Hair styling apparatus with detachable heads

Abstract

A hair drying and / or styling appliance 1 is disclosed for use with a plurality of styling attachments 5-15 such as curler barrel attachments 5; a barrelled brush attachment 7; a curler attachment usin

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to hair styling apparatus. More specifically, the present application relates to hair styling apparatus with detachable heads. Background to the Invention Heated hair styling tools use heat to increase the temperature of hair to a desired styling temperature. For example, a hair straightener having a heated plate applies heat directly via conduction to heat the hair, which may be either wet or dry, to achieve the desired temperature for styling. The hair may be heated to a temperature that is particularly suitable for styling hair (for example, to or beyond a hair glass transition phase temperature). Similarly, a heated brush or hair dryer can also be used to style hair by heating air which in turn heats the hair to a temperature suitable for styling. The hair is typically styled from wet, for example after the user has washed their hair, although the hair could also be styled from dry. Such styling may be performed by a user in respect of their own hair or by a hair stylist. Users and stylists use different styling apparatus to achieve certain functions or hair styles. However, conventional hair styling apparatus typically serve only one function or achieve a certain style. To a certain extent this lack of versatility of existing styling products has been addressed by the introduction of multitools onto the market. However, the functionality of existing multitools is limited and improved functionality is desirable. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect, there is provided a hair drying and / or styling appliance operable for use with a plurality of styling attachments. The hair drying and / or styling appliance may comprise a styler body; an attachment mechanism for detachably fixing a styling attachment to the styler body; an attachment detector operable to identify which of a plurality of styling attachments is mounted on the styler body; a power connector operable to provide an electrical connection to a styling attachment mounted on the styler body; and control circuitry responsive to the identification of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body to selectively cause drive circuitry connected to the power connector to provide power to the power connector on the basis of the identification of the styling attachment mounted on the styler body. In various embodiments the styling attachments may comprise curler barrel attachments; barrelled brush attachments; curler attachments using the Coanda effect; root lift brush attachments; blast dryer attachments; and paddle brush attachments. In some embodiments the styler body may comprise a handle portion and the power connector may be provided at one end of the handle portion. The styler body may further comprise a protruding section wherein the plurality of styling attachments are operable to be attached by being sleeved on the protruding section of the styler body. In such embodiments a power connector may be provided at an end of the protruding section remote from the handle portion. In various embodiments, the attachment mechanism may comprise a latching mechanism; a screw thread; a magnetic attachment mechanism, a press fit attachment mechanism, a bayonet attachment mechanism or a push and twist attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the control circuitry may comprise a microprocessor and a memory storing processor control code for implementing control methods for activating drive circuitry based upon the identification of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body. In some embodiments the attachment detector may comprise a radio antenna operable to detect an ID of a chip mounted on a styling attachment. Alternatively, in other embodiments the attachment detector may comprise an array of electrical connectors operable to receive an array of electrical pins provided on a styling attachment. In such embodiments, the control circuitry may be operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment on the basis of the number and / or locations of electrical connections made via the array of electrical connectors. ln some embodiments the attachment detector may be operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by analysing a series of electrical signals generated when the styling attachment is mounted on the styler body. In such embodiments, the attachment detector may be operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment on the basis of the strength and / or duration of electrical signals received. In some embodiments, the attachment detector may comprise a sensor operable to detect the location of an electrical pin attached to the body of a styling attachment mounted on to the styler body and determine the identity of a styling attachment on the basis of the location of the electrical pin. In some such embodiments the sensor may comprise a proximity sensor operable to detect the proximity of an electrical pin attached to the body of a styling attachment inserted into a cavity within the styler body. In some embodiments, the attachment detector may be operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by measuring the resistance of one or more portions