Hair styling appliance

Abstract

A method of operating a hair styling appliance is described. In the method, a control unit of the hair styling appliance receives instructions, from a server computer, for operating the hair styling appliance according to an operating configuration. The operating configuration comprises an operating mode for the hair styling appliance. The control unit operates the hair styling appliance in accordance with the instructions. A hair styling appliance configured to perform the method is also described.

Description

[0001] HAIR STYLING APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Hair styling appliances may be used to style hair. For example, a hair styling appliance may apply to the hair, heat using a heating unit, and / or air flow using an air flow unit. A user may operate the hair styling appliance by using buttons or switches etc. to control the heat and / or air flow applied to the hair.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a method of operating a hair styling appliance, the method comprising, by a control unit of the hair styling appliance: receiving instructions, from a server computer, for operating the hair styling appliance according to an operating configuration, the operating configuration comprising an operating mode for the hair styling appliance; and operating the hair styling appliance in accordance with the instructions. The hair styling appliance can thus be automatically operated according to an operating configuration received as instructions from a server computer. The automatic operation allows the same hair styling effects to be produced each time the hair styling appliance is operated.

[0006] Optionally, the hair styling appliance comprises a heating unit, and the operating mode comprises a heating characteristic for operating the heating unit. The hair styling appliance can thus apply heat (for example, to human hair) in the same way each time the instructions are received from the server computer.

[0007] Optionally, the heating characteristic relates to a first location in the heating unit, and the operating mode comprises a further heating characteristic relating to a second location in the heating unit, the further heating characteristic being different to the heating characteristic. By distributing heat non-uniformly along the heating unit, the hair styling appliance may produce a complex curl effect.

[0008] Optionally, the hair styling appliance comprises an airflow unit for generating an airflow, and the operating mode comprises an airflow characteristic for operating the airflow unit. Controlling the airflow in accordance with the instructions allows the airflow to be controlled in the same way each time the instructions are received from the server computer.

[0009] Optionally, the hair styling appliance comprises a vapour generating unit. The vapour generating unit may comprise an absorbent material for retaining liquid and a heater operable to heat the absorbent material to vaporise the liquid retained thereby to generate a vapour. Alternatively, the vapour generating unit may comprise a boiler including a heater operable to heat a liquid (to its boiling point) and generate a vapour. The operating mode may comprise a vapour generating characteristic for operating the vapour generating unit. The vapour generating characteristic may relate to a length of time for which vapour is produced and / or an amount of vapour which is produced. The hair styling appliance can thus control how vapour is applied to a user’s hair.

[0010] Optionally, the hair styling appliance comprises a first arm comprising a first clamping surface, and a second arm comprising a second clamping surface. The first and second arms may be movable towards one another in use to a clamping position in which hair is able to be clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces. The hair styling appliance may comprise an arm heating unit arranged to heat clamped hair clamped between the first and second clamping surfaces in use. The operating mode may comprise a heating characteristic for operating the arm heating unit.

[0011] Optionally, the hair styling appliance comprises a body and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the body. The rotatable portion may comprise the first arm and the second arm. The haircare appliance may comprise a rotating unit operable to rotate the rotatable portion relative to the body. The operating mode may comprise a rotational characteristic for operating the rotating unit. The rotational characteristic may relate to a rotational speed of the rotatable portion and / or a rotational angle of the rotatable portion relative to the body.

[0012] Optionally, the operating configuration comprises a sequence of operating modes, including the operating mode, for the hair styling appliance. Automated operation of a sequence of operating modes avoids the need for the user to manually change the operating mode of the hair styling appliance themselves.

[0013] Optionally, the operating configuration comprises a timestamp at which an operating mode of the hair styling appliance is to be changed from a first operating mode in the sequence to a second operating mode in the sequence. By controlling a time at which the operating mode is changed, a user of the hair styling appliance does not have to manually control a time at which the operating mode of the hair styling appliance should be changed.

[0014] Optionally, the operating configuration comprises a time interval for the operating mode. By controlling a period of time during which the hair styling appliance operates in a given operating mode, a given operation (comprising e.g. applying heat and / or air flow) can be performed on a user’ s hair in a controlled manner.

[0015] Optionally, the sequence of operating modes comprises: a hot operating mode comprising a first heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, and a cool operating mode comprising a second heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, the second heating characteristic corresponding to a lower temperature for the heating unit than the first heating characteristic. By applying a time-varying level of heating to hair of the user, the user can soften and style their hair in a first stage, and harden and set their hair in another stage.

