Hair moisture measuring device, and methods of making and using the device

Technologies are generally described for measuring hair moisture using a hair moisture measuring device including a vibrator, a sound wave detector, a heater, and/or a processor. The vibrator may generate and propagate first sound waves through a strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may then measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. After heating the hair by the heater, the vibrator may generate and propagate second sound waves through the strand of hair, which may be detected by the sound wave detector. The processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals, and also measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U,S. National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT

Application No. PCT/US2014/019985, filed Mar. 3, 2014 which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for any purpose.

BACKGROUND

Substances such as hair are hygroscopic and permeable, such that they can absorb moisture from the environment. For example, hair typically contains moisture accounting for about 12% to about 15% of the total weight. The hygroscopic property of hair determines the health of the hair, which can then determine available styling options for the hair. The capability of hair for retaining moisture can be deteriorated when it is damaged through styling such as a hair perm, exposure to hair styling products and exposure to hair dyes. Accordingly, it is important to precisely measure hair moisture to determine the overall health of hair or the moisture content in hair so that once can assess possible styling options and hair care options to maintain or improve the health of the hair.

Hair moisture measuring devices have been developed to detect the moisture level in hair, and have employed various techniques including a NIR (near infrared) moisture meter and Raman spectroscopy. The NIR moisture meter relies on the property of water that absorbs a specific wavelength of NIR light. However, it may be difficult to precisely measure the attenuation of the NIR light reflected from thin and fine hairs. Also, different levels of moisture at the surface and inner side of hair make the moisture measurement more challenging. The Raman spectroscopy relies on inelastic scattering of monochromatic light such as laser light irradiated on molecules of moisture in hair. For example, the laser light interacts with molecular vibrations, resulting in the energy of the laser photons being shifted upwards or downwards between a ground energy state and a virtual energy state. The shift in energy provides information about the vibrational modes to identify the molecules of moisture. Although the Raman spectroscopy provides decent precision of moisture measurement, it is costly and may not be implemented in a portable size for individual users.

SUMMARY

Technologies generally described herein relate to measuring moisture in hair.

Various example apparatus configured to measure hair moisture described herein may include one or more of at least one vibrator, at least one sound wave detector, at least one heater, and/or a processor. The at least one vibrator may be configured to generate sound waves in response to driving signals, and to propagate the sound waves through at least one strand of hair before and after moisture removal. The at least one sound wave detector may be spaced apart from the vibrator, and may be configured to detect the sound waves that have propagated through the hair. The at least one heater may be configured to generate heat for at least partially removing moisture in the hair. The processor may be configured to generate the driving signals that are fed to the vibrator, and to measure a time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals.

In some examples, methods for measuring hair moisture are described. Example methods may include propagating first sound waves through at least one strand of hair, detecting the first sound waves that have propagated through the hair, and measuring a first time-delay between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves. The hair may be heated to at least partially remove moisture from the hair. The methods may further include propagating second sound waves through the at least one strand of hair after heating, detecting the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair, and measuring a second time-delay between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves. An amount of the moisture may be measured by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

In some examples, a computer-readable storage medium is described that may be adapted to store a program operable by a hair moisture measuring device. The processor may include various features as further described herein. The program may include one or more instructions for propagating first sound waves through at least one strand of hair, detecting the first sound waves that have propagated through the hair, measuring a first time-delay between the first sound waves first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves, and heating the hair to at least partially remove moisture from the hair. The program may further include one or more instructions for propagating second sound waves through at least one strand of hair after heating, detecting the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair, measuring a second time-delay between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves, and measuring an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and second time-delay.

In some examples, methods of measuring hair moisture using a hair moisture measuring device are described. The hair moisture measuring device may include one or more of at least one vibrator, at least one sound wave detector, at least one heater, and/or a processor. The at least one vibrator may be configured to generate sound waves in response to driving signals, and to propagate the sound waves through at least one strand of hair before and after moisture removal. The at least one sound wave detector may be spaced apart from the vibrator, and may be configured to detect the sound waves that have propagated through the hair. The at least one heater may be configured to generate heat for at least partially removing moisture in the hair. The processor may be configured to generate the driving signals that are fed to the vibrator, and to measure a time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals.

In some examples, methods of manufacturing a hair moisture measuring device are described. Example methods may include preparing a substrate. At least one vibrator may be disposed on a first end of the substrate, the vibrator being configured to generate sound waves in response to driving signals, and to propagate the sound waves through at least one strand of hair before and after moisture removal. At least one sound wave detector may be disposed on a second end of the substrate, such that the sound wave detector is spaced apart from the vibrator, the sound wave detector being configured to detect the sound waves that have propagated through the hair. At least one heater may be disposed on the substrate, such that the heater is disposed between the vibrator and the sound wave detector, the heater being configured to generate heat for at least partially removing moisture in the hair. A processor may be coupled to the vibrator, the sound wave detector and the heater, the processor being configured to generate the driving signals that are fed to the vibrator, and to measure a time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods, apparatus, systems, devices and computer program products related to measuring moisture in hair.

Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for measuring hair moisture using a hair moisture measuring device. Example devices/systems described herein may include one or more of a vibrator, a sound wave detector, a heater, and/or a processor. The vibrator may generate first sound waves in response to first driving signals that may be provided from the processor, and propagate the first sound waves through a strand of hair. The sound wave detector may detect the first sound waves that have propagated through the hair. The processor may then measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. The heater may generate heat for at least partially removing moisture in the hair. After heating the hair, the vibrator may generate second sound waves in response to second driving signals that may be provided from the processor, and propagate the second sound waves through the strand of hair. The sound wave detector may detect the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair. The processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals. Further, the processor may measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

FIG. 1schematically shows a block diagram of an example hair moisture measuring device configured to measure moisture in hair by detecting time-delays of sound waves propagated through the hair, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As depicted, a hair moisture measuring device100may include one or more of a vibrator110, a sound wave detector120, a heater140and/or a processor150.

In some embodiments, vibrator110may be coupled to sound wave detector120through a strand of hair130. In particular, one end of the strand of hair130may be coupled to an output of vibrator110, while the other end of the strand of hair130may be coupled to an input of sound wave detector120. In some embodiments, a first hair clamp (not shown) may be arranged at a side of vibrator110, which may be disposed at one end of device100, and configured to clamp one end of hair130. Further, a second hair clamp (not shown) may be arranged at a side of sound wave detector120, which may be disposed at the other end of device100, and configured to clamp the other end of hair130so that hair130is stretched between the first and second hair clamps. In some embodiments, hair130may be a human hair or an animal hair such as wool, mohair, cashmere, angora, fleece, fur or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, vibrator110may include an ultrasonic vibrator, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to generate ultrasonic sound waves. Also, sound wave detector120may include an ultrasonic microphone, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to detect ultrasonic sound waves.

In some embodiments, heater140may be disposed between vibrator110and sound wave detector120such that heater140may generate heat towards substantially at least a portion of hair130. Heater140may include a ceramic material and at least one heating wire embedded in the ceramic material. In this case, heater140may be configured to generate heat by passing electricity through the heating wires embedded in the ceramic material, in which the electricity may be provided from processor150. Alternatively, heater140may include one or more infrared LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Heater140may generate heat by providing electricity to the LEDs so that the LEDs irradiate infrared light, in which the electricity may be provided from processor150.

In operation, vibrator110may be configured to generate sound waves in response to driving signals that may be provided from processor150, and configured to propagate the sound waves through the strand of hair130before and after moisture removal. In some embodiments, vibrator110may generate first sound waves in response to first driving signals that may be provided from processor150, and propagate the first sound waves through the strand of hair130. Vibrator110may receive driving signals from processor150to generate sound waves at regular intervals in a burst shape (for example, intermittent signals).

In some embodiments, sound wave detector120may be configured to detect the first sound waves that have propagated through hair130. Processor150may be configured to measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. During propagation of the sound waves through hair130, a time-delay may occur between a first time, substantially when the first driving signals are transmitted from vibrator110, and a second time, substantially when the first sound waves that have propagated through hair130are detected by sound wave detector120. Such time-delay may depend on a length of hair130and/or a property of hair130such as moisture level. In case the sound waves are generated in a burst fashion, processor150may measure the first time-delay based on the burst timing of the first driving signals and first sound waves.

In some embodiments, heater140may be configured to generate heat for at least partially evaporating or removing moisture in hair130. Hair130may be heated for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature, which may be not greater than a temperature at which hair130may denature. For example, hair130may be heated for about 120 seconds at 60 degrees Celsius or less.

In some embodiments, after heating hair130, vibrator110may generate second sound waves in response to second driving signals that may be provided from processor150, and propagate the second sound waves through the strand of hair130. Sound wave detector120may then detect the second sound waves that have propagated through hair130. Processor150may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals. Further, processor150may measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. As such, processor150may measure an amount of the moisture in hair130by comparing the first time-delay between the first driving signals and the first sound waves, which is detected for hair130prior to being heated by heater140, and the second time-delay between the second driving signals and the second sound waves, which is detected for hair130after being heated by heater140.

