WO2022176618A1

WO2022176618A1 - Electric shaver

Info

Publication number: WO2022176618A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/003982
Authority: WO
Inventors: 芳彰金森
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2021-02-16
Filing date: 2022-02-02
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: EP4296023A1; JP2022124564A; CN116867622A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electric shaver that detects the roots and distal ends of body hair and that issues a notification to a user. The electric shaver (100) according to the present disclosure comprises a grip part, a head part having a shaving section, a first imaging device (131) that captures images of the vicinity of skin with which the shaving section comes into contact, an image processing device (150) that processes the images captured by the first imaging device (131), and a notification device (140) that notifies the user about the results of processing performed by the image processing device. The image processing device (150) is provided with: a characteristics information generation unit (151) that, on the basis of differences in features between the distal ends and the roots of body hair, generates direction information indicating the orientation from one of the root and the distal end of one body hair to the other; a shaving information generation unit (152) that, on the basis of the direction information, generates shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving part is to be operated; 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, in the conventional technology, the direction of the hair is detected using the actual image of the hair and the shadow appearing on the skin. , unable to detect the direction of the hair.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and is an electric shaver capable of appropriately detecting the direction of body hair growing from the skin and notifying the user of shaving guidance (that is, the appropriate shaving direction). for the purpose of providing

To achieve the above object, an electric shaver according to one aspect of 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; comprising: a first imaging device that captures an image of the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving portion abuts; an image processing device that processes the image captured by the first imaging device; and the image processing device. a notifying device for notifying a user of a processing result, wherein the image processing device detects one of the base and the tip of one body hair from the other based on the difference in characteristics between the tip and the base of the body hair in the acquired image. a shaving information generating unit that generates shaving information that indicates the direction in which the shaving unit is operated based on the direction information; and the notification device. and a result reporting unit configured to report the shaving information to the user.

With the electric shaver of the present disclosure, it is possible to inform the user of the proper shaving direction, and to exhibit the original performance of the electric shaver.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the head portion of the electric shaver according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functional units of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing preprocessing operations of a property information generation unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in each step in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of generating direction information by the property information generating unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in each step in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a head portion of an electric shaver according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the notification device according to Embodiment 2 projects shaving information onto the skin. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another example of the image processing device.

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.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the head portion 120 of the electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 1. 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 cuts and removes body hair such as a beard using an electric blade. 150 (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 first embodiment, the grip unit 110 functions as a housing that accommodates the image processing device 150, a control device that controls driving of the shaving blade, a battery, and the like. A power switch 111 and the like for turning on/off the power 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 Embodiment 1, the head portion 120 is connected to the grip portion 110 so as to be relatively operable. The movement direction of the head portion 120 is not particularly limited, but the head portion 120 can move in the front-rear direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing), the width direction Y (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), and the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing). 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 case of the first embodiment) extending in the width direction and having a semi-cylindrical mesh-like through hole. A second outer blade 123 having a slit-like through hole arranged between the blades 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 cutter (not shown) provided corresponding to the first outer cutter 122 and a second inner cutter (not illustrated) provided corresponding to the second outer cutter 123 are arranged. An inner cutter driving device is provided for reciprocatingly vibrating the first inner cutter and the second inner cutter in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). By vibrating the first inner cutter and the second inner cutter with the inner cutter driving device, the hair inserted into the through holes of the first outer cutter 122 and the second outer cutter 123 vibrates the first inner cutter and the second inner cutter. Cut between the inner blades.

The first imaging device 131 is a device that takes an image of the vicinity of the skin with which the shaving part 121 abuts. In the case of the first embodiment, the first image capturing device 131 is configured such that, in a state in which the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin, the first outer cutter 122, which is an outer cutter, is arranged in the front-rear direction (the X-axis direction in the figure). and a skin having a length corresponding to the entire second outer cutter 123, and a skin having a length corresponding to the entire width (Y-axis direction in the figure) of the first outer cutter 122 in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure). It has an angle of view that can capture 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 first 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 is exemplified. be able to.

