WO2024127153A1

WO2024127153A1 - Haircare appliance with automatic mode change

Info

Publication number: WO2024127153A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/062198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio BALLARATI
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
Priority date: 2022-12-13
Filing date: 2023-12-04
Publication date: 2024-06-20
Also published as: GB202218744D0; GB2625305A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to haircare appliances. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the automatic control of haircare appliances. Further in particular, the present disclosure relates to a haircare appliance that changes its mode of operation when brought into the vicinity of a passive element. Accordingly, there is provided a handheld haircare appliance (100), comprising a proximity sensor arrangement (106), wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to detect, by the proximity sensor arrangement (106), the presence or absence of a passive element (102) external from the handheld haircare appliance (100), wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to operate in at least two modes of operation, and wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to transition between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation dependent on the detected presence or absence of the passive element (102).

Description

Haircare appliance with automatic mode change TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates to haircare appliances. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the automatic control of haircare appliances. Further in particular, the present disclosure relates to a haircare appliance that changes its mode of operation when brought into the vicinity of a passive element. BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure relates to haircare appliances. [0003] Haircare appliances are regularly used to dry and/or style hair. A typical haircare appliance comprises a heater and/or blower for generating a heated stream of air that is directed to the hair of the user of the haircare appliance. By defined application of the (heated) stream of air to the hair, wet or damp hair may be dried, and hair may be styled, i.e., treated by the stream of air to stay in place and assume a desired form and shape. Examples of such haircare appliances are hair dryers, hair stylers, hair curlers or hair straighteners. [0004] In order to dry and/or shape the hair in an acceptable amount of time, high-powered heater elements and/or blower elements are used inside such haircare appliances. Using such high- powered heater elements and/or blow elements regularly results in the provision of a high- powered stream of air which can exert a significant force on anything that is in the flow path of the stream. Likewise, using a high-powered heater regularly allows the heating of the stream of air to a temperature that requires special attention when used. Such a heated stream of air, when directed, in a particularly unattended manner, towards an object or surface may result in a fast heating of the object or surface and, depending on the exposure time, may possibly overheat the object/surface resulting in damage to the object or surface. At the same time, such unattended activation of the haircare appliance requires a significant amount of energy and thus unnecessarily wastes energy without resulting in any styling or drying effect. [0005] Still further, in the case that the high-powered stream of air is directed to a surface, the application of an action force to the surface may result in a reaction force acting on the haircare appliance, which may result in a shift in position and/or unintended movement of the haircare appliance. Such unattended movement may eventually result in an uncoordinated relocation of the haircare appliance, e.g., the haircare appliance may drop to the floor as the reaction force moves the haircare appliance off a shelf or table. Such a drop may result in damage to the haircare appliance. Finally, a haircare appliance that is running without providing any styling/drying benefits to the user may contribute to the premature aging of the haircare appliance, as well as its electronic and electrical components. [0006] Thus, there may be a need for automatic control of the haircare appliance when in a non- use state. [0007] Further, there may be a need for setting a defined mode of operation depending on the current use state of the haircare appliance. SUMMARY [0008] At least one such need may be met by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are provided in the dependent claims and are explained in detail in the following description. [0009] The present invention relates to a haircare appliance that changes its mode of operation when brought into the vicinity of a passive element. [0010] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a handheld haircare appliance, comprising a proximity sensor arrangement, wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to detect, by the proximity sensor arrangement, the presence or absence of a passive element external from the handheld haircare appliance, wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to operate in at least two modes of operation, and wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to transition between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation dependent on the detected presence or absence of the passive element. [0011] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a set of a handheld haircare appliance according to the present disclosure and a passive element, wherein the passive element is arranged for receiving