Skin treatment device and method

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for generating a non-audible sound capable of improving skin quality.SOLUTION: The skin treatment device 10 mainly includes a detector 12, a generator 14, an output unit 16, and a display / operation unit 18. The detecting unit 12 has a function of detecting skin characteristics, which are characteristics of the skin of the user 20, and includes, for example, a skin viscoelasticity measuring device, a blood flow imaging device, and / or a confocal Raman spectroscopic device. The skin characteristics include, for example, characteristics including a stratum corneum moisture content, a transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a sebum amount, a blood flow rate, and / or a moisture state of the skin. The generation unit 14 can generate non-audible sounds based on the non-audible sound characteristics. The non-audible sound characteristics may include a frequency, a power level, and / or a power pattern of the non-audible sound. The output unit 16 decodes the digital data received from the generating unit 14 and outputs inaudible sounds to the skin of the subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin treatment device and a method for generating inaudible sound that can improve skin quality. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, sleep assistance devices and sleep assistance systems that aim to improve the quality of sleep by generating only inaudible sounds are known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-14711 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional devices only aim to improve the quality of sleep, and do not disclose a device that aims to improve skin quality using inaudible sounds.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for generating inaudible sounds that can improve skin quality.

[0006] Specific embodiments of the present invention are as follows: [Invention 1] to [Invention 7], but are not limited to these. [Invention 1] A skin treatment device having an output unit that generates inaudible sound to the target skin. [Invention 2] a detection unit that detects skin characteristics that are characteristics of the target's skin; a generation unit that determines an inaudible sound characteristic that is a characteristic of the inaudible sound according to the skin characteristic, and generates the inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristic; The skin treatment device according to invention 1 further comprises: [Invention 3] The skin characteristics of the subject's skin include at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of stratum corneum moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, blood flow, and moisture status. [Invention 4] A skin treatment device according to any one of inventions 1 to 3, wherein the inaudible sound characteristics are the frequency, output level, and / or output pattern of the inaudible sound. [Invention 5] 5. The skin treatment device according to any one of inventions 1 to 4, wherein the frequency of the inaudible sound is 20 kHz or more and 120 kHz or less. [Invention 6] 6. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the output unit generates the inaudible sound from a position spaced apart from the skin of the subject. [Invention 7] a detecting step of detecting a skin characteristic that is a characteristic of the skin of a subject; an inaudible sound generating step of determining inaudible sound characteristics that are characteristics of the inaudible sound according to the skin characteristics and generating the inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics; an output step of outputting the generated inaudible sound; A method for generating an inaudible sound comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a skin treatment device and a method for generating inaudible sound that can improve skin quality are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a skin processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing an inaudible sound generation process executed by the skin processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A skin processing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Referring to Fig. 1, the skin processing device 10 mainly includes a detection unit 12, a generation unit 14, an output unit 16, and a display / operation unit 18.

[0010] The skin treatment device 10 is, for example, a stationary device that is installed indoors and is operated by a commercial power source or a battery, or a portable device that can be carried by the user 20 and is operated by a secondary battery.

[0011] The detection unit 12 has a function of detecting skin characteristics of the user 20, and includes, for example, a skin viscoelasticity measuring device, a blood flow imaging device, and / or a confocal Raman spectroscopy device. The skin characteristics include, for example, at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of stratum corneum moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, blood flow, and / or hydration status, and the detection unit 12 measures these. More specifically, the skin viscoelasticity measuring device can measure stratum corneum moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and sebum content, the blood flow imaging device can measure blood flow, and the confocal Raman spectroscopy device can measure hydration status. The detection unit 12 transmits the detected skin characteristics to the generation unit 14.

[0012] The generation unit 14 is, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and is capable of generating inaudible sound based on inaudible sound characteristics. The inaudible sound characteristics are preferably, but not limited to, the frequency, output level, and / or output pattern of the inaudible sound. Furthermore, the frequency of the inaudible sound is preferably, but not limited to, 20 kHz or more and 120 kHz or less. The generated inaudible sound is digital data. This digital data is transmitted to the output unit 16. The inaudible sound characteristics are determined automatically based on the skin characteristics detected by the detection unit 12, as selected by the user 20, or semi-automatically based on the skin condition selected by the user 20, or by direct numerical input by the user 20. These processes will be described in detail later.

[0013] The output unit 16 mainly comprises, for example, a DAC (Digital Analog Converter) and a speaker, receives digital data of the inaudible sound from the generation unit 14, decodes the digital data to generate an analog signal of the inaudible sound, and emits the inaudible sound to the target's skin based on the analog signal. The output unit 16 is placed on the skin of the user 20, i.e., at a position spaced apart from the target's skin.

[0014] The display / operation unit 18 has a touch panel capable of displaying images and a plurality of operation buttons, is operated by the user 20, and outputs a signal to the generation unit 14 in response to this operation. For example, information such as an indication that an inaudible sound generation process to be described later is to be started, whether or not the skin processing device 10 is to determine the inaudible sound characteristics, and the inaudible sound characteristics determined by the user 20 are input using the display / operation unit 18 and transmitted to the generation unit 14.

