Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6490492
-
Patent Number
6,490,492
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, May 9, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 3, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Black; Thomas
- Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 700 90
- 345 700
- 345 705
- 345 856
- 132 212
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
Device (1) for determining process data for a cosmetic treatment process for treating hair on the head of a person, with a microprocessor (3), at least one storage (4) containing at least one application program (5), a data input device (6), a data evaluation device (7), at least one process data output device (8), and a display device (9), wherein the device (1) is provided as a battery-operated hand-held device (2), the storage or storages (4) being contained in at least one optionally exchangeable module (10, 10.1); the application program (5) contains at least one data table (11) and application texts (12) which communicate with the data input device (6), the data evaluation device (7), the process data output device (8) and the display device (9), a dialog menu management being provided via the display device (9) as a data input device (6) through use of a menu program (13), and in that data is entered through use of a cursor function.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a device for determining process data for a cosmetic process for treating hair on the head of a person.
The object of the invention is to provide a device for determining process data for a cosmetic process for treating hair on the head of a person which is particularly simple to handle, operate and apply.
This object is met according to the features of claim
1
. Further advantageous developments of the invention are contained in the subclaims.
The invention is described more fully with reference to a number of drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a device in a block diagram;
FIG. 2
is a top view showing the device as a hand-held device;
FIG. 3
shows a rear view of the hand-held device;
FIG. 3A
shows a top view of a storage module;
FIG. 4
is a sectional view according to section IV—IV of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 4A
is a sectional view corresponding to
FIG. 4
, but with two modules;
FIG. 5
shows a side view of the hand-held device;
FIG. 6
shows a perspective view of the hand-held device with a printer;
FIGS. 7 and 8
show a structural plan;
FIGS. 9
to
35
show different recipe and treatment instruction messages;
FIG. 36
is a top view showing the hand-held device with a scale;
FIG. 37
shows a module with a country code; and
FIG. 38
shows country-specific color product range lists.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1
shows a device for determining process data for a cosmetic treatment process for treating hair on the head of a person, with a microprocessor
3
, at least one storage
4
containing at least one application program
5
, a data input device
6
, a data evaluation device
7
, at least one process data output device
8
, and a display device
9
, wherein the device
1
is provided as a battery-operated hand-held device
2
, the storage or storages
4
being contained in at least one optionally exchangeable module
10
; the application program
5
contains at least one data table
11
and application texts
12
which communicate with the data input device
6
, the data evaluation device
7
, the process data output device
8
and the display device
9
. A dialog menu management is provided via the display device
9
as a data input device
6
by means of a menu program
13
, wherein data is entered by means of a cursor function. The hand-held device
2
is optionally provided with at least one cable-connected and/or wireless interface
14
,
14
.
1
for the process data output, for example, for printing out process data via a printer. A serial and/or infrared and/or radio interface
14
.
1
are/is provided as wireless interface
14
.
1
.
FIG. 2
shows a top view of the device
1
as a battery-operated hand-held device
2
having a plastic housing
15
, a data input device
6
and a display device
9
. Further, the hand-held device
2
is provided with an operating switch
16
, a correction switch
17
, a printout switch
18
, a cursor switch
19
and an input switch
20
(“ENTER”). The display device
9
has a symbol panel
21
on one side, wherein symbols are displayed depending on the operating state. Accordingly, symbol
22
indicates a printout option, symbol
23
indicates a wireless process data output option, symbol
24
indicates different possible cursor directions by means of the cursor switch
19
, symbol
25
indicates the battery capacity, and symbol
26
indicates an input option by means of the input switch
20
.
FIG. 3
shows the back of the hand-held device
2
, showing a battery cover
27
and a module cover
28
. The housing
15
is provided with a recess
29
for manually opening the module cover
28
for purposes of inserting or removing or exchanging a module
10
. For purposes of mechanical fastening, the module
10
is provided with a circular opening
30
which corresponds to a mating piece
31
on the module cover
28
. The module
10
has an electric contact strip
32
by means of which an electrical and mechanical connection to the hand-held device
2
is carried out by means of a corresponding module connection part
33
. For purposes of clarity, the module
10
is shown separately in a top view in FIG.
