Patent Description:
Devices for treating a part of a body of a person, for example by cutting hair on a part of a body to be treated, include powered hand-held devices, for example a trimmer, that are placed against a part of a user's body and moved over and/or aligned with areas where hair is to be cut. Such devices include mechanical hair cutting devices. The user may trim a hairline, for example a neckline or sideburns, by moving and positioning a cutting unit, for example a cutting blade, with respect to the part of the body and moving the cutting unit appropriately.

However, when cutting a user's own hair, or someone else's hair, significant skill is required to provide a presentable result. Such devices are difficult to accurately position on a user's head, for example. The accuracy of the treatment provided by the device depends on the user's skill and steady hand. Moreover, the device and the user's hand and arm may impede the user's view thereby making it difficult to position and orientate the device accurately.

It is to be noted that US patent application publication <CIT> discloses a shaving device comprising at least one level sensor and a pair of differently colored LED lights. The device according to this document is arranged to light a specific colored LED light based on the actual reading of the at least one level sensor to indicate a level condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for treating a part of a body of a person to be treated which substantially alleviates or overcomes the problems mentioned above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for treating a part of a body of a person to be treated in accordance with claim <NUM>. The device comprising a treating unit, an angular orientation identifier configured to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit, and a controller configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the device in response to information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit provided by the angular orientation identifier.

With such an arrangement it is possible to determine the angular orientation of the treating unit and therefore to adjust operation of the device in response to the determined angular orientation. This means that it is possible to improve the treatment that is applied by the device based on the determined angular orientation.

The device further comprises a handle and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the treating unit relative to the handle, and wherein one or more of the characteristics of the device that the controller is configured to adjust the operation of the actuator to move the treating unit relative to the handle.

With this arrangement it is possible for a user to move the angular orientation of the handle whilst the angular orientation of the treating unit is maintained. This helps to prevent an incorrect treatment from being applied by a user due to a user's movement.

The angular orientation identifier comprises an angular orientation sensor configured to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit relative to horizontal.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the angular orientation of the treating unit.

The controller may be configured to refer to a reference profile indicative of a desired angular orientation of the treating unit, to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit relative to the desired angular orientation based on the information generated by the angular orientation identifier and the reference profile, and to adjust one or more characteristics of the device in response to the information generated by the controller.

Therefore, it is possible to refer to a desired angular orientation and to operate the device in dependence on both a desired angular orientation and the determined angular orientation. This means that it is possible to control the device in dependence on a desired angular orientation.

The controller may be configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the device when the controller determines that the information generated by the angular orientation identifier corresponds to the reference profile.

With this arrangement, it is possible to accurately determine when the cutting unit is in the desired angular orientation. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the user to have a direct view of the part of the body to be treated.

The controller may include a processor and a memory.

The device may further comprise a treating unit driver. The controller may be configured to operate the treating unit driver when the controller determines that the information generated by the angular orientation identifier corresponds to the reference profile.

Therefore, the treating unit may be operated only when the treating unit is in the correct orientation as desired by the user. This means that treatment will not be applied when the treating unit is in an incorrect orientation and so helps to prevent treatment from being incorrectly applied to the part of the body to be treated.

The controller may be configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the device when the controller determines that the information generated by the angular orientation identifier differs from the reference profile.

Therefore, it is possible for a characteristic of the device to be adjusted when the treating unit is not in the correct orientation. For example, the user may be informed by the device when the device is not in the correct orientation and so the user will be informed not to apply treatment to the part of the body to be treated.

The treating unit may have a treating edge, and the angular orientation of the treating unit may be defined by the angular orientation of the treating edge. The treating edge may be linear.

The device may further comprise a user input, wherein the controller may be configured to modify and/or form the reference profile based on the user input.

With this arrangement it is possible for the desired angular orientation to be determined. It is therefore possible for the user to determine and to set a desired angular orientation, and/or to change the desired angular when desired.

The controller may be configured to refer to the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit generated by the angular orientation identifier, and to modify and/or store the reference profile based on the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit in a memory.

This arrangement helps to enable a reference profile to be repeated, and such a profile to be stored to be used by the controller at a later stage.

The angular orientation identifier may comprise an indicator detection sensor configured to detect an indicator defining a desired angle on a part of the body.

This arrangement helps the correct angular orientation of the treating unit relative to the part of the body to be treated to be easily and accurately determined.

The indicator may be a substance applied to the part of the body, or may be a projected marking projected onto the part of the body.

This means that a user is able to easily adjust and determine the angular orientation, and therefore the position of the treatment that the user desires to be applied to the part of the body to be treated. For example, with a hair trimmer the user is able to easily mark the desired line of cut to be applied to the hair.

