JP2006006937A - Oral care device capable of producing and recording sound - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oral care device by which restriction of a toothbrush with music playing is greatly conquered and a user can download, record, store or play back music desired to listen during tooth brushing. <P>SOLUTION: 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, may be any dental device that is capable of providing oral hygiene to a user of the device such as, e.g., a toothbrush. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

Field of Invention

  The present invention relates to an oral care device that has the ability to record, reproduce and re-record music or other audio information media and gives the user the freedom to reproduce any type of suitable audio information media. . The oral care device can be used with various types of information media recording devices that can download, record, store and play audio information media from different suppliers such as compact discs, cassettes, computers or MP3 playback devices. is there.

Background of the Invention

  Toothbrushes having the ability to reproduce musical sounds or songs so that the user can listen while brushing their teeth are well known. Toothbrushes with various musical performances have been developed to improve toothpaste enforcement. Most commonly, a toothbrush with a musical performance has a sound generation device built in the handle portion of the toothbrush or attached to the outside of the handle portion. The voice generation device built in or attached to the handle portion of the toothbrush should play a certain voice or musical tone / song. An example of the above-mentioned toothbrush with music performance is disclosed in Patent Document 1 by Kumagai, which discloses a toothbrush assembly having a sound generation function for generating sound by a user's brushing motion. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620, which is assigned to Scheiner, discloses a toothbrush provided with a sound generation device driven by a switch provided on a handle portion of the toothbrush. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867, issued to Khodadadi, discloses a toothbrush with music performance provided with a digital sound generator built in a handle portion of the toothbrush.

  The musical and / or voice generating toothbrushes provide a sound that changes from music to warning sounds or toothpaste instructions, but the above-mentioned toothbrushes are different for users such as compact discs, cassettes, computers or MP3 playback devices. You cannot download, record, store, and play music from a supplier. This will cause the brush to lose its attractiveness over time, thereby losing its ability to solve the problem of improving toothpaste enforcement.

  In this regard, the oral care device according to the present invention greatly overcomes the limitations of the conventional toothbrush with music performance described above, and thus changes the type of music that the user wants to listen to while brushing. It is. Furthermore, the user of the present invention has the ability to download or record, store and reproduce music from various information medium suppliers without time restrictions.

Therefore, there is a continuing need for a toothbrush with music performance that has the ability to record, re-record and play music from various information media suppliers to provide the user with different music types during brushing of the user. .
US Patent Application 2004/000041 US Pat. No. 5,572,762 US Pat. No. 6,202,245

  One object of the present invention is to provide an oral cavity management device including a recording / reproducing mechanism, means for connecting to an information medium supplier, a speaker, and an activating means for controlling the recording / reproducing mechanism.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a mouth management device including a music playback device having an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a speaker, and means for controlling the music playback device.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an oral care device that includes a memory decoding / playback device and a speaker and can be connected to external input data.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oral management device capable of reproducing and recording sound, and the oral management is performed in order to facilitate the comfortable insertion of the head portion into the oral cavity during use. A handle portion suitable for being held by a user of the device and a head portion fixed to the handle portion and capable of providing oral preventive hygiene to the user of the oral care device, wherein the handle portion is recorded It includes a playback mechanism, an external information medium connecting means, a power source, an audio output means, and an activation means for controlling the recording / playback mechanism.

  The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is an oral management device for reproducing sound, which is a music receiving / reproducing device, an IC card, an external information medium connecting means, a power source, a sound output means, It includes an activation means for controlling the music receiving / reproducing device.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oral management device capable of reproducing music, a data storing / decoding / reproducing device, an external information medium connecting means, a power source, an audio output means, and the data It includes an activation means for controlling the storage decoding / playback device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mouth management device that can greatly overcome the limitations of a conventional toothbrush with music performance and can download, record, store, and reproduce music that the user wants to listen to while brushing teeth. There is an effect.

Summary of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an oral treatment mechanism including a recording mechanism and a reproduction mechanism is provided. The oral cavity management device is capable of recording audio from various external media devices, connection means for receiving audio from various external media devices, and control means for controlling the recording / reproducing mechanism; The sound output means for listening to the reproduced sound and the power supply means for driving the reproduction apparatus are included. The control means of this embodiment may take the form of a recording switch and a reproducing switch. The power supply means may be a DC battery or a connector with an AC power output unit.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit chip on which music information has been written can be inserted into a slot of a playback device for playing back written music on the circuit chip. An oral management device is provided that includes a music playback device, a control unit for controlling the playback device, a sound output unit for listening to the played back sound, and a power supply unit for driving the playback device. The control means is a reproduction switch that generates a musical sound. The audio output means is an earphone for connection to a speaker and / or headphones for personal listening. The power source may be a connector with a direct current battery or an alternating current power output unit.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, a storage decoding / playback device for receiving downloadable music from a file stored on a computer, and connection means for connecting the playback device to an external computer And a toothbrush including control means for controlling the playback device, sound output means for listening to the played sound, and power supply means for driving the playback device. The control means is a reproduction switch that generates a musical sound. The audio output means is an earphone for connection to a speaker and / or headphones for personal listening. The power source may be a connector with a direct current battery or an alternating current power output unit.