[0015] The display / operation unit 18 can display an operation button that allows the skin processing device 10 to automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics, an operation button that allows the device 10 to semi-automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics, and an operation button that allows the user 20 to input a numerical value to determine the inaudible sound characteristics.

[0016] When the user 20 operates the operation button that automatically determines the sound, the generation unit 14 determines the inaudible sound characteristics according to the skin characteristics of the user 20 received from the detection unit 12, and generates the inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics.

[0017] When user 20 operates the operation button for semi-automatic determination, display unit / operation unit 18 displays multiple default skin conditions as "recommended" using the operation button. Default skin conditions include, for example, dry skin and combination skin. User 20 refers to this and selects a skin condition that is preferred and considered to be suitable for their current skin condition. Display unit / operation unit 18 transmits the selected skin condition to generation unit 14. Generation unit 14 pre-stores skin characteristics applicable to multiple skin conditions. When generation unit 14 receives the skin condition selected by user 20 from display unit / operation unit 18, it determines skin characteristics based on the received skin condition, further determines inaudible sound characteristics according to the skin characteristics, and generates inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics.

[0018] When the user 20 operates the operation button for inputting numerical values ​​and determining the non-audible sound characteristics, the display / operation unit 18 displays a screen for inputting the frequency, output level, and / or output pattern of the non-audible sound. The user 20 refers to this screen and inputs the desired values. At this time, the user 20 may input all of the frequency, output level, and output pattern of the non-audible sound, or may input at least one of them. Values ​​that are not input are set appropriately by the generation unit 14. The display / operation unit 18 transmits the input values ​​to the generation unit 14. The generation unit 14 generates non-audible sound based on the non-audible sound characteristics received from the display / operation unit 18 and / or set appropriately by the generation unit 14.

[0019] Next, the non-audible sound generation process according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The non-audible sound generation process includes the non-audible sound generation method according to the present invention.

[0020] First, in step 21, when the user 20 turns on the power of the skin processing device 10, the skin processing device 10 starts to execute the inaudible sound generation process.

[0021] In the next step S22, the display unit / operation unit 18 displays an operation button for selecting whether or not the skin processing device 10 will automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics. The user 20 operates the display unit / operation unit 18 to input whether or not the skin processing device 10 will automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics. If the skin processing device 10 will automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics, the process proceeds to step S23; if not, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0022] In step S23, the detection unit 12 detects skin characteristics of the user 20. More specifically, the detection unit 12 detects, for example, the stratum corneum moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, blood flow, and / or moisture status of the skin, and transmits the detected values ​​to the generation unit 14. Step S23 forms at least a part of the detection step.

[0023] In step S24, the generation unit 14 receives the skin characteristics of the user 20 from the detection unit 12, determines inaudible sound characteristics according to the received skin characteristics, generates inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics, and transmits digital data of the inaudible sound to the output unit 16. Step S24 forms at least a part of the inaudible sound generation step.

[0024] Then, in the following step S26, the output unit 16 receives the digital data of the inaudible sound from the generation unit 14, decodes this digital data to generate an analog signal of the inaudible sound, and generates the inaudible sound on the skin of the subject based on this analog signal.Then, the process ends.

[0025] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the skin processing device 10 will not automatically determine the inaudible sound characteristics, in step S25 the display / operation unit 18 displays a screen for inputting the frequency, output level, and / or output pattern of the inaudible sound. The user 20 operates the display / operation unit 18 while referring to this screen to input desired values ​​for the frequency, output level, and / or output pattern of the inaudible sound. At this time, the user 20 may input all or at least one of the frequency, output level, and output pattern of the inaudible sound. Values ​​that are not input are appropriately set by the generation unit 14. The display / operation unit 18 transmits the input values ​​to the generation unit 14. The generation unit 14 generates inaudible sound based on the inaudible sound characteristics received from the display / operation unit 18 and / or appropriately set by the generation unit 14, and transmits digital data of the inaudible sound to the output unit 16. Then, in the following step S26, the output unit 16 receives the digital data of the inaudible sound from the generation unit 14, decodes this digital data to generate an analog signal of the inaudible sound, and generates the inaudible sound on the skin of the subject based on this analog signal.Then, the process ends.

[0026] In the non-audible sound generation process, the configuration has been described in which the skin processing device 10 automatically determines the non-audible sound characteristics, and in which the user 20 determines the non-audible sound characteristics by inputting numerical values. In the case where the configuration for semi-automatically determining the non-audible sound characteristics is further included, the process is executed by, for example, one of the following two means.

