DE102017204409A1 - Method and device for determining skin elasticity - Google Patents

Abstract

In various embodiments, a method for determining skin elasticity is provided. The method may include deforming the skin by means of a skin elasticity measuring device for at least one skin area of a user, wherein the skin elasticity measuring device may be part of a wearable device, detecting a skin elasticity dependent signal provided during deforming of the skin
associating skin elasticity with the sensed signal by comparing the sensed signal to reference signals for known skin elasticities.

Description

Various embodiments generally relate to a method and apparatus for determining skin elasticity and a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation.

Elasticity of skin may depend greatly on a composition of the dermis from fibroblast activity and extracellular matrix. In old age both can decrease, the skin can lose its elasticity and wrinkles can develop more strongly.

Cosmetic products and / or skin care instructions may be useful to varying degrees for skin having a given elasticity. For example, products and care instructions may be provided which may be especially suitable for skin with low elasticity.

A user can look for a way to counteract skin aging and track successes in a timely manner.

Without expert dermatological or cosmetic advice, it may be difficult for a user to determine their individual skin condition (e.g., the elasticity of their skin) and cosmetics suitable for their skin condition.

If the user still consume cosmetic products, it may be virtually impossible to understand a treatment success, because it the user, for. At home, there is a lack of opportunities to assess a treatment outcome in a standardized and objective way.

As a result, it may be difficult for the consumer to judge the individual effectiveness of a cosmetic, which may result in a motivation to carry out a corresponding cosmetic treatment, for example in the longer term, being impaired. This may be the case even if a cosmetic product were capable of achieving an objectively detectable desired effect.

In many areas of daily life, there has been a trend towards personalized programs that can respond to individual requirements and needs, for example in a nutrition or health sector, but also in a field of personalized cosmetics. This can enable a user to find targeted cosmetic products and / or to obtain care instructions that are tailored to the individual needs of his skin, and thus enable a particularly high effectiveness.

In various embodiments, an apparatus and method for determining skin elasticity may be provided. The determination of the elasticity of the skin can offer the user an added benefit of an individualizable treatment in various embodiments.

In various embodiments, a sensor may be used which measures elasticity in the skin. For this purpose, a special device can be used which can be connected to or integrated in a smartphone, a tablet or another data processing device (for example a computer or a smart mirror).

In various embodiments, measured data, e.g. the determined skin elasticity may be provided to a software / app and used to determine (e.g., calculate) different results. For example, the software or app may use data (e.g., reference data) in which the skin's individual elasticity can be correlated to a calculated age of the skin.

In various embodiments, skin elasticity may be determined by means of an app or other software and provided in the form of a value (e.g., with arbitrary units), a graphical representation, and / or an audible message.

In various embodiments, based on the elasticity of the skin, an individualized cosmetic treatment may be recommended to optimize the condition.

The device can be designed in various embodiments low and small (eg portable). The device may be applied to a (live) user, for example, the user at home, a point of sale for cosmetics, a dermatologist and / or a beauty salon. In various embodiments, the device may comprise a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad or similar electronic circuit device (eg, a data processing device and / or a data transfer device), and an integrated device or attachment attachable to and / or with the electronic circuit device, for example connectable (eg connectable by means of a data connection) can be. The integrated device or the Additional device (possibly even the entire device) may have a size that allows them easily accommodate in a hand or trouser pocket, for example, with an area of less than 36 cm ² and with a thickness of less than 2 cm.

In various embodiments, for determining the skin elasticity of the user, a skin elasticity measuring device may be used to provide, by deforming the skin and examining the deforming process, a signal that depends on skin elasticity and may be used to determine skin elasticity by the signal ,

In various embodiments, a functional principle of the skin elasticity measuring device may be known to those skilled in the art (eg, deforming the skin as tension, torsion, elevation, indentation, suction, or vibration) However, the skin elasticity measuring device may be provided as part of a portable device.

In various embodiments, the signal provided using the skin elasticity measuring device may be compared with reference signals for known skin elasticities (a set of reference data, eg the reference signals and the associated skin elasticities, possibly also other information such as the position of the skin area in which the reference measurement has been made, age and / or sex of the user to whom the reference measurement has been made, etc., may be referred to as reference data) and by which a skin elasticity of the user is determined (possibly also in comparison with an average or optimal skin elasticity given the age and / or sex of the user), where the reference signals and the known skin conditions may be provided in a database in various embodiments. The reference data may have been previously determined in various embodiments, for example in laboratory experiments.

In various embodiments, the device for determining skin elasticity may further comprise an electronic circuit device.

The comparison of the signal with the reference signal and / or the determination of the elasticity of the skin can be carried out in various exemplary embodiments by means of the electronic circuit device (eg directly), for example by means of an app or another software program which is accessible from the electronic circuit device (eg a smartphone, a tablet , an iPad or similar).

