Procedure and arrangement for examining hair

Abstract

Methods for examining hair, comprising: During the X-raying of a hair cross-section of a hair sample with light, recording of light emitted by the hair sample; Determine, based on the registered light, the first areas of the hair cross-section that are more strongly penetrated by light, and the second areas of the hair cross-section that are less strongly penetrated by light; and Determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to methods and arrangements for examining hair.

[0002] A strong shine is typically desirable. However, consumers often don't achieve the desired effect with shine-enhancing products. Therefore, effective and convenient ways for users to examine hair, particularly with regard to shine, are desirable, for example, to enable more suitable product recommendations.

[0003] According to various embodiments, a method for examining hair is described which comprises: during a light penetration of a hair cross-section of a hair sample, registering light emitted by the hair sample, determining, based on the registered light, first areas of the hair cross-section that are more strongly penetrated by light, and second areas of the hair cross-section that are less strongly penetrated by light, and determining a porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas.

[0004] According to a further embodiment, an arrangement for examining hair according to the method described above is provided.

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the taking of a hair sample. Fig.Figure 2 shows the structure of a hair. Fig. Figure 3 shows an arrangement for examining hair. Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure for examining hair. Fig. Figure 6 shows an arrangement for examining hair.

[0006] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be implemented. It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical modifications may be made without altering the scope of protection of the present invention. It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be interpreted as restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

[0007] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the taking of a hair sample.

[0008] According to various embodiments, a hair sample 102P can be taken to examine hair 102 from a user. The hair sample 102P can, for example, be taken from a distance 102PL from the user's scalp and can contain one or more hairs.

[0009] Examining a user's hair 102 can also be done without taking a hair sample 102P directly from the user's head.

[0010] Fig. Figure 2 shows the structure of a hair 200.

[0011] The hair has a cuticle 201, a cortex 202 and medulla (also called medulla) 203.

[0012] The following are examples of how hair is examined by analyzing the porosity of the medulla 203, for example, using a microscope and fiber optics (to transmit light from the light source to the hair cross-section). Depending on the porosity of the medulla 203, it, and therefore the hair, scatters light more or less, which affects the hair's shine. Based on the results, the hair can be treated to alter (typically increase) its shine, for example, by applying products that reduce the porosity of the medulla 203.

[0013] Fig. Figure 3 shows an arrangement 300 for examining hair.

[0014] The arrangement 300 has a carrier 301 on which a fiber piece 302 of approximately 0.5 mm thickness, cut transversely to the fiber from a head hair of a test subject, is placed.

[0015] The arrangement 300 includes a light source 303 which illuminates the fiber section 302 with light via a fiber optic cable 304, for example with a luminous flux in the range of 50 to 5000 lumens, e.g. in the range of 200 to 1000 lumens, e.g. approximately 500 lumens. The objective 305 of a microscope 306 (e.g. a Scrona µPeek) is directed onto the cross-sectional area of ​​the fiber section 302 facing away from the fiber optic cable 304. The microscope 306 has, for example, an optical magnification in the range of 10 to 500x, e.g. in the range of 100 to 200x, e.g. a 175x magnification.

[0016] A camera 307 connected to the microscope stores the resulting image output by the microscope and transmits it to a data processing unit 308 which runs image analysis software (or, more generally, an application for evaluating the image material).

[0017] In the image, porous areas appear light and non-porous areas dark. The data processing unit 308 determines (using the image analysis software) the proportion of light (i.e., porous) areas in the center of the hair fiber 302.

[0018] The center of the hair fiber is defined, for example, as the 30% of the image of the hair whose distance from the hair surface is the maximum.

[0019] In other words, the application differentiates between light and dark areas of the captured hair cross-section for evaluating the image data. The more frequent and larger the light areas in the hair cross-section in relation to the dark areas, the greater the porosity of the medulla and the lower the associated visually perceived hair shine.

[0020] Accordingly, the data processing unit 308 can issue a product recommendation based on the determined porosity, e.g., depending on a determined porosity level. It can recommend a product suitable for filling the existing pores of the medulla corresponding to the determined porosity. Filling the pores causes the incident light to be reflected in a focused manner instead of being scattered, thus increasing the visually perceived shine of the hair. In addition to purely filling substances (e.g., water, amino acids, lactic acid, urea, uric acid, dicarboxylic acids, generally substances of the NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor) group), the data processing unit 308 can also recommend substances that protect the hair from overheating, as overheating leads to the formation of new pores. These include, for example, oils and film formers (e.g., styling polymers).For more porous hair, the data processing unit 308 can recommend highly gloss-enhancing products with a dark color, and for less porous hair, less gloss-enhancing products with a light color.

[0021] The data processing unit 308, for example, determines the proportion of light areas to the total area of ​​the image of the hair cross-section 302. A brightness threshold can be specified for this purpose, and the data processing unit identifies areas with a brightness lower than the brightness threshold as dark and areas with a brightness higher than the brightness threshold as light. The brightness threshold is defined, for example, with reference to the brightness of the dark areas of the photograph (e.g., as a factor of the brightness of the dark areas).

