Abstract: Voice-cue based motorized skin treatment system is presented. In an embodiment, a skin treatment device includes: an audible instruction unit including memory configured to store a plurality of audio files associated with a plurality of voice cues, and a processor electrically coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to determine which voice cues of the plurality of voice cues are to be audibly presented to a user based one or more inputs indicative of a skin treatment type. An audio unit electrically is coupled with the audible instruction unit. The audio unit is configured to receive the determined voice cues from the processor and to audibly present the determined voice cues, where the determined voice cues include verbal guidance for operating the skin treatment device.

Abstract: A system to promote optimum performance of a personal care appliance is provided including: a personal care appliance having an appliance status; and a client device, in communication with the appliance, including circuitry configured to compare the appliance status with the protocol for using the appliance, control display of an indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for controlling display of a user interface for optimizing performance in using a personal care appliance is provided including: receiving a user info or regimen; receiving a protocol or routine to use the appliance; receiving an appliance status related to a user's usage of the appliance; comparing the appliance status to a target usage of the appliance in the protocol or routine; and controlling display of an indicator of the user's performance based on the comparison.

Abstract: A personal skincare appliance is provided that includes a brush head; a motor configured to cause angular rotation of the brush head; and a controller configured to control a drive frequency of the motor. The controller is configured to detect an event corresponding to a status or condition of the personal skincare appliance and to set the drive frequency of the motor to a predetermined frequency which causes an auditory tone to be emitted from the personal skincare appliance.

Abstract: A system to promote optimum performance of a personal care appliance is provided including: a personal care appliance having an appliance status; and a client device, in communication with the appliance, including circuitry configured to compare the appliance status with the protocol for using the appliance, control display of an indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for controlling display of a user interface for optimizing performance in using a personal care appliance is provided including: receiving a user info or regimen; receiving a protocol or routine to use the appliance; receiving an appliance status related to a user's usage of the appliance; comparing the appliance status to a target usage of the appliance in the protocol or routine; and controlling display of an indicator of the user's performance based on the comparison.

Abstract: Personal care appliances, systems, and methods are provided. In certain embodiments, the appliances are have substantially linear shape and are sized to fit in a hand of a user. The appliances include a handle assembly, a motor assembly for driving a personal care end effector, and one or more treatment components configured to control the motor assembly via one or more protocols. Exemplary treatment protocols include a clean-shaven face protocol and a bearded protocol.

Abstract: The system changes frequency of the toothbrush to adjust the amplitude of motion of the brush portion of the toothbrush. The change in frequency occurs either manually or automatically. In the manual embodiment, the user, via a switch and internal circuitry, can adjust the operating frequency of the toothbrush which results in a change of amplitude to a value which is most comfortable to the user. In the automatic mode, the resonant frequency of the toothbrush is determined upon initiation of the operation of the toothbrush. The resonant frequency value is then offset by a selected amount, usually higher than the resonant frequency; this offset frequency is the operating frequency of the toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.

Abstract: Oral hygiene devices employing an ultrasound transducer are disclosed. The device is user-activatable to commence an operating cycle, and has a controller that may provide a timing function and may provide a variable level of ultrasound transducer output during an operating cycle. The controller may provide a monitoring function that is capable of detecting an ultrasound transducer fault condition and alert a user, through a user interface, when an ultrasound transducer fault condition is detected. The controller may be programmed to count the number of device operating cycles or accumulate the total device operating time and activate a transducer replacement signal following a predetermined number of uses or a predetermined accumulated operating time.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.

Abstract: A power appliance, such as a power toothbrush, is adapted for limited time trial use, but otherwise has the operational functionality of a conventional long-term use product. The power appliance is responsive to a communication from an enabling device to enable long-term of the appliance following receipt of payment from the user.

Abstract: A trial (test) power toothbrush designed to emulate the performance of a corresponding commercial toothbrush, powered by a non-rechargeable battery. The power to drive the toothbrush is controlled by a control circuit which is responsive to the battery to maintain the drive power at approximately the level of the commercial unit and a short “trial use” period, i.e. one month/30 days, and then to terminate operation of the power toothbrush. The trial toothbrush may then be readily disposed of by the user, including the battery therein.

Abstract: A system for communicating data between a battery powered electric toothbrush and a separate control unit includes a microprocessor in the toothbrush which collects and stores data concerning selected operational aspects of the toothbrush. The data is transmitted from the toothbrush to the control unit by means of an infrared link. The transmitted data is processed in the control unit and displayed there or is transmitted to a separate device for display and/or analysis.

Abstract: Driving power for a vibrating device is provided at less than full level when the device is initially used. Power is gradually increased in successive steps after a selected number of uses in each step until full power is achieved. Also, a battery-energized driving signal for a vibrating device has a selected characteristic, such as duty cycle, which is set initially at less than an optimum value, when the battery is at full strength. As the battery discharges, the selected characteristic is adjusted toward optimum so as to compensate for reduction in the battery voltage and ensure full power output.

Abstract: Driving power for a vibrating device is provided at less than full level when the device is initially used. Power is gradually increased in successive steps after a selected number of uses in each step until full power is achieved. Also, a battery-energized driving signal for a vibrating device has a selected characteristic, such as duty cycle, which is set initially at less than an optimum value, when the battery is at full strength. As the battery discharges, the selected characteristic is adjusted toward optimum so as to compensate for reduction in the battery voltage and ensure full power output.