IPL Device Motion Sensor Step Size Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IPL devices for hair removal require significant user interaction, including manual measurement of body parts and counting of light flashes, which can be cumbersome and discourage users. Additionally, these devices provide only overall coverage feedback and cannot detect variations in coverage along the treatment area.
Innovation Solution
An IPL system equipped with a motion sensor and a processor that calculates the step size of movement between light flashes, providing feedback to the user on their technique. This system includes a skin detection sensor to ensure accurate tracking and a machine learning algorithm for refining step size estimates, reducing user effort and enhancing feedback granularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual measurement and flash counting is used for coverage calculation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring significant user interaction and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and counting operations with automated sensor-based detection. Motion sensors automatically track device movement, and flash detectors automatically count light flashes, eliminating the need for manual measurement and counting operations while reducing the cognitive load on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement of step size and flash counting without requiring user intervention. The motion sensors and flash detectors automatically gather data, process it through the controller, and provide coverage feedback, allowing the device to serve itself rather than requiring active user participation in measurement tasks.
2Measurement precision
If overall coverage feedback is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates as it cannot detect variations in coverage along the treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment area into multiple discrete zones based on motion sensor data. By dividing the continuous treatment path into segments, the system can provide granular feedback about coverage variations at different locations along the body part, enabling users to identify specific areas needing improvement rather than receiving only an overall average.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from providing a single overall coverage metric to providing spatially-distributed coverage information. By adding the dimension of location along the treatment area, the system can detect and report variations in coverage precision at different positions, giving users detailed insight into their technique throughout the entire treatment zone.
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 reduces user interaction by automating step size measurement, providing more precise and granular feedback on treatment performance, and improving handling of the IPL device for optimal skin coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor for sensing motion of the IPL device
Implementation Method 2
a light source; a light delivery window; a controller for controlling the light source to deliver light flashes to the light delivery window
Data Source
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Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
An intense pulse light, IPL, system is for delivering IPL light to a user's skin, and comprises a hand-held IPL device with a motion sensor for sensing motion of the IPL device, and a processor (which may be part of the hand-held device or remote or partly remote and partly in the hand-held device) for processing the motion sensor output and timing of delivery of light flashes. The processor determines a step size of movement of the IPL device and generates feedback information to the user relating to the step size. This information is used for coaching the user in the most effective use of the IPL device.