Cosmetic provision device

Abstract

To provide a cosmetic provision device which enables an appropriate discharge amount or application amount corresponding to a skin state, of a cosmetic to be set.SOLUTION: A cosmetic provision device of the present invention includes: a skin information acquisition unit (camera) 10 that acquires information on skin of a user; a skin state analysis unit 35 that analyzes a state of the skin of the user on the basis of the skin information acquired by the skin information acquisition unit 10; a discharge unit 30 that discharges a cosmetic to be applied to the skin of the user; a discharge amount control unit 38 that controls a discharge amount of the cosmetic discharged by the discharge unit 30 on the basis of an analysis result of the skin state analysis unit 35; and a treatment unit 12 that provides the skin of the user with a predetermined skin care action.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic dispenser for dispensing cosmetic products. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of cosmetic provision devices have been known that generally provide skin care cosmetics to users by discharging or applying the cosmetics to the skin. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cosmetic provision device that provides customized cosmetics that match the user's unique factors based on the results of skin image analysis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 026942 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser device that can set an appropriate amount of cosmetic to be dispensed or applied depending on the condition of the skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a cosmetics provision device for providing a user with skin care cosmetics, and is characterized by comprising a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin, a skin condition analysis unit that analyzes the user's skin condition based on the skin information acquired by the skin information acquisition unit, an ejection unit that ejects the cosmetics to be applied to the user's skin, an ejection amount control unit that controls the amount of cosmetics ejected by the ejection unit based on the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit, and a treatment unit that applies a predetermined skin care effect to the user's skin.

[0006] The device includes an output control unit that controls the output of the treatment unit in accordance with the amount of cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit.

[0007] The discharge amount control unit reduces the amount of cosmetic discharged by the discharge unit over time.

[0008] The discharge amount control unit discharges the cosmetic from the discharge unit at a predetermined discharge amount within a predetermined discharge amount range having upper and lower limit values ​​according to the user's skin condition, and decreases the upper and lower limit values ​​over time while keeping the discharge amount range constant.

[0009] The discharge rate control section also decreases the discharge rate range over time.

[0010] The outlet of the discharge part from which the cosmetic is discharged is provided at the outer periphery of the treatment part.

[0011] The camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a storage position where it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position where it protrudes toward the treatment unit.

[0012] The device further includes a shift roller that detects the movement of the treatment unit on the user's skin.

[0013] The camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a storage position where it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position where it protrudes toward the treatment unit, and the outer surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment unit so as to come into contact with the user's skin together with the treatment unit, and the protruding position of the camera is in a position retracted from the surface of the treatment unit.

[0014] A water-absorbing member is provided between the camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit and the treatment unit.

[0015] The outer peripheral surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment part so as to come into contact with the user's skin together with the treatment part, and the water-absorbing member extends a predetermined length from the side of the surface of the treatment part to the opposite side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] A cosmetics provision device for providing skin care cosmetics to a user, comprising a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin, a skin condition analysis unit that analyzes the user's skin condition based on the skin information acquired by the skin information acquisition unit, an ejection unit that ejects the cosmetics to be applied to the user's skin, an ejection amount control unit that controls the ejection amount of the cosmetics ejected by the ejection unit based on the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit, and a treatment unit that applies a predetermined skin care effect to the user's skin, makes it possible to set an appropriate ejection amount or application amount of the cosmetics according to the skin condition.

[0017] By providing an output control unit that controls the output of the treatment unit according to the amount of cosmetic product ejected by the ejection unit, appropriate treatment can be performed according to the amount of cosmetic product, and good treatment effects can be obtained.

[0018] The discharge amount control section reduces the amount of cosmetic discharged by the discharge section over time, so that the cosmetic already discharged and attached to the face can be used for treatment, and the treatment effect can be maintained while preventing the cosmetic from being wasted.

[0019] The discharge volume control unit discharges cosmetics from the discharge unit at a predetermined discharge volume within a predetermined discharge volume range having upper and lower limit values ​​according to the user's skin condition, and by decreasing the upper and lower limit values ​​over time while keeping the discharge volume range constant, not only can waste of cosmetics be prevented, but also preferred discharge volume reduction control can be achieved according to the characteristics of the treatment.

[0020] If the discharge amount control unit also reduces the discharge amount range over time, not only can it prevent waste of cosmetics, but it can also achieve preferable control of the discharge amount reduction according to the characteristics of the treatment.

[0021] When the outlet of the discharge part from which the cosmetic is discharged is located at the outer peripheral edge of the treatment part, the discharge part is positioned in the vicinity of the treatment part, so that treatment can be carried out immediately, efficiently and effectively using the discharged cosmetic.

[0022] If the camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a storage position where it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position where it protrudes toward the treatment unit, the camera can be retracted from the treatment unit when only treatment using the treatment unit is performed as skin care, so the camera does not get in the way during treatment.

[0023] If the device further includes a shift roller that detects the movement of the treatment part on the user's skin, the shift roller can also detect that the treatment part has moved to a new skin image capture area by the camera when the user moves the treatment part on the skin.Therefore, by linking the movement detection by the shift roller with the operation of the camera, it becomes possible to efficiently capture skin images by the camera.

