Patent Application
20180092449
The present disclosure describes a personal care appliance for generating auditory alerts and/or indications using a sonic motor operating at a resonant frequency.
In an embodiment, a personal skincare appliance is provided that includes a brush head; a motor configured to cause angular rotation of the brush head; and a controller configured to control a drive frequency of the motor, wherein the controller is configured to detect an event corresponding to a status or condition of the personal skincare appliance and to set the drive frequency of the motor to a predetermined frequency which causes an auditory tone to be emitted from the personal skincare appliance.
In an embodiment, the brush head is configured to be applied to a skin of the user, and the predetermined frequency is different than a frequency set by the drive controller for applying the brushhead against the skin of the user.
In an embodiment, the personal skincare appliance includes a brush head replacement timer, and the event is an amount of time remaining on the brush head replacement timer being below a predetermined threshold.
In an embodiment, the personal skincare appliance includes a battery configured to provide power to operate the personal skincare appliance, and the event is an estimated amount of power remaining in the battery being below a predetermined threshold.
In an embodiment, the personal skincare appliance includes a topical agent reservoir and a dispenser configured to dispense the topical agent, wherein the event is a detected amount of the topical agent in the reservoir being below a predetermined threshold.
In an embodiment, the personal skincare appliance includes a timer configured to start measuring a time from when the user starts applying the brush head to the skin of the user, and the event is a predetermined amount of time the brush head has been applied to the skin of the user.
In an embodiment, the personal skincare appliance includes a visual indicator, and the controller is configured to cause the visual indicator to emit a visual output in conjunction with the auditory tone.
In an embodiment, a method is implemented by a personal skincare appliance that includes a brush head, a motor configured to cause angular rotation of the brush head, and a controller configured to control a drive frequency of the motor. The method includes detecting, by the controller, an event corresponding to a status or condition of the personal skincare appliance; and setting, by the controller, the drive frequency of the motor to a predetermined frequency which causes an auditory tone to be emitted from the personal skincare appliance.
In an embodiment, a system is provided that includes afore-mentioned personal skincare appliance and a client device configured to communicate with the personal skincare appliance, wherein the client device receives an input from a user to select the auditory tone to be emitted from the personal skincare appliance upon the detection of the event.
In an embodiment, a plurality of different types of events are configured to be detected by the controller, and the client device receives an input from the user to select different auditory tones to be associated with each of the plurality of different types of events.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or application publication with colors drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. A more complete appreciation of the embodiments and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and related devices to operation of a personal care appliance which is configured to generate auditory alerts and/or indications using a sonic motor operating at a resonant frequency. The personal care appliance can be used to perform a routine for skin care of a user by applying a particular brushhead, oscillating at a particular oscillation to the user's skin for a particular duration.
The disclosed embodiments include a handheld personal care appliance or appliance having a motor assembly for oscillating a brushhead at an oscillation including a frequency and amplitude. The brushhead can have one or more sets of bristles for applying to a person's face or body. An exemplary brushhead for use with a personal care appliance is an exfoliating brushhead for treating a user's epidermis as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,486 incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, the motor assembly can produce motion at sonic frequencies. The amplitude can be described as a displacement or an angle according to an example. An exemplary device for providing oscillating sonic movement is the Clarisonic brush (Clarisonic, Redmond, Wash.) described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,691, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which describes an optimal frequency for providing oscillating sonic movement.
In one example, the motor assembly is configured to produce an oscillation frequency of less than 200 Hz. In one example, the motor assembly is configured to produce an oscillation frequency of greater than 10 Hz. The brushhead and the set of bristles can create a second order mechanical dynamic motion. The motor assembly can have an optimal oscillation frequency unique to each manufactured appliance and in concert with an attached brush or implement. Uses of brush encoder information
The disclosed embodiments include the optional use of a central device operating a software application having a set of software modules to promote optimum performance of the appliance. The central device can be in communication with the appliance in a number of ways, including wired, wireless, and through a set of contacts. An example of the central device can be a mobile device running the software application that is configured to be in communication with the appliance.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The body 102 houses an operating structure of the appliance 100. As shown in a block diagram form in
In an example the communication part 154 can include circuitry and hardware for communication with a central device 620. In an example the communication part 154, or optionally the drive control 152, can include circuitry and hardware for communication with an alert part, an indicator, or a display 160 (See
In some embodiments, the controller 150 incudes a programmed microcontroller or processor, which is configured to control the oscillation of the brushhead by delivery of power to the motor assembly 112. In an aspect, either the drive control 152 or the communication part 154 can include the CPU, memory and store a usage of each brushhead uniquely and by the type of brushhead according to an example.
The motor assembly 112 in some embodiments includes an electric drive motor 113 that drives an attached head, such as the brushhead 120, via a drive shaft or armature 114. When the brushhead 120 is mounted to the head attachment portion 106, the motor assembly 112 is configured to impart motion to the brushhead 120. The motor assembly 112 may be configured to oscillate the brushhead 120 at sonic frequencies, typically in the range of 80-300 Hz, oscillating the brushhead 120 back and forth within a range or amplitude of 3-20 degrees.
