U.S. patent application number 10/499136 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for visual user interface for hair styling apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ruben, David A.
Application Number | 20050011533 10/499136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26995066 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011533 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruben, David A |
January 20, 2005 |
Visual user interface for hair styling apparatus
Abstract
The present invention is a heated hair styling device comprising
a handle (20), a body (30), an LCD visual interface (50), and an
audible signal (70) to notify a user of particular states of
operation of the hair styling device. The LCD (50) display provides
information of at least one operating condition of the device, for
example, the temperature of the device, the heat setting, the
amount of time that the device has been "on", etc.
Inventors: |
Ruben, David A; (Weston,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza
Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Family ID: |
26995066 |
Appl. No.: |
10/499136 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
January 6, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US03/00244 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60346921 |
Jan 8, 2002 |
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60347663 |
Jan 11, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
1/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/230 |
International
Class: |
A45D 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hair styling device comprising: a handle; a body; a liquid
crystal display (LCD) visual display positioned on one of the
handle and the body, wherein the visual display provides
information related to at least one operating condition of the
device; an audio signal which sounds an alarm after a predetermined
operating time at which time the device automatically shuts
off.
2. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the visual display
provides information related to at least two operating conditions
of the device.
3. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the at least two
operating conditions include a timer indicator and a temperature
setting indicator.
4. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the at least two
operating conditions include an actual temperature indicator and a
temperature setting indicator.
5. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the at least two
operating conditions include an actual temperature indicator and a
timer indicator.
6. The hair styling device of claim 3, wherein the audio signal
sounds an alarm when the operating condition of the device reaches
a setting of the device.
7. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the hair styling
device is a device selected from the group consisting of a curling
iron, a hair straightener/crimper, and hot curlers.
8. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the hair styling
device is a device selected from the group consisting of a hair
dryer and an air brush.
9. The hair styling device of claim 8, wherein the at least one
operating condition is selected from the group consisting of a
temperature indicator, a temperature setting indicator, an airflow
rate, a wattage consumption indicator, and a timer.
10. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the handle is
rotatable with respect to the body by at least 180 degrees.
11. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the visual display
further comprises a background light.
12. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the LCD provides
both numeric and symbolic data.
13. A hair styling device comprising: a handle; a body; an audio
signal which sounds an alarm when at least one predetermined
operating condition is achieved; and a visual display positioned on
one of the handle and body; wherein the visual display comprises a
liquid crystal display (LCD) which provides information related to
at least two operating conditions of the device.
14. The hair styling device of claim 13, wherein the at least one
predetermined operating condition is a predetermined
temperature.
15. The hair styling device of claim 13, wherein the hair styling
device is a device selected from the group consisting of a curling
iron, a hair straightener, and a hair crimper.
16. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the LCD provides
both numeric and symbolic data.
17. The hair styling device of claim 13, wherein the hair styling
device is a hair dryer.
18. The hair styling device of claim 17, wherein the at least two
operating conditions are selected from the group consisting of a
temperature indicator, a temperature setting indicator, an airflow
rate setting, and airflow rate, a wattage consumption rate
indicator, and a timer.
19. The hair styling device of claim 13, wherein the display
comprises a timer wherein the audio signal sounds an alarm when the
timer indicator reaches a predetermined time limit.
20. A method of manufacturing a hair styling device comprising the
steps of: providing a handle; providing a body; providing
electronic circuitry comprising an audio signal which sounds an
alarm when at least one predetermined operating condition is
achieved and an LCD display wherein the electronic circuitry is
designed to provide at least one operational characteristic of the
device to the LCD during operation; and inserting the electronic
circuitry into the handle and the body of the hair styling device
such the LCD is visible on the surface of one of the handle and the
body of the hair styling device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-owned U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/346,921 filed Jan. 8,
2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/347,663
filed Jan. 11, 2002, both incorporated herein by reference. The
present invention is directed to a visual user interface for a
heated hair styling apparatus and, more particularly, to a user
interface comprising an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display) to allow the user to view a variety of operating
characteristics of the heated hair styling apparatus which may be a
hair dryer, curling iron, or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Heated hair styling devices, such as curling irons, hair
dryers, hair straighteners, hot rollers, and the like are well
known. In recent years, many of these devices have been equipped
with features such as temperature control and automatic shut-off.