[0024] The camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a storage position where it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position where it protrudes toward the treatment unit, and the outer peripheral surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment unit so as to come into contact with the user's skin together with the treatment unit, and when the protruding position of the camera is in a position retracted from the surface of the treatment unit, the outer peripheral surface of the shift roller and the surface of the treatment unit are positioned so as to be approximately flush with each other, so that the shift roller can rotate on the skin as the treatment unit moves on the skin, and because the protruding position of the camera is in a position retracted from the surface of the treatment unit, cosmetics applied to the skin are prevented from adhering to the camera lens during photography, and the camera lens can also be moved in the optical axis direction by the amount of retraction of the camera, making it easy to focus the skin photography.

[0025] When a water-absorbing member is provided between the camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit and the treatment unit, the water-absorbing member can absorb the cosmetics that leak out to the outside of the treatment unit, thereby preventing the leaked cosmetics from adhering to the camera lens and interfering with the capture of skin images.

[0026] The outer peripheral surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment unit so as to come into contact with the user's skin together with the treatment unit, and when the water-absorbing member extends a predetermined length from the side of the surface of the treatment unit to the opposite side, a water-absorbing capacity (moisture-absorbing area) according to the extension length can be secured, contributing to improved water-absorbing ability, and because the water-absorbing member extends from the side of the surface of the treatment unit to the opposite side, the water-absorbing member does not interfere with treatment by the treatment unit or photography by the camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a facial beauty device serving as a cosmetic providing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the facial beauty device of FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cosmetic dispenser as a cosmetic providing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing common components of a facial beauty device and a cosmetic dispenser. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing various examples of display forms of the remaining amount of cosmetics. [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a display format on the display unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a display format of the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge on the display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how a user orders and receives cartridges from a cosmetics manufacturer depending on the remaining amount. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a table illustrating an example of a remaining amount threshold table that serves as a reference for a display prompting the purchase of a cartridge. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a table showing another example of a remaining amount threshold table that serves as a reference for a display prompting the purchase of a cartridge. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a table showing yet another example of a remaining amount threshold table that serves as a reference for a display encouraging the purchase of a cartridge. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a mirror display with a hood. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display form on a display unit that includes a user's behavior history. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a display format on a display unit that notifies a user of the planned application amount for the day of skin care. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display form on the display unit along with the user's behavior history. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the cosmetics providing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the cosmetic providing device of the present invention for providing skin care cosmetics to a user will be described as a handheld facial massager equipped with a treatment unit, a tabletop cosmetic dispenser having a dispenser unit that dispenses cosmetic into the user's palm, or a combination of these with a mobile terminal, but the cosmetic providing device of the present invention may have other forms, or may be used in a manner connected to a server via a communication means (network), and may have any structural form or usage form. Furthermore, parts that share functions in the facial massager and the cosmetic dispenser are assigned the same reference numerals in the drawings, even if their forms are different.

[0029] 1 and 2 show a handheld facial massager 1A equipped with a treatment unit as an example of a cosmetics providing device. As shown, the facial massager 1A includes a grip unit 2 for a user to hold in his or her hand and a treatment unit 4 for discharging cosmetics to provide a treatment. The treatment unit 4 includes a treatment unit 12 that contacts the user's skin to provide a predetermined treatment, and a discharge unit 30 with a discharge port 8 that opens adjacent to the treatment unit 12 and discharges the cosmetics. In this case, the discharge unit 30 includes a cartridge 19 disposed at the rear of the treatment unit 4 and containing the cosmetics (cosmetics to be applied to the user's skin), a cosmetics flow path (tube) 21 extending from the cartridge 19 to the discharge port 8, and a pump (tube pump) 23 for pumping the cosmetics in the cartridge 19 through the cosmetics flow path 21 and discharging them from the discharge port 8. In this embodiment, the discharge port 8 is located at the outer periphery of the treatment unit 12.

[0030] The treatment unit 12 also performs a predetermined skin care effect on the user's skin. Examples of predetermined skin care effects include iontophoresis / extraction, RF (radio frequency) action, ultrasonic action, and thermal action. In skin care (treatment) using iontophoresis / extraction, positive and negative ions are released from electrodes to adsorb old keratin and dirt from the skin surface (iontophoresis) or allow water-soluble beauty ingredients such as cosmetic lotions and serums to penetrate into the stratum corneum (iontophoresis). In treatment using RF action, high frequency waves that react with moisture are used to heat the skin from deep within. Similarly, in treatment with thermal action, a heater is used to heat the skin, widening pores to allow lotion to penetrate more easily, and then cooling the skin to close the pores. In treatment using ultrasonic action, fine vibrations are applied to the skin using ultrasound, resulting in a cleansing effect and a tapping effect.