The device may further comprise a feedback module. One or more of the characteristics of the device that the controller is configured to adjust may be operation of the feedback module to provide feedback to the person to be treated in response to the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit.

Therefore, it is possible to indicate to a user when the treating unit is in the correct angular orientation, and hence when to apply treatment. Alternatively, it is possible to indicate to a user when the treating unit is in the incorrect angular orientation, and hence when not to apply treatment.

The feedback module may be configured to provide visual, audible and/or tactile feedback.

The treating unit may be pivotable relative to the handle.

Therefore, the treating unit is easily movable relative to the handle.

The treating device may be operable in a calibration mode in which the controller is configured to form and store the reference profile indicative of the desired angular orientation based on the information indicative of the of the angular orientation of the treating unit generated by the angular orientation identifier, and may be operable in a treatment mode in which the controller is configured to refer to the stored reference profile, and to compare the generated information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit with the stored reference profile.

With this arrangement it is possible to help determine an accurate desired angular orientation and therefore allows the user to store the desired angular orientation for use.

In the calibration mode, the controller may be configured to modify an existing stored reference profile based on the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit generated by the angular orientation identifier to form a new reference profile, and configured to store the new reference profile.

With such an arrangement it is possible for a user to change an existing profile to form a new profile. The new profile may replace or be stored together with the existing profile.

The controller may be configured to select between two or more reference profiles. The selection between two or more reference profiles may be in response to a user input.

Therefore, it is possible for the system to be used by more than one user, and/or to be used to perform different treatments.

The device may be a device for treating hair. The treating unit may be a hair treating unit.

The device may comprise a visual marker configured to display the angular orientation of the treating unit relative to the part of the body to be treated on the part of the body to be treated. The visual marker may be a laser marker.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with a visual indication that the treatment is being applied correctly, and allows the user to check that the correct reference profile is being referred to by the controller.

This and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Embodiments described herein describe a device and/or system for cutting hair. However, it will be understood that the device and/or system as described herein is not limited to the application of cutting hair and may be used for different applications. That is, the device is applicable to devices for treating a part of the body of a person to be treated. For example, the embodiments described herein are applicable to, for example, an epilator, shaver, trimmer, exfoliator, microdermabrasion device, laser hair cutting device, moisturiser, intense pulsed light based device, toothbrush, or any other powered device which interacts with a part of a user to be treated. The treating device may apply a substance such as colouring agent, shampoo, medical substance or any other substance to the part of the body to be treated. Possible alternative uses include devices incorporating one or more non-invasive or invasive treatments such as a tooth brush, a flosser, a shaver, alternative types of hair removal including cutting, skin cleaning, skin tanning, and/or skin rejuvenation. In such embodiments, the treating of a part of body may include application of light, application of a lotion or other fluids, and/or puncturing.

Referring to <FIG>, a device for cutting hair <NUM> is shown. The cutting device <NUM> is a hand-held electrical hair trimming device. The device <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM>, forming a main body, and a cutting head <NUM>. It will be understood that the device may form part of a system including the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> further comprises a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the cutting device <NUM>.

In the embodiments described herein, the device <NUM> is described by reference to the user of the system <NUM> being the person being treated. That is, the user is using the device to treat themselves. However, it will be understood that in an alternative embodiment the user is a person using the device <NUM> to apply treatment using the device <NUM> to another person.

The device <NUM> in the present embodiment is a hair trimmer. The handle <NUM> forms a housing in which operating components of the device <NUM> are housed. The handle <NUM> is elongate. The handle <NUM> defines a longitudinal axis. It will be understood that arrangement of the handle <NUM> may differ, for example, the handle <NUM> may be spherical. The handle <NUM> has an outer surface defining a handle portion. The handle <NUM> and the cutting head <NUM> are arranged so that the handle portion is able to be held by a user.

The cutting head or unit <NUM> acts as a treating head or unit. The cutting unit <NUM> is at one end of the handle <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> is moved over a skin of a part of a user's body, for example their head, to trim hair on that part of the body. The cutting unit <NUM> is configured to trim hair. The cutting unit <NUM> has one or more stationary treating element(s) (not shown), and one or more moveable treating element(s) which move relative to the one or more stationary treating element(s). Hairs protrude past the stationary treating element, and are cut by the moveable treating element. In particular, in one embodiment the cutting unit <NUM> comprises a stationary blade, acting as a stationary treating element, and a moveable blade, acting as a moveable treating element. The stationary blade has a stationary edge comprising a first array of teeth. The moveable blade has a moveable edge comprising a second array of teeth. The stationary edge and moveable edge are aligned parallel to each other. The moveable blade is moveable in a reciprocal manner against the stationary blade in a hair shearing engagement. Therefore, the second array of teeth is arranged to move in a reciprocal motion relative to the first array of teeth. In the present embodiment, the stationary treating element and the moveable treating element form cooperating mechanical cutting parts (not shown).

