United States
`(19)
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0310353 A1
`Barasch
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 27, 2016
`
`US 20160310353A1
`
`(54) MASSAGER COMMUNICATION DEVICE,
`SYSTEM, AND METHOD
`
`(71) Applicant: Maxine L. BARASCH, Chicago, IL
`(US)
`(72) Inventor: Maxine L. Barasch, Chicago, IL (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`1-1.
`(22) PCT Filed:
`(86). PCT No.:
`S 371 (c)(1),
`(2) Date:
`
`14/769,514
`
`Dec. 23, 2014
`PCT/US14/72157
`
`Aug. 21, 2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/140,435, filed on
`Dec. 24, 2013.
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/928,991, filed on Jan.
`17, 2014.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A6H 9/00
`A6 IIH 23/00
`H0474/2
`A6 IIH 23/02
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. A61H 19/40 (2013.01); A61H 19/30
`(2013.01); A61H 23/0263 (2013.01); A61H
`23/004 (2013.01); H04W 4/12 (2013.01);
`A61H 2201/0207 (2013.01); A61H 2201/0214
`(2013.01); A61H 2201/0285 (2013.01); A61 H
`220.1/5012 (2013.01); A61H 220 1/5061
`(2013.01); A61H 220 1/5082 (2013.01); A61 H
`2230/065 (2013.01); A61H 2.230/305
`(2013.01); A61 H 2.230/505 (2013.01); A61 H
`2230/655 (2013.01); A61H 220 1/5043
`(2013.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Embodiments of the present invention provide a massager
`device, system, and method. A massager is configured to
`communicate (directly or indirectly) a user feedback mes
`sage to a target in response to a determination that an event
`has occurred. The massager may be a sexual aid. User
`feedback messages may be generated based on various
`pre-sets and/or user selections established to determine a
`message medium type, content for inclusion in the user
`feedback message, the target, the event, and other customi
`Zations. The content of the user feedback messages may be
`generated according to a content selection method, Such as
`random, user-customized, pre-sets, categorical, or based on
`usage parameters, such as biometric, massager settings, and
`temporal data.
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`US 2016/0310353 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2016
`
`MASSAGER COMMUNICATION DEVICE,
`SYSTEM, AND METHOD
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. The present patent document is a continuation in
`part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 14/140,435 filed Dec. 24, 2013. The present patent
`document also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 61/928,991 filed Jan. 17, 2014. The disclo
`sures of both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,435
`and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/928,991 are
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention relates generally to massag
`ers, and more particularly, to massagers with communication
`capability.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0003 Massagers are used to massage muscles or other
`body parts for relaxation, pain relief, or stimulation of sexual
`pleasure. Although conventional massagers can induce Such
`physical relaxation, relief, or sexual stimulation/pleasure,
`they leave a void as to psychological stimulation, for
`example, Suggestions, kind words, encouragement, or erotic
`feedback relating to the use of the massager.
`
`SUMMARY
`0004. In a first aspect, embodiments of the present inven
`tion provide a massager comprising: a vibration unit; and at
`least one computing device comprising a processor and
`memory, the memory comprising instructions, which when
`executed by the processor, cause the at least one computing
`device to: receive user input comprising a user preference;
`analyze usage data for the massager, determine that an event
`has occurred based on a user data message; and communi
`cate at least one user feedback message, the at least one user
`feedback message comprising at least one item of content,
`selected based on the user preference, to a target in response
`to the determination.
`0005. In a second aspect, embodiments of the present
`invention provide a computer-implemented method com
`prising: receiving user input comprising a user preference;
`receiving a user data message comprising usage data of a
`massager, determining that an event has occurred based on
`the usage data; and communicating at least one message, the
`at least one message comprising at least one item of content,
`selected based on the user preference, to a target in response
`to the determination.
`0006. In a third aspect, embodiments of the present
`invention provide a system comprising: a massager; and an
`application server, wherein the application server comprises
`a processor and memory, the memory comprising instruc
`tions to: receive user input comprising a user preference;
`receive a user data message from the massager, determine
`that an event has occurred based on the user data message;
`and communicate at least one message, the at least one user
`feedback message comprising at least one item of content,
`selected based on the user preference, to a target in response
`to the determination.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007. The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo
`rated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
`several embodiments of the present teachings and together
`with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
`present teachings.
`0008. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The
`drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray
`specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are
`intended to depict only typical embodiments of the inven
`tion, and therefore should not be considered as limiting in
`Scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like
`elements. Furthermore, certain elements in some of the
`figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illus
`trative clarity.
