Universal base for electric toothbrush

Abstract

To provide a universal base for an electric toothbrush to wirelessly charge the toothbrush and to provide an oral-care analyzing and monitoring functions.SOLUTION: A base has a body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface therebetween. The base can be coupled with a toothbrush for wireless communication with the toothbrush. The base includes: a charging component for inductively charging the electric toothbrush; a Bluetooth component for communicating usage data received from the toothbrush during a brushing session; an analyzing component for instantaneous processing of the usage data received from the toothbrush; a timer-clock component for displaying either a count-up or a countdown of the brushing session during the brushing session and time of day before and after the brushing session, and a multi-functional light component for instantaneously communicating, during the brushing session, at least one element of the usage data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a universal base for an electric toothbrush, configured to wirelessly charge the toothbrush and provide oral care analysis and monitoring capabilities. [Background technology]

[0002] Inductively coupled power transfer methods and systems are known in the art, particularly in the field of inductively charging and powering handheld tools and personal devices, such as electric toothbrushes, etc. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 10,218,212, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a wireless charging device.

[0003] In the field of oral care, it is generally known that monitoring, recording, and classifying the use of electric toothbrushes is desirable for certain applications. For example, the position / location of the toothbrush in a user's mouth relative to the teeth during brushing can be determined by calculating the toothbrush's posture based on data from a triaxial accelerometer and a geomagnetic sensor. This is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0145654 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0278786, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for classifying the use of handheld consumer devices, including toothbrushes. The disclosed system comprises a movable handheld device including a sensor unit for determining at least one usage datum at successive times and an analysis unit. The sensor unit can be configured to provide a temporally consecutive sequence of usage data during a usage session.

[0005] The analysis unit may be configured to classify usage of the device with respect to at least one set of usage classes relating to different usage characteristics and to assemble a temporally consecutive sequence of input tuples of usage data relating to a predetermined period of the usage session, each of the input tuples having at least one element representing usage data at a respective time. The analysis unit may be configured to input the sequence of input tuples to at least one artificial neural network configured to output at least one output tuple comprising a number of elements according to the number of usage classes, each element of the output tuple representing a prediction that usage of the consumer device at a given time relates to a respective usage class.

[0006] A "use class" is an output class of an artificial neural network (ANN) and is defined by the designer of the ANN. In the context of this disclosure, a use class distinguishes different usage characteristics related to the use of an electric toothbrush. The use of an electric toothbrush is essentially determined by a temporal sequence of usage data, which may include at least one of orientation data, force data, capacitive data related to the toothbrush's environment, temperature data, audio data, photo data and / or video data, barometric pressure data, pH data, and the like.

[0007] The classification may be performed with respect to a target space including a target surface, and the device may be configured to process the target surface. The artificial neural network may be configured to output a sequence of output tuples, in particular a sequence of output tuples having the same length as the sequence of input tuples. A single usage class answer may be determined for each predetermined time period based on the sequence of output tuples, in particular by applying an argmax function to each output tuple, for example by applying a majority criterion and / or a maximum criterion.

[0008] It has now been discovered that "live" classification (i.e., classification of usage and related data while the toothbrush is in use) can be communicated to the user via a universal charging unit that includes components for analyzing and communicating usage data during a brushing session, separate from the charging component. Such analysis and communication facilitates a holistic and comprehensive understanding by the user of usage data information during a completed brushing session. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,218,212 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0145654(A1) [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0278786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a universal base for an electric toothbrush, the base being structured and configured to be coupled to an electric toothbrush for inductively charging the toothbrush when the toothbrush is inductively coupled to the base, and for wireless communication between the base and the toothbrush during a brushing session. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The universal base for an electric toothbrush is structured and configured to couple with the electric toothbrush during and after a brushing session for wireless communication therebetween. The base has a body including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The base includes: a charging component for inductively charging the electric toothbrush when the electric toothbrush is placed on the top surface of the universal base; a Bluetooth component for communicating (receiving and transmitting) usage data from the electric toothbrush during and after the brushing session; an analysis component configured to instantaneously process usage data received from the electric toothbrush during the brushing session; a timer clock component including a timer clock display for displaying (a) either a count-up or count-down of the brushing session during the brushing session and (b) the time before and after the brushing session; and a multifunction light component for communicating, including instantaneously communicating at least one element of the usage data during the brushing session. In one embodiment, the universal base may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) component for communicating usage data between the universal base and at least one of a smart device application, another universal base, and the cloud. Transmission (sending and receiving) of usage data may occur at, for example, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. The WLAN may also allow for updating the device, for example, for security and functionality reasons.