[0016] Optionally, the cool operating mode is subsequent to the hot operating mode in the sequence of operations. This allows the user to set, using the cool operating mode, a style of their hair that they have made using the hot operating mode.

[0017] Optionally, the sequence of operating modes comprises: a vapour generating mode comprising a vapour generating characteristic for operating the vapour generating unit, and an airflow mode comprising an airflow characteristic for operating the airflow unit. In addition, the sequence of operating modes may comprise a hot operating mode comprising a first heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, and a cool operating mode comprising a second heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, the second heating characteristic corresponding to a lower temperature for the heating unit than the first heating characteristic. The airflow mode may be subsequent to the vapour generating mode in the sequence of operating modes. The hot operating mode and the cool operating mode may be subsequent to the vapour generating mode in the sequence of operating modes. The airflow mode may be concurrent with the hot operating mode and / or the cool operating mode in the sequence of operating modes.

[0018] Optionally, operating the hair styling appliance comprises operating the hair styling appliance substantially in synchrony with the operation of a further hair styling appliance in accordance with the operating configuration. The user of the hair styling appliance can thus style their hair in synchrony with the styling by a host user that is using the further hair styling appliance.

[0019] Optionally, the method comprises: displaying, on a display device, to a participant user of the hair styling appliance: operation, in accordance with the operating configuration, of a host hair styling appliance by a host user. This allows the user of the hair styling appliance to see how their hair styling appliance should be applied to their hair to achieve the same effect as that achieved by the host user.

[0020] Optionally, the method comprises: recording, by a recording unit of a recording hair styling appliance, the operating configuration, in response to the recording hair styling appliance being operated by a user in accordance with the operating configuration; and transmitting, from the recording hair styling appliance to the server computer, the operating configuration. Recording the operating configuration at the further hair styling appliance, and then receiving the operating configuration by the control unit of the hair styling appliance, allows a simple and efficient device architecture for replicating a style produced by the recording hair styling appliance.

[0021] Optionally, the method comprises: generating, by a computer in response to input from a designer user, the operating configuration; and transmitting, from the computer to the server computer, the operating configuration. A hair styling effect designed by a designer user may thus be achieved by the user of the hair styling appliance, through the use of an operating configuration that is generated in response to input from the designer user. Optionally, the method comprises selecting the operating configuration, by a device of a client user in response to input from the client user, from among a plurality of operating configurations for operating the hair styling appliance. The user of the hair styling appliance may thus choose a hair styling effect, and the corresponding instructions for operating the hair styling appliance by the control unit, from a plurality of such hair styling effects.

[0022] Optionally, the method comprises displaying, on a display, a result image showing hair resulting from operating a hair styling appliance in accordance with the operating configuration, on the hair. The user may view the image prior to operating the hair styling appliance in order to, for example, determine where on their own hair and how the hair styling appliance should be applied to achieve a particular styling effect.

[0023] Optionally, operating the hair styling appliance comprises, in response to detecting an unsafe operation state during the operation in accordance with the instructions, modifying a current operating mode of the hair styling appliance. Since the hair styling appliance is operated automatically, the hair styling appliance may enter an unsafe operation state. By changing a current operation mode of the hair styling appliance if such an unsafe operation state is detected, the unsafe operation state can be avoided. Changing the current operation mode may comprise, for example, cooling down the heating unit, or reducing the airflow produced by the airflow unit.

[0024] Optionally, detecting the unsafe operation state comprises detecting, using a temperature sensor of the hair styling appliance, a temperature at or above a threshold. By changing the operation mode when a temperature above a threshold is detected, a risk of fire and / or skin / hair burning may be reduced.

[0025] A second aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a hair styling appliance configured to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0026] Optionally, the system comprises the computer. Optionally, the system comprises the display device.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair styling appliance comprising a control unit, the control unit being configured to: receive instructions, from a server computer, for operating the hair styling appliance in accordance with an operating configuration, the operating configuration comprising an operating mode for the hair styling appliance; and operate the hair styling appliance in accordance with the instructions.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure l is a schematic diagram showing a hair styling appliance according to an example;

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic section through a handle unit of the hair styling appliance of Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram of electrical components of the handle unit of Figure 2;

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic section through a hair styling appliance according to a second example;

[0033] Figure 5 is a block diagram of electrical components of the hair styling appliance of Figure 4;

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a system for operating a participant hair styling appliance such as the hair styling appliance of Figure 1 or Figure 4;

[0035] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of an Operating Configuration Editor screen according to an example;

[0036] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of an Operating Configuration Sequence screen according to an example;

[0037] Figure 7c is a schematic diagram of a Browse Styles screen according to an example; and Figure 7d is a schematic diagram of a Demonstration screen according to an example.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] A hair styling appliance 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, comprises a handle unit 20 and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 20. The handle unit 20 comprises a main power supply connection 22, a housing 30, an airflow unit 40, a heating unit 50 and a control unit 60 communicatively connected to the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50.

