Apparatus and method for analyzing hair and/or predicting an outcome of a hair-coloring treatment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for analyzing hair and/or predicting an outcome of hair-coloring treatment. disclosed is method of predicting a result of a hair-color-modifying treatment on a sample of hair, the method comprising: a. for each given region of a plurality of distinct regions, respectively measuring a region-specific spectrum of respective material of the hair-sample respectively disposed within the given region; and b. computing first and second predicted post-treatment spectra respectively from first and second initial spectra by respectively predicting a transformation of the first and second initial spectra following subjecting the sample of hair to the hair-color-modifying treatment, the first and second initial spectra being distinct and (i) derived from the plurality of measured region-specific spectra and/or (ii) corresponding to first and second of the measured region-specific spectra.

Claims

1. A method of predicting a result of a hair-color-modifying treatment on a sample of hair, the method comprising: a) for each given region of a plurality of distinct regions, respectively measuring a region-specific spectrum of respective material of the hair-sample respectively disposed within the given region to obtain a plurality of measured region-specific spectra; and b) computing first and second predicted post-treatment spectra respectively from first and second initial spectra by respectively predicting a transformation of the first and second initial spectra following subjecting the sample of hair to the hair-color-modifying treatment, the first and second initial spectra being distinct and (i) derived from the plurality of measured region-specific spectra and/or (ii) corresponding to first and second instances of the plurality of measured region-specific spectra, the method further comprising: computing from the first and second predicted post-treatment spectra, a predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum representing a predicted spectrum for the entire sample of hair after subjecting to the hair-color-modifying treatment, wherein the predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum is further computed in accordance with a hair-shaft color-heterogeneity parameter of the hair-sample which describes relative fractions of natural white shafts and natural-pigmented shafts within a sample of natural gray hair.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the hair-sample is a sample of natural-gray hair that is a mixture of natural white shafts and natural-pigment-containing shafts; each measured region-specific spectrum of a first set of the measured region-specific spectra is generated primarily by light scattered from natural white shaft(s); each measured region-specific spectrum of a second set of the measured region-specific spectra is generated primarily by light scattered from natural-pigment-containing shaft(s); the first and second initial spectra are respectively representative of the first and second set of spectra and are respectively derived therefrom.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the hair-sample is a sample of formerly natural-gray hair that: (A) was formerly mixture of natural white shafts and natural-pigment-containing shafts; and (B) is presently a mixture of shafts of first and second color-types that are respectively derived from the natural white and the natural-pigmented-containing shafts; each measured region-specific spectrum of a first set of the measured region-specific spectra is generated primarily by light scattered from shaft(s) of the first color-type; each measured region-specific spectrum of a second set of the measured region-specific spectra is generated primarily by light scattered from shaft(s) of the second color-type; and the first and second initial spectra are respectively representative of the first and second set of spectra and are respectively derived therefrom.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein multiple region-specific spectra are compared to each other, and the predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum is computed according to the results of the comparing of the region-specific spectra.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a different predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum is respectively computed for each candidate hair-color-modifying treatment of a plurality of candidate hair-color-modifying treatments, and wherein a recommended hair-color-modifying treatment is obtained upon comparing predictions for each of the candidate hair-color-modifying treatments.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising computing a combination of ingredients for a hair-coloring composition in accordance with the sample-representative post-treatment spectrum, and dispensing the computed combination of ingredients.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) is performed respectively for each candidate hair-color-modifying treatment of a plurality of candidate hair-color-modifying treatments, and wherein a recommended hair-color-modifying treatment is obtained upon comparing predictions for each of the candidate hair-color-modifying treatments.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising computing in a combination of ingredients for a hair-coloring composition in accordance with the predicted post-treatment spectra computed in step (b).

9. The method of claim 1 wherein each measured region-specific spectrum includes at least one reading in the [600+N*50 nm, 1000 nm] range, wherein N is an integer having a value of at least 1 or at least 2 or at least 3 or at least 4 or at least 5.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein each measured region-specific spectrum includes at least one reading in all of the following ranges: {[400 nm, 500 nm], [500 nm, 600 nm], [600 nm, 700 nm], [700 nm, 800 nm]}.

11. A method of optically acquiring data from a sample of hair by a measurement device defining object and image planes, the method comprising: a) disposing the hair sample so that the object plane passes through the sample of hair; and b) optically processing light reflected by hair of the sample of that, upon reaching the image plane: i) along each given line of a set of parallel lines in the image plane, only light from a corresponding line of a set of parallel lines in the object plane reaches the given line in the image plane; ii) for each given point along each given line of the set of parallel lines in the image plane, light of only a single wavelength from multiple locations along the corresponding line in the object plane reaches the given point of the given line; and iii) along each given line of the set of parallel lines in the image plane, the wavelength of light received from the object plane monotonically increases.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the processed light is received by an array of photodetectors to detect one or more spectrum of the sample of hair or of a portion thereof.

13. The method of claim 11 performed to measure spectra as follows: for each given region of a plurality of regions, a respective region-specific spectrum of respective material of the hair-sample respectively disposed within the given region is measured.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein: the sample hair is disposed so that the object plane passes through each of the regions; a perpendicular projection of each region into the object plane yields a respective elongated area of the object-plane defining an elongate axis; each elongated area defined by a projection of a respective region into the object plane has a respective aspect ratio equal to at least 5 or at least 10 and/or a respective width of each elongated area of the object plane is at most 100 microns or at most 50 microns or at most 25 microns or most 15 microns; and all of the elongated axes are aligned with each other.

15. The method of claim 14, performed on a sample of hair-shafts that are aligned with each other to define an hair-alignment-axis, the hair-alignment axis being aligned with each of the elongate axes of the elongated areas.

16. Apparatus for predicting a result of a hair-color-modifying treatment on a sample of hair, the apparatus comprising: a) a spectrum-measuring device configured to measure a plurality of spectra as follows: for each given region of a plurality of distinct regions, respectively measuring a region-specific spectrum of respective material of the hair-sample respectively disposed within the given region to obtain a plurality of measured region-specific spectra; and b) electronic circuitry configured to compute first and second predicted post-treatment spectra respectively from first and second initial spectra by respectively predicting a transformation of the first and second initial spectra following subjecting the sample of hair to the hair-color-modifying treatment, the first and second initial spectra being distinct and (i) derived from the plurality of measured region-specific spectra and/or (ii) corresponding to first and second instances of the plurality of measured region-specific spectra, the electronic circuitry being further configured to: compute from the first and second predicted post-treatment spectra, a predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum representing the predicted spectrum for the entire sample of hair after subjecting to the hair-color-modifying treatment, wherein the predicted sample-representative post-treatment spectrum is further computed in accordance with a hair-shaft color-heterogeneity parameter of the hair-sample which describes relative fractions of natural white shafts and natural-pigmented shafts within a sample of natural gray hair.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the spectrum measuring device includes by color-dispersion optics.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the spectrum measuring device includes a hyperspectral device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for preparing a customized hair-coloring composition in accordance with measured optical properties of the user's hair.

