U.S. patent application number 15/805884 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for method and apparatus for analyzing and treating hair.
The applicant listed for this patent is Farouk Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Farouk M. Shami.
Application Number | 20180125207 15/805884 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62065558 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180125207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shami; Farouk M. |
May 10, 2018 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING AND TREATING HAIR
Abstract
An apparatus includes a housing, a dispensing system disposed in
the housing, a spectral measurement device, and a computing system.
The dispensing system includes at least one storage container, a
pump operatively connected to each of the storage containers, and a
mixing chamber. The computing system includes a control mechanism
operatively connected to the pump and the spectral measurement
device, a processor, a storage device, an input, and a display.
Inventors: |
Shami; Farouk M.; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Farouk Systems, Inc. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62065558 |
Appl. No.: |
15/805884 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15347344 |
Nov 9, 2016 |
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15805884 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2019/0066 20130101;
B01F 13/1058 20130101; B01F 13/1066 20130101; A45D 2044/007
20130101; A45D 2200/054 20130101; B01F 13/1061 20130101; G01N
21/251 20130101; A45D 19/00 20130101; G01N 21/255 20130101; A45D
44/005 20130101; A45D 2200/058 20130101; B01F 2215/005 20130101;
B01F 13/1063 20130101; G01N 21/31 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 44/00 20060101
A45D044/00; A45D 19/00 20060101 A45D019/00; G01N 21/25 20060101
G01N021/25; B01F 13/10 20060101 B01F013/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for producing a hair dye, comprising: a housing; a
hair dye dispensing system disposed in the housing, the dispensing
system comprising: at least one storage container containing a hair
colorant; a pump operatively connected to the at least one storage
container; and a mixing chamber; a spectral measurement device; and
a computing system comprising: control mechanism operatively
connected to the pump and the spectral measurement device; a
processor; a storage device; an input; and a display.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spectral measurement
device is any one of a spectroscope and a spectrophotometer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system
comprises a rotary storage container holder assembly.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is connected to a
flow passage extending between the at least one storage container
and the mixing chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one storage
container comprises an airtight bag.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one
storage container containing a hair dye ingredient, wherein the
hair dye ingredient is any one of an activator, a base, an acid, a
viscosity regulating agent, an antioxidant, a fragrance, an oil, an
oxidizing agent, a chelating agent, an emulsifier, a thickener, a
solvent, an opacifying agent, a dispersing agent, a sequestering
agent, a humectant, an antimicrobial, and a conditioner.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system further
comprises a dispensing sensor disposed in the at least one storage
container, the dispensing sensor operatively connected to the
control mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises
at least one stored profile, the stored profile comprising
historical hair data for a user and at least one historical hair
dye formula for the user.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises
at least one stored profile, the stored profile comprising
historical hair data for a population of users.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the each of the population of
users exhibit a similar hair property, a similar geographic
location, a similar historical hair dye treatment, a similar age
group, or any combination thereof.
11. A method for producing a hair dye formula, comprising:
collecting hair data from a hair sample of an individual, the hair
data comprising one or more of chemical composition, moisture
content, porosity, and density; selecting a hair color; generating
a formula for a hair dye based on the collected hair data and the
selected hair color, the formula comprising amounts of dye
ingredients; and dispensing the amounts of the dye ingredients to
produce the hair dye, wherein the hair dye ingredients comprise at
least one colorant and at least one other ingredient.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising executing computer
readable program code by a processor in a control mechanism to
provide the formula, wherein the computer readable program code is
stored in a storage device.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising comparing the hair
data and selected hair color of the individual to hair data of at
least one population of individuals which have previously selected
the hair color.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein dispensing comprises: pumping
dye ingredients from at least one storage container into a mixing
chamber using at least one pump; and sensing the amount of dye
ingredients pumped from the at least one storage container with at
least one dispensing sensor disposed in the at least one storage
container; wherein a control mechanism receives signals from the at
least one dispensing sensor and sends signals to the at least one
pump.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the hair data is collected with
a spectral measurement device.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the hair color is selected from
a display on a hair dye dispensing apparatus, and wherein amounts
of dye ingredients are dispensed from the hair dye dispensing
apparatus to form a hair dye corresponding to the selected hair dye
color.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one other ingredient
is any one of an activator, a base, an acid, a viscosity regulating
agent, an antioxidant, a fragrance, an oil, an oxidizing agent, a
chelating agent, an emulsifier, a thickener, a solvent, an
opacifying agent, a dispersing agent, a sequestering agent, a
humectant, an antimicrobial, and a conditioner.
18. A method, comprising: collecting hair data from a hair sample
of an individual using a spectral measurement device; selecting a
hair color; and providing a hair dye for making the hair sample to
exhibit the selected hair color.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the hair dye
comprises: generating a formula for a hair dye based on the
collected hair data and the selected hair color, the formula
comprising amounts of dye ingredients; and mixing amounts of dye
ingredients based on the generated formula to make the hair dye,
wherein the hair dye ingredients comprise at least one colorant and
at least one other ingredient.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising comparing the hair
data and selected hair color of the individual to hair data of at
least one population of individuals which have previously selected
the hair color.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/347,344, filed Nov. 9, 2016, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, hair may be dyed by selecting a premixed hair
dye, such a hair dye provided by retail. When a user wants a
particular hair color not provided premixed and ready to apply, the
user may work with a stylist to achieve the particular hair color.
The stylist may manually mix different dye ingredients to develop a
dye color that may achieve the particular hair color. In some
cases, a machine may be used to mix the different dye
ingredients.
[0003] Hair dye may be mixed by combining various amounts of three
primary colors (blue, red and yellow) and white and black. Other
dye ingredients may include, for example, an oxidizing liquid,
developers, emulsifiers, stabilizers and surfactants.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the detailed
description. This summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0005] In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate
to an apparatus that includes a housing, a dispensing system
disposed in the housing, a spectral measurement device, and a
computing system. The dispensing system may include at least one
storage container, a pump operatively connected to each of the
storage containers, and a mixing chamber. The computing system may
include a control mechanism operatively connected to the pump and
the spectral measurement device, a processor, a storage device, an
input, and a display.
[0006] In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to methods that include collecting hair data from a hair
sample, the hair data selected from the group consisting of
chemical composition, moisture content, porosity, and density,
selecting a hair dye color, providing a formula of amounts of dye
ingredients for a hair dye that colors the hair sample the selected
hair dye color, and dispensing the amounts of dye ingredients to
produce the hair dye.
[0007] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to methods that include collecting hair data from a hair
sample using a spectral measurement device, selecting a hair dye
color, and providing a hair dye that colors the hair sample the
selected hair dye color.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a hair dye machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a hair dye machine
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a system with which one or more embodiments
of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a method according to embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary login screen in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure, viewable on a user
interactive display of a kiosk and/or an input device of a
computing system, for data input and analysis by a user.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary customer search screen in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, viewable on
a user interactive display of a kiosk and/or an input device of a
computing system, for data input and analysis by a user.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary means of obtaining the hair color
data of a customer in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows exemplary hair data that can be manually
inputted into a computing system, via an input device of a
computing system, according to various aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary graphical display, of a kiosk
and/or an input device of a computing system, of the results of a
color analysis of a customer's hair using a spectral measurement
device in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary graphical display, of a kiosk
and/or an input device of a computing system, for the selection of
hair color options in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary graphical display, of a kiosk
and/or an input device of a computing system, for the selection of
hair style options in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing
system for use in the hair dye machine of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top side view of the dispensing system of FIG.
12.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a left side view of the dispensing system of FIG.
12.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a rotary dye storage
containers holder assembly of the dispensing system of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to
machines for formulating and/or mixing hair dye. Further
embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of
formulating hair dye to dye a type of hair a selected color. By
using methods of the present disclosure, different types of human
hair (e.g., hair having different densities, surface
roughness/coarseness, color, or hair having different residual
chemicals applied thereto, such as from an original application of
hair dye or from a perm) may have hair dye formulated according to
the particular properties of the individual hair type in order to
more accurately provide the selected hair dye color to the
hair.
