Patent Publication Number: US-8981196-B2

Title: Illuminating toothbrush

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 13/172,942, filed on Jun. 30, 2011. The subject matter thereof is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a musical apparatus and, more particularly, to a musical apparatus configured to illuminate according to the beat of the music or sounds. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Toothbrushes, when used properly, are effective for improving dental hygiene. However, many times, the task of brushing one&#39;s teeth becomes tedious. As a result, people generally brush very quickly or even brush once a day rather than brushing two or three times a day for a two-minute duration, as recommended by the American Dental Association. Some toothbrushes now illuminate (or blink) for a period of one minute, and then require activation again in order to illuminate for another period of one minute. These toothbrushes may include four colors of light such that each segment (e.g., 30 seconds) may light up with a different color. However, this may not fully encourage or entertain a user of the toothbrush to brush his or her teeth for the two-minute duration. Thus, a musical apparatus configured to illuminate according to the beat of the music or sounds, or possibly for the duration of the music or sounds, may be beneficial. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide solutions to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully identified, appreciated, or solved by current musical toothbrushes. For example, one or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a musical apparatus configured to illuminate according to the beat of the music or sound. 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least one illuminating device enclosed within a body of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an audio device configured to output audio for a predetermined period of time. The at least one illuminating device is configured to illuminate the apparatus for a predetermined period of time when the audio is played. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least one illuminating device enclosed within a body of the apparatus and at least one illuminating device enclosed within a head unit of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an audio device configured to output audio for a predetermined period of time. The at least one illuminating device is configured to illuminate the apparatus for a predetermined period of time when the audio is played. 
     In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of illuminating devices enclosed within the apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one switch configured to cause an audio device to play audio and cause the plurality of illuminating devices to illuminate the apparatus for a predetermined period of time when the audio is played. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying figures. These figures depict only some embodiments of the invention and are not limiting of the scope of the invention. Regarding the figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front-view of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  includes a back-view of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side-view of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first component of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second component of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a third component of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a shell of a module of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top-view of a module of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9 . Illustrates a side-view of a module of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an audio device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a module of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a module of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a module of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a circuit board, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15A-C  is a block diagram illustrating a various views of musical toothbrush, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention. 
     The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     One or more embodiments described herein pertain to a musical toothbrush configured to illuminate when audio (e.g., songs, music, sounds, beats, etc.) is played. One audio can be played while brushing in the morning and the other audio can be played while brushing at night, for example. The toothbrush may use soft bristles having an ergonomic design to clean plaque in hard-to-reach places and may utilize a tongue cleaner to clean the person&#39;s tongue. The toothbrush may also include replaceable brush heads, at least two musical buttons, and replaceable batteries. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front-view of a toothbrush  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush  100  includes three components, i.e., a first component (or upper body)  105 , a second component (or middle body)  110 , and a third component (or lower body)  115 . Each component may include an illuminating device (not shown) configured to illuminate when audio is played or illuminate based on the beat of the audio. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments that each component may illuminate separately or simultaneously. Illuminating devices may include light emitting diodes or any other light-emitting device as would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     It should be appreciated that each component may be composed of transparent or translucent material, such that a user can view the illuminated lights when audio is played. In another embodiment, each component may include slots (not shown) configured to allow light to illuminate from toothbrush  100 . For example, each illuminating device may fit through each hole, such that illumination can be viewed when audio is played. 
     In this embodiment, first component  105  is a brush head that includes bristles  120  and a rubber coating  125 . Bristles  120  can be multi-level and angled to help remove plaque more efficiently. Rubber coating  125  provides the user with a comfortable brushing experience. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the coating need not be made of rubber, but can be any type of coating that would enhance the user&#39;s experience while brushing, such as certain plastics, fibers, woods, or any other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the illuminating device may illuminate rubber coating  125  when audio is played. In other embodiments, the illuminating device may illuminate a portion of, or the entirety of, first component  105 . First component  105  may be attached to and detached from second component  110 . In certain embodiments, second component  110  may include a locking mechanism configured to lock first component  105  in place. This allows the brush head to be replaced, for example, every three (3) months, as recommended by dentists. 
