ADAPTABLE HAIR-CATCHER ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

An adaptable hair-catcher assistive device, comprising a ring-shaped frame 1 having an opening 2, frame 1 is to be accommodated by a user around an individual’s neck through the opening 2, artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 for capturing and processing images in vicinity of the frame 1 to determine dimensions of the user’s neck and shoulders, motorized hinge joint 5 provide converging/diverging movement to curved plates 4 for tilting the plates 4 to form a hemispherical structure around the individual’s neck in a manner that the shoulders are covered with the plates 4, supporting flaps 6 are accessed by the user to accommodate the user’s hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably and a vacuum pump 7 create a negative pressure in a conduit configured with the pump for extracting the cut hair that are collected in a waste chamber 8 configured with the frame 1.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable hair-catcher assistive device capable of providing a means for determining dimensions of a user's neck and shoulders and accordingly adjust to form a hemispherical layout around the individual's neck in order to cover the user's shoulders to perform a hair cutting operation, thereby providing a comfortable experience to an individual during the hair cut operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair styling requires high level of skill and experience to produce proper and professional shape of haircut, particularly the desired angle of cut of the hair. Attempts have been made to overcome the need for relying on the visual senses of the hair stylist and his or her mental vision of the haircut they wish to make when deciding at what angle to cut the hair of a client at different areas of the head.

[0003] Traditional method of a hair catcher device is using a mesh or strainer placed over the drain in a sink or bathtub to catch hair and prevent it from going down the drain. But this method requires frequent cleaning and may not be effective at catching all hair, especially finer strands, another method is using a hair catcher that attaches to the drain pipe, typically with a small basket or screen that catches hair before it enters the drain, additionally this may require installation and maintenance.

[0004] CA1084380A discloses a hair styling device including a housing providing an internal chamber and an opening therein, the chamber having air withdrawn therefrom for causing a vacuum in the chamber so that a lock of hair may be drawn into the chamber for drying and styling. Supplementary air orifices are provided about the opening for supplying air, which is preferably heated, to be drawn into the chamber with the lock of hair so as to assist in the drying process. The device may be manipulated with one hand so that the single lock, which has been drawn into the chamber, may be readily styled during the drying process.