[0012] As used herein, the term "instant processing" refers to processing data as it comes in during a brushing session, including buffering and / or OS delays, if any, that may occur during conventional industry-standard processing. Instant processing may not be synonymous with what is known as "real-time" processing. Similarly, the term "instant communication" refers to communication of processed data as it comes in during a brushing session. As used herein, the term "usage data" includes at least one data point / element calculated from transmitted raw data.

[0013] At least one element of the usage data may be selected from the group consisting of battery charge state, pressure applied by the user during a brushing session, position or orientation of the toothbrush relative to the user's teeth, portion of the teeth being brushed, progress of the brushing session (including an estimate of the completed portion of a pre-designated tooth surface), and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the base may include an audio component including a speaker for communicating information and / or usage data to the user. The disclosures of commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 276972 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0254794(A1)), U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 276993 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0254795(A1)), U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 277024 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0254796(A1)), and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 276947 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0278786(A1)), each filed on February 15, 2019, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0014] The light components may be structured and configured to be visible during a brushing session and invisible before and after the brushing session. As used herein, "invisible" refers to the quality of the light components that are not easily noticed by the naked human eye under most typical ambient lighting conditions, such as those commonly found in bathrooms. The light components may also be configured to be visible before and after a brushing session, for example, to change the color of the light.

[0015] In one embodiment, the light component may be structured and configured to emit light selected from the group consisting of ambient light and night light before and after a brushing session. The light component may further be structured and configured to emit light having various personalized colors and various personalized intensities. For example, the light component may be structured and configured to emit at least one of a first personalized color and a first personalized brightness selected by a first user. In one embodiment, the light component may be structured and configured to emit light having at least one of a second personalized color and a second personalized brightness selected by a second user, the first personalized color being different from the second personalized color, and the first personalized brightness being different from the second personalized brightness. In one embodiment, the light component may be structured and configured to include multiple segments, each configured to communicate usage data regarding the brushing of various portions of the user's teeth.

[0016] In one embodiment, the light component may include multiple light segments, e.g., six curved light segments, each configured to communicate usage data related to brushing at least six portions of teeth. The six portions of teeth may be selected to include a portion including the maxillary (upper) left posterior teeth, a portion including the maxillary right posterior teeth, a portion including the maxillary anterior teeth, a portion including the mandibular (lower) left posterior teeth, a portion including the mandibular right posterior teeth, and a portion including the mandibular anterior teeth. In another embodiment (not shown), the multiple curved light segments of the multi-function light component may include four curved segments or any other suitable number of light segments, e.g., eight segments. The light component may be structured and configured to communicate usage data related to brushing the buccal, lingual, occlusal, and incisal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth. The terms "teeth" and "dentition" are used interchangeably herein.

[0017] The body of the base may be structured and configured to have a substantially circular or round shape, with the top surface having a first (outer) diameter of about 45 mm to about 90 mm, more specifically about 60 mm to about 75 mm, and even more specifically about 65 mm to about 70 mm, each of the top and bottom surfaces being circular, and the side surfaces being annular. The base may have a height of about 20 mm to about 40 mm, measured from the lowest point on the bottom surface to the highest point on the top surface, with the highest point located at the geometric center of the top surface. The highest point on the top surface is a part of the central portion of the top surface having a slightly convex, generally smooth protrusion shape with a spherical convex curved shape having a radius of about 15 mm to about 35 mm, more specifically about 20 mm to about 30 mm, and a planar diameter of about 10 mm to about 35 mm, and even more specifically about 15 mm to about 25 mm.

