TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a toothbrush and a system and method of using the system to aid training in the use of the toothbrush. In particular it applies to a system and method for training young children in the use of the toothbrush.

BACKGROUND ART

Many parents encounter problems when initially training their children to clean their teeth correctly. Not only should the child be encouraged to clean their teeth, but also to develop good habits when cleaning, and to discourage bad habits. There is a very large amount of prior art devices that may address this problem. For example, US7845041 (John Gatzemeyer et. al, "GATZEMEYER") discloses a toothbrush including an input and a memory for storing audio signals received via the input, and an output for playing the stored audio signals. The general idea is that a user can input their own content (music etc.) from an external device (e.g. a CD/DVD player or download from the internet) into the memory. The content may then be played back to the user while they are brushing thei teeth, thus encouraging the user to use the toothbrush. In some prior art devices of this kind the length of the recording/playback period may be chosen to correspond with a period (often around 2 minutes) of use of the toothbrush as recommended for good oral health.

While toothbrushes of this general type may enhance the cleaning activity, they do not provide any feedback on how the toothbrush is being used. This can make them unsuitable for training proper teeth cleaning techniques.

A toothbrush training system that does provide real-time feedback and tuition on use of a toothbrush is disclosed in US Pub. No. US 2014/0065588 A1 (Dov Jacobson et. al). This system includes an instrumented toothbrush with optional feedback elements which interact with a real-time dynamic audio-visual program which provides guidance, assessment and feedback to the user on correct brushing techniques.

In one embodiment US 201 /0065588 discloses a system including the instrumented toothbrush, a multimedia controller containing an application program, a wireless transceiver for communication between the toothbrush and the controller, a visual display (such as a television display or a computer monitor) and a remote audio system.

While the system disclosed by US 2014/0065588 may provide comprehensive feedback and training to a user, its complexity, including all the peripheral devices, is likely to make it attractive to high-end users only- i.e. those who already have all the peripheral devices and can afford the cost of the instrumented toothbrush. Biting the toothbrush is one bad habit often displayed by young children when learning to use a toothbrush. US 2014/0065588 does not disclose a toothbrush that detects biting.

It would be an advantage to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive toothbrush and training system which may be used in training any young child correct use of a toothbrush, and especially to detect and discourage the child from biting the head of the toothbrush.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method of use of a system to train a user the correct use of a toothbrush. A typical user may be a child, and correct use incudes not biting the toothbrush. Accordingly the system includes a toothbrush capable of detecting when it is bitten.

The user is initially provided with a training material (book, CD, DVD etc.) which encourages the user to associate correct use of the toothbrush with a (pleasurable) sound. When the user brushes their teeth without biting the toothbrush, the sound associated with correct use is provided by an audio device (speaker, headphones, etc.). If the user bites the toothbrush the sound is switched off until such time as the bite is released and normal brushing recommences.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothbrush for use as a training device, the toothbrush including: 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,

wherein the sensor is configured to sense pressure applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for training proper use of a toothbrush, the system including; a toothbrush substantially as described above; an audio output device; and a control device, wherein the control device activates the audio output device to provide audio output when the toothbrush is in use and stops the audio output when the first sensor detects pressure applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time.

In some embodiments the audio output device and/or the control device are housed in the toothbrush.

In other embodiments the audio output device and/or the control device are separate from the toothbrush.

Preferably in some embodiments where the control device and/or the output device are separate from the toothbrush, the output device and/or the control device communicate with the toothbrush via a cable.

Preferably in some other embodiments where the control device and/or the output device are separate from the toothbrush the output device and/or the control device communicate wire les sly with the toothbrush.

In a preferred embodiment the toothbrush includes an on-switch which, when activated, provides power to the control device and the audio output device.

In some embodiments the on switch, when activated, provides power to the brush assembly.

