CN116887961A

CN116887961A - Electric razor

Info

Publication number: CN116887961A
Application number: CN202280013245.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金森芳彰
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-16
Filing date: 2022-01-26
Publication date: 2023-10-13
Also published as: EP4296021A1; JP2022124917A; WO2022176537A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electric razor capable of promoting a user to shave Mao Lai at an appropriate speed and suppressing damage to skin. An electric razor (100) according to the present disclosure includes a handle portion and a head portion having a shaving portion, and the electric razor (100) includes: an imaging device (131) that photographs the skin; an image processing device (150) that processes an image; and a notification device (140) that notifies a user of a processing result of the image processing device, wherein the image processing device (150) is provided with: a speed information generation unit (151) that generates speed information indicating the shaving speed of the head with respect to the skin, based on the image captured by the imaging device; a shaving information generation unit (152) that generates shaving information on the shaving speed based on the speed information; and a result notification unit (153) that controls the notification device (140) to notify the user of the shaving information.

Description

Electric razor

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electric razor for performing shaving of hairs of a body such as a beard.

Background

Conventionally, a shaving guidance system (shaving guidance system) has been proposed which includes an imaging device for recording an image of a body part of a user, obtains a local hair growth direction based on the captured image, and instructs the user of a direction and a part in which the shaving device should be moved on the body based on the obtained hair occurrence direction (for example, refer to patent document 1).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2016-534806

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the conventional system, only the direction and the portion in which shaving is performed can be recognized, and the optimum shaving speed cannot be indicated.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electric razor capable of notifying a user of an optimal shaving speed.

Solution for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, an electric razor according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an electric razor including a grip portion for a user to grip, and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair, the head portion being connected to one end of the grip portion, the electric razor including: an imaging device that images the vicinity of the skin where the shaving portion is in contact with; an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the image pickup device; and a notification device that notifies a user of a processing result of the image processing device, wherein the image processing device includes: a speed information generating unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head with respect to skin, based on an image captured by the imaging device; a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information on a shaving speed based on the speed information; and a result notifying unit that controls the notifying device to notify the user of the shaving information.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the electric razor of the present disclosure, the user can be notified of the optimal shaving speed, and the number of times of sliding to the same portion can be suppressed by the performance of the electric razor.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric razor according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a head 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 acquired by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment at predetermined time intervals.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing one image captured at a predetermined shutter speed acquired by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of an electric razor according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples for illustrating the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, expressions, contents of each stage in the method, the order of each stage, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and may include those not described below. In addition, geometrical expressions such as parallel and orthogonal are sometimes used, but these expressions do not represent mathematical rigors, but include virtually allowable errors, deviations, and the like. Further, the same or similar expressions include a substantially allowable range.

The drawings are schematic drawings in which emphasis, omission, or scaling is appropriately placed for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, and are different from actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions.

In the following, a plurality of technical ideas may be collectively described as one embodiment. A part of the following description will be described as an optional constituent element related to the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric razor 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the head 120 of the electric razor 100. In the electric razor 100, the edge is treated with an arc surface, and there are portions provided with irregularities for preventing slipping, etc., but these portions are not shown.

The electric razor 100 is a device for cutting and removing hairs such as beard hairs using an electric blade, and includes a grip 110, a head 120, an imaging device 131, a notification device 140, and an image processing device 150 (not shown in fig. 1).

The grip 110 is a portion to be gripped by a user when the user uses the electric razor 100. In the case of the present embodiment, the grip 110 functions as a housing for accommodating the image processing device 150, a battery, a control device for controlling driving of the shaving blade or the like, and the like. A power switch 111 for turning on/off the power supply, an input button 112 for receiving an input from a user, and the like are provided on the outer surface of the grip 110.

