Apparatus and method for user guidance during skin treatment - Patents.com

Abstract

An apparatus and method for guiding a user during a skin treatment process is provided, the apparatus comprising a treatment applicator, a mapping unit configured to obtain a map of a skin area to be treated and reference positions on a boundary of the map, and a processor, which divides an area of ​​the obtained map into a number of partitions based on at least an area of ​​the treatment applicator, registers contact of the treatment applicator at the reference positions, and guides a user, via a user interface unit, through the partitions in the map based on a displacement of the treatment applicator relative to the reference positions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin treatment process, and more particularly to a control method and apparatus for guiding a user through a skin treatment process. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, there are many skin treatment devices available to users for home use. It is important that these devices are used safely in the home where users often do not have guidance from a medical professional. Skin treatment devices also include devices involving phototherapy or photoepilation. The medical safety of the device becomes even more important when the radiation is invisible to the user, such as infrared radiation.

[0003] US2015 / 032092A1 discloses a system for skin treatment having an applicator including a light energy emitter operable to emit light through an aperture. The applicator further comprises a camera operable to capture an image of the skin through the aperture. The captured image is analyzed by a computer and information extracted from the captured image is employed to determine an optimal light energy dose for treatment of at least one skin fraction within the imaged skin. The light energy is applied to the skin in a fractional manner by applying light pulses to only the skin fraction.

[0004] EP3842002A1 discloses a handheld device for hair removal by applying pulses of light to the skin. The device comprises a sensor for measuring the position and / or movement of the device relative to the skin of a user. The device further comprises a processor for estimating an area of ​​skin to which the pulses of light are applied based on the position of the device measured by the sensor. The processor compares the current area of ​​skin to which the pulses of light are applied at the current position of the device with previous areas of skin to which previous pulses of light were applied, and generates feedback if the current area of ​​skin corresponds to the previous area of ​​skin, preventing the user from treating the same area of ​​skin more than once. The device provides visual feedback of the current area of ​​skin to which the pulses of light are applied at the current position of the device and multiple previous areas of skin to which pulses of light were applied at multiple previous positions of the device.

[0005] EP3685786A1 discloses a handheld device for performing personal care actions on a subject's body. The device comprises an imaging unit and a displacement sensor that allows a position and / or orientation of the device relative to the subject's body to be determined. Images of the body captured by the imaging unit are used to determine a position and / or orientation of the device when the device is not in contact with the body. The displacement sensor is used to measure a displacement of the device along the body when the device is in contact with the body. The device further comprises a controller configured to control the personal care actions based on the position and / or orientation of the device relative to the body determined by the imaging unit and the displacement sensor. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the solutions to ensure medical safety is to prevent overlapping of treated skin areas or surfaces, which can cause skin injury and result in unevenly treated skin areas. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to help the user of the device to operate the device in a safe manner by avoiding overtreatment of the skin.

[0007] FIG. 1a illustrates the prior art where certain parts of the treatment area are treated multiple times, resulting in over-treatment of the skin.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a uniform coverage of treatment without leaving any untreated areas after the treatment process is completed, which not only improves the appearance of the skin after treatment but also provides an improved user experience of the device.

[0009] FIG. 1b illustrates another prior art technique in which some areas of the skin are left untreated, resulting in insufficient treatment of the skin.

