Providing guidance to users of personal care devices

Abstract

According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method 200 for providing guidance to a user of a personal care device 100 is provided, the method comprising step 202 receiving motion data from a sensor 104 of the personal care device indicative of movement of the personal care device during a time period during a personal care activity, step 204 calculating a speed at which the personal care device moves during the time period based on the motion data, step 206 comparing the calculated speed to a first predetermined speed threshold, and step 208 generating an instruction signal for delivery to a recipient device based on the comparison.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to providing guidance to users of personal care devices, and more particularly to providing guidance based on the manner in which the personal care device is operated. [Background technology]

[0002] A user may use a personal care device to perform a personal care activity, for example, a user may use a hair cutting device such as a hair trimmer to cut or trim hair (e.g., scalp and / or facial hair) or a skin cleansing device or brush to treat skin (e.g., cleansing treatments). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Based on the type of device, there may be an optimal speed at which the device should be moved over the part of the user's body being treated in order to obtain the desired results from the treatment.

[0004] If a user moves the personal care device too quickly during a personal care activity, the personal care device may not be in position long enough to fully perform its intended function. The user may need to repeat the personal care activity in a particular area to complete the treatment, which may take longer than necessary and lead to skin irritation. On the other hand, if a user moves the personal care device too slowly during a personal care activity, completing the personal care activity may take longer and result in unnecessary power usage and skin irritation.

[0005] It is known from EP 3974126 A1 that there is a shaving device incorporating an IMU sensor for measuring parameters relating to the movement of the shaving device and comparing these measured parameters with reference data. EP 3974126 A1 discloses that user input may be requested if the measured parameters deviate significantly from the reference data.

[0006] From EP 3546150 A1 an electric shaver is known which has a detector for detecting a behavioral parameter indicative of a user's behavior when handling the personal care device and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting at least one operating parameter of the working head based on the detected behavioral parameter.

[0007] Research shows that many users move their personal care devices too quickly or too slowly while using them.

[0008] It would therefore be beneficial to have a system that can provide guidance to the user regarding the speed at which the personal care device should be moved during use.

[0009] Moving a personal care device (e.g., a shaving device) too fast or too slow during a personal care activity can have detrimental effects, as discussed above. The present invention aims to provide guidance to users of personal care devices so that they recognize when a personal care activity is being performed too fast or too slow in order to obtain optimal benefits from the treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The inventors have recognized that for a particular personal care device, a maximum speed threshold can be established that represents the maximum speed at which a personal care activity can be optimally performed. A minimum speed threshold can also be determined. The present disclosure provides a mechanism by which the speed at which a personal care device is moved during use can be determined, and guidance can be provided to a user of the device based on a comparison of the determined speed with one or more thresholds.

[0011] According to a first specific aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for providing guidance to a user of a personal care device, the method comprising the steps of receiving motion data from a sensor of the personal care device indicative of movement of the personal care device during a time period during a personal care activity, calculating a speed at which the personal care device is moving during the time period based on the motion data, comparing the calculated speed with a first predetermined speed threshold, and generating an instruction signal for delivery to a recipient device based on the comparison.

[0012] In some embodiments, the motion data may include at least acceleration data indicative of acceleration of the personal care device at multiple instances during a time period, and calculating the velocity may include integrating the acceleration over the time period. Calculating the velocity may further include applying one or more filters to at least one of the received motion data and the calculated velocity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first predetermined speed threshold may comprise a speed at which the probability that the personal care device will perform its intended purpose at a predetermined quality level exceeds a predetermined probability threshold.

[0014] The first predetermined speed threshold may be determined based on the effective treatment length of the treatment element of the personal care device, the average treatment volume per stroke of the personal care device, and the time between treatments performed by the treatment element.

[0015] The personal care device, in some embodiments, may include a hair-cutting device with a cutting element, and the first predetermined speed threshold may be determined based on the effective cutting length of the cutting element of the personal care device, the average number of cuts per stroke of the cutting element, and the time between cuts made by the cutting element.

