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Patent US5909977 - Dentifrice dispensing toothbrush with refillable cartridge - Google Patents
A dentifrice dispensing toothbrush utilizes a refillable cartridge for storing dentifrice material and a compressible elastic button for pumping dentifrice material from the cartridge to a brush head. The refillable cartridge has special adaptive features for mounting to different sized openings of toothpaste...http://www.google.com/patents/US5909977?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5909977 - Dentifrice dispensing toothbrush with refillable cartridge
Publication number US5909977 A
Application number US 08/829,242
Publication number 08829242, 829242, US 5909977 A, US 5909977A, US-A-5909977, US5909977 A, US5909977A
Inventors Youti Kuo
Original Assignee Kuo; Youti
Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (67), Classifications (6), Legal Events (5)
Dentifrice dispensing toothbrush with refillable cartridge
US 5909977 A
A dentifrice dispensing toothbrush utilizes a refillable cartridge for storing dentifrice material and a compressible elastic button for pumping dentifrice material from the cartridge to a brush head. The refillable cartridge has special adaptive features for mounting to different sized openings of toothpaste tubes to facilitate cartridge refilling and venting entrapped air.
The essential components of the dentifrice dispensing toothbrush include 1) a brush head having an outlet opening therethrough and a series of bristles; 2) a pump assembly which has a pump chamber, an elastic compressible button and a base having a flap check valve; 3) a housing for attaching a refillable cartridge; 4) a refillable cartridge having an adaptive annular lip on its top opening for mating with the opening of a toothpaste tube and a plurality of shallow grooves for venting entrapped air, and a two-way follower disc for packing the dentifrice material. The dentifrice dispensing toothbrush optionally includes 5) a venting flip-cap for attachment to a toothpaste tube for releasing entrapped air when a cartridge is being refilled; and 6) a brush cover which seals the outlet opening of the brush head.
1. A refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush comprising:
a. a brush head having a platform with an outlet opening therethrough and a series of bristles which are attached to the platform;
b. a pump assembly comprising:
i. a pump chamber having (a) a base having an interior surface, an exterior surface having a recess wall and an opening therethrough, (b) a side wall having an opening therethrough, and (c) a top comprising an opening which is in communication with the outlet opening through the platform of the brush head;
ii. a depressible pump actuator attached to the side wall opening of the pump chamber for supplying a pumping force to dentifrice material stored in the pump chamber when the pump actuator is depressed;
iii. a flap check valve attached to the interior surface of the base for closing the opening in the base when the pump actuator is depressed;
c. a handle housing adapted for attachment of a refillable cartridge for storing dentifrice material, said handle housing being defined by a top which is attached to the exterior surface of the pump chamber, an open bottom and a side wall extending from the top to the open bottom;
d. a refillable cartridge containing dentifrice material which is adapted to be attached to the handle housing, said refillable cartridge being comprised of:
i. a cylindrical tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, said cylindrical tube terminating at a bottom opening end having a base and a top opening end which is in communication with the opening in the base of the pump chamber when the refillable cartridge is attached to the handle housing, said top opening end having a peripheral annular lip positioned around the top opening;
ii. a two-way follower disc positioned inside the cylindrical tube, said follower disc having an upper annular rim and a lower annular rim positioned to form a sliding fit against the inner surface of the cylindrical tube for sealing dentifrice material;
iii. a plurality of vent grooves positioned on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube and extending to the bottom open end, the length of the vent grooves being greater than the height of the follower disc, and the depth of said vent grooves being sufficiently small to prevent the flow of dentifirice material therethrough.
2. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 wherein the attachable, refillable cartridge contains an end cap attached to the cartridge base for stopping the movement of the follower disc when the cartridge is detached and is being filled with dentifrice material, said end cap having an opening which is smaller in diameter than the bottom open end of the cartridge.
3. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 including a venting flip cap wherein the top opening end of the refillable cartridge is connected to an outlet opening of the venting flip cap when the cartridge is detached from the handle housing for refilling purposes, said venting flip cap comprising:
a. a threaded base for mounting on a toothpaste tube opening which has threads on the exterior surface of the tube opening;
b. an outlet opening rim having (1) a sidewall which defines a flow channel and is connected to the threaded base, and (2) an edge which defines the outlet of the flow channel, said outlet opening rim having an exterior surface and an interior surface which is adapted to be mated with the exterior surface of the peripheral annular lip in the top opening end of the refillable cartridge;
c. a plurality of vent grooves disposed on the interior surface and extending inward from the edge of the outlet opening rim, the depth of the grooves being sufficiently small to permit the passage of air but prevent the passage of dentifrice material; and
d. a hinged cover connected to the sidewall, said hinged over having (1) an annular rim for inserting into the outlet opening rim and (2) ribs positioned on the annular rim which are parallel to the axis of the annular rim for mating with the corresponding vent grooves on the outlet opening rim for cleaning off any dentifrice material in the vent grooves of the outlet opening rim.
4. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 3 wherein the exterior surface of the outlet opening rim of the venting flip-cap has vent grooves connected to the vent grooves disposed on the interior surface of the outlet opening rim for providing air paths for releasing entrapped air when the annular lip of the top opening end of the refillable cartridge is inserted into said outlet opening rim of the venting flip-cap.
5. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 in which the peripheral annular lip in the top opening end has a first annular rim and a second annular rim of different outside diameters where either the first annular rim or the second annular rim is mateable with the interior surface of the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube.
6. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 wherein the top opening end of the refillable cartridge has an annular wall extension with interior threads for mating with the exterior threads of a toothpaste tube spout.
7. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 in which the pump actuator is a dome-shaped resilient, elastic, compressible button having its base attached to the sidewall opening of the pump chamber, said resilient button returning to its original shape when an applied pumping force is released.
8. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 in which the outside diameter of the upper annular rim of the follower disc of the refillable cartridge is less than the inside diameter of the cylindrical cartridge tube when the follower disc is not placed inside the cylindrical cartridge tube, and the outside diameter of the lower annular rim of the follower disc is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the cylindrical cartridge tube when the follower disc is not placed inside the cylindrical cartridge tube.
9. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush described in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the peripheral annular lip positioned around the opening at the top opening end of the refillable cartridge has shallow grooves for venting entrapped air when mounted on the inner surface of the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube and said shallow grooves are mateable with corresponding ribs positioned on the recess wall on the exterior surface of the pump chamber base for wiping off residual dentifrice material in the said grooves.
10. A venting flip-cap adapted to be attached to an outlet opening of a toothpaste tube and mated with an opening in a refillable cartridge of a dentifrice dispensing toothbrush, said venting flip-cap being comprised of:
a. a threaded base for mounting on a toothpaste tube opening which has threads on the exterior surface thereof;
b. an outlet opening rim having (1) a sidewall which defines a flow channel and is connected to the threaded base, and (2) an edge which defines the outlet of the flow channel, said outlet opening rim having an exterior surface and an interior surface which is adapted to be mated with the opening in a refillable cartridge;
c. a plurality of vent grooves disposed on the interior surface and extending inward from the outlet opening rim, the depth of the grooves being sufficiently small to permit the passage of air but prevent the passage of dentifrice material when mounted to a refillable cartridge; and
d. a hinged cover connected to the sidewall, said hinged cover having (1) an annular rim for inserting into the outlet opening rim and (2) ribs positioned on the annular rim which are parallel to the axis of the annular rim for mating with the corresponding vent grooves on the outlet opening rim for cleaning off any dentifrice material in the vent grooves of the outlet opening rim.
It is desirable to have a dentifrice dispensing toothbrush which uses a refillable cartridge for pumping dentifrice material to the top of a brush head. The refillable cartridge must be reusable without the need to clean after empty for repeated filling from a toothpaste tube. The steps of mounting of a refillable cartridge to a toothpaste tube and filling with the dentifrice material must be easy to perform for a person of average dexterity. The cartridge design must minimize air entrapment during filling with dentifrice material and be adaptive to different size openings of toothpaste tubes.
The present invention relates to a dentifrice dispensing toothbrush which pumps dentifrice material from a refillable cartridge to the brush head. In particular, the invention provides adaptive features for a refillable cartridge for mounting to small and large size openings of a variety of toothpaste tubes as well as means for minimizing and expelling entrapped air during filling of the cartridge from a toothpaste tube.
In the designs of a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush as described in many patents, no design has been directed toward minimizing air entrapment during filling of a cartridge which is mounted on a toothpaste tube. For a vacuum-type pumping mechanism for a pasty dentifrice material, the presence of air pockets (or voids) in the dentifrice material reduces the pumping efficiency and can cause eventual pumping failure, which is a breakdown of the continuity of the flow of dentifrice material to the top of the brush head despite repeated pumping actions.
