US20160100924A1 - Dental appliance case - Google Patents

Abstract

A dental appliance case for receiving a dental appliance is provided. In some embodiments, the case may include a power source, a sound device, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. The sound device may be configured to create an audible alert sound. The occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance. The processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the sound device. The processing unit may be operable to operate the sound device to create an audible alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/063,647, filed on Oct. 14, 2014, entitled “DENTAL APPLIANCE CASE APPARATUS”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This patent specification relates to the field of dental appliance cases. More specifically, this patent specification relates to dental appliance cases configured to provide information on a dental appliance.
BACKGROUND
• Dental appliances are used for a variety of purposes and may include retainers, dentures, partial dentures, active aligners, protraction headgear, spring aligners, and the like. Users of these appliances face similar problems regardless of the type of appliance. Dental appliance users often face a problem of remembering to wear their appliance. By forgetting to wear a retainer, the user may encounter treatment setbacks such as their teeth shifting or not moving correctly requiring a lengthy and uncomfortable treatment period.
• Users may also encounter the problem of remembering where they left their dental appliance. These appliances are usually expensive and difficult to replace. Much time and energy can be wasted on looking for lost appliances. If the appliance cannot be found, in addition to possible treatment setbacks, a user may be required to pay for a replacement appliance.
• For dental appliances such as retainers, a user may have trouble remembering the amount of time they have been wearing their dental appliance each day. Without an accurate accounting of the amount of time the retainer has been worn, a user may also encounter treatment setbacks such as their teeth shifting or not moving correctly requiring a lengthy and uncomfortable treatment period.
• Therefore, a need exists for novel apparatuses for reminding a user to wear their dental appliance. There also exists a need for novel apparatuses for preventing the loss of dental appliances. There is a further need for novel apparatuses for facilitating locating dental appliances. Finally, there exists a need for novel apparatuses for recording and reporting the amount of time a dental appliance is worn by a user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A dental appliance case is provided. In some embodiments, the case may comprise a power source, one or more alert devices, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. An alert device may comprise a light emitting diode, a sound device, and/or a vibration device. A sound device may be configured to create an audible alert such as an audible alert sound. A light emitting diode may be configured to create a visual alert such as an emission of light. A vibration device may be configured to create a tactile alert such as a vibration. The occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance. The processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and one or more alert devices. The processing unit may be operable to operate one or more alert devices to create an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.
• In some embodiments, the case may comprise a lid, a base, and a power source. The base and lid may be operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together, forming a cavity between the lid and base that is able to receive a power source, one or more alert devices, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. An occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance. A processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and one or more alert devices. The processing unit may be operable to operate one or more alert devices to create an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.
• In further embodiments, the case may comprise a lid, a base, and a power source. The base and lid may be operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together, forming a cavity between the lid and base that is able to receive a dental appliance. An occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance in the cavity. An alert device may be configured to create an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert. A communication array may be operable to send and receive wireless communications. A processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, alert device, and the communication array. The processing unit may operate the alert device to create an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert and to operate the communication array to send wireless communications describing electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
• FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an example of a dental appliance case in an open position showing insertion of a dental appliance into the dental appliance case according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of an example of a dental appliance case in a closed position according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of a dental appliance case in a closed position according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of an example of a floor according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example of a floor assembled with some components of a dental appliance case according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded top view some of the components of a dental appliance case according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 7 depicts a perspective exploded bottom view some of the components of a dental appliance case according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of some of the components of a dental appliance case according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of some of the components of a processing unit according to various embodiments described herein.
• FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an example of a dental appliance case in wireless communication with client devices according to various embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
• Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
• In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
• For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
