HAIR IRON CONTROLLED BY USAGE DETECTION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a hair iron controlled by usage detection. The hair iron includes a pair of bodies hinged to each other. An electric heating plate is attached to an inner surface of each of the bodies, and generates heat by power supplied thereto. A detection unit is configured to detect an operation of the pair of bodies. A control unit is configured to control a driving power source based on a result detected by the detection unit, thus driving the hair iron to perform a preset operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair irons, which are configured to detect usage and regulate power and temperature based on the detected results, and, more particularly, to a hair iron controlled by usage detection and a control method thereof, in which the usage of the hair iron is detected and then an on/off function of the hair iron and a heating temperature are regulated according to a set operation mode.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a hair iron applying heat energy to the hair to straighten the hair includes tongs that are held by the hands to press the hair, and heating plates that are attached to inner surfaces of the tongs in such a way as to face each other and are used to heat the hair fitted therebetween, thereby straightening the hair. A heater is usually provided in the hair iron to heat the heating plates as power is applied to the hair iron; and a power switch and a regulation switch are provided at predetermined positions on an outer surface of the hair iron. An adapter is connected to the hair iron to supply electricity through a power cable.

A conventional hair straightening iron, disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0323555, is configured to heat and shape the hair by heating plates connected to a heater as power is applied through a power cable. The hair iron includes holding cases 10 which are held and pressed by the hands, with heating plates 30a attached to facing inner surfaces of the holding cases 10. An intermediate case 20 is positioned between the holding cases 10, and is connected at an end thereof to a support hinge shaft 32 along with an end of the holding case 10, with heating plates 30b provided on opposite sides of the intermediate case 20 to face the heating plates 30a of the holding cases 10. The hair iron also includes a regulation switch 12 to regulate a heating temperature, and a power cable 22 to apply power. The hair iron is operated as follows: if the holding cases are operated to come into contact with each other, the button-type power switch 34 makes an electric contact, thus driving the hair iron.

The on/off method for driving the hair iron is controlled by driving the button-type power switch. However, the power switch is a means for controlling only the on/off state of the hair iron, so that various functions such as the on/off function and the heating temperature regulation of the hair iron are regulated by different switches, thus causing inconvenience to a user.

Further, a wireless hair styling tool according to Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0439388 includes upper and lower bodies 10 and 20 to which a connector 34 is coupled. A PTC heating pad 40 is provided in the upper and lower bodies 10 and 20 along with a temperature sensor 41. A temperature control part 52 is provided at a position on an outer surface of the upper body 10 to control a temperature in a step-wise fashion, and a temperature indicating part 50 indicates the controlled temperature. A battery power indicator 60 is provided at a position on an outer surface of the lower body 20 to visually indicate the remaining amount of battery power. The hair styling tool also includes an MCU 100 and a battery 70. The MCU 100 is provided in the upper and lower bodies 10 and 20 to control a circuit. The battery 70 serves to charge or discharge power. A main PCB 71 is supplied with external electricity to convert it into stable power and then charge the battery 70 with the power. Further, the main PCB 71 supplies the power to the PTC heating pad 40 to generate a predetermined temperature. Thus, the on/off state of the hair iron is selected by a power knob 73 and the temperature of the hair iron is controlled by a temperature control part 52. As such, the function of turning the power on or off and the temperature regulation are performed by separate corresponding switches, thus causing inconvenience to a user.

The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

Documents of Related Art

(Patent Document 1) Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0323555, and

(Patent Document 2) Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0439388.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is intended to propose a hair iron controlled by usage detection and a control method thereof, in which the hair iron detects a user's act of usage thereof and thus performs a preset function, such as an on/off function or a temperature regulation function, without the necessity of providing an on/off switch and a temperature regulation switch to be manipulated directly by a user.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair iron controlled by usage detection, the hair iron including a pair of bodies hinged to each other; an electric heating plate attached to an inner surface of each of the bodies, and generating heat by power supplied thereto; a detection unit configured to detect an operation of the pair of bodies; and a control unit configured to control a driving power source based on a result detected by the detection unit, thus driving the hair iron to perform a preset operation.