In filling a toothpaste cartridge from a toothpaste tube, a major source of air entrapment comes from air pockets formed at the junction of the toothpaste tube and the cartridge mounted to the tube. Also, air pockets may have existed originally inside the toothpaste tube. These air pockets must be vented out as much as possible during the filling process of the cartridge.
There has been no prior art that specifically addresses the venting of entrapped air in the filling of a toothpaste cartridge from a toothpaste tube. Many toothpaste pump dispensers are designed for one time use only and are not refillable. As typified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,948 by Czech et al. once a toothpaste pump dispenser is spent, the piston or follower disc reaches the end of the reservoir and blocks the entrance to the pump chamber. Since the piston is not retractable, the reservoir cannot be refilled from the bottom opening end to make a flow path to the pump chamber. Furthermore, it cannot be refilled from the spout of the pump dispenser because the flow is blocked by its one-way check valve which prevents dentifrice material from entering the reservoir.
The type of replaceable cartridge as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,974 by Meyer et al. is mainly for storing liquid dentifrice and is not refillable. It does not have a follower disc required for packing the dentifrice material for vacuum pumping and it has only one opening that does not allow for venting of air inside. The Canadian Patent No. 523,340 by Vincent et al. describes a disposable toothbrush having a follower disc inside its handle for vacuum pumping of dentifrice material. The construction of the handle, which can be made separable, does not allow for venting of air during refilling and does not address the mountability to different sizes of toothpaste tube openings. In addition, the kind of replaceable toothpaste cartridge that uses a thread-type follower disc is not suitable for refilling because its follower disc cannot be pushed backward by the flow of the toothpaste during the refilling process. U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,645 describes a small size refillable toothpaste tube for conveniently storing inside a toothbrush handle for compactness; it is not for the convenience of vacuum pumping the toothpaste directly to the brush head through an internal flow channel.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,787,765 and 5,062,728 by Kuo describe replaceable toothpaste cartridges for vacuum pumping. Although these patents address the venting of air during insertion of a filled cartridge into the handle of a dentifrice dispensing toothbrush through holes located near the interface of the pumping chamber and the cartridge, the described venting mechanism is not applicable for the venting of entrapped air during filling of a toothpaste cartridge. Moreover, these cartridges use one-way follower discs which cannot be moved backward or removed as required for a refilling process. The kind of replaceable toothpaste cartridge disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,324 by Kuo uses a two-way follower disc, but it does not have features for venting entrapped air during refilling and for adaptive mounting of the cartridge to different sizes of toothpaste openings.
Another desirable feature of a refillable cartridge is the use of a two-way follower disc having different friction forces in its forward and backward movements inside a cartridge tube. While maintaining the sealing capability, the friction force of the follower disc against the tube wall should be as low as possible for pumping a wide variety of dentifrice materials including those of low cohesive strength. On the other hand, sufficient friction is needed to support the weight of the dentifrice material in a filled cartridge without slipping off in a free standing position. These opposite frictional requirements as described above have not been addressed in the prior art of toothpaste dispenser designs such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,904 by Schuckmann and U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,867 by Mettenbrink et al..
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide adaptive mounting features for a refillable toothpaste cartridge used on a toothpaste dispensing toothbrush to provide a snug-fit to different sizes of toothpaste tubes for filling the cartridge. It is also an object of this invention to provide design features for a refillable cartridge for venting entrapped air during the filling of the cartridge and for higher pumping efficiency. It is a further object of this invention to provide a venting flip-cap having special features for venting entrapped air in the junction area of a toothpaste tube mounted with a refillable cartridge.
In accordance with the present invention, a dentifrice dispensing toothbrush is provided with a refillable cartridge and a compressible elastic button for pumping a controlled quantity of dentifrice material in void free condition from the cartridge to the brush head. The refillable cartridge uses a two-way follower disc for packing the dentifrice material. The cartridge has a stepped mouth piece on its top opening end capable of mating with different sizes of outlet openings of a variety of toothpaste tubes, and a plurality of vent grooves on the inner wall of its bottom opening end for venting entrapped air. The invention also includes the use of a venting flip-cap for mounting a refillable cartridge to a toothpaste tube during refilling. The venting flip-cap not only is for facilitating the cartridge mounting but also is for expelling entrapped air in the enclosed junction area between the toothpaste tube and the mounted cartridge.
The essential components of the refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush of the present invention include 1) a brush head having a platform with an outlet opening therethrough and to which a series of bristles are attached; 2) a pump assembly which has a pump chamber and an elastic compressible button for supplying a pumping force and a base having a flap check valve; 3) a housing for attaching a refillable cartridge; 4) a refillable cartridge having an adaptive annular lip on its top opening for mating with the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube and a plurality of shallow grooves on the inner wall of its bottom opening end for venting entrapped air, and a two-way follower disc for packing and sealing the dentifrice material. The refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush of the invention optionally includes 5) a venting flip-cap having a threaded base for screw-on attachment to a toothpaste tube and vent grooves on its top opening rim for releasing entrapped air when inserted with a refillable cartridge, and a hinged cover having ribs mateable with the vent grooves for automatic cleaning by its closing action. It may also includes 6) a brush cover which has a slidable plug having a sealing rod insertable in the spout opening of the brush head.
When the elastic button is depressed, a pumping force is applied which causes a quantity of dentifrice material to flow from the cavity under the elastic button and from the pump chamber through a conduit to the brush head. During this time, back flow of dentifrice material from the pump chamber is prevented by a one-way check valve which is positioned at the base of the pump chamber. Upon release of the pumping force, the elastic button returns to its original shape due to its resilient nature. This springback action creates a vacuum force which causes dentifrice material to flow into the cavity of the compressible elastic button. Concurrently, because of the required continuity of flow of material, a quantity of dentifrice material moves from the reservoir in the cartridge in the handle into the pump chamber which in turn causes forward movement of the follower disc since it is under the atmospheric pressure. The volume of dentifrice material that is displaced by the advancement of the follower disc is equivalent to the volume dispensed to the brush head. The forward movement of the follower disc keeps the remaining dentifrice material in a packed condition.
To further ensure smooth and reliable pumping for continuous and non-interrupted flow of dentifrice material from a refillable cartridge to the brush head, the dentifrice material stored in the cartridge must be free from air pockets or voids. The presence of air pockets or voids reduces the vacuum force needed to pull the follower disc forward to maintain the packed condition of the dentifrice material. To minimize air entrapment and to stabilize the mounting of a refillable cartridge on a toothpaste tube for filling, the top opening of the cartridge has a stepped mouth piece for inserting and mating with the inner wall of the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube. Since there are two standard sizes of outlet openings in toothpaste tubes available in the marketplace, the two outside diameters of the stepped annular rims are defined to provide a snug-fit with the two corresponding sizes of the toothpaste tube openings. A single tapered annular rim can serve the same purpose but it is not as stable due to less contact surface. Moreover, the stepped mouth piece and the cartridge are preferably made from flexible plastic material by injection molding that allows for more dimensional tolerance for a snug-fit.
Prior to mounting a refillable cartridge onto a toothpaste tube, as a first step, a toothpaste tube should be rolled up and squeezed to push the front of the toothpaste to the top of the outlet opening to expel the air in that area. Next, the top opening end of a refillable cartridge having its follower disc at its foremost forward position is inserted onto the outlet opening of the toothpaste tube. These pre-filling steps can minimize the air entrapment in the junction area between the toothpaste tube and the cartridge. Then, by squeezing on the toothpaste tubes the incoming toothpaste can push the follower disc toward the bottom opening end of the cartridge. During this filling process, there is a possibility of the appearance of air pockets in the incoming toothpaste flow which are originally residing within the toothpaste tube. These entrapped air pockets may move to the flow front and congregate to create a larger air pocket there. This larger air pocket remains inside the cartridge contained by the follower disc until it escapes through the clearance, if any, between the walls of the follower disc and the cartridge. Since the follower disc is designed for slidable sealing of the dentifrice material, the air pocket can hardly leak through in the middle of the cartridge. In order to vent the entrapped air pocket, the bottom opening end of the refillable cartridge is provided with a number of shallow grooves on its interior wall. The depth of these vent grooves is sufficiently small to prevent leakage of paste-like dentifrice material yet allow air to escape. The length of the vent grooves extending from the bottom end of the cartridge is longer than the height of the follower disc so that the inward opening ends of the vent grooves are exposed to the air pocket as the rest of the vent grooves are being covered by the follower disc reaching the bottom end of the cartridge at the end of the filling process.
