WO2018114435A1 - Method and arrangement for analysing hair - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for analysing hair in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the method including the following steps: registering light which is emitted from a hair sample during the transillumination of a hair cross-section of the hair sample; determining, on the basis of the registered light, first regions of the hair cross-section which are permeated more strongly by light, and second regions of the hair cross-section which are permeated less strongly by light; and determining a porosity of the hair sample on the basis of the sizes of the first regions and the second regions.

Description

"Method and Arrangement for Examining Hair" Description

The invention relates to methods and arrangements for examining hair.

Strong hair shine is typically desirable. However, consumers often fail to achieve the desired effect with hair shine enhancement products. Accordingly, effective and convenient for the user to investigate hair, especially with regard to the hair shine, desirable, for example, to make more appropriate product recommendations.

According to various embodiments, a method for examining hair is described, which comprises: during transillumination of a hair cross section of a hair sample with light, registering light emitted by the hair sample, determining, based on the registered light, first regions of the hair cross section, which are more penetrated by light, and second regions of the hair cross-section that are less penetrated by light and determining a porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first regions and the second regions.

According to another embodiment, an arrangement for examining hair according to the method described above is provided.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates the removal of a hair sample.

Figure 2 shows the structure of a hair.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement for examining hair.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of examining hair. Figure 6 shows an arrangement for examining hair.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present application, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates the removal of a hair sample.

According to various embodiments, a hair sample 102P may be taken to examine a user's hair 102. For example, the hair sample 102P may be removed at a distance 102PL from a scalp of the user and may have a single or multiple hairs.

Examination of a user's hair 102 may also be made without removing a hair sample 102P directly from the user's head.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a hair 200.

The hair has a cuticle 201, a cortex 202 and medulla (also called medulla) 203.

In the following there will be described embodiments in which hair is examined by measuring the medulla 203 e.g. with the help of a microscope and glass fiber (for light transport from the light source to the hair cross section) is examined for its porosity. Depending on the porosity of the medulla 203, the medulla 203 and thus the hair scatters 200 light more or less, which has an influence on the shine of the hair. Based on the result, the hair can be treated for a change (typically increase) in hair shine, for example, by treating the hair with products that reduce the porosity of the Medulla 203.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement 300 for examining hair.

The arrangement 300 comprises a carrier 301, on which a piece of fiber 302 of approximately 0.5 mm thickness cut off transversely to the fiber from a head hair of a subject is laid.

The arrangement 300 has a light source 303, which irradiates the fiber piece 302 by means of a glass fiber cable 304 with light, for example with a luminous flux in the range of 50 to 5000 lumens, for example in the range of 200 to 1000 lumens, for example about 500 lumens. On the one of the For example, the microscope 306 has an optical magnification in the range of 10 to 500 times, for example in the range of 100 to 200 times, for example a 175 -fold magnification.

A microscope-connected camera 307 stores the resulting image output from the microscope and transmits it to a data processing device 308 which executes image analysis software (or, more generally, an application for evaluating the image material).

In the image, porous areas are bright and nonporous areas are dark. The data processing device 308 determines (using the image analysis software) the proportion of light (i.e., porous) areas in the center of the hair fiber 302.

As the center of the hair fiber, for example, those 30% of the image of the hair are defined whose distance from the hair surface is maximum.

In other words, the application for evaluating the image material differentiates between light and dark areas of the recorded hair cross section. The more frequent and larger the bright areas in the hair cross section in relation to the dark areas, the stronger the porosity of the medulla and the associated visually perceived hair shine is less.

Accordingly, the data processing device 308 may be based on the determined porosity, e.g. Depending on a determined degree of porosity, give a product recommendation. In this case, a product can be recommended which is suitable to fill the existing pores of the medulla corresponding to the determined porosity. The filling of the pores causes the incident light is not scattered, but is reflected directionally, whereby an increase in the visually perceived hair shine is achieved. For filling the pores, the data processing device 308 can recommend not only purely filling substances (eg water, amino acids, lactic acid, urea, uric acid, dicarboxylic acids, generally substances of the NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor) group), which protect the hair against overheating Overheating leads to new pore formation. These are e.g. Oils and also film formers (e.g., styling polymers). For more porous hair, data processing device 308 may recommend high gloss products with dark coloration and less glossy products with lighter color for less porous hair.

The data processing device 308 determines, for example, the area fraction of light areas on the total area of the image of the hair cross section 302. For this purpose, a brightness threshold value can be specified and the data processing device recognizes areas with a lower brightness than the brightness threshold as dark and areas with a The brightness threshold is defined, for example, with reference to the brightness of the dark areas of the photo (eg as a factor of the brightness of the dark areas).

