The present disclosure describes a device for reducing the movement of a cosmetic applicator caused by unintentional movements of a user.
Unintentional movements of the human body, or human tremors, can occur in individuals suffering from motion disorders or even healthy individuals. Due to these unintentional movements, a person may have difficulty in performing a task that requires care and precision, such as applying a cosmetic ingredient to a part of the body, such as the face or hands and feet.
Therefore, there is a need for a solution that allows application of a cosmetic ingredient that is compatible with the diverse and disposable nature of cosmetic applicators.
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that stabilizes an applicator in response to the motion caused by a user, comprising: a receiver configured to be coupled with a cosmetic applicator; at least one sensor configured to detect a movement caused by a user; circuitry configured to determine a compensation movement to offset the detected movement; and at least one motion generation device embedded in the receiver configured to control a motion of the cosmetic applicator according to the determined compensation movement.
In an embodiment, the at least one motion generation device includes a combination of a Y-axis motive element and an X-axis motive element.
In an embodiment, the at least one motion generation device includes an electromagnetic positioner that includes a plurality of magnetic cores arrayed around a cavity that is filled with a magnetic fluid.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic applicator is any one of a mascara applicator, a nail polish applicator, and a lipstick applicator.
In an embodiment, the receiver includes reader circuitry configured to read data from circuitry embedded in the cosmetic applicator.
In an embodiment, the reader circuitry is configured to receive information of a particular type of the cosmetic applicator from the circuitry embedded in the cosmetic applicator.
In an embodiment, the reader circuitry is a radiofrequency identification (RFID) reader and the circuitry embedded in the cosmetic applicator is a RFID tag.
In an embodiment, the circuitry is configured to determine the compensation movement based on the received information.
In an embodiment, the circuitry is configured to determine an initial receiver angle based on the received information.
In an embodiment, the receiver is configured to be coupled with the cosmetic applicator via an adapter device.
In an embodiment, the device includes a handle portion that is separate from the receiver, and the receiver is configured to be set in any one of a straight position and an angled position with respect to the handle portion.
In an embodiment, a method is provided, implemented by an apparatus for reducing a motion caused by a user, the apparatus including a receiver configured to be coupled with a cosmetic applicator, the method comprising: detecting, by at least one sensor, a movement caused by a user; determining, by circuitry, a compensation movement to offset the detected movement; and controlling, via at least one motion generation device, a motion of the cosmetic applicator according to the determined compensation movement.
In an embodiment, the method further includes, reading, by reader circuitry included in the receiver, data from circuitry embedded in the cosmetic applicator.
In an embodiment, the method further includes receiving, by the reader circuitry, information of a particular type of the cosmetic applicator from the circuitry embedded in the cosmetic applicator.
In an embodiment, the method further includes determining the compensation movement based on the received information.
In an embodiment, the method further includes determining an initial receiver angle based on the received information.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. A more complete appreciation of the embodiments and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure describes a cosmetic applicator that minimizes unintentional movements by stabilizing an applicator for a user and is also designed to be flexible to different types of commercially available cosmetic applications.
As shown in
For instance, as the sensor circuitry 307, the PCBA may include at least one inertial sensor and at least one distributed motion sensor to detect unintentional muscle movements and measure signals related to these unintentional muscle movements that are created when a user adversely affects motion of the applicator. These sensors also detect the motion of the stabilized output relative to device. The control circuitry sends voltage commands in response to the signals to the motion generating elements (described below) to cancel the user's tremors or unintentional muscle movements. This cancellation maintains and stabilizes a position of the applicator, keeping it stable.
One of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that a system and method in accordance with the present invention may utilize various implementations of the control circuitry and the sensor circuitry and that would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 309 comprises an electrical system capable of producing an electrical response from sensor inputs such as a programmable microcontroller or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In one embodiment, the control circuitry comprises an 8-bit ATMEGA8A programmable microcontroller manufactured by Atmel due to its overall low-cost, low-power consumption and ability to be utilized in high-volume applications.