In various embodiments, comparing the signal to the reference signal and / or determining the skin elasticity therefrom may be done indirectly by means of the electronic circuit device, for example by providing a (eg contactless) data communication connection and by means of the data communication connection the signal and / or result of the Comparing the signal with the reference signal of an external data processing device (eg, a processor cloud architecture, also referred to as "cloud") and receives from the external data processing device the skin elasticity determined by means of the signal and / or the result of the comparison. In the external data processing device, the comparison and / or the determination of the elasticity of the skin can be carried out by means of software, e.g. an app, done.

For the user, the determined skin elasticity may, in various embodiments, be limited to any, e.g. user-selectable, kind of provided, e.g. as a numerical value (a skin elasticity measure), a graphical representation (for example a representation of the determined value in relation to an entire range of values, possibly a range of values adapted to age and / or gender), an acoustic message, or the like.

In particular, in a case where the skin elasticity is detected for a plurality of skin areas, in providing the skin elasticity to the user as a graphic representation, for example, as a display, e.g. by means of a display device. In the graph, the determined skin elasticity of the plurality of regions may be displayed with a skin elasticity coding in a representation of the user (e.g., a schematic or a photograph of the user). For example, in a schematic representation of a user's face, areas of different skin elasticity may be displayed with different colors and / or patterns, e.g. Areas of low skin elasticity red and with high skin elasticity green or similar. In various embodiments, a real-time representation of a body or body region (e.g., the face) may be used on / in a smart mirror. The illustration may be overlaid with an illustration of the determined skin elasticity, e.g. using different symbols / markers / hatching for areas of different skin elasticity.

When graphically depicting the skin elasticity of the at least one skin area, for example the majority of the skin areas, the elasticity of the skin can be shown in various embodiments only for the area (s) for which the skin elasticity was determined. In various embodiments, an area for which a determined skin elasticity is displayed may be extrapolated beyond the skin area for which the skin elasticity has been determined, for example, including typical skin elasticity distribution patterns.

Herein, in various embodiments, information about where the skin area (s) is / may be provided to the electronic circuit device, for example, by the user, e.g. by means of an input device (e.g., tapping a touch-sensitive display on which a schematic or photographic representation of the user is displayed, via text input via a keyboard or any other suitable input means).

In various embodiments, the display device may be part of the device, e.g. a display of a smartphone, tablet or iPad. In various embodiments, the display device may be coupled to the device, for example by means of a (e.g., wireless) data connection.

In various embodiments, it is intended to enable a user to specifically find cosmetic products and / or to obtain grooming suggestions that can be tailored to the individual needs of the user's skin.

In various embodiments, at least one cosmetic product may be recommended to the user based on the determined skin elasticity. The cosmetic product may be suitable for maintaining or improving the skin elasticity of the user. In various embodiments, the cosmetic product may comprise a cream, a lotion, an ointment, an oil, an emulsion, a gel, a soap, a mask, an ampoule with an adjuvant care product, a toner, a serum, a spray, or the like.

In various embodiments, based on the determined elasticity of the skin, product recommendations can be derived for individually tailored care products for the user and / or individual care instructions. The product recommendations and / or care instructions may be provided, for example, by software, e.g. an app. For example, it may be recommended to the user to apply a cosmetic care product that increases skin elasticity to the at least one skin area with low skin elasticity.

The enhancement, normalization or stabilization of the skin elasticity by a cosmetic product can be carried out with the help of ingredients which provide protection against UV and / or IR radiation, which increase the microcirculation and / or improve the water and fat households. These ingredients include in particular UV light absorbers, IR light absorbers, UV light reflectors, IR light reflectors, aloe vera, coenzyme Q10, caffeine-containing extracts such as green tea extract, vegetable oils such as hemp oil or evening primrose. Oil, unsaturated fatty acids, urea and / or glycerin.

Care instructions for increasing, normalizing or stabilizing skin elasticity may include, for example, the recommendation of a massage and / or a (selected) sporting activity.

In various embodiments, the software / app that determines the skin elasticity may be the same that determines the product recommendation and / or the care instructions. In various embodiments, different software programs / apps may be used for a portion of the various operations or all of the various operations (determining skin elasticity, determining a product recommendation, determining a care indication).

In various embodiments, a treatment success in a cosmetic treatment, which may have a positive effect on the determined skin elasticity, be monitored. In various embodiments, the software / app may enable control and / or tracking of the results by presenting (e.g., plotting) the measurement results over time.

In various embodiments, when determining the product and care recommendations, information may also be provided regarding a general health, a skin condition other than skin elasticity, dietary habits, and other user behaviors (eg, daily outdoor / sun / water, smoking, sports, etc.). ), eg by means of the software / app. This information can be requested by the user in various embodiments by means of the software / app.

In various embodiments, for judging suitability of a care product and / or a care indication for Maintain a skin with a given skin elasticity based on literature data.

