JP2003263492A - Hair color advice system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a simulated image when a subject's hair is changed to a desired color, and accurately suggest the hair dye needed to dye the subject's hair from its existing color to the desired color. <P>SOLUTION: To hair color advice system comprises (i) an image memory means into which image data regarding the subject is input and stored, (ii) a processing means that recognizes the hair area in the input image of the subject and builds a simulated image in which the color of the hair area is changed to a prescribed color, and (iii) a monitor on which the input image of the subject and the simulated image are displayed. The processing means has a masking function for the subject to assign a specified area in the input image as a non-simulation area of hair color and an anti-masking function for the subject to assign a specified area in the input image as a simulation area of hair color. Forming the simulated image is in such a way to make the color of the hair area of the input image of the subject reflected continuously and to superimpose a prescribed hue further. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention simulates a hair region of a subject on an image of the subject to an arbitrary hair color,
The present invention relates to a method and system for finding out a hair color desired by a subject and presenting a hair dye necessary for obtaining the hair color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to make gray hair inconspicuous or to change the hair to a desired color as a fashion means,
Hair dyes and bleaching agents are used. For hair dyes, temporary hair dyes that are easy to use but have poor color lasting (color shampoo, color rinse, color conditioner, etc.)
And a semi-permanent hair dye (hair manicure, clear type hair manicure, etc.) that continuously obtains a hair dyeing effect by permeating acid dyes into the hair.
In addition, there is a permanent hair dye that can obtain a hair dyeing effect almost permanently by oxidatively polymerizing a dye inside the hair, and is used properly according to the application.

A number of colors are prepared for each type of hair dye, and the color of each hair dye is indicated by printing the hair dye on a packaging box or using a tress. It is done by using hair samples.

[0004]

By the way, the hair color after dyeing is not only determined by the unique color of the hair dye, but is also influenced by the hair color before dyeing. Therefore, even if hair dyes of the same color are used, black, brown and white hairs have considerably different hair colors after hair dyeing. In addition, when using the same color hair dye, the hair color after dyeing may be the case when the hair is first dyed with the hair dye or when the hair is once dyed and then faded. Is different.

Therefore, it is difficult to predict the hair color after dyeing hair of any color only by printing the hair dye on the packaging box or using a color sample such as tress. There is a problem that the color is different from what was planned.

[0006] Further, hair dyeing not only changes the hair color but also greatly affects the appearance atmosphere of the person to be dyed, but predicts the appearance atmosphere of the person to be dyed after hair dyeing. This is more difficult than predicting the hair color after dyeing for that person. Therefore, even if the hair color after dyeing is exactly as expected, the person to be dyed may not like the overall atmosphere.

In order to solve such problems, the present invention accurately proposes a hair dye necessary for changing the current hair color of a person to be dyed to a desired hair color, and also provides a desired hair color. The purpose is to make it possible to confirm the appearance atmosphere of the person to be dyed when the hair is changed.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the inventors of the present invention capture an image of a subject in a storage means of a computer and, on a monitor (display screen), hair on the captured image. Simulate only the area to an arbitrary hair color, present the simulation image to the subject and let the subject confirm the overall appearance after dyeing, and change the hair color of the subject to the hair color of the simulation image. It is effective to be able to output the hair dye name necessary for doing so based on a database of hair dyes and hair colors before and after application of the hair dye, which has been accumulated in advance. I found it.

That is, according to the present invention, the image storage means for inputting and storing the image information of the subject, the hair area of the input image of the subject are identified, and a simulation image in which the color of the hair area is changed to a predetermined hair color is formed. A hair color advice system comprising: a calculation means for controlling the subject and a monitor (display screen) for outputting an input image of the subject and a simulation image, wherein the calculation means determines whether the area designated in the input image of the subject is a non-colored area. It has a masking function to make it a simulation area and an anti-masking function to make the area specified in the input image of the subject a simulation area of the hair color, and the method of forming the simulation image changes the color of the hair area of the input image of the subject. To provide a hair advice system that allows a predetermined hue to be superposed on the hair while reflecting it.

