JP6671042B2 - Light irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation device that performs processing by irradiating an object with light.

  An example of a light irradiation device that irradiates a target object with light to perform a process includes a device that performs a hair suppression process on body hairs present on human skin. As such a light irradiation device, a light irradiation device that transmits energy of light emitted from a laser diode or a flash lamp to a body hair to heat a hair nipple and perform a hair-reducing process is known. Such a light irradiation device is provided with a safety device for preventing light from being accidentally irradiated to the eye.

  For example, the light irradiation device described in Patent Literature 1 is provided with a sensor that detects contact with the skin at an outer peripheral portion of a region through which light passes, and emits light only when the sensor detects contact with a person. Safety devices are provided.

JP 2006-525036 A

  However, when the sensor is provided on the outer periphery of the area through which light passes, the sensor can be touched with a finger or the like from outside without covering the area, so that light can be emitted without blocking the area through which light passes. Light may enter the eyes and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a light irradiation device that can prevent light from being unintentionally incident on an eye.

  A light irradiation device according to one aspect of the present invention is a light irradiation device that irradiates a target object with light while an emission unit from which light is emitted is pressed against the target object. Contact detection means for detecting contact with an object; pupil detection means for detecting that a user's pupil exists outside of the light irradiation area; and contact detection means for detecting contact, and the pupil detection. Control means for emitting a predetermined amount of light from the emission section only when the means detects a pupil.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined amount of light is not emitted unless the pupil of the user is in contact with the object and the pupil of the user is outside the light irradiation area, so that the light unintentionally enters the user's eye. Can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a light irradiation device. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pupil detection means and the display device as viewed from the display screen side. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the emission unit 101 from the light emission side. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional unit of the control unit together with a mechanical unit and the like connected to the control unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another aspect of the display screen. FIG. 6 is an image diagram schematically showing a state in which the light irradiation device is used on a human arm. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the light irradiation device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another mode of the information acquisition unit.

  Next, an embodiment of a light irradiation device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example of the light irradiation device according to the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims with reference to the following embodiments, and is not limited only to the following embodiments. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention. It is described as constituting a preferred form.

  In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, and adjustment of ratios are appropriately performed in order to show the present invention, and may be different from actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a light irradiation device.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pupil detection means and the display device as viewed from the display screen side.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the emission unit 101 from the light emission side.

  As shown in these drawings, the light irradiation device 100 is a size that can be grasped with one hand, and irradiates a target object person with light 200 in a state where the emission unit 101 is pressed against the person. , A light source 102, a contact detection unit 105, a pupil detection unit 103, and a control unit 104. In the case of the present embodiment, the light irradiation device 100 further includes an optical system 106, a display device 107, an information acquisition unit 108, and a communication unit 109.

  The light emitting unit 101 is a part that emits light outward from the inside of the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100, and is a part that is pressed against human skin or the like. The emission unit 101 includes an emission area 111 that is an area through which light passes. In the case of the present embodiment, the emission region 111 is a hole provided in the casing 110 in a penetrating manner, and is a region where the light 200 passes almost uniformly over the entire emission region 111.

  The light source 102 is an element that can emit light 200 that can act on and affect the surface of a target object, for example, a portion existing on the surface of a human body such as skin or hair roots. Specifically, for example, a laser diode, an element that emits light of a single wavelength such as a light emitting diode, an element that emits light of a relatively wide wavelength range such as a xenon lamp, or an element group that combines these elements It doesn't matter. In the case of the present embodiment, a laser diode that emits near-infrared light 200 will be described as an example of the light source 102.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the optical system 106 is used to convert the light 200 emitted from the light source 102 into light 200 suitable for processing on a person. Specifically, the optical system 106 includes a lens 161 and a mirror 162.

  Since the light 200 emitted from the light source 102 diffuses, the lens 161 changes the divergence angle in order to make the diffused light 200 reach a predetermined distance. In the case of the present embodiment, the light 200 emitted from the light source 102 is changed by the lens 161 to be parallel light. The lens 161 is set so that the diameter of the parallel light 200 is larger than the diameter of the emission region 111. Note that the lens 161 includes a combination of a plurality of lenses.

  The mirror 162 is a plane mirror that reflects the light 200 enlarged by the lens 161 toward the emission region 111 of the emission unit 101.