The detection unit may include a tact switch on the inner surface of each of the bodies to detect the contact operation, or include an emitting element and a receiving element.

The control unit may count the number of operations detected from the detection unit for a preset period of time, and the number of operations detected by the detection unit may be counted if a time when the pair of bodies maintain a contact state is within a preset time.

A preset operation of the control unit, as controlled according to a detected result of the detection unit, may include a power-on operation and a power-off operation of the hair iron or an operation of heating the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature.

The hair iron may further include a touch switch provided at a predetermined position on the hair iron to detect a user's contact. The control unit may drive the preset operation of the hair iron based on a detected result of the detection unit in a state where the touch switch detects the user's contact.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having a pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method including an 11-th step of outputting an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, by the detection unit; a 12-nd step of analyzing the operation detection signal input from the detection unit and counting the number of operations, by the control unit; and a 13-rd step of controlling a driving power source of the hair iron to perform a preset function according to the counted number of operations based on a result analyzed in the 12-nd step.

The detection unit may detect a contact operation of the pair of bodies rotating about a hinge at the 11-th step, and the operation detection signal may be input into the control unit to be analyzed at the 12-nd step.

At the 12-nd step, the operation detection signal input from the detection unit may be analyzed; and the number of operations within a preset period of time and the duration of each operation may be counted.

A preset function, based on the analysis results of the 13-rd step, may perform a power-on standby state or heats the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron, a touch sensor provided at a predetermined position on a pair of bodies to detect a touch of a user's hand, and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having the pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method including a 21-st step of outputting an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, by the detection unit; a 22-nd step of analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations by the control unit, if the operation detection signal is input from the detection unit after the user's hand comes into contact with the touch sensor; and a 23-rd step of controlling a driving power source of the hair iron to perform a preset function according to the counted number of operations based on the results of the analysis at the 22-nd step.

The 22-nd step may count the number of contact operations received by the detection unit, when the pair of bodies rotate about the hinge to come into contact with each other, and the 23-rd step may convert the hair iron into a power-on standby state or may heat the electric heating plate to a preset temperature according to the number of operations counted at the 22-nd step.

The 23-rd step may convert a power source into the power-on standby state if the number of operations is counted at the 22-nd step in a power-off standby state; and may heat the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature depending on the number of operations if the number of operations is counted at the 22-nd step in the power-on standby state.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron, a touch sensor provided at a predetermined position of a pair of bodies to detect a touch of a user's hand, and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having the pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method including a 31-st step of outputting, by the detection unit, an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, in a power-off state; and a 32-nd step of analyzing the operation detection signal input from the detection unit by the control unit, and then changing the hair iron to a power-on state and heating the electric heating plate to a preset temperature if the analyzed signal is determined as an operation-state change signal.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron, a touch sensor provided at a predetermined position of a pair of bodies to detect a touch of a user's hand, and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having the pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method including a 41-st step of outputting, by the detection unit, an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, in a power-off state; a 42-nd step of analyzing the operation detection signal input from the detection unit by the control unit, and then changing the hair iron to a power-on state and heating the electric heating plate to a preset temperature if the analyzed signal is determined as an operation-state change signal; and a 43-rd step of heating the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature, by the control unit, depending upon the number of operations, if the operation detection signal input from the detection unit is analyzed while the electric heating plate is already heated and the number of operations is counted.

As is apparent from the above description, the hair iron controlled by the usage detection and the control method thereof, according to the present invention, are advantageous in that the usage detection and the number of operations are determined not by the manipulation of the button-type switches of the existing hair iron types, but by the motion of using the hair iron; thus the on/off function of the hair iron and the heating temperature of an electric heater can be regulated based on the detected results, thus enhancing the manipulability of the hair iron.

