Hair care device

Abstract

A hair care device for drying and styling hair. The hair care device comprises a heat source for drying hair, a light source for styling hair, a moisture sensor, and a controller. The moisture sensor is configured to measure hair moisture, and the controller is configured to control the light source to emit light in response to the hair moisture falling below a threshold.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of hair care, and, in particular, to hair care devices for drying and styling hair.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair care devices, such as hair drying devices and hair styling devices, generally involve the application of heat to hair. Hair drying devices, such as blow dryers, heat air surrounding the hair and water droplets on the hair, in order to increase the rate of evaporation of water from the hair's surface. Hair styling devices, such as hair straighteners and hair curlers, heat the hair to temporarily break weaker hydrogen bonds in the hair, enabling the shape and / or texture of the hair to be modified temporarily.

[0003] Hair is often styled after the hair is washed. However, hair styling devices typically operate at high temperatures that cause damage to hair if used on wet hair, as the use of these devices on wet hair cause quick evaporations that create holes in the structure of the hair. For this reason, a separate hair drying device is generally used to dry hair before the hair is styled using a hair styling device.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0005] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a hair care device, comprising: a heat source configured to emit heat for drying hair; a light source configured to emit light for styling hair; a moisture sensor configured to generate a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture; and a controller configured to control the light source, wherein the controller is configured to: receive, from the moisture sensor, the moisture signal; and in response to the moisture signal falling below a first predetermined moisture threshold, control the light source to emit the light.

[0006] In this way, a single hair treatment device may be used both to dry hair and to style hair. This provides a more convenient hair drying and styling process

[0007] The use of a light source for styling hair enables the hair to be styled at lower temperatures than those used by conventional hair styling devices and with better moisture retention. By controlling the light source to emit light for styling hair in response to a signal responsive to hair moisture falling below a predetermined threshold, the light source is automatically switched on once the hair is sufficiently dry that the light source will not cause damage to the hair. This reduces a likelihood of hair damage caused by attempting to style hair while the hair is still too wet.

[0008] Further, by automatically controlling the light source to emit light once a sufficiently low hair moisture has been reached, the hair is styled while it has a suitable moisture content for styling, thus improving styling efficacy. By contrast, styling hair only once the hair is fully dry makes achieving a desired style more difficult.

[0009] In some examples, the light for styling hair has a peak wavelength of between 400 nm and 600 nm.

[0010] Light in this wavelength range is particularly suitable for styling hair.

[0011] In some examples, the peak wavelength of the light for styling hair is between 450 nm and 550 nm.

[0012] In some examples, the heat source is configured to heat hair to a temperature of no more than 120 °C.

[0013] In some examples, the controller is further configured to, when the moisture signal is below the first predetermined intensity threshold, control a non-zero intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the moisture signal.

[0014] This further reduces a likelihood of damage to the hair.

[0015] In some examples, the hair care device further comprises a temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature signal responsive to hair temperature; and the controller is further configured to: receive, from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal; and control an intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the temperature signal.

[0016] This further reduces a likelihood of damage to the hair, and enables residual heat to be taken into account to provide an appropriate light intensity for styling the hair, thus improving an efficiency of the hair care device.

[0017] In some examples, the hair care device further comprises a feedback unit configured to provide a user-perceptible output; and the controller is further configured to, in response to the temperature signal exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold, control the feedback unit to provide a user-perceptible output indicating completion of the styling process.

[0018] In this way, a user is notified when the styling process is complete, thus improving efficiency of the styling process and reducing a likelihood of hair damage caused by overheating.

[0019] In some examples, the controller is further configured to deactivate the heat source in response to the moisture signal falling below a second predetermined moisture threshold.

[0020] In some examples, the first predetermined moisture threshold and the second predetermined moisture threshold may be the same. In other words, the heat source may be switched off at the same time that the light source is switched on.

[0021] In some examples, the controller is further configured to control the light source not to emit light in response to the moisture signal falling below a third predetermined moisture threshold, wherein the third predetermined moisture threshold is lower than the first predetermined moisture threshold.

[0022] In this way, the light source only emits light when the hair has a suitable moisture content for styling.

[0023] In some examples, the hair care device comprises: a base portion; and a plurality of bristles extending from the base portion.

[0024] Bristles section the hair being illuminated by the light source, providing more controlled and even illumination of hair, and thus reducing a likelihood of burning hair.

