WO1989011235A1

WO1989011235A1 - Device for choosing hair styles

Info

Publication number: WO1989011235A1
Application number: PCT/FR1989/000232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude Bourdier; Claude Hélène BOURDIER; Frédéric Gilbert BOURDIER; Brigitte Elisabeth Bourdier
Original assignee: Bourdier Jean Claude; Bourdier Claude Helene; Bourdier Frederic Gilbert; Bourdier Brigitte Elizabeth
Priority date: 1988-05-16
Filing date: 1989-05-16
Publication date: 1989-11-30
Also published as: EP0366779A1; JPH02504234A; FR2631218A1; FR2631218B3

Abstract

Device for choosing hair styles by formation of a composite image by means of two projectors (1, 2), one (1) of which protects the client's image and the second (2) a hair style selected from a set of hair styles. An adjustable mask (14) is arranged on the optical path of the first projector (1) of the client's image, while a fixed matte (18) and a retractable mask are arranged between the screen and the second projector.

Description

HAIR SELECTION DEVICE

The present invention relates to a hairstyle selection device intended to allow a client to select, from her current hairstyle, the hairstyle that she wishes to have performed.

We know that, in this area, certain transformations are irreversible, at least in the short term, especially in the case of a haircut or a change in color. It is therefore important that the choice is made with full knowledge of the facts. This problem is known, and different solutions have already been proposed.

The most recent is to use video means using a VCR and a television. However, the necessary image editing involves an elaborate material, hence a very high cost price inaccessible to small and medium hairdressing salons. In addition, the result is not very satisfactory from the point of view of the "rendering" of the image.

Generally, in the case of the formation of a composite image, the problem which is to be solved is that of the exact juxtaposition or the precise superposition of the two images.

A method for the selection of hairstyles is moreover described in US Pat. No. 3,339,453. The problem of simulating a hairstyle is delicate since the geometric contours of the hairstyle vary with each model. It is therefore necessary to mask the hairstyle worn by the client and the model's face, and to superimpose the two masked images.

In US-A-3,339,453 the process is as follows: a collection of different hairstyles is carried out by models which are drawn on the one hand on paper, and on the other hand on a transparent support. We then cut the photo paper to form a mask. In addition, the client is photographed in the form of a slide, and her current hairstyle is masked with an opaque liquid with light radiation. We then project, on the one hand the cut-out photo of the client taken in combination with the mask of a specific hairstyle, and on the other hand, on a second projector, the image of the hairstyle. The client appears on the screen as if she was wearing the selected hairstyle. However, such a method can practically not be implemented, insofar as it requires significant laboratory work which must be carried out manually, which implies a time, therefore a very high cost. Furthermore, the fact of cutting out an image to constitute a part of the photo necessarily results in the appearance of a line at the junction zone between the two photos which constitutes an artificial element detrimental to the desired result. On the other hand, if it is easy to build up a collection of slides by masking the model's face, masking the client's hairstyle must be done instantly.

Still in the case of hairdressing, it has been proposed in FR-A-2 392 626 to produce a photographic montage, a centering releasing the oval intended to be applied by superposition on the portrait of the subject. Again, working on a small photo poses problems in terms of connection.

The subject of the present invention is a device for selecting hairstyles enabling a client to review, very quickly, a set of full-size models.

According to the present invention, the device for selecting hairstyles, by forming a composite image on a screen, from a first projector projecting on the screen the current image of a client, and from a second projector projecting a series of hairstyle models, is characterized in that it includes: - an adjustable mask placed on the optical path of the client's image,

- a fixed mask placed on the optical path of the model image,

The client's photo remains permanently projected throughout the selection process, insofar as it is based on a current state of the hairstyle which will serve, as a permanent reference. That is to say, a first step in the process consists in taking a photo before the selection, then in introducing this photo into the camera. This is made possible thanks to instant development photos that have appeared on the market recently.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the screen for projecting the image of the model has a surface area greater than that of the screen for projecting the image of the client, with a zone of superposition of the two projected images.

