# US 11,445,100 B2 · Electric shaver with imaging capability

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,445,100 B2
- Document ID: US11445100B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/223,670
- Filed: 2021-04-06
- Published: 2021-08-26
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-30
- Assignees: May Patents Ltd.
- Applicants: May Patents Ltd.
- Inventors: Yehuda Binder
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445100B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
- A45D 26/00: Hair-singeing apparatus; Apparatus for removing superfluous hair, e.g. tweezers (removing hair using electrosurgical instruments A61B18/04, A61B18/18)
- B26B 19/00: Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers
- B26B 19/3806: {Accessories}
- B26B 19/382: {Built-in accessories}
- B26B 19/3853: {Housing or handle}
- B26B 19/3873: {Electric features; Charging; Computing devices}
- B26B 19/388: {Sensors; Control}
- B26B 19/46: providing for illuminating the area to be shaved or clipped
- B26B 19/48: Accessory implements for carrying out a function other than cutting hair, e.g. attachable appliances for manicuring (massage means per se A61H7/00 - A61H23/00)
- B26B 21/405: {Electric features; Charging; Computing devices}
- G06T 7/0012: {Biomedical image inspection}
- H04B 3/548: {the power on the line being DC (arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02)}
- H04L 5/14: Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
- H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements
- H04N 5/262: Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects {; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects}
- H04N 5/30: Transforming light or analogous information into electric information (scanning details H04N3/00; cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00; circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS] or control thereof H04N25/00)
- H04N 7/015: High-definition television systems
- H04N 7/185: {from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control}
- H04N 13/194: Transmission of image signals
- H04N 13/239: using two two-dimensional [2D] image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance (H04N13/243 takes precedence)
- H04N 21/41407: {embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop (constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57)}
- H04N 23/11: for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
- H04N 23/20: for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
- H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders
- H04N 23/633: {for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera}
- H04N 23/65: Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
- H04N 23/661: Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
- H04N 23/69: Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
- H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
- H04N 25/709: Circuitry for control of the power supply
- H04N 25/75: Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array
- H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
- G03B 37/00: Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
- G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position}
- G06T 2207/10016: Video; Image sequence
- G06T 2207/10048: Infrared image
- G06T 2207/30088: Skin; Dermal
- H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
- H04N 25/41: {Extracting pixel data from a plurality of image sensors simultaneously picking up an image, e.g. for increasing the field of view by combining the outputs of a plurality of sensors}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- B26B: HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (for harvesting A01D; for horticulture, for forestry A01G; for butchering or meat treatment A22; for manufactering or repairing footwear A43D; nail clippers or cutters A45D29/02; kitchen equipment A47J; {vegetable slicers, julienne cutters and similar devices and holders therefor, B26D3/28}; for surgical purposes A61B; for metal B23D; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; plier-like tools with cutting edges B25B7/22; pincers B25C11/02; handles for hand implements, in general B25G; guillotine-type cutters B26D; {perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet, B26F1/26}; for erasing B43L19/00; for textile materials D06H)
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04B: TRANSMISSION
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a first video camera configured to capture, using a first optical lens, a first video data, and further configured to output a first video stream carrying the captured first video data;
a second video camera configured to capture, using a second optical lens, a second video data that is at least in part distinct from the first video data, and further configured to output a second video stream carrying the captured second video data;
a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) antenna for coupling to a WLAN;
a WLAN transmitter coupled to the WLAN antenna for transmitting a third video stream that includes the first and second video streams to the WLAN;
an image processor coupled to the first video camera for receiving the first video stream therefrom and configured to process the captured first video data;
a display that comprises a flat screen for visually displaying at least part of the captured first video data; and
a casing configured to house the first and second video cameras, the display, the image processor, and the WLAN transmitter,
wherein the casing comprises two opposed first and second exterior surfaces, the first optical lens is mounted on, or is attached to, the first surface and the second optical lens is mounted on, or is attached to, the second surface, and
wherein the image processor is operative to identify an element in at least one of the captured first and second video data.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the WLAN is using an unlicensed frequency band.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2, wherein the WLAN is using an Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency spectrum band.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the WLAN substantially conforms to, or based on, IEEE 802.11 standard.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to identify the element in at least one of the captured first and second video data using pattern recognition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising, in the casing, a multiplexer coupled between the first and second video cameras and the WLAN transmitter for multiplexing the first and second video streams, and wherein the third video stream comprises the multiplexed first and second video streams.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, wherein the multiplexer is an FDM (Frequency Domain/Division Multiplexer) multiplexer, whereby the first and second video streams are respectively carried over distinct first and second frequency bands.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The device according to claim 7, wherein the FDM multiplexer comprises a first filter for substantially passing only the first frequency band, and a second filter for substantially passing only the second frequency band.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6 wherein the multiplexer is a TDM (Time Domain/Division Multiplexer) multiplexer, and wherein the third video stream comprises time-multiplexed the first and second video streams.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising, in the casing, a video compressor coupled between one of the video cameras and the WLAN transmitter for compressing the respective video stream.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device according to claim 10, wherein the compressing uses, or is based on, intraframe compression, or wherein the compression is lossy.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The device according to claim 10, wherein the compressing uses, or is based on, interframe compression, or wherein the compression is non-lossy.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The device according to claim 10, wherein the compressing is according to, or based on, a standard compression algorithm that is one out of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), ITU-T H.261, ITU-T H.263, ITU-T H.264, and ITU-T CCIR 601.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the video cameras is configured for capturing the respective video data in a non-visible spectrum.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The device according to claim 14, wherein each of the first and second video camera is configured for capturing the respective video data in a non-visible spectrum.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The device according to claim 14, wherein the non-visible spectrum is in an infrared or ultraviolet spectrum.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further configured for body care of a human body part.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The device according to claim 17, wherein the body part is a human skin, and wherein the body care comprises hair removal.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device according to claim 18, further comprising, in the casing, a shaver for removing hair from the human skin.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The device according to claim 19, wherein the shaver is an electrically operated shaver that comprises an electric motor and a cutter driven by the electric motor.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The device according to claim 17, wherein the body part is a human mouth, and wherein the body care comprises oral hygiene.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The device according to claim 21, further comprising, in the casing, a toothbrush for brushing teeth or gums.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The device according to claim 22, wherein the toothbrush comprises an electrically operated toothbrush that comprises an electric motor.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to identify a plurality of elements in at least one of the captured first and second video data.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The device according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements comprises a part of a human body.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The device according to claim 25, wherein part of the human body comprises part of a human skin.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The device according to claim 25, wherein part of the human body comprises individual hairs or a hairy area.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the image processor is operative to identify one or more elements in at least one of the captured first and second video data, and wherein the device is further operative to produce a third video data of at least one of the first and second video data in which the one or more identified elements are marked.

### Claim 29 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the display is foldable.

### Claim 30 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the casing is handheld.

### Claim 31 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising in the casing a rechargeable battery coupled to power the device.