To prevent over-filling that causes the follower disc to come out from the cartridge, a refillable cartridge is provided with an end cap, which has a smaller opening area for blocking further movement of the follower disc when it reaches the bottom opening end of the cartridge. The construction of the end cap allows for sufficient clearance for the air to leak through the vent grooves at the bottom edge of the cartridge. Moreover, the end cap is detachable for removing the follower disc for cleaning after repeated uses and refillings as necessary.
As mentioned previously, eliminating air entrapment in the outlet opening area of a toothpaste tube for filling a cartridge requires a user to roll up and squeeze a toothpaste tube to push the toothpaste forward to the brink of the top opening of the tube. To avoid this cumbersome step, which is often ignored by users, a venting flip-cap is provided as a refilling adaptor for capping on a toothpaste tube. In addition to inner threads on its bottom opening end for screw-on onto a toothpaste tube and an hinged cover for enclosing on its top opening end, the venting flip-cap has a number of shallow grooves on the interior wall of its top opening and corresponding mating ribs on its hinged cover. When inserted with the stepped mouth piece of a refillable cartridge for filling, these shallow grooves become vent channels for venting the entrapped air. The venting function of these shallow grooves is similar to that of the vent grooves at the bottom end of the refillable cartridge. Furthermore, these vent grooves remain unclogged as they are to be mated with the corresponding ribs built on the hinged cover when it is closed. Closing action of the hinged cover automatically wipes off any residual toothpaste remaining in the vent grooves from possible prior direct dispensing; thus it keeps the air passage free of toothpaste for the next refilling of a cartridge. The venting feature of the refillable cartridge and the method of mounting a refillable cartridge on a toothpaste tube with the use of the venting flip-cap as a refilling adaptor for filling the cartridge constitutes a refilling system that can eliminate the entrapment of air during filling of the cartridge.
FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the dentifrice dispensing toothbrush of this invention with the refillable cartridge separated from the brush head housing.
FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the dentifrice dispensing toothbrush of FIG. 1a with the refillable cartridge attached to the brush head housing.
FIG. 2 is a section view of an assembled toothbrush of FIG. 1b showing threaded connection between the brush head housing and the refillable cartridge.
FIG. 3 shows a filled toothpaste cartridge and an unfilled brush head housing prior to priming.
FIG. 4a is a section view of a pump chamber base which shows a one-way flap check valve in a closed position as used in the toothbrush shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4b is a section view of a pump chamber base which shows a check valve in an open position as used in the toothbrush shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5a shows a pump chamber base and unassembled components of a refillable cartridge.
FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c show section views of an assembled pump chamber and empty cartridge with the follower disc at the top opening end of the cartridge.
FIG. 5d is a perspective view of a refillable cartridge which shows the vent grooves at the bottom opening end of the cartridge with the end cap removed.
FIG. 5e is a perspective view of an end cap and a partial perspective view of a refillable cartridge which shows the engagement of the vent grooves and the follower disc positioned at the bottom opening end of the cartridge.
FIG. 6a through FIG. 6d are section views of one embodiment of the toothbrush of this invention showing the relative positioning of parts for each step of an operating cycle.
FIG. 7a shows an empty refillable cartridge having its follower disc at the top opening end of the cartridge prior to mounting onto a toothpaste tube.
FIG. 7b shows the mounting of a refillable cartridge with a stepped annular lip having the larger outside diameter matched with the inside diameter of a larger outlet opening of a toothpaste tube.
FIG. 7c shows the mounting of a refillable cartridge with a stepped annular lip having the smaller outside diameter matched with the inside diameter of a smaller outlet opening of a toothpaste tube.
FIG. 7d is a schematic view showing the venting of air when the follower disc reaches the bottom opening end of the refillable cartridge.
FIG. 7e shows the flow of dentifrice material during priming of a toothbrush with a refillable cartridge.
FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a venting flip-cap which shows vent grooves on the interior wall of its top opening end and corresponding mating ribs on its hinged cover.
FIG. 8b shows a top view of the flip-cap shown in FIG. 8a.
FIG. 8c is a section view of a venting flip-cap showing a hinged cover at different positions.
FIG. 8d is a section view of the mounting of a venting flip-cap on a toothpaste tube with a hinged cover at a closed position.
FIG. 9a is a sectional view of a refillable cartridge and a venting flip-cap and a planar view of a toothpaste tube prior to mounting for filling.
FIG. 9b shows a section view of a refillable cartridge positioned on and inserted into the top opening of a venting flip-cap screwed on a toothpaste tube showing entrapped air at the top opening area.
FIG. 9c is a schematic section view of FIG. 9b showing movement of the toothpaste flow and the venting of entrapped air through the vent grooves.
FIG. 10a is a section view of the components of a refillable cartridge having a non-threaded top opening end for linear insertion into a long handle housing.
FIG. 10b is a section view of a refillable cartridge similar to FIG. 10a mounted on a venting flip-cap.
FIG. 10c is a schematic section view of a refillable cartridge similar to FIG. 10b with the follower disc reaching the bottom opening end of the cartridge showing venting of entrapped air.
FIG. 11a is a section view showing a toothbrush having a separable brush head attached to the long handle housing with a refillable cartridge removed.
FIG. 11b is a section view showing a toothbrush similar to FIG. 11a having a refillable cartridge inserted into a long handle housing.
FIG. 11c shows perspective views of a refillable cartridge having vent grooves on the exterior surface of the annular lip and a pump chamber base having mateable ribs on its recess wall.
FIG. 11d shows a section view of the engagement of the vent grooves of the refillable cartridge with the corresponding ribs in the pump chamber base inside a handle housing.
FIG. 11e is a cross-section view showing the mounting of a refillable cartridge having vent grooves on external surface of the annular lip matched with the inside diameter of the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube.
FIG. 12 is a side view of a toothbrush in one embodiment of this invention mounted with a cover having a slidable plug inserted into the spout of the brush head for sealing.
One embodiment of the dentifrice dispensing toothbrush of this invention includes a brush head housing assembly and a refillable toothpaste cartridge. FIG. 1b shows dentifrice dispensing toothbrush 10 having refillable cartridge 50 attached to brush housing assembly 20 and FIG. 1a shows refillable cartridge 50 being detached from brush head housing assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 2, brush head housing assembly 20 consists of brush head 21 having platform 25 with bristles 211 and outlet opening 212, neck 22 having conduit 221, pump assembly 31, and handle housing 40. Pump assembly 31 has pump chamber 311 which is in communication with conduit 221, opening 332 in its base 334 which has interior surface 340 and exterior surface 350 (FIG. 4a), and resilient elastic button 321 which is attached to opening 313 on sidewall 49. Dentifrice material is stored in refillable cartridge 50 which is attachable to brush head housing assembly 20. Resilient elastic compressible button 321 is used to supply a pumping force which causes dentifrice material (not shown) to flow from cartridge 50 to brush head 21. FIG. 3 shows separated views of a filled refillable cartridge 50 and an unfilled brush head housing assembly 20 prior to priming to illustrate the positions of interior threads 531 on cartridge 50 and exterior threads 335 on base 334 of the pump chamber. Exterior threads 335 and interior threads 531 are mateable to fasten cartridge 50 to brush head housing assembly 20. FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively show isolated views of closed and opened positions of flap check valve 333 against opening 332 in base 334 of the pump chamber. Flap check valve 333 is movably attached to hinge 360 which is fastened to base 334. When a pumping force is applied by depressing button 321, flap check valve 333 is at the closed position and is in the open position when the pumping force is released. The exterior surface of base 334 has a stepped recess 361 for matching with stepped annular lip 522 of the cartridge 50 as shown in FIG. 3, which is mateable with the opening of a toothpaste tube as will be described in a later section. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, outer annular rim 337 on the exterior surface 350 of base 334 is mateable with first annular groove 53 of cartridge 50 (FIGS. 5a) for structural support and additional sealing of the dentifrice material.
FIG. 5a shows the basic unassembled components of a refillable cartridge used in one embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment refillable cartridge 50 consists of a cylindrical tube 45 having interior threads 531 on its top opening end 511, a number of shallow vent grooves 541 on the inner surface 540 of its bottom opening end 54, a slidable two-way follower disc 55 and an end cap 61. As shown in FIG. 5b and 5c, first annular groove 53 on the top opening end 511 (FIG. 5a) is engaged with the outer annular rim 337 on the exterior surface 350 of base 334 (FIGS. 4a and 4b). FIG. 5b shows a number of vent grooves 541 at bottom opening end 54 of cartridge 50. The length of vent grooves 541 is slightly greater than the height of the follower disc 55 (FIG. 5a). The height of follower disc 55 is defined as the distance (in the axial direction of the cylindrical tube) between the two parallel planes of the edges of upper and lower annular rims 56 and 57. The second annular groove 542 on base 44 of cartridge 50 is for mating with the corresponding annular rib 561 on the end cap 61 for fastening as shown in FIGS. 5d and 5e.