Although one cutting unit is described above, it will be understood that the cutting device <NUM> may comprise two or more cutting units <NUM>. Although in the present arrangement the cutting unit comprises one or more stationary treating element(s) and one or more moveable treating element(s), it will be understood that alternative cutting arrangements are envisaged. For example, the cutting unit <NUM> may comprise a foil (not shown) through which hairs protrude, and a moving blade (not shown) which moves over the foil.

The cutting unit <NUM> has a treating edge <NUM>. The treating edge <NUM> defines the part of the cutting unit <NUM> at which the treatment takes place. In the embodiment having cooperating stationary and movable blades, the treating edge <NUM> is the leading edge formed by the tips of the teeth of the blades. The angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> is defined by the angular orientation of the treating edge <NUM>. The treating edge <NUM> is generally linear, but may have an alternative profile, for example arcuate.

The cutting unit <NUM> is driven by a cutting unit driver <NUM>. The driver <NUM> acts to drive the cutting unit <NUM> in a driving action. In the present embodiment, the driver <NUM> is an electric motor. The driver <NUM> drives the moveable element(s) relative to the stationary element(s) in a reciprocal motion. The driver <NUM> is operable by the controller <NUM>.

The position of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> is adjustable. That is, the cutting unit <NUM> is moveable relative to the handle <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> is rotatably mounted to the handle <NUM>. A pivot (not shown) mounts the cutting unit <NUM> to the handle <NUM>. An actuator <NUM> is operable to move the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is in the handle <NUM> and acts on the cutting unit <NUM>, although other arrangements are possible. The actuator <NUM> is a rotatable actuator, and may be a mechanical actuator or an electro-magnetic actuator, for example. In the present embodiment, the actuator <NUM> is a servo motor. The actuator <NUM> controls the relative position of the cutting unit relative to the handle <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may form the pivot. The actuator <NUM> is electrically driven. The actuator <NUM> moves the cutting unit <NUM> in response to commands from the controller <NUM>.

With the above arrangement the cutting unit <NUM> moves relative to the handle <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> is shown in a first position relative to the handle <NUM> in <FIG>, whereas the cutting unit <NUM> is shown in a second position relative to the handle <NUM> in <FIG>. The angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> to horizontal is constant in both positions as shown in <FIG>.

The cutting device <NUM> further comprises a power supply (not shown), such as a battery. The battery is rechargeable. In the present embodiments, the power supply is an in-built rechargeable battery, however it will be understood that alternative power supply means are possible, for example a power cord that connects the cutting device <NUM> to an external electricity source.

<FIG> shows a schematic diagram of selected components of the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> includes the controller <NUM>, an angular orientation sensor <NUM>, a user input <NUM>, and one or more feedback modules <NUM>, for example including a speaker and/or a display.

The controller <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is operable to operate the cutting device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may take any suitable form. For instance, the processor <NUM> may be or include a microcontroller, plural microcontrollers, circuitry, a single processor, or plural processors. The controller <NUM> may be formed of one or multiple modules.

The memory <NUM> takes any suitable form. The memory <NUM> may include a non-volatile memory and/or RAM. The non-volatile memory may include read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory stores, amongst other things, an operating system. The memory may be disposed remotely. The RAM is used by the processor <NUM> for the temporary storage of data. The operating system may contain code which, when executed by the controller <NUM>, controls operation of each of the hardware components of the cutting device <NUM>, or alternatively the system including the cutting device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be able to cause one or more objects, such as one or more profiles, to be stored remotely or locally by the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be able to refer to one or more objects, such as one or more profiles, stored by the non-volatile memory and upload the one or more stored objects to the RAM.

The controller <NUM> is operable to operate the cutting device <NUM> in response to an input, for example the user input <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the treating head driver <NUM>.

The user input <NUM> comprises some form of user interface. Optionally, the device <NUM> includes controls and/or displays for adjusting some operating characteristic of the device, such as the power. The user input <NUM> allows a user to operate the device <NUM> in accordance with the appended claims. The user input <NUM> may, for example, be a button, touch screen or switch.

The feedback module <NUM> is configured to provide feedback to a user. The feedback may be one or more of an audible indication, a visual indication or a tactile indication. In one embodiment, the feedback module includes a display (not shown). The display is operable in response to signals from the controller <NUM> to produce visual indicators or signals to the user. It will be understood that in some embodiments the display may be omitted.

