Modular ear cleaning aid

Abstract

A modular ear cleaning aid, comprising: i) a body 101 designed to be positioned on a solid surface, wherein the body 101 is provided with a touch-interactive display field 102 which a user can access to make inputs relating to a prevailing ear condition of the user; ii) a built-in microcontroller connected to the device and linked to the panel to process the user-specified state in order to evaluate a solution for providing assistance for the user's ear condition, wherein a loudspeaker 103 is integrated into the body 101 which is actuated by the microcontroller to generate an audio notification for the user to rest the user's head in a tilted position; iii) a plate 104 arranged on a side section of the body 101 to support the user's head in the inclined position, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is installed on the body 101 and integrated with a processor to capture and process multiple images near the body 101 in order to determine the correct positioning of the user's head in relation to the plate 104 and to guide the user accordingly to position the user's head in a correct orientation in relation to the plate 104; iv) a motorized gripper 105 attached to the body 101 and actuated by the microcontroller synchronously with the imaging unit 201 to position a multi-part chamber 106 assembled with the gripper 105 above the user's ear, wherein several electronically controlled nozzles 107 are integrated into the chamber 106, which are actuated by the microcontroller to deliver a required anointing / oil stored in the chamber 106 into the user's ear; (v) a tray 202 arranged at the base of the body 101 by means of a telescopically actuated rod, which is actuated by the microcontroller to extend in order to raise the tray 202 above the body 101, wherein a robotic arm 203 is installed on the body 101, which is actuated by the microcontroller to grasp one of several earbuds arranged on the tray 202; and vi) an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the body 101 and synchronized with the imaging unit 201 to monitor the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear, and which extends the arm 203 accordingly to gently insert and rotate the earplug into the user's ear to nourish the user's ear with the dispensed ointment / oil to cleanse and soothe the condition of the user's ear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular ear cleaning aid capable of determining any prevalent ear condition of the user and dispensing a required ointment / oil into the user's ear to clean and alleviate the user's ear condition. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Regular ear cleaning is essential for maintaining good ear health. Over time, earwax builds up, which can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, and even infections. Cleaning the ear helps remove excess earwax, dirt, and debris, preventing blockages and potential complications. Cleaning the ears also contributes to better hearing and reduces the risk of developing ear problems. When cleaning your ears, however, it is important to avoid using cotton swabs or other objects that could push earwax deeper into the ear canal. To ensure safety and effectiveness, consult a professional when cleaning your ears.

[0003] Traditionally, cotton swabs commonly used for ear cleaning are cotton swabs that actually push wax deeper into the ear canal, causing blockage and potential damage to the eardrum. Furthermore, there is a risk of puncturing the eardrum if inserted too deeply. Another traditional method is ear candling. In the ear candling method, a hollow candle is inserted into the ear and lit, supposedly to create a vacuum that removes earwax. However, the ear candling method is not very convenient to use. Therefore, there is a need to develop an innovative tool that is more time-efficient and consistent than traditional methods and can meet the changing needs of the modern world.

[0004] US7074230B2 discloses an invention relating to a disposable ear cleaning device comprising a one-piece plastic body with an integrated scoop at one end, which includes a bowl portion with a smooth underside on the bowl. Openings may be formed in the bottom of the bowl for scraping wax and debris from the ear. The preferred openings are parallel slots. The preferred bowl has rounded upper edges at the rim for scraping earwax, with the front, distal end being at a lower level than the rear end of the bowl, which is connected to a handle. The preferred handle may be ridged to grip and rotate the bowl when scraping earwax. A flexible neck may connect the bowl to the handle. A cotton swab may be provided at the end of the device opposite the bowl. The cleaning device weighs less than one gram and is inexpensive.Although US'230 discloses an invention relating to a disposable ear cleaning device capable of scraping wax and debris from the ear, the invention lacks the ability to deliver the required anointing oil into the user's ear.

[0005] US20150018861A1 discloses an invention relating to an ear cleaning device for removing debris from an ear. In one embodiment, the ear cleaning device comprises a shaft, a head connected to the shaft, and an interconnected pocket structure of the head. The interconnected pocket structure includes a plurality of pockets that can be configured to receive debris. In another form, the ear cleaning device has a handle, a bulbous cleaner connected to the handle, and a solid inner core of the bulbous cleaner. The spherical cleaner has two or more spaced-apart longitudinal walls disposed outwardly of the inner core and configured to remove debris upon rotation of the ear cleaning device about a longitudinal axis of the device.While US '861 discloses an invention relating to an ear cleaning device having a variety of additional functions, such as removing deposits upon rotation of the ear cleaning device about a longitudinal axis of the device, the invention fails to determine the user's predominant ear condition.