• New dental appliance cases are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
• The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
• The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.FIGS. 1-3 depict an example of a dental appliance case (“the case”)100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, thecase100 may comprise alid11 and a base12 which may be temporarily aligned and brought together as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, to form acavity13 between thelid11 andbase12 that is configured to receive a power source36 (FIGS. 5-8), an occupancy sensor32 (FIG. 8), a processing unit21 (FIGS. 8 and 9), one or morealert devices35,38,39 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and any other component of thecase100. In further embodiments, thecase100 may comprise alid11 and a base12 which may be temporarily aligned and brought together as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, to form acavity13 between thelid11 andbase12 that is configured to receive apower source36, analert device35,38,39, anoccupancy sensor32, aprocessing unit21, any other component of thecase100, and a dental appliance200 (FIG. 1). Thecavity13 may be configured to define a volume which is suitable for receiving adental appliance200 such as a retainer, mouth guard, or the like. In further embodiments, thecase100 may comprise an optional hinge14 and anoptional lid release15 both providing an engagement with abase12. A hinge14 may pivotally couple a portion of thelid11 to the base12 while thelid release15 may removably couple another portion of thelid11 to thebase12. In still further embodiments, alid11 may comprise alid release15 and a base12 may also comprise alid release15. When thelid11 andbase12 are pivoted into a closed position60 (FIGS. 2 and 3), afirst lid release15 may be removably coupled to asecond lid release15 and/or to a portion of thelid11 and/orbase12 thereby closing off thecavity13 and maintaining the case in aclosed position60. By uncoupling afirst lid release15 from asecond lid release15 and/or a portion of thelid11 and/orbase12, portions of thelid11 may be moved away from thebase12, such as by pivoting, thereby moving thecase100 into anopen position61 and granting access for insertion and removal of adental appliance200 to and from thecavity13.
• In some embodiments, alid11 and a base12 may comprise a generally rectangular prism shape with rounded corners, and when aligned and brought together, form a cavity13 (FIG. 3) or space between the two that is able to receive a retainer, denture, and other likedental appliances200. In other embodiments, acavity13,lid11 and/or a base12 may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including circular shaped, oval shaped, triangular shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
• In some embodiments, one or more hinges14 may be positioned anywhere on thecase100 to provide a pivotal joining engagement between thelid11 and thebase12. A hinge14 may comprise a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, a flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge or pivotal joining method that allows portions of alid11 andbase12 to be pivoted away from each other. In further embodiments, a hinge14 may comprise any type of hinge known in the art, including so-called “living” hinges, which typically comprise a linear, relatively flexible area between two relatively more rigid components, such as a line of thin plastic between thicker plastic portions, as is well known in the art. In some embodiments, a hinge14 may comprise a spring or other tension providing device that is able to mechanically assist with the opening or closing of thelid11. In other embodiments, alid11 andbase12 may be slidably joined together with a tongue and groove engagement allowing portions of alid11 to be slid open and closed from thebase12. In further embodiments, alid11 andbase12 may be joined with any other type of engagement that allows a portion of alid11 to be moved towards and away from a base12 thereby restricting and granting access to thecavity13 of thecase100.
• In some embodiments, one or more lid releases15 may be positioned anywhere on thecase100 that are configured to temporarily allow or deny a portion of alid11 from moving with respect to thebase12 by temporarily engaging a portion of thelid11 to thebase12. In further embodiments, alid release15 may comprise apressure catch16 that may be configured to secure or engage a portion of thelid11 to the base12 when a portion of thelid11 is pressed against thebase12 and/orlid release15 such as when thecase100 is in a closed position60 (FIGS. 2 and 3). By pressing on thelid release15, when thecase100 is in aclosed position60, thepressure catch16 may be released allowing portions of thelid11 to move away from the base12 allowing the base to be in anopen position61 as shown inFIG. 1. In other embodiments, alid release15 may be configured to temporarily join or engage a portion of alid11 to a base12 with a clasp type connection method, magnetic lock type connection method, key lock type connection method, electronic lock type connection method, combination lock type connection method, push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function.
• As shown in the example ofFIG. 1, thecase100 is illustrated in anopen position61 with a portion of thelid11 pivoted away from the base12 while still being engaged together at a hinge14. Thecavity13 formed between the base12 andlid11 is configured to receive and secure a retainer, denture, or other likedental appliance200. In some embodiments, thecase100 may comprise afloor18 which may be configured to separate electronic components of thecase100 from adental appliance200 received in thecavity13. In some embodiments, afloor18 may be joined to or coupled to the base12 with electronic components stored between thefloor18 and thebase12. In other embodiments, afloor18 may be joined to or coupled to thelid11 with electronic components stored between thelid11 and thefloor18. In further embodiments, afloor18 may be joined or coupled to thebase12 and/orlid11 with electronic components stored between thelid11 and thefloor18 and/or thebase12 and thefloor18. Afloor18 may be joined or coupled to alid11 orbase12 to prevent fluids and debris associated with adental appliance200 received in thecavity13 from reaching the electronic components of thecase100.
• FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of an example of afloor18 according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, afloor18 may comprise or be coupled to one or more electronic components such as alid sensor30, acontrol input31, and/or an occupancy sensor32 (FIG. 8) which may include asensor receiver34, and/or asensor emitter33. In preferred embodiments, electronic components of thefloor18 and/or coupled to thefloor18 may be water proof and may be in electrical communication with other electronic components located or stored between thelid11 and thefloor18 and/or thebase12 and thefloor18. Optionally, one ormore sensor housings17 may be coupled to thefloor18 to provide structures for one or more sensors and other electronic components to be positioned on or within. In some embodiments, asensor emitter33 may be coupled in afirst sensor housing17 and asensor receiver34 may be coupled within asecond sensor housing17. Thesensors33,34, may use infrared light to detect if a dental appliance200 (FIG. 1) is within the cavity13 (FIG. 1) such as by detecting if the dental appliance interrupts the infrared light. By disposing thesensors33,34, within thesensor housings17, thesensor housings17 may act as infrared light and sensor shields.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise an occupancy sensor32 (FIG. 8) which may include asensor receiver34 and/or asensor emitter33 which are configured to detect a dental appliance200 (FIG. 1). Thesensor receiver34 may comprise an infrared light receiver or detector and asensor emitter33 may comprise an infrared light emitter. In further embodiments, adental appliance200 placed proximate to asensor receiver34 and/or asensor emitter33, such as in thecavity13, may be detected as it interrupts the path of infrared light between aninfrared sensor emitter33 and aninfrared sensor receiver34. When the infrared light is not interrupted, theinfrared sensor receiver34 andinfrared sensor emitter33 may be used to detect that adental appliance200 is not proximate to asensor receiver34 and/or asensor emitter33, such as not in thecavity13.
• FIGS. 5-7 illustrate examples of some electronic components of adental appliance case100 and some optional configurations that they may be assembled in, whileFIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of some of the electronic components of acase100 according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise acircuit board19 which may be positioned between a base12 and afloor18. In other embodiments, acircuit board19 may be positioned between alid11 and afloor18. Acircuit board19 may comprise and/or provide electrical communication between one or more electronic components such as aprocessing unit21, alid sensor30, acontrol input31, asensor receiver34, asensor emitter33, analert device35,38,39 and/or acommunications array23. In further embodiments, acircuit board19 may comprise alocal bus26 which may provide electrical communication between one or more electronic components.
• In some embodiments, acircuit board19 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) which mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs can be single sided (one copper layer), double sided (two copper layers) or multi-layer. Conductors on different layers may be connected with plated-through holes called vias. In some embodiments, acircuit board19 may only comprise copper connections and no embedded components and may be called a printed wiring board (PWB) or etched wiring board. In other embodiments, acircuit board19 may comprise a printed circuit assembly (PCA), printed circuit board assembly or PCB assembly (PCBA), a circuit card assembly (CCA), or a backplane assembly, or any other suitable electrical connection and communication method including standard wiring and the like.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise alid sensor30 such as a magnetic sensor that is operable to detect if thelid11 is open, closed, and/or optionally partially opened or closed. In further embodiments, alid sensor30 may comprise a Hall effect sensor which may be positioned on thefloor18,base12, and/orlid11 and which may detect increases or decreases, and therefore proximity, in an electric field generated by the magnetic material of a magnet40 (FIG. 1) which may be complementarily positioned on thefloor18,base12, and/orlid11 to detect if thelid11 is open, closed, and/or partially opened or closed. In other embodiments, alid sensor30 may comprise a pressure switch, an electrical circuit, or any other method configured to detect if the lid is open, closed, or optionally not open or closed. In further embodiments, acase100 may comprise a reed switch, a pressure sensor, a contact sensor, a button mount, an ambient light sensor, or any other suitable sensor to detect if thelid11 is open, closed, or partially opened or closed.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise acontrol input31 which may be configured to control a function of an electronic component. In further embodiments, acontrol input31 may comprise an input such as turnable control knobs, depressable button type switches, slide type switches, rocker type switches, or any other suitable input that may be used to modulate electricity between one or more electronic components of thecase100 to control a function of thecase100.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise anoccupancy sensor32 which may include asensor receiver34 and/or asensor emitter33 which are configured to detect if a dental appliance200 (FIG. 1) is in thecavity13. In further embodiments, anoccupancy sensor32 may comprise an RFID sensor receiver, a magnetic sensor receiver, an Ultraviolet light receiver, an optical receiver, or any other sensor receiver that may be used to detect the presence or absence of adental appliance200 in acavity13. In still further embodiments, anoccupancy sensor32 may comprise a RFID emitter, a magnetic field generating material such as magnetic metals and permanent magnets, an Ultraviolet light emitter, an optical light emitter or any other sensor receiver that may be used to detect the presence or absence of adental appliance200 in acavity13. In even further embodiments, acase100 may comprise a reed switch, a button mount, a force sensor, an ambient light sensor, or any other suitable sensor to detect the presence or absence of adental appliance200 in acavity13.