Apparatus for applying coating to nails

Abstract

Systems and apparatuses for applying coating to nails are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, to performing image processing on an image of the nail to locate a boundary of the nail. The method can further include determining a path along which to move the nail relative to an applicator, the applicator being used to coat the nail. In a further embodiment, using the located boundary of the nail, a dispensing procedure for the applicator to follow to coat the nail is determined.

1 . An apparatus to decorate a nail, comprising:
 an applicator unit that is removable from the apparatus;   wherein, the applicator unit includes a reservoir which stores a material to decorate the nail;   wherein the reservoir is able to store the material sufficient for a single use which eliminates the need for cleaning;   a cradle to hold an external device, the external device having an imaging unit;   an aiding unit to facilitate positioning of the nail relative to the imaging unit of the external device;   wherein, the aiding unit is located within a viewing angle of the imaging unit of the external device when the external device is held by the cradle;   wherein, the external device further comprises:   a processing unit:   a memory unit having stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to:   perform image processing to identify an area of interest of the nail to be decorated;   capture real time images of the nail while the area of interest of the nail is being decorated;   wherein, the real time images of the nail are used in closed loop control of translation of the applicator over the nail to complete the decoration of the area of interest;   depict the real time images of the nail for the user to view the area of interest of the nail being decorated in real time;   initiate a drying cycle, responsive to determining that decoration of the area of interest is complete.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus to decorate a nail, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory unit coupled to the processor, the memory unit having stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:   render an image having a preview of a nail coating on the nail, the nail coating including a nail color or a nail design;   paint the nail;   broadcast a video screen capture of a session when the nail is being painted.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising, instructions which when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to:
 capture a nail image of the nail which has been painted;   share the nail image with other users.   
     
     
         4 . A system, comprising:
 a nail coating system;   a processor;   a memory unit coupled to the processor, the memory unit having stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:   render an image having a preview of a nail coating on a nail, the nail coating including a nail color or a nail design;   share, a nail image of the nail which has been painted with users via a social network platform;   wherein, the nail image is captured by an imaging device of the nail coating system which paints the nail;   host live nail parties amongst the users of the social network platform, the live nail parties including audio and video data;   broadcast a video screen capture of a session when the nail is being painted.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising, instructions which when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to:
 facilitate sales and purchases of components used to paint the nail.   
     
     
         6 . A method of painting a nail performed by a nail coating system, the method, comprising:
 rendering, via a display of the nail coating system, an image having a preview of a nail coating on the nail, the nail coating including a nail color or a nail design;   wherein, the display is integrated with a touch surface;   painting the nail by the nail coating system;   capturing, by a camera of the nail coating system, a nail image of the nail which has been painted;   sharing the nail image with other users.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, illustrating, in the image, where a finger is to be placed to coat the nail of the finger. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising,
 wherein, the image includes an overlay to show where the finger is to be placed to coat a nail of the finger; wherein, the overlay includes a crosshair or an outline.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 presenting entertainment content while the nail is being painted.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein, the nail image is presented with a formula to be shared with the other users. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the formula includes sequencing information to apply multiple layers of coatings to the nail. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, the formula includes timing information which indicates the time delay between multiple coatings to be applied to the nail. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising,
 hosting a social network platform;   wherein, the nail image of the nail which has been painted is shared with other users via the social network platform.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, one or more of:
 broadcasting a video screen capture of a session when the nail is being painted by the nail coating system; and   hosting live nail parties amongst users of the social network platform, the live nail parties including audio and video data.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 facilitating sales and purchases of components used to paint the nail.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 storing a user profile for a user whose nail is to be painted;   wherein, the user profile includes usage information of the user.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the usage information includes a log of coating reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the usage information includes one or more of, color preferences, art preferences, a log of media consumption. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising,
 presenting targeted advertisements to the user based on the user profile; or   providing the user with help, feedback or comments relating to the painting of the nail.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising,
 tracking purchase habits of the user of the components used to paint the nail;   suggesting purchase of the components used to paint the nail in a timely fashion based on the purchase habits and the usage information.