(2) FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B respectively illustrate example dispenser and hair-reader devices.

(3) FIG. 4 is a flow-chart of a method for preparing a customized hair-coloring composition.

(4) FIG. 5 is a flow-chart of method for predicting post-treatment spectra according to measured region-specific spectra.

(5) FIG. 6A illustrates hair-shafts on a window of a hair-reader device.

(6) FIGS. 6B and 8 illustrate cross-sections of illuminated hair-shafts.

(7) FIGS. 6C and 7A are top-down views of illuminated hair-shafts.

(8) FIG. 7B illustrates an intersection between a plurality of regions and an object plane.

(9) FIG. 9 is a flow-chart of method for predicting post-treatment colorimetric data according to measured region-specific colorimetric data.

(10) FIG. 10A is a flow chart is a technique for predicting a result of a hair-color-modifying treatment, according to some embodiments.

(11) FIG. 10B illustrates clusters according to shaft color-properties.

(12) FIG. 11 is a close-up of substantially-aligned hair shafts on a window of hair-reading device.

(13) FIG. 12A-12B illustrate a plurality of keratinous fibers on a window of a spectral hair-reader.

(14) FIG. 13A illustrates an apparatus for measuring region-specific spectra of hair.

(15) FIG. 13B illustrates a two-dimensional array of photodetectors.

(16) FIGS. 14A-14B, 15A-15B, 16-16B illustrate corresponding parallel lines in the object plane and the image plane.

(17) FIG. 16C illustrates object-plane-projected regions (e.g. elongated areas of the object-plane) formed by projecting regions of space into the object plane.

(18) FIGS. 17-27 illustrate additional embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(19) The claims below will be better understood by referring to the present detailed description of example embodiments with reference to the figures. The description, embodiments and figures are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the claims. It should be understood that not every feature of the presently disclosed methods and apparatuses is necessary in every implementation. It should also be understood that throughout this disclosure, where a process or method is shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one step depends on another being performed first. As used throughout this application, the word may is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e. meaning must).

(20) It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

DEFINITIONS

(21) For convenience, in the context of the description herein, various terms are presented here. To the extent that definitions are provided, explicitly or implicitly, here or elsewhere in this application, such definitions are understood to be consistent with the usage of the defined terms by those of skill in the pertinent art(s). Furthermore, such definitions are to be construed in the broadest possible sense consistent with such usage.

(22) For the present disclosure, an image refers to one or more of (i) an image that is focused in both dimensions of an image plane (hereinafter a 2D-focused image) and (ii) an only-1D-focused-image that is focused in only a first dimension of the image plane and blurred in the second dimension of the image plane that is orthogonal to the first dimension. In the context of images, 1D refers to a single dimension (one-dimension) within the image plane and 2D refers to two dimensions within the image plane. The only-1D-focused-image image may be generated using any optics known in the art including but not limited to a toric lensthe skilled artisan will appreciate that other lenses or other optical components other than lenses (e.g. mirrors) may be used. The terms partial image and a only-1D-focused-image are used interchangeably.

(23) An at least 1D-focused image refers to either an only-1D-focused-image or to a 2D-focused image. Thus any reference to an at least 1D-focused image means that (i) in some embodiments, the image may be an only-1D-focused-image and (ii) in other embodiments, the image may be a 2D-focused image.

(24) Any reference to an image without specifying the number of dimensions in which the image is focused may relate either to an only-1D-focused-image (in some embodiments) or to a 2D-focused image (in other embodiments).

(25) When an image is formed at an intermediate location this means that either (i) a 2D-focused image is formed at the intermediate location (e.g. at a single intermediate location); (ii) only one only-1D-focused-image is formed at a single intermediate location or (iii) first and second only-1D-focused-images (i.e. respectively focused in first and second directions (for example, the first and second directions are orthogonal to each other) and respectively blurred in orthogonals to the first and second directions) are formed in first and second intermediate locations. Thus, an intermediate location refers to one or more intermediate locations.

(26) For the present disclosure, color-dispersion optics refers to optical components which breaks light into spectral components. Examples of color-dispersion optics include but are not limited to a prism and a grating.

(27) A light detector or a detector refers to one or more photodetectorse.g. configured as an image sensor and/or in a 1D or 2D array of photodetectors. In another example, a scanning detector apparatus equivalent to a 1 D or 2D starting array of photodetectors is used. When light is focused in an image plane at the light detector, the photodetector of the light detector is within the image plane.

(28) A slit is a particular type of aperture having a relatively high aspect ratio (e.g. at least 5 or at least 7.5 or at least 10 or at least 15)i.e. a length significantly exceeds a width thereof. For the present disclosure, for any embodiment requiring or reciting a slit, an aperture may be substituted.

(29) The term color-imparting agent refers to a hair-coloring agent (e.g. for example, for permanent hair-coloring) or to an ingredient thereof.

(30) Unless specified otherwise, when a region is projected into a plane, every point of the region is subjected to a perpendicular projection into the plane.

(31) A substantial majority means at least 75%. In some embodiments, a substantial majority is at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 99%. Unless specified otherwise, a majority means at least a majority. Unless specified otherwise. at least a majority means that, in some embodiments, the majority is at least a substantial majorityi.e. at least 75% or at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 99%.

(32) Electronic circuitry may include may include any executable code module (i.e. stored on a computer-readable medium) and/or firmware and/or hardware element(s) including but not limited to field programmable logic array (FPLA) element(s), hard-wired logic element(s), field programmable gate array (FPGA) element(s), and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) element(s). Any instruction set architecture may be used including but not limited to reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture and/or complex instruction set computer (CISC) architecture. Electronic circuitry may be located in a single location or distributed among a plurality of locations where various circuitry elements may be in wired or wireless electronic communication with each other.

(33) A hair-coloring treatment is any treatment which modifies the color of hair shafts. Examples of hair-coloring treatments include hair-dying treatments (e.g. based upon artificial colorants) and bleaching. Examples of hair-dying treatments are temporary, demi-permanent, semi-permanent or permanent hair-dying (e.g. oxidative hair-dying).

(34) A spectrum of material (e.g. hair) may be a reflection spectrum, a transmission spectrum, or an absorption spectrumi.e. light may be scattered from the material in any modes. A spectrum includes readings (i.e. actual measurements) for at least 5 distinct wavelengthsmeasurements are performed for every wavelength of a set of wavelengths SET={.sub.1, .sub.2, .sub.N} where .sub.j>.sub.i if j>i, where N>=5.

(35) When a measurement (e.g. a spectra or a measurement of colorometric data) corresponds to a region of space (or of a plane), the measurement is specific to hair-material within that region.

(36) A set refers to one or more. By way of example, a set of spectrum(a) is one or more spectrum(a).

(37) Unless other specified, a plurality of regions refers to a plurality of distinct regions.

(38) A representative data-object (e.g. representative colorimetric data, or a representative spectrum) of a set of data objects may be computed by comparing the data objects for common feature (i.e. where the representative is selected on the basis of a common feature), or by computing a central tendency value (e.g. an average, or a median value or any other representative value (e.g., a first statistical moment), or according to any other technique appropriate for the art of hair-analysis.