In one embodiment, the feedback module <NUM> includes a speaker (not shown). The speaker is operable in response to signals from the controller <NUM> to produce audible indicators or signals to the user. It will be understood that in some embodiments the speaker may be omitted. In the present arrangement the speaker is disposed on handle <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Therefore, the speaker will be disposed close to a user's head to enable audible signals generated by the speaker to be easily heard by a user.

In one embodiment, the feedback module <NUM> includes a vibration motor (not shown), for example to provide tactile feedback to a user (not shown). The vibration motor is operable in response to signals from the controller <NUM> to produce tactile indicators or signals to the user. It will be understood that in some embodiments the vibration motor may be omitted. In the present arrangement the vibration motor is disposed on the handle <NUM>. In one alternative, the vibration motor is in the treating unit <NUM>. Therefore, tactile signals will be easily detected by a user. It will be understood that the different parts of the feedback module <NUM> may be disposed separately from each other.

The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is in the treating unit <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Therefore, the angular orientation sensor <NUM> is able to directly determine the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the angular orientation sensor <NUM> is in the handle <NUM>. In such an arrangement the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> is determined based on the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> together with information indicative of the rotation of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>. The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is or forms part of an angular orientation identifier.

The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is a <NUM>-axis spatial sensor. Spatial sensors are known and so a detailed description will be omitted. The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is configured to provide the readings of six axes of relative motion (three axes translation and three axes rotation). The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is configured to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating head <NUM>. The information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> is provided to the controller <NUM>.

Although in the present and other described embodiments the angular orientation sensor <NUM> is a <NUM>-axis spatial sensor, it will be understood that alternative sensors may be used. The angular orientation sensor <NUM> may include one or more different sensors, for example, inertial sensors, position sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, or combinations thereof. A detailed description of the alternative types has been omitted.

The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is disposed in a predefined position and orientation in the treating unit <NUM>. Therefore, the orientation of the treating unit can be easily determined based on the known orientation and position of the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. That is the treating unit <NUM> is in a known relative arrangement to the angular orientation sensor <NUM>.

Although in the embodiments described herein the controller <NUM>, user input <NUM>, and one or more feedback modules <NUM> are on the cutting device <NUM>, it will be understood that in an alternative embodiment the controller <NUM>, user input <NUM>, and/or one or more feedback modules <NUM> may be on one or more separate units. For example, in one embodiment the controller <NUM>, user input <NUM>, and one or more feedback modules <NUM> are on a base unit (refer, for example, to <FIG>). The base unit may be a mobile computing device, such as a mobile telephone or a tablet computer. In such an arrangement, the cutting device <NUM> will further comprise a communication module to communicate with the base unit. The communication between the cutting device <NUM> and the base unit may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. The controller <NUM> may be on the cutting device <NUM>, on the base unit or may include a base controller on the base unit and a device controller on the cutting device <NUM>. Similarly, the one or more feedback modules and/or the user input may be disposed on the base unit. This helps a user to manipulate the user input, or to receive feedback.

The device <NUM> of <FIG> is operated by the hand-held cutting device <NUM> being held by the user. The user uses the device <NUM> by holding the hand-held cutting device <NUM> and moving the cutting unit <NUM> over and against areas of part of the body from which hair is to be cut.

The device <NUM> is actuated by a user. The device <NUM> is actuated by operating the user input <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control the treating unit driver <NUM> to operate the cutting unit <NUM> in a cutting mode. It will be understood that the cutting unit <NUM> may have more than one treating mode. The controller <NUM> operates the actuator <NUM> to determine the position of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>.

The cutting unit <NUM> is initially in a neutral position. In the neutral position, the cutting edge <NUM> extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle <NUM>. However, it will be understood that the orientation of the neutral position may differ. The controller <NUM> initially moves the cutting unit <NUM> into the neutral position if the cutting unit <NUM> is not in its neutral position.

In one embodiment, the device <NUM> is operable in a manual operating condition in which the cutting device <NUM> is operable with the cutting unit <NUM> maintained in its neutral position. The manual operating condition may be selectable in response to user input. In such a condition, the user is able to orientate and position the device <NUM> into the desired orientation and position, and to use the cutting unit <NUM> to cut hair on the part of the body to be treated, for example the user's neck and/or head as desired.