[0025] Machines for formulating and/or mixing hair dye may have the
ability to scan a human hair sample, for example, using a high
resolution scanner or spectral measurement device, to analyze the
properties of the hair sample. Hair data acquired from the scan may
be analyzed and/or stored by a computing system disposed within or
operatively connected to the machine for formulating and/or mixing
hair dye. The computing system may include a display (which may
display, for example, hair colors to select, images of users with a
predicted hair color, user profiles, input options, and others), a
storage device (which may store computer readable program code,
user data, historical hair data, etc.), and a processor for
executing computer readable program code (for example, instructions
to control a control mechanism, instructions to provide a formula
for a hair dye color, and instructions to mix dye ingredients
according to a formula for a hair dye color). Software including
the computer readable program code may determine, through formulas
relating hair data representative of hair properties to a selected
hair dye color, amounts and types of dye ingredients to make a hair
dye that produces an exact color when dyed on a particular hair
type. In some instances, the formulas relating hair data
representative of hair properties can be based on the historical
data of the individual receiving the hair dye treatment. In other
instances, the formulas relating hair data representative of hair
properties can be based on a combination of the historical data of
the individual receiving the hair dye treatment and an aggregate of
historical data of a population of other individuals who exhibit
similar hair properties and have sought a similar hair dye
treatment.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a
machine for providing hair dye may include a housing, a spectral
measurement device, and a dispensing system disposed in the
housing, where the dispensing system has at least one storage
container and a receptacle to receive one or more dye ingredients
stored in the storage container(s). In some embodiments, a
dispensing system may also include a pump (e.g., a metering pump)
operatively connected to the storage container(s) to pump the dye
ingredients from the storage container(s) to the receptacle (e.g.,
a mixing chamber). In some embodiments, dye ingredients may be
flowed from the storage containers to the receptacle without use of
a pump, for example, by opening a flow passage extending downwardly
from a storage container and allowing the dye ingredient to flow
through the flow passage by gravity. The machine may further
include a computing system to provide a control mechanism for one
or more of the machine components, where the computing system may
include a processor, a storage device, an input, and a display,
which may act together to control operation of the machine
component(s). For example, the computing system may be operatively
connected to a dispensing component allowing dye ingredients to
flow from storage container(s) (e.g., a pump or a gate disposed
within a flow passage or within an opening to the storage
container), where an input in the computing system to dispense one
or more dye ingredients may be processed, and computer readable
program code stored in the storage device may provide instructions
to operate the dispensing component according to the processed
input. In another example, the computing system may be operatively
connected to a spectral measurement device, where an input in the
computing system to scan a hair sample may be processed, and
computer readable program code stored in the storage device may
provide instructions to operate the spectral measurement device
according to the processed input.
[0027] Also, for example, the computing system may be operatively
connected to a control system which controls an index motor and a
linear motor of a dispensing system having a rotary storage
containers holder assembly, allowing for selection of specific dye
ingredients and transmission of the dye ingredients from the
storage containers to other receptacles within the machine, where
an input in the computing system to select and dispense one or more
dye ingredients may be processed, and computer readable program
code stored in the storage device may provide instructions to
operate the dispensing system according to the processed input.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example of an apparatus
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus
may be a hair dye machine 100 having a housing 102 holding multiple
components for providing a hair dye from multiple stored hair dye
ingredients. For example, a dispensing system may be disposed
within the housing 102, where the dispensing system may include a
plurality of storage containers 110 holding different dye
ingredients and flow passages 112 extending from the storage
containers 110 to a receptacle 120. The flow passages 112 may be
flexible tubing or flow passages having ridge walls, and may be
made of plastics or metal. The receptacle 120 may be a mixing
chamber or a second storage container, which may mix, store and/or
dispense the combined dye ingredients flowed from the storage
containers 110.
[0029] The dispensing system may further include a pumping device
130 operatively connected to the storage containers 110. In the
embodiment shown, the pumping device 130 may be connected to the
flow passages 112 extending from the storage containers 110. A gate
114 disposed at an opening of a storage container 110 may be
opened, and the pumping device 130 may pump dye ingredients from
the storage container 110 through the open gate 114 and through the
flow passage 112 into the receptacle 120. In some embodiments, an
opening between a storage container and a flow passage may be
provided without a gate or other type of closing mechanism. In such
embodiments, the pumping mechanism may be disposed along the flow
path in a manner to block flow of a dye ingredient from a storage
container to a receptacle when the pumping mechanism is not
pumping.
[0030] A single pumping mechanism may be disposed along individual
flow passages 112 extending from the storage containers 110, where
each of the pumping mechanisms may be contained in the pumping
device 130. In some embodiments, flow passages may have separately
contained pumping mechanisms, where each flow passage may have an
associated pump disposed along the flow passage.
[0031] One or more sensors 170 may be provided along the receptacle
120, flow passages 112, and/or storage containers 110, which may
sense the amount of a dye ingredient being dispensed from one or
more of the storage containers 110. A sensor 170 may include, for
example, a flow sensor (which may sense the rate of fluid flow), a
weight sensor, and/or a pressure sensor.
[0032] A motor 140 may be operatively connected to the receptacle
120, such that the motor may manipulate the receptacle 120. As
shown in FIG. 1, the motor 140 may further be operatively connected
to a control mechanism to operate the motor 140. The control
mechanism may be part of a computing system 150, either disposed
within the housing 102 (as shown in FIG. 1) or disposed outside the
hair dye machine housing. In some embodiments, a control mechanism
operating the motor may be separate from the computing system 150,
and may include a series of electrical components including, for
example, an on/off switch and/or a motor speed control. When a
control mechanism activates the motor 140, the motor 140 may act to
manipulate (e.g., spin, agitate, or otherwise move) the receptacle
120, which may mix dye ingredients disposed within the receptacle
120. For example, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure, two or more dye ingredients may be pumped from storage
containers 110 through flow passages 112 using pumps in the pumping
device 130 (or may flow by gravity from the storage containers
through flow passages without use of a pump) into receptacle 120,
and the motor 140 may be activated to move the filled receptacle
120 and mix the dye ingredients disposed therein.
[0033] In some embodiments, a hair dye machine may be provided
without motor 140. For example, two or more dye ingredients may be
provided from two or more storage containers into a receptacle. The
dye ingredients may then be mixed manually in the receptacle, e.g.,
by stirring the dye ingredients inside the receptacle, or dye
ingredients disposed in a receptacle may be mixed by sealing the
filled receptacle and manually shaking the sealed receptacle. In
some embodiments, the dye ingredients may be disposed in the
receptacle without applying a deliberate mixing action to the
filled receptacle.
[0034] The hair dye machine 100 may further include a spectral
measurement device 160. The spectral measurement device 160 may
include, for example, a spectroscope, spectrophotometer, or other
device that may emit electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible
light, infrared, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays, and
acoustic waves) toward a hair sample and detect the resulting
electromagnetic radiation reflected off the hair sample. For
example, a spectral measurement device may include a light source,
a component for dividing light into different wavelengths (e.g., a
diffraction grating or a prism) and at least one detector. Further,
the spectral measurement device 160 may be in the form of a hand
held scanner, such as shown in FIG. 1, which may be connected to
the computer system 150 by wires or without wires (wireless
connection).
[0035] In some embodiments, a scanner may be a spectrometer, which
may break light from a sample into its spectral components and
digitize signals detected by a detector as a function of
wavelength. The detected signals may be stored, processed and/or
displayed through a computer system in a hair dye machine according
to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in some
embodiments, light may be shown on a hair sample, where spectral
components may be absorbed by the hair sample in different amounts.
A spaced apart diffraction grating may split the light from the
hair sample into different components, where the intensities of
each component may be measured separately by a detector. The
measured intensities of each component of light from the hair
sample may be used to indicate different properties of the hair
sample, including but not limited to the presence of different
chemical components on the hair, e.g., if an existing hair dye is
already present on the hair sample or if chlorine is present on the
hair sample (e.g., from the hair being exposed to a chlorinated
pool). By performing the dissection and analysis of a hair sample's
light, other physical properties of the hair sample may be
determined, such as temperature, mass, luminosity and
composition.
[0036] A computing system 150 may be operatively connected to
different components (e.g., the motor 140, pump 130, spectral
measurement device 160, and sensor(s) 170) of the hair dye machine
for example, through a wired or wireless connection, such as a
Bluetooth or other network connection. The computing system 150 may
include a processor, associated memory, a storage device, and
numerous other elements and functionalities typical of modern
computers (not shown). The computer may also include one or more
input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse and/or a touch display,
and one or more output devices, such as display. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, display 105 may be a touch display for input and
output. The computer system 150 may be connected to a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) via a
network interface connection. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that these input and output devices may take other
forms, now known or later developed. Further, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more elements of the aforementioned
computer system 150 may be located at a remote location and
connected to the other elements over a network.
[0037] Hair data may be collected in the memory of the computing
system 150, and processed by the processor of the computing system
150 for storage (e.g., stored in a user profile for later use)
and/or for formulating a hair dye. Hair data may be collected from
one or more hair analyses (e.g., scanned data collected from
spectral measurement device 160 or observational analyses) and/or
from a data repository holding historical hair data about hair dye
mixtures and user information, for example. Further, hair data
stored in a storage device may be compressed and/or uncompressed.