The first imaging device 131 of Embodiment 1 is fixed to the head substrate 125 of the head section 120 , and the first 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 first 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 first 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 . According to this, when the head frame 124 is attached and detached, the first imaging device 131 does not become an obstacle, which is preferable. The substrate 133 is also provided with a lighting device 135 such as a light-emitting diode (generally called an “LED”) that illuminates the skin within the angle of view of the first imaging device 131 . The substrate 133, the first imaging device 131, and the illumination device 135 are covered with a cover 134 (see 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 Embodiment 1, the notification device 140 is a device that notifies information by light, and has a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs arranged side by side along the edge of the grip portion 110 on the side of the head portion 120 . The notification device 140 can change at least one of brightness, color, and emission pattern of light. A specific method of notifying 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 first imaging device 131, and includes a property information generation unit 151 and a shaving information generation unit 152 as processing units realized by causing a processor to execute a program. , and a result reporting unit 153 . In the case of Embodiment 1, the image processing apparatus 150 further includes an information acquisition unit 154 .

The property information generation unit 151 extracts information from one of the root and the tip of one body hair to the other based on the difference in characteristics between the tip and the root of the hair in the image acquired from the first imaging device 131 via the information acquisition unit 154. Generates directional information indicating the orientation of the . An example in which the property information generation unit 151 generates direction information will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the preprocessing operation of the property information generator 151. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in each step in FIG. In addition, FIG. 5 shows an image of a beard as an example of body hair. More specifically, the example images of (a) to (c) of FIG. 5 are respectively obtained by the contrast enhancement (step S100), the outline extraction (step S101), and the circumscribing rectangle calculation (step S102) in FIG. This is an example image.

First, in step S100 in FIG. 4, the property information generation unit 151 performs a contrast enhancement process on the hair image acquired by the information acquisition unit 154 from the first imaging device 131. FIG. For example, the property information generation unit 151 increases the luminance contrast by performing tone conversion on the luminance of each pixel of the image so as to increase the change in the output tone with respect to the input tone. As a result, a high-contrast image as shown in the example image of FIG. 5(a) is obtained. Before or after this contrast enhancement, a low-pass filter may be applied to the image to remove fine noise such as irregularities such as texture of the skin.

Subsequently, in step S101 of FIG. 4, the property information generation unit 151 performs contour extraction on the image obtained in step S100. More specifically, the property information generation unit 151 outputs a white pixel when the luminance difference with the surrounding pixels is equal to or greater than a threshold, and outputs a black pixel when the luminance difference is less than the threshold. Fine noise is removed by performing expansion/contraction processing after performing value conversion (that is, whitening/blackening). Note that the expansion/contraction processing is the expansion processing that replaces the target pixel with white if even one white pixel exists around the target pixel, and the target pixel if even one black pixel exists around the target pixel. A contraction process that replaces pixels with black. This contour extraction provides an image showing the contours of individual beard regions, such as the example image shown in FIG. 5(b).

Subsequently, in step S102 of FIG. 4, the property information generation unit 151 calculates a circumscribed rectangle for each contour-extracted region of the image obtained in step S101. Specifically, the property information generator 151 calculates a circumscribing rectangle for each area whose outline is extracted such that four sides are in contact with the outline of the extracted body hair. However, the method for calculating the circumscribing rectangle is not limited to this method, and other methods may be used as long as a rectangle covering the outline of the hair can be calculated for estimating the length of the hair. Also, rectangles include not only rectangles but also squares. In this step S102, a rectangle whose vertices are squares with right angles is more convenient for at least one calculation selected from the group consisting of specifying the length and changing the brightness, so the rectangle is calculated. is not alienated in at least one specification selected from the length specification and the orientation specification, a shape different from a rectangle may be calculated. By this process, an image showing rectangles circumscribing individual beard regions is obtained, as shown in the example image of FIG. 5(c).