[0040] The housing 30 is tubular in shape and comprises an inlet 31 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 30 by the airflow unit 40, and an outlet 32 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing 30. The airflow unit 40 is housed within the housing 30 and comprises an impeller 41 driven by an electric motor 42. The heating unit 50 is also housed within the housing 30 and comprises one or more heating elements 51 to heat the airflow.

[0041] The control unit 60 receives power via the main power supply connection 22, and controls the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50. More specifically, the control unit 60 controls the flow rate of the airflow unit 40 and the heat setting of the heating unit 50 by controlling an amount of power supplied to the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50, respectively.

[0042] The control unit 60 comprises user controls 61 and a control module 62. The user controls 61 are provided on an external surface of the housing 30 and are used to power on and off the hair styling appliance 10. The user controls 61 may also be used to select a flow rate (e.g., high, medium, low) of the airflow unit 40, and to select a heat setting (e.g., high, medium, low, off) of the heating unit 50. In this example, each of the user controls 61 comprises a slidable switch. However, other forms of user control may be used such as buttons, dials or a touchscreen.

[0043] The control module 62 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) carrying electronic components such as a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the control module 62 to control the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50. The control module 62 may control the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50 in response to inputs from the user controls 61. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls 61, the control module 62 may power on and off the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50, adjust the flow rate the airflow unit 40, and / or adjust the heat setting of the heating unit 50. As described below in more detail, the control module 62 may control the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50 to operate in accordance with a sequence of operating modes for the hair styling appliance 10. The operating modes may be responsive to inputs from the user controls 61, or may be represented by software instructions received at communications interface 63 from a mobile device (e.g. smartphone) 200p, where executing the instructions by the control module 62 causes the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50 to operate in accordance with the operating mode.

[0044] The attachment 100 is intended for use in curling hair. The particular attachment illustrated in Figure 1 corresponds to the barrel attachment of the Dyson Airwrap® hair styler. The attachment 100 comprises a barrel 101 having an inlet 102 at one longitudinal end. A plurality of outlets 103 in the form of slots are formed around a circumferential periphery of the barrel 101. During use, when the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 20, the airflow generated by the airflow unit 40 enters the interior of the barrel 101 via the outlet 32 and the inlet 102. From there, the airflow is discharged through the outlets 103 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the barrel 101. This then encourages hair to wrap and curl around the barrel 101.

[0045] An operating mode comprises a heating characteristic for the heating unit 50 and an airflow characteristic for the airflow unit 40. The heating characteristic represents a desired temperature of the heating unit 50, or of a heating element at a first location in the heating unit 50. The operating mode can comprise a further heating characteristic representing a desired temperature of another heating element at a second location in the heating unit 50. The further heating characteristic may be different to the first mentioned heating characteristic; that is, the temperature of the heating element at the first location may be different to the temperature of the heating element at the second location. This can allow a complex curling effect to be produced in which the hair of the user has different curvature at different locations along the hair. The airflow characteristic represents an airflow velocity, for example of air entering the inlet or exiting the outlet. An operating configuration for the hair styling appliance 10 comprises at least one operating mode, and may comprise a sequence of operating modes.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a hair styling appliance 1100 according to a second example. The hair styling appliance 1100 comprises a barrel 1102, a body 1104 and an electrical cable 1106 extending from the body 1104, for supplying electrical power to electrical components of the hair styling appliance 1100. The electrical cable 1106 comprises a plug (not shown in Figure 4) at a distal end of the cable 1106 with respect to the body 1104, which can be plugged into a socket in order to supply mains power to the hair styling appliance 1100. The electrical cable 1106 may be referred to as an electrical cord.

[0047] The body 1104 includes airflow inlets 1108, a vapour generating unit 1110, an airflow unit 1112, user controls 1113, a network interface 1115, a control unit 1160, a pump 1116 and outlets 1118, 1120. The body 1104 has a generally hollow tubular housing. The vapour generating unit 1110, the airflow unit 1112, the control system 1160, the pump 1116 and the outlets 1118, 1120 are within the tubular housing of the body 1104. A central longitudinal axis of the body 1104 coincides with a central longitudinal axis of the hair styling appliance 1100.

