EP1609389A2

EP1609389A2 - Oral care device capable of producing and recording sound

Info

Publication number: EP1609389A2
Application number: EP05253812A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Brian Drzewiecki; John T. Ulman; James Menke
Original assignee: Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies LLC
Current assignee: Johnson and Johnson Consumer Inc
Priority date: 2004-06-21
Filing date: 2005-06-20
Publication date: 2005-12-28
Also published as: BRPI0502529A; AU2005202218A1; JP2006006937A; US20050278882A1; CA2508994A1

Abstract

An oral care device for providing a user the flexibility to play and record any type of music or sound they prefer on the oral care device in use. The oral care device may be any dental device that is capable of providing oral hygiene to a user of the device such as, e.g., a toothbrush.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an oral care device having the ability to record, playback and re-record musical or other sound media for providing a user the flexibility to play any type of sound media they prefer. The oral care device can be used with various types of media recording devices that are capable of downloading, recording, storing and playing back sound media from different sources such as, i.e., a compact disc, cassette, computer or MP3 player.

Background of the Invention

It is well known that toothbrushes have been provided with the ability to play musical sounds or songs to a to allow the user to listen while brushing their teeth. A variety of musical toothbrushes have been developed to encourage better brushing practice. Most commonly, the musical toothbrushes have a sound generating device either contained in the handle portion of the toothbrush or attached to the outside of the handle. The sound generating device contained within or attached to a toothbrush handle will play a set sound or musical note/song. Examples of these musical toothbrushes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application Publication 2004/000017 to Kumagai, discloses a toothbrush assembly with a sound generating function, which generates sound by the tooth-brushing movement of the user. U. S. Pat. No. 5,572,762 to Scheiner, discloses a toothbrush with a sound generator activated by a switch on the handle of the toothbrush. U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,245 to Khodadadi, discloses a musical toothbrush with a digital sound generator disposed within the toothbrush's handle.
Although these musical and/or sound generating toothbrushes provide sounds varying from music to beeps or brushing instructions, the aforementioned toothbrushes do not allow the user to download or record, store, and playback music from different sources such as, i.e., a compact disc, cassette, computer, or MP3 player. This leads to the toothbrushes losing their allure over time and therefore lose efficacy in solving the problem of better brushing practice.
In this regard, the oral care device according to the present invention significantly overcomes the restrictions of the prior musical toothbrushes mentioned above, and consequently provides the user with variety in the type of music he or she would like to listen to while brushing their teeth. Furthermore, the user of the present invention would also have the ability to download or record, store and playback music from various media sources an unlimited amount of times.
Therefore, there is a continuing need for a musical toothbrush that has the ability to record, re-record and playback music from various media sources to provide the user with a variety of musical types during the user's brushing regimen.

Summary Of The Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an oral care device including a recording and playback mechanism; a means for connecting to a media source; a speaker; and an activating means for controlling the recording and playback mechanism.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an oral care device including a music playback device having an integrated circuit chip, a speaker and means for controlling the music playback device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an oral care device including a storage decoder playback device and a speaker, wherein the oral care device has a connection capable of inputting external data.
In order to achieve the above objectives, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention there has been provided an oral care device including a recording mechanism and a playback mechanism. The oral care device is capable of recording audio from various external media devices and includes a connection means for receiving audio from various external media devices; a control means for controlling the recording and playback mechanism; an audio output means for hearing playback audio; and a power supply for making the playback device operative. The control means for this embodiment may be in the form of a record switch and a playback switch. The power supply may be a DC battery or a connection for an AC power outlet.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there has been provided an oral care device including a removable music playback device wherein a pre-recorded musical integrated circuit chip is capable of being inserted into a slot of the playback device for playing pre-recorded music on the circuit chip; a control means for controlling the playback device; an audio output means for hearing playback audio; and a power supply for making the playback device operative. The control means is a playback switch, which activates the sound of the music. The audio output means is a speaker or and earphone port for connecting a headphone for private listening. The power supply may be a DC battery or a connection for an AC power outlet.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there has been provided a toothbrush including a storage decoder playback device for receiving downloadable music from files stored on a computer; a connection means for connecting the toothbrush's playback device to an external computer; control means for controlling the playback device; an audio output means for hearing playback audio; and a power supply for making the playback device operative. The control means is a playback switch, which activates the sound of the music. The audio output means is a speaker or and earphone port for connecting a headphone for private listening. The power supply may be a DC battery or a connection for an AC power outlet.
These aspects and other objects of the invention, along with an assortment of other advantages will be made more clearly in connection with the following description of the drawings.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the oral care device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the oral care device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of a oral care in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

