Accessory Device Skin Gloss Measurement via Mirror Light Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring skin gloss are primarily professional-grade and expensive, making it inaccessible for most consumers, while existing devices for hydration measurement do not provide efficient and simple solutions for assessing skin parameters like gloss and hydration levels.
Innovation Solution
An accessory device for image-capturing devices, such as smartphones, equipped with a tubular member, mirrors, and a hydration sensor, allows for easy and efficient capture of skin images to determine skin parameters like gloss and hydration by analyzing the amount of white pixels in the image, using a threshold for pixel value and providing a skin care coaching application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If professional-grade skin gloss measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the skin measurement function into two separate devices: a simple image-capturing device (smartphone) for capturing skin images and a separate accessory device with mirrors for controlling light paths. This segmentation allows each device to be simple and inexpensive while achieving accurate skin gloss measurement through their coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device with mirrors acts as an intermediary between the light source and the image sensor. The mirrors redirect and control the light paths to illuminate the skin surface at specific angles and capture specular reflections, enabling precise gloss measurement without requiring complex integrated optics in the smartphone itself.
2Measurement precision
If professional-grade skin gloss measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but accessibility for consumers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a smartphone camera (a simple, widely available imaging device) to capture skin images instead of requiring consumers to use expensive professional gloss meters. The smartphone's image sensor captures the skin surface reflected light, and through image processing algorithms, reproduces the gloss measurement function at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device with mirrors serves multiple functions: it controls the light paths from the smartphone's flash to illuminate the skin at specific angles, captures specular reflections for gloss measurement, and can work with different smartphone models. This universal design makes the system accessible to consumers with standard smartphones while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If existing hydration measurement devices are used, then hydration measurement capability is improved, but efficiency and simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the skin image capture function (using smartphone camera) with the hydration measurement function into a single integrated measurement process. By capturing skin images at different angles and analyzing the reflected light characteristics, the system simultaneously determines both gloss and hydration parameters in one measurement action, improving efficiency compared to separate measurement devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables affordable and accessible measurement of skin parameters, allowing users to choose optimal skin care routines based on quantified data, improving skin hygiene and health perception.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror is arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source towards the skin portion
Implementation Method 2
a second mirror is arranged to reflect light reflected from the skin portion towards the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an accessory device (20) for an image-capturing device (10) for capturing a skin image of a subject's skin comprising a tubular member (21) having a first opening (22) at its first end (23) configured to surround a light source (11) and an image sensor (12) included in the image-capturing device (10) and a second opening (24) at its second end (25) configured to surround a skin portion (101) and two mirrors (26, 27) arranged within the tubular number (21) at its second end (25), wherein a first mirror (26) is arranged to retied light (30) emitted by the light source (11) towards the skin portion (101) and a second mirror (27) is arranged to reflect light (31) reflected from the skin portion (101) towards the image sensor (12). The accessory device can be coupled to an image-capturing device to acquire an image of a skin portion, which is evaluated to determine a skin parameter, such as skin gloss.