In the present invention, the hair dyes include permanent hair dyes, semi-permanent hair dyes typified by hair nail polish, hair foams containing color coloring agents, temporary hair dyes such as shampoos, conditioners and conditioners. In addition to the agents, bleaching agents are also included, and hair dyeing includes bleaching the hair with bleaching agents in addition to changing the color of the hair with the original hair dyeing agents.

[0011]

1 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a hair color advice method of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a system for executing this hair color advice. The image storage means for inputting and storing the image information of the subject and the hair region of the subject are identified in the image, and a simulation image of a predetermined hair color is further provided. The computer main body 1 is provided as an arithmetic means for forming the. The personal computer body 1 can read image information through a digital still camera 2 for photographing a subject, an image scanner 3 for reading image information from a photograph of the subject, and a communication line such as the Internet, as image acquisition means. The device is connected. Also, a monitor 4 and a printer 5 are connected to the personal computer body 1, and these are connected to the personal computer body 1.
The image information of the subject and the simulation image thereof, etc., which have been accumulated in (1) are appropriately output.

In this hair color advice method, first, the image information of the subject is input to the personal computer main body 1 which is an image storage means. More specifically, for example, the subject is photographed by the digital still camera 2 and the image information is taken from the personal computer 1
Input to the image file of and store. Alternatively, image information may be captured from the photograph of the subject by the image scanner 3 and the image information may be input to the personal computer body 1, or the image information of the subject already recorded on any recording medium may be input to the personal computer body 1. You may. Also, it receives the face image of the subject transmitted via the communication line such as the Internet,
The image information may be input to the personal computer body 1. There is no limitation on the method of inputting image information to the PC body 1.

Here, the background color when the subject is photographed by the digital still camera 2 or the background color of the photograph in which the subject is photographed can be accurately recognized by the personal computer body 1 in the hair region in the formation of the hair color simulation image. For this reason, it is preferable that the color is clearly distinguishable from the hair color of the subject, and it is usually preferable that the color is blue.

Next, the input image of the subject is output to the monitor 4. FIG. 3 shows an image of the subject output to the monitor 4. As a result, the subject can confirm the image of himself / herself input to the personal computer body 1.

In the present invention, the personal computer main body 1 which is a calculation means has a function of identifying the hair region of the input image of the subject.
To hold. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome work of the operator of the personal computer cutting the hair region to be simulated by operating the mouse on the monitor screen. In order to provide the personal computer body 1 with such an identification function, for example, by incorporating software for identifying the hair region and the non-hair region based on their lightness, hue, continuity of their changes, and the like. Good.

When the personal computer body 1 is made to identify the hair area of the input image of the subject, the original hair area and the non-hair area may not be correctly identified depending on the hair color and the like.
Therefore, although it is not the original hair area in the captured image, the PC body 1 is identified as the hair area because the lightness and hue are similar to the original hair area, and the original hair area and the hair color are simultaneously identified. It is preferable to preliminarily specify a region in which the simulation is likely to be performed so that the hair color simulation is not performed for the designated region. For this reason, it is preferable that the personal computer main body 1 be provided with a masking function that makes an area designated by the operator of the personal computer in the input image of the subject a non-simulation area for the hair color.

On the other hand, in the case where the input image of the subject has a blank image due to the influence of reflection at the time of image pickup, the personal computer body 1 is in the non-hair region even though it is the original hair region. There is a risk that the part will be excluded from the hair color simulation target. On the other hand, it is preferable that the hair color simulation is performed on the designated area regardless of the result of identifying the hair area by the personal computer body 1. Therefore, it is preferable that the personal computer body 1 is provided with an anti-masking function in which a designated area designated by the operator of the personal computer in the input image of the subject is used as a hair color simulation area.

As a concrete example of this masking process, for example, when the subject is black hair, the operator of the personal computer, as shown by the broken line frame in FIG.
Mask a dark area such as the mouth and clothes. It should be noted that the eyebrows may determine whether or not to simulate the hair color together with the hair according to the wishes of the subject. When the hair is a light brown or blonde that is seen in Westerners, the operator of the personal computer specifies a bright area such as a face or clothes on the monitor screen and masks it. In this case as well, the handling of the eyebrows is determined in the same manner as for black hair.

Further, in order for the personal computer body 1 to accurately identify the hair region and the non-hair region of the input image of the subject, the personal computer body 1 has a parameter for distinguishing between the hair region and the non-hair region. It is preferable to be able to set individually according to the background color of the image, the hair color of the subject, and the like.

