U.S. patent application number 17/673869 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for systems and methods to initiate and perform the painting of an area of interest on a finger.
The applicant listed for this patent is PREEMADONNA INC.. Invention is credited to Janet Peterson, Peter Peterson, Casey Schulz, Herpreet Walia.
Application Number | 20220256054 17/673869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006292303 |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220256054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walia; Herpreet ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
Systems and methods to initiate and perform the painting of an area
of interest on a finger
Abstract
Systems and methods to initiate and perform the painting of an
area of interest on a finger are herein disclosed. In one aspect,
embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may
be implemented on a system, of capturing an image of the finger in
response to receiving a request to paint the area of interest on
the finger and using the image of the finger to ascertain an area
of interest of the fingernail to be painted. One embodiment
includes, in response to determining that the user is satisfied
with the area of interest that has been determined, initiating the
painting of the area of interest and/or depicting, in real time,
the painting of the area of interest to the user.
Inventors: |
Walia; Herpreet; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Schulz; Casey; (San Jose, CA) ;
Peterson; Janet; (Larkspur, CA) ; Peterson;
Peter; (Larkspur, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PREEMADONNA INC. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006292303 |
Appl. No.: |
17/673869 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17246599 |
May 1, 2021 |
11290615 |
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17673869 |
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15978248 |
May 14, 2018 |
11082582 |
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17246599 |
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15978238 |
May 14, 2018 |
10477937 |
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15978248 |
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15599503 |
May 19, 2017 |
10470546 |
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15978238 |
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14468239 |
Aug 25, 2014 |
9687059 |
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15599503 |
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61869611 |
Aug 23, 2013 |
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62028233 |
Jul 23, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 2207/30196
20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; A45D 29/00 20130101; H04N
1/00188 20130101; G06T 7/13 20170101; B41J 3/407 20130101; A45D
2044/007 20130101; A45D 44/005 20130101; G06T 7/70 20170101; A45D
2029/005 20130101; G06T 7/20 20130101; A45D 34/042 20130101; A45D
29/22 20130101; H04N 1/4092 20130101; B41J 3/4073 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/409 20060101
H04N001/409; G06T 7/13 20060101 G06T007/13; G06T 7/70 20060101
G06T007/70; A45D 29/22 20060101 A45D029/22; A45D 34/04 20060101
A45D034/04; A45D 44/00 20060101 A45D044/00; B41J 3/407 20060101
B41J003/407; G06T 7/20 20060101 G06T007/20; H04N 1/00 20060101
H04N001/00 |
Claims
1.-19. (canceled)
20. A system to decorate a nail, the system, comprising: an
applicator unit; wherein, when in operation, the applicator unit
applies a material to decorate the nail; a finger positioning unit
operably coupled to the applicator unit; wherein, in operation, the
finger positioning unit facilitates positioning of the nail
relative to the applicator unit; a processing unit operably coupled
to the applicator; a memory unit having stored thereon instructions
which when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing
unit to: operate the applicator unit to initiate the decoration of
the nail.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: wirelessly receive firmware
updates over the wireless communication interface.
22. The system of claim 20, further comprising: a reservoir head
coupled to the applicator unit; wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: move the reservoir head to
initiate the decoration of the nail.
23. The system of claim 20, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: depict, in real time, the
decoration of the nail to the user.
24. The system of claim 20, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to perform one or more of:
continuously receive an image stream of the finger in real time, at
least a portion of the image stream of the finger being stored for
image processing; perform one or more of an edge detection
algorithm and a contour detection algorithm to determine an area of
interest of the nail for decoration.
25. The system of claim 20, further comprising: an imaging system
coupled to the processor; wherein, the imaging system is able to
capture an image of the nail.
26. The system of claim 20, further comprising: a cradle; a base
unit to which the cradle is attached; wherein the applicator unit
is coupled to the base unit.
27. The system of claim 20, further comprising: a cradle; wherein,
the cradle is adapted to receive or hold an external device.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein, the external device includes a
portable electronic device.
29. The system of claim 27, wherein, the external device includes
an imaging unit; wherein, when in operation the imaging unit is
operable to capture an image of the nail to be colored and to
perform image processing techniques on the nail to be colored.