In a preferred embodiment the toothbrush includes an off-switch which, when activated, disconnects power from the control device and/or the audio output device and/or the brush assembly. In a preferred embodiment the on-switch and the off-switch are provided Dy a single switcn using different modes of operation. For example, a single switch may be configured to switch the power on when initially activated and to switch the power off when activated a second time.

Preferably the toothbrush includes a power supply configured to provide power to the control device and/or the audio output device and/or the brush assembly when the on-switch is activated.

Preferably the power supply included in the toothbrush includes a battery.

In other embodiments the toothbrush is configured to connect to an external power source.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a mechanical sensor. Preferably the mechanical sensor is a contact switch.

Use of a contact switch located on or within the toothbrush may reduce complexity and cost of producing the toothbrush relative to prior art devices.

In a preferred embodiment the toothbrush includes a first sensor and a second sensor

In a preferred embodiment the first sensor is located in the vicinity of the brush assembly. The first sensor is a first contact switch which in normal operation is in a closed position. When pressure is applied to the first sensor from both sides of the first sensor the first contact switch moves to an open position, thus breaking a circuit.

In a preferred embodiment the second sensor is located in the vicinity of a neck of the toothbrush, the neck being a region of the head which is in the vicinity of the handle. This sensor is a contact switch which in normal operation is in an open position. When a user applies pressure against his or her teeth the head of the toothbrush flexes relative to the handle. This flexure causes the contact switch to move to a closed position, thus closing a circuit. In this embodiment the second sensor acts as the on/off switch.

In a preferred embodiment the audio output from the audio output device corresponds with a sound described in or provided by a training material.

In a preferred embodiment the training material is provided by a printed material.

In other embodiments the training material is provided by an audio or audiovisual device.

In some embodiments the system includes a remote on/off control configured to emit an off signal and the toothbrush includes a receiver configured to receive the off signal from the remote on/off control and, upon receipt of the off signal to turn the toothbrush off.

In these embodiments the remote on/off control may be used by a parent or care giver, for example, to stop the operation of the toothbrush should the parent or caregiver decide it is being used incorrectly. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of use of a system for training a user to use a toothbrush, the system including: a toothbrush having a handle, a head attached to or attachable to the handle, a brush assembly attached to or attachable to the head, and a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to sense pressure applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time; an audio output device and a control device, the method including: 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, wherein 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 a control device and/or the sensor included in the toothbrush; d) detecting normal use of the toothbrush with the control device, normal use being the absence of a signal from the 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 sensor to the control device when the sensor senses

pressure applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time; and g) deactivating the audio output device to stop producing the described or provided sound when the control device receives the signal from the sensor.

A method substantially as described above including repeating steps d) to g) until use of the toothbrush is finished.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a toothbrush training system according to one

embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic cut away view of the toothbrush according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 ,

Figure 3a shows a control device in the form of a circuit in one condition; Figure 3b shows the control device of Fig. 3a in another condition;

Figure 3c shows the control device of Fig. 3a in another condition; and

Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of a training method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive instrumented toothbrush and training system for teaching a user (predominantly a child) proper use of the toothbrush, and particularly to dis-encourage them from biting the toothbrush. The embodiment described below is therefore aimed at providing a solution to the above object. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there will be many possible embellishments, so that reference only to the embodiment described below should not be seen as limiting.

A toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by arrow 1 in Fig.1 . The toothbrush includes a handle 2 and a brush assembly 3 attached to a head 4. In this embodiment the head is attached to the handle 2. Fig .2 shows a cutaway view through the toothbrush 1 showing a first sensor in the form of a normally closed contact switch 5, and a second sensor in the form of a normally open contact switch 6. The first sensor 5 is located in or on the head 4 in the vicinity of the brush assembly 3. The second sensor 6 is located in or on the handle 2 near a neck 7 between the handle 2 and the head 4. The contact switch of the first sensor is configured to remain closed at all times unless pressure is applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time, at which time it opens, thus breaking contact with the circuit.

