Counter apparatus and method for consumables

• US 20070220754A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce Roeland, Jennifer Barbaro
• Original Assignee: Bruce Roeland, Jennifer Barbaro
• Inventors: Barbaro, Jennifer, Roeland, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US11/364,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20070220754A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/41
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 27/22 Containers or carriers for storing shaving appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 27/29 Stands for shavers or razors A45D27/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/001 with means indicating the remaining useful life of brush
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 17/02 Devices for holding brushes in use
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/09 Holders for drinking glasses, tooth brushes, hair brushes, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0427 with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/40 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/4087 Usage or wear indication
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A self-learning counter apparatus and method for consumables is effective to learn a user'"'"'s schedule for consuming items, such a pills or medicines; or to learn the useful life of a consumable or wearing item, such as a razor blade or toothbrush. Subsequently, during a reminder mode of operation, the device reminds the user to take a pill, or reminds the user when the useful life of the item (such as a razor blade or toothbrush) is at an end, so that the item can be replaced in a timely fashion. One useful embodiment of the invention learns and then signals a user that the useful life of a safety razor blade has ended. Another useful embodiment of the invention learns and then reminds a user that the useful life of a toothbrush or power toothbrush head is at an end. Still another useful embodiment of the invention learns and then reminds a user of the user'"'"'s pill or medicine taking schedule.

Claims

1. A self-learning reminder device for reminding a user of the device when a consumable item is to be consumed, or when a consumable item has been uses sufficiently that its useful life is at an end and the item should be replaced, said device comprising;

a base portion, said base portion internally defining a chamber for receiving a counting circuit, and including a display and input facility for allowing a user of the device both to receive a visual indication of consumption or use events and to input user commands to said device;

a programmable microprocessor-based circuit disposed within said chamber, and said microprocessor including programming to, on the one hand, learn during a programming mode of operation an event selected from the group comprising;

the number of consumption events in a determined time interval of a user'"'"'s schedule or the number of use events during a useful life of a consumable item; and

during a reminder mode of operation said programmable microprocessor-based circuit performing a respective reminder action selected from the group consisting of;

counting the number consumption events effected by the user in a subsequent determined time interval, or counting the number of use events in a subsequent useful life of a new consumable item, and

signaling the user when the next consumption event is to take place, or when the number use events has reached a learned maximum and the useful life is at an end.

2. The reminder device of claim 1 further including a water-proof sensor facility for providing a non-contact input to said counting circuit in response to a use event.

3. A water-resistant razor holder device having a shave counter, said razor holder device comprising;

a base portion, said base portion internally defining a chamber for receiving a shave counting circuit, and including a water-proof display and input facility for allowing a user of the device both to receive a visual indication of shaves effected with a particular razor blade, and to input user commands to said device;

said base portion defining a razor nest for removably receiving a safety razor, and including a water-proof sensor facility for providing a non-contact input to said shave counting circuit in response to removal from or replacement into said nest of a safety razor.

4. A razor holder according to claim 3 wherein said shave counting circuit including a programmable microprocessor, and said microprocessor including programming to, on the one hand, learn during a programming mode of operation the number of good shaves a user can obtain from a safety razor blade, and on the other hand to, during a reminder mode of operation, to count the number of shaves the user has effected with a particular razor blade and signaling the user when the number of good shaves has been reached so that the razor blade can be replaced by the user.

5. A razor holder according to claim 3 wherein said water-proof sensor for providing non-contact input to said shave counting circuit includes a movable magnet.

6. A razor holder according to claim 5 wherein said shave counting circuit includes a magnetically-responsive switching device responding to movements of said movable magnet in order to count shaves effected with the safety razor.

7. A razor holder according to claim 6 wherein said magnetically-responsive switching device includes a magnetic reed switch.