30. A system to paint a target, the system, comprising: an
applicator unit; wherein, when in operation, the applicator unit
applies a material to paint the target; a positioning unit operably
coupled to the applicator unit; wherein, in operation, the
positioning unit facilitates positioning of the target relative to
the applicator unit; a processing unit operably coupled to the
applicator; a wireless communication interface; a memory unit
coupled to the processing unit, the memory unit having stored
thereon instructions which when executed by the processing unit,
cause the processing unit to: wirelessly receive firmware updates
over the wireless communication interface.
31. The system of claim 30, further comprising, a drying mechanism;
wherein the applicator unit comprises one or more motors or a
micro-electrical mechanical assembly.
32. The system of claim 30, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: operate the applicator unit to
paint the target.
33. A system to color a nail, the system, comprising: an applicator
unit; wherein, when in operation, the applicator unit applies a
material to color the nail; a finger positioning unit operably
coupled to the applicator unit; wherein, in operation, the finger
positioning unit facilitates positioning of the nail relative to
the applicator unit; a processing unit operably coupled to the
applicator; a memory unit coupled to the processing unit.
34. The system of claim 33, further comprising: a reservoir head
coupled to the applicator unit; wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: activate the reservoir head via
an application signal; move the applicator unit and the reservoir
head to initiate the coloring of the nail.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon instructions which when executed by the processing unit,
cause the processing unit to, perform one or more of: operate the
applicator unit to initiate the painting of the target; wirelessly
receive firmware updates over the wireless communication
interface.
36. The system of claim 33, further comprising: a wireless
communication interface; wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: wirelessly receive firmware
updates over the wireless communication interface.
37. The system of claim 33, further comprising: a cradle; a
portable electronic device held in the cradle, the portable
electronic device having a touch sensitive screen; wherein, the
portable electronic device is operable to detect contact with a
touch sensitive screen of the portable electronic device and
communicate commands generated from the contact with the touch
sensitive screen to the applicator unit to color the nail.
38. The system of claim 33, further comprising: a cradle; a
portable electronic device held in the cradle, the portable
electronic device having an internal camera; wherein, the internal
camera of the portable electronic device is an imaging unit of the
system; and wherein, when in operation, the imaging unit captures
an image of the nail to be colored.
39. The system of claim 33, wherein, the memory unit has stored
thereon further instructions which when executed by the processing
unit, cause the processing unit to: perform image processing
techniques to ascertain an area of interest of the nail to be
colored; receive, from the portable electronic device, indications
of the area of the nail to be colored; determine that the user is
satisfied with the area of interest that has been determined; paint
the nail, based on the indications of the area of the nail.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a Continuation application of: [0002]
U.S. application Ser. No. 17/246,599 filed May 1, 2021 and entitled
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO INITIATE AND PERFORM THE PAINTING OF AN
AREA OF INTEREST ON A FINGER,` (8001.U505) which is a Continuation
application of: [0003] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/978,248 filed
May 14, 2018 and entitled `SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO INITIATE AND
PERFORM THE PAINTING OF AN AREA OF INTEREST ON A FINGER,`
(8001.U504) which is a Continuation application of: [0004] U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/978,238 filed May 14, 2018 and entitled
`SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES TO APPLY A MATERIAL TO A NAIL,`
(8001.U503), issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,477,937 on Nov. 19, 2019,
which is a Continuation application of: [0005] U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/599,503 filed May 19, 2017 and entitled `SYSTEMS,
METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR DECORATING NAILS,` (8001.US02), issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,546 on Nov. 12, 2019, which is a
Continuation application of: [0006] U.S. application Ser. No.
14/468,239, filed Aug. 25, 2014 and entitled `NAIL DECORATING
APPARATUS,` (8001.US01), issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,687,059 on Jun.