The head 120 is a member having a shaving portion 121 and connected to one end of the grip 110, and the shaving portion 121 includes a blade for cutting body hair. In the present embodiment, the head 120 is coupled to the grip 110 so as to be capable of operating relative to the grip 110. The operation direction of the head 120 is not particularly limited, but the head 120 can swing in the circumferential direction with each of the front-rear direction (X-axis direction in the drawing), the width direction Y (Y-axis direction in the drawing), and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction in the drawing) as the axial center.

The shaving portion 121 includes a plurality (4 in the case of the present embodiment) of first outer blades 122 having a semi-cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and having through holes in a grid shape in the front-rear direction, and includes second outer blades 123 having slit-shaped through holes arranged between the first outer blades 122. The first outer blade 122 and the second outer blade 123 are attached to the head housing 124, and the shaving portion 121 is detachable from the head base 125.

The head 120 includes 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, and a driving device 126 (see fig. 3) for driving the first inner blade and the second inner blade, respectively. In the case of the present embodiment, the driving device 126 reciprocates the first inner blade and the second inner blade, which are inner blades, with respect to the outer blade in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing). The body hair inserted into the through holes of the first outer blade 122 and the second outer blade 123 is cut between the first inner blade and the second inner blade that vibrate.

The imaging device 131 is a device that photographs the vicinity of the skin where the shaving portion 121 is in contact. In the case of the present embodiment, the imaging device 131 has a view angle that can capture the skin having a length corresponding to the entire first outer blade 122 and the second outer blade 123, which are the outer blades, in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction in the drawing) and the skin having a length corresponding to the entire width of the first outer blade 122 (Y-axis direction in the drawing) in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) at a time in a state where the shaving portion 121 is brought into contact with the skin. Thus, the body hair and skin immediately before and immediately after shaving can be accurately imaged.

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

The imaging device 131 of the present embodiment is fixed to the head base 125 of the head 120, and the imaging device 131 also operates while the head 120 operates with respect to the grip 110. This stabilizes the distance between the skin and the imaging device 131 even during shaving by the electric razor 100, and a clearer image can be captured. Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the imaging device 131 is mounted on a substrate 133 protruding forward from the front surface (X-side in the drawing) of the head base 125. Accordingly, the imaging device 131 does not interfere with the attachment and detachment of the head housing 124, which is preferable. An illumination device 135 such as a light emitting diode (generally referred to as an "LED") for illuminating the skin in the view angle of the imaging device 131 is mounted on the substrate 133. The substrate 133, the imaging device 131, and the illumination 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 a method of notifying by sound (including voice), light, vibration, electric stimulation, a combination thereof, or the like can be exemplified. In the case of the present 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 110 on the head 120 side. The notification device 140 is capable of changing at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light. In fig. 1, the notification device 140 has been shown with the light emitting elements provided on one side (Y-side) of the grip 110, but the number of light emitting elements is not limited to this, and may be provided on the other side (y+ side) of the grip 110. A specific method of notifying shaving information will be described later.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functional parts of the image processing apparatus 150. The image processing apparatus 150 is an apparatus that processes an image obtained from the image pickup apparatus 131, and the image processing apparatus 150 includes a speed information generating unit 151, a shaving information generating unit 152, and a result notifying unit 153 as processing units realized by causing a processor to execute a program. In the case of the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 150 further includes an information acquisition unit 154, a drive control unit 155, and a rhythm generation unit 156.

The information acquisition unit 154 is a processing unit for acquiring information such as an image captured by the imaging device 131. In the case of the present embodiment, the information acquisition unit 154 also acquires input information and the like input by the user using the input buttons 112 and the like.

The speed information generating unit 151 generates speed information indicating the shaving speed, which is the relative movement speed of the head 120 with respect to the skin, based on the image acquired by the information acquiring unit 154 from the imaging device 131. The method of calculating the shaving speed by the speed information generating unit 151 is not particularly limited, but, for example, the following two examples are given.