(39) When second data (e.g. a spectrum or a portion thereof, or colorimetric data) is derived from first data, the first data may be obtained by subjecting the first data to analysis and to obtain the second data according to the results of the analysis. For example, the second data may be a mathematical transformationi.e. second_data=f(first_data). In another example, it is possible to analyze the first data with respect to a database, and to obtain the second data from the first data according to the results of the analysis. By way of example, it is possible (i) to store a library of one of more spectrum(a), (ii) to compare a measured region-specific spectrum(a) to the library-stored spectrum, and to (iii) retrieve one or more spectrum(a) from the library according to the results of the comparing.

(40) One particular example relates to computing a representative spectrum that represents a plurality of measured region-specific spectra. In this particular example, it is possible to store a library of spectra where each spectrum characterizes a different respective hair shadeeach of the measured region-specific spectra is compared to the spectra of the libraries to determine common features. According to this particular example, the library-residing spectra having the most common features is designated as the representative spectrum that is representative of the plurality of measured region-specific spectra.

(41) When first and second data-objects (e.g. spectra or colorimetric data) are compared to each other, they are either directly compared, or indirectly compared (e.g. the first and second data-objects may both be directly compared to a third data-object).

(42) An initial spectrum relates to a spectrum before a hair-treatment.

(43) An inter-shaft heterogeneity hair parameter, also referred to as a hair heterogeneity parameter, relates to color-property variations (or lack thereof) between individual hair shafts. One example of a hair heterogeneity parameter is the information that a hair sample is natural gray hair or formerly natural gray hair or neither gray hair nor formerly natural gray hair. Another example of a hair heterogeneity parameter is the fact that a particular hair-sample is a mixture of 25% black hair (i.e. a particular shade of black) and 75% white hair.

(44) In different embodiments, a device (e.g. a measurement device for optically acquiring datafor example, to detect one or more spectra and/or to detect colorimetric data) may be said to define an object plane and/or to define an image plane.

(45) When a device defines an image plane, the image plane location is, definition, a location of the planar array of photodetectors

(46) When a device defines an object plane, by definition, all of the following features are provided: A. the device comprises optics and a planar array of photodetectors; B. light is received by the planar array of photodetectors and converted into electrical signalse.g. the colorimetric data and/or spectra(um) may be read, or derived, from the electrical signals C. before reaching the photodetectors, the light is processed by optics en route to the photodetectors. The optics define a relationship between an object plane and an image plane.

(47) By definition, the image plane is co-planar with the photodetectors of the planar array of photodetectors. Since the planar array of photodetectors specifies the location of the image plane, and since the optics specifies the relationship between the image plane and the object plane, a device is said to define an object plane.

(48) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for preparing a customized hair-coloring composition in accordance with measured optical properties of the user's hair. FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively illustrate example dispenser and hair-reader devicese.g. useful in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a flow-chart of a routine for preparing a hair-coloring compositionfor example, using the system of FIG. 1.

(49) FIGS. 5-27 relate to methods and apparatus for optically acquiring data (e.g. spectral data) from keratinous fiber(s). For example, a plurality of spectra of the keratinous fiber(s) may be detected such that each spectrum corresponds to (i) a different respective portion of the keratinous fiber(s) and/or (ii) material within a different sub-region of space within which at least a portion of the keratinous fiber(s) are disposed.

(50) A Discussion of FIGS. 1-4

(51) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for (i) optically measuring one or properties (e.g. spectra or colorimetric data) of hair and, (ii) in accordance with the optically-measured properties, dispensing material from containers to provide a customized hair-coloring composition. For example, a user desires to color his/her hair to a target shade. An optical measurement of the user's initial hair is performed, and a hair-coloring composition, customized according to the initial state of the user's hair as well as the hair-coloring target is prepared.

(52) Illustrated in FIG. 1 are hair reader 3110, system controller 3120, and dispenser device 3130. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, system controller 3120 includes dispensing decision engine 3140 which includes recipe-search engine 3150, prediction engine 3160 and recipe-scoring engine 3170.

(53) Hair reader 3110 optically acquires optical data from hairfor example by illuminating the hair and detecting light reflected by and/or transmitted by and/or deflected by the hair. System controller 3120 (e.g. comprising a digital computer) receives both the optical data and hair target data (e.g. describing a target shade desired the user). In accordance with the received data, the system controller 3120 computes (e.g. dispensing decision engine 3140) using a customized recipe for the hair-coloring compositione.g. including respective quantities of a plurality of different materials stored in dispenser 3110.

(54) The dispenser proceeds to dispense the materials (e.g. into a mixing vesselNOT SHOWN in FIG. 1) for the hair-coloring composition. These materials may be automatically or manually mixed to form a customized hair-coloring composition, which is applied to the user's hair.

(55) In various examples, the hair-reader 3110 may be or include any one or more (i.e. any combination) of the following: a camera or any other imaging device, a spectrometer (e.g. including color-dispersion optics), a spectrograph, a hyperspectral imaging device. In different examples, a reflection and/or absorption and/or transmission spectrum may be measured.

(56) One non-limiting example of a dispenser 3130 of hair-coloring agents is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this non-limiting example, a plurality of containers 180A-180Q are engaged to dispenser 3130, such that each container contains therein different respective material related to hair-coloring. Dispenser 3130 dispenses a combination of these material into a mixing vessel (NOT SHOWN)e.g. located in port 182.

(57) In the example of FIG. 1, system controller 3120 includes dispensing decision engine 3140 which computes (a) preferred recipe(s) for dispensing material for the hair-coloring composition. Towards this end, a number of candidate recipes may be considered, selected from a relatively large number of possibilities by receipt-search engine 3150 (For each candidate recipe, the predicted outcome of treating the user's hair according to the candidate recipe may be computed by prediction engine 3160 and scored by scoring engine 3170. For example, scoring engine 3170 may compare the predicted outcome with the hair-target data describing the shade desired by the user.

(58) In one example, one or more of 3140, 3150, 3160, and/or 3170 is implemented as software stored in volatile or non-volatile memory).

(59) FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a non-limiting example of a hair-reader 3110 in accordance with some embodiments. Hair-reader 3110 includes a housing 804 (e.g. opaque) and a window 808. In FIG. 3B, a plurality of keratinous fibers 812 are substantially aligned along an alignment axis which corresponds to the y axis.

(60) FIG. 4 is a flow-chart of a non-limiting example of a technique for hair-coloring for example, using the system of FIG. 1. In step S101, user-target data is received and stored (e.g. in volatile and/or non-volatile computer-readable storage). Typically, the user-target data relates to a selected shade or colore.g. a user desires to color his/her hair to the selected shade or color. In step S105, characteristic of a user's hair are measurede.g. using at least a hair-reader device (e.g. for measuring at least one hair-reflection value or for measuring a hair-reflection-spectrum(a)) such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 or 4 or that disclosed in PCT/IB2012/051351 or any related hair-reader device, as discussed below. These characteristics may be electronically analyzed in step S109. According to the technique of FIG. 4, it is possible to compute a customized hair-treatment that is specific to (i) an initial pre-treatment state of the user's hair (e.g. as measured in step S105 and analyzed in step S109) and (ii) the user-target data.

