Electric razor

Abstract

To accurately detect property of hair even in the case of white hair.SOLUTION: An electric shaver 100 includes a gripping part 110, and a head part 120 connected to one end of the gripping part 110, includes an imaging device 131 for imaging vicinity of skin contacted by a shaving part 121, an illumination device 160 for irradiating a region to be imaged by the imaging device 131 with light of a different spectrum, and an image processing device 150 for processing the image obtained from the imaging device 131, wherein the image processing device 150 includes an imaging control part 157 for controlling the illumination device 160 and the imaging device 131 for individually emitting light of a different spectrum and imaging the region, and a property information generation part 151 for generating property information indicating property of hair on the basis of the image imaged by the imaging device 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric shaver for cutting body hair such as facial hair. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a shaving guidance system has been proposed that includes an imaging device that records images of a user's body part, and that determines the local hair growth direction based on the captured image, and instructs the user in the direction and location in which a shaving device should be moved on the body based on the determined hair growth direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-534806 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional systems, when there is little difference in color between the skin and hair - for example, the white hair of a person with fair skin - the difference in color between the skin and hair is small, making it difficult to separate the skin and hair using image processing, and making it difficult to obtain information about the properties of the hair.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an electric shaver that is capable of detecting the properties of body hair even if the color tone of the body hair is only slightly different from that of the skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention is an electric razor comprising a gripping portion held by a user and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the gripping portion, the electric razor also comprising an imaging device that images the area near the skin against which the shaving portion contacts, an illumination device that can irradiate light of different spectra onto an area imaged by the imaging device, and an image processing device that processes images obtained from the imaging device, the image processing device comprising an imaging control portion that controls the illumination device and the imaging device so as to individually irradiate light of different spectra to capture images, and a property information generation portion that generates property information indicating the properties of body hair based on the image captured by the imaging device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by irradiating light of different spectra separately, it is possible to effectively separate skin and body hair, and to detect the properties of body hair with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a head unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of light irradiated onto the skin and the reflectance characteristic rate. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functional units of the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functional units according to another example of the image processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electric shaver according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical expressions, contents of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiment are examples, and may include contents not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical strictness, and include errors, deviations, etc. that are substantially acceptable. In addition, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include a substantially acceptable range.

[0010] In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omissions, or ratios have been appropriately adjusted in order to explain the present invention, and the shapes, positional relationships, and ratios are different from the actual ones.

[0011] In addition, in the following, a plurality of inventions may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below are described as optional components related to the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric shaver. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the head of the electric shaver. Note that the electric shaver 100 has rounded edges and has portions with unevenness for preventing slipping, but these are not shown in the figures.

[0013] The electric shaver 100 is a device that cuts and removes body hair such as whiskers using an electric blade, and includes a gripping unit 110, a head unit 120, an imaging device 131, an illumination device 160, and an image processing device 150 (not shown in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the electric shaver 100 includes an alarm device 140.

[0014] The grip part 110 is a portion that is gripped by a user when using the electric shaver 100. In the present embodiment, the grip part 110 functions as a housing that houses an image processing device 150, a control device that controls the drive of the shaving blade, a battery, etc. On the outer surface of the grip part 110, a power switch 111 for turning the power on and off, an input button 112 for receiving input from the user, etc. are provided.

[0015] Head unit 120 has shaving part 121 equipped with a blade for cutting body hair, and is a member connected to one end of grip unit 110. In the present embodiment, head unit 120 is connected to grip unit 110 so as to be movable relative to it. The direction of movement of head unit 120 is not particularly limited, but electric shaver 100 can swing in circumferential directions about axes in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction in the figure), width direction Y (Y-axis direction in the figure), and up-down direction (Z-axis direction in the figure).

[0016] The shaving unit 121 includes a plurality of first outer blades 122 (four in this embodiment) in the front-rear direction, each of which has a semi-cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and a mesh-like through hole, and a second outer blade 123 having a slit-like through hole disposed between the first outer blades 122. The first outer blade 122 and the second outer blade 123 are attached to a head frame 124, and the shaving unit 121 is detachable from a head base 125.