The motor assembly 112 may be configured to oscillate the brushhead 120 at a natural resonance or resonant frequency as determined by:
where K is a system spring rate, J is a oscillating inertia, and F is the resonant frequency in Hertz. Loading the bristles causes a change in the spring rate due to bristle bending and a change in system inertia by removing free bristle tips from an oscillating mass.
In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the brushhead 120 is operated in loaded or unloaded conditions at frequencies from about 40 Hz to 300 Hz with a range of about 3-17 degrees. In other embodiments, the brushhead 120 is operated in a loaded condition at frequencies from about 40 Hz to 300 Hz, a range or amplitude of 8-12 degrees, and a duty cycle of about 38-44%.
One example of a motor assembly 112 that may be employed by the appliance 100 to oscillate the brushhead 120 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,626, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, it should be understood that this is merely an example of the structure and operation of one such appliance and that the structure, operation frequency and oscillation amplitude of such an appliance could be varied, depending in part on its intended application and/or characteristics of the brushhead 120, such as its inertial properties, etc.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the frequency ranges are selected so as to drive the brushhead 120 at near resonance. Thus, selected frequency ranges are dependent, in part, on the inertial properties of the brushhead 120.
It will be appreciated that driving the attached head at near resonance provides many benefits, including the ability to drive the attached head at suitable amplitudes in loaded conditions (e.g. when contacting the skin) while consuming the least amount of energy from the power storage source. For a more detailed discussion on the design parameters of the appliance, please see U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,626, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Next, parts of the brushhead are described in different examples. Referring now to
The inner brushhead portion 210 has an operative relationship with the drive hub 110 such that as the drive hub 110 oscillates through a selected angle, so does the inner brushhead portion 210. The outer brushhead portion 220 includes a central, cylindrically shaped opening. The central opening is sized and configured to surround the sides of the inner brushhead portion 210. When attached to the appliance 100, a rim, which extends around the top periphery of the central opening, is flush with or positioned slightly above the outwardly facing surface of the body 102.
In some embodiments, the inner brushhead portion 210 and the outer brushhead portion 220 together include a brushhead attachment mechanism configured to provide selective attachment of the brushhead 120 to the head attachment portion 106 of the appliance 100.
In the embodiment shown, the outer brushhead portion 220 is annular, with an outside diameter of approximately 1.975 inches, with a central opening. The outer brushhead portion 220 includes a base portion 224 with a rim around the top periphery thereof which includes a plurality of spaced finger grips 226, which helps the user in installation and removal of the brushhead 120. The outer brushhead portion 220 can further include a plurality of brushhead bristles 222 which extend upwardly from the base portion 224. There may be a gap or space between the bristles of the inner and outer brushhead portions, in the range of 0.050-0.125 inches, preferably 0.084 inches.
When attached to the appliance 100 by the brushhead attachment mechanism, the following occurs: (1) the inner brushhead portion 210 is operatively connected to the motor assembly 112, for example, via a drive hub 110, in a manner that provides oscillating motion thereto; and (2) the outer brushhead portion 220 fixedly secures the brushhead 120 to the head attachment portion 106 of the appliance 100.
Accordingly, the brushhead attachment mechanism in some embodiments provides a quick and easy technique for attaching and detaching the brushhead 120 to the appliance 100. It will be appreciated that the brushhead attachment mechanism also allows for other personal care heads to be attached to the appliance, and allows for a replacement brushhead 120 to be attached to the appliance 100, when desired. One brushhead attachment mechanism that may be practiced with embodiments of the present disclosure is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,906, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
It will be appreciated that other brushhead attachment mechanisms can be employed to provide either tooled or tool-less techniques for selectively attaching the brushhead 120 to a personal care appliance, such as appliance 100, in a manner that (1) provides oscillating motion to the inner brushhead portion 210; and (2) maintains the connection between the inner brushhead portion 210 and the motor assembly 112. For example, in some embodiments, the inner brushhead portion 210 includes a coupling interface configured to cooperatingly connect to an oscillating drive shaft or armature, such as armature 114, of an associated motor assembly 112 in a manner that transmits oscillating motion to the inner brushhead portion 210.
The above-described examples of the brushhead 120 can be used to exfoliate skin of a user's epidermis. In that regard, the brushhead 120 is first attached to the appliance 100. Next, if desired, a skin softening agent, such as skin care formula, can be placed on the tips of bristles of a first group of tufts 212.
The inner brushhead portion 210 includes a plurality of inner brushhead bristles 212 which extend upwardly from a base portion 214, with the bristles 212 arranged in a circular pattern covering the entire upper surface of the base portion 214.
The inner brushhead portion 210 in the embodiment shown includes two sets of depending legs on the outer periphery thereof. The first set of three legs 242-242, spaced at 120° intervals, each leg having a pair of snap portions 244 and 246, defined by a slot 247 which extends down the middle of each snap leg 242.
