Inkjet Cartridge Skin Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld devices for applying skin treatments to cover up tonal and textural defects on the skin lack speed and accuracy in detecting and treating localized deviations.
Innovation Solution
A micro electromechanical ink jet printing system with a programmable CPU and image-sensing capabilities that analyzes skin tone variations to identify deviations and applies treatment compositions through a nozzle array, ensuring precise and rapid correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld devices are used to apply skin treatment compositions to local defects, then the ability to treat localized areas is improved, but the speed and accuracy of detection and treatment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application with an automated inkjet printing system that uses computer-controlled nozzles to deposit treatment compositions. The system incorporates image sensors and processing algorithms to automatically detect skin deviations and control nozzle activation, eliminating the need for manual operation while achieving both precision and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-detection and self-treatment by using integrated image sensors to identify skin deviations and automatically controlling the inkjet nozzles to apply treatment only to detected areas. This closed-loop system eliminates the need for external manual intervention in both detection and application phases.
2Productivity
If the applicator moves continuously across the skin, then coverage efficiency is improved, but the time to detect and treat specific deviations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures skin images during movement, performing preliminary detection of deviations as the applicator travels across the skin. The computer processing unit pre-identifies deviation locations and prepares treatment parameters in advance, allowing immediate treatment activation without stopping or slowing the applicator's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by simultaneously performing detection, processing, and treatment preparation during applicator movement. The inkjet nozzles remain ready to activate instantly upon detecting deviations, ensuring no interruption in the useful action of treating skin while maintaining high-speed coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If treatment composition is applied to cover large areas of skin, then coverage of deviations is improved, but the precision of localized treatment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the treatment area into discrete zones corresponding to individual skin deviations detected by the image sensor. The inkjet nozzle activates only for specific segments (deviation locations) rather than applying treatment uniformly across the entire skin area, enabling both broad coverage capability and precise localized application.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment composition is applied with different properties to different locations: deviations receive targeted treatment while unaffected skin receives no treatment. The system adjusts nozzle activation, droplet size, and deposition timing based on local deviation characteristics, achieving optimal treatment precision while maintaining the ability to cover large areas when multiple deviations are present.
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
The system accurately and quickly detects skin deviations, allowing for optimal coverage of defects while minimizing application on unaffected skin, thereby improving the precision and speed of skin correction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a micro electromechanical ink jet printing system that has a cartridge having a body that defines a core, and a die that contains one or more nozzles... applies treatment compositions through the one or more nozzles
Implementation Method 2
The systems of this invention may include an applicator having an applicator head having one or more applicator nozzles which may be in a linear array. The applicator has a sensor that takes an image of at least 10μm 2
Data Source
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AI summary
A micro electromechanical ink jet printing system that has a cartridge having a body that defines a core, and a die that contains one or more nozzles. There is a treatment composition contained within the cartridge core. The system further includes a CPU that is programmable and can control the application of the treatment composition from within the cartridge core, through the one or more nozzles to human skin. Typically, the treatment composition will contain a skin treatment ingredient selected from the group consisting of particles, vitamins, yeast and yeast extracts, skin care actives, dyes, colorants and mixtures thereof. There may optionally be provided a bladder or foam block disposed within the cartridge core for suspending and regulating the flow of the treatment composition. The systems of this invention may include an applicator having an applicator head having one or more applicator nozzles which may be in a array. The applicator has a sensor that takes an image of at least 10µm2 of skin, the CPU analyzes the image to calculate one or more localized L values of individual pixels or group of pixels of the skin. Then the CPU compares the local L value to a predetermined background L value to identify skin deviations. A skin deviation occurs where the difference between the background L value and the local L value is greater than a predetermined ΔLS value.