27, 2017, which claims the benefit of: [0007] U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/869,611, filed Aug. 23, 2013 and entitled "NAIL
PAINTING ROBOT," (8001.US) and, [0008] U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/028,233, filed Jul. 23, 2014 and entitled "SMARTPHONE NAIL
PAINTING ROBOT," (8002.US), the contents of which are incorporated
by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0009] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for, and
methods of, applying a nail covering material to human nails
SUMMARY
[0010] A method of decorating a human nail comprising the steps of:
(i) placing a user's finger in a positioning aid for orienting the
user's finger below a photographic lens of a camera; (ii) capturing
and recording an image of a user's finger with the camera on a
portable electronic device, the image including a portion the
user's nail; (iii) based on the image of the user's finger,
determining at least one measurement selected from the group
consisting of (a) the width of the user's finger, (b) the width of
the user's nail and (c) the length of the user's nail; (iv)
calculating a print area based on the at least one measurement in
step (iii); (v) communicating the print area to the ink jet printer
assembly; (vi) placing the user's finger in contact with the touch
screen of the portable electronic device; (vii) detecting that the
user's finger is within the print area; and (viii) applying a
nail-coating material to the print area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the nail decorating apparatus
of the present invention comprising an ink jet printer assembly
[10], a portable electronic device [20] having a touch-sensitive
display [21] and an imaging system having a camera with at least
one photographic lens, a cradle for the portable electronic device
[30], a base stage [40], a vertical stand member [50], and a
positioning aid [60] for orienting a user's finger to a
predetermined location below the photographic lens.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a user's finger on a single-finger positioning
aid.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the nail decorating apparatus
of the present invention. The positioning aid is aligned
vertically, parallel to the vertical stand member, and
perpendicular to the cradle. The positioning aid has five
indentations/groves [62] that are configured to hold each of the
five fingers on a user's hand in a predetermined location below a
photographic lens on a portable electronic device.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a user's hand oriented in a first position on
the positioning aid described in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a user's hand oriented in a second position on
the positioning aid described in FIG. 3
[0016] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the nail decorating apparatus
of the present invention where a positioning aid [61] is attached
to the base stage [40]. The positioning aid is aligned horizontally
on the base stage, and is below and parallel to the cradle. The
positioning aid has five indentations/groves [62] that are
configured to hold each of the five fingers on a user's hand in a
predetermined location below the photographic lens on a portable
electronic device.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows the positional aid described in FIG. 6, and a
user's finger in contact with the touch screen aligned with a
crosshair projected downward from the ink jetprinter assembly.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates audio/visual cues on the touch screen
guiding a user. (a) shows the user launching an app that is
installed on the portable electronic device. The App provides an
audio/visual cue to the user, for example "Turn it up!", and then
further instructs the user to "swipe" her finger to a line
displayed on the touchscreen. (b) illustrates a user contacting the
touch screen of the portable electronic device and moving a finger
to a pre-defined location (center line) on the touch screen,
thereby starting application of nail-covering material to the nail.
(c) After the finger is placed on the pre-defined location, the App
provides a second audio/visual cue, for example by displaying the
text "Let's Paint".
[0019] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the portable electronic
device [20], a cradle [30] for the portable electronic device, and
a platform [31] attached to the vertical stand member to which the
cradle is attached.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows an image of a user's finger and nail with the
nail perimeter outlined on the app.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a light source [70] projecting a crosshair
[71] downward on to the touch screen.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows measurements of nail length [NL], nail width
[NW] and finger width [FW].
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a fingernail with a crosshatch on a
touch screen displaying a visual cue--a line on to which the user
moves/positions the finger to start application of the
nail-decorating coating by the ink jet printer assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following description and drawings are illustrative and
are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are
described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure.
However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details
are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description.
References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can
be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment;
and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.
[0025] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are
described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by
others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be
requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
[0026] The terms used in this specification generally have their
ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure,
and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms
that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or
elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to
the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For
convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using
italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no
influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning
of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is
highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said
in more than one way.
[0027] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used
for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any
special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is
elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are
provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the
use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this
specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is
illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope
and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise,
the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this
specification.
[0028] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure,
examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related
results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are
given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the
examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit
the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all
technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present
document, including definitions will control. The methods of the
present invention for applying a nail-covering material to human
nails are, in certain preferred embodiments, performed using a
portable electronic device having two essential components--a
touch-sensitive display with a graphical user interface and an
imaging system.
[0029] The term "human nails" as used in the present application is
to be understood to mean the keratogenous membrane that provides a
protective plate at the end of the fingers and toes of a human
being. Sometimes "human nails" are referred to as "nails" and, in
preferred embodiments, "fingernails".
[0030] As used in the present application, the term "nail-covering
material" is to be understood to mean nail polish/lacquer as well
as ink, paint, or similar materials that impart color to the
surface of human nails. A touch screen is an electronic visual
display that a user can control, including by the portable
electronic device has a screen with a touch-sensitive surface that
accepts user input by haptic and/or tactile contact. More
particularly, contact, movement, or a break in contact is detected
using any of a plurality of touch sensitive technologies known to
the skilled artisan, including, but not limited to, capacitive,
resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as
well as proximity sensor arrays. The touch screen on the portable
electronic device provides visual output to the user via a liquid
crystal display, light emitting polymer display, or other display
technology known in the art.
