or instead of audio instructions, a visual display 209
`can be provided to instruct movement from one quadrant to
`another quadrant.
`0022. In one embodiment, light emitting diodes (LEDs)
`209 are used to represent respective quadrants 303, wherein
`the LED 209 that is on is the quadrant the user should be
`within. Additionally, a vibration mechanism (e.g., vibrator
`135) can be implemented within the handle to notify the user
`
`to proceed to the next quadrant; this notification can be used
`individually or in conjunction with the other audio 207 or
`visual indicators 209.
`0023. According to one embodiment, historical and sta
`tistical data associated with the brushing habits of the user
`can be stored in memory. This permits to the user to track the
`amount of time spent brushing each area, as well as the
`entire brushing process.
`0024. Furthermore, a floss head 123 can be used to
`Supplement the brushing with its own set of instructions, in
`an exemplary embodiment. For example, such instructions
`can specify “Thread the floss between your teeth. Do not hit
`gums. Move the floss up and down while hugging each tooth
`on the sides. Repeat for the next tooth.”
`0025 FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary hardware 400 upon
`which various embodiments of the invention can be imple
`mented. The various digital circuits can be implemented
`within an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)
`401 or other type of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) module.
`The ASIC or PCB module (computing system) includes
`controllers 403, 405 and 407 to control mechanism for
`communicating signal by a microprocessor unit 409 coupled
`to the timer 411 for processing signal.
`0026. The computing system also includes program
`mable memory, Such as a programmable read-only memory
`(PROM) 413 or other storage device, coupled to the bus for
`storing information and instructions 307 to be executed by
`the microprocessor unit 409. The computing system 400 also
`includes a power controller 407 coupled to a power supply
`Source 421. Energy source 421 is generated optionally either
`by means of a typical 1.5 V battery 423 or as shown here by
`a charger 425. Energy source 421 actuates a driver controller
`405 which connects to a motor to control a generating speed.
`The computing system 400 may be coupled via the bus to the
`power controller 407.
`0027. In the illustrated embodiment, a microprocessor
`unit 409 can actuate a signal to control controllers (volume
`403, driver 405 and power 407). A number of instructions by
`various character voices can be stored in the programmable
`memory 413. The control means in the forms of pushing
`Switch, Voice activation, motion activation etc. can be used.
`Such control is operatively connected to a memory.
`0028. The timer circuit is activated by a switching
`mechanism controlled by the microprocessor unit. When the
`On/Off switch 127 is detected, the clock is started and an
`audio signal is selected and played. The instructions 307 is
`determined by a timer 411 in a pre-determined time detected
`by the microprocessor 409, and the instructions 307 are
`transferred into a speaker 139 in a given time interval. The
`processor unit 409 is preferably triggered by varying time to
`ensure that each section of the mouth (i.e., areas of dentition)
`is brushed for the specified amount of time. An electrical
`signal is converted into desirable human Voice or famous
`character voice using a speech synthesizer 415. An LED 417
`and a vibrator 419 are also provided to communicate infor
`mation to the user.
`0029. It is further appreciated that microprocessor unit
`409 can control a driver controller 405 according to pre
`programmed 301 to adjust speed of motor and to change the
`direction of movement, thereby optimally setting for actu
`ating bristle head 113 or floss head 123 during the brushing
`and flossing activity. Power controller 407 examines
`strength or weakness of power to Supply constant signal to
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 10 of 12
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Nov. 15, 2007
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`circuits. The microprocessor unit 409 can change the direc
`tion of movement when the head 113, 123 is replaced.
`0030) A digital voice synthesizer 415 for cleaning voice
`instructions is connected to the speaker 139 via D/A con
`verter 427. An amplifier 429 amplifies the instructions
`(and/or musical signal) and for aural delivery through the
`speaker 139.
`0031. The power controller 407 includes a sensor to
`detect a charger 425 whether sufficient amount of the power
`to generate a system. If so, the power controller 407 selec
`tively receives a power only from a charger 425. If the power
`generated by the charger 425 is detected as weak by the
`sensor, the microprocessor unit 409 commands to receive
`the power from battery 423 to the power controller 407.
`0032 FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for utilizing the tooth
`brushes of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of
`the present invention. By way of example, per step 501, a
`user Switches on the oral hygiene product 100. Upon acti
`Vating the switch (step 501) an introduction can be played,
`per step 503. Next, the user, per step 505, can select a means
`(e.g., any one or combination of audio, visual or vibrating
`indicators) for receiving proper instructions. A timer is thus
`started, per step 507.
`0033. In step 509, brushing instructions are provided by
`way of the selected means to the user. When a set time is met
`(as determined in step 511), the oral hygiene product 100
`automatically plays the next instruction, as in step 513, until
`all instruction sets are played (steps 515 and 517). There
`after, in step 519, upon completion of all the instructions, an
`optional ending is played to notify the user that the cleaning
`is complete.