`0009 FIG. 1 shows a block diagram view of a massager
`in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
`0010 FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a system in accordance
`with embodiments of the invention.
`0011
`FIG. 3 shows a massager in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention.
`0012 FIG. 3A shows a massager in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention.
`0013 FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for
`programming operation of the massager/system.
`0014 FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating and sending a user feedback message to a target.
`0015 FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a user interface for
`associating the massager with a user account.
`0016 FIG. 7 shows a user interface for prompting a user
`to enter a message medium type, target, event, and reminder.
`0017 FIG. 8 shows a user interface for prompting a user
`to make content generation selections.
`0018 FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating content.
`(0019 FIGS. 10A-10D show flow diagrams of methods
`for generating content based on usage parameters:
`0020 FIG. 10A shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating content for a user feedback message based on
`duration of use.
`0021
`FIG. 10B shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating content for a user feedback message based on
`usage pressure.
`0022 FIG. 10C shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating content for a user feedback message based on
`user heart rate.
`(0023 FIG. 10D shows a flow diagram of a method for
`generating content for a user feedback message based on
`temperature setting.
`0024 FIG. 11 shows an example database table for
`storing and organizing items of content.
`0025 FIG. 12 shows a user interface for prompting a user
`to enter other customizations for a user feedback message.
`(0026 FIGS. 13A and 13B show a flow diagram of a
`method for appending customized content items to content
`items determined according to a user-selected method.
`0027 FIG. 14 shows a user interface for prompting a user
`to enter information for a purchase order to accompany a
`user feedback message.
`0028 FIG. 15 shows a user interface for displaying
`content of a user feedback message received at a target.
`
`Petitioner Therabody Ex-1007, 0022
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`

`

`US 2016/0310353 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2016
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`0029 Embodiments of the present invention provide a
`massager that is configured to communicate (directly or
`indirectly) a user feedback message to a remote device in
`response to a determination that an event has occurred. In
`Some embodiments, the massager may be configured to
`induce muscle relaxation and/or pain relief when applied to
`an area of the body. In some embodiments, the massager
`may be configured as a sexual aid when applied to “erog
`enous Zone(s) of the body (i.e. sex organ(s)). User feedback
`messages may be automatically generated based on various
`pre-sets or user selections established to determine the
`target, event, content, message medium type, and other
`customizations. Content of the user feedback messages may
`be generated based on a variety of options, such as random,
`categorical, customized, or based on usage parameters, such
`as biometric, temporal, and user settings information.
`0030 Reference throughout this specification to “one
`embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments', or
`similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or
`characteristic described in connection with the embodiment
`is included in at least one embodiment of the present
`invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodi
`ment,” “in an embodiment,” “in some embodiments', and
`similar language throughout this specification may, but do
`not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
`0031. Moreover, the described features, structures, or
`characteristics of the invention may be combined in any
`Suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Features,
`structures, or characteristics of one embodiment can be
`mixed and matched with features, structures, or character
`istics of another embodiment. It will be apparent to those
`skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
`can be made to the present invention without departing from
`the spirit and scope and purpose of the invention. Thus, it is
`intended that the present invention cover the modifications
`and variations of this invention provided they come within
`the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
`Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
`embodiments of the invention.
`0032. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of
`describing particular embodiments only and is not intended
`to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular
`forms “a”, “an', and “the are intended to include the plural
`forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
`Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an', etc., do not
`denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the pres
`ence of at least one of the referenced items. The term “set'
`is intended to mean a quantity of at least one. It will be
`further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “com
`prising, or “includes and/or “including', or “has and/or
`"having, when used in this specification, specify the pres
`ence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations,
`elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the pres
`ence or addition of one or more other features, regions,
`integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
`groups thereof.
`0033 “Massager, as used herein, refers to a device
`configured to induce stimulation to one or more body parts
`for example, without limitation, genetalia, anus, or breasts.
`Typically, such stimulation is induced via at least a vibration
`unit, but may include, instead of or in addition, further
`apparatus(es) to enhance Such stimulation, for example,
`
`without limitation, beads, various textures of the housing,
`rotation of portions of the housing, etc.
`0034). “User feedback message', as used herein, is a
`communication. A user feedback message is of a “message
`medium type'. Such as, for example, an email message, a
`text message (such as short message service (SMS) mes
`sage), an instant message (such as AOL(R) instant message),
`a multimedia message (such as MMS message), a voice
`message, a Voice mail message, a Video message, an auto
`mated telephone call, a voice-over IP call, a social media
`message (such as Facebook(R) message, Twitter Message R.