[0025] In some examples, the light source comprises one or more first light-emitting elements, each first light-emitting element being provided on the base portion between bristles.

[0026] In this way, during use of the hair care device, the one or more light-emitting elements are typically covered by hair, reducing light leakage that might cause damage or discomfort to a user's eyes.

[0027] In some examples, the light source comprises one or more second light-emitting elements each provided on a respective bristle, wherein each second light emitting element is positioned at an end of the respective bristle nearest the base portion.

[0028] This provides another way in which the one or more light-emitting elements may be covered by hair during use of the hair care device, in order to reduce light leakage. Further, providing light-emitting elements on bristles can increase a proportion of hair that is illuminated at any one time; light penetrates a small number of hairs (depending on the wavelength of light and the hair color), so providing a pair of light-emitting elements on adjacent bristles, with each light-emitting element in the pair facing towards the gap between the adjacent bristles, will illuminate a greater proportion of hair in the gap between the adjacent bristles than a single light-emitting element on the base portion between the adjacent bristles.

[0029] In some examples, each second light-emitting element is configured to emit light in a direction perpendicular to the respective bristle on which the light-emitting element is provided and / or in a direction towards the base portion.

[0030] This further reduces a risk of eye damage or discomfort by directing the light emitted away from a user's eyes.

[0031] The light source may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more third light-emitting elements provided within the base portion, and the base portion may comprise a transmissive portion configured to allow light emitted by each third light-emitting elements to exit the base portion.

[0032] In some examples, the hair care device further comprises a hair sensor, configured to detect the presence of hair between bristles; and the controller is configured to control the light source to emit light only in response to a determination by the hair sensor that hair is between the bristles.

[0033] By controlling the light source to emit light only when hair is between the bristles, and therefore only when the one or more light-emitting elements are covered by the hair, the likelihood of eye damage or discomfort is further reduced.

[0034] According to examples in accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a hair care device, the method comprising: receiving, from a moisture sensor of the hair care device, a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture; and in response to the moisture signal falling below a first predetermined moisture threshold, controlling a light source of the hair care device to emit light for styling hair.

[0035] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a hair care device, according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a hair care device, according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a hair care device, according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 illustrates a hair care device, according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 illustrates a hair care device, according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 6 illustrates a method for controlling a hair care device, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0038] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0039] The invention provides a hair care device for drying and styling hair. The hair care device comprises a heat source for drying hair, a light source for styling hair, a moisture sensor, and a controller. The moisture sensor is configured to measure hair moisture, and the controller is configured to control the light source to emit light in response to the hair moisture falling below a threshold.

[0040] Fig. 1 illustrates a hair care device 100, according to an embodiment of the invention. The hair care device 100 comprises a heat source for drying hair, a light source for styling hair, a moisture sensor 130 and a controller 140.

[0041] The hair care device 100 of Fig. 1 comprises a base portion 150, a handle 155 attached to the base portion, and a plurality of bristles 160 extending from the base portion. In Fig. 1, the plurality of bristles are each provided on the same side of the base portion. For illustrative purposes, Fig. 1 shows a single row of seven bristles; it should be understood that the hair care device may comprise any number of bristles, and the bristles may be arranged in more than one row. The skilled person will readily appreciate that any suitable structure may be used for the hair care device; for instance, the hair care device may comprise a pair of tongs or a cylindrical structure. In some examples, the bristles and / or the handle may be omitted.

[0042] The heat source is configured to emit heat for drying hair. In other words, the heat source is configured to dry hair by heating the hair to a suitable temperature. Preferably, the heat source is configured to heat hair to a temperature of no more than 120 °C. Temperatures greater than 120 °C pose a greater risk of hair damage. In some examples, the heat source may be configured to heat hair to a temperature between 60 °C and 100 °C; this provides a comfortable temperature for the scalp.

[0043] The heat source comprises one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements may, for example, comprise one or more ceramic-based heating elements (e.g. one or more PTC elements) and / or one or more light-based heating elements (i.e. heating elements configured to emit heat by emitting red or infrared light). Ceramic-based heating elements heat hair from the outside of each strand of hair to the inside, while light-based heating elements heat hair from the inside of each strand of hair to the outside. In Fig. 1, the heat source comprises both ceramic-based heating elements 111 and light-based heating elements 112. The use of light-based heating elements in addition to ceramic-based heating elements allows the ceramic-based heating elements to operate at a lower temperature, reducing a likelihood of burning the scalp and improving moisture retention.