[0010] Although many of the details below relate to light-based skin treatment devices, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) devices, the invention is not limited to any particular type of skin treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for guiding a user during a skin treatment process, the apparatus comprising: a treatment applicator having a working area where a skin treatment is applied to a user's skin when the treatment applicator contacts the skin, a mapping unit configured to obtain a map of the skin area to be treated and reference positions on a boundary of the map, and a processor, the processor dividing an area of ​​the map into a number of sections, each section representing a respective one of a number of positions of the working area of ​​the treatment applicator on the skin area to be treated required for the skin area to be uniformly exposed to the skin treatment, the processor registering contact of the treatment applicator at positions within the skin area to be treated that correspond to the reference positions of the map, and guiding a user, via a user interface unit, through the sections in the map based on the measured displacement of the treatment applicator relative to the reference positions.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for guiding a user through a skin treatment process by a treatment applicator having a working area where a skin treatment is applied to the user's skin when the treatment applicator contacts the skin. The process can be cosmetic or medical, and as will be apparent below, the advantages / effects of the invention are independent of the type of treatment. No indirect therapeutic effect is foreseen according to the invention. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a map of the skin area to be treated and a reference position on the border of the map, dividing the area of ​​the map into a number of sections, each section representing a distinct one of a number of positions of the working area of ​​the treatment applicator on the skin area to be treated required for the skin area to be uniformly exposed to the skin treatment, registering contact of the treatment applicator at a position in the skin area to be treated that corresponds to a reference position of the map, and guiding the user through the section in the map based on the measured displacement of the treatment applicator relative to the reference position. The method is further characterized by the steps performed by the device of the invention as described below.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured, when executed by a suitable computer or processor, to cause the processor to perform the method set out above.

[0014] As a result, the present invention provides a reliable user guidance solution that avoids over- or under-treating the skin.

[0015] These and other aspects and further advantages will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 illustrates a skin treatment process using a prior art device. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1 illustrates a skin treatment process using a prior art device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a map of proposed treatment areas, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates a control method for the device 200 or 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The matters illustrated herein are provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0018] Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the exemplary figures / embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. In particular, combinations of particular features of different aspects or embodiments of the invention may be made. An aspect or embodiment of the invention may be further advantageously enhanced by adding features that are described in connection with another aspect or embodiment of the invention.

[0019] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure.

[0020] Furthermore, the functionality associated with any particular means may be centralized or distributed, local or remote. The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems.

[0021] The terms "comprise" and "have" and their derivatives mean inclusion without limitation. Furthermore, a reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that there is more than one of the element, unless the context clearly requires that only one element is present. The indefinite article "a" or "an" typically means "at least one." For example, a treatment compartment includes a reference to one or more treatment compartments.

[0022] The phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means "A, B, and / or C", for example, it is sufficient for only B to be present. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0023] As used herein, terms such as, for example, "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "establishing," "analyzing," "checking," and the like, may refer in a non-limiting manner to operations and / or processes of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities in the registers and / or memory of the computer into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the registers and / or memory of the computer, or other information non-transitory storage medium (e.g., memory) that may store instructions for performing the operations and / or processes. The terms "multiple" and "plurality" as used herein may include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more." The terms "multiple" or "plurality" may be used throughout this document to represent two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, and the like. Unless expressly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not bound to a particular order or sequence. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof may occur or be performed simultaneously, contemporaneously, or concurringly.

[0024] The term "user" is used to refer to a user of an apparatus or method and to an entity for which the apparatus or method is used.

[0025] The term "skin area" is used to refer to the superficial area of ​​the outermost skin layer.

[0026] The term "section" is used to refer to a portion of a total area that is divided from the total area. A total area of ​​N units can be divided into n sections.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The device 200 is typically handheld and has a treatment applicator 20 that can be used to apply a treatment to the skin. In one embodiment, the treatment applicator 20 is the portion of the skin treatment device 200 that contacts or is adjacent to the skin. In some embodiments, the treatment applicator 20 is the treatment window of the device 200. If the skin treatment device 200 is light-based, the treatment applicator 20 can be configured as an attachment that includes an optical therapeutic window that allows treatment light to be transmitted to the skin. In some embodiments, the treatment applicator 20 can be removably attached to the device. The treatment window constitutes the working area of ​​the device 200 where the skin treatment is applied to the user's skin when the treatment applicator 20 contacts the skin.

[0029] The device 200 further comprises a mapping unit 21. In one embodiment, the mapping unit 21 maps the proposed treatment area, i.e. the skin area to be treated. The mapping unit 21 comprises a displacement sensor, which may be an optical displacement sensor 201 or a mechanical displacement sensor 202.

[0030] The optical displacement sensor 201 includes a camera (e.g., CCD, CMOS) that can be used to obtain at least one image of the proposed treatment area. In some embodiments, the number of pixels registered by the camera can be converted into position information of the device on the skin to generate a map.