     Second component  110  is operatively connected to first component  105  and third component  115 . Second component  110  includes a module (not shown) that includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor, a battery, and a speaker, all of which are interconnected via electronic wiring. See  FIGS. 7-9  for a more detailed description of the module. As discussed above, second component  110  may also include an illuminating device (not shown) that is configured to illuminate the entirety of, or part of, second component  110 . 
     Second component  110  also includes a grip  130  and two buttons  135 ,  140 . Grip  130  can be made of rubber, a rubber-like material, or any material that would enhance a user&#39;s experience of holding the toothbrush while brushing his or her teeth. While not in any particular order, button  135  can be configured to play audio, such as a song, sound and/or music, while brushing in the morning and button  140  can be configured to play music while brushing at night. Buttons  135 ,  140  may have an illustration of a sun and a moon, for instance, to instruct the user when to press the button. 
     Also, when button  135  or  140  is pressed, the music is activated and starts to play for two (2) minutes, which is the dentist recommended time to brush teeth. It should be appreciated that the duration of the music can be configured to play more or less than two minutes, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the user presses button  135  or  140  before the two-minute duration, then the music is deactivated and stops playing. If the user presses button  135  or  140  a subsequent time, the music is activated and plays for two minutes or until the music is deactivated. However, it should be appreciated that the music can be configured to continue to play from the time when the music was deactivated. When the audio is played, the illuminating device in each of the components is configured to illuminate in accordance with the beat of the audio. 
     Third component also includes an illuminating device also not shown. Third component  115  further includes sound apertures  145  to allow music waves to travel. Apertures  145  may also allow any water drawn into third component  115  to exit and mitigate against muffling of the music. 
     It should be appreciated that toothbrush  100  may be constructed in such a manner as to prevent bristles  120  from contacting, for example, a countertop in a bathroom. For instance, if toothbrush  100  is laid on its face, then second component  110  is configured to rotate to the left side or the right side of toothbrush  100 . Such a configuration facilitates a more hygienic toothbrush. 
       FIG. 2  includes a back-view of a musical toothbrush  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush  200  includes a first component  205 , a second component  210 , and a third component  215 . 
     First component  205  includes a soft rubber coated material  220  to facilitate a comfortable brushing experience and a tongue cleaner  225  to allow a user to clean his or her tongue while brushing Second component  210  includes a first grip  230 . First grip  230  can be made of a rubber material, or any material that would enhance a user&#39;s experience when holding the brush. Third component  215  includes a second grip  235  that can be made of rubber material, or any material that would enhance a user&#39;s experience when holding the brush. 
     It should be appreciated that the head of toothbrush  200  may be prevented from contacting, for example, a counter in a bathroom. For instance, the width of the left and the right side of second component  210  and third component  215  are configured such that toothbrush  200  is prevented from rotating and that neither the bristles nor tongue clear  225  contact the counter. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side-view of the musical toothbrush  300 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For hygiene purposes, it should be appreciated that when back-portion  305  of toothbrush  300  is lying on the counter, tongue cleaner  310  is prevented from contacting the counter. This configuration prevents bacteria from directly contacting the tongue cleaner. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first component  400  of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First component  400  includes a head of the toothbrush. The head of the toothbrush includes a soft outer coating  405  and bristles  410 . First component  400  also includes a connector  415  that operatively connects first component  400  with the second component of the toothbrush. Connector  415  allows a user to replace the brush head every three (3) months, for example, as recommended by dentists. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second component  500  of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Second component  500  includes a grip  505 , buttons  510  and  515 , an opening  520 , a connector  525 , and a slot  530  for a waterproof band. 
     Opening  520  is configured to securely receive the connector of the first component such that the first component and the second component of the musical toothbrush securely fasten together. Connector  525  is configured to operatively connect second component  500  with the third component of the toothbrush. As a result, the second and third components of the toothbrush can securely fasten together. 