[0048] The airflow inlets 1108 are openings through which an airflow is drawn into the housing by the airflow unit 1112. The body 1104 further comprises an air outlet 1120 through which the airflow is discharged from the housing. The barrel 1102 comprises a plurality of outlets through which airflow can be discharged.

[0049] The airflow unit 1112 is housed within the housing and comprises an impeller driven by an electric motor. The vapour generating unit 1110 is also housed within the housing and comprises a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid (e.g., water) and a heating element for heating and vaporising the liquid to generate a vapour. The body 1104 further comprises one or more conduits 1122 for carrying vapour from the vapour generating unit 1110 and into the barrel 1102, via vapour outlets 1118. The barrel 1102 comprises a heating unit 1130 comprising one or more heating elements to heat the airflow entering the barrel 1102. Optionally, a further heating unit may be present within the housing of the body 1104. The control unit 1160 comprises user controls 1113, a control module 1114, and a communications interface 1115. The user controls 1113 are provided on an external surface of the housing and are used to power on and off the hair styling appliance 1100. The user controls 113 may also be used to select a flow rate (e.g., high, medium, low) of the airflow unit 1112, select a heat setting (e.g., high, medium, low, off) of the heating unit 1132, an amount of vapour generated by the vapour generating unit 1110, and / or a time period for which vapour is generated by the vapour generating unit 1110.

[0050] The control module 1114 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) carrying electronic components such as a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the control module 1114 to control the airflow unit 1124, the heating unit 1130, and the vapour generation unit 1110. The control module 1114 may control the airflow unit 1124, the heating unit 1130, and the vapour generation unit 1110 in response to inputs from the user controls 1113. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls 1113, the control module 1114 may power on and off the airflow unit 1124, the heating unit 1130 and the vapour generation unit 1110, adjust the flow rate of the airflow unit 1124, adjust the heat setting of the heating unit 1130, and / or adjust the amount of vapour generated or time for which vapour is generated by the vapour generation unit 1110. The control module 1114 may control the airflow unit 1124, the heating unit 1130, and the vapour generation unit 1110 to operate in accordance with a sequence of operating modes for the hair styling appliance 1100. The operating modes may be responsive to inputs from the user controls 1113, or may be represented by software instructions received at communications interface 1115 from a mobile device (e.g. smartphone) 200p, where executing the instructions by the control module 1114 causes the airflow unit 1124, the heating unit 1130, and the vapour generation unit 1110 to operate in accordance with the operating mode.

[0051] An operating mode comprises a heating characteristic for the heating unit 1130, an airflow characteristic for the airflow unit 1124, and a vapour generation characteristic for the vapour generation unit 1110. The heating characteristic represents a desired temperature of the heating unit 1130, or of a heating element at a first location in the heating unit 1130. The operating mode can comprise a further heating characteristic representing a desired temperature of another heating element at a second location in the heating unit 1130. The further heating characteristic may be different to the first mentioned heating characteristic; that is, the temperature of the heating element at the first location may be different to the temperature of the heating element at the second location. This can allow a complex curling effect to be produced in which the hair of the user has different curvature at different locations along the hair. The airflow characteristic represents an airflow velocity, for example of air entering the inlet or exiting the outlet. The vapour generation characteristic represents an amount of vapour generated and / or a time over which vapour is generated. An operating configuration for the hair styling appliance 1100 comprises at least one operating mode, and may comprise a sequence of operating modes.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a system in which the control unit 60 operates a participant hair styling appliance lOp in accordance with instructions received from a server 300. In broad summary, a host user H of a host hair styling appliance lOh provides a participant user P’s hair styling appliance (hereinafter participant hair styling appliance lOp) with an operating configuration (a sequence of operating modes), via a host mobile device 200h, a server 300, and a participant mobile device 200p. The control unit 60 of the participant hair styling appliance lOp operates the participant hair styling appliance lOp according to instructions representing the received operating configuration. The participant hair styling appliance lOp can thus be automatically operated to the operating configuration generated by the host user. The automatic operation allows the same hair styling effects to be produced each time the hair styling appliance is operated.

[0053] Various examples of how the different entities shown in Figure 6 may be used to provide the instructions to the participant hair styling appliance lOp will now be described.

[0054] In a “recorded styling” example, the host user H operates the host air styling appliance lOh, using the user controls, according to an operating configuration (for example, by using the user controls to set the host air styling appliance 1 Oh to a particular set of heat and airflow settings as described above), and in response, a recording unit 64, 1114 of the control module 62, 1162 records the operating configuration as data in the memory. Recording the operating configuration (e.g., sequence of operating modes) at the host hair styling appliance lOh, and then receiving the operating configuration by the control unit of the participant hair styling appliance lOp, allows a simple and efficient device architecture for replicating a style produced by the host hair styling appliance lOh. It also allows a simple way for the host user H to develop an operating configuration that can be used by participant users P.

