Hair styling appliance

Abstract

The hair styling appliance includes an optical sensor configured to make two or more measurements of light received from a section of hair styled by the hair styling appliance, and a processor configured to determine a speed of movement of the section of hair relative to the hair styling appliance based on the two or more measurements.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Hair styling tools are typically used to treat or style hair. Some hair styling tools are usually held by the user and moved relative to the hair to achieve the desired treatment or style. Summary of the Invention

[0002] According to the first aspect, a hair styling tool is provided, comprising:

[0003] An optical sensor, configured to perform two or more measurements on light received from a segment of hair being styled by the hair styling tool; and

[0004] The processor is configured to determine the speed of movement of the segment of hair relative to the hair styling appliance based on the two or more measurements.

[0005] In this way, hair styling appliances can determine the speed at which a segment of hair being styled or treated by the appliance moves relative to the appliance. This information can be useful to the user because the speed at which the appliance moves relative to the hair can alter styling performance and / or the risk of hair damage, for example, due to overheating.

[0006] Optional features will now be explained.

[0007] The measurement of received light can be a measurement of light intensity.

[0008] The processor can be configured to determine the speed at which the hair moves relative to the surface of a hair styling tool. This surface can be a surface used to contact a segment of the hair during styling with the hair styling tool.

[0009] Two or more measurements can be sequential measurements by an optical sensor. For example, two or more measurements can be consecutive measurements (i.e., a first measurement and a second measurement immediately following the first measurement). Alternatively, two or more measurements can be discontinuous measurements (i.e., a first measurement and a later measurement, with an intermediate measurement between the first and later measurements). Two or more measurements can be separated from each other by a time delay.

[0010] Hair styling appliances may also include a light source configured to illuminate a segment of hair styled by the hair styling appliance, wherein the light received from the segment of hair includes light emitted from the light source and reflected or attenuated by the segment of hair.

[0011] By providing a light source at the hair styling tool, measurements taken by optical sensors can be more accurate, and the speed at which a section of hair moves relative to the hair styling tool can be determined more accurately, for example, compared to the case where ambient light is received from a section of hair being styled.

[0012] For example, the light source may include one or more LEDs and / or one or more lasers.

[0013] Hair styling tools can perform straightening, curling, styling, and / or drying functions.

[0014] Hair styling tools can be conductive heat plate straighteners, hot air straighteners, hot air stylers, hot air dryers, hair preparation / liquid / mist / steam distribution devices, hairbrushes, dielectric RF / MF straighteners, or radiation FIR straighteners or dryers.

[0015] A hair styling appliance may include a main body and a hair processing attachment that can be reversibly connected. An optical sensor may be located in or on the attachment. Alternatively, the optical sensor may be located in or on the main body. At least a portion of the processor may be located in the main body. At least a portion of the processor may be located in the attachment.

[0016] Two or more measurements may include at least a first image and a second image. The second image may be captured sequentially after the first image. The processor may be configured to determine the speed of movement of a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool by:

[0017] Compare the first image and the second image; and

[0018] Based on a comparison of the first and second images, the speed at which a segment of hair moves through the optical sensor in at least one direction is determined.

[0019] Sequential images can be either consecutive or non-consecutive.

[0020] Optical sensors may include one or more of CMOS sensors, cameras, and / or photoelectric sensor arrays.

[0021] The hair styling appliance may also include a hair processing element configured to process a segment of hair. The processor may be configured to control the output of the hair processing element based on the movement speed of the determined segment of hair relative to the hair styling appliance.

[0022] By controlling the output of the hair processing element based on the movement speed of a determined section of hair relative to the hair styling tool, the styling of the hair by the hair processing element can be modified based on the determined speed.

[0023] Hair processing elements may include a heater for heating a section of hair, a blower for generating and directing airflow toward a section of hair, a distributor for distributing fluid and / or steam toward a section of hair, and / or a mechanical actuator for altering the clamping force and / or curling action of hair styling tools and / or moving / vibrating a section of hair to untangle and / or reduce friction.

[0024] Therefore, the output of the heater, blower, distributor, and / or mechanical actuator can be controlled or modified based on the movement speed of a determined segment of hair.

[0025] The heater can be, for example, a conductive, dielectric (RF / MF), FIR radiant, or fan-forced convection heater.

[0026] For example, controlling the heater's output may include controlling the heater's temperature. Controlling the blower's output may include changing the direction and / or speed of the airflow. Controlling the dispenser's output may include changing the dispensing rate. Controlling the mechanical actuator's output may include, for example, changing the hair clamping force and / or tension along a segment of hair at predetermined displacement intervals. For example, tension may be changed based on the determined speed of a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool, and / or clamping force may be changed (e.g., alternated) based on a determined displacement to, for example, control the curl spacing. Controlling the mechanical actuator's output may include controlling (e.g., triggering) hair vibration actions to aid in untangling and / or reduce friction, for example, based on detecting a change in motion characterizing the knot (e.g., a sudden decrease in the speed of a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool), or processing one or more (low-resolution) images to identify tangles.

[0027] The processor can be configured to control the output of the hair processing element by controlling the power supplied to the hair processing element based on the movement speed of a determined segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool.

[0028] Controlling the power supplied to the hair processing element may include, for example, changing (e.g., increasing or decreasing) the supplied power, and / or turning the power supply on or off.

[0029] The processor can be configured to output a feedback signal to provide user feedback related to the speed of a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool.

[0030] In this way, users can know information related to the speed at which a section of hair is moved relative to the hair styling tool. Users can then adjust their use of the hair styling tool to achieve their preferred styling performance and / or reduce the risk of hair damage, such as the risk of damage due to overheating if the user moves the hair styling tool too slowly relative to a section of hair, potentially causing the section of hair to overheat.