In some embodiments, a difference between the first and second time-delays may be compared with a reference, which may be pre-stored in a memory unit (not shown) of hair moisture measuring device100. The reference may be represented as a calibration curve (or a look-up table), in which an x axis (or a first column) indicates time-delay differences and a y axis (or a second column) indicates associated moisture contents. Thus, if a time delay difference (for example, a difference between the first and second time-delays) is measured as described above, an associated moisture content may be found by looking up the time delay difference in the reference. For example, a look-up table including the reference may be pre-stored in the memory unit. Processor150may determine the amount of moisture contained in hair130by identifying the time-delay difference in the reference that best matches the time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

In some embodiments, a reference including time-delay differences and associated moisture contents may be prepared for a predetermined exemplary hair type. Because hair may have different properties (for example, thickness, hygroscopicity, water retention property, etc.) for different human races or different animals, a reference may be prepared for each of the human races or different animals. For example, a collection of hair may be sampled from a group of persons belonging to a same human race with substantially same hair health condition. For preparation of a reference, various collections of hair may be sampled from the same group of persons in different environments (for example, different atmosphere temperatures and humidity). The weight of each collection of hair may be measured before and after heating the hair to remove moisture from the hair. By comparing the weights of the hair measured before and after heating, an average moisture content for the collected hair may be determined. In addition, a time delay difference may be measured for each collection of hair in a manner as described above. Thus, a reference may be prepared by associating the measured time delay differences with moisture contents determined for different hair health conditions and/or different environments.

In some embodiments, processor150may include a microprocessor, a signal generator configured to generate the driving signals, an oscilloscope configured to measure and/or display the sound waves, the time delays, or a combination thereof. Also, device100may further include a display unit (not shown) electrically coupled to processor150and configured to display at least one of the driving signals, the sound waves, and the measured time delays.

FIG. 2schematically shows a block diagram of another example hair moisture measuring device configured to measure moisture in hair by detecting time-delays of sound waves propagated through the hair, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As depicted, a hair moisture measuring device200may include one or more of a vibrator210, a sound wave detector220, a heater240and/or a processor250. In some embodiments, vibrator210may be coupled to sound wave detector220through a strand of hair230. In particular, one end of the strand of hair230may be coupled to an output of vibrator210, while the other end of the strand of hair230may be coupled to an input of sound wave detector220.

In some embodiments, vibrator210may include a driver circuit212configured to receive driving signals from processor250and configured to generate voltages according to the driving signals. Vibrator210may further include an ultrasonic transducer214configured to receive the voltages from driver circuit212and generate ultrasonic sound waves according to the voltages. Ultrasonic transducer214may be a piezoelectric transducer including piezoelectric crystals having the property of changing size when the voltages are applied, and thus oscillating at ultrasonic frequencies. On the other hand, sound wave detector220may include an ultrasonic transducer224configured to receive ultrasonic sound waves that have propagated through the strand of hair230and generate voltages in response to the ultrasonic sound waves. Again, ultrasonic transducer224may be a piezoelectric transducer including piezoelectric crystals having the property of generating voltages when force according to the sound waves is applied. Sound wave detector220may further include an amplifier222configured to amplify the voltages from ultrasonic transducer224for providing to processor250.

In some embodiments, heater240may be disposed between vibrator210and sound wave detector220. For example, heater240may be a ceramic heater configured to generate heat by passing electricity through heating wires embedded in a ceramic material, in which the electricity may be provided from processor250. In some other examples, heater240may be a sheet heater configured to generate heat by passing electricity through heating wires embedded in two sheets (for example, made of silicon or polyimide) attached to each other. Alternatively, heater140may include one or more infrared LEDs configured to generate infrared light in response to the electricity provided from processor250.

In some embodiments, processor250may include a signal generator252configured to generate driving signals for providing to vibrator210. For example, signal generator252may be an oscillator configured to generate pulse signals or intermittent signals in a burst shape as the driving signals. Also, processor250may include an oscilloscope254configured to receive voltages from vibrator210and/or sound wave detector220and display the change of voltages over time on a display unit (not shown) for a user or an operator.

In operation, vibrator210may be configured to generate ultrasonic sound waves in response to driving signals that may be provided from processor250, and configured to propagate the ultrasonic sound waves through the strand of hair230before and after moisture removal. In some embodiments, vibrator210may generate first ultrasonic sound waves in response to first driving signals that may be provided from processor250, and propagate the first ultrasonic sound waves through the strand of hair230. Vibrator210may receive driving signals from processor250to generate ultrasonic sound waves at regular intervals in a burst shape (for example, intermittent signals).