Calculation example 1

The speed information generating unit 151 generates speed information indicating the shaving speed, which is the moving speed of the head 120 relative to the skin, based on the displacement amount of at least one of the texture and the body hair of the skin in the plurality of images captured by the imaging device 131 at predetermined time intervals. For example, as shown in fig. 4, a body hair to be focused (refer to a quadrangular portion of the upper half) is selected from the image captured earlier (refer to the image of the upper half in fig. 4), and the position of the selected body hair in the image is determined. Next, from the image captured after the prescribed time interval (refer to the image of the lower half in fig. 4), the body hair that is the same body hair as the previously focused body hair (refer to the portion enclosed by the quadrangle of the lower half) is extracted, and the position of the extracted body hair in the image is determined. The speed information generating unit 151 generates speed information based on the displacement amount of the position of the identical body hair in the two images and the shooting interval of the two images.

The body hair to be focused for generating the velocity information is not limited to one, and may be focused on a plurality of body hairs. Further, the speed information may be generated based on the texture of the skin instead of the body hair.

Calculation example 2

The speed information generating unit 151 generates speed information indicating a shaving speed, which is a moving speed of the head 120 with respect to the skin, based on a shake width of at least one of a line and a body hair of the skin in one image captured by the imaging device 131 at a predetermined shutter speed (i.e., exposure time). For example, as shown in fig. 5, a body hair to be focused is selected from one image, and the shake amplitude d of the selected body hair in the image is detected. The speed information generating section 151 generates speed information based on the shake amplitude d and the shutter speed (i.e., exposure time) in the two images.

The body hair to be focused for generating the velocity information is not limited to one, and the amplitude of the shake of a plurality of body hairs may be focused. In addition, the speed information may be generated based on the amplitude of the texture of the skin, instead of the amplitude of the body hair. In addition, the speed information generating unit 151 may generate the speed information by using a plurality of calculation methods instead of executing any one of the calculation methods.

The shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information on shaving based on the speed information generated by the speed information generating unit 151. For example, when the speed information generated by the speed information generating unit 151 is equal to or greater than the speed threshold, the shaving information generating unit 152 may generate excessive shaving information, and when the speed information generated by the speed information generating unit 151 is less than the speed threshold, the shaving information generating unit 152 may generate shaving information having an appropriate speed.

In the case of the present embodiment, the shaving information generating unit 152 generates shaving information corresponding to input information input by the user using the input button 112 or the like. For example, the image processing apparatus 150 holds a plurality of levels of speed thresholds, and the shaving information generating unit 152 selects a speed threshold corresponding to the input information. The shaving information generating unit 152 can change the speed, which is a criterion for generating shaving information indicating excessive speed, by using the selected speed threshold value, and can adjust the manner of presenting the speed information to the preference of the user.

The shaving information generating unit 152 may hold a plurality of thresholds having different values, such as a first speed threshold 20% slower than the speed threshold and a second speed threshold 40% slower than the speed threshold, and generate shaving information in which shaving information and the like increase or decrease stepwise according to the level of the moving speed of the head.

The result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to notify the user of the shaving information generated by the shaving information generating unit 152. For example, the result notification portion 153 notifies the user of shaving information by controlling the light emitted by the light emitting device to change at least one of brightness, color, and light emitting pattern. The result notifying unit 153 performs control of emitting red light to notify the user of excessive speed, and when the shaving information generating unit 152 acquires shaving information of an appropriate speed, performs control of emitting blue light, stopping emitting red light, and the like to notify the user of the appropriate speed. In addition, when the excessively high speed state continues for a predetermined time or longer, the notification device 140 may be controlled so as to be in a red blinking state.

In addition, in the case where the shaving information generating section 152 is generating shaving information that increases or decreases stepwise, the result notifying section 153 may notify the user of the stepwise shaving information by controlling the light emitted from the light emitting device to change at least one of the brightness, the color, and the light emitting mode stepwise. For example, the user may be prompted to be able to direct the user to a perceptually appropriate speed by changing the color stepwise by controlling the color to emit blue light when the speed is appropriate, yellow light when the speed is slightly high, red light when the speed is excessive, or the like. In addition, the intensity of light may be increased or decreased stepwise, the interval between the flashes of light may be increased or decreased stepwise, or the like.