Follower disc 55 has upper annular rim 56 and lower annular rim 57 positioned at the ends of cylindrical body 58 as shown in FIG. 5a. Follower disc 55 is inserted into the cylindrical tube 45 through the bottom opening 54 of cartridge 50 to provide slidable sealing of the dentifrice material. Each annular rim has a shape which is conformable to the inner surface 540 of cylindrical tube 45. Both annular rims are flexible. In its free state when not placed inside a cartridge, the outside diameter of the upper annular rim 56 facing the top opening end is minutely smaller than that of the inner wall 540 of the cylindrical tube while the outside diameter of lower annular rim 57 facing the bottom opening end 54 is slightly larger than that of said inner surface 540. Because of the interactions of the plowing action of the angled annular rims 56 and 57 as well as the deflection of the tip of said lower annular rim 57 due to its over-sized diameter, the frictional resistance on follower disc 55 for forward movement is much less than that for the backward movement. While maintaining its sealing capability due to its close contact with the inner surface 540, follower disc 55 enables pumping of a wide variety of dentifrice materials including those of low cohesive strength because of its lower friction resistance for forward movement. The oversize of the outside diameter of lower annular rim 57 is determined by the requirement that the friction force between inner surface 540 of cartridge 50 and follower disc 55 be able to support the weight of the dentifrice material. No slippage of the follower disc under the gravity force is required for free handling of a filled cartridge when the cartridge is not covered or attached to the pump chamber base of a toothbrush as described.
FIGS. 6a through 6c show the sequential positions of the components for one operating cycle of toothbrush 10, which has been pre-filled with dentifrice material 42. In the first stage, FIG. 6a, compressible elastic button 321 is in a non-pumping position and is maintained in its fully extended position due to its elastic nature. Check valve 333 is in its open position as a result of filling the toothbrush with the dentifrice material. In the second stage, FIG. 6b, compressible elastic button 321 is pressed down to cause dentifrice material to flow from the pump chamber to bristles 211 and at the same time cause flap check valve 333 to close the first opening 332 so as not to move follower disc 55 backward. The quantity of the dentifrice material dispensed to the brush head is the same as the displacement volume of the cavity 322 of compressible elastic button 321 during one pumping sequence.
In the third stage, as shown in FIG. 6c, the compressing force which had been applied to the compressible elastic button 321 is released, button 321 returns from its compressed position to its original shape because of the resiliency and memory of the material from which it is made. At the same time, the dentifrice material in cavity 322, pump chamber 311 and in cartridge reservoir 51 moves with compressible elastic button 321 and at the same time the follower disc 55 advances to a new forward position that keeps the dentifrice material in a packed condition. In all of these movements and during the elastic recovery of button 321, the dentifrice material is under a stretching condition between the pulling force of compressible elastic button 321 and the resistance force of follower disc 55. Void formation in the dentifrice material caused by such stretching is reduced or eliminated if the resistance to the forward movement of the follower disc is minimized.
Additional quantities of dentifrice material are dispensed through repeated pumping actions. In each pumping action, follower disc 55 is advanced inside of cartridge 50 toward pump chamber 311 as dentifrice material is pumped therefrom. As shown in FIG. 6d, follower disc 55 reaches its terminal position 512 at top opening end 511 (FIG. 5a) when cartridge 50 becomes empty. The empty state can be observed through side vent holes (not shown) on the handle housing 40 just below the interface of pump chamber base 334 and top opening end 511 of cartridge 50, or it can be observed through a transparent handle wall if a clear plastic material is used. When a spent cartridge is being removed, air can get through side vent holes or through the clearance between handle housing 40 and the cartridge wall into the space between cartridge 50 and pump chamber base 334 so as to break the vacuum force to prevent pulling of residual dentifrice material from the top opening end of the cartridge.
Before mounting a refillable cartridge to a toothpaste tube for filling, the toothpaste tube 90 needs to be rolled up and squeezed to push the toothpaste to the brink of the tube outlet opening 93 to expel air inside the opening as shown in FIG. 7a. Next, a refillable cartridge 50 having follower disc 55 at the foremost position at the top opening end 511 is mounted to a toothpaste tube 90 by inserting the stepped annular lip 62 at top opening end 511 of said cartridge 50 onto outlet opening 93 of said toothpaste tube 90. Either the smaller, first annular rim 522 of the stepped annular lip 62 can snug-fit into outlet opening 93 of the toothpaste tube as shown in FIG. 7c or the larger, second annular rim 521 is fitted into said opening as shown in FIG. 7b. The diameters of said first and second annular rims are predetermined to fit standard small and large size openings for toothpaste tubes. The thin walls of the annular rims are preferably made of a flexible plastic material to enable them to be pressed into the outlet opening of a toothpaste tube for more stable mounting. Alternatively, each rim of stepped annular lip 62 may be slightly tapered to form a conical shape for easy insertion and to accommodate for any slight deviation from a nominal diameter of the spout opening of a toothpaste tube.
With reference to FIG. 7b, being mounted with refillable cartridge 50, toothpaste tube 90 is squeezed to push toothpaste 42 into cartridge 50. The incoming flow forces follower disc 55 to move toward the bottom opening end 54 of said cartridge. Toothpaste 42 cannot leak through follower disc 55 due to the sliding fit of its upper and lower annular rims 56 and 5. Continuous squeezing of the toothpaste tube forces entrapped air pockets 47 inside the cartridge as shown in FIG. 7c to migrate to the flow front 46 to become a larger air pocket 45 under the follower disc 55 until follower disc 55 is blocked by end cap 61, which is fastened to flanged base 44 at bottom opening end 54 of cartridge 50. By that time, air pocket 45 has been released through vent grooves 541 whose inward ends 544 are exposed to air pocket 45 as shown in FIG. 7d. The length of the vent grooves 541 extending from the bottom opening end 54 of the cartridge is greater than the height of the follower disc 55 such that air pocket 45 is vented out at the bottom opening end 54 as shown in FIG. 7d through the grooves when the lower annular rim 57 of follower disc 55 reaches this terminal position. The paste-like dentifrice material cannot leak through vent grooves 541 because of their shallow depth and long length, which are covered by follower disc 55 at the end of the filling process.
End cap 61 shown in FIG. 7d has a smaller opening area 64 for exposing to the atmospheric pressure and for blocking follower disc 55. Referring once again to FIG. 5e, end cap 61 has an annular rib 561 for inserting into the corresponding second annular groove 542 on flanged base 44 for fastening to cartridge 50. The height of the annular rib 561 is greater than the depth of the annular groove 542 to provide a clearance for the escape of air pocket 45 released from vent grooves 541. Furthermore, end cap 61 is detachable to allow removal of follower disc 55 for cleaning any residual toothpaste after repeated uses and refillings as necessary.
A filled cartridge is attachable to the brush head housing by screwing the cartridge onto the threaded base of the pump chamber. To prime an empty toothbrush as shown in FIG. 7e, one needs to push follower disc 55 forward to force dentifrice material to flow through one-way check valve 333 into pump chamber 311 and cavity 322 of button 321, and through conduit 221 to spout opening 212 of brush head 21. It is preferable to hold down button 321 to avoid air entrapment in the cavity 322 of button 321 during the priming step. This priming step prepares the toothbrush to be ready for use. Once the flow path of the toothbrush is fully filled, the toothpaste is pumped out onto bristles 211 by pressing down the button as described previously.
