Position monitoring for a hair processing system

Abstract

A method of operating an automated hair processing system (10) and the automated hair processing system (10), comprising a portable hand-held hair processing appliance, a hair processing unit arranged at the appliance, and a position monitoring arrangement (30), the arrangement comprising a plurality of position sensors (32) arranged to be attached to a subject (12) whose hair is to be processed, a transmitter (34) that is operatively coupled with at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32), and a position controller (42) that is arranged to detect a relative orientation between the at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32) attached to the subject whose hair, and that signals a misorientation state.

Claims

1. A hair cutting system, comprising a portable hand-held hair processing appliance, a hair processing unit arranged at the appliance, and a position monitoring arrangement, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of position sensors arranged to be attached to a subject whose hair is to be processed, a transmitter that is operatively coupled with at least two position sensors of the plurality of position sensors, and a position controller that is arranged to detect a relative orientation between the at least two position sensors arranged to be attached to the subject whose hair is to be processed in a calibration mode and to detect a defined change in the relative orientation between the at least two position sensors attached to the subject whose hair is to be processed in an operation mode, wherein the position controller is further arranged to signal a misorientation state between the at least two position sensors, and wherein at least one feature of the hair processing appliance is controllable dependent on at least on of an actual orientation and an actual position of the hair processing appliance with respect to a head of the subject.

2. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two position sensors are arranged to be attached to the head of the subject, and wherein the position controller is arranged to detect at least one of an actual orientation and an actual position of the hair processing appliance with respect to the head.

3. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two position sensors are provided that are arranged as ear-mountable position sensors.

4. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least two position sensors are arranged as earplug sensors or ear bud sensors, and wherein the position controller is arranged to detect a relative rotation distortion, due to undesired sensor rotation in the ear.

5. The hair cutting system as claimed in 1, wherein the relative orientation change detected by the position controller is a rotation orientation change.

6. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a magnetic field transmitter that generates an alternating magnetic field, and wherein the at least two position sensors are magnetic sensors.

7. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one position sensor of the at least two position sensors of the plurality of position sensors arranged to be attached to the subject whose hair is to be processed comprises a coil arrangement that senses an electromagnetic field created by the transmitter, and wherein an orientation signal is transmitted from the at least one position sensor to the position controller.

8. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coil arrangement comprises a plurality of coils that are arranged at a different orientation with respect to one another.

9. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter is arranged at the housing of the hair processing appliance, and wherein the at least two position sensors form a position reference for magnetic position detection.

10. The hair cutting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hair property controller that is arranged, on the basis of a hair property model, to control at least one feature of the hair cutting system dependent on at least one of the actual orientation and the actual position of the hair processing appliance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the following drawings

(2) FIG. 1 shows a simplified general layout of an exemplary embodiment of an automated hair processing system;

(3) FIG. 2 shows another alternative layout of an embodiment of an automated hair processing system;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a simplified perspective view of an ear-wearable position sensor that is arranged to be used in a position monitoring arrangement for an automated hair processing system;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic simplified side view of a model representation of a user's head in which a position reference is provided;

(6) FIG. 5 is a further simplified schematic side view of a model of a user's head wherein, due to undesired sensor movements, a misalignment is present;

(7) FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic top view of a model of a user's head in a polar coordinate system, wherein two ear-wearable position sensors are indicated;

(8) FIG. 7 is a right side view of the arrangement of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a left side view of the arrangement of FIG. 6; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a method of operating an automated hair processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(11) FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic illustration of an automated hair processing system 10 which may be also referred to as automated hairstyle processing system. The system 10 may be also referred to as automated haircut processing system. In general, as already indicated further above, the present disclosure generally relates to grooming, processing and/or styling human hair and animal hair which may involve head hair and body hair.

(12) The system 10 is arranged to perform a haircut or hairstyle operation at a client or subject 12 in a computer-aided automatic and/or semi-automatic fashion. A field of application for the system 10 may be a hair processing operation applied to the user itself. Hence, in the following the subject 12 will be referred to as user, even though a third person may operate the appliance. Needless to say, also another person may operate the system 10.

(13) In FIG. 1, a haired portion 16 at a head or scalp portion 14 of the user 12 is illustrated. Generally, the system 10 is arranged as a smart haircutting or hairstyling system.

(14) The system 10 comprises a haircutting appliance 20 which may be also referred to as automated haircutting appliance. The appliance 20 is arranged as a hand-held or hand-guided appliance. Generally, the appliance 20 may be similar to a standard non-automated haircutting appliance but may be augmented and supplemented by additional processing and control features. Generally, the device 20, particularly a housing 22 thereof, may be grasped by a user and operated so as to cut hair. This may involve moving the device 20 through the haired portion 16 at the head portion 14 of the user 12 and cutting hairs to a desired length. The device 20 may be held and operated by the subject 12 itself (whose haircut is to be processed). In the alternative, the device 20 may be operated by another individual.

