COLOR- OR SHADE-SENSING TEETH-WHITENING DEVICE
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).
1 . A device for whitening teeth of a user, the device comprising a color sensor that detects color of the teeth of the user.
2 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device controls a teeth-whitening process using the color of the teeth of the user.
3 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 2 further comprising a processor that controls the teeth-whitening process using the color of the teeth of the user.
4 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a light source that emits light that is reflected by the teeth and used by the device to detect the color of the teeth of the user.
5 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a light source that shines light on the teeth to whiten the teeth.
6 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device uses the color of the teeth to determine intensity of light to shine onto the teeth.
7 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device comprises cool light source elements and warm light source elements.
8 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the user has a mouth and the device comprises multiple color sensors and different color sensors of the multiple color sensors sense color of the teeth of the user in different areas of the mouth of the user.
9 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device uses a learning algorithm to determine a teeth-whitening process using the color of the teeth of the user.
10 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 further comprising multiple independently-controlled light sources.
11 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 further comprising a light source; and a reflector; wherein the user has a mouth and, when the device is being used to whiten the teeth of the user: the light source is located outside the mouth of the user; and the reflector is located inside the mouth of the user.
12 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 further comprising a pulse width modulation circuit.
13 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device is controlled wirelessly using a separate electronic device.
14 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a gesture sensor that senses hand gestures used to control the device.
15 . A device for whitening teeth of a user wherein the device collects data from light that is reflected from the teeth and controls a teeth-whitening process using the data.
16 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 15 wherein the data comprises color of the teeth and the device uses the color of the teeth to control the teeth-whitening process.
17 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 15 wherein the data comprises shade of the teeth and the device uses the shade of the teeth to control the teeth-whitening process.
18 . The device for whitening teeth of claim 15 wherein the teeth-whitening process comprises shining light on the teeth to whiten the teeth.
19 . A device for whitening teeth of a user comprising color sensors used to analyze reflected light from a target surface of the teeth to recommend a whitening treatment for the teeth.
20 . The device for whitening teeth of a user of claim 19 wherein the device produces light that becomes the reflected light when reflected by the target surface of the teeth.