WO2022176537A1 - Electric razor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electric razor that prompts a user to reach a suitable shaving speed and suppresses damage to the skin. The electric razor (100) according to the present disclosure comprises a grip part and a head part that has a shaving section, the electric razor (100) also comprising an imaging device (131) that captures images of the skin, an image processing device (150) that processes the images, and a notification device (140) that notifies the user about the result of processing by the image processing device, and the image processing device (150) being provided with: a speed information generation unit (151) that, on the basis of the images captured by the imaging device, generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head part relative to the skin; a shaving information generation unit (152) that, on the basis of the speed information, generates shaving information relating to the shaving speed; and a result notification unit (153) that controls the notification device (140) and notifies the user about the shaving information.

Description

electric razor

The present disclosure relates to an electric razor for cutting body hair such as beard.

Conventionally, an imaging device records an image of a user's body part, a local hair growth direction is determined based on the captured image, and a shaving device is moved on the body according to the determined hair growth direction. A shaving guidance system has been proposed that instructs the user in which direction to shave and where to shave (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100001).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-534806

However, conventional systems can only recognize the direction and location of shaving, and cannot indicate the optimal shaving speed.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide an electric shaver that can notify the user of the optimum shaving speed.

In order to achieve the above object, an electric shaver according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a grip portion gripped by a user, and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion. which uses an imaging device for imaging the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion abuts, an image processing device for processing the image obtained from the imaging device, and a processing result of the image processing device. a notification device for notifying a person, wherein the image processing device includes a speed information generation unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head unit with respect to the skin based on the image captured by the imaging device; A shaving information generating section for generating shaving information relating to shaving speed based on speed information, and a result notification section for controlling the notification device to notify the user of the shaving information.

According to the electric shaver of the present disclosure, the optimum shaving speed can be notified to the user, and the performance of the electric shaver can be exhibited to suppress the number of times of rubbing on the same place.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the head section according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional units of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing two images at predetermined time intervals acquired by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one image captured at a predetermined shutter speed and acquired by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

An embodiment of an electric shaver according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, constituent elements, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, formulas, contents of each step in the method, order of each step, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are described below. may include content not listed in In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal are sometimes used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor, and substantially allowable errors, deviations, and the like are included. Expressions such as "simultaneous" and "identical" also include substantially permissible ranges.

In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams that are appropriately emphasized, omitted, or adjusted in proportion to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shape, positional relationship, and proportion.

Also, below, multiple technical ideas may be comprehensively explained as one embodiment. Also, some of the content described below is described as an optional component with respect to this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the head portion 120 of the electric shaver 100. As shown in FIG. In the electric shaver 100, the edges are chamfered, and there are portions provided with anti-slip unevenness, but these are omitted from the drawing.

The electric shaver 100 is a device that uses an electric blade to cut and remove body hair such as a beard. (not shown in FIG. 1).

The grip part 110 is the part that the user grips when using the electric shaver 100 . In the case of the present embodiment, grip unit 110 functions as a housing that accommodates image processing device 150, a control device that controls driving of shaving blades, a battery, and the like. A power switch 111 for turning on/off the power, an input button 112 for receiving input from the user, and the like are provided on the outer surface of the grip portion 110 .

The head part 120 is a member that has a shaving part 121 with a blade for cutting body hair and is connected to one end of the grip part 110 . In the case of this embodiment, the head portion 120 is connected to the grip portion 110 so as to be relatively operable. The direction of movement of the head portion 120 is not particularly limited, but the head portion 120 can be moved in the front-rear direction (the X-axis direction in the figure), the width direction Y (the Y-axis direction in the figure), and the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction in the figure). direction) can be swung in the circumferential direction about the axis.

The shaving portion 121 includes a plurality of first outer cutters 122 (four in the present embodiment) extending in the width direction and having a semi-cylindrical mesh-like through hole. A second outer cutter 123 having a slit-like through hole arranged between 122 is provided. The first outer cutter 122 and the second outer cutter 123 are attached to the head frame 124 , and the shaving portion 121 is detachable from the head base 125 .

Inside the head portion 120, a first inner blade (not shown) provided corresponding to the first outer blade 122, a second inner blade (not shown) provided corresponding to the second outer blade 123, a second A driving device 126 (see FIG. 3) is provided for driving the first inner cutter and the second inner cutter. In the case of this embodiment, the driving device 126 reciprocates the first inner cutter and the second inner cutter, which are inner cutters, in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) with respect to the outer cutter. The body hair inserted into the through holes of the first outer cutter 122 and the second outer cutter 123 is cut between the vibrating first inner cutter and the second inner cutter.

