Ultraviolet light sensor and method for achieving target vitamin D levels

Abstract

Ultraviolet Light Sensor and Method for Achieving Target Vitamin D Levels A computer system and computer-implemented method for generating and providing skin care product recommendations to a subject, wherein the method comprises determining, by a computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D level of the subject; and providing, by the computing device, a recommendation of a skin care product to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the target vitamin D level of the subject. Figure for abstract: none

Description

Title of Invention: Ultraviolet Light Sensor and Method for Achieving Target Vitamin D Levels Summary

[0001] A UV-B sensor device and application are directed to assisting a subject in maintaining or achieving target vitamin D levels through sun exposure and transdermal application of vitamin D. A method performed by a computing device receives UV exposure data from a handheld UV sensor, determines the estimated vitamin D intake through the measured UV-B exposure, determines a target vitamin D level for the user, and recommends a skin care product to address a possible vitamin D deficiency by comparing the target vitamin D level to the vitamin D intake. Alternatively, when the vitamin D intake through UV-B exposure is equal to or greater than the target vitamin D level, the computing device may also warn the user of the risk of overexposure to UV radiation.

[0002] This summary is provided to present in simplified form a selection of concepts which will be described in more detail below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor to serve to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. Description of the drawings

[0003] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be more readily appreciated upon further understanding by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0004] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a system for generating and providing product recommendations to a subject based on various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0005] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram illustrating one embodiment serving as a non-limiting example of a system comprising a mobile computing device and a server computing device according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0006] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a functional diagram illustrating one embodiment serving as a non-limiting example of a computing device suitable for serving as a computing device with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0007] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a flowchart which illustrates a non-limiting example of mode of carrying out a process for generating and providing recommendations to a subject to various aspects of this disclosure. Detailed description

[0008] Vitamin D is essential for the health of our bodies. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium to strengthen bones. Vitamin D can enter the body through various sources, including food or vitamin supplements, and the body can even produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight or other sources of UV light. Doctors often recommend a certain amount of sun exposure to allow our bodies to produce vitamin D.

[0009] UV radiation is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum whose wavelength ranges from 100 to 400 nm. UV radiation is further subdivided into UV-C (shortwave), UV-B (medium wave) and UV-A (longwave). The ozone layer blocks most UV-B radiation from reaching the Earth's surface, as does almost all UV-C radiation. UV-B radiation has a wavelength of approximately 280 to 315 nm. UV-B radiation is responsible for the production of vitamin D in the body. When UV-B radiation is absorbed by a person's skin, it triggers a series of reactions leading to the synthesis of vitamin D.Therefore, it is important to know the amount of sun exposure, and especially the amount of UV-B exposure, to determine whether or not a person is meeting the daily, weekly or monthly intake of vitamin D and whether further exposure will only put the person at risk from the negative effects that overexposure brings.

[0010] Since calculating the amount of exposure necessary to provide the necessary amount of vitamin D intake for any subject is a complex operation based on blood test results, weather conditions, time of day, skin type and / or previous exposure history, the present disclosure provides a simple method for determining whether a subject is below, above (risk of sunburn) or just at their target dose of sun exposure per hour / per day / per week / etc. The method further provides recommendations for supplementing the skin's deficiency in sun exposure with vitamin D skin care products that can deliver vitamin D through the skin.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a computerized system and method or application for intelligently calculating and advising, for example, when it is desirable to be in the sun, when it is better to go indoors (risk of sunburn), and when it is appropriate to apply a vitamin D product based on, for example, weather conditions, time of day, type of skin, history of previous exposures (per hour / per day / per week, etc.) and target vitamin D levels.

[0012] [Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a system 100 for generating and providing vitamin D product recommendations to a subject 102 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In the system 100, the subject 102 interacts with a mobile computing device 104. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 may be used to receive measured UV exposure data from a handheld UV sensor 106 on the subject 102, which is used to calculate the amount of UV-B exposure.