[0031] Hair styling tools can provide user feedback. Therefore, hair styling tools may include feedback elements configured to provide visual, auditory, and / or tactile feedback to the user based on feedback signals output from a processor.

[0032] In this way, users can receive feedback directly from the hair styling tools.

[0033] Feedback elements may include, for example, one or more LEDs, a display screen, a speaker, and / or a vibration motor.

[0034] The processor can be configured to compare the movement speed of a determined segment of hair relative to a hair styling tool with at least one predefined threshold, and output a feedback signal based on the comparison of the determined speed with at least one predefined threshold.

[0035] The processor can be configured to compare the movement speed of a determined segment of hair relative to a hair styling tool with a plurality of predefined thresholds, and output a feedback signal based on the comparison of the determined speed with the plurality of predefined thresholds.

[0036] For example, predefined thresholds can be predefined for different speed levels and used to constrain feedback states to a specific speed range. Predefined thresholds may include a degree of hysteresis and / or time-based filtering to smooth transitions between feedback states.

[0037] In this way, for example, information can be provided to the user indicating that the measured speed is within a predefined speed range.

[0038] Hair styling appliances may also include communication elements for communicatively connecting to external devices. The processor may be configured to output signals to the external device to provide user feedback for display to the user.

[0039] In this way, user feedback can be provided via external devices.

[0040] External devices can be, for example, mobile devices, tablets, or computers.

[0041] The processor can be configured to determine the two-dimensional velocity of a segment of hair relative to a hair styling tool based on at least two measurements from optical sensors. Therefore, the velocity of the segment of hair relative to the tool along the longitudinal direction of the hair strand and perpendicular to the length of the hair strand can be determined. This can help provide the user with further information regarding the use of the hair styling tool.

[0042] Hair styling appliances may also include optical components (e.g., one or more lenses) for guiding, distributing, focusing, and / or amplifying light received from a segment of hair at an optical sensor.

[0043] This can improve the accuracy of measurements taken by optical sensors, and thus improve the accuracy of determining the speed of hair movement relative to the hair styling tool.

[0044] The processor can be configured to determine the direction of relative movement between a segment of hair being styled and a hair styling tool, and / or the angle of one or more strands of hair in a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool, based on at least two measurements from optical sensors.

[0045] For example, the relative movement direction between a segment of hair being styled and a hair styling tool can be determined based on two orthogonal measurements of pixel feature displacements between two images. For instance, if the pixel feature moves from (x,y) to (x+dx,y+dy), the displacements in the two orthogonal directions can be calculated as dx and dy. Trigonometry can then be used to calculate the direction / angle of the relative movement. Since the orientation of the image frame relative to the hair styling tool is known (because the optical sensor is fixed relative to the hair styling tool), the direction of the relative movement between a segment of hair and the hair styling tool can be calculated.

[0046] To determine the angle of one or more strands of hair within a segment of hair, edge points of the hair strands can be emphasized by applying a predetermined threshold to an image of the segment of hair (e.g., a measurement of light received from a segment of hair being styled by an optical sensor). The predefined threshold can be applied based on pixel intensity. One or more lines can then be extracted using one or more machine learning, pattern recognition, or image processing feature extraction techniques. For example, the Hough transform method can be used to identify lines in an image by determining the degree to which neighboring pixels (at a given edge point) conform to a linear formula (e.g., y=mx+c). Since the orientation of the image frame relative to the hair styling tool is known (because the optical sensor is fixed relative to the tool), trigonometry can be used to provide the angle of the hair strand based on the gradient of the detected lines.

[0047] The alignment metric between hair strands can be calculated by applying statistical analysis to all line angles identified in the image. The type of hair (e.g., curly or straight) can also be determined from the extracted lines, for example, by measuring the deviation from the edge points along the detected straight lines. For instance, a smaller deviation from the detected straight lines may indicate straighter hair.

[0048] The processor can be configured to determine the presence of hair in a hair styling tool for styling based on at least one measurement from an optical sensor.

[0049] The processor can be configured to determine the presence of hair at a hair styling appliance by: (i) comparing a determined speed with a predefined threshold and determining the presence of hair when the speed meets the predefined threshold, and / or (ii) comparing the intensity of light received at an optical sensor with a predefined threshold and determining the presence of hair when the intensity meets the predefined threshold.

[0050] Hair styling appliances can provide user feedback based on the determination of whether hair is present in the appliance. They can also control the output of hair-processing components based on the determination of hair presence in the appliance.

[0051] The processor can be configured to determine the start and / or end of styling a section of hair based on multiple measurements from optical sensors.

[0052] For example, when the processor determines a change from high speed to low speed, it can determine the end of styling a segment of the hair, such as the end of a pass. When the processor determines a change from low speed to high speed, it can determine the start of styling a segment of the hair, such as the start of a pass. The processor can be configured to control the power supplied to the hair processing elements based on the determined start and / or end of the styling. The processor can be configured to provide user feedback based on the determination of the presence of hair in the hair styling appliance.

[0053] The optical sensor can be oriented and / or positioned on the hair styling tool such that at least a portion of the hair being styled by the hair styling tool is within the field of view of the optical sensor.

[0054] The light source can be oriented and / or positioned on the hair styling tool such that at least a portion of the hair being styled by the hair styling tool is located within the illumination field of the light source (FOI).

[0055] Hair styling appliances may also include time-of-flight and / or proximity sensors for determining the distance between the hair styling appliance and a segment of hair being styled. Additionally / alternatively, hair styling appliances may include inertial sensors for determining, for example, the orientation and / or motion of the hair styling appliance relative to the Earth. Inertial sensors may include, for example, accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. Measurements from inertial sensors can be used to improve accuracy and / or provide additional spatial reference.