  The features and other objects of the present invention, as well as other combinations of advantages, will become more apparent in connection with the following description of the drawings.

  A mouth management device having a recording / reproducing function according to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An oral care device according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally designated 1 in FIG. The oral cavity management device 1 includes a head portion 2 fixed to the handle portion 3. The head unit 2 can give oral preventive hygiene to the user of the oral care device 1. The handle portion 3 is suitable for being held by the user of the oral cavity management device 1 to facilitate the comfortable insertion of the head portion 2 into the oral cavity during use. The head part 2 may be arbitrarily removable from the handle part 3. Where the head portion is removable, the head portion is known in the art and includes, but is not limited to, friction fit, screw fastening, snap fit and similar methods, and combinations thereof. It may be removably attached to the handle part 3 by any suitable connection means that is not done. The head portion 2 cannot be removed from the handle portion 3 and can be configured as an integral structure (not shown) with the handle portion 3. When the oral cavity management device is a toothbrush, the head portion 2 may include a neck portion 4 and brush hairs 5 extending from the surface of the head portion 2. When the oral care device is a floss device, the head portion is in the form of a dental floss holder. The exact shape of the head itself is, of course, any of the well-known toothbrushes, flossing devices or other well known in the art that the oral care device can provide the user with oral preventive hygiene functions. It is not critical to this invention, provided that it may be a dental treatment device.

  The handle portion 3 has a generally cylindrical shape having a hollow inner chamber, an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The handle portion 3 has a grip portion 6 for stably handling the toothbrush. The grip portion may be made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, polyurethane, cured rubber, or any other grip material known to those skilled in the art. The handle portion 3 includes a hollow inner chamber 7 that can be formed through a conventional plastic forming process such as an inert gas or pin process. The hollow inner chamber 7 accommodates a power source 10 and a recording / reproducing device 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus is formed as an integrated unit. In other embodiments (not shown), the recording unit may be separated and removable from the playback unit to allow the recording process to take place outside the oral care device. The recording / reproducing device 11 is connected to a power source 10. The power source 10 may be a DC power source such as a battery or an AC power source output unit, but is not limited thereto. If the DC power source is a battery, the battery can be a conventional battery of any size including, but not limited to, N-type, AA-type, AAA-type or rechargeable. The battery may be rechargeable or disposable. The recording / reproducing apparatus 11 can be a digital recording device and a reproducing unit, or an analog recording device and a reproducing unit, but is not limited thereto. The recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is preferably capable of recording and rerecording music without time limitation. According to a preferred embodiment, the duration of the recorded audio medium is from 1 minute to 3 minutes, most preferably 2 minutes.

  The handle portion 3 further includes a removable opening 9 for inserting the power supply 10. The removable opening 9 is preferably formed at the distal end of the handle portion 3 and may optionally include an audio output source (audio output means) 14. The audio output source 14 can be, but is not limited to, a speaker, earphone, headset, piezoelectric transducer, frame speaker, or capacitor. The audio output device 14 may be disposed at any position along the length direction of the handle portion 3 and may be disposed at a part of the handle portion 3 that is not covered by the user's hand when used. preferable. The handle unit 3 includes control means 8 for controlling the recording / reproducing device 11. In a preferred embodiment, the control means 8 is arranged on the outer surface of the handle part 3. The control means 8 may be a push button, a switch means, a voice activation, a movement activation, and a similar form. The handle unit 3 further includes connection means 13 suitable for connecting the recording / reproducing device 11 to an external information medium device. The connection means 13 can be a wireless connection or a direct connection, and can transfer either digital or analog music or audio from a compatible external information medium device. Suitable information medium equipment that can be connected to the toothbrush 1 with music performance through the connecting means 13 is a CD playback device, a cassette playback device, a record playback device, an MP3 playback device, or various persons skilled in the art. Any known music generator.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, another oral management device 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The oral cavity management device 21 of this embodiment incorporates a playback device 35 capable of receiving music. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the playback device 35 plays back music that has already been recorded on a removable storage device. A playback device 35 capable of receiving music is housed inside the handle portion 23. The playback device 35 has an inner chamber 28 that extends toward the outer surface of the handle portion 23 to receive the removable storage device, which is a pre-written IC storage card 12, for purposes of illustration. The written IC storage card 12 can store a predetermined amount of information. The written IC storage card 12 is commercially available from Hasbro Company as HIT-CLIP (registered trademark). The inner chamber 27 also houses a power source 29 connected to the playback device 35. The distal end of the handle portion 23 is provided with sound output means 31 for outputting sound to be heard by the user during brushing.