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise apower source36, such as a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery, which may provide electrical power to the electronic components of thecase100. Apower source36 may be positioned anywhere in thecase100 such as between thefloor18 and the base12 (FIGS. 1-3). One ormore wires41,electrical clips42, or other electrical couplings may provide electrical communication between the power source36 acircuit board19 orlocal bus26. In further embodiments, acase100 may comprise a chargingreceiver37 which may be in electrical communication with apower source36 such as a rechargeable battery. One ormore wires41,electrical clips42, or other electrical couplings may also provide electrical communication between a chargingreceiver37 and thepower source36,circuit board19, and/orlocal bus26. In still further embodiments, a chargingreceiver37 may comprise a wireless charging receiver, such as a Qi Standard Wireless charging Receiver or any other inductive charging or wireless power receiver, which may be configured to receive energy through an inductive coupling and to electrically communicate the energy to thepower source36 or apower management microchip43 in electronic communication with the chargingreceiver37 allowing wireless energy to inductively charge thepower source36. In still further embodiments, a chargingreceiver37 may comprise an electrical connector such as a USB connector such as a micro-USB, mini-USB, Type A USB plug, Type B USB plug, Mini-A USB plug, Mini-B USB plug, Micro-A USB plug, Micro-B USB plug, Micro-B USB 3.0 plug, ExtMicro USB plug, Lightning plug, 30-pin dock connector, Pop-Port connector, Thunderbolt plug, Firewire plug, Portable Digital Media Interface (PDMI) plug, coaxial power connector plug, barrel connector plug, concentric barrel connector plug, tip connector plug, or any other plug, connector, or receptacle capable of electrical communication.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise one or more alert devices such as one ormore sound devices35 which may comprise a speaker which may be operable to produce or create one or more audible alert sounds at one or more volume levels. In further embodiments, asound device35 may comprise a buzzer, a piezoelectric sound producing device, a dielectric elastomer sound producing device, a buzzer, a moving coil loudspeaker, an electrostatic loudspeaker, an isodynamic loudspeaker, a piezo-electric loudspeaker, or any other device capable of producing one or more sounds. In further embodiments, acase100 may comprise one or more alert devices such as one ormore vibration devices38, light emittingdevices39, and/or asound devices35 configured to relay haptic, visual, and/or auditory alert information from acase100 to a user. Alight emitting device39 may include a light emitting diode (LED), incandescent light bulb, halogen light bulb, laser light emitter, electroluminescent light source, neon light source, or any other suitable light source which is able to emit light, such as constant on light or intermittent light in one or more colors and/or intensities, viewable by a user as an alert.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise one or more alert devices such as one or more vibratingdevices38 configured to produce vibrations. In further embodiments, a vibratingdevice38 may comprise a long life brushless (BLDC) vibration motor, a coin or pancake vibration motor, an encapsulated vibration motor, an enclosed vibration motor, a pager motor, an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted vibration motor, or any other electrical device capable of producing vibrations.
• In some embodiments, acase100 may comprise acommunications array23 which is operable to send and receive wireless and/or wired communications. In further embodiments, acommunications array23 may comprise a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter and which enables wireless communication to a network or an external access client device (FIG. 10) such as cell phones, smart phones300A, tablet computers, laptop computers300B, wearable computers such as watches, Google Glasses, etc. and the like. In other embodiments, acommunications array23 may comprise a receiver and transmitter which enables any number of suitable wireless data communication protocols, techniques, or methodologies including, without limitation: RF; IrDA (infrared); Bluetooth; Wifi; ZigBee (and other variants of the IEEE 802.15 protocol); IEEE 802.11 (any variation); IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX or any other variation); Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum; Near-Field Communication (NFC); Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum; Long Term Evolution (LTE); cellular/wireless/cordless telecommunication protocols (e.g. 3G/4G, etc.); iBeacon; wireless home network communication protocols; paging network protocols; magnetic induction; satellite data communication protocols; wireless hospital or health care facility network protocols such as those operating in the WMTS bands; GPRS; proprietary wireless data communication protocols such as variants of Wireless USB; and any other protocols for wireless communication.
• FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of some of the components of aprocessing unit21 according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may comprise a small computer on a single integrated circuit typically used for embedded applications and preferably comprising a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM may also be included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Aprocessing unit21 may be used to receive input from, control, or modulate one or more of the functions of any electronic component of thecase100.
• Theprocessing unit21 may be configured to trigger one or more alerts or notifications which may be produced by a component of thecase100 in response to an electronic communication from acommunications array23, anoccupancy sensor32, alid sensor30, apower source36, and/or acontrol input31. An alert may include audible, tactile, and visual alerts. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may be configured to produce an audible alert by operating asound device35 to produce or create one or more audible sounds at one or more volume levels. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may be configured to produce a tactile alert by operating asound device35 to produce or create one or more vibrations which may vibrate thecase100 to produce a tactile alert perceptible by touch. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may be configured to produce a visual alert by operating alight emitting device39 or any other type of light emitting element to produce or create one or more colors of light at one or more brightness intensities which may illuminate to produce a visual alert.