In some embodiments, recently acquired hair data may be left
uncompressed and may also be maintained in random access memory
(RAM) for rapid access and analysis. As used herein, "current" or
"recently acquired" data may refer to data collected during
operation of a hair dye machine according to embodiments of the
present disclosure and/or during performance of a method of the
present disclosure for formulating and/or dispensing hair dye
(e.g., current hair data collected from a spectral measurement
device in communication with a hair dye dispensing apparatus of the
present disclosure, where the hair dye dispensing apparatus may
formulate and/or dispense hair dye based on the current hair data
collected from the operatively connected spectral measurement
device), while "historical" data may include data collected prior
to operation of a hair dye machine according to embodiments of the
present disclosure and/or prior to performance of a method of the
present disclosure for formulating and/or dispensing hair dye
(e.g., historical hair data may include hair data that is collected
and stored in a storage device prior to a current operation of a
hair dye machine of the present disclosure). In some instances,
historical data may be data collected corresponding to an
individual receiving the hair dye treatment. In other instances,
historical data may be data collected and aggregated for
populations of other individuals who exhibit similar hair
properties, individuals who live in the same country or regions of
a country, individuals who have sought a similar hair dye
treatment, individuals of similar age groups, individuals having
similar hair properties such as chemical composition, moisture
content, porosity, and density, or any combination thereof. In yet
other instances, historical data may be a combination of data
collected corresponding to an individual receiving the hair dye
treatment and one or more aggregates of populations of other
individuals who exhibit similar hair properties, who live in the
same country or regions of a country, who have sought a similar
hair dye treatment, who are of similar age groups, who have similar
hair properties such as chemical composition, moisture content,
porosity, and density or any combination thereof.
[0038] Software including computer readable program code for
instructions to provide hair dye formulas (e.g., a hair dye formula
including amounts and types of dye ingredients to make a hair dye
that produces an exact color when dyed on a particular hair type)
may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on
a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD, DVD,
storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory, physical memory,
or any other computer readable storage medium. Specifically, the
software instructions may correspond to computer readable program
code that when executed by a processor(s), is configured to perform
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] Storage containers in a hair dye machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure may be air-tight bags, for
example, a bag having a dye ingredient sealed therein with a single
access point for fluidly connecting a flow passage. Bag storage
containers may have a mounting feature (e.g., a mounting hook) for
hanging within a hair dye machine according to embodiments of the
present disclosure. In some embodiments, storage containers may
have walls formed of a rigid material, such that the storage
container maintains its shape when positioned within a hair dye
machine. Rigid storage containers may have dye ingredients disposed
therein with an air-tight seal.
[0040] Dye ingredients may include at least one colorant, one or
more activators, such as peroxides or other oxidizers, one or more
bases, and/or one or more additives, such as a viscosity regulating
agent. For example, dye ingredients may include three colorants,
each colorant being a different primary color. Various amounts of
the primary color colorants may be mixed according to hair dye
formulas to produce different hair dye colors. Examples of suitable
dye ingredients may include conventionally used additives,
including but not limited to antioxidants such as ascorbic acid,
erythoboric acid or sodium sulfite to inhibit premature oxidizing,
oxidizing agents, fragrances and/or perfume oils, chelating agents,
emulsifiers, coloring agents, thickeners (e.g., fatty acid soaps
such as alkaline metal salts or alkanolamine salts of fatty acids,
oleic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid), organic solvents,
opacifying agents, dispersing agents, sequestering agents,
humectants, antimicrobials, solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol,
polyhydroxy alcohols (e.g., propylene glycol and hexylene glycol),
lower alkyl ethers (e.g., ethoxy diglycol), and others known in the
art.
[0041] The amounts and types of dye ingredients added together to
produce a hair dye may be selected according to a hair dye formula
that is generated based on one or more properties of a hair sample,
such that the produced hair dye may color the hair sample a
particular selected color. According to embodiments of the present
disclosure, a method of producing a hair dye may include collecting
hair data from a hair sample, selecting a hair dye color, providing
a formula for a hair dye that colors the hair sample the selected
hair dye color, and dispensing amounts of dye ingredients according
to the formula to produce the hair dye. The formula for the hair
dye includes the amounts and types of dye ingredients for making a
hair dye.
[0042] Hair data collected from a hair sample may include but is
not limited to the chemical composition, moisture content,
porosity, and density of the hair sample, for example. Hair data
may represent the color and quality of a hair sample. For example,
the quality of a hair sample may depend, for example, on whether or
not the hair is exposed consistently or intermittently to chlorine
(e.g., if the person swims), sunlight or heat, the last time the
hair was colored/dyed, if the hair has been permed, or other
factors. The chemical composition of a hair sample may be
collected, for example, from a spectral measurement device, which
may indicate one or more factors of the hair quality. In some
embodiments, the chemical composition of a hair sample may be
determined using chemical tests. In some embodiments, the chemical
composition of a hair sample may be determined using x-ray
fluorescence, where high frequency x-rays may be sent to the hair
sample to excite the core electrons in the atoms of the hair
sample, and received x-rays returning from the hair sample have a
characteristic frequency/wavelength that is specific to the
elements of the hair sample. The emitted x-rays are collectively
measured and converted into a spectrum representative of the
elements of the hair sample.
[0043] Other tests may be performed on a hair sample to determine
one or more properties of a hair sample, for example, tests to
determine hair density or tests to determine hair porosity (e.g.,
determining if a hair has high or low porosity by monitoring if the
hair sinks or floats in water or other liquid). In some
embodiments, the textural qualities of a hair sample may be
analyzed, for example, by viewing the hair sample under a
microscope.
[0044] Hair data including one or more quantitative and/or
qualitative data points may be inputted into a computer system in
communication with a hair dye machine according to embodiments of
the present disclosure. Hair data from a current hair sample may be
stored in a storage device of the computer system. Historical hair
data collected from previous hair samples of an individual or one
or more populations of individuals may also be stored in a storage
device of the computer system. In some embodiments, hair data from
user knowledge may be inputted into the computer system, for
example. including user inputs characterizing the hair (e.g., a
natural hair color may be selected from a list of common color
characterizations, such as blonde, light brown, brown, dark brown,
red, black, grey, white, etc.) or user inputs of previous hair
treatments (e.g., when the last time the hair was colored or
chemically treated, the type of previous chemical treatment, if the
hair is permed, known chemicals or products used in the hair,
previous hair dye color used, and others).
[0045] A processor in the computer system may execute computer
readable program code having instructions to process hair data of
an individual. Hair data may be processed (e.g., sorted into types
of hair data, such as density, porosity, and chemical composition,
and values assigned to each type of hair data) and inputted into an
algorithm that relates hair data to a selected hair color. From the
relationship between the hair data and the hair color, a formula
for a hair dye may be generated to dye a hair sample the selected
hair color. For example, if hair data from a hair sample includes
an initial color (e.g., where the initial color may be processed
from a spectral measurement device scan into percent values of
primary colors, red, blue and yellow, such as initial color=x %
blue, y % yellow, and z % red; or where the initial color may be
inputted from user knowledge), a chemical composition (e.g.,
percentage of different chemicals detected from a spectral
measurement device scan), and a coarseness of the hair in the hair
sample, the algorithm may provide a formula for a hair dye to dye
the hair a selected hair color. The hair dye formula may include
one or more colorants (e.g., to provide the selected hair color to
the initial color of the hair while also accounting for any
residual chemicals on the hair from previous hair treatments), an
activator (e.g., hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizer), and one or
more additives.
[0046] The processor in the computer system may also execute
computer readable program code having instructions to process hair
data of an individual and compare it to the hair data associated
with one or more populations of individuals. Hair data may be
processed (e.g., sorted into types of hair data, such as density,
porosity, and chemical composition, and values assigned to each
type of hair data) and inputted into an algorithm that relates hair
data to a selected hair color. From the relationship between the
hair data and the hair color, a formula for a hair dye may be
generated to dye a hair sample the selected hair color. For
example, if hair data from a hair sample includes an initial color
(e.g., where the initial color may be processed from a spectral
measurement device scan into percent values of primary colors, red,
blue and yellow, such as initial color=x % blue, y % yellow, and z
% red; or where the initial color may be inputted from user
knowledge), a chemical composition (e.g., percentage of different
chemicals detected from a spectral measurement device scan), and a
coarseness of the hair in the hair sample, the algorithm may
provide a formula for a hair dye to dye the hair a selected hair
color. The hair data and selected hair color can also be correlated
with hair data associated with one or more populations of
individuals to calculate an anticipated success rate of achieving
the selected hair color upon treatment with a hair dye formula.
[0047] According to some embodiments, predetermined dye ingredient
combinations may be stored in a storage device that is accessible
by the processor in the computer system, where the predetermined
dye ingredient combinations may be stored in a table format
relating a start point to an end point. The table may include
multiple starting points to select from (e.g., tens or hundreds of
starting points), multiple end points to select from (e.g.,
thousands or tens of thousands end points), and hair dye formulas
(amounts and combinations of dye ingredients) that generate a
selected end point from a selected start point. Hair data
(including hair data collected from a spectral measurement device
such as a spectroscope) may be inputted into the computer system
and matched with one of the multiple starting points. For example,
spectral hair data may indicate an initial hair color and tone,
which may be matched with the color and tone of one of the starting
points in the table. An end point may be selected (e.g., by a user
or by a customer) from one of the end point options listed in the
table, and the predetermined hair dye formula bridging the selected
start point to the selected end point may be used for generating
the hair dye.