(61) The term user-target typically includes to a target color shadee.g. expressible as a value in color-space such as Hunter Lab color space or any other color space. In addition to a target color shade, user-target data may also include some other desired characteristic of any proposed hair-treatmente.g. a treatment of roots-only as opposed to entire-hair-shaft, a maximum treatment time, etc.

(62) A plurality of hypothetical or candidate hair-treatment protocols may be analyzed and considered. A hair-treatment may refer to any one of: (A) content of a hair-coloring composition (or more than one hair-coloring composition which may be applied sequentially or simultaneouslyfor example, a dye-containing composition and a bleaching composition) to be applied to the hair and/or (B) other treatment parameterse.g. treatment durations, treatment temperature. Computing or specifying a hair-treatment may include specifying at least absolute or relative quantities or loads (i.e. expressed in molar terms, or as weights, or a volumes, or in any other manner known in the art) of one or more hair-coloring agents of a hair-coloring composition (e.g. a multi-agent composition). The term hair-coloring agent may include an artificial colorant/dye, an oxidizer, an alkalizer or an other substance used in the art for temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent or permanent hair-coloring. A hair-coloring agent may be in any phase or form, including but not limited to liquid, gel, mouse, cream, solid, powder, tablet, or any other form known in the art. Optionally, a hair-treatment also includes data relating to treatment time, treatment temperature, multi-stage treatments or any other parameter of treatment. For example, a hair-treatment may entail production of multiple distinct combinations of hair-coloring agentse.g. a coloring mixture and a bleaching mixture which are applied in different stages.

(63) For the present disclosure, the term hypothetical and candidate are used interchangeably and refer to possible treatments that may or may not be actualized.

(64) Typically, the specific characteristics of each user's hair is quite individual (e.g. based upon his/her genotype, age, environmental effects etc.) and the number of potential target shades or colors may also be relatively large. Because of the myriad possible combinations of initial and target hair characteristics, the number of possible candidate/hypothetical hair-treatment protocols may be extremely large, and it is not always known a priori which hair-treatment protocols are predicted to be effective (or most effective) to transform hair from its initial state to a state matching the target data received in step S101.

(65) As such, it may be necessary to electronically analyze multiple hypothetical hair treatments to identify a treatment (or set of more than one hypothetical hair-treatments) which successfully transforms the initial hair to a target color.

(66) This is done in steps S113 and S117. Thus, in step S113, a post-protocol state for the hair is predicted for the hair-characteristics measured in step S105 and a specific candidate hair-treatment. In step S117, it is electronically determined if this post-protocol state matches the specifications of the user target-data.

(67) The term hair-color treatment is not restricted to introducing colorants (e.g. artificial colorants) into the hair (i.e. coloring) but may also include hair-bleaching.

(68) In one non-limiting example, (i) in step S105 one or more initial reflection spectrum(a) are measured, (ii) in step S113 a hypothetical post-treatment reflection spectrum is computed from the initial reflection spectrum and specifics of a candidate hair-treatment protocol, and a color value (e.g. an LAB value) is computed from the hypothetical post-treatment reflection spectrum; and (iii) in step S117 this initial-hair-specific and candidate-protocol-specific LAB value is compared to an LAB value associated with the user-target data received in step S101.

(69) In different embodiments, it is possible to measure a reflection spectrum, a transmission spectrum, a spectrum of deflected light, and an absorption spectrum.

(70) In step S121, a protocol that matches the user target-data is selected. Optionally, for example, if more than one candidate protocol matches the user target-data, these candidate protocols may be analyzed and/or scored, and a more preferred matching hair-coloring protocol may be selected accordingly.

(71) In step S125, according to the selected hair-coloring protocol, respective quantities of hair-coloring agent, for a plurality of hair-coloring agents, are each dispensed according to a specifics of the hair-coloring protocol selected in step S121.

(72) One non-limiting example of a dispenser of hair-coloring agents is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this non-limiting example, different respective hair-coloring agents are disposed in each container of a plurality of containers 180A-180Q. In response to the results of step S121, for at least 2 or at least 3 or at least 4 or at least 5 or at least any number of hair-coloring agents, respective quantities of each hair-coloring agent are dispensed into a vessel (not shown) located in port 192.

(73) In some embodiments, the dispenser is automatic and includes electronic circuitry for regulating quantities of hair-coloring agents that are dispensed.

(74) For the present disclosure, a dispensing a plurality of hair-coloring agents according to the results of some sort of computational and/or electronic operation(s) (e.g. a predicting of a post-hypothetical-hypothetical-hair-treatment spectrum (e.g. reflection spectrum) or a color value derived therefrom) refers to one or more of two situations: (i) a situation whereby electronic circuitry automatically controls a dispensing device (the skilled-artisan is directed to PCT/IB2012/051351 incorporated herein by reference) and/or (ii) a situation whereby hair-coloring instructions computed from an electronic predicting is communicated to a human user (e.g. visually via a computer screen or in any other manner). The hair-coloring instructions may relate to relative quantities of hair-coloring agents and the human user follows the instruction to, for example, dispense hair-coloring agent(s) according to the quantities specified by the computer-provided instructions. The container for a chemical agent may have any form factor (e.g. rigid container, tube, etc) and may either may mounted to a dispenser device as illustrated in FIG. 2 or may be a free or unmounted container.

(75) Once these agents are dispensed into the vessel, one or more steps may, optionally, be performed to transform the contents of the vessel (not shown) into a hair-coloring mixture, which may then be applied to the user's hair to color the hair.

(76) For the present disclosures, the terms input keratinous fiber(s) and initial hair are used interchangeablyboth refers to keratinous fibers(s) (e.g. hair) which is subjected to one or measurements (e.g. optical measurements and/or reflection measurementsfor example, to measure a hair-reflection spectrum(a)) for the purpose of predicting a final state of one or more hypothetical hair-treatments.

(77) The skilled artisan will appreciate that not every step of FIG. 4 is required in every embodiment, the order of steps of FIG. 4 is not limitingthe steps may be performed a different order, additional steps may be performed, and one or more steps may be modified.

(78) A Discussion of FIGS. 5-8

(79) FIG. 5 is a flow-chart of method for predicting post-treatment spectra according to measured region-specific spectra. FIG. 5 is explained with reference to FIGS. 6-7.

(80) In step S201, a plurality of region-specific spectra are measured as followsfor each given region Region.sub.i of a plurality of regions {Region.sub.1, Region.sub.2, . . . Region.sub.N} (N is a positive integer having a value of a least 2; i is a positive integer having a value between 1 and N), a region-specific spectrum SPEC(Region.sub.i) for hair-material disposed within the given region Region.sub.i is measured.