[0056] The processor can be configured to also determine the speed at which a segment of hair moves relative to the hair styling tool based on the distance between the determined hair styling tool and the segment of hair being styled. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 This is a diagram of hair styling tools;

[0058] Figure 2a and Figure 2b yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0059] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0060] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0061] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0062] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0063] Figure 7a and Figure 7b It shows Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a hair styling tool, wherein the cross-sectional view shows the airflow path through the hair styling tool;

[0064] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0065] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool;

[0066] Figure 10 It shows things like Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A magnified view of the optical sensor of the hair styling tool shown;

[0067] Figure 11 It shows things like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 A magnified view of the optical sensor of a hair styling tool;

[0068] Figure 12a and Figure 12b The calculations performed by the processor of the hair styling tool on measurements taken by the optical sensors of the hair styling tool are shown.

[0069] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates further calculations by the processor of the hair styling tool based on measurements taken by the optical sensors of the hair styling tool; and

[0070] Figure 14 Example images captured by the optical sensor of a hair styling tool are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0071] exist Figure 1 The image schematically illustrates a hair styling appliance, generally designated 10. This hair styling appliance 10 can perform straightening, curling, drying, styling, conditioning, and / or untangling functions on a user's hair. For example, the hair styling appliance 10 can be a straightener, hair dryer, curling iron, hairbrush, etc. Although in... Figure 1 Not shown, but the hair styling appliance 10 may include attachments that can be reversibly attached to the body. In these examples, the body may be used with multiple different attachments, each with a different styling function.

[0072] The hair styling appliance 10 includes an optical flow sensing system 12 for detecting the movement speed of a user's hair relative to the hair styling appliance 10, and more specifically, the movement speed relative to the surface of the hair styling appliance, when the user uses the hair styling appliance 10 to style their hair. In the example of the hair straightener, the user can pull or feed a section of hair between the two heating plates, and the optical flow sensing system 12 can determine the movement speed of the section of hair relative to one of the two heating plates.

[0073] The active components of the hair styling appliance 10 (e.g., the optical flow sensing system 12) are powered by a power source 14. The power source 14 may be internal to the hair styling appliance 10 and may be, for example, a rechargeable battery within the hair styling appliance 10. Alternatively / additionally, the hair styling appliance may be powered by an external power source. In these examples, the hair styling appliance may be connected to an external power source via a wire or cable. In the examples, the internal power source can be recharged using power from an external power source via a wire or cable. The power source 14 may also supply power to other components of the hair styling appliance, such as components external to the optical flow sensing system 12, including active hair processing elements such as heaters or motors.

[0074] The optical flow sensing system 12 includes control electronics 16 for controlling and powering other components of the optical flow sensing system 12. Specifically, the control electronics 16 controls the light source 18 and the optical sensor 20 of the optical flow sensing system 12. The light source 18 can be driven by an illumination driver 22, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0075] The light source 18 may include one or more LEDs and / or one or more lasers, and is used to illuminate a section or part of the hair styled by the hair styling tool 10.

[0076] Optical sensor 20 may include a CMOS sensor, a camera, and / or an array of photoelectric sensors (such as...) Figure 1 One or more of the image elements shown in the image element array. The optical sensor 20 is configured to measure the properties of light emitted from the light source 18 and reflected or attenuated from a segment of the hair being processed. For example, the optical sensor 20 may measure the intensity of light received from a segment of the hair.

[0077] Hair styling devices may include multiple optical sensors 20, which may be positioned, for example, in an array. In this way, the probability of hair being within the field of view (FOV) of one or more optical sensors is increased.

[0078] Processor 24 (e.g.) Figure 1 The digital signal processing (DSP) module shown is configured to determine the speed at which the user's hair moves relative to the hair styling tool 10 based on two or more measurements taken by the optical sensor 20.

[0079] Two or more measurements can be sequential, such as continuous measurements by the optical sensor 20. For example, the control electronics 16 can control the optical sensor 20 to periodically capture or measure light reflected or received from the user's hair.

[0080] Two or more measurements may include at least the first image (such as...) Figure 12aImage 302 shown) and the second image (such as Figure 12b (See image 304 shown). By comparing the first image 302 and the second image 304, the processor 24 can determine the speed at which a segment of hair moves through the optical sensor in at least one direction based on the comparison of the first and second images 302, 304.

[0081] like Figure 12a and 12b As shown in the example, processor 24 can identify feature 306 (or more features) in the first image 302. Processor 24 can then identify the same feature 306 (or more features) in the second image 304, and then determine the displacement of the feature(s) between the two images. Using information related to the time between the capture of the two images 203, 304 (which may be determined by an oscillator or clock 26) and the feature displacement between the two images, processor 24 can determine the speed at which the user's hair moves relative to the hair styling appliance 10.

[0082] Processor 24 can determine the two-dimensional velocity of the hair relative to the hair styling tool based on a comparison between two images. Therefore, the movement speed and direction / angle of the hair styling tool 10 relative to the hair can be determined. This is in Figure 13 An example is shown. The image can be defined in a two-dimensional space in x and y, and can be assigned a time t determined by the oscillator 26. The first image (e.g., Figure 13 Features in image frame 1 of the first image can be identified by processor 24 and assigned x and y coordinates based on their position within the image array. Features in the first image are also assigned time t based on the time it takes for the image to be measured or collected by optical sensor 20. Features in the second image (e.g., Figure 13 The same features in image frame 2) can be identified by processor 24, and the position of the features within the image array is determined, for example, as x+dx, y+dy. Based on the time of image measurement or acquisition, a time t+dt is assigned to the features in the second image. Processor 24 can then calculate the 2-D displacement of the features between the two images as (dx, dy). Trigonometry can then be used to calculate the direction of movement of a segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool. Using the time difference between the two images as dt, the 2-D velocity of the features relative to optical sensor 20 can also be calculated (using velocity = distance / time). The 2-D velocity of the user's hair relative to the hair styling tool 10 can then be inferred from the velocity of the hair features relative to optical sensor 20, since optical sensor 20 is fixed relative to the hair styling tool.

