In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system that includes a toothbrush; a user interface configured to receive a brushing goal from a user; and a programmable processor operably coupled to the user interface. The programmable processor can be configured to receive brushing goal data indicative of the brushing goal received by the user interface; and determine, based at least in part on the brushing goal data, a suggested brushing routine and a brushing evaluation for a brushing session.

A method and system for reducing distraction of a user (10) of an oral health care device (102), includes: a sensor (112) configured to determine positions of the user during use of the oral health care device; a processor (150) in communication with the sensor and configured to calculate differences between the determined positions and to determine if the differences reach or exceed a threshold value for notifying the user; and a user interface (114) in communication with the processor and configured to alter from a normal state in an event the differences between the determined positions reach or exceed the threshold value for notifying the user.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. A contact member for engaging the teeth of the user is moveable relative to the nozzle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user. A sensor provides an output which varies with movement of contact member relative to the nozzle. A control circuit actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the output from the sensor.

The present invention relates to the field of battery powered electrical appliances or personal hygiene, in particular to a hair removal device such as an electric shaver or epilator as well as an electric toothbrush. A control device for a battery powered electrical appliance for personal hygiene is described, wherein the control device is adapted to cause the battery powered electrical appliance to perform automated contact fritting of a battery contact by controlling the battery powered electrical appliance such that a current pulse exceeding a wetting threshold is applied across the battery contact during a standby period.

Apparatuses for cleaning an endoscope as well as methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a control unit. A shaft may be configured to be coupled to the control unit. The shaft may have a distal end region. A cleaning member may be coupled to/couplable to the distal end region of the shaft. The control unit may be configured to move the cleaning member.

Provided is a substrate cleaning apparatus, comprising: a substrate support unit for rotating and holding a substrate; a brush unit for cleaning the substrate with a cleaning brush formed in the form of a roll and rotating in contact with a surface of the substrate; and a vibration sensor installed on the brush unit to detect vibrations generated by the contact of the cleaning brush with the substrate, thereby improving process efficiency by predicting cleaning results before cleaning is completed.

In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system that includes a toothbrush; a user interface configured to receive a brushing goal from a user; and a programmable processor operably coupled to the user interface. The programmable processor can be configured to receive brushing goal data indicative of the brushing goal received by the user interface; and determine, based at least in part on the brushing goal data, at least one of a suggested brushing routine and a brushing evaluation for a brushing session.

A method (300) for identifying a characteristic of a user of a personal care device (10) comprising a sensor (28), a controller (30), and a database (34), comprising the steps of: training (320) the device with training data, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining (322) sensor data for at least one personal care session for each of at least two different users; (ii) extracting (324), via an extraction module, a plurality of features from each of the personal care sessions; and (iii) training (328), using the extracted features, a classifier to identify a characteristic of each of the at least two different users of the device; obtaining (330) sensor data for at least part of a new personal care session; extracting (340) a plurality of features from the sensor data for the new personal care session; and identifying (360), using the trained classifier, a characteristic of the user of the device.

An electric toothbrushing device is disclosed, the device comprising vibration means for producing vibration of a toothbrush head and a controller for controlling the vibration means. The device also comprises a motion sensor for sensing motion of the toothbrushing device to produce motion data, and a signal analysis unit for analysing the motion data to produce a feedback signal. The controller is arranged to adjust the vibration produced by the vibration means in dependence on the feedback signal. Such a configuration can be used to improve the feedback provided to the user and/or help to correct deficiencies in the user's brushing technique.

A personal care system having a treatment device for applying a treatment to the skin or hair of a user is provided. The treatment device has a camera for taking an image of the skin. The system may include or be in communication with an application programming interface (API) that can process the image. The system or an associated API can recommend the use of treatment regimens or topical products according to information determined from the digital image of the skin.