the handheld haircare appliance, and wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to assume the second mode of operation when received by the passive element. [0012] One aspect of the present disclosure is that the haircare appliance is arranged to detect the presence or absence of a dedicated external element, in particular a passive element. A passive or external element is an element that by itself may not be required for the regular mode of operation of the haircare appliance, but which may have an effect on a mode of operation of the haircare appliance when the presence or absence of the element is detected. The presence or absence of the element may essentially result in a determination that the haircare appliance is in the vicinity of the element and may potentially comprise knowledge or information about how close the haircare appliance is to the element. [0013] When the haircare appliance detects the presence of the external/passive element, the haircare appliance may be arranged to switch or change from a current mode of operation to a further mode of operation. Here, the current mode of operation may be a regular mode of operation used for drying/and or styling hair while the further mode of operation may be a mode of operation where the styling and/or drying functionality is not provided/intended. In other words, the further mode of operation may have reduced functionality like switching off the heater element and/or the blower element. Such a mode of operation may result in a significant reduction of energy used by the haircare appliance and may avoid damaging objects or surfaces in the flow path of the airstream of the haircare appliance and may likewise avoid damaging the haircare appliance by avoiding unintended movement. [0014] The passive element may be a dedicated element for receiving the haircare appliance when a non-use of the haircare appliance is intended. Such a dedicated element may be a place mat or stand adapted to receive the haircare appliance, i.e., hold the haircare appliance in a defined state and/or position. When the haircare appliance detects that it is near such a passive element, the haircare appliance, e.g., an electronic control element like a microprocessor of the haircare appliance, may switch the electronics within the haircare appliance to conform with the further mode of operation. In other words, the electronic control element may switch off the blower element and/or the heater element. [0015] Controlling which of the blower element and the heater element or both is switched off or deactivated may be dependent on a particular type of passive element. In other words, one type of passive element may switch off the lower while another type of passive element may switch off the heater while yet another type of passive element may switch off both. [0016] The passive element may comprise a detectable element which is detectable by the haircare appliance. Thereby, the haircare appliance may detect the presence or absence of the passive elements by detecting the detectable element of the passive element. The detectable element may e.g., be an RFID tag which is not by itself an active element but only gets activated when subjected to an external electromagnetic field or external electromagnetic radiation, thereby engaging the detectable element to emit a response in a reaction to the external electrical field or the external electrical radiation, where this response in turn may be detectable by the haircare appliance. [0017] When the haircare appliance is brought into the vicinity of the passive element, e.g., the haircare appliance is rested on a pad or product stand fitted with the detectable element, the haircare appliance may acquire a response from the detectable element and may thereby change its mode of operation as described previously. The function of the passive element is thus to prevent the haircare appliance from moving unintentionally by the airstream and/or protect surfaces or objects from the high temperatures of the airflow of the haircare appliance. [0018] Additionally, the haircare appliance may comprise a sensor to detect the movement of the haircare appliance, e.g., an accelerometer. The haircare appliance may be adapted to only assume the further/second mode of operation when both the presence of the passive element/the detectable element is detected and the haircare appliance is not being moved, e.g., by detecting that the acceleration is substantially zero. This provides the benefit that the haircare appliance is not put into the second mode of operation simply because no movement is detected, as during hair styling, a situation may occur where the haircare appliance is substantially held in place, thus not moved, so a deactivation merely based on a sensor reading of a movement sensor may not be desirable in all instances. Likewise, a reactivation of the haircare appliance by detecting movement may be combined with detecting the presence or absence of the passive element and only in case movement is detected and the absence of the passive element is determined, a reactivation occurs. This allows the repositioning of the haircare appliance together with the passive element without reactivation of the haircare appliance due to the movement. [0019] It is likewise conceivable to assume the second mode of operation by combining information from the movement sensor and a proximity sensor arrangement detecting the absence or presence of the passive element. E.g., when the proximity of the passive element is detected, the haircare appliance substantially instantaneously assumes the second mode of operation, while it assumes the second mode of operation only after