In such a condition, or with a conventional trimmer, the orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>, and therefore the cutting edge <NUM>, is difficult to predict and control. The user relies on their skill and steady hand to move the device in the appropriate manner. This can be difficult when holding the device as any undue movement of the skin or hand may cause a mistake. Furthermore, the device and/or the hand or arm of the user may obstruct the view of the user when the device is in use and this may result in the device being held at an undesired orientation and cause inaccuracies or mistakes. Therefore, it is difficult to use such a device to achieve accurate cutting of hairs.

The device <NUM> is operable in a constant angle operating condition. The controller <NUM> is operable to operate the device <NUM> in the constant angle operating condition in response to a user input. Alternatively, or as well as, the controller <NUM> is operable to operate the device <NUM> in the constant angle operating condition as the default operating condition. The constant angle operating condition may be selectable in response to user input.

In the constant angle operating condition, the controller <NUM> is configured to maintain the cutting unit <NUM> at a constant angular orientation to the horizontal. The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the actuator <NUM> to move the orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is operable by the controller <NUM> in response to the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>, acting as an angular orientation identifier.

Information indicative of the desired angular orientation is stored in the memory <NUM> in a reference profile. The controller <NUM> is configured to refer to the reference profile of the desired angular orientation. The reference profile may be stored in a look-up table. The reference profile may be stored by the memory <NUM>. In such an arrangement, the controller <NUM> is configured to refer to the memory <NUM> to access the reference profile. In one embodiment, the reference profile is stored by the RAM.

The reference profile provides information indicative of the desired angular orientation. In the present embodiment, the information indicative of the desired angular orientation relates to an angle relative to the horizontal, for example, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, or <NUM> degrees.

It will be understood that the controller <NUM> may be configured to select the reference profile from two or more reference profiles. The two or more reference profiles may be stored in the memory <NUM>. Alternatively, the reference profile may include two or more desired angular orientations from which the controller <NUM> is able to select.

The controller <NUM> is configured to select the desired angular orientation in response to the user operating the user input <NUM>. The reference profile to which the controller <NUM> refers, or the desired angular orientation chosen from a range in the reference profile, may be selected in response to operation of the user input <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment the user input <NUM> includes a dial for setting the desired angular orientation. Alternatively, up/down buttons may be used to select the desired angular orientation from a range of angular orientations. The controller <NUM> may operate the feedback module <NUM>, for example by operating the display to provide an indication of the selected desired angular orientation in response to operation of the user input <NUM>. Therefore, the desired angular orientation is manually selectable.

Although, in the present embodiment, the desired angular orientation is manually selectable in response to operation of the user input <NUM>, it will be understood that alternative arrangements are envisaged. For example, in an alternative arrangement the reference profile is formed or modified based on information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. In such an arrangement, the device <NUM> is operated in a calibration mode in response to operation of the user input <NUM>. In the calibration mode, the unit controller <NUM> is configured to create a reference profile, or to modify an existing reference profile.

In the calibration mode, the controller <NUM> maintains the cutting unit <NUM> is in fixed relationship to the handle <NUM>. That is, the actuator <NUM> is not operated. The user manually orientates the device <NUM> so that the cutting edge <NUM> of the cutting unit <NUM> is in the desired angular orientation. This may be to align with a hairline or another feature. The user then operates the user input <NUM>. Operation of the user input <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with an indication that the cutting unit <NUM> is in the desired angular orientation. The controller <NUM> is then configured to refer to the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and this information is stored by the controller <NUM> as a reference profile indicative of the desired angular orientation. It will be understood that the controller <NUM> may, instead of forming a new reference profile, modify the recorded information in an existing stored reference profile. The controller <NUM> is therefore able to refer to the recorded information in the reference profile to use as the information indicative of the desired angular orientation.

Once the desired angular orientation has been selected, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the cutting device <NUM> in its cutting mode. The angular orientation sensor <NUM>, acting as an angular orientation identifier, is operable to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the horizontal. The controller <NUM> is configured to determine any derivation from the desired angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> in dependence on the generated information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>. The controller operates the actuator <NUM> to adjust the relative orientation between the cutting unit <NUM> and the handle <NUM> based on the information indicative of the angular orientation provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. The controller <NUM> is configured to compare the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> with the reference profile providing information indicative of the desired angular orientation. The controller <NUM> determines whether the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit 12correlates with the desired angular orientation. The controller <NUM> is configured to refer to the reference profile storing data indicative of the desired angular orientation. If the controller <NUM> determines that the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> does not correspond to the stored desired angular orientation, then the controller is configured to determine the difference between the two angles and to operate the actuator <NUM> to move the cutting unit <NUM> into the correct orientation. The extent of movement of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> is determined by the controller <NUM> based on the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the information indicative of the rotation of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>. Information indicative of the rotation of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> may be provided by the actuator <NUM> or another element, acting a rotation detection identifier.