[0018] The base has a height of about 20 mm to about 40 mm, measured from the lowest point on the bottom surface to the highest point on the top surface, and the highest point can advantageously be located at or adjacent to the geometric center of the top surface. The central portion may have a slightly convex, generally smooth protrusion shape having a spherical convex curvature shape with a radius of about 15 mm to about 35 mm and a planar diameter of about 10 mm to about 35 mm. In another embodiment, the spherical convex curvature has a radius of about 20 mm to about 30 mm, and a planar diameter of about 15 mm to about 25 mm. In yet another embodiment, the central portion may have a generally parabolic shape. The convex, smooth protrusion of the central portion may have a height of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, more specifically about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and even more specifically about 1.5 mm.

[0019] The multifunction light component can be disposed on the top surface adjacent its outer periphery. The light component can include a plurality of curved segments, some of which are positioned substantially equidistant from the outer periphery and combine to form a circle concentric with the first diameter and having a second diameter of about 35 mm to about 75 mm, more specifically about 45 mm to about 65 mm, and even more specifically about 50 mm to about 60 mm. The timer clock component can be configured to display information on a side surface.

[0020] In one embodiment, the side surface is disposed at an included angle of about 90 degrees relative to the top surface. In another embodiment, the side surface is disposed at an included angle of less than about 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface, for example, an angle of about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees, or an angle of about 70 degrees to about 80 degrees, or an angle of about 60 degrees to 70 degrees, or an angle of 50 degrees to 60 degrees, or an angle of about 40 degrees to 50 degrees, or an angle of 30 degrees to about 40 degrees. As used herein, the term "an angle of about X degrees" encompasses angles of (X±2) degrees.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the first portion of the side is disposed at an included angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface, and the second portion of the side is disposed at an included angle of less than approximately 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface (e.g., at an angle as shown above). In such an embodiment, the geometric center of the first portion of the side can be configured to be generally opposite the geometric center of the second portion of the side. The timer clock component 190 can then be configured to display information on the second (angled) portion of the side.

[0022] Each of the top and side surfaces may advantageously be structured and configured to be substantially smooth and free of recesses, edges, corners, etc., where unwanted dentifrice residue, fluids, and waste elements tend to accumulate. As used herein, the term "smooth" refers to the quality of a surface having an essentially uniform and regular appearance or consistency, free of perceptible sharp protrusions, recesses, corners, bends, lumps, edges, indentations, etc., where dentifrice residue and waste and other products resulting from brushing tend to accumulate.

[0023] The base includes a magnetic element structured and configured to form a magnetic connection with the electric toothbrush when the electric toothbrush is received by the base for inductive charging of its rechargeable battery. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 11,025,093 (B2), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a personal care product system including a stand with a docking magnet. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,143,041, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a magnetic circuit for a wireless charging device. An electric toothbrush or a handle for an electric toothbrush having a maximum equivalent diameter dmax can be placed in a vertical position on the top surface of the base, and a magnetic connection between the magnetic element of the base and the magnetic element of the toothbrush handle is established, thereby facilitating inductive coupling between the transmitter coil of the base and the receiver coil of the toothbrush, thus enabling wireless charging of a battery disposed within the handle.

[0024] As used herein, the term "equivalent diameter" refers to the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the toothbrush measured at any cross section that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal (axial) extension of the toothbrush.The maximum equivalent diameter dmax is the maximum equivalent diameter of the toothbrush found at any location along the longitudinal extension of the toothbrush.In one embodiment, the first diameter is at least 1.5 times larger than the maximum equivalent diameter dmax.In another embodiment, the first diameter is at least 2 times larger than the maximum equivalent diameter dmax.