[0017] A first inner cutter (not shown) corresponding to the first outer cutter 122 and a second inner cutter (not shown) corresponding to the second outer cutter 123 are arranged inside the head unit 120, and an inner cutter drive device is provided for reciprocatingly vibrating each of the first inner cutter and second inner cutter in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure). By vibrating the first inner cutter and second inner cutter with the inner cutter drive device, body hair inserted into the through holes of the first outer cutter 122 and second outer cutter 123 is cut between the vibrating first inner cutter and second inner cutter.

[0018] The imaging device 131 is a device that captures an image of the vicinity of the skin against which the shaving unit 121 comes into contact. In the case of this embodiment, the imaging device 131 has an angle of view that can capture an image of the skin of a length corresponding to the entire first outer blade 122 and second outer blade 123 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction in the figure), which are outer blades, and a length of skin corresponding to the entire width of the first outer blade 122 (Y-axis direction in the figure) in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) at once when the shaving unit 121 is in contact with the skin. This makes it possible to accurately capture images of the state of the body hair and skin immediately before and after shaving.

[0019] The type of the imaging device 131 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a so-called digital camera equipped with an optical system including a lens and an imaging element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal. In the case of this embodiment, the imaging device 131 is capable of capturing an image with any of the different spectrums of light emitted by the illumination device 160.

[0020] The imaging device 131 is fixed to the head base 125 of the head unit 120, and the imaging device 131 also operates together with the movement of the head unit 120 relative to the grip unit 110. This allows the distance between the skin and the imaging device 131 to be stabilized even during shaving with the electric shaver 100, and allows a clearer image to be captured. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 131 is attached to the center of the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) of the board 133 that protrudes forward from the front side (X-side in the figure) of the head base 125. This is preferable because the imaging device 131 does not get in the way when attaching and detaching the head frame 124. In addition, an illumination device 160 such as an LED that illuminates the skin within the angle of view of the imaging device 131 is attached to the board 133. The board 133, the imaging device 131, and the illumination device 160 are covered by a cover 134.

[0021] The lighting device 160 is a device that can irradiate light of different spectra to an area imaged by the imaging device 131. The respective spectra that the lighting device 160 irradiates to a predetermined area are not particularly limited, but an example is the lighting device 160 including light sources that emit light with different maximum peak wavelengths. The light source included in the lighting device 160 may be an LED (light emitting diode) or the like that emits light of a substantially single wavelength, or may be a light source including an element that emits excitation light such as an LED or laser light, and a wavelength conversion material that converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the element. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the lighting device 160 includes a first light source 161 that emits light of a spectrum having a maximum peak in a wavelength range (a) of 620 nm or more, and a second light source 162 that emits light of a spectrum having a maximum peak in a wavelength range (b) of 580 nm or less. When light of a spectrum having a maximum peak in a wavelength range (a) of 620 nm or more is irradiated to the skin, the reflectance characteristic rate of the skin becomes relatively high, and the contrast with black body hair can be made prominent. Furthermore, when light having a spectrum with a maximum peak in the wavelength region (b) of 580 nm or less is irradiated, the reflectance characteristic coefficient of the skin becomes relatively low, and the contrast with the white body hair can be made prominent. In particular, when light having a spectrum with a maximum peak in the wavelength region of 540 to 580 nm is irradiated to the skin, the relative reflectance characteristic coefficient of melanin and hemoglobin becomes low, which is preferable.

[0022] Both the primary light source 161 and the secondary light source 162 illuminate the entire area imaged by the imaging device 131. The primary light source 161 and the secondary light source 162 are attached to the board 133 on which the imaging device 131 is attached.

[0023] The notification device 140 is a device that notifies the user of the processing result of the image processing device 150. The notification method of the notification device 140 is not particularly limited, and examples include methods of notifying by sound (including voice), light, vibration, electrical stimulation, and combinations of these. In the case of this embodiment, the notification device 140 is a device that notifies information by light, and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements such as LEDs arranged around the periphery of the end of the grip part 110 on the head part 120 side. The notification device 140 is capable of changing at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light.