[0031] In one preferred embodiment, the portable electronic device
used in the methods of the present invention has a capacitive touch
screen comprised of an insulator (e.g., glass) and a transparent
conductor (e.g., indium tin oxide). In this embodiment, a fingertip
acts as a conductive material; touching the surface of the screen
results in a distortion of the screen's electrostatic field,
creating a measurable change in capacitance. Different technologies
known in the art may be used to determine the location of a
fingertip on the capacitive touch screen. This location is then
sent to a controller for processing.
[0032] In addition to a touch screen, the portable electronic
device used in the methods of the present invention has a touch
screen controller, one or more processors, memory (e.g., one or
more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other
non-volatile solid state memory devices), software (also known as
apps), and a means for powering the components of the device.
[0033] The portable electronic device used in the methods of the
present invention also has modular sets of instructions that are
stored in the memory for execution by one or more processors for
detecting contact with the touch-sensitive screen, displaying
graphics, providing a graphical user interface, processing images,
determining the perimeter of a nail, calculating a print area (as
defined below), storing a plurality of nail art (as defined below)
and communicating with an ink jet printer assembly.
[0034] Contact, movement or a break in contact with the touch
screen is detected and processed by a contact module that includes
software components for determining that (a) contact has occurred,
(b) contact is being maintained, (c) movement of the point of
contact has occurred, and if so, tracking that movement, and (d)
contact has been broken (i.e., contact has ceased). Determining
movement of the point of contact may include determining changes in
the magnitude and/or direction of the point of contact. The contact
module converts information relating to the point of contact into
electrical signals that are processed and displayed on the touch
screen as well as communicated to the ink jet printer assembly
[0035] In preferred embodiments, the portable electronic device has
a wireless communication function that provides a means for
communicating with an ink jet print assembly (or other
communicatively attached (e.g., via an electrical connector) to a
controller that in turn communicates with the ink jet printer
assembly.
[0036] The imaging system that is an essential part of the portable
electronic device is capable one photographic lens. In preferred
embodiments, the camera has a plurality of photographic lens
arranged along a common axis. In an especially preferred
embodiment, the portable electronic device has at least one speaker
for providing one or more audio cues to the user.
[0037] The portable electronic device is received and held in a
cradle positioned below an upper arm having an ink jet printer
assembly. By "received" is meant "slid" or "snapped into" or
otherwise "attached to". The cradle can be affixed directly to the
nail decorating apparatus of the present invention or to a platform
on the nail decorating apparatus.
[0038] A vertical stand member connects the cradle and the upper
arm/ink jet printer assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the cradle
is positioned below an upper arm having an ink jet printer assembly
and above a base stage that is configured at a fixed distance from
the camera to provide optimal and repeatable positioning of a
fingernail during image acquisition. In this embodiment, a vertical
stand member connects the cradle, the upper arm and the base
stage.
[0039] The base stage can have, and preferably does have, a
positioning aid for orienting at least one finger (and its
fingernail) to a predetermined location below the photographic
lens.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the positioning aid is attached
directly to the nail decorating apparatus of the present invention.
In other embodiments, the positioning aid is separate from the
device and is placed below the camera/cradle. In a first
embodiment, the positioning aid is configured to hold an individual
finger in a predetermined location below the photographic lens.
[0041] In a second embodiment, the positioning aid is configured to
hold each of the five fingers on a user's hand in a predetermined
location below the photographic lens. In one preferred aspect of
the second embodiment, the positioning aid is a dial that can be
turned/twisted by a user to five different positions. The dial can
be positioned horizontally or vertically in relation to the
cradle/camera. The camera can, and preferably does have, at least
one flash unit for illuminating the nail.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the cradle is above a base stage
that has one or more light sources, apart from the flash unit on
the camera. The ink jet printer assembly used in the nail
decorating apparatus of the present invention is a micro-electronic
device comprised of a printhead having a plurality of ink nozzles
and integrated circuits that route signals to the ink nozzles,
controlling the formation and release of ink droplets. At least one
ink color and preferably, a plurality of ink colors--is/are stored
in one or more separate ink reservoir(s) within the ink jet printer
assembly.
