Skin Color Homogeneity Detection via Digital Image Hue Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in determining their individual skin condition and assessing the efficacy of skin care products for reducing redness and discolorations without professional assistance, leading to diminished motivation in completing thorough treatment programs.

Innovation Solution

A method using a digital image analysis to determine skin color homogeneity by parameterizing the image in a color space, calculating hue distribution, and determining a homogeneity value, which can be performed with minimal equipment such as a smartphone or tablet, allowing users to assess their skin condition and receive personalized product recommendations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users attempt to determine their skin condition and assess product efficacy without professional assistance, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently determine their skin condition and assess product efficacy using automated digital image analysis. Users capture images of their skin, and the system automatically processes these images to provide objective measurements of skin parameters such as redness, pigmentation, and homogeneity, eliminating the need for professional assistance while maintaining measurement accuracy through standardized algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms subjective visual assessment into objective quantitative measurements by analyzing color space parameters (such as a*b* values in CIELAB color space) from digital images. This parameter transformation allows non-expert users to obtain precise, quantifiable data about their skin condition that was previously only accessible through professional dermatological evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If users lack objective monitoring capabilities for skin treatment results, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information about treatment efficacy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback by comparing skin images captured at different time points and generating objective reports on treatment progress. Users receive quantitative information about changes in skin parameters such as reduction in redness or pigmentation, enabling them to monitor treatment efficacy without complex professional equipment while minimizing information loss about their skin's response to treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If professional dermatological assistance is required for skin condition assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical and manual assessment methods used by professionals with automated digital image analysis algorithms. By using standardized color space transformations and automated feature extraction from photographs, the system achieves professional-grade measurement precision while eliminating the need for complex physical equipment and expert manual evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11568569B2Method and device for determining the homogeneity of skin color
Publication Date: 2023.01.31 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

In various embodiments, a method for determining a homogeneity of complexion is provided. The method may include provision of a digital image on which skin is portrayed and which is parameterized in a color space which is defined by a parameter set in which one of the parameters is a hue, identifying and/or defining at least one skin examination area in the transformed image, calculating a hue distribution in the at least one skin examination area, and determining at least one homogeneity value for the complexion based on the calculated hue distribution.