[0024] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional parts of the image processing device. The image processing device 150 is a device that controls the lighting device 160 and the imaging device 131 and processes images obtained from the imaging device 131, and includes an imaging control unit 157 and a property information generating unit 151 as processing units realized by causing a processor to execute a program. In the case of this embodiment, the image processing device 150 includes a shaving information generating unit 152, a result notifying unit 153, and an information acquiring unit 154.

[0025] The imaging control unit 157 controls the illumination device 160 so as to individually irradiate light of different spectra, and controls the imaging device 131 so that the imaging timing of the imaging device 131 is synchronized with the timing at which the illumination device 160 individually irradiates light. In the case of this embodiment, the imaging control unit 157 controls the illumination device 160 so that the first light source 161 and the second light source 162 emit light alternately, and controls the imaging device 131 so as to perform imaging in accordance with the timing at which the first light source 161 and the second light source 162 each emit light.

[0026] The property information generating unit 151 processes the images captured by the imaging device 131 using light of different spectra irradiated onto a predetermined area, and generates property information indicating the property of the hair. The property information is information including at least one of the length of the hair, the direction in which the hair grows, and the density of the hair, for example.

[0027] An example of a case where the attribute information generating unit 151 generates attribute information indicating, for example, the length of body hair will be described. The attribute information generating unit 151 performs processing to enhance the contrast of each image based on light of multiple different spectra acquired by the information acquiring unit 154. For example, the attribute information generating unit 151 enhances the luminance contrast by performing gradation conversion on the luminance of each pixel of the image such that the change in output gradation relative to the input gradation is increased. Note that before or after this contrast enhancement, fine noise such as unevenness of the skin may be removed by applying a low-pass filter to the image.

[0028] Next, the property information generating unit 151 performs contour extraction on the contrast-enhanced image. More specifically, the property information generating unit 151 performs binarization (whitening / blackening) in which white pixels are output when the luminance difference with the surrounding pixels is equal to or greater than a threshold, and black pixels are output when the luminance difference is less than the threshold, and then performs expansion / contraction processing to remove fine noise. The expansion / contraction processing refers to an expansion processing in which a pixel of interest is replaced with white if there is even one white pixel around the pixel of interest, and a contraction processing in which a pixel of interest is replaced with black if there is even one black pixel around the pixel of interest. This contour extraction results in an image showing the contours of individual body hairs.

[0029] Here, the property information generating unit 151 may extract the contours of the body hair from multiple images of the same region captured based on light irradiated with different spectra, and integrate the contours in the multiple images. This makes it possible to effectively generate property information of the body hair even in cases where black and white body hairs are mixed, such as when black and white body hairs grow in approximately the same ratio. In addition, the property information generating unit 151 may compare multiple images of the same region captured based on light irradiated with different spectra, and select one image according to a predetermined condition, such as the image with the largest number of extracted contours. This makes it possible to obtain property information that accurately indicates the property of the body hair of the color that grows more abundantly out of black and white body hairs.

[0030] Next, the property information generating unit 151 calculates a circumscribing rectangle for each region whose contour has been extracted. Specifically, the property information generating unit 151 calculates a circumscribing rectangle for each region whose contour has been extracted such that the rectangular contour comes into contact with the region corresponding to the extracted body hair. That is, for black body hair, a circumscribing rectangle surrounding the black portion is calculated, and for white body hair, a circumscribing rectangle surrounding the white portion is calculated. However, the method of calculating the circumscribing rectangle is not limited to this method, and other methods may be used as long as they can calculate a rectangle covering the contour of the body hair to estimate the length of the body hair. By the above processing, an image showing a rectangle circumscribing the region corresponding to each body hair is obtained.