  Note that the optical system 106 is not limited to the lens 161 and the mirror 162, and various optical members such as a diaphragm, a filter, and a shutter may be arbitrarily combined.

  The contact detection unit 105 is a device that includes a sensor 151 disposed on the periphery of the emission region 111 and detects contact of the emission unit 101 with the surface of an object such as human skin. Although the type of the contact detection means 105 is not particularly limited, for example, when the object is skin, a device that detects contact based on a change in capacitance caused by touching the skin, or a device that detects contact based on a change in electrical resistance. One that detects contact with the skin can be exemplified. Further, the contact detecting means 105 may be a switch for detecting a pressing force, a proximity sensor, or the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the contact detection unit 105 is provided with four sensors 151 that are in direct contact with the skin around the emission area 111 (see FIG. 3).

  In the case of the present embodiment, the contact detection unit 105 includes a sensor 151 that senses a contact and a contact determination unit 152 that is a processing unit that acquires a signal from the sensor 151 and determines whether or not the contact state exists. (See FIG. 4).

  The pupil detection unit 103 is a device that can detect that at least the user's pupil exists outside the irradiation area of the light 200. The method of detecting the pupil of the pupil detection unit 103 is not particularly limited. In the case of the present embodiment, the pupil detection unit 103 includes a pupil camera 131 which is a digital camera. A method of performing image processing on a captured image and determining whether or not a pupil exists in the image based on glow, white eyes, eyelids, and the like can be exemplified. In addition, by setting the field of view of the pupil camera 131 included in the pupil detection unit 103 to a region other than the irradiation area of the light 200, when it is determined that the pupil exists in the image captured by the pupil camera 131, the pupil is detected. It can be detected that it exists outside the irradiation area of the light 200.

  The pupil camera 131 is attached to the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100 via the display device 107. The pupil camera 131 is arranged so as to be in a back-to-back relationship with the emission unit 101, and the direction of the visual field of the pupil camera 131 is opposite to the direction of the light emitted from the emission unit 101. I have. Note that the display device 107 is attached to the housing 110 so as to be capable of changing its inclination and rotating. Accordingly, the field of view of the pupil camera 131 also moves in conjunction with the movement of the display device 107, but the movable range of the display device 107 is set so that the field of view of the pupil camera 131 does not overlap the irradiation area of the light 200. Have been.

  The pupil camera 131 included in the pupil detection unit 103 has an angle of view that can simultaneously capture the pupils of both eyes of the user who uses the light irradiation device 100. Specifically, by adjusting the angle of the display device 107 with respect to the housing 110 while the user is holding the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100, the user has at least an angle of view that can capture both eyes of the user. ing.

  The image processing unit 132 that performs image processing for detecting a pupil in the pupil detection unit 103 may be provided at any position. In the case of the present embodiment, an image processing unit is provided as a part of the control unit 104 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, the image processing unit 132 can also detect whether or not the user's line of sight is within a predetermined area based on the pupil captured by the pupil camera 131 and an image around the pupil. I have. Specifically, for example, the image processing unit 132 specifies a pupil, an iris, and a Purkinje image based on an image of the eye captured by the pupil camera 131, and based on these, and based on a relationship with a white eye, an eyelid, and the like, Can be exemplified. Here, the pupil detecting means 103 detects the user's line of sight based on the pupil, and detecting the line of sight is included in detecting the pupil.

  The control unit 104 detects that the emission unit 101 has come into contact with the object based on the information obtained from the contact detection unit 105 and the information obtained from the pupil detection unit 103, and sets the pupil of the user to the light 200. This is a device that emits a predetermined amount of light 200 from the emission unit 101 only when it is detected that the light 200 exists outside the irradiation area.

  Here, the predetermined amount of light means an amount of light capable of performing a desired process on an object such as a human body, and for example, excludes weak light applied to the object only to indicate a position of the process. Used in Emitting a predetermined amount of light 200 means, for example, not only turning on the light source 102 from an unlit state, but also periodically emitting the same amount of pulsed light from the light source 102. A case where the duty ratio is changed from a duty ratio that does not cause a problem to a duty ratio that can perform desired processing is also included. Further, although a predetermined amount of light 200 is emitted from the light source 102, the shutter or the like is released and emitted from a state where the light 200 is not emitted from the emission area 111 due to being blocked by a physical mechanism such as a shutter. In this case, a predetermined amount of light 200 is emitted.

