ELECTRICALLY OPERATED HAND-HELD DEVICE FOR BODY CARE

Abstract

An electrical hand-held device for body treatment, having a treatment part for performing at least one electrically operated body treatment function, and having a handle body for holding the hand-held device. The hand-held device further includes an electronic component for controlling the at least one electrically operated body treatment function. The electronic component contains a data transmission module for wireless, bidirectional data transmission. The data transmission module includes a microcontroller, at least one memory for storing data, and an antenna, wherein the data transmission module is designed to produce, in a contact-free manner, at least some of the electrical energy which is required for operation of said data transmission module.

Claims

1. An electrical hand-held device for facial care, with a facial care part comprising a facial care element for carrying out an electrically operated facial cleaning or massage function and with a grip body for holding the hand-held device, moreover comprising an electronics part for the control of the at least one electrically operated facial cleaning or massage function, wherein the electronics part comprises a data transmission module for the wireless, bidirectional data transmission, and the data transmission module comprises: a microcontroller, at least one memory for storing data and an antenna.

2. (canceled)

3. The hand-held device for facial care according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission module is designed for a data transmission according to one of: near-field communication technology (NFC); Bluetooth, in particular Bluetooth low energy (BLE); Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN); ZigBee; WLAN; Wifi via WLAN; or infrared (IR).

4-6. (canceled)

7. The hand-held device for facial care according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held device comprises an electrical functional element which is an electromotoric drive for the movement of the facial care element, such as a brush or a massage element.

8. The hand-held device for facial care according to claim 7, wherein the electromotoric drive is controlled via the electronics part, and the electromotoric drive and the antenna of the data transmission module are arranged at a distance to one another of at least 2 cm, in the grip body.

9. The hand-held device for facial care according to claim 8, wherein the electromotoric drive is arranged in an upper section of the grip body which faces the facial care part, and the antenna of the data transmission module is arranged in a lower section of the grip body which is away from the facial care part.

10-14. (canceled)

15. The hand-held device for facial care according to claim 1, wherein the electronics part is designed for data from the data processing and control processor and/or data from the electronic mobile device to be able to be stored on the non-volatile memory of the data transmission module.

16. The hand-held device according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held device is designed to transmit data onto the electronic mobile device, by way of actuating a key or a mechanical switch such as on/off switch, on the hand-held device.

17. The hand-held device according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held device is designed to communicate with different communication means, in particular with a electronic mobile device, in different directions.

18. The hand-held device according to claim 1, wherein an opto-electronic code, such as QR code is attached on the facial care part or facial care element, and this code comprises coded information which can be read out by the electronic mobile device.

19. A functional unit comprising: the hand-held device for facial care according to claim 1, and an electronic mobile device, wherein the electronic mobile device comprises an active transmitting and receiving unit for the bidirectional, wireless data transmission between the hand-held device and the electronic mobile device.

20. (canceled)

21. The functional unit according to claim 19, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit of the electronic mobile device is designed for the unidirectional or bidirectional, wireless data transmission between the charging device and the electronic mobile device.

22. The functional unit according to claim 19, wherein the hand-held device and the electronic mobile device are designed to communicate with one another, in different directions with different communication means.

23. A method for operating the electrical hand-held device according to claim 1 by way of an electronic mobile device, wherein facial care parameters and/or facial care programs are transmitted in a wireless manner onto the hand-held device via a software application operated on the electronic mobile device.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein operating data of the hand-held device is received in a wireless manner by the electronic mobile device and evaluated by the software application operated thereon.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein sensor data of the hand-held device is received by the electronic mobile device in a wireless manner and evaluated by the software application which is operated thereon.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one picture recording or video recording of a skin portion to be treated is created by way of a camera installed in the electronic mobile device, and the at least one picture recording or video recording is evaluated via a software application.

27. The hand-held device according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held device contains at least one of: a humidity sensor for measuring the skin humidity or for measuring the humidity of the facial care part or care head, in particular of a brush head; a gyrosensor, accelerometer or acceleration sensor for measuring accelerations of the hand-held device; a pH sensor for measuring the pH value; a temperature sensor for measuring a skin temperature; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressing pressure of the facial care part or care head upon the skin; a pulse sensor for determining the pulse of the user; a proximity or contact sensor for determining when the contact from the facial care part or care head to the skin is created.