[0083] As described above, the relative speed and direction / angle of movement between the hair and the hair styling tool can be determined by the processor 24 based on at least two measurements from optical sensors.

[0084] Processor 24 can also determine the presence of hair at the hair styling appliance based on at least one measurement from the optical sensor. For example, the processor can use object recognition or classification techniques to determine whether hair is present in an image captured by optical sensor 20. Alternatively / additionally, processor 24 can determine the presence of hair by comparing a measurement of light received at the optical sensor (e.g., intensity) with a predefined threshold, and determine the presence of hair when the intensity meets the predefined threshold.

[0085] Figure 14 An example image of hair obtained by an optical sensor is shown. Figure 14 The images in the image are divided into pairs a), b), and c), where the upper image is a higher resolution image of the same hair portion as the lower image.

[0086] For example, according to Figure 14 In any of these images, the processor can be configured to determine the presence of hair in the hair styling tool 10 for styling based on the identification of one or more slender hair strands in the image.

[0087] The processor 24 can also determine the presence of hair at the hair styling tool based on two measurements from the optical sensor 20, specifically the determined relative movement speed of the hair with respect to the optical sensor 20. In particular, the processor 24 can compare the determined speed with a predefined threshold and determine the presence of hair when the speed meets the predefined threshold.

[0088] The processor 24 can also determine the start and / or end of styling a segment of hair based on multiple measurements from the optical sensors, such as the start or end of a stroke.

[0089] For example, when the processor determines a change from high speed to low speed, it can determine the end of styling a segment of the hair, e.g., the end of the stroke. The end of the stroke can be determined when the hair is no longer identified as being present in the hair styling appliance. When the processor determines a change from low speed to high speed, it can determine the beginning of styling a segment of the hair, e.g., the start of the stroke. The start of the stroke can be determined when the hair is introduced, and therefore, the presence of the hair in the hair styling appliance is determined in the first place.

[0090] The processor can also be configured to determine the styling duration (e.g., by stroke length) of a segment of hair based on multiple measurements from optical sensors. For example, the stroke length can be determined based on a determined stroke start and stroke end. For example, the processor can be configured to determine the position of the hair styling tool relative to a section of hair based on a determined stroke start and a determined relative movement speed. The length of the hair section can also be determined by the processor based on a determined stroke start, a determined stroke end, and the time spent between these two measurements (which can be determined by the oscillator / clock 26).

[0091] The hair styling appliance 10 may also include one or more optical components 28 (e.g., lenses) located in the optical path from the light source 18 to a segment of the hair being treated, and / or in the optical path from a segment of the hair being treated to the optical sensor 20. The optical components can be used to guide, distribute, focus, and / or amplify light guided from the light source 18 to the hair and / or from the hair to the optical sensor 20. In some examples, optical components (such as lenses) may be positioned between the light source 18 and the hair to distribute the emitted light. Optical components such as lenses may be located between the hair and the optical sensor 20 to focus or amplify light reflected back toward the optical sensor.

[0092] The direction of the emitted light from light source 18 can produce approximate incident illumination of the hair surface relative to optical sensor 20, for example, to enhance / emphasize shadows / highlights and produce a large brightness contrast in the image acquired by optical sensor 20. This can be achieved by angling the components of optical flow sensing system 12 and / or by guiding the light through one or more optical components 28.

[0093] If the light source 18 includes one or more lasers, then optical components may not be necessary, because lasers inherently provide a narrower illumination spot / closer focus with higher intensity than LEDs.

[0094] Information relating to the movement speed of the determined hair relative to the hair styling tool 10 can be stored in memory 30. Information relating to the determination of whether hair is present at the hair styling tool can also be stored. Information relating to the start / end of the stroke, stroke length, the position of the tool along the hair strand, the length of the hair strand, and the total number of strokes can be stored in memory 30. This information can be stored in combination; for example, the stroke speed plotted relative to the position of the tool on the hair strand can be used to indicate, for example, whether the operator is moving the tool too quickly at the roots.

[0095] Then, for example, this data can be provided as feedback to the user and / or used to control one or more functions of the hair styling appliance 10 in a closed-loop control system.

[0096] In order to provide user feedback, the processor may output a feedback signal to the user interface or feedback element 32 of the hair styling device 10 to provide user feedback related to the speed of a determined section of hair relative to the hair styling device.

[0097] Feedback element 32 can provide visual, auditory, and / or tactile (e.g., haptic) feedback to the user based on information related to the determined speed of hair movement. To provide visual feedback, hair styling appliance 10 may include one or more LEDs and / or a display screen, such as an LCD display. The LEDs may be RGB LEDs configured to emit different colors of light. To provide auditory feedback, hair styling appliance 10 may include one or more speakers, and to provide tactile (e.g., haptic) feedback, hair styling appliance 10 may include one or more vibration motors.

[0098] The feedback provided can indicate whether the determined speed of movement of the hair styling tool 10 relative to the hair or the determined direction of movement meets one or more predefined criteria and / or whether the determined speed of movement of the hair styling tool 10 relative to the hair or the determined direction of movement does not meet one or more predefined criteria. The feedback element can provide feedback only when the determined speed of movement is outside the predefined range, for example, as an alarm.