[0031] Next, the property information generating unit 151 calculates the length of the long side of each calculated circumscribing rectangle to identify the length of each body hair. To identify the length of the long side, the long side is set as the hypotenuse, and the lengths of the two perpendicular sides of a right-angled triangle including two sides along the perpendicular direction in which the pixels are arranged are calculated (number of pixels x pixel interval, respectively), and the length of the long side, which is the hypotenuse, is calculated using Pythagoras' theorem. Alternatively, the direction of the body hair may be calculated as property information from the lengths of the two perpendicular sides.

[0032] (Hair length, direction) In this way, the length and direction of each hair is identified from the image captured by the imaging device 131. Furthermore, the property information generating unit 151 statistically processes the lengths and directions of multiple hairs contained in the image to generate information representative of the lengths and directions of multiple hairs in the image as quantified property information. When performing statistical processing, the length of the hair may be used as a weight, or only data on hair lengths equal to or greater than a predetermined length threshold may be used.

[0033] (Hair Density) An example will be described in which the property information generating unit 151 generates property information indicating the density of body hair. The process is the same as above until the property information generating unit 151 generates an image indicating the contours of each body hair.

[0034] Next, the attribute information generating unit 151 calculates the area of ​​each region whose outline has been extracted, and calculates the total area of ​​each region in the image. Furthermore, the attribute information generating unit 151 generates the ratio of the total area of ​​the rectangular regions to the area of ​​the image as digitized attribute information indicating the density of body hair.

[0035] The shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information related to shaving based on the property information generated by the property information generating unit 151. The shaving information is information including at least one of a shaving direction and an end of shaving. For example, the shaving information generating unit 152 may generate shaving information indicating the end of shaving when the property information indicating the body hair length becomes equal to or less than a length threshold. The shaving information generating unit 152 may also generate shaving information indicating the end of shaving when the property information indicating the shaving density becomes equal to or less than a shaving density threshold. The shaving information generating unit 152 may also generate shaving information indicating a shaving direction, which is a direction in which the shaving unit 121 is moved relative to the skin.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the shaving information generating unit 152 may calculate a motion vector focusing on body hair or skin texture from images captured at a predetermined interval with the same light spectrum, and generate excessive speed shaving information when the speed obtained from the motion vector is equal to or greater than a speed threshold. Also, the shaving information generating unit 152 may calculate a blur width of body hair or skin texture from an image captured at a predetermined shutter speed (exposure time), and generate excessive speed shaving information when the speed obtained from the shutter speed and the blur width is equal to or greater than a speed threshold.

[0037] In addition, the shaving information generation unit 152 may store multiple thresholds with different values, such as a first length threshold that is 20% longer than the length threshold and a second length threshold that is 40% longer than the length threshold, and generate shaving information that increases or decreases in stages, such as shaving information according to stages of body hair length.

[0038] After the shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information indicating the end of shaving because the property information becomes below the length threshold, below the shaving density threshold, etc., and then generates further shaving information indicating the end of shaving based on the newly generated property information, the shaving information generating unit 152 may generate shaving information indicating over-shaving.

[0039] The result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to notify the user of the shaving information generated by the shaving information generation unit 152. For example, the result notification unit 153 notifies the user of the shaving information by controlling the light emitted by the light emitting device included in the notification device 140 to change at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern. When the length of the body hair is long, the result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to emit red light to notify the user that shaving is not yet complete, and when shaving information indicating the completion of shaving is obtained from the shaving information generation unit 152, the result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to emit blue light to notify the user that shaving is completed. Furthermore, when the user is shaving an area where body hair equal to or shorter than the length threshold exists, the notification device 140 may be controlled to flash red light to notify the user that shaving is over.

[0040] Furthermore, when the shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information that increases or decreases stepwise, the result notifying unit 153 may notify the user of the stepwise shaving information by controlling the light emitted by the light emitting device to change at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern stepwise. For example, the light intensity may be increased or decreased stepwise, or the blinking interval of the light emission may be increased or decreased stepwise.