The necessity to push the toothpaste to the brink of the toothpaste tube to expel air prior to the mounting of a cartridge is inconvenient and may sometime be ignored by users. To eliminate this step and still be able to vent the air in the junction area of a refillable cartridge and a toothpaste tube, a special venting flip-cap 80 as shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d is used. Threaded base 83 of venting flip-cap 80 is screwed onto the threads 91 of toothpaste tube 90 shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. Referring to FIGS. 8b and 8c, shallow vent grooves 813 are disposed on the interior surface 84 of the outlet opening rim 812 of venting flip-cap 80. Vent grooves 813 are covered by the first annular rim 522 or the second annular rim 521 of stepped annular lip 62 of refillable cartridge 50 (FIG. 5a) when mounted. The length of vent grooves 813 is slightly greater than that of stepped annular lip 62 of cartridge 50 such that inward ends 828 of vent grooves 813 can be exposed to air pocket 817 as shown in FIG. 9b and the depth of vent grooves 813 is small enough to ensure that only air and no toothpaste escapes when the toothpaste tube 90 is squeezed to fill cartridge 50. Notch areas 815 at outlet opening rim 812 provide air path 820 as shown in FIG. 9c to the atmosphere for venting when cartridge 50 is engaged. As shown in FIGS. 8a and 8d hinged cover 82 is not only for enclosing outlet opening rim 812, but also for wiping off any residual toothpaste on vent grooves 813 (resulting from other uses such as directly dispensing to conventional toothbrushes) by corresponding mateable ribs 827 positioned on inner ribbed annular rim 826 of hinged cover 82. The length of ribs 827 is greater than that of vent grooves 813 to ensure that tips 823 of ribs 827 can plow off any toothpaste remaining at the inward ends 828, which become entrances of the vent grooves 813 when the rest of the grooves are overlapped by the stepped annular lip 62 of the refillable cartridge. The position accuracy of the mating of vent grooves 813 and ribs 827 is ensured by hinge 819, which is an integral part of the venting flip-cap 80. FIG. 9b shows the entrapment of air 817 when a refillable cartridge 50 is mounted on venting flip-cap 80 which is screwed onto a toothpaste tube 90 which has not been squeezed to expel air prior to mounting of the refillable cartridge. However, entrapped air 817 is released through the vent grooves 813, notches 815 and other clearance between venting flip-cap 80 and cartridge 50 when the toothpaste is pushed forward to fill the cartridge as shown in FIG. 9c.
With the use of a venting flip-cap for filling a refillable cartridge as describe above, an alternative structure for a refillable cartridge includes a top opening end which is not threaded and has a single non-stepped annular lip, and an annular groove for mounting on a venting flip-cap for filling and for mating with a non-threaded base of a pump chamber for pumping. FIG. 10a shows a configuration of top opening end 5110 of refillable cartridge 500. The outside diameter of straight annular lip 620 and first annular groove 53 are mateable with the corresponding inside diameters of the interior wall 84 of outlet opening rim 812 and outer annular rib 790 of venting flip-cap 80, respectively, for snug-fit. As shown in FIG. 11a and 11b, similarly, the external annular rim 337 and recess 3610 of pump chamber base 3340 fit snugly with outer annular groove 53 and annular lip 620 of cartridge 500 respectively. The height of annular lip 620 is less than the length of vent grooves 813 on interior wall 84 (FIG. 10a) of venting flip-cap 80 such that the inward ends 828 of vent grooves 813 are exposed to the entrapped air when the annular lip 620 is inserted to overlap on grooves 813. The other filling and operation steps are similar to the thread-type refillable cartridge having a stepped annular lip as described previously. Again, referring to FIG. 11a and 11b, the application of this linear type of mounting of the refillable cartridge 500 is for a toothbrush 100 having a long handle housing 400 where the whole cartridge 500 is stored inside the housing 400 without the use of threads for fastening. In this long handle housing configuration, brush head 21 is made separable at junction 222 from long handle housing 400 as shown in FIG. 11a. As no rotation is required for this linear-type mounting, the cross-sectional profile of the cartridge and the handle housing can be non-circular or oval shape which may be preferred for better hand grip for brushing.
Similar to the concept of grooves in the venting flip-cap, the venting grooves can be placed on the external surface of the annular lip of the outlet opening of the refillable cartridge, which has vent grooves at the bottom opening end as described previously, and be mateable with the corresponding ribs placed on the recess wall on the exterior surface of the pump chamber base. The mating of the grooves with the ribs requires linear engagement, which can be conveniently achieved by using a conformable non-circular cross-sectional shape for both the cartridge and the handle housing. Referring to FIG. 11c, venting grooves 913 are placed on external wall 921 of annular lip 912 of outlet opening 911 of a refillable cartridge 950. These venting grooves 913 are mateable with the corresponding ribs 927 on the recess surface 961 of pump chamber base 900 for wiping off any residual toothpaste material remaining in the grooves when refillable cartridge 950 is inserted into handle housing 400 and engaged with pump chamber base 900 of a refillable dentifrice dispensing toothbrush as shown in FIG. 11d.
As further shown in FIG. 11e, when annular lip 912 of refillable cartridge 950 having two-way follower 955 at its top opening end is inserted into the outlet opening of toothpaste tube 90, its venting grooves 913 form vent channels against the inner wall 905 of the outlet opening of toothpaste tube 90 to enable the entrapped air in the junction area to escape but prevent the passage of dentifrice material.
To prevent drying of the dentifrice material at the spout opening of the brush head, a brush cover 60 with a slidable plug 75 as shown in FIG. 12 is provided. The diameter of sealing rod 77 is such that it can be inserted into spout opening 212 to seal the opening so that dentifrice material does not dry out and clog the opening. The features of the brush cover are user friendly. The pre-aligned position of plug 75 and sealing rod 77 in relation to spout opening 212 ensures that the user will readily be able to seal the spout opening 212 merely by pressing plug 75 downward after brush cover 60 is closed. Brush cover 60 is locked when sealing rod 77 is positioned in spout opening 212. Removal of the brush cover and the plug is accomplished simply by pulling the plug upward to disengage the sealing rod from the spout opening and then moving the assembly in the axial direction. Alternatively while still being engaged in the spout of the brush head, the plug can be automatically pulled out from the spout by a simple pulling action of the brush cover since the sealing rod is made of low friction plastic material and its lateral movement with respect to the brush cover is constrained by built-in side guides (not shown) on the outer wall of the brush cover.
The invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. However, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of this invention.
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U.S. Classification 401/146, 401/171, 401/150
International Classification A46B11/00
Cooperative Classification A46B11/002
European Classification A46B11/00C6


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Patent US6996214 - Utilization of in-band signaling to facilitate modem on hold - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA communication method and system for use by a local modem and a host, while the local modem is in communication with a remote modem through a central office. In one aspect, an alert signal is received by the local modem from the central office indicating an incoming call. In response, the local modem...http://www.google.com/patents/US6996214?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6996214 - Utilization of in-band signaling to facilitate modem on holdAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6996214 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/945,480Publication dateFeb 7, 2006Filing dateAug 31, 2001Priority dateAug 31, 2001Fee statusPaidPublication number09945480, 945480, US 6996214 B1, US 6996214B1, US-B1-6996214, US6996214 B1, US6996214B1InventorsLaurence A. BeckOriginal AssigneeSilicon Laboratories, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (9), Classifications (6), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetUtilization of in-band signaling to facilitate modem on holdUS 6996214 B1Abstract A communication method and system for use by a local modem and a host, while the local modem is in communication with a remote modem through a central office. In one aspect, an alert signal is received by the local modem from the central office indicating an incoming call. In response, the local modem acknowledges the alter signal by sending a tone to the central office. Next, the local modem notifies the remote modem of a modem-on-hold state, the local modem collects caller identification received from the central office and informs the host of the call waiting event. Next, the local modem receives an in-band caller identification request from the host requesting the caller identification. In response, the local modem transmits the caller identification to the host using an in-band caller identification message. Next, the local modem receives an in-band answer request from the host to answer said incoming call.
1. A communication method for use between a local modem and a host while said local modem is in communication with a remote modem through a central office, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving an alert signal from said central office indicating an incoming call;
acknowledging said alter signal;
notifying said remote modem of a modem-on-hold state;
collecting caller identification received from said central office;
informing said host of said alert signal;
receiving an in-band caller identification request from said host for said caller identification;
transmitting said caller identification to said host using an in-band caller identification message; and
receiving an in-band answer request from said host to answer said incoming call;
wherein said in-band caller identification request, said in-band caller identification message and said in-band answer request are embedded in a data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving a hold acknowledgement from said remote modern in response to said notifying step.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said hold acknowledgment includes a hold time, and wherein said method further comprising the steps:
receiving an in-band hold time request from said host; and
transmitting said hold time to said host using an in-band hold time message;
wherein said in-band hold time request and said in-band hold time message are embedded in said data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of requesting said remote modem to enter said modem-on-hold state.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of informing uses an RS232 ring signal or a 16550 ring signal to inform said host of said alert signal.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of informing uses an in-band ring message to inform said host of said alert signal, wherein said in-band ring message is embedded in said data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
receiving a disconnect reply from said remote modem in response to said notifying step; and
transmitting a disconnect request to said remote modem after said host informs said local modem of its desire to answer said incoming call.