[0022] The lightness threshold is defined, for example, such that the (area) ratio of light to dark areas of the hair cross-section (for hair with typical porosities) lies in the range of 0 to 25%, for example, in the range of 0 to 10%. A specific number of porosity grades are defined for the various ratios, for example, up to 5 porosity grades, e.g., 2 or 3. An example of the mapping of (area) proportions of light areas (relative to the total hair cross-sectional area) to hair porosity grade is shown in Table 1. Table 1 Proportion of bright areas Hair porosity level up to 1% Small amount more than 1% up to 3% Moderate more than 3% Strong

[0023] The data processing unit 308 determines the recommended product, for example, based on a database (e.g., stored online) that contains a product recommendation for each porosity level. Table 2 shows an example. Table 2 Hair porosity level Product recommendation Small amount Product 1 for slight shine enhancement, containing no hair-filling substances other than water. Moderate Product 2 for moderate gloss enhancement, containing, in addition to water: 1% lactic acid 1% urea 1% uric acid Strong Product 3 for a strong increase in gloss, containing, in addition to water: 1% lactic acid 1% urea 1% uric acid 0.5% Acid Black 1

[0024] This allows the user to receive a product recommendation based on the determined hair porosity values ​​and their assignment to hair porosity grades, as shown in the example.

[0025] The microscope 306, the camera 307, the data processing unit 308, and optionally also the light source 303, the fiber optic cable 304, and the support 302 can be implemented using a smartphone equipped with a microscope lens for smartphones. Alternatively, the microscope 306, the camera 307, the data processing unit 308, and optionally also the light source 303, the fiber optic cable 304, and the support 302 can be implemented using a Wi-Fi-enabled media player such as an iPod touch or a tablet, employing a microscope lens for these mobile electronic devices.

[0026] In summary, a method for examining hair is provided according to various embodiments, as described in Fig.4 is shown.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of 400.

[0028] In 401, during a cross-section of a hair sample being X-rayed, light emitted by the hair sample is registered.

[0029] In 402, based on the registered light, first areas of the hair cross-section, which are more strongly penetrated by light, and second areas of the hair cross-section, which are less strongly penetrated by light, are determined.

[0030] In 403, a porosity of the hair sample is determined based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas.

[0031] In other words, according to various embodiments, a method for examining (and subsequently treating, for example, based on the examination result) hair is provided, which is based on determining the porosity of the hair by determining the size of the areas that are more strongly illuminated by light (i.e., more transparent) and the size of the areas that are less strongly illuminated by light (i.e., less transparent).

[0032] It should be noted that determining the porosity based on the ratio of the size of the first areas to the total area can also be considered as being based on the size of the second areas, since the size of the first areas is smaller the larger the second areas are (for example, the sum of the size of the first areas and the size of the second areas is the total area, possibly including areas that are not assigned to either the first or second areas, for example, areas of medium light transmittance).

[0033] The procedure according to Fig. 4 can be implemented, for example, with a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, and provides a consumer with a simple way to receive a recommendation for gloss-enhancing products based on medulla porosity.

[0034] Porosity can be considered a measure of hair shine.

[0035] Using fiber optics, light can be directed precisely into the cross-section of the hair, leading to better differentiation of individual hair structures.

[0036] The procedure according to Fig. 4 is implemented, for example, by an arrangement such as that described in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0037] Fig. Figure 5 shows an arrangement of 500 for examining hair.

[0038] The arrangement 500 includes a lamp 501 which is set up to illuminate a hair cross-section of a hair sample 502 with light.

[0039] The arrangement 500 further comprises a light recording device 503 which is designed to record light emitted by the hair sample 502.

[0040] Furthermore, the arrangement 500 includes a data processing device 504 which is set up to determine, based on the registered light, first areas of the hair cross-section which are more strongly penetrated by light and second areas of the hair cross-section which are less strongly penetrated by light, and to determine a porosity of the hair sample 502 based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas.

[0041] It should be noted that exemplary embodiments relating to the method for determining the degree of damage to hair apply analogously to the methods and arrangements for determining the degree of damage to hair, and vice versa.

[0042] Based on the determined degree of damage, the consumer can also be given an objectively determined recommendation (for example, automatically via his smartphone) as to which products are well suited for his hair, for example to increase hair shine.

