Body care device

Abstract

The inventive body care device having a handle and a treatment head, which is hingedly connected mechanically therewith, has a flexible zone for enabling an elastic deflection of the treatment head with respect to the handle and a deflection sensor, which is capable of generating an electric signal as a function of the elastic deflection. This signal can be used to control an automatic start and/or stop function, a use counter and/or operating states of an electric vibrational element integrated in the body care device.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A body care device for massaging or cleaning treatment or for the application of cosmetic products, the body care device comprising:
 a base body having a handle and an exchangeable treatment head, the treatment head comprising a brush head;   an electrical functional unit arranged inside the handle with a circuit board and an energy source;   a programmable microprocessor for processing signals of a sensor of the body care device and for controlling electrical components of the body care device;   a use timer or use counter unit adapted to measure a duration or counting a number of uses of the treatment head;   an indicator adapted to provide a user with information regarding changing the treatment head based upon when a specified or calculated number of uses or use time has been measured or counted by the use timer or use counter unit;   a communication device between the treatment head and the microprocessor, the communication device comprising an induction or radio frequency communication (RFID) component; and   a reset device adapted to reset the use timer or use counter once a new treatment head is recognized.   
     
     
         25 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical components which are controlled by the programmable microprocessor comprise any of a motor, a LED, and an electrical component for heating or cooling, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the indicator comprises any of a display unit, an acoustic signal and a haptic signal, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the sensor is a force sensor or a motion sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the sensor is configured to trigger the use counter or use timer. 
     
     
         29 . The body care device of  claim 26 , wherein the display unit is configured to display a use amount or the use time of the treatment head. 
     
     
         30 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the specified number of uses or use time is a fixed value stored in the program of the microprocessor. 
     
     
         31 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the specified number of uses or use time is calculated by the program of the microprocessor based on a previous number of uses per treatment head depending on the behavior of the user. 
     
     
         32 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the use counter or use timer is manually resettable by the user after a treatment head is exchanged. 
     
     
         33 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein data stored in a memory of the microprocessor is transferable to an external processor by virtue of a further communication device. 
     
     
         34 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the body care device contains a system for transferring information to a personal computer or a smart phone. 
     
     
         35 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the communication device comprises a USB, WLAN or Bluetooth. 
     
     
         36 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the body care device comprises an USB port attached to an electrical subassembly. 
     
     
         37 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein data parameters are capable of being real time monitored on the external processor during use of the device. 
     
     
         38 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the communication device allows for bi-directional transfer of information, enabling a user to alter certain output functions of the program of the body care device to adjust the performance of the body care device to the individual habits. 
     
     
         39 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the brush head comprises bristles. 
     
     
         40 . The body care device of  claim 24 , wherein the communication device allows the microprocessor to differentiate treatment heads from one another. 
     
     
         41 . A body care device for massaging or cleaning treatment or for the application of cosmetic products, the body care device comprising:
 a base body having a handle and an exchangeable treatment head, the treatment head comprising a brush head and the treatment head being configured to carry out vibrating, oscillating, swiveling or other form of mechanical movements;   an electrical functional unit arranged inside the handle with a circuit board and an energy source;   a programmable microprocessor for processing signals of a sensor of the body care device and for controlling electrical components of the body care device;   a use timer or use counter unit measuring the a duration or counting the number of uses of the treatment head;   an indicator adapted to provide a user with information regarding changing the treatment head based upon when a specified or calculated number of uses or use time has been measured or counted by the use timer or use counter unit; and   a communication device between the treatment head and the microprocessor, the communication device comprising an induction or radio frequency communication (RFID) component.   
     
     
         42 . The body care device of  claim 41 , wherein a reset device adapted to reset the use timer or use counter is provided. 
     
     
         43 . The body care device of  claim 41 , wherein resetting is initiated by an actuation of a switching element or a combination of switching elements. 
     
     
         44 . The body care device of  claim 41 , wherein resetting is initiated automatically when the microprocessor has recognized an exchange of treatment heads independently. 
     
     
         45 . The body care device of  claim 41 , wherein the brush head comprises bristles. 
     
     
         46 . The body care device of  claim 41 , wherein the communication device allows the microprocessor to differentiate treatment heads from one another.