28. The functional unit according to claim 19, wherein a software application is implemented on the electronic mobile device having at least one of the functionalities: acquisition of data, such as user data, user information or user profiles, which are inputted by the user via the electronic mobile device; creating or modifying facial care programs on account of acquired or stored data; computing control data or operating parameters for electrical functional elements of the hand-held device on account of acquired or stored data; computing control values, threshold values or operating parameters; creating a facial care program for the hand-held device on the basis of at least: determined operating and/or sensor data; user-defined data; used facial care elements; facial care products which are used by the hand-held device; calling up facial care programs; ensuring a wireless communication between the electronic mobile device and the hand-held device; operating a mechanical unit which is connected to the electronic mobile device, e.g. with a key, for the mechanical transmission of data; transferring data from the electronic mobile device to the hand-held device; receiving data from the hand-held device; transferring data from the electronic mobile device to a charging device; receiving data from the charging device; computing control values or operating parameters for the charging device; evaluating operating data, in particular creating statistic evaluations; evaluating sensor data, in particular creating statistical evaluations, creating representations of statistical evaluations from operating and/or sensor data; analysing sensor and operating data, and from this, generating a feedback for the user, as the case may be, with suggestions for changing the care behaviour; data storage and data management on the electronic mobile device; creating data backups; downloading facial care programs or operational parameters/control data from the internet; downloading software updates from the internet; installing software updates for the device processor in the hand-held device; installing software updates for the software application; creating a connection to the manufacturer or a person authorised by the manufacturer, for the purpose of transferring operating data or maintenance data as well as further information and data mentioned above, as the case may be; plausibility testing of the data when inputting in the software application, directly before the transmission to the electronic mobile device, or of the data received by the electronic mobile device.

29. The functional unit according to claim 19, wherein software algorithms are installed on the electronic mobile device, in particular are integrated into a software application implemented on the electronic mobile device, and are designed for evaluating film or picture recordings.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein a skin analysis is a carried out on the electronic mobile device based on the picture or video recordings by means software algorithms of a software application being installed on the electronic mobile device.

31. The method according to claim 26, wherein the picture or video recordings are sent via a software application to an external analysis device comprising suitable software algorithms for skin analysis and the skin analysis results in turn are transferred to the electronic mobile device.

32. The method according to claim 26, wherein suitable facial care parameters or facial care programs are determined on the basis of the evaluation of the picture or video recording, in particular on the basis of a skin analysis, and via the electronic mobile device are suggested to the user or transmitted onto the hand-held device, or facial care hints or other information is communicated to the user via the electronic mobile device.

33. The method according to claim 26, wherein the evaluation of the picture or video recording, in particular the skin analysis, includes at least one of the skin texture; skin blemishes; skin pores; skin colour and brightness of the skin, which allow to determine whether the skin is dry or well moisturised, or whether skin disorders such as acne or eczema are present.

34. The method according to claim 23, wherein the hand-held device contains a humidity sensor by means of which the skin humidity is measured.

35. The method according to claim 23, wherein the function of at least one of the sensor means: camera; location localisation means; microphone; pulse meter; blood pressure meter; time meter; thermometer, which are installed on the electronic mobile device, is used to supplement the user profile and/or to provide the user with specific assistance or advice when using the hand-held device.

36. The method according to claim 23, wherein by means of at least one of: a gyrosensor, accelerometer or acceleration sensor for measuring accelerations of the hand-held device; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressing pressure of the facial care part or care head upon the skin; a proximity or contact sensor for determining when the contact from the facial care part or care head to the skin being created, the spatial position and/or the movement course with the hand-held device is detected and thus information on the behavioural use of the hand-held device is gained, such as whether the movement of the facial care element is quick or slow, is in small circles or linear or scrubbing, or whether all necessary zones have been cleaned.