[0043] The following are examples of implementation: Exemplary embodiment 1 is a method for examining hair, as described in Fig. 4 is shown. Embodiment 2 is the method according to embodiment 1, wherein the porosity of the hair sample is a medulla porosity of the hair sample. Exemplary embodiment 3 is the method according to exemplary embodiment 1 or 2, comprising shining a light through the hair cross-section using a lamp and guiding the light emitted by the lamp onto the hair cross-section using a fiber optic cable. Embodiment 4 is the method according to embodiment 3, wherein the registration of the light comprises the registration of the light which is emitted from the side of the hair cross-section facing away from the fiber optic cable. Embodiment 5 is the method according to one of embodiments 1 to 4, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the ratio of the size of the first areas to the size of the second areas. Exemplary embodiment 6 is the method according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 5, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the relative size of the first areas or the relative size of the second areas in relation to the hair cross-sectional area. Embodiment 7 is the method according to one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the light is recorded using a microscope. Embodiment 8 is the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the light registration comprises taking a photograph of the hair cross-section. Embodiment 9 is the method according to embodiment 8, wherein the determination of the first areas and the determination of the second areas comprise identifying lighter and darker areas of the photograph. Exemplary embodiment 10 is the method according to exemplary embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the determination of the first areas comprises the determination of areas of the photograph whose brightness is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Embodiment 11 is the method according to one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the determination of the second areas comprises the determination of areas of the photograph whose brightness is less than or equal to the specified threshold or less than the specified threshold. Embodiment 12 is the method according to one of embodiments 1 to 11, comprising determining the porosity for a plurality of hair samples and determining, as the porosity of the hair, an average porosity of the determined porosities. Exemplary embodiment 13 is the method according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising selecting a user-specific means based on the determined porosity. Exemplary embodiment 14 is the method according to exemplary embodiment 13, further comprising displays of the selected user-specific means. Exemplary embodiment 15 is an arrangement for examining hair, as described in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a method for individualized hair treatment, characterized by the steps a) Transilluminating the hair cross-section of several samples of hair with different degrees of porosity with light and determining the light transmittance; b) Creating a calibration model that establishes a correlation between light transmittance and porosity; c) Transillumination of the hair cross-section of an individual's hair and determination of the light transmittance; d) Determination of the porosity level of the hair of this individual using the calibration model; e) Issuance of an individual treatment instruction for the individual's hair depending on the determined porosity level.

[0045] It is preferred that the individual treatment instructions include recommendations for hair care products, particularly shine-enhancing hair care products. It is further preferred that the individual treatment instructions advise the individual to use or advise against using hair care products that the individual identifies using QR codes, NFC chips, barcodes, or RFID chips.

[0046] Alternatively, the individual treatment instruction can consist of advising the individual to use hair care products that are individually manufactured for the individual and initiating an ordering process, preferably by accessing a website of a manufacturer of individual hair care products.

[0047] It is further preferred that the calibration model from b) is stored as information on a local data carrier or in a cloud. It is also preferred that step c) is carried out at a hairdresser's, at a point of sale (POS) for hair treatment products, or in a private setting.

[0048] Step c) is preferably controlled by a smart device, such as a smartphone, a Wi-Fi-enabled media player or a tablet, preferably via a pre-installed app.

Claims

[1] Method for examining hair, comprising: During the X-raying of a hair cross-section of a hair sample with light, recording of light emitted by the hair sample; Determine, based on the registered light, the first areas of the hair cross-section that are more strongly penetrated by light, and the second areas of the hair cross-section that are less strongly penetrated by light; and Determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the porosity of the hair sample is a medulla porosity of the hair sample. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising shining a light through the hair cross-section by means of a lamp and guiding the light emitted by the lamp onto the hair cross-section by means of a fiber optic cable. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the registration of the light comprises the registration of the light which is emitted from the side of the hair cross-section facing away from the fiber optic cable. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on a ratio of the size of the first areas to the size of the second areas. [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the relative size of the first areas or the relative size of the second areas in relation to a hair cross-sectional area. [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light is recorded using a microscope. [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the registration of the light comprises taking a photograph of the hair cross-section. [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein the identification of the first areas and the identification of the second areas comprises identifying lighter areas and darker areas of the photograph. [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the determination of the first areas comprises determining areas of the photograph whose brightness is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. [11] Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the determination of the second areas comprises determining areas of the photograph whose brightness is less than or equal to the specified threshold or less than the specified threshold. [12] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising determining the porosity for a plurality of hair samples and determining, as the porosity of the hair, an average porosity of the determined porosities. [13] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising selecting a user-specific means based on the determined porosity. [14] Method according to claim 13, further comprising displays of the selected user-specific means. [15] Arrangement for examining hair, comprising: A lamp designed to illuminate a cross-section of a hair sample with light, a light recording device designed to record light emitted by the hair sample; and a data processing facility that is set up, Based on the registered light, to identify first areas of the hair cross-section that are more strongly penetrated by light and second areas of the hair cross-section that are less strongly penetrated by light. to determine the porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first areas and the second areas. [16] Methods for individualized hair treatment, characterized by the steps a) Transilluminating a hair cross-section of several samples of hair with different degrees of porosity with light and determining the light transmittance; b) Creating a calibration model that establishes a correlation between light transmittance and porosity; c) Transillumination of the hair cross-section of an individual's hair and determination of the light transmittance; d) Determination of the porosity level of this individual's hair using the calibration model; e) Issuance of an individual treatment instruction for the individual's hair depending on the determined porosity level.

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