8. A local modem in communication with a host, said local modem further in communication with a remote modem through a central office, said local modem comprising:
an alert signal detector capable of detecting an alter signal from said central office indicating an incoming call;
a processor controlling a host receiver, a host transmitter, a modem receiver and a modem transmitter, said processor having an in-band controller;
wherein said processor acknowledges said alter signal, said modem transmitter notifies said remote modem of a modem-on-hold state, said processor collects caller identification received by said modem receiver from said central office, said processor informs said host of said alert signal, said in-band controller receives an in-band caller identification request via said host receiver from said host, said in-band controller transmits said caller identification to said host using an in-band caller identification message via said host transmitter, and said in-band controller receives an in-band answer request via said host receiver from said host to answer said incoming call;
9. The local modem of claim 8, wherein said processor receives a hold acknowledgement via said modem receiver from said remote modem in response to said modem-on-hold state notification.
10. The local modem of claim 9, wherein said hold acknowledgment includes a hold time, and wherein said in-band controller receives an in-band hold time request via said host receiver from said host, and said in-band controller transmits said hold time to said host using an in-band hold time message via said host transmitter, wherein said in-band hold time request and said in-band hold time message are embedded in said data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
11. The local modem of claim 8, wherein said processor requests said remote modem to enter said modem-on-hold state.
12. The local modem of claim 8, wherein said processor uses an RS232 ring signal or a 16550 ring signal to inform said host of said alert signal.
13. The local modem of claim 8, wherein said processor uses an in-band ring message to inform said host of said alert signal, wherein said in-band ring message is embedded in said data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
14. A computer readable medium including a computer program product executable by a processor in a local modem, said local modem being in communication with a host and in communication with a remote modem through a central office, said computer program product comprising:
code for receiving an alert signal from said central office indicating an incoming call;
code for acknowledging said alter signal;
code for notifying said remote modem of a modem-on-hold state;
code for collecting caller identification received from said central office;
code for informing said host of said alert signal;
code for receiving an in-band caller identification request from said host for said caller identification;
code for transmitting said caller identification to said host using an in-band caller identification message; and
code for receiving an in-band answer request from said host to answer said incoming call;
15. The computer program product of claim 14 further comprising code for receiving a hold acknowledgement from said remote modem in response to said notifying said remote modem.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said hold acknowledgment includes a hold time, and wherein said computer program product further comprising:
code for receiving an in-band hold time request from said host; and
code for transmitting said hold time to said host using an in-band hold time message;
17. The computer program product of claim 14 further comprising code for requesting said remote modem to enter said modem-on-hold state.
18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said code for informing uses an RS232 ring signal or a 16550 ring signal to inform said host of said alert signal.
19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said code for informing uses an in-band ring message to inform said host of said alert signal, wherein said in-band ring message is embedded in said data stream being communicated between said local modem and said host.
code for receiving a disconnect reply from said remote modem in response to said notifying said remote modem; and
code for transmitting a disconnect request to said remote modem after said host informs said local modem of its desire to answer said incoming call.
The present invention relates generally to modem on hold. More particularly, the present invention relates to using in-band signaling to facilitate modem on hold.
Recently, various modem-on-hold schemes have been suggested to remedy such interruptions. For example, when a call-waiting interrupts a communication session established between a local modem and remote modem, the local modem receiving the call-waiting interruption may request an on-hold period from the remote modem, so that the call waiting may be answered. In order to act upon or respond to a call waiting event, local modem may need to communicate with its data terminal equipment (�DTE�), such as a host software running on a personal computer or data circuit equipment (�DCE�). Typically, such communications between the DTE and the DCE are achieved using various predetermined command sets, such as the well-known AT commands. For the local modem or the DCE to accept commands from the DTE, conventionally, the local modem must be placed in command mode, so that the DCE does not transmit the data received from the DTE to the remote modem, but treat such data as commands.
One conventional scheme to cause the local modem to escape to command mode is through use of an escape sequence that can be detected by the local modem during data transfer. One such escape sequence includes transmission of three predetermined characters, such as �+++�, from the DTE to the local modem, provided that no data is transmitted from the DTE to the local modem for one second prior to transmission of the three characters, that the three characters are transmitted within a one-second period, and that no more data is transmitted after the last character for a one-second period. If all such criteria are detected and confirmed by the local modem to have been met, the local modem responds with an �OK� message indicating to the DTE that the local modem can accept commands from the DTE. However, while in command mode, either the data being received from the remote modem will be discarded or the local modem will utilize flow control to request the remote modem to cease data transmission while the local modem is in command mode. Once the DTE is ready to exit command mode and return to data mode, the DTE may issue a command known as ATO to request the local modem to return to data mode.
Such schemes, however, introduce many drawbacks when used in conjunction to place modem communications on hold. One drawback is that the local modem is not permitted to switch out of data mode unless requested by the DTE; therefore, the local modem can only inform the DTE of a call waiting event through hardware means, for example by a hardware signal. Further, even after the local modem informs the DTE of the call waiting event through hardware means, the DTE must at that point transmit the escape sequence to enter command mode if the DTE wishes to interrogate the local modem for caller ID information and alike. However, as explained above, not only the escape sequence could take more than three seconds to be transmitted and detected, even yet, once the local modem escapes to command mode, data communication with the remote modem is interrupted. As a result, the user must face data interruption even though the user may not be interested in answering the call waiting.
Accordingly, there is an intense need in the art for systems and method that can communicate a modem-on-hold event to the DTE more efficiently and without interruption of the data flow between the local modem and the remote modem. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods that can provide a user-transparent modem-on-hold communications between the local modem and the DTE.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the purpose of the present invention as broadly described herein, there is provided methods and systems for facilitating modem-on-hold communications between the DTE and the DCE, which utilize in-band commands and status messages. As a result of utilizing in-band commands and status messages to communicate a modem-on-hold event to the DTE, the modem-on-hold process is performed more efficiently and without interruption of the data flow between the local modem and the remote modem. In addition, the present invention provides a user-transparent modem-on-hold communications between the DCE and the DTE.
In one aspect, communication method and system of the present invention is used by a local modem (or DCE) and a host (or DTE), while the local modem is in communication with a remote modem through a central office. In operation, the local modem receives an alert signal, such as a call waiting signal, from the central office indicating an incoming call. In response, the local modem acknowledges the alter signal by sending a tone to the central office. Next, the local modem notifies the remote modem of a modem-on-hold state. Furthermore, the local modem collects caller identification received from the central office and informs the host of the call waiting event. Next, the local modem may receive an in-band caller identification request from the host requesting the caller identification. The in-band caller identification request may be in the form of an AT command embedded in a data stream transmitted by the host and received by the local modem. In response, the local modem transmits the caller identification to the host using an in-band caller identification message, i.e. caller identification information is embedded in a stream of data transmitted by the local modem to the host. In one aspect, the local modem receives an in-band answer request from the host to answer said incoming call.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the local modem may receive a hold acknowledgement, including a hold time from the remote modem in response to the notification sent by the local modem. Further, the host may transmit an in-band hold time request to the local modem requesting the hold time and, in response, the local modem transmits the hold time to the host using an in-band hold time message. In another aspect, the local modem may inform the host of the alert signal by toggling a host interface signal, such as a ring signal, or the local modem may transmit an in-band ring message to inform the host of the alert signal.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a modem-on-hold transaction using an exemplary in-band signaling of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a modem-on-hold transaction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be described herein in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware components and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, tone generation elements, voice synthesizer elements, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced in any number of data communication contexts and that the modem system described herein is merely one illustrative application for the invention. Further, it should be noted that the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, signal processing and conditioning, tone generation and detection and the like. Such general techniques that may be known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail herein.
It should be noted that the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any, or a combination, of the embodiments of the inventions disclosed in the following related applications. Application Ser. No. 09/644,806, filed Aug. 23, 2000 and entitled �Communication On Hold Notifier�, application Ser. No. 09/592,707, filed Jun. 13, 2000 and entitled �Communication On Hold�, which claims the benefit of a provisional application Ser. No. 60/167,572, filed Nov. 26, 1999, and which �Communication On Hold� application is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/557,233, filed Apr. 24, 2000 and entitled �Quick Connect Parameter Exchange,� which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/416,482, filed Oct. 12, 1999 and entitled �Signaling Mechanism for Modem Connection Holding and Reconnecting,� which applications are hereby fully incorporated by reference in the present application.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a general modem system 100 in which the techniques of the present invention may be practiced. Modem system 100 may be capable of supporting connections associated with an upper layer protocol, e.g., point-to-point protocol (�PPP�) connections. PPP connections are typically associated with Internet communications between, e.g., an individual end user and an Internet service provider. In this respect, modem system 100 includes a plurality of server modems (identified by reference numbers 102 a, 102 b, and 102 n) and a client modem 104. Server modems 102 may each be associated with an Internet service provider or any suitable data source. Client modem 104 may be associated with a suitable data source, e.g., a personal computer capable of running host software 105. For purposes of this description, host software 105 may be any application and/or driver running on an operating system such as MICROSOFT WINDOWS, or any application program capable of functioning in conjunction with modem system 100. Although not shown in FIG. 1, client modem 104 may be integrated with the personal computer.