[0013] Various existing technologies already provide a portable UV sensor 106 that measures the amount of UV exposure, from which a mobile computing device, such as the mobile computing device 104, can calculate a personal daily safe UV dose based on skin type and minimum erythema dose. For example, see US publication 20190204146. These technologies can go so far as to recommend sunscreen products designed to provide the subject with UV protection. In some embodiments, the portable UV sensor 106 presents minimal discomfort and can be worn on a fingernail.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 is capable of executing a computerized method or application. The subject may start the computerized method by touching the icon 108 on a touchscreen of the mobile computing device 104. The computerized method is described in more detail in connection with [Fig. 4],

[0015] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 is connected to a remote server computing system 112 consisting of one or more server computers via a network, such as the Internet 110. The network may include any suitable networking technology, including but not limited to wireless communication technology (including but not limited to Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE), wired communication technology (including but not limited to Ethernet, USB, and FireWire), or combinations thereof.

[0016] [Fig. 2] is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a system comprising the mobile computing device 104 and a server computing system 112 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 may be a smartphone. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 may be any other type of computing device comprising the illustrated components, including but not limited to a tablet computing device or a laptop computing device. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 may not be mobile, but may instead be a stationary computing device such as a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the illustrated components of the mobile computing device 104 may be housed in a single housing. In some embodiments, the illustrated components of the mobile computing device 104 may be in separate housings that are communicatively coupled by wired or wireless connections. The mobile computing device 104 also includes other components that are not illustrated, including but not limited to one or more processors, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a power source, and one or more communication interfaces.

[0017] As shown, the mobile computing device 104 includes at least one display device, a UV application 212 (or UV App), and a user interface engine 214.

[0018] In some embodiments, the display device is an LED display, an OLED display, or any other type of display for presenting a user interface. In some embodiments, the display device may be combined with or include a touch-sensitive layer, such that a subject 102 may interact with a user interface presented on the display device by touching the screen. In some embodiments, a separate user interface device, including but not limited to a mouse, keyboard, or stylus, may be used to interact with a user interface presented on the display device.

[0019] In some embodiments, the user interface engine 214 is configured to present a user interface on the display device upon opening the UV App 212. The UV App 212 will cause the user interface engine 214 to display a plurality of user interfaces on the display device regarding a computerized method used to collect and display information, including providing recommendations for transdermal vitamin D supplements. For example, the user interface engine 214 may present the subject with a questionnaire for obtaining information to determine the subject's sun exposure, the subject's target vitamin D level, and also provide graphs showing cumulative UV-B exposure over a day, week, month, etc., the amount of vitamin D intake received through such exposure over a day, week, month, etc., and graphically presents the target vitamin D level, along with other options and information.

[0020] In some embodiments, the server computer system 112 includes one or more computing devices that each include one or more pro processors, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and network communication interfaces that are collectively configured to provide the components illustrated below. In some embodiments, the one or more computing devices that comprise the server computing system 112 may be cabinet-mounted computers, desktop computers, or computers in a cloud computing service.

[0021] In some embodiments, the server computing system 112 is configured to perform data analysis to determine the amount of sun exposure, the amount of vitamin D intake, and the target amount of vitamin D. The mobile computing device 104 is configured to connect to the server computing system 112 in a cloud computing environment. As shown, the server computing system 112 includes a user data store 202, a UV engine 204, a vitamin D target level engine 206, a recommendation engine 210, and a UV-B to vitamin D correlation engine.

[0022] In some embodiments, the user data store 202 is configured to store records specific to each subject 102 using the system. The records may include medical information, including age, weight, blood test results, vitamin D level history, skin type, vitamin D target amount, product recommendations, and / or other information collected or determined by the system.

[0023] In some embodiments, the UV engine 204 may be configured to process data acquired by the UV sensor 106. For example, the amount of UV-B exposure is calculated based on the energy captured by a UV-B sensitive photodiode or LED.

[0024] In some embodiments, the vitamin D target level engine 206 is configured to calculate the subject's target vitamin D levels per day, week, or month. The target vitamin D levels may be based on blood test results or general principles specific to common human situations. A questionnaire may be presented to the subject at the beginning of the procedure to gather information that will be used in estimating the target vitamin D level.

