electric razor

Abstract

To detect a bottom and a tip of hair, and notify a user of the bottom and the tip.SOLUTION: An electric shaver 100 includes a gripping part 110, and a head part 120 having a shaving part 121, includes a first imaging device 131 for imaging vicinity of skin contacted by a shaving part 121, an image processing device 150 for processing an image obtained from the first imaging device 131, and a notification device 140 for notifying a user of a processing result of the image processing device, wherein the image processing device 150 includes a property information generation part 151 for generating direction information indicating a direction from one of a bottom and a tip of one hair to the other on the basis of a feature difference between the tip and the bottom of the hair, a shaving information generation part 152 for generating shaving information indicating a direction of operating the shaving part 121 on the basis of the direction information, and a result notification part 153 for controlling the notification device 140, and notifying a user of the shaving information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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, conventional technology detects the direction of body hair by using the actual image of the body hair and the shadow that appears on the skin, but if the shadow is not cast on the skin due to insufficient light intensity or the density of the body hair, the direction of the body hair cannot be detected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an electric shaver that can properly detect the direction of body hair growing out from the skin and notify the user of the direction. [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 handle portion held by a user and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the handle portion, the electric razor comprising a first imaging device for imaging the area near the skin where the shaving portion comes into contact, an image processing device for processing images obtained from the first imaging device, and an alarm device for notifying the user of the processing results of the image processing device, the image processing device comprising a property information generation unit for generating directional information indicating the direction from the root and tip of a single hair to the other based on differences in characteristics between the tip and root of the hair in the acquired image, a shaving information generation unit for generating shaving information indicating the direction in which the shaving portion should be operated based on the directional information, and a result alarm unit for controlling the alarm device to alarm the user with the shaving information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to inform the user of the proper shaving direction, thereby enabling the electric shaver to exhibit its inherent performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a head portion of the electric razor according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional units of the image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the pre-processing operation of the property information generating unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image processing at each step in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the property information generating unit according to the first embodiment to generate directional information. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image processing at each step in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a head portion of an electric razor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the notification device according to the second embodiment projects shaving information onto the skin. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the image processing device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another example of an 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] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric razor according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a head portion of the electric razor according to embodiment 1. Note that electric razor 100 has rounded edges and has portions provided with unevenness for preventing slipping, but these are not shown in the figures.

[0013] The electric razor 100 is a device that uses an electric blade to cut and remove body hair such as whiskers, and is equipped with a grip unit 110, a head unit 120, a first imaging device 131, an alarm device 140, and an image processing device 150 (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0014] The grip part 110 is a part that is gripped by a user when using the electric shaver 100. In the case of the present embodiment 1, 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, 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 case of the present embodiment 1, 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 the case of the first 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 first imaging device 131 is a device that images the vicinity of the skin against which the shaving unit 121 comes into contact. In the case of the first embodiment, the first 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), and a length of the skin of a length 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 first imaging device 131 is not particularly limited, and an example of the type is a so-called digital camera that has an optical system including a lens and an imaging element that converts the image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal.

[0020] The first imaging device 131 of the first embodiment is fixed to the head base 125 of the head unit 120, and the first imaging device 131 also moves together with the movement of the head unit 120 relative to the grip unit 110. This allows the distance between the skin and the first 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 first imaging device 131 is attached to a board 133 that protrudes forward from the front side (X-side in the figure) surface of the head base 125. This is preferable because the first imaging device 131 does not get in the way when attaching or detaching the head frame 124. In addition, an illumination device 135 such as an LED that illuminates the skin within the angle of view of the first imaging device 131 is attached to the board 133. The board 133, the first imaging device 131, and the illumination device 135 are covered by a cover 134.

[0021] 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 a method of notifying by sound (including voice), light, vibration, electrical stimulation, and a combination of these. In the case of the first 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 on 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. A specific method of notifying shaving information will be described later.

[0022] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional parts of the image processing device. The image processing device 150 is a device for processing images obtained from the first imaging device 131, and includes a property information generating part 151, a shaving information generating part 152, and a result notifying part 153 as processing parts realized by causing a processor to execute a program. In the case of the first embodiment, the image processing device 150 includes an information acquiring part 154.