  The toothbrush 21 with music performance includes a removable head portion 22 and a handle portion 23. The head portion 22 is known in the art and can be removably attached to the handle portion 3 by friction fit, screwing, snap fit, or any suitable connection means. Similarly, the head portion 22 can be a member that cannot be removed. The head portion 22 includes a neck portion 24 and brush hairs 25. The head portion 22 may be a toothbrush head portion, a dental floss holder, or any dental device known in the art, but is not limited thereto. The handle portion 23 has a generally cylindrical shape having a hollow inner chamber 27, an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The handle portion 23 has a grip portion 26 for stably handling the toothbrush.

  The light emitting diode display screen 32 is disposed on the outer surface of the handle portion 23 in order to view the mode or function of the playback device 35. The control panel 33 is disposed on the outer surface of the handle portion 23 having the control push button 34 disposed on the panel in order to control the reproduction of the reproduction device 35. The plurality of connection portions 36 are disposed on the outer surface opposite to the control panel 33 in order to connect to external devices.

  Referring now to FIG. 3, another toothbrush 41 with music performance according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The toothbrush with music performance of this embodiment incorporates a data storage decoding / playback device 45. The data storage decoding / playback device 45 can be an MP3 playback device, M4P type, RA type, WAV type, and DIMI type, but is not limited thereto. The toothbrush 41 with music performance includes a removable head portion 42 and a handle portion 43. The head portion 42 is known in the art and can be removably attached to the handle portion 43 by friction fit, screwing, snap fit, or any suitable connection means. Similarly, the head portion 42 may be a member that cannot be removed. The head portion 42 includes a neck portion 44 and brush bristles 46. The head portion 42 can be a toothbrush head portion, a dental floss holder, or any dental device known in the art, but is not limited thereto. The handle portion 43 has a generally cylindrical shape having a hollow inner chamber 47, an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The handle portion 43 has a grip portion 48 for stably handling the toothbrush.

  The inner chamber 47 accommodates the data storage decoding / playback device 45, the power supply 40 and the audio output device 50. The power source 40 can be a DC battery or an AC power source, but is not limited thereto. The direct current battery may be N-type, AA-type, AAA-type, or rechargeable type, but is not limited thereto. The audio output device 50 may be a speaker, a headphone, or a microphone, but is not limited thereto.

  The outer surface of the handle portion 43 is provided with a control panel 51 having a control push button 52 for controlling the data storage decoding / playback device 45, and an arbitrary mode for browsing the mode or function of the data storage decoding / playback device 45. A light emitting diode display screen 54 is included. The plurality of wiring connection ports 53 are disposed on the outer surface of the handle portion. The plurality of wiring connection ports 53 can be USB, R232, RS-422, or RS-485, but is not limited thereto. Each connection port serves to download data from various information medium devices to be stored on the data storage decoding / playback device 45.

  When the first embodiment of the present invention is used, the oral cavity management device 1 functions when the user attaches the wiring to the connection means 13 and the audio output port of the information medium reproducing apparatus such as a CD reproducing apparatus. Once the connection is made, the user can press the control button to start recording, and after recording is complete, the music is stored on the recording / playback device 11 and can be played back at the user's selection. Become. In addition to the initial recording, the user may change the music re-recorded on the latest recording and stored on the recording / reproducing device 11 without time limit.

  The second embodiment of the present invention functions together with the written IC storage card 12 and the music reception / playback device 35. The user can select from any desired pre-written IC storage card that can be inserted into the opening 28. The control button 34 starts or stops the reproduction of recorded music on the IC card. Once playback is started, the sound is output through the sound output source 31. After use, the user can select different IC cards to listen to different types of music.

  The third embodiment of the present invention uses a data storage decoding / playback device 45. The oral care device of this embodiment uses connection wiring from the USB port of the computer, and the wave file or any other compatible file type is then transferred from the steam computer to the toothbrush data storage decoding playback device To be downloaded. After the information has been downloaded, the data storage decryption device should store the information to be reproduced when the user is likely to brush their teeth, floss, or any other oral procedure known in the art. is there. Different information can store various musical sounds without time limit.