(81) FIG. 6A is a close-up of the portion of FIG. 3B where the hair-shafts are disposed. FIG. 6A relates to one type of natural-gray hair. In the example of FIG. 6A, five hair-shafts 812A-812E are illustratedshafts 812B and 812E are natural-black hair shafts (i.e. by virtue of a presence of natural hair pigments therein) and shafts 812A, 812C and 812D are natural-white hair shafts substantially free of melanin.

(82) FIG. 6B is a cross-section view of the same five hair-shafts. In the example of FIG. 6B, illumination is from belowthe block-arrows of FIG. 6B that are labeled with an I illustrate this illumination. Light reflected back down from the hair shaft is collected by a detector. In this example, the region-dependent spectra are generated on the basis of the reflected light. Also illustrated in FIG. 6B is object plane 820, defined by optics of the detector (NOT SHOWN). As shown in FIG. 6B, object plane 820 passes through the hair-shafts.

(83) FIG. 6C illustrates a cross section of the same five hair-shafts 812A-812E in the x-y planee.g. in object plane 820.

(84) The intersection between a region of space (i.e. in 3-dimensions, having finite dimensions) and object plane is a portion or area of the plane. By wave of example, when an infinite plane passes through a solid sphere, the intersection is the locus of points within a spectrum. Thus, the intersection between a region of space and a plane (e.g. an object plane) is referred to either as a slice of the object plane or a region-object-plane intersection-area.

(85) The term region:object-plane intersection-area refers to the area of object plane 820 contained given region. When an object plane passes through a plurality of regions, the object plane and the regions define a plurality of region:object-plane intersection areas.

(86) As will be discussed below (see FIG. 16), the intersection between a region of space and an area may also be obtained by subjecting the region of space to a perpendicular projection. Thus, in some embodiments, a region:object-plane intersection of a region is synonymous with a perpendicular projection of the region.

(87) FIG. 7A illustrated a portion of the planar-region of FIG. 6Ain the x-direction. FIG. 7A is restricted to the portion of the x-axis between x.sub.1 and x.sub.5 and is restricted to the portion of the y-axis between y.sub.1 and y.sub.5.

(88) In one example related to FIGS. 6A-6B, it is possible to define 228 regions of space (all shaped as rectangular prisms) as follows: (A) all regions are bound in the z-direction by z.sub.1 and z.sub.2; (B) Region.sub.1 of space is bound by x.sub.1 and x.sub.2 (i.e. in the x-direction) and bound by y.sub.1 and y.sub.2 (i.e. in the y-direction); Region.sub.2 of space is bound by x.sub.2 and x.sub.3 (i.e. in the x-direction) and bound by y.sub.1 and y.sub.2 (i.e. in the y-direction); . . . . Region.sub.12 of space is bound by x.sub.12 and x.sub.13 (i.e. in the x-direction) and bound by y.sub.1 and y.sub.2 (i.e. in the y-direction); Region.sub.13, of space is bound by x.sub.1 and x.sub.2 (i.e. in the x-direction) and bound by y.sub.2 and y.sub.3 (i.e. in the y-direction); . . . . Region.sub.228 of space is bound by x.sub.12 and x.sub.13 (i.e. in the x-direction) and bound by y.sub.19 and y.sub.20 (i.e. in the y-direction).

(89) Due to space constraints, these regions are not explicitly labeled as such in FIG. 6C. As noted above, FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of the planar-region of FIG. 6C. In FIG. 7B, an intersection between object-plane 820 and some of the 228 regions are labeled.

(90) The locations in FIG. 7B correspond to those of FIG. 7A. In particular, FIG. 7B relates to the following regions-of-space Region.sub.1, Region.sub.13, Region.sub.25, Region.sub.37; Region.sub.2, Region.sub.14, Region.sub.26, Region.sub.38; Region.sub.3, Region.sub.15, Region.sub.27, Region.sub.39; Region.sub.41, Region.sub.16, Region.sub.28, Region.sub.407;

(91) Because these regions-of-space are three-dimensional, and because FIG. 7B is a two-dimensional figure, what is illustrated in FIG. 7B is not, in fact, each entire region, but rather a slice of each regioni.e. an intersection between each region and a plane passing (e.g. object-plane 820) through all of the regions. These regions are labelled object-plane slice of the regionin this context, the term slice is synonymous with region:object-plane intersection areas.thus, what is illustrated in FIG. 7B are 16 such intersection-areas describing a respective intersection between each of 16 regions and a plane (e.g. object-plane 820) passing through all of the regions.

(92) The object-plane-slice of region illustrates in FIG. 7B are all, in fact, perpendicular projections of the region into the object-plane 820.

(93) The regions of the object plane, illustrated in FIG. 7B (i.e. actually, two-dimensional slices or intersection areas are illustrated), are all single-shaft with respect to white shaft 812ARegion.sub.1. Region.sub.13, Region.sub.25 and Region.sub.37for all of these regions, their respective spectra Spec(Region.sub.1), Spec(Region.sub.3), Spec(Region.sub.25), and Spec(Region.sub.37) are generated primarily from light reflected from one of the natural-white hair shafts (i.e. shaft 812A). Similarly, the intersection of all of the regions with the object plane includes only locations where white-shaft-material is located.

(94) The following regions of the object plane, illustrated in FIG. 7B, are all of which are single-shaft with respect to black shaft 812BRegion.sub.4, Region.sub.16, Region.sub.28 and Region.sub.40for all of these regions, their respective spectra Spec(Region.sub.4), Spec(Region.sub.16), Spec(Region.sub.28), and Spec(Region.sub.40) are generated primarily from light reflected from one of the natural-black hair shafts (i.e. shaft 812B). Similarly, the intersection of all of the regions with the object plane includes only locations where black-shaft-material is located.

(95) Reference is made, once again, to FIG. 5. In step 201, a set of region-specific spectra {Spec(Region.sub.1), Spec(Region.sub.2), . . . , Spec(Region.sub.N)} are generated.

(96) Based upon these region-specific spectra, it is possible to designate and/or compute initial spectra in step S205. The term sample partial in step S205 relates to the fact that the spectra is representative of only a portion of the sample, and not of the sample as a whole. Steps S205-S13 are now explained in terms of two non-limiting examples.

First Example Related to Step S205-S213

(97) It may be decided that since the intersection of Region.sub.1 and the object-plane 820 only includes locations within a white shaft 812A, that Spec(Region.sub.1) is representative of white-hair-shaft spectra. Alternatively or additionally, it may be decided that since Spec(Region.sub.1) is generated primarily from light scattered by white hair-shaft (i.e. shaft 812A), that Spec(Region.sub.1) is representative of white-hair-shaft spectra.

(98) It may be decided that since the intersection of Region.sub.4 and the object-plane 820 only includes locations within a white shaft, that Spec(Region.sub.4) is representative of black-hair-shaft spectra 812B. Alternatively or additionally, it may be decided that since Spec(Region.sub.4) is generated primarily from light scatted by a black hair-shaft (i.e. shaft 812B), that Spec(Region.sub.4) is representative of black-hair-shaft spectra.