The brightness threshold is defined, for example, such that the (area) ratio of light to dark regions of the hair cross section (for hair with porosities that typically occur) is in the range of 0 to 25%, for example in the range of 0 to 10%. For the various ratios, a certain number of porosity levels are defined, for example up to 5 porosity levels, e.g. 2 or 3. An example of an assignment of (area proportions of light areas (relative to the total hair cross-sectional area) to hair porosity grade is shown in Table 1.

Table 2 This gives the user, with the help of the determined hair porosity values and their assignment to degrees of hair porosity, a product recommendation as shown in the example.

The microscope 306, the camera 307, the data processing device 308 and possibly also the light source 303, the optical fiber cable 304 and the carrier 302 can be realized by a smartphone equipped with a microscope objective for smartphones. Alternatively, the microscope 306, the camera 307, the data processing device 308, and optionally also the light source 303, the fiber optic cable 304, and the carrier 302 may be provided by a WLAN-enabled media player such as the iPod touch or a tablet using a microscope objective for such mobile electrical Devices are realized

In summary, according to various embodiments, a method for examining hair is provided, as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart 400.

In 401, light is detected during transillumination of a hair cross section of a hair sample with light which is radiated from the hair sample.

In 402, based on the registered light, first regions of the hair cross-section, which are penetrated more strongly by light, and second regions of the hair cross-section, which are less strongly penetrated by light, are determined.

In 403, a porosity of the hair sample is determined based on the sizes of the first regions and the second regions.

In other words, according to various embodiments, there is provided a method of examining (and, for example, post-examining subsequent treatment) hair based on determining the porosity of the hair by determining the size of the areas that are more radiated by light (ie more translucent ) and the size of the areas which are less radiated by light (that is less transparent) based.

It should be noted that also determining the porosity based on the ratio of the size of the first areas to the total area may be considered to be based on the size of the second areas, because the larger the second areas are, the smaller the size of the first areas (The sum of the size of the first areas and the size of the second areas is, for example, the total area, plus any areas that are not the first Areas are still assigned to the second areas, such as areas of average light transmission).

The method according to FIG. 4 can be realized, for example, with a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, for example, and provides a consumer with an easy way of obtaining a recommendation of gloss-enhancing products based on medullaporosity.

The porosity can be considered as a measure of hair shine.

By means of glass fibers, light can be directed into the hair cross section and leads to a better delimitation of individual hair structures.

The method according to FIG. 4 is carried out, for example, by an arrangement as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement 500 for examining hair.

The assembly 500 includes a lamp 501 configured to illuminate a hair cross section of a hair sample 502 with light.

The assembly 500 further includes a light registration device 503 configured to register light emitted from the hair sample 502.

In addition, the arrangement 500 has a data processing device 504 which is set up based on the registered light to determine first regions of the hair cross section, which are penetrated more strongly by light and second regions of the hair cross section, which are less strongly penetrated by light, and a porosity of the hair cross section Hair sample 502 is determined based on the sizes of the first regions and the second regions.

It should be noted that embodiments relating to the method of examining hair apply analogously to the method for determining an individual hair treatment recommendation and arrangement for examining hair, and vice versa.

Based on the determined degree of damage, the consumer can also be given (for example automatically by means of his smartphone) an objectively determined recommendation as to which products are well suited for his hair, for example to increase hair shine.

Exemplary embodiments are given below: Embodiment 1 is a method for examining hair, as shown in FIG.

Embodiment 2 is the method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the porosity of the hair sample is a medullaporosity of the hair sample.

Embodiment 3 is the method according to embodiment 1 or 2, comprising transilluminating the hair cross-section by means of a lamp and passing the light emitted by the lamp on the hair cross-section by means of a fiber optic cable.

Embodiment 4 is the method according to embodiment 3, wherein the registering of the light comprises registering the light which is emitted from the side of the hair cross section facing away from the glass fiber cable.

Embodiment 5 is the method according to one of the embodiments 1 to 4, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the ratio of the size of the first areas to the size of the second areas.

Embodiment 6 is the method according to one of embodiments 1 to 5, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the relative size of the first regions or the relative size of the second regions relative to the hair cross-sectional area.

Embodiment 7 is the method according to one of the embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the recording of the light is effected by means of a microscope.

Embodiment 8 is the method according to one of the embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the recording of the light has the recording of a photograph of the hair cross-section.