of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body. More specifically in such embodiments the attachment detector may be operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by measuring the resistance of one or more heating elements of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body. Another aspect of the present invention provides a styling attachment for use with the hair drying and / or styling appliance, wherein the styling attachment comprises an attachment identifier operable to identify the identity of the styling attachment to an attachment detector of a hair drying and / or styling appliance. In some embodiments the attachment identifier may comprise a chip storing an ID operable to be read by an antenna. In other embodiments the attachment identifier may comprise an array of electrical pins operable to be inserted into an electrical connector provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance. Alternatively in yet further embodiments the attachment identifier may comprise an electrical pin operable to be inserted into a cavity provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance. In some embodiments the styling attachment may comprise a power connector operable to receive power from a power connector provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance to which the styling attachment is mounted and one or more heating elements operable to be powered by power received from the power connector In embodiments the styling attachment may be any of various types of styling attachment such as a curler barrel attachment; a barrelled brush attachment; a curler attachment using the Coanda effect; a root lift brush attachment; a blast dryer attachment; or a paddle brush attachment. A further aspect of the present invention provides a hair styling system comprising a hair drying and / or styling appliance together with one or more styling attachments as have previously been described. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a hair styling device with a set of styling attachments; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the main electronic components of a styler body and a styling attachment; Figures 3A and 3B are an illustration of a curler attachment being attached to a styler body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the styler body and curler attachment of Figure 3B; Figure 5A and 5B are an illustration of a barrelled brush attachment being attached to a styler body in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the styler body and barrelled brush attachment of Figure 5B; Figures 7A &7B are end views of a styler body and a styling attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the styler body and styling attachment of Figures 7A & 7B being attached to one another; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a male and a female connector which may be included in a styler body and a styling attachment to enable a hair styling device to identify a styling attachment being attached to the styler body; Figure 10 is an exemplary graph of the variation of power over time when a styling attachment is attached to a styler body; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a pin extending from a styling attachment inserted into a cavity in a styler body; and Figures 12A &12B are schematic illustrations of an alternative arrangement of a pin extending from a styling attachment inserted into a cavity in a styler body. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Overview of hair styling device with a set of styling attachments Figure 1 is an illustration of a hair styling device 1 comprising a styler body 3 in the form of a handle together with a set of styling attachments 5-15. In this embodiment, the set of styling attachments 5-15 comprise a set of 3 curler barrel attachments 5 comprising curler barrel attachments of different diameters; a barrelled brush attachment 7; a curler attachment using the Coanda effect 9; a root lift brush attachment 11; a blast dryer attachment 13; and a paddle brush attachment 15. In the Figure, the paddle brush attachment 15 is shown mounted on the styler body 3 of the hair styling device 1. Each of the styling attachments 5-15 will now be described in greater detail. Curler barrel and barrelled brush attachments The curler barrel attachments 5 each comprise a barrel shaped heater element 17 having perforations which allow for air and / or wetline to be sucked or blown through the holes into / onto the hair during styling. Similarly, the barrelled brush attachment 7 comprises a barrel shaped heater 17 having perforations. However, in the case of the barrelled brush attachment 7 bristles 19 protrude through the perforations, so that styler may function as a “hot brush / hot comb”. Curler attachment using the Coanda effect The curler attachment using the Coanda effect 9 comprises a cylindrical heater element 21 having a series of slit perforations 23. In use, when mounted on the styler body 3 of the hair styling device 1, a fan (not shown in Figure 1) located within the styler body 3, operating together with these perforations 23 disposed on the cylindrical heater element 21, leverage the Coanda effect in a manner consistent with known devices, such as Dyson’s Airwrap™ device. The Coanda effect relates to the tendency of a stream of fluid (such as air being driven by a fan) emerging from an orifice (such as the perforations 23) to follow a curved (or flat) surface (such as the barrel-shaped