[0005] US20200359763A1 discloses a device for preventing long hair from getting in the way of daily activities for disabled persons is disclosed. In one embodiment, a hair catching headband device for keeping the hair out of a person's face comprises a headband section configured to comfortably fit around the person's head; a left hair catching region adjoined to a bottom left-hand portion of the headband section, and a right hair catching region adjoined to a bottom right-hand portion of the headband section.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices exist that are capable of determining dimensions of a user's neck and shoulders and accordingly adjust to form a hemispherical layout around the individual's neck in order to cover the user's shoulders in order to perform a hair cutting operation but lacks in accommodating the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that are capable of detecting deposition of the hair on the user's exposed portions of face and neck and accordingly adjust to properly remove the hair from the individual's face as well as accommodating the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably and accordingly adjust to collects hair that are being cut.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of determining dimensions of a user's neck and shoulders and accordingly adjust to form a hemispherical layout around the individual's neck in order to cover the user's shoulders in order to perform a hair cutting operation, thereby providing a comfortable experience to an individual during the hair cut operation.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of accommodating the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably and accordingly adjust to collects hair that are being cut, in view of preventing the cut hairs from falling upon the individual's body, thereby providing a comfortable experience to the individual.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting deposition of the hair on the user's exposed portions of face and neck and accordingly adjust to properly remove the hair from the individual's face and mask in order to provide a comfortable experience to the user after the cut.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an adaptable hair-catcher assistive device capable of providing a means for determining dimensions of a user's neck and shoulders and accordingly adjust to form a hemispherical layout around the individual's neck in order to cover the user's shoulders to perform a hair cutting operation additionally provide a comfortable experience to the user after the cut.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, An adaptable hair-catcher assistive device, comprising, a ring-shaped frame having an opening the frame is to be accommodated by a user around an individual's neck through the opening , an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the frame and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the frame , respectively to determine dimensions of the user's neck and shoulders, plurality of curved plates integrated on the frame , each by means of a motorized hinge joint to provide converging/diverging movement to the plates for tilting the plates to form a hemispherical structure around the individual's neck, in a manner that the shoulders are covered with the plates , plurality of supporting flaps arranged on the peripheral portion of the structure that are accessed by the user to accommodate the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably, the structure collects hair that are being cut, in view of preventing the cut hairs from falling upon the individual's body, thereby providing a comfortable experience to the individual.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a vacuum pump arranged on the frame to create a negative pressure in a conduit configured with the pump for extracting the cut hair that are collected in a waste chamber configured with the frame , thereby assisting the user in accumulating the trimmed hair while providing a comfortable hair-cut experience to the individual, an ultrasonic sensor is embedded on the frame for detecting deposition of the hair on the user's exposed portions of face and neck, based on a robotic link integrated on the frame and configured with plurality of brushes for removing the hair from the individual's face and neck, the frame is fabricated with a cushioned member to provide comfortable experience to the individual around the individual's neck, a battery is configured with the device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an adaptable hair-catcher assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adaptable hair-catcher assistive device that is capable of determining dimensions of a user's neck and shoulders and accordingly adjust to form a hemispherical layout around the individual's neck in order to cover the user's shoulders in order to perform a hair cutting operation also accommodating the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably and collects the hair that are being cut.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an adaptable hair-catcher assistive device is illustrated, comprising a ring-shaped frame 1 having an opening 2, artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 installed on the frame 1, curved plates 4 integrated on the frame 1 each by means of a motorized hinge joint 5, supporting flaps 6 arranged on a peripheral portion of a structure, vacuum pump 7 arranged on the frame 1, a waste chamber 8 configured with the frame 1 and a robotic link 9 integrated on the frame 1 and configured with plurality of brushes 10.

[0023] The proposed device includes a ring-shaped frame 1 having an opening 2, wherein the frame 1 is to be accommodated by a user around an individual's neck through the opening 2. Wherein the frame 1 is fabricated with a cushioned member to provide comfortable experience to the individual around the individual's neck Moreover, an inbuilt microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 installed on the frame 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the frame 1, respectively to determine dimensions of the user's neck and shoulders.

[0024] The imaging unit 3 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images in vicinity of the frame 1 and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 3 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 3 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines dimensions of the user's neck and shoulders.

[0025] Further, plurality of curved plates 4 integrated on the frame 1, each by means of a motorized hinge joint 5 that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to the plates 4 for tilting the plates 4 to form a hemispherical structure around the individual's neck, in a manner that the shoulders are covered with the plates 4. The plurality of curved plates 4 used herein rages from (2 to 4 in numbers). The motorized hinge joint 5 comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the plates 4. The leaf is connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide converging/diverging movement to the plates 4 for tilting the plates 4 to form the hemispherical structure around the individual's neck, in a manner that the shoulders are covered with the plates 4.

[0026] Moreover, plurality of supporting flaps 6 arranged on a peripheral portion of the structure that are accessed by the user to accommodate the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably, wherein the structure collects hair that are being cut, in view of preventing the cut hairs from falling upon the individual's body, thereby providing a comfortable experience to the individual. Further, a vacuum pump 7 arranged on the frame 1 that is actuated by the microcontroller to create a negative pressure in a conduit configured with the pump for extracting the cut hair that are collected in a waste chamber 8 configured with the frame 1, thereby assisting the user in accumulating the trimmed hair while providing a comfortable hair-cut experience to the individual.

