Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth that include a mouth piece and an ultraviolet light source, a sterilizer that sterilizes the mouth piece, or at least one Hall-effect sensor. At least a portion of the device or mouth piece may be sterilized. A wireless charging system may drive the sterilizer or UV source, which may operate only when the mouth piece is not in the user's mouth or when the mouth piece is charging. A safety mechanism may protect the user from eye damage. The mouth piece may be charged while the mouth piece and UV source are in an enclosure. The UV source or sterilizer may turn on only while the mouth piece is in the enclosure or only while the enclosure is closed. The Hall-effect sensor(s) may control whether the UV source or sterilizer is on or may detect whether the mouth piece is docked within the charger.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth that include at least one sensor that senses whether the device is in the mouth of the user, an electro-magnetic field (EMF) array, or an accelerometer. The sensor(s) or EMF array may enable operation of the device only when the device is in the mouth, turn on the device or a light when placed in the mouth, turn off the device when the device is removed from the mouth, or not allow the device to operate when the device is not in the mouth. A timer may turn off the device. The time may be adjustable, automatically adjusted (e.g., by the device), or adjusted based on color or shade of the teeth. Some embodiments have multiple sensors or EMF arrays or include a wakeup device or accelerometer. The accelerometer may wake up the device when the device is shaken.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth of a user that include a pulse width modulation circuit or a light source and a light delivery mechanism or reflector. The light source may deliver light to the user's teeth and may be located outside the mouth of the user when the device is being used to whiten the teeth of the user while the light delivery mechanism or reflector may be located inside the mouth. The pulse width modulation circuit may drive the light source. The light source may include LEDs or independently-controlled light sources. Intensity of the light source may be controlled, or the device may be controlled wirelessly, for example, using a separate electronic device or hand gestures (e.g., with a gesture sensor). The device may include two antennas or an infrared receiver.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth that include a mouth piece and an ultraviolet light source, a sterilizer that sterilizes the mouth piece, or at least one Hall-effect sensor. At least a portion of the device or mouth piece may be sterilized. A wireless charging system may drive the sterilizer or UV source [e.g., LED(s)], which may operate only when the mouth piece is not in the user's mouth or when the mouth piece is charging. A safety mechanism may protect the user from eye damage. The mouth piece may be charged while the mouth piece and UV source are in an enclosure. The UV source or sterilizer may turn on only while the mouth piece is in the enclosure or only while the enclosure is closed. The Hall-effect sensor(s) may control whether the UV source or sterilizer is on or may detect whether the mouth piece is docked within the charger.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth of a user where the device outputs data, the device is controlled using hand gestures detected by at least one sensor, or the device includes wireless charging. At least one sensor may collect data for output. The device may whiten teeth by shining light on the teeth while at least part of the device is in the mouth of the user. The device may output data wirelessly, with Bluetooth, to a smart device, to the Internet, for computer analysis, for processing with machine learning, or for determination of a duration or intensity for whitening the teeth. The data may include shade or color of the teeth and may be compared to data from other users to automatically determine a teeth-whitening treatment procedure for the user. The device may notify the user of potential health risks associated with the teeth or gums of the user.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth of a user that include a color sensor that detects color of the teeth or that collects data from light that is reflected from the teeth and that controls a teeth-whitening process using the data (e.g., color or shade of the teeth). The device may include a light source (e.g., cool and/or warm light-source elements) that emits light that is reflected by the teeth or to whiten the teeth. Intensity of light may be controlled, e.g., using a processor, learning algorithm, or pulse width modulation circuit. There may be independently-controlled light sources or multiple sensors that sense color in different areas of the mouth. The light source may be located outside the mouth, a reflector may be located inside the mouth, or both. The device may be controlled wirelessly, using a separate electronic device, or with a gesture sensor (e.g., sensing hand gestures).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interface device to control an appliance through a network. The interface device can be device-agnostic and can be incorporated into any suitable appliance. Upon initialization, the interface device can determine the capabilities of the attached appliance and send out update information that can be received by a controller. The controller can send commands designated to control the appliance, which are received by the interface device and translated into appropriate commands that are transmitted to the appliance. The interface device can turn the appliance into a network device, such as a home automation network device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interface device to control an appliance through a network. The interface device can be device-agnostic and can be incorporated into any suitable appliance. Upon initialization, the interface device can determine the capabilities of the attached appliance and send out update information that can be received by a controller. The controller can send commands designated to control the appliance, which are received by the interface device and translated into appropriate commands that are transmitted to the appliance. The interface device can turn the appliance into a network device, such as a home automation network device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interface device to control an appliance through a network. The interface device can be device-agnostic and can be incorporated into any suitable appliance. Upon initialization, the interface device can determine the capabilities of the attached appliance and send out update information that can be received by a controller. The controller can send commands designated to control the appliance, which are received by the interface device and translated into appropriate commands that are transmitted to the appliance. The interface device can turn the appliance into a network device, such as a home automation network device.