[0031] The mechanical displacement sensor 202 may be a mechanical mouse sensor with a roller, the rotation of which on the skin can be translated into position information of the device on the skin to generate a map.

[0032] In one embodiment, the mapping unit 21 can use the imaging unit to map the skin area to be treated by directly photographing / imaging the proposed treatment area, for example with a camera. The camera can be placed at a suitable position in the device 200 so that an image of the proposed treatment area can be captured in a desired imaging field. The mapping unit 21 can then determine an arbitrary reference position on the boundary of the mapped treatment area. In an embodiment, the camera can be an external camera, for example a smartphone camera, and can be attached to the device at a convenient position. Details of this implementation are described in (European) PCT application PCT / EP2021 / 059613.

[0033] In another embodiment, the user can manually map the treatment area by tracing the boundary of the proposed area while holding the device. In doing so, the treatment applicator is moved over the skin with the treatment source disabled. The mapping unit 21 senses the displacement of the treatment applicator 20 from a starting position on the skin (which can be considered as a reference position) and converts the displacement from the starting position into position information of the device relative to the skin. The mapping unit 21 obtains a map of the proposed treatment area by accumulating the position information of the device on the skin. Such a map of the proposed treatment area is shown in FIG. 3, where a boundary 301 is traced by the user starting from a reference position 302. A treatment section 303 is further shown. The memory 22 stores the map, e.g. its characteristics (size, shape, etc.) and the reference position 302, and the mapping unit 21 retrieves or obtains the map from the memory. Additional functions of the memory 22 are described below.

[0034] The reference position 302 serves as a reference to the user for the start of treatment and is further used by the mapping unit 21 and / or processor 23 to calculate the displacement of the device and its relative position on the skin as described above to guide the user through the skin treatment process.

[0035] In one embodiment, the reference position 302 can be indicated to the user via the user interface unit 24. A visual indicator such as an LED can be used for such indication. In another embodiment, the boundary 301 can be visually indicated to the user using an LED emitting visible light (e.g., 500 nm).

[0036] The mapping unit 21 may include additional sensors such as contact or proximity sensors, for example, the mapping unit 21 may include sensors for determining skin characteristics such as at least one of skin pigmentation, skin markings (i.e., artificial or natural such as tattoos or moles), piercings, skin tone, and moisture level.

[0037] The mapping unit 21 is operatively linked to a memory 22, a processor 23, a user interface / feedback unit 24, and other circuits of the device 200, such as a power supply 26. A bus 25 may connect the elements of the device 200, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Once the proposed treatment area is obtained by the mapping unit 21, the processor 23 divides the area into a number of treatment segments or zones based on the working area (dimension) of the treatment applicator 20. In particular, each treatment segment represents a distinct one of a number of locations of the working area of ​​the treatment applicator 20 on the proposed treatment area (i.e., the skin area to be treated) required for uniform exposure of the proposed treatment area to the skin treatment. These segments can be divided discretely or continuously. Other factors that may determine these segments are the type of skin or body area (legs, arms, chest, etc.) currently proposed to be treated and / or the treatment history for that area.

[0039] Pre-mapping of the treatment area allows the device to precisely define the treatment zones / sections, all of which must be processed in order for the processor 23 to determine that the treatment process has been completed successfully, and in particular that the treatment area has been uniformly exposed to the treatment process. Once complete, the processor 23 sends a feedback signal to the user interface unit 24 to prompt the user to move to the next location.

[0040] The processor 23 can calculate treatment parameters, such as treatment times, based on the area of ​​the map and the area of ​​the treatment applicator 20. It can also calculate the treatment speed based on the distance traveled by the device 200 over a period of time on the map.