8. A water-resistant razor holder having a learning shave counter, said razor holder comprising;

a base portion, said base portion internally defining a chamber for receiving a shave counting circuit, and including a water-proof display and input facility for allowing a user of the razor holder both to receive a visual indication of shaves effected with a particular razor blade, and to input user commands to said device;

said base portion defining a razor nest for removably receiving a safety razor, and including a water-proof sensor facility for providing a non-contact input to said shave counting circuit in response to removal from or replacement into said nest of a safety razor;

said shave counting circuit including a programmable microprocessor, and said microprocessor including programming to, on the one hand, learn during a learning mode of operation the number of good shaves a user can obtain from a safety razor blade; and

during a reminder mode of operation, to count the number of shaves the user has effected with a particular razor blade and signaling the user when the number of good shaves has been reached so that the razor blade can be replaced by the user;

said water-proof sensor facility including a movable magnet, and said shave counting circuit including a magnetically-responsive switching device responding to movements of said movable magnet in order to count shaves effected with a safety razor.

9. A razor holder according to claim 8 wherein said magnetically-responsive switching device includes a magnetic reed switch.

10. A method of operating a device to first learn and then remind a consumer of the uses of a consumable item, said method comprising steps of:

during a learning mode of operation, counting the number of uses of a consumable item during a selected time interval or during its useful life;

during a reminder mode of operation, counting the number of uses of a consumable item during a time interval corresponding to said selected time interval, or during the useful life, and signaling a user when next to use the item or to replace the item at the end of its useful life.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said method includes the steps of counting up the number of uses of a consumable item during its useful life

12. A water-resistant toothbrush holder having a learning counter and reminder for measuring the useful life of a toothbrush, said toothbrush holder comprising;

a base portion, said base portion defining a cavity for receiving a counting circuit, and including a water-proof display and input facility for allowing a user of the holder to both receive a visual indication of the number of tooth brushings effected with a particular toothbrush, and to input user commands to said holder;

said base portion defining a recess for removably receiving a toothbrush, and including a water-proof sensor facility for providing a non-contact input to said counting circuit in response to removal from or replacement into said recess of a toothbrush;

said counting circuit including a programmable microprocessor, and said microprocessor including programming to, on the one hand, learn during a learning mode of operation the number of tooth brushings a user effects with a particular tooth brush during its useful life; and

during a reminder mode of operation, to count the number of tooth brushings the user has effected with a particular new tooth brush and signaling the user when the number of tooth brushings has been reached so that the tooth brush can be timely replaced by the user;

said water-proof sensor facility including a movable magnet, and said counting circuit including a magnetically-responsive switching device responding to movements of said movable magnet in order to count tooth brushings effected with a particular tooth brush.

13. A tooth brush holder according to claim 12 wherein said magnetically-responsive switching device includes a magnetic reed switch.

14. A pill bottle holder having a learning counter for on the one hand learning a users pill-taking schedule, and on the other hand for reminding a user to take a pill on time, said pill bottle holder comprising;

a base portion, said base portion internally defining a chamber for receiving a learning counter circuit, and including a water-proof display and input facility for allowing a user of the pill bottle holder both to receive an indication of pills taken, and to input user commands to said pill bottle holder;

said base portion defining a pill bottle receptacle for removably receiving a pill bottle, and including a water-proof sensor facility for providing a non-contact input to said counter circuit in response to removal from or replacement into said receptacle of a pill bottle;

said counter circuit including a programmable microprocessor, and said microprocessor including programming to, on the one hand, learn during a learning mode of operation the pill-taking schedule of a user; and

during a reminder mode of operation, to count the number of pills taken by the user during a particular time interval as indicated by removal from and replacement into the receptacle of the pill bottle, and signaling the user when the next pill is to be taken;

said water-proof sensor facility including a movable magnet, and said counter circuit including a magnetically-responsive switching device responding to movements of said movable magnet in order to count movements of said pill bottle into and from said receptacle.

15. A pill bottle holder according to claim 14 wherein said magnetically-responsive switching device includes a magnetic reed switch.