[0027] In the first method, first, in step S22, the display / operation unit 18 displays an operation button for the skin processing device 10 to automatically determine the non-audible sound characteristics, an operation button for semi-automatically determining the non-audible sound characteristics, and an operation button for the user 20 to input a numerical value and determine the non-audible sound characteristics. The user 20 then selects one of the three displayed operation buttons. The cases where the user 20 operates the operation button for automatic determination and the operation button for inputting a numerical value and determining the non-audible sound characteristics are described above, and therefore will not be described again. When the user 20 operates the operation button for semi-automatically determining the non-audible sound characteristics, the display / operation unit 18 displays multiple default skin conditions as "recommended" using the operation button. Examples of default skin conditions include dry skin and combination skin. The user 20 refers to this and selects a skin condition that is preferred and considered to be suitable for their current skin condition. The display / operation unit 18 transmits the selected skin condition to the generation unit 14. The generation unit 14 stores in advance skin characteristics applicable to a plurality of skin conditions. Therefore, when the generation unit 14 receives the skin condition selected by the user 20 from the display unit / operation unit 18, instead of the above-mentioned steps S23 and S24, it determines inaudible sound characteristics according to the received skin characteristics, generates inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics, and transmits it to the output unit 16. Then, the processing proceeds to step S26. The processing of step S26 is the same as that described above, so its description will be omitted.

[0028] In the second means, after the above-mentioned step S24 or S25 is completed, the display unit / operation unit 18 displays an approval button and a disapproval button. If the user 20 selects the approval button, the process proceeds to step S26, where an inaudible sound is output. If the user 20 selects the disapproval button, the display unit / operation unit 18 displays the options not selected in step S22 and an operation button for semi-automatic determination. That is, if the user 20 operates the operation button for automatic determination in step S22, the display unit / operation unit 18 displays an operation button for inputting a numerical value to determine the inaudible sound characteristics and an operation button for semi-automatic determination. If the user 20 operates the operation button for inputting a numerical value to determine the inaudible sound characteristics in step S22, the display unit / operation unit 18 displays an operation button for automatic determination and an operation button for semi-automatic determination. Then, when the user 20 selects a desired operation button from the displayed operation buttons, the display unit / operation unit 18 executes the same process as described above in accordance with the selected operation button. Then, the generation unit 14 also executes the above-described process in response to the selected operation button, generates an inaudible sound, and transmits it to the output unit 16. Then, the process proceeds to step S26. The process of step S26 is the same as that described above, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] According to the present embodiment, an apparatus and method for generating inaudible sounds that can improve skin quality are provided.

[0030] The output unit 16, especially the speaker, does not need to be directed toward the skin of the subject, as long as it is installed within a range where the inaudible sound can reach.

[0031] It has been explained that the generation unit 14 generates the inaudible sound as digital data, and the output unit 16 converts the digital data into an analog signal and outputs it, but the generation unit 14 may also be equipped with a DAC to generate the inaudible sound as an analog signal, and the output unit 16 may output the analog signal.

[0032] Although the display / operation unit 18 has been described as being a touch panel, it may be configured with a display and operation buttons installed independently of the display.

[0033] In addition to the above, the inaudible sound characteristics may include a period during which the inaudible sound is generated. The user 20 can specify the period during which the inaudible sound is generated by inputting a numerical value.

[0034] At least a part of the inaudible sound generating method is realized as a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in, for example, a non-volatile recording medium.

[0035] The aspects and installation means of the skin treatment device 10 according to the present invention are not limited to those described above, and may be any device capable of transmitting inaudible sound to the user's skin. Examples of the skin treatment device 10 include audio devices such as speakers, music players, headphones, and earphones, portable communication terminals, bedding such as beds, mats, futons, and pillows, accessories such as brooches, corsages, pendants, and necklaces, and clothing.

[0036] The sizes of the components shown in the specification and drawings are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, the materials of the components are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the structure and relationship of the parts without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as described. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 Skin treatment device 12 Detection unit 14 Generation part 16 Output section 18 Display / operation section 20 User

Claims

1. A skin treatment device having an output unit that generates inaudible sound to the target skin.

2. a detection unit that detects skin characteristics that are characteristics of the target's skin; a generation unit that determines an inaudible sound characteristic that is a characteristic of the inaudible sound according to the skin characteristic, and generates the inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristic; The skin treatment device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The skin treatment device according to claim 2 , wherein the skin characteristics include at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of stratum corneum moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, blood flow, and moisture status.

4. The skin treatment device according to claim 2 , wherein the inaudible sound characteristics are a frequency, an output level, and / or an output pattern of the inaudible sound.

5. The skin treatment device according to claim 4 , wherein the frequency of the inaudible sound is equal to or greater than 20 kHz and equal to or less than 120 kHz.

6. The skin treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit generates the inaudible sound from a position spaced apart from the skin of the subject.

7. a detecting step of detecting a skin characteristic that is a characteristic of the skin of a subject; an inaudible sound generating step of determining inaudible sound characteristics that are characteristics of the inaudible sound according to the skin characteristics and generating the inaudible sound based on the determined inaudible sound characteristics; an output step of outputting the generated inaudible sound; A method for generating an inaudible sound comprising:

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