In one embodiment, the at least one inertial sensor in the sensor circuitry is a sensor including but not limited to an accelerometer, gyroscope, or combination of the two. In one embodiment, the at least one distributed motion sensor in the sensor circuitry is a contactless position sensor including but not limited to a hall-effect magnetic sensor.
The system created by the combination of the sensor circuitry, the control circuitry, and the motion generating elements may be a closed-loop control system that senses motion and acceleration at various points in the system and feeds detailed information into a control algorithm that moves the motion-generating elements appropriately to cancel the net effect of a user's unintentional muscle movements and thus stabilize the position of the applicator. The operation and details of the elements of the control system and control algorithm are understood in the art, as described in U.S. PG Publication 2014/0052275A1, incorporated herein by reference.
The communication interface 310 may include a network controller such as BCM43342 Wi-Fi, Frequency Modulation, and Bluetooth combo chip from Broadcom, for interfacing with a network.
In the receiver portion of the device, there may be two motive elements to allow 3-dimensional movement of the receiver as anti-shaking movement. The two motive elements include a y-axis motive element 303 and an x-axis motive element 304, each being connected to and controlled by the PCBA 302. Each of the motive elements may be servo motors as understood in the art. The device further includes end effector coupling 305, which is configured to couple with the adaptor 105. The end effector coupling 305 may include a radiofrequency identification (RFID) reader 306, configured to read an RFID tag, which may be included with the applicator, as will be discussed below.
The applicator may further include an RFID tag 404, as known in the art, which may include information stored thereon. The information stored on the RFID tag may include information which identifies the specific type of applicator. Such information may be retrieved by the RFID reader 306 and then sent to the reader circuitry 309 and the control circuitry 308. This information may be used to make adjustments to the device based on the type of make-up applicator that is involved. For instance, different angles of orientation may be set depending on the type of make-up applicator that is being used. Alternatively, the weight of the applicator tool may be communicated to the control circuitry based on the information stored on the RFID tag, to allow precise control of the movement mechanism in response to any sensed shaking or tremors.
The wireless signal 110 can be any appropriate signal such as an electromagnetic signal including WiFi, Bluetooth, near-field, or any other signal such as optical, and acoustic. Each client device, including the appliance, may communicate with each other through an internet connection via an 802.11 wireless connection to a wireless internet access point, or a physical connection to the internet access point, such as through an Ethernet interface. Each connected device is capable of performing wireless communication with other devices, such as through a Bluetooth connection or other wireless means as well.
The client device 720 is configured, in one example, to collect information about a user's use of the device 100 and to provide output to the user. The operating system of the client device can have a user interface that is configured to perform multiple functions. In an aspect, the client device can be in communication with a network and enable the user interface access to the Internet as well as Internet of Things (IOT). As can be appreciated, the network can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or any combination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. The network can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can be wireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless form of communication that is known. In an example, the network can access a server hosting media, protocols, products, personal accounts, stored usage data, and other data related to the appliance, the brushheads, and skin care.
The user interface can display tutorials on how to use the device 100. The client device can create and download protocols for a routine or regimen that can be displayed on the user interface. The user interface can coach, track usage and compare the tracked usage to the protocol, the regimen, and the routine. The user interface can store the tracked usage of the device 100 in memory of the client device. The user interface can be used to make a purchase of any products related to the device 100. For instance, the client device can output recommendations on particular applicators to be used based on the desired results inputted by the user.
In addition, the user may connect the client device 720 with the device 100 over the wireless connection (such as the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection) to receive real-time feedback while using the device 100, or to record the usage of the device for later reporting or feedback.
The client device is configured to upload data regarding the user to an external system or server (such as a cloud-based system). Such data may include the user profile, amount of use of the device 100, or performance results when using the device 100. The client device can also provide an option to keep the user data anonymous.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
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