JP6295418B2 - Hair dryer and head image acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hair dryer and a head image acquisition method.

  In recent years, interest in evaluation of head conditions such as hair and scalp is increasing, mainly for people who suffer from hair loss and thinning hair. Hair styling using a hair dryer and drying after washing are often performed while viewing the image of the user in the mirror. At this time, if the head state can be observed together, it does not take time. However, in that case, it is difficult to observe the state of the scalp and hair from the user's own temporal region to the occipital region and the top of the head while using a hair dryer. Therefore, there is known a dryer 102 that can be used while checking the state of the scalp and hair using the makeup mirror 100 and the secondary mirror 101 in FIG.

JP 2008-61656 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the head state cannot be taken because the head state is observed by the user.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hair dryer that can photograph the head.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present hair dryer has a camera for capturing an image and an air outlet.

  Further, the present image acquisition method is characterized in that the head is imaged by a camera provided in the hair dryer and the captured image information is recorded.

  As described above, according to the present hair dryer, the head can be photographed without taking time and effort during hair drying work and hair styling.

The perspective view of the hair dryer in Embodiment 1 The figure which showed the positional relationship with sectional drawing of the hair dryer in Embodiment 1, and the user of a hair dryer The figure which showed the positional relationship with sectional drawing of the hair dryer in Embodiment 1, and the user of a hair dryer The perspective view of the hair dryer in Embodiment 2 The figure which showed the positional relationship with sectional drawing of the hair dryer in Embodiment 2, and the user of a hair dryer The perspective view of the modification of the hair dryer in Embodiment 2 Sectional drawing of the modification of the hair dryer in Embodiment 2, and the figure which showed the positional relationship with the user of a hair dryer (A)-(e) The figure which shows the flow of a process of image information acquired with the camera of this hair dryer, and a preservation | save The figure which shows the structure of the conventional hair dryer described in patent document 1

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 1, the hair dryer 1 includes an air discharge port 2, a camera unit 3, a lighting unit 4, a dryer switch 5, a camera switch 6, an air suction port 11, and a housing 30.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer 1 and a positional relationship between the hair dryer 1 and the user 8 when using the hair dryer. When the dryer switch 5 is pressed, the blower unit 10 is activated, and the air sucked from the air suction port 11 passes through the air flow path 14 in the housing 30 and is heated by the heater 7, and then the air discharge port 2. More discharged. The discharged air is blown toward the head attention site 9 of the user 8 through a path as shown by the air flow 13. A camera unit 3 including a camera 3a and a polarizing filter 3b is attached to the upper portion of the housing 30. The optical axis of the camera 3a is directed in the photographing direction 12, and an image of the head attention region 9 is taken through the polarizing filter 3b.

  Thus, by providing the camera 3a, the head can be photographed without taking time and effort during use of the hair dryer 1. The camera 3a is sensitive to visible light. In addition, an IR cut filter may be provided in the camera 3a to cut infrared light.

  Further, by applying the wind discharged from the air discharge port 2 to the head attention portion 9, the hair is appropriately scraped by the wind, and the hairline and scalp can be exposed. For this reason, not only the hair but also the hairline and scalp can be easily photographed by applying the wind discharged from the air discharge port 2 to the imaging position (head-of-part attention site 9) by the camera 3a. Since the effects of hair loss and thinning hair mainly appear on the hairline and scalp, more effective hair loss countermeasures or thinning hair measures can be taken by recording these conditions.

  Image information captured by the camera 3a is recorded by the information recording medium 18.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a partial replacement of the vicinity of the camera unit 3 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the illumination unit 4 is attached to the upper part of the housing 30 and in the vicinity of the camera 3a. The illumination unit 4 includes an illumination light source 4a, a polarizing filter 4b, and a condenser lens 4c. The light from the illumination light source 4a passes through the polarization filter 4b and then is collected by the condenser lens 4c to illuminate the illumination light irradiation direction 15. In particular, the light emitted from the illumination unit 4 is adjusted so as to illuminate the head attention site 9 satisfactorily. By providing the illumination unit 4, a clearer image can be taken. The illumination unit 4 emits visible light.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, as the head information, the imaging direction 12, the illumination light irradiation direction 15, and the direction of the air flow 13 are all directed toward the head attention site 9. , Not only the hair but also the hairline and scalp can be photographed more clearly.

  If the camera switch 6 is linked to the operation of the camera unit 3 and the illumination unit 4, the head information can be captured more efficiently.

  Further, the polarization axis direction of the polarization filter 4b (an example of the second polarization optical member) included in the illumination unit 4 and the polarization axis direction of the polarization filter 3b (an example of the first polarization optical member) included in the camera unit 3 are determined. It is desirable to configure differently. This is to suppress a phenomenon (so-called highlight) in which the illumination light from the illumination unit 4 is reflected and shines on the hair and scalp of the head attention site 9. By suppressing the highlight, it is possible to automatically recognize the scalp and hair and to obtain a more accurate image processing result. By installing the polarizing filter 3b and the polarizing filter 4b so that the polarization axis directions thereof are orthogonal (90 degrees different), the highlight suppression effect can be further enhanced. Moreover, the highlight suppression effect can be validated or invalidated by using a variable mechanism in the polarization axis direction of at least one of the polarization filter 4b and the polarization filter 3b.

