Hair evaluation method, program product, computer, and hair evaluation system

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of hair evaluation. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: scanning an image of a predetermined range obtained by photographing a user's head in a certain direction to measure a hair portion; detecting a region in which the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion within the image through the scanning in the certain direction; and determining the region in which the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion as a boundary line of the hair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hair evaluation method, program, computer, and hair evaluation system. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, in confirming the effectiveness of hair growth products, hair is evaluated based on factors such as the number of hairs or the diameter of the hair. When evaluating hair, images obtained by photographing the head are sometimes used (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] <Prior art documents>

[0004] <Patent Documents>

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Invention Patent No. 5812719 Summary of the Invention

[0006] <Problem to be solved by this invention>

[0007] However, in traditional methods, a person visually determines the areas in the captured images used for hair evaluation. Therefore, discrepancies sometimes arise between the areas that should have been evaluated and the areas that were actually evaluated. Consequently, accurate hair evaluation is not possible.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to improve the accuracy of hair evaluation.

[0009] <Methods for solving problems>

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes: scanning an image of a predetermined range obtained by photographing a user's head along a certain direction to measure hair portions; detecting, by scanning in the certain direction, a region in the image in which the hair portions occupy the smallest proportion; and determining the region in the image in which the hair portions occupy the smallest proportion as the boundary line of the hair.

[0011] <The Effects of the Invention>

[0012] According to the present invention, the accuracy of hair evaluation can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the whole according to one embodiment of the present invention (Example 1).

[0014] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an overall embodiment of the present invention (Example 2).

[0015] Figure 3This is a functional block diagram of a hair evaluation terminal and a hair evaluation server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a hair evaluation process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an angle correction process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a transformation diagram of an image according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to illustrate a scan according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram used to illustrate the designation of the angle of the dividing line according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a diagram used to illustrate the hair boundary line according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram used to illustrate hair coverage according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 11 It is a diagram used to illustrate the deviation in the vertical direction relative to the hairline.

[0024] Figure 12 It is a diagram used to illustrate the deviation of the inclination relative to the hairline.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a diagram used to illustrate binarization according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a hair evaluation terminal and a hair evaluation server according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] <Explanation of Terms>

[0029] In this specification, "hair parting line" refers to the area where hair separates or is divided, typically the region where hairs part in opposite directions. In other words, hairs separate in opposite directions with the hair parting line as the boundary. It should be noted that "separating in opposite directions" includes both cases where the hair flow (from the root to the tip) intersects the hair parting line perpendicularly, and cases where the hair flow intersects the hair parting line at an angle. This will be discussed later. Figure 9 Examples of hair parting lines are provided. It should be noted that hair parting lines can be created for hair evaluation or they can be naturally occurring.

[0030] • In this specification, "hair coverage" refers to the proportion of the area occupied by hair within an image. For example, if the hair diameter is the same, it is assumed that the more hairs the user has, the greater the hair coverage. Additionally, for example, if the number of hairs is the same, it is assumed that the larger the diameter of the user's hair, the greater the hair coverage.

[0031] <The overall composition>

[0032] The overall structure will be described in two parts: Example 1 and Example 2.

[0033] <<Example 1>>

[0034] Figure 1 This is an overall configuration diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention (Example 1). The hair evaluation terminal 10 can acquire images captured by the camera device 20. These will be described separately below.

[0035] The hair evaluation terminal 10 is a computer used to evaluate hair. The hair evaluation terminal 10 determines the hair boundary lines in an image captured by the camera device 20. Furthermore, the hair evaluation terminal 10 can use the hair boundary lines to evaluate the hair. For example, the hair evaluation terminal 10 can be a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc.

[0036] The camera device 20 is a device used to photograph hair. Specifically, the camera device 20 photographs the user's head. For example, the camera device 20 is a digital camera, etc.

[0037] <<Example 2>>

[0038] Figure 2This is an overall configuration diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention (Example 2). The hair evaluation system 1 includes a hair evaluation terminal 10, a camera device 20, and a hair evaluation server 30. The hair evaluation terminal 10 can acquire images captured by the camera device 20. The hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30 can send or receive data to each other via any network. These will be described separately below.