[0055] The control module 62, 1114 uses the communications interface 63, 1115 to transmit the operating configuration to the host mobile device 200h. The communications interface 63, 1115 transmits the operating configuration using a short-range communication protocol 70, such as using Bluetooth® wireless technology or Wi-Fi. The host mobile device 200h transmits the operating configuration to a server 300 using a long-range communication protocol 230 such as LTE, or through a combination of Wi-Fi with a long-range internet communication protocol such as long-distance broadband cables. The long-range communication protocol 230 is, more generally, a communication protocol through which telecommunications can be sent over longer distances than using the short-range communication protocol 70. Responsively, or at a later time, the server 300 transmits the operating configuration to a participant mobile device 200p or a plurality of participant mobile device 200ps using the long-range communication protocol 230. Each participant mobile device 200p transmits the operating configuration to a corresponding participant hair styling appliance lOp using the short-range communication protocol 70. The participant hair styling appliance lOp receives the operating configuration through its communications interface 63, 1115. The control unit 60, 1160 of the participant hair styling appliance lOp controls the airflow unit 40 and the heating unit 50 (and / or the vapour generating unit 1110) of the participant hair styling appliance lOp in accordance with the operating configuration. In this way, the participant hair styling appliance lOp is controlled in a way that replicates the control of the host hair styling appliance lOh by the host user H. By using the host mobile device 200h, the long-range communication protocol, and the participant mobile device 200p, communication can be established between the hair styling appliances without needing to incorporate hardware capable of long-range communication into the hair styling appliances.

[0056] In this way, the control unit 60, 1160 of the participant hair styling appliance lOp receives the operating configuration (as software instructions) in response to operation of the host hair styling appliance lOh by the host user. Of course, the participant hair styling appliance lOp may instead receive the operating configuration directly from the host hair styling appliance lOh, for example via the short-range communication protocol 70 when the two hair styling appliances are in proximity. In such cases, the server 300 is not needed.

[0057] In the “recorded styling” example, the communications between the aforementioned devices may be substantially instantaneous, such that the participant hair styling appliance lOp is operated substantially in synchrony with the operation of the host hair styling appliance lOh. The participant user P can thus style their hair in synchrony with the styling by the host user H. The synchrony may be subject to a delay or lag due to a time between the operation of the host hair styling appliance lOh and the participant hair styling appliance lOp receiving the operating configuration.

[0058] Alternatively, the server 300 may store the operating configuration for download by the participant mobile device 200p at a later time, such that a participant user P of the participant hair styling appliance lOp can cause the participant hair styling appliance lOp to be controlled according to the operating configuration, on demand. For example, the host user H may select a “record styling” option (not shown) on the host mobile device 200h. Then, the host user H may switch on the host hair styling appliance lOh and set it to a first operating mode of the operating configuration. The host hair styling appliance lOh sends a message to the host mobile device 200h each time the operating mode of the host hair styling appliance lOh is changed (and when it is turned on), to indicate the new operating mode. The mobile device begins recording the operating configuration when the host hair styling appliance lOh is switched on, and records the operating modes received from host hair styling appliance lOh together with the time after the beginning of the recording at which the host hair styling appliance lOh was switched to that operating mode. The host mobile device 200h ceases recording the operating configuration when the host hair styling appliance lOh is switched off or when a “stop recording” option (not shown) on the host mobile device 200h is selected.

[0059] In a “designed styling” example, the host generates the operating configuration on the host mobile device 200h. The mobile device comprises a processor, and a memory storing a software application which enables the host to generate the operating configuration. The mobile device includes a display device 220, which during execution of the software application, shows a screen of the software application to the host user H. Example screens of the software application are shown in Figures 7a to 7d. The host can use the software application to modify an operating mode, as shown on the Operating Mode Editor screen 510 in Figure 7a, in which the host can select the heat, airflow, and / or vapour characteristics. The host can also use the mobile device to generate a sequence of operating modes 521, for example as shown in the Operating Mode Sequence screen 520 shown in Figure 7b. Designing the operating configuration using the host mobile device 200h allows the host user H to design fine-tuned parameters of the operating configuration, such as timestamps at which the operating mode is changed.

