Non-Invasive Hair Thickness Measurement via Digital Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining hair thickness require invasive sampling and lengthy analysis processes, making it difficult to obtain timely and non-destructive measurements for cosmetic and non-therapeutic treatments.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a computing unit with a processor and image data input interface to process images of hair, converting them into binary data and generating bar charts for hair thickness values without the need for invasive sampling, allowing for non-destructive and rapid assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a tuft of hair is cut and supplied for analysis, then the thickness of individual hairs can be determined with statistical distribution, but it requires invasive handling and a not insignificant period of time for transport and analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair thickness measurementVSAvoidtime for transport and analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital imaging to create a visual copy of the hair sample, allowing analysis to be performed on the image data rather than requiring physical transport of the actual hair sample. The image captures the hair thickness information that can then be processed computationally, eliminating transport time while preserving measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical analysis system with a digital/image processing system. Instead of physically handling and transporting hair samples through laboratory equipment, the system uses image capture and computational analysis to determine hair thickness, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a tuft of hair is cut and supplied for analysis, then the thickness of individual hairs can be determined, but it requires invasive handling of the hair on a person's head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair thickness measurementVSAvoidinvasive handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital replica of the hair sample through imaging, allowing the actual hair to remain on the person's head without being cut or handled invasively. The image contains all necessary information for thickness measurement, eliminating the need for physical sample collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes physical manipulation of hair samples with digital image processing. The imaging system captures hair characteristics non-invasively, and computational algorithms analyze the image data to determine thickness, completely avoiding the harmful factor of invasive handling while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If image processing is used to determine hair thickness, then the measurement can be performed quickly and non-invasively, but the system requires a computing unit with image data input interface and processing capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of hair thickness determinationVSAvoidcomputing unit requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a computing unit with general-purpose image processing capabilities that can handle multiple tasks. The same computing infrastructure used for standard image analysis is applied to hair thickness measurement, avoiding the need for specialized complex hardware while achieving rapid results through versatile computational processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10959665B2Determining the thickness of hair on the head in a damage-free way

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Devices and methods for determining the thickness of hair are provided. An exemplary device includes a computing unit with a processor and a local memory. The processor is connected to the local memory and configured to read data from and/or to write data into the local memory. The device further includes a user input/output unit configured for interaction with a user. Also, the computing unit includes an image data input interface for receiving image data of at least one individual hair. The image data input interface is connected to the processor. Further, the computing unit includes a user interface connected to the user input/output unit and to the processor. The computing unit is configured to process the image data of the at least one individual hair to create hair thickness values of the at least one individual hair and to output the hair thickness values to the user interface.