[0031] Furthermore, a camera 10 is installed above the treatment unit 4 as a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin. This camera 10 photographs the user's skin and is movable between a storage position where it is retracted from the treatment unit 12 and a protruding position where it protrudes toward the treatment unit 12. In particular, in this embodiment, the camera 10 is supported by a foldable support unit 28, and by folding the support unit 28 so as to rotate about a rotation fulcrum 11, the camera 10 is moved from the protruding position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 to the storage position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1. The camera 10 may also be provided below the treatment unit 12.

[0032] A shift roller 20 is provided at the upper end of the support portion 28, adjacent to the protruding position of the camera 10, for detecting the movement of the treatment unit 12 on the user's skin. The shift roller 20 is configured to detect the movement of the treatment unit 12 from the amount of rotation thereof, and its outer circumferential surface 20a is positioned so as to be substantially flush with (on the same plane P as) the surface 12a of the treatment unit 12 so as to come into contact with the user's skin together with the treatment unit 12. In this case, the protruding position of the camera 10 in this embodiment is retracted from the surface 12a (on the same plane P) of the treatment unit 12 (towards the rear of the treatment unit 4).

[0033] The facial beauty device 1A also has a water-absorbing member 15 between the camera 10 and the treatment unit 12. This water-absorbing member 15 absorbs cosmetics that leak out of the treatment unit 12, preventing the cosmetics from adhering to the lens of the camera 10, and extends a predetermined length along the support part 28 from the side of the surface 12a of the treatment unit 12 to the opposite side (the rear side of the treatment unit 4). Like the camera 10, this water-absorbing member 15 is also located in a position retracted from the surface 12a of the treatment unit 12 (the same plane P) (towards the rear side of the treatment unit 4).

[0034] Meanwhile, the grip unit 2 has, on its front surface, a display unit 6 for visually displaying information to the user and an operation unit 9A including an input unit 9 for the user to input information. The display unit 6 includes, but is not limited to, a display screen 6a on which information and the like are displayed and an indicator light 6b formed of an LED or the like. The grip unit 2 also houses a drive unit 17 including a drive unit, a power supply, a control unit, and the like for driving the components (e.g., the camera 10, the treatment unit 12, etc.) that make up the processing unit 4. A grip electrode 25 used during iontophoresis by the treatment unit 12 is provided on the back surface of the grip unit 2. When a user grips the grip unit 2 with their hand and makes contact with the grip electrode 25, a current flow circuit (current loop) loops from the skin electrode of the treatment unit → skin → human body → hand → grip electrode during iontophoresis.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a tabletop cosmetic dispenser 1B as another example of a cosmetic providing device. This cosmetic dispenser 1B includes a mirror display unit (which serves both as a mirror and a display unit) 6 for visually displaying information to the user, a fixed camera 10 as a skin information acquisition unit for acquiring information about the user's skin, and a discharge unit 30 as a dispenser unit for dispensing the cosmetic to be applied to the user's skin. In this case, the fixed camera 10 is configured to capture the user's entire face, including the user's skin. The discharge unit 30 also includes an insertion opening 27 through which the user inserts their hand, and dispenses the cosmetic into the user's palm inserted into the insertion opening 27. The discharge unit 30 includes multiple cartridges for storing the cosmetic, and also includes a pump for pressure-feeding the cosmetic from the cartridges toward the insertion opening 27, similar to the facial beauty device described above. A handheld skin camera 10A capable of capturing close-up images of the user's skin is connected, for example, via a wire, to the device body of the cosmetic dispenser 1B. The cosmetics dispensed from dispenser unit (discharge unit) 30 include mist. In this case, the cosmetic mist may be sprayed directly from dispenser unit 30 onto the user's face, or the mist may be sprayed by the user bringing their face close to dispenser unit 30 and pressing a predetermined application button. At this time, a guideline for the position at which the entire face can be applied may be displayed on mirror display unit 6, and the user may adjust their own distance from dispenser unit 30 based on this guideline. Alternatively, a distance indicator, such as a tape measure, may be displayed on the device, and this may be used as a guideline for the distance at which the cosmetics should be applied to the entire face. Furthermore, cosmetic dispenser 1B may have a heating / cooling function, which allows cosmetics to be stored at the environmental temperature optimal for the cosmetics manufacturer.

[0036] Furthermore, a mobile terminal 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) capable of communicating with the facial massager 1A or cosmetic dispenser 1B described above via a communications network may constitute part of the cosmetics providing device. When such a facial massager 1A or cosmetic dispenser 1B is combined with a mobile terminal 60, the facial massager 1A or cosmetic dispenser 1B constitutes the device main body, and the input unit, display unit, and camera of the mobile terminal may respectively constitute the input unit (an input unit through which the user inputs information), the display unit (a display unit that visually displays information to the user), and the camera (a camera that constitutes a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin and photographs the user's skin) of the facial massager 1A or cosmetic dispenser 1B described above. Examples of the mobile terminal 60 include a smartphone and a tablet PC.