In various embodiments, a care product and / or a care indication may be judged suitable for skin elasticity when expected, e.g. based on literature data, test results or empirical values (which can be updated, for example, also during use of the software / the app by the user, with new experiences of other users, see below) that in a (eg regular) application of the care product and / or the care instructions, the skin elasticity of the user is maintained or improved.

In various embodiments, an assessment of a suitability of a care product to improve skin elasticity may be confirmed or modified by including experience of other users with the same or similar skin elasticity, for example, experience of treatment success. Preferably, the other users also have the same or a similar skin elasticity in the same or a similar profile in terms of age, gender, general health, general skin condition apart from the skin elasticity and / or behaviors such as smoking, nutrition and / or sports. This can make it possible for the user to always receive an optimal recommendation.

In various embodiments, it may be possible to control and track the effectiveness of a cosmetic treatment in an objective and standardized manner. The cosmetic treatment may, in various embodiments, have the goal of improving skin elasticity.

In various embodiments, efficacy of (e.g., cosmetic) treatment may be better understood, thereby facilitating or facilitating selection of an individually suitable product.

In various embodiments, a user's motivation may be increased to perform a cosmetic treatment in the longer term, for example, by comparison with other users, e.g. by information about treatment success provided by the other users.

In various embodiments, a method for determining skin elasticity is provided. The method may include deforming the skin by a skin elasticity measuring device for at least one skin area of a user, the skin elasticity measuring device may be part of a wearable device, detecting a skin elasticity-dependent signal provided during deforming the skin, and correlating a skin elasticity to the sensed one Signal by comparing the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device may comprise at least one of a group of skin elasticity measuring devices, which may comprise: a tension-elasticity measuring device, a torsion-elasticity measuring device, an elevation-elasticity measuring device, an indentation-skin elasticity Measuring device, a suction-skin elasticity measuring device and a vibration-skin elasticity measuring device.

In various embodiments, the portable device may include a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad, or may be attachable to a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad, or a Smart Mirror.

In various exemplary embodiments, the detection of the signal and / or the assignment of the skin elasticity to the detected signal can take place by means of an app.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise releasing the skin and detecting a skin elasticity-dependent second signal provided during the release of the skin, wherein when the skin elasticity is correlated to the detected signal, the detected signal comprises a combination of the signal acquired during the deformation of the skin during the release of the skin detected second signal.

In various embodiments, the at least one skin area may include a plurality of skin areas of the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the comparison of the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities can take place by means of a database in which the reference skin signals are assigned the known skin elasticities.

In various embodiments, the database may be stored in a processor cloud architecture, and the method may further include updating the database based on new associations of skin elasticities Reference signals from a plurality of other users.

In various embodiments, a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation is provided. The method may include determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments, and determining the cosmetic product and / or a care instruction based on the determined skin elasticity and a database, wherein the database may include a plurality of skin elasticities and a plurality of associated cosmetic products and / or care instructions; wherein each skin elasticity of the plurality of skin elasticities may be associated with at least one suitable cosmetic product and / or at least one care instruction.

In various exemplary embodiments, the cosmetic product and / or the care instruction may be suitable for the determined skin elasticity if, based on empirical values of a plurality of further users with the cosmetic product stored in the further database, an improvement in skin elasticity is to be expected.

In various embodiments, determining the skin elasticity and / or determining the cosmetic skin treatment recommendation may include transmitting the signal and / or the skin elasticity to an external data processing device and receiving the skin elasticity and / or the cosmetic skin treatment recommendation.

In various embodiments, an apparatus for determining skin elasticity is provided. The device may include a skin elasticity measurement device configured to deform skin in at least one skin area of a user and provide a skin elasticity-dependent signal determined during the deformation, wherein the skin elasticity measurement device may be part of a wearable device, and an electronic circuit device for sensing of the signal provided by the dermal elasticity measuring device and for associating skin elasticity with the detected signal by comparing the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device may comprise at least one of a group of skin elasticity measuring devices, the group comprising a tension-elasticity measuring device, a torsion-elasticity measuring device, an elevation-elasticity measuring device, an indentation-elasticity measuring device, a suction-skin elasticity measuring device and a vibration-skin elasticity measuring device may have.

In various embodiments, the portable device may include a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad, or may be attachable to a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad, or a Smart Mirror.

In various embodiments, the portable device may further include a wireless data exchange device for exchanging data between the electronic circuit device and an external data processing device.

In various embodiments, the external computing device may include a processor cloud architecture.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device may include a deformation device for temporarily deforming the skin, and a signal detection device for detecting a time-dependent degree of deformation of the skin.