[0060] The operating configuration is provided to the participant hair styling appliance 1 Op as a set of instructions for operating the participant hair styling appliance lOp. In the case that the instructions comprise or represent a sequence of operating modes 521, the instructions comprise a timestamp at which an operating mode of the participant hair styling appliance lOp is to be changed from a first operating mode in the sequence to a second operating mode in the sequence. As shown in Figure 5b, the instructions can comprise a time interval for an operating mode in the sequence. For the sequence of operating modes shown in Figure 5b, the instructions cause the participant hair styling appliance lOp to operate in a “Wrap” operating mode (or a “hot” operating mode) for a time interval of 180 seconds, and a “Cool shot” operating mode (or a “cool” operating mode) subsequently for a time interval 60 seconds. At the timestamp of 180 seconds after the beginning of the sequence of operating modes, the operating mode of the hair styling appliance is changed, according to the instructions, from the “hot” operating mode to the “cool” operating mode. The “cool” operating mode has a lower temperature for the heating unit 50 than the “hot” operating mode. By selecting an operating mode from the sequence on the Operating Mode Sequence screen 520, the host user H can edit the operating mode using the Operating Mode Editor screen 510.

[0061] The high temperature of the airflow when the hair styling appliance 10 operates in the “hot” operating mode breaks hydrogen bonds within the hair. This softens the structure of the hair, which improves the wrapping of hair around the barrel 101. The cool temperature of the airflow in the “cool” operating mode causes hydrogen bonds to be reformed in the hair, hardening the hair. This improves the tendency of the hair to keep to the style designed during the “Wrap” operating mode.

[0062] The participant user P can modify the timestamps and / or the time intervals according to their experience level and the length of their hair. For example, if the participant user P is highly experienced with a particular sequence of operating modes 521, or has short hair which can be styled quickly, they can select a “Fast” option on the participant mobile device 200p. The “Fast” option reduces the time intervals for each operating mode compared to a “Normal” option, for example by 10-50%. Alternatively, if the participant user P is inexperienced with the sequence of operating modes 521, or has long hair which takes longer to style, they can select a “Slow” option on the participant mobile device 200p. The “Slow” option lengthens the time intervals for each operating mode compared to the “Normal” option, for example by 10-50%. The adjustment of the time intervals improves the energy efficiency of the hair styling appliance, because an experienced or short-haired participant user P is able to style their hair according to the sequence of operating modes 521 in a short period of time, while an inexperienced or long-haired participant user P is able to finish styling their hair according to the sequence of operating modes 521 in one pass of the sequence, without having to apply finishing touches after the sequence of operating modes 521 has finished.

[0063] In some cases, instead of the instructions comprising the timestamps, the instructions may lack the timestamps, and the participant user P may switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode by selecting a “Switch mode” option on the participant mobile device 200p or on the participant hair styling appliance lOp (the participant hair styling appliance lOp may include a “Switch mode” button, for example). In response to the “Switch mode” option being selected on the participant mobile device 200p, the participant mobile device 200p sends an instruction to the participant hair styling appliance lOp to switch from one operating mode to the next operating mode in the sequence.

[0064] Alternatively, the control unit 60, 1160 may determine when to transition between operating modes based on a characteristic of the hair. In particular, the control unit 60, 1160 may determine when to transition based on the temperature or moisture content of the hair. The hair styling appliance may comprise one or more sensors to sense the temperature and / or moisture content of the hair. The control unit 60, 1160 may determine when to transition between modes when the temperature or moisture content of the hair reaches a threshold. For example, the control unit 60, 1160 may determine when to transition when the temperature of the hair is greater than a threshold, or when the moisture content of the hair is less than a threshold. By determining when to transition based on a characteristic of the hair, styling results may be improved. Moreover, potential damage to the hair, such as over drying, may be avoided, and the efficiency of the hair styling appliance may be improved.

[0065] In the “designed styling” example, the host may share, using the software application executing on the host mobile device 200h, the operating configuration to a social sharing channel available through the software application, via a share button 522. For example, the host mobile device 200h can, in response to the host activating the share button 522, transmit the designed operating configuration to the server 300. The host mobile device 200h can also transmit a result image showing hair of the host user H resulting from operating the host hair styling appliance lOh on the host user H’s hair in accordance with the operating configuration. In addition, the host mobile device 200h can transmit the result image to other social media applications using other software applications executing on the host mobile device 200h.