[0041] The processor 23 can further determine the intensity of the treatment and / or the location of the treatment zone that receives the intensity. A first set with each treatment location X and the intensity used to treat the location X can be stored in the memory 22. As mentioned above, the device 200 may include sensors to measure the characteristics of the skin. Different skin characteristics require different treatment settings. A second set with each treatment location X, the intensity used to treat the location X, and the determined skin characteristics can be stored in the memory 22 to determine the appropriate intensity setting for the skin characteristics. These correlations are not limiting and the memory 22 can store more sets or combine data from different sets. Monitoring the treatment parameters and the corresponding skin locations helps to ensure that a more uniform treatment setting is used for the user treating the skin as well as the appropriate intensity setting is used for the individual type of skin. In an embodiment, based on the stored data set, the processor 23 can learn what kind of treatment setting is applicable to the next zone with certain skin characteristics. Treatment parameters, in the context of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, the estimated number of treatments and / or the estimated time to complete multiple treatments, the number of treatments applied, the speed of the treatment applicator 20, the strength of the treatment applied, the location (zone) of the treatment applied or to be applied, which can be used to obtain a treatment history for the skin or body area.

[0042] In one embodiment, the processor 23 sends a signal to the user interface unit 24 prompting the user to place the treatment applicator 20 of the device 200 substantially over a location in the skin area to be treated that corresponds to a reference location in the obtained map. The processor can register any reference point in the obtained map, any user contact or proximity point within the border of the map, or the start point of the manual tracing as a reference location. For accurate alignment, the border can be highlighted to the user via an LED indicator. The location of the treatment zone relative to the reference location is further determined.

[0043] The processor 23 determines that the treatment process has begun when it registers the contact or proximity of the treatment applicator 20 with the reference position, and guides the user through the treatment section or zone of the map by measuring the relative displacement of the device 200 with respect to the reference position.

[0044] The orientation of the treatment applicator 20 on the reference position and / or treatment zone may further be determined by the mapping unit 21 (e.g., using a displacement sensor) by comparing the actual degree of overlap of the treatment applicator 20 with the reference position and / or treatment zone in the map.

[0045] In one embodiment, the mapping unit 21 calculates the displacement (and thus its location) of the treatment applicator 20 on the skin from a reference position. The displacement is calculated by registering the contact or proximity of the treatment applicator in the map. The processor 23 uses this information to determine the extent of the treatment, i.e., the number and location of treatment segments. Based on the characteristics of the map stored in the memory 22, the processor 23 can determine the remaining number and location of segments to be treated to fill the map. The processor 23 further uses information stored in the memory 22 regarding treatment parameters, such as the intensity of the treatment, to determine whether the proposed segment has already been treated. For example, the processor 23 determines whether an intensity is stored in the memory 22 for the particular treatment segment where the treatment applicator 20 is currently located. The processor 23 can further compare the actual number of treatments with the estimated number of treatments. The estimated number of treatments is obtained from the map characteristics, such as the area, the speed of operation of the device 200, etc.

[0046] The memory 22 stores a map of the proposed treatment area and associated information such as its boundaries, reference location, estimated number of sections, previously treated sections (locations), number of treatments required to fill the map, etc. In the case of a light-based treatment device, the number of treatments is the number of light flashes directed towards the skin.

[0047] If the user deviates from the proposed treatment area, for example if the processor 23 determines that contact or proximity between the treatment applicator 20 and the skin is lost at any moment during the time estimated to complete a treatment session, it determines that the desired course of treatment has been altered. The processor 23 sends a feedback signal to the user interface unit 24 to provide feedback to the user regarding the change in treatment status.

[0048] In one embodiment, the user is prompted to place the treatment applicator 20 at a reference position via the user interface unit 24. The last registered displacement relative to the reference position is taken by the processor 23 as the last treated section. In another embodiment, the processor 23 takes the reference position stored in the memory 22 and prompts the user directly to the location of the next treatment section.

[0049] The processor 23 can be implemented in various ways using software and / or hardware to perform the various functions described herein. The processor 23 can have one or more microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) that can be programmed using software or computer program code to perform the required functions and / or control the elements of the processor 23 to achieve the required functions. The processor 23 can be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions (e.g., amplifiers, preamplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and / or digital-to-analog converters (DACs)) and processors (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors, controllers, DSPs and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of elements that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, DSPs, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), hardware for implementing neural networks, and / or so-called artificial intelligence (Al) hardware accelerators (i.e., processors or other hardware specifically designed for Al applications that may be used in parallel with a main processor).