[0039] The hair evaluation terminal 10 sends images captured by the camera device 20 to the hair evaluation server 30. Additionally, the hair evaluation terminal 10 receives information about hair boundary lines from the hair evaluation server 30. Furthermore, the hair evaluation terminal 10 can receive hair evaluation information (e.g., hair coverage) from the hair evaluation server 30. For example, the hair evaluation terminal 10 can be a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc.

[0040] The camera device 20 is a device used to photograph hair. Specifically, the camera device 20 photographs the user's head. For example, the camera device 20 is a digital camera, etc.

[0041] Hair evaluation server 30 is a computer used to evaluate hair. Hair evaluation server 30 receives images captured by camera device 20 from hair evaluation terminal 10. Furthermore, hair evaluation server 30 determines the hair boundary lines in the images captured by camera device 20. Additionally, hair evaluation server 30 sends the hair boundary line information to hair evaluation terminal 10. Furthermore, hair evaluation server 30 can use the hair boundary lines to evaluate the hair. Additionally, hair evaluation server 30 can send hair evaluation information (e.g., hair coverage) to hair evaluation terminal 10. For example, hair evaluation server 30 is a server composed of one or more computers.

[0042] It should be noted that, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this paper, the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the camera device 20 are used as examples of different devices, but the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the camera device 20 can also be installed in one device (e.g., a tablet terminal with a camera).

[0043] <Functional Modules>

[0044] Figure 3 This is a hair evaluation terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (as in Example 1) and hair evaluation server ( Figure 2 The functional block diagram of Example 2. Figure 3As shown, the hair evaluation terminal 10 and hair evaluation server 30 may include an image acquisition unit 101, an angle correction unit 102, a hair determination unit 103, a measurement unit 104, a detection unit 105, a boundary line determination unit 106, a range setting unit 107, and a hair evaluation unit 108. Furthermore, the hair evaluation terminal 10 and hair evaluation server 30 can function as the image acquisition unit 101, angle correction unit 102, hair determination unit 103, measurement unit 104, detection unit 105, boundary line determination unit 106, range setting unit 107, and hair evaluation unit 108 by executing a program.

[0045] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires images captured by the camera device 20. The images are obtained by photographing the head of the user whose hair is to be evaluated. The photographer photographs a predetermined area of ​​the user's head. For example, the predetermined area is a range determined visually by the photographer based on markings on the user's scalp.

[0046] The angle correction unit 102 corrects the angle of a region (hereinafter also referred to as a "frame") of a predetermined shape and size within the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101, as well as the angle of the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. Specifically, the angle correction unit 102 specifies the angle (direction) of the hair boundary line in the image captured by the imaging device 20. It should be noted that the angle correction unit 102 can specify the angle of the hair boundary line based on instructions from the operator of the hair evaluation terminal 10 or the hair evaluation server 30 (instructions based on the position of pores, etc.), or by analyzing the image to specify the angle of the hair boundary line. In addition, the angle correction unit 102 rotates the frame or the image so that the angle of the frame is consistent with the angle of the hair boundary line.

[0047] The hair determination unit 103 determines the hair portion of the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. The hair determination unit 103 can determine the hair portion by binarizing the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101.

[0048] The measuring unit 104 scans the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101 along a certain direction to measure the hair portion. Specifically, the measuring unit 104 measures the hair coverage within a region (frame) of a predetermined shape and size in the image.

[0049] The detection unit 105 scans in a certain direction by the measurement unit 104 to detect the region in the image where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion (in other words, the box with the smallest hair coverage).

[0050] The dividing line determination unit 106 determines the area with the smallest proportion of hair detected by the detection unit 105 as the dividing line of the hair.

[0051] The range setting unit 107 sets the region containing the hair boundary line as the region for evaluating the hair. The range setting unit 107 can also set a region obtained by adding any region to the region determined as the hair boundary line as the region for evaluating the hair.

[0052] The hair evaluation unit 108 evaluates the hair. For example, the hair evaluation unit 108 can display the evaluation results on the display device of the hair evaluation terminal 10.

[0053] Specifically, the hair evaluation unit 108 can evaluate a user's hair based on the hair portion in the area containing the hair boundary. For example, the hair evaluation unit 108 can calculate the user's hair coverage rate.

[0054] Specifically, the hair evaluation unit 108 can evaluate changes in a user's hair based on time-series data of hair portions in areas containing hair boundaries. For example, the hair evaluation unit 108 can evaluate whether the user's hair coverage has increased, decreased, or remained unchanged.