3
A.
A section IV—IV according to
FIG. 3
is shown in FIG.
4
. In particular, the mechanical fastening of the module
10
by means of the mating piece
31
is shown.
FIG. 4A
shows a hand-held device
2
similar to
FIG. 4
, but with two modules
10
,
10
.
1
. Additional application programs (e.g., permanent wave process) can accordingly be used and can be correspondingly selected by the cursor switch
19
by means of a display (not shown) which is correspondingly arranged in front of the display
101
(FIG.
7
).
A cable-connected (serial) interface
14
and a wireless (infrared or radio) interface
14
.
1
for process data output can be seen in FIG.
5
. An infrared transmitting diode
34
and an infrared receiving diode
35
or also an appropriately combined diode
36
can be provided, for example, as a bidirectional infrared interface
14
.
2
. A printer, e.g., a label printer
38
, can be connected via a corresponding cable
37
to the serial interface
14
. However, another device such as a hair treatment device (not shown) or a scale
60
(
FIG. 36
) may also be selectively connected via the interface
14
,
14
.
1
,
14
.
2
. In particular, a wireless, bidirectional interface
14
.
2
offers a variety of application possibilities by means of data transfer given an appropriate construction of the devices (e.g., scale
60
), e.g., a data reception confirmation at the hand-held device
2
as well as at another device (FIG.
6
), as selected.
An application program
5
in the form of a structure plan is illustrated in more detail in the pertinent
FIGS. 7 and 8
(X with X and Y with Y) using the example of hair coloring. Corresponding application programs, for example, for hair grooming or a permanent wave treatment, are analogous. First, the hand-held device
2
is switched on via the operating switch
16
. A message
101
, “start/setup”, is displayed on the display
9
and the symbol for the cursor direction
24
indicating possible cursor directions as well as the symbol for possible input
26
are shown on the symbol panel. In this case, the cursor switch
19
can be used to choose between “start” and “setup”. To start, the cursor (shown as a black bar) is set to “start” and input is carried out with the input switch
20
(enter). A message
102
indicating a (selected) user program, in this case, “coloring program”, then appears on the display
9
. The correction switch
17
can then be used to return to the start position. Pressing the input switch
20
displays a message
103
with the question “Hair already colored?” (parameter A) and the possible responses “no/yes”. If the response is “no”, the cursor is set to “no” and the input switch
17
is pressed, whereupon a message
105
with the question “Natural hair color?” (parameter C) appears with a list of natural hair colors (e.g.,
9
/
0
,
8
/
0
,
7
/
0
, etc.) which can be selected with the cursor (as described above). In case the hair is already colored, a message
104
appears with the question “Color length to ends?” (parameter B) along with a list of colors which can be selected with the cursor. This is followed correspondingly by message
106
with the question “White content?” (parameter D) with a selection “low/medium/high”, message
107
with the question “Hair thickness?” (parameter E) with a choice of “thick/medium/fine”, message
108
with the question “Hair length?” (parameter F) with a choice of “short/medium/long”, and message
109
with the question “Desired color?” (parameter G) with a list of selectable colors, for example, color numbers
100
/
0
. Then, in block
40
, the appropriate recipe number is determined from a stored list of recipe numbers, followed by a message
110
, e.g., “Thanks for your input! We will recommend a recipe for you”. If no recipe number is found (error) by corresponding parameters in block
41
(Does recipe number exist?), this will be displayed in a corresponding manner. Process data from at least one data table
11
, e.g., from a combined color table
11
.
1
, recipe number table
11
.
2
and recipe table
11
.
3
(FIG.
1
), are then determined in the data evaluation device
7
(FIG.
8
). Then, a review of the entered data (
FIG. 9
) first appears on the display
111
(using the example of root coloring):
“ANALYSIS—RESULTS
Root coloring
length/ends:
12
/
0
natural hair color:
6
/
0
white content: low
hair thickness: thick
hair length: medium
desired color:
12
/
00
.”