heater 21) and to entrain fluid from the surroundings so that a region of lower pressure develops. As a result of this effect, when the Styler’s fan is running, the local area of low pressure formed by air flowing about the barrel 21, draws a tress of hair to be styled around the barrel “automatically”, and hence such a styling attachment can be considered as an “auto curler” using the Coanda effect. Root lift brush attachment The root lift brush attachment 11 is substantially cylindrical and comprises a tapered outlet 25 which vents air about a set of bristles 27, in addition to six longitudinal perforations 29 disposed hemispherically opposite to the outlet 25, three of which are illustrated in Figure 1. In other designs more or fewer perforations 29 may be used as needed. The tapered outlet 25 is configured to provide two parallel streams of heated air heated by a heater (not shown in Figure 1) adjacent the outlet 25. On the opposite hemisphere to the outlet 25 a cooling zone is created which functions to cool hair being styled. In some embodiments cooling may be achieved by the activation of a fan (not shown in Figure 1) disposed within the styler body 3 to provide cool air via the longitudinal perforations 29, thereby forming a “cool cloud” of air vented out of the longitudinal perforations 29. Alternatively, cooling may be achieved by the use of a heat exchanger (not shown) provided within the root lift brush attachment 11 adjacent the longitudinal perforations 29. In use hot air is projected out via the tapered outlet 25 adjacent the bristles 27 and cool air is exchanged at the base via the heat exchanger, thereby creating a cool case against which hot hair can be quenched. Whilst a heat exchanger is relatively passive at cooling, the likelihood of hair being blown in an undesired manner is reduced when compared to active cooling by use of a fan. Blast dryer attachment The blast dryer attachment 13 comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a longitudinal air outlet 31 which projects generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the blast dryer attachment 13. The longitudinal air outlet 31 gradually tapers along its length so that when the blast dryer attachment 13 is mounted on the styler body 3 and the fan within the styler body 3 is activated a uniform pressure and velocity gradient is achieved for air exiting via the outlet 31, to create an “air blade” thereby facilitating a uniform temperature distribution at distances away from the outlet. Using such an outlet also enables the styler to operate at high-pressures, thereby maximising the efficiency of an air heater either provided within the blast dryer attachment 13 or the styler body 3. In an alternative, the longitudinal outlet 31 may comprise bristles to assist in forming tension with the tress of hair being dried / styled (e.g. during blow-drying). Additionally, or alternatively, the entirety of the blast dryer attachment 13 may be configured to vibrate along its longitudinal extent (e.g. by connecting the blast dryer attachment 13 to a user-operable vibration motor disposed within the styler body 3), so as to cause the blast dryer attachment 13 to function as a “tangle teaser” using air and vibration to achieve detangling. Paddle brush attachment The paddle brush attachment 15 comprises a heater 33 having array of generally elliptical perforations 35 most of which are occupied by substantially elliptical bristles 37. In embodiments the paddle brush attachment 15 on which the heater 33 is disposed may have dimensions of around 120 x 60 mm. In other embodiments, alternative sizes may be provisioned, as may alternative perforation layouts on the heater 33. Heating elements As will be apparent from the above, with the exception of the blast dryer attachment 13 and root lift brush attachment 11, each of the styling attachments 5-15 comprises some form of heating element enabling active heating of hair when styling. The heating elements may comprise one or more separately activatable heating zones to facilitate the styling of hair. Preferably, the heating elements will be heating elements with low thermal mass. One exemplary form of such a heating element would be a multilayer heater comprising: a heater electrode layer comprising one or more heater electrodes formed of a conductive material that generates heat when a current is passed through the one or more heater electrodes with one or more upper dielectric layers over the heater electrode layer to electrically isolate the heater electrode layer. Such a heater will typically have a thickness, as measured across all of the plurality of layers of the multilayer heater, of between 30pm and 1000pm and a combined thermal conductivity in a plane perpendicular to the thickness of between 0.1 W / m.K and 15 W / m.K. Where multiple heating zones are provided, a multilayer heater may further comprise a heat spreading layer provided over the upper dielectric layer, the heat spreading layer comprising a plurality of heat spreaders that regularise the heating provided within each heating zone. Each heat spreader is preferably formed as an island that does not touch neighbouring heat spreaders to reduce heat spreading from one heating zone to an adjacent heating zone. Power and control systems Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram of the functional elements of a styler body 3 and a styling attachment 40 (e.g. one of the styling attachments 5-15 previously discussed with