[0016] In some embodiments, generating an indication signal based on determining that the calculated speed exceeds a first predetermined speed threshold may include generating an indication to notify a user that they are moving the personal care device too fast.

[0017] The step of generating an indication signal based on determining that the calculated speed is less than the second predetermined speed threshold may include generating an indication signal including instructions to generate a warning to notify a user that they are moving the personal care device too slowly.

[0018] The instruction signal, in some embodiments, may comprise control instructions for controlling operating parameters of the personal care device.

[0019] In some embodiments, the computer-implemented method may further include storing an indication of the comparison in a storage device.

[0020] According to a second particular aspect, there is provided a personal care device having a sensor configured to measure motion data indicative of movement of the personal care device over a period of time during use in a personal care activity, and a processor configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

[0021] In some embodiments, the sensor may comprise an inertial measurement unit IMU that includes at least an accelerometer element and a gyroscope element.

[0022] The personal care device may include a hair-cutting device. The hair-cutting device may further include a cutting element for cutting hairs extending from the user's skin during a personal care activity. The predetermined speed threshold may comprise a speed at which the probability of cutting all hairs engaged by the cutting element exceeds a predetermined probability threshold.

[0023] According to a third specific aspect, a system is provided, comprising a personal care device having a sensor configured to measure motion data indicative of movement of the personal care device over a time period during a personal care activity, a display unit, a memory unit, and a processor, the processor calculating a speed at which the personal care device is moving during the time period based on the motion data, comparing the calculated speed with a predetermined speed threshold, and generating an indication signal based on the comparison for supply to the display unit to present an indication of the comparison, and for storing in the memory unit.

[0024] According to a fourth specific aspect, there is provided a computer program product including a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein, the computer-readable code being configured, when executed by a suitable computer or processor, to cause the computer or processor to perform the steps of the methods disclosed herein.

[0025] These and other aspects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a personal care device according to various embodiments. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart of an example method for providing guidance to a user of a personal care device, according to various embodiments. [Figure 3]1 is an illustration of an example portion of a cutting element of a personal care device. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the probability of performing an optimal treatment as a function of the speed at which the personal care device is moved. [Figure 5] 1 is an illustration of an example of guidance provided to a user according to various embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a further example of a personal care device according to various embodiments. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system according to various embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example processor in communication with a computer-readable medium. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a mechanism by which a user of a personal care device can be provided with guidance regarding the speed at which the personal care device should be moved during use. Sensors associated with the personal care device measure data that is used to determine the speed at which the device should be moved, and the determined speed is compared to one or more thresholds to determine, for example, whether the device is being moved too slowly, too quickly, or at an appropriate speed.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example device 100. In this example, the device 100 is a personal care device. The personal care device 100 includes a processor 102 and a sensor 104 in communication with the processor. The sensor 104 is configured to measure motion data indicative of the movement of the personal care device 100 over a period of time during use in a personal care activity. The processor 102 is configured to receive the motion data measured by the sensor 104 for further processing, as described in more detail herein. The sensor 104 can include any type of sensor capable of measuring motion data. In some embodiments, the sensor 104 can have or include an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration experienced by the personal care device. For example, the sensor 104 includes a three-axis accelerometer. In other examples, the sensor 104 can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) including at least an accelerometer element and a gyroscope element. The accelerometer element is configured to measure acceleration data, and the gyroscope element is configured to measure gyroscope data (e.g., angular velocity). In other embodiments, as described below, the processor 102 may be external to the personal care device 100. For example, the processing of data may be performed by a processor on a remote computing device or by a server forming part of a cloud computing environment.

[0030] According to one aspect, a method is provided. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method 200 for providing guidance to a user of a personal care device, such as personal care device 100. Method 200 may include a computer-implemented method, such that the steps of the method may be performed using one or more processors, such as processor 102, or one or more processors external to the personal care device. Method 200 includes, at step 202, receiving motion data from a sensor (e.g., sensor 104) of the personal care device, the motion data indicating movement of the personal care device over a time period during a personal care activity. At step 204, method 200 includes calculating a speed at which personal care device 100 is moving during the time period based on the motion data. At step 206, method 200 includes comparing the calculated speed with a first predetermined speed threshold. At step 208, method 200 includes generating an instruction signal for delivery to a recipient device based on the comparison.