• FIG. 1A und 1B jeweils eine Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Hautelastizität gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigen und ein Verwenden der Vorrichtung veranschaulichen;
• FIG. 2A und 2B jeweils eine Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Hautelastizität gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigen;
• FIG. 3A und 3B jeweils eine Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Hautelastizität gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigen und ein Verwenden der Vorrichtung veranschaulichen;
• 4 Hautregionen zum Anwenden eines Verfahrens und einer Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Hautelastizität gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen veranschaulicht;
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm zum Veranschaulichen eines Verfahrens zum Ermitteln einer Hautbehandlungsempfehlung gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigt;
• 6 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Ermitteln einer Hautelastizität gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigt; und
• 7 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Ermitteln einer kosmetischen Hautbehandlungsempfehlung gemäß verschiedenen Ausführungsbeispielen zeigt.

In the drawings, like reference characters commonly refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and for the sake of clarity, partial omission is made to provide reference numerals to all corresponding parts throughout the figures. Parts of the same or similar type may be provided with a trailing digit or a trailing small letter to distinguish them in addition to a common reference numeral. The drawings are not necessarily intended to depict scale, but rather the emphasis is on illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1A and 1B each depict an apparatus for determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments and illustrating use of the apparatus;
• FIG. 2A and 2 B each show an apparatus for determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments;
• FIG. 3A and 3B each depict an apparatus for determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments and illustrating use of the apparatus;
• 4 Skin regions for applying a method and apparatus for determining skin elasticity illustrated in accordance with various embodiments;
• 5 FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a skin treatment recommendation according to various embodiments; FIG.
• 6 FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments; FIG. and
• 7 FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation according to various embodiments.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings which, by way of example, illustrate certain details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, exemplar or illustration." Any embodiments or embodiments described herein as "exemplary" are not necessarily to be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or embodiments.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A and 3B each show a device 100 ( 100a . 100b . 100c . 100d . 100e or 100f ) for determining a skin elasticity of a user 102 according to various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A and 3B is shown, the device 100 for determining skin elasticity in various embodiments, a skin elasticity measuring device 106 and an electronic circuit device 116 exhibit.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 a sensor that is capable of deforming a user's skin 102 (For example, in a skin area 102H ) and detect a degree of deformation. In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 further be arranged to detect a force (eg straight or torque), which is used to deform the skin. In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 be further configured to detect the degree of deformation and / or the force (eg temporally resolved). In this case, a structure and a principle of operation, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 essentially known to the person skilled in the art.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 For example, a tension-elasticity-measuring device, a torsion-elasticity-measuring device, an elevation-elasticity-measuring device, an indentation-elasticity-measuring device, a suction-elasticity-measuring device or a vibration-elasticity-measuring device. The designation of the skin elasticity measuring devices 106 known to the person skilled in the art in accordance with the functional principle relates to the manner in which the deformation of the skin is effected.

In FIG. 3A and 3B are exemplary devices for determining the skin elasticity 100e and 100f shown schematically, in each of which a deformation device 106_1 is provided for deforming the skin. In this case, the deformation device 106_1 can be set up to deform the skin only temporarily, ie to release the skin again after deformation, so that it can return to its original shape. Although in FIG. 3A and 3B the deforming device 106_1 as the skin area 102H contacting, and the above examples of skin elasticity measuring devices 106 may possibly require contact between the deforming device 106_1 and the skin (eg, to create a tensile or rotary load on the skin or for suction), this is not to be considered as limiting , In various embodiments, a skin elasticity measuring device 106 be used, in which the deformation device 106_1 does not require contact with the skin, for example, by the deformation is brought about by means of compressed air.

The deformation device 106_1 may be configured in various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 to provide a measure of a force (eg, acting linearly or as a torque) applied to effect the deformation of the skin, eg, a tensile force, a torque, a negative pressure, or the like. In various embodiments, the amount of force during the deformation process may be provided multiple times, eg, regularly, or continuously, and / or a predetermined force may be provided for the deformation.

As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 In various embodiments, further comprising a signal detection device 106_2 for detecting a degree of deformation of the skin. The degree of deformation can, for example, optically or by means of the signal detection device 106_2 be determined mechanically. The signal detection device 106_2 may be configured to detect the detected degree of deformation of the electronic circuit device 116 provide.

In various embodiments, the degree of deformation may be provided temporally dependent, i. several times, e.g. regularly or continuously during the deformation process, and / or (e.g., once) after reaching the predetermined force.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 Further, be adapted to detect the degree of deformation of the skin after a release of the skin, ie after completion of the deformation process, ie, when no more force is exerted on the skin, and the electronic circuit device 116 (this can also be called a second signal). In various embodiments, the detection of the degree of deformation of the skin after releasing the skin may be temporally resolved, eg multiple, eg regular or continuous, for example, and / or (possibly only) a time may be detected at which the skin returns to original shape (from before beginning of deformation) has adopted.

In various embodiments, the means of the skin elasticity measuring device 106 provided second signal in the determination of skin elasticity, for example, in addition to the signal that is detected and provided during the deformation.

In various embodiments, both the signal and the second signal may be dependent on skin elasticity. For example, elastic skin can be quickly deformed and quickly return to its original shape after release, while the deformation of less elastic skin is slower and the return to the original shape takes longer.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 Part of a portable device, as exemplified in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A and 3B shown.