[0023] The attribute information generating unit 151 generates directional information indicating the direction from one end of the root to the other end of a single hair based on the difference in characteristics between the tip and root of the hair in the image acquired from the first imaging device 131 via the information acquiring unit 154. An example of a case where the attribute information generating unit 151 generates directional information will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the pre-processing operation of the attribute information generating unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image processing at each step in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 also shows an image of a beard as an example of hair. More specifically, (a) to (c) in FIG. 5 show example images obtained by contrast enhancement (S100), contour extraction (S101), and calculation of a circumscribing rectangle (S102) in FIG. 4, respectively.

[0024] First, the property information generating unit 151 performs a process to enhance contrast on the image of body hair acquired by the information acquiring unit 154 from the first imaging device 131 (S100 in FIG. 4). For example, the property 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. As a result, a high-contrast image as shown in FIG. 5(a) is obtained. Note that before or after this contrast enhancement, a low-pass filter may be applied to the image to remove fine noise such as unevenness due to skin texture.

[0025] Next, the property information generating unit 151 performs contour extraction on the image obtained in step S100 (S101 in FIG. 4). More specifically, the property information generating unit 151 performs binarization (whitening / blackening) on ​​the image obtained in step S100, 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 whisker regions, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0026] Next, the property information generating unit 151 calculates a circumscribing rectangle for each region whose contour has been extracted from the image obtained in step S101 (S102 in FIG. 4). Specifically, the property information generating unit 151 calculates a circumscribing rectangle for each region whose contour has been extracted so that each of the four sides is in contact with the contour of the extracted body hair. However, the method of calculating the circumscribing rectangle is not limited to this method, and any other method may be used as long as it is possible to calculate a rectangle that covers the contour of the body hair to estimate the length of the body hair. In addition, the rectangle includes not only a rectangle but also a square. In this step, a rectangle is calculated because a rectangle whose vertices are right-angled is more convenient for specifying the length and calculating the change in brightness, but a shape other than a rectangle may be calculated as long as it is not an obstacle to specifying the length or the direction. By this process, an image showing a rectangle circumscribing each whisker region is obtained, as shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0027] Next, the property information generator 151 specifies the length of each hair by calculating the length of the long side of each circumscribing rectangle calculated in step S12 (S103 in FIG. 4). To specify the length of the long side, the long side is treated as the hypotenuse, and the lengths of the two perpendicular sides of a right triangle including two sides along the orthogonal direction in which the pixels are arranged (respectively, the number of pixels x pixel spacing) are calculated, and the length of the long side that is the hypotenuse is calculated using Pythagoras' theorem.

[0028] In this way, the length of the body hair is identified from the captured image as information for generating directional information. For example, the property information generating unit 151 may generate directional information by statistically processing the directions of multiple body hairs that appear in the image and have a length equal to or greater than a threshold value. Alternatively, the property information generating unit 151 may generate directional information by statistically processing the directions of multiple body hairs while weighting them based on the length of the body hair.

[0029] Next, a method for generating directional information will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the property information generating unit for generating directional information. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image processing at each step in Fig. 6. More specifically, (a) to (d) in Fig. 7 respectively show an image to be processed ("input image"), a luminance signal of the input image (on line AB), a result of high-pass filtering (S200) in Fig. 6, and a result of negative clipping (S201).

[0030] The property information generating unit 151 identifies the direction of the hair and generates directional information as property information for each image surrounded by a circumscribing rectangle calculated by pre-processing (i.e., an image of a region surrounded by a circumscribing rectangle in an original image surrounded by a circumscribing rectangle) in the following procedure. For example, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 7, the image surrounded by a circumscribing rectangle has a gradation that becomes darker toward the tip at the root (hair root) ("A") of the hair, and at the tip ("B") of the hair, a large luminance difference occurs across the contour. In other words, unlike the tip, the root is embedded under the skin, so the contrast between the hair and the skin is small. The property information generating unit 151 generates directional information by utilizing such image features at the root and tip of the hair. Note that (b) of FIG. 7 shows the luminance signal (on the straight line AB) in the longitudinal direction of the hair.

[0031] Furthermore, the root of the hair may include at least a part of the part of the hair that is covered by the skin and a part of the hair that is exposed from the skin.

[0032] The property information generating unit 151 may generate direction information by extending the calculated circumscribing rectangle in the longitudinal direction of the circumscribing rectangle. Even if one side of the circumscribing rectangle calculated by the property information generating unit 151 is located at the boundary between the tip or root of the hair and the skin, it is possible to include the skin in addition to the tip and root of the hair by extending the specific range in the longitudinal direction of the circumscribing rectangle. This makes it easier to identify the direction based on the characteristic of gradual changes in brightness that appear at the root of the hair because it is hidden under the skin.