Next, in step S103 of FIG. 4, the property information generation unit 151 specifies the length of each hair by calculating the length of the long side of the circumscribing rectangle for each circumscribing rectangle calculated in step S102. . Regarding the specification of the length of the long side, the length of two orthogonal sides in a right-angled triangle including the two sides along the orthogonal direction in which the pixels are arranged (here, the length of one side is the number of pixels × given by the pixel interval) is calculated, and the length of the long side, which is the hypotenuse, is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

In this way, the length of the body hair is specified as information for generating direction information from the captured image. For example, the property information generation unit 151 may generate direction information by statistically processing the directions of a plurality of hairs having a length equal to or greater than a length threshold among the hairs appearing in the image. Further, the property information generation unit 151 may generate direction information by weighting the directions of a plurality of hairs based on the length of each hair and performing statistical processing.

Next, the method for generating direction information will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the property information generator 151 to generate direction information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in each step in FIG. More specifically, (a) to (d) of FIG. 7 respectively show the image to be processed (“input image”), the luminance signal of the input image (on straight line AB), and the high-pass filtering in FIG. 6 (that is, step S200 ) and the result of negative clipping (that is, step S201).

For each image surrounded by the circumscribed rectangle calculated by the preprocessing (that is, the image of the area surrounded by the circumscribed rectangle in the original image surrounded by the circumscribed rectangle), In the following procedure, the orientation of body hair is specified and direction information is generated as property information. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the image enclosed by the circumscribing rectangle is directed toward the tip at the base of the hair (see symbol “A” in FIG. 7). There is a gradation that turns black over the edges, and there is a large luminance difference across the contour at the tip of the hair (see symbol “B” in FIG. 7). In other words, unlike the tips, the roots are located under the skin, so the contrast between the body hair and the skin is reduced. The property information generation unit 151 generates direction information using such image characteristics of the base and tip of the hair. Note that FIG. 7B shows the luminance signal (on the straight line AB) in the longitudinal direction of the hair.

In addition, the root of the body hair should include at least a portion of the body hair covered with the skin and a portion of the body hair exposed from the skin.

Note that the property information generating unit 151 may generate direction information by extending the calculated circumscribing rectangle in the longitudinal direction of the circumscribing rectangle. Even if one side of the enclosing rectangle calculated by the property information generating unit 151 is positioned at the boundary between the tip or root of the hair and the skin, the specified range can be extended in the longitudinal direction of the enclosing rectangle to extend the area in addition to the tip or root of the hair. can include parts of the skin. As a result, the direction can be easily identified by the characteristic that the brightness gradually changes, which appears because the hair is embedded under the skin at the root.

At step S200 in FIG. 6, the property information generation unit 151 applies a high-pass filter to the original image surrounded by the circumscribed rectangle as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. Specifically, the property information generation unit 151 generates the luminance signal on the AB straight line shown in (b) of FIG. High pass filtering of the transfer functions shown. Note that “^” indicates exponentiation. As a result, the output signal shown in (c) of FIG. 7 is obtained.

Subsequently, in step S201 of FIG. 6, the property information generation unit 151 performs negative clip processing on the output signal shown in (c) of FIG. Specifically, the property information generator 151 performs a process of replacing negative values with zero in the output signal shown in (c) of FIG. 7 . As a result, the output signal shown in (d) of FIG. 7 is obtained.

Subsequently, in step S202 of FIG. 6, the property information generation unit 151 determines that the end portion where a high peak appears (here, refer to symbol "B") in the output signal shown in (d) of FIG. By recognizing that the tip of the hair and the end where a low peak appears (here, refer to symbol “A”) is the root of the hair, the direction of one hair (here, the beard) can be determined. Identify. Then, the property information generation unit 151 adds information indicating that it is the root to the end recognized as the root among both ends in the image shown in (a) of FIG. Information indicating that the end is the tip is added to the recognized end. Then, the property information generation unit 151 generates a vector from the root to the tip or a vector from the tip to the root using the inclination of the long side of the circumscribing rectangle for one hair. If the features of both ends of the hair in the image indicate the tip, the property information generation unit 151 generates direction information by excluding the hair.