In some embodiments, sound wave detector220may be configured to detect the first ultrasonic sound waves that have propagated through hair230. Processor250may be configured to measure a first time-delay between the first ultrasonic sound waves and the first driving signals. During propagation of the ultrasonic sound waves through hair230, a time-delay may occur between a first time, substantially when the first driving signals are transmitted from vibrator210, and a second time, substantially when the first ultrasonic sound waves that have propagated through hair230are detected by sound wave detector220. Such time-delay may depend on a length of hair230and/or a property of hair230such as moisture level. In case the ultrasonic sound waves are generated in a burst fashion, processor250may measure the first time-delay based on the burst timing of the first driving signals and first ultrasonic sound waves.

In some embodiments, heater240may be configured to generate heat for at least partially evaporating or removing moisture in hair230. Hair230may be heated for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature, which may be not greater than a temperature at which hair230may denature. For example, hair230may be heated for about 120 seconds at 60 degrees Celsius or less.

In some embodiments, after heating hair230, vibrator210may generate second ultrasonic sound waves in response to second driving signals that may be provided from processor250, and propagate the second ultrasonic sound waves through the strand of hair230. Sound wave detector220may then detect the second ultrasonic sound waves that have propagated through hair230. Processor250may measure a second time-delay between the second ultrasonic sound waves and the second driving signals. Further, processor250may measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. As such, processor250may measure an amount of the moisture in hair230by comparing the first time-delay between the first driving signals and the first ultrasonic sound waves, which is detected for hair230prior to being heated by heater240, and the second time-delay between the second driving signals and the second ultrasonic sound waves, which is detected for hair230after being heated by heater240.

In some embodiments, a difference between the first and second time-delays may be compared with a reference, which may be pre-stored in a memory unit (not shown) of hair moisture measuring device200. The reference may include a list of time-delay differences associated with respective moisture contents. For example, a look-up table including the reference may be pre-stored in the memory unit. The reference time-delay differences and associated moisture contents may be pre-measured for predetermined exemplary hair types (for example, exemplary hair sampled from different races, different animals, etc.). Processor250may determine the amount of moisture contained in hair230by identifying the time-delay difference in the reference that best matches the time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. Processor250may be further configured to display at least one of the driving signals, the ultrasonic sound waves, and the measured time delays on the display unit.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bschematically show a front view and a top view of an example hair moisture measuring device including a ceramic heater, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As illustrated, a hair moisture measuring device300may include one or more of a vibrator310, a sound wave detector320and/or a ceramic heater340, which may be disposed on a substrate380. Although not explicitly illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, device300may further include a processor, which may be disposed at an inside of substrate380. The processor may operate in a similar manner as described above with respect to processor150or250.

In some embodiments, vibrator310may be coupled to sound wave detector320through a strand of hair330. As depicted inFIG. 3A, one end of the strand of hair330may be coupled to an output312of vibrator310, while the other end of the strand of hair330may be coupled to an input322of sound wave detector320. Further, a first hair clamp360may be arranged in the vicinity of vibrator310, which may be disposed at one end of substrate380, and configured to clamp one end of hair330. Further, a second hair clamp370may be arranged in the vicinity of sound wave detector320, which may be disposed at the other end of substrate380, and configured to clamp the other end of hair330so that hair330is stretched between first and second hair clamps360and370.

In some embodiments, vibrator310may include an ultrasonic vibrator, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to generate ultrasonic sound waves. Also, sound wave detector320may include an ultrasonic microphone, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to detect ultrasonic sound waves.

In some embodiments, ceramic heater340may be disposed between vibrator310and sound wave detector320on substrate380. Ceramic heater340may include a ceramic material and at least one heating wire embedded in the ceramic material. Ceramic heater340may generate heat by passing electricity through the heating wires embedded in the ceramic material, in which the electricity may be provided from the processor.

Hair moisture measuring device300may operate in a similar manner as device100or200described above with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, vibrator310may propagate first sound waves through the strand of hair330, and sound wave detector320may detect the first sound waves that have propagated through hair330. The processor may measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves. Further, heater340may heat hair330to at least partially remove moisture from hair330. After heating hair330, vibrator310may propagate second sound waves through the strand of hair330, and sound wave detector320may detect the second sound waves that have propagated through hair330. Again, the processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves. An amount of the moisture may be measured by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bschematically show a front view and a top view of an example hair moisture measuring device including a heater including one or more infrared LEDs, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As illustrated, a hair moisture measuring device400may include one or more of a vibrator410, a sound wave detector420and/or a heater440including one or more infrared LEDs, which may be disposed on a substrate480. Although not explicitly illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, device400may further include a processor, which may be disposed at an inside of substrate480. The processor may operate in a similar manner as described above with respect to processor150or250.