[0044] In Fig. 1, the one or more ceramic-based heating elements 111 are each provided within a respective bristle 160 of the hair care device 100, and the one or more light-based heating elements 112 are each provided on a respective bristle of the hair care device, with each light-based heating element being positioned at an end of the respective bristle closest to the base portion 150, to reduce light leakage during use. The heat source may additionally or alternatively comprise heating elements provided in or on the base portion of the hair care device; for instance, a light-based heating element may be provided between bristles and / or a ceramic heating plate may be provided within the base portion (e.g. to generate a flow of heated air for heating the hair).

[0045] The light source is configured to emit light for styling hair, and comprises one or more light-emitting elements 120 (e.g. LEDs). The light source may be configured to emit light with a peak wavelength between 400 nm and 1000 nm. In some examples, the light source may be configured to emit light with a peak wavelength between 400 nm and 600 nm (e.g. between 450 nm and 550 nm), which has been found to be particularly suitable for styling hair. Light with a wavelength in the range of 400-600 nm penetrates hair and is able to heat the cortex to a temperature high enough to soften the cortex (i.e. a temperature of at least 140 °C, e.g. a temperature in the range of 140 °C and 160 °C). Light with a wavelength in the range of 450-550 nm provides a compromise between the number of strands of hair penetrated by the light and the energy required to power the light source. Each light-emitting element 120 may be configured to emit continuous light or pulsed light.

[0046] In some examples, the hair care device may comprise a plurality of light-emitting elements, some of which are configured to emit light having a first peak wavelength, and some of which are configured to emit light having a second, different peak wavelength. In some examples, some light-emitting elements of the hair care device may have a peak wavelength more suited to drying than styling hair (e.g. a peak wavelength in the red or infrared wavelength range); and there light-emitting elements may therefore form (at least a part of) the heat source for drying hair, rather than the light source for styling hair. For instance, in Fig. 1, the light-based heating elements 112 form part of the heat source of the hair care device 100 rather than the light source configured to style hair.

[0047] In Fig. 1, each light-emitting element 120 is provided on a respective bristle 160 of the hair care device 100, with each light-emitting element being positioned at an end of the respective bristle closest to the base portion, so that, during use, each light-emitting element is likely to be covered by hair and thus less likely to cause eye damage. In some examples, each light-emitting element may be configured to emit light in a direction that is perpendicular to the respective bristle on which the light-emitting element is provided and / or towards the base portion 150 of the hair care device. In other words, each light-emitting element may be configured to emit light in a direction other than towards the top of the bristles (where the top of the bristles are at the opposite end of the bristles to the base portion).

[0048] In some examples, in order to further reduce a likelihood of discomfort or damage to a user's eyes, the hair care device may further comprise a plurality of flexible cover elements (not shown in Fig. 1), each flexible cover element being provided between adjacent bristles of the hair care device and configured to cover a gap between the adjacent bristles. Each flexible cover element may have sufficient flexibility to allow hair to pass into the gap between the adjacent bristles. In this way, hair between adjacent bristles may be illuminated by light emitted by the light source, while light is blocked by the flexible cover element provided between the adjacent bristles when hair is not present.

[0049] In some examples, the hair care device 100 may further comprise at least one mirror configured to reflect light emitted by the light source, in order to make more efficient use of the emitted light. For instance, the bristles 160 may each be provided with a reflective coating.

[0050] The moisture sensor 130 is configured to generate a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture. The moisture sensor may be any sensor configured to measure a parameter that is indicative of hair moisture. For instance, the moisture sensor may comprise a pair of electrodes, and may be configured to measure impedance of hair between the electrodes. In another example, the moisture sensor may be configured to measure capacitance. In yet another example, where the heat source comprises one or more light-based heating elements (e.g. one or more red or infrared LEDs), the moisture sensor may be configured to measure an intensity of light emitted by a light-based heating element that has passed through or been reflected by hair between the light-based heating element and the moisture sensor.

[0051] In some examples, the hair care device may comprise more than one moisture sensor 130, each configured to generate a moisture signal. For instance, the hair care device 100 of Fig. 1 comprises two moisture sensors, each provided on a respective bristle 160 of the hair care device. The moisture sensor(s) may additionally or alternatively be provided on the base portion 150 of the hair care device.