reference to Figure 1). The styler body 3 contains a power supply 42 which is connected via drive circuitry 44 (which may include one or more power semiconductor switching devices (triacs)) to a fan 46 and an air heater 47. The power supply 42 is also connected to a microprocessor 48 which itself is connected to a memory 50 (which is typically a non-volatile memory) and a user interface 51. Collectively the drive circuitry 44, microprocessor 48 and memory 50 act as control circuitry 52 for causing electricity from the power supply 42 to be provided to the fan 46 and air heater 47 in response to instructions input via the user interface 51. In some embodiments, rather than a single fan 46 more than one fan might be provided within the styler body 3 (e.g. a lower power fan for use with curler, hot brush and root lift brush attachments to provide cool air to reduce the chances of users burning themselves and a higher power fan for generating heated airflow enabling the drying of hair during styling). The power supply 42 provided in the styler body 3 may comprise a battery power source. In some embodiments a mains power supply input may be provided to charge the battery via an AC to DC converter (not shown), which may be external or internal to the device. Alternatively, in other embodiments the power supply 44 may derive power from an external AC mains supply input. Each styling attachment 40 which actively heats hair comprises one or more heating elements 55 (e.g. heaters and heating elements 17, 21, 33 in styling attachments 5,7,9,15). A power connector 56 (e.g. one or more electrical contacts) is provided which enables the heating element 55 to receive power from the power supply 42 contained within the styler body 3 when the styling attachment 40 is mounted on the styler body 3 via a power connector 57 on the styler body 3 under the control of the control circuitry 52. This power connector 56 is omitted in the case of styling attachments such as the blast dryer attachment 13 and root lift brush attachment 11 which use heated air generated by the fan 46 and air heater 47 within the styler body 3. It will be appreciated that as the drive components (e.g. drive circuitry 44, fan 46, air heater 47 etc.) are provided within the styler body 3, this reduces the weight and complexity of the styling attachment 40 and enables a single fan 46 and air heater 47 to be used with multiple different styling attachments. The provision of multiple different styling attachments 40, provides users with greater flexibility and choice as to the styling of their hair. The provision of the styling attachments 40 incorporating heating element(s) 55 in particular, improves user choice, as conductive heating via heating element(s) 55 on a styling attachment 40 has many styling benefits with closer control of temperature and less disruption of hair due to air flow as well as being more efficient than convective heating. In use, a user activates the fan 46, air heater 47 and the heating element 55 of a styling attachment 40 by inputting instructions into the user interface 51. Signals received by the microprocessor 48 are interpreted in accordance with processor control code for implementing one or more control methods stored in the memory 50 which cause the microprocessor 48 to activate the drive circuitry 44 to cause power to be applied to the fan 46, air heater 47 in the styler body 3 and the heating element(s) 55 in a styling attachment 40 via power connectors 56 and 57 to control their operation. It will be appreciated that in order to operate appropriately, it is necessary for the microprocessor 48 to identify the processes to be applied based on the identity of the styling attachment 40 mounted on the styler body 3 and for a suitable electrical connection to be made between the power connectors 56,57 in the styler body 3 and the styling attachment 40 respectively. To achieve this each styling attachment 40 comprises an attachment identifier 58 which is configured to communicate with an attachment detector 60 provided in the styler body 3 to communicate the identity of the styling attachment 40 to the styler body 3. Exemplary arrangements of power connectors 56,57 and attachment identifiers 58 and attachment detectors 60 for use in embodiments of the present invention will now be described. Exemplary styling attachment and power connection arrangements A first exemplary styling attachment and power connection arrangement will now be described with reference to Figures 3A, 3B and 4. Figures 3A and 3B are an illustration of a curler attachment 62 being attached to a styler body 64. In the case of the styler of Figures 3A &3B, the styler body 64 comprises a handle portion 66 and a protruding section 68. In this embodiment the protruding section 68 includes one or more slits 69 which when an attachment is sleeved over the protruding section 68 enables air driven by a fan (not shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 4) within the handle portion 66 of the styler body 64 to enter the interior of the attachment sleeved over the protruding section 68. The provision of a protruding section 68 having one or more slits 69 reduces the enclosed volume within an attachment and assists in maintaining high levels of air pressure which increases outlet air thrust and assists in the creation of more uniform air flow and more even temperature distributions along the length of an attachment sleeved onto the protruding section 68 which improves drying rates when an air heater 47 is activated and cooling ability when air is not heated for the same input power. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the protruding section 68 corresponds in length to the depth of a cavity provided within the attachment intended to be used with the styler body 64. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the length of the protruding section 68 may be such so as only to partially extend within the interior of an attachment. When being mounted on the styler body 66, the protruding section 68 is inserted into a cavity at the centre of an attachment and the attachment is then moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3A until the open end of the attachment abuts the handle portion 66 of the styler body 64 as illustrated in Figure 3B. In this position the attachment (e.g. curler attachment 62) can be retained in position either by the provision of an attachment mechanism for fixing the attachment to the styler body 64 such as a latching mechanism or a pair of complementary screw threads at the end of protruding section 68 adjacent the handle portion 66 and on the interior of the open end of the attachment. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the styler body 64 and curler attachment 62 of Figure 3B with the open end 70 of the curler attachment 62 abutting the handle portion 66 of the styler body 64. In this position a pair of electrical contacts 72A, 72B positioned at the open end 70 of the curler attachment 62 and the end of the handle portion 66 respectively are brought into contact with each other. In this embodiment, the electrical contacts 72A, 72B are cylindrical in shape and co-axial with the protruding section 68 of the styler body 64. A further pair of electrical contacts 74A.74B are provided at the end of the protruding section 68 of the styler body 64 remote from the handle portion 66 and on the interior of the curler attachment 62 adjacent the tip of the curler attachment 76 remote from the open end 70 of the curler attachment 62. When the open end 70 of the curler attachment 62 abuts the handle portion 66 of the styler body 64 as shown in Figure 3B, the electrical contacts 74A, 74B are brought into contact with each other as is shown in Figure 4. The electrical contacts 72A, 74A in the curler attachment 62, and the electrical contacts 72B.74B on the styler body 64 are the power connectors of the styler body 64 and the styling attachment (i.e. curler attachment 62) respectively, enabling a power supply 42 provided within the styler body 64 to drive the heating element 55 of the styling attachment 40 (in this example the barrel shaped heater 17 of the depicted curler attachment 62). An alternative exemplary styling attachment and power connection arrangement will now be described with reference to Figures 5A, 5B and 6. The illustrations of Figures 5A and 5B are similar to the illustrations of Figures 3A and 3B, except that in this example the styler body 64 does not have a protruding section 68 and instead of a curler attachment 62, a barrelled brush attachment 78 is shown. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of Figures 5A and 5B where the styler body 64 does not have a protruding section 68, the barrelled brush attachment 78 is mounted on the styler body 64 by being brought into contact with the styler body 64 by being moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5A and then retained in position. Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the styler body 64 and the barrelled brush attachment 78 of Figure 5B attached to one another. In this position a pair of electrical contacts 80A, 80B positioned centrally at the ends of the handle portion 66 and the barrelled brush attachment 78 respectively are brought into contact with each other enabling a power supply 42 provided within the styler body 3 to drive the heating element 55 of the styling attachment 40 (in this example the barrel shaped heater 17 of the depicted barrelled brush attachment 78). In this embodiment, the handle portion 66 and barrelled brush attachment 78 are held in place by a latching mechanism or a pair of complementary screw threads 82A.82B at the ends of barrelled brush attachment 78 and the handle portion 66. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, alternative forms of attachment might be used instead or in addition to the mechanical attachment mechanisms just described. Thus, for example in some embodiments, a magnet might be provided at the end of the handle portion 66 of the styler body 64 arranged to attract a ferrous element provided at the end of an attachment so that the styler body 64 and attachment might be held together magnetically. Alternatively, other forms of attachment such as press-fit, bayonet (i.e. push and twist) might be used. Attachment identification The manner in which the heating element(s) 55 in an attachment 40 (e.g. heaters and heating elements 17, 21, 33 in styling attachments 5-15) need to be driven will depend upon the nature of the attachment 40. For example, where an attachment 40 includes multiple heating elements 55, it may be desirable to co-ordinate how and when those heating elements 55 are activated. Similarly, it may be desirable to co-ordinate the activation of a fan 46 within a styler body 3 with the activation of the heating element(s) 55 in an attachment 40 and how this is achieved may be dependent upon the nature of the attachment 40. For that reason, it is