In some embodiments, vibrator410may be coupled to sound wave detector420through a strand of hair430. As depicted inFIG. 4A, one end of the strand of hair430may be coupled to an output412of vibrator410, while the other end of the strand of hair430may be coupled to an input422of sound wave detector420. Further, a first hair clamp460may be arranged in the vicinity of vibrator410, which may be disposed at one end of substrate480, and configured to clamp one end of hair430. Further, a second hair clamp470may be arranged in the vicinity of sound wave detector420, which may be disposed at the other end of substrate480, and configured to clamp the other end of hair430so that hair430is stretched between first and second hair clamps460and470.

In some embodiments, vibrator410may include an ultrasonic vibrator, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to generate ultrasonic sound waves. Also, sound wave detector420may include an ultrasonic microphone, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to detect ultrasonic sound waves.

In some embodiments, a heater440may be disposed between vibrator410and sound wave detector420on substrate480. Heater440may include one or more infrared LEDs442. Heater440may generate heat by providing electricity to LEDs442so that LEDs442irradiate infrared light, in which the electricity may be provided from the processor.

Hair moisture measuring device400may operate in a similar manner as device100or200described above with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, vibrator410may propagate first sound waves through the strand of hair430, and sound wave detector420may detect the first sound waves that have propagated through hair430. The processor may measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves. Further, heater440may heat hair430to at least partially remove moisture from hair430. After heating hair430, vibrator410may propagate second sound waves through the strand of hair430, and sound wave detector420may detect the second sound waves that have propagated through hair430. Again, the processor may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves. An amount of the moisture may be measured by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

FIG. 5illustrates an example flow diagram of a method adapted to measure hair moisture, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. An example method500inFIG. 5may be implemented using, for example, a computing device including a processor adapted to measure moisture in hair.

Method500may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks S510, S520, S530, S540, S550, S560, S570and/or S580. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. In some further examples, the various described blocks may be implemented as a parallel process instead of a sequential process, or as a combination thereof. Method500may begin at block S510, “PROPAGATING FIRST SOUND WAVES THROUGH AT LEAST ONE STRAND OF HAIR.”

At block S510, first sound waves may be propagated through at least one strand of hair. As depicted inFIG. 1, vibrator110may generate first sound waves in response to first driving signals that may be provided from processor150, and propagate the first sound waves through the strand of hair130. Vibrator110may receive driving signals from processor150to generate sound waves at regular intervals in a burst shape (for example, intermittent signals). In some embodiments, vibrator110may include an ultrasonic vibrator, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to generate ultrasonic sound waves. Block S510may be followed by block S520, “DETECTING THE FIRST SOUND WAVES THAT HAVE PROPAGATED THROUGH THE HAIR.”

At block S520, the first sound waves that have propagated through the hair may be detected. As illustrated inFIG. 1, sound wave detector120may detect the first sound waves that have propagated through hair130. In some embodiments, sound wave detector120may include an ultrasonic microphone, such as an ultrasonic ceramic transducer, configured to detect ultrasonic sound waves. Block S520may be followed by block S530, “MEASURING A FIRST TIME-DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST SOUND WAVES AND FIRST DRIVING SIGNALS THAT ARE USED TO GENERATE THE FIRST SOUND WAVES.”

At block S530, a first time-delay may be measured between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves. As illustrated inFIG. 1, processor150may measure a first time-delay between the first sound waves and the first driving signals. In case the sound waves are generated in a burst fashion, processor150may measure the first time-delay based on the burst timing of the first driving signals and first sound waves. In some embodiments, processor150may include a microprocessor, a signal generator configured to generate the driving signals, an oscilloscope configured to measure and/or display the sound waves and the time delays, or a combination thereof. Block S530may be followed by block S540, “HEATING THE HAIR TO AT LEAST PARTIALLY REMOVE MOISTURE FROM THE HAIR.”

At block S540, the hair may be heated to at least partially remove moisture from the hair. As depicted inFIG. 1, heater140may generate heat for at least partially evaporating or removing moisture in hair130. Hair130may be heated for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature, which may be not greater than a temperature at which hair130may denature. For example, hair130may be heated for about 120 seconds at 60 degrees Celsius or less. In case of using a ceramic heater as heater140, heat may be generated by passing electricity through heating wires embedded in a ceramic material, in which the electricity may be provided from processor150. Alternatively, a heater including infrared LEDs may be used as heater140, in which heat may be generated by providing electricity to the LEDs so that the LEDs irradiate infrared light. Block S540may be followed by block S550, “PROPAGATING SECOND SOUND WAVES THROUGH THE AT LEAST ONE STRAND OF HAIR AFTER HEATING.”