[0025] In some embodiments, the UV-B to vitamin D correlation engine 208 is configured to estimate the amount of vitamin D intake by the body based on the amount of UV-B exposure, such as from sunlight or another UV source, as measured by the UV sensor 106. Technologies exist on the market that predict vitamin D intake due to measured UV-B exposure. Simple or complex correlations may be used to predict this amount of vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure based on some of the following factors: time of year and location based on the height of the sun, phototype I to VI based on skin color, time of day based on the height of the sun, sky condition based on the amount of cloud cover, thickness of the ozone layer, altitude, type of ground surface based on light reflectivity, as well as biological and physiological factors of the subject, such as age, weight, current vitamin D level in the blood, etc. See the study by Webb, AR and O. Engelsen (2006), “Calculated Ultraviolet Exposure Levels for a Healthy Vitamin D Status,” Photochemistry and Photobiology. 82(6), 1697-1703 (https: / / fastrt.nilu.no / VitD-ez_quartMED.html).

[0026] In some embodiments, the amount of vitamin D intake by UV-B exposure and the target amount of vitamin D are indicated as the level of vitamin D found in the blood of the subject and expressed for example in nmol / l. In some embodiments, the amount of vitamin D contained in supplements, such as vitamin D that can be administered transdermally or orally, is given in International Units (IU) or micrograms (mcg or Pg)-

[0027] In some embodiments, the amount of vitamin D intake per UV-B exposure is defined by the vitamin Duv value and the target amount of vitamin D is defined by the vitamin DT value. Therefore, in some embodiments, the recommended amount of vitamin D supplement or vitamin Ds may be the amount of vitamin D that will fill the vitamin D gap between DT and Duv over a given period. For example, in one model, the amount of vitamin D supplement, namely vitamin Ds, may be proportional to the difference in DT minus Duv. Determining the amount of vitamin Ds may also take into account biological and physiological factors that may influence the absorption of vitamin D into the blood, particularly in the case of transdermal administration.

[0028] In some embodiments, the recommended dose of the vitamin D supplement, Ds, is given per unit of time. For example, daily or weekly doses of vitamin D may be recommended. For example, doses of vitamin D supplement may be designed in the range of 1000 IU to 2000 IU per day or 5000 IU per week.

[0029] In some embodiments, the recommended dose of vitamin D supplement, Ds, is simply an amount useful for increasing the level of vitamin D in the blood when the subject is observed to be deficient in vitamin D.

[0030] In some embodiments, the recommended dose of vitamin D supplement, Ds, is not proportional to the difference of DT minus Duv and the dose corresponds to any amount of vitamin D supplement as provided by the manufacturer of vitamin supplements.

[0031] In some embodiments, the amount of vitamin D supplement may also be administered orally rather than transdermally or by a combination of oral and transdermal administration. The amount of vitamin D that is absorbed into the bloodstream either by transdermal administration or by oral administration may be based on empirical testing of the supplement performed by the vitamin D supplement manufacturer.

[0032] In some embodiments, the recommendation engine 210 is configured to generate recommendations for at least one skin care product for transdermally delivering vitamin D to increase the subject's blood vitamin D level based on a comparison of the target vitamin D level to vitamin D produced by UV exposure. The skin care products for transdermally delivering vitamin D may be in the form of creams, sprays, patches, etc. The skin care products for transdermal delivery of vitamin D may also include other ingredients such as moisturizers, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, collagen, excipients such as oil and water, etc.

[0033] The term "engine" refers to integrated logic in the form of hardware or software instructions, which may be written in a programming language such as C, C++, COBOL, JAVA™, PHP, Perl, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, VBScript, ASPX, Microsoft .NET™, Go, etc. An engine may be compiled into executable programs or written in interpreted programming languages. Software engines may be called from other engines or from themselves. Generally, the engines described herein refer to logic modules that may be merged with other engines or may be divided into sub-engines. Engines may be recorded on any type of computer-readable media or computer storage device and be stored on and executed by one or more general-purpose computers, thereby creating a special-purpose computer configured to provide the engine or the functionality thereof.