helpful if the styler body 3 can identify any attachment 40 which is mounted on the styler body 3. This assists the microprocessor 48 in the styler body 3 identifying appropriate programs from the memory 50 to drive the drive circuitry 44 in response to user input via the user interface 51. Identifying the nature of an attachment 40 can also assist in ensuring that a styler body 3 is only used with appropriate attachments. A number of alternative ways in which the identity of an attachment might be identified will now be described with reference to Figures 7A &B, 8-11 and 12A &12B. Figures 7A &7B are end views of a styler body 84 and a styling attachment 86 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the identity of a styling attachment 86 is determined using radio-based authentication such as an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) ora NFC (Near Field Communication) authentication mechanism. To that end, each styling attachment 86 for use with a particular styler body 84 is provided with an RFID or an NFC chip 88. An RFID or an NFC antenna 90 is then provided at the end of the styler body 84. When the styler body 84 and a styling attachment 86 are brought together in the manner shown in Figure 8, this causes the chip 88 and antenna 90 to be brought into communication range enabling the antenna 90 to read a unique identifier for the styling attachment 86 stored in the chip 88 enabling the styler body 84 to establish the identity of the styling attachment 86 being mounted on the styler body 84. Alternatively, instead of a radio / nearfield communication-based system such as that illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 8, an electro-mechanical system could be used. In many cases, the heating elements 55 in a styling attachment 40 will comprise multiple heating elements 55 so that different portions of the styling attachment 40 can be individually heated. In such embodiments, rather than a single point of electrical contact multiple electrical contacts may be required and could be provided in place of the electrical contacts 72A, 72B, 74A, 74B, 80A, 80B previously described. Such electrical contacts could be arranged as an array. A perspective view of an exemplary male 92 and a female connector 94 which may be included in a styling attachment 40 and a styler body 3 to enable a hair styling device to identify a styling attachment 40 being mounted on the styler body 3 is shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment the male connector 92 comprises an array of electrical pins 96. Whereas the female connector 94 comprises an array of holes 98. In the example illustrated the arrays each comprise a four by six array. In order to communicate the identity of the styling attachment 40, in this embodiment some (e.g. 2 or 3) pins of the array of pins on the male connector 92 provided on a styling attachment 40 are missing. When the male 92 and female 94 connectors are connected, the corresponding holes 98 in the female connector 94 therefore do not receive an electrical contact. The locations of the missing pins can be compared with an internal database stored in the memory 50 of the styler body 3 to determine the identity of the styling attachment 40 being mounted on the styler body 3. In another alternative, rather than a physical array of electrical pins 96, a styling attachment 40 could instead be arranged to output a series of electrical pulses when the styling attachment 40 is mounted on the styler body 3. Figure 10 is an exemplary graph illustrating variation of power over time when an exemplary styling attachment 40 is attached to a styler body 3. In the illustrated graph, initially a styling attachment 40 is arranged to cause an electrical signal of power Pi to be transmitted for a duration Li. Then the styling attachment 40 proceeds to transmit an electrical signal of power P2 to be transmitted for a duration L2 and then an electrical signal power P3for a duration L3. When these signals are received by the microprocessor 48 within the styler body 3, the microprocessor 48 converts the received signals into an ID number which can then be used to identify an entry within an internal database stored in the memory 50 of the styler body 3 to determine the identity of the styling attachment 40 being mounted on the styler body 3. Various ways of processing the detected electrical peaks could be used. Thus, for example, in some embodiments the number, total duration and average power level of the detected electrical signals could be used to determine three values for identifying an entry in a look up table in the memory 50. Alternatively, instead of the average power level a number corresponding to the sum of the power values of the detected signals (ie. ZPz where Pi is the detected power of the / th detected electrical signal) might be used. Alternatively, a more complex equation might be used to convert a received series of n electrical pulses of power Pi and duration Li into a number for identifying the identity of the styling attachment 40, such as i=l If the determined look up co-ordinates or determined ID value corresponds to an entry in the memory 50, this could be taken to indicate both the identity of the styling attachment 40 and that the styling attachment 40 was authentic and safe to use. Failure to identify a valid value corresponding to a styling attachment 40 might cause the styler body 3 not to operate. To account for errors in the detection or measurement of