  In the various embodiments described above, various modifications of the invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  Accordingly, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Thus, instead of the foregoing description, all changes that come within the scope of the invention indicated by the appended claims and within the scope and equivalents of the claims should be embraced within that scope. It is intended to be.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are as follows.
(1) An oral management device capable of reproducing and recording audio, which is held by a user of the oral management device in order to facilitate the comfortable insertion of the head portion into the oral cavity during use. And a head portion fixed to the handle portion and capable of giving oral preventive hygiene to a user of the oral care device, the handle portion including a recording / reproducing mechanism and an external information medium connection Oral management equipment including means, a power source, sound output means, and activation means for controlling the recording / reproducing mechanism.
(2) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 1, wherein the oral cavity management device is a toothbrush.
(3) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 1, wherein the oral cavity management device is a dental floss device.
(4) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 1, wherein the recording / reproducing mechanism is a digital recording / reproducing device.
(5) The oral cavity management device according to the first embodiment, wherein the recording / reproducing mechanism is an analog recording / reproducing device.

(6) A mouth management device for playing back sound, for controlling a music receiving / playback device, an IC card, an external information medium connecting means, a power source, a voice output means, and the music receiving / playback device. Oral management equipment, including activation means.
(7) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 6, wherein the music reception / playback device is a digital music reception / playback device.
(8) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 6, wherein the music reception / playback device is an analog music reception / playback device.
(9) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 6, wherein the IC card is a writable IC storage card.
(10) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 6, wherein the IC card is a written IC storage card.

(11) A mouth management device capable of reproducing music for controlling the data storage decoding / playback device, the external information medium connecting means, the power source, the voice output means, and the data storage decoding / playback device. Oral management equipment, including activation means.
(12) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 11, wherein the oral cavity management device is a toothbrush.
(13) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 11, wherein the oral cavity management device is a dental floss device.
(14) The oral cavity management device according to embodiment 11, wherein the data storage decoding / playback device is an MP3 playback device.

It is a right view which shows the oral cavity management apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the oral cavity management apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the oral cavity management apparatus by 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oral management apparatus 2 Head part 3 Handle part 4 Neck part 5 Brush hair 6 Grip part 7 Hollow inner chamber 8 Control means (starting means)
9 Opening 10 Power supply 11 Recording / playback equipment (recording / playback mechanism)
12 IC storage card 13 connection means (external information medium connection means)
14 Audio output source (Audio output means)
21 Oral management equipment 22 Head part 23 Handle part 24 Neck part 25 Brush hair 26 Grip part 27 Inner chamber 28 Inner chamber 29 Power supply 31 Audio | voice output means (audio | voice output means)
32 LED display screen 33 Control panel (starting means)
34 Control push button (starting means)
35 Playback equipment (music reception / playback equipment)
41 Toothbrush with music performance 42 Head portion 43 Handle portion 44 Neck portion 45 Data storage decoding / playback device 46 Brush hair 47 Hollow inner chamber 48 Grip portion 50 Audio output device (audio output means)
51 Control panel (starting means)
52 Control push button (starting means)
53 Wire connection port (External information medium connection means)
54 Light-emitting diode display screen

Claims (10)

An oral management device capable of reproducing and recording audio, suitable for being held by a user of the oral management device to facilitate the comfortable insertion of the head into the oral cavity during use A handle portion and a head portion fixed to the handle portion and capable of providing oral hygiene hygiene to a user of the oral care device, the handle portion comprising a recording / reproducing mechanism, an external information medium connecting means, An oral management device including a power source, audio output means, and activation means for controlling the recording / reproducing mechanism. The oral cavity management device according to claim 1, wherein the oral cavity management device is a toothbrush. The oral cavity management device according to claim 1, wherein the oral cavity management device is a dental floss device. The oral cavity management device according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing mechanism is a digital recording / reproducing device. The oral cavity management device according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing mechanism is an analog recording / reproducing device. An oral management device for reproducing sound, which is a music receiving / reproducing device, an IC card, an external information medium connecting unit, a power source, a sound output unit, and an activation unit for controlling the music receiving / reproducing device. Including oral management equipment. The oral care device according to claim 6, wherein the music reception / playback device is a digital music reception / playback device. The oral administration device according to claim 6, wherein the music reception / playback device is an analog music reception / playback device. The oral care device according to claim 6, wherein the IC card is a writable IC storage card. An oral management device capable of reproducing music, which is a data storage decoding / playback device, an external information medium connecting means, a power source, a voice output means, and an activation means for controlling the data storage decoding / playback device Including oral management equipment.

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