`Linked-In Message(R), etc.), a social media post (such as a
`post to a Facebook R. Wall(R), a “tweet' on Twitter R, etc.), a
`blog post, or any other form of electronic or automated
`communication now known or hereafter developed.
`0035 “User data message', as used herein, is a message/
`data structure containing information about the user and/or
`usage of the massager. A user data message may contain
`information about the most recent usage of the massager,
`The usage data may include, but is not limited to, duration
`of usage, time of day when the massager transitions from an
`ON state to an OFF state, biometric readings, such as heart
`rate or pulse, and/or user settings, such as heat and vibration
`intensity settings.
`0036. The “content of the user feedback message may
`include one or more of text (e.g., a phrase, etc.), image (e.g.,
`photograph, illustration, etc.), video, audio (e.g., MP3,
`LCPM, or other suitable format), webpage (implemented
`with HTML, Java, or any other suitable language), website
`link, and any other Suitable form of content. A particular
`instance of Such content (e.g., a particular phrase, image,
`photo, illustration, video, audio clip, webpage, or website
`link, etc.) may also be referred to herein as an “item of
`content” or a "content item'.
`0037. A “target', as used herein, is an intended recipient
`address/destination of a user feedback message. The target
`may be a phone number, email address, voicemail box,
`Social media receptacle (like Facebook.R. private messenger
`inbox, TwitterR) private messenger inbox, Facebook.(R)
`Wall R, Twitter feed, Linked-In R account, etc.), instant
`message inbox (e.g., AOL(R) instant messenger inbox), or
`any other address/destination for receipt of messages now
`known or hereafter developed.
`0038 An "event, as used herein, is a trigger for sending
`a user feedback message to the target(s). An event may be,
`for example, deactivation of a vibration unit of the massager
`(transitioning the vibration unit from an ON to OFF state),
`activation of the vibration unit, powering off the massager,
`powering on the massager, and/or a predetermined duration
`of time elapsing after any of the aforementioned events.
`These are examples, and any other Suitable event is included
`within the scope of the invention.
`0039 A“button', as used herein, is control on a graphical
`user interface that, in response to being selected by a user,
`performs a function. Typically, a button is embodied as an
`icon, which may be selected by clicking on by a user using
`a mouse. A "field', as used herein, is a section of a graphical
`user interface in which text may be entered by the user. A
`“drop box”, as used herein, is a menu box, which when an
`associated icon, for example, an arrow, is selected, a menu
`of choices (from which the user may select) appears. A
`“radio button', as used herein, is a type of graphical user
`interface element that allows the user to choose one of a
`predefined set of options. A “check box”, as used herein, is
`
`Petitioner Therabody Ex-1007, 0023
`
`

`

`US 2016/0310353 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2016
`
`any of a set of options from which multiple ones may be
`selected at a given time. Checkboxes are typically embodied
`as open Squares, each of which is in proximity to a set of
`associated options. When a user clicks with a mouse, or
`otherwise selects one or more boxes, a check mark typically
`appears on the GUI in the box. It will be recognized these
`mechanisms for accepting user input are examples, and they
`may be interchanged with one another (or with suitable other
`mechanisms not herein described) where feasible without
`departing from the scope of the invention.
`0040. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an
`example of massager 100 in accordance with Some embodi
`ments of the present invention. The massager has a housing
`102, which may be made of plastic, glass, composite mate
`rial, or any other suitable material now known or hereafter
`developed. A power source 116 receives and/or supplies
`electricity to power the various other components, which
`may include communications interface 108, computer 109,
`and at least one usage parameter detector 104 (which may be
`biometric or any other suitable sensor?encoder/timer for
`sensing usage parameters), user interface 106, speaker 119,
`and microphone 115. Furthermore, massager 100 may have
`a vibration unit 112, which may be mechanically coupled to
`external shaft 118. In some embodiments, the vibration unit
`can be substituted with another Suitable massage mecha
`nism. Some embodiments may include more or fewer fea
`tures/components than those described/shown herein with
`out departing from the scope and purpose of the invention.
`In some embodiments, shaft 118 of massager 100, or the
`massager 100 itself, is configured for applying pressure to
`one or more human body parts, and/or in some embodi
`ments, animal body parts. In some embodiments (for
`example, where the massager is configured as a sexual aid),
`the shaft 118 and/or massager 100 may be configured for
`stimulation of a human penis, Stimulation of insertion into a
`human vagina or anus, and/or to apply pressure to one or
`more of those areas. In some embodiments, the housing is
`shaped ergonomically to fit a gripping hand. In some
`embodiments, the shaft 118 is elongated with a bulbous head
`105 to mimic the look and/or feel of a human penis. In some
`embodiments, the shaft 118 and/or the massager 100, itself,
`may be shaped like a tube, a “bullet’, an "egg, a “ring”, a
`sphere, or any other Suitable shape or combination of shapes
`(e.g., a ball on the end of a tube, etc.), each of which is
`included within the scope of the invention.