the electrical pulses the determined co-ordinate values or determined ID number might be required to correspond to valid values or a valid ID number subject to a permitted margin of error. In order to assist with accurate identification of a styling attachment 40, co-ordinate values or ID numbers corresponding to allowable styling attachments should be sufficiently separated from one another so that ambiguous results can be avoided. In the case of a styling attachment 40 with multiple heating elements 55 a series of electrical signals could be generated by sequentially activating those heating elements 55 when the styling attachment 40 is attached to a styler body 3 in order to measure the resistance of those heating elements 55. A further alternative to the identification systems described above would be for the length of an electrical pin to communicate the identity of a styling attachment 40 to a styler body 3. Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a pin 100 extending from a styling attachment 102 inserted into a receiving cavity 104 in a styler body 106 being used to identify the identity of the styling attachment 102. A proximity detector 108 is provided at the bottom of the receiving cavity in the styler body 106. In this embodiment the pin 100 has a length I which is used to convey the identity of the styling attachment 102. When the styling attachment 102 is mounted on the styler body 106, the pin 100 is inserted into the receiving cavity 104. The proximity detector 108 then measures the distance d to the pin 100. By mounting pins 100 of different lengths on different styling attachments 102, the detected distance d detected by the proximity detector 108 can be used to identify the identity of the styling attachment 102 being mounted on the styler body 106. Another alternative arrangement for identifying a styling attachment 40 being mounted on a styler body 3 is illustrated in Figures 12A &12B. Figures 12A &12B show an alternative arrangement of a pin 100 extending from a styling attachment inserted into a cavity 104 in a styler body 106. In this embodiment, the cavity 104 reduces in width in a step-like fashion. The width of the portion 110 of the styling attachment where the pin 100 is mounted is then used to identify the identity of the styling attachment. This is achieved by having different styling attachments having different widths, where the pin 100 is mounted. The difference in shape then allows the pin to enter into the cavity 104 to a lesser or greater extent depending upon the width of the portion 110 of the styling attachment where the pin 100 is mounted. Thus, for example, in the case of the styling attachment of Figure 12A where the portion 110 of the styling attachment where the pin 100 is mounted has a width w1, the pin is located in the position indicated in Figure 12A when the styling attachment is mounted on the styler body 106. In contrast, where the portion 110 of the styling attachment where the pin 100 is mounted has a narrower width w2 as is indicated in Figure 12B the pin 100 is able to protrude deeper into the cavity 104. In embodiments the positioning of the pin 100 within the cavity 104 can move a slide switch (not shown) within the cavity 104 to different positions and thereby indicate the identity of the styling attachment on which the pin 100 is mounted to a microprocessor 48 within the styler body 106. Modifications and Alternatives Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording "an embodiment," or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term "an embodiment," or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed. Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as "another embodiment," the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language "another embodiment." The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and / or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly. It will be appreciated that although in the above-described embodiments various elements (e.g. chip 88, antenna 90, connectors 92,94, pins 100 and cavities 104) have been described as being provided or mounted on a styler body 3 or a styling attachment 40, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the positions of those elements might be reversed. Although in the above-described embodiments, a styler body 3 has been described as being provided with a specific set of styling attachments 5-15, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments a set of styling attachments 5-15 might comprise more or fewer styling attachments and that a set of styling attachments might include other attachments other than the ones described. While the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is1. A hair drying and / or styling appliance operable for use with a plurality of styling attachments, comprising:a styler body;an attachment mechanism for detachably fixing a styling attachment to the styler body;an attachment detector operable to identify which of a plurality of styling attachments is mounted on the styler body;a power connector operable to provide an electrical connection to a styling attachment mounted on the styler body; andcontrol circuitry responsive to the identification of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body to selectively cause drive circuitry connected to the power connector to provide power to the power connector on the basis of the identification of the styling attachment mounted on the styler body.

2. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of styling attachments comprise one or more styling attachments selected from a list comprising curler barrel attachments; barrelled brush attachments curler attachments using the Coanda effect; root lift brush attachments; blast dryer attachments; and paddle brush attachments.

3. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the styler body comprises a handle portion and the power connector is provided at one end of the handle portion.

4. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-3, wherein the styler body further comprises a protruding section wherein the plurality of styling attachments are operable to be attached by being sleeved on the protruding section of the styler body.

5. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with claim 4 wherein the power connector is provided at an end of the protruding section remote from the handle portion.

6. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a latching mechanism; a screw thread; a magnetic attachment mechanism, a press fit attachment mechanism, a bayonet attachment mechanism or a push and twist attachment mechanism.

7. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the control circuitry comprises a microprocessor and a memory storing processor control code for implementing control methods for activating drive circuitry based upon the identification of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body.

8. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the attachment detector comprises a radio antenna operable to detect an ID of a chip mounted on a styling attachment to identify the identity of the styling attachment.

9. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the attachment detector comprises an array of electrical connectors operable to receive an array of electrical pins provided on a styling attachment, wherein the control circuitry is operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment on the basis of the number and / or locations of electrical connections made via the array of electrical connectors.

10. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-8 wherein the attachment detector is operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by analysing a series of electrical signals received from a styling attachment mounted on the styler body generated when the styling attachment is mounted on the styler body.

11. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with claim 10 wherein the attachment detector is operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment onthe basis of the strength and / or duration of electrical signals received from a styling attachment mounted on the styler body.

12. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-8, wherein the attachment detector comprises a sensor operable to detect the location of an electrical pin mounted on the body of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body and determine the identity of a styling attachment on the basis of the location of the electrical pin.

13. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with claim 12 wherein the sensor comprises a proximity sensor wherein the proximity sensor is operable to detect the proximity of an electrical pin mounted on the body of a styling attachment inserted into a cavity within the styler body.

14. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-8 wherein the attachment detector is operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by measuring the resistance of one or more portions of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body.

15. A hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-8 wherein the attachment detector is operable to identify the identity of a styling attachment by measuring the resistance of one or more heating elements of a styling attachment mounted on the styler body.

16. A styling attachment for use with the hair drying and / or styling appliance, comprising an attachment identifier operable to identify the identity of the styling attachment to the attachment detector of a hair drying and / or styling appliance.

17. A styling attachment in accordance with claim 16, wherein the attachment identifier comprises a chip storing an ID for the styling attachment operable to be read by an antenna.

18. A styling attachment in accordance with claim 16, wherein the attachment identifier comprises an array of electrical pins operable to be inserted into an electrical connector provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance.

19. A styling attachment in accordance with claim 16, wherein the attachment identifier comprises an electrical pin operable to be inserted into a cavity provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance.

20. A styling attachment in accordance with any of claims 16-19 wherein the styling 5 attachment comprises a power connector operable to receive power from a power connector provided on a hair drying and / or styling appliance to which the styling attachment is mounted and one or more heating elements operable to be powered by power received from the power connector.

21. A styling attachment in accordance with any of claims 16-20 wherein the styling 10 attachment is a styling attachment selected from a list comprising a curler barrel attachment; a barrelled brush attachment; a Curler attachment using the Coanda effect; a root lift brush attachment; a blast dryer attachment; and a paddle brush attachment.

22. A hair styling system comprising:15 a hair drying and / or styling appliance in accordance with any of claims 1-15; andone or more styling attachments in accordance with any of claims 16-21.

Images