[0006] Conventionally, there are many devices capable of assisting with ear cleaning. However, these devices are not capable of reliably determining every prevalent condition of the user's ear, nor are they capable of automatically dispensing the required ointment / oil into the user's ear.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, there is a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of determining any prevalent ear condition of the user in a safe manner along with dispensing a required ointment / oil into the user's ear in an automated manner, thereby eliminating the physical effort in dispensing a required ointment / oil. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of reliably determining any prevailing condition of the user's ear and thereby determining the condition of the user's ear.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of determining the correct positioning of the user's head and guiding the user accordingly to position the user's head in a correct orientation.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of delivering a required ointment / oil into the user's ear to cleanse and provide relief from the condition of the user's ear.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a modular ear cleaning aid device capable of determining the correct positioning of the user's head and guiding the user accordingly to position the user's head in a correct orientation to dispense a required ointment / oil into the user's ear to clean the user's ear.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular ear cleaning aid device comprising a body positioned on a fixed surface, the body being arranged with a touch-interactive display panel for providing inputs regarding a prevalent ear condition of the user, a built-in microcontroller connected to the device and linked to the panel for evaluating a solution for providing assistance for the user's ear condition, a speaker integrated on the body for generating an audio notification for the user to maintain the user's head in a tilted posture, a plate arranged on a side part of the body for supporting the user's head in the tilted posture, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body and connected to a processor,To determine the correct positioning of the user's head with respect to the plate and accordingly guide the user to position the user's head in a correct orientation with respect to the plate, a motorized gripper attached to the body to position a multi-part chamber, assembled with the gripper, over the user's ear.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a plurality of electronically controlled nozzles integrated into the chamber for dispensing a required ointment / oil stored in the chamber into the user's ear; a tray arranged at the base of the body by means of a telescopically operated rod that extends above the body to raise the tray; a robotic arm installed on the body to detect a grip on one of a plurality of earplugs arranged on the tray; an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the body to monitor the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear and accordingly extend the arm to gently insert and rotate the earplug into the user's ear to nourish the user's ear with the dispensed ointment / oil;to clean and relieve the condition of the user's ear, several motorized clippers are integrated on the tray to obtain a grip on several earplugs stored in the tray, a battery is configured with the body to provide a continuous power supply to electronically operated components connected to the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations may be possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a modular ear cleaning aid; and Fig. Figure 2 shows an isometric view of an internal part of a body connected to the proposed device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description contains the preferred best mode of carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural unless explicitly stated that only the singular is meant.

[0021] The present invention relates to a modular ear cleaning aid device capable of safely determining any prevalent ear condition of the user and accordingly dispensing a required ointment / oil into the user's ear for cleaning and alleviating the user's ear condition.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig.2 shows an isometric view of a modular ear cleaning aid and an isometric view of an internal part of a body connected to the proposed device, each comprising a body 101 positioned on a fixed surface, a touch-sensitive interactive display panel 102 arranged with the body 101, a speaker 103 integrated into the body 101, a plate 104 arranged on a side part of the body 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 installed on the body 101, a motorized gripper 105 mounted on the body 101, a multi-part chamber 106 assembled with the gripper 105 above the user's ear, a tray 202 arranged at the base of the body 101, a robotic arm 203 installed on the body 101, and several motorized clippers. 204,which are integrated on the tray 202, and several electronically controlled nozzles 107 which are integrated into the chamber 106.

[0023] The device disclosed herein consists of a body 101 designed to be positioned on a solid surface. The body 101 is constructed of any material including, but not limited to, hardened plastic such as reinforced nylon and ferrous metals such as stainless steel and iron, and is positioned over the solid surface. An interactive touch display 102 is further provided, which a user can access to provide input regarding the user's prevailing ear condition. The touch-sensitive interactive display 102 mentioned herein is typically an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that presents the output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology that allows the user to interact directly with the display 102 using their fingers.A touch controller IC (integrated circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when information about the current state of the user's ear is input. A touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller via various interfaces, including SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

[0024] After entering the user's predominant hearing condition, the microcontroller connected to the device processes the condition specified by the user to determine a solution for providing assistance for the user's hearing condition. Furthermore, a speaker 103 is integrated into the housing 101 and controlled by the microcontroller. The speaker 103 receives signals from the microcontroller, converts them into sound waves by vibrating a diaphragm, and generates audible sounds using amplification and control circuitry to provide an audible notification to the user when they tilt their head into a tilted posture.