The imaging device 131 is a device that captures an image of the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion 121 abuts. In the case of the present embodiment, the imaging device 131 has a first outer blade 122 and a second outer blade 122 in the front-rear direction (the X-axis direction in the figure) in a state in which the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin. In the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), the skin having a length corresponding to the entire width (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the first outer cutter 122 is cut at once. It has a wide angle of view. As a result, it is possible to accurately image the state of body hair and skin immediately before and after shaving.

The type of the imaging device 131 is not particularly limited, and for example, a so-called digital camera having an optical system including a lens and an imaging device that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electric signal can be exemplified. can.

The imaging device 131 of the present embodiment is fixed to the head base 125 of the head section 120 , and the imaging device 131 operates together with the movement of the head section 120 with respect to the grip section 110 . As a result, the distance between the skin and the imaging device 131 can be stabilized even during shaving with the electric shaver 100, and a clearer image can be captured. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 131 is attached to a substrate 133 projecting forward from the front side (X− side in the drawing) of the head substrate 125 . This is preferable because the imaging device 131 does not interfere when the head frame 124 is attached or detached. The substrate 133 is also provided with an illumination device 135 such as a light-emitting diode (generally called an “LED”) that illuminates the skin within the angle of view of the imaging device 131 . The substrate 133, imaging device 131, and lighting device 135 are covered with a cover 134 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the notification device 140 is a device that notifies the user of the processing result of the image processing device 150 . The notification method of the notification device 140 is not particularly limited, and can be exemplified by a method of notification using sound (including voice), light, vibration, electrical stimulation, a combination thereof, and the like. In the case of this embodiment, the notification device 140 is a device that notifies information by light, and includes a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs at the end portion of the grip portion 110 on the head portion 120 side. The notification device 140 can change at least one of brightness, color, and emission pattern of light. Note that FIG. 1 shows a case where the light emitting elements of the notification device 140 are provided on one side (Y− side) of the grip portion 110, but the number of light emitting elements is not limited to this, and the number of light emitting elements is not limited to this. It may be provided on the other side (Y+ side) of the portion 110 or the like. A specific method of informing the shaving information will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional units of the image processing device 150. As shown in FIG. The image processing device 150 is a device that processes an image obtained from the imaging device 131, and includes a speed information generation unit 151, a shaving information generation unit 152, and a processing unit realized by causing a processor to execute a program. A result reporting unit 153 is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the image processing device 150 further includes an information acquisition section 154 , a drive control section 155 and a rhythm generation section 156 .

The information acquisition unit 154 is a processing unit that acquires information such as images captured by the imaging device 131 . In the case of the present embodiment, the information acquisition unit 154 also acquires input information or the like input by the user using the input button 112 or the like.

The speed information generating unit 151 generates speed information indicating the shaving speed, which is the moving speed of the head unit 120 relative to the skin, based on the image obtained by the information obtaining unit 154 from the imaging device 131 . The method by which the speed information generator 151 calculates the shaving speed is not particularly limited, but the following two examples can be given.

(Calculation example 1)
The speed information generating unit 151 calculates the shaving speed, which is the moving speed of the head unit 120 relative to the skin, based on the amount of displacement of at least one of body hair and skin texture in a plurality of images captured by the imaging device 131 at predetermined time intervals. Generate speed information to show. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the body hair to be focused is selected from the previously captured image (see the upper image in FIG. 4) (see the upper quadrangular portion), and the selected body hair Identify the position in the image of Next, the same body hair as the previously noted body hair is extracted from the image (see the lower image in FIG. 4) captured after a predetermined time interval (see the lower rectangular portion). , to locate the extracted hair in the image. The velocity information generation unit 151 generates velocity information based on the displacement amount of the same body hair position in the two images and the imaging interval of the two images.

Note that the number of body hairs to be focused on for generating speed information is not limited to one, and multiple body hairs may be focused on. Also, speed information may be generated based on skin texture instead of body hair.

(Calculation example 2)
The speed information generation unit 151 determines the degree of movement of the head unit 120 relative to the skin based on the blur width of at least one of body hair and skin texture in one image captured by the imaging device 131 at a predetermined shutter speed (that is, exposure time). Generate speed information indicating the shaving speed, which is the moving speed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a body hair of interest is selected from one image, and a blur width d in the image of the selected body hair is detected. The speed information generator 151 generates speed information based on the blur width d and the shutter speed (that is, the exposure time) of the two images.

Note that the number of body hairs to be focused on for generating speed information is not limited to one, and it is also possible to focus on the blur width of a plurality of body hairs. Also, the speed information may be generated based on the blur width of the texture of the skin instead of the body hair. Also, the speed information generator 151 may generate speed information using a plurality of calculation methods instead of executing any one calculation method.