Traditionally, client modem 104 may be referred to as the DCE and host software 105 running on a computer may be referred to as the DTE. Client modem 104 and host software 105 are capable of communicating using in-band command and control sequences. An in-band command sequence is a two or multiple character sequence, including a data link escape character followed by a command character. For example, the data link escape character may be <EM> or 19h (hexadecimal). The command sequence may be an extended command or a short command. For the extended command, the command character is followed by additional characters as defined in the command definition. In one embodiment, except for the escape character, all short or extended command character are limited to the range of 20h to 7Eh and A0h to FEh. Further, in-band control sequence is a logical V.24 circuit defined between DTE and DCE, but which is presented by one device to the other by means of in-band sequence instead of or in addition to physical circuits. ITU-T Recommendation V.80, entitled �In-Band DCE Control and Synchronous Data Modes for Asynchronous DTE�, dated August 1996, describes in-band command and control sequences in detail and is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary environment in which a modem system 200 may operate. Modem system 200 generally includes a first modem device 202, which may be associated with a central site, and a second modem device 204, which may be resident at a customer site 270. In the context of a typical V.92 or V.90 system, first modem device 202 may be the DPCM and second modem device 204 may be the APCM. However, for purposes of the present invention, the first and second modems may be any communication device or any type of modem. In other words, the use of APCM and DPCM modems throughout the present application is merely exemplary.
The DPCM modem 202 is also capable of transmitting a number of signals that may be received by the APCM modem 204 and/or by the central office 206. For example, the DPCM modem 202 is capable of transmitting an �A� tone 222 and a �B� tone 224 as described herein. In one embodiment, the �A� tone 222 is a 2400 Hz tone and the �B� tone 224 is a 1200 Hz tone (as set forth in ITU-T Recommendation V.34). Of course, the modem devices 202 or 204 may generate and process any suitable tones or signals in lieu of (or in addition to) these predefined tones. The DPCM modem 202 is also configured to transmit a number of additional signals associated with the notification of a modem-on-hold, the initiating of a modem-on-hold mode, the reconnection of a modem session after a holding period, and the clearing down of a modem connection, as further described below. For example, the DPCM modem 202 may be capable of transmitting a modem hold notification 225, a modem hold request 226, a modem hold acknowledgment 228, a quick reconnect request 230 and a disconnect signal 232 (referred to herein as �modem status signals�). The format and function of these signals are described in more detail below.
For purposes of the signaling scheme described herein, the APCM modem 204 is preferably configured in a manner similar to the DPCM modem 202. In other words, the APCM modem 204 is capable of transmitting an �A� tone 242, a �B� tone 244, a modem hold notification 245, a modem hold request 246, a modem hold acknowledgment 248, a quick reconnect request 250 and a disconnect signal 252. In addition, the APCM modem 204 may be configured to generate a send caller ID tone 254 that informs central office 206 that the customer site supports receiving the caller ID feature (as depicted by the caller ID component 256). In accordance with current standards, the send caller ID tone 254 is a DTMF �D� tone having a length of approximately 55�65 milliseconds. Of course, the APCM modem 204 transmits data 258 during the data mode.
As shown, APCM modem 204, i.e. DCE, is in communication with host software 280, i.e. DTE, via communication line 282. APCM modem 204 has the ability to recognize and accept command and control sequences from host software 280 and generate status messages to host software 280, which sequences and messages are embedded in user data delivered to host software 280. Similarly, host software 280 has the ability to recognize and accept command and control sequences from APCM modem 204 and generate status messages to APCM modem 204, which sequences and messages are embedded in user data delivered from DPCM modem 202 to APCM modem 204. In one embodiment, host software 280 and APCM modem 204 are capable of supporting the ITU-T V.80 Recommendation in-band command and control sequences.
As shown in FIG. 2, APCM modem 204 includes processor 264, including in-band controller 265, in communication with host software 280 via host receiver 267 and host transmitter 266. Further, processor is capable of receiving data from APCM receiver 261 via modem receiver 268 and transmitting data to APCM transmitter 262 via modem transmitter 269. In one embodiment, APCM modem operates under the control of processor 264. In some embodiments, processor 264 may be the host processor of a personal computer. Processor 264 is capable of performing modem-on-hold algorithm, process and respond to in-band commands via in-band controller 265.
In one embodiment, the character set used to build valid in-band commands is a set of 7-bit (20h to 7Eh) or 8-bit (A0h to FEh) characters. When 8-bit characters are used, additional command characters are potentially available. The escape character for in-band commands may be the <EM> character, which has a hexadecimal value of 19h. In the 8-bit character set, the 8th bit may be zero or one and is ignored; therefore, the escape character may have the value of 19h or 99h.
As set forth in the V.80 Recommendation, basic in-band commands consist of <EM> followed by a single valid command character. For example, an extended in-band command consists of: (1)<EM>, (2) a valid command character defined as an extended command, (3) a valid length byte, and (4) 1 to 95 additional valid characters, specified by the length byte. The length value ranges from 20h to 7Eh, offset by 1Fh. Further, if enabled by host software 280, APCM modem 204 can report the state of selected V.24 circuits and other status states to host software 280 by delivering status messages embedded in the data stream transmitted from APCM modem 204 to host software 280 on communication line 282. For example, using in-band control command, host software 280 may wish to issue the command string �AT+IBC=,,,,,,1� to request APCM 204 to provide status messages to host software 280 when data carrier signal (DCD) makes a transition. According to the V.80 Recommendation, an in-band command may be sent as �<EM> <extend-0> <length> <control> <AT command without AT and trailing carriage return>� or �<19h> <40h> <2Ch> <42h>+IBC=,,,,,,1�. Accordingly, whenever DCD makes a transition from off to on, host software 280 sends the message <EM> <109on> or �<19h> <67h>� to APCM modem 204.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a modem-on-hold transaction using an exemplary in-band signaling of the present invention. As shown, in-band signaling process 300 starts by initializing the modem, for example, APCM modem 204 of FIG. 2. In step 310, host software 280 may initialize APCM modem 204 by sending various control commands. The initialization commands may be sent to APCM modem 204 before or after APCM modem 204 and DPCM modem 202 establish a connection. The initialization command may include commands to enable modem-on-hold feature of APCM modem 204. Such initialization commands will require APCM modem 204 to inform host software 280 when a call waiting event occurs. In one embodiment, host software 280 may transmit an in-band command sequence for AT+IBC=1,,,,,,,1 to request APCM modem 204 to transmit a status message when a call waiting event is detected. For example, the initialization commands may include an in-band command sequence �<19h> <40h> <2Eh> <42h>+IBC=1,,,,,,1�. Accordingly, whenever the call waiting tone is detected, host software 280 sends the message <EM> <125on> or �<19h> <6Bh>� to APCM modem 204 and when the call waiting tone disappears, host software 280 sends the message <EM> <125off> or �<19h> <6Ah>� to APCM modem 204.
In one embodiment, in addition to or in place of transmitting in-band status messages, APCM modem 204 may cause the physical ring signal be toggled, as defined by the RS232 serial connection standard. Yet, in some embodiments wherein APCM modem 204 communicates with host software 280 via a parallel interface, such as a 16550 parallel interface, APCM modem 204 may toggle a designated bit in a designated register of 16550 parallel interface. The designated bit may be the bit designated for ring detection in the MSR register. By monitoring the in-band messages and/or RS232 signals or 16550 parallel interface, host software 280 shall be able to detect the occurrence of a call waiting event.
As a part of the initialization command string, host software 280 may also transmit in-band command AT+VRID=2 or �<19h> <40h> <27h> <42h>+VRID=2�. This command will cause APCM modem 204 to provide caller ID 442 information to host software 280 in terse form when APCM modem 204 is later interrogated by an AT+VRID? command or �<19h> <40h> <26h> <42h>+VRID?�.
Referring to FIG. 4, it illustrates a timing diagram of a connection, between APCM modem 410 and DPCM modem 450, that is interrupted by a call-waiting indication. After APCM modem 204 and DPCM modem 202 enter data mode, in step 315, the central office may temporarily interrupt the data connection and send an alert signal (�AS�) 440 to APCM modem 410. Alert signal 440 may be a conventional call-waiting alert and it may include a component that is audible to humans (e.g., an audio tone) and a component that is detectable by data communication devices or machines. In accordance with most call-waiting protocols, alert signal 440 components are transmitted in series. In response to alert signal 440, in step 320, APCM modem 410 may send DTMF tone 414 to request caller ID data from the central office. As described above, DTMF tone 414 may be a short burst of a DTMF �D� tone having a duration of about 55�65 milliseconds. Assuming that the central office receives and recognizes DTMF tone 414, the central office will format and transmit caller ID data 442 to the APCM modem 410. In step 325, caller ID data 442 may be received and processed in a suitable manner for display or analysis by APCM modem 204.