[0048] For example, Table 1, provided below, shows an example
layout of a table for use in selecting a predetermined dye
ingredient combination based on a starting point and desired end
point for hair color and tone. In the example shown, representative
variables and constants are provided to represent starting and end
points, and representative formats are provided to represent
predetermined dye ingredient combinations (hair dye formulas) and
instructions for application. However, according to embodiments of
the present disclosure, over 100 different starting point (e.g.,
between 100 and 200, or between 100 and 150) and over 10,000
different end points (e.g., greater than 20,000. greater than
25,000, or greater than 30,000) may be provided in a table for
selecting a predetermined dye ingredient combination based on
selected starting points and end points.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Starting End Point Point Hair Dye Formula
Instructions xN yN 2 parts A + 1 part B Prelighten then reformulate
yN xN 1 parts A + 3 parts B Apply hair dye mixture xD yD 1 part A +
1 part B + Prelighten then reformulate 1 part C yD xD 1 part A + 3
parts B + Apply hair dye mixture 1 part C
[0049] In Table 1, the starting and end points may include
combinations of levels of colors, where x and y may be equal
different levels of color, and levels of tone, where N and D may
represent different tones. To get from some starting points to some
end points, a hair dye formula may be provided, in addition to
steps of applying the hair dye formula. For example, in some
embodiments, a portion of the hair dye formula may include a
lightening mixture (a combination of ingredients that lightens hair
color) that may be applied in a first step to lighten the hair to a
certain level. Upon lightening the hair from a first step, a second
mixture from the predetermined hair dye formula may be applied in a
subsequent second step to dye the hair the end point color and
tone. In some embodiments, after hair is lightened in a first step,
a second spectral scan of the lightened hair may be performed and a
second hair dye formula may be generated based on the hair data
collected from the lightened hair. The second hair dye formula may
then be applied to the lightened hair to achieve the desired end
point hair color and tone.
[0050] Further, according to some embodiments, hair dye formulas
may also include one or more additives to account for one or more
conditions of the hair, which may be determined from a spectral
hair scan and/or other hair tests. For example, if a hair sample is
determined to be dry (e.g., from the moisture content in the hair
sample measured by a spectral measurement device or from a visual
inspection of the hair sample), an oil additive may be added to the
hair dye formula. In another example, if the pH of a hair sample is
collected in the hair data, a corresponding amount of acid or base
ingredient may be added to the hair dye formula to result in an
overall pH of the dyed hair sample, which may affect the amount the
hair shafts open and accept color during the dye process. Additives
added to hair dye formulas may include conditioners, silk and/or
others provided herein or known in the art.
[0051] Hair dye formulas generated or selected based on hair data
from spectral measurement devices according to embodiments of the
present disclosure may include oxidizing hair dyes, direct hair
dyes, and hair dyes using other types of dye mechanisms. Hair dye
machines according to embodiments of the present disclosure may
dispense different types of hair dyes according to the hair dye
formula. For example, in embodiments having an oxidizing hair dye
formula generated or selected based on hair data collected from a
spectral measurement device, a hair dye machine may dispense the
dye ingredients of the hair dye formula, which may include an
oxidizing agent.
[0052] Once a hair dye formula is generated, computer readable
program code may further send instructions to a control mechanism
in a hair dye machine according to embodiments of the present
disclosure to dispense the amounts and types of dye ingredients of
the formula. For example, the control mechanism may send signals to
operate one or more gates and/or pumps in a dispensing system of
the hair dye machine to dispense the amounts and types of dye
ingredients from storage containers in the hair dye machine.
[0053] According to embodiments of the present disclosure,
dispensing dye ingredients from storage containers in a hair dye
machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure may
include pumping dye ingredients from at least one storage container
into a mixing chamber using at least one pump and sensing the
amount of dye ingredients pumped from the storage container(s) with
at least one dispensing sensor disposed in the storage
container(s). A control mechanism may receive signals from the
dispensing sensor(s) and may send signals to the pump(s), for
example, to continue pumping, stop pumping, or alter the pump
speed.
[0054] For example, in some embodiments, a receptacle (e.g., a
mixing chamber) disposed within a hair dye machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided with a scale
to measure the weight of the receptacle and contents therein. As
one or more dye ingredients are flowed into the receptacle, the
scale may send measurements of the receptacle and contents therein
to the computing system within the hair dye machine. When a weight
criterion is reached, the computing system may send a signal to
stop or reduce flow of the dye ingredient(s) into the receptacle,
thereby providing a predetermined amount of the dye ingredient(s)
into the receptacle.
[0055] Other types of sensors (e.g., a flow rate sensor or a
pressure sensor) may be provided in a dispensing system in a hair
dye machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure to
monitor the amount of one or more dye ingredients being dispensed
and relay the signals to a control mechanism for controlling the
flow of dye ingredients being dispensed based on the amount of dye
ingredients already detected as dispensed, in a manner similar to
the method described above with respect to the weight
sensor/scale.
[0056] In some embodiments, a dispensing system may be provided
without a sensor. In such embodiments, a predetermined amount of
one or more dye ingredients may be dispensed, for example, by
operating the dispensing system under known parameters for a
predetermined amount of time. For example, a first amount of a
first dye ingredient may be dispensed from a storage container in a
hair dye machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure
by pumping the first dye ingredient from the storage container at a
predetermined pumping speed and for a predetermined amount of time
to provide the first amount of the first dye ingredient. In some
embodiments, a first amount of a first dye ingredient may be
dispensed from a storage container by opening a gate to the storage
container, thereby allowing the first dye ingredient to flow from
the storage container, where the flow rate of the first dye
ingredient through a flow passage from the storage container may be
predetermined from calculations based on the viscosity of the first
dye ingredient and the size and shape of the flow passage, and
where the gate may be closed after a predetermined amount of time
calculated from the calculated flow rate to provide the first
amount of the first dye ingredient.
[0057] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a
method of providing a hair dye may include collecting hair data
from a hair sample using a spectral measurement device, selecting a
hair dye color, and providing a hair dye that colors the hair
sample the selected hair dye color. The spectral measurement device
may be provided on, or separate from but in communication with, a
hair dye dispensing apparatus according to embodiments of the
present disclosure housing dye ingredients for providing the hair
dye.
[0058] For example, a hair dye machine according to embodiments of
the present disclosure may be a kiosk or other type of self-serving
hair dye dispensing apparatus, where a user may select a hair dye
color from the hair dye machine, and the hair dye machine may
dispense a hair dye specifically designed to color a hair sample
the hair dye color based on hair data collected from the hair
sample by a spectral measurement device.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows an example of a hair dye dispensing apparatus
according to embodiments of the present disclosure in the form of a
kiosk 200. The kiosk 200 includes a housing 202, which houses a
computing system and a dispensing system. A spectral measurement
device 260 is provided in a sample cavity 262 formed in the housing
202. In other embodiments, a spectral measurement device may be
separate from the kiosk body but in communication with the
computing system in the kiosk, e.g., a spectral measurement device
may be in the form of a hand held scanner that is wired to the
kiosk or in wireless communication with the kiosk. The kiosk 200
may also have a dispensing output 222 formed in the housing 202,
where a receptacle 220 may be positioned to receive hair dye being
dispensed from the kiosk 200.
[0060] Further, a display 205 may be provided along an outer wall
of the kiosk 200. The display 205 may be used to provide inputs
from a user to the computing system (where the display may be a
touch display), or a keyboard and/or mouse may be provided with the
kiosk 200 for inputting information by a user. The display 205 may
further be used to display outputs from the computing system.
[0061] For example, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure, multiple hair dye colors may be shown on the display
205. A user (e.g., a customer at a store or a stylist at a salon)
may select one of the hair dye colors. In some embodiments, a
particular hair dye color may be searched for by name, which may be
pulled from a database of hair dye colors in the computing system
of the kiosk, where the searched hair dye color name and/or an
image of the searched hair dye color may be displayed on the
display of the kiosk.
[0062] In some embodiments, an image of a user may be displayed on
the display 205, and a selected hair dye color may be applied to
the hair in the image of the user to provide a prediction of what
the user will look like with the selected hair dye color.
[0063] In some embodiments, hair data from a hair sample
representative of a user's hair may be collected from the spectral
measurement device 260, which may be processed in the computing
system of the kiosk 200 to provide a formula for hair dye capable
of dyeing the hair sample the selected hair dye color. For example,
a hair sample may be deposited into the sample cavity 262 and the
spectral measurement device 260 may detect one or more properties
of the hair sample (e.g., chemical composition of the hair). The
computing system in the kiosk 200 may then formulate a hair dye
formula for hair dye capable of dyeing the hair sample the selected
hair dye color. The dispensing system within the kiosk 200 may then
dispense multiple dye ingredients into a receptacle 220 from
multiple storage containers within the kiosk 200 in amounts
corresponding to the hair dye formula to dispense the hair dye.
[0064] In some embodiments, hair data collected from sources other
than a spectral measurement device may be inputted into an
algorithm stored as computer readable program code for providing a
formula for hair dye. For example, observational hair data, such as
hair color, hair texture, etc., and/or historical hair data, such
as date entries for previous hair treatments, types of previous
hair treatments, previously used hair dyes, etc., may be inputted
by a user. Various types of hair data, including hair data
collected from a spectral measurement device and hair data
collected from one or more similar populations of individuals, may
be inputted into an algorithm for providing a formula for hair dye
capable of dyeing hair a selected color, where the formula includes
amounts and types of hair dye ingredients, and mixing the amounts
of dye ingredients to make the hair dye.