Further, the hair iron controlled by the usage detection and the control method thereof are advantageous in that the usage is detected and then the hair iron is driven only when the touch sensor provided at a position on the body of the hair iron is activated via an actual usage manipulation by the user, thus preventing the hair iron from being driven by an unintended motion and thereby ensuring the safer use of the hair iron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the operation of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the operation of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the hair iron controlled by usage detection according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling the hair iron according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a hair iron according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control process of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling a hair iron according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, the configuration and operation of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further, like reference numerals are used to identify like elements throughout different drawings. In the following description, if it is decided that the detailed description of known function or configuration related to the invention makes the subject matter of the invention unclear, the detailed description is omitted.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the operation of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to the present invention, FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the operation of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the hair iron controlled by usage detection according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the hair iron includes a pair of bodies 110 that are composed of an upper body 111 and a lower body 112, an electric heating plate 120 that is provided on each of the bodies 110, and a detection unit 130 that detects the usage of the pair of bodies 110. The detection unit 130 includes an emitting element 132 and a receiving element 133 which are provided on the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112, respectively, to detect the contact of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 show the second embodiment of the present invention. The hair iron according to this embodiment includes a pair of bodies 110, an electric heating plate 120 that is provided on each of the bodies 110, a detection unit 130 that detects the usage of the pair of bodies 110, and a touch sensor 134 that detects the touch of a user's hand. The detection unit 130 includes tact switches 135 and 136 to detect the contact of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The hair iron includes electric heating plates 120 which are attached to the inner surfaces of bodies 110 and generate heat using supplied power. A detection unit 130 detects the operation of the bodies 110. A control unit 140 controls driving power according to the detected operation of the detection unit 130, thus driving a preset operation of the hair iron 100. A timer 152 provides a clock for providing time period information to the control unit 140. An LED-equipped indicating unit 153 indicates a present state and a change in state under the control of the control unit 140. An alarm emitting unit 154 signals a change in operational state under the control of the control unit 140, in the form of an alarm. A heating unit 151 heats the electric heating plate 120 to a preset temperature by controlling the power of the power supply unit 155 by means of the control unit 140. A temperature sensor 156 converts a change in temperature of the electric heating plates 120 into an electric signal and then inputs the signal into the control unit 140.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The hair iron includes electric heating plates 120 which are attached to the inner surfaces of bodies 110 and generate heat using supplied power. A detection unit 130 detects the operation of the bodies 110. A touch sensor 134 is provided on an outer surface of each of the bodies 110 to detect the contact of a user's hand. A control unit 140 controls driving power according to the detected operation of the detection unit 130, thus driving a preset operation mode of the hair iron 100. A timer 152 provides a clock for providing time period information to the control unit 140. An LED-equipped indicating unit 153 indicates a present state and a change in state under the control of the control unit 140. An alarm emitting unit 154 signals a change in operational state under the control of the control unit 140, in the form of an alarm. A heating unit 151 heats an electric heating plate 156 to a preset temperature by controlling the power of the power supply unit 155 by means of the control unit 140. A temperature sensor 156 converts a change in temperature of the electric heating plates 120 into an electric signal and then inputs the signal into the control unit 140.

The hair iron controlled by usage detection according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as such and the control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 A and 1B to FIG. 7.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bodies 110 comprise the pair of bodies, namely, the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112. The upper body 111 and the body 112 are hinged to each other at first ends thereof. Such a configuration allows the non-hinged ends of the upper body 111 and the lower body 112 to rotate about a hinge and thereby come into contact with each other.

During such a contact operation, a section of hair is first placed between the upper body 111 and the lower body 112 and then the upper body 111 and the lower body 112 are moved towards each other so as to be closed. The upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 are pulled while pressing the hair. As the hair passes between the electric heating plates 120, it is possible to create various hair styles.