[0055] <Method>

[0056] The following is for reference Figure 4 The hair evaluation process is explained and referenced. Figure 5 The angle correction process is explained.

[0057] <<Hair Assessment and Treatment>>

[0058] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a hair evaluation process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] In step 1 (S1), the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the image captured by the camera device 20.

[0060] In step 2 (S2), the angle correction unit 102 corrects the angle of the region (frame) of a predetermined shape and size within the image acquired in S1, as well as the angle of the image acquired in S1. It should be noted that S2 can be omitted.

[0061] In step 3 (S3), the hair determination unit 103 determines the hair portion of the image obtained in S1.

[0062] It should be noted that the order of S2 and S3 can also be reversed.

[0063] In step 4 (S4), the measuring unit 104 scans the image after the angle has been corrected in S2 along a certain direction to measure the hair portion.

[0064] In step 5 (S5), the detection unit 105 detects the area where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion in the image by scanning in a certain direction as in S4.

[0065] In step 6 (S6), the boundary line determination unit 106 determines the area where the proportion of hair detected in S5 is the smallest as the boundary line of the hair.

[0066] In step 7 (S7), the range setting unit 107 sets the area containing the hair boundary line determined in S6 as the area for evaluating the hair.

[0067] In step 8 (S8), the hair evaluation unit 108 evaluates the user's hair based on the hair portion of the region set in S7.

[0068] <<Angle Correction Processing>>

[0069] Figure 5 This is an angle correction process according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 The flowchart of S2).

[0070] In step 11 (S11), the angle correction unit 102 specifies the angle of the hair boundary line in the image captured by the camera device 20. It should be noted that the angle correction unit 102 can specify the angle of the hair boundary line based on instructions from the operator of the hair evaluation terminal 10 or the hair evaluation server 30 (instructions based on the location of pores, etc.), or by analyzing the image to specify the angle of the hair boundary line.

[0071] In step 12 (S12), the angle correction unit 102 rotates the frame or image so that the angle of the area (frame) of a predetermined shape and size within the image is consistent with the angle of the hair boundary line specified in S11.

[0072] Figure 6 This is a transformation diagram of an image according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] First, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the image captured by the camera device 20. Figure 6 The image in the upper left corner [captured] is an image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101.

[0074] Next, the image acquisition unit 101 converts the acquired image into a 32-bit black and white image. Figure 6 The image in the upper right corner that is labeled "[Converted to 32-bit Black and White]" is an image obtained by the image acquisition unit 101 converting the "captured" image into a 32-bit black and white image.

[0075] Next, the angle correction unit 102 specifies the angle of the hair dividing line and corrects the angle. Figure 6 The image in the lower left corner showing the [specified angle of the dividing line] is an image after the angle correction unit 102 has specified the angle of the hair dividing line. It should be noted that the angle correction unit 102 can specify the angle of the hair dividing line according to the instructions (based on the position of the pores, etc.) from the operator of the hair evaluation terminal 10 or the hair evaluation server 30, or by analyzing the image to specify the angle of the hair dividing line.

[0076] It should be noted that the order of [converting to 32-bit black and white] and [specifying the angle of the dividing line] can also be reversed.

[0077] Next, the hair determination unit 103 determines the hair portion by binarization. Figure 6 The "binarized" image in the lower right corner is the image after being binarized by the hair determination unit 103.

[0078] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to illustrate a scan according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the measuring unit 104 can move a rectangular frame having a long side along the hair dividing line in the direction in which the hair is separated.

[0079] Here, the area used for evaluating hair will be explained in detail. The range setting unit 107 can expand the area defined as the hair boundary line in a direction perpendicular to the hair boundary line to obtain the area (in... Figure 7 In the example, the area after adding the two long sides is set as the area used for evaluating hair.

[0080] Here, the angle correction is explained in detail. The angle correction unit 102 specifies the angle of the hair boundary line in the image captured by the camera device 20. Figure 6 [Specification of the angle of the dividing line]). Then, the angle correction unit 102 rotates the frame or image so that the angle of the frame matches the angle of the hair's dividing line (in Figure 7 In the example, the long side of the box is made parallel to the dividing line of the hair.