[0052] The controller 140 is configured to receive the moisture signal from the moisture sensor 130, and to control the light source responsive to the moisture signal. In particular, the controller is configured to control the light source to emit light responsive to the moisture signal falling below a first predetermined moisture threshold (and not to emit light responsive to the moisture signal failing to fall below the first predetermined moisture threshold). In other words, during use on wet hair, the hair care device initially operates in a drying mode, in which the heat source emits heat for drying the hair (which may be in the form of red or infrared light), but the light source does not emit light for styling hair. Once the moisture content of the hair is low enough that the hair is not at significant risk of damage due to the temperatures achieved by light suitable for styling hair, the hair care device may additionally or alternatively operate in a styling mode, in which the light source emits light for styling hair.

[0053] As the skilled person will readily appreciate, the value of the first predetermined moisture threshold will depend on the type of moisture sensor used. The value of the first predetermined moisture threshold may be a value corresponding to a hair moisture of 30-40%.

[0054] In some examples, the controller 140 may be configured to, when the moisture signal is below the first predetermined intensity threshold, control a non-zero intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the moisture signal. In this way, the light source may provide an appropriate light intensity for styling hair at a low risk of hair damage throughout the drying process. For instance, the controller may initially (i.e. immediately after the moisture signal has fallen below the first predetermined moisture threshold) control the light source to emit light at a high intensity, and then decrease the intensity of emitted light as the moisture level of the hair continues to fall.

[0055] In some examples, the controller 140 may be further configured to deactivate the heat source in response to the moisture signal falling below a second predetermined moisture threshold. The second predetermined moisture threshold may have the same value as the first predetermined moisture threshold. In other words, the controller may control the hair care device to switch from a drying mode to a styling mode in response to hair moisture falling below a certain level. Alternatively, the second predetermined moisture threshold may have a lower value than the first predetermined moisture threshold, so that the heat source continues to emit heat to dry hair for a period of time after the light source has begun to emit light to style the hair. For instance, the second predetermined moisture threshold may have a value corresponding to a hair moisture of 10-30%.

[0056] In some examples, the controller 140 may be further configured to control the light source not to emit light in response to the moisture signal falling below a third predetermined moisture threshold, lower than the first predetermined moisture threshold. In other words, the controller may be configured to control the light source such that the light source only emits light if the hair moisture is in a range between the first predetermined moisture threshold and the third predetermined moisture threshold. The third predetermined moisture threshold may have a value corresponding to a hair moisture of 5-10% (e.g. a hair moisture of 5%).

[0057] In some examples, the hair care device 100 may further comprise a temperature sensor 170 configured to generate a temperature signal responsive to hair temperature. The controller 140 may be configured to receive the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and control the intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the temperature signal. Light emitted by the light source may result in residual heat; the temperature of the hair may therefore increase during the styling process (and may increase further if the heat source is emitting heat during the styling process). The controller may control the light source to reduce the intensity of emitted light in response to an increase in hair temperature, in order to reduce a risk of overheating the hair.

[0058] In some examples, the hair care device 100 may further comprise a feedback unit 156. The controller 140 may be configured to control the feedback unit to provide a user-perceptible output indicating completion of the styling process in response to the temperature signal exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined temperature threshold may, for example, have a value between 140 °C and 155 °C.

[0059] The feedback unit 156 may be configured to provide any suitable user-perceptible output. For instance, the user-perceptible output may comprise one or more of: a sound, a vibration and / or a light. In Fig. 1, the feedback unit is provided in the handle 155 of the hair care device 100; however, the skilled person will appreciate that, depending on the type of user-perceptible output, the feedback unit may be located elsewhere in the hair care device.

[0060] In some examples, the hair care device 100 may further comprise a hair sensor 165 configured to detect the presence of hair between bristles 160. The controller may then be configured to control the light source to emit light only in response to a determination by the hair sensor that hair is between the bristles. The hair sensor may, for example, be provided on a bristle at or close to a center of the plurality of bristles, as it may be expected that hair will be present at the center of the plurality of bristles during use of the device (even if the hair does not extend to an edge of the hair care device). In other examples, the hair care device may comprise a plurality of hair sensors, each configured to detect the presence of hair in a respective region of the plurality of bristles. The controller may then control any light-emitting element located in the respective region using the hair sensor configured to detect the presence of hair in the region (i.e. the controller may control the light-emitting element(s) in the respective region to emit light only in response to a determination that hair is between bristles in the region).

