A wear-out assessment for an oral care system (14) (e.g. an oral cleaning device) is disclosed. A sensor unit (16) of the oral care system is adapted to provide a sensor signal related to a cleaning efficacy of a cleaning function of the oral care system when generated when the oral care system is inside a user's mouth. The sensor unit (16) may be, or may be coupled to, a component which is used during execution of an oral care function of the device, for example a sensor for detecting cleaning progress in the mouth, or a component which drives a cleaning or treatment action in the mouth. In accordance with the invention, the sensor signal (20) generated when the oral care system is outside the mouth is used for performing a wear-out assessment. As relevant components used by the oral care system (14) for the oral care function wear, characteristics of the sensor signal (20) may change in a predictable way, which can be used to identify when a wear-out state has been reached.

A system for determining the orientation of a toothbrush (4), the system comprising an orientation sensor (27) configured for attachment to a toothbrush (4) and one or more processors (29) configured to receive orientation information from the orientation sensor (27). The one or more processors (29) are further configured to determine whether the sensor (27) is in a first orientation (41) or a second orientation (33). The first orientation (41) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the left (42) of a user's mouth. The second orientation (33) corresponds to use of the toothbrush (4) on a surface of teeth on the right (40) of a user's mouth.

The power toothbrush includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the movement of a power drive assembly in a back-and-forth movement. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead. A processor (65) is responsive to the output from the Hall sensor and provides an indication when the pressure exceeds a threshold value.

The invention provides a method for encouraging a user to perform an oral care routine using an oral care device for a predetermined period of time. The method includes recording a plurality of previous oral care sessions, the previous oral care sessions including at least one oral care session ending before the predetermined period of time has elapsed after the user has begun the oral care session. An oral care time characteristic is calculated based on the plurality of previous oral care sessions and, for a subsequent oral care session, a point in time after the user has begun performing an oral care routine is determined for providing the user with feedback based on the oral care time characteristic. The user is then provided with feedback at the determined point in time during the subsequent oral care session.

Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one image is captured using an image capturing component (602), and a region of interest (820) for operating the oral hygiene device is determined based on the at least one captured image. Characteristics corresponding to a motion of the oral hygiene device operated by the user are extracted. An analysis of the extracted characteristics occurs to determine a quality of motion of the oral hygiene device, and feedback is provided to the user to regarding the determined quality of motion of the oral hygiene device.

A system that includes a styling tool configured to treat or shape a user's hair; and a client device configured to communicate with the styling tool and provide feedback to the user regarding a user's usage of the styling tool based at least in part on measured data captured by the styling tool. The styling tool may be a hairbrush that includes circuitry and/or sensors configured to detect one or more of sound, acceleration, force, rotation, hair humidity, and ambient temperature and humidity.

The present invention provides for a laminate that utilizes the ability of a narrow band absorbing dyes to absorb selective wavelengths of light by identifying a color target and tuning to that target. Working with just glass compositions, coatings, interlayers and films, all of which act as broad band filters, it is difficult to fine tune the spectral response of a laminate. Narrow band absorbing dyes are used to selectively tune the spectral response to achieve targeted performance in the UV, visible and IR ranges of the spectrum.

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for customizing dental care. In one aspect, a dental care device is customized for a particular user, including: (1) a support plate having: (a) a first portion configured to be inserted into a mouth; and (b) an attachment mechanism configured to attach the dental care device to a drive assembly; and (2) an elastomer (elastic polymer) portion enclosing the first portion of the plate, the elastomer portion including a plurality of cleaning tips and shaped in accordance with dental details of the particular user.

Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, motion information of an oral hygiene device is received from one or more accelerometers (32) located within the oral hygiene device. The received motion information is compared to a targeted motion of the oral hygiene device. The user operating the oral hygiene device is then provided with feedback in response to determining that the received motion information is within a predefined range of the targeted motion information.

Tooth brushing monitoring system is disclosed that includes a toothbrush with sensors and a base station. The sensors record data regarding the quality, quantity and location of brushing and the system can analyze the data to provide feedback on the quality of brushing. This feedback provides motivation for users to increase their brushing habits, leading to a decrease in plaque, tooth decay and gingivitis