[0025] After notifying the user to rest the user's head in the tilted position, a plate 104 is arranged on the side part of the body 101 to support the user's head in the tilted position. The plate 104 is made of any material, including hardened plastic such as reinforced nylon and ferrous metals such as stainless steel and iron, which supports the user's head in the tilted position.

[0026] After supporting the user's head in the tilted posture, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is installed on the body 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images near the body 101. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is equipped with AI (artificial intelligence) protocols encoded in the microcontroller, which are used to process and analyze the images captured by the camera, allowing it to perform various tasks beyond traditional image acquisition. The AI ​​analysis is performed locally on the camera itself, and real-time processing on the camera enables immediate reactions and faster decision-making.

[0027] The camera captures images of the body 101 using special lenses designed for capturing high-quality images. The captured data is then preprocessed by the processor to improve its quality and prepare it for AI analysis. This preprocessing includes tasks such as noise reduction, image stabilization, or color correction. The processed data is fed into AI protocols for analysis, which use machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the images. Based on the data extraction from the captured images, the microcontroller determines the correct positioning of the user's head relative to the plate 104 and guides the user accordingly to position the user's head in a correct orientation relative to the plate 104.

[0028] Once the user's head is positioned in the correct orientation relative to the plate 104, a motorized gripper 105 is attached to the body 101, which is actuated by the microcontroller in synchronization with the imaging unit 201 to position a multi-part chamber 106, assembled with the gripper 105, over the user's ear. The motorized gripper 105 functions like a robotic hand, designed to effectively grasp the corn. The gripper 105 typically includes a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper 105. The motor generates the necessary force to move the fingers of the gripper 105 for precise opening and closing of the jaws.This motorized action is often controlled by a microcontroller to enable smooth and precise gripping and to position a multi-part chamber 106, assembled with the gripper, over the user's ear.

[0029] The multi-part chamber 106 is constructed of any material, including, but not limited to, hardened plastic such as reinforced nylon and ferrous metals such as stainless steel and iron. Furthermore, the chamber 106 incorporates several electronically controlled nozzles 107, which are actuated by the microcontroller to dispense a desired oil / ointment stored in the chamber 106 into the user's ear. The electronically controlled nozzle is used to control the fluid flow by changing the size of the flow channel via a signal from a control device. This allows for direct control of the flow rate and, thus, also for control of process variables such as pressure, temperature, and fluid level.

[0030] When a required ointment / oil stored in chamber 106 is dispensed into the user's ear, a tray 202 is positioned at the base of body 101 by means of a telescopically operated rod, which is actuated by the microcontroller to extend and raise the tray 202 above body 101. The telescopically operated rod is equipped with a pneumatic unit, which is activated by the microcontroller to enable the rod to extend and retract. The pneumatic unit consists of an air compressor, an air cylinder, air valves, and a piston. The air valve allows the compressed air from the compressor to enter and exit. Furthermore, the valve opens, and the compressed air enters the cylinder, increasing the cylinder's air pressure.The piston is connected to the cylinder, and due to the increase in air pressure, the piston extends, causing the rod to extend to lift the tray 202 above the body 101.

[0031] After lifting the tray 202 above the body 101, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 203 installed on the body 101 to grasp one of several earbuds arranged on the tray 202. The robotic arm 203 consists of a shoulder, an elbow, and a wrist. All of these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is located in the middle part of the arm 203, allowing the upper part of the arm 203 to move the lower part independently. Finally, the wrist is located at the tip of the upper arm 203 and is connected to the end effector, which serves as a hand for grasping one of several earbuds arranged on the tray 202.

[0032] Furthermore, an ultrasonic sensor is integrated into the housing 101 and synchronized with the imaging unit 201 to monitor the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear. The ultrasonic sensor works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time it takes these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the user's ear. The ultrasonic sensor consists of two main parts: a transmitter and a receiver, which monitors the distance of the earplug from the user's ear. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse to the surface of the user's ear, which travels through the air at the speed of sound and is reflected back to the transmitter as an echo once the pulse hits the user's ear.

[0033] The transmitter then detects the echo reflected from the surface of the user's ear, and the sensor performs calculations based on the time interval between the transmitted signal and the reception of the echo to determine the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear. The acquired data is sent as a signal to the microcontroller, whereupon the microcontroller further processes the signal and extends the arm 203 accordingly to gently insert and rotate the earbud into the user's ear.

