# US 12,179,946 B2 · Oral care system with electric drone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,946 B2 - Document ID: US12179946B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/210,159 - Filed: 2023-06-15 - Published: 2024-06-13 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-09 - Applicants: Richard D. Davis - Inventors: Richard D. Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179946B2 ## CPC - B64U 20/87: Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals - A61C 17/221: {Control arrangements therefor} - A61C 17/222: {Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle} - B64U 10/13: Flying platforms - B64U 50/30: Supply or distribution of electrical power - A61C 2204/002: using batteries - B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) ## Abstract Systems and methods for effective brushing and performing activities on a communication device without limiting the person's movement are disclosed. As aspect of the system comprises an electric drone system which provides a platform for placing an electric toothbrush and a communication device. The drone system and the electric toothbrush are connected via a communication network and the drone is operated via the electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush and the mobile device are also connected via a communication network. The bushing and gaming activities are displayed and operated on the communication device placed on the drone system which moves along the person performing brushing activity with the electric toothbrush. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for maintaining oral hygiene comprising: an electric toothbrush, the electric toothbrush comprising: a motorized brush head containing bristles; an elongated member having a proximal end configured to couple to the brush head and a distal end configured to engage with a platform, wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of buttons; a camera configured to capture image of a person performing brushing activity, wherein the camera is configured to switch between an enabled state and a disabled state; and a network interface configured to enable communication between the electric toothbrush and one or more communication devices; and an Aerial Vehicle (AV) Drone, the AV Drone comprising: propellers or lift modules which enables the Drone to operate in different operating modes; rechargeable batteries to provide power to one or more components of the Drone; the platform comprising a plurality of cavities for placing the electric toothbrush and the one or more communication devices; and a radio module configured to communicate with the electric toothbrush and the one or more communication devices which are configured to operate the Drone; wherein the Drone is configured to move, either automatically or operable through the electric toothbrush buttons, along with the person performing the brushing activity using the electric toothbrush, and wherein the Drone carrying the one or more communication devices enables the person to perform the brushing activity using the electric toothbrush and use installed applications on the one or more communication devices. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises one or more lights of varying colors and blinking effect to provide a pleasing visual appearance while the Drone is in any of the operating modes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises a sound system which automatically produces various tones while the Drone is in any of the operating modes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises an image capturing device for capturing images of the person performing the brushing activity and surrounding areas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the images captured by the AV Drone camera are configured to be transmitted to the communication device for displaying on a display screen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises cavities for placing one or more of a bottle, a cup, a tumbler and a toothpaste tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises a charging interface configured to connect with a charging stand for charging the batteries of the Drone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the AV Drone is configured to automatically return back to the charging stand to recharge the batteries when the batteries power decreases below a pre-set threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises an interface for connecting with a Retractable Electric Tether through a connecting cable, wherein the retractable electric tether and the cable limit the movement of the Drone within a specific region and increases its usage time. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the AV Drone is configured to be detached from the Retractable Electric Tether by pressing a button on the electric toothbrush. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the Retractable Electric Tether is also configured to recharge the batteries of the AV Drone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the operating modes of the AV Drone are is configured to operate in one or more of a wing flight mode, a hover mode, a vertical take-off and a landing (VTOL) flight mode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone further comprises a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory for operating the Drone in the different operating modes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the buttons are configured to be physical buttons, touch buttons, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the buttons perform one or more functions including, starting or stopping of the brushing activity, controlling a brushing speed and a operating modes, changing the brush head, operating the toothbrush camera, controlling and operating the AV Drone and communicating with the communication devices. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication devices are configured to include one or more of a personal computer, a laptop, a mobile phone, a tablet and a paging device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication devices are configured to comprise installed applications related to or not related to the brushing activities. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone is configured to be lifted to a desired height and placed in a hover mode to perform the brushing activity and use the installed applications on the communication device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone is further configured to connect with an electronic wristband to be worn by the person performing the brushing activity, the electronic wristband is operable to summon the Drone and bring it closer to the person performing the brushing activity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the AV Drone is further configured to automatically move in accordance with the electric toothbrush while the brushing activity is being performed. ### Claim 21 A method for maintaining oral hygiene comprising: providing an electric toothbrush, the electric toothbrush comprising: a motorized brush head containing bristles; an elongated member having a proximal end configured to couple to the brush head and a distal end configured to engage with a platform, wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of buttons; a camera configured to capture image of a person performing brushing activity, wherein the camera is configured to switch between an enabled state and a disabled state; a network interface configured to enable communication between the electric toothbrush and one or more communication devices; providing an Aerial Vehicle (AV) Drone, the AV Drone comprising: propellers or lift modules which enables the Drone to operate in different operating modes; rechargeable batteries to provide power to one or more components of the Drone; the platform comprising a plurality of cavities for placing the electric toothbrush and the one or more communication devices; a radio module configured to communicate with the electric toothbrush and the one or more communication devices which are configured to operate the Drone; placing the one or more communication device on the cavities of the AV Drone; establishing a connection between the network interface of the electric toothbrush and the radio module of the AV Drone; operating the electric toothbrush buttons to lift the AV Drone to a required height and move it to a desired position; and performing the brushing activity using the electric toothbrush along with using installed applications on the one or more communication devices, wherein the AV Drone is configured to move, either automatically or operable through the electric toothbrush buttons, along with the person performing the brushing activity using the electric toothbrush. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprises providing an image capturing device in the AV Drone for capturing images of the person performing the brushing activity and surrounding areas. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprises transmitting the captured images to the communication device for displaying on a display screen. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprises providing a plurality of cavities on the AV Drone for placing one or more of a bottle, a cup, a tumbler and a toothpaste tube. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprises providing a charging interface on the AV Drone configured to connect with a charging stand for charging the batteries of the Drone. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the AV Drone is configured to automatically return back to the charging stand to recharge the batteries when the batteries power decreases below a pre-set threshold. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprises providing an interface on the AV Drone for connecting with a Retractable Electric Tether through a connecting cable, wherein the retractable electric tether and the cable limit the movement of the Drone within a specific region and increases its usage time. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein operating the electric toothbrush buttons further comprises operating the operating modes of the AV Drone in one or more of a wing flight mode, a hover mode, a vertical take-off and a landing (VTOL) flight mode. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein operating the electric toothbrush buttons comprises lifting the AV Drone to a desired height and placing it in a hover mode to perform the brushing activity and using the installed applications on the communication device. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprises establishing a connection between the radio module of the AV Drone and an electronic wristband worn by the person performing the brushing activity and operating the Drone through the electronic wristband to summon the Drone and bring it closer to the person performing the brushing activity.