[0031] The motion data measured using the sensors 104 of the personal care device 100 may, in some embodiments, include at least acceleration data indicative of the acceleration of the personal care device at multiple instances over a period of time. Such acceleration data may be obtained, for example, using an accelerometer. In such an example, calculating the velocity may include integrating the acceleration over time (e.g., over the time period over which the motion / acceleration data is measured by the sensors 104).

[0032] The accelerometer not only measures the acceleration experienced by the personal care device, but also measures the Earth's gravitational field as a 1 g static acceleration vector pointing toward the ground. This acceleration can represent a significant portion of the accelerometer's measurements, and therefore, in some examples, the gravitational field can be taken into account to improve the accuracy of the measurement data. In some examples, the gravitational acceleration can be filtered to obtain a linear acceleration associated with the movement of the personal care device 100. The calculated linear acceleration is then integrated over time (e.g., over the time period over which the acceleration data is measured by the sensor 104) to obtain an estimate of the speed / velocity at which the personal care device is being moved.

[0033] The real-time direction of gravity can be determined by fusing or combining accelerometer data with data obtained using one or more additional sensors, such as a gyroscope. In some embodiments, calculating velocity (step 204) can further include applying one or more filters to at least one of the received motion data and the calculated velocity. In some examples, the accelerometer data and gyroscope data can be combined using known techniques, including applying one or more filters to the data. In some examples, applying such techniques can result in calculating the linear acceleration of the personal care device 100 on a sample-by-sample basis.

[0034] The resulting estimate is an accurate estimate of the speed / velocity of the personal care device, but it contains small estimation errors due to factors such as sensor noise. Therefore, integration errors accumulate over time, which causes the calculated speed value to deviate from the correct value. This error can be reduced or eliminated by applying a high-pass filter with a very low cutoff frequency (e.g., 0.4 Hz) to the estimated speed.

[0035] Furthermore, a gyroscope sensor is prone to measuring small rotational rates along its axis even when the sensor is held perfectly still. Such measurements are sometimes referred to as gyro drift or gyro bias, and in some instances, small measurements can be removed before the gyroscope data is combined with the accelerometer data. Thus, bias measurements and corrections can be made to data measured using a gyroscope sensor.

[0036] In step 206 of method 200, the calculated speed is compared to a first predetermined speed threshold. The first predetermined speed threshold can include an intended maximum or minimum speed at which the personal care device 100 is moved to ensure the intended level of treatment is performed by the personal care device. For example, the first predetermined threshold can include an intended maximum speed representing a speed above which the effectiveness of the treatment performed by the personal care device 100 decreases. In other words, in some examples, the first predetermined speed threshold can include a speed above which the probability that the personal care device 100 will perform its intended purpose at a predetermined quality level exceeds a predetermined probability threshold. For example, the first predetermined speed threshold can include a speed above which the probability that the personal care device 100 (e.g., a hair cutting device) will perform its intended purpose at a predetermined quality level (e.g., cutting all hairs it contacts) exceeds a predetermined probability threshold (e.g., 80%, 90%, 99.9%, etc.).

[0037] In another example, the first predetermined threshold may have an intended minimum speed representing a speed below which use of the personal care device 100 results in wasted / unnecessary time and power usage. Below such minimum intended speed, there may be a high (e.g., 100%) probability that the personal care device 100 will perform its intended purpose with a predetermined level of quality, but the personal care activity may take an undesirably long time to complete.