[0037] 4 shows components common to the facial massager 1A and the cosmetic dispenser 1B (including both components already described and components not yet described). In the figure, components unique to the facial massager 1A are indicated by dashed lines. The cosmetic providing device including the facial massager 1A and the cosmetic dispenser 1B of this embodiment, as described above, is for providing skin care cosmetics to a user, and includes a camera 10, which is a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin; a skin condition analysis unit 35 that analyzes the user's skin condition based on the skin information acquired by the camera 10; a discharge unit 30 that discharges the cosmetic to be applied to the user's skin; a discharge amount control unit 38 that controls the amount of cosmetic discharged by the discharge unit 30 based on the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit 35; a blemish sensor 32 (e.g., a sensor that emits a blue LED to detect light reflection from blemishes) that detects blemishes on the user's skin; a remaining amount detection unit 33 that detects the remaining amount of cosmetic in the cosmetic cartridge 19; a display unit 6 that visually displays information to the user; and a display unit 7 that displays the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit 35. a threshold correction unit 36 ​​that corrects a remaining amount threshold (a remaining amount of cosmetics at which a message urging the user to purchase (replace) the cartridge 19 should be displayed) based on the result of the estimation by the skin condition / discharge amount prediction unit 37; an output control unit 43 that controls the output of the treatment unit 12, which is a component unique to the facial beauty device; a comparison unit 39 that holds a remaining amount threshold that can be corrected by the threshold correction unit 36 ​​and compares the remaining amount threshold with the remaining amount of cosmetics detected by the remaining amount detection unit; a memory 42 that stores the analysis results analyzed by the skin condition analysis unit 35; a communication unit 44 that can communicate with the communication network 100; an audio output unit 40 that outputs information to the user by voice; and an input unit 33 for the user to input information.

[0038] The communication unit 44 can communicate with the server 53, the mobile terminal 60, and other external information sources 55 via the communication network 100. The communication network may be a line using a wired cable, but generally includes short-range wireless communication, a wireless LAN, or base station communication. Short-range wireless communication is performed using, for example, an electronic tag, but is not limited to this. Wireless LANs such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (Infrared Data Association, registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), HomeRF (Home Radio Frequency, registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may also be used as long as they are capable of at least wireless communication when located near other information terminals. Furthermore, base station communication may be performed using long-range wireless communication such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or GSM (Global System for Mobile communications, registered trademark).

[0039] The skin condition analysis unit 35, threshold correction unit 36, skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37, discharge amount control unit 38, comparison unit 39, and output control unit 43 described above constitute the control unit 34. In this embodiment, the control unit 34 has the skin condition analysis unit 35, threshold correction unit 36, skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37, discharge amount control unit 38, comparison unit 39, and output control unit 43 individually, but it may also be composed of a functional unit that integrates at least some or all of these components, and in short, the components may exist in any form as long as the functions of each of these components are ensured.

[0040] In this configuration, the cosmetics provision device of this embodiment is configured to display the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 33 on the display unit 6. In this case, examples of the remaining amount detection unit 33 include a capacitance sensor, a weight sensor, and a liquid level detection sensor. The display unit 6 displays the remaining amount of cosmetics in the cartridge 19 in the form of a remaining amount meter M as shown in Fig. 5(a) or by displaying the remaining amount as a percentage using the number F as shown in Fig. 5(b). Alternatively, when the remaining amount is below a predetermined value (e.g., 20%), the user may be notified by lighting up an LED 80 (see, for example, the indicator light 6b in Fig. 2).

[0041] Furthermore, in the cosmetics provision device of this embodiment, when the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 33 through comparison by the comparison unit 39 is less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold, a message urging the user to purchase a cartridge 19 is displayed on the display unit 6. Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the display unit 6 displays the remaining amount in the cartridge 19 together with the application amount of the predetermined cosmetic product on the day of skin care, a skin image, a user behavior history, UV exposure, weather, date, application instructions, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the display unit 6 may also display the remaining amount for each cartridge 19 as a percentage along with a bar graph or the like. Furthermore, when a message urging the user to purchase a cartridge 19 is displayed on the display unit 6, an order signal for purchasing a new cartridge may be automatically transmitted to a cosmetics manufacturer's server or the like via the communication unit 44 (in FIG. 7, the communication unit of the mobile terminal 60) as shown in FIG. 7 (for example, if the user has a contract with the cosmetics manufacturer (e.g., a subscription service), a new cartridge 19 may be shipped from the cosmetics manufacturer through such automatic ordering). The current remaining amount of cosmetic, the amount applied in the past, and the amount planned to be applied in the future may be viewable on a server (a management server for managing data) 53 via the communication network 100. The initial setting of the remaining amount threshold is preferably set to about 20% to 30% (20% to 30% of the remaining amount when the cartridge is full), and is set to an amount that will not keep the user waiting due to the lead time from when the cartridge is ordered to when it arrives.