When the shaving information generating unit 152 generates the stop information that the shaving operation is not performed for a certain period of time, the drive control unit 155 controls the driving device 126 for driving the shaving unit 121 to stop the driving of the shaving unit 121. For example, the drive control unit 155 sequentially acquires the speed information from the speed information generation unit 151, and stops the driving of the shaving unit 121 when the speed information equal to or lower than the stop threshold value indicating a constant speed is acquired while the time threshold value indicating a constant time is continued or higher (that is, when the drive control unit 155 continuously acquires the speed information equal to or lower than a constant speed from the speed information generation unit 151 while the time period is continued or higher). When the speed information faster than the stop threshold value is acquired after the driving of the shaving section 121 is stopped, the driving of the shaving section 121 may be restarted.

Further, when information indicating that the texture and body hair of the skin cannot be obtained from the image is obtained from the shaving information generating unit 152, it may be determined that the shaving unit 121 is away from the skin, and the driving of the shaving unit 121 may be stopped.

The tempo generation section 156 generates a constant tempo and controls the notification device 140 to notify the user of the generated tempo. For example, the rhythm may be notified by changing the color, intensity, or the like of the light emitted from the notification device 140 at a constant period. In addition, when the notification device 140 includes a speaker, a sound of a constant period such as a metronome, music repeated at a constant period, or the like may be generated. Accordingly, the electric razor 100 is operated in accordance with the information of the constant period acquired from the notification device 140, and the user can be notified of the appropriate moving speed of the head 120.

According to the electric razor 100 according to the above embodiment, the shaving information on the shaving speed can be notified to the user based on the texture of the skin or the movement of the body hair of the image obtained from the imaging device 131. Accordingly, the user can perform the shaving process while recognizing the speed at which the electric razor 100 is operated with respect to the skin, and can perform the performance of the electric razor 100 to suppress damage to the skin, and can finish the shaving operation in a short time.

Further, by generating shaving information corresponding to the input information inputted by the user, it is possible to select a shaving speed preferred by the user and change the electric razor 100 to a mode corresponding to the preference of the user.

In addition, the notification device 140 includes a light emitting element, and thus can easily notify the user of a plurality of shaving information by changing at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of light.

Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, other embodiments in which the components described in the present specification are arbitrarily combined or realized excluding a plurality of the components may be also be regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, modified examples, which can be obtained by performing various modifications, which are conceivable to those skilled in the art, on the above-described embodiments within a range not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, that is, the meaning indicated by the terms described in the claims, are also included in the present disclosure.

For example, the notification device 140 including the light emitting element is illustrated, but the notification device 140 may include a sound emitting device such as a speaker, a vibration device that vibrates the grip 110, a stimulus applying device that applies an electrical stimulus to a user gripping the grip 110 so as to virtually feel the weight and thereby promote the movement of the head 120 at a low speed, and the like. The shaving information can be notified by such a notification device 140 by changing the intensity, generation pattern, and the like of sound, vibration, stimulus, and the like.

The electric razor 100 may further include a second imaging device that photographs a region having a wider range than the imaging range of the imaging device 131 in a state where the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin. For example, the second imaging device is fixed to an end portion of the grip 110 opposite to the head 120, and has a visual angle that enables, for example, imaging of the entire cheek on one side in a state where the shaving portion 121 is brought into contact with the skin. Thus, the state of the skin immediately after shaving can be accurately grasped.

In the above embodiment, the shaving portion 121 including 5 outer blades in total including 4 first outer blades 122 and 1 second outer blade 123 is illustrated, but the number of outer blades is not particularly limited, and the shaving portion 121 including 4 or less or 6 or more outer blades may be used.

The shaving portion 121 may be configured to shave hair by rotating the inner blade with respect to the outer blade.

