Methods and systems for predicting and/or tracking changes in external body conditions

• US 6,761,697 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Pruche, Francis, Rubinstenn, Gilles
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/024,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/300, 600/407, 514/63, 514/725, 382/128, 382/276, 382/154, 382/100, 705/1, 705/26, 705/10, 358/1.9, 434/377, 434/99, 706/48
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1034 by means of colour cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/446 Scalp evaluation or scalp disorder diagnosis, e.g. dandruff
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects

Abstract

The present invention includes a method for predicting evolution of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject. The method may include receiving first data, receiving second data, generating a forecasted or expected evolution of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject based on the first data and the second data, and transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution. The first data may be representative of at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a first time frame. The second data may be representative of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a second time frame occurring after the first time frame. A beauty product may be applied to the external body portion between the first and second time frames.

Claims

1. A method for predicting evolution of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject, the method comprising:

receiving first data, wherein the first data is representative of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject in a first time frame;

receiving second data, wherein the second data is representative of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a second time frame occurring after the first time frame;

generating, based on the first data and the second data, a forecasted evolution of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject; and

transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first data and the second data is chosen from quantitative data and qualitative data.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving third data, wherein the third data is representative of the at least one condition of external body portion of the subject prior to the first time frame.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising instructing the subject to use at least one cosmetic product between the first time frame and the second time frame.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one product is predicted to impact evolution of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition is a skin condition chosen from pore size, elasticity, dryness, cellulitis, sweating, aging, wrinkles, melanoma, exfoliation, desquamation, homogeneity of color, micro-circulation, shininess, softness, smoothness, matitty, hydration, sebum production, cleanliness, irritation, redness, vasomotion, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, pigmentation, and freckles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition is a hair condition chosen from keratin plug conditions, length, dryness, oiliness, dandruff, thickness, density, root conditions, split ends, hair loss, and staging.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition is chosen from fingernail conditions and toenail conditions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasted evolution is based, at least in part, on an assumption that a product is applied at least once to the external body portion.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the forecasted evolution is a function of at least one of a number of assumed uses of the product, an amount of the product applied, and a time period during which the product is applied.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting to the subject information about at least one product for treating the at least one condition.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving from the subject a request to purchase the at least one product.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one first product is applied to the external body portion between the first time frame and the second time frame, and wherein the method further comprises presenting to the subject information about at least one second product to be applied to the external body portion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein presenting the subject information about at least one second product occurs when the forecasted evolution is less satisfactory than a threshold level of satisfaction.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasted evolution is provided in the form of an image represented in at least two dimensions.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasted evolution is provided in the form of an image.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first data and the second data is chosen from a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional image, a scanned image, and a representation of one of a mechanical measurement and an optical measurement.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first data and the second data further comprises an answer to at least one query about the subject.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution comprises transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution on a physical data carrier.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the physical data carrier is chosen from paper stock, an electronic data carrier, and a computer screen.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises sending the first data and the second data to a data analysis node via a network.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving of the first data and receiving of the second data occurs via a network, and wherein transmitting the forecasted evolution comprises sending the forecasted evolution to the subject via the network.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises comparing the first data and the second data with evolution data contained in a data structure.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising maintaining the data structure containing the evolution data.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the forecasted evolution comprises transmitting to the subject a first graphical representation showing the forecasted evolution, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting to the subject a second graphical representation showing expected evolution of the at least one condition.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the expected evolution relates to assumed application of a beauty product.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the subject is enabled to view the first and second graphical representations in conjunction with one another.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a forecasted evolution comprises generating a forecasted evolution that is a function of parameters, selected by the subject, relating to the application of a product to the external body portion.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving first data comprises receiving first data in a first format and a first manner, and wherein receiving second data comprises receiving second data in a second format and a second manner, the first format and manner being different from the second format and manner.

