US 10,621,887 B2 · System and method for training use of a toothbrush

Abstract

A system and method of use to train a user the correct use of a toothbrush are provided. A typical user may be a child, and correct use may include not biting the toothbrush. Accordingly the system includes a toothbrush capable of detecting when it is bitten. This may be achieved by including a sensor capable of detecting pressure applied to a head and/or a brush assembly of the toothbrush from two opposing directions at the same time. The user may initially be provided with training material that encourages the user to associate correct use of the toothbrush with a (pleasurable) sound. When the user brushes his or her teeth without biting the toothbrush, the sound associated with correct use is provided by an audio device. If the user bites the toothbrush, the sound is switched off until the bite is released and normal brushing recommences.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A toothbrush for use in a method of training a user in normal use of the toothbrush, comprising:

a handle;
a head attached to or attachable to the handle;
a brush assembly attached to or attachable to the head;
and
a first sensor configured in use to detect an indicator of incorrect use of the toothbrush;
a control device configured in use to receive a signal from the first sensor, the signal indicating incorrect use of the toothbrush;
and
an audio output device configured in use to provide an audio output, wherein the control device is configured in use to activate the audio output device to provide the audio output in the absence of a signal from the first sensor to the control device, which indicates when then toothbrush is being used normally, and
the control device is configured in use to stop the audio output device from producing the audio output on receipt from the first sensor of the signal indicating incorrect use of the toothbrush.

6 more elements

A method of use of a system for training a user to use a toothbrush, the system comprising:

a toothbrush comprising a handle, a head attached to or attachable to the handle, a brush assembly attached to or attachable to the head, a first sensor configured in use to detect an indicator of incorrect use of the toothbrush, an audio output device configured in use to provide an audio output, and a control device configured in use to receive a signal from the first sensor, the signal indicating incorrect use of the toothbrush, the method comprising:
(a) providing a training material for use with the toothbrush, wherein the training material describes or provides a sound corresponding to correct use of the toothbrush, and the described or provided sound corresponds to a sound produced by the audio output of the audio output device;
(b) using the training material to familiarize the user with the described or provided sound;
(c) providing power to at least one of the control device and to the first sensor of the toothbrush;
(d) detecting normal use of the toothbrush with the control device, normal use being the absence of a signal from the first sensor;
(e) using the control device to activate the audio output device to produce the described or provided sound during normal use of the toothbrush;
(f) sending a signal from the first sensor to the control device when the first sensor detects an indicator of incorrect use of the toothbrush;
and
(g) deactivating the audio output device to stop producing the described or provided sound when the control device receives the signal from the first sensor.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for training use of a toothbrush

Life of this patent

System and method for training use of a toothbrush

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19