     Because second component  500  and the third component can house the processor, battery, and the audio device, connector  525  utilizes slot  530  for a waterproof band to prevent liquid or water from entering the second and third components. As a result, malfunctioning of the processor, battery, and/or audio device is significantly reduced. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a third component  600  of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Third component  600  includes an opening  605  and apertures  610 . Opening  605  is configured to securely receive the connector of the second component such that the second and third components of the toothbrush are securely fastened together. Also, portions of the module shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , can be securely placed within third component  600 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a shell of a module  700  of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The body of module  700  includes at least seven welds  705 A-G. Welds  705 A-G are configured to electronically connect the processor, battery, and audio device via electronic cables. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that more or less than seven welds may be utilized in order to electronically connect the processor, batter, and audio device via the electronic cables. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top-view of a module  800 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Module (or inner compartment)  800  can be housed in the second compartment and/or third compartment of the musical toothbrush. Module  800  can include one or more sub-compartments. For instance, module  800  includes an electronic board compartment  805 , a battery compartment  810 , an audio device compartment  815 , and a slot  820  for a waterproof band. 
     Electronic board compartment  805  houses an electronic circuit board (not shown). In order for electronic board compartment  805  to house a processor or circuit board, mounts  825 A and B are utilized. The circuit board can include a processor and two buttons that, when pressed, activate and/or deactivate the music. The circuit board can also include memory to store at least two audio, each audio having a playtime of two minutes. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the audio can have a playtime of more or less than two minutes. For instance, the audio can have a playtime of one minutes, two minutes, three minutes, etc. Attached to the circuit board may be an illuminating device configured to illuminate the components of the toothbrush when audio is played. 
     One or more batteries housed in battery compartment  810  are configured to power the processor or circuit board. The one or more batteries are also configured to power the audio device. It should be appreciated that electronic cables (not shown) may electronically connect the processor, the one or more batteries, and the audio devices. The one or more batteries may be button batteries, thumb cell batteries, AAA batteries, or any type of battery that will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Battery compartment  810  is configured to allow the one or more batteries to be replaced. Audio device compartment  815  is configured to house the audio device (not shown). 
     Because liquid, water, or toothpaste may enter the toothbrush through the apertures described above when a person brushes his or her teeth, a waterproof band is utilized. The band is configured to prevent liquid, water, or toothpaste from entering battery compartment  810  and/or electronic board compartment  805 . In other words, to prevent the processor or one or more batteries from malfunctioning, the band prevents liquid, water, or toothpaste from contacting the same. The band can be made of a rubber-like material, or any type of material that will prevent liquid, water, or toothpaste from entering battery compartment  810  and/or electronic board compartment  805 . 
       FIG. 9 . Illustrates a side-view of a module  900  of the musical toothbrush, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Module  900  includes an electronic board compartment  905 , a battery compartment  910 , an audio device compartment  915 , and a slot  920  for a waterproof band. In order for electronic board compartment  905  to house a processor or circuit board, mounts  925 A and B are utilized. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an audio device cover  1000 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, when water, liquid, or toothpaste enters the inner compartment described above through the apertures of the third compartment of the toothbrush, the audio, or sound, from the audio device becomes muffled. In order to prevent the audio from muffling or scattering, audio device cover  1000  is operatively connected to the audio compartment of the inner compartment of the toothbrush. Audio device cover  1000  includes openings  1005 . Openings  1005  may be circular, rectangular, or any shape that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Openings  1005  prevent water, liquid, or toothpaste from being confined to the inner compartment of the toothbrush and allow water, liquid, or toothpaste to exit the inner compartment of the toothbrush. 