(99) In this first example, in step S209 a transformation of Spec(Region.sub.1) after subjecting the hair-sample to a hair-coloring treatment is predictedthe result is TREATMENT_TRANSFORMED(Spec(Region.sub.1)). This may be performed using any method known in the art, including but not limited to techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,117 and PCT/IB2012/051351, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. For example, (i) initial concentration(s) of one or more natural pigments within the hair-shaft may be computed from Spec(Region.sub.1), (ii) an influence a bleaching upon natural pigments (i.e. having the computed initial concentration(s)) and/or a final concentration of artificial colorants may be computed according to the particulars of the hair-coloring process and (iii) TREATMENT_TRANSFORMED(Spec(Region.sub.1)) may be computed according to the final predicted concentration of natural and artificial colorants within hair shafts that are initially natural-white (i.e. as represented by Spec(Region.sub.1))).

(100) In this first example, Spec(Region.sub.4) is representative of the natural-black hair shaft spectrum. Thus, in this first example, in step S213 a transformation of Spec(Region.sub.4) after subjecting the hair-sample to a hair-coloring treatment is predictedthe result is TREATMENT_TRANSFORMED(Spec(Region.sub.4)).

(101) Thus, the first example relates to the case where the first and second initial spectra correspond to first and second region-specific spectra.

Second Example Related to Step S205-S213

(102) In this example, an initial spectra representative the white hair shafts (i.e. which is subsequently transformed in step S209) is defined in step S205 according to the average of the following region-specific spectra (all of which are generated primarily by light scattered from natural-white hair shafts and/or generated from matter within a region of space whose intersection with the object plane 820 only includes locations within a white shaft)Spec(Region.sub.1), Spec(Region.sub.13), Spec(Region.sub.25), and Spec(Region.sub.37). Thus, the first initial spectrum, according to this second example, is AVG(Spec(Region.sub.1), Spec(Region.sub.13), Spec(Region.sub.25), Spec(Region.sub.37)).

(103) Thus, in this second example, the first spectrum is derived from a plurality of region-specific spectrai.e. to be representative of white shafts.

(104) In this example, an initial spectra representative the black hair shafts (i.e. which is subsequently transformed in step S213) is defined in step S205 according to the average of the following region-specific spectra (all of which are generated primarily by light scattered from natural-black hair shafts and/or generated from matter within a region of space whose intersection with the object plane 820 only includes locations within a black shaft)Spec(Region.sub.4), Spec(Region.sub.16), Spec(Region.sub.28), and Spec(Region.sub.40). Thus, the first initial spectrum, according to this second example, is AVG(Spec(Region.sub.4), Spec(Region.sub.16), Spec(Region.sub.28), Spec(Region.sub.40)).

(105) The sample-representative predicted spectra (i.e. computed in step S217) may be used in any manner and for any purpose. In some embodiments, the method includes step S221 where the predicted spectra is used to compute a hair-coloring treatment and/or dispense ingredients therefor.

(106) Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which may be compared to FIG. 6B. In the example of FIG. 6B, a single row of hair-shafts is illustrated. In the example of FIG. 8, an upper row of hair-shafts 812F-812K is shown in addition to the lower row of hair-shafts 812A-812E. When illuminated from below, scattering (in this reflection) is performed primarily but not exclusively by the lower row 812A-812E of hair-shafts which are the front row relative to the illumination.

(107) Before discussing FIG. 9, an additional group of terms are now defined.

(108) A plurality of regions {Region.sub.1, Region.sub.2, . . . Region.sub.N} defines a set of region-pairs as the set of all pairs (Region.sub.j, Region.sub.k) where j.k both positive integers between 1 and N and jk.]

(109) A volume ratio between two regions Region.sub.j, Region.sub.k is (i) 1 if they have the same volume or (ii) otherwise, is the ratio between the volume of the larger region to the volume of the smaller region.

(110) For two overlapping regions Region.sub.j, Region.sub.k (i.e. a pair of regions that overlap) where j.k both positive integers between 1 and N and jk, the combined region is the union Region.sub.jRegion.sub.k. The overlap fraction is the overlapping regions is the ratio between: (i) a volume of the overlapping portion of the region of the region-pairi.e. a volume of Region.sub.jRegion.sub.k and (ii) a volume of the combined region Region.sub.jRegion.sub.k

(111) For an object plane OP and a plurality of regions Region the region:object-plane intersection area of region Region.sub.i is the portion of the object plane OP contained within Region.sub.i. Unless specified otherwise, the term intersection area Intersection_Area refers to a region:object-plane intersection area. FIG. 7B relates to the intersection of 16 regions with an object-plane and illustrates 16 portions of the object-planeall of these portions (referred to as slices of the region) of the intersection plane are region:object-plane intersection areas or intersection areas.

(112) For an object plane OP and a plurality of regions {Region.sub.1, Region.sub.2, . . . Region.sub.N}, the plurality of regions defines a plurality of region-object-plane intersection areas as follows: for a region:object-plane intersection-area, the size is the area and is given in dimension of length.sup.2e.g. mm.sup.2, or microns.sup.2

(113) A size ratio between two region:object-plane intersection-areas (i.e. a pair of the intersection-areas) is (i) 1 if the each of the intersection-areas has the same size; or (ii) the ratio between the larger of the intersection-areas and the smaller of the intersection-areas.

(114) For two overlapping regions Intersection_area.sub.j, Intersection_Area.sub.k defining where j,k both positive integers between 1 and N and jk, the combined area is the union Intersection_Area.sub.jIntersection_Area.sub.k. The overlap fraction is the overlapping intersection-areas (i.e. of a pair of intersection-areas) is the ratio between: (i) a size of the overlapping portion the intersection-area-pairi.e. a size of Intersection_Area.sub.jRegion.sub.k and (ii) a size of the combined region Intersection_Area.sub.jIntersection_Area.sub.k

(115) Discussion of FIG. 9

(116) Reference is now made to FIG. 9. In step S251, a plurality of region-specific colorimetric measurements are performede.g. to acquire, for each region, LAB data or RGB data or any other colorimetric data in the art. In step S255, first and second sample-partial colorimetric data are defined. The sample partial colorimetric data is representative of only a portion of the sample, and not of the sample as a whole.

(117) The first and second colorimetric data are respectively transformed in step S259 and S263. In step S267, sample-representative colorimetric data is computed from the first and second sample-partial predicted post-treatment colorimetric data.

(118) The sample-representative predicted colorimetric data (i.e. computed in step S217) may be used in any manner and for any purpose. In some embodiments, the method includes step S261 where the predicted spectra is used to compute a hair-coloring treatment and/or dispense ingredients therefore.

(119) A Discussion of FIGS. 10A-10B

(120) FIG. 10A is a flow chart is a technique for predicting a result of a hair-color-modifying treatment, according to some embodiments.