[0034] The term "data store" refers to any suitable device configured to store data that can be accessed by a computing device. An example of a data store is a high-reliability, high-speed relational database management system (RDBMS) that runs on one or more computing devices and is accessible via a high-speed network. Another example of a data store is a key-value storage system. However, any other storage technique and / or storage device may be used. suitable for quickly and reliably providing the stored data in response to requests, and the computing device may be accessible locally rather than over a network, or it may be provided as a cloud service. A data store may also include data stored in an organized manner on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a hard disk drive, flash memory, random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), or any other type of computer-readable storage medium. Those skilled in the art will recognize that separate data stores as described herein may be combined into a single data store, and / or that a single data store as described herein may be split into multiple data stores, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] [Fig. 3] is a block diagram that illustrates aspects of an exemplary computing device 300 that may serve as a mobile computing device according to the present disclosure. Although many different types of computing devices have been suggested above, the exemplary computing device 300 describes various elements that are common to many different types of computing devices. Although [Fig. 3] is described with reference to a mobile computing device, the following description may apply to servers, personal computers, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, embedded computing devices, and other devices that may be used to implement portions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.Additionally, those skilled in the art and other experts will recognize that the computing device 300 may be any of a number of devices currently available or yet to be devised.

[0036] In its simplest configuration, the computing device 300 includes at least one processor 302 and one system memory 304 connected by a communication bus 306. Depending on the exact configuration and type of device, the system memory 304 may be volatile or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), EEPROM, flash memory, or similar memory technology. Those skilled in the art and other experts will recognize that the system memory 304 typically contains data and / or program modules that are immediately accessible to the processor 302 and / or are being operated on by the processor 302. In this regard, the processor 302 may serve as the computing center of the computing device 300 by providing execution of instructions.

[0037] As also illustrated in [Fig. 3], the computing device 300 may include a network interface 310 consisting of one or more components for communicating with other devices via a network. Modes of embodiment of the present disclosure may access basic services using the network interface 310 to provide communications using common network protocols. The network interface 310 may also include a wireless network interface configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, LTE, WiMAX, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, etc. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the network interface 310 illustrated in [Fig. 3] may represent one or more of the wireless interfaces or physical communication interfaces described and illustrated above in connection with individual components of the computing device 300.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the computing device 300 also includes a storage medium 308. However, it also remains possible to access services using a computing device that does not include means for storing data on a local storage medium. Therefore, the storage medium 308 illustrated in [Fig. 3] is optional. In any event, the storage medium 308 may be volatile or non-volatile, removable or non-removable, and implemented using any technology for storing information, including but not limited to a hard disk, a solid-state disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD or other disk storage medium, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, a magnetic disk storage medium, etc.

[0039] As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in accordance with any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. In this regard, the system memory 304 and storage medium 308 illustrated in [Fig. 3] are merely examples of computer-readable media.

[0040] Suitable implementations of computing devices that include a processor 302, a system memory 304, a communication bus 306, a storage medium 308, and a network interface 310 are widely known and commercially available. To simplify the illustration and as it hardly influences a good understanding of the claimed subject matter, [Fig. 3] does not show some of the usual components contained in many computing devices. In this regard, the computing device 300 may include input devices, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a microphone, a touch input device, a touchscreen, a tablet, etc. Such input devices may be coupled to the computing device 300 by wired or wireless connections, including RF, infrared, serial, parallel, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low-power, USB, or other suitable connection protocols using physical or wireless connections. Similarly, the computing device 300 may also include output devices such as a display screen, speakers, a printer, etc. As these devices are well known in the art, they will not be illustrated or described in further detail in this disclosure.

[0041] [Fig. 4] is a flowchart that illustrates a non-limiting example embodiment of a method for generating and providing a subject with recommendations for skin care products that provide vitamin D supplementation. The method 400 may be implemented, in one example, by the mobile computing device 104 alone or in combination with one or more server computing devices 112.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method may be performed in part by the mobile computing device 104 and in part by the remote server computing system 112. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 104 is configured to upload data about the subject to an external system or server (such as a cloud system). This data may include the user's profile.