[0050] The memory 22 can store data, information and / or signals (including images) used by the processor 23 in controlling the operation of the device 200 and / or in implementing or executing the methods described herein. In some implementations, the memory stores computer readable code executable by the processor 23 to cause the processor 23 to perform one or more functions, including the methods described herein. In certain embodiments, the program code can be in the form of an application for a smart phone, tablet, laptop, computer or server. The memory can comprise any type of non-transitory machine-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM) and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), including cache or system memory, including volatile and non-volatile computer memory, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM) and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM). The memory unit may be implemented in the form of a memory chip, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) or Blu-Ray disk), a hard disk, a tape storage solution, or a solid-state device including a memory stick, a solid-state drive (SSD), a memory card, etc.

[0051] The user interface unit 24 may include a transceiver that allows data connection to and / or exchange with other devices, including any one or more servers, databases, user devices, and sensors. It may operate using WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or any cellular communication protocol, including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, etc. It may further include circuitry for controlling any suitable input element, including, but not limited to, a keyboard, a keypad, one or more buttons, switches, dials, a mouse, a trackpad, a touch screen, a stylus, a camera, or a microphone, etc. The user interface may include any suitable output element, including, but not limited to, a display unit or display screen, one or more lights or light elements, one or more speakers, a vibration element, etc.

[0052] The device 200 includes a power supply 26. If the device 200 is a self-contained device, the power supply 26 may include a rechargeable or replaceable battery. The power supply 26 may further include a connection to an external power supply, such as a mains supply, a transformer, a converter, a generator, a charging unit, or other external power supply. The power supply 26 may provide power for operation of the mapping unit 21, the treatment applicator 20, the memory 22, the processor 23, the user interface unit 24, or other elements of the device 200.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that device 200 may include additional elements, such as those necessary for the type of procedure being performed.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows device 400, a light-based (eg, IPL) skin treatment device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The device has a housing 41 including at least a handle portion 42 and a head portion 43. The handle portion 42 is shaped to allow a user to hold the device 400 in a convenient manner. The head portion 43 includes a treatment applicator 44 that is placed in contact with or adjacent to the skin to perform treatment at a discrete location.

[0056] Treatment can be performed using light pulses (flashes). Treatment applicator 44 has an optical window disposed in or on housing 41 so that the window can be placed adjacent to or on the user's skin.

[0057] The device 400 further includes one or more light sources (not shown), e.g., within the head portion 43, configured to generate light pulses that are applied to the subject's skin through the window 45 to perform a treatment operation. The light source or sources are disposed within the housing 41 such that light pulses are provided from the light source or sources through a window in the treatment applicator 44. The window defines a working area of ​​the treatment applicator through which the skin treatment is applied to the user's skin.

[0058] The one or more light sources can generate light pulses of any suitable or desired wavelength (or range of wavelengths) and / or intensity. For example, the light sources can generate visible light, infrared (IR) and / or ultraviolet (UV) light. Each light source can comprise any suitable type of light source, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), halogen (xenon) flash lamps, one or more lasers, etc. The light sources can provide light pulses having spectral content in the wavelength range of 530-1200 nm.

[0059] The apparatus 400 further comprises a mapping unit 21, a processor 23, a user interface unit 24 and a memory 22 which function similarly to the general embodiment of FIG.

[0060] The user interface unit 24 can be manipulated by a user to activate the device 400 so that mapping and necessary treatment actions are performed on the subject's body. Although Figure 4 shows the user interface unit 24 located on the handle portion 42, it can be located in any suitable location on the device 400.

[0061] 5 illustrates a computer-implemented method for controlling device 200 or 400 according to any of the above embodiments to guide a user through a skin treatment process. In one aspect, the skin treatment process is light-based.

[0062] Step 501 comprises initializing the device 200 or 400 so that the device is ready for a skin treatment operation.

[0063] In step 502, the method comprises obtaining a map of the skin area to be treated. The map is obtained using the mapping unit 21 in at least one of the manners described above. For example, the map is obtained by photographing / imaging the proposed treatment area using an imaging unit with a camera. Alternatively or additionally, the map is obtained based on a user's trace and using the movement of a displacement sensor. The method further comprises determining a reference position on the boundary of the map.