  The specific mode of the control unit 104 is not particularly limited. For example, a so-called computer that controls by combining an input / output element, an arithmetic element, and a storage element and executing a program stored in the storage element The control unit 104 also includes one that controls based on a circuit in which electronic components are combined, one that controls the emission of the light 200 by combining one or more of a link mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a gear mechanism. .

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional unit of the control unit together with a mechanical unit and the like connected to the control unit.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 104 is a so-called computer, processes the acquired signal to make a determination, and outputs a signal indicating a command based on the determination result, a processing determination unit 141, and displays various information on a display device. An information display unit 142 to be displayed on the display 107, a light source driving unit 143 that drives the light source 102 and controls the amount of light, and a communication processing unit 144 that processes information by communication with the outside. The control unit 104 also includes a processing unit that processes a signal output from each mechanism unit and outputs the processed signal to the processing determination unit 141, and a processing unit that controls each mechanism unit based on the signal acquired from the processing determination unit 141. I have. The contents of each processing unit will be described separately.

  The information acquisition unit 108 is an apparatus that acquires information on an area of an object irradiated with the light 200. The method of acquiring information by the information acquiring unit 108 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the present embodiment, the irradiation unit camera 181 facing the opening of the emission unit 101 from inside the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100 is used. The information acquisition means 108 is provided. The information acquisition unit 108 also includes an information acquisition unit 182 that processes an image output by the irradiation unit camera 181. More specifically, for example, the information acquisition unit 108 captures an image of the treatment site with the irradiation unit camera 181 and displays the image on the display device 107, so that the user is able to process the hair, the skin, and the presence of moles. And information on the presence or absence of a stain can be presented. In addition, the information acquisition unit 108 may prevent the emission unit 101 from emitting a predetermined amount of light 200 when the information acquisition unit 182 performs image processing and detects moles and stains.

  The display device 107 is a so-called monitor that can display a still image, a moving image, and the like and that includes a liquid crystal or an organic EL. In the case of the present embodiment, a pupil camera 131 is attached to a frame portion of the display device 107. The display device 107 can display an image captured by the irradiation unit camera 181, an image formed by the processing determination unit 141, information acquired by the communication unit 109, and the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display device 107 can display an area displayed as “irradiation” and an area displayed as “OFF” on a part of the display screen 171. Here, in the case of the present embodiment, the pupil detecting means 103 can detect the user's line of sight and determine whether or not the line of sight is within a predetermined area. Therefore, the area displayed as “irradiation” arranged in the display screen 171 of the display device 107 is set as a predetermined area, and the pupil detection unit is used only when the user's line of sight is within the area displayed as “irradiation”. The output unit 103 may output information for causing the emission unit 101 to emit a predetermined amount of light 200.

  Further, by interlocking the pupil detection unit 103 and the display device 107, for example, when there is a line of sight in an area displayed as “OFF”, the pupil detection unit 103 emits a predetermined amount of light 200 from the emission unit 101. Information that is not emitted may be output. In addition, when the line of sight is in the area displayed as “UP”, the pupil detection unit 103 outputs information for increasing the light amount of the light 200, and when the line of sight is in the area displayed as “DOWN”, The pupil detection means 103 may output information for increasing the light amount of the light 200.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source driving unit 143 sends a predetermined amount of light 200 to the light source 102 in a state where the user's line of sight enters an area displayed as “irradiation” and other conditions are met. When the light is emitted, the information display unit 142 may change the display screen 171 of the display device 107 to a display as shown in FIG.

  In this case, if the line of sight detected by the pupil detection unit 103 is within the display screen 171, the control unit 104 may control so that the predetermined amount of light 200 is continuously emitted. The control of stopping the irradiation of the predetermined amount of light 200 when the time is out of time may be performed.

