Patent Description:
Rinsing of a shaver is usually carried out without specific care. However, the rinsing quality and/or rinsing duration used during shaving may have an impact on the performance of the shaver and/or on the user's skin. In particular, rinsing duration may also have an impact on water consumption. Furthermore, sustainability is a significant global concern, and in particular, water consumption and waste is a key environmental factor influencing climate change. In this regard, a faucet may be left running when the water is not being used to rinse the shaver. Leaving the faucet running when the shaver is not being rinsed may increase the water consumption during the shaving session.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section. <CIT> relates to a shaving system comprising a razor with at least one sensor for retrieving data on the shaving behaviour of the user. One such sensor in <CIT> is a movement sensor; other sensors may include temperature and humidity sensors, and a strain gauge to measure resistance against the beard hairs to give an indication of their softness. A wireless transmitter of <CIT> wirelessly transmits the sensed data to a processor. <CIT> relates to a system for monitoring device usage that may include a handheld device for performing an action, where the handheld device includes an engagement sensor and a computer that includes a processor and a memory component. The memory component of <CIT> stores logic that causes the computer to determine a minimum device engagement time of the handheld device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaving system as set out in independent claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method of analyzing a shaving session as set out in independent claim <NUM>. Other embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

In examples, the one or more signals from the accelerometer may be indicative of the rinsing session, e.g., by an approximately horizontal orientation of the shaver, and one or more signals from the microphone may be indicative of water flowing from a faucet or other water source. An approximate horizontal orientation may be +/- <NUM> degrees in relation to an imaginary plane that is parallel to the ground. In circumstances, the approximate horizontal orientation may reach up to +/- <NUM> degrees. In examples, the one or more signals from the stroke sensor, or a lack of signals from the stroke sensor, may be indicative of a rinsing session.

Activation of the alarm in the present invention may indicate that the faucet has been left open without a real need. In examples, the alarm may be a notification from a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone or any other intelligent device.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. There are many aspects and embodiments described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the features of a particular aspect or embodiment may be used in conjunction with the features of any or all of the other aspects or embodiments described in this disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

The present disclosure relates to methods and shaving systems for monitoring and/or measuring the water consumption during a shaving session, particularly for monitoring and/or measuring the amount water used to rinse a shaver and/or shaver blades.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein in the sense of "example," rather than "ideal. " It should be noted that all numeric values disclosed or claimed herein (including all disclosed values, limits, and ranges) may have a variation of +/- <NUM>% (unless a different variation is specified) from the disclosed numeric value. Moreover, in the claims, values, limits, and/or ranges means the value, limit, and/or range +/-<NUM>%.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to monitoring and/or measuring the rinsing quality, rinsing duration, and/or total water usage during a shaving session in order to improve the quality, duration, durability, etc., of the shaving session, while also helping to reduce the total amount of water used during the shaving session. In particular, embodiments of the disclosure may provide a value or index of water consumption. A total water consumption during shaving may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM> It. , more specifically <NUM> It. and a total water consumption during rinsing may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM> It. , more specifically <NUM>,<NUM> It. At the same time, an indication of water rinsing requirements for different shaver head types may be provided. In some embodiments, a precise value of water consumption and detailed visualization of the consumption, e.g. via a mobile application/user interface may be provided.

In embodiments, a shaving system includes one or more sensors e.g., audio, pressure, and/or water flow, among others that may be coupled to a shaving razor (i.e., a shaver), and may monitor various aspects of a shaving session, including, e.g., water flow rate and a volume of water consumed, e.g. in mL or other quantities. The sensors may be in communication with a processor that may include one or more computer logics. The processor may then determine when water is flowing, for example, from a faucet, etc. The processor may also determine when water is flowing on, over, or through one or more portions of the shaver, for example, on, over, or through the shaver head. Water flowing through the shaver head may be indicating rinsing of the shaver. The shaving system and methods discussed herein may help a user minimize water consumption while also improving a lifetime and/or cleanliness of the shaver head by helping the user ensure the shaver head is properly rinsed.