Moreover, an elastic member 137 is provided on the hinge of the body 110, thus causing the bodies 110 to return to their original positions by an elastic force after the bodies 110 come into contact with each other to press and straighten the hair.

Further, the electric heating plates 120 are provided on facing surfaces of the bodies 110. The electric heating plates 120 are provided on the facing inner surfaces of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112, thus generating heat using external power.

Each electric heating plate 120 may be electrically connected to an external power source of 110V or 220V to be supplied with an electric current from the external power source. Thereby, heat is produced in the electric heating plates 120, such that the heat is transferred to the hair that is interposed between the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112.

In this regard, the electric heating plates 120 may be attached to either or both of the inner surfaces of the upper body 111 and the lower body 112. By way of example, an embodiment wherein the electric heating plates 120 are attached to both the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 so as to improve heat transfer efficiency is described herein.

The detection unit 130 includes the emitting element 132 and the receiving element 133, or alternatively includes the tact switches 135 and 136 on the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 to detect the contact of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112, respectively.

For example, the emitting element 132 is provided on the upper body 111, and the receiving element 133 is provided on the lower body 112, in such a way that the upper body 111 and the lower body 112 are facing each other. Here, the emitting element 132 and the receiving element 133 may be selectively installed at any position along each of the bodies 110.

The detection unit 130 having the emitting element 132 and the receiving element 133 is operated as follows: when the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 of the hair iron 100 come into contact with each other, an optical signal of the emitting element 132 is input into the receiving element 133.

In contrast, if the contact state of the hair iron 100 is released, the upper body 111 is elastically moved way from the lower body 112 by the elastic member 137. Since the bodies 110 are hinged at the first ends thereof to each other and always rotate in the shape of an imaginary arc, the optical signal of the emitting element 132 is not input into the receiving element 133.

The contact operation signal detected by the detection unit 130 in this way is input into the control unit 120.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sectional views of the hair iron according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Further, components common to the first and second embodiments will carry the same reference numerals. The detailed operation of the second embodiment will refer to the description of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

That is, as another embodiment of the detection unit 130, the tact switches 135 and 136 may be installed around the hinge so as to detect the operation of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112. As the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 are moved, the tact switches 135 and 136 are activated in conjunction with the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112, thus outputting an operation detection signal to the control unit 140.

When a user touches the hair iron, the touch sensor 134 provided on the outer surface of the hair iron 100 detects his or her touch and then outputs the detected signal to the control unit 140.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the hair iron controlled by usage detection according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling the hair iron of FIG. 4. First, if the detection unit 130 detects the operation of the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 in a power-off standby state of the hair iron, the detection unit 130 inputs the detected signal into the control unit 140.

The control unit 140 analyzes the detected signal that is input from the detection unit 130, and then counts the number of operations within a preset time.

In this case, a time when the upper and lower bodies 111 and 112 maintain the state of contact is counted. Only when the counted time is within a reference time, the input usage signal is counted.

Here, when the contact-state time period is short, namely, is within a preset reference time (approx. 1 second) for a preset short time period (approx. 3 to 5 seconds), the control unit 140 determines that it is indicative of a change in usage state, and thus generates a preset control signal.

That is, if it is determined that the operation signal input from the detection unit 130 is indicative of a change in usage state, the control unit 140 controls the heating unit 151 and heats the electric heating plate 120 to a preset initial temperature T1 when the hair iron 100 is in a power-on state. Meanwhile, in the power-off state, the control unit 140 changes the state of the hair iron into a power-on standby state and waits for the input of the usage signal from the detection unit 130.

Here, the control unit 140 heats the electric heating plate 120 to the preset initial temperature T1 or changes the state of the hair iron into the power-on standby state if counting is performed one or more times, regardless of the number of counted operations.

If the electric heating plate 120 is currently being heated by the control unit 140 and the operation signal is input from the detection unit 130 while the hair iron is in use, this signal is analyzed and the number of operations is counted. The electric heating plate 120 is heated to the preset temperature T1 or T2 according to the counted number of operations.