But, of course, the two projections are in the same plane. Advantageously, the part of the projection plane specific to the model is in the form of a drawer which can slide in the frame of the device. This excess part makes it possible to project additional information on the hairstyle considered and, for example, a back view of the hairstyle or a reduced-scale image of a mannequin.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the mobile mask indexed to the client's face and the retractable mask indexed to the photo of the model are partially combined. That is to say that part of the "client" mask constitutes the "model" mask. This arrangement avoids any unwanted overlap. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the drawings which. represent:

- Figures 1 and 2, schematic views of the device, respectively from the front and side;

- Figure 3, a view of the adjustment slide;

- Figures 4 and 5, an explanatory diagram of 0 operation with open mask, as well as the result on the screen;

- Figures 6 and 7, the same diagram, the mask being closed, as well as the result of the projection on the screen;

- Figures 8 and 9, diagrams showing the mask in - _- open position, then closed.

- Figures 10 and 11 another embodiment.

In Figures 1 and 2 which show an apparatus according to the invention, respectively in front view and in side view, it can be seen that the device comprises, inside a

Cabinet 10, two projectors 1 and 2, arranged respectively at the top and at the bottom of cabinet 10.

Projector 1, located at the top, is the image projector of the client. Projector 2, located at the bottom, is the model's projector. The projection is performed on a screen

25 frosted 3 which is inclined relative to the horizontal.

The optical path of the projector 1 includes a deflection mirror 4, and that of the projector 2 a deflection mirror 5. The client's slide which, by convention, will be represented as "looped", is introduced into a stage 6

30 and the development on the screen 3 is done by traditional means. Behind the projector 2 is arranged a carousel 7, or any other device making it possible to store and successively project a set of slides constituting photographs of models wearing specific hairstyles. To avoid distortions and 35 1 inclination of the projector 2 is equal to the inclination of the screen 3. The device also includes masks which will be described later.

Preferably, the screen 3 which is generally rectangular in shape, is partially closed by a cover 8, so that the image observation area is a circular area 9. However, the most 24 x 36 format current, is a rectangular format. According to the invention, this feature is used to project on an auxiliary screen 11, which is preferably retractable, a set of useful information, outside the main observation area.

This is how a partition is formed on the "model" slides, reserving two thirds of the surface for the model hairstyle and one third for the complementary image or images.

However, it is necessary, of course, and whatever the regularity of shooting of the clients, to proceed before any projection, to a referencing which is obtained by a slide image 00 for adjusting the image of the face of the client , such as that which is represented in FIG. 3 and which contains two references 12 to which the eyes of the portrait of the client are applied. The references 12 correspond, after projection, to a spacing of the eyes of 64 mm, which is an approximately general distance, and of course, the face is arranged along the lines 13 of the target, so that the face is perfectly centered. The two images are thus perfectly adjusted to each other. It remains only to delete on each image, respectively the face, and the hairstyle.

The screen, after the adjustment operations, has the appearance shown in FIG. 5, that is to say that in part 9, the face of the client is inscribed. On the additional screen part 11, a sequence number is projected on the one hand making it possible to carry out a preselection, which in the example represented is twelve, and on the other hand, for example, two views of the hairstyle corresponding to the slide projected for three quarter view and back.

Figure 4 shows the status of the projector. The image of the client is transmitted by the mirror 4 which is located above, and close to the projector 2, and is parallel to the screen. The cover 14 is opened so that the entire face of the client is projected. The two flaps 15 and 16 of the cover 14 are spaced from each other. However, the flap 16 masks the part of the beam emitted by the projector 2, and corresponding to the selected hairstyle worn by the mannequin. Parallel to the mirror 4 extends (in the cut beam), a transparent plate 17 carrying a fixed mask 18 whose function will be explained later.

It will be noted that, in order to cut a large part of the beam, the element 16 is shaped in circumflex accent with a double upper edge, so as to be able to come partially to surround the mirror 4. It is thus possible to make a preselection of the hairstyle, from the left of FIG. 5, the face of the client remaining displayed on zone 9 of screen 3.