[0066] For both the “designed styling” and “recorded styling” examples, the software application can display, on a Browse Styles screen 530 of the participant mobile device 200p, a plurality of such result images for respective hair styles, as shown in Figure 7c. The plurality of result images may also include result images for operating configurations which the participant user P designed themselves. Each result image is associated with an operating configuration, and with a set of instructions to operate a hair styling appliance in accordance with the operating configuration. The participant user P can press a “play” button 531 associated with a given style. In response to the participant user P pressing the “play” button 531, the participant mobile device 200p downloads the instructions for the style from the server 300, and sends the instructions to the participant hair styling appliance lOp. The instructions, when executed by the control module 62, 1114, cause the participant hair styling appliance lOp to operate according to the operating configuration associated with the style. By displaying the result image, the user can determine where on their own hair, and how, the hair styling appliance should be applied to achieve a particular styling effect.

[0067] Also in response to the participant user P pressing the “play” button 531, the participant mobile device 200p displays, on a display device 220p of the participant mobile device 200p, to the participant user P, operation, in accordance with the instructions, of the host hair styling appliance lOh by the host user H. Specifically, the display device 220p shows a video of the host user H using the host hair styling appliance lOh, where the control unit 60, 1160 of the host hair styling appliance lOh operates the host hair styling appliance lOh in accordance with the instructions. The host user H may have pre-recorded the video using a camera 21 Oh of the host mobile device 200h. On the other hand, where the host hair styling appliance lOh and the participant hair styling appliance lOp operate synchronously, the video is a live stream, as shown on the display device 220p of the participant mobile device 200p in Figure 6. Either way, the video allows the participant user P to see how the participant hair styling appliance lOp should be applied to their hair to achieve the same effect as that achieved by the host user H.

[0068] In one example, the host user H designs the operating configuration prior to a scheduled live demonstration, and the host mobile device 200h transmits the operating configuration to the server 300. The participant user P can sign up to the demonstration, as shown on the Demonstration screen 540 in Figure 7d. In response to receiving input from the participant user P to sign up to the demonstration, the participant mobile device 200p can download, from the server 300, the operating configuration (e.g., sequence of operating modes) for the demonstration. When the host user H switches on the host hair styling appliance lOh, the host hair styling appliance lOh sends a message to the host mobile device 200h indicating that the host hair styling appliance lOh has been switched on. The host mobile device 200h then sends instructions to the host hair styling appliance lOh to operate in accordance with the pre-designed operating configuration. The host mobile device 200h also sends a message, via the server 300, to the participant mobile device 200p, the message indicating that the host hair styling appliance lOh has been switched on. The participant mobile device 200p, in response, sends instructions to the participant hair styling appliance lOp to operate in accordance with the pre-designed operating configuration previously downloaded on to the participant mobile device 200p.

[0069] The participant user P can rate a particular style after they have operated the participant hair styling appliance lOp in accordance with the operating configuration forthat style, as shown by the rating selector 532 of the software application in Figure 7c. The server 300 may determine an average rating for the style from ratings received from the participants that have rated that style. The server 300 may display, using the software application, the average rating, alongside the style (e.g. alongside the result image). The Browse Styles screen 530 may display the styles at respective positions on the screen according to the average ratings; for example, the Browse Styles screen 530 may display a first style with a first rating at a higher position on the screen than a second style with a lower rating.

[0070] In any of the above examples, if the control unit 60, 1160 of the participant hair styling appliance lOp detects an unsafe operation state during the operation in accordance with the instructions, it overrides the instructions received and modifies the current operating mode of the participant hair styling appliance lOp. For example, if a temperature sensor (not shown) communicatively coupled to the control unit 60 detects a temperature at or above a threshold, the control unit 60 reduces the temperature of one or more of the heating elements 51 in the heating unit 50. The control unit 60 can also reduce the airflow produced by the airflow unit 40, to avoid blowing excessively hot air towards the participant user P’s head.

[0071] Furthermore, if the participant user P manually changes an airflow or heat characteristic of the participant hair styling appliance lOp by pressing one of the buttons on the housing 30, the participant hair styling appliance lOp ceases operation according to the sequence of operating modes 521. The hair styling appliance sends, via the communication interface, a message to the mobile device indicating that the participant user P has manually ended the sequence of operating modes 521.

[0072] Additionally, or alternatively, the participant user P user can pre-configure a trigger parameter into the participant hair styling appliance lOp, the trigger parameter defining a threshold which, if exceeded, causes the control unit 60 to override the instructions received and modify the current operating mode of the participant hair styling appliance lOp. For example, the threshold may define a temperature limit for which, if the temperature sensor detects a temperature at or above the temperature limit, the control unit 60, 1160 reduces the temperature of one or more of the heating elements 51 in the heating unit or reduces the airflow produced by the airflow unit 40. The participant user P can pre-configure the trigger parameter using the software application executing on the participant mobile device 200p; the participant mobile device can send the trigger parameter to the participant hair styling appliance lOp along with the instructions.