In examples, the system may comprise an alarm that may be programmed to be activated e.g. when signals are received by the microphone and are not received by the accelerometer and/or stroke sensor during a predefined period of time. This may indicate, for example, that the water faucet has been left open while shaving i.e., when water from the faucet is not needed.

In addition to being presented to the user, collected and/or calculated shaving, rinsing, and water usage data may be used by the manufacturer in order to correlate the data with the use of various shavers and propose to the user an optimum shaver type for optimum rinsing performance and/or reduced water consumption.

Systems of this disclosure may be configured to collect and to process data relating to the shaver rinsing, and to provide to the user with information in order to improve the rinsing operation. For example, adjusting one or more of water flow, water temperature, rinsing frequency, rinsing duration to more optimum values during shaving may lead to reduced water consumption and/or improved shaving performance/skin care, e.g., less irritation, nicks, cuts, better fluidity and shaving comfort, better efficiency. For example, less water or warmer water, as in general warmer water may accelerate the rinsing of shaving debris, may be sufficient in order to remove a same predetermined amount of foam/ski n/hair debris located between the blades of the shaver, leading thus to a reduction of the water consumption. Cleaner blades may improve shaving performance/skin care. Cleaner blades may also extend lifetime/durability of the shaver head.

Systems of this disclosure include an algorithm programmed in the processor. The algorithm collects data from various sensors e.g., accelerometers, stroke sensors, microphone, etc.. , via the processor and provide accuracy metrics of the water flow estimation and assessment of the solutions to be offered to the user. In examples, the algorithm may be "trained" during the use of the system and hence gradually become accustomed to the user's individual shaving style and needs. Thus, the system may propose to the user more personalized advice on shaving razor and/or head choice, shaving techniques leading to improvements in water consumption, among others.

While a shaver head associated with a shaving razor is detailed herein, the disclosed techniques may be similarly applicable to other components of a shaving razor, or to other shaving products and devices. In other words, the exemplary embodiments herein may not be limited to application with a shaver head or cartridge with razor blades, but may also be implemented with other components, devices, machines, systems, or in any other similar context in which the contemplated embodiments may be applicable.

<FIG> illustrates a shaving system <NUM> for assisting shaving. System <NUM> includes a shaver <NUM> and one or more sensors coupled to, in communication with, and/or incorporated within shaver <NUM>. For example, system <NUM> may include a sound sensor, for example, a microphone <NUM>. System <NUM> may include an orientation sensor, for example, a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer <NUM>. As discussed below, system <NUM> may also include one or more other sensors, including for example, a temperature sensor or thermocouple. System <NUM> may also include a processor <NUM>, which may include one or more computer logics, for example, a first computer logic <NUM> and a second computer logic <NUM>. Moreover, system <NUM> may include one or more communication units <NUM>, which may be in communication and/or configured to communicate e.g. send and/or receive signals or information with one or more of a mobile device <NUM>, a smart home system <NUM>, a smart automobile <NUM>, a computer, a tablet, a voice-activated in-home smart device, or one or more other user interfaces or components associated with a home or a user. Although not shown, system <NUM> may include one or more displays, for example, on shaver <NUM> or on a shaver mount or docketing station (not shown) with which shaver <NUM> may be docked and operatively connected to, for example, next to a sink, on a mirror, or otherwise in a bathroom or place where a user may shave. In examples, the microphone or a further microphone may be located in the shaver mount or docking station/base.

Shaver <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> configured to be held by a user and a shaver head <NUM>. Handle <NUM> may include any suitable configuration to promote comfortable gripping by a user. For example, handle <NUM> may include coatings or coverings such as a rubber covering, or may contain geometric gripping features to prevent handle <NUM> from slipping within a hand of the user especially when handle <NUM> may be wet. Shaver head <NUM> includes one or more blades (not shown). Shaver head <NUM> may be a disposable and/or replaceable cartridge, or shaver head <NUM> may be an electric shaver head. Handle <NUM> may also include a handle attachment interface <NUM> at one end, e.g. the shaving/cartridge end of handle <NUM>. Handle attachment interface <NUM> may be configured to selectively attach and/or release shaver head <NUM> to/from handle <NUM>. As mentioned above, shaver <NUM> may be a manual shaver or an electric shaver. In aspects, handle attachment interface <NUM> may couple handle <NUM> and shaver head <NUM> through any mechanism known for attaching and releasing a disposable cartridge with a handle and/or for attaching and releasing an electric shaver head to an electric shaver handle. Shaver head may be pivotally attached to the handle.