This message
111
(and any others) can be printed out by the printout switch
18
. In the case of full coloring, a message
111
.
1
is displayed (FIG.
10
). The next message
112
, the appropriate recipe for standard coloring (
FIG. 11
) is displayed by means of the cursor switch
19
(down arrow designates scroll down) and can be printed out by the printer
38
(
FIG. 6
) via the printout switch
18
:
“STANDARD COLORING
tint:
12
/
03
peroxide: 12%
mixture: 1+2
amount coloring cream: 120 gr
total action time: 60 min”.
Mixture “1+2+” means 1 part coloring substance
12
/
03
and 2 parts peroxide. Another five message possibilities
112
.
1
to
112
.
5
are shown in
FIGS. 12
to
16
with the parameters of pre-bleaching and two or three different color tints.
FIGS. 17
to
21
show different messages
113
,
113
.
1
to
113
.
4
for the first work step of a pretreatment, which can also be dispensed with depending on the coloring task. Depending on the recipe, a message
113
/
FIG. 17
(or a message
113
.
1
to
113
.
4
/
FIGS. 18
to
21
) appears with information about a pretreatment (which is decided in area
42
; one of messages
114
to
114
.
2
appears in the absence of a pretreatment work step):
“Full pre-bleach with bleaching agent to the desired degree of lightness BLEACH: PEROXIDE 6%.”
Depending on the recipe, however, one of messages
113
.
1
to
113
.
4
can also appear with information about pretreatment corresponding to
FIGS. 18
to
21
(
FIG. 18
, message
113
.
1
: root pre-bleaching;
FIG. 19
, message
113
.
2
:. Bleaching wash;
FIG. 20
, message
113
.
3
: bleaching wash length and ends;
FIG. 21
, message
113
.
4
: bleaching wash root).
Depending on the recipe, the second work step is information about color mixing, amount of dye and peroxide via one of messages
114
(standard coloring),
FIG. 22
(
1
color tint);
114
.
1
(standard coloring),
FIG. 23
(
2
color tints);
114
A (expert coloring),
FIG. 24
(
3
color tints). Message
113
. . . can be displayed by pressing once on the cursor switch
19
or message
112
. . . can be displayed by pressing again on the cursor switch
19
.
The next display
115
,
FIG. 25
; or
115
.
1
,
FIG. 26
; or
115
.
2
,
FIG. 27
; or
115
.
3
,
FIG. 28
; or
115
.
4
,
FIG. 29
gives directions for applying the prepared color cream in a third work step.
Depending on the recipe, another (standard) message
116
,
FIG. 30
; or
116
.
1
,
FIG. 31
is displayed which gives directions for a fourth work step for a corresponding action time with or without supply of heat, this supply of heat being effected by a corresponding (heat) treatment device.
A message
117
,
FIG. 32
; or
117
.
1
,
FIG. 33
; or
117
.
2
,
FIG. 34
, may possibly be displayed via area
44
which gives directions for the treatment of the lengths and ends.
Finally, information about an after-treatment is given by a message
118
, FIG.
35
. By pressing once on the cursor switch
19
(up arrow), message
117
can be displayed, as the case may be, via panel
45
or, by pressing again, the message
116
/
115
/
114
/
113
/
112
/
111
can be displayed again. Conversely, the messages
111
to
118
can be scrolled from top to bottom by pressing on the cursor switch
19
(down arrow).
In the case of message
112
(FIG.
8
), a standard coloring can be switched to expert coloring by the cursor switch
19
(right arrow) via block
46
, wherein the expert coloring message
112
A of the expanded recipe and the expert coloring message
114
A of the composition differ from the messages for standard coloring
112
-
112
.
5
and
114
-
114
.
2
.
As can be seen from message
101
(FIG.
7
), a desired application text can be displayed in different languages (e.g., D for German, GB for English, F for French, I for Italian, E for Spanish, NL for Dutch) via the “setup” setting with the cursor switch
19
after message
101
A. The contrast and peroxide in percent (%) or volume (vol.) can be chosen with message
101
B via the cursor switch
19
.