(15) The device 20 comprises a processing unit 24 which is attached to the housing 22. The processing unit may involve, for instance, a blade set. Further, a comb 26 may be coupled with the processing unit 24. In at least some embodiments, the comb 26 is arranged as an adjustable spacing comb. Further, an adjustment unit 28 for the comb 26 is provided. Generally, the comb 26 defines an offset between a skin or scalp level at the subject 12 and the processing unit 24. Consequently, the hair length may be controlled.

(16) In automated hair processing systems 10, the operation of the appliance 20 may be controlled dependent on an actual position of the appliance 20 with respect to the user 12. To this end, a position monitoring arrangement 30 is provided. The position monitoring arrangement 30 comprises a plurality of position sensors 32. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, two position sensors 32 may be provided. Each of the position sensors 32 shown in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is arranged as an ear-wearable or ear-mountable sensor 32. More particularly, at least in some embodiments, the position sensors 32 may be referred to as ear plug sensors or ear bud sensors.

(17) Further, a transmitter 34 may form part of the position monitoring arrangement. In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 34 is implemented in the appliance 20. The transmitter 34 cooperates with the position sensors 32. As a result, a position and orientation of the appliance 20 with respect to the head 14 of the user 12 may be detected and tracked. In regard of a general layout of a position detection system for an automated hair processing system, reference is made again to WO 2013/163999 A1.

(18) In general, the main purpose of the position monitoring arrangement 30 is to detect a current position of the appliance 20, particularly of the processing unit 24 thereof, with respect to the haired portion 16 of the head portion (scalp) 14 of the subject 12. Consequently, the actual position of the appliance 20 may be assigned to a respective hair property value, particularly to a hair length value. As a result, automated hair processing is enabled as the adjustment unit 28 may be automatically operated so as to adjust the comb 26 accordingly.

(19) As further shown in FIG. 1, also a computing device 40 may form part of the system 10. This may be for instance the case when the appliance 20 as such does not provide sufficient data processing and computing capacity. By way of example, the computing device 40 may be arranged as a mobile device such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, etc. The computing device 40 comprises a processing unit which implements at least one controller 42. The controller 42 may be also referred to as position controller.

(20) Further, user feedback units 44, 46 may be provided as to establish an interaction between the user and the appliance 20 via the computing device 40. For instance, user feedback may be provided via a display 44 and via speakers 46. Further, a memory unit 48 may be arranged at the computing device 40. The memory unit 48 may be used to store hairstyle and/or haircut models. More generally, operational data may be stored in the memory unit 48. In FIG. 1, visual information 50 is displayed on the screen 44. Hence, visual operator guidance may be provided which further facilitates the hair processing operation.

(21) A head topology model and a hairstyle model may be stored in the memory unit 48. Hence, a respective hair length value may be assigned to a specific scalp portion.

(22) Further reference is made to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternative embodiment of a hair processing system 10. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, a hair processing appliance 20 is provided. Further, a position monitoring arrangement 30 implementing two ear-wearable sensors 32 is provided. As indicated by a simplified block representation, also a computing device 40 may be provided. It is to be noted that the computing device 40 as such may be also integrated in the appliance 20. Hence, the appliance 20 as such may comprise sufficient computing capacity.

(23) In FIG. 2, the appliance 20, the computing device 40 and the sensors 32 are illustrated in a more simplified schematic representation.

(24) So as to monitor the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the user 12 and to operate the comb 26 accordingly, data links may be established between the appliance 20, the computing device 40 and the position monitoring arrangement 30, particularly the sensors 32 thereof. At the appliance 20, a control interface 54 is provided. At the sensors 32, a control interface 56 is provided. At the computing device 40, a control interface 56 is provided. In FIG. 2, a wireless data exchange between the control interfaces 54, 56, 58 is established.

(25) Further, the sensors 32 may be provided with a battery 62 or, more generally, with a power supply. Hence, at least in some exemplary embodiments, the sensors 32 are arranged as active sensors that are capable of transferring data. By way of example, the transmitter 34 of the appliance 20 may be arranged as an electromagnetic transmitter that generates an electromagnetic field. The sensors 32 may be arranged to sense the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter 34. Hence, the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the sensors 32 may be detected and thus the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the user's scalp 14.