37. The method according to claim 23, wherein data concerning the skin characteristics, such as skin type, acne condition, pigmentation of the skin, freckles and humidity of the skin, or operating parameters which are derived therefrom and is on the electronic mobile device are stored onto the hand-held device.

38. The method according to claim 23, wherein data which is relevant to the maintenance and the upkeep of the hand-held device is acquired with the hand-held device and the point in time for the exchange of the facial care element is determined on the basis of at least one of: the number of usages; the total duration of use; time which has passed since the last exchange; pressing pressure; and the point in time for the exchange is displayed.

39. The method according to claim 23, wherein different facial care programs or different facial care parameters are applied on different facial zones, such as cheeks, chin and forehead.

40. The method according to claim 23, wherein motor speed of the electromotoric drive for the movement of the facial care element is specified by standard values or by acquired personal values or the motor speed is adapted on account of defined facial care programs.

41. The method according to claim 23, wherein threshold values for readings from sensors are defined via the electronic mobile device, and are transmitted to the hand-held device, wherein the threshold values aim to trigger an action, such as display or notification to the user, switching-off, reduction of the motor speed of the electromotoric drive, a change of the care program or changing to another care program, on being reached or exceeded or fallen short of, during operation of the hand-held device.

42. The method according to claim 23, wherein operating data or identification data are transmitted from the hand-held device to the electronic mobile device and the data are used for statistical evaluation, which is used for setting or for adapting operating parameters or control data in order to optimise a facial care function.

Description

[0507] The subject-matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of embodiment examples which are represented in the accompanying drawings. In each case, in a schematic manner are shown in:

[0508] FIG. 1: a first communication diagram;

[0509] FIG. 2: a second communication diagram;

[0510] FIG. 3: a third communication diagram;

[0511] FIG. 4: a fourth communication diagram

[0512] FIG. 5a: an electrical toothbrush with a brush attachment part in a plan view from the upper side or front side;

[0513] FIG. 5b: an electric toothbrush with a brush attachment part in a lateral view;

[0514] FIG. 5c: an electrical toothbrush with a brush attachment part in a plan view from the lower side or rear side;

[0515] FIG. 6: an electrical toothbrush, placed onto a charging device;

[0516] FIG. 7: a charging device for an electrical toothbrush;

[0517] FIG. 8a: a push-in unit with an electronics part for an electric toothbrush according to FIGS. 5 to 6, in a lateral view;

[0518] FIG. 8b: the push-in unit according to FIG. 8a in a plan view from the upper side or front side;

[0519] FIG. 9: a part section through the electric toothbrush according to FIGS. 5 to 6;

[0520] FIG. 10: an electric wet shaver;

[0521] FIG. 11: an electrical mascara applicator;

[0522] FIG. 12: an electric facial massage device;

[0523] FIG. 13: a memory diagram;

[0524] FIG. 14a a perspective view of the rear side of a facial brush according to the invention;

[0525] FIG. 14b: a perspective view of the front side of the facial brush according to the invention and according to FIG. 14a;

[0526] FIG. 14c: a cross-sectional view of the facial brush according to the invention and according to FIGS. 14a and 14b.

[0527] Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. The described embodiment examples are exemplary for the subject-matter of the invention and have no limiting effect. The features of individual figures where it makes sense can be combined with features of other figures.

[0528] The communication diagram according to FIG. 1 shows the data flow from the user via a mobile device, here a smartphone for example, onto the hand-held device by way of NFC transmission technology. The user e.g. carries out user-specific settings on the hand-held device via the mobile device by way of the software application which is installed on this mobile device.

[0529] The communication diagram according to FIG. 2 shows the flow of data from the hand-held device via a mobile device, here a smartphone for example, to the user by way of NFC transmission technology. Operating data and sensor data for example is transferred from the hand-held device to the mobile device. The data is evaluated for example by a software application in the mobile device and displayed to the user in the form of processed information in the software application.