  Note that the air blown by the hair dryer 1 when photographing the head may be heated by the heater 7 or may not be heated.

  Next, a method for processing and storing image information captured by the camera unit 3 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a method for processing and storing image information captured by the camera unit 3. Here, five examples of the image information processing method are given from FIG. 8A to FIG. 8E.

  In FIG. 8A, image information captured by the camera unit 3 is stored in the information recording medium 18. The information recording medium 18 is mounted on the hair dryer 1.

  In FIG. 8B, the image information captured by the camera unit 3 is subjected to image processing and numerical value calculation processing using the information processing unit 19, and then the image information and the processing result information are stored in the information recording medium 18. To save. The information recording medium 18 and the information processing unit 19 are mounted on the hair dryer 1.

  In FIG. 8C, the image information captured by the camera unit 3 is transmitted to the external information device 22 by the wireless communication 25 through the hair dryer side antenna 23 using the hair dryer side wireless unit 20. The transmitted information is received by the external information device side wireless unit 21 via the external information device side antenna 24 and stored in the information recording medium 18 provided in the external information device 22. The hair dryer side wireless unit 20 (wireless device) and the hair dryer side antenna 23 are mounted on the hair dryer 1. The external information device 22 (external device) is not mounted on the hair dryer 1.

  In FIG. 8D, image processing or numerical value calculation processing is performed on the image information captured by the camera unit 3 using the information processing unit 19. Thereafter, information on the processing result is transmitted to the external information device 22 through the hair dryer antenna 23 using the hair dryer wireless unit 20. The transmitted information reaches the external information device side antenna 24 by wireless communication 25, is received by the external information device side wireless unit 21, and is stored in the information recording medium 18. The information processing unit 19, the hair dryer side radio unit 20, and the hair dryer side antenna 23 are mounted on the hair dryer 1. The external information device 22 is not mounted on the hair dryer 1.

  In FIG.8 (e), the image information imaged with the camera unit 3 is transmitted to the external information apparatus 22 by the radio | wireless communication 25 via the hair dryer side antenna 23 using the hair dryer side radio | wireless unit 20. FIG. The transmitted information is received by the external information device side radio unit 21 provided in the external information device 22 via the external information device side antenna 24. The received information is stored in the information recording medium 18 after being subjected to image processing or numerical calculation processing by the information processing unit 19 provided in the external information device 22. The hair dryer side radio unit 20 and the hair dryer side antenna 23 are mounted on the hair dryer 1. The external information device 22 is not mounted on the hair dryer 1.

  The head image and the information obtained by performing image processing on the head image are stored by any of the procedures shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E. By storing, it becomes easy to compare and refer to past information such as the scalp and hair, and for example, the progress status during hair growth and hair growth can be recorded. That is, by recording past information on the information recording medium 18 and making it possible to refer to past information recorded in advance, the progress of hair growth or hair growth can be evaluated.

  Further, if the external information device 22 is arranged at the user's hand, the head image can be referred to in real time. In this case, the external information device 22 is provided with a display unit. You may display the past information recorded previously, and the progress condition during hair growth or hair growth on a display part. For example, a smartphone can be employed as the external information device 22.

  The information recording medium 18 that is a recording medium may be incorporated in the hair dryer 1 or may be a removable recording medium such as a USB memory or an SD card.

  Here, the head image acquisition method according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The head image acquisition method is performed by the camera unit 3 provided in the hair dryer 1. More specifically, the head image acquisition method is realized by imaging the head with the camera unit 3 and recording the captured head image. The recording of the head image is recorded on the information recording medium 18. Thereby, a head image can be acquired easily.

  The head image acquisition method may include a step of transmitting captured image information to an external device. By including this step, functions of an external device other than the hair dryer 1 can be used, so that convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, since the convenience of image processing, moving image shooting, real-time image display, and the like is taken into consideration, the digital camera is described as the device of the camera unit 3, but the camera unit 3 is a film. A camera using may be used.

  Moreover, the influence of the heat to the camera 3a can be reduced by installing the camera 3a in the housing | casing 30 via a heat insulating material.

  The camera unit 3 may be detachable. In this case, the camera unit 3 is provided with attachment means that can be detached from the housing 30. By making the camera unit 3 detachable, convenience is improved. Further, when the user already has a general hair dryer, it is only necessary to introduce the camera unit 3 that can be retrofitted, so that an environmentally friendly product can be realized. When the camera unit 3 is detachable, the illumination unit 4 may be detachable to further improve convenience. Further, the information processing unit 19, the hair dryer side radio unit 20, and the hair dryer side antenna 23 may be detachable from the housing 30 of the hair dryer 1.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hair dryer 31 according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the hair dryer 31 includes an air discharge port 2, a camera unit 3, a lighting unit 4, a dryer switch 5, a camera switch 6, an air suction port 11, and a housing 30.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer 31 in the second embodiment and a positional relationship between the hair dryer 31 and the user 8 when using the hair dryer.