[0081] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the designation of the angle of a dividing line according to an embodiment of the present invention. The angle correction unit 102 can analyze an image to designate the angle of the hair dividing line. Specifically, the angle correction unit 102 scans each of a plurality of ranges along a certain direction (in... Figure 8In the example, each of the three longitudinal rectangular ranges is scanned along the vertical axis for image analysis, and regions assumed to be hair boundaries (e.g., regions determined based on a 32-bit black and white image) are identified. Figure 8 In the example, the three areas indicated by the arrows are detected. The angle correction unit 102 will connect the detected areas to form a line (in...) Figure 8 In the example, the solid line connecting the three regions is set as the line representing the angle of the hair's dividing line.

[0082] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the hair boundary line according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hair boundary line can be a case where the hair flow (from the root of the hair to the tip) intersects the hair boundary line perpendicularly. Figure 9 The boundary under case (A) can also be the case where the hair flow intersects in a direction that is inclined (greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees) relative to the hair dividing line (e.g. Figure 9 The case shown in (B) where the hair flow is symmetrical about the dividing line, and as shown in... Figure 9 The boundary shown in (C) is in the case where the hair flow is asymmetrical with the dividing line as the center.

[0083] Figure 10 This is a diagram used to illustrate hair coverage according to one embodiment of the present invention. (See diagram for example.) Figure 10 As shown, the area with the least hair coverage is defined as the hair boundary. The further away from the defined hair boundary (the closer to the hair boundary), the higher the hair coverage. Figure 10 Move forward in the direction "above the image", or further towards Figure 10 If you move in the direction "below the image", the hair coverage will increase.

[0084] Figure 11 It is a diagram used to illustrate the deviation in the vertical direction relative to the hairline. Figure 11 The three images obtained by photographing the head are identical. Figure 11 In the [Reference Position] on the right, the box is positioned at the reference position. Figure 11 In the center of [-75 pixels], the frame is positioned relative to the hairline on the scalp along the vertical direction, compared to the reference position. Figure 11 The position after moving 75 pixels (0.5mm) along the Y-axis. Figure 11 In the [-150 pixel] section on the left, the frame is positioned relative to the hairline on the scalp along the vertical direction, compared to the reference position. Figure 11 The position after moving 150 pixels (1 mm) along the Y-axis.

[0085] At the [reference position], the hair coverage within the bounding box is 10.872%. At [-75 pixels], the hair coverage within the bounding box is 11.057%, and the ratio relative to the hair coverage at the [reference position] is 1.017. At [-150 pixels], the hair coverage within the bounding box is 11.655%, and the ratio relative to the hair coverage at the [reference position] is 1.072. Thus, it appears that even for the same image, the hair coverage increases if the bounding box is further away from the hair boundary.

[0086] Figure 12 This is a diagram used to illustrate the deviation of the inclination relative to the hairline. In Figure 12 In the [reference angle], the frame is arranged at an angle that serves as a reference. Figure 12 Within [-10°], the frame is compared to the reference angle, relative to the hairline on the scalp ( Figure 12 Arranged at an angle of 10° (in the Y-axis direction).

[0087] At the [reference angle], the hair coverage within the box is 10.821%. At [-10°], the hair coverage within the box is 11.543%, and the ratio to the hair coverage at the [reference angle] is 1.067. Thus, it appears that even for the same image, if the box is tilted and offset relative to the hair boundary line, the hair coverage increases.

[0088] <<Binarization>>

[0089] Figure 13 This is a diagram used to illustrate binarization according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, when the hair determination unit 103 binarizes an image obtained by photographing a user's head, it can divide the image into multiple regions (e.g., Figure 13 The binarization region is defined as binarized region 1, binarized region 2, binarized region 3, etc. (hereinafter referred to as binarized regions), and a threshold set for each binarized region is used to binarize each binarized region. This will be explained in detail below.

[0090] In binarization, pixels with values ​​above a threshold (i.e., the scalp) are converted to white, and pixels with values ​​below the threshold (i.e., hair) are converted to black. However, in images obtained by photographing a user's head, the amount of hair and the shadows created by overlapping hair can alter the brightness of the scalp, potentially leading to false detections (in other words, misidentifying the scalp as hair). Furthermore, the threshold (towards black) is set lower due to the influence of darker areas, making it impossible to detect lighter-colored hair in brighter areas. Therefore, if the entire image is binarized all at once (i.e., using a single threshold), there will be areas prone to false detections. It is therefore preferable to use thresholds suitable for each region to binarize each region individually.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, processing can be performed to determine the hair portion by binarization for each binarized region within the image. Figure 4 Step 3) (It should be noted that the scanned frame can also be scanned by...) Figure 7 The bounding box is used as a binarized region, and then processing is performed on each binarized region for measuring hair coverage. Figure 4 Step 4). Each binarized region and each threshold can be specified and set by the operator of the hair evaluation terminal 10 or the hair evaluation server 30, or can be set by the hair evaluation terminal 10 or the hair evaluation server 30.