(121) In step S301, a determination is made if the hair-sample is a shaft-color-inhomogeneous mixture of hair (e.g. natural-gray hair) or not. If not, then in step S305, it is possible to operate in a hair-homogeneous mode 305. This determination may be made in any mannerin one example, a hair-stylist or other expert user may manually input data. Alternatively or additionally, optically-acquired data of a sample of hair may be analyzed to make the determination. For example, pixel data of a camera-acquired image of the hair may be compared to each other. In another example and as discussed below, sub-region-specific data for multiple sub-regions may be compared to each other.

(122) In step S309, hair-shafts and/or regions thereof are classified according to hair shaft color-type. For example, natural-gray hair comprising white shafts and black shafts may be treated with a red dye to create formerly natural-gray hair comprising (i) light-red hair shafts (i.e. first color type) and (ii) dark-red hair shafts (i.e. second color type).

(123) In one non-limiting example related to automatically detecting of hair type, it is possible to form clusters (see FIG. 10B)e.g. in LAB space or according to any other color-related property. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 10B, each shaft is represented by a different point. In the example of FIG. 10B, it may be concluded that regions R1, R2, R5 and R8 are associated with a first cluster (e.g. natural-white hair) and R3, R4, R7 and R6 are associated with a second cluster (e.g. natural black hair).

(124) Discussion of FIGS. 11-12

(125) FIG. 11 a close-up of substantially-aligned hair shafts on window 808 of hair-reading devicewindow 808 includes a transparent surface 820 (e.g. of glass or plastic) and a support frame 816 for supporting transparent surface 820 on housing 804.

(126) FIG. 12A-12B illustrate a plurality of keratinous fibers on a window of a spectral hair-reader 3110. FIG. 12A is a cross-section view while FIG. 12B is a side view. An illumination source 118 illustrates keratinous fibers, and light (e.g. primarily light of diffusive reflections) therefrom passes through slit or aperture 120. Additional components of the system of FIG. 12A are illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, discussed below.

(127) FIG. 13A is an non-limiting example of an apparatus for measuring a plurality of spectra of hair-shafts, each spectrum corresponding to a different respective sub-region in which a different respective set of hair-shafts (or portions thereof) are disposed. One salient feature of FIG. 13A is the presence of two imaging system 1080 and 1070, each of which comprises a different respective set of optical component(s).

(128) In one non-limiting example, illustrated in FIG. 13B, detector 180 comprises an array (e.g. two-dimensionalfor example, planar array) of photodetectorin the example of FIG. 12, this is an 83 array, though any other section of dimensions (e.g. comprising at least 2 rows and at least 2 columns) may be used. For example, a CCD or CMOS array may be employed.

(129) In some embodiments, imaging system 1080 is operative to focus light reflected and/or deflected and/or transmitted from hair-shafts 812 before this reflected and/or deflected and/or transmitted light passes through slit or aperture 120 so that (i) the hair-shafts 812 are located in an object-plane and (ii) slit or aperture 120 is located in an image plane. In this non-limiting embodiment, the image located at image plane is an intermediate image. The intermediate image (e.g. at slit or aperture 120) may be an only-1D-focused-imagefor example, a focused in a dimension perpendicular to hair-alignment axis 812for example, along the x-axis (see 992 of FIG. 6).

(130) In some embodiments, imaging system 1070 is operative to focus light reflected and/or deflected and/or transmitted from the hair-shafts after passing through slit 120 so that the hair slit 120 (or another intermediate location where the intermediate image) is in an object plane and photodetectors 180 (e.g. a planar two-dimensional array thereofe.g. a CCD or CMOS array) are in an image plane 180thus, photodetectors 180 receive an image of slit 120 on which an image of hair-shafts 812 is presentan image of animage.

(131) Alternatively, instead of a two-dimensional array of photodetectors (i.e. a starting system), a scanning system may be employede.g. to achieve the effect of detecting a two-dimensional image at a focal plane of imaging system 1070.

(132) The image is not required to be located exactly on slit or aperture 120. In and may be located on any location another intermediate location along the optical path between

(133) Also illustrated in FIG. 13A is grating 150. Alternatively, a prism may be used.

(134) In another example, it is possible to detect reflection spectrum(a) and/or absorption spectrum(a) and/or transmission spectrum(a) using photodetector that have wavelength and/or color (i.e. in the visible range or any other spectrum) sensitivity.

(135) Similarly, there is no requirement of a slit or elongated apertureother optical component(s) (e.g. lens(es)) may be configured to provide this functionality.

(136) Thus, some embodiments relate to any device (e.g. monochromator device) configured to measure spectral data (e.g. a reflection, absorption or transmission spectrum) of the keratinous fiber(s).

(137) As illustrated in the non-limiting example of FIG. 13B, (i) Row A of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to detect spectral data of keratinous fiber(s) within sub-region 840A; (ii) Row B of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to detect spectral data of keratinous fiber(s) within sub-region 840B; (iii) Row C of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to detect spectral data of keratinous fiber(s) within sub-region 840C. Examples of such spectrum are illustrated in the right-hand column of FIG. 13B.

(138) A Discussions of FIGS. 14-16

(139) When light is processed by optics of FIGS. 13A-13B, one or more (i.e. any combination of) Feature A and/or Feature B and/or Feature C may be provided.

(140) Reference is now made to FIG. 14A. FIG. 14A illustrates 3 parallel lines in the object plane Line.sub.A, Line.sub.B and Line.sub.C, and 3 object lines in the image plane Line.sub.A, Line.sub.B and Line.sub.C, Line.sub.A is a corresponding line relative to Line.sub.A Line.sub.B is a corresponding line relative to Line.sub.V, and so on (i.e. the A line and the A line are corresponding, the B line and the B line are corresponding, and so on).

(141) Feature Aalong each given line of a set of parallel lines in the image plane, only light from a corresponding line of a set of parallel lines in the object plane reaches the given line in the image plane.

(142) In the example of FIG. 14A, the light is processed (e.g. by the system of FIGS. 13A-13B) so that only light from Line.sub.A reaches Line.sub.A, only light from Lines reaches Line.sub.B, and so on. Thus, no light from Line.sub.B reaches Line.sub.A.

(143) However, it is noted the light from multiple points along a line in the object-plane may reach a since point in the image-plane. Referring to FIG. 14B, it is noted that light from all of points 982A, 984A and 986A may reach point 992A. Light from all of points 982A, 984A and 986A may reach point 992B. Light from all of points 982B, 984B and 986B may reach point 992B.

(144) Feature Bfor each given point along each given line of the set of parallel lines in the image plane, light of only a single wavelength from multiple locations along the corresponding line in the object plane reaches the given point of the given line.

(145) Thus, referring to FIG. 15A, light of wavelength .sub.1 from a variety of locations along line A reaches the single point 992Aonly light of a single wavelength .sub.1 reaches point 992A.

(146) Referring to FIG. 15B, light of wavelength .sub.2 from a variety of locations along line A reaches the single point 994Aonly light of a single wavelength .sub.2 reaches point 992A.

(147) Similarly, FIGS. 16A-16B relate to lines B and B.