[0033] The characteristic information generating unit 151 applies a high-pass filter to an original image surrounded by a circumscribing rectangle as shown in (a) and (b) of Fig. 7 (S200 in Fig. 6). Specifically, the characteristic information generating unit 151 applies a high-pass filter with a transfer function represented by (1-2z^(-1)+z^(-2)) / 4 to the luminance signal on the line AB shown in (b) of Fig. 7. Note that "^" indicates a power. As a result, the output signal shown in (c) of Fig. 7 is obtained.

[0034] Next, the property information generating unit 151 performs negative clip processing on the output signal shown in Fig. 7(c) (S201 in Fig. 6). Specifically, the property information generating unit 151 performs processing to replace negative values ​​in the output signal shown in Fig. 7(c) with zero. As a result, the output signal shown in Fig. 7(d) is obtained.

[0035] Next, the property information generating unit 151 identifies the direction of a single hair (here, whiskers) by recognizing that the end where a high peak appears (here, "B") in the output signal shown in FIG. 7(d) is the tip of the hair and the end where a low peak appears (here, "A") is the root of the hair (S202 in FIG. 6). The property information generating unit 151 then assigns information indicating that the end is the root to the end recognized as the root, and assigns information indicating that the end is the tip to the end recognized as the tip. The property information generating unit 151 then generates a vector from the root to the tip or a vector from the tip to the root using the inclination of the long side of the circumscribed rectangle for a single hair. When the features of both ends of a hair in the image indicate the tip, the property information generating unit 151 generates directional information excluding that hair.

[0036] The property information generating unit 151 performs the above process for multiple body hairs in one image to calculate multiple vectors, and performs statistical processing on these multiple vectors to generate directional information (S203 in FIG. 6). The method of statistical processing is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, calculating an average value. Furthermore, the property information generating unit 151 may perform the above process only for multiple body hairs that are equal to or greater than a length threshold. Furthermore, statistical processing may be performed using the length of the body hair as a weight.

[0037] The shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving unit 121 is to be operated based on the directional information generated by the property information generating unit 151. The shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information by classifying the directional information generated by the property information generating unit 151 into a plurality of directions (e.g., eight directions), for example.

[0038] In addition, the shaving information generating unit 152 may calculate a motion vector focusing on body hair and skin texture from images captured at a predetermined interval, and generate shaving information corresponding to the degree of match between the motion vector and the directional information.

[0039] The result notifying unit 153 controls the notifying device 140 to notify the user of the shaving information generated by the shaving information generating unit 152. For example, the result notifying unit 153 controls the light emitted from a plurality of light emitting devices (eight in the case of the present embodiment 1) included in the notifying device 140 to change at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light emitting devices at positions corresponding to the shaving information classified into eight directions as directional information, thereby notifying the user of the shaving information.

[0040] In addition, the result notification unit 153 may notify the shaving information by changing at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light-emitting device according to the shaving information corresponding to the degree of match between the motion vector and the direction information.

[0041] According to the electric razor 100 of the first embodiment, the direction from the root to the tip of the body hair (or vice versa) can be detected from the image obtained from the first imaging device 131, and shaving information indicating the shaving direction can be accurately notified to the user. Therefore, the user can perform the shaving process while recognizing the optimal direction in which to move the electric razor 100 relative to the skin, and can efficiently proceed with the shaving operation while making the most of the performance of the electric razor 100 and minimizing damage to the skin.

[0042] In addition, even if hair debris produced during shaving adheres to the skin, directional information is generated by excluding hair for which no data exists at the base, thereby reducing false positives and reporting accurate directional information.

[0043] In addition, by generating directional information based on body hair in the image that is longer than a certain length, directional information regarding shaving directions with high priority can be generated, and effective shaving directions can be notified to the user.

[0044] In addition, in the statistical processing for generating directional information, the directional information is generated by weighting each body hair according to its length, so that directional information can be generated for shaving directions with high priority, and the user can be informed of effective shaving directions.

[0045] Furthermore, by providing the notification device 140 with a light emitting element, it becomes possible to easily notify the user of shaving information by changing the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light.