However, these heated hair styling devices are typically designed
with little attention to the scope of the controls and level of
feedback that its user receives. Generally, the user is presented
with controls that do not accurately control the temperature of the
device. Additionally, the controls may not allow the user to
ascertain the operating temperature of the device. Without these
capabilities of being able to accurately adjust the temperature or
other operating characteristics of the device, the user is likely
to be unable to sustain a desired hairstyle or look.
[0003] Capabilities to accurately control the operating conditions
of a heated hair styling device would be beneficial to users.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art,
the applicant's invention is herein presented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention overcomes at least one disadvantage of
the prior art by providing a hair styling device comprising a
handle; a body; an audio signal which sounds an alarm when at least
one predetermined operating condition is achieved; and a liquid
crystal display (LCD) visual display positioned on one of the
handle and the body, wherein the visual display provides
information related to at least one operating condition of the
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handle of a heated hair
styling device having a user interface in accordance with the
present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates an LCD that may be used in conjunction
with a hair styling device in accordance with the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second heated hair styling
device having a user interface in accordance with the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates another LCD that may be used in
conjunction with a hair styling device in accordance with the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a another heated hair
styling device having a user interface as shown in FIG. 6;
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate version of an LCD that may
be used in conjunction with a hair styling device in accordance
with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third heated hair styling
device having a user interface in accordance with the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth heated hair styling
device having a user interface in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 9 is an example of a circuit diagram used with the
present invention as shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In this detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which, in conjunction with this detailed
description, illustrate and describe a hair styling device having a
visual user interface in accordance with the present invention.
While specific devices, such as a hair dryer or a curling iron are
shown, the present invention is not limited by such examples which
are provided for illustration of the invention application.
[0015] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1, a hair styling device
in the form of a curling iron, generally designated 10, in
accordance with the present invention may have the well-known
appearance of conventional curling irons. The hair styling device
10 may comprise an elongated, generally cylindrical handle 20, a
rod-like body or barrel 30 joined in co-axial arrangement with the
handle 20. The hair styling device 10 further comprises a clip-like
tong 32, rotatably secured to the barrel 30 proximate to the
junction of the barrel 30 to the handle 20.
[0016] The barrel 30 is typically comprised of a heat-conducting
material, such as metal, which may be surface-treated to permit
easy release of hair strands from the barrel after a curl is
formed. The barrel 30 is typically tubular in form. The barrel may
have a variety of diameters corresponding to a size or shape of
curl desired by the user. One end of the barrel 30 is connected to
the handle 20 so that the heater inside the barrel 30 may be
energized by a power source from the handle 20. The end of the
barrel 30 opposite the handle 20 has a tip 34 comprised of a
non-heat conducting material, such as plastic, so that a user may
hold the hair styling device 10 at both ends without touching the
heated barrel 30.
[0017] Similar to the barrel 30, the tong 32 may be comprised of a
heat-conducting material, such as metal. The tong 32 comprises a
hair grasping portion 36 and a lever portion 38. The lever portion
38 of the tong 32 has an area that is covered with a non-heat
conductive substance, such as plastic, so that the lever portion 38
may be depressed by a user's finger or thumb without touching the
hot surface of the tong 32. The hair grasping portion 36 of the
tong 32 extends along at least a portion of the length of barrel 30
and is arcuately formed so that when the tong 32 is in its closed
position, its inside surface conforms to the curvature of the
barrel 30.
[0018] The handle 20 is fabricated from a non-heat conducting,
electrically insulated material, such as plastic. For instance, the
handle 20 may be comprised of polyvinyl chloride with a rubberized
paint coating. The handle 20 may be internally hollowed to receive
a conventional electrical power supply cord 40. The power supply
cord 40 is connected to a heating element (not shown) within the
barrel 30 of the hair styling device 10. In a preferred embodiment,
the heating element is a known resistance type heater. The heating
element may be comprised of a resistance wire encapsulated in an
electrically insulating sleeve, also known as a rope heater; a
resistance wire encapsulated in ceramic material, also known as a
ceramic heater or mica heater, a positive temperature coefficient
thermistor, also known as a PTC heater, or a mica heater; a gas
powered heating element fueled by butane or similar gas fuel; or
any other suitable heating element. The power level of the heater
and power supply should be sufficient to maintain the temperatures
required for curling hair. The heating element of the present
invention may be heated by a power cord 40 as shown in the drawings
and described above. The heating element may alternatively be
powered by line voltage, direct current, batteries, a gas source,
by transfer of thermal energy from a separate heat source, or any
other appropriate power source, all of which are contemplated by
the present invention.