The contact switch of the second sensor is configured to remain open at all times unless pressure is applied to the head and/or the brush from the brush assembly side only, at which time it closes. The pressure applied to the head and/or the brush from the brush assembly side corresponds to the pressure exerted on the head and/or the brush assembly during normal use of the toothbrush.

In the system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention the toothbrush includes an audio output device 8 which outputs an audio signal to be played through a speaker 9. The audio output device may be any of the wide range of such devices as is well know in the art. In the preferred embodiment the audio output device outputs an audio signal of a pre-loaded sound, such as laughter or giggling. Of course, more sophisticated devices may be used, such as MP3 players, which may be preloaded with sounds, music recordings etc, which are replayed when the toothbrush is being use in a normal fashion. The circuit 10 includes a power source in the form of a battery 11.

Preferred embodiments of the system include a control device configured to receive signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and to activate the audio output device to provide audio output when the toothbrush is in normal use and to stop the audio output when the sensor detects pressure applied to the head and/or the brush assembly from two opposing directions at the same time. Normal use corresponds to use of the toothbrush without biting the head/brush assembly.

In the preferred embodiment, in keeping with the approach to simplicity, the control device is in the form of a simple circuit, 10, as shown in Figures 3a - 3d. Figure 3a shows the circuit when the toothbrush is not in use. The circuit includes: a normally on contact switch 5 as the first sensor; a normally off contact switch 6 as the second sensor; a power source in the form of a battery 11 (located within the handle 2) and an audio output device 8 including a speaker 9. In this condition the circuit is broken by the second sensor 6, so no power is delivered to the circuit. Figure 3b shows the circuit when the toothbrush is in normal use. In this case the contact switch of the first sensor 5 is closed. The contact switch of the second sensor 6 is also closed due to the pressure applied to the head/brush assembly causing flexure of the head 4 of the toothbrush with respect to the handle 2. In this condition, with both contact switches closed, power is supplied to the circuit, which activates the audio output device 8 to provide an audio signal to the speaker 9.

Figure 3c shows the circuit when the head 4/brush assembly 3 is bitten. The contact switch of the first sensor 5 is configured to open when pressure is applied to both sides of the contact switch at the same time, as may occur if the head/brush assembly is bitten. In this condition the contact switch of the first sensor is open and the contact switch of the second sensor is closed. Opening the first contact switch breaks the circuit so no power is provided to the audio output device and no sound is produced by the speaker.

In the first step of the method of use of the training system a training material in the form of a book 12 (see Fig. 4) is provided to the user of the toothbrush, which generally will be a young child. The book includes text which describes the sound associate with normal use of the toothbrush. The text of the book may be specifically written to encourage a child to use the toothbrush correctly. As such the sound described needs to one known to the child and which may bring the child pleasure. In the present embodiment the sound is of giggling; this is an infectious sound which may be well know to children and one they are likely to associate with pleasure. Of course, any sound that fulfills the above criteria may be used.

In the second step of the method the child is encouraged to read the book 12 and to become familiar with the associated sound. In the remaining steps of the method the child is encouraged to use the toothbrush in a correct manner (no biting). When pressure is applied to the head/brush assembly under normal use the circuit is closed as described above, thus outputting the sound described in the book.

If the head/brush assembly of the toothbrush is bitten (as determined by pressure being applied to both sides of the head/brush assembly at the same time) the contact switch of the first sensor opens and the sound stops. The sound may be reactivated by releasing the bite.

Thus the child may be encouraged to use the toothbrush properly without biting it by using the sound provided as a positive feedback to their use of the toothbrush.

In some embodiments toothbrush and training system includes a remote on/off control configured to send a signal to a receiver connected to the circuit in the toothbrush. The receiver is configured to break the circuit when a signal from the remote on/off control is received by the receiver in the circuit. This embodiment may be used by a parent or care giver to stop operation of the toothbrush if it is not being used correctly.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.