[0025] In one embodiment of the base, the analysis component is configured to classify the usage data with respect to at least one set of at least two usage classes relating to different usage characteristics. The analysis component may be configured to assemble a temporally consecutive sequence of input tuples of usage data relating to a time period of a brushing session. Each of the input tuples may represent usage data at a respective time and may include at least one element for inputting the sequence of input tuples to at least one artificial neural network configured to output at least one output tuple including a number of elements according to the number of usage classes. Each element of the output tuple may represent a predicted value of the consumer device usage at a given time associated with a respective usage class. The analysis component may be configured to determine a single usage class answer for the time period based on the sequence of output tuples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a universal base of the present disclosure in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the base shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the base shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the base shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic top view of the base shown in FIG. 1, with the light segments visible. [Figure 6]2 is a schematic top view of the base shown in FIG. 1, with the light segments not visible. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a universal base of the present disclosure according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the base shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the base shown in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Universal base (or simply "base") 100 is structured and configured to perform at least two primary functions: (1) inductively charging a rechargeable battery in the toothbrush when the toothbrush is placed on the base and thus inductively coupled with the base's transmitter (charging) coil, and (2) wirelessly communicating with the toothbrush and other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and the cloud, and / or another (second) universal base. Wireless communication may advantageously occur during a brushing session when the toothbrush is detached from base 100. Base 100 may include a timer clock component 190 that includes a timer clock display 195 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for (a) either counting up or counting down brushing sessions during the brushing session, and (b) displaying the time before and after the brushing session. The base may be configured to be powered by a suitable cable from a power outlet via a conventional interface 102 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0028] One embodiment of a base 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The base 100 has a body 101 including a top surface 110, a bottom surface 120 opposite the top surface 110, and a side surface 130 extending between the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 120. In one embodiment, the optical component 200 may include a plurality of optical segments, for example, six curved optical segments 210. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the body of the base 100 is substantially circular, and the top surface 110 has a first diameter D1. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 120 is substantially circular, and the side surface 130 is annular. The first diameter D1 may be between about 45 mm and about 90 mm, more specifically between about 60 mm and about 75 mm, and even more specifically between about 65 mm and about 70 mm.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first diameter D1 of the upper surface 110 is at least 1.5 times larger than the maximum equivalent diameter dmax of the toothbrush 155 inductively coupled to the base 100. In another embodiment, the first diameter D1 is at least 2 times larger than the maximum equivalent diameter dmax of the toothbrush.

[0030] The base 100 has a height H1, measured from the lowest point on the bottom surface 120 to the highest point on the top surface 110, of about 20 mm to about 40 mm, which can advantageously be located at or adjacent to the geometric center 151 of the top surface 110. The highest point on the top surface 110 is part of a central portion 105 of the top surface 110. The central portion 105 can have a slightly convex, generally smooth, protruding shape having a spherical convex curvature shape with a radius Rc of about 15 mm to about 35 mm and a planar diameter D3 of about 10 mm to about 35 mm. In a further embodiment, the spherical convex curvature has a radius of about 20 mm to about 30 mm, and the planar diameter is about 15 mm to about 25 mm. In yet another embodiment, the central portion 105 can have a generally parabolic shape. The convex smooth protrusion of central portion 105 may have a height H2 of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, more specifically about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and even more specifically, height H2 is about 1.5 mm.

[0031] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, side 130 is disposed at an included angle A of approximately 90 degrees relative to bottom surface 120 (FIG. 4). As used herein, the term "approximately 90-degree angle" includes any angle between 85 degrees and 95 degrees. In another embodiment (FIGS. 7-9), at least a portion of side 130 can be disposed at an included angle A of less than approximately 90 degrees; for example, angle A can be approximately 80 degrees, or approximately 75 degrees, or approximately 70 degrees, or approximately 65 degrees, or approximately 60 degrees, or approximately 55 degrees, or approximately 50 degrees, or approximately 45 degrees, or approximately 40 degrees, or approximately 35 degrees relative to bottom surface 120. In such an embodiment, timer clock component 190 can be configured to display information on an angled portion of side 130, which can be easier for a user to read.

[0032] In either embodiment, the upper surface 110 can be structured and configured to be substantially smooth and free of recesses, edges, and corners where residual dentifrice can accumulate. As used herein, the term "smooth" refers to the quality of a surface having a uniform and regular appearance or consistency, free of perceptible sharp protrusions, recesses, corners, lumps, edges, indentations, etc., where residual dentifrice can accumulate.

[0033] The charging component 150 for inductively charging the electric toothbrush 155 disposed on the upper surface 120 of the base may have any suitable design known in the art of inductive charging. The charging component 150 may be disposed adjacent to the central portion 105 of the upper surface 110 of the base. The base 100 may advantageously include a magnetic element 140 (FIG. 6) structured and configured to form a magnetic connection with the electric toothbrush 155 when the toothbrush 155 is received by the base 100 for inductive charging of the rechargeable battery of FIGS. 1 and 2. An electric toothbrush 155 or a handle for an electric toothbrush having a maximum equivalent diameter dmax may be placed in a vertical position on the upper surface 110 of the base 100, and a magnetic connection between the magnetic element 140 of the base and the magnetic element of the toothbrush handle is established, thereby facilitating inductive coupling between the transmitter coil of the base 100 and the receiver coil of the toothbrush 155, thus enabling wireless charging of the battery disposed within the toothbrush handle.