(26) A respective signal that is indicative of the current position and/or orientation of the appliance 20 may be transferred via the control interfaces 56, 58 to the computing device 40. Hence, the position controller 42 may calculate a current position of the appliance 20. Further, the computing device 40 may implement a hair property controller 66 that controls a setting of the appliance 20 dependent on the current position. By way of example, the hair property controller 66 may assign a defined comb length value to the detected position of the appliance 20. A corresponding control signal may be transferred via the control interfaces 54, 56 to the appliance 20, particularly to the adjustment unit 28 thereof. Hence, a feature of the appliance 20 may be controlled dependent on the current position of the appliance 20 in a continuous or quasi-continuous fashion.

(27) FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an ear-wearable position sensor 32. As indicated above, the position sensor 32 may be provided with a control interface 56 for communication. Further, a battery and/or power supply 62 may be provided, refer also to FIG. 2. A sensing section of the sensor 32 may involve a coil arrangement 70. Hence, the position sensor 32 may be arranged to sense an electromagnetic field. The appliance 20 may be provided with a respective transmitter 34, refer also to FIG. 2. As a consequence, depending on the characteristics of the sensed electromagnetic field, the position sensor 32, particularly a plurality of respective sensors 32, may detect the position of the appliance 20.

(28) So as to increase a position detection accuracy, a multi-axis coil arrangement 70 may be provided. In FIG. 3, a first coil 72, a second coil 74 and a third coil 76 are illustrated. The coils 72, 74, 76 are arranged at an orientation offset with respect to one another. For instance, the coils 72, 74, 76 may be respectively perpendicular to one another. As a consequence, not only a distance detection but also a spatial position detection may be enabled. Further, since typically a plurality of sensors 32, particularly a pair of opposite ear-mounted sensors 32, is used, a high precision position monitoring is enabled which results in an improved accurate hair processing operation.

(29) It has been observed that a position monitoring arrangement 30 that implements ear-wearable sensors 32 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a practicable and viable approach to position monitoring for automated hair processing systems 10.

(30) However, it has been observed as well that particularly ear-wearable or ear-mountable sensors 32 are prone to undesired sensor movements, particularly to undesired sensor rotation about a main axis thereof, refer also to the curved double-arrow designated by reference numeral 78 in FIG. 3 that indicates undesired sensor rotation.

(31) Further reference is made to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, illustrating a simplified side view of a model scalp 14. A topology of the scalp 14 is indicated by a grid which is mapped to the head. Hence, a model 80 can be provided which includes a representation of the topology of the scalp 14 and corresponding hair property values, for instance hair length values. As indicated by reference numeral 32, a position sensor is attached to the head. At the beginning of a hair processing procedure, position detection may be initiated by applying the sensor 32 and by calibrating the position monitoring arrangement 30 that utilizes the sensor 32.

(32) As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 32 may be arranged as a position sensor that is capable of detecting spatial positions. For instance, the coil arrangement 70 involving three coils 72, 74, 76 as shown in FIG. 3 enables three-dimensional position detection. In other words, the coil arrangement 70 may determine an inherent coordinate reference of the sensor 32. By way of example, the sensor 32 may be capable of detecting a distance between the transmitter 34 of the appliance 20 and the sensor 32 in a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a height direction.

(33) Further reference is made to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the position sensor 32 is still applied to the scalp 14 but is somewhat displaced or rotated. Hence, assuming that a calibration took place in a state as shown in FIG. 4, also the model 80 would be distorted when the sensor 32 is moved. In the state as shown in FIG. 5, the position of the appliance 20 (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) with respect to the distorted model 80 would be detected which does not correspond to the position with respect to the real scalp 14 of the to-be-processed subject.

(34) Sensor rotation is a particular issue as a preferred mounting position for the position sensor 32 is the ear portion of the user. Therefore, the sensors 32 are typically arranged as ear bud sensors or ear plug sensors. For instance, the position sensors 32 may be at least partially inserted in the ear canal. Hence, quite likely a rotation of the position sensor 32 about a central axis of the ear canal may occur when the position sensor 32 is not mounted in a sufficiently fixed fashion.

(35) The same may apply in case the position sensor 32 is provided with an ear hook that is arranged to be placed behind the auricle. Hence, a positioning aid is provided. However, as a really fixed attachment of such an ear bow to the auricle would be experienced as being unpleasant, typically only a relatively soft mounting of the position sensor is applied. Hence, this may still give rise to undesired sensor movements with respect to the scalp 14 of the user, resulting in a distorted hair property model 80.

(36) Further reference is made to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic top view of a user's scalp 14, whereas FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 respectively illustrate a corresponding right side view (FIG. 7) and left side view (FIG. 8). As shown, two position sensors 32 may be applied. Each of the position sensors 32 may be attached to an ear of the user 12. In FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a coordinate reference is indicated by a globe that represents, for instance, a polar coordinate system implementing a longitude and latitude grid scheme.