[0046] (Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the electric shaver 100 will be described. Note that parts having the same actions, functions, shapes, mechanisms, and structures as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. Also, the following description will be centered on the points that are different from the first embodiment, and the description of the same contents may be omitted.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric razor according to embodiment 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a head portion of the electric razor according to embodiment 2. The electric razor 100 according to embodiment 2 includes a grip portion 110, a head portion 120, a first imaging device 131, an alarm device 140, and an image processing device 150, similar to the electric razor 100 according to embodiment 1. The electric razor 100 according to embodiment 2 includes a second imaging device 132.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the notification device 140 is a device that projects shaving information 210 onto the skin by light to notify the user 200. The notification device 140 according to the second embodiment is a so-called projector that is attached to the board 133 on which the first imaging device 131 is attached. A specific example of the notification device 140 is a device that includes a plurality of LED light sources arranged in a matrix and an optical system that forms an image of shaving information, such as an arrow drawn based on the plurality of LED light sources, on the skin surface. Another example of the notification device 140 is a device that projects the shaving information onto the skin surface using a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a matrix. The notification device 140 may combine notifications by sound (including voice), vibration, and electrical stimulation, and may notify by superimposing the color, intensity, and blinking pattern of light.

[0049] The second imaging device 132 is a device that images a wider area than the first imaging device 131 when the shaving part 121 is in contact with the skin. The second imaging device 132 of the present embodiment is fixed to the end of the grip part 110 on the opposite side to the head part 120, and has an angle of view that can image, for example, the entire cheek on one side when the shaving part 121 is in contact with the skin.

[0050] 11 is a block diagram showing another example of an image processing device according to embodiment 2. The image processing device 150 is a device for processing images obtained from the first imaging device 131 and the second imaging device 132, and includes, as in embodiment 1, a property information generating unit 151, a shaving information generating unit 152, a result notifying unit 153, and an information acquiring unit 154 as processing units realized by causing a processor to execute a program. In the case of embodiment 2, the image processing device 150 further includes a skin surface shape estimating unit 155 and a correcting unit 156.

[0051] Skin surface shape estimation unit 155 generates skin surface shape information indicating the uneven shape of the skin surface, for example, the surface of one cheek, based on an image with a relatively wide angle of view obtained from second imaging device 132 via information acquisition unit 154. The method of estimating the skin surface shape by skin surface shape estimation unit 155 is not particularly limited, but an example is a method in which a mesh pattern or a dot pattern arranged vertically and horizontally is projected onto the skin surface using notification device 140 or other projection device, and the uneven shape of the skin surface is estimated based on distortion of the pattern captured by second imaging device 132 to generate skin surface shape information.

[0052] Correction unit 156 generates a correction value when result notification unit 153 controls notification device 140 to project shaving information onto the skin surface based on the skin surface shape information generated by skin surface shape estimation unit 155. Result notification unit 153 controls the notification device based on the correction value from correction unit 156 to notify the user of shaving information such as directional information. As a result, shaving information such as an arrow is projected in a shape with reduced distortion regardless of the uneven shape of the face, so that the user of electric shaver 100 can easily understand information such as the shaving direction.

[0053] According to the electric shaver 100 of the first and second embodiments, the direction of the hair from the root to the tip can be detected based on an image, and the direction in which the shaving part 121 should be moved to shave efficiently can be notified as shaving information based on the direction in which the hair grows relative to the electric shaver 100. The user who has grasped the notified shaving information can reciprocate the shaving part 121 by pressing the shaving part 121 against the skin relatively strongly when moving the shaving part 121 in the direction from the tip to the root of the hair, and by pressing the shaving part 121 against the skin relatively weakly when moving the shaving part 121 in the opposite direction. This allows the hair to be effectively introduced into the through-holes provided in the outer blade, and the shaving operation can be efficiently performed. In addition, the shaving operation can be completed without always pressing the shaving part 121 strongly against the skin and reciprocating it, so that the hair can be effectively treated while suppressing damage to the skin.

[0054] In addition, since the direction of the body hair can be detected while excluding hair clippings adhering to the skin, shaving information can be notified to the user more accurately.

[0055] In addition, by detecting the direction of body hair based on body hair in the image that is longer than a certain length, and then weighting the body hair according to its length to statistically detect the length of the body hair, shaving information can be detected more accurately and notified to the user.

