Abstract: A handle for an oral-care implement for safe and hygienic use by multiple users includes an electrical motor and a detachable head. The handle has a display for displaying instructions to control functional operation of the handle, a microcontroller for controlling the motor and the display, and at least one switch to allow a user to control the functional operation of the handle, including causing the output element to vibrate in at least one oral-hygiene mode having an oral-hygiene frequency and causing the output element to vibrate in a disinfection mode when the handle is being disinfected before or after being used for the oral-hygiene routine. The disinfection mode has a modulated frequency, different from the oral-hygiene frequency, and alternating up and down between a low modulated frequency and a high modulated frequency, wherein the high modulated frequency is at least 50 percent greater than the low modulated frequency.

Abstract: A handle for an oral-care implement, the handle comprises an electrical motor arranged to drive an output element structured and configured to couple the handle and a head attachable to and detachable from the handle; and a microcontroller for controlling the motor and to cause the output element to vibrate in (a) at least one oral-hygiene mode during which the oral-care implement is being used for an oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is vibrating at a substantially constant frequency, and (b) a disinfection mode during which the handle is being disinfected, before or after being used for the oral-hygiene routine, wherein the output element is continuously vibrating at a modulated frequency alternating within a frequency range of between about 140 Hz and about 250 Hz, for a duration of the disinfection mode.

Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit, an energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery, a determination unit for repeatedly or constantly determining an energy storage level of the energy storage, and a control unit arranged for providing energy from the energy storage at the drive unit during an on state of the device and for gradually reducing the energy level from a nominal energy level to a first reduced energy level during a first energy level reduction time period when the determined energy storage level has fallen below a first energy storage level threshold but is above a second energy storage level threshold and for continuing provision of the first reduced energy level while the device stays in an on state and the determined energy storage level stays above the second energy storage level threshold.

Abstract: A personal grooming appliance has an energy source, an electronic circuit comprising at least one electric load, and a first sensor for providing a first signal indicating a relevant change of a first external condition. The appliance is arranged to stay in a sleep mode in which the electronic circuit consumes at least a reduced average energy amount in comparison to an active mode and to initiate the active mode when the first signal indicating a change of the first external condition is received. The electronic circuit can be arranged to perform a welcome routine in response to a first active mode initialization and a standard routine, different to the welcome routine, in response to receiving the first signal indicating a relevant change in the first external condition after the welcome routine has been performed. The first sensor can be a light sensor, a resistance sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, or a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit, an energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery, a determination unit for repeatedly or constantly determining an energy storage level of the energy storage, and a control unit arranged for providing energy from the energy storage at the drive unit during an on state of the device and for gradually reducing the energy level from a nominal energy level to a first reduced energy level during a first energy level reduction time period when the determined energy storage level has fallen below a first energy storage level threshold but is above a second energy storage level threshold and for continuing provision of the first reduced energy level while the device stays in an on state and the determined energy storage level stays above the second energy storage level threshold.

Abstract: A circuit for a small electric appliance is disclosed. The circuit includes a battery (B); a control circuit (uC) for measuring the charging current of the battery (B); a DC-DC converter (DC/DC) which supplies the control circuit (uC) from the battery; and a current sensing resistor (R1), whose one end lies at a reference potential and whose other end is connected to the battery (B). The control circuit (uC) has a terminal which is at reference potential, and a measurement input which is related to the reference potential.

Abstract: A circuit for a small electric appliance is disclosed. The circuit includes a battery (B); a control circuit (uC) for measuring the charging current of the battery (B); a DC-DC converter (DC/DC) which supplies the control circuit (uC) from the battery; and a current sensing resistor (R1), whose one end lies at a reference potential and whose other end is connected to the battery (B). The control circuit (uC) has a terminal which is at reference potential, and a measurement input which is related to the reference potential.