In step S203 in FIG. 6, the property information generation unit 151 performs the above processing on a plurality of body hairs in one image, calculates a plurality of vectors, and statistically processes these vectors to obtain direction information. to generate Although the statistical processing method is not particularly limited, for example, an average value may be calculated. Further, the property information generation unit 151 may perform the above processing only for a plurality of body hairs having a length equal to or greater than the length threshold. Statistical processing may also be performed using the length of each hair as a weight.

The shaving information generation unit 152 generates shaving information indicating the direction in which the shaving unit 121 is operated based on the direction information generated by the property information generation unit 151 . The shaving information generation unit 152 generates shaving information by classifying the direction information generated by the property information generation unit 151 into a plurality of directions (for example, eight directions).

Further, the shaving information generation unit 152 calculates a motion vector focusing on body hair and skin texture from images captured at predetermined intervals, and generates shaving information corresponding to the degree of matching between the motion vector and the direction information. I don't mind.

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 controls the light emitted by a plurality of (eight in the case of the first embodiment) light-emitting devices provided in the notification device 140, and converts the direction information into shaving information classified into eight directions. The shaving information is notified to the user by changing at least one of brightness, color and light emission pattern of the light emitting device at the corresponding position.

In addition, the result notification unit 153 changes at least one of the brightness, color, and light emission pattern of the light emitting device according to the shaved hair information corresponding to the degree of matching between the motion vector and the direction information, thereby providing the shaved hair information. I don't mind if you let me know.

According to the electric shaver 100 according to the first embodiment, the direction from the root to the tip of the body hair (or vice versa) is detected from the image obtained by the first imaging device 131, and the shaving direction indicating the shaving direction is detected. Information can be accurately notified to the user. Therefore, the user can perform the shaving process while recognizing the optimum direction in which the electric shaver 100 moves with respect to the skin. You can proceed with the shaving work well.

In addition, even if there is hair debris left on the skin during shaving, hairs for which there is no root data are excluded to generate direction information, so false detection is suppressed and accurate direction information is reported be able to.

In addition, by generating direction information based on body hair of a certain length or longer in the image, it is possible to generate direction information about the shaving direction with high priority, and the user can select an effective shaving direction. can be notified to

In addition, in the statistical processing for generating the direction information, by weighting the length of each hair to generate the direction information, it is possible to generate the direction information for the shaving direction with high priority. The user can be notified of the desired shaving direction.

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

(Embodiment 2)
Another embodiment of the electric shaver 100 will be described. Elements having the same actions and functions, as well as the same shapes, mechanisms, and structures as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof may be omitted. Further, the following description will focus on points that differ from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same contents may be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the head portion 120 of the electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. As with the electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 1, the electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 2 includes a grip portion 110, a head portion 120, a first imaging device 131, a notification device 140, and an image processing device 150. , is equipped with The electric shaver 100 according to Embodiment 2 further includes a second imaging device 132 .

The notification device 140 is, as shown in FIG. 10, a device that projects shaving information 210 on the skin with light to notify the user 200 of the shaved hair information 210 . The notification device 140 according to Embodiment 2 is a so-called projector attached to the substrate 133 to which the first imaging device 131 is attached. A specific example of the notification device 140 is a device that includes a plurality of LED light sources arranged in a matrix and an optical system that forms an image of shaving information such as arrows drawn based on the plurality of LED light sources on the skin surface. can do. Further, as the notification device 140, a device that displays shaving information on the skin surface by means of a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a matrix can be exemplified. Note that the notification device 140 may combine notification by sound (including voice), vibration, and electrical stimulation, or may be notified by superimposing the color, intensity, blinking pattern, and the like of light.