[0043] Ink nozzles are connected to ink color reservoir(s) and are
configured in a series of chambers that produce ink droplets "on
demand" by thermal or piezoelectric means known in the art. In
general, a pulse of electric current passes through a heating
element within each chamber, causing ink in the chamber to rapidly
vaporize and form a bubble.
[0044] The resulting increase in pressure within the chamber
propels tiny ink droplets through the nozzle onto the nail. In
preferred embodiments, the ink jet printer assembly is comprised of
inks having a plurality of colors. As used in the present
invention, the term "color" is to be understood to mean cyan,
magenta, yellow, black, and white and combinations and shades
thereof. In the first step of the methods of the present invention
image acquisition--a user places a portable electronic device in a
cradle.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cradle/camera is above the
base stage of the nail decorating device. In this preferred
embodiment, the user places at least one finger on the base stage,
and captures/records at least image (i.e., takes at least one
photograph) of a fingernail using the camera on the portable
electronic device. In certain embodiments, the user may take a
plurality of images of the fingernail--either as a "burst" of
individual frames or as a video clip. In one embodiment, the cradle
has a device for projecting a crosshair, two lines crossing at
right angles, or another geometrical shape (e.g., circle, triangle,
square), downward onto the base stage.
[0046] In one aspect of this embodiment, the user orients the nail
such that the crosshair is positioned, preferably centered, on top
of the nail. In another aspect of this embodiment, the user orients
the nail such that a geometrical shape is positioned on top of the
nail and takes at least one photograph of a fingernail using the
camera on the portable electronic device.
[0047] In another embodiment, the base stage has a positioning aid
that is configured to hold an individual finger in a predetermined
location below the photographic lens. The user places a finger in
the positioning aid and takes at least one photograph of the nail
of that finger using the camera on the portable electronic
device.
[0048] In yet another embodiment, the base stage has a positioning
aid that is configured to simultaneously hold each of the five
fingers on a user's hand in a predetermined location below to the
photographic lens. The user places a hand in the positioning aid
and takes at least one photograph of a fingernail using the camera
on the portable electronic device.
[0049] The positioning aid for simultaneously holding each of the
five fingers on a user's hand may be a dial that is positioned
vertically or horizontally below the cradle. In the horizontal
embodiment, the positioning aid is preferably attached to the base
stage.
[0050] In the vertical embodiment, the positioning aid is
preferably attached to the vertical stand member. The user
turns/twists or otherwise orients the dial to one of five different
positions and takes at least one photograph of a nail to be
decorated using the camera on the portable electronic device.
[0051] In a second step of the methods of the present invention, at
least one image of a nail from the first step is analyzed using
software (an app) that is installed on the portable electronic
device. The user runs the app, which overlays an X,Y grid over the
image of the nail to be decorated, and calculates the following
values: finger width (FW); nail width (NW); nail length (NL). The
app applies an edge detection algorithm to FW, NW and NL to
determine (a) an outline (perimeter) of the finger and/or (b) an
outline (perimeter) of the area on the nail on the finger from (a)
to be decorated. The surface of
[0052] the nail to be decorated, which can be the entire nail or a
portion of the nail, is referred to in the present application as
the "print area".
[0053] In the third step of the methods of the present
invention--application of a nail covering material to a nail that
has been imaged and for which a print area has been determined--the
user performs a predefined gesture, and the touch-sensitive screen
detects contact between a predefined application area on the touch
screen display and the fingertip (the fleshy portion of the distal
phalanx of a finger).
[0054] As used in the present application, the term "gesture" is to
be understood to mean an initial point of contact between the
fingertip and the touch screen, movement of the fingertip from the
initial point of contact (e.g., along a predefined path) while
maintaining continuous contact with the touch screen, and a
breaking of contact between the fingertip and the touch screen (to
complete the gesture).
[0055] In one embodiment, an outline of the perimeter of the user's
finger is displayed on the touch screen. The user places the finger
within the outlined area. The app detects the finger, or portion of
the finger, as being within the outlined area and sends
instructions to the ink jet printer assembly to apply the
nail-coating material to the print area. In one embodiment, the arm
has a device for projecting a crosshair, two lines crossing at
right angles, or other geometrical shape (e.g., circle, triangle,
square) downward onto the touch screen. In one aspect of this
embodiment, the user orients the nail such that the crosshair is
positioned, preferably centered, on top of the nail.
