Beard Growth Distribution Analysis via Hair Clipper Movement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for monitoring hair cutting devices during a hair cutting process do not provide information on the distribution of hair growth on the face of the subject, including areas with beard growth and the density of that growth.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives movement measurements of a hair cutting device over a subject's face, determines the locations of the device, analyzes these locations to identify areas of beard growth, and calculates the beard growth distribution based on these areas, including the density of growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If selfies or other images are used to determine face shape and beard growth category, then the determination can be made visually, but privacy issues arise and technical challenges occur when image quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera integrated into the hair cutting device as an intermediary to capture images during the shaving process. This mediator enables beard growth analysis without requiring the user to manually take selfies, thereby resolving the privacy concern while maintaining measurement capability. The camera captures the face during normal device operation rather than requiring separate photo-taking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual selfie-taking process with an automated image capture system using a camera and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for user action to capture images and provides consistent image quality regardless of user skill, while also removing the privacy issue associated with manual selfies.
2Loss of information
If movement measurements are used to determine device locations during hair cutting, then device position tracking is achieved, but information on beard growth distribution and density is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate functions: device location tracking using movement measurements and beard growth analysis using image processing. By combining these functions, the system not only tracks device position but also analyzes the captured images to determine beard growth distribution and density in the tracked areas, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining tracking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The hair cutting device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a shaving tool and as an imaging device for beard growth analysis. The camera and image processing capabilities enable the device to perform multiple functions: cutting hair, capturing images, tracking movement, and analyzing beard growth patterns, thus providing comprehensive information without requiring separate devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for determining a beard growth distribution for a subject. The method comprises receiving (101) movement measurements representing movement of a hair cutting device over a face of the subject during a hair cutting process; determining (103) a set of locations of the hair cutting device during the hair cutting process from the received movement measurements; analysing (105) the set of locations to determine areas of the face in which there is beard growth; and determining (107) the beard growth distribution based on the determined areas of the face in which there is beard growth.