Hair Shape Card Visual Reference System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers lack a reliable and simple method to accurately self-assess their hair shape, leading to confusion and poor product selection due to self-perception and external influences, resulting in inadequate hair product usage.

Innovation Solution

A shape card comprising three parts: reference markers for assessing hair waves, curvature, and descriptors to identify specific hair shapes, allowing consumers to compare their hair with provided markers for accurate self-assessment without expert judgment or laboratory measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If consumers use self-perception to judge their hair shape, then the assessment method is simple and accessible, but the accuracy and reliability of the assessment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of assessment methodVSAvoidaccuracy of hair shape assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual copies or representations of different hair shapes (illustrations, photographs, or 3D models) on the shape card to enable consumers to compare their hair against standardized references. This copying approach provides accurate classification without requiring expert judgment, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The shape card acts as an intermediary tool between the consumer's self-assessment capability and accurate hair shape classification. It provides a standardized reference system that mediates the comparison process, enabling consumers to achieve expert-level accuracy through self-comparison without direct expert involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If consumers rely on external influences such as advertising and comparisons with others, then social validation is achieved, but the accuracy of self-assessment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocial applicability of assessmentVSAvoidaccuracy of hair shape identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized visual references on the shape card provide an objective benchmark that is independent of external influences like advertising or peer comparisons. Consumers can accurately identify their hair shape by comparing against these neutral, standardized copies rather than subjective external references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the assessment method requires expert judgment or laboratory measurements, then the accuracy of hair shape assessment is improved, but the complexity and accessibility of the method deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of hair shape assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of assessment tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring complex laboratory equipment or expert judgment, the patent uses simplified visual copies of hair shapes that can be easily reproduced on a card. This copying approach maintains assessment accuracy while dramatically reducing complexity and improving accessibility for consumer use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The shape card enables consumers to perform the assessment themselves without requiring expert intervention or complex laboratory facilities. The self-service nature of the tool maintains accuracy while eliminating the complexity associated with expert-mediated assessment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3863468B1Hair shape card and method
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 UNILEVER GLOBAL IP LTD
  • EP3863468B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3863468B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3863468B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5E

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shape card for the self-assessment of the shape of hair, comprising a first part comprising one or more reference markers for assessing the number of hair waves; a second part comprising one or more reference markers for assessing hair curvature; and a third part comprising one or more descriptors each describing a specific hair shape, which is the resultant hair shape of a combination of one reference marker from the first part and one reference marker from the second part. The present invention also relates to the use of such shape card.