[0041] According to the electric shaver 100 of the above embodiment, information about body hair can be extracted from each image captured by the imaging device 131 based on light of a plurality of spectra, regardless of the color of the body hair, and shaving information about the body hair can be notified to the user. Therefore, the user can perform the shaving process while recognizing the speed at which the electric shaver 100 moves relative to the skin, the end of shaving in a predetermined area, etc., and can suppress damage to the skin and efficiently proceed with the shaving work regardless of the color of the body hair.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the components described in this specification may be combined in any manner, or some of the components may be removed to create another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the present invention also includes modifications that are made to the above-described embodiment by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, i.e., the meaning of the words in the claims.

[0043] For example, in the above embodiment, the case where light of different spectra is sequentially switched and irradiated onto the skin has been described, but as shown in Fig. 5, the image processing device 150 may have the information acquisition unit 154 acquire input information input by the user using the input button 112, and the imaging control unit 157 control the illumination device 160 and the imaging device 131 to irradiate only light of a spectrum corresponding to the input information and capture an image. This allows the user to recognize that they are shaving black body hair or white body hair, change the mode, and perform shaving, thereby speeding up the image processing.

[0044] Furthermore, the attribute information generating unit 151 may extract an image of a specific wavelength region from the acquired image and generate attribute information based on the extracted image. This may further enhance the contrast between body hair and skin.

[0045] Furthermore, although the notification device 140 equipped with a light-emitting element has been exemplified, the notification device 140 may be equipped with a sound generating device such as a speaker, a vibration device that generates vibrations in the grip portion 110, an electrical muscle stimulator that applies electrical stimulation to the hand that is gripping the grip portion 110, etc. With such notification device 140, it is possible to notify shaving information by changing the strength and generation pattern of sound (including voice) and vibration, and the strength and direction of the electrical stimulation.

[0046] In addition, in the above embodiment, a shaving unit 121 having four first outer blades 122 and one second outer blade 123, i.e., five outer blades in total, is exemplified, but the number of outer blades is not particularly limited, and the shaving unit 121 may have four or less, or six or more outer blades.

[0047] Also, the shaving section 121 may be one in which the inner blade rotates relative to the outer blade to shave.

[0048] The mounting position of the imaging device 131 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be mounted, for example, on the rear side (X+ side in the figure) or on the side (Y- side or Y+ side in the figure). It may also be mounted on the grip part 110. The number of imaging devices 131 is not limited to one, and may be mounted in multiple locations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention can be applied to electric shavers capable of shaving the body hair of animals including humans, such as so-called electric shavers for shaving beards and so-called clippers for shaving hair. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 110 Gripping part 111 Power switch 112 Input button 120 Head 121 Shaving section 122 First outer blade 123 Second outer blade 124 Head frame 125 Head base 131 Imaging Device 133 Substrate 134 Cover 140 Notification device 150 Image Processing Device 151 Property information generation section 152 Shaving information generation section 153 Results Notification Department 154 Information Acquisition Department 157 Imaging control section 160 Lighting Equipment 161 First light source 162 Second light source

Claims

1. An electric shaver comprising: a grip portion to be gripped by a user; and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion, an imaging device that images an image of the vicinity of the skin against which the shaving unit contacts; an illumination device having a first light source and a second light source capable of irradiating a region to be imaged by the imaging device with light of different spectra; an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the imaging device, The image processing device includes: an imaging control unit that controls the illumination device so that the first light source and the second light source alternately emit light, and controls the imaging device so that imaging is performed in accordance with the timing at which the first light source and the second light source emit light; a property information generating unit that generates property information indicating the property of body hair based on the image captured by the imaging device. Electric razor.

2. The image processing device includes: An information acquisition unit that acquires input information input by a user, The imaging control unit is The illumination device and the imaging device are controlled so as to irradiate light of a spectrum corresponding to input information and capture an image.

2. The electric shaver according to claim 1.

3. The lighting device includes: It is possible to irradiate light having a spectrum with a maximum peak in the wavelength region of 620 nm or more, and light having a spectrum with a maximum peak in the wavelength region of 580 nm or less.

3. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2.

Images