For example, if the number of operations is set to twice, the control unit 140 heats the electric heating plate 120 to the preset temperature T2. If the number of operations is three times, the electric heating plate 120 is heated to maintain the preset temperature T1.

Here, the number of operations may be set variously, and the temperature may be variously set to two or more stages.

In order to automatically turn off the hair iron if the electric heating plate 120 heated to a preset temperature is not used for a predetermined time period, the control unit 140 automatically changes the state of the hair iron to the power-off standby state when there is no signal detected from the detection unit 130 within a preset time period (approx. 35 seconds).

The control unit 140 drives the LED-equipped indicating unit 153 and the alarm emitting unit 154 with respect to a change in the operation state, thus indicating a change in operation state and a present operation state.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the hair iron according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control process of the hair iron shown in FIG. 6. A detection signal is input from the detection unit 130 and a hand touch signal is input through the touch sensor 134, so that the detection signal input from the detection unit 130 is analyzed only when the touch signal is input, and thereby the number of operations is counted. Based on the counted number of operations, it is determined whether this is an indication of a change in state.

That is, if the hand touch signal is input from the touch sensor 134 and it is determined that the operation signal input from the detection unit 130 is indicative of a change in state, the control unit 140 controls the heating unit 151 to heat the electric heating plate 120 to the preset initial temperature T1 when the hair iron 100 is in the power-on state. If the hair iron 100 is in the power-off state, the hair iron 100 is changed to the power-on standby state to wait for the input of the operation signal from the detection unit 130.

If the electric heating plate 120 is currently heated by the control unit 140 and the operation signal is input from the detection unit 130 while the hair iron is in use, this signal is analyzed and the number of operations is counted. The electric heating plate 120 is heated to the preset temperature T1 or T2 according to the counted number of operations.

Since the general configuration of the control unit 140 remains the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted herein.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling a hair iron controlled by usage detection according to a third embodiment of the present invention. When the operation signal of the hair iron is input from the detection unit 130 in the power-off standby state, the control unit 140 analyzes the input signal. If it is determined by the control unit 140 that the operation signal is a signal indicating a change in operation state, the hair iron is changed to the power-on state and simultaneously the heating unit 151 is controlled so that the electric heating plate 120 is heated to the preset temperature.

If the operation signal is not input from the detection unit 130 for a preset time is while the heated electric heating plate 120 is being driven, the hair iron is changed to the power-off state.

If the operation signal of the detection unit 130 is input into the control unit 140 while the electric heating plate 120 heated to the preset temperature is being driven, this signal is analyzed and it is determined whether or not the signal is a signal for a change in the state of operation. If it is determined that the signal is the signal for the change in state of operation, it is counted and the electric heating plate 120 is heated to the preset temperature.

Since the general configuration of the control unit 140 remains the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted herein.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A hair iron controlled by usage detection, the hair iron comprising:

a pair of bodies hinged to each other;

an electric heating plate attached to an inner surface of each of the bodies, and generating heat by power supplied thereto;

a detection unit configured to detect an operation of the pair of bodies; and

a control unit configured to control a driving power source based on a result detected by the detection unit, thus driving the hair iron to perform a preset operation.

2. The hair iron as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect a contact operation of the pair of bodies.

3. The hair iron as set forth in claim 2, wherein the detection unit comprises a is tact switch, the tact switch being provided on the inner surface of each of the bodies to detect the contact operation.

4. The hair iron as set forth in claim 2, wherein the detection unit comprises an emitting element and a receiving element, the emitting element and the receiving element being provided on respective inner surfaces of the bodies to detect the contact operation of the bodies.

5. The hair iron as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit counts the number of operations detected from the detection unit for a preset period of time, and

the number of operations detected by the detection unit is counted if a time when the pair of bodies maintain a contact state is within a preset time.