[0065] The computing system in the kiosk 200 may have at least one
stored user profile stored in a storage device or accessible from
the cloud, where a user profile may include historical hair data of
the user, for example, previous hair dye formulas used by the user,
previous hair treatments of the user, age of the user, natural hair
color of the user, etc. A user having his or her profile stored and
accessible by the computing system of the kiosk 200 may have the
profile accessed, for example, when the user instructs the kiosk
200 to dispense a previously used hair dye color and/or when the
user instructs the kiosk 200 to formulate a new hair dye color.
[0066] For example, a user profile may include historical hair
data, such as a natural hair color of the user. The natural hair
color of the user may be quantified by measurements from a spectral
measurement device, e.g., x % blue, y % yellow, and z % red, where
x, y, and z may each range between 0 and 100%. The user profile may
also include current hair data, such as moisture content, porosity
and density. Based on hair data in the user profile, an algorithm
may formulate a hair dye formula for dyeing the user's hair a
selected hair dye color.
[0067] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a
spectral measurement device, such as a spectroscope,
spectrophotometer, or similar device that projects light divided
into component wavelengths onto a sample and measures a returning
light spectrum from the sample may be used to collect hair data.
Spectral measurement devices may project light divided into
component wavelengths onto a hair sample, and the resulting light
reflection (or absorption spectra) may be analyzed by a computer
system, which produces an analysis of the hair properties. The hair
properties determined from the spectral measurement device scan may
be a starting point for formulating a hair dye formula. Once a user
inputs a desired hair color (the ending point), a hair dye machine
according to embodiments of the present disclosure may mix and
dispense the correct hair dye color to dye the hair the desired
hair color, ready for use by a stylist or other end user.
[0068] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with
various computers, such as workstations, PCs, laptops, servers, and
supercomputers. Further, the invention may be implemented on
virtually any type of computer regardless of the platform being
used. For example, a computer system includes a processor,
associated memory, a storage device, and numerous other elements
and functionalities typical of today's computers (not shown). The
computer system may also include input means, such as a keyboard
and a mouse, and output means, such as a monitor. The computer
system is connected to a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (e.g., the Internet) via a network interface connection
(not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these
input and output means may take other forms.
[0069] Software instructions to perform embodiments of the
invention may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a
compact disc (CD), a diskette, a tape, a file, or any other
computer readable storage device. Furthermore, various memories (or
storage means) may be used to store programs having instructions
for performing the techniques of the present invention. The program
of instructions may be in object code or source code. The precise
form of the program storage device and of the encoding of
instructions is immaterial for the purposes of this invention.
[0070] In one or more embodiments, the data repository is any type
of storage unit and/or device (e.g., a file system, database,
collection of tables, or any other storage mechanism) for storing
data. Further, the data repository may include multiple different
storage units and/or devices. The multiple different storage units
and/or devices may or may not be of the same type or located at the
same physical site.
[0071] FIG. 3 depicts a computing system with which one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In one or
more embodiments, one or more of the modules and elements shown in
FIG. 3 may be omitted, repeated, and/or substituted. Further, in
one or more embodiments, the various components of the computer
system may be combined in an alternative manner. Accordingly,
embodiments of the present disclosure should not be considered
limited to the specific arrangements of modules shown in FIG.
3.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, a computing system 1100 includes a
computing device 1102 having one or more processors 1106, one or
more storage devices 1108 (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive such
as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive,
a flash memory stick, etc.), memory 1110 (e.g., random access
memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory, etc.), and a graphical
user interface (GUI) 1112. The computing processor(s) 1106 may be
an integrated circuit for processing instructions. For example, the
computing processor(s) may be one or more cores, or micro-cores of
a processor. Further, processors(s) 1106 may include different
kinds of processors, such as a central processing unit ("CPU") or a
graphics processing unit ("GPU"). Memory 1110 may include a number
of software or firmware modules executable by processor 1106.
Memory 1110 may include a single memory device or multiple memory
devices. Memory 1110 and storage 1108 may comprise a non-volatile
storage device and/or volatile memory. Volatile memory, such as
random access memory (RAM), can be any suitable non-permanent
storage device. The non-volatile storage devices can include one or
more disk drives, optical drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), tap
drives, flash memory, read only memory (ROM), and/or any other type
memory designed to maintain data for a duration time after a power
loss or shut down operation. In certain instances, the non-volatile
storage device may be used to store overflow data if allocated RAM
is not large enough to hold all working data. The non-volatile
storage device may also be used to store programs that are loaded
into the RAM when such programs are selected for execution.
[0073] The storage device(s) 1108 (and/or any information stored
therein) may include a data store such as a database, a file
system, one or more data structures (e.g., arrays, link lists,
tables, hierarchical data structures, etc.) configured in a memory,
an extensible markup language (XML) file, any other suitable data
structure for storing data, or any suitable combination thereof.
The storage device(s) 1108 may be a device internal to the
computing device 1102, or the storage device(s) 1108 may be an
external storage device operatively connected to the computing
device 1102. According to some embodiments, the storage device(s)
1108 may include a data repository having stored parameters from
hair sample tests (e.g., from spectral measurement tests), stored
parameters inputted by a user (e.g., age of user, previous hair dye
color used, date and/or type of previous perm, etc.), where at
least one of the stored parameters may be submitted parameters into
an algorithm for formulating a hair dye. Additionally, the
computing device 1102 may include numerous other elements and
functionalities.
[0074] The computing device 1102 may be communicatively coupled to
a network 1104 (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area
network (WAN) such as the Internet, a cloud-based network, a mobile
network, a personal network, or any other type of network) through
wires, cables, fibers, optical connectors, a wireless connection,
or a network interface connection (not shown). Each of these
networks can contain wired or wireless programmable devices and
operate using any number of network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP). The
network may be connected to gateways and routers, servers, and end
user computers.
[0075] The computing system 1100 may also include one or more input
device(s) 1114, such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone,
touchpad, electronic pen, or any other type of input device. In
some instances, the one or more input device(s) 1114 can be a
smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a camera operatively coupled
with computing system 1100 via a wired or wireless connection such
as a Bluetooth connection. Further, the computing system 1100 may
include one or more output device(s) 1116, such as a screen (e.g.,
a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a light emitting
diode (LED) display, such as an OLED display, a cathode ray tube
(CRT) monitor, a projector, a 2D display, a 3D display, or other
display device), a printer, external storage, or any other output
device. One or more of the output device(s) 1116 may be the same or
different from the input device(s). The input and output device(s)
may be locally or remotely (e.g., via the network 1104) connected
to the computer processor(s) 1106, memory 1110, storage device(s)
1108, and GUI 1112. While in FIG. 3 the GUI 1112 is shown as an
element separate from the memory 1110, one of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the GUI 1112 is a module within the memory
1110. Many different types of computing systems exist, and the
aforementioned input and output device(s) may take other forms.
[0076] Further, one or more elements of the computing system 1100,
such as for example a storage device(s) 1108, may be located at a
remote location and connected to the other elements over a network
1104. Further, embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented on
a distributed system having nodes, where each portion of the
disclosure may be located on a different node within the
distributed system. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the node
corresponds to a distinct computing device. In another embodiment,
the node may correspond to a computer processor with associated
physical memory. In another embodiment, the node may correspond to
a computer processor or micro-core of a computer processor with
shared memory and/or resources. For example, multiple hair dye
machines according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be
used in a salon or multiple salons (or other stores), where each
hair dye machine may have a node communicating with a central
network to access, for example, historical hair data and/or
formulas for hair dye colors.
[0077] The GUI 1112 may provide an interface to be operated by a
user (e.g., a customer wanting to dye his/her own hair, a stylist,
an employee, or any other party) using one or more input devices
1114 and the GUI 1112 may be displayed on one or more output
devices 1116 coupled to the computing device 1102. In some
instances, the input device 1114 and the output device 1116 is the
same. The GUI 1112 may include one or more buttons (e.g., radio
buttons), data fields (e.g., input fields), banners, menus (e.g.,
user input menus), boxes (e.g., input or output text boxes), tables
(e.g., data summary tables), sections (e.g., informational sections
or sections capable of minimizing/maximizing), screens (e.g.,
welcome screen or home screen), and/or user selection menus (e.g.,
drop down menus). In addition, the GUI 1112 may include one or more
separate interfaces and may be usable in a web browser or as a
standalone application.
[0078] Although the output device(s) 1116 is shown as being
communicatively coupled to the computing device 1102, the output
device(s) 1116 may also be a component of the computing device
1102.
[0079] In FIG. 3, the computing device 1102 may have a management
application capable of designing and providing a formula for a
particular hair dye capable of dyeing a particular hair type a
selected color. The selected color to be designed and/or formulated
may be selected by a user. The user may select from a pre-existing
library of hair dye colors or may manually input parameters for any
hair dye color, for example. In one or more embodiments, the user
may input or define one or more hair data parameters (e.g., date
and type of last hair coloring or highlighting) in addition to
having spectral measurement data of one or more hair samples
inputted as hair data parameters (e.g., a spectral map of primary
color elements forming the initial hair color of a hair
sample).
