Interactive toothbrush

US8225449B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Colgate-Palmolive Company · US

Inventors

• John Gatzemeyer · Fryeburg, US
• Eduardo Jimenez · Manalapan, US
• Glen Biron · Cedar Park, US
• Mark Delz · Round Rock, US
• Tim Hopkins · Round Rock, US
• Russell Read · Round Rock, US
• Doulgas Hohlbein · Pennington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A46B2200/1066
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A toothbrush (100) may include an audio component (140) configured to operate as a microphone to receive an audio signal in a first mode of operation and to operate as a speaker to output the audio signal through the body (148) of the toothbrush (100) in a second mode of operation. Another toothbrush (100) may include a motor (271) for powering one or more moveable elements (227) and a processor (392) to monitor and maintain a variable, such as the motor speed or voltage applied, associated with the motor (271). Another toothbrush (100) may include a single operation mode button (FIGS. 13A-13C) to change a mode of operation of moveable elements (227) on the toothbrush (100) and audio signals transmitted through an output (148) of the toothbrush (100).