# US 10,441,501 B2 · Massager with touch-sensing head > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,501 B2 - Document ID: US10441501B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/428,442 - Filed: 2017-02-09 - Published: 2017-06-01 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: LELO Inc. - Applicants: LELO Inc. - Inventors: Filip Sedic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441501B2 ## CPC - A61H 23/02: with electric or magnetic drive - A61H 23/0254: {with rotary motor} - A61H 2201/0153: hand-held - A61H 2201/5005: for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal - A61H 2201/5007: computer controlled - A61H 2201/5028: Contact activation, i.e. activated at contact with a surface of the user to be treated - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A massager includes a massager head with a capacitive sensor. A controller uses the capacitive sensor to sense capacitance changes that indicate a human body is in close proximity or in contact with the massager head. Responsive to activating the capacitive sensor, the controller activates a massager motor in the massager head. When a human body is sensed, the controller increases the vibrations caused by the massager motor from a starting speed to a final speed through a period of time. When the capacitive sensor no longer senses a body, the massager motor is slowed down and may be stopped. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A massager configured for control based on proximity to a human body, comprising: a massager body; a massager motor disposed within the massager body and capable of a plurality of operating speeds; a capacitive sensor disposed within the massager body and configured for sensing proximity with the human body at least a portion of the massager body; and a controller disposed within the massager body for operating the massager motor, the controller configured to change the operating speed of the massager motor, wherein the controller increases the operating speed of the massager motor from a zero operating speed to an initial non-zero operating speed responsive to the capacitive sensor sensing close proximity with the human body, the controller increases the operating speed of the massager motor from the initial non-zero operating speed to a greater non-zero operating speed responsive to the capacitive sensor sensing sustained close proximity with the human body, and the controller decreases the operating of the massager motor responsive to the capacitive sensor no longer sensing proximity with the human body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The massager of claim 1, wherein the controller configured to turn the massager motor on and off. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The massager of claim 1, further comprising a user control configured to select a motor pattern of plurality of motor patterns for the massager motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The massager of claim 3, wherein the plurality of motor patterns includes a step motor pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The massager of claim 3, wherein the plurality of motor patterns includes a sinusoid motor pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The massager of claim 1, wherein the massager body includes a first segment coupled to a second segment via a grommet, wherein the massager motor is disposed within the first segment covered by a shell, and wherein the second segment is greater in length than the first segment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The massager of claim 6, wherein the capacitive sensor is disposed within the first segment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The massager of claim 7, wherein the capacitive sensor is coiled around the shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The massager of claim 8, wherein the controller is disposed within the second segment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The massager of claim 9, further comprising a battery disposed within the second segment and configured provide cordless operation of the massager. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The massager of claim 10, further comprising a silicone shell that covers at least a portion of the massager body. ### Claim 12 A massager configured for control based on proximity to a human body, comprising: a massager body; a massager motor disposed within the massager body and capable of a plurality of operating speeds; a capacitive sensor disposed within the massager body and configured for sensing proximity with the human body of at least a portion of the massager body; and a controller disposed within the massager body for operating the massager motor, the controller configured to turn the massager on and off, the controller configured to change the operating speed of the massager motor, wherein the controller increases the operating speed of the massager motor from a zero operating speed to an initial non-zero operating speed responsive to the capacitive sensor sensing close proximity with the human body, the controller increases the operating speed of the massager motor from the initial non-zero operating speed to a greater non-zero operating speed responsive to the capacitive sensor sensing sustained close proximity with the human body, and the controller stops operation of the massager motor responsive to the capacitive sensor no longer sensing proximity with the human body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The massager of claim 12, wherein the massager body includes a first segment coupled to a second segment via a grommet, wherein the massager motor and the capacitive sensor are disposed within the first segment and covered by a shell, and wherein the capacitive sensor is coiled around the shell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The massager of claim 13, wherein the controller is disposed within the second segment. ### Claim 15 A method for controlling a massager configured to be used by a user having a human body, comprising the steps of: sensing close proximity with the human body by a capacitive sensor associated with at least a portion of a massager; increasing an operating speed of a massager motor of the massager from a zero operating speed to an initial non-zero operating speed in response to the sensing of close proximity with the human body; increasing the operating speed of the massager motor from the initial non-zero operating speed to a greater non-zero operating speed responsive to the capacitive sensor sensing sustained close proximity with the human body; and decreasing the operating speed of the massager motor of the massager responsive to the capacitive sensor no longer sensing close proximity with the human body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method claim 15, wherein the steps of increasing the operating speed of the massager motor occur automatically and without manipulation of a user control. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of decreasing the operating seed of the massager motor occurs automatically and without manipulation of a user control. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of stopping operation of the massager motor of the massager responsive to the capacitive sensor no longer sensing close proximity with the human body.