In step 330 starts receiving �B� tone 454, which is generated by DPCM modem 450 in response to the switching out of APCM modem 410 by the central office. In one embodiment, �B� tone 454 may be transmitted while caller ID data 442 is being transmitted by the central office. �B� tone 454 is continuously transmitted while DPCM modem 450 waits for APCM modem 410 to reply with �A� tone 416, in step 335.
During the period in which the central office interrupts the communication between APCM modem 410 and DPCM modem 450 by sending alert signal 440 and caller ID data 442 to APCM modem 410, DPCM modem starts receiving a silence. As part of step 335, APCM modem 410 transmits modem hold notification 418 to DPCM modem 450 after transmitting �A� tone 416. �A� tone 416 is preferably transmitted for at least a minimum duration, e.g., 50 milliseconds, to give DPCM modem 450 an opportunity to receive �A� tone 416. If DPCM modem 450 does not receive �A� tone 416 within a specific time period, then DPCM modem 450 may eventually disconnect itself.
At this point, process 300 enters step 340, wherein APCM modem 410 awaits a response from DPCM modem 450 and may continue to receive and collect caller ID 442 information arriving from the central office. Now, once DPCM modem 450 receives modem hold notification 418 from APCM modem 410, in one scenario, DPCM modem 450 transmits modem hold 456 to APCM modem 410, informing APCM modem 410 that DPCM modem 450 is willing to be placed on hold while APCM modem 410 switches to the incoming call. In some embodiments, modem hold 456 may include a hold-time parameter 457 indicating the amount of time DPCM modem 450 may be placed on hold before disconnecting. In other embodiments, the hold period may be negotiated at the initial training or any other time after a communication session has been established between APCM modem 410 and DPCM modem 450. Upon receipt of modem hold 456 notification, process 300 enters step 345. However, in other scenarios, as shown in FIG. 3, DPCM modem 450 may inform APCM modem 410 that DPCM modem 450 will disconnect the connection if APCM modem 410 desires to place the data communication on hold by transmitting modem disconnect. In such event, process 300 enters step 350. Even yet, in another scenario, DPCM modem 450 may not respond to APCM modem 410, in which event process 300 enters step 355 after a time out period.
As shown in FIG. 3, regardless of the type of response from DPCM modem 202 or lack thereof, process 300 moves from steps 345, 350 or 355 to state 360 and from there to step 362. In step 362, according to the initialization of APCM modem 204 during initialization step 310, APCM modem 204 informs host software 280 of the call waiting event by transmitting an in-band status message. In one embodiment, APCM modem 204 informs host software 280 of the call waiting event after caller ID 442 information has been completely received, but in other embodiments, host software 280 may be informed at any time prior to receipt or completion of caller ID 442. APCM modem 204 may transmit the sequence �<EM> <125on>� or <19h> <6Bh>� to host software 280. Further, when the call waiting tone disappears, APCM modem 204 may transmit the sequence �<EM> <125off>� or <19h> <6Ah>� to host software 280. As described above, in addition to transmitting an in-band status message, APCM modem 204 may also cause the ring indicate signal of the RS232 interface or the ring indicate bit in the 16550 parallel interface to toggle, as applicable.
At this point, process 300 moves to step 364, wherein host software 280 requests for caller ID 442. However, host software 280 does not interrupt the on-line data mode by escaping to command mode, but host software 280 issues an in-band command to APCM modem 204 to obtain caller ID 442. To this end, host software 280 transmits the embedded command for AT+VRID? or �<19h> <40h> <26h> <42h>+VRID?�. In step 366, APCM modem 204 receives the caller ID interrogation command and responds by transmitting the following in-band status message: �<19h> <60h> <length> <62h> <raw caller ID 442 information>�. It should be noted that, in step 364, using another in-band command, host software 280 may further inquire about hold time 457 from APCM modem 204. In return, in step 366, APCM will transmit a further in-band status message informing host software 280 of hold time 457. It should also be noted that caller ID 442 and hold time 457 may also be inquired by a single in-band command and responded to by a single status message.
Next, in step 368, APCM modem 204 waits for a response from host software 280 as to whether the call waiting should be answered or ignored. For example, while APCM 204 is awaiting a response from host software 280, host software 280 may inquire from the user by displaying caller ID 442 and hold time 457, whether the user would like to accept the call waiting. If the user decides to answer the call waiting, process 300 moves to step 370 and host software 280 request APCM modem 204 to answer the call by transmitting an in-band command for �ATA�, i.e. �<19h> <40h> <21h> <42h> A�. However, if the user decides not to answer the call waiting, process 300 will enter step 382, wherein host software requests APCM modem 204 to continue with the ongoing communication with DPCM modem 202 by transmitting an in-band command for �ATO�, i.e. �<19h> <40h> <21h> <42h>O�.
Assuming that the user of APCM modem 410 desires to answer the incoming call, process 300 enter step 372 and modem hold 422 is transmitted to DPCM modem 450 following �A� tone 420. In one embodiment, in response to modem hold 422, DPCM modem 450 may transmit a modem hold acknowledgment (not shown) for a minimum period of time, e.g., approximately 53 milliseconds. After DPCM modem 450 transmits modem hold 456 (or, alternatively, the hold-time parameter 457 or the modem hold acknowledgment (not shown)), DPCM modem 450 preferably continues to transmit �B� tone 458 while maintaining a hold state. In response to the modem hold acknowledgment (not shown) or after a predetermined period of time, in step 376, APCM modem 410 may generate suitable flash signal 424 to instruct the central office to switch out the modem connection and to switch in the incoming call. At this point, process 300 enters step 378, wherein APCM modem 204 continues monitoring communication line 282 for in-band commands from host software 280. Once the user wishes to terminate the call and switch back to the modem connection, host software 280 may transmit an in-band command, such as �ATO� to APCM modem to return to data mode. In other words, APCM modem 204 will issue an in-band command for �ATO�, i.e. �<19h> <40h> <21h> <42h>O�. In response, process 300 moves to step 380, wherein APCM modem 410 generates a suitable flash signal to instruct the central office to switch back to the modem connection.
As stated above, if state 360 was entered via step 350, in other words, DPCM modem 202 informed APCM modem 204 that the connection will be terminated if APCM modem 204 decides to place the modem connection on hold, then process 300 moves from state 370 to step 374, wherein APCM modem 204 transmits an �A� tone followed by a disconnect request. Now, if in step 368 above, the user decides to ignore and not to answer the call waiting, APCM modem 204 transmits an �A� tone followed by a quick reconnect request to resume the data communication.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5519767 *Jul 20, 1995May 21, 1996At&T Corp.Voice-and-data modem call-waitingUS5550908 *Jun 1, 1995Aug 27, 1996Lucent Technologies Inc.Modem communications interoperability with services equipped to provide calling party identity delivery with call waitingUS5805677 *Jul 10, 1992Sep 8, 1998Sbc Technology Resources, Inc.Apparatus for facilitating the display of information relating to the origin of a third source callerUS6104800 *Nov 12, 1996Aug 15, 2000Mediaone Group, Inc.Method for providing call waiting notification to a party engaged in a data callUS6118857 *Aug 24, 1998Sep 12, 2000Siemens AktiengesellschaftModemUS6317488 *Nov 9, 1999Nov 13, 2001Notify CorporationCall waiting-caller identification notification deviceUS6731726 *Jun 13, 2000May 4, 2004Conexant Systems, Inc.Communication on holdUS20040174967 *Mar 8, 2004Sep 9, 2004Altocom, Inc.Apparatus, method and software for call-waiting tone detectionEP0741481A2 *Apr 23, 1996Nov 6, 1996AT&T IPM Corp.Modem communication interoperability with call waiting services* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification379/93.35, 379/215.01International ClassificationH04M11/00Cooperative ClassificationH04M3/4281, H04M11/066European ClassificationH04M3/428BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 13, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jul 8, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Aug 31, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: SILICON LABORATORIES INC., TEXASFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PCTEL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015732/0924Effective date: 20040802Nov 24, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: PCTEL, INC., ILLINOISFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:014734/0539Effective date: 20030617Aug 31, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BECK, LAURENCE A.;REEL/FRAME:012147/0642Effective date: 20010828RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google

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