[0056] In another aspect of this embodiment, the user orients the
nail such that an outline of the perimeter of the fingernail is
positioned on top of the nail. The user then takes at least one
photograph of a fingernail using the camera on the portable
electronic device. In certain embodiments, the ink jet print head
is configured with a number of nozzles such that the user does not
need to move the finger in order for the nail-coating material to
be applied to cover or coat the print area.
[0057] In other embodiments, the ink jet print head is configured
with a number of nozzles such that in order for the nail-coating
material to be applied to the entire print area, the finger/nail
must be moved from a starting position to a completion
position.
[0058] In accordance with this embodiment, the user may move a
graphical user interface (GUI) object from a predefined initiation
point on the touch-sensitive screen to a predefined completion
point on the touch-sensitive screen. In a preferred, but
non-limiting example, the user "slides" an indicator along a line
segment.
[0059] In one aspect of this embodiment, the touch-sensitive screen
displays a plurality of predefined, sequential points, including an
initiation point, at least one intermediate point, and a completion
point. The user moves the GUI object from point to point. In
embodiments in which nail covering is applied to a fingernail at a
plurality of predefined, sequential points, the user completes a
series of gestures, each for a designated time interval. The touch
screen may, and in preferred embodiments, does display visual cues
to guide the user to maintain contact with each of the predefined,
sequential points for a designated time interval.
[0060] In place of, or in addition to one or more visual cues, in
certain embodiments the user may be provided with one or more audio
cues to maintain contact with the touch screen for a designated
time interval. The audio cue(s) are generated via at least one
speaker that is preferably a part of the portable electronic
device. In the above embodiments, the nail decorating apparatus
begins in a "ready" state.
[0061] Upon detecting contact between the fingertip and the
touch-sensitive display in the predefined application area (e.g.,
the outline of the finger nail), the nail decorating apparatus
transitions to an "application" state. If contact between the
fingertip and the touch-sensitive display in the predefined
application area is not detected, a signal is sent to the ink jet
print assembly to stop printing until such time as contact is
restored between the fingertip and the touch-sensitive display in
the predefined application area.
[0062] In other embodiments, one or more lines are displayed on the
touch screen below the intended print area. The user places a
finger on top of one or more lines. The touch screen detects the
finger and communicates the position of the finger to the app. As
needed, the app provides feedback (visual and/or audio cues) to the
user to reposition the finger on the touch screen until the nail is
oriented in the desired position (i.e., with respect to the one or
more lines).
[0063] In other embodiments within the scope of the present
invention, the portable electronic device having both a
touch-sensitive display and an imaging system may be replaced with
one or both of a separate touch-sensitive pad (i.e., touch screen)
and/or a separate imaging system having a camera with at least one
photographic lens. In one such embodiment, the touch screen and
imaging system are connected via a main controller that
communicates with an ink/paint controller that communicates with an
ink/paint dispenser.
[0064] In preferred embodiments, methods of the present invention
include a further step whereby a user selects nail art. By "nail
art" is meant a color, pattern, shape or combination thereof.
Non-limiting examples of nail art include images stored in a
library on the app or imported into the app by the user from a
different source file. The different source file can, for example,
be photographs that are separately stored on the portable
electronic device.
[0065] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms
"connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any
connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or
more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can
be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the
words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when
used in this application, shall refer to this application as a
whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where
the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using
the singular or plural number may also include the plural or
singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list
of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations
of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the
list, and any combination of the items in the list.
[0066] The above detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described
above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications
are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled
in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or
blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may
perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in
a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted,
moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide
alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks
may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while
processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in
series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in
parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any
specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative
implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
[0067] The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be
applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described
above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described
above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
[0068] Any patents and applications and other references noted
above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing
papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the
disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,
functions, and concepts of the various references described above
to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.
[0069] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in
light of the above Detailed Description. While the above
description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and
describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the
above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways.
Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation
details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter
disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when
describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not
be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to
be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects
of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In
general, the terms used in the following claims should not be
construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments
disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed
Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the
actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed
embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or
implementing the disclosure under the claims.
[0070] While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various
aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For
example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a
means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6, other
aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or
in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable
medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
112, 6 will begin with the words "means for".) Accordingly, the
applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing
the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other
aspects of the disclosure.
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