• In further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may be a digital device that, in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes aprocessor22, adata store24, andmemory25. Theprocessing unit21 may be in electrical communication with acommunications array23 and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces20, such as alid sensor30, controlinput31,occupancy sensor32,sensor receiver34,sensor emitter33,sound device35,power source36, chargingreceiver37, avibration device38, and/or alight emitting device39. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatFIG. 9 depicts theprocessing unit21 in an oversimplified manner, and a practical embodiment may include additional components and suitably configured processing logic to support known or conventional operating features that are not described in detail herein.
• The components (22,23,24,25,27,28, and30) are communicatively coupled via alocal interface26. Thelocal interface26 can be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. Thelocal interface26 can have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, among many others, to enable communications. Further, thelocal interface26 may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.
• Theprocessor22 is a hardware device for executing software instructions. Theprocessor22 can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with theprocessing unit21, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), or generally any device for executing software instructions. When theprocessing unit21 is in operation, theprocessor22 is configured to execute software stored within thememory25, to communicate data to and from thememory25, and to generally control operations of theprocessing unit21 pursuant to the software instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, theprocessor22 may include a mobile optimized processor such as optimized for power consumption and mobile applications.
• The I/O interfaces20 may include any other electronic component of thecase100, such as alid sensor30, controlinput31,occupancy sensor32,sensor receiver34,sensor emitter33,sound device35,power source36, chargingreceiver37, avibration device38, and/or alight emitting device39 may be used to receive input from and/or for providing output from thecase100. Input can be provided via, for example, alid sensor30, controlinput31,occupancy sensor32,sensor receiver34,sensor emitter33, and/or chargingreceiver37. System output can be provided via acommunications array23, alight emitting device39, avibration device38, and/or asound device35. The I/O interfaces20 can also include, for example, a charging indicator light emittingdevice39 or any other type of light emitting device which may be positioned anywhere on thecase100, a serial port, a parallel port, a small computer system interface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and the like. The I/O interfaces20 can include a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to interact with theprocessing unit21. Additionally, the I/O interfaces20 may further include an imaging device, i.e. camera, video camera, etc.
• Thememory25 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, etc.), and combinations thereof. Moreover, thememory25 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that thememory25 may have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remotely from one another, but can be accessed by theprocessor22. The software inmemory25 can include one or more software programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In the example ofFIG. 9, the software in thememory25 includes a suitable operating system (O/S)27 andprograms28. Theoperating system27 essentially controls the execution of other computer programs, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. Theprograms28 may include various applications, add-ons, etc. configured to provide end user functionality with theprocessing unit21. For example,exemplary programs28 may include, but not limited to, a clock or timer program which may be configured to track input form an I/O interface20 and to correlate the input with a time stamp or time period. In a typical example, the end user typically uses one or more of theprograms28 to control the functions of the electronic components of thecase100.
• FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an example of adental appliance case100 inwireless communication70 with client devices according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may be used to record and process input from alid sensor30,occupancy sensor32, or any other sensor and to communicate the input to one or more external access client devices such as cell phones, smart phones300A, computers300B, such as tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable computers, and the like. In some embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may communicate the input directly to external access client300A,300B, devices through Bluetooth, Wifi, NFC, or other wireless communications, thereby triggering a notification such as a text message, email message, push notification, application notification, and the like on an external access client device. In other embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may communicate the input over a network to external access client devices300A,300B, through Wifi, cellular communications, or other wireless communications, thereby triggering a notification such as a text message, email message, push notification, application notification, and the like on an external access client device300A,300B. In further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may communicate the input directly to external access client devices300A,300B, and/or communicate the input over a network to external access client devices300A,300B, through Wifi, cellular communications, or other wireless communications, thereby triggering a notification such as a text message, email message, push notification, application notification, and the like on an external access client device300A,300B. In still further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may be in wired communication with an external access client devices300A,300B, and theprocessing unit21 may communicate the input directly to external access client devices300A,300B, thereby triggering a notification such as a text message, email message, push notification, application notification, and the like on an external access client device300A,300B.
• In some embodiments, thecommunications array23 may be in wireless communication with an external access client device300A,300B, and when the wireless communication is broken, theprocessing unit21 may trigger an audio, visual, and/or tactile alert. For example, thecommunications array23 may be in Bluetooth wireless communication with the smart phone device300A of a user. If the user, with their smart phone device300A, forgets and leaves thecase100 behind, the wireless communication may be broken as the distance between thecase100 and the smart phone device300A becomes too great for Bluetooth communication. Once the, wireless communication is broken, theprocessing unit21 may trigger an alert, such as a sound from thesound device35, a vibration from avibration device38, or a light from thelight emitting device39. In still further embodiments, as the distance between thecase100 and the smart phone device300A approaches a distance too great for Bluetooth communication, the communication array may send a wireless communication to the smart phone device300A and the smart phone device300A may produce an alert.