[0530] The communication diagram according to FIG. 3 shows the data flow from the hand-held device via a mobile device, here a smartphone for example, to a PC. Data is transferred from the hand-held device to a smartphone by way of NFC communication technology. The mobile device is connected to a PC and transfers the data to the PC. The data transfer to the PC can also be effected in a wireless manner. The data transmission is controlled via the software application on the mobile device. The same or another software application is installed on the PC and this permits an evaluation and analysis of the data.

[0531] The communication diagram according to FIG. 4 shows the data flow from the user via a PC and a mobile device, here a smartphone of example, onto the hand-held device. User-specific data is acquired from the user at the PC via a software application installed on a PC. The data is transmitted in a wireless manner or via a temporary lead connection onto a mobile device. The same or another software application which controls the transmission of the data from the PC onto the mobile device and from the mobile device onto the hand-held device is installed on the mobile device. The data can be converted into operating parameters or control data by way of the respective software application on the PC and/or on the mobile device, before leading it further to the hand-held device. The data is transmitted from the mobile device in a wireless manner with NFC technology, onto the hand-held device by way of the software application.

[0532] FIGS. 6 and 7 by way of example show an electrical toothbrush 1 with a charging device 10. The electrical toothbrush 1 comprises a grip body 2 and a care part 3 which can be stuck onto the grip body 2 and is with a round brush head 4. A switch 5 for switching the electric toothbrush on and off is arranged in the grip body 2.

[0533] The charging device 10 can be connected via a mains cable 12 to an electricity mains. The charging device 10 comprises a stick-on pin 11, via which the electrical toothbrush 1 can be stuck onto the charging device 10.

[0534] A possible antenna in the charging device, for communication with a mobile device 21 in particular can be arranged directly behind the plane between the stick-on pin 11 and the entry point of the mains cable 12 into the housing of the charging device 10.

[0535] FIG. 5a shows the toothbrush 1 according to FIG. 6 from the upper side. FIG. 5b shows the toothbrush according to FIG. 6 from the side. FIG. 5c shows the toothbrush according to FIG. 6 from the lower side.

[0536] FIGS. 8a and 8b show the push-in unit 31 for the toothbrush 1 according to FIG. 6. The push-in unit 31 as is shown in FIG. 9 is pushed into the housing 39 of the grip body 2. The pushing-in is effected via a push-in opening which is arranged opposite to the care part 3, at the end of the housing 39. The push-in opening can be closed by way of a closure cover 9.

[0537] The push-in unit 31 comprises a multi-part carrier structure 32 of plastic, on which the components of the push-in unit 31 are fastened. The components of the push-in unit 31 are stuck together via elements of the carrier structure 32, into a push-in unit 31.

[0538] The carrier structure 32 is moreover not designed in a continuous manner between the two ends of the push-in unit 31. The elements of the carrier structure 32 are connected by way of known connection techniques, such as positive-fit connections (insert connections, snap connections) together with the components, into the push-in unit 31.

[0539] An energy cell 35, an electromotoric drive 36, transmission mechanics 37 and a drive shaft 33 are connected to the carrier structure 32. The care part 3 with the brush head 4 can be stuck onto the drive shaft 33.

[0540] A circuit board 38 with a device processor and with a data transmission module for the wireless transmission of data to a mobile device by way of NFC is moreover arranged on the carrier structure 32. The antenna 40 of the data transmission module is an antenna or a ferrite antenna with a ferrite core.

[0541] Moreover, an induction coil 34 for the contact-free charging of the energy cell 35 on the charging device 10 is arranged on the carrier structure 32.

[0542] The device processor on the circuit board 38 controls the electromotoric drive 36. The motor shaft of the electromotoric drive 36 and the drive shaft 33 are actively connected to one another via the transmission mechanics 37. The transmission mechanics (mechanism) 37 are designed such that a rotation movement of the motor shaft is converted into a to-and-fro movement of the drive shaft 33. The drive shaft 33 in turn interacts with movement mechanics in the care part 3 (not shown) and these mechanics convert the to-and-fro movement of the drive shaft 33 into an oscillation movement of the brush head 4.