As shown in <FIG>, shaver <NUM> may be rinsed, for example, with water <NUM> from a faucet, other water source, etc. One or more sensors of system <NUM>, for example, microphone <NUM> and/or accelerometer <NUM>, may be configured to detect when water <NUM> is being delivered from the faucet, other water source, etc. In aspects, one or more sensors e.g. microphone <NUM>, may detect the sound from water <NUM> being delivered from the faucet, other water source, etc. In aspects, the one or more sensors, e.g. microphone <NUM>, may detect and be configured to distinguish when water <NUM> is delivered from the faucet or other water source, while not simultaneously being delivered to shaver <NUM>, e.g. for rinsing shaver <NUM>.

In examples, one or more sensors of system <NUM>, for example, microphone <NUM> and/or accelerometer <NUM>, may be configured to detect when water <NUM> is being delivered to rinse shaver <NUM>. In aspects, one or more sensors, e.g., microphone <NUM>, may detect the sound from running water <NUM>, as discussed above. For example, microphone <NUM> may detect a louder or different sound, or other different details from water <NUM> that are indicative of water <NUM> passing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>, as compared to different sounds or different intensities of the sound that occur when water <NUM> is running while not passing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. In examples, although not shown, system <NUM> may include another sensor, for example, another microphone, a pressure sensor, a water flow sensor, etc., on or proximate to shaver head <NUM>, that is configured to detect water <NUM> passing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. Furthermore, one or more sensors, e.g., accelerometer <NUM>, may detect a position and/or orientation of shaver <NUM> that is indicative of rinsing shaver <NUM>, for example, an orientation that is substantially horizontal. A substantially horizontal orientation may be +/- <NUM> degrees in relation to an imaginary plane that is parallel to the ground. In circumstances the substantially horizontal orientation may reach up to +/- <NUM> degrees. In examples, although not shown, system <NUM> may include a stroke sensor on or otherwise coupled to shaver <NUM>. For example, the stroke sensor may be in communication with processor <NUM>, and the stroke sensor may be configured to detect one or more shaving strokes, a temporal duration of one or more shaving strokes, a distance of the one or more shaving strokes, etc. In other words, processor <NUM> and/or the stroke sensor may include an algorithm that, on its own, is configured to detect a rinsing session by calculation of movement and absence of stroke events. The stroke sensor may include and/or otherwise be coupled to an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, and/or one or more additional sensors.

Although not shown, system <NUM> may include one or more additional sensors to help detect information that may be indicative of rinsing shaver <NUM>. For example, one or more of shaver <NUM> or the mount or docking station (not shown) may include proximity, optical, RFID, or other sensors to detect when shaver <NUM> is uncoupled from the mount or docking station. In these aspects, and as discussed in detail below, system <NUM> is configured to detect water consumption during rinsing shaver head <NUM> and also overall or total water consumption during a shaving session.

Processor <NUM> may be in communication with microphone <NUM> and accelerometer <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may receive signals from microphone <NUM> and accelerometer <NUM>, and may apply one or more analyses to the received signals, for example, computer logics <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may compare the received signals to stored signal thresholds and/or other parameters, for example, from a memory or storage device (not shown). In examples, processor <NUM> may be coupled to another memory or storage device (not shown) to communicate and store information, e.g., volumetric measurements, totals, etc. regarding water consumed during a shaving session, water consumed during a rinsing session, water consumed during a plurality of shaving sessions, water consumed during a plurality of rinsing sessions, etc..