In one embodiment, when the controller <NUM> determines that the desired angular orientation has been achieved upon actuation of the device <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the feedback module <NUM>, for example by operating the speaker to generate a sound, to provide feedback to the user. The controller <NUM> may also, or alternatively, change an operating characteristic of the control unit driver <NUM>, for example by actuating the driver <NUM> when it is determined that the desired angular orientation has been achieved.

The user then manoeuvres the cutting device <NUM> to cut hair of the part of the body to be treated. As the orientation of the handle <NUM> is altered, the controller <NUM> is configured to change one or more operating characteristics of the device <NUM>; in this embodiment the relative orientation between the cutting unit <NUM> and the handle <NUM>, in dependence on the determined angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the actuator <NUM> when the controller <NUM> determines that there is a differential between the information indicative of the orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> and the desired angular orientation provided by the reference profile.

The controller <NUM> is configured to compare the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> with the reference profile providing information indicative of the desired angular orientation. The controller <NUM> determines whether the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit correlates with the desired angular orientation. The controller <NUM> is configured to refer to the reference profile storing data indicative of the desired angular orientation. If the controller <NUM> determines that the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> does not correspond to the stored desired angular orientation, then the controller <NUM> is configured to determine the difference between the difference between the information indicative of the desired angular orientation and the detected angular orientation and to operate the actuator <NUM> accordingly. The extent of movement of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> is determined by the controller <NUM> based on the information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the information indicative of the rotation of the treating unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>.

If the controller <NUM> determines that the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> does correspond to the desired angular orientation, then the controller <NUM> does not operate the actuator <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to refer to the information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> on a constant basis or at pre-determined time intervals. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to horizontal by monitoring the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and determining any change in angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the part of the body to be treated based on the determined change in position of the cutting device <NUM> relative to the part of the body to be treated over a predetermined time period.

<FIG> show an example of the device <NUM> being used with a desired angular orientation of <NUM> degrees to the horizontal. In <FIG>, the device is shown in a first operating condition, and in <FIG> the device is shown in a second operating condition in which the orientation of the handle <NUM> has changed, but the controller has compensated for the change by operating the actuator <NUM> to maintain the angular orientation of the cutting unit.

The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is able to generate information indicative of the cutting unit <NUM> on a continuous or predefined interval basis. The controller <NUM> is able to refer to information indicative of the cutting unit <NUM> on a continuous or predefined interval basis. The angular orientation sensor <NUM> is therefore capable of providing information indicative of the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to determine derivation away from the desired angular orientation based on a comparison of the relative positions of the cutting device <NUM> over a predetermined time period. The controller <NUM> is therefore capable of determining the path of the cutting device <NUM> relative to the part of the body to be treated based on the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>.

It will be understood that the treating unit <NUM> may be rotated in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions during use. It will be understood that the actuator <NUM> will move the treating unit <NUM> in different directions in dependence on movement of the handle <NUM> during use. However, during use the treating unit <NUM> will generally be inclined in one rotational direction, either clockwise or anti-clockwise, relative to the neutral position of the cutting head <NUM> depending on the hand in which the device is held. However, during use it may be necessary to switch hands, for example to cut hair on the other side of the user's head. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to reverse the rotation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> so that a corresponding cut may be formed on the opposing side of the user's head. The controller <NUM> may be configured to reverse the rotation of the cutting unit <NUM> in response to operation of the user input <NUM> or based on information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. The reference profile stored by the memory <NUM> may be configured to store information indicative of the reversal of the cutting unit <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may be configured to refer to the reference profile.

<FIG> show an example of the device <NUM> being used to trim a sideburn on the side of a user's head. In this embodiment, the desired angular orientation is about <NUM> degrees to the horizontal. In <FIG>, the device is shown in a first operating condition, and in <FIG> the device is shown in a second operating condition in which the orientation of the handle <NUM> has changed, but the controller has compensated for the change by operating the actuator <NUM> to maintain the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>. The user operates the user input <NUM> to indicate that they are reversing their cutting condition, and the controller <NUM> is configured to reverse the rotation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>.

Although in the above described embodiments, the operating characteristic that the controller <NUM> is configured to adjust is operation of the actuator <NUM>, it will be understood that alternative arrangements are envisaged. An alternative, or complimentary embodiment, will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The arrangement of this embodiment of a cutting device is generally the same as the embodiments described above and so a detailed description will be omitted herein. Furthermore, reference numerals will be retained. However, in this embodiment the controller <NUM> informs the user of the cutting device about the angular orientation status via the feedback module <NUM>, for example the speaker and/or display, in dependence on the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. In such an embodiment, while the cutting device <NUM> is in use, the controller <NUM> is configured to alter an operating characteristic of the feedback module <NUM> to inform the user in dependence on the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>, acting as the angular orientation identifier, so that the user can take the appropriate action.