The second imaging device 132 is a device that captures an image of a wider area than the first imaging device 131 when the shaving portion 121 is in contact with the skin. The second imaging device 132 of the present embodiment is fixed to the end of the grip section 110 on the side opposite to the head section 120, and when the shaving section 121 is in contact with the skin, for example, one cheek It has an angle of view that can capture the entire image.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the image processing device 150 according to the second embodiment. The image processing device 150 is a device that processes images obtained from the first imaging device 131 and the second imaging device 132, and is a processing unit realized by causing a processor to execute a program, as in the first embodiment. , a property information generation unit 151 , a shaving information generation unit 152 , a result notification unit 153 , and an information acquisition unit 154 . In the case of Embodiment 2, the image processing device 150 further includes a skin shape estimator 155 and a corrector 156 .

The skin surface shape estimating unit 155, based on an image with a relatively wide angle of view obtained from the second imaging device 132 via the information acquiring unit 154, estimates a skin surface having an uneven shape such as the surface of one cheek, for example. Generate shape information. The method of estimating the skin shape of the skin shape estimating unit 155 is not particularly limited. is projected onto the skin surface, and the uneven shape of the skin surface is estimated based on the distortion of the pattern imaged by the second imaging device 132 to generate the skin surface shape information.

The correction unit 156 generates a correction value when the result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140 to project the shaving information on the skin surface based on the skin surface shape information generated by the skin surface shape estimation unit 155 . The result notification unit 153 controls the notification device based on the correction value from the correction unit 156 to notify the user of shaving information such as direction information. As a result, the shaving information such as an arrow is projected in a shape with suppressed distortion regardless of the uneven shape of the face, so that the user of the electric shaver 100 can easily understand the information such as the shaving direction. It becomes possible.

According to the electric shaver 100 according to Embodiments 1 and 2, the direction from the root to the tip of the body hair is detected based on the image, and the hair can be shaved efficiently from the direction in which the hair grows with respect to the electric shaver 100. The direction in which the unit 121 is moved can be reported as shaving information. The user, who grasps the reported shaving information, presses the shaving part 121 relatively strongly against the skin when moving the shaving part 121 in the direction from the tip to the root of the body hair, and presses the shaving part 121 in the opposite direction. The shaving portion 121 can be reciprocated by pressing the shaving portion 121 relatively weakly against the skin. As a result, body hair can be effectively introduced into the penetrating holes provided in the outer cutters (that is, the first outer cutter 122 and the second outer cutter 123), and the shaving operation can proceed efficiently. can. In addition, since the shaving operation can be completed without reciprocating the shaving portion 121 by strongly pressing it at all times, body hair can be effectively treated while suppressing damage to the skin.

In addition, since the direction of the body hair can be detected while excluding body hair scraps adhering to the skin, it is possible to more accurately inform the user of the shaving information.

In addition, by detecting the direction of each hair based on the hairs longer than a certain length in the image, weighting the length of each hair, and statistically detecting the length of the hair, the shaving information can be obtained more accurately. can be detected and notified to the user.

Further, according to the electric shaver 100 according to the second embodiment, the shaving information indicating the direction in which the shaving portion 121 is to be operated is projected onto the skin to notify the user, so that the direction of the shaving process can be determined more accurately. can assist. Furthermore, by projecting the direction in which the shaving part 121 is operated according to the uneven shape of the skin, the shaving direction can be assisted without misleading the user.

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

The property information generation unit 151 may generate property information including at least one of length information indicating the length of body hair and density information indicating the density of body hair. The shaving information generation unit 152 generates an unfinished area where the shaving process has not been completed based on property information including at least one of length information and density information, and the result notification unit 153 controls the notification device 140. The user may be notified of the unfinished area by

For example, the property information generation unit 151 calculates the area of each region whose contour is extracted as described in the contour extraction step (S101) of the first embodiment, and calculates the total area of each region in the image. . Furthermore, the property information generation unit 151 generates the ratio of the total area of the rectangular regions to the area of the image as quantified property information indicating the density of body hair.