a defined delay when no movement is detected. It is likewise conceivable that the second mode of operation can be assumed only after a defined delay depending on the information received from the movement sensor and/or a proximity sensor arrangement detecting the absence or presence of the passive element’. [0020] Thereby,^a reduced power consumption during styling due to immediate standby reaction is provided. Further, the user would learn a safer behaviour using the pad / stand, reducing the risk for slipping or accidental burning. Still further, there is a reduced chance of accidental wake up due to touching the haircare appliance and/or its power cable. [0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first mode of operation may be a regular operation mode, and the second mode of operation may be a reduced functionality operation mode, in particular an operation mode with a reduced power consumption and/or a stand-by operation mode. [0022] Providing a second mode of operation or a standby mode of operation results in a reduced power consumption per styling session, provides a quicker standby than using a timer together with a movement detection, and reduces the risk of accidental wake up. [0023] A reduced functionality may be understood as limiting output power to an element of the appliance, e.g., the blower element and/or the heater element, while potentially not completely deactivating their respective functionality, e.g., only limiting power of a blower (motor) and/or limiting the temperature if the airflow. [0024] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to assume the second mode of operation when the presence of the passive element is detected. [0025] Detecting the presence may substantially coincide with resting the haircare appliance on the passive element or receiving the haircare appliance by the passive element. Such a detection may in particular comprise that the presence is only detected when the haircare appliance is in the immediate vicinity of the passive element, e.g., spaced at a distance of less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, or less than 2 cm. [0026] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the proximity sensor arrangement may comprise an RFID reading capability, and presence or absence of the passive element may be detected by detecting the presence or absence of an RFID tag in the passive element, or the proximity sensor arrangement may comprise a magnetic sensor, and presence or absence of the passive element may be detected by detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic element in the passive element. [0027] Using an RFID tag or a magnetic element as detectable element may result in an automatic detection of the detectable element only in the immediate vicinity of the detectable element. E.g., an RFID tag may only respond to external electromagnetic radiation or an external electromagnetic field when the RFID sending and/or reading capability of the haircare appliance is within a defined distance from the RFID tag, e.g., less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, or less than 2 cm from the RFID tag. Likewise, a magnetic element may be arranged that it is detectable by a magnetic sensor only within a defined distance from the magnetic element, e.g., less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, or less than 2 cm from the magnetic element. [0028] Presence or absence of the RFID tag, generally the detectable element, may be understood such that the RFID tag can be read or cannot be read. [0029] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to read a plurality of RFID tags substantially simultaneously. [0030] By being able to read a plurality of RFID tags substantially simultaneously, in particular, determine a plurality of different RFID tags, may allow the haircare appliance to assume further modes of operation. Likewise, detecting different RFID tags may allow the haircare appliance to decide to override a specific mode of operation which would depend on a first RFID tag due to the detection of a second RFID tag, which is associated with a different specific mode of operation. In other words, different RFID tags may have different levels of significance or priority so that detecting an RFID tag with a higher level of priority than a further RFID tag allows overriding the mode of operation associated with the lower priority RFID tag by the higher priority RFID tag. [0031] E.g., an accessory for the haircare appliance may comprise an RFID tag for setting a defined mode of operation like a defined maximum temperature and/or maximum blower setting. While the haircare appliance is thus operating in the mode of operation associated with that particular accessory/its RFID tag, the detection of the detectable element in the passive element, e.g., a further RFID tag, in particular having a higher priority than the RFID tag of the accessory, may result in assuming the mode of operation associated with the passive element regardless of the detection of the RFID tag of the accessory. In other words, a haircare appliance operating in a defined mode of operation set by an RFID tag in an accessory may still assume a second mode of operation, e.g., a standby mode of operation, triggered by the detection of the detectable element of the passive element, when the presence of the passive element is detected. [0032] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may further comprise an accelerometer for acquiring movement information of the handheld haircare appliance, and the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to assume the second mode of operation when no movement is detected, or