If the client now wants to see herself with the hairstyle corresponding to slide 12, the process is as follows: the current hairstyle must be masked, and the hairstyle 12 projected. This result is obtained by closing the mask 14. The flaps 15 and 16 are moved in the direction of one another, for example by controlling electric motors. The stroke of the flaps is advantageously limited by stops (not shown) which are adjustable for each client, so that the mask 14 completely closes the region corresponding to the hairstyle worn by the client. As a result, the beam of the projector 2 opens completely and projects the hairstyle 12 onto the zone 9. However, the cover 18, which is in the general shape of a heart, masks the face of the mannequin of the slide substantially up to the eyebrow height. And on the shadowy area thus created, the client's face is projected. It will be noted that, thanks to the presence of the cover 18, the face of the mannequin never appears on the screen 3.

We then obtain the screen which is represented in FIG. 7. That is to say that the client sees herself, in real size. The mask 14 being closed, the projector cannot change the image, a blocking preventing this change, so that the client can only see either her image or her image with a new hairstyle. Of course, the mirror 4 is partially closed (with the exception of the face) by the mask 14.

The mask 14 is shown in top view in the two positions that it can take in FIGS. 8 and 9. It consists, as indicated above, of two flaps 15 and 16, the travel of which is limited by stops as indicated above, mounted sliding in slides (not shown) and a flap 20 articulated on the side 15. In order to obtain good accuracy, the two parts 15 and 16 can move independently of one another, and the lower edge of the flap 20 arrives at the height of the eyebrow line which constitutes the line of separation of the two images. The pivoting movement of the flap 20 is controlled by a connecting rod (not shown), so that the lower edge is horizontal, as shown in FIG. 9, when the flap 15 occupies its innermost position. Indeed, most of the faces are not exactly symmetrical, and the mask 14 makes it possible to take this data into account. A device such as that which has just been described, however, requires a certain space which is not always available in medium-sized hairdressing salons. Figures 10 and 11 show a compact version of the previous device, also allowing a satisfactory selection of hairstyles.

In Figure 10, we see that the two projectors 1 and 2 are superposed. They could also be juxtaposed. The projection screen 3 is mounted inclined on the projector 1 and the assembly 10 is carried by a foot 19 preferably provided with rollers.

FIG. 11 shows the main elements of the device, namely the two projectors 1 and 2 corresponding respectively with the return mirrors 4 and 5 which direct the two beams on the screen 3.

The projector 1 comprises two slides 20 and 21 making it possible to introduce on the one hand, at 20, a card carrying the slide photo of a client with her current hairstyle and, on the other hand, at 21, a corrective cover adapted to the morphology of the client's face. A zoom 23 is adjusted by the hairdresser according to the morphological indications carried in coded form of the "back of the client's card. Thus, by this adjustment the two images projected simultaneously are of the same size.

Projector 2, preset, requires no adjustment. The hairdresser, provided with the "client" card, inserts it into the slot 20, and the corresponding cover in the slot 21. He adjusts the zoom 23 to obtain a clear image of the client on the screen 3. The slides models are introduced into the basket 24 and can scroll, the image of the client, with her current hairstyle, being permanently projected.

Claims

1. Device for selecting hairstyles by forming a composite image on a screen (3) from a projector (l) projecting the current image of a client, e from a projector (2) projecting a series . hairstyle models, characterized in that it comprises an adjustable mask (14), arranged on the optical path (1, 4, 3) of the image of the client and a fixed mask (18) arranged on the optical path (2, 5, 3) of the model image.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface for projecting the image of the model is greater than the surface for projecting the image of the client, the excess zone (11) carrying additional information relating to the model projected, the two projected images being combined on the screen (3).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a retractable mask (15) of the image of the model constitutes a part of the mask (14) of the image of the client.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen (3) is partially masked by a cover (8), delimiting a projection area (9) circular.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the various members are included in a cabinet (10), the complementary screen (11) being retractable inside the cabinet (10).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the projector (1) is placed at the upper part of the cabinet (10), the projector (2) at the lower part, the mirror (4) being arranged above and near the projector (2).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two projectors (1, 2) are superimposed on the upper part of the device, the screen (3) being mounted inclined on the projector (1).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cabinet (10) is mounted on a movable foot (19).

9. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the projector (1) comprises a lateral slide (20) for the introduction of a card carrying a slide of the client.

10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the projector (1) comprises means for adjusting the image according to the shape of the client's face and a slide (21) for the introduction of a corrector cover.