[0019] The power supply in the present invention should be able to
sustain a heating element temperature sufficient to curl hair. For
instance, in one embodiment, the power supply should be able to
heat the heating element to at least 90.degree. C. In another
embodiment, the power supply should be capable of heating the
curling iron barrel 30 and maintaining temperatures of
120-200.degree. C.
[0020] In addition, it is contemplated that the device of the
present invention will have a rapid heat-up time; for instance, the
power supply may enable the heating element to reach 120.degree. C.
in approximately one and a half minutes. This heating time is
presented for illustration only, and faster and slower heating
times are contemplated by and should be considered to be included
within the scope of the present invention.
[0021] The handle 20 of the hair styling device 10 comprises unique
indicator and function control means. The handle includes a visual
user display 50 shown in the form of a liquid crystal diode ("LCD")
display means. The LCD 50 is powered by the power supply (e.g. 20)
of the hair styling unit 10. A close-up view of the display 50 is
shown in FIG. 2. The display includes a first operating condition
indicator 52 of the device in the form of a temperature setting
indicator 52. In one embodiment, the device 10 is programmed to
assign a number or range of numbers to particular temperatures. For
instance, the temperature settings may be set up according to the
following table:
1TABLE 1 SETTING APPLICATION TEMPERATURE (.degree. C.) 01-06 Very
fine hair/fragile hair 120 07-12 Easy to curl hair 140 13-15
Normal/textured hair 160 16-20 Wavy/curly hair 180 21-30
Coarse/very thick hair 200
[0022] The above table is presented by way of example only and
should not be deemed to limit the scope of the invention in any
way. Temperatures or ranges may be assigned to various settings
consisting of numbers, letters, descriptive terms (such as LOW,
MEDIUM and HIGH) or other letters or symbols.
[0023] It is contemplated by the present invention that when the
hair styling device 10 is powered on, a default temperature setting
will be activated. The hair styling device 10 will automatically
begin to heat to that default temperature unless the heat is
adjusted up or down by the user. For instance, in the numbering
system shown in Table 1, the default setting may be the middle heat
setting of 15. The default setting may alternatively be the lowest
or highest setting. It is also contemplated that a user of a hair
styling device 10 in accordance with the present invention could
set her own default temperature which will be "saved" by the hair
styling device 10 such that whenever the hair styling device 10 is
powered "on", it will automatically heat up to the specific user's
desired temperature.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the barrel
temperature is controlled by a high speed switching diode. The
diode acts as a sensor to cut off power and to maintain the
temperature of the barrel at the setting selected by the user. Many
switches for controlling electrical power to a device are known in
the art. It is contemplated that any one of these switches or a
combination of switches could be used to control the power to the
heating element or LCD of the present invention.
[0025] For example, the present invention may comprise one or more
"buttons" 60 to control the various functions of the styling
device. It is contemplated that one of the buttons would be an
"on/off switch", that a second and/or third button(s) would be used
to select the temperature setting for the styling device.
Additional buttons 60 could be added to control various other
features of the styling device 10 such as timers, ion functions,
heat bursts, cool shots, sleep mode, etc.
[0026] It is contemplated that the on/off button would function as
follows: a user would press and hold the button for a short time,
for instance one second, to switch the unit on or off. For the
temperature control button, it is contemplated that a user would
press an "up" or "+" button to increase the temperature setting and
a "down" or "-" button to decrease the temperature setting. For
instance, one press of a "+" or "-" button would move the
temperature setting one setting level up or down (e.g. from 15 to
16 or from 15 to 14). It is also contemplated by the present
invention that the user could cause the temperature setting to go
in "fast forward" or "fast reverse" by pressing and holding a "+"
or "-" button.
[0027] The hair styling device 10 of the present invention may also
include an automatic shut-off feature which will power off the
heating element after the hair styling device 10 has been on for a
predetermined length of time. As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD display
50 includes a second operating condition indicator 54 of the device
10 in the form of a "clock" which indicates to the user how long
the styling device 10 has been in use. In one embodiment, the
"clock" 54 comprises a circle divided into a number of wedge-shaped
segments 56. Each segment 56 will flash or be illuminated for a
certain period of time while the hair styling device 10 is powered
on. It is contemplated that when the styling device 10 is first
turned on, a first segment 56 begins flashing to indicate a first
increment of time. However, it is also within the scope of the
present invention to have all segments "on" when the styling device
10 is powered "on" and one segment 56 at a time may shut off or
disappear to indicate the passing of an increment of time.