[0043] The computerized method 400 can be initiated by clicking on the UV App icon 108 present on the screen of the mobile computing device 104 to open the UV App application 212. Starting from the Start block, the UV App 212 proceeds to block 402, where the UV App 212 receives UV-B data from the handheld device 106 placed on the subject 102.

[0044] Depending on the type of sensor 106, the data may be processed by the sensor 106 or by the mobile computing device 104. In some embodiments, the subject 102 scans the sensor 106 with the mobile computing device 104 to establish a connection between the sensor 106 and the mobile computing device 104. Communication pairing is performed between the sensor 106 and the mobile computing device when the two devices are located within an acceptable wireless communication distance of each other. In some embodiments, the sensor 106 includes an RFID circuit and an antenna so that the subject can obtain the data wirelessly.

[0045] In some embodiments, the sensor 106 contains a UV-sensitive LED that will induce an electronic current proportional to the UV exposure. The amount of UV exposure can then be converted and stored as a voltage, which corresponds to a measure of cumulative UV exposure over time. The UV exposure can be reported per unit of time, e.g., per day, per week, per month, etc.

[0046] The voltage is read each time the subject scans the sensor 106. The data from Scanned voltages are converted by the UV engine 204 into a UV-A dosage based on the calibrated correlations. In some embodiments, the UV-B exposure is then calculated using a pre-calculated look-up table that gives the conversion factor based on the amount of ozone in the air column of the atmosphere and the solar zenith angle (SZA). The SZA is determined based on the GPS position and time.

[0047] In some embodiments, the UV engine 204 may communicate with the user data store 202 which continuously records the subject's GPS location and time, for example. The latitude, longitude, and time of the subject's location may also be used to obtain the predicted ozone amount from satellite measurements, which will be used by the UV-B and vitamin D correlation engine 208. The UV-A and UV-B doses calculated by the UV engine 204 represent the amount of UV exposure the subject has been exposed to during a period between two consecutive scanner readings. The subject can track their UV exposure over time and determine if they are exceeding their personal daily safe UV dose and risk level.The UV Engine 204 can maintain a cumulative total of UV-B exposure in any time increments, such as hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.

[0048] From block 402, the UV App 212 proceeds to block 404. At block 404, the UV App 212 determines the vitamin Duv value indicating the vitamin D intake that corresponds to the UV-B exposure determined by the UV engine 204. The UV-B and vitamin D correlation engine 208 determines the estimated vitamin Duv intake.

[0049] In some embodiments, the UV-B to vitamin D correlation engine 208 uses a vitamin D intake prediction model. For example, correlations have been modeled that are based on some or all of the following factors: time of year and location based on the sun's altitude, the subject's skin phototype I-VI based on skin color, time of day based on the sun's altitude, sky conditions based on the amount of cloud cover, ozone layer thickness, the subject's altitude, ground surface type based on light reflectivity, and biological and physiological factors of the subject, such as age, weight, current blood vitamin D level, etc. When the vitamin D intake is determined, the UV Application 212 proceeds from block 404 to block 406.

[0050] At block 406, the mobile computing device 104 receives the target vitamin Dt level. The vitamin D target level engine 206 determines the target vitamin D level, namely DT. The target vitamin D level, DT, is the amount of vitamin D sought to be obtained through UV-B exposure. In some embodiments, the vitamin D target level engine 206 estimates the vitamin D level D in the subject's blood and the gap between the estimated vitamin D level and the ideal vitamin D level. As a guideline, an ideal vitamin D level in the blood may be at least 75 nmol / l. Therefore, the target vitamin D level, DT, is the difference between the ideal vitamin D level and the subject's current estimate of vitamin D in the blood. This difference is then addressed through UV-B exposure. When UV-B exposure is not sufficient to achieve the target vitamin D level, the UV 212 App provides recommendations for vitamin D supplementation.