`0041. In some embodiments, the shaft 118 and/or the
`massager 100 may be configured generically for massage,
`for example, comprising a Substantially cylindrical shape or
`other suitable shape. In some embodiments, the shaft 118
`may be configured for ergonomic massage of a neck, shoul
`der, knee, foot, back, hand, fingers, or any other Suitable
`body part(s).
`0042. In some embodiments, the shaft 118 and the hous
`ing 102 are one and the same (i.e. a single apparatus), or are
`Substantially contiguously connected. In some embodi
`ments, more than one shaft may be included.
`0043. In some embodiments, the shaft 118 and/or mas
`sager 100 may be any suitable mechanism for delivery of the
`vibration of the massager to the body part(s). Some embodi
`ments may not include a shaft per se. For example, the
`massager can be configured as a massage chair, a dual
`headed neck massager, or a sphere-shaped hand massager,
`etc. So the term “shaft” shall be interpreted herein to include
`any Suitable massage delivery mechanism.
`
`0044) The vibration unit 112 is any suitable apparatus for
`producing oscillation of massager 100. A vibration unit 112
`may be a geared motor mechanism, which may have, e.g., an
`asymmetrical load affixed to a rotating shaft, a linear reso
`nant actuator, or a pancake vibration motor, etc. It will be
`recognized that any suitable vibration or massage mecha
`nism now known or hereafter developed may be substituted
`for, or used in addition to, the examples disclosed herein
`without departing from the scope and purpose of the present
`invention.
`0045. In some embodiments, the power source 116
`includes batteries, which may be replaceable, or internally
`sealed rechargeable batteries. In some embodiments, the
`power source may be AC power. In still other embodiments,
`the power source may be a combination of AC and/or battery
`power. It will be recognized that any Suitable powering
`mechanism now known or hereafter developed may be
`substituted for, or used in addition to, the examples disclosed
`herein without departing from the scope and purpose of the
`present invention.
`0046 User interface 106 comprises a mechanism for
`massager 100 to receive input from a user (and in some
`embodiments, to present feedback to the user). In some
`embodiments, the input may be selection of power on/power
`off selection of the vibration settings (e.g., high, medium, or
`low intensity, or a particular pattern, etc.), and/or selection
`of other settings such as, for example, a temperature of a
`heating/cooling mechanism 107 within the massager 100,
`etc. The heating/cooling mechanism 107 may be configured
`and disposed to provide heat and/or cooling to the external
`shaft 118. In embodiments, the heating may be achieved
`through a resistive heat process. In other embodiments,
`heating or cooling may be accomplished using a thermo
`electric component, such as a thermoelectric cooler (Peltier
`cooler) disposed within shaft 118. In some embodiments,
`user interface 106 includes at least one of button, slider
`Switch, Screen, keypad, any combination thereof, or any
`other suitable input interface, now known or hereafter devel
`oped. In embodiments including a screen, the screen can be
`a light-emitting diode (LED) display, liquid crystal display
`(LCD), plasma, or any other Suitable display mechanism. In
`Some embodiments, the screen may be a “touch screen'. In
`Some embodiments, input may be entered additionally or
`alternatively through Voice recognition commands via
`microphone 115. For example, a user may speak a phrase
`Such as "send message one hour after in order to have a user
`feedback message (e.g. e-mail) sent one hour after usage.
`0047. In some embodiments, massager 100 includes an
`on-board or attached (via wires or wirelessly) computer 109
`including a processor 114, memory 110, and bus 111.
`Memory 110 may be a computer-readable storage medium,
`such as flash, ROM, battery-backed SRAM, and/or other
`suitable technology now known or hereafter developed. In
`Some embodiments, memory 110 may be non-transitory.
`Processor 114 is configured and disposed to access instruc
`tions stored in memory 110 and execute them to provide one
`or more of the various functionalities of massager 100.
`0048. In some embodiments, the on-board computer 109
`implements the message processing unit (“MPU) 121, i.e.,
`the at least one computing device which holds the instruc
`tions (and repository, where required) to provide one or
`more of the various functionalities of the massager. In other
`embodiments, as described with respect to FIG. 2, the
`message processing unit is remote from the massager, Such
`
`Petitioner Therabody Ex-1007, 0024
`
`

`

`US 2016/0310353 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2016
`
`as MPU 209 at application server 210, or as MPU 211 at
`remote device 204. In some embodiments, the message
`processing unit includes both an on-board computer 109 and
`at least one of an application server 210 and remote device
`204, as each may perform some, but not all of the function
`alities described herein. In some embodiments, the message
`processing unit is a distributed computing system. For
`example, without limitation, in Some embodiments, portions
`of the message processing unit may be implemented on
`massager 202 (computer 109) and application server 210,
`and in other embodiments, additionally, on remote device
`204.