• Theprocessing unit21 may comprise a clock or timer program28 (FIG. 9) which may record the time of a sensor event, the time between sensor events, or any other temporal parameter. Theprocessing unit21 may be configured to operate thecommunications array23,sound device35, avibration device38, and/or alight emitting device39 based on the temporal data provided by the clock ortimer program28 and based on sensor data received or not received allowing the case to audibly, visually, vibrationally, and/or wirelessly communicate the temporal and/or sensor data.
• In some embodiments, themicrocontroller21 may operate thecommunications array23, light emittingdevice39,sound device35, and/or avibration device38 after receiving or not receiving input from alid sensor30. For example, theprocessing unit21 may or may not receive input from alid sensor30 for a period of time or at a certain time such as a user bed time. If thelid sensor30 does not detect that the lid has been opened or otherwise operated, theprocessing unit21 may operate thecommunications array23 to send a wireless electronic communication to an external access client device300A,300B, such as with a Bluetooth or WiFi wireless communication to notify a user that thelid11 has not been opened for a period of time or at a certain time. In further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may receive input from alid sensor30 or any other sensor detecting if and when a dental appliance is in thecavity13 or if and when thelid11 has been opened, and theprocessing unit21 may operate thesound device35 to produce an audible sound, and/or operate thevibration device38 to produce vibrations to notify a user of the sensor input, and/or alight emitting device39 to emit light for a visual alert.
• In some embodiments, themicrocontroller21 may operate thecommunications array23,sound device35, light emittingdevice39, and/or avibration device38 after receiving or not receiving input from anoccupancy sensor32. For example, theprocessing unit21 may receive input from anoccupancy sensor32 that adental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, for a period of time. Once the period of time meets or exceeds a threshold, such as meeting or exceeding the period of time for a user to eat a meal, theprocessing unit21 may operate acommunications array23. After adental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, for a period of time, theprocessing unit21 may operate thecommunications array23 to send a wireless electronic communication to an external access client device300A,300B, such as with a Bluetooth or WiFi wireless communication to notify a user of the sensor input. Likewise, after thedental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, for a period of time, theprocessing unit21 may operate thesound device35 to produce an audible sound, and/or operate thevibration device38 to produce vibrations to notify a user of the sensor input, and/or operate thelight emitting device39 to produce a visual alert. In another example, theprocessing unit21 may receive input from anoccupancy sensor32 that adental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, for a period of time such as a sleep period when the user should be wearing the dental appliance. If thedental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, during the sleep time period, such as between 10 PM and 6 AM, theprocessing unit21 may operate thecommunications array23,sound device35, avibration device38, and/or alight emitting device39, when thedental appliance200 is detected, such as by being in thecavity13, during the 10 PM and 6 AM time period.
• In some embodiments, themicrocontroller21 may operate thesound device35, light emittingdevice39, and/or avibration device38 after receiving or not receiving input from thecommunications array23. For example, an external access client device300A,300B, may be in wireless communication with thecommunications array23 of thecase100. Upon receiving a certain wireless communication or command from the client device300A,300B, theprocessing unit21 may operate thesound device35 to produce an audible alert sound, alight emitting device39 to emit light for a visual alert, and/or operate thevibration device38 to produce alert vibrations to notify a user of the location of thecase100. In another example, if the wireless communication with thecommunications array23 does not receive a wireless communication from an external access client device300A,300B, such as within a certain period of time, theprocessing unit21 may operate thesound device35 to produce an audible alert sound, alight emitting device39 to emit light for a visual alert, and/or operate thevibration device38 to produce alert vibrations to notify a user of the location of thecase100.
• In other preferred embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may receive input from awireless communications array26, anoccupancy sensor32,lid sensor30, and/or any other sensor detecting if adental appliance200 is in thecase100 and may notify a user by sending a push notification such as a text message, email message, and the like to a client device300A,300B. In still further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 may receive input from anoccupancy sensor32,lid sensor30, or any other sensor detecting how much time and at what times adental appliance200 is in or out of acase100. In even further embodiments, aprocessing unit21 andcommunications array23 may communicate the location of thecase100 and/or give the proximity of thecase100 to a client device300A,300B.
• While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise thecase100 such as thelid11,base12,electronic components19,20,21,22,23,25, optional hinge14,optional lid release15,optional pressure catch16, and/oroptional floor18 may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise thecase100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise thecase100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise thecase100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of thecase100.
• Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A dental appliance case, the case comprising:

a. a power source;

b. an alert device configured to create an alert, wherein the alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device;

c. an occupancy sensor, wherein the occupancy sensor is operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance; and

d. a processing unit in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the alert device, wherein the processing unit is operable to operate the alert device to create an alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.

2. The case ofclaim 1, wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a dental appliance is detected for a period of time.

3. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising a lid sensor, wherein the lid sensor is operable to detect if the lid is open.

4. The case ofclaim 2, wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after the lid has not been opened for a period of time.

5. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising a second alert device, wherein the second alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device.

6. The case ofclaim 5, wherein the processing unit operates the second alert device after a dental appliance is detected for a period of time.

7. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising a lid and a base, wherein the base and lid are operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together to contain the power source, alert device, occupancy sensor, and processing unit.

8. The case ofclaim 7, wherein the lid and base form a cavity between the lid and base when temporarily aligned and brought together that is able to receive a dental appliance.

9. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising a wireless charging receiver in electrical communication with the power source.

10. A dental appliance case for receiving a dental appliance, the case comprising:

a. a lid;

b. a base, wherein the base and lid are operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together, forming a cavity between the lid and base that is able to receive a dental appliance;

c. a power source;

d. an occupancy sensor, wherein the occupancy sensor is operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance in the cavity;

e. a communication array, wherein the communication array is operable to send and receive wireless communications; and

f. a processing unit in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the communication array, wherein the processing unit is operable to operate the communication array to send wireless communications describing the presence of a dental appliance in the cavity.

11. The case ofclaim 10, wherein the processing unit operates the communication array after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time.

12. The case ofclaim 10, further comprising an alert device operable to create an alert, wherein the alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device.

13. The case ofclaim 12, wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time.

14. The case ofclaim 12, wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a wireless communication is received by the communications array.

15. The case ofclaim 12, further comprising a lid sensor, wherein the lid sensor is operable to detect if the lid is open.

16. The case ofclaim 15, wherein the processing unit operates the communications array after the lid has not been opened for a period of time.

17. The case ofclaim 15, wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after the lid has not been opened for a period of time.

18. The case ofclaim 10, further comprising a second alert device, wherein the second alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device.

19. The case ofclaim 18, wherein the processing unit operates the second alert device after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time.

20. The case ofclaim 10, further comprising a wireless charging receiver in electrical communication with the power source.

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