[0042] For example, such a display encouraging the purchase of cartridge 19 may be displayed based on the table shown in Fig. 8. That is, for example, if the cartridge 19 has an internal volume of 150 ml and the daily usage amount (application amount) is 5 ml, a display encouraging the purchase of cartridge 19 is displayed on the display unit on the day when the cartridge remaining amount reaches 30 ml (six days before 30 days after the start of use when the cosmetics will be completely used up) if the remaining amount threshold (cartridge replacement threshold) is 20%, on the day when the cartridge remaining amount reaches 45 ml (nine days before 30 days after the start of use when the cosmetics will be completely used up) if the remaining amount threshold (cartridge replacement threshold) is 30%, and on the day when the cartridge remaining amount reaches 60 ml (12 days before 30 days after the start of use when the cosmetics will be completely used up) if the remaining amount threshold (cartridge replacement threshold) is 40%.

[0043] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, if the analysis result by the skin condition analysis unit 35 indicates that the current skin condition is better than the past skin condition, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the user's skin condition will improve in the future and that the future discharge amount of cosmetics discharged by the discharge unit 30 will decrease. Furthermore, based on the estimation result, the threshold correction unit 36 ​​lowers the remaining amount threshold stored in the comparison unit 39. In this case, the display encouraging the purchase of the cartridge 19 may be displayed based on the table shown in FIG. 9. That is, for example, if the cartridge 19 has a capacity of 150 ml and the daily usage amount (application amount) is 5 ml, and it is estimated based on good skin condition that the usage amount (discharge amount) will decrease from 5 ml to 3 ml 20 days after the start of use, if the remaining amount threshold is maintained at 20% or 30% without lowering it, the display encouraging the purchase of the cartridge 19 will be displayed 8 days (instead of 6 days) or 13 days (instead of 9 days) before the 37 days after the start of use, when the cosmetics will be completely used up. Therefore, since the order date is earlier, the new cartridge arrives earlier, and the new cartridge arrives at the user's hand before the cosmetics run out, and the new cartridge becomes inventory on the user's side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount threshold is lowered from 20% or 30% to 15% or 18%, and a message prompting the user to purchase the cartridge 19 is displayed 6 or 7 days before the 37th day from the start date of use, when the cosmetics will be completely used up, to prevent inventory on the user's side.

[0044] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, if the analysis result of the skin condition analysis unit 35 indicates that the current skin condition is worse than the past skin condition, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the user's skin condition will improve in the future by increasing the future discharge amount of the cosmetics discharged by the discharge unit 30. Based on this estimation result, the threshold correction unit 36 ​​increases the remaining amount threshold stored in the comparison unit 39. In this case, the display encouraging the purchase of the cartridge 19 may be displayed based on the table shown in FIG. 10. For example, if the cartridge 19 has a capacity of 150 ml and the daily usage (application amount) is 5 ml, and it is estimated that the usage (discharge amount) will increase from 5 ml to 7 ml 16 days after the start of use based on the deterioration of the skin condition, if the remaining amount threshold is maintained at 20% or 30% without increasing it, the display encouraging the purchase of the cartridge 19 will not be displayed until two days (instead of six days) or four days (instead of nine days) before the 26th day after the start of use, when the cosmetics will be completely used up. Therefore, since the order date is late, the arrival of the new cartridge may be delayed, and the user may not receive a new cartridge before the cosmetics run out (a new cartridge may not be received even when the cosmetics run out). Therefore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount threshold is raised from 20% or 30% to 40% or 50%, and a message prompting the user to purchase the cartridge 19 is displayed 6 or 8 days before the 26th day from the start date of use, when the cosmetics will be completely used up, to prevent the user's daily skin care from being interrupted.

[0045] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, the skin condition analysis unit 35 obtains analysis results by averaging predetermined skin information values ​​based on images obtained by photographing multiple skin locations with the camera 10. This improves the accuracy of the analysis. Here, the skin information values ​​include all values ​​obtained by quantifying skin information, such as skin moisture value, skin texture condition value, wrinkle and blemish condition value and amount, and skin color value.

[0046] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, the camera 10 is also capable of capturing an image of the user's entire face. For example, the face may be reflected on the mirror display 6 of the cosmetics dispenser 1B, and the entire face may be captured by the fixed camera 10 above the mirror display 6. In this case, a close-up image may be taken for skin analysis by bringing the face closer to the mirror display 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 11 , a hood 70 may be provided above the fixed camera 10. This hood 70 blocks ambient light or reflects the LED light of the camera 10. Furthermore, the hood 70 may be configured to allow the user to touch the skin of the area to be captured to adjust the focus. Alternatively, the entire face may be captured using the display and camera of a mobile terminal 60 combined with the facial beauty device 1A.

[0047] The size of each user's face varies (even if the face size is the same, the forehead and cheek sizes may differ), and therefore the amount of cosmetic applied varies from user to user (and therefore the rate at which the cosmetic is consumed also varies). Therefore, by capturing an image of the user's entire face in this manner, it becomes possible to set the application amount (discharge amount) appropriate for the face size. Note that measurement using an AR (augmented reality) function may be used to capture the face size. Alternatively, a normal amount of cosmetic to be used may be initially set according to the face size, and the remaining amount threshold may be set accordingly. For example, the skin condition analysis unit 38 may determine the face size captured by the camera 10 as "large," and the discharge amount control unit 38 may accordingly control the discharge amount to 6 ml, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​may accordingly set the remaining amount threshold to 35%. Alternatively, the skin condition analysis unit 38 may determine the face size captured by the camera 10 as "medium," and the discharge amount control unit 38 may accordingly control the discharge amount to 5 ml, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​may accordingly set the remaining amount threshold to 30%. Furthermore, the skin condition analysis unit 38 may determine the face size photographed by the camera 10 as "small," and accordingly the discharge amount may be controlled to 4 ml by the discharge amount control unit 38, and the remaining amount threshold may be set to 25% by the threshold correction unit 36.