`0049 Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an example of
`a system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
`In some embodiments, massager 202 may be configured to
`communicate (directly or indirectly) over a network with an
`application server 210. Massager 202 may have all or any
`subset of the features of massager 100. In some embodi
`ments, application server 210 implements the message pro
`cessing unit, which includes a processor 203, bus 205, and
`memory 207 to hold the repository and instructions to
`provide one or more of the various functionalities of mas
`Sager 202. Memory may include a computer storage device
`which may be, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM,
`flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digi
`tal versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic
`cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
`magnetic storage devices, or any other Suitable medium/
`device. In some embodiments, massager 202 is configured to
`communicate with application server 210 directly through
`network 208. For example, in Such embodiments, massager
`202 includes a communication interface 108 for wirelessly
`transmitting information over network 208 to application
`server 210. In embodiments, the message processing unit
`acts on a user data message—in response to determination
`that an event has occurred, the message processing unit
`generates user feedback messages that are sent to a target for
`presentation to a user.
`0050. In some embodiments, massager 202 may commu
`nicate with a remote device 204 (such as a mobile phone,
`tablet computer, or any other suitable device now known or
`hereafter developed), which in turn communicates with
`application server 210 via communication link 219 to net
`work 208. In some embodiments, communication interface
`108 may be a near field communication protocol like Blu
`etooth R) or Zigbee(R), or any other suitable technology now
`known or hereafter developed, for wirelessly transmitting
`information over network 208 to remote device 204. Remote
`device 204 may be a mobile device, including, but not
`limited to, a Smart phone, a tablet computer, or a laptop/
`desktop computer. In embodiments, network 208 may be
`any suitable network such as a wide area network (WAN).
`a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network
`(VPN), a cloud computing network, the Internet, any com
`bination thereof, and/or any other suitable network now
`known or hereafter developed. Application server 210 may
`receive a user feedback message (directly or indirectly) from
`the massager 202, and in response a a determination that an
`event has occurred, communicate a message to a target, for
`example, without limitation, for display on the remote
`device 204 or another client device 206. In embodiments,
`the massager 202 transmits and receives data over network
`208 via direct communication path 217. In such embodi
`ments, the massager 202 comprises a communication inter
`
`face 108 that has such capability, which may include WiFi
`(wireless internet), cellular network interface, or other suit
`able interface for communication with network 208 without
`using remote device 204. It will be recognized that the
`components shown in FIG. 2 are meant to be examples, and
`in some embodiments, more or fewer components may be
`connected to the network. It will also be recognized that the
`features of massager 202 described herein are examples, and
`that some embodiments may include more or fewer features.
`0051. In some embodiments, much of the functionality
`that is described herein as executed from the application
`server (e.g., 210 of FIG. 2), can instead be executed from
`on-board computer (e.g., 109 of FIG. 1). In such embodi
`ments, the on-board computer implements the message
`processing unit. A massager in accordance with Such
`embodiments may communicate messages directly from the
`computer 109 to the target over the network 208.
`0052. In some embodiments, the massager may be a
`“self-contained’ system (i.e., function without network con
`nectivity) with user interface 108 including a screen 106
`and/or a speaker 119 for input of user preferences and
`delivery of the user feedback message to a user. The message
`processing unit is implemented by the on-board computer. In
`such embodiments, however, massager 100 may still include
`communication interface 108 providing network (e.g., net
`work 208 of FIG. 2) connectivity for accessing updates, or
`connecting to an application server.
`0053. It will be recognized that these implementations are
`examples, and that any feasible implementation of the
`device, system, and method is included within the scope of
`the invention.
`0054 FIG. 3 shows massager 300 in accordance with
`embodiments of the invention. Massager 300 includes hous
`ing 302. Disposed on housing 302 is a user interface, shown
`here as two components including (slider) controls 304 and
`biometric sensor 306.
`0055 Controls 304 may include vibration settings. Addi
`tionally, controls 304 may include temperature settings (if
`the massager includes a mechanism for temperature control,
`such as a heating/cooling element 107 of FIG. 1) or light
`settings (if the massager includes a mechanism 308 for
`illumination). Illumination/light source mec