As shown in FIG. 12, the image processing device 150 may have a determination unit 157. The determination unit 157 terminates the shaving process based on at least one determination criterion that the length information obtained from the property information generation unit 151 is equal to or greater than a predetermined length threshold, or that the density information is equal to or greater than a predetermined density threshold. It is acceptable to generate an unfinished region that has not reached

The result notification unit 153 may control the notification device 140 to notify the user of the unfinished area by, for example, illuminating the unfinished area in red.

In addition, the notification device 140 may give electrical stimulation to the user by energizing the grip and apply a load in the shaving direction according to the direction information. This allows the user to perceive that the body hair has been strongly shaved in a specific direction, and allows the user to recognize the direction in which the shaving unit 121 should be operated.

In addition, although the notification device 140 having 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 a notification device 140, the shaving information can be notified by changing the intensity of sound (including voice), vibration, stimulation, generation pattern, and the like.

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 first imaging device 131 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. I don't care if it happens. Alternatively, it may be attached to the grip portion 110 . The number of first imaging devices 131 is also not limited to one, and may be installed at multiple 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, and a head portion having a shaving portion for cutting body hair and connected to one end of the grip portion,
a first 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 first imaging device;
a notification device that notifies a user of the processing result of the image processing device;
The image processing device is
A property information generation unit that generates direction information indicating the direction from one of the root and the tip of one body hair to the other based on the difference in features between the tip and the root of the hair in the image captured by the first imaging device. When,
a shaving information generation unit that generates shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving unit is operated based on the direction information;
and a result notification unit that controls the notification device and notifies the user of the shaving information.

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;
a first 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, during operation,
generating directional information indicating the direction from one to the other of the root and the tip of one body hair based on the difference in features between the tip and the root of the hair in the image captured by the first imaging device;
Shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving section is operated is generated based on the direction 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 120 Head portion 121 Shaving portion 122 First outer blade 123 Second outer blade 124 Head frame 125 Head base 131 First imaging device 132 Second imaging device 133 Board 134 Cover 135 Lighting device 140 notification device 150 image processing device 151 property information generation unit 152 shaving information generation unit 153 result notification unit 154 information acquisition unit 155 skin surface shape estimation unit 156 correction unit 157 determination unit 200 user 210 shaving information

Claims

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,
a first 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 first imaging device;
a notification device that notifies a user of the processing result of the image processing device;
The image processing device is
A property information generation unit that generates direction information indicating the direction from one of the root and the tip of one body hair to the other based on the difference in features between the tip and the root of the hair in the image captured by the first imaging device. When,
a shaving information generation unit that generates shaving information indicating a direction in which the shaving unit is operated based on the direction information;
and a result notification unit that controls the notification device to notify the user of the shaving information.
The property information generation unit is
2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein if the features of both ends of the hair in the image indicate the tip of the hair, the hair is excluded to generate the direction information.
The property information generation unit is
generating the direction information by statistically processing the directions of a plurality of hairs having a length equal to or greater than a length threshold;
The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2.
The property information generation unit is
Generating the direction information by weighting and statistically processing the directions of a plurality of body hairs based on the length of each of the plurality of body hairs;
An electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The notification device is
A device that notifies information with multiple lights,
An electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The notification device is
It is a device that projects information on the skin with light and notifies it.
An electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The notification device is
It is a device that projects information on the skin with light and notifies it,
The property information generation unit is
generating property information including at least one selected from the group consisting of length information indicating the length of each of a plurality of body hairs and density information indicating the density of the plurality of body hairs;
The shaving information generation unit
generating an unfinished area in which the shaving process has not been completed based on the property information;
The result notification unit
The electric shaver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notification device is controlled to notify the user of the unfinished area.
Further comprising a second imaging device that images a wider area than the first imaging device,
The image processing device is
Further comprising a skin surface shape estimation unit that generates skin surface shape information indicating the uneven shape of the skin surface based on the image captured by the second imaging device,
The result notification unit
8. The electric shaver according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the skin surface shape information is projected onto the skin with distortion-suppressed light to inform the user.