First computer logic <NUM> may be configured to detect when water <NUM> is being delivered from the faucet, other water source, etc. For example, computer logic <NUM> may receive signals from one or more sensors, e.g., microphone <NUM>, to detect the sound from water <NUM> being delivered from the faucet, other water source, etc. Computer logic <NUM> may include recognizing sounds, volumes, intensities, tones, pitches, etc. via microphone <NUM> that are indicative of the flow of water <NUM> from the faucet or other water source, and in some cases that are indicative of the flow of water from the faucet or other water source, without and/or without simultaneous flow on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. In examples, computer logic <NUM> may recognize sounds, volumes, intensities, tones, pitches, etc. via microphone <NUM> that are indicative and can be correlated to a volumetric flow rate of water <NUM>. For example, a louder sound, and/or a combination of other factors mentioned above, e.g. sound, volume, intensity, tone, pitch, etc., may be indicative of a greater volumetric flow of water <NUM>. First computer logic <NUM> may be configured to initiate a calculation mode upon detecting the flow of water, and the calculation mode may include continuously monitoring one or more sensors, e.g., microphone <NUM>, to calculate a total volume of water <NUM> delivered during the shaving session. For example, first computer logic <NUM> may detect instantaneous volumetric flow rates over the duration of the shaving session and may also record the duration of the shaving session, for example, by detecting when the flow of water <NUM> has ended from a faucet or other water source. An average of the instantaneous volumetric flow rate multiplied by the total duration of the shaving session may yield the total amount of water <NUM> delivered during the shaving session.

Second computer logic <NUM> may be configured to detect when water <NUM> is being delivered from the faucet, other water source, etc. and on a portion of shaver <NUM>, for example, on, over, or through shaver head <NUM> in a rinsing session. For example, computer logic <NUM> may receive signals from one or more sensors, e.g., microphone <NUM>, to detect the sound from water <NUM> being delivered from the faucet, etc. and over shaver <NUM>. Computer logic <NUM> may include recognizing sounds, volumes, intensities, tones, pitches, etc. via microphone <NUM> that are indicative of the flow of water <NUM> from the faucet, etc. and on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. In examples, computer logic <NUM> may receive signals from one or more sensors, e.g., accelerometer <NUM>, to detect that shaver <NUM> is in a rinsing position, for example, in a substantially horizontal orientation and/or not moving. In examples, second computer logic <NUM> may receive signals from additional sensors, for example, the stroke sensor. For example, the stroke sensor may detect when shaver <NUM> is not performing a stroke or has not performed a stroke after elapse of a certain amount of time, which, alone or in combination with a substantially horizontal orientation, is indicative of a rinsing session. For example, computer logic <NUM> may be configured to detect a rinsing session when accelerometer <NUM> signals a rinsing position and when the stroke sensor indicates that a stroke is not being performed.

Computer logic <NUM> may recognize sounds, volumes, intensities, tones, pitches, etc. via microphone <NUM> that are indicative and can be correlated to a volumetric flow rate of water <NUM> over shaver <NUM>. For example, a louder sound may be indicative of a greater volumetric flow of water <NUM> over shaver. Second computer logic <NUM> may be configured to initiate a calculation mode upon detecting the flow of water over shaver <NUM> and that shaver <NUM> is in a rinsing position, and the calculation mode may include continuously monitoring one or more sensors, e.g., microphone <NUM> and accelerometer <NUM>, to calculate a total volume of water <NUM> delivered during the rinsing session. For example, second computer logic <NUM> may detect instantaneous volumetric flow rates over the duration of the rinsing session. Second computer logic <NUM> may also record the duration of the rinsing session for example, by detecting when the flow of water <NUM> over shaver <NUM> has ended and/or when shaver <NUM> is no longer in the rinsing position. An average of the instantaneous volumetric flow rate multiplied by the total duration of the rinsing session may yield the total amount of water <NUM> delivered during the rinsing session.

Second computer logic <NUM> may be dependent on first computer logic <NUM>. In examples, second computer logic <NUM> may be independent and/or not restricted by first computer logic <NUM>. For example, in one aspect, processor <NUM> may only perform second computer logic <NUM> once first computer logic <NUM> has been performed and indicates that water is flowing. In aspects, processor <NUM> may only determine whether water is flowing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM> after processor <NUM> has determined that water is flowing from a faucet, other water source, etc. This may help economize and/or streamline the processing capabilities of processor <NUM>. In aspects, the calculated duration of the rinsing session may be a portion of the calculated duration of the shaving session, and the calculated amount of water used during the rinsing session may be a portion of the calculated amount of water used during the shaving session.