[0080] In one or more embodiments, the GUI 1112 may receive, via an
input module, a request to access historic data. The request may be
in the form of user input. The historic data may include, for
example, previously formulated hair dye colors for a particular
user, previous dates or types of hair treatments of the user (e.g.,
when the last time the user had his/her hair highlighted, penned or
other treatment type), and previously formulated hair dye colors
for one or more populations of users, and may be stored, for
example, in storage device(s) 1108. The user may be presented with
options for hair dye color based on the historic data via the GUI
1112. In response to receiving a user selection, the computing
device 1102 may execute instructions on the computing processor(s)
1106 to formulate a hair dye formula for the selected color, using
hair data parameters selected or inputted by the user and inputted
by a spectral measurement scan.
[0081] After generating a formula for a hair dye color capable of
dyeing a hair sample a selected color, one or more selection
parameters may be visualized by the GUI 1112 on the output
device(s) 1116. In one embodiment, the visual outputs may include a
list of dye ingredients for the formulated hair dye and/or a
reference identification (e.g., a barcode, a reference name of the
dye color, or other reference number identification) to label the
formulated hair dye (e.g., which may be used later to reference the
formulated hair dye). Additionally, the outputs may be in the form
of graphs and may be represented as percentages or ratios (e.g.,
outputs of hair data collected from a current spectral measurement
device compared to previously collected historical hair data from
past spectral measurement device(s) may show different parameters
over a function of time, or outputs of the chemical composition of
a hair sample may be shown in a spectral graph).
[0082] In some embodiments, a visual output may include an image of
a user having a predicted view of the formulated hair dye applied
to the user's hair. In such embodiments, the user may upload a
picture of the user into the computing device 1102. After a hair
color is selected and a hair dye is formulated to dye the user's
hair the selected hair color based on one or more hair data
collected from a spectral measurement device, the computing device
1102 may output the image of the user having the formulated hair
dye applied to the user's hair.
[0083] The computing system 1102 may further have a control
mechanism to operate one or more components in a hair dye
dispensing apparatus according to embodiments of the present
disclosure. For example, computer readable program code having
instructions for operating one or more components of a hair dye
machine (operating computer readable program code) may be stored in
the storage device(s) 1108 or memory 1110. When a user inputs to
dispense a formulated hair dye, the computer processor(s) 1106 may
execute appropriate operating computer readable program code to
send one or more signals to a component of the hair dye machine
(e.g., instructions to operate a control system, instructions to
operate one or more pumps at a pumping speed in order to dispense
an amount of one or more dye ingredients, instructions to
manipulate a receptacle filled with dye ingredients in order to mix
the dye ingredients, and other instructions for operating
dispensing features of the hair dye machine).
[0084] In one or more embodiments, operating computer readable
program code may be modified using an optimizer 1118. The optimizer
1118 may be connected to the computing device 1102, or may be
integral with the computing device 1102. The optimizer 1118 may
also be connected to the computing device 1102 or accessibly by the
computing device 1102 using network 1104. The optimizer 1118 may
modify one or more parameters of a dispensing operation to provide
dispensed amounts of dye ingredients that more accurately
correspond to the calculated amounts of dye ingredients in the
formula for the hair dye color.
[0085] For example, a dispensing operation may be performed where
multiple dye ingredients are dispensed into a receptacle in amounts
corresponding to a formula for a selected hair dye color. The
multiple dye ingredients may be dispensed in the formulated amounts
when a control mechanism in the computing system sends signals to
one or more components along storage containers and/or flow paths
from the storage containers to operate under parameters that allow
the formulated amounts to flow from the storage containers, through
the flow paths, and into the receptacle. One or more dispensing
sensors may be positioned along the storage containers, flow paths
and/or receptacle to detect if the actual amounts of dispensed dye
ingredients match the formulated amounts of dye ingredients. The
sensor data may be processed by the computer processor(s) 1106 to
determine differences between the actual amounts of dispensed dye
ingredients and the formulated amounts of dye ingredients. When
differences between the actual amounts of dispensed dye ingredients
and the formulated amounts of dye ingredients are determined, the
optimizer 1118 may modify one or more input parameters of the
dispensing operation to dispense actual amounts of dye ingredients
closer to the formulated amounts of dye ingredients. The
modification of input parameters to a dispensing system by the
optimizer 1118 may be made during a dispensing operation (e.g., to
alter a pump speed as a dye ingredient is being dispensed to
regulate the amount of the dye ingredient being pumped) or may be
made after a dispensing operation (e.g., to provide the optimized
dispensing instructions for a subsequent dispensing operation).
[0086] Methods of the present disclosure may include formulating a
hair dye to dye a hair sample a selected color based on properties
of the hair sample selected from the chemical composition, moisture
content, porosity, and/or density of the hair sample. For example,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of
formulating a hair dye may include collecting hair data from a hair
sample, the hair data selected from the group consisting of
chemical composition, moisture content, porosity, and density;
selecting a hair dye color; providing a formula for a hair dye that
colors the hair sample the selected hair dye color; and dispensing
the amounts of dye ingredients to produce the hair dye. Hair data
characterizing the properties of a hair sample may be collected
using a spectral measurement device (such as described above)
and/or by using other chemical tests or measurement devices.
[0087] FIG. 4 shows an example of a method for providing a hair dye
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the
method may include inputting hair data into an algorithm for
formulating a hair dye 400. The hair data may include at least one
of the chemical composition, moisture content, porosity, and
density of a hair sample, which may be collected, for example, from
a spectral measurement device, a density measurement device, or
chemical testing. The algorithm for formulating a hair dye may
include, for example, a series of "if then" relationships between
hair data starting points and selected hair dye color ending
points. For example, hair data starting points including numerical
representations of a hair sample color (e.g., percent of 100 values
of the primary colors, red, blue and yellow forming an initial
color of the hair sample) and chemical composition (e.g., percent
of 100 values for chemicals detected in the hair sample) and a
selected hair dye color may be inputted into an algorithm for
formulating a hair dye that provides the selected hair dye color to
the hair sample. The hair dye color may be selected 410, for
example, from a list of color names, a display of color images, or
from previously used hair dye colors (e.g., from historical data
saved in a user profile).
[0088] Amounts and types of dye ingredients (a hair dye formula)
may then be generated based on the relationship between the hair
data starting points the selected hair dye color 420. For example,
an algorithm may include if then relationships that include if
certain types of chemicals are indicated in the hair data, then
certain types of dye ingredients are selected for use in the
generated hair dye formula. Further, an algorithm may include if
then relationships that include if certain amounts of chemicals are
indicated in the hair data, then certain amounts of dye ingredients
are selected for use in the generated hair dye formula. In another
example, an algorithm may include if then relationships that
include if certain numerical representations of a hair color are
indicated in the hair data, then certain amounts of colorants in
the dye ingredients are selected for use in the generated hair dye
formula.
[0089] Upon generating a formula for a hair dye based on the hair
data and selected hair dye color, instructions may be sent to a
dispensing system within a hair dye machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure to dispense the amounts of
dye ingredients provided by the hair dye formula in order to
produce the hair dye 430.
[0090] One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that
additional or alternative steps may be used to produce a hair dye
in the method shown in FIG. 4, such as the steps described herein
(e.g., historical hair data may be inputted in combination with
current hair data collected from a spectral measurement
device).
[0091] In some embodiments, an optimization step may be utilized in
a method of producing a hair dye, where a hair sample dyed with a
produced hair dye color may be tested (e.g., scanning the hair
sample with a spectral measurement device or performing other
chemical testing) to determine properties of the dyed hair sample.
Hair data from the tested dyed hair sample may be collected and
inputted into a computing system. In some embodiments, the dyed
hair sample hair data may be compared with the selected hair dye
color ending points utilized in the method of providing the hair
dye, for example, to determine the accuracy of the algorithm used
in generating the formula for the hair dye and/or to determine the
accuracy of the dispensing system. In some embodiments, the dyed
hair sample hair data may be used to generate a second formula for
a second hair dye, for example, when a user wants to further change
the hair (e.g., if the user does not like the outcome of the first
hair dye application).
[0092] FIGS. 5-11 further illustrate user interactive features in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5
illustrates an exemplary login screen 500, which may be displayed
on a user interactive display (for example, a touchscreen) of a
kiosk such the display 205 of the kiosk 200 and/or an input device
(for example, a touchscreen) of a computing system such as input
device(s) 1114 of computing system 1100, for data input and
analysis by a user. In the login screen 500, a user, such as a hair
stylist, may input their salon ID 502 and password 504 a log in by
clicking on the log in button 506.
[0093] After successfully logging in, the user may proceed to a
customer search screen 600 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In the
customer search screen 600, the salon location associated with the
user is displayed at salon name 602. The customer search screen 600
can be displayed on a user interactive display (for example, a
touchscreen) of a kiosk such the display 205 of the kiosk 200
and/or an input device (for example, a touchscreen) of a computing
system such as input device(s) 1114 of computing system 1100. The
user can confirm the salon location in salon name 602 or, if the
user is currently located at a different salon, can update the
location by accessing other salon locations and choosing the
correct salon location where user is situated. The user can search
for a customer by inputting a customer name and/or phone number
into a customer searching tab 604.