FIG. 36
shows a scale
60
which is provided with a weight indicator
61
, a scale pan
62
, an operating switch
16
.
1
and a wireless bidirectional interface
14
.
3
. The hand-held device
2
with its wireless bidirectional interface
14
.
3
is constructed in such a way that it can communicate bidirectionally with the scale
60
via the interface
14
.
3
, namely, in such a way that the amount indications in the recipe, e.g., according to message
114
A (FIG.
24
), are transmitted to the scale
60
via the interfaces
14
.
2
,
14
.
3
, which is triggered by pressing on a measurement switch
63
. A message
200
appears now with a measurement indicator
64
.
1
with a mark
65
and a color quantity/tint “40 g
12
/
11
”. This value of 40 g is achieved when the black bar
66
has reached the mark
65
. The measurement switch
63
is then pressed again, so that a measurement indicator
64
.
2
with the mark
65
and a color quantity indication/tint “40 g
12
/
01
” appears. This value of 40 g is achieved when the black bar
66
has reached the mark
65
. The measurement switch
63
is then pressed again and a measurement indicator
64
.
3
with the mark
65
and a color quantity indication/tint “5 g
0
/
11
” appears. This value of 5 g is achieved when the black bar
66
has reached the mark
65
. The measurement switch
63
is then pressed again, so that a measurement indicator
64
.
4
with mark
65
and a peroxide quantity indication “160 g 9%” appears. This value of 160 g is achieved when the black bar
66
has reached the mark
65
. Message
200
is extinguished by pressing again on the measurement switch
63
, so that the weighing process is concluded. The components located in the scale pan
62
are now mixed and available for use (hair coloring) as a color cream. The measurement indicators
64
.
1
to
64
.
4
can be displayed simultaneously—as is shown in FIG.
36
—or only the current one can be shown. The weight can be read off in grams in addition via the weight display
61
of the scale
60
and, in addition, via the message
200
, as desired. However, the weight indications on message
200
could also be dispensed with, since the required weight is attained when the black mark
66
is reached. With the scale
60
, the weight display
61
could be dispensed with, since the corresponding weight indications are shown in display
200
of the hand-held device
2
; but then the scale
60
would no longer be usable for general purposes, rather only specifically with the hand-held device
2
. The scale
60
can be provided with a correcting device
68
as a further user convenience in order to be able to compensate for mass deviations (overdosage) of the recipe proportions in the given mixing ratio or to be able to provide mass deviations deliberately, e.g., within the framework of an individual expert recipe.
To store and call up person-specific process data, a central computer, not shown, can be provided, so as to create a kind of electronic customer card file.
FIG. 37
shows a circuit board of the module
10
with the microprocessor
3
and a binary switch
51
for a country-specific color product range list
11
.
10
-
11
.n (FIG.
38
). The binary switch
51
constructed as a printed circuit is programmed in binary by corresponding solder bridges
52
and accordingly forms a country code
50
which corresponds to a determined color product range list
11
.
10
-
11
.n. In practice, there are approximately 80 to 120 different color products of approximately
155
possible color products of an entire range per country range which are listed systematically and in tabular form in a color product range list
11
.
10
-
11
.n. A desired application text can be set independently from this.
Reference Numbers
1
device
2
hand-held device
3
microprocessor
4
storage
5
application program
6
data input device
7
data evaluation device
8
process data output device
9
display device (display)
10
module
11
data table
11
.
1
color table
11
.
2
recipe number table
11
.
3
recipe table
11
.
10
-
11
.n color product list
12
application texts
13
menu program
14
cable-connected interface
14
.
1
wireless interface
14
.
2
,
14
.
3
bidirectional interface
15
plastic housing
16
,
16
.
1
operating switch
17
correction switch
18
printout switch
19
cursor switch
20
input switch
21
symbol panel
22
printout option symbol
23
transmit symbol
24
cursor direction symbol
25
battery capacity symbol
26
input option symbol
27
battery cover
28
module cover
29
recess
30
opening
31
mating piece
32
contact strip
33
module connection part
34
IR transmitting diode
35
IR receiving diode
36
transmitting/receiving diode
37
cable
38
printer
40
block: determine recipe number
41
area: Does recipe number exist?