[0092] In this embodiment, in Figure 4 In steps 5 and 6, the detection unit 105 and the boundary line determination unit 106 determine the binary region with the smallest hair coverage as the hair boundary line based on the measurement results of the hair coverage of each binary region. Additionally, in Figure 4 In steps 7 and 8, the range setting unit 107 and the hair evaluation unit 108 set the area obtained by adding an arbitrary area to the binarized area that is determined as the boundary line of hair as the area for hair evaluation, and then evaluate the hair (calculate the hair coverage rate of the area for hair evaluation).

[0093] It should be noted that, in Figure 13In an image (image size (6000 pixels × 4000 pixels = 4.5 cm × 3.0 cm)), when the binarization region is set to 2 / 3 (2.0 cm), 1 / 2 (1.5 cm), or 1 / 4 (0.75 cm) of the image's vertical axis pixels, many false detections are found within the binarized region. Conversely, when the binarization region is set to 1 / 6 (0.5 cm) or 1 / 20 (0.15 cm) of the image's vertical axis pixels, the number of false detections within the binarized region decreases. Therefore, reducing the binarization region improves accuracy, but setting it to an extremely small size (e.g., 10 pixels = 0.0075 cm) would require increasing the number of binarization operations, potentially worsening operability.

[0094] <Effect>

[0095] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the area with the smallest proportion of hair is defined as the hair portion, and the hair is evaluated based on the hair portion of the area including the hair boundary line. Therefore, the bias that arises from a person visually determining the area for hair evaluation is avoided, and the hair can be evaluated accurately. Furthermore, since the same area of ​​hair can always be evaluated, changes in the hair can be accurately assessed when evaluating the hair over time.

[0096] It should be noted that, while gradually changing the position where the hairs separate in opposite directions, the region with the smallest proportion of hair at each position can be detected, and the region with the smallest proportion of hair among these regions can be determined as the hair boundary. By using the smallest hair coverage among the smallest hair coverage at each of multiple positions, errors in hair coverage caused by the shift in the position where the hairs separate in opposite directions can be suppressed.

[0097] In one embodiment of the invention, by providing a method for evaluating treatment effectiveness that can be implemented in outpatient settings (without hair trimming or special equipment), it is possible to contribute to the popularization of hair regeneration medicine.

[0098] <Hardware Components>

[0099] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a hair evaluation terminal 10 and a hair evaluation server 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] The hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30 have a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003. The CPU 1001, ROM 1002, and RAM 1003 form what is called a computer.

[0101] Additionally, the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30 may include an auxiliary storage device 1004, a display device 1005, an operation device 1006, an I / F (Interface) device 1007, and a driver device 1008. The hardware components of the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30 are interconnected via bus B.

[0102] CPU 1001 is a computing device that executes various programs installed in auxiliary storage device 1004.

[0103] ROM 1002 is a non-volatile memory. ROM 1002 functions as a main storage device, storing various programs and data required by the CPU 1001 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 1004. Specifically, ROM 1002 functions as a main storage device for storing boot programs such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface).

[0104] RAM1003 is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). RAM1003 functions as a main storage device, providing an extended working area when various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 1004 are executed by the CPU 1001.

[0105] Auxiliary storage device 1004 is an auxiliary storage device for storing various programs or information used when executing various programs.

[0106] Display device 1005 is a display device that displays the internal status of hair evaluation terminal 10 and hair evaluation server 30.

[0107] The operating device 1006 is an input device used by the administrator of the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30 to input various instructions into the hair evaluation terminal 10 and the hair evaluation server 30.

[0108] I / F device 1007 is a communication device for connecting to a network and communicating with hair evaluation terminal 10 and hair evaluation server 30.

[0109] The drive device 1008 is a device for setting up the storage medium 1009. The storage medium 1009 mentioned here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, and magneto-optical disks. Alternatively, the storage medium 1009 may include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and flash memory.