  When the dryer switch 5 is turned on, the air sucked from the air suction port 11 is heated by the heater 7 through the air flow path 14 in the housing 30 by the operation of the blower unit 10. Thereafter, the heated air is discharged from the air discharge port 2 and blown toward the head attention site 9 of the user 8 through a route as shown by the air flow 13. Inside the housing 30, the camera unit 3 held by the camera unit protection member 17 is attached to the central portion of the air flow path 14 by the structural member 16 so as not to hinder the air flow through the air flow path 14. ing. The optical axis of the camera 3a is directed in the imaging direction 12, and is installed so as to image the head attention site 9.

  Thus, by arranging the camera 3a inside the housing 30 and in the air flow path 14, the optical axis of the camera 3a and the discharge direction of air from the air discharge port 2 can be matched. Thus, when the hair dryer 31 is used, the imaging position of the camera 3a and the air discharge position from the air discharge port 2 can be matched even if the distance between the air discharge port 2 and the head portion of interest 9 changes slightly. Is possible. At the position where the wind from the air discharge port 2 is hit (air discharge position), the hair is appropriately scraped by the wind and the hairline and scalp are exposed. For this reason, by using the hair dryer 31, not only the hair but also the hairline and scalp can be easily photographed. In addition, this arrangement makes it easy to match the imaging position of the camera 3a and the discharge position of air from the air discharge port 2 during moving image shooting, and the hairline and scalp can be easily shot.

  Here, the illumination unit 4 having the illumination light source 4 a, the polarization filter 4 b, and the condenser lens 4 c is attached to the edge of the air outlet 2. The light emitted from the illumination unit 4 is installed so as to illuminate the direction of the illumination light irradiation direction 15, and is particularly adjusted so as to illuminate the head attention site 9 satisfactorily.

  In addition, since the imaging direction 12, the illumination light irradiation direction 15, and the direction of the air flow 13 are all directed toward the head attention region 9, not only the hair but also the hairline and scalp are more clearly defined as head information. Can be taken.

  In addition, it is desirable to arrange the camera unit 3 on the upstream side of the air flow path 14 with respect to the installation position of the heater 7. This is because the heat of the heater 7 acts exclusively on the heating of the air after passing through the camera unit 3, so that the influence of the heat on the camera unit 3 can be reduced. In addition, by using a heat insulating material for the camera unit protection member 17 and covering the camera 3a with this heat insulating material, the influence of heat on the camera 3a can be further reduced.

  The configuration of the polarization filters 3b and 4b and the method for processing and storing the image information captured by the camera unit 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In addition, you may employ | adopt the illumination unit 4 provided cyclically | annularly in the edge part of the air discharge port 2, like the hair dryer 32 which is a modification shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7. By arranging the illumination unit 4 in a ring shape around the air outlet 2, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the head attention site 9 as the imaging position from various directions. Therefore, this configuration has the advantage that unnecessary shadows and gradations due to non-uniform illumination are less likely to occur. Note that the configuration of the polarizing filters 3b and 4b, the processing and storage method of image information captured by the camera unit 3, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further, an annular illumination unit 4 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be applied to the first embodiment.

  In addition, you may implement | achieve the head image acquisition method demonstrated in Embodiment 1 using the hair dryer 31. FIG. Also. You may implement | achieve the head image acquisition method concerning Embodiment 1 using the hair dryer 32. FIG.

  Note that the components in the plurality of embodiments may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

  This hair dryer can be applied to various scenes in daily life.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31, 32 Hair dryer 2 Air discharge port 3 Camera unit 3a Camera 3b Polarization filter 4 Illumination unit 4a Illumination light source 4b Polarization filter 4c Condensing lens 5 Dryer switch 6 Camera switch 7 Heater 8 User 9 Head attention part 10 Fan unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Air inlet 12 Image | photographing direction 13 Air flow 14 Air flow path 15 Illumination light irradiation direction 16 Structural material 17 Camera unit protection member 18 Information recording medium 19 Information processing unit 20 Hair dryer side radio | wireless unit 21 External information equipment side radio | wireless unit 22 External Information equipment 23 Hair dryer side antenna 24 External information equipment side antenna 25 Wireless communication 30 Housing

Claims (7)

A camera for capturing images;
An air outlet ,
The optical axis of the camera and the direction of air flow from the air outlet intersect,
The image is Ru image der hairline or scalp exposed been wade through by the air flow the hair dryer.   The hair dryer of Claim 1 provided with the illumination which irradiates visible light. A first polarizing optical member is disposed on the camera;
A second polarizing optical member having a polarization axis direction different from that of the first polarizing optical member is disposed in the illumination;
The hair dryer according to claim 2 . The hair dryer according to claim 3 , wherein polarization directions of the first polarizing optical member and the second polarizing optical member are different by 90 degrees. The hair dryer according to claim 2 , wherein the illumination is provided in an annular shape at an edge of the air discharge port. A head image acquisition method for imaging a head with the camera provided in the hair dryer according to claim 1 and recording the captured image information. The head image acquisition method according to claim 6 , wherein the captured image information is transmitted to an external device.

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