`0034 FIG. 6 is a flowchart for proper brushing instruc
`tions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`The brushing instructions programmed based on the quad
`rants or areas of detention of FIG. 3 can be time regulated
`using a timer circuit configured to assign each set of the
`instruction to a predetermined duration. By way of example,
`the instructions can be sequentially played per steps 601
`611. In step 613, the instructions can cover post brushing
`activity Such as flossing, rinsing and including providing a
`warning message.
`0035. According to various embodiments of the inven
`tion, the processes described herein can be provided by the
`computing system in response to the processor executing an
`arrangement of instructions contained in main memory.
`Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in
`memory causes the processor to perform the process steps
`described herein. One or more processors in a multi-pro
`cessing arrangement may also be employed to execute the
`instructions contained in main memory.
`0036) In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry
`may be used in place of or in combination with software
`instructions to implement the embodiment of the invention.
`In another example, reconfigurable hardware such as Field
`Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can be used, in which
`the functionality and connection topology of its logic gates
`are customizable at run-time, typically by programming
`memory look up tables. Thus, embodiments of the invention
`are not limited to any specific combination of hardware
`circuitry and software.
`0037. A series of sequential data of instructions according
`to the time sequence are triggered by a timer to provide a
`user with an immediate instruction. The duration of the
`instructional session coordinated with time recommended
`
`based on each portions of the mouth. Using algorithm
`programmed on memory, each step of the instructions can be
`played through speaker.
`0038. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize
`that the processes for providing instructions within the oral
`hygiene product can implemented via software, hardware
`(e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
`chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC),
`Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware,
`or a combination thereof. Common forms of computer
`readable media that can store the instructions include, for
`example, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH
`EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other
`medium from which a computer can read.
`0039. In the preceding specification, various preferred
`embodiments have been described with reference to the
`accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that
`Various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and
`additional embodiments may be implemented, without
`departing from the broaderscope of the invention as set forth
`in the claims that flow. The specification and the drawings
`are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than
`restrictive sense.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An apparatus for providing oral hygiene, the apparatus
`comprising:
`a head; and
`a body coupled to the head, the body housing,
`an application module configured to store oral hygiene
`instructions, and
`at least one of a speaker, a display, or a vibration
`mechanism configured to convey the stored oral
`hygiene instructions,
`wherein the oral hygiene instructions specify brushing
`or flossing within one region of a mouth of a user for
`a configurable duration and then moving to another
`region of the mouth according to a predetermined
`scheme.
`2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appli
`cation module is configured to play music through the
`speaker concurrently with the instructions.
`3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the music
`is preprogrammed in the application module.
`4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speaker
`outputs an audio signal representing a voice of a famous
`character or a human celebrity.
`5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display
`includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting
`device (LED).
`6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appa
`ratus is disposable.
`7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head
`includes a bristle or a dental floss.
`8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruc
`tions specify proper angle of brushing, duration of brushing
`for respective quadrants of dentition, or pre- and post
`brushing activity including flossing, rising and providing a
`warning message.
`9. A method comprising:
`programming oral hygiene instructions into an application
`module that is configured to be inserted into a housing
`of a battery-operated oral hygiene tool,
`wherein the oral hygiene instructions specify brushing or
`flossing within one region of a mouth of a user for a
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`US 2007/0261185 A1
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`Nov. 15, 2007
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`configurable duration and then moving to another
`region of the mouth according to a predetermined
`Scheme.
`10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the applica
`tion module is configured to play music, through a speaker
`within the housing, concurrently with the instructions.
`11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the music is
`preprogrammed in the application module.
`12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the oral
`hygiene tool includes a speaker, a display and a vibration
`mechanism configured to convey the oral hygiene instruc
`tions, the speaker outputting an audio signal representing a
`Voice of a famous character or a human celebrity.
`13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the display
`includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting
`device (LED).
`14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the oral
`hygiene tool is disposable.
`15. A method according to claim 9, wherein the oral
`hygiene tool further includes head that includes a bristle or
`a dental floss.
`16. A method according to claim 9, wherein the instruc
`tions specify proper angle of brushing, duration of brushing
`for respective quadrants of dentition, or pre- and post
`brushing activity including flossing, rising and providing a
`warning message.
`
`17. A toothbrush device comprising:
`a head; and
`a body coupled to the head, the body housing,
`a driver shaft to which the head is coupled,
`a motor driver connected to the driver shaft for driving
`the head,
`a motor connected to the motor driver,
`a power source for Supplying power to the motor,
`an application module configured to store oral hygiene
`instructions, and
`at least one of a speaker, a display, or a vibration
`mechanism configured to convey the stored oral
`hygiene instructions,
`wherein the oral hygiene instructions specify brush
`ing or flossing within one region of a mouth of a
`user for a configurable duration and then moving
`to another region of the mouth according to a
`predetermined scheme.
`18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the applica
`tion module is configured to play music through the speaker
`concurrently with the instructions.
`19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
`music is preprogrammed in the application module.
`20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
`speaker outputs an audio signal representing a voice of a
`famous character or a human celebrity.
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
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`Exhibit 1032 - Page 12 of 12
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