In examples, it is contemplated that first computer logic <NUM> and second computer logic <NUM> may operate simultaneously, and that second computer logic <NUM> may be dependent on values from first computer logic <NUM>, and vice versa. For example, during rinsing of shaver <NUM>, microphone <NUM> may be receiving: <NUM>) sounds attributable to the mere running of water from the faucet or other water source, and/or <NUM>) sounds attributable for rinsing. In examples, first computer logic <NUM> and second computer logic <NUM> may be configured to filter or otherwise ignore sounds that do not contribute to their intended calculations, or may be calibrated to adjust for the presence of such sounds that to not contribute to their intended calculations, i.e., "noise". First computer logic <NUM> and second computer logic <NUM> may be dependent on one another. For example, the values calculated by first computer logic <NUM> may be constrained by values calculated by second computer logic <NUM> and vice versa. The amount of running water should always be equal to or higher than the amount of water used in rinsing.

In examples, second computer logic <NUM> may be independent of first computer logic <NUM>. In aspects, processor <NUM> may determine that water is flowing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM> even if processor <NUM> has not yet determined that water is flowing from a faucet, etc. This may help to ensure that a duration of a rinsing session is measured in an instance where there was an error, e.g., interference, insufficient sensor data, etc., in first computer logic <NUM>.

It is noted that computer logics <NUM>, <NUM> may each include one or more artificial neural networks. The neural networks may have been trained (or may be trained) to recognize when water is flowing and/or when shaver <NUM> is being rinsed, for example, based on the networks' connections to one or more sensors on shaver <NUM> or other components of system <NUM>. For example, a first neural network may be configured to detect water flowing and determine a duration of the water flow, e.g., via microphone <NUM> or one or more other sensors, and a second neural network may be configured to detect an orientation of shaver <NUM>, e.g., via accelerometer <NUM> or one or more other sensors. In examples, accelerometer <NUM> and the second neural network may detect patterns of movement over time that are indicative of rinsing, e.g., tapping the shaver against a hard object, quick repeated flicking of the shaver, slight rotations of the shaver, and the like, which may be used to determine, adjust, calibrate, or modify the determined rinsing time and/or water usage during rinsing. The neural networks may continually train and learn as more data is collected by an individual user, and by any user worldwide sending data to a common server.

In examples, computer logics <NUM>, <NUM> may be stored in or on a mount or docking station (not shown) for shaver <NUM>, a cloud-based server (not shown), an application on mobile device <NUM>, smart home system <NUM>, smart automobile <NUM>, or otherwise in communication with system <NUM>. Although microphone <NUM> is discussed as being on shaver <NUM>, this disclosure is not so limited. For example, although not shown, microphone <NUM> (or another microphone) may be on a mount or docking station or otherwise positioned in the vicinity of shaver <NUM>.

Communication unit <NUM> may communicate with processor <NUM> and one or more remote devices, as mentioned above. For example, communication unit <NUM> may include a wireless or wired internet connection to send and/or receive electronic information. Communication unit <NUM> may also include a transmitter and/or receiver to exchange electronic information with one or more remote devices, for example, a Bluetooth™, AirDrop™, wireless internet e.g., Wi-Fi, or any other suitable connection now known or that may be similarly developed in the future. For example, communication unit <NUM> may communicate the total water usage for a shaving session and/or the total water usage for a rinsing session to mobile device <NUM>. The respective water usages may be numerically displayed to the user, may be graphically displayed to the user, may be displayed to the user as a portion of the overall water and/or energy consumption for the user and/or the user's household, etc..

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> of measuring water usage for a shaving device, according to aspects of the present disclosure. For example, method <NUM> includes a step <NUM> that includes detecting water flow. As discussed above, step <NUM> may include microphone <NUM> detecting sound levels indicative of water <NUM> flowing from a faucet or other water source.