[0064] In a preferred step 502, the map and its characteristics, such as size, shape, and reference position, are stored in memory for use during the treatment process and / or for subsequent use as training data in the case of machine learning embodiments of the processor 23.

[0065] In step 503, the area of ​​the map is divided into treatment zones based on the working area of ​​the treatment applicator where the treatment is to be performed by the user, in particular its dimensions. When the treatment applicator contacts the skin, the treatment is applied to the user's skin through said working area. In particular, each treatment zone represents a distinct one of a plurality of positions of the working area of ​​the treatment applicator on the skin area to be treated that are required for the skin area to be uniformly exposed to the treatment.

[0066] In preferred step 504, the method includes calculating treatment parameters based on the map and / or the treatment applicator. The strength of the treatment can also be recorded in memory.

[0067] In step 505, the method includes registering contact of the treatment applicator at a location within the treated skin area that corresponds to the reference location, which marks the start of treatment of skin that is within the boundary of the map.

[0068] In step 506, the method guides the user through the segments in the map based on the measured displacement of the treatment applicator relative to a reference position until it is determined that all segments in the map have been treated.

[0069] All steps performed by the device 200 or 400 described above are part of the method according to the invention.

[0070] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured, when executed by a suitable computer or processor, to cause the processor to perform the method set out above.

[0071] Any features listed as part of the above embodiments can be combined with features of other embodiments as long as they are functionally and structurally compatible with each other. Although the present disclosure has been described using the above exemplary embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is intended to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A device for guiding a user through a skin treatment process, comprising: a treatment applicator having a working area where a skin treatment is applied to the user's skin when the treatment applicator contacts the skin; a mapping unit for obtaining a map of the skin area to be treated, said mapping unit acquiring reference positions on the boundary of said map; a processor, the processor comprising: dividing an area of ​​the map into a plurality of sections, each section representing a different one of a plurality of positions of a working area of ​​the treatment applicator on the skin area to be treated that is required to uniformly expose the skin area to the skin treatment; registering contact of the treatment applicator at a location within the skin area to be treated that corresponds to a reference location on the map; An apparatus that guides the user through the section in the map via a user interface unit based on the measured displacement of the treatment applicator relative to the reference position.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mapping unit comprises a displacement sensor and / or an imaging unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the displacement sensor is an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing information about the map, the information including at least one of an area of ​​the map, a number of sections, and the reference position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mapping unit acquires the map via manual tracing and / or an imaging unit.

6. 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light source, wherein the treatment applicator applies a light-based treatment to the area of ​​skin.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode, a laser, or a halogen flash lamp.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to calculate treatment parameters based on at least one of the map and the treatment applicator.

9. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the treatment parameters comprise at least one of an estimated number of treatments, a number of treatments applied, an intensity of the treatment applied, a location of a previously treated segment, a location of at least one untreated segment, and a speed of a treatment applicator.

10. the processor determining that contact between the treatment applicator and the skin was lost while guiding the user through the compartment; Obtain the location of the last treated compartment; 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, which indicates to a user via the user interface unit the location of the compartment to be next treated.

11. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface unit comprises a visual indicator.

12. 1. A computer-implemented method for guiding a user through a non-therapeutic cosmetic skin treatment with a treatment applicator having a working area where a skin treatment is applied to the user's skin when the treatment applicator contacts the skin, comprising: obtaining a map of the skin area to be treated; obtaining a reference position on a boundary of the map; Dividing an area of ​​the map into a plurality of sections, each section representing a different one of a plurality of positions of the working area of ​​the treatment applicator on the skin area to be treated required to uniformly expose the skin area to the skin treatment; registering contact of the treatment applicator at a location within the skin area to be treated that corresponds to the reference location; and guiding the user through the section in the map based on the measured displacement of the treatment applicator relative to the reference position.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising calculating treatment parameters based on at least one of the map and the treatment applicator.

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the skin treatment is based on treatment with light.

15. A computer program comprising computer readable code that, when executed by a suitable computer or processor, causes the processor to carry out a method according to any of claims 12 to 14.

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