The two snap portions of each snap leg are configured and arranged to slightly flex toward each other during installation of the inner brushhead portion 210 on the drive hub 110, with the outside edges of the free tips of the snap portions 244, 246 having outward bulges 249-249 which snap back (with the snap portions) after they pass over a pointed portion of the drive hub 110, helping to tightly engage the drive hub 110 and retain the inner brushhead portion 210 on the drive hub 110.
The inner brushhead portion 210 further includes a second trio of spaced drive legs 256-256. The drive legs 256 alternate with snap legs 242 around the periphery of inner brushhead portion 210 and are also separated by 120° intervals.
The drive legs 256 taper slightly from their base to their free ends, which are rounded, designed to provide a close tolerance fit between them and the drive hub 110.
The brushhead structure and assembly is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,906, which is owned by the assignee of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The brushhead bristle arrangement shown and described herein, used in the appliance/brushhead disclosed in the above applications is effective for skin cleaning applications, particularly facial skin. The present brushhead bristle arrangement can also be used in other skin care applications, however, as discussed in the above applications, including acne and black head treatment, athlete's foot treatment, callused skin and psoriasis, razor bumps and related skin applications, wound cleansing and treatment of slow or non-healing wounds, scalp cleaning, chemical peel procedures and shaving cream applications. Preferred bristle configurations and arrangements will differ somewhat depending upon the particular application.
When the brushhead is not pressed against the user's skin with a force, the brushhead will oscillate at peak amplitude at an unloaded frequency 321 for curve 311.
When the brushhead is pressed against the user's skin with a force on curve 312, the brushhead can modify (e.g. reduce or increase) the amplitude of oscillation as well as shift the frequency of resonance according to an example as shown by 330 and 320. Additional curves 313-316 are shown which correspond to different levels of force applied by the user.
In the present application, the device shall drive the motor at frequencies other than the default drive frequency in order to generate audible tones which can be used for various purposes. For instance, the audible tones can be used to alert the user of a condition of the appliance that requires attention, such as brush head replacement. The audible tone can be used in conjunction with a visual alert such as an LED indicator on the appliance.
A specific example of configuration of the frequency and timing for the motor and the LEDs is described below.
In an example, the device may track motor run-time and notify the user when it is time to replace their brush head after 180 minutes of accumulated use. This time is variable depending on the type of brush being used.
In the example, when the brush replacement timer is greater than 180 minutes the user will be notified that the brush head has reached the expired state. Audible notification will consist of a sequence of descending tones generated by the motor at the start of a cleansing cycle. Visual notification may consist of the LEDs or display illuminating in a defined pattern during the replace brush head tone. Details of the expired brush head tone generation and LED behavior are given in Table 1—Replace Brush Tone.
The user shall be able to reset the brush replacement timer to zero at any time by pressing and holding the power button for 3 seconds. The brush timer reset shall be accompanied by a sequence of ascending tones generated by the motor. Details of the Brush Timer Reset tone behavior are given in section 4.1.7. Visual notification will consist of the LEDs illuminating in a defined pattern during the brush timer reset tone generation. Details of the brush timer reset tone generation and LED behavior are given in Table 2—Brush Timer Reset Tone
At the start of a cleansing cycle, if the replace brush timer has expired, the motor shall play the tone and generate the LED pattern described in Table 1—Replace Brush Tone before starting the cleansing cycle.
The device shall play the Brush Reset Tone and generate the LED pattern described in Table 2—Brush Timer Reset Tone when the user initiates a brush timer reset by holding the power button for 3 seconds.
Examples of detecting an appliance status include detecting an amount of time of use of the brushhead, for example. Specific examples of this will be illustrated below. However, other appliance statuses or conditions can be detected. For instance, the user may be alerted when the remaining battery power is below a predetermined threshold. Additionally, if the appliance contains a mechanism for dispensing a topical agent to the user's skin from a cartridge or reservoir, then a volume of the remaining topical agent may be detected and the user may be alerted when the remaining volume is below a predetermined threshold. Moreover, the user may be alerted with the auditory tone when a push notification is received, such as an offer for products related to the appliance from a third party vendor.
Additionally, certain routines and regimens may be stored on the memory of the appliance or on an external device, and the user may be notified through the auditory tone when the user is supposed to make a change during the routine, such as when to move the appliance brush head to a different area of the face after a predetermined period of time is detected.
Furthermore, the memory used in conjunction with drive control 152 in
User Interface Features
The operating system of the client device can have a user interface that is configured to perform multiple functions. In an aspect, the client device can be in communication with a network and enable the user interface access to the Internet as well as Internet of Things (IOT). As can be appreciated, the network can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or any combination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. The network can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can be wireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless form of communication that is known. In an example, the network can access a server hosting media, protocols, products, personal accounts, stored usage data, and other data related to the appliance, the brushheads, and skin care. The user interface can be used to make a purchase of a brushhead, topical agent, or other pruducts related to the appliance based on the tracked usage.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