[0038] The first predetermined speed threshold at which the speeds of the personal care devices are compared may vary from device to device. For example, the maximum speed at which a skin cleansing device can be effectively moved during a personal care activity may differ from the maximum speed at which an epilator device can be effectively moved. In general, the first predetermined speed threshold may be determined based on a combination of several parameters of the personal care device 100, including the effective treatment length of the treatment element of the personal care device, the average treatment volume per stroke of the personal care device, and the time between treatments performed by the treatment element. The treatment element of the personal care device 100 is the portion of the personal care device that performs the treatment (e.g., the portion of the personal care device that contacts or treats the portion of the user's body to be treated). Thus, the effective treatment length of the treatment element is the length of the portion of the treatment element that performs the treatment. For example, in a skin cleansing device, the effective treatment length may be the length of the portion of the skin cleansing device that contacts and cleanses the user's skin, and in a hair cutting device with a blade, the effective treatment length may be the length of the blade that can cut hair.

[0039] An example of how the first predetermined speed threshold is calculated is provided below with reference to FIG. 3 , which shows an example of a portion of a cutting element 300 of a hair-cutting device. The cutting element 300 in this example includes a blade 302 formed as a tooth that moves back and forth (in the x-direction) at high speed relative to a guard 304. The guard 304 is formed with a plurality of slots 306 configured to receive a hair 308 (shown from above in FIG. 3 ). When the hair 308 passes a certain position in one of the slots 306, the blade 302 engages the hair as it moves back and forth, thereby cutting the hair. The length of the area within the slot where the hair can be cut when engaged by the blade 302 is referred to as the effective cutting length (ECL). More generally, in other personal care devices, this length can be referred to as the effective treatment length.

[0040] The average treatment volume per stroke of the personal care device can be calculated based on the parameters of the treatment element of the personal care device. The average treatment volume per stroke represents the average amount of skin treated (or the average number of cuts in the case of a hair cutting device) per stroke of the personal care device. In the example where the personal care device has a hair cutting device, the average number of cuts per stroke (CPScutter) for one tooth of the blade 302 (i.e., two edges of the blade) can be calculated by multiplying the number of guard slots / mm (Nguard-1 / Lguard) by the travel distance of the cutting element (edrive) and the number of edges (i.e., 2), The result is TIFF0007794332000001.tif10133.

[0041] From CPScuter, the number of cuts per stroke for the guard slots (CPSslot) can be calculated by multiplying CPScutter by the number of teeth (Nteeth) and dividing by the number of guard slots (NgUard), The file name will be TIFF0007794332000002.tif10137.

[0042] The relative hair speed at which the hair is always cut by the blade can be calculated. Assuming that as the hair passes through the ECL, it will always be cut if the time it stays on the ECL is longer than the time of one stroke. In effect, the hair will be cut CPSlot times while it is in the slot for one stroke.

[0043] In the optimal case, the cuts are evenly divided over the stroke period, in which case the time between cuts, ΔTcut, can be calculated by dividing the period of one stroke (i.e., 1 / (target rotational speed (RPM) / 60)) by the number of cuts per stroke for the slot (CPSslot), The file name will be TIFF0007794332000003.tif12135.

[0044] Next, the maximum relative hair velocity (Vhair.max) (i.e., the maximum relative velocity between the cutting element and the hair due to which all hairs are cut, which may be used as a first predetermined velocity threshold) may be calculated by dividing ECL by the time between cuts, When the relative hair velocity is high, for example when the personal care device is moved fast relative to the hair to be cut, the probability that the hair will be cut (Pcut) is: TIFF0007794332000005.tif10136, where ΔThair is the residence time of the hair in the ECL and Vhair is the relative hair velocity. Figure 4 is a graph showing how the probability of a hair being cut, Pcut, varies as a function of speed (e.g., speed of the hair relative to the personal care device) for a particular example.

[0045] According to one example, a personal care device (i.e., a hair cutting device) may include: Effective cutter length, ECL=0.55mm Target rotation speed, RPM=6000 Number of guard slots, Nguard=51 Number of teeth, Ncutter=28 Eccentricity, edrive=0.85mm The length of the 50-slotted guard has the following parameters: Lguard = 30.4 mm.