[0048] Furthermore, when capturing an entire face in this manner, if the user's face captured by the camera 10 is displayed on the display unit 6, for example, when capturing an entire face using the fixed camera 10 using a mirror display unit 6 as shown in FIG. 3, a recommended capture location may be displayed on the mirror display unit 6, and in this case, positioning support may be provided by audio guidance output from the audio output unit 40. A positioning display for specifying the position of the face on the display unit 6 may also be displayed. Displaying a guide position for capturing a face in this manner allows the user to align the position and capture the image, aligning the reference and accurately measuring the face size. In this case, the face size may be measured using a tape measure or a distance sensor.

[0049] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, the discharge amount control unit 38 calculates the area of ​​the user's facial skin from the image captured by the camera 10 and determines the amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30. This makes it possible to set an appropriate discharge amount in accordance with differences in the areas to which the cosmetics are applied, such as the forehead and cheeks.

[0050] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, if the analysis result by the skin condition analysis unit 35 based on the image captured by the camera 10 indicates a temporary change in skin color, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the user has been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet light and that the future discharge amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 will increase, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​increases the remaining amount threshold based on this estimation result. In addition, when the user inputs their own behavior history for the day of skin care via the input unit of the mobile terminal 60, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the amount of cosmetics used on that day will increase or decrease based on the history, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​corrects the remaining amount threshold based on this estimation result.

[0051] In addition, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, the amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 can be input through the input unit 9, and the discharge amount control unit 38 controls the amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 to the amount input through the input unit 9.

[0052] In addition, in the cosmetics provision device of this embodiment, if the mobile terminal 60 has a global positioning system (GPS) function, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates, based on the user's behavior history information obtained through the GPS function, that the user has been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet rays if the user's outdoor activity time has reached a predetermined length, and estimates that the future discharge amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 will increase, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​increases the remaining amount threshold based on the estimation result. Furthermore, if the mobile terminal 60 has a social networking service (SNS) function, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates, based on the user's behavior history information obtained through the user's posts through the SNS function, that the user has been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet rays if the user's outdoor activity time has reached a predetermined length, and estimates that the future discharge amount of cosmetics to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 will increase, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​increases the remaining amount threshold based on the estimation result. The skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 can also obtain weather information through the communication network 100, and estimates the future discharge amount of the cosmetic product to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 according to the amount of ultraviolet light obtained from the weather information, and the threshold correction unit 36 ​​corrects the remaining amount threshold based on the estimation result.

[0053] Such user behavior history may be obtained by selecting a time period and checking the corresponding behavior, or the user may input the behavior details through the input unit 9 (or the input unit of a mobile terminal). Furthermore, when setting the cosmetic dispensing amount and detecting the remaining amount from information associated with the user's behavior history, the above information may be notified to the user through the display unit 6 in a display format such as that shown in Figures 12 to 14 (after taking a photo of the skin with a camera, the analysis results and information for the day are displayed in a consolidated manner).

[0054] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, the discharge amount control unit 38 can also control the amount of cosmetics discharged by the discharge unit 30 depending on the amount of time elapsed since the user's bath on the day of skin care. Generally, the longer the time since bathing, the drier the skin becomes, and the greater the amount of cosmetics needed (ideally, skin care such as moisturizing should be performed within five minutes after bathing). Therefore, by controlling the amount of cosmetics discharged to increase as the time since bathing increases, skin dryness can be prevented and effective skin care can be achieved. For example, the discharge amount control unit 38 sets the amount of cosmetics discharged to 5 mL when the time since bathing is 5 minutes or less, sets the amount of cosmetics discharged to 5.5 mL when the time since bathing is 5 to 30 minutes, sets the amount of cosmetics discharged to 6 mL when the time since bathing is 30 minutes to 1 hour, and sets the amount of cosmetics discharged to 6.5 mL when the time since bathing is 1 to 2 hours. In this case, it is preferable to reflect this change in the amount of cosmetics discharged depending on the time since bathing in the correction of the cartridge remaining amount threshold.

[0055] Furthermore, the time that has elapsed since bathing may be determined by the user directly inputting the time through the input unit 9 (or the input unit of the mobile terminal), or by emitting a voice from the voice output unit 40 asking the user how much time has elapsed since bathing, and the user's response being recognized and determined using a voice recognition function, or by the user pressing a button set in the bathroom, which starts a timer built into the cosmetics providing device, thereby measuring the elapsed time.

