Talking toothbrush holder

Abstract

A tooth brush holder adapted to contain at least one tooth brush is provided with a switch and circuitry such that when the tooth brush is removed from the holder a sound producing device is actuated which device can continue to produce sound for at least a predetermined time. In one preferred form of the invention, the sound producing device may incorporate an audio chip on which a pre-recorded message is located and, in a second form, may include a recordable chip recorded by a user or some other person. The apparatus may be provided with a control apparatus to monitor the amount of time the toothbrush has been removed from the holder to insure that proper brushing has taken place. If the toothbrush is replaced in the holder before the predetermined time period has elapsed, a warning message or tone (and/or light) may be activated advising the user that more brushing is needed. An indicator may be activated to alert a parent or other adult that brushing has not occurred (or has not occurred by a certain time of day) or that brushing was inadequate. If the toothbrush is replaced after the predetermined time period has elapsed (and/or message has been played) an audio or visual reward may be generated. An audio message praising the child may be played (e.g., song or the like) and/or other stimuli may be used (e.g., lights in eyes may flash, animated character elements may move).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.