6. The hair iron as set forth in claim 5, wherein a preset operation of the control unit, as controlled according to a detected result of the detection unit, comprises a power-on operation and a power-off operation of the hair iron or an operation of heating to the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature.

7. The hair iron as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit interrupts supply of power to the electric heating plate and maintains a standby state when there is no signal input from the detection unit for the preset time period.

8. The hair iron as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a heating unit configured to drive the electric heating plate under a control of the control unit;

a timer configured to provide a count time to the control unit;

an LED-equipped indicating unit configured to indicate a present state of the hair iron under the control of the control unit;

an alarm emitting unit configured to emit an alarm if there is a change in present state under the control of the control unit; and

a temperature sensor configured to: detect a present temperature of the electric heating plate, convert the temperature into an electric signal, and input the electric signal into the control unit.

9. The hair iron as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a touch switch provided at a predetermined position on the hair iron to detect a user's contact,

wherein the control unit drives the preset operation of the hair iron based on a detected result of the detection unit in a state where the touch switch detects the user's contact.

10. The hair iron as set forth in claim 9, wherein the preset operation of the hair iron is performed to turn on and off the hair iron; and to maintain the electric heating plate at a preset stage of temperature depending upon a result of counting the number of operations from the detection unit.

11. A method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having a pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method comprising:

outputting an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, by the detection unit;

analyzing the operation detection signal input from the detection unit and counting the number of operations, by the control unit; and

controlling a driving power source of the hair iron to perform a preset function according to the counted number of operations based on a result analyzed at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the outputting the operation detection signal detects a contact operation of the pair of bodies rotating about a hinge and then inputs a detected result to the control unit, by the detection unit, and

the analyzing the operation detection signal counts the number of contact operations within a preset period of time and a time duration for which the contact of the bodies is maintained, by the control unit.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein a preset function, based upon the analysis result at the controlling the driving power source, heats the electric heating plate to a preset temperature.

14. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein a preset function, based on the analysis result at the controlling the driving power source, performs a power-on standby state or heats the electric heating plate to a preset stage of temperature.

15. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein, if the number of operations received by the detection unit is counted in a power-off standby state according to the analysis result at the controlling the driving power source, the power source is converted to the power-on standby state.

16. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein, if the number of operations received by the detection unit is counted in the power-on standby state according to the analysis result at the controlling the driving power source, the electric heating plate is heated to a preset initial temperature.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein, when the electric heating plate is already heated to a preset temperature based on the analysis result at the controlling the driving power source, the control unit counts the number of operations and heats the electric heating plate to a preset temperature depending upon the counted number of operations.

18. A method of controlling a hair iron using a detection unit to detect an operation of the hair iron, a touch sensor provided at a predetermined position on a pair of bodies to detect a touch of a user's hand, and a control unit to control the hair iron based on a result detected by the detection unit, the hair iron having the pair of bodies hinged to each other and an electric heating plate attached to each of the bodies, the method comprising:

outputting an operation detection signal indicating the operation of the hair iron to the control unit, by the detection unit;

analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations by the control unit, if the operation detection signal is input from the detection unit after the user's hand comes into contact with the touch sensor; and

controlling a driving power source of the hair iron to perform a preset function according to the counted number of operations based on the analysis result at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein, at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations, the number of contact operations received by the detection unit is counted when the pair of bodies rotate about the hinge to come into contact with each other, and

at the controlling the driving power source, the hair iron is converted into a power-on standby state or the electric heating plate is heated to a preset temperature, according to the number of operations counted at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein, at the controlling the driving power source, a power source is converted into the power-on standby state if the number of operations is counted in a power-off standby state at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations; and the electric heating plate is heated to a preset stage of temperature depending on the number of operations if the number of operations is counted in the power-on standby state at the analyzing the operation detection signal and counting the number of operations,

wherein the electric heating plate is set to at least two stages of heating temperatures.