[0099] For example, feedback element 32 can indicate that the movement speed of the determined hair styling tool is within a predefined range by providing a first feedback state, and therefore the stroke speed is "good". Feedback element 32 can indicate that the movement speed of the determined hair styling tool is outside the predefined range by providing different feedback. For example, if the stroke speed is too fast (e.g., above the upper threshold of the predefined range), feedback element 32 can provide a second feedback state, and if the stroke speed is too slow (e.g., below the lower threshold of the predefined range), feedback element 32 can provide a third feedback state. The first, second, and third feedback states can be different; for example, emitting LEDs of different colors, different flashing patterns, different sounds, or different vibration patterns.

[0100] For example, if the feedback element includes an LED, the LED can indicate that the determined movement speed is “good” by emitting green light. The LED can indicate that the determined movement speed is too fast by emitting orange light, and the LED can indicate that the determined movement speed is too slow by emitting red light. Alternatively / additionally, different LEDs can illuminate in response to detecting that the determined movement speed is within or outside a predefined range (e.g., above or below).

[0101] Therefore, the feedback element 32 can instruct the user whether they need to increase, decrease, or maintain the movement of the hair relative to the hair styling tool 10. In this way, styling performance can be improved, the risk of hair damage can be reduced, and more effective product use can be encouraged. This can be particularly important for users who find it difficult to find and / or maintain the optimal stroke speed (e.g., the relative speed between the hair to be treated and the hair styling tool), especially if the product is new to them or requires a different stroke speed than products they have used in the past.

[0102] In some examples, for instance, where the feedback element 32 includes a display screen, the display screen can show the determined speed or direction of movement of the hair relative to the hair styling tool 10 itself.

[0103] Predefined thresholds and ranges can be stored in memory 30. The predefined thresholds and / or ranges can include a degree of hysteresis or time-based filtering to smooth transitions between feedback states.

[0104] Instead of providing user feedback via the feedback element 32 of the hair styling tool itself, or in addition to providing user feedback via the feedback element 32 of the hair styling tool itself, user feedback may be provided by a connected external device. Such external devices include, for example, mobile devices, tablets, and / or computers.

[0105] Therefore, the hair styling appliance 10 may include a communication element 34 for communicative connection with an external device. The communication element may be a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate (one-way or two-way) with the external device to transmit information related to the determined speed of movement of the hair relative to the hair styling appliance 10 to the external device for display thereon. The external device may provide information to the user visually, tactilely, and / or audibly. In other embodiments, communication between the communication element 34 and the external device may be a wired connection.

[0106] User feedback can also be provided to the user based on information related to determining the presence of hair at the hair styling appliance, the determined start / end of the stroke and / or stroke length, or other information detected by the processor as described above. This user feedback can be provided in a manner corresponding to the above. For example, an LED can flash red to indicate an incorrect hair feed angle for the desired curl output and / or curl tightness.

[0107] As described above, information or data relating to the determined speed of movement of the hair relative to the hair styling appliance 10, information relating to the determination of the presence of hair, and the determined start / end point and / or length of the stroke can be stored in memory 30. This data can be processed to generate historical and / or statistical product usage information. This historical and / or statistical product usage information can then be provided to the user as user feedback, for example, via feedback element 32 and / or via communication element 34 and external devices.

[0108] As described above, information relating to the determined speed of movement of the hair relative to the hair styling appliance 10 can be used to control one or more functions of the hair styling appliance 10. Information relating to the determination of whether hair is present at the hair styling appliance can also be used for this control.

[0109] The hair styling appliance 10 may include a hair processing element 36 for processing a section of hair. The output of the hair processing element 36 may be controlled, for example, via a power controller 38 based on information related to a determined movement speed relative to the hair styling appliance 10, which may be stored in a memory 30.

[0110] For example, hair processing element 36 may include one or more of the following: a heater for heating a section of hair, a blower or fan for generating airflow and directing the airflow toward a section of hair, a dispenser for distributing fluid and / or steam toward a section of hair, and / or an actuator for vibrating hair styling appliance 10.

[0111] The heater can be, for example, a conductive, dielectric (RF / MF), FIR radiant, or fan-forced convection heater.

[0112] The power controller 38 can control the output of the hair processing element 36 by controlling the power supplied from the power source 14 to the hair processing element 36, based on information related to the determined movement speed relative to the hair styling appliance 10, information related to the determination of the presence of hair at the hair styling appliance 10, the determined start of the stroke, the end of the stroke and / or the stroke length, and / or any other detected attributes of the aforementioned movement / hair. The control output may include increasing or decreasing the supplied power, and / or turning the power on or off.

[0113] Controlling the heater's output can include increasing or decreasing the heater's temperature based on a determined movement speed. For example, the temperature can increase with increasing determined movement speed and / or decrease with decreasing determined movement speed. The applied power can vary depending on the determined temperature to maintain a constant heat supply to the hair. This may reduce the user skill required to achieve the desired styling result.

[0114] Applying energy to the hair (particularly using hair heating technologies such as FIR or dielectrics) can be gated so that power is supplied to the hair if movement is determined relative to the hair styling appliance 10. For example, the output of the heater can be controlled such that the heater's power is turned off or reduced when the hair is stationary relative to the hair styling appliance (and therefore the determined relative movement speed is zero or negligible), when the determined relative movement speed is too low (and therefore below a predefined threshold speed), and / or when there is no hair. This avoids damaging the hair when it is close to the appliance and also results in a more energy-efficient appliance.

[0115] Controlling the output of the heater can include changing the intensity of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., IR light or microwave / RF field).

[0116] The power supplied to other hair processing components can be controlled in a corresponding manner.