Embodiment 9 is the method of embodiment 8, wherein determining the first regions and determining the second regions comprises determining brighter areas and darker areas of the photo.

Embodiment 10 is the method according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the determination of the first areas comprises determining areas of the photo whose brightness is greater than a predetermined threshold value or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is the method of one of Embodiments 8-10, wherein determining the second regions comprises determining regions of the photo whose brightness is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold or less than the predetermined threshold. Embodiment 12 is the method according to one of the embodiments 1 to 1 1, comprising determining the porosity for a plurality of hair samples and determining, as the porosity of the hair, an average porosity of the determined porosities.

Embodiment 13 is the method according to one of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising selecting a user-specific means based on the determined porosity.

Embodiment 14 is the method according to embodiment 13, further comprising displays and / or announcements of the selected user-specific means.

Embodiment 15 is an arrangement for examining hair as shown in FIG.

In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a method for determining an individual hair treatment recommendation, characterized by the steps

a) examination of the hair cross section of several samples of hair with different degrees of porosity with light and determination of light transmission;

b) creating a calibration model that establishes a correlation between translucency and porosity;

c) examination of the hair cross section of hair of an individual and determination of light transmission;

d) determination of a degree of porosity of the hair of this individual on the basis of the calibration model;

e) issuing an individual treatment recommendation for the hair of the individual as a function of the determined degree of porosity.

It is preferred that the individual treatment recommendation include the recommendation of commercially available hair care products, especially hair care products for gloss enhancement. Further, the method of determining an individual hair treatment recommendation may include a step of initiating an order of the recommended hair care product. It is further preferred that the individual treatment recommendation is to advise or disapprove the individual for use of hair care products that identifies the individual using QR codes, NFC chips, bar codes or RFID chips.

Alternatively, the individual treatment recommendation may be to counsel the individual to use hair care products that are individually made for the individual and to initiate an ordering process, preferably by calling an internet site of a manufacturer of individual hair care products.

It is further preferred that the calibration model from b) is present as stored information on a local data carrier or in a cloud. It is also preferred that step c) be performed at a hairdresser, at a point of sale (POS) of hair treatment products or in the home.

Step c) is preferably controlled by a smart terminal, such as a smartphone, a WLAN-enabled media player or a tablet, preferably via a pre-installed app.

Claims

claims A method of examining hair comprising:  during transilluminating a hair cross section of a hair sample with light, registering light emitted from the hair sample;  Determining, based on the registered light, first portions of the hair cross-section which are more permeated by light and second portions of the hair cross-section which are less penetrated by light; and  Determining a porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first regions and the second regions. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the porosity of the hair sample is a medullaporosity of the hair sample. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising transilluminating the hair cross-section by means of a lamp and passing the light emitted by the lamp light on the hair cross-section by means of a fiber optic cable. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the registering of the light comprises registering the light which is emitted from the side of the hair cross section facing away from the glass fiber cable. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the ratio of the size of the first regions to the size of the second regions. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising determining the porosity of the hair sample based on the relative size of the first regions or the relative size of the second regions relative to the hair cross-sectional area. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recording of the light is effected by means of a microscope. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein registering the light comprises taking a photograph of the hair cross section. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the first regions and determining the second regions comprises determining brighter areas and darker areas of the photo. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the first regions comprises determining regions of the photo whose brightness is greater than a predetermined threshold or greater than a predetermined threshold. 1. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the second regions comprises determining regions of the photo whose brightness is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value or less than the predetermined threshold value. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, comprising determining the porosity for a plurality of hair samples and determining, as the porosity of the hair, an average porosity of the determined porosities. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising selecting a user-specific agent based on the determined porosity. 14. Arrangement for examining hair, comprising:  A lamp designed to illuminate a hair cross section of a hair sample with light,  a light registration device configured to register light emitted from the hair sample; and  a data processing device that is set up  based on the registered light, determine first regions of the hair cross-section which are more strongly penetrated by light and detect second regions of the hair cross-section which are less strongly penetrated by light and determine a porosity of the hair sample based on the sizes of the first regions and the second regions. 15. A method of determining an individual hair treatment recommendation characterized by the steps  a) examination of the hair cross section of several samples of hair with different degrees of porosity with light and determination of light transmission; b) creating a calibration model that establishes a correlation between translucency and porosity;  c) examination of the hair cross section of hair of an individual and determination of light transmission; d) determination of a degree of porosity of the hair of this individual on the basis of the calibration model; Output of an individual treatment recommendation for the hair of the individual as a function of the determined degree of porosity.