(37) During an initial calibration of the position sensors 32, the position sensors' 32 inherent position references may be correlated with the global model 80. Applying two or even more position sensors 32 further increases the position detection accuracy. Hence, the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the scalp 14 of the user 12 may be detected in a precise fashion.

(38) A further benefit of the provision of two or more position sensors 32 is that also relative movements between the position sensors 32 may be detected. By way of example, a rotation of the right side position sensor 32 as shown in FIG. 7, refer to the arrow 84 with respect to the left side position sensor 32 as shown in FIG. 8 may be detected. By contrast, a rotation of the left side position sensor 32 (refer to the arrow 86 in FIG. 8) with respect to the right side position sensor 32 may be detected. A rotation axis in indicated in FIG. 6 by reference numeral 82.

(39) In a normal state of operation, no relative movement between the sensors 32 should be present. Therefore, whenever a considerable movement between the position sensors 32 is detected which may involve applying a respective relative movement threshold, it may be concluded that the initial calibration of the position sensors 32 is no longer valid.

(40) As a result, it may be further concluded that the position detection does no longer fulfill the required accuracy level. In other words, a model head topology which forms part of the hair property model 80 does no longer match the actual contour of the scalp 14 of the user 12.

(41) A remedy for this undesired misorientation state may be to prompt the user of the appliance to recalibrate the position monitoring arrangement 30, refer to FIG. 1. Hence, the position sensors 32, in their actual mounting position and orientation, may be correlated with the actual scalp contour of the subject 12 which involves a matching of the hair property model 80 with the present contour of the scalp 14. Further, the user may be prompted to reattach the displaced/rotated position sensor 32 in a firm fashion.

(42) As a result, a detection of the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the position sensors 32 enables a mediate but rather high-precision detection of the position of the appliance 20 with respect to the scalp 14. Hence, in accordance with the hair property model 80 that is used for the present hair processing procedure, the appliance 20 may be operated so as to perform the desired hair processing operation.

(43) Applying two or more position sensors 32 has the further advantage that a movement of the head of the subject 12, for instance nodding, turning, etc. may be discriminated from a relative movement between the two or more position sensors 32. Hence, in each case, respective appropriate countermeasures may be taken.

(44) Whenever a certain relative movement between the position sensors 32 is detected, particularly a relative rotation about an axis 82 (FIG. 6) that extends between the ears of the subject 12, it may be assumed that this relative movement is attributable to at least one of the sensors 32 getting or slipping out of position.

(45) Reference is made to FIG. 9, showing a simplified block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of automated hair processing.

(46) The method involves a step S10 including a provision of a hair processing appliance, particularly a haircutting or hairstyling appliance. Further, the method involves a step S12 including a provision of a position monitoring system involving at least two position sensors which may be arranged to be attached to a user's head. Preferably, the position sensors are arranged as ear-wearable or ear-mountable sensors.

(47) In a further step S14, the position sensors are attached and put in place. Hence, for instance, a first position sensor may be attached to the left ear and a second position sensor may be attached to the right ear of the user.

(48) In a subsequent step S18, a calibration takes place. The calibration step S18 correlates an inherent position/orientation reference of the position sensors with a global position reference, i.e. the head/scalp topology of the user. Hence, a hair property model including a head/scalp topology and corresponding hair property values, particularly hair length values, may be matched with the actual user's head.

(49) Further, a hair processing step S18 may be initiated. The hair processing step S18 may include a haircutting or, more generally, hairstyling operation.

(50) Typically, the hair processing procedure involves a position monitoring step S20. The position monitoring involves a detection of a position of the hair processing appliance with respect to the user's head. Hence, based on the hair property model, respective features of the hair processing appliance may be controlled accordingly in a position-dependent fashion. This results in an automated or computer-aided hair processing procedure.

(51) Further, a position control step S22 is provided which is, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, arranged as a decision step. In the step S22, a relative position/orientation between the two sensors is monitored. In case it is detected that a level of relative motion/relative rotation between the position sensors exceeds a defined threshold, it may be concluded that one of the sensors turned or slipped out of place. In other words, in the step S22, an actual value/setpoint comparison may take place.

(52) In case it is detected in the step S22 that an undesired level of sensor movement is reached, it may be indicated, in a step S24, that another calibration (step S16) is necessary (recalibration). Hence, the step S24 may be also referred to as signaling step. In the step S24, the user may be prompt to rearrange and put the sensors back into position.

(53) When it is concluded in the step S22 that no adverse sensor movement takes place, the hair processing operation, step S18, may be continued or resumed which again involves the supplemental position monitoring step S20.

(54) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

(55) In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(56) A computer program may be stored/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 may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. A computing device may be a mobile or hand-held device, such as a mobile phone, a mobile computer, a table computer, etc.

(57) Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.