The mounting position of the imaging device 131 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, a rear side (x+ side in the drawing), a side (Y-side, y+ side in the drawing), or the like. Further, the holding portion 110 may be attached. The number of imaging devices 131 is not limited to 1, and the imaging devices 131 may be mounted at a plurality of positions.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be applied to an electric razor capable of shaving body hair of animals including humans, such as a so-called electric shaver for shaving beards, a so-called hair clipper for shaving hair, and the like.

Next, technical ideas derived from the present disclosure are described.

An electric razor according to the present disclosure includes a grip portion for a user to grip, and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair, the head portion being connected to one end of the grip portion, the electric razor including: an imaging device that images the vicinity of the skin where the shaving portion is in contact with; an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the image pickup device; and a notification device that notifies a user of a processing result of the image processing device, wherein the image processing device includes: a speed information generating unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head with respect to skin, based on an image captured by the imaging device; a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information on a shaving speed based on the speed information; and a result notifying unit that controls the notifying device to notify the user of the shaving information.

In other words, an electric razor according to the present disclosure includes: a grip portion for a user to grip; a head having a shaving portion for cutting body hair, the head being connected to one end of the grip portion; an imaging device that images the vicinity of the skin where the shaving portion is in contact with; a notification device; and an electric and electronic circuit, wherein the electric and electronic circuit performs the following processing during the operation: acquiring an image from the image pickup device; generating speed information representing a shaving speed of the head with respect to skin based on an image captured by the image capturing device; and generating shaving information regarding a shaving speed based on the speed information, and controlling the notifying means to notify the user of the shaving information.

Examples of the electric and electronic circuits are semiconductor elements such as integrated circuits (generally referred to as "ICs") or large scale integrated circuits (generally referred to as "LSIs").

Description of the reference numerals

100: an electric razor; 110: a holding part; 111: a power switch; 112: an input button; 120: a head; 121: a shaving section; 122: a first outer blade; 123: a second outer blade; 124: a head frame; 125: a head base; 126: a driving device; 131: an image pickup device; 133: a substrate; 134: a cover; 135: a lighting device; 140: a notification device; 150: an image processing device; 151: a speed information generation unit; 152: a shaving information generating unit; 153: a result notifying unit; 154: an information acquisition unit; 155: a drive control unit; 156: a rhythm generation unit.

Claims

1. An electric razor including a grip portion for a user to grip, and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair, the head portion being connected to one end of the grip portion, the electric razor including:

an imaging device that images the vicinity of the skin where the shaving portion is in contact with;

an image processing device that processes an image obtained from the image pickup device; and

a notification device that notifies a user of a processing result of the image processing device,

wherein the image processing device comprises:

a speed information generating unit that generates speed information indicating a shaving speed of the head with respect to skin, based on an image captured by the imaging device;

a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information on a shaving speed based on the speed information; and

and a result notifying unit that controls the notifying device to notify the user of the shaving information.

2. The electric razor according to claim 1, wherein,

the speed information generating unit generates speed information indicating a shaving speed based on a displacement amount of at least one selected from the group consisting of lines and body hair of skin in the plurality of images.

3. The electric razor according to claim 1, wherein,

the speed information generating unit generates speed information indicating a shaving speed based on a shake amplitude of at least one selected from the group consisting of a texture and a body hair of skin in one image obtained at a predetermined shutter speed.

4. An electric razor according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein,

the image processing apparatus further includes an information acquisition unit that acquires input information input by a user,

the shaving information generating unit generates shaving information corresponding to the input information.

5. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the notification device is a device that notifies information by light,

the result notifying unit notifies the user of the shaving information by controlling the notifying means to change at least one selected from the group consisting of brightness, color, and light emission pattern.

6. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the image processing apparatus includes a drive control section,

when the shaving information generating unit generates stop information that does not perform a shaving operation for a predetermined period of time, the drive control unit controls a drive device for driving the shaving unit to stop driving the shaving unit.

7. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the image processing apparatus includes a rhythm generation unit that generates a constant rhythm and controls the notification device to notify a user of the generated rhythm.