[0117] Controlling the output of the blower / fan may include changing the direction and / or speed of the airflow. For example, the direction of the airflow may be controlled based on the detected orientation of the hair styling appliance relative to the air; for example, to ensure that the airflow is always directed towards the top of the hair and not the roots. Alternatively / additionally, the airflow may be blocked (e.g., shut off) when the processor determines that the hair styling appliance is moving in the wrong direction relative to the hair (e.g., from the ends to the roots).

[0118] Controlling the output of the dispenser can include altering the dispensing rate and / or diffusion / concentration / distribution of the excrement. For example, the rate at which a formulation (e.g., a colorant, bleach, relaxant, conditioner, or styling aid) or water (e.g., a mist or steam spray) is dispensed onto the hair can be controlled.

[0119] The output of the hair processing element 36 can be controlled based on stored historical and / or statistical product usage information. For example, the power supplied to the hair processing element 36 can be controlled based on the user's average relative movement speed to better suit the user, such as increasing / decreasing the heater power level based on average stroke length or average speed. This information can also be used to predictively change the output of the hair processing element 36, for example, to increase heat towards the hair tips.

[0120] Images of hair acquired by the optical sensor can undergo additional processing techniques. Specifically, processor 24 can determine, based on one or more measurements from the optical sensor, the angle of a segment of hair relative to a hair styling tool, hair strand alignment / straightness, hair damage, shine, type, and / or color. This further information can be provided to the user as user feedback in a manner corresponding to that described above, and / or used to control the hair styling tool as described above.

[0121] Figure 14This demonstrates how to extract images from a high-resolution camera (e.g., Figure 14 The upper part of the image) and low-resolution optical flow sensor images (e.g., Figure 14 (The lower image in the image) Both determine these attributes.

[0122] In particular, from Figure 14 Both the upper high-resolution image (labeled a) and the lower low-resolution image (labeled a) indicate that the hair is dark, poorly aligned, mixed and interwoven (e.g., a curly hair type), and has thick strands. Figure 14 Both the upper high-resolution image (labeled b) and the lower low-resolution image (labeled b) indicate that the hair is dark, highly aligned, has a small-angle positive tilt, and consists of thick hair strands. Figure 14 The upper high-resolution image and the lower low-resolution image, marked a), indicate that the hair is light-colored, highly aligned, tilted at a large angle, and has thin / narrow strands.

[0123] To determine the angle of one or more hair strands within a section of hair relative to a hair styling tool, edge points of the hair strands can be emphasized by applying a predefined threshold to an image of a segment of hair (e.g., a measurement of light received from a segment of hair being styled by an optical sensor). The predefined threshold can be applied based on pixel intensity. One or more lines can then be extracted using one or more machine learning, pattern recognition, or image processing feature extraction techniques. For example, the Hough transform method can be used to identify lines in an image by determining how well neighboring pixels (at a given edge point) conform to a linear formula (e.g., y=mx+c). Since the orientation of the image frame relative to the hair styling tool is known (because the optical sensor is fixed relative to the tool), trigonometry can be used to provide the angle of the hair strand based on the gradient of the detected lines.

[0124] The alignment measure between hair strands can be calculated by applying statistical analysis to all line angles identified in the image.

[0125] The type of hair (e.g., curly or straight) can also be determined from the extracted lines, for example, by measuring the deviation from the edge points along the detected straight line. For instance, a smaller deviation from the detected straight line may indicate straighter hair.

[0126] although Figure 1 Not shown, but the hair styling appliance 10 may include a time-of-flight or proximity sensor that can be used in conjunction with the optical sensor 20 to apply a correction factor used to calibrate the relative velocity measurement to the offset distance between the optical sensor 20 and the hair. This can be particularly useful when the offset distance between the optical sensor 20 and the hair is unconstrained relative to the hair styling appliance and is therefore highly variable during use (e.g., with a hair dryer).

[0127] The hair styling device 10 may include an inertial sensor, which may include one or more accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Inertial sensors can be used in conjunction with optical sensors 20 to improve measurement accuracy and / or provide additional spatial reference. For example, an inertial sensor may be able to detect extreme or sudden speeds of movement more accurately (e.g., compared to optical sensors 20), and / or can provide a real-world spatial reference point for the relative motion between a segment of hair and the hair styling tool 10.

[0128] For example, the signal from optical sensor 20 may be interrupted, for example, due to the hair not being in front of optical sensor 20, changes in the distance between a segment of hair and optical sensor 20, or other factors. To improve the quality of the determined position (and / or velocity of movement) data, measurements from optical sensor 20 can be combined with measurements from inertial sensors. Measurements from inertial sensors can include acceleration data for six degrees of freedom, specifically angular acceleration in the xy, yz, and xz planes, and linear acceleration in the x, y, and z directions. The combination of x, y, and z accelerations (from gravity) and first integrals of angular xy, yz, and xz accelerations can be used to accurately track the orientation of hair styling appliance 10 relative to the Earth. Gravity can be considered a representation of absolute downward. Additionally, the use of magnetic field strength can be used to provide an additional source of absolute position. Magnetic field strength can be at least partially a measure of the Earth's magnetic field, but can also be combined with other local magnetic field sources. By integrating the x, y, and z data and combining it with the velocity / rate data measured by the optical sensor 20, the velocity / rate of the hair styling device 10 can be determined more accurately. Based on this, the absolute position information of the hair styling device can be further obtained through integration. Furthermore, a Kalman filter can be used to fuse the counts from various sensors.

[0129] The optical sensor can be positioned close to the surface of the treated hair during use and oriented such that strands / parts of the treated hair are within the field of view (FOV) of the optical sensor 120. The light source can also be positioned close to the surface of the treated hair during use and oriented such that strands / parts of the treated hair are within the illumination field (FOI) of the light source.