     Furthermore, when audio device cover  1000  is connected to the audio compartment, a hollow space is created between the audio device housed in the audio compartment and audio device cover  1000 . The hollow space allows sound waves to bounce from audio device cover  1000  onto the audio device and through openings  1005  in audio device cover  1000  and apertures. As a result, the sound, or audio quality, is enhanced. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a module  1100  of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Module (or inner compartment)  1100  includes a circuit board  1105 . Circuit board  1105  can include, but is not limited to, a processor, memory, illuminating device, and buttons. Circuit board  1105  also includes battery holders  1110 A-C and an audio device holder  1115 . An upper compartment  1120 A and lower compartment  1120 B can be affixed to board  1105  to form a battery compartment. Because the battery compartment has opening on two side of module  1100 , batteries  1125 A-C can be removed or inserted from either side of the battery compartment. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the batteries can be removed and inserted into battery holders  1110 A-C in any direction. 
     The battery compartment also includes a waterproof slot  1130  that includes a band. The band prevents water, liquid or toothpaste from traversing inside the toothbrush. Also, in order to prevent water, liquid or toothpaste from entering the battery compartment, module  1100  utilizes waterproof epoxy glue  1135 . However, it should be appreciated that any type of substance or material may be used in place of glue  1135  to prevent water from entering the battery compartment. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a module  1200  of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Module  1200  includes an electronic board compartment  1205 , a lower and upper battery compartment  1210 A, B to hold the batteries and form a battery compartment, and a lower and upper audio device compartment  1215 A, B to hold the audio device and form an audio device compartment. Electronic board compartment  1205  includes mounts  1225 A, B to mount or hold the circuit board to module  1200 . It should also be appreciated that the circuit board can be situated between mounts  1225 A, B and extend into the battery compartment such that the circuit board may include replaceable batteries. 
     Module  1200  also includes a waterproof slot  1220  to prevent water, liquid, and/or toothpaste from entering the battery compartment or the circuit board compartment, via the audio device compartment. Upper audio device compartment  1215 B includes apertures  1230 A in order to prevent water, liquid and/or toothpaste from staying in the audio device compartment. Upper and lower audio device compartment  1215 A, B are configured to form another aperture  1230 B on both sides of the audio device compartment. Aperture  1230 B also allows audio waves, as well as water, liquid, and/or toothpaste, to exit without any disturbance. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a module  1300  of a musical toothbrush, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Module  1300  includes an electronic board compartment  1305 , a lower and upper battery compartment  1310 A, B to hold the batteries, a lower and upper audio device compartment  1315 A, B to hold the audio device. Electronic board compartment  1305  includes mounts  1325 A, B to mount the circuit board to module  1300 . 
     Module  1300  also includes a waterproof slot  1320  to prevent water, liquid, and/or toothpaste from entering the battery compartment or the circuit board compartment, via the audio device compartment. Upper audio device compartment  1315 B includes apertures  1330 A in order to prevent water, liquid and/or toothpaste from staying in the audio device compartment. 
     Upper and lower audio device compartment  1315 A, B are configured to form another aperture  1330 B, as well as aperture  1330 C on both sides of the audio device compartment. Apertures  1230 B and C allow audio waves, as well as water, liquid, and/or toothpaste, to travel and/or exit from the audio device compartment without any disturbance. This configuration is also beneficial, as the apertures prevent water, for example, from drying and malfunctioning the audio device. 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a circuit board  1400 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Circuit board  1400  may include a bus  1405  or other communication mechanism that can communicate information and a processor  1410 , coupled to bus  1405 , that can process information. Processor  1410  may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. Circuit board  1400  may also include memory  1415  configured to store information and instructions to be executed by processor  1410 . Memory  1415  may include any combination of random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, or any other type of computer readable medium. 
     The computer readable medium may be any available media that can be accessed by processor  1410 . The computer readable medium may include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media, and communication media. The communication media may include computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data and may include any information delivery media. 
     Processor  1410  can also be coupled via bus  1405  to an activation/deactivation unit(s)  1440  (e.g., switches) configured to activate or deactivate system  1400 . For example, when circuit board  1400  is activated, music stored in audio module  1425  may be played via audio device  1445 . 
