Imaging Station for Automated Skin Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current skin imaging systems rely heavily on human operators for manual identification of facial regions and analysis, which is labor-intensive and inconsistent, and lack effective methods for quantifying skin color and photodamage indicators.
Innovation Solution
A digital imaging station with automated facial region identification, quantitative analysis of skin condition using RGB and L*a*b* colorspaces, and communication capabilities for remote data sharing, along with light control systems to minimize ambient light interference and enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual identification of facial regions by trained operators is used, then accuracy of region identification is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic facial region identification without requiring manual intervention. The computer automatically processes images to identify facial regions, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on external human operators for this task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of human operators visually inspecting and marking facial regions with an automated computer-based image processing system. This substitution eliminates human labor while maintaining identification accuracy through algorithmic analysis.
2Measurement precision
If manual identification of facial regions by trained operators is used, then accuracy of region identification is improved, but operator training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic facial region identification without requiring manual intervention. The computer automatically processes images to identify facial regions, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on external human operators for this task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of human operators visually inspecting and marking facial regions with an automated computer-based image processing system. This substitution eliminates human labor while maintaining identification accuracy through algorithmic analysis.
3Device complexity
If RGB pixel intensity is used for color expression, then simplicity of color representation is improved, but accuracy of skin color assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the color representation parameters from simple RGB pixel intensity values to the L*a*b* colorspace. This parameter change enables more accurate skin color assessment by using perceptually uniform coordinates that better represent human color perception and skin condition variations.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging station for taking a plurality of digital images of a subject under a plurality of illuminating conditions and storing and analyzing the digital images, includes a housing, containing the digital image capturing apparatus, like a camera or video recorder, a computer for processing the image data and one or more displays for displaying images of the person. The imaging station aids in controlling lighting during image capture and may be used to optimally position the subject for imaging. The computer may be programmed to conduct various image processing functions and may be networked to allow image sharing. A display which may be provided on the exterior of the housing allows an operator to visualize the subject and to control the imaging process. The imaging station may be used for teaching purposes.