After the masking process or the anti-masking process, the subject specifies the desired hair color on the personal computer, and the hair region in the image of the subject (more accurately, the hair region identified by the personal computer body 1 or the hair region A simulation image of hair in which the area modified by the masking process or the anti-masking process) is changed to a predetermined hair color is formed and displayed on the monitor 4.

Here, as a method of forming the simulation image, it is preferable to reflect the color of the hair region at the time of capturing the image and to superimpose a color of a predetermined hue or lightness on it. It is preferable to incorporate simulation software having such a function into the personal computer body 1.

Since the simulation image displayed on the monitor 4 is the original image of the subject captured by the personal computer main body 1, only the hair region is changed to the desired hair color, and thus the subject is dyed by this simulation image. Not only is it possible to check the hair color after the hair is struck, but it is also possible to grasp the overall mood of oneself.

When the subject specifies the hair color, first,
It is preferable to present a list of simulation images when the subject's hair is changed to a typical hair color on the monitor 4 (see FIG. 5) so that the subject can roughly specify the desired hair color. At this time, if necessary, request for temporary dyeing or semi-permanent hair dyeing, hope regarding dyeing power, usage status of hair dyes to date, presence or absence of allergies to drugs, etc. Body 1
The information may be input to the computer main body 1 when the personal computer body 1 outputs the hair dye corresponding to the hair color later.

After the rough designation of the hair color, a list of simulation images in which the hair color is gradually changed by a color close to the hair color designated by the subject is further presented, from which the subject can designate the hair color again. It is preferable to do so. In this way, it is preferable that the simulation image with the hair color designated by the subject can be enlarged and displayed on the monitor 4 (see FIG. 6).

The designation of the hair color and the display of the simulation image can be repeated until the subject is satisfied.

After the hair color desired by the subject is determined, the personal computer main body 1 selects the hair selected by the subject based on the previously stored database of the hair dye and the hair color before and after the application of the hair dye. Performing a hair dye presentation process that outputs the hair dye necessary for realizing the color in the subject's hair, and more specifically, monitoring the type, color number, product name, etc. of the hair dye. It is preferable that the data is displayed on the screen No. 4 and output by the printer 5. This output content may be transmitted to the subject via a communication line such as the Internet, or may be mailed to the subject by direct mail.

Further, it is preferable to display a hair color simulation image and an actual product image 6 on the hair dye output screen (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the subject can surely know the hair dye necessary for obtaining a desired hair color with his or her hair.

[0028]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the appearance when a subject dyes a desired hair color can be obtained as a simulation image, so that not only the hair color after dyeing by the subject but also the entire self after dyeing You can also check the atmosphere. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately propose to a subject a hair dye necessary for dyeing the current hair color to a desired color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a hair color advice method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a hair color advice system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a display screen of an image of a subject input to a personal computer body.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of masking.

FIG. 5 is a display screen of a list of simulation images.

FIG. 6 is a display screen of a simulation image of a specified hair color.

FIG. 7 is a display screen showing a hair dye.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 PC body 2 Digital still camera 3 image scanner 4 monitors 5 printers

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Manabu Yanagiya             Kao Stock Association 2-1-3 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo             Company research institute F-term (reference) 4C083 CC36 EE26

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Image storage means for inputting and storing image information of a subject, identifying a hair region of an input image of the subject,
A hair color advice system comprising a calculation means for forming a simulation image in which the color of the hair region is changed to a predetermined hair color, and a monitor (display screen) for outputting the input image of the subject and the simulation image, the calculation means comprising: , Has a masking function that uses a region specified in the input image of the subject as a non-simulation region of hair color, and an anti-masking function that uses the region specified in the input image of the subject as a simulation region of hair color A hair color advice system in which an image forming method reflects a color of a hair region of an input image of a subject and superimposes a predetermined hue on the color. 2. The hair color advice system according to claim 1, further comprising image acquisition means for capturing the image information of the subject. 3. The calculation means outputs a hair dye for realizing the hair color of the simulation image on the hair of the subject based on a database of the hair dye and the hair color before and after the hair dye is applied. Item 3. The hair color advice system according to item 1 or 2.