[0051] In some embodiments, the target vitamin D level, DT, may be determined from various sources or may be calculated based on biological and physiological factors of the subject, such as blood test results and general principles specific to common human situations. A model may also be used to predict the level of vitamin D in the subject's blood. Similarly, since vitamin D is constantly being replenished and eliminated in a subject's body, a model may adjust the estimated vitamin D level in the blood based on a particular diet and the rate of elimination. The estimated vitamin D level in the blood may also be adjusted based on age, weight, recent blood tests, etc. A questionnaire at the beginning of the procedure may be used to obtain information from the subject about a particular diet and other factors influencing vitamin D levels in the blood.From block 406, UV App 212 moves to block 408.

[0052] At block 408, the mobile computing device 104 determines whether the vitamin Duv value is or is not greater than or equal to the vitamin DT value. That is, whether the vitamin D intake through UV-B exposure is greater than or equal to the target vitamin D level for the subject.

[0053] If the answer is negative, meaning that UV exposure has not resulted in sufficient vitamin D intake and the subject has a vitamin D deficiency, the UV App 212 may recommend a skin care product that delivers vitamin D transdermally and may present the subject with a dosing protocol or regimen. The recommendation may be based on the vitamin D deficiency, the subject's medical history, and the subject's biological and physiological factors.

[0054] If the response is positive, meaning that UV exposure has caused the subject to have a vitamin D intake greater than the target vitamin D level, DT, the UV App 212 proceeds to block 412. At block 412, the UV App 212 may recommend stopping or reducing UV exposure. In some embodiments, the safe daily dose of UV exposure is calculated based on the phototype and the minimal erythema dose (MED). In some embodiments, the phototype is determined by a questionnaire completed by the subject at the beginning of the procedure. The UV 204 engine can determine the safe daily UV dose.

[0055] From block 410 or block 412, the UV App 212 proceeds to block 414. At block 414, the mobile computing device 104 may display the recommendation of a skin care product. The user interface engine 214 may determine the appropriate user interface to be displayed by the mobile computing device 104. Furthermore, the user interface engine 214 may also provide graphics, data, information, warnings, useful links, and a help topic.

[0056] In some embodiments, the user interface engine 214 may create a display on the mobile computing device 104 that includes an indication of the user's risk as a percentage, along with a risk category label such as "low," "moderate," or "high." It may also display a graph that tracks the level of UV exposure throughout the day, and that records the vitamin D intake predicted from the UV exposure, or graphically present the vitamin D intake alongside the target vitamin D level.

[0057] In some embodiments, the user interface engine 214 may create tutorials on the use of the dermatological care products. The user interface engine 214 may create and download protocols for a dosage regimen or routine treatment. The user interface engine 214 may provide coaching, track product usage, and compare tracked usage with the protocol, dosage regimen, and routine treatment.

[0058] Additionally, the user interface engine 214 may be used to make a purchase of skin care or UV protection products.

[0059] Representative embodiments are set forth in the following examples.

[0060] In one embodiment, a computerized method of generating and providing dermatological care product recommendations to a subject includes determining, by a computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D level of the subject; and providing, by the computing device, a recommendation of a dermatological care product to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the target vitamin D level of the subject.

[0061] In one embodiment, the computerized method further comprises providing a notification that the subject is at risk of UV overexposure when vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is above the target vitamin D level.

[0062] In one embodiment, the recommendation of a dermato-care product logics is a vitamin D supplement applied transdermally.

[0063] In one embodiment, the computerized method further comprises tracking vitamin D intake due to UV exposure.

[0064] In one embodiment, the computerized method further comprises tracking vitamin D intake due to UV exposure alongside the target vitamin D level.

[0065] In one embodiment, the target vitamin D level is calculated by estimating the subject's blood vitamin D level and subtracting the subject's estimated blood vitamin D level from an ideal blood vitamin D level.

[0066] In one embodiment, a computing device is configured to: determine a UV-B exposure of the subject; determine a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determine a target vitamin D level of the subject; and provide a recommendation of a skin care product to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the target vitamin D level of the subject.