[0046] Applying these exemplary parameters to equations [1]-[4] yields an exemplary maximum relative hair velocity Vhmrmax=169 mm / s.

[0047] Thus, in some examples, such as the example described above, the personal care device may include a hair-cutting device with a cutting element, and in such examples, the first predetermined speed threshold may be determined based on the effective cutting length of the cutting element of the personal care device, the average number of cuts per stroke of the cutting element, and the time between cuts made by the cutting element.

[0048] At step 208 of method 200, an instruction signal is generated for delivery to a recipient device based on a comparison (step 206) of the calculated speed of the personal care device (relative to the treated portion of the user, such as hair). In some examples, the instruction signal can include instructions to generate an alert, notification, or message that is presented to the user of the personal care device, for example, via a display unit or display screen. In some examples, the notification can be presented on a display screen of an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wearable device, interactive mirror, etc. In other examples, the notification can be presented to the user in other manners, such as audibly via a speaker or via a haptic device. In some embodiments, the notification can be provided to the user via one or more lights or lighting effects presented on the electronic device or on the personal care device itself.

[0049] In some embodiments, generating an indication signal based on determining that the calculated speed meets or exceeds a first predetermined speed threshold may include generating an indication to notify the user that they are moving the personal care device too fast.

[0050] In some examples, the calculated speed may be compared to a second predetermined speed threshold, which may comprise, for example, a minimum intended speed at which the personal care device should be moved. Based on determining that the calculated speed is less than the second predetermined speed threshold, generating an indicator signal may include generating an indicator signal including instructions to generate a warning to notify a user that they are moving the personal care device too slowly.

[0051] The notification provided to the user may be provided as a text message, a graphical notification (eg, an image), an audible notification, a tactile notification, a combination of two or more of these notification forms, or in other forms.

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates three examples of how a user may be notified. In this example, the notification may be provided via a display screen on a device (e.g., a smartphone) associated with the user. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the calculated speed is below a predetermined minimum speed threshold, and a notification is presented to the user informing them that they are moving the personal care device too slowly. Graphical representation 502a includes an arrow pointing to a specific portion of the image to inform the user that they are moving the personal care device too slowly, and message 504a indicates the same (e.g., "You can move a little faster"). In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the calculated speed is above a predetermined minimum speed threshold and below a predetermined maximum speed threshold, and a notification is presented to the user informing them that they are moving the personal care device at an optimal speed (i.e., within the optimal speed range). Graphical representation 502b includes an arrow pointing to a specific portion of the image to inform the user that they are moving the personal care device at an optimal speed, and message 504b indicates the same (e.g., "You're moving well"). 5C, the calculated speed exceeds a predetermined maximum speed threshold, and a notification is presented to the user informing them that they are moving the personal care device too fast. Graphical representation 502c includes an arrow pointing to a particular portion of the image to inform the user that they are moving the personal care device too fast, and message 504c indicates the same (e.g., "Please slow down a bit").

[0053] In some embodiments, the instruction signal generated in step 208 can include control instructions for controlling operating parameters of the personal care device 100 (personal control device). For example, if the calculated speed is determined to exceed a first predetermined speed threshold (e.g., the personal care device is moved too quickly), an instruction signal can be generated that includes instructions to increase the cutting speed (e.g., rpm) of a cutting element of the hair-cutting device. In an example where the personal care device includes a skin cleansing device, the instruction signal can include instructions to increase the rotational speed of a cleansing brush of the device if the device is determined to be moved too quickly. In such an example, if it is determined that the speed at which the personal care device is moved has dropped below the threshold, the operating parameters can be returned to their previous settings.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 2 , method 200 may, in some examples, further include saving an indication of the comparison to a storage device at step 210. Each time a comparison is made, the comparison (and the calculated speed) may be saved to a storage device (e.g., memory) and used later for further processing. In some examples, a summary of the speed at which the personal care device was moved during one or more previous personal care activities may be presented to the user. In other examples, the saved speed data and / or the saved comparison data may be used to determine trends in the speed at which the personal care device is used during personal care activities performed by the user.