[0056] Moreover, with electric shaver 100 according to embodiment 2, shaving information indicating the direction in which shaving unit 121 should be operated is projected onto the skin to inform the user, thereby making it possible to assist the user in the shaving direction more accurately. Furthermore, by projecting the direction in which shaving unit 121 should be operated according to the uneven shape of the skin onto the skin, it is possible to assist the user in the shaving direction without misleading the user.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The property information generating unit 151 may generate property information including at least one of length information indicating the length of the body hair and density information indicating the density of the body hair. The shaving information generating unit 152 may generate an incomplete region where the shaving process has not been completed based on the property information including at least one of the length information and density information, and the result notifying unit 153 may control the notifying device 140 to notify the user of the incomplete region.

[0059] For example, the attribute information generation unit 151 calculates the area of ​​each region whose contour has been extracted as described in the contour extraction step (S101) of embodiment 1, and calculates the total area of ​​each region in the image. Furthermore, the attribute information generation unit 151 generates the ratio of the total area of ​​the rectangular regions to the area of ​​the image as quantified attribute information indicating the density of body hair.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the judgment unit 157 may generate an unfinished area where the shaving process has not yet been completed based on at least one of the judgment criteria that the length information obtained from the property information generation unit 151 is equal to or greater than a predetermined length threshold and that the density information is equal to or greater than a predetermined density threshold.

[0061] The result notification unit 153 may control the notification device 140 to notify the user of the incomplete area by, for example, illuminating the incomplete area in red.

[0062] The notification device 140 may also apply an electric stimulus to the user by energizing the grip, and may apply a load in the shaving direction that matches the directional information. This allows the user to perceive that the body hair is being shaved tightly in a specific direction, and to recognize the direction in which to operate the shaving unit 121.

[0063] 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, a stimulating device that applies electrical stimulation to the user holding the grip portion 110 to give a pseudo-feel of weight and thereby encourage the movement of the head portion 120 to be slower, etc. With such a notification device 140, it is possible to notify shaving information by changing the intensity and generation pattern of sound (including voice), vibration, stimulation, etc.

[0064] 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.

[0065] Also, the shaving section 121 may be one in which the inner blade rotates relative to the outer blade to shave.

[0066] The attachment position of the first imaging device 131 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be attached to the rear side (X+ side in the figure) or the side (Y- side or Y+ side in the figure), or may be attached to the grip part 110. The number of first imaging devices 131 is not limited to one, and may be attached to multiple locations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] 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]

[0068] 100 Electric Razor 110 Gripping part 111 Power switch 120 Head 121 Shaving section 122 First outer blade 123 Second outer blade 124 Head frame 125 Head base 131 First Imaging Device 132 Second Imaging Device 133 Substrate 134 Cover 135 Lighting Equipment 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 155 Skin surface shape estimation section 156 Correction Unit 157 Judgment Department 200 users 210 Shaving Information

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, a first imaging device that images an image of an area near the skin that the shaving unit contacts; an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the first imaging device; a notification device that notifies a user of a processing result of the image processing device, The image processing device includes: a property information generating unit that generates directional information indicating a direction from one of the root and the tip of a single hair to the other based on a difference in luminance between the tip and the root of the hair in the acquired image; a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving unit is to be operated based on the direction information; a result notification unit that controls the notification device to notify a user of the shaving information. Electric razor.

2. The property information generating unit 2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein when the brightness at both ends of a hair in the image indicates the tip, the hair is excluded from the generated directional information.

3. The property information generating unit generating directional information by statistically processing the directions of a plurality of body hairs having a length equal to or greater than a threshold; 3. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The property information generating unit generating directional information by performing statistical processing on the directions of the multiple hairs while weighting the directions based on the length of the hairs; The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The notification device includes: A device that notifies information by using multiple lights, The result notification unit is The notification device is controlled to notify the user of the shaving information. The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The notification device includes: This is a device that projects information onto the skin using light. The result notification unit is The notification device is controlled to notify the user of the shaving information. The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The notification device includes: This is a device that projects information onto the skin using light. The property information generating unit generating property information including at least one of length information indicating the length of the body hair and density information indicating the density of the body hair; The shaving information generating unit includes: generating an incomplete region where the shaving process has not yet been completed based on the property information; The result notification unit is The notification device is controlled to notify the user of the unfinished area. The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a second imaging device that captures an image of a wider area than the first imaging device; The image processing device includes: a skin surface shape estimating unit that generates skin surface shape information indicating an uneven shape of the skin surface based on an image obtained from the second imaging device, The result notification unit is Using information on the shape of the skin surface, information is projected onto the skin using light with reduced distortion.

8. The electric shaver according to claim 6 or 7.

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