The shaving information generation unit 152 generates shaving information related to shaving based on the speed information generated by the speed information generation unit 151 . For example, if the speed information generated by the speed information generation unit 151 is equal to or greater than the speed threshold, the shaving information generation unit 152 generates excessive speed shaving information, and the speed information generated by the speed information generation unit 151 exceeds the speed threshold. If less than, it may generate proper speed shave information.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the shaving information generation unit 152 generates shaving information corresponding to the input information input by the user using the input button 112 or the like. For example, the image processing device 150 holds speed thresholds in multiple stages, and the shaving information generation unit 152 selects the speed threshold according to the input information. By using the selected speed threshold, the shaving information generation unit 152 can change the speed that serves as a criterion for generating shaving information indicating excessive speed, and the mode of presenting the speed information can be changed according to the user's preference. can be adjusted to

In addition, the shaving information generation unit 152 holds a plurality of thresholds having different values, such as a first speed threshold that is 20% slower than the speed threshold and a second speed threshold that is 40% slower than the speed threshold. Shaving information that increases or decreases in stages, such as shaving information according to stages, may be generated.

The result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to notify the user of the shaving information generated by the shaving information generation unit 152 . For example, the result notification unit 153 notifies the user of the shaving information by controlling the light emitted by the light emitting device to change at least one of brightness, color, and light emission pattern. The result notification unit 153 performs control to emit red light to notify the user of excessive speed, and when shaving information of an appropriate speed is acquired from the shaving information generation unit 152, emits blue light and stops emitting red light. , etc., to inform the appropriate speed. Furthermore, if the overspeeding state continues for a predetermined time or longer, the notification device 140 may be controlled so as to flash red.

Further, when the shaving information generation unit 152 is generating shaving information that increases or decreases stepwise, the result notification unit 153 controls the light emitted by the light emitting device to control the brightness, color, and light emission. Stepwise shaving information may be notified to the user by changing at least one of the patterns stepwise. For example, when the speed is appropriate, the light is controlled to emit blue light, when the speed is slightly faster, it is controlled to emit yellow light, and when the speed is too high, it is controlled to emit red light. This may prompt the user to navigate to the correct speed more intuitively. Also, the intensity of light, the blinking interval of light emission, and the like may be lengthened or shortened in stages.

When the shaving information generating unit 152 generates stop information indicating that the shaving operation has not been performed for a certain period of time, the drive control unit 155 controls the driving device 126 that drives the shaving unit 121 to drive the shaving unit 121 . stop. For example, the drive control unit 155 sequentially acquires speed information from the speed information generation unit 151, and continuously acquires speed information equal to or less than a stop threshold representing a constant speed for a time threshold representing a certain time (i.e. , the driving control unit 155 continuously acquires speed information below a certain speed from the speed information generating unit 151 for a certain time or longer), the drive of the shaving unit 121 is stopped. If speed information faster than the stop threshold is acquired after stopping the driving of the shaving unit 121, the driving of the shaving unit 121 may be restarted.

Note that when information indicating that body hair and skin texture information cannot be obtained from the image is obtained from the shaving information generation unit 152, it is determined that the shaving portion 121 is separated from the skin, and the shaving portion 121 may be stopped.

The rhythm generator 156 generates a certain rhythm and notifies the user of the generated rhythm by controlling the notification device 140 . For example, the rhythm may be notified by changing the color, intensity, etc. of the light emitted by the notification device 140 at regular intervals. Moreover, when the notification device 140 is provided with a speaker, it may generate sounds such as a metronome with a constant cycle, music that repeats at a constant cycle, or the like. Accordingly, by operating the electric shaver 100 in accordance with the information obtained from the notification device 140 at regular intervals, it is possible to notify the user of the appropriate moving speed of the head section 120 .

According to the electric shaver 100 according to the above embodiment, it is possible to inform the user of shaving information regarding the shaving speed based on the movement of body hair or skin texture in the image obtained from the imaging device 131 . Therefore, the user can perform the shaving process while recognizing the speed at which the electric shaver 100 is operated on the skin, and the performance of the electric shaver 100 can be demonstrated to suppress damage to the skin in a short time. The shaving operation can be finished.

Further, by generating shaving information corresponding to the input information input by the user, it is possible to select the desired shaving speed of the user and change the electric shaver 100 to the mode according to the user's preference. can do.

In addition, since the notification device 140 includes a light-emitting element, it is possible to easily notify the user of a plurality of pieces of shaving information by changing at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light. .