In examples, method <NUM> includes a step <NUM> that includes measuring an amount of water flowing for a shaving session. As discussed above, step <NUM> may include microphone <NUM> detecting sound levels that are indicative of the amount of water <NUM> flowing from the faucet or other water source. Step <NUM> may also include detecting a duration of the water flow, for example, a time from the initiation of the water flow to an end of the water flow. As discussed above, first computer logic <NUM> may be used to calculate the amount of water flowing, for example, from the faucet, other water source, etc. Step <NUM> may require filtering of sounds attributable to rinsing events as further described below with respect to steps <NUM> and <NUM>. In examples, the values calculated at step <NUM> may selectively filter or drop values received during rinsing. For example, rinsing sounds may be loud enough to interfere with the detection of running water sounds. In such examples, first computer logic <NUM>, may use calculated values from before and after detection of rinsing events, at steps <NUM> and <NUM>, to infer the amount of water that flowed from a faucet or other water source. First computer logic <NUM> may at least use the values from before and after rinsing events to inform or modify values calculated during rinsing. For example, in some cases, a user does not adjust water flow while rinsing, and thus, first computer logic <NUM> may assume or otherwise infer that the same water flow was used during rinsing steps as the constant water flow calculated before and after rinsing. In examples, a user does adjust the water flow while rinsing the shaver <NUM> (up or down), and first computer logic <NUM> may use calculated water flow values from before and after rinsing events, to modify calculated values and/or improve interpretation of various sounds recorded during rinsing thereby improving the accuracy of the calculations.

Method <NUM> may also include a step <NUM> that includes detecting water flow on a portion of a shaver, for example, on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. Step <NUM> may include microphone <NUM> detecting sound levels indicative of water flowing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, step <NUM> may include accelerometer <NUM> detecting that shaver <NUM> is in a rinsing position, for example, a substantially horizontal orientation and/or not moving. In examples, step <NUM> may include receiving signals from additional sensors, for example, the stroke sensor. For example, the stroke sensor may detect when shaver <NUM> is not performing a stroke or has not performed a stroke after elapse of a certain amount of time, which, alone or in combination with a substantially horizontal orientation, is indicative of a rinsing session. For example, step <NUM> may include detecting a rinsing session when accelerometer <NUM> signals a rinsing position and when the stroke sensor indicates that a stroke is not being performed.

In examples, a step <NUM> includes measuring an amount of water flowing on the shaver for a rinsing session, for example, on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. As discussed above, step <NUM> may include microphone <NUM> detecting sound levels that are indicative of the amount of water flowing on, over, or through shaver head <NUM>. Step <NUM> may also include detecting a duration of the water flow, for example, a time from the initiation of the water flow to an end of the water flow and/or or a time from shaver <NUM> being in the rinsing position to a time when shaver <NUM> is no longer in the rinsing position. As discussed above, second computer logic <NUM> may be used to calculate the amount of water flowing on, over, or through the portion of shaver <NUM>.

Method <NUM> may also include a step <NUM> that includes communicating the measured amounts of water to a remote device. For example, processor <NUM>, via communication unit <NUM>, may transmit the measured amounts of water <NUM> to mobile device <NUM>, smart home system <NUM>, and/or smart automobile <NUM>.

Although not shown, method <NUM> may include an initiation step, which may include shaver <NUM> being separated and/or removed from a mount or docking station, one or more sensors on shaver <NUM> detecting movement, etc. This initiation step may activate microphone <NUM>, accelerometer <NUM>, processor <NUM>, etc..

In aspects, step <NUM> may be avoided. For example, rather than communicating the measured amounts of water to a remote device, shaver <NUM> or another component of system <NUM> may store the measured amounts of water.

System <NUM> may display the measured water usage. For example, system <NUM> may displayed the measured water usage and/or rinsing performance, among other data, on mobile device <NUM>, e.g., via an application for shaver <NUM>, smart home <NUM>, automobile <NUM>, etc. Additionally or alternatively, system <NUM> may display the measured water usage and/or rinsing performance, among other data, on a display (not shown) on shaver <NUM> or a mount or docking station.

System <NUM> may display the amount of water used in a shaving session. For example, system <NUM> may monitor and/or display the amount of water, for example, in a volumetric measurement (e.g., in milliliters) or in a time (e.g., in seconds) that the faucet is on, for an individual shaving session. System <NUM> may also help the user to ensure that the faucet or other water source is not left running longer than necessary, using unnecessary water, etc. In examples, system may compile the amount of water used over a number of shaving sessions. In aspects, system <NUM> may indicate to the user the total water used over a number of shaving sessions, an average amount of water used during a shaving session, etc..