[0130] As described above, the hair styling tool 10 can be a hair straightener, for example, in... Figure 2a , 2b The hair straighteners 110a-110d are shown in Figures 3 and 4. In use, hair is fed between two arms 140 to apply treatment (e.g., heating). The arms 140 can move relative to each other, thereby allowing a clamping force to be applied to the hair located between the arms 140.

[0131] The optical sensor 20 and / or the light source 18 may be located within the clamping or processing part of the hair styling tool 10.

[0132] Hair styling tool 10 can be a heat-conducting plate straightener, such as... Figure 2a and Figure 2b The hair straighteners 110a and 110b are shown in the figure. Thus, the hair processing element 36 may include one or more conductive / heating plates 142. The one or more conductive / heating plates 142 form one or more clamping surfaces. Each arm 142 may have opposing conductive / heating plates such that when the arm 142 is clamped with hair therebetween, the hair is clamped between the two conductive / heating plates 142.

[0133] Hair styling tool 10 can be a dielectric heater straightener, for example... Figure 3 The hair straightener 110c shown is an example. Thus, the hair processing element may include one or more electrode tracks 144 for dielectric heating. The electrode tracks 144 may be positioned on one or more clamping surfaces.

[0134] Hair styling tool 10 can be an IR heater straightener, for example... Figure 4 The hair straightener 110d is shown. Therefore, the hair processing element may include an IR emitter 146, such as multiple tungsten halide bulbs / lamps. The IR emitter 146 may be positioned on one or more clamping surfaces.

[0135] The optical sensor 20 and / or the light source can be positioned adjacent to the clamping surface, see, for example Figure 2a Multiple optical sensors 20 are positioned along one arm 140 of the hair straightener adjacent to one of the conductive / heating plates 142, and see also Figure 3 and Figure 4 Multiple optical sensors are positioned adjacent to electrode track 144 / IR transmitter 146. Although in Figure 2a , Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is not shown in the figure, but the light source 18 can be positioned on the other arm (and the light being measured is therefore attenuated light from the hair), or the light source 18 can be positioned adjacent to the optical sensor 20 (and the light being measured is therefore light reflected from the hair).

[0136] Optical sensors and / or light sources can be positioned within the hair clamping surface, see, for example Figure 2b In this configuration, a single optical sensor 20 is positioned within a conductive / heat plate 142. For example, the optical sensor 120 and / or the light source may be centered within the conductive / heat plate.

[0137] The optical sensor 20 and / or the light source 18 may be flush with the hair clamping surface, such that they form part of the hair clamping surface. Alternatively, the optical sensor 20 and / or the light source 18 may be recessed from the hair clamping surface to avoid direct contact with the hair.

[0138] The offset distance between a segment of hair and the optical sensor 20 can be substantially constrained. In a hair straightener, this can be provided by clamping two arms together to hold the hair at a fixed distance from the optical sensor 20. In these examples, the hair can be kept against a window (transmitting the wavelength of light used to illuminate the hair) located at a fixed distance from the optical sensor 20. As described above, by recessing the optical sensor 20 / light source 18 from the hair clamping surface, the hair can maintain a fixed difference. Providing the optical sensor at a fixed distance from the window ensures FOI and FOV overlap.

[0139] If the offset distance is not constrained, including time-of-flight or proximity sensors may be useful, as described above.

[0140] When the hair styling tool is a straightener with two arms, the optical flow sensing system 12 can perform additional functions such as determining whether the arms are in a closed or open state and detecting the presence of hair. This information can be provided to the user as user feedback or used to control the hair styling tool 10 in a manner corresponding to the above.

[0141] Hair styling tools can be hair styling devices, such as curling irons, for example, on each hair styler. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The curling irons 160a and 160b are shown in the image. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Different types of hair curlers are shown, including a blower for styling hair (e.g., wrapping hair around a hair contact barrel 162). Optical sensors 20 and a light source 18 can be positioned on the surface of the hair contact barrel 162. The hair contact barrel may include multiple optical sensors 20, such as... Figure 5 As shown. For some curling irons, such as the curling iron 160b, the user may be able to adjust the direction of airflow.

[0142] Figure 7a and Figure 7b A cross-section of a hair curler 160b is shown, which includes a blower for styling hair (e.g., wrapping hair around a hair contact cylinder 162). The direction of the airflow is indicated by arrow 164, where... Figure 7b airflow direction and Figure 7a The airflow direction is reversed. A valve 166 can be provided to redirect the airflow. For example, the valve 166 can be actuated in response to the direction of hair movement.

[0143] Hair styling tools can be hair styling devices, such as hairbrushes, for example, on... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The image shows hairbrushes 180a and 180b. Hairbrushes can be bucket brushes, for example... Figure 8 The bucket brush 180a shown, or paddle brush, for example Figure 9 The paddle brush 180b is shown. Hair brushes 180a and 180b may include a plurality of bristles 182 extending from a body 184, wherein the bristles 182 are used to untangle hair. The bristles 182 may also hold the hair against the body 184, and thus against the optical sensor 20. Hair brushes 180a and 180b may include actuators 186, for example for vibrating hair brushes 180a and 180b as an untangling aid, or, for example, a fluid distribution system. Hair brushes 180a and 180b may include heaters for heating the hair and / or blowers for styling the hair.

[0144] Figure 10 An enlarged view of the arrangement 200 of the optical sensor 20 and the light source 18 is shown. For example, this arrangement 200 can be an optical sensor and light source arrangement in a hair straightener. It can also be an arrangement for another type of hair styling appliance 10, such as a curling iron, hair dryer, or brush, but this can have one or more modifications, as described below.