In various embodiments, the one electronic circuit device 116 be configured to detect the of the skin elasticity measuring device 106 provided signal and for assigning a skin elasticity to the detected signal by comparing the skin elasticity to the detected signal by comparing the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities.

In various embodiments, the reference signals and associated skin elasticities may or may not be provided as a database.

In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 Be part of the portable device.

In various embodiments, the device 100 a carrier 104 have, on and / or in which the skin elasticity measuring device 106 arranged, for example, can be attached.

The skin elasticity may in various embodiments for at least one skin area 102H of the user 102 be determined. As shown in FIG. 1A and 1B as a skin area 102H can be shown in various embodiments of the skin area 102H a part of a facial skin of the user 102 be. Alternatively or additionally, as in 4 is shown which skin regions 102H for applying a method and apparatus for determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments, another or further skin area 102 For example, on an arm (skin area 102H6), a leg (skin area 102H4), a trunk (area 102H4), and / or a user's hand (area 102H5) may be used to determine skin elasticity of that skin area.

In various embodiments, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 with the electronic circuit device 116 be coupled, for example by means of a (wired or wireless) data connection 118 as exemplified in FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A and 3B shown.

The electronic circuit device 116 may be configured in various embodiments, as described above, by means of comparing the skin elasticity measuring device 106 signal generated a skin elasticity of the skin of the user 102 (When measuring a plurality of skin areas 102H the skin elasticity of the respective skin area) to determine, for example, a very low, moderately low, moderately high or very high skin elasticity. In various embodiments, skin elasticity may be otherwise described or quantified, eg, as skin elasticity index (eg, with any unit) or the like.

The device 100 For determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments, a portable device 100 be.

The electronic circuit device 116 may include a processor and memory in various embodiments. The electronic circuit device 116 may in various embodiments with the skin elasticity measuring device 106 be coupled, for example, such that a detection of signals, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 is provided (eg degree of deformation, measure of the force), for example by means of a data connection 118. The data connection 118 For example, a data cable, an internal conductive connection and / or a wireless transmission, for example by means of WLAN, thread, ZigBee or Bluetooth have. The electronic circuit device 116 may for example be a smartphone, an iPad, a tablet, a laptop or similar.

In various embodiments (such as, for example, in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B) 3B shown), the skin elasticity measuring device 106 and the electronic circuit device 116 form a portable integrated unit.

For example, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 and the electronic circuit device 116 as a portable integrated unit, the skin examination device 100 form, as shown in FIG. 2A for a smartphone with a skin elasticity measuring device 106 integrated into a housing of the smartphone.

In another example, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 and the electronic circuit device 116 is a portable integrated unit 330 form (see FIG. 2B, 3B ), which with an external data processing device 222 , For example, a smartphone or the like, may be coupled, for example by means of a wireless data transmission 224 eg as described elsewhere herein (alternatively, another form of data transmission may be used, eg, a wired one). It can be a combination of the integrated unit 330 and the external data processing device 222 in various embodiments, the device 100d respectively. 100f to determine the skin elasticity.

In various embodiments, the integrated device 100 have a size that makes it possible to accommodate them in a hand or trouser pocket. For example, the integrated device may have an area of less than 36 cm ² and a thickness of less than 2 cm.

The electronic circuit device 116 may be configured in various embodiments based on the skin elasticity measuring device 106 measured signal to determine a skin elasticity. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 may be configured to detect itself, ie, directly, the skin elasticity of the skin in the skin area 102H.

For determining the elasticity of the skin, various embodiments may utilize software, for example an app, which may for example be installed on a portable data processing device, wherein the portable data processing device is, for example, the electronic circuit device 116 may be, as shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A and 3A represented, or an additional, eg external, data processing device 222 may be, as shown in FIG. 2B and 3B shown.

In various embodiments, skin elasticity may be time dependent (eg, several times daily, daily, weekly, or with any other temporal dependency) and / or under various environmental conditions (eg, in a high or low humidity environment, cold or heat, etc.) become.

In various exemplary embodiments, calibration measurements (also referred to as reference measurements), which can be performed, for example, in a laboratory, and their results, for example, in the electronic circuit device 116 and / or in the external data processing device 222 and / or another external data processing device 228 For example, a processor cloud architecture may be stored, for example, as part of the software / app, to be used by the skin elasticity measuring device 106 Assign a measurable signal to a skin elasticity.

In various embodiments, determining the skin elasticity, for example, as described above, may be directly by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116 be executed, for example by means of the software / app, which on the portable electronic circuit device 116 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A and 3A shown.