[0034] Base 100 further comprises a Bluetooth component 160 ( FIG. 3 ) for receiving and transmitting usage data from electric toothbrush 155 during a brushing session, an analysis component 180 configured to instantaneously process usage data received from electric toothbrush 155 during a brushing session, and a multifunction light component 200 for instantaneously communicating at least one element of the usage data during a brushing session. In one embodiment, base 100 includes a WLAN (Wi-Fi) component 170 for communicating usage data between base 100 and at least one of a smart device application, such as one used on a smartphone or tablet, another universal base, and the cloud. WLAN component 170 may have any suitable design known in the art. Analysis component 180 configured to instantaneously process usage data received from electric toothbrush 155 during a brushing session may have any suitable design known in the art.

[0035] The timer clock component 190 (FIGS. 1 and 2), including the timer clock display 195, can be structured and configured to function as a timer and display a count-up or count-down of a brushing session during a brushing session. Additionally, the timer clock component 190 can be configured to display the time before and after the brushing session.

[0036] A multifunction light component 200 for instantaneously communicating at least one piece of usage data during a brushing session may advantageously be disposed on the top surface 110 of the base 100. The multifunction light component 200 may be configured to communicate usage data during a brushing session regarding at least one usage characteristic selected from the group consisting of a battery charge state, pressure applied by a user during a brushing session, a position or orientation of the toothbrush relative to the user's teeth, a portion of the teeth being brushed, progress of the brushing session including an estimate of a completed portion of brushing of a pre-designated tooth surface, and any combination thereof.

[0037] The multifunction light component 200 disposed on the upper surface 110 includes a plurality of curved light segments 210 positioned adjacent to and substantially equidistant from the outer periphery of the upper surface 110. The plurality of curved segments 210 interdigitate with one another to form a circle having a first diameter D1 and a second diameter D2 concentric therewith. The second diameter D2 may be between about 35 mm and about 75 mm, or between about 45 mm and about 65 mm, or between about 50 mm and about 60 mm. The timer clock component 190 may be configured to display information via a display 195 on the annular side surface 130.

[0038] In one embodiment, six light segments 210 are configured to communicate usage data reflecting the brushing of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth during a brushing event. As best shown in FIG. 5 , the six light segments 210 are divided into two sections, each consisting of three light segments 210 equidistant from one another, separated from one another by two relatively small light “buttons” 220 (shown as round, by way of example) located on opposite sides of the upper surface 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the three “upper” curved light segments 210 (210a, 210b, and 210c) represent three corresponding portions of the maxillary dentition (upper teeth), and the three “lower” curved light segments 210 (210x, 210y, and 210z) represent three corresponding portions of the mandibular dentition (lower teeth).

[0039] 5, light component 200 includes six light segments 210a, 210b, 210c, 210x, 210y, and 210z, each configured to communicate usage data related to brushing at least a portion of teeth including: (1) a portion including the maxillary (upper) left posterior dentition, (2) a portion including the maxillary (upper) right posterior dentition, (3) a portion including the maxillary (upper) anterior dentition, (4) a portion including the mandibular (lower) left posterior dentition, (5) a portion including the mandibular (lower) right posterior dentition, and (6) a portion including the mandibular (lower) anterior dentition. Light component 200 may be structured and configured to communicate usage data related to brushing the buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces of the posterior dentition and the buccal, lingual, and incisal surfaces of the anterior dentition.

[0040] In another embodiment (not shown), the plurality of curved optical segments of the multifunction optical component 200 may include four curved segments or any other suitable number of optical segments (eg, eight).