[0543] The circuit board 38 with the data transmission module, in the assembled condition is directed to the upper side of the toothbrush and lies close to the housing wall. The mobile device 21 with its antenna is held as closely as possible to the surface of the grip body 2, so that the distance between the antenna of the mobile device 21 and the data transmission module or its antenna 40 in the grip body 2 of the toothbrush 1 is as small as possible, for transmitting data between the mobile device 21 and the toothbrush 1.

[0544] The electric hand-held device for body care with the features according to the invention, as described above, can also be present in an embodiment which is different to an electric toothbrush.

[0545] FIG. 10 e.g. shows a wet shaver 41 with electric elements. The wet shaver 41 according to the invention is designed with a data transmission module for the wireless communication with a mobile device, by way of NFC technology for example. The electrical wet shaver 41 comprises a grip body 42 as well as a blade head 43. The wet shaver 41 comprises an electromotoric drive (not shown) for producing oscillations in the blade head 43. A switch 44 for switching the wet shaver 41 on an off is provided in the grip body 42.

[0546] FIG. 11 shows an electric mascara applicator 51 which according to the invention is designed with a data transmission module for the wireless communication with a mobile device by way of NFC technology. The electrical mascara applicator 51 comprises a grip body 52 as well as an application head 53. The application head 53 can be designed as a brush. The mascara applicator 51 comprises an electromotoric drive (not shown) for producing vibrations in the application head 53. A switch 54 for switching the mascara applicator 51 on and off is provided in the grip body 52.

[0547] FIG. 12 shows an electric facial massage device 61 which according to the invention is designed with a data transmission module for the wireless communication with a mobile device by way of NFC technology. The electrical facial massage device 61 comprises a grip body 62 as well as a massage head 63. The massage head 63 comprises an electromotoric drive (not shown) for producing a rotation or vibration movement of the massage head 63. A switch 64 for switching the facial massage device 61 on and off is provided in the grip body 62.

[0548] FIG. 13 shows a data storage diagram for the hand-held device. The NFC processor (communication processor) 26 comprises two interfacesa first interface for a communication connection to a device processor 25, as well as a second interface for a communication connection to a HF (high-frequency) part with an antenna 27. The communication via the two interfaces is effected in each case in a bidirectional manner.

[0549] Data which is now transferred from the device processor 25 to the NFC processor 26 is intermediately stored in a permanent memory which is assigned to the NFC processor 26, before this data is transmitted via the second interface to the HF part 27 and via this to a mobile device.

[0550] Vice versa, data which is received from a mobile device via the HF part 27 and is led further via the second interface to the NFC processor 26 is intermediately stored in the permanent memory, before this is transferred via the first interface to the device processor 25.

[0551] FIGS. 14a to 14c show an electric facial brush 71 which, as is described in more detail hereinafter, according to the invention, is provided with a data transmission module for the wireless communication with a mobile device by way of NFC technology.

[0552] The electric facial brush 71 comprises a grip body 72 as well as a brush head 73 which can be stuck on and is with a plurality of bristles or bristle bundles 83. The electric facial brush 71 comprises an electromotoric drive 80 which cooperates with the brush head 73 for producing a rotation and/or vibration movement in the brush head 73. Vibrations are produced via an eccentric element in the electromotoric drive 80 and are transmitted onto the brush head 73.

[0553] A switch 74 for switching the facial brush 71 on and off are provided in the grip body 72. A circuit board 75 is moreover arranged in the grip body 72. An NFC module 76 with a transmitting and receiving unit is arranged on the circuit board 75. An LED display 81 for status displays is arranged on the circuit board 75. Moreover, a secondary cell 79 as well as an induction coil 77 for charging the secondary cell 70 is arranged in the grip body 72. An antenna is furthermore also arranged in the grip body 72, but this is not explicitly represented in the present drawing. The antenna is integrated in the NFC module 76.

[0554] The circuit board 75, the secondary cell 79, the NFC module 76 and the induction coil 77 are connected via a carrier structure 78 into an assembly unit. The housing wall of the grip body 72 can be divided into two half-shells via a joining seam 84, by which means an access to the inside of the grip body 72 is created. The grip body 72 however on manufacture is closed such that it is only accessible again by way of destroying the housing.