[0094] Once the customer information is obtained, historical hair
data of the customer, can be accessed through a history tab 606.
Through the history tab 606, hair data collected from previous hair
samples may be accessed from a storage device of the computer
system. In some embodiments, hair data from user knowledge may be
inputted into the computer system, for example, including the age
of the customer, user inputs characterizing the customer's hair
(e.g., a natural hair color may be selected from a list of common
color characterizations, such as blonde, light brown, brown, dark
brown, red, black, grey, white, etc.) or user inputs of previous
hair treatments (e.g., when the last time the hair was colored or
chemically treated, the type of previous chemical treatment, if the
hair is permed, known chemicals or products used in the hair,
previous hair dye color or formula used, and others). Historical
hair data can also include previously acquired data related to
factors such as moisture content, porosity and density of the
customer's hair. Current hair data of the customer, such as the
same types of data stored as historical hair data, can be inputted
into the computer system via the hair makeup tab 608. The user may
also log out of the kiosk or system by clicking the log out button
610.
[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates a means of obtaining the hair color data
of a customer. The means of hair color data acquisition of FIG. 7
can be used upon entry of the customer into the salon or after a
first, second or higher hair color dye or formula application to
the customer's hair. To obtain the current hair color data of a
customer, the stylist can take a photograph 700 of the customer
using an input device such as a smartphone, table, laptop computer
or camera. The input device can then upload the photograph into the
computing system for hair color data determination and can be
displayed for user interfacing (i.e., further data input and or
analysis) on a display (for example, a touchscreen) of a kiosk such
the display 205 of the kiosk 200 and/or of an input device (for
example, a touchscreen) of a computing system such as input
device(s) 1114 of computing system 1100. Regions of the photograph
corresponding to the face and hair of the customer can be
identified as region 702 and region 704 respectively.
[0096] To ensure accuracy in the analysis of hair color data
derived from the photograph 700, the user may specify how the
photograph was obtained. Specifically, the user can input whether
the photograph 700 was obtained using, for example, a bulb lamp as
the light source, a fluorescent lamp as the light source, or day
light as the light source by clicking on a bulb lamp button 706, a
fluorescent lamp button 708, or a day light button 710,
respectively. In some instances, the user can remove regions of the
photograph 700, such as region 712, to further ensure accuracy of
the analysis of hair color data derived from the photograph
700.
[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary hair data that can be manually
inputted into a computing system, via a user interactive display
(for example, a touchscreen) of a kiosk such the display 205 of the
kiosk 200 and/or an input device (for example, a touchscreen) of a
computing system such as input device(s) 1114 of computing system
1100, according to various aspects of the present disclosure
through the hair makeup tab 608 of FIG. 6. In some instances, under
a hair thickness field 802, the user can specify the customer's
hair as thick, thin or a medium ("mid") thickness. In some
instances, under a hair length field 804, the user can specify the
customer's hair as long, short or a medium ("mid") length. In some
instances, under a hair volume field 806, the user can specify the
customer's hair as large, small or a medium ("mid") volume. In some
instances, under a hair characteristics field 808, the user can
specify the customer's hair as curly, straight or somewhere
therebetween. In other instances, a field for the characterization
of hair as dry, oily or normal can be displayed in the hair makeup
tab 608.
[0098] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary graphical display of the
results of a color analysis of a customer's hair using a spectral
measurement device in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure. In FIG. 9, a color analysis graphical display
1000 can be displayed on a user interactive display (for example, a
touchscreen) of a kiosk such the display 205 of the kiosk 200
and/or an input device (for example, a touchscreen) of a computing
system such as input device(s) 1114 of computing system 1100.
[0099] To begin, a user can select multiple regions of a customer's
hair, such as hair regions 902, 904, 906, and take a predetermined
number of hair color measurements in each region using a spectral
measurement device. More or less hair regions can be measured as
required. The data acquired in each selected hair region can be
correlated with color point 910 in a color spectrum 908. In some
instances all of the data obtained for each region can be averaged
into a single color point 910. In other instances, data for each
selected hair region can be defined as its own color point in the
color spectrum 908. Data 912 corresponding to the color point 908
can be summarized in terms of red (R), green (G) and blue (B)
values as well as in the CIE 1976 color space to yield lightness
(L), green-blue (a), blue yellow (b) and hue values. Skin tone data
can be similarly acquired. Based on the acquired hair data, general
hair dye color palates 914 for varying skin tones, such as fair,
olive, medium and dark can be generated on the color analysis
graphical display 1000.
[0100] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary graphical display for the
selection of hair color options in accordance with various aspects
of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, a hair color options
graphical display 1000 can be displayed on a user interactive
display (for example, a touchscreen) of a kiosk such the display
205 of the kiosk 200 and/or an input device (for example, a
touchscreen) of a computing system such as input device(s) 1114 of
computing system 1100. The display 1000 can include plurality of
available hair dye colors 1010. The graphical display 1000 also
includes a plurality of photographs 1020 of a customer seeking to
have their hair dyed a different color. In FIG. 11, the plurality
of photographs 1020 comprises four of the same photograph. The
plurality of photographs can have any suitable viewable number of
photographs such as, for example, from 2 to 10 of the same
photograph.
[0101] The user and/or customer can select a hair dye color
displayed in the plurality of hair dye colors 1010 for each of the
plurality of photographs 1020 by first selecting a hair dye color
and then specifying one of the plurality of photographs 1020 to
correspond to the selected hair dye color. As hair dye colors and
photographs are correlated to each other, anticipated images of the
customer after a hair treatments using the specified hair dye
colors is obtained. The anticipated images can further be viewed as
would be seen in person or in a photograph while in the presence of
a light source such a bulb lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or day light
by clicking a bulb lamp button 1030, a fluorescent lamp button
1040, or a day light button 1050, respectively. Additionally, after
the customer has decided to proceed with a selected hair dye color
treatment, guidance or instructions, such as for the application of
hair dye, application of heat, curling, ironing, etc. can be
generated by the computing system and displayed on an output device
as described above. In some instances, the user output device, such
as a smartphone or tablet, can be the same as the user input
device.
[0102] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary graphical display for the
selection of hair style options in accordance with various aspects
of the present disclosure. In FIG. 11, a hair style options
graphical display 1200 can be displayed on a user interactive
display (for example, a touchscreen) of a kiosk such the display
205 of the kiosk 200 and/or an input device (for example, a
touchscreen) of a computing system such as input device(s) 1114 of
computing system 1100. The display 1200 can include plurality of
sample hair styles 1210. Each of the plurality of hair styles 1210
can have the same hair color or can be a different hair color. In
some instances, one or more of the plurality of hair styles 1210
can be directed to specific hair styles having varied hair colors
such as, for example, highlights, lowlights, dyed tips, frosted
tips, ombre, sombre, balayage, colormelt, and flamboyage.
[0103] The hair style options graphical display 1200 further
includes a photograph 1220 of the customer. The user and/or
customer can select a hair style displayed in the plurality of hair
styles 1210. The selected hair style is then appropriately overlaid
onto the photograph 1220 of the customer to provide an anticipated
image of the customer after a hair treatment, in accordance with
the selected hair style, has been performed. Additionally, after
the customer has decided to proceed with a selected hair style
and/or coloring treatment, guidance or instructions, such as for
the application of hair dye, application of heat, curling, ironing,
etc. can be generated by the computing system and displayed on an
output device as described above. In some instances, the user
output device, such as a smartphone or tablet, can be the same as
the user input device.
[0104] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate an exemplary dispensing system 1300
for use in the hair dye machine of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Specifically,
the dispensing system 1300 can be used instead of the plurality of
storage containers 110 as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a perspective
view of the exemplary dispensing system 1300. FIG. 13 is a top side
view of the dispensing system 1300. FIG. 14 is a left side view of
the dispensing system 1300. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a
rotary dye storage containers holder assembly of the dispensing
system 1300. The dispensing system 1300 includes a rotary storage
containers holder assembly 1310, a holder assembly support
structure 1320, a rotary shaft assembly 1330, an index motor 1350
and a linear motor 1360. The rotary storage containers holder
assembly 1310 is configured to hold plurality of storage containers
1312. Each of the storage containers 1312 can hold one or more
specific dye ingredients. Each of the plurality of storage
containers 1312 includes a rigid main body 13122 for storage of the
one or more specific dye ingredients and a valve 13124 for the
transmission of the one or more specific dye ingredients therefrom.
In some instances, some or all of the plurality of storage
containers 1312 can be bag-on-valve type bottles. In some
instances, some or all of the plurality of storage containers 1312
contain a pressurized dye ingredient.