[0067] In one embodiment, the computing device is further configured to provide a notification that the subject is at risk of UV overexposure when vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is above the target vitamin D level.

[0068] In one embodiment, the recommendation for a dermatological care product is a transdermally applied vitamin D supplement.

[0069] In one embodiment, the computing device is further configured to track vitamin D intake due to UV exposure.

[0070] In one embodiment, the computing device is further configured to track vitamin D intake due to UV exposure alongside the target vitamin D level.

[0071] In one embodiment, the target vitamin D level is calculated by estimating the subject's blood vitamin D level and subtracting the subject's estimated blood vitamin D level from an ideal blood vitamin D level.

[0072] In one embodiment, a system includes: a UV sensor engine including computational circuitry configured to determine an amount of UV-B exposure of the subject; a UV-B to vitamin D correlation engine including computational circuitry configured to determine a vitamin D intake due to UV-B exposure; a vitamin D target level engine including computational circuitry configured to determine a target vitamin D level of the subject; and a recommendation engine including computational circuitry configured to provide a recommendation of a skin care product to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to UV-B exposure is below the target level of vitamin D of the subject.

[0073] In one embodiment, the recommendation engine includes computational circuitry configured to provide a notification that the subject is at risk of UV overexposure when vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is above the target vitamin D level.

[0074] In one embodiment, the recommendation for a dermatological care product is a transdermally applied vitamin D supplement.

[0075] In one embodiment, the system includes a user interface engine including computational circuitry configured to track vitamin D intake due to UV exposure.

[0076] In one embodiment, the system includes a user interface engine including computational circuitry configured to track vitamin D intake due to UV exposure alongside the target vitamin D level.

[0077] In one embodiment, the target vitamin D level is calculated by estimating the subject's blood vitamin D level and subtracting the subject's estimated blood vitamin D level from an ideal blood vitamin D level.

[0078] Although the preceding paragraphs have illustrated and described representative embodiments, it will be kept in mind that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of generating and providing dermatological skin care product recommendations to a subject, the method comprising: measuring UV exposure data by a handheld UV sensor; receiving, by a computing device, the UV exposure data measured by the handheld UV sensor; determining, by the computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject based on the measured exposure data; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure based on the determined UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D level of the subject; comparing, by the computing device, the determined vitamin D intake and the determined target vitamin D level;and if the determined vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is below the target vitamin D level, providing, by the computing device, a recommendation for a dermatological care product to the subject representative of a vitamin D supplement to be provided to the subject orally, transdermally, or by a combination of oral and transdermal routes.;

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a notification that the subject is at risk of UV overexposure when vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is above the target vitamin D level.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring vitamin D intake due to UV exposure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the target vitamin D level is calculated by estimating the subject's blood vitamin D level and subtracting the subject's estimated blood vitamin D level from an ideal blood vitamin D level.

5. A system comprising: a handheld UV sensor configured to measure UV exposure data; a computing device configured to receive UV exposure data measured by the handheld UV sensor; the computing device being further configured to determine a UV-B exposure of the subject based on the measured exposure data; the computing device being further configured to determine a vitamin D intake due to UV-B exposure based on the determined UV-B exposure; the computing device being further configured to determine a target vitamin D level of the subject; and the computing device being further configured to compare the determined vitamin D intake and the determined target vitamin D level and provide a skin care product recommendation to the subject representative of a vitamin D supplement to be provided to the subject orally, transdermally, or by a combination of orally and transdermally when the determined vitamin D intake due to UV-B exposure is less than the determined target vitamin D level of the subject.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the computing device is further configured to provide a notification that the subject is at risk of UV overexposure when vitamin D intake from UV-B exposure is above the target vitamin D level.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the target vitamin D level is calculated by estimating the subject's blood vitamin D level and subtracting the subject's estimated blood vitamin D level from an ideal blood vitamin D level.

8. The system of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the computing device is configured to track vitamin D intake due to UV exposure alongside the target vitamin D level.

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