[0110] It should be noted that various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 1004 can be installed, for example, by placing the distributed storage medium 1009 in the drive device 1008 and using the drive device 1008 to read the various programs recorded in the storage medium 1009. Alternatively, various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 1004 can be downloaded from the network via the I / F device 1007.

[0111] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific implementation methods described above. Various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0112] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-201190, filed on December 3, 2020, and the entire contents of No. 2020-201190 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0113] Symbol Explanation

[0114] 1. Hair Assessment System

[0115] 10 Hair Assessment Terminal

[0116] 20 camera devices

[0117] 30 Hair Evaluation Servers

[0118] 101 Image Acquisition Unit

[0119] 102 Angle correction section

[0120] 103 Hair Determination Section

[0121] 104 Measurement Department

[0122] 105 Testing Department

[0123] 106 Boundary Line Determination Section

[0124] 107 Range Setting Department

[0125] 108 Hair Evaluation Department

[0126] 1001 CPU

[0127] 1002 ROM

[0128] 1003 RAM

[0129] 1004 Auxiliary storage device

[0130] 1005 Display Device

[0131] 1006 Operating Device

[0132] 1007 I / F device

[0133] 1008 drive unit

[0134] 1009 Storage medium.

Claims

1. A hair evaluation method, comprising: A predetermined range of images obtained by photographing the user's head are scanned along a certain direction using a scanning area of ​​predetermined shape and size within the image to measure the hair portion; By scanning in a certain direction, the boundary region where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion in the image is detected; as well as The boundary region is defined as the boundary of the hair. The scanning area is a rectangular frame with its long side having an angle along the specified hairline. The specified direction is a direction perpendicular to the angle of the designated hair boundary line.

2. The hair evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein, The hairs are separated from each other in opposite directions by the hair's dividing line.

3. The hair evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2 further includes: The user's hair is evaluated based on the hair portion of the evaluation area that includes the hair's boundary line.

4. The hair evaluation method according to claim 3 further includes: The changes in the user's hair are evaluated based on the time-series data of the hair portion of the evaluation area.

5. The hair evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The detection is performed by detecting the boundary region within the scanned area.

6. The hair evaluation method according to claim 5 further includes: The angle of the scanned area and the angle of the image are corrected.

7. The hair evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The hair portion of the image within a predetermined range, obtained by photographing the user's head, is determined using binarization.

8. The hair evaluation method according to claim 7, wherein, The image of a predetermined range obtained by photographing the user's head is divided into multiple binarized regions, and each binarized region is binarized using a threshold set for each binarized region.

9. A program product comprising a program for enabling a computer to function as: The measurement unit measures the hair portion by scanning a predetermined area of ​​a predetermined shape and size within a certain direction in an image obtained by photographing the user's head. The detection unit detects the boundary region where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion within the image by scanning in a certain direction. as well as The determining unit defines the boundary region as the boundary line of the hair. The scanning area is a rectangular frame with its long side having an angle along the specified hairline. The specified direction is a direction perpendicular to the angle of the designated hair boundary line.

10. A computer, comprising: The measurement unit measures the hair portion by scanning a predetermined area of ​​a predetermined shape and size within a certain direction in an image obtained by photographing the user's head. The detection unit detects the boundary region where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion within the image by scanning in a certain direction. as well as The determining unit defines the boundary region as the boundary line of the hair. The scanning area is a rectangular frame with its long side having an angle along the specified hairline. The specified direction is a direction perpendicular to the angle of the designated hair boundary line.

11. A hair assessment system, comprising a hair assessment server and a hair assessment terminal. The hair evaluation server has the following features: The measurement unit measures the hair portion by scanning a predetermined area of ​​a predetermined shape and size within a certain direction in an image obtained by photographing the user's head. The detection unit detects the boundary region where the hair portion occupies the smallest proportion within the image by scanning in a certain direction. as well as The determining unit defines the boundary region as the boundary line of the hair. The scanning area is a rectangular frame with its long side having an angle along the specified hairline. The specified direction is perpendicular to the angle of the designated hair dividing line. The hair evaluation terminal The image of the predetermined range obtained by photographing the user's head is sent to the hair evaluation server, and Receive information about the hair boundary lines from the hair evaluation server.

Images