In various embodiments, determining skin elasticity, for example, as described above and in FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and 3B represented (in 1B Either the electronic circuit device 116 be established, determining the elasticity of the skin itself and to obtain only reference data (as described elsewhere herein) by means of an external data processing device 228, eg, a cloud, or to provide the external data processing device 228 with the detected signal and to determine the skin elasticity from the data processing device 228 run and provided by it the determined skin elasticity), indirectly by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116, for example by the electronic circuit device 116 determining skin elasticity by means of an external data processing device 222 and or 228 causes. The electronic circuit device 116 For example, in various embodiments, it may comprise a relatively simple electronic circuit device, which may be arranged, for example, essentially only the signal, the skin elasticity measuring device 106 to capture (possibly compare it with the reference signals) and the external data processing device 222 transferred to. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 a more powerful, versatile circuit device (eg, a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad) that can not only be configured, the signal the skin elasticity measuring device 106 to capture (and possibly to compare with the reference signals) and the external data processing device 222, but may be additionally configured to perform various other functions, eg inputs from the user 102 to ask and save, to present results, a photo of the user 102 to provide the results (eg by means of a camera) and process, etc.

In various embodiments, the detected signal and / or the comparison result may be from the portable electronic circuit device 116 , as in 1B represented, directly or indirectly (eg by means of the external data processing device) of the (possibly further) external data processing device 228, for example a central computer or a processor cloud architecture (abbreviated also as "cloud"), which / r, for example, a higher computing power and / or a larger storage capacity than the electronic circuit device 116 may be provided, for example, be transmitted to this. The external data processing device 228 may be configured to determine the skin elasticity from the provided data, eg the signal or the result of the comparison, for example by means of a software, eg an app, for example as described above. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 Further, the skin elasticity may be established from the external data processing device 228 to receive and provide, for example, as described above. Alternatively, such as in 2 B The external data processing device 222 may be configured to receive and provide the skin elasticity from the external data processing device 228. For data exchange with the external data processing device 222 and or 228 can the electronic circuit device 116 in various embodiments have a device for wireless data transmission device, for example by means of WLAN, Thread, ZigBee or Bluetooth. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 be set up the data with the external data processing device 222 and or 228 replace with a cable connection.

For data exchange with the external data processing device 228 and the electronic circuit device 116 may be the external data processing device 222 in various embodiments have a device for wireless data transmission device, for example by means of WLAN or Bluetooth. In various embodiments, the external data processing device 222 may be configured to communicate the data with the electronic circuit device 116 and / or the external data processing device 228 replace with a cable connection.

The database may, in various embodiments, be included in the portable electronic circuit device 116 and / or in the external data processing device 222 and / or in the (possibly further) external data processing device 228 be saved.

When determining the skin elasticity, that skin elasticity can be determined as the skin elasticity of the user for whom the measured value is the skin elasticity measuring device 106 shows the smallest deviations from the measured value assigned in the database.

In various embodiments, by means of the electronic circuit device 116 , eg by means of the software / app, the skin elasticity can be provided. The elasticity of the skin can be described, for example, as a value (eg with arbitrary units), as a verbal message, as a graphic representation, or the like. communicated, eg displayed, eg by means of displays, eg on a screen of the portable electronic circuit device 116 or the external data processing device 222 ,

In particular, in a case in which the skin elasticity is determined for a plurality of skin areas, the provision of the Skin elasticity to the user have a graphical representation, for example, a display, for example by means of a display device (eg a screen / display), for example by means of a display device of the electronic circuit device 116 or the external data processing device 222. In various embodiments, a representation of a body or a body region (eg of the face) may be used for this, for example as a symbolic representation or as a photograph of the user 102 , The illustration may be superimposed on an illustration of the skin elasticity, for example by means of different symbols / markings / hatching for areas of different skin elasticity.

Normal / healthy / optimal skin elasticity can usually be of one gender and one age of the user 102 be dependent. In various embodiments, this may be included at least in providing skin elasticity as compared to a normal / healthy / optimal skin elasticity value (eg, as percent skin elasticity compared to users of the same sex and age).

In various embodiments, the device 100 Furthermore, it may be set up to determine a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation based on the determined skin elasticity and to make it available to the user 102.

In various embodiments, at least one suitable care product and / or at least one care instruction may be assigned to each of the plurality of skin elasticities. The assignment may be experimental, e.g. in laboratory tests.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user can be introduced to the use of cosmetic products which are produced individually for the user, and an order process can be initiated, preferably by calling up a website of a manufacturer of individual cosmetic products.

Customers always want a product that is individually tailored to their needs. This can be a product manufactured especially for the customer or a so-called "mass customized" product. In the case of a "mass customized" product, an individualization can be achieved by varying a few characteristics of a product that are decisive from the customer's point of view. Preferably, these "mass customized" products are based on the concept of modularization, that is, the product can be assembled individually from various modules / building blocks.

Often, there are many dependencies between the many different features / ingredients of a product, which can be expressed as "commandments" or "prohibitions." In order to obtain a clear product definition, it may be advantageous for the ordering process to proceed with the aid of a product configurator. This configurator helps the customer to select the characteristics / ingredients and draws attention to the permitted / inadmissible combinations of features, the latter then can not be selected.