The oral care device with record and playback functions according to the preferred embodiments FIGS. 1-3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An oral care device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 1, FIG.1. The oral care device 1 includes a head portion 2 affixed to a handle portion 3. The head portion 2 is capable of providing oral hygiene to a user of the oral care device 1. The handle portion 3 is adapted to be held by a user of the oral care device to enable the user to comfortably insert the head portion 2 into the oral cavity in use. The head portion 2 may optionally be detachable from the handle portion 3. When the head portion is detachable, it may be releaseably attached to the handle portion 3 by any suitable connection means known in the art, including, but limited to a friction fit, screw and thread, snap fit, and the like and combinations thereof. The head portion 2 can be formed as a non-detachable unitary structure with the handle portion 3 (not shown). When the oral care device is a toothbrush, the head portion 2 may include a neck portion 4 and bristles 5 extending from a surface of the head portion. When the oral care device is a flossing device, the head portion will be in the form of a dental floss holder. The exact form of the head portion is not, per se, critical to the invention, provided of course that the oral care device is capable of providing an oral hygiene function for the user and may be a toothbrush, flossing device or any other well known dental care devices known in the art.
The handle portion 3 has generally cylindrical configuration with a hollow interior portion, an external surface, a proximate end and a distal end. The handle portion 3 has a gripping portion 6 for secure handling of the toothbrush. The gripping portion may be a made of thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, polyurethane, vulcanized rubber or any other gripping material known to the skilled artisan. The handle 3 contains a hollow interior 7 which can be formed through conventional plastic forming processes such as inert gas or pin processes. The hollow interior 7 houses a power supply 10, a recording device and playback device 11. As shown in Figure 1, the recording device and playback device are formed as an integral unit. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the recording unit may be separate and detachably released to the playback unit to permit the recording process to be performed external to the oral care device. The recording and playback device 11 is coupled with the power supply 10. The power supply 10 may be, but is not limited to a DC power source, such as a battery or may be an AC power outlet. When the DC power source is a battery, the battery can be any of the conventional battery sizes including, but not limited to, N, AA, AAA or rechargeable. The battery may be of the rechargeable or disposable type. The recording and playback device 11 can be, but is not limited to, a digital recorder and playback unit or an analog recorder and playback unit. The recording and playback device 11 can preferably record and re-record music an unlimited amount of times. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the duration of the recorded sound media is from 1 to 3 minutes and most preferably has a duration of 2 minutes..
The handle portion 3 further contains a detachable opening 9 for inserting power supply 10. The detachable opening 9 is preferably at the distal end of the handle and may optionally include an audio output source 14. The audio output source 14 can be, but is not limited to, a speaker, earphone bud, a headset, Piezo transducer, flame speaker or capacitance. The audio output device 14 may be located anywhere along the length of the handle portion 3 and is preferably located in a portion of the handle portion 3 that is not intended to be covered by a user's hand in use. The handle portion 3 is provided with a control means for controlling the record and playback device 11. In a preferred embodiment, the control means is located on an external surface of the handle portion 3. The control means 8 may be in the form of push buttons, switch means, voice activation, motion activation and the like. The handle portion is further provided with a connection means 13 that is adapted to connect the record and playback device 11 with an external media device. The connecting means 13 can be wireless or a direct connection and is capable of transferring either digital or analog music or sound from a compatible external media device. A suitable media device capable of connecting to the musical toothbrush 1 through connection means 13 are CD players, cassettes players, record players, MP3 players, or any variety of music producing devices known to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 2, another oral care device 21 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.2. The oral care device of this embodiment incorporates a music receivable playback device 35. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the playback device 35 plays music that is pre-recorded on a removable storage device. The music receiving playback device 35 is housed within the interior of the handle portion 23. The playback device 35 has an opening 28 extending to the exterior surface of the handle portion 23 for receiving the removable storage device, which for purposes of illustration is a pre-recorded storage IC card 12. The pre-recorded storage IC card 12 can store a predetermined amount of information. Pre-recorded storage IC cards are commercially available from the Hasbro Company as HIT-CLIPS ®. Interior portion 27 also houses a power supply 29 that is coupled with the playback device 35. The distal end of the handle portion 23 locates an audio output means 31 for sounds to be heard by the user during brushing.
The musical toothbrush 21 includes a detachable head portion 22 and a handle portion 23. The head portion 22 can be release-ably attached to the handle portion 23, by way of a friction fit, screw and thread, snap fit or any other suitable connection means known in the art. The head portion 22 can be non-detachable member as well. The head portion 22 consists of a neck portion 24 and bristles 25. The head portion 22 can be, but is not limited to a toothbrush head or a dental floss holder or any dental device known in the art. The handle portion 23 has a generally cylindrical configuration with a hollow interior portion 27, an external surface, a proximate end and a distal end. The handle portion 23 has a gripping portion 26 for secure handling of the toothbrush.
An LED display screen 32 is positioned on the exterior surface of the handle portion 23 for viewing a mode or function of the playback device 35. A control panel 33 is located on the exterior surface of the handle portion 23 with control push buttons 34 located thereon for controlling play of the playback device 35. A plurality of connection ports 36 are located on the exterior surface opposite the control panel 33 for connecting exterior devices.
Referring now to FIG. 3, another musical toothbrush 41 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.3. The musical toothbrush of this embodiment incorporates a data storage decoder playback device 45. The data storage decoder playback device 45 can be but is not limited to, an MP3 player, M4P, RA, WAV and DIMI. The musical toothbrush 41 includes a detachable head portion 42 and a handle portion 43. The head portion 42 can be release-ably attached to the handle portion 43, by way of a friction fit, screw and thread, snap fit or any other suitable connection means known in the art. The head portion 42 may also be non-detachable, that is permanently attached to the handle portion 43. The head portion 42 consists of a neck portion 44 and bristles 46. The head portion 42 can be, but is not limited to a toothbrush head or a dental floss holder or any dental device known in the art. The handle portion 43 has a generally cylindrical configuration with a hollow interior portion 47, an external surface, a proximate end and a distal end. The handle portion 43 has a gripping portion 48 for secure handling of the toothbrush.
The interior portion 47 houses the data storage decoder playback device 45, a power source 40 and an audio output device 50. The power source 40 can be but is not limited to a DC battery or AC power source. The DC batter can be but is not limited to, N, AA, AAA or rechargeable. The audio output device 50 can be but is not limited to a speaker, headphone port or a microphone.
The exterior surface of the handle portion 43 includes a control panel 51 with control push buttons 52 for controlling the data storage decoder playback device 45 an optional LED display screen 54 for viewing a mode or function of the data storage decoder playback device 45. A plurality of wire connection ports 53 are located on the exterior surface of the handle portion. The plurality of wire connection ports 53 can be but are not limited to, USB, R232, RS-422 or RS-485. Each connection port facilitates downloading data from various media devices to be saved on the data storage decoder playback device 45.
In use the first embodiment of the present invention the oral care device 1 functions when a user attaches a wire to the connection means 13 and a media player's audio output port such as a CD player. Once the connection is made the user can press the control mean buttons for activating recording, after recording is complete the music will be saved on the recording and playback mechanism 11, and can be played back at the users choosing. In addition to the first recording the user may re-record over the last recording an unlimited amount of times to change the music stored on the recording and playback mechanism 11.
The second embodiment of the present invention functions with a pre-recorded storage IC card 12 and a music receiving playback device 35. The user can select from a desired pre-recorded storage IC card, which can be inserted into the opening 28. Control buttons 34 initiate play or stoppage of the recorded music on the IC card. Once play is initiated sound will be push through the audio output source 31. After use the user can select a different IC card for listening to a different type of music.
The third embodiment of the present invention uses a data storage decoder playback device 45. The oral care device of this embodiment uses a wire connection from a computer's USB port, a wave file or any other compatible file type is then downloaded from the computer to toothbrush's data storage decoder playback device. After downloaded information is complete the data storage decoder playback device will have stored information to be played back when the user is ready to brush their teeth, floss or any other oral procedure known in the art. Different information can be stored an unlimited amount of times for a variety of musical sounds.
Various modifications of the present invention, in its various embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