[0034] Next, several motorized clippers 204, numbered 3 to 6, are integrated into the tray 202 to grip several earbuds stored in the tray 202. The motorized clippers 204 are connected to an electric motor. When the microcontroller gives the command to operate, the motor begins to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to supply the required power to the clippers 204. The clippers 204 use this power to grip several earbuds stored in the tray 202 with a view to nourishing the user's ear with the dispensed ointment / oil to clean and provide relief to the user's ear condition.

[0035] Finally, a battery is connected to the device to power the electrically powered components used here. The battery consists of a pair of electrodes called the cathode and anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation / reduction to perform work on the charge and generate a voltage between its anode and cathode, thus generating electrical energy, which is used to perform work in the device.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following manner where the body 101 is designed to be positioned on the solid surface, here the body 101 is arranged with a touch interactive display 102 panel which is accessed by the user for providing inputs regarding any prevailing ear condition of the user. A built-in microcontroller connected to the device processes the data entered by the user to find a solution for the condition of the user's ear. Further, the speaker 103 is integrated into the housing 101 which is controlled by the microcontroller to generate an audible notification to the user to rest his head in the inclined posture, the plate 104 is arranged on the side part of the housing 101 to support the user's head in the inclined posture.Next, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is installed on the body 101 and integrated with the processor to capture and process multiple images near the body 101 to determine the correct positioning of the user's head relative to the plate 104 and to guide the user accordingly to position the user's head in the correct orientation relative to the plate 104. The motorized gripper 105 attached to the body 101 is actuated by the microcontroller in synchronization with the imaging unit 201 to position the multi-part chamber 106 mounted with the gripper 105 over the user's ear. Furthermore, the chamber 106 incorporates a plurality of electronically controlled nozzles 107, which are actuated by the microcontroller to deliver the oil / ointment stored in the chamber 106 into the user's ear.The tray 202 is attached to the base of the body 101 by a telescopically operated rod, which is extended by the microcontroller to raise the tray 202 above the body 101. Next, the robotic arm 203 is installed on the body 101 and is operated by the microcontroller to grasp one of several earplugs arranged on the tray 202. Furthermore, an ultrasonic sensor is integrated into the body 101 and synchronized with the imaging unit 201 to monitor the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear and extend the arm 203 accordingly to gently insert and rotate the earplug into the user's ear to nourish the user's ear with the dispensed ointment / oil to cleanse and relieve the user's ear condition.In addition, a plurality of motorized clippers 204 are integrated into the shell 202 to capture a plurality of earplugs stored in the shell 202.

[0037] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 7074230B2

[0004] US 20150018861A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] A modular ear cleaning aid comprising: i) a body 101 designed to be positioned on a fixed surface, the body 101 being provided with a touch-interactive display panel 102 accessible by a user to provide input regarding a predominant ear condition of the user; ii) a built-in microcontroller connected to the device and linked to the panel to process the condition indicated by the user to evaluate a solution for providing assistance to the user's ear condition, wherein a speaker 103 is integrated into the body 101, which is actuated by the microcontroller to generate an audio notification to the user to place the user's head in a tilted posture; iii) a plate 104 arranged on a side portion of the body 101 to support the user's head in the inclined posture, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is installed on the body 101 and integrated with a processor to acquire and process a plurality of images in the vicinity of the body 101 to determine the correct positioning of the user's head with respect to the plate 104 and to guide the user accordingly to position the user's head in a correct orientation with respect to the plate 104; iv) a motorized gripper 105 attached to the body 101 and actuated by the microcontroller in synchronism with the imaging unit 201 to position a multi-part chamber 106 assembled with the gripper 105 over the user's ear, wherein a plurality of electronically controlled nozzles 107 are integrated into the chamber 106 and actuated by the microcontroller to dispense a required anointing / oil stored in the chamber 106 into the user's ear; v) a tray 202 arranged at the base of the body 101 by means of a telescopically operated rod which is actuated by the microcontroller to extend to raise the tray 202 above the body 101, with a robotic arm 203 installed on the body 101 which is actuated by the microcontroller to gain a grip on one of a plurality of earplugs arranged on the tray 202; and vi) an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the body 101 and synchronized with the imaging unit 201 to monitor the distance of the grasped earplug from the user's ear, and which extends the arm 203 accordingly to gently insert and rotate the earplug into the user's ear to nourish the user's ear with the dispensed ointment / oil to cleanse and relieve the condition of the user's ear. [2] The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of motorized clippers 204 are integrated into the tray 202 to capture a plurality of earphones stored in the tray 202. [3] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with the body 101 to provide a continuous power supply for electronically operated components connected to the device.

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