In <FIG> the cutting unit <NUM> of the cutting device <NUM> is fixed arranged relative to the handle <NUM>. Therefore, the orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> is dependent on the orientation of the handle <NUM>. In this embodiment, the angular orientation sensor <NUM> is in the cutting unit <NUM>, however it will be understood that the angular orientation sensor <NUM> may be in the handle <NUM> as the orientation of the handle <NUM> corresponds to the orientation of the cutting unit <NUM>.

Operation of the cutting device <NUM> is generally the same as the embodiments described above. That is, the controller is configured to alter an operating characteristic of the device <NUM> to inform the user in dependence on the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile stored by the memory. The desired angular orientation may be obtained as described above and so a detailed description will be omitted herein.

During operation of the cutting device <NUM>, the feedback module <NUM> may be operated to provide an acoustic signal, in the form of an audible sound such as a beeping sound. Alternatively, or as well as, the feedback module <NUM> may provide tactile feedback in the form of vibrations that are felt by the user via the handle of the device. Alternatively, or as well as, the feedback module <NUM> may provide an optical signal, such as flashing light or other optical indicator. It will be appreciated that the controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the feedback module <NUM> to provide more than one of the above mentioned signals in dependence on the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the feedback module <NUM> to provide an indication to the user when the controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> differs from the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. Therefore, the user is provided an indication that the treating edge <NUM> is not at the desired angular orientation. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to provide an indication to the user of the direction in which to move the cutting unit <NUM> in order to regain or obtain the desired angular orientation. For example, the controller <NUM> may operate the speaker to produce different tones dependent on the direction in which the cutting unit is inclined relative to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. The controller <NUM> may also be configured to operate the speaker to alter the pitch of the sound in dependence on the extent to which the cutting unit <NUM> is inclined relative to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile.

In a further alternative, or complimentary embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the feedback module <NUM> to provide an indication to the user when the controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> corresponds to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. Therefore, the user is provided an indication that the treating edge <NUM> is orientated at the desired angular orientation to the horizontal. For example, the controller <NUM> may operate the speaker when it is determined that the cutting unit <NUM> is correctly orientated based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile.

In a further alternative, or complimentary embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to adjust operation to the cutting unit driver <NUM> in dependence on the controller <NUM> determining that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> differs from the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. In such an embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the cutting unit driver <NUM> when the controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> corresponds to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. The controller <NUM> is configured cease operation of the cutting unit driver <NUM> in the event that controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> differs from the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. Therefore, the user is prevented from applying a cut at an angular orientation that differs from the desired angular orientation.

It will be understood that the above embodiments relating to the operating characteristic that the controller <NUM> is configured to adjust being operation of the feedback module <NUM> or actuation of the treating head driver <NUM> may be used in combination with each other, and/or in combination with the embodiments in which the controller <NUM> is configured to adjust relative orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> and the handle <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment the controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the actuator <NUM> to maintain the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> to the horizontal. In such an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may also be configured to operate one or more of the feedback module <NUM> to provide an indication to the user in the event that controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the treating unit <NUM> differs from the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. Such an event may occur in the event of sudden movement of the cutting device <NUM>, or if the orientation of the handle <NUM> from horizontal moves beyond the range of movement of the actuator <NUM>. In such an arrangement, the controller <NUM> may be configured to cease operation of the one or more feedback modules <NUM> when the controller determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> corresponds to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile.

Alternatively, or as well as the controller <NUM> operating the feedback module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may be configured to change the operating mode of the cutting unit driver <NUM> to cease the cutting action of the cutting device <NUM> in the event that controller <NUM> determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> differs from the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile. In such an arrangement, the controller <NUM> may be configured to actuate the cutting head driver <NUM> when the controller determines that the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> corresponds to the desired angular orientation based on information provided by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and the reference profile.