[0041] The manner in which usage data is communicated can be selected to include characteristics such as changes in light color, geometry, intensity, frequency (if the light is pulsating), and any combination thereof. For example, a segment 210 exhibiting a red or yellow color can indicate that brushing of a particular portion of the dentition (represented by a given light segment) is incomplete, while a green color can indicate that brushing of the portion of the dentition is complete. As another example, a pulsating light can indicate excessive pressure applied during brushing, while a steady light can indicate baseline pressure. Alternatively or additionally, excessive pressure can be indicated by a steady (e.g., red) light. The multifunction light component 200 can also be configured to provide an indication that a brushing session has exceeded a time threshold or a coverage threshold.

[0042] In one embodiment, the base 100 may be equipped with an audio component, including a speaker 199 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) for communicating information and / or usage data to the user. This information may include greetings, instructions, and warnings (e.g., "Excess pressure!"). It is contemplated that the speaker 199, either mono or stereo, may be configured to play music, news, weather, and other announcements, as known in the art.

[0043] Light component 200 may be structured and configured to be visible during a brushing session (FIG. 5) and invisible before and after a brushing session (FIG. 6). This may be achieved by applying a suitable substance (lacquer) to the surface of light component 200, as known in the art. In one embodiment, light component may be structured and configured to emit light selected from the group consisting of ambient light and night light before and after a brushing session.

[0044] Light component 200 may further be structured and configured to emit light having at least one of a first personalized color and a first personalized brightness selected by a first user. In one embodiment, light component 200 may be structured and configured to emit light having at least one of a second personalized color and a second personalized brightness selected by a second user, where the first personalized color is different from the second personalized color and the first personalized brightness is different from the second personalized brightness. Light component 200 may be structured and configured to include multiple light segments, each light segment configured to communicate usage data related to brushing various portions of a particular user's teeth.

[0045] In one embodiment, the base 100 may include a WLAN (Wi-Fi) component 170 ( FIG. 3 ) for communicating usage data between the base 100 and at least one of a smart device application and a cloud. The base 100 may further include a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting data to an analyzer, which may be implemented as a remote processing device such as a cloud computer. The transmitter or transceiver may have WLAN communication capabilities, e.g., Wi-Fi. The base 100 may be configured to establish a wired or wireless communication link with the electric toothbrush 155, e.g., based on Bluetooth™ or Bluetooth™ LE. Wired communication may be established when the electric toothbrush 155 is placed on the base 100. In that case, the electric toothbrush 155 may not need to have its own transmitter or transceiver for transmitting sensor (or other data), since this is processed by the base 100, which includes the analysis component 180.

[0046] In one embodiment of the base 100, the analysis component 180 is configured to classify the usage data with respect to at least one set of at least two usage classes relating to different usage characteristics. The analysis component 180 may be configured to assemble a temporally consecutive sequence of input tuples of usage data relating to a time period of a brushing session. Each of the input tuples may represent usage data at a respective time and may include at least one element for inputting the sequence of input tuples to at least one artificial neural network configured to output at least one output tuple including several elements according to the number of usage classes. Each element of the output tuple may represent a predicted value of the consumer device usage at a given time associated with a respective usage class. The analysis component 180 may be configured to determine a single usage class answer for the time period based on the sequence of output tuples.

[0047] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0048] All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent applications or patents to which this application claims priority or benefit, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly stated to the contrary. The citation of any document shall not be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or to teach, suggest, or disclose such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference(s). Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0049] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A universal base (100) for an electric toothbrush (155), comprising a body (101) having a top surface (110), a bottom surface (120) opposite the top surface (110), and a side surface (130) extending between the top surface (110) and the bottom surface (120); the base (100) is structured and configured to be coupled to the electric toothbrush (155) for wireless communication therebetween; The base (100) a charging component (150) for inductively charging the toothbrush (155) when the toothbrush (155) is placed on the top surface (110) of the base (100); a Bluetooth component (160) for receiving usage data from the electric toothbrush (155) during a brushing session; an analysis component (180) configured to instantaneously process the usage data received from the electric toothbrush (155) during the brushing session; a timer clock component (190) including a timer clock display (195) disposed on said side for displaying (a) either a count-up or count-down of said brushing session during said brushing session, and (b) a time before and after said brushing session; a multi-function light component (200) disposed on said upper surface (110) for instantaneously communicating at least one element of said usage data during said brushing session, preferably including a plurality of light segments (210) configured to communicate said usage data with respect to brushing various portions of the user's teeth; A universal base (100) wherein the at least one element of the received usage data is selected from the group consisting of battery charge status, pressure applied by the user during the brushing session, position or orientation of the toothbrush relative to the user's teeth, portion of the teeth being brushed, progress of the brushing session, an indication that the brushing session is complete, an indication that the brushing session has exceeded a time threshold or a coverage threshold, and any combination thereof.