[0061] Any suitable sensor may be used to detect the presence of hair. For instance, the hair sensor 165 may be an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor or an impedance sensor. An optical sensor may detect the presence of hair by emitting light and detecting light reflected by hair (e.g. if the light-emitting element and the light-detecting element of the optical sensor are provided on the same side of the hair as one another, e.g. on a same bristle 160); alternatively, if the light-emitting element of the optical sensor is provided on an adjacent bristle to the light-detecting element, the optical sensor may detect the presence of hair between the adjacent bristles if the light-detecting element fails to detect light emitted by the light-emitting element. A capacitive or impedance sensor may detect the presence of hair by detecting a change in capacitance or impedance respectively in response to hair coming into contact with the sensor surface (due to the difference in the electrical properties of hair and skin).

[0062] In some examples, the hair care device 100 may further comprise a heatsink 180, to dissipate heat from the hair care device, in order to reduce a risk of components within the hair care device becoming overheated. The heatsink may be provided on an opposite side of the controller 140 to the plurality of bristles 160.

[0063] Fig. 2 illustrates a hair care device 200, according to another embodiment of the invention. The hair care device 200 is similar to the hair care device 100 of Fig. 1, but the hair care device 200 further comprises a fan 290, provided on an opposite side of the heatsink 280 to the controller 240, configured to cool the heatsink more efficiently by extracting cooler air from the surroundings. The cooler air may then be heated by the heatsink, and the heated air may exit the hair care device via one or more vents in the base portion.

[0064] Fig. 3 illustrates a hair care device 300, according to another embodiment of the invention. The hair care device 300 is similar to the hair care device 100 of Fig. 1, but the light-emitting elements 320 of the hair care device 300 are provided on the base portion 350 between bristles 360, rather than on the bristles. In other examples, the hair care device may comprise one or more light-emitting elements provided on the base portion and one or more light-emitting elements each provided on a respective bristle. In yet other examples, the hair care device may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more light-emitting elements provided within the base portion, and the base portion may be configured to allow light emitted by each light-emitting element within the base portion to exit the base portion (e.g. via a transparent portion of a housing of the base portion). In Fig. 3, only ceramic-based heating elements 311 are used for the heat source.

[0065] Fig. 4 illustrates a hair care device 400, according to another embodiment of the invention. The hair care device 400 is similar to the hair care device 300 of Fig. 3, but the hair care device 400 further comprises a fan 490, similar to the fan 290 of the hair care device 200 of Fig. 2.

[0066] Fig. 5 illustrates a hair care device 500, according to another embodiment of the invention. The hair care device 500 is similar to the hair care device 400 of Fig. 4, but the hair care device 500 further comprises light-based heating elements 511, provided on the base portion 550 between bristles 560.

[0067] As the hair care devices disclosed herein are intended for use on wet hair, the skilled person will readily appreciate that the hair care device is configured such that electrical components of the hair care device are enclosed by one or more watertight covers.

[0068] Fig. 6 illustrates a method 600 for controlling a hair care device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] The method 600 begins at step 610, at which a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture is received from a moisture sensor of the hair care device.

[0070] At step 620, a determination as to whether the moisture signal is below a first predetermined moisture threshold is made.

[0071] In response to a determination that the moisture signal is not below the first predetermined moisture threshold, the method 600 may return to the step 610 of receiving the moisture signal. In other words, the moisture signal may continue to be received from the moisture sensor at least until the moisture signal falls below the first predetermined moisture threshold.

[0072] In response to a determination that the moisture signal has fallen below the first predetermined moisture threshold, the method 600 may proceed to a step 630 of controlling a light source of the hair care device to emit light for styling hair.

[0073] In some examples, the moisture signal may continue to be received from the moisture sensor after the moisture signal has fallen below the first predetermined moisture threshold, and the method 600 may further comprise a step 640 of, when the moisture signal is below the first predetermined intensity threshold, controlling a non-zero intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the moisture signal.

[0074] In some examples, the method 600 may further comprise a step 650 of determining whether the moisture signal is below a second predetermined moisture threshold. In some examples, the second predetermined moisture threshold may have the same value as the first predetermined moisture threshold, in which case whether the moisture signal is below the second predetermined moisture threshold may be determined by performing step 620 (i.e. the method may not include a separate step of determining whether the moisture signal is below the second predetermined moisture threshold).

[0075] In response to a determination that the moisture signal has fallen below the second predetermined moisture threshold, the method 600 may proceed to a step 660 of controlling a heat source of the hair care device not to emit heat. Otherwise, the method may revert back to step 610 or 630.

