Skin Image Analysis via Digital Reference Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring skin changes over time are inconvenient and costly, requiring expensive imaging equipment and manual review, and lack a solution for accurately tracking changes using images from low-cost devices under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that processes skin images by generating simulated images with different transformation parameters, analyzing features, forming vectors, and comparing distributions to detect changes, while using machine learning to identify relevant features and remove noise, enabling monitoring with low-cost devices and untrained users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive imaging equipment is used to ensure image consistency, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital reference copy of the skin area from an initial image and uses this reference to compare against subsequent images. This digital copying approach eliminates the need for expensive specialized imaging equipment, as standard cameras can capture the images that are then processed through the reference comparison method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems with computational image processing. Instead of using sophisticated optical equipment to ensure image consistency, the system uses algorithms to generate reference images and compare them with new images, substituting mechanical precision requirements with computational analysis.
2Measurement precision
If manual review of images is performed, then analysis accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic image analysis by comparing new skin images against a digitally stored reference image. The computational system independently identifies changes without requiring manual expert review, enabling the system to serve itself in detecting skin condition changes while significantly reducing the time required for analysis.
3Ease of operation
If images are captured under varying conditions (lighting, angle, focal length), then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures images under varying real-world conditions (different lighting, angles, and distances) and uses computational methods to normalize and compare these images against a reference. This allows users to capture images conveniently without controlled conditions while the system adjusts for parameter variations through image processing algorithms.
4Device complexity
If low-cost imaging devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital reference copy from an initial image captured by a low-cost device and uses this reference for comparison with subsequent images. This approach allows standard cameras and smartphones to be used instead of specialized medical imaging equipment, as the computational reference comparison method compensates for the lower inherent quality of consumer devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Method of processing an image of the skin is disclosed. The method comprises the receipt of skin image data, the generation of simulated images with artificial transformation and the analysis of the simulated images to form a vector from extracted features.