The Gillette Company

Alexander Hiller

Alexander Tessmann

Viktor Kraft

Dominik Jueling

Judith Von Dahlen

Judith VonDahlen

Victor Kraft

A method of resetting a digital counter for a personal care appliance by sending an electrical output signal from an optical sensor to a control circuit. The electrical output signal is compared to a predetermined value with the control circuit or a change in the electrical output signal from the optical sensor is detected over time. A signal is sent to a consumer user interface by the control circuit based on the electrical output signal and the predetermined value or based on the change in the electrical output signal from the optical sensor. The digital counter is reset based on an input signal from the consumer user interface.

Method of resetting a digital counter for a personal care appliance

A personal care appliance with a handle having a coupler at a first end. A control circuit is positioned within the handle. A consumer user interface is operably connected to the control circuit. A digital counter is operably connected to the control circuit. An optical sensor is mounted to the coupler that sends an electrical output signal to the control circuit. A cartridge is removably mounted to the coupler. The cartridge has an opaque surface covering the optical sensor and blocking ambient light from reaching the optical sensor when mounted to the coupler. The control circuit determines an attachment status of the cartridge by comparing the electrical output signal to one or more predetermined thresholds or by detecting a change over time in the electrical output signal of the optical sensor.

Personal care appliance

Growing community of inventors

Kronberg, Germany

Alexander Hiller