(148) Feature C

(149) In some embodiments, along a line of the image plane, the wavelength of light from the object plane monotonically increasesthus, a wavelength of light received at point 994B would exceed the wavelength of light received at point 992A, a wavelength of light received at point 994C would exceed the wavelength of light received at point 992B, and so onin moving in a single direction (i.e. down) the light wavelength monotonically increases.

(150) Discussion of FIG. 16C

(151) As a result of the optics, the of each region may be relatively long and thin, Thus, when each region of space is projected into the object plane, a respective projected region is form. As shown in FIG. 16C, these object-plane-projected regions may be long and thine.g. having an aspect ratio of at least 5, and defining elongate axes (i.e. along the length of each object-plane-projected-region) that are all aligned with each other.

(152) In FIG. 16, the object-plane-projected regions are informally referred to as slices of the object plane. The length of each slice is shown by 828 and the width is shown by the widths of 818A-818Jthe object aspect ratio is the length the length 828 and the widths, and the elongate axis is along the y axis.

(153) Thus, the elongate axis of slice A 818A is along the y axis, the elongate axis of slice B 818B is along the y axis, and so on.

(154) Thus, in FIG. 16C, the area which along the y axis are between locations 822A and 822B and along the x axis within the slice A 818A is a first elongated area of the object-planethe elongate axis of this first elongated area is along the y axis, and an aspect ratio of this elongated area is clearly at least 5 or at least 10. This first elongated area is entirely within white shaft 812A. This first elongated area is formed by the perpendicular projection of a three-dimensional region (e.g. for which a spectrum is measured) into the object-plane.

(155) Similarly, a second elongate area is formed by Slice B 818B, a third elongate region is formed by Slice C 818C. All of these elongated areas are formed by respectively projecting a respective region of space into the object-plane. All of these elongated areas have an elongate axis (i.e. along the longer length) that is along the y axis.

(156) Discussion of FIGS. 17A-17B

(157) In some embodiments, hair may be optically probed (e.g. to acquire spectral and/or reflection data thereof) in-situ. In this case, the hair-reader may be oriented in a generally downward orientation where the user's hair is below (i.e. in terms of height/altitude) window 808. This is illustrated in FIGS. 17B-17B where hair at target site A is optically probed.

(158) Discussion of FIGS. 18-27

(159) As illustrated in FIG. 18, (i) Row A of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to record spectroscopic data of keratinous fiber(s) within slice 840A; (ii) Row B of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to record spectroscopic data of keratinous fiber(s) within slice 840B; (iii) Row C of the 2D-array of photodetectors 180 is used to record spectroscopic data of keratinous fiber(s) within slice 840C. Examples of such spectrum are illustrated in the right-hand column of FIG. 12.

(160) FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a technique for computing a hair-coloring recipe and/or for dispensing hair-coloring agents. In step S301, a plurality of reflection spectra are measured, each spectrum corresponding to a different respective slicee.g. a first spectrum that is specific to hair shaft(s) within slice 840A, a second spectrum that is specific to hair shaft(s) within slice 840B, and a third spectrum that is specific to hair shaft(s) within slice 840C.

(161) In step S309, the slice-specific spectra are compared with each other, and a parameter descriptive of similarity of multiple spectra may be computed. For example, if the spectra are relatively similar to each other, a recipe S313 may be provided for homogenous grey. Alternatively, if the spectra are less similar to each other, a recipe specific to a heterogeneous mixture of hair may be provided. Hair-coloring agents may be dispensed according to the computed hair-coloring recipes.

(162) FIG. 20A illustrates a scalp reflectione.g. a reflection spectra of skin on a user's scalp. FIG. 20BB illustrates the identifying features of a scalp reflection spectrum including points where an Nth derivative (N is positive integer) are zero in the [500 nm, 580 nm] portion of the spectrum. Thus, in the example of FIG. 20B, local maxima 380, local minima 388, and inflection points 384 are illustrated.

(163) In some embodiments, it is possible to analyze a spectrum(a) (e.g. reflection spectrum) of a user's hair (e.g. measured in step S105) to determine, in fact, the data thereof is entirely due to a user's hair, or if, in fact, there is any scalp-related contribution (and a magnitude thereof).

(164) In some embodiments, it is possible to focus in on recognition features that provide distinguishing power between hair-spectrum(a) and scalp spectrum(a). FIG. 20B relates to some recognition features.

(165) In some embodiments, when analyzing a measurement spectrum(a) to determine a relative magnitude of a contribution due to scalp, it is possible to assign extra weight and/or predictive power for one or more recognition features including but not limited to: (i) a presence or absence of critical points and/or inflection points and/or points where higher-order derivatives are zero (or any other value): (ii) a number of such points in a portion of the spectrum (iii) a distance between such points; (iv) a value of a slope (or higher-order derivative) in a portion of the spectrum [e.g. a downward slope 392e.g. monotonically downward between about 820 nm and about 860 nm or other features or combinations thereof.

(166) Thus, in FIG. 21, it is possible to measure a correlation between measurement spectral data and one or more scalp recognition features. (step 209).

(167) Scalp-spectrum data may be pre-stored in computer storage (e.g. volatile and/or volatile storage). The scalp-spectrum data may be universal, population-specific (e.g. race-specific), and/or user-specifice.g. in FIG. 26 it is possible (target site C) to explicitly measure spectral data of a user's scalps.

(168) There are a number of possible responses to the scalp-spectrum correlation measurement of step S209. In one example (FIG. 22), it is possible to generate an alert signal (e.g. audio alert, visual alert, email alert, etc) contingent upon a measurement spectrum(a) exhibiting similarity beyond a threshold value. Alternatively or additionally (FIG. 19), the similarity between a measurement spectra and one or more features of a scalp may be used to correct measurement data to remove scalp-related noise.

(169) In FIG. 24, scalp-related noise may be removed in step S251.

(170) It is not always clear a-priori how much influence scalp has upon a user-measurement, and thus it is not always clear a-priori what magnitude or coefficient of a scalp spectrum or portion thereof (e.g. pre-stored) may be applied to the scalp spectrum when subtracting off scalp-spectrum data (in step S251) from measurement data. This problem is addressed in FIGS. 25A-26B.

(171) FIG. 27 relates to the situation where a plurality of spectra of measurede.g. using any technique disclosed herein (see, e.g. FIGS. 5-13). In this case, for each of the spectra it is possible to measure a respective strength of correlation, and when computing an initial hair-color value (e.g. in LAB space), to use the spectra having the least amount of scalp noise therein.

(172) In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, comprise include and have, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

(173) All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Citation of a reference does not constitute an admission that the reference is prior art.

(174) The articles a and an are used herein to refer to one or to more than one. (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, an element means one element or more than one element.

(175) The term including is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably with, the phrase including but not limited to.

(176) The term or is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably with, the term and/or, unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

(177) The term such as is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably, with the phrase such as but not limited to.

(178) Having thus described the foregoing exemplary embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various equivalents, alterations, modifications, and improvements thereof are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims as hereafter recited. In particular, different embodiments may include combinations of features other than those described herein. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to the foregoing discussion.