2. 2. The universal base of claim 1, wherein the light component (200) is structured and configured to be visible during the brushing session and invisible before and after the brushing session, and preferably, the light component (200) is structured and configured to emit light selected from the group consisting of ambient light and night light before and after the brushing session.

3. The universal base of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light component (200) is structured and configured to emit light having at least one of a first personalized color and a first personalized brightness selected by a first user.

4. 4. The universal base of claim 3, wherein the light component (200) is structured and configured to emit light having at least one of a second personalized color and a second personalized brightness selected by a second user, and wherein the first personalized color is different from the second personalized color and / or the first personalized brightness is different from the second personalized brightness.

5. 5. The universal base of claim 1, wherein the optical component (200) comprises at least six segments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210x, 210y, 210z) configured to communicate the usage data regarding brushing of at least six portions of the teeth, including a portion including the upper left posterior dentition, a portion including the upper right posterior dentition, a portion including the upper anterior dentition, a portion including the lower left posterior dentition, a portion including the lower right posterior dentition, and a portion including the lower anterior dentition, and / or the usage data regarding brushing of the buccal, lingual, occlusal, and incisal surfaces of the upper and lower jaw teeth.

6. The universal base of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base (100) comprises an audio component including a speaker (199).

7. The universal base of claim 1 , wherein the base (100) comprises a WLAN component (170) for communicating the usage data between the base and at least one of a smart device application, another universal base, and a cloud.

8. 2. The universal base of claim 1, wherein the body (101) of the base (100) has a substantially circular shape, each of the top and bottom surfaces (110, 120) is substantially circular, the side surface (130) is annular, the top surface has an outer periphery (P) with a first diameter (D1) of about 45 mm to about 90 mm, the multifunction optical component (200) is disposed on the top surface (110) adjacent to the outer periphery (P) and comprises a plurality of curved segments (210) positioned substantially equidistant from the outer periphery P, the plurality of curved segments (210) combining with one another to form a circle having a second diameter (D2) concentric with the first diameter (D1), the second diameter (D2) being about 35 mm to about 75 mm.

9. 9. The universal base of claim 1, wherein the side surface (130) is disposed at an included angle (A) of about 90 degrees or less with respect to the bottom surface (120).

10. 14. The universal base of claim 13, wherein the included angle (A) is at least 40 degrees.

11. 11. The universal base of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the top surface (110) and the side surfaces (130) are substantially smooth and free of sharp protrusions, recesses, edges, and corners that tend to accumulate residual dentifrice and waste products resulting from brushing.

12. 12. A universal base according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base (100) is structured and configured to receive the electric toothbrush (155) having a maximum equivalent diameter (dmax) for wireless charging, the handle (155) is positioned in a vertical orientation on the top surface (110) of the base (100) and inductively couples with the top surface, and the first diameter (D1) is at least 1.5 times, preferably 2 times, larger than the maximum equivalent diameter (dmax) of the toothbrush (155).

13. 13. The universal base of claim 1, wherein the base (100) comprises a magnetic element (140) structured and configured to form a magnetic connection with the electric toothbrush (155) when the electric toothbrush (155) is received by the base (100) for charging.

14. 14. The universal base according to claim 1, wherein the base (100) has a height (H1) of about 20 mm to about 40 mm measured from the lowest point of the bottom surface (110) to the highest point of the top surface (120), the highest point being located at or adjacent to the geometric center (151) of the top surface (110), the highest point being part of a central portion (105) of the top surface (110), and the central portion (105) is preferably shaped as a convex, smooth protrusion having a radius (Rc) of about 15 mm to about 35 mm, preferably about 20 mm to about 30 mm, and a planar diameter (D3) of about 10 mm to about 35 mm, preferably about 15 mm to about 25 mm.

15. Universal base according to claim 14, wherein said central portion (105) has a generally parabolic shape and a height (H2) of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

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