An oral care device that is capable of playing and recording sound, comprising:

a head portion affixed to a handle portion, the head portion being capable of providing oral hygiene to a user of the oral care device, the handle portion being adapted to be held by a user of the oral care device to enable the user to comfortably insert the head portion into an oral cavity in use,

the handle portion containing;

a recording and playback mechanism;

connecting means for external media;

a power source;

an audio output means;

and an activating means for controlling the recording and playback mechanism.
An oral care device capable of playing music, comprising:

a data storage decoder playback device;

connecting means for external media;

a power source;

an audio output means;

and an activating means for controlling the data storage decoder playback device.
The oral care device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said oral care device is a toothbrush.
The oral care device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said oral care device is a dental floss device.
The oral care device of claim 1, wherein said recording and playback mechanism is a digital record and playback device.
The oral care device of claim 1, wherein said recording and playback mechanism is an analog record and playback device.
An oral care device for playing sound, comprising:

a music receiving playback device;

an IC card;

connecting means for external media;

a power source;

an audio output means;

and an activating means for controlling the music receiving playback device.
The oral care device of claim 7 wherein, the music receiving playback device is a digital music receiving and playback device.
The oral care device of claim 7 wherein, the music receiving playback device is an analog music receiving and playback device.
The oral care device of claim 7 wherein, the IC card is a record-able IC storage card.