[0105] Dye ingredients may include at least one colorant, one or
more activators, such as peroxides or other oxidizers, one or more
bases, and/or one or more additives, such as a viscosity regulating
agent. For example, dye ingredients may include three colorants,
each colorant being a different primary color. Various amounts of
the primary color colorants may be mixed according to hair dye
formulas to produce different hair dye colors. Examples of suitable
dye ingredients may include conventionally used additives,
including but not limited to antioxidants such as ascorbic acid,
erythoboric acid or sodium sulfite to inhibit premature oxidizing,
oxidizing agents, fragrances and/or perfume oils, chelating agents,
emulsifiers, coloring agents, thickeners (e.g., fatty acid soaps
such as alkaline metal salts or alkanolamine salts of fatty acids,
oleic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid), organic solvents,
opacifying agents, dispersing agents, sequestering agents,
humectants, antimicrobials, solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol,
polyhydroxy alcohols (e.g., propylene glycol and hexylene glycol),
lower alkyl ethers (e.g., ethoxy diglycol), and others known in the
art.
[0106] The rotary storage containers holder assembly 1310 includes
a circular top plate 1314 with a plurality of gripping elements
1316 extending radially therefrom. In FIG. 15, the each of the
gripping elements 1316 is a flexible U-bracket. In other instances,
each of the gripping elements can be circular mounting brackets
having an internal diameter the same or slightly larger than the
outer diameter of the storage container 1312. In other instances,
each of the gripping elements 1316 can any component known to one
of ordinary skill in the art which is suitable to hold a storage
container 1312 and allow for insertion/removal of the bottle
therefrom. The rotary storage containers holder assembly 1310 also
includes a circular lower plate 1318 having a plurality of
apertures 1319, each aperture 1319 configured allow at least a
portion of a storage container 1312 to extend therethrough. Each of
the plurality of gripping elements 1316 will have a corresponding
aperture 1319 for the retention of a single storage container
1312.
[0107] The holder assembly support structure 1320 includes two
vertical support beams 1322, immobilized on a base within the hair
dye machine of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and a horizontal cross beam 1324
connected to each of the vertical support beams 1322. A portion of
the rotary shaft assembly 1330 extends into an aperture 1326 of the
horizontal cross beam 1324 and is allowed to freely rotate
therein.
[0108] The rotary shaft assembly 1330 includes a shaft 1331, a base
mount 1332 to immobilize the rotary shaft assembly 1330 on a base
within the hair dye machine of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and a freely
rotatable bearing 1134 set in a groove (not shown) of the base
mount 1332 and coupled to an end of the shaft. The circular top
plate 1314 is securely coupled with the shaft 1331 via a top nut
and washer 1336 and a bottom nut and washer (not shown). The
circular lower plate 1318 is securely coupled with the shaft 1331
via a top nut and washer 1338 and a bottom nut and washer (not
shown).
[0109] The index motor 1350 controls the position of the rotary
bottle holder assembly 1310 relative to the linear motor 1360 by
rotation of belt wheels 1339, 1352 and belt 1354. The linear motor
1360 can actuate a valve 13124 of a storage container 1312 and
control the rate and/or quantity of dye ingredient discharge
therefrom. The linear motor 1360 also fluidically coupled the
storage containers 1312 to a pumping device or receptacle, such as
the pumping device 130 or the receptacle 120, via a flow passage,
such as the flow passage 112.
[0110] Portions of the hair dye machine of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and the
dispensing system 1300 are provided power from an alternating
current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source (not shown) via a
power plug 1340. The power plug 1340 is electrically coupled with a
computing system 1380 (which may be the same as computing system
1100) via wires 1342. The computing system 1380 provides outputs to
a display 1370 (which may be the same as display 105 or display 205
of kiosk 200). The computing system 1380 is also communicatively
coupled with a control system 1390 via wires 1392. The control
system 1390 is in turn also communicatively coupled with the index
motor 1350 via wires 1394 and also communicatively coupled with the
linear motor 1360 via wires (not shown). The control system 1390
controls actuation of the index motor 1350 and linear motor 1360
based on instructions provided by the computing system 1380.
Statements of the Disclosure
[0111] Statements of the Disclosure include:
[0112] Statement 1: An apparatus for producing a hair dye,
comprising a housing; a hair dye dispensing system disposed in the
housing, the dispensing system comprising at least one storage
container containing a hair colorant, a pump operatively connected
to the at least one storage container, and a mixing chamber; a
spectral measurement device; and a computing system comprising
control mechanism operatively connected to the pump and the
spectral measurement device, a processor, a storage device, an
input, and a display.
[0113] Statement 2: An apparatus according to Statement 1, wherein
the spectral measurement device is any one of a spectroscope and a
spectrophotometer.
[0114] Statement 3: An apparatus according to Statement 1 or 2,
wherein the dispensing system comprises a rotary storage container
holder assembly.
[0115] Statement 4: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-3, wherein the pump is connected to a flow passage extending
between the at least one storage container and the mixing
chamber.
[0116] Statement 5: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-4, wherein the at least one storage container comprises an
airtight bag.
[0117] Statement 6: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-5, further comprising at least one storage container containing a
hair dye ingredient, wherein the hair dye ingredient is any one of
an activator, a base, an acid, a viscosity regulating agent, an
antioxidant, a fragrance, an oil, an oxidizing agent, a chelating
agent, an emulsifier, a thickener, a solvent, an opacifying agent,
a dispersing agent, a sequestering agent, a humectant, an
antimicrobial, and a conditioner.
[0118] Statement 7: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-6, wherein the dispensing system further comprises a dispensing
sensor disposed in the at least one storage container, the
dispensing sensor operatively connected to the control
mechanism.
[0119] Statement 8: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-7, wherein the storage device comprises at least one stored
profile, the stored profile comprising historical hair data for a
user and at least one historical hair dye formula for the user.
[0120] Statement 9: An apparatus according to any one of Statements
1-8, wherein the storage device comprises at least one stored
profile, the stored profile comprising historical hair data for a
population of users.
[0121] Statement 10: An apparatus according to Statement 9, wherein
the each of the population of users exhibit a similar hair
property, a similar geographic location, a similar historical hair
dye treatment, a similar age group, or any combination thereof.
[0122] Statement 11: A method for producing a hair dye formula,
comprising collecting hair data from a hair sample of an
individual, the hair data comprising one or more of chemical
composition, moisture content, porosity, and density; selecting a
hair color; generating a formula for a hair dye based on the
collected hair data and the selected hair color, the formula
comprising amounts of dye ingredients; and dispensing the amounts
of the dye ingredients to produce the hair dye, wherein the hair
dye ingredients comprise at least one colorant and at least one
other ingredient.
[0123] Statement 12: A method according to Statement 11, further
comprising executing computer readable program code by a processor
in a control mechanism to provide the formula, wherein the computer
readable program code is stored in a storage device.
[0124] Statement 13: A method according to Statement 11 or 12,
further comprising comparing the hair data and selected hair color
of the individual to hair data of at least one population of
individuals which have previously selected the hair color.
[0125] Statement 14: A method according to any one of Statements
11-13, wherein dispensing comprises pumping dye ingredients from at
least one storage container into a mixing chamber using at least
one pump; and sensing the amount of dye ingredients pumped from the
at least one storage container with at least one dispensing sensor
disposed in the at least one storage container; wherein a control
mechanism receives signals from the at least one dispensing sensor
and sends signals to the at least one pump.
[0126] Statement 15: A method according to any one of Statements
11-14, wherein the hair data is collected with a spectral
measurement device.
[0127] Statement 16: A method according to any one of Statements
11-15, wherein the hair color is selected from a display on a hair
dye dispensing apparatus, and wherein amounts of dye ingredients
are dispensed from the hair dye dispensing apparatus to form a hair
dye corresponding to the selected hair dye color.
[0128] Statement 17: A method according to any one of Statements
11-16, wherein at least one other ingredient is any one of an
activator, a base, an acid, a viscosity regulating agent, an
antioxidant, a fragrance, an oil, an oxidizing agent, a chelating
agent, an emulsifier, a thickener, a solvent, an opacifying agent,
a dispersing agent, a sequestering agent, a humectant, an
antimicrobial, and a conditioner.
[0129] Statement 18: A method according to any one of Statements
11-17 performed using an apparatus according to any one of
Statements 1-10.
[0130] Statement 19: A method, comprising collecting hair data from
a hair sample of an individual using a spectral measurement device;
selecting a hair color; and providing a hair dye for making the
hair sample to exhibit the selected hair color.
[0131] Statement 20: A method according to Statement 19, wherein
providing the hair dye comprises generating a formula for the hair
dye based on the collected hair data and the selected hair color,
the formula comprising amounts of dye ingredients; and mixing
amounts of dye ingredients based on the generated formula to make
the hair dye, wherein the hair dye ingredients comprise at least
one colorant and at least one other ingredient.
[0132] Statement 21: A method according to Statement 19 or 20,
further comprising comparing the hair data and selected hair color
of the individual to hair data of at least one population of
individuals which have previously selected the hair color.
[0133] Statement 22: A method according to any one of Statements
19-21 performed using an apparatus according to any one of
Statements 1-10.
[0134] While the present disclosure has been described with respect
to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art,
having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other
embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of
the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the
disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *