Facial Skin Analysis via Dynamic Wrinkle Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques fail to effectively analyze and assess expression wrinkles, which are believed to cause fixed wrinkles, making it difficult to properly evaluate skin conditions from dynamic wrinkle changes.

Innovation Solution

An image analysis apparatus that tracks changes in tracking points on the face using a high-speed camera to calculate the compression ratio of the skin, allowing for the analysis of skin conditions based on these changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional wrinkle assessment methods are used, then fixed wrinkles can be assessed, but expression wrinkles cannot be properly analyzed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle assessment accuracyVSAvoidwrinkle type coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static image assessment to dynamic video-based tracking. The system captures multiple frames showing facial expressions changing over time, and tracks wrinkle depth variations across these frames. This dynamic approach enables differentiation between fixed wrinkles (persistent across frames) and expression wrinkles (varying with facial movements), thereby expanding wrinkle type coverage while maintaining assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the time dimension to traditional two-dimensional wrinkle assessment by utilizing video sequences. By analyzing wrinkle depth changes across multiple time points and facial expressions, the system can identify wrinkles that appear only during specific expressions. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous assessment of both fixed and expression wrinkles, resolving the contradiction between assessment precision and wrinkle type versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If static image analysis is used, then assessment is simple, but dynamic wrinkle changes cannot be captured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis system simplicityVSAvoidexpression wrinkle information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous action by capturing video sequences that show facial expressions changing over time. Rather than taking single static snapshots, the system continuously records facial movements and wrinkle variations across multiple frames. This continuous capture ensures that expression wrinkles, which appear transiently during facial movements, are not lost while maintaining relatively simple analysis through automated tracking algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If multiple tracking points are monitored, then skin condition analysis is comprehensive, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin condition analysis accuracyVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the facial region into multiple discrete tracking points that can be independently monitored. Each tracking point records wrinkle depth or skin movement at its specific location. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of different facial areas (such as forehead, eye corners, mouth) while simplifying processing through parallel independent analysis of each point's temporal variations, avoiding the need for complex holistic image analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2979634B1Image analysis device, image analysis method, and image analysis program
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SHISEIDO CO LTD
  • EP2979634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979634B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image analysis apparatus that analyzes a skin condition from a video of the face of a subject captured with an imaging part includes a tracking part configured to track the amount of changes of multiple tracking points arranged in advance in an analysis region of the face based on a change in the expression of the face included in the video, and obtain the compression ratio of the skin in the analysis region based on the amount of changes, and a skin condition analysis part configured to analyze the skin condition of the subject based on the compression ratio obtained by the tracking part.