[0028] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
clock 54 is divided into twelve segments 56, each segment
representing five minutes. When the hair styling device 10 is
powered on, a first segment 56 begins to flash. After five minutes,
this segment 56 will stop flashing and will stay in its "on" state.
Simultaneously, a second segment 56 begins to flash for five
minutes. This goes on until all segments 56 are "lit", representing
an hour (60 minutes). This will allow a user to track how long the
styling device 10 has been "on". When all twelve segments 56 are
"lit", the styling device 10 will either shut off or switch to a
"sleep" mode. In the "sleep" mode, the heater for the styling
device is powered "off", but the main circuit for the unit 10 is
still running. The unit 10 must be disconnected from its power
source to reset. It should be understood that this explanation is
presented by way of example only and that many variations of this
example are included within the scope of the present invention.
[0029] The LCD display 50 will typically have a background light
which will turn "on" whenever any of the buttons 60 described above
is pressed. The light will remain on for a short period of time
(e.g. 1-5 seconds). If no other buttons are pressed within this
time period, the light will turn off. The light may also remain on
for the entire time that the heating element is powered on,
however, this may be considered a waste of power.
[0030] The present invention may further comprise an alarm 70 or
"beeper" which may be used to remind the user of the automatic
shut-off or "sleep" feature. The beeper 70 may be configured to
sound at a certain predetermined time before the unit shuts off the
heating element. The beeper 70 may also be configured to sound at a
plurality of predetermined time intervals prior to the shut-off of
the heating element to provide the user multiple warnings of this
occurrence. For instance, the beeper 70 may be configured to sound
every six seconds for one minute prior to shut-off or entering
sleep mode. The beeper 70 may additionally be configured to sound
when the unit 10 has reached the desired barrel temperature.
[0031] It is also contemplated by the present invention that the
beeper 70 may have different sounds to indicate the various states
of the styling device. For instance, the beeper 70 may sound
multiple times in succession to indicate that the barrel 30 has
reached a desired styling temperature. Conversely, the beeper 70
may have a different pattern or only one tone to indicate shut-off.
Alternatively, different tones or patterns may be used to indicate
different states. It is contemplated by the present invention that
these indicators may be programmed into the styling device 10
before purchase or the user may have the option to select her
preference for audible indicators in the styling device 10.
[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the styling
unit 10 may also comprise a small light emitting diode (LED) light
80 on the handle 20. This light 80 can serve as an indicator of
when the curling iron 10 has reached its desired temperature. For
instance, when the hair styling device 10 is powered on, the light
80 will begin to blink. When the barrel 30 reaches the desired
temperature, based on the setting, the light will stop blinking and
will stay in its on or off position.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 9, a circuit diagram 110 is shown for
use in the present invention as shown in FIG. 1. The circuit
diagram 110 shows, in general terms, the heater 112, AC power
source 114, LCD display 116, audio buzzer 118, LED lights 120,
clock 122, on/off switch 124, variable setting thermistor 126, and
chip 124.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, the hair styling device 10' is
shown as a hair dryer. The hair dryer hair styling device 10'
comprises a handle 20' and a barrel 30'. The outer shell portion of
the hair dryer may be fabricated of a substantially non-heat
conducting, and/or electrically insulated material, such as
plastic. In typical hair dryers, a motor rotates a fan to achieve
air flow through the hair dryer 10'. When power is supplied to the
motor and the fan rotates, air is drawn into the hair styling
device 10' through air inlets at the inlet grill 82. It is also
contemplated that the air inlet grill 82 will be directly formed in
a rear or side portion of the barrel of the hair styling device 10'
or in an upper portion of the handle. The air drawn into the hair
dryer through air inlets 82 passes over a heating element,
typically found inside the barrel 30'. The heating element may be a
conventional type heating element such as a resistance wire that is
powered by the same energy source as the fan and motor. The heating
element warms the air as it passes over the heating element before
it is expelled from the hair styling device 10' through an outlet
84 in the end of the barrel 30'. The outlet 84 does not need to be
completely open to accomplish the hair styling device's purpose.
For the purposes of this invention, any means which will allow air
to pass out of the air outlet of the hair dryer is considered an
opening. For instance, the outlet end 84 of the barrel 30' may
comprise slits or holes through which the air flows.