[0076] It will be appreciated that the method 600 may be iteratively repeated. It will also be appreciated that steps 650 and 660 (if performed) may be performed in parallel to steps 620 and 630 (and step 640 if performed).

[0077] The skilled person would be readily capable of developing a controller for carrying out any herein described method. Thus, each step of a flow chart may represent a different action performed by a controller, and may be performed by a respective module of the processing controller.

[0078] The controller can be implemented in numerous ways, with software and / or hardware, to perform the various functions required. A processor is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the required functions. A controller may however be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

[0079] Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0080] In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media such as volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform the required functions. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller.

[0081] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0082] Functions implemented by a processor may be implemented by a single processor or by multiple separate processing units which may together be considered to constitute a "processor". Such processing units may in some cases be remote from each other and communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner.

[0083] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0084] A computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0085] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0086] Ordinal numbers (e.g. "first", "second" and so on) have been used purely to distinguish different elements from one another for the sake of clarity, and does not necessarily imply a specific order, importance, relationship, or presence of all numbered elements. Reference to a non-"first" (e.g. "second" or "third") element does not necessitate that a "first" element be present. The skilled person would be capable of relabeling any such elements as appropriate (e.g. relabeling a "second" element as a "first" element if only the second element is present).

[0087] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), comprising: a heat source (111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 411, 511, 512) configured to emit heat for drying hair; a light source configured to emit light for styling hair; a moisture sensor (130, 230, 330, 430, 520) configured to generate a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture; and a controller (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) configured to control the light source, wherein the controller is configured to: receive, from the moisture sensor, the moisture signal; and in response to the moisture signal falling below a first predetermined moisture threshold, control the light source to emit the light.

2. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of claim 1, wherein the light for styling hair has a peak wavelength of between 400 nm and 600 nm.

3. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of claim 2, wherein the peak wavelength of the light for styling hair is between 450 nm and 550 nm.

4. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat source (111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 411, 511, 512) is configured to heat hair to a temperature of no more than 120 °C.

5. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) is further configured to, when the moisture signal is below the first predetermined intensity threshold, control a non-zero intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the moisture signal.

6. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the hair care device further comprises a temperature sensor (170, 270, 370, 470, 570) configured to generate a temperature signal responsive to hair temperature; and the controller (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) is further configured to: receive, from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal; and control an intensity of the light emitted by the light source responsive to the temperature signal.

7. The hair care device (100) of claim 6, wherein: the hair care device further comprises a feedback unit (156) configured to provide a user-perceptible output; and the controller (140) is further configured to, in response to the temperature signal exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold, control the feedback unit to provide a user-perceptible output indicating completion of the styling process.

8. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) is further configured to deactivate the heat source (111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 411, 511, 512) in response to the moisture signal falling below a second predetermined moisture threshold.

9. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) is further configured to control the light source not to emit light in response to the moisture signal falling below a third predetermined moisture threshold, wherein the third predetermined moisture threshold is lower than the first predetermined moisture threshold.

10. The hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hair care device comprises: a base portion (150, 250, 350, 450, 550); and a plurality of bristles (160, 260, 360, 460, 560) extending from the base portion.

11. The hair care device (300, 400, 500) of claim 10, wherein the light source comprises one or more first light-emitting elements (320, 420, 520), each first light-emitting element being provided on the base portion (350, 450, 550) between bristles (360, 460, 560).

12. The hair care device (100, 200) of claim 10 or 11, wherein the light source comprises one or more second light-emitting elements (120, 220) each provided on a respective bristle (160, 260), wherein each second light emitting element is positioned at an end of the respective bristle nearest the base portion (150, 250).

13. The hair care device (100, 200) of claim 12, wherein each second light-emitting element (120, 220) is configured to emit light in a direction perpendicular to the respective bristle (160, 260) on which the light-emitting element is provided and / or in a direction towards the base portion (150, 250).

14. The hair care device (100) of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein: the hair care device further comprises a hair sensor (165), configured to detect the presence of hair between bristles; and the controller (140) is configured to control the light source to emit light only in response to a determination by the hair sensor that hair is between the bristles.

15. A method (600) for controlling a hair care device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), the method comprising: receiving, from a moisture sensor (130, 230, 330, 430, 520) of the hair care device, a moisture signal responsive to hair moisture; and in response to the moisture signal falling below a first predetermined moisture threshold, controlling a light source of the hair care device to emit light for styling hair.

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