Evaluation and Selection Process for Consumer Products

• US 20100145886A1
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Conopco, Inc. (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Conopco, Inc. (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Covell, Edwin Ralph, Velthuizen, Robert Paul, Jiang, Zhi-xing, Dessirier, Jean-Marc
• Application Number:
  US12/330,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/500
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2044/007 Devices for determining the condition of hair or skin or for selecting the appropriate cosmetic or hair treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1032 Determining colour for diagnostic purposes measuring colour in general G01J3/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/446 Scalp evaluation or scalp disorder diagnosis, e.g. dandruff
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/16 Emollients or protectives, e.g. against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A product evaluation and selection process for consumer products is described. The process includes demonstrating the effectiveness of consumer product on consumer skin by comparing actual images of skin treated with product to images of skin that were artificially transformed. The process also includes the assignment of a symbol associated with a difference in product performance where the symbol may be used to aid consumers in selecting product.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating at least one product comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing untreated skin of a consumer and artificially transforming the untreated skin to a desired result to produce artificially transformed skin;

(b) treating the untreated skin with a product to produce treated skin; and

(c) comparing the treated skin to the artificially transformed skin

wherein the treated skin and artificially transformed skin are compared to yield a difference and the difference is associated with a symbol.

2. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the product is a leave on or wash off product.

3. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the untreated, treated and artificially transformed skin are analyzed visually, by image analysis or through photographs.

4. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the untreated skin is artificially transformed with digital transformation, or with transformation that uses light, lenses, a mirror, make-up or the morphing of a photograph.

5. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the untreated skin is treated with a product that is suitable to be injected, ingested, topically applied, applied using radiation or applied with a physical device.

6. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the product is a skin lightening product that comprises niacinamide.

7. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 2 wherein the difference is statistically analyzed with D-prime analysis.

8. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein at least two consumer products are evaluated and compared to artificially transformed skin.

9. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the product is evaluated for yielding evenness of skin color.

10. The method for evaluating at least one product according to claim 1 wherein the untreated skin is assessed for evenness of color and artificially transformed with blue light transform.

11. A method for marketing or selling a product comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing untreated skin of a consumer and artificially transforming the untreated skin to a desired result to produced artificially transformed skin;

(b) treating the untreated skin with a product to produce treated skin;

(c) comparing the treated skin and artificially transformed skin to yield a difference associated with a symbol; and

(d) using the symbol on product, with an advertisement, or both to market and/or sell products.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein a plurality of products are analyzed and all differences generated are associated with a symbol for a consumer to rely on prior to making a purchase.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the product is a topically applied consumer product.

14. The method according to claim 11 wherein the untreated skin is artificially transformed with blue light transform.

15. A method for transforming a photograph of untreated skin for improved evenness of color, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying skin to be treated; and

(b) subjecting the photograph of untreated skin to blue light transform by blending red light into a blue light channel.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein from about 0.5 to about 60% red light is blended into the blue light channel.

17. A method for evaluating consumer products comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing untreated skin of a consumer;

(b) treating the untreated skin with a product to produce treated skin; and

(c) comparing the untreated skin to treated skin

wherein the untreated skin and treated skin are compared to yield a difference associated with a symbol.