[0145] The optical sensor 20 is positioned adjacent to the light source 18 within the sensor housing 202. Figure 10 The light source in the example shown is a laser, such as a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). Figure 10 The optical sensor 20 in the example shown is a CMOS. The housing 202 can be supported and electrically connected to the PCB 212.

[0146] The optical sensor 20 and the light source 18 can be positioned behind two separate windows 204 in the housing 202 to prevent crosstalk and / or provide different wavelength filtering.

[0147] During use, and as Figure 10 As shown, a portion of hair 208, comprising multiple hair bundles, is positioned between two hair contact surfaces 210a and 210b, which serve as clamping surfaces. Thus, the hair is clamped relative to the optical sensor 20 and the light source 18. In other examples of the hair styling appliance 10 that do not include two clamping surfaces, only one contact surface 210a may be present. A portion of the hair 208 may be held against the contact surface 210a, for example, by airflow from a blower or by one or more bristles.

[0148] The light source 18 and the optical sensor 20 can be positioned behind a window 214 or gap in the contact surface 210a to allow a line of sight through the contact surface 210a. The window 214 can help control the offset between the hair and the optical sensor 20 and / or prevent hair from entering the gap.

[0149] Figure 11 The image shows an example of the arrangement 250 of the optical sensor 20 and the light source 18 in the hair styling tool 10, which has only one contact surface 210a. As described above, the optical component 28 can be positioned in the optical path of the light source 18 and the optical sensor 20, such as... Figure 11 As shown.

[0150] In some examples, the optical flow sensing system 12 can use other non-contact sensing techniques, such as a laser Doppler velocimeter, to measure the speed of movement of a segment of hair relative to a hair styling tool. The laser Doppler velocimeter can measure the emitted laser by modulating the phase shift relative to the reflected light.

[0151] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, are expressed in their particular form or according to means for performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, and may, where appropriate, be used alone or in any combination of these features to implement the invention in its various forms.

[0152] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon presentation of this disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0153] To avoid any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are intended to enhance the reader's understanding. The inventor does not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0154] Any chapter headings used in this article are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0155] Throughout this specification, including the following claims, unless the context otherwise requires, the words “comprising” and “including” and variations thereof shall be construed as implying the inclusion of the said integer or step or group of steps, but not excluding any other integer or step or group of steps.

[0156] It should be noted that, as used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural indicators unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. A range may be expressed herein as from “about” a particular value and / or to “about” another particular value. When expressing such a range, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation using the antecedent “about,” it should be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to numerical values ​​is optional and means, for example, + / - 10%.

Claims

1. A hair styling tool, comprising: An optical sensor is configured to perform two or more measurements on light received from a segment of hair being styled by the hair styling appliance. and The processor is configured to determine the speed of movement of the segment of hair relative to the hair styling appliance based on the two or more measurements.

2. The hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein, The hair styling tool also includes a light source configured to illuminate a segment of hair styled by the hair styling tool, wherein the light received from the segment of hair includes light emitted from the light source and reflected or attenuated by the segment of hair.

3. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hair styling tool performs straightening, curling, styling, and / or drying functions.

4. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The two or more measurements include at least a first image and a second image, the second image being obtained sequentially after the first image; and The processor is configured to determine the speed of movement of the segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool in the following manner: Compare the first image and the second image; and Based on a comparison of the first and second images, the speed at which the segment of hair moves through the optical sensor in at least one direction is determined.

5. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The optical sensor includes one or more of a CMOS sensor, a camera, and / or an array of photoelectric sensors.

6. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a hair processing element configured to process said segment of hair, wherein the processor is further configured to control the output of the hair processing element based on a determined movement speed of said segment of hair relative to the hair styling appliance.

7. The hair styling appliance of claim 6, wherein the hair processing element comprises a heater for heating said section of hair, a blower for generating airflow and directing the airflow toward said section of hair, and / or a dispenser for distributing fluid and / or steam toward said section of hair.

8. The hair styling appliance of claim 6 or 7, wherein the processor is configured to control the output of the hair processing element by controlling the power supplied to the hair processing element based on the movement speed of the determined segment of hair relative to the hair styling appliance.

9. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processor is configured to output a feedback signal for providing user feedback related to the speed of the determined segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool.

10. The hair styling appliance according to claim 9, wherein, The hair styling device also includes a feedback element configured to provide visual, auditory, and / or tactile feedback to the user based on feedback signals output from the processor.

11. The hair styling appliance according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The processor is configured to compare the movement speed of the determined segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool with at least one predefined threshold, and to output the feedback signal based on the comparison between the determined speed and the at least one predefined threshold.

12. The hair styling appliance according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a communication element for communicatively connecting to an external device, wherein, The processor is configured to output a signal to the external device for providing user feedback, which is then displayed to the user on the external device.

13. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processor is configured to determine the two-dimensional velocity of the segment of hair relative to the hair styling tool based on at least two measurements from the optical sensor.

14. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims further includes an optical component for guiding, distributing, focusing and / or amplifying light received from said segment of hair at said optical sensor.

15. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processor is configured to determine, based on at least two measurements from the optical sensor, the relative direction of movement between the segment of hair being styled and the hair styling tool, and / or the angle of one or more strands of hair in the segment of hair being styled relative to the hair styling tool.

16. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processor is configured to determine the presence of hair at a hair styling tool for styling based on at least one measurement from the optical sensor.

17. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The processor is configured to determine the start and / or end of styling the segment of hair based on multiple measurements from the optical sensor.

18. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The optical sensor is oriented and / or positioned on the hair styling tool such that at least a portion of the section of hair being styled by the hair styling tool is within the field of view of the optical sensor.

19. The hair styling appliance according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a time-of-flight and / or proximity sensor for determining the distance between the hair styling appliance and the segment of hair being styled.

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