the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to assume the second mode of operation when no movement is detected and the presence of the passive element is detected. [0033] Assuming the second mode of operation based on detection of a movement of the haircare appliance, e.g., by using an accelerometer or a comparable movement sensor, may allow the handheld haircare appliance to assume the second mode of operation even when the haircare appliance is not placed in the vicinity of the passive element, i.e., when the presence of the passive element is not detected. Such may occur when a user puts down the haircare appliance in an arbitrary place not in the vicinity of the passive element. Here, the haircare appliance may not immediately detect that the user is currently not using the haircare appliance and may thus activate the second mode of operation based on a timed delay starting when no movement is detected anymore. [0034] Further, the second mode of operation may be assumed when no movement is detected, and the presence of the passive element is detected. This coincides essentially to the user replacing the haircare appliance in the vicinity of the passive element, e.g., resting the haircare appliance on the passive element embodied as a mat or a stand. Assuming the second mode of operation when both no movement is detected, and the presence of the passive element is detected may allow the instantaneous switching to a standby mode of operation with a reduced margin of error. [0035] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to assume the first mode of operation when movement is detected, and the absence of the passive element is detected. [0036] Assuming the first mode of operation, or more generally a mode of operation different from the second mode of operation, when movement is detected and no passive element is detected allows the relocation of the haircare appliance together with the passive element without leaving the second mode of operation. In other words, as long as the presence of the passive element is detected, a movement of the haircare appliance does not result in an activation of a mode of operation different from the second mode of operation. [0037] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may be arranged to employ encryption and/or signature functionality when reading the RFID tag. [0038] Using encryption and/or signature functionality when reading the RFID tag may allow only linked, recognized, or authorized RFID tags to result in the mode switching, i.e., result in the switching into the second mode of operation. [0039] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passive element may be a holder for the handheld haircare appliance, a product stand, a place mat, or pad. [0040] When the passive element is embodied as a holder, a product stand, a placemat, or pad, it is immediately conceivable for the user that the functionality of assuming the second mode of operation is associated with placing the haircare appliance on the holder, product stand, placemat, or pad, or having the haircare appliance received by the same. Receiving may in particular mean that the passive element has means so that the handheld haircare appliance is temporally securely, in particularly reversibly connectable to the passive element. E.g., at least one of the handheld haircare appliance and the passive element comprises engagement means for reversibly locking the two elements together, to that one may be moved to some extend without the other leaving the contact or vicinity of one another. [0041] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passive element may comprise a connection mechanism to connect the handheld haircare appliance to the passive element. [0042] By having a connection mechanism, when the haircare appliance is placed on the passive element or received by the passive element, there is provided a (reversible) connection between the haircare appliance and the passive element using the connection mechanism so that the risk of an accidental removal of the haircare appliance from the passive element is reduced. [0043] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passive element may comprise an anti-slip material, and/or the passive element may comprise a heat resistant or heat insulating material. [0044] By providing an anti-slip material, it may be avoided that the handheld haircare appliance slips off the passive element when the haircare appliance rests on the passive element, in particular when received by the passive element. A heat resistant element may protect the passive element from temporal exposure to the heat of the airflow when the haircare appliance is brought into contact with/rests on the passive element. Likewise, a heat insulating material protects the surroundings of the passive element from temporal exposure to the heat of the airflow when the haircare appliance is brought into contact with/rests on the passive element. [0045] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passive element may comprise an RFID tag and/or a magnetic element. [0046] By providing the passive element with an RFID tag and/or a magnetic element, the presence or absence of the passive element may be detected by the haircare appliance. In other words, the haircare appliance may detect that an RFID tag and/or a magnetic element is arranged in its vicinity, in particular in the vicinity of its proximity sensor arrangement, and thereby deduces that the passive element is likewise in the vicinity of the haircare appliance/a proximity sensor arrangement. [0047] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, when the handheld haircare appliance detects the presence of the passive element