In examples, system <NUM> may display the amount of water used to rinse shaver head <NUM> in a rinsing session. For example, system <NUM> may monitor and/or display the amount of water, for example, in a volumetric measurement (e.g., in milliliters) or in a time (e.g., in seconds) that the faucet is on, for an individual rinsing session. For example, system <NUM> may help the user to ensure that shaver head <NUM> has been adequately rinsed during a rinsing session, which may help provide an efficient and/or comfortable shave. System <NUM> may also help the user to ensure that shaver head <NUM> has not been overly rinsed during the rinsing session, which may shorten the lifetime of shaver head <NUM>, uses unnecessary water, etc. In examples, system may compile the amount of water used to rinse a single shaver head <NUM>, for example, over a number of shaving sessions. In this aspect, system <NUM> may indicate to the user the total water used to rinse shaver head <NUM>, which may be used to, for example, indicate to the user that it is time to replace shaver head <NUM>, replace shaver <NUM>, etc..

In examples, the measured amounts of water may be accumulated with previously measured amounts of water, for example, to calculate and/or provide total amounts of water used during a number of shaving sessions and/or during rinsing sessions. The total amounts of water used during shaving sessions and/or during rinsing sessions may be calculated daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. The total amounts of water may be compared to previously calculated amounts of water, e.g., one or more previous weeks, months, years, etc. or to target amounts of water, e.g., recommend total amount of water used for a shaving session, a week's worth of shaving sessions, a month's worth of shaving sessions, a year's worth of shaving sessions, etc..

In examples, although not shown, the total amounts of water may be reset, for example, via a button on shaver <NUM> or via a user interface, e.g., on mobile device <NUM>. In examples, a user may reset the total water used during rinsing sessions when the user replaces shaver head <NUM>. For example, if system <NUM> indicates to the user that it is time to replace shaver head <NUM>, the user may do so and then reset the rinsing time calculations. Alternatively or additionally, the reset may be automatically conducted by shaver <NUM>, when shaver <NUM> is equipped to automatically determine that the user has replaced shaver head <NUM>.

System <NUM> may help the user to use appropriate amounts of water. For example, if system <NUM> detects that water is flowing after a rinsing session has ended, i.e., the user is continuing to shave but left water running from the faucet, other water source, etc., system <NUM> may provide an alert to the user. The alert may suggest that the user turn off the faucet or other water source. The alert may be an audible alert, for example, from a speaker on shaver <NUM>, may be a visible alert, e.g., a flashing light or notification, displayed on mobile device <NUM> or another component of system <NUM>, or may otherwise alert the user. In examples, in a similar manner, the system <NUM> may alert the user that a rinsing session is complete based on, for example, a sufficient amount of water being passed through shaver <NUM> and/or by recognizing subtle changes in volume, pitch, tone, intensity, or the like, when shaver <NUM> is adequately rinsed. In these aspects, system <NUM> may help to reduce the total amount of water used during a shaving session.

In examples, the total water usage may be displayed relative to the water consumption of the user, e.g., household water usage. In aspects, the system <NUM> may help the user to reduce the overall water consumption during shaving and rinsing, thus reducing the overall water household water usage. Displaying these water usage amounts may help to encourage the user to reduce the overall water usage by increasing the user's awareness of the environmental impacts of the shaving and rinsing sessions, the impacts of the shaving and rinsing sessions on the user's utility bill, etc. The data calculated herein can be linked through APIs to other computer logic that gives advice on home energy consumption. Shaver systems according to the present disclosure thus can become integral parts of a Smart Home Network.