     According to one embodiment, memory  1415  may store software modules that may provide functionality when executed by processor  1410 . The modules can include an operating system module  1420  and audio module  1425  configured to store audio (e.g., music), as well as other functional modules  1430 . Operating system module  1420  may provide operating system functionality for system  1400 . Because system  1400  may be part of a larger system, system  1400  may include one or more additional functional modules  1430  to include the additional functionality. 
     For example, circuit board  1400  may include an illuminating module, as part of other modules  1430 , configured to illuminate, via one or more illuminating devices  1435 , the toothbrush, or various components of the toothbrush, when music stored in audio module  1425  is played. In one embodiment, illuminating devices  1435  may illuminate various components of the toothbrush synchronously with the beat of the music or for the duration of the music. Each of illuminating devices  1435  may illuminate simultaneously, sequentially, or randomly depending on the configuration of system  1400 . It should be appreciated that illuminating devices  1435  may illuminate the same color or different colors depending on the configuration of system  1400 . 
     It should be appreciated that circuit board  1400  also includes a power supply  1450 . Power supply  1450  may be button batteries, thumb cell batteries, AAA batteries, AA batteries, or any type of battery that will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that a “system” could be embodied as toothbrush, or any other device that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Presenting the above-described functions as being performed by a “system” is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, but is intended to provide one example of many embodiments of the present invention. Indeed, methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be implemented in localized and distributed forms consistent with computing technology. 
     It should be noted that some of the system features described in this specification have been presented as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, graphics processing units, or the like. 
     A module may also be at least partially implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified unit of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module. Further, modules may be stored on a computer-readable medium, which may be, for instance, a hard disk drive, flash device, RAM, tape, or any other such medium used to store data. 
     Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.  FIG. 15A  is a diagram illustrating a front-view of toothbrush  1500  having a single button, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Toothbrush  1500  may include the circuit board of  FIG. 14  in this embodiment. Toothbrush  1500  may include a body segment  1505  that includes a grip mechanism  1510 . Grip mechanism  1510  is configured to allow the user to securely hold toothbrush  1500  in his or her hand while he or she is brushing. 
     Grip mechanism  1510  also includes a thumb grip mechanism  1515  configured to allow the user to securely place his or her thumb on toothbrush  150  while he or she is brushing Toothbrush  1500  also includes an activation switch (or button)  1520 . Activation switch  1520 , when pressed by the user, may activate a stored audio for a predefined period of time, as well as activate illuminating lights configured to illuminate toothbrush  1500  according to the beat of the audio or for a predetermined period of time when the audio is played. In some embodiments, body segment  1505  and elongated segment  1530  may be composed of translucent material to allow the user to view the illumination. Also, in some embodiments, different segments of, or the entire, toothbrush  1500  may illuminate according to the beat of the audio or for a predetermined period of time when the audio is played. 
     Toothbrush  1500  may also include a base  1525  configured to allow the user to place toothbrush  1500  upward when placed on the counter of a bathroom counter, for example. As shown in  FIG. 15C , base  1525  may also include a plurality of holes  1550  configured to allow audio waves to pass through toothbrush  1500 , such that the user may listen to the audio when played. 
     Toothbrush  1500  may also include an elongated segment  1530  of toothbrush  1500 . Elongated segment  1530  may include a toothbrush head  1535  that also includes bristles  1540  of toothbrush  1500 . As shown in  FIG. 15B , the other side of toothbrush head  1535  may include a tongue cleaner  1545  configured to allow a user to clean his or her tongue during or after brushing. 
     It should be appreciated that a computer program may control the electronic functionalities of the toothbrush. The computer program may be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may be, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive, a flash device, a random access memory, a tape, or any other such medium used to store data. The computer program product may include encoded instructions for controlling the nonlinear adaptive processor to implement the functions of the toothbrush. 
     The computer program can be implemented in hardware, software, or a hybrid implementation. The computer program can be composed of modules that are in operative communication with one another, and which are designed to pass information or instructions to display. The computer program can be configured to operate on a general purpose computer, or an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). 
     One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.