[0055] According to another aspect, there is provided a personal care device 100. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a further example of a personal care device 100 including a processor 102 and a sensor 104. The processor 102 is configured to perform the steps of a method 200 disclosed herein.

[0056] In some examples, the personal care device 100 may include a storage unit 602 for storing data such as movement data measured using the sensors 104, calculated speed, and / or the comparison performed in step 206. The data obtained using the sensors 104 and processed using the processor 102 may be transmitted to one or more other devices using wired or wireless communication. In some examples, the personal care device 100 may further include a communication unit 604 configured to communicate (e.g., send and / or receive) data with one or more other devices.

[0057] As mentioned above, according to one example, the personal care device 100 may comprise a hair-cutting device. The hair-cutting device may further comprise a cutting element 606 for cutting hairs extending from the user's skin during a personal care activity. In such an example, the predetermined speed threshold may comprise a speed at which the probability of cutting all hairs engaged by the cutting element exceeds a predetermined probability threshold.

[0058] According to another aspect, a system is provided. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the system 100. The system 700 includes a personal care device 100, a processor 102, a display unit 702, and a memory or storage unit 704. Each element of the system may be communicatively coupled to one another via a wired or wireless connection. The personal care device 100 includes a sensor configured to measure motion data indicative of the movement of the personal care device during a time period during a personal care activity. The processor 102 is configured to calculate, based on the motion data, a speed at which the personal care device is moving during the time period, compare the calculated speed with a predetermined speed threshold, and, based on the comparison, generate an indication signal for providing to the display unit 702 for presenting an indication of the comparison, and for storing in the storage unit 704.

[0059] In some embodiments, the processor 102 may be located within the personal care device 100, while in other examples, the processor 102 may be located remotely from the personal care device, for example, in a separate device that may also house the display unit 702 and / or the memory unit 704. In some examples, the processor 102, the display unit 702, and / or the memory unit 704 may be located within a computing device, such as, for example, a smartphone.

[0060] According to another aspect, a computer program product is provided. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of a processor 802 in communication with a computer-readable medium 804. According to one embodiment, the computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium 804 having computer-readable code embodied therein that, when executed by a suitable computer or processor 802, causes the computer or processor to perform the steps of the method 200 disclosed herein.

[0061] Various embodiments disclosed herein provide a mechanism by which a user of a personal care device can receive guidance regarding the speed at which the personal care device should be moved during use, both in real time and after a personal care activity. Providing guidance to the user in this manner allows the user to operate the personal care device in an optimal manner (i.e., at an optimal speed), thereby reducing the likelihood that the user will repeat the action, potentially causing skin irritation, taking too long to perform the personal care activity, and / or performing the personal care activity ineffectively.

[0062] The processor 102, 802 may include one or more processors, processing units, multi-core processors, or modules configured or programmed to control elements of the personal care device 100 in the manner described herein. In certain implementations, the processor 108, 802 may include multiple software and / or hardware modules, each configured to perform or intended to perform individual or multiple steps of the methods described herein.

[0063] The term "module" as used herein is intended to include a hardware element, such as a processor or element of a processor configured to perform a particular function, or a software element, such as a set of instruction data that has a particular function when executed by a processor.

[0064] It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention also apply to computer programs, particularly those on or in a carrier, adapted for carrying out the present invention. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, intermediate code between source and object code, such as a partially compiled form, or any other form suitable for use in implementing a method according to embodiments of the present invention. It should also be understood that such programs may have many different architectural designs. For example, program code implementing the functionality of a method or system according to the present invention may be subdivided into one or more subroutines. Many different ways of distributing functionality among these subroutines will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The subroutines may be stored together in an executable file to form a self-contained program. Such an executable file may contain computer-executable instructions, such as processor instructions and / or interpreter instructions (e.g., Java interpreter instructions). Alternatively, one or more or all of the subroutines may be stored in at least one external library file and linked statically or dynamically, e.g., at run time, with the main program. The main program includes a call to at least one subroutine. The subroutines may also have function calls to each other. An embodiment of a computer program product includes computer-executable instructions corresponding to each processing step of at least one of the methods defined herein. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and / or stored in one or more statically or dynamically linked files. Another embodiment of a computer program product includes computer-executable instructions corresponding to each means of at least one of the systems and / or products defined herein. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and / or stored in one or more statically or dynamically linked files.