[0027] The vacuum-pump works on the principle of creating a partial vacuum, which generates suction to for extracting the solution with debris from the machine. This suction is created by a direct current (DC) motor that powers the pump, and the air movement inside the machine is vital to its functioning to create a negative pressure in the conduit configured with the pump for extracting the cut hair that are collected in the waste chamber 8 configured with the frame 1, thereby assisting the user in accumulating the trimmed hair while providing a comfortable hair-cut experience to the individual.

[0028] Moreover, the microcontroller actuates an ultrasonic sensor embedded on the frame 1 for detecting deposition of the hair on the user's exposed portions of face and neck. The ultrasonic sensor consists of an emitter that emits ultrasonic sound waves towards the user's exposed portions of face and neck. Further, the radiation strike to the user's exposed portions of face and neck and reflect back which are captured by the receiver. The signal is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the ultrasonic sensor and on the basis of time lapse in between the sent and received radiations, the microcontroller detects deposition of the hair on the user's exposed portions of face and neck. Based on which the microcontroller actuates a robotic link 9 integrated on the frame 1 and configured with plurality of brushes 10 for removing the hair from the individual's face and neck. The plurality of brushes 10 used herein ranges from (2 to 4 in numbers).

[0029] The robotic link 9 typically consists of two opposing arms or fingers that mimic a human hand-gripping motion. These arms are usually made of durable materials like metal or plastic to provide strength and flexibility. The robotic link 9 design incorporates springs configured with plurality of brushes 10 for removing the hair from the individual's face and neck.

[0030] Furthermore, the battery (not shown in fig.) is installed with the device to power all electrical and electronic component necessary for their operation. The battery is linked to the microcontroller and provides (DC) Direct Current to the microcontroller. And then, based on the order of operations, the microcontroller sends that current to those specific electrical or electronic components so they effectively carry out their appropriate function.

[0031] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the ring-shaped frame 1 as disclosed in the invention possesses an opening 2, wherein the frame 1 is to be accommodated by a user around an individual's neck through the opening 2 and the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 is used for capturing and processing images in vicinity of the frame 1 to determine dimensions of the user's neck and shoulders. The motorized hinge joint 5 provide converging/diverging movement to curved plates 4 for tilting the plates 4 to form the hemispherical structure around the individual's neck in a manner that the shoulders are covered with the plates 4 and the supporting flaps 6 are accessed by the user to accommodate the user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably, wherein the vacuum pump 7 creates the negative pressure in a conduit configured with the pump for extracting the cut hair that are collected in a waste chamber 8 configured with the frame 1.

[0032] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adaptable hair-catcher assistive device, comprising:

i) a ring-shaped frame 1 having an opening 2, wherein said frame 1 is to be accommodated by a user around an individual's neck through said opening 2;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 installed on said frame 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said frame 1, respectively to determine dimensions of said user's neck and shoulders;
iii) plurality of curved plates 4 integrated on said frame 1, each by means of a motorized hinge joint 5 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to said plates 4 for tilting said plates 4 to form a hemispherical structure around said individual's neck, in a manner that said shoulders are covered with said plates 4;
iv) plurality of supporting flaps 6 arranged on said peripheral portion of said structure that are accessed by said user to accommodate said user's hands while performing a hair-cutting operation comfortably, wherein said structure collects hair that are being cut, in view of preventing said cut hairs from falling upon said individual's body, thereby providing a comfortable experience to said individual; and
v) a vacuum pump 7 arranged on said frame 1 that is actuated by said microcontroller to create a negative pressure in a conduit configured with said pump for extracting said cut hair that are collected in a waste chamber 8 configured with said frame 1, thereby assisting said user in accumulating said trimmed hair while providing a comfortable hair-cut experience to said individual.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is embedded on said frame 1 for detecting deposition of said hair on said user's exposed portions of face and neck, based on which said microcontroller actuates a robotic link 9 integrated on said frame 1 and configured with plurality of brushes 10 for removing said hair from said individual's face and neck.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame 1 is fabricated with a cushioned member to provide comfortable experience to said individual around said individual's neck.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

Documents