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements described in this specification or omitting some of the constituent elements may be an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure includes modifications obtained by making various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, that is, the meaning indicated by the words described in the claims, with respect to the above-described embodiment. be

For example, although the notification device 140 including a light emitting element is illustrated, the notification device 140 includes a sounding device such as a speaker, a vibrating device that generates vibration in the grip portion 110, and an electrical stimulus to the user gripping the grip portion 110. It is also possible to provide a stimulation applying device or the like that encourages the movement of the head section 120 to slow down by giving a feeling of weight in a simulated manner. With such notification device 140, the shaving information can be notified by changing the intensity, generation pattern, etc. of sound, vibration, stimulation, and the like.

Also, the electric shaver 100 may be provided with a second image capturing device that captures a wider area than the image capturing device 131 when the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin. For example, the second image capturing device is fixed to the end of the grip portion 110 opposite to the head portion 120, and can capture an image of, for example, the entire cheek on one side in a state in which the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin. It doesn't matter if it has horns. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the condition of the skin immediately after shaving.

In the above embodiment, the shaving portion 121 is provided with a total of five outer cutters, four first outer cutters 122 and one second outer cutter 123, but the number of outer cutters is not particularly limited. Instead, the shaving portion 121 may have four or less, or six or more outer blades.

Alternatively, it may be the shaving portion 121 that shaves by rotating the inner blade with respect to the outer blade.

In addition, the mounting position of the imaging device 131 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. I don't mind. Alternatively, it may be attached to the grip portion 110 . The number of imaging devices 131 is also not limited to one, and may be installed at a plurality of locations.

The present disclosure can be applied to electric shavers that can shave body hair of animals including humans, such as so-called electric shavers for shaving beards and so-called hair clippers for shaving hair.

The technical ideas derived from this disclosure are described below.

An electric shaver derived from the present disclosure includes a grip portion gripped by a user, a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion,
with
The electric shaver is
an imaging device for imaging the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion abuts;
an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the imaging device;
a notification device that notifies a user of the processing result of the image processing device;
The image processing device is
a speed information generating unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head unit with respect to the skin based on the image captured by the imaging device;
a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information regarding a shaving speed based on the speed information;
and a result reporting unit that controls the reporting device to report the shaving information to the user.

In other words, an electric shaver derived from the present disclosure:
a gripping portion to be gripped by a user;
a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion;
an imaging device for imaging the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion abuts;
a notification device;
comprising an electrical and electronic circuit and
The electrical and electronic circuit, in operation,
obtaining an image from the imaging device;
generating speed information indicating a shaving speed with respect to the skin of the head unit based on the image captured by the imaging device;
Shaving information relating to a shaving speed is generated based on the speed information, and the notification device is controlled to notify the user of the shaving information.

Examples of electrical and electronic circuits are semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits (commonly called "ICs") or large-scale integrated circuits (commonly called "LSIs").

100 Electric shaver 110 Grip portion 111 Power switch 112 Input button 120 Head portion 121 Shaving portion 122 First outer blade 123 Second outer blade 124 Head frame 125 Head substrate 126 Driving device 131 Imaging device 133 Substrate 134 Cover 135 Lighting device 140 Notification device 150 Image processing device 151 Speed information generation unit 152 Shaving information generation unit 153 Result notification unit 154 Information acquisition unit 155 Drive control unit 156 Rhythm generation unit

Claims (7)

An electric razor comprising: a grip portion gripped by a user; and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion,
an imaging device for imaging the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion abuts;
an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the imaging device;
a notification device that notifies a user of the processing result of the image processing device;
The image processing device is
a speed information generating unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head unit with respect to the skin based on the image captured by the imaging device;
a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information regarding a shaving speed based on the speed information;
and a result notification unit that controls the notification device to notify the user of the shaving information. The speed information generating unit
2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein speed information indicating a shaving speed is generated based on at least one displacement amount selected from the group consisting of body hair and skin texture in a plurality of images. The speed information generation unit
2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein speed information indicating a shaving speed is generated based on at least one blur width selected from the group consisting of body hair and skin texture in one image obtained at a predetermined shutter speed. The image processing device is
further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires input information entered by the user;
The shaving information generation unit
The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein shaving information corresponding to said input information is generated. The notification device is
A device that notifies information by light,
The result notification unit
5. The user is notified of the shaving information by controlling the notification device to change at least one selected from the group consisting of brightness, color, and light emission pattern. The electric shaver described in . The image processing device is
a drive control unit for controlling a driving device for driving the shaving unit to stop driving the shaving unit when the shaving information generation unit generates stop information indicating that the shaving operation has not been performed for a certain period of time; An electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The image processing device is
The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a rhythm generating section that generates a certain rhythm and notifies the user of the generated rhythm by controlling the notification device.

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