[0065] The carrier of a computer program may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may include a data storage device such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk. Furthermore, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier, such as an electric or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electric or optical cable or by radio or other means. When the program is embodied in such a signal, the carrier may be constituted by such a cable or other device or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted to or used for performing the relevant method.

[0066] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art practicing the principles and techniques described herein, from a study of the figures, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprise" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in a claim. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage. A computer program can be stored or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for providing guidance to a user of a personal care device, comprising: receiving motion data from a sensor of the personal care device indicative of movement of the personal care device during a time period during a personal care activity; calculating a speed at which the personal care device is moving during the time period based on the motion data; comparing the calculated velocity to a first predetermined velocity threshold, the first predetermined velocity threshold being determined based on an effective treatment length of a treatment element of the personal care device, an average treatment volume per stroke of the personal care device, and a time between treatments performed by the treatment element; and generating an indicator signal for delivery to a recipient device based on said comparison so that a user can know in real time when said personal care activity is being performed too quickly or too slowly for optimal effectiveness.

2. the motion data includes at least acceleration data indicative of acceleration of the personal care device at multiple instances during the time period; 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein calculating the velocity comprises integrating the acceleration over time.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the velocity further comprises applying one or more filters to at least one of the received motion data and the calculated velocity.

4. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined speed threshold comprises a speed at which the probability that the personal care device will perform its intended purpose at a predetermined quality level exceeds a predetermined probability threshold.

5. the personal care device comprises a hair-cutting device having a cutting element; 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the effective treatment length of the treatment element is the effective cutting length of the cutting element of the personal care device, the average treatment volume per stroke is the average number of cuts per stroke of the cutting element, and the time between treatments performed by the treatment element is the time between cuts made by the cutting element.

6. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating an indicator signal based on determining that the calculated speed exceeds the first predetermined speed threshold comprises generating an indicator to notify the user that they are moving the personal care device too fast.

7. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the indicator signal based on determining that the calculated speed is less than a second predetermined speed threshold comprises generating an indicator signal including instructions to generate a warning to notify the user that they are moving the personal care device too slowly.

8. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instruction signals comprise control instructions for controlling operating parameters of the personal care device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of saving an indication of the comparison in a storage device.

10. 1. A personal care device comprising: a sensor that measures motion data indicative of the movement of the personal care device over a period of time while in use during the personal care activity; and a processor for performing the method of claim 1.

11. The personal care device of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) including at least an accelerometer element and a gyroscope element.

12. the personal care device comprises a hair cutting device; the hair-cutting device further comprises a cutting element for cutting hair extending from the user's skin during a personal care activity; 12. A personal care device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the predetermined speed threshold comprises a speed at which the probability of cutting all hairs engaged by the cutting element exceeds a predetermined probability threshold.

13. 1. A system comprising: a personal care device having a sensor for measuring motion data indicative of movement of the personal care device over a period of time during a personal care activity; A display unit; A memory unit; a processor, the processor comprising: calculating a speed at which the personal care device is moving during the time period based on the motion data; comparing the calculated velocity to a first predetermined velocity threshold, the first predetermined velocity threshold being determined based on an effective treatment length of a treatment element of the personal care device, an average treatment volume per stroke of the personal care device, and a time between treatments performed by the treatment element; generating an indication signal based on the comparison for providing to the display unit to present an indication of the comparison; The system provides an indication of the comparison for storage in the memory unit.

14. A computer program which, when executed by a suitable computer or processor, causes said computer or processor to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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