[0056] Furthermore, the time elapsed since bathing may be measured by a timer from the time the user completes skin care using the cosmetics provision device before bathing. In this way, for a user who is in the habit of bathing immediately after using a makeup remover, the time can be measured by a timer built into the device from the time the user completes skin care using the cosmetics provision device before bathing, for example, from the time the makeup remover is completed (for example, from the time the last cosmetic product is dispensed). This makes it possible to automatically measure the time elapsed since bathing (for example, by estimating the bathing time to be a substantially constant, predetermined time) without requiring any input operation from the user (for example, an operation to activate a timer for measuring the time elapsed since bathing).

[0057] Furthermore, in the cosmetics providing device of this embodiment, if the amount of cosmetics required based on the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit 35 exceeds a predetermined value, the discharge amount control unit 38 can also control the discharge amount so that the required amount of cosmetics is discharged by the discharge unit 30 in multiple doses. In this case, it is preferable that the first dose of the multiple doses be the largest. This makes it possible to achieve a cosmetics discharge distribution in which a larger amount of cosmetics is discharged during the first application, when the cosmetics are easily absorbed into the skin, so that the cosmetics can be absorbed over the entire face, and from the second application onwards, an appropriate amount of cosmetics is discharged so that the cosmetics can be applied to areas that the user particularly desires.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cosmetic providing device is in the form of a facial beauty device 1A having a treatment unit 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the output control unit 43 controls the output of the treatment unit 12 according to the amount of cosmetic dispensed by the dispensing unit 30. This allows for appropriate treatment according to the amount of cosmetic dispensed, resulting in a favorable treatment effect. Specifically, for example, when a large amount of cosmetic is dispensed, the output control unit 43 increases the output of the treatment unit 12. This allows more of the dispensed cosmetic to penetrate into the skin. Furthermore, when a small amount of cosmetic is dispensed, i.e., when the skin condition is good, the output control unit 43 decreases the output of the treatment unit 12. This reduces power consumption.

[0059] Furthermore, in the case of a facial beauty device 1A equipped with a treatment unit 12, the discharge amount control unit 38 may be configured to decrease the amount of cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit 30 over time. This allows treatment to be performed using cosmetic product that has already been discharged and adhered to the face, thereby preventing waste of cosmetic product while maintaining the treatment effect. In this case, the discharge amount control unit 38 preferably controls the discharge unit 30 to discharge cosmetic product at a predetermined amount within a predetermined discharge amount range having upper and lower limits depending on the user's skin condition, and decreases the upper and lower limits over time while maintaining the discharge amount range constant. Furthermore, in this case, the discharge amount control unit 38 may decrease the discharge amount range over time in addition to the upper and lower limits. In either case, this not only prevents waste of cosmetic product but also realizes preferable control of the decrease in the discharge amount according to the characteristics of the treatment.

[0060] FIG. 15 shows an example of the operational flow of the cosmetics providing device based on the above configuration. In this example, first, the control unit 34 acquires information about the user's skin from the camera 10 or the like (step S1: skin information acquisition step). Then, the skin condition analysis unit 35 of the control unit 34 analyzes the user's skin condition based on the acquired skin information (step S2: skin condition analysis step). Specifically, this skin condition analysis involves measuring the skin texture, the condition and amount of blemishes and wrinkles, or the skin's moisture content, and obtaining analysis results based on predetermined criteria. For example, the analysis of skin texture may utilize approximately triangular mesh-like grooves (skin grooves) that appear on the skin's surface. Generally, when the skin texture is in good condition, the grooves appear relatively orderly on the skin's surface. In contrast, when the skin texture is in poor condition, the grooves become unclear, the mesh shape becomes distorted, the grooves are difficult to see, or areas without grooves appear rough. The skin texture condition is determined by, for example, image analysis of such conditions. In addition, based on the accumulated changes in skin condition over time, it is possible to determine whether the skin condition is good or whether the skin condition is likely to improve (for example, for each item). Furthermore, diagnostic results (analysis results) may be obtained using images using analysis methods for pores, keratin plugs, wrinkles, age spots, and skin color, such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5080060. Furthermore, skin analysis methods such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-46489 may also be used.

[0061] Then, based on the analysis results by the skin condition analysis unit, the discharge amount control unit 38 of the control unit 34 controls the discharge amount of the cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit 30 (determines the discharge amount according to the skin condition) in accordance with, for example, the specification standards of the cosmetic product (step S3; discharge amount control step).

[0062] In the cosmetic discharge in which the discharge amount is controlled in this manner, if the amount of cosmetic required based on the analysis results of the skin condition exceeds a predetermined value (YES in step S4), the discharge amount is controlled so that the required amount of cosmetic is discharged by the discharge unit 30 in multiple batches (step S5).

[0063] In parallel with this discharge amount control, the remaining amount detection unit 33 detects the remaining amount of cosmetic in the cartridge 19 that stores the cosmetic (step S6; remaining amount detection step). The remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 33 is then displayed on the display unit 6 (step S7; display step). In this case, when the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 33 is less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold (YES in step S8), a message urging the purchase of a cartridge is displayed on the display unit 6 (step S9).