At block S550, second sound waves may be propagated through the at least one strand of hair after heating. As illustrated inFIG. 1, after heating hair130, vibrator110may generate second sound waves in response to second driving signals that may be provided from processor150, and propagate the second sound waves through the strand of hair130. Block S550may be followed by block S560, “DETECTING THE SECOND SOUND WAVES THAT HAVE PROPAGATED THROUGH THE HAIR.”

At block S560, the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair may be detected. As illustrated inFIG. 1, sound wave detector120may detect the second sound waves that have propagated through hair130. Block S560may be followed by block S570, “MEASURING A SECOND TIME-DELAY BETWEEN THE SECOND SOUND WAVES AND SECOND DRIVING SIGNALS THAT ARE USED TO GENERATE THE SECOND SOUND WAVES.”

At block S570, a second time-delay may be measured between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves. As depicted inFIG. 1, processor150may measure a second time-delay between the second sound waves and the second driving signals. Block S570may be followed by block S580, “MEASURING AN AMOUNT OF THE MOISTURE BY CALCULATING A TIME-DELAY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST TIME-DELAY AND THE SECOND TIME-DELAY.”

At block S580, an amount of the moisture may be measured by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. As illustrated inFIG. 1, processor150may measure an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. As such, processor150may measure an amount of the moisture in hair130by comparing the first time-delay between the first driving signals and the first sound waves, which is detected for hair130prior to being heated by heater140, and the second time-delay between the second driving signals and the second sound waves, which is detected for hair130after being heated by heater140.

In some embodiments, a difference between the first and second time-delays may be compared with a reference, which may be pre-stored in a memory unit of the hair moisture measuring device. The reference may include a list of time-delay differences associated with respective moisture contents. For example, a look-up table including the reference may be pre-stored in the memory unit. The reference time-delay differences and associated moisture contents may be pre-measured for predetermined exemplary hair types (for example, exemplary hair sampled from different races, different animals, etc.). The amount of moisture contained in the hair may be determined by identifying the time-delay difference in the reference that best matches the time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay.

FIG. 6illustrates an example flow diagram of a method adapted to manufacture a hair moisture measuring device, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. An example method600inFIG. 6may be implemented using, for example, a computing device including a processor adapted to control manufacturing of a hair moisture measuring device.

Method600may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks S610, S620, S630, S640and/or S650. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. In some further examples, the various described blocks may be implemented as a parallel process instead of a sequential process, or as a combination thereof. Method600may begin at block S610, “PREPARING A SUBSTRATE.”

At block S610, a substrate may be prepared. As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3BorFIGS. 4A and 4B, substrate380or480may be prepared as a member for supporting other elements including vibrator310or410, sound wave detector320or420, and/or first and second clamps360and370or460and470. Substrate380or480may serve as an enclosure configured to accommodate a processor or any other units for controlling the operation of device300or400. Block S610may be followed by block S620, “DISPOSING AT LEAST ONE VIBRATOR ON A FIRST END OF THE SUBSTRATE.”

At block620, at least one vibrator may be disposed on a first end of the substrate. As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3BorFIGS. 4A and 4B, vibrator310or410may be disposed on a first end of substrate380or480, which may be in the vicinity of first clamp360or460. Vibrator310or410may be configured to generate sound waves in response to driving signals, and to propagate the sound waves through at least one strand of hair330or430before and after moisture removal. Block S620may be followed by block S630, “DISPOSING AT LEAST ONE SOUND WAVE DETECTOR ON A SECOND END OF THE SUBSTRATE, SUCH THAT THE SOUND WAVE DETECTOR IS SPACED APART FROM THE VIBRATOR.”

At block630, at least one sound wave detector may be disposed on a second end of the substrate, such that the sound wave detector is spaced apart from the vibrator. As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3BorFIGS. 4A and 4B, sound wave detector320or420may be disposed on a second end of substrate380or480, which may be in the vicinity of second clamp370or470. Sound wave detector320or420may be configured to detect the sound waves that have propagated through hair330or430. Block S630may be followed by block S640, “DISPOSING AT LEAST ONE HEATER ON THE SUBSTRATE, SUCH THAT THE HEATER IS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE VIBRATOR AND THE SOUND WAVE DETECTOR.”

At block640, at least one heater may be disposed on the substrate, such that the heater is disposed between the vibrator and the sound wave detector. As depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3BorFIGS. 4A and 4B, heater340or440may be disposed on substrate380or480, such that heater340or440is disposed between vibrator310or410and sound wave detector320or420. Heater340or440may be configured to generate heat for at least partially removing moisture in hair330or430. Block S640may be followed by block S650, “COUPLING A PROCESSOR TO THE VIBRATOR, THE SOUND WAVE DETECTOR AND THE HEATER.”