[0073] In any of the above examples, the user controls 61 of the participant hair styling appliance lOp may comprise a confirmation interface. The confirmation interface enables the participant user P to accept or reject the operating configuration when the instructions for operating the participant hair styling appliance lOp according to the operating configuration are received by the participant hair styling appliance lOp. The confirmation interface may comprise any suitable user input device, such as one or more buttons, or a touchscreen. This enables the participant user P to confirm whether the operating configuration should be applied to the participant hair styling appliance lOp.

[0074] While the hair styling appliances described above are Dyson Airwrap® hair styling appliances, it will be appreciated that other hair styling appliances, such as curling irons with no airflow unit 40, may also be used. For example, as described in patent application GB2617152A, the hair styling appliance may comprise a curling iron with a barrel around which hair may be wrapped, the barrel comprising a plurality of zones arranged longitudinally and / or circumferentially around the barrel. The operating configuration may be designed by the host user H, using the host mobile device 200h, the operating configuration comprising a first heating characteristic for a first zone of the plurality of zones, and a second heating characteristic for a second zone of the plurality of zones. Alternatively, the hair styling appliance may comprise a hair straightener or a hair dryer. In other examples, the hair styling appliance may comprise a rotating hair styling device, comprising a body and a rotatable portion mounted to the body. In such examples, the hair styling appliance may comprise a rotation unit and the operating mode may comprise a rotational characteristic for operating the rotation unit. The rotational characteristic may comprise a rotation speed and / or a rotation angle.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of operating a hair styling appliance, the method comprising, by a control unit of the hair styling appliance: receiving instructions, from a server computer, for operating the hair styling appliance according to an operating configuration, the operating configuration comprising an operating mode for the hair styling appliance; and operating the hair styling appliance in accordance with the instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hair styling appliance comprises a heating unit, and the operating mode comprises a heating characteristic for operating the heating unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the heating characteristic relates to a first location in the heating unit, and the operating mode comprises a further heating characteristic relating to a second location in the heating unit, the further heating characteristic being different to the heating characteristic.

4. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hair styling appliance comprises an airflow unit for generating an airflow, and the operating mode comprises an airflow characteristic for operating the airflow unit.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating configuration comprises a sequence of operating modes, including the operating mode, for the hair styling appliance.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the operating configuration comprises a timestamp at which an operating mode of the hair styling appliance is to be changed from a first operating mode in the sequence to a second operating mode in the sequence.

7. The method of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the operating configuration comprises a time interval for the operating mode.

8. The method of any of claims 5 to 7 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the sequence of operating modes comprises: a hot operating mode comprising a first heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, and a cool operating mode comprising a second heating characteristic for operating the heating unit, the second heating characteristic corresponding to a lower temperature for the heating unit than the first heating characteristic.

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein operating the hair styling appliance comprises operating the hair styling appliance substantially in synchrony with operation of a further hair styling appliance in accordance with the operating configuration.

10. The method of any of the preceding claims, comprising: displaying, on a display device, to a participant user of the hair styling appliance: operation, in accordance with the operating configuration, of a host hair styling appliance by a host user.

11. The method of any of the preceding claims, comprising: recording, by a recording unit of a recording hair styling appliance, the operating configuration, in response to the recording hair styling appliance being operated by a user in accordance with the operating configuration; and transmitting, from the recording hair styling appliance to the server computer, the operating configuration.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, comprising: generating, by a computer in response to input from a designer user, the operating configuration; and transmitting, from the computer to the server computer, the operating configuration.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising selecting the operating configuration, by a device of a client user in response to input from the client user, from among a plurality of operating configurations for operating the hair styling appliance.

14. The method of any of the preceding claims, comprising displaying, on a display, a result image showing hair resulting from operating a hair styling appliance in accordance with the operating configuration, on the hair.

15. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein operating the hair styling appliance comprises, in response to detecting an unsafe operation state during the operation in accordance with the instructions, modifying a current operating mode of the hair styling appliance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein detecting the unsafe operation state comprises detecting, using a temperature sensor of the hair styling appliance, a temperature at or above a threshold.

17. A system comprising a hair styling appliance, configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 16.

18. The system of claim 17, being configured to perform the method of claim 12, and comprising the computer.

19. The system of claim 17 or claim 18, being configured to perform the method of claim 10, and comprising the display device.

20. A hair styling appliance comprising a control unit, the control unit being configured to: receive instructions, from a server computer, for operating the hair styling appliance according to an operating configuration, the operating configuration comprising an operating mode for the hair styling appliance; and operate the hair styling appliance in accordance with the instructions.

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