In the case of skin products, the relevant product characteristics include, in particular, the chemical ingredients of the compositions, the physical properties of the compositions and the manner of preparation of the compositions. With the aid of a product configurator, for example, the selection of chemically and / or physically incompatible ingredients or the selection of the determined skin elasticity of unsuitable ingredients can be avoided. Conversely, the selection for the determined skin elasticity of suitable ingredients may be predetermined or suggested by the product configurator.

In various embodiments, the visit of a dermatologist, masseur or a beautician may be recommended. In various embodiments, a booking process can be initiated directly via the software / app, which determines the skin moisture content and / or the product recommendation and / or the care instructions. For this purpose, for example, the contact details of dermatologists, masseurs and / or cosmeticians can be stored in the software / app and these are displayed to the user. In addition, the selection can be restricted via filters, such as the postal code. In various embodiments, an appointment booking can be made directly via the software / app. Alternatively, the booking of a dermatologist appointment, massage appointment and / or a cosmetic appointment can be made via a separate software / app, such as Treatwell.

In various embodiments, literature data may be used to assess suitability of a care product and / or a care label to maintain a skin having a given skin elasticity.

In various embodiments, a care indication for a skin elasticity may be considered suitable if it is to be expected, for example on the basis of literature data, test results or empirical values, that the skin elasticity of the user will result from a (eg regular) application of the care product and / or the care instruction 102 is maintained or improved (ie increased).

In various embodiments, as in 5 (and in FIGS. 1B, 2A and 2B for a case that the other users 1020 not only contributing new signal-to-skin elasticity associations, but also experience regarding a skin care recommendation suitable for their skin elasticity), an assessment of a care product's ability to improve skin elasticity can be confirmed or modified by including experience from other users 1020 with the same or a similar skin elasticity, for example from experience with regard to a treatment success. The experience can from the other users 1020 for example, the external data processing device 228 be provided, for example by means of a wireless data transmission 226 , Alternatively, a transmission of the data by means of cable can be used. Based on the empirical values, the database in the external data processing device 228 and / or in the portable electronic circuit device 116. This may allow the user 102 always receives an optimal recommendation. The other users 1020 To this end, they preferably have a similar profile in terms of age, sex, general health, skin condition other than skin elasticity, dietary habits, and / or other behaviors.

In various embodiments, when determining the product and / or care recommendations, further information regarding age, sex, general health, skin condition apart from skin elasticity, dietary habits, and other user behaviors (eg, daily outdoor / sun / water stay) may be provided , Smoking habits, sports, etc.), eg by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116 and / or on the external data processing device 222 installed software / app. The information may be provided in various embodiments by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116 by the user 102 be asked what they are in the electronic circuit device 116 can input, for example by means of a keyboard, as a voice message, as a selection of one of the portable electronic circuit device 116 displayed menu, or similar.

For example, if the user 102 as an additional information provides that he spends a lot of time in the water or outdoors, in the product and / or care recommendation recommendation based on the skin elasticity of the user 102 For example, those associated care products recommended to the user 102, which are not only suitable for its elasticity, but also eg waterproof and / or provided with a UV filter.

In various embodiments, the product recommendation and / or the care instruction may be provided to the user 102, for example by means of the electronic circuit device 116 , eg by means of the screen of the electronic circuit device 116 , For example, a graphical representation can be supplemented by (eg text) messages (not shown), eg the determined product recommendations and / or care instructions.

5 shows a diagram 500 to illustrate a method for determining a skin care cosmetic product according to various embodiments. 5 In essence, it may illustrate those processes described elsewhere in the context of the method of determining a skin care cosmetic product according to various embodiments.

The method may include, in various embodiments, determining skin elasticity (at 510), for example, as described above.

Based on the determined skin elasticity, a product or care recommendation can be found (at 560). In various embodiments (as path 515 In addition to the elasticity of the skin, literature data (marked 530), the personal data (eg 540 as described above), and / or data of other users, eg their empirical values (indicated as 550), may be consulted.

Further, in various embodiments, as with path 580 by monitoring skin elasticity (at 510), a treatment success is monitored (at 590). This may be useful, for example, during and after a cosmetic treatment based on the product recommendation (at 560). A treatment success documented by means of the method for determining skin elasticity on the basis of objective values can increase a motivation for the user (at 599).

In various embodiments, as described above, based on the determined skin elasticity product recommendations for individually for the user 102 appropriate cosmetic products and / or individual care instructions are derived. The product recommendations and / or care instructions can be provided, for example, by means of software, for example an app.

In various embodiments, the software / app that determines the skin elasticity of the skin may be the same that determines the product recommendation and / or the care instructions. In various embodiments, different software programs / apps may be used for a portion of the various operations or all of the various operations (determining skin elasticity, determining a product recommendation, determining a care indication).