42
area: Pretreatment?
43
area: Message
113
?. . .
44
area: Directions?
45
area: Message
117
?. . .
46
area: Expert recipe?
50
country code
51
binary switch
52
solder bridge
60
scale
61
weight indicator
62
scale pan
63
measurement switch
64
.
1
-
64
.
4
measurement indicator
65
mark
66
bar
67
acoustic and/or optical signal
68
correcting device
100
-
118
message
200
recipe message in grams
Claims
- 1. A device (1) for determining process data for a cosmetic treatments process for treating hair on a head of a person, the device comprising:a. a microprocessor (3); b. at least one storage (4) containing at least one application program (5); c. a data input device (6); d. a data evaluation device (7); e. at least one process data output device (8); and f. a display device (9); wherein the device (1) is provided as a battery-operated hand held device (2); wherein the storage or storages (4) are contained in at least one optionally exchangeable module (10, 10.1); wherein the application program (5) contains at least one data table (11) and application texts (12) which communicate with the data input device (6), the data evaluation device (7), the process data output device (8) and the display device (9); wherein a dialog menu management means is provided via the display device (9) as a data input device (6) by means of a menu program (13); and wherein data is entered by means of a cursor function.
- 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the application program (5) is provided for a hair coloring and/or hair grooming and/or for a permanent wave treatment.
- 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an application text (50) can be selected optionally from a plurality of languages.
- 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the following parameters are provided as data input for a hair coloring:a. Hair already colored?; b. Color length and ends?; c. Natural hair color?; d. White content?; e. Hair thickness?; f. Hair length?; and g. Desired color?
- 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the determined process data consists of a recipe with an optional corresponding action time.
- 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a recipe message (112) is optionally provided for a standard or expert coloring.
- 7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that stepwise operating instruction messages (113-118) are provided according to the recipe message (112).
- 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a central computer is provided for storing and calling up person-specific process data.
- 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that color table (11.1) is divided into country-specific color product lists (11.10-11.n) each having a corresponding country code (50).
- 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that a binary switch (51) for the country code (50) is provided in the module (10).
- 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hand-held device (2) has at least one cable-connected and/or wireless interface (14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3) for the process data output.
- 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the interface (14, 14.1, 14.2) communicates with a printer (38).
- 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that a label printer (38) is provided.
- 14. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the interface (14, 14.1, 14.2) communicates with a device for treating hair on the head of a person.
- 15. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that a bidirectional interface (14.2, 14.3) for a data transfer is provided.
- 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the bidirectional interface (14.2, 14.3) with a wireless transmitter/receiver (34, 35; 36) is provided.
- 17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that an infrared transmitter/receiver (34, 35; 36) is provided.
- 18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a serial and/or infrared interface and/or radio interface (14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3) is provided.
- 19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hand-held device (2) and an electronic scale (60) communicate in dialog with one another via the interfaces (14.2, 14.3).
- 20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the scale (60) has a weight indicator (61).
- 21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the display device (9) of the hand-held device (2) is provided as a weight indicator for the scale (60).
- 22. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the weight indicator (61) displays the measurement values of the scale (60) digitally and/or in analog.
- 23. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that an acoustic and/or an optical signal (67) is triggered when a given measurement value of the scale (60) is reached.
- 24. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the scale (60) or the hand-held device (2) is provided with a correcting device (68) for individual recipe proportions.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
198 41 633 |
Sep 1998 |
DE |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/EP99/06772 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO00/15073 |
3/23/2000 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4519037 |
Brodeur et al. |
May 1985 |
A |
4569421 |
Sandstedt |
Feb 1986 |
A |
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 320 749 |
Jun 1989 |
EP |
0 824 879 |
Feb 1998 |
EP |
2 429 462 |
Jan 1980 |
FR |
2 251 960 |
Jul 1992 |
GB |
96 41139 |
Dec 1996 |
WO |