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 determining when the brushhead portion of a power toothbrush should be replaced. The system includes a piezoelectric transducer for detecting oscillations of the brushhead. The piezoelectric transducer produces an output signal which is used to drive a counter which accumulates the total number of such oscillations. When the total number of oscillations reaches a preselected number, which is representative of typical use of the toothbrush for a predetermined amount of time, e.g. six months, a signal is produced which drives an alarm indicator, the action of which is recognizable by the user of the toothbrush.

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: 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.

Abstract: A coil insert for use with a secondary coil portion of a charging system for an electric toothbrush. The secondary coil is positioned within the handle of the toothbrush. The insert includes a first portion which is configured to fit in the central opening of the secondary coil and a base portion which extends out from the secondary coil. The insert has enough weight, approximately one ounce, to significantly dampen the vibrational effects caused by operation of the toothbrush. The steel peen is sufficiently small so as to not absorb any energy from the charging coil during operation of the charging system and to increase coupling efficiency between the primary and secondary charging coils.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the intervals during which light signals are sampled in a fiber-optic sensing system compensates for signal artifacts that are caused by movement of the fiber-optic waveguide during the sampling. The method and system sample the light signals at intervals that are shorter than the intervals during which displacement of the optical waveguide occurs in normal use. The short-sampling intervals result in the individual sampling of different wavelengths of light being exposed to the same changes in transmission characteristics of the optical waveguide which causes signal artifacts. Accordingly, when subsequent processing of the collected signals occurs, the effects of the signal artifacts are compensated for.