by reading the RFID tag of the passive element and reads a further RFID tag associated with a change to a further, third mode of operation of the handheld haircare appliance, the handheld haircare appliance may be adapted to assume and maintain the second mode of operation as long as the presence of the passive element is detected. [0048] In other words, the RFID tag associated with the passive element may comprise a higher priority than a further RFID tag. When the haircare appliance detects both RFID tags, it may choose to activate the mode of operation associated with the RFID tag with the higher priority. In the case that the RFID tag of the passive element is the one with a higher priority, it can be avoided that the haircare appliance unintentionally switches to a different mode of operation depending on the time sequence when one or another RFID tag is read. [0049] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld haircare appliance may be battery-powered, and wherein the passive element may be arranged for charging the handheld haircare appliance in the second mode. [0050] The passive element may comprise a charging element for charging the haircare appliance, in particular a battery of the haircare appliance. The haircare appliance in turn may only accept wireless charging when the passive element is detected and/or the haircare appliances in the second mode of operation. Being in the second mode of operation, e.g., a standby mode, allows a simplified charging of a battery, since a standby mode assumes that the haircare appliance itself is only using a minimum amount of energy, in particular not using energy for operating the heater and/or the blower. Further, the haircare appliance may be arranged so that charging is only expected when in the presence of the passive element and that any charging elements of the haircare appliance, e.g., elements for receiving wireless energy, are substantially deactivated when the haircare appliance is not in the vicinity of the passive element, i.e., the passive element is not present. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0051] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0052] Fig.1 shows a first embodiment of a handheld haircare appliance with a passive element according to the present disclosure. [0053] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a handheld haircare appliance with a passive element according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0054] Now referring to Fig.1, which shows a first embodiment of a handheld haircare appliance with a passive element according to the present disclosure. [0055] In figure 1, the handheld haircare appliance 100 is exemplarily depicted as a hair dryer. The hair dryer has a tubular shaped head 114, with an opening 110 in the back side for air intake while the air outlet is not visible in figure 1, as it is directed into the direction of the drawing plane. A grip 112 is provided for holding and manipulating the handheld haircare appliance 100, i.e., to direct the airstream of the handheld haircare appliance 100 towards the hair of the user. Controls 108 are provided for switching the handheld haircare appliance 100 on/off and/or to regulate the intensity of the airflow and/or the temperature of the airflow, etc.. The handheld haircare appliance 100 of figure 1 exemplarily is a corded haircare appliance, i.e., requires external energy provided via a power cord 116. [0056] Further depicted in figure 1 is a passive external element 102. The passive external element 102 is arranged as a holder or stand for the handheld haircare appliance 100. The passive external element 102 exemplarily has a receptacle 118 which is adapted to match a side, e.g. the front side and more particularly exemplarily the opening 110, so that the handheld haircare appliance 100 may securely but reversibly attached to the passive external element 102. When attached to the passive external element 102, the handheld haircare appliance 100 stays in place, i.e., has a defined position relative to the passive external element 102. In figure 1, the passive external element 102 is exemplarily angled upwards so to allow in easy placement and withdrawal of the handheld haircare appliance 100 in and from the passive external element 102. Further reversible connecting means, e.g., one or more magnetic elements may be provided in the passive external element, which are not depicted in figure 1. The magnetic element exemplarily may be arranged in the vicinity of the receptacle 118, e.g., on the circumference of the receptacle 118, and may engage with respective one or more magnetic elements arranged at the handheld haircare appliance, e.g., in the vicinity of the opening 110 facing the passive external element 102. Thereby, the at least one magnetic element of the passive external element 102 may engage with the at least one magnetic element of the handheld haircare appliance 100 so to provide a reversible attachment, thereby securely holding the handheld haircare appliance 100 relative to the passive external element 102. [0057] The passive external element 102 is exemplarily provided with an RFID tag 104. The head 114 of the handheld haircare appliance 100 in turn has a RFID reading element 106, which is not visible in figure 1 as it is arranged to point in the direction of the passive external element 102. The RFID tag 104 and the RFID reading element 106 are located so that they are arranged in one’s vicinity when the handheld haircare appliance 100 is engaged with the passive external element 102, i.e., when resting the handheld haircare appliance 100 on the passive external element 102 as intended. When the RFID reading element 106, generally a proximity sensor arrangement with a proximity sensor, detects the presence of the RFID tag 104, the handheld haircare appliance 100 may assume a second mode of operation. E.g., in a first mode of operation, the handheld haircare appliance 100 can be operated normally using controls 108. When the handheld haircare appliance 100 detects the presence of the RFID tag 104, it switches into a second mode of operation, e.g., a standby mode of operation, where a heating element and or a blowing element within the handheld haircare appliance may essentially be turned off or may at least be engaged in a standby mode. Thereby, simply by placing the handheld haircare appliance 100 on to the passive external element 102, the user may trigger a switch from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation thereby putting the handheld haircare appliance into the standby mode. [0058] Additionally, the handheld haircare appliance 100 may comprise an acceleration detection element, e.g., an accelerometer 120, only schematically depicted as being arranged in the interior of figure 1. The handheld haircare appliance may additionally use information obtained from the accelerometer 120 when determining whether to engage or disengage the second mode of operation. E.g., when the handheld haircare appliance 100 is placed onto the passive external element 102, it may assume the second mode of operation. At the same time the accelerometer 120 is not registering any movement. When the accelerometer 120 detects movement but the handheld haircare appliance still registers the presence of the passive external element 102 by detecting the RFID tag 104, the second mode of operation may be maintained despite the accelerometer registering movement of the handheld haircare appliance 100, which in this case would be a movement of the handheld haircare appliance 100 together with the passive external element 102 attached to one another. [0059] Now referring to Fig. 2, which shows a second embodiment of a handheld haircare appliance with a passive element according to the present disclosure. [0060] In figure 2, the handheld haircare appliance 100 is exemplarily embodied as a hair curler. Again, the handheld haircare appliance 100 comprises a grip 112 and a head 114. Head 114 in this embodiment is arranged to directly engage with the hair of a user, i.e., the hair being wrapped around head 114, which in turn has a plurality of slots as well as potentially a turning motion so to dry the hair of the user while maintaining a curled shape of the hair. The passive external element 102 in this embodiment is arranged as a mat, e.g., a substantially flat surface, which may be further arranged to avoid slippage of the handheld haircare appliance, e.g. by providing a surface with a substantial amount of friction so as to avoid unintentional movement of the handheld haircare appliance 100 relative to the passive external element 102 when placed onto the passive external element 102. [0061] The handheld haircare appliance 100 comprises again controls for operating the handheld haircare appliance. In the embodiment of figure 2, the controls may additionally comprise controls for engaging or disengaging a rotation of the head 114 and/or defining the direction of rotation. [0062] The grip 112 of the handheld haircare appliance 100 and the head 114 may be disengaged from one another. In other words, the head 114 may be one of a plurality of attachments which may be fitted to the grip 112 of the handheld haircare appliance 100 to change the operational behaviour of the handheld haircare appliance. E.g., different heads or different sizes of curls or different directions of rotation may be provided. Depending on the specific accessory that is attached to the grip 112, a button for activating and deactivating a rotation may trigger a direction dependent rotation in the direction suitable for the respective attached head 114. In order to determine how the handheld haircare appliance 100 operates in the first mode of operation, e.g., whether a rotation is clockwise or counter clockwise, may be determined by an attachment dependent RFID tag 104c arranged in the attachment, i.e., in the head 114. In other words, the RFID reading element 106 of the handheld haircare appliance 100 detects the presence of an RFID tag 104c and is adapted to ascertain from the information provided by the RFID tag 104c to the RFID reading element 106 that RFID tag 104c is an RFID tag for a specific type of accessory and mode of operation, in particular the first mode of operation of the handheld haircare appliance 100 may be adapted accordingly to the specific requirements provided by the presence of RFID tag 104c. [0063] Additionally, figure 2 depicts a passive external element 102 exemplarily comprising two, in particular independent, RFID tags 104a,b. When detecting either one of the RFID tags 104a,b, the handheld haircare appliance 100 may switch to the second mode of operation as it may determine by detecting the presence of RFID tags 104a,b that it is (about to be) placed onto the passive external element 102. The switching to the second mode of operation by detection of one of the RFID tags 104a,b may in particular be independent from a continued detection of RFID tag 104c. In other words, the handheld haircare appliance 100 may detect one of the RFID tags 104a,b and additionally the RFID tag 104c and gives priority to the RFID tags 104a,b by switching into the second mode of operation. [0064] The handheld haircare appliance 100 in figure 2 again is a corded appliance receiving energy by a power cord 116. Further, the handheld haircare appliance 100 may also comprise an accelerometer 120 implementing a similar functionality as described in relation to the embodiment of figure 1. [0065] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements may be made without deviating from the concepts described here. Any of the features described above and below may be used separately or in combination with any other features described herein, provided they are not mutually exclusive, and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein. [0066] Finally, it should be noted that the term "comprising" not exclude other elements or steps, and that "a" or "one" does not exclude the plural. Elements that are described in relation to different types of embodiments can be combined. Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of a claim.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 100 handheld haircare appliance 102 passive external element 104 RFID tag 106 RFID reading element 108 controls 110 opening 112 grip 114 head 116 power cord 118 receptacle 120 accelerometer

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A handheld haircare appliance (100), comprising a proximity sensor arrangement (106), wherein the handheld haircare appliance is arranged to detect, by the proximity sensor arrangement (106), the presence or absence of a passive element (102) external from the handheld haircare appliance (100), wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to operate in at least two modes of operation, and wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to transition between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation dependent on the detected presence or absence of the passive element (102). 2. The handheld haircare appliance according to the preceding claim, wherein the first mode of operation is a regular operation mode, and wherein the second mode of operation is a reduced functionality operation mode, in particular an operation mode with a reduced power consumption and/or a stand-by operation mode. 3. The handheld haircare appliance according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to assume the second mode of operation when the presence of the passive element (102) is detected. 4. The handheld haircare appliance according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the proximity sensor arrangement (106) comprises an RFID reading capability, and wherein the presence or absence of the passive element (102) is detected by detecting the presence or absence of an RFID tag (104) in the passive element, OR wherein the proximity sensor arrangement (102) comprises a magnetic sensor, and wherein presence or absence of the passive element (102) is detected by detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic element in the passive element (102). 5. The handheld haircare appliance according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to read a plurality of RFID tags substantially simultaneously. 6. The handheld haircare appliance according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising an accelerometer (120) for acquiring movement information of the handheld haircare appliance (102), and wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to assume the second mode of operation when no movement is detected, OR wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to assume the second mode of operation when no movement is detected and the presence of the passive element (102) is detected. 7. The handheld haircare appliance according to the preceding claim, wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to assume the first mode of operation when movement is detected and the absence of the passive element is detected. 8. The handheld haircare appliance according to at least one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to employ encryption and/or signature functionality when reading the RFID tag (104). 9. Set of a handheld haircare appliance (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a passive element (102), wherein the passive element (102) is arranged for receiving the handheld haircare appliance (100), and wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is arranged to assume the second mode of operation when received by the passive element (102). 10. Set according to the preceding claim, wherein the passive element (102) is a holder for the handheld haircare appliance, a product stand, a place mat, or pad. 11. Set according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive element (102) comprises a connection mechanism (118) to connect the handheld haircare appliance to the passive element. 12. Set according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive element (102) comprises an anti-slip material, and/or wherein the passive element (102) comprises a heat resistant or heat insulating material. 13. Set according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive element comprises an RFID tag (104) and/or a magnetic element. 14. Set according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein when the handheld haircare appliance detects the presence of the passive element (102) by reading the RFID tag (104a,b) of the passive element (102) and reads a further RFID tag (104c) associated with a change to a further, third mode of operation of the handheld haircare appliance (100), the handheld haircare appliance (100) is adapted to assume and maintain the second mode of operation as long as the presence of the passive element (102) is detected. 15. Set according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld haircare appliance (100) is battery-powered, and wherein the passive element (102) is arranged for charging the handheld haircare appliance (100) in the second mode.