At block S650, a processor may be coupled to the vibrator, the sound wave detector and the heater. As depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3BorFIGS. 4A and 4B, a processor embedded in substrate380or480may be electrically coupled to vibrator310or410, sound wave detector320or420and heater340and440. The processor may be configured to generate the driving signals that are fed to vibrator310or410, and to measure a time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals. In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured to measure an amount of moisture in hair330or430by comparing a first time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals associated with hair330or430prior to being heated by heater340or440, and a second time-delay between the sound waves and the driving signals associated with hair330or430after being heated by heater340or440.

In some embodiments, a first clamp such as first clamp360or460may be further disposed on the first end of the substrate, the first clamp being configured to clamp a first end of the hair. Also, a second clamp such as second clamp370or470may be disposed on the second end of the substrate, the second clamp being configured to clamp a second end of the hair. In this configuration, the hair may be stretched between the first clamp and the second clamp, and the hair may be coupled to the vibrator and to the sound wave detector. Further, a display unit may be coupled to the processor, the display unit being configured to display at least one of the driving signals, the sound waves, and the measured time delays.

In light of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 7shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an example computing system that can be configured to implement methods for measuring hair moisture, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As depicted inFIG. 7, a computer700may include a processor710, a memory720and one or more drives730. Computer700may be implemented as a conventional computer system, an embedded control computer, a laptop, or a server computer, a mobile device, a set-top box, a kiosk, a vehicular information system, a mobile telephone, a customized machine, or other hardware platform.

Drives730and their associated computer storage media may provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for computer700. Drives730may include a hair moisture measuring system740, an operating system (OS)750, and application programs760. Hair moisture measuring system740may be adapted to control a hair moisture measuring device in such a manner as described above with respect toFIGS. 1 to 6.

Computer700may further include user input devices780through which a user may enter commands and data. Input devices can include an electronic digitizer, a camera, a microphone, a keyboard and pointing device, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.

These and other input devices can be coupled to processor710through a user input interface that is coupled to a system bus, but may be coupled by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). Computers such as computer700may also include other peripheral output devices such as display devices, which may be coupled through an output peripheral interface785or the like.

Computer700may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more computers, such as a remote computer coupled to a network interface790. The remote computer may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and can include many or all of the elements described above relative to computer700.

Networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide area networks (WAN), local area networks (LAN), intranets, and the Internet. When used in a LAN or WLAN networking environment, computer700may be coupled to the LAN through network interface790or an adapter. When used in a WAN networking environment, computer700typically includes a modem or other means for establishing communications over the WAN, such as the Internet or a network795. The WAN may include the Internet, the illustrated network795, various other networks, or any combination thereof. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms of establishing a communications link, ring, mesh, bus, cloud, or network between the computers may be used.

In some embodiments, computer700may be coupled to a networking environment. Computer700may include one or more instances of a physical computer-readable storage medium or media associated with drives730or other storage devices. The system bus may enable processor710to read code and/or data to/from the computer-readable storage media. The media may represent an apparatus in the form of storage elements that are implemented using any suitable technology, including but not limited to semiconductors, magnetic materials, optical media, electrical storage, electrochemical storage, or any other such storage technology. The media may represent components associated with memory720, whether characterized as RAM, ROM, flash, or other types of volatile or nonvolatile memory technology. The media may also represent secondary storage, whether implemented as storage drives730or otherwise. Hard drive implementations may be characterized as solid state, or may include rotating media storing magnetically encoded information.

Processor710may be constructed from any number of transistors or other circuit elements, which may individually or collectively assume any number of states. More specifically, processor710may operate as a state machine or finite-state machine. Such a machine may be transformed to a second machine, or specific machine by loading executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions may transform processor710by specifying how processor710transitions between states, thereby transforming the transistors or other circuit elements constituting processor710from a first machine to a second machine. The states of either machine may also be transformed by receiving input from user input devices780, network interface790, other peripherals, other interfaces, or one or more users or other actors. Either machine may also transform states, or various physical characteristics of various output devices such as printers, speakers, video displays, or otherwise.