[0035] Similar to the previous embodiment, buttons 60 control the
various functions of the device 10'. The hair styling device 10'
also includes an LCD user interface 50'. The LCD interface 50' may
be located on the handle 20' or the barrel 30'. It is contemplated
by the present invention that the LCD 50' will be powered by the
same power supply as the motor and heater, for instance, power
supply cord 40. The LCD display 50' is best shown in FIG. 4 showing
a first operating characteristic or condition 52' of the device 10'
and a second operating condition 54' of the device 10'. In the
example shown in FIG. 4, the first operating condition 52 is the
heat setting similar to that of the previous embodiment. The second
operating condition 54' shown is the actual temperature of the
device. The LCD display 50' could display a message indicating that
the device has been powered on. The LCD interface 50'may also
display many other pieces of information, such as length of time
the device has been in use or any other information a user would
want to know about the operating state of the device 10' dryer such
as, but not limited to, a temperature change indicator, an airflow
rate change indicator, a wattage consumption rate change indicator,
and a shut-off timer.
[0036] Some of the changes in the operating characteristics of
device 10' may not be apparent from a change in the sound of the
motor. Accordingly, the present invention may further comprise an
alarm or "beeper" 70 similar to that in the previous embodiment
which may be used to remind the user of the various operating
states of the device. The beeper 70 may be configured to after the
hair dryer has been in use for a certain period of time. The beeper
70 may also be configured to sound at a plurality of predetermined
time intervals during use of the hair dryer. Further, the beeper 70
may be used to indicate various temperature or air speed settings,
a temperature change, an airflow rate change, a wattage consumption
rate change, or that the device 10' is shutting off.
[0037] It is also contemplated by the present invention that the
beeper 70 may have different sounds to indicate the various states
of the styling device 10'. For instance, after the device 10' is
powered on, it may take several seconds or more for the heating
element or the fan motor to reach the desired temperature and/or
speed. In addition, the device 10' may have an "auto shut
off"/audible tone feature that works in the following manner: Every
fifteen minutes, the beeper 70 will give off two long (2 second)
tones which will serve as a time reference for the user. After 60
minutes the device 10' will emit 5 small beeps indicating the unit
will now power off and go into "sleep mode". The beeper 70 may also
sound to indicate that the device 10' has reached a desired state.
The beeper 70 may have different patterns of sounding to indicate
various conditions. It is contemplated by the present invention
that these indicators may be programmed into the styling device 10'
before purchase, or the user may have the option to select her
preference for audible indicators in the styling device 10'.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the hair styling device 10"
is again shown as a hair dryer having handle 20 and barrel 30. The
hair styling device controls 60 and LCD display 50 are integrated
in a functional manner providing visual indication of five
operating conditions of the hair styling device. The LCD display 50
depicts the heat setting 52 and air flow speed 58 as a plurality of
boxes that light up between a maximum and minimum setting, each
having a respective set of up and down controls 61 on handle 20.
The plurality of square boxes 52, 58 will flash at the desired
setting and will stop flashing when the heat become stable at the
desired setting. The LCD display also signals whether the "cool
shot" control button 63 is engaged indicated by the letter "C"
which indicates that the heater is off. The LCD display also
signals whether the "ionic" control button 65 is engaged indicated
by the letter "I" which indicates that the anti-static ion feature
is engaged. The LCD display also includes a timer clock 54
comprises a circle divided into a number of wedge-shaped segments
56 similar to that shown in FIG. 2. These LCD display 50 may also
be associated with an alarm as previously discussed, or can be used
without the alarm feature. The LCD visual interface 50 showing
operating conditions of the hair styling device would be especially
beneficial to a user that has a hearing impediment or is deaf.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an air brush 10"" is shown
utilizing an LCD display 50 and a hair straightener/crimper 10"" is
shown utilizing an LCD display 50, respectively.
[0040] Accordingly, it should be understood that although the hair
styling device 10 is represented by several examples specifically
mentioned in this specification and shown in the drawings, other
hair styling devices are within the scope of the present invention.
LCD displays of operating conditions of the device and audible
signal means could be coupled to devices including, but not limited
to, hot rollers, cylindrical air curling brushes, etc. It should be
understood that specific embodiments described herein are included
by way of example only and that variations of these embodiments are
within the scope of the present invention. The examples described
herein should not be deemed limiting of the claims appended hereto
in any way.
* * * * *