  FIG. 5 shows an image of the surface of an object, such as skin, captured by the irradiation unit camera 181 of the information acquisition unit 108 as information on the entire display screen 171 via the information acquisition unit 182. Are displayed in a superimposed manner. As other information, a graph indicating the elapsed time of irradiation, irradiation intensity, presence or absence of moles, presence or absence of spots, overall state, and the like are displayed. Further, information acquired by the communication unit 109 from the outside, for example, from the Internet, may be displayed via the communication processing unit 144.

  As described above, by displaying various information on the display device 107, the user can keep watching the display screen 171 without getting bored while irradiating the light 200. Therefore, useful information can be provided to the user while preventing the light 200 from entering the eye.

  Next, a usage mode of the light irradiation device 100 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an image diagram schematically showing a state in which the light irradiation device is used on a human arm.

  As shown in the figure, the user 300 holds the holding unit 112 of the light irradiation device 100 and presses the emission unit 101 against the surface of the arm 310 of the user 300. The contact detection unit 105 outputs a signal indicating that the emission unit 101 has contacted the surface of the arm 310, which is the target, when a signal indicating contact has been output from all the sensors 151 attached to the emission unit 101. I do.

  Further, the user 300 tilts the display device 107 of the light irradiation device 100 that is being held so that the display screen 171 can be easily viewed. At this stage, the pupil camera 131 of the pupil detection unit 103 is in a state where both eyes of the user 300 can be imaged. Here, when the user 300 puts the line of sight 301 in the area of the display screen 171 where the line of sight is displayed as “irradiation”, the pupil detection unit 103 outputs a signal indicating that the line of sight 301 of the user 300 is within the predetermined area. Is output.

  The processing determination unit 141 of the control unit 104 obtains the signal from the contact detection unit 105, determines that the contact is maintained, and obtains the signal from the pupil detection unit 103, thereby driving the light source. The control unit 143 controls the light source 102 to emit a predetermined amount of light 200. In the case of the present embodiment, light 200 emitted from light source 102 is infrared light.

  On the other hand, the information acquisition unit 108 illuminates the surface of the arm 310, which is the irradiated portion of the light 200, with visible light using an LED illumination device (not shown) arranged in the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100, and irradiates the light. The surface of the arm 310 is imaged by the camera 181. The captured image is input to the control unit 104 by the information acquisition unit 182 as a moving image.

  The control unit 104 switches the screen of the display device 107 to an image as shown in FIG. 5 and displays the state of the surface (skin) of the arm 310 being irradiated with the light 200 in real time. Further, other information, for example, information such as an elapsed time from the start of irradiation of the light 200, a remaining time, and a light amount of the light 200 is displayed. Further, the control unit 104 also displays information acquired by the communication processing unit 144 via the communication unit 109, for example, information such as an advertisement.

  The pupil detection unit 103 detects the line of sight 301 of the user 300 at predetermined intervals during the irradiation of the light 200. The control unit 104 acquires the information from the pupil detection unit 103 and continues the irradiation of the light 200 when the line of sight 301 exists in the display screen 171, and when the line of sight 301 exists outside the display screen 171. If it is, the irradiation of the light 200 is interrupted, and information for urging the user to return the line of sight 301 to the display screen 171 is displayed on the display device 107. For example, the entire display screen 171 is turned red.

  The contact detection unit 105 also detects whether the emission unit 101 is in contact with the arm 310 at predetermined intervals during irradiation of the light 200. The control unit 104 acquires the information from the contact detection unit 105, and continues the irradiation of the light 200 when the contact is detected, and suspends the irradiation of the light 200 when the contact is not detected, Information that prompts the user to bring the emission unit 101 into contact with the arm 310 is displayed on the display device 107. For example, a text such as "The irradiated part is separated from the skin" is displayed.

  The control unit 104 ends the irradiation of the predetermined amount of light 200 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the irradiation of the predetermined amount of light 200. The control unit 104 causes the display device 107 to display information indicating that the irradiation of the light 200 has been completed.

  Thus, a series of steps of irradiating the predetermined amount of light 200 is completed. When irradiating the light 200 at a different place, the same process as described above may be repeated.

  According to the light irradiation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the contact detection unit 105 detects that the emission unit 101 is appropriately contacting an object such as the arm 310, and the pupil of the user is The predetermined amount of light 200 is emitted from the emission unit 101 only when the pupil detection unit 103 detects that the light 200 is out of the irradiation area of the light 200, thereby preventing the light 200 from entering the eyes of the user 300. I can do it.