In the above described embodiments the angular orientation identifier is the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. However, other embodiments the angular orientation is determined by an alternative means, or by an alternative means in combination with the angular orientation sensor <NUM>, as will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The embodiments described below are generally the same as the embodiments described above and so a detailed description will be omitted herein. However, in the embodiments described below with reference to <FIG> the cutting device <NUM> has an indicator detection sensor <NUM> acting as an angular orientation identifier. The angular orientation identifier may comprise both the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and indicator detection sensor <NUM>, or in embodiments one may be omitted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the angular orientation sensor <NUM> and indicator detection sensor <NUM> together form the angular orientation identifier. The indicator detection sensor <NUM> is configured to detect an indicator applied to the part of the body to be treated. In the present embodiment, the indicator detection sensor <NUM> is configured to detect an optical mark on the skin and/or hair of the user. The optical mark, acting as an indicator, is generated by an indicator generator <NUM>. The optical mark, acting as an indicator, is representative of a desired angular orientation. The optical mark may be a line or a pattern representative of a desired angular orientation. The indicator generator <NUM> is on a base unit <NUM> of the system for cutting hair. In this embodiment, the system for cutting hair comprises the base unit <NUM> and the cutting device <NUM>. The indicator generator <NUM> is a laser beam generator. The indicator generator <NUM> displays a visible line on the part of the body to be treated. This allows a user to easily determine the angular orientation that they desire. These marks serve as an indicator that the indicator detection sensor <NUM> of the device will be able to detect which will allow the controller to change an operating characteristic of the device accordingly. indicator detection sensor <NUM> is an optical sensor, although alternative sensors are envisaged.

In another embodiment, the indicator detection sensor <NUM> is configured to detect a substance (not shown), acting as an indicator, on the skin of the user that has been provided by the user. The substance may be applied by a substance applicator, such as a pen. The substance applied to the hair and/or skin may be ultraviolet ink and the sensor may be an ultraviolet light sensor. In some embodiments, the substance may be a fluorescent substance that is both detectable by an ultraviolet light sensor and visible to the user under normal light conditions. However, it will be appreciated that other substances may alternatively be applied to the hair and/or skin and appropriate sensors provided to detect the presence of this substance on the hair and/or skin of the user. For example, the substance may be any substance which is optically detectable, within the visible spectrum or otherwise. Examples of other optically detectable substances that may be applied to the hair and/or skin include a graphite substance or make-up or any other easily applicable and visible or invisible substance.

Once the indicator, in this embodiment an optical mark, is applied to the skin representative of the desired angular orientation of cut, the user operates the cutting device <NUM>. The indicator detection sensor <NUM> is configured to generate information indicative of the desired angular orientation in dependence on the indicator. In the present embodiment the indicator detection sensor <NUM> is configured to detect the alignment of the optical mark generated by the indicator generator <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to form the reference profile indicative of the desired angular orientation based on information generated by the indicator detection sensor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> operates the actuator <NUM> to rotate the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> to align the cutting edge <NUM> with the alignment of the optical mark generated by the indicator generator <NUM>. The controller then refers to the information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> to form the reference profile. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine the desired angular orientation based on the information indicative of the desired angular orientation generated by the indicator detection sensor <NUM>, and the angular orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> by determining the relative angular orientations of the optical mark and the cutting head. Therefore, the desired angular orientation is determined based on the information generated by the indicator detection sensor <NUM> and angular orientation sensor <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the feedback module <NUM>, for example the display or speaker, to indicate to the user to move the cutting device <NUM> until the cutting edge <NUM> is aligned with the alignment of the optical mark based on information generated by the indicator detection sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> then refers to information generated by the angular orientation sensor <NUM> to determine the desired angular orientation.

The controller <NUM> then forms or modifies a reference profile indicative of the determined desired angular orientation. The reference profile may be in the form of a look-up table or other recording configuration. The reference profile is then caused to be stored in the memory <NUM> by the controller <NUM> for future reference by the controller <NUM>.

The cutting device <NUM> is then operated in a cutting operation as described above in dependence on the desired angular orientation as determined by the controller <NUM> based on information generated by the indicator detection sensor <NUM>, or the indicator detection sensor <NUM> together with the angular orientation sensor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the actuator <NUM> to adjust the relative orientation of the cutting unit <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> to ensure that the cutting edge <NUM> is maintained at the desired angular orientation. However, the controller <NUM> may alternatively, or also, inform the user of the device <NUM> via the feedback module <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>) for treating a part of a body of a person to be treated comprising
a treating unit (<NUM>),
a handle (<NUM>),
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to move the treating unit (<NUM>) relative to the handle (<NUM>),
characterized in that the device further comprises
an angular orientation identifier (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising an angular orientation sensor,
wherein the angular orientation sensor is configured to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit (<NUM>) relative to horizontal; and
wherein the angular orientation identifier (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to generate information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit; and in that the device further comprises
a controller (<NUM>) comprising a processor (<NUM>) and a memory (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to adjust the actuator to move the treating unit relative to the handle in response to information indicative of the angular orientation of the treating unit provided by the angular orientation identifier.