FIG. 8illustrates computer program products that can be utilized to measure hair moisture, in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. Program product800may include a signal bearing medium802. Signal bearing medium802may include one or more instructions804that, when executed by, for example, a processor, may provide the functionality described above with respect toFIGS. 1 to 6. By way of example, instructions804may include at least one of: one or more instructions for propagating first sound waves through at least one strand of hair; one or more instructions for detecting the first sound waves that have propagated through the hair; one or more instructions for measuring a first time-delay between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves; one or more instructions for heating the hair to at least partially remove moisture from the hair; one or more instructions for propagating second sound waves through the at least one strand of hair after heating; one or more instructions for detecting the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair; one or more instructions for measuring a second time-delay between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves; or one or more instructions for measuring an amount of the moisture by calculating a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. Thus, for example, referring toFIGS. 1 to 4B, hair moisture measuring device100,200,300or400may undertake one or more of the blocks shown inFIG. 5in response to instructions804.

In some implementations, signal bearing medium802may encompass a computer-readable medium806, such as, but not limited to, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, memory, etc. In some implementations, signal bearing medium802may encompass a recordable medium808, such as, but not limited to, memory, read/write (R/W) CDs, R/W DVDs, etc. In some implementations, signal bearing medium802may encompass a communications medium810, such as, but not limited to, a digital and/or an analog communication medium (for example, a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.). Thus, for example, program product800may be conveyed to one or more modules of hair moisture measuring device100,200,300or400by an RF signal bearing medium802, where the signal bearing medium802is conveyed by a wireless communications medium810(for example, a wireless communications medium conforming with the IEEE 802.11 standard).

EXAMPLES

The present disclosure will be understood more readily by reference to the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

Measuring Moisture in Human Hair in Good and Bad Health Conditions

In one experimental example, moisture in human hair was measured by a hair moisture measuring device that has been manufactured using a configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B. For the purpose of determining moisture measuring parameters for human hair (typically having a thickness of about 50 μm to 150 μm), moisture was measured for example human hair with an average thickness of 100 μm in good humidity condition (that was sampled in a room with atmosphere humidity of about 60% at atmosphere temperature of about 26 Celsius degrees) and another example human hair with an average thickness of 100 μm in bad humidity condition (that was sampled in a room with atmosphere humidity of about 35% at atmosphere temperature of about 18 Celsius degrees). The example hair had a relatively bad health condition because they were treated by frequent dyeing and decoloration.

The hair moisture measuring device was operated, such that first sound waves were propagated through the strand of hair to detect the first sound waves that have propagated through the example hair. The length of the example hair, which was coupled between an output of a vibrator and an input of a sound wave detector, was about 50 mm. Then, a first time-delay was measured between the first sound waves and first driving signals that are used to generate the first sound waves. Further, the example hair was heated to remove moisture from the hair for about 120 seconds at a temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius. After heating the example hair, second sound waves were propagated through the strand of hair to detect the second sound waves that have propagated through the hair. Again, a second time-delay was measured between the second sound waves and second driving signals that are used to generate the second sound waves.

The first time-delay and the second time-delay were measured for several samples of human hair with substantially same conditions (that is, a set of several hair samples with a thickness of about 100 μm in good humidity condition and another set of several hair samples with a thickness of about 100 μm in bad humidity condition). A time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay was constantly determined to be about 2.4 μsec for the example hair in good humidity condition and about 2.0 μsec for the example hair in bad humidity condition.

According to the present disclosure, the time delay difference may be compared with a reference including a list of time-delay differences associated with respective moisture contents. As described above, the reference may be prepared by associating time delay differences with moisture contents that are measured for exemplary hair samples having different hair health conditions and/or different environments. The amount of moisture contained in the example hair may be determined by identifying a time-delay difference in the reference that best matches the time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay. In general, the amount of moisture determined for the example hair in good health condition ranges from about 11% to 14%, while that for the example hair in bad health condition ranges from about 6% to 9%.

Measuring Moisture in Human Hair with Fine Thickness

As discussed above, a conventional NIR moisture meter relies on the property of water that absorbs a specific wavelength of NIR light. However, it may be difficult to precisely measure the attenuation of the NIR light reflected from thin and fine hair. Contrary to the NIR moisture meter, the hair moisture measuring device according to the present disclosure was able to measure a substantially constant value of moisture in hair with fine thickness.

In one experimental example, moisture in example human hair with an average thickness of 60 μm was measured by a hair moisture measuring device that has been manufactured using a configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The length of the example hair, which was coupled between an output of a vibrator and an input of a sound wave detector, was about 50 mm. Moisture was measured for the example human hair in bad humidity condition (that was sampled in a room at atmosphere humidity of about 35% at atmosphere temperature of about 18 Celsius degrees which means low humidity condition). The example hair had a relatively good health condition because they were never treated by dyeing or decoloration. The hair moisture measuring device was operated in a similar manner as described above with respect to Example 1. The first time-delay and the second time-delay were measured several times. As a result, a time-delay difference between the first time-delay and the second time-delay was constantly determined to be about 3.0 μsec for the example hair.