  Furthermore, since the light irradiation device 100 can be controlled based on the position of the line of sight of the user 300, it is possible to increase or decrease the amount of light 200 even when both hands of the user 300 are closed.

  In addition, by presenting various kinds of information on the display screen 171 while the light 200 is being irradiated, the user 300 can continue to look at the display screen 171 without getting tired. The emitted light 200 can be prevented from entering the user's eyes.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, another embodiment that is realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification and excluding some of the components may be an embodiment of the present invention. The gist of the invention of the present application with respect to the above-described embodiment, that is, modified examples obtained by performing various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art without departing from the meaning indicated by the words described in the claims are also included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, the pupil detection unit 103 has been described as detecting the line of sight 301 of the user 300. However, the pupil detection unit 103 may detect the pupil without detecting the line of sight 301. Alternatively, the pupil may be detected only when the pupil detection unit 103 detects both pupils of the user 300 at the same time, and the predetermined amount of light 200 may be emitted from the emission unit 101.

  Also, the case where one pupil camera 131 is provided has been described. However, two or more pupil cameras 131 may be provided, and separate pupil cameras 131 may capture both eyes of the user 300.

  Also, the case has been described where the pupil camera 131 is fixed to the frame on the display device 107, but the pupil camera 131 may be separate from the display device 107.

  Further, the case where the display device 107 and the pupil camera 131 are fixed to the housing 110 so as to be rotatable and tiltable has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The camera 131 may be separate. In this case, the control unit 104 in the housing 110, the pupil camera 131, and the display device 107 may be capable of communicating with at least one of wired and wireless.

  The information acquisition unit 108 not only includes the irradiation unit camera 181 but also irradiates the surface of the object with light such as a laser beam and detects the reflectance of the surface based on the reflected light as shown in FIG. The detection device 183 may be provided. In this case, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, if there are hairs, moles, stains, etc., the reflectance is lower than in the case where there are no hairs. It is also possible to output detection information of moles, spots, and the like.

  Further, the light irradiation device 100 may include a cover or a diffusion plate that covers the opening of the emission unit 101. Further, the cover or the diffusion plate may function as a member for detecting contact.

  The light irradiation device can be used for hairdressing and beauty equipment that irradiates the skin with light for hair removal and hair suppression, light for improving skin quality, and the like, and an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates light to cure a resin.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 light irradiation device 101 emission unit 102 light source 103 pupil detection unit 104 control unit 105 contact detection unit 106 optical system 107 display device 108 information acquisition unit 109 communication unit 110 housing 111 emission region 112 gripping unit 131 pupil camera 132 image processing unit 141 processing determination unit 142 information display unit 143 light source driving unit 144 communication processing unit 151 sensor 152 contact determination unit 161 lens 162 mirror 171 display screen 181 irradiation unit camera 182 information acquisition unit 183 detection device 200 light 300 user 301 gaze 310 arm

Claims (6)

A light irradiation device that irradiates light to an object in a state where an emission unit from which light is emitted is pressed against the object,
Light source,
Contact detection means for detecting that the emission unit has contacted the object,
Pupil detection means for detecting that the user's pupil exists outside the light irradiation area,
A light irradiating device comprising: a control unit that emits a predetermined amount of light from the emission unit only when the contact detection unit detects a contact and the pupil detection unit detects a pupil. The pupil detection means,
Both eyes of the user can be detected simultaneously,
The control means includes:
The light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the pupil detection unit detects a pupil only when both eyes of the user are simultaneously detected, and emits a predetermined amount of light from the emission unit. The pupil detection means,
The gaze of the user can be detected,
The control means includes:
The light irradiation device according to claim 1, further comprising emitting a predetermined amount of light from the emission unit when the pupil detection unit detects that the user's line of sight is within a predetermined region. A display device for displaying information;
The light irradiation device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area is arranged in a display screen of the display device. Further comprising information acquisition means for acquiring information of the area of the object irradiated with light,
The display device,
The light irradiation device according to claim 4, wherein the information acquired by the information acquisition unit is displayed. Further comprising communication means for acquiring information from outside by communication,
The display device,
The light irradiation device according to claim 4, wherein the information acquired by the communication unit is displayed.