[0064] In parallel with the aforementioned control of the cosmetic discharge amount, the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 of the control unit 34 estimates the user's current and future skin condition based on the analysis results of the skin condition analysis unit 35, and estimates the future discharge amount of the cosmetic to be discharged by the discharge unit 30 (step S10; skin condition / discharge amount estimation step). The skin condition is estimated according to a predetermined estimation algorithm based on, for example, the amount of UV rays received, the user's behavioral history and schedule, the amount of time spent outdoors, posts on SNS, weather information, the time elapsed since bathing, etc., and the future discharge amount based on such skin condition estimation is estimated according to the specification standards of the cosmetic product, etc. Furthermore, the correction of the remaining amount threshold based on such an estimation result (for example, determining the cartridge replacement threshold in the table mentioned above) is carried out according to predetermined criteria, taking into consideration, for example, the user's behavioral history and schedule, time spent outdoors, posts on social media, weather information, time elapsed since bathing, as well as the area of ​​the user's face, and based on this, a message encouraging the purchase of a cartridge is displayed in accordance with the table mentioned above, etc.

[0065] In particular, in estimating the skin condition and discharge amount, if the analysis result by the skin condition analysis unit 35 indicates that the current skin condition is better than the past skin condition (YES in step S11), the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the user's skin condition will improve in the future and that the future discharge amount of the cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit 30 will decrease (step S12). Based on the estimation result, the threshold correction unit 36 ​​lowers the remaining amount threshold (step S13). On the other hand, if the analysis result by the skin condition analysis unit 35 indicates that the current skin condition is worse than the past skin condition (NO in step S11), the skin condition / discharge amount estimation unit 37 estimates that the user's skin condition will improve in the future by increasing the future discharge amount of the cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit 30 (step S14). Based on the estimation result, the threshold correction unit 36 ​​raises the remaining amount threshold (step S15).

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can include various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0067] Furthermore, the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be partially or entirely implemented in hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. The above-described configurations, functions, etc. may also be implemented in software, with a processor interpreting and executing a program that implements each function. Information such as the programs, tables, and files that implement each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD.

[0068] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines in the product. In reality, it can be assumed that almost all components are interconnected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1A Facial beauty device (cosmetic dispenser) 1B Cosmetic dispenser (cosmetic supply device) 6 Display section 8 outlet 9 Input section 10 Camera (skin information acquisition unit) 12 Treatment Department 19 Cosmetic Cartridges 20 Shift Roller 30 Discharge part 32 Stain Sensor 33 Remaining amount detection unit 35 Skin Condition Analysis Department 36 Threshold correction unit 37 Skin condition and discharge volume estimation section 38 Discharge volume control unit 43 Output control section 60 Mobile Devices 100 Communication Network

Claims

1. A cosmetic providing device for providing a user with skin care cosmetics, a skin information acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's skin; a skin condition analysis unit that analyzes the user's skin condition based on the skin information acquired by the skin information acquisition unit; a discharge unit that discharges a cosmetic product to be applied to the user's skin; a discharge amount control unit that controls the discharge amount of the cosmetic product discharged by the discharge unit based on the analysis result by the skin condition analysis unit; a treatment unit that provides a predetermined skin care effect to the user's skin; A cosmetic providing device comprising:

2. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 1 , further comprising an output control unit that controls the output of the treatment unit in accordance with the amount of cosmetic dispensed by the dispenser.

3. 3. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge amount control unit reduces the amount of cosmetic discharged by the discharge unit over time.

4. 4. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 3, wherein the discharge amount control unit controls the discharge unit to discharge the cosmetic at a predetermined discharge amount within a predetermined discharge amount range having an upper limit value and a lower limit value in accordance with the user's skin condition, and decreases the upper limit value and the lower limit value over time while keeping the discharge amount range constant.

5. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 4 , wherein the discharge amount control unit also decreases the discharge amount range over time.

6. 6. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet of the outlet portion from which the cosmetic is dispensed is located at an outer periphery of the treatment portion.

7. A cosmetic provision device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a storage position in which it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position in which it protrudes toward the treatment unit.

8. 8. The cosmetic providing device according to claim 1, further comprising a shift roller that detects movement of the treatment unit on the user's skin.

9. The cosmetics providing device described in claim 8, characterized in that the camera constituting the skin information acquisition unit is movable between a stored position in which it is retracted from the treatment unit and a protruding position in which it protrudes toward the treatment unit, the outer surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment unit so as to contact the user's skin together with the treatment unit, and the protruding position of the camera is located at a position retracted from the surface of the treatment unit.

10. 10. The cosmetics providing device according to claim 1, wherein a water-absorbing member is provided between the camera constituting the skin information acquiring unit and the treatment unit.

11. The cosmetic providing device of claim 10, characterized in that the outer surface of the shift roller is positioned so as to be approximately flush with the surface of the treatment unit so as to contact the user's skin together with the treatment unit, and the water-absorbing member extends a predetermined length from the side of the surface of the treatment unit to the opposite side.

Images