In embodiments, a mobile application associated with shaver <NUM> may be used to provide various alerts and/or recommendations to the user. The alerts and/or recommendations may be sent at any suitable time, but may in particular be sent before, during, and/or after a specific shaving session. For example, an alert and/or recommendation may be sent, based on a user's prior history of water usage/rinsing, to improve water usage efficiency of rinsing. In particular, an alert and/or recommendation may suggest an action to improve water usage/rinsing efficacy, e.g., a recommendation to turn off a faucet during or after shaving, a recommendation to rinse the shaver head thoroughly, for a certain amount of time, a recommendation to reduce the amount of time that a shaver is rinsed. Similar alerts or recommendations may be sent during shaving and/or rinsing to a user device and/or to the shaver itself. In examples, the alerts and/or recommendations also may be presented immediately after shaving, either to reinforce good outcomes, or help a user identify poor rinsing performance/wasteful water usage. In embodiments, the system may provide data indicating the number of strokes carried out by the user since the last rinsing and/or the wear condition of the blades and/or the clogging condition between the blades, etc. The system may be configured to provide real-time shaving data. In embodiments, shaving information/data may comprise at least one real time signal relating to one or more of increasing/decreasing water temperature, increasing/decreasing water flow, increasing/decreasing shaver rinsing frequency, increasing/decreasing shaver rinsing duration occurrence and replacing the shaver/shaver cartridge.

For example, if the water is too cold, providing hotter water may help improving rinsing efficiency and reducing water consumption. For example, if the water is too hot, providing colder water may help saving hot water while keeping the same level of rinsing efficiency. For example, adjusting the water flow to the flow adapted to a standard shaver or to the exact design of the shaver <NUM> may help reduce water consumption. For example, if the user performs too many shaving strokes before rinsing, reducing the number of strokes between two successive rinses may improve the rinsing efficiency and save water. This data may be provided by the shaver <NUM>, or historical data can be provided based on previously-collected data if a standard shaver is used. For example, if the user performs too few shaving strokes before rinsing, increasing the number of strokes between two successive rinses may lead to an optimal rinsing performance. Improving rinsing may also provide better shaving performance/skin care. In embodiments, based on historical rinsing performance and historical shaver usage, the system may suggest different shaver types, shaver head types, or the like, that may be compatible with the user and/or that may improve performance. In examples, the user may select one of more available shaver/shaver head models, and the system may provide predictions as to how the selected shaver/shaver head models will perform when based on the user's historical performance and preferences.

The shaver rinsing frequency may correspond to the elapsed time between two rinsing occurrences or may correspond to the number of shaving strokes carried out between two rinsing occurrences. The number of shaving strokes may be counted using any suitable mechanism, including, for example, data from accelerometer <NUM>. The replacement of the shaver/shaver cartridge may correspond to a signal indicating that the shaver/shaver cartridge is worn and needs to be replaced by a new one to improve shaving (and rinsing) efficiency or may correspond to a signal indicating that another type of shaver, for example having a specific geometry design, better adapted to the user habits and thus more efficient for the user habits, for example rinsing habits, should be used.

In embodiments, a method for assisting shaving comprising a first step of measuring rinse water flow and/or measuring rinse water temperature and/or detecting a shaver rinsing occurrence and a second step of providing shaving information on the basis of the data collected during the first step, is contemplated.

The method may be carried out irrespective of the way the user rinses the shaver, i.e., using a continuous flow of water during shaving or an intermittent flow of water flowing during rising episodes only. A user may control the faucet, other water source, etc. to deliver water only during the rinsing episodes while shaving information may assist the user to reduce water consumption during such episodes. Another user may let water continuously flow during shaving, while shaving information may assist that user in order to reduce total water consumption and/or provide advice to the user to more cautiously use water during the shaving routine (e.g., using an intermittent flow of water flowing during rising episodes only).

In embodiments, the steps may be performed in real time during shaving.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "analyzing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

In accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited implementation, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionalities as described herein.

Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular implementations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.

It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the disclosure may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The disclosure is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the different aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the disclosure.

However, it is understood that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Claim 1:
A shaving system (<NUM>) comprising:
a shaver (<NUM>) including a shaver head;
one or more sensors configured to detect a flow or sound of water or an orientation of the shaver; and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to determine a duration and/or water usage during a shaving session and/or a rinsing session, wherein the processor (<NUM>) includes an algorithm configured to collect data from the one or more sensors and provide accuracy metrics of water usage and provide relevant advice to a user.