Connected Tracker for Oral Health Implements

• US 20150127371A1
• Filed: 11/06/2014
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Beam Ip Lab LLC
• Original Assignee: Beam Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Dykes, Daniel E., Curry, Alexander D., Frommeyer, Alex X.
• Application Number:
  US14/535,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20150127371A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0006 with a controlling brush technique device, e.g. stroke movement measuring device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0014 with a controlling temperature device
• 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: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/16 Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A connected activity tracker for oral health implements is provided for use during oral health care activities carried out daily by a user. A connected activity tracker is provided including an activity sensor that provides activity data for various oral health implements. The connected activity tracker is attached to an oral health implement such that the connected activity tracker is tracking the activity of said oral health implement. Further, the connected activity tracker comprises a transceiver that provides a means for transferring the data from the connected activity tracker to an external medium for viewing and manipulation. Further still, the connected activity tracker is comprised in a system including a data transfer medium (i.e. “smartphone”) and the Cloud, which allows for data transfer between multiple external mediums from the connected activity tracker. The system further allows for passive participation in social games with awards and incentives. The system and connected activity tracker further provide for active participation in oral health games to encourage proper oral health.

Claims

1. A connected tracker, comprising:

a data processing unit having a storage medium that is configured to store data and at least one processor that is configured to process data;

a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit data; and

an activity sensor that is configured to collect activity data for an oral health implement,

wherein the connected tracker is affixed to an oral health implement.

2. The connected tracker of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is chosen from the group universal serial bus (USB), serial port, wired Ethernet port, radio frequency, microwave communication, infrared short-range communication, near field communication, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and any combination thereof.

3. The connected tracker of claim 1, wherein the connected tracker is affixed to an oral health implement chosen from the group consisting of a toothbrush, flosser, gum massager, tongue cleaner, interdental brush, dental floss dispenser, and any combination thereof.

4. The connected tracker of claim 1, wherein the activity sensor is chosen from the group consisting of at least one accelerometer, at least one gyroscope, at least one capacitive sensor, and any combination thereof.

5. The connected tracker of claim 1, wherein the connected tracker is affixed to an oral health implement using a method chosen from the group consisting of adhesive, fastener, tape, mechanical joint, and any combination thereof.

6. The connected tracker of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional tracker chosen from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, oximetry sensor, capacitive sensor, and any combination thereof.

7. A connected tracker system, comprising:

a connected tracker having a data processing unit that is configured to store and process data, a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit data, and an activity sensor that is configured to collect activity data for an oral health implement; and

a cloud computing network having at least one data processing unit that is configured to store and process data and a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit data,

wherein the connected tracker is affixed to an oral health implement.

8. The connected tracker system of claim 7, further comprising a data transfer medium having a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit data, a data processing unit that is configured to store and process data, and a display that is configured to show data.

9. The connected tracker system of claim 8, wherein the data transfer medium further comprises a user interface that is configured to facilitate participation in social games such that participation is accomplished passively through data collection of the connected activity tracker over a period of time.

10. The connected tracker system of claim 8, wherein the data transfer medium further comprises a user interface that is configured to facilitate active participation in games, wherein the connected tracker is a game controller.

11. The connected tracker system of claim 8, wherein the data is configured to create user health ratings that are configured to affect at least one chosen from the group consisting of insurance underwriting, risk modeling, diagnostic decisions, health procedure determination, health outcomes, provider offered services, access to a health benefit, access to an insurance product, health care costs, health benefit incentives, and any combination thereof.

12. A connected tracker system, comprising:

a connected tracker having a data processing unit that is configured to store and process data, a transceiver that is configured to receive and transmit data, and an activity sensor that is configured to collect activity data for an oral health implement; and

a mobile unit having a data processing unit that is configured to store and process data and communicate with the toothbrush via capacitive coupling,

wherein both the connected tracker and the mobile unit are in contact with the human body such that the human body acts as a capacitive coupler and is arranged to allow for the transmission of at least one signal.

13. The connected tracker system of claim 12, wherein the connected tracker is configured to transmit a signal at a frequency that is different than frequency of the signal that the mobile unit is configured to transmit.

14. The connected tracker system of claim 13, wherein the connected tracker and mobile unit are configured to transmit signals simultaneously.

15. The connected tracker system of claim 12, wherein the connected tracker is configured to transmit a signal to the mobile unit when a touch input is detected.

16. The connected tracker system of claim 15, wherein the mobile unit is configured to transmit a response signal to the connected tracker.

17. The connected tracker system of claim 16, wherein the response signal further comprises at least one identification code.

18. The connected tracker system of claim 12, wherein the mobile unit is comprised in a data transfer medium.

19. The connected tracker system of claim 12, wherein the mobile unit is comprised in a dedicated system that is configured to detachably connect to a data transfer medium having at least one data processing unit and is configured to utilize the data processing unit of the data transfer medium.

20. The connected tracker system of claim 12, wherein the mobile unit is configured to communicate with additional base units.