In various embodiments, treatment success may be monitored in a cosmetic treatment that may have the goal of positively affecting (i.e., increasing) the determined skin elasticity. In various embodiments, the software / app may enable control and / or tracking of the results by presenting (e.g., plotting) the measurement results over time.

6 shows a flowchart 600 a method of determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, a method for determining skin elasticity is provided. The method may include, for at least one skin area of a user, deforming the skin by means of a skin elasticity measuring device, wherein the skin elasticity measuring device is part of a wearable device (at 610), detecting a skin elasticity-dependent signal provided at a time of deforming the skin (at 620), and associating skin elasticity with the sensed signal by comparing the sensed signal to reference signals for known skin elasticities (at 630).

7 shows a flowchart 700 a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation is provided. The method may include: determining skin elasticity according to various embodiments (at 710) and determining the cosmetic product and / or the care instruction based on the determined skin elasticity and a database having a plurality of skin elasticities and a plurality of associated cosmetic products / care instructions wherein each skin elasticity of the plurality of skin conditions may be associated with at least one suitable cosmetic product and / or at least one suitable care instruction (at 720).

Some of the embodiments are described in the context of devices, and some of the embodiments are described in the context of methods. Further advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the description of the device and vice versa.

Claims (17)

A method for determining skin elasticity, comprising: for at least one skin area of a user, deforming the skin by means of a skin elasticity measuring device, the skin elasticity measuring device being part of a portable device; Detecting a skin elasticity-dependent signal provided during deformation of the skin; and Associating skin elasticity with the sensed signal by comparing the sensed signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the skin elasticity measuring device comprises at least one of a group of skin elasticity measuring devices, the group comprising: a tension-skin elasticity measuring device; a torsion-skin elasticity measuring device; an elevation skin elasticity measuring device; an indentation-skin elasticity measuring device; a suction-skin elasticity measuring device; and a vibration-skin elasticity measuring device. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the portable device comprises a smartphone, a tablet or an iPad or is attachable to a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad or a Smart Mirror. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the detection of the signal and / or the assignment of the skin elasticity to the detected signal is carried out by means of an app. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , further comprising: releasing the skin; Detecting a skin elasticity-dependent second signal provided during the release of the skin, wherein when the skin elasticity is correlated to the detected signal, the detected signal comprises a combination of the signal acquired during the deformation of the skin and the second signal detected during the release of the skin. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least one skin region comprises a plurality of skin regions of the user. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the comparison of the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities takes place by means of a database in which the reference skin signals are assigned the known skin elasticities. Method according to Claim 7 wherein the database is stored in a processor cloud architecture, and wherein the method further comprises updating the database based on new associations of skin elasticities to reference signals from a plurality of other users. A method of determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation, comprising: detecting skin elasticity according to any one of Claims 1 to 8th ; and determining the cosmetic product and / or a care instruction based on the determined skin elasticity and a database having a plurality of skin elasticities and a plurality of associated cosmetic products and / or care instructions, wherein each skin elasticity of the plurality of skin elasticities at least one suitable cosmetic product and / or at least a maintenance instruction is assigned. Method according to Claim 9 , wherein the cosmetic product and / or the care instruction for the determined skin elasticity is suitable if, based on stored in the further database experience of a plurality of other users with the cosmetic product improvement in skin elasticity is expected. Method according to one of Claims 9 or 10 wherein determining the skin elasticity and / or determining the cosmetic skin treatment recommendation comprises transmitting the signal and / or the skin elasticity to an external data processing device and receiving the skin elasticity and / or the cosmetic skin treatment recommendation. Device for determining skin elasticity, comprising: a skin elasticity measuring device configured to deform skin in at least one skin area of a user and to provide a skin elasticity-dependent signal determined during the deforming, the skin elasticity measuring device being part of a wearable device; and an electronic circuit device for detecting the signal provided by the skin elasticity measuring device and for assigning skin elasticity to the detected signal by comparing the detected signal with reference signals for known skin elasticities. Device according to Claim 12 wherein the skin elasticity measuring device comprises at least one of a group of skin elasticity measuring devices, the group comprising: a tension-skin elasticity measuring device; a torsion-skin elasticity measuring device; an elevation skin elasticity measuring device; an indentation-skin elasticity measuring device; a suction-skin elasticity measuring device; and a vibration-skin elasticity measuring device. Device according to one of the Claims 12 or 13 wherein the portable device comprises a smartphone, a tablet or an iPad or is attachable to a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad or a Smart Mirror. Device according to one of the Claims 12 to 14 wherein the portable device further comprises a wireless data interchange device for exchanging data between the electronic circuit device and an external data processing device. Device according to Claim 15 wherein the external data processing device comprises a processor cloud architecture. Device according to one of the Claims 12 to 16 wherein the skin elasticity measuring device comprises a deformation device for temporarily deforming the skin, and a signal detection device for detecting a time-dependent degree of deformation of the skin.

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