30. A method for enabling a subject to gauge effectiveness of at least one beauty product, the method comprising:

receiving first data, wherein the first data is representative of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject in a first time frame;

receiving second data, wherein the second data is representative of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a second time frame occurring after the first time frame, and wherein at least one beauty product is applied to the external body portion between the first time frame and the second time frame;

generating evolution data based at least in part on the first and the second data;

presenting the subject a first representation of the evolution data; and

presenting the subject, in conjunction with the first representation, a second representation of an expected evolution of the at least one condition, the conjunctive presentation of the first and second representations being configured to permit the subject to gauge effectiveness of the beauty product applied between the first and second time frames.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the first representation and the second representation is a graphical representation.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the first representation and the second representation comprises a plurality of time-lapsed images.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the time-lapsed images are displayed in one of a slide show format and a movie format.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one condition is a skin condition chosen from pore size, elasticity, dryness, cellulitis, sweating, aging, wrinkles, melanoma, exfoliation, desquamation, homogeneity of color, micro-circulation, shininess, softness, smoothness, matitty, hydration, sebum production, cleanliness, irritation, redness, vasomotion, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, pigmentation, and freckles.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one condition is a hair condition chosen from keratin plug conditions, length, dryness, oiliness, dandruff, thickness, density, root conditions, split ends, hair loss, and staging.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one condition is chosen from conditions and toenail conditions.

37. The meted of claim 30, wherein the expected evolution is a function of at least one of a number of assumed uses of to product, an amount of the product applied, and a time period during which to product is applied.

38. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting to the subject information about at least one second product fir treating to at least one condition.

39. The meted of claim 38, further comprising receiving from the subject a request to purchase the at least one second product.

40. The meted of claim 38, wherein transmitting information about at least one second product occurs when to effectiveness of the beauty product is less satisfactory than a threshold level of satisfaction.

41. The meted of claim 30, wherein each of the first representation and the second representation is provided in the form of an image represented in at least two dimensions.

42. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the first representation and the second representation is provided in the form of an image.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the first data and the second data is chosen from a two-dimensional image, tree-dimensional image, a scanned image, and a representation of one of a mechanical measurement and an optical measurement.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein at least one of the first data and the second data further comprises an answer to at least one query about the subject.

45. The method of claim 30, wherein at least one of presenting the subject the first representation and presenting the subject the second representation comprises presenting the subject a representation on a physical data carrier.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the physical data carrier is chosen from paper stock, an electronic data carrier, and a computer screen.

47. The method of claim 30, wherein receiving of the first data and receiving of the second data occurs via a network, and wherein presenting the subject the first representation and presenting the subject the second representation comprises sending the representations to the subject via the network.

48. The method of claim 30, further comprising generating the second representation.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the second representation is generated based on expected evolution data contained in a data structure.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising maintaining the data structure containing the expected evolution data.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the expected evolution data relates to assumed application of the beauty product.

52. The method of claim 30, wherein presenting the subject with a second representation comprises presenting the subject with a second representation reflecting an expected change to the at least one condition based on a variation in usage of the beauty product.

53. A system for enabling a subject to gauge effectiveness of a beauty product, the system comprising:

a data receiving module for receiving first data and second data, wherein the first data is representative of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject in a first time frame, the second data is representative of the at least one condition of the external body portion of the subject in a second time frame occurring after the first time frame, and at least one beauty product is to the external body portion between the first time frame and the second time frame;

a processor for generating evolution data based on the first and second data, the evolution data representing evolution of the external condition between the first and second time frames; and

a graphical generator for causing the subject to be presented conjunctively with a first representation of the evolution data and a second representation of an expected evolution of the at least one condition, the conjunctive presentation of the first and second representations being configured to permit the subject to gauge effectiveness of the beauty product applied between the first and second time frames.

54. A method for predicting evolution of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject, the method comprising:

receiving first data, wherein the first data is representative of the at least one condition;

receiving second data, reflective of how the at least one external body condition is expected to evolve over time, wherein the second data is derived using characteristic data collected from the subject;

generating, based on the first data and the second data, a forecasted evolution of the at least one condition; and

transmitting to the subject the forecasted evolution.

55. The method of claim 54, conducted, at least in part in a network environment, wherein receiving the first and the second data occurs via a network and in at least one location remote from a location of the subject, and wherein during transmitting, the forecasted evolution is sent to the subject over the network.

56. A system for enabling a subject to gauge effectiveness of a beauty product, the system comprising:

a data receiving module for receiving first data and second data, wherein the first data is representative of at least one condition of an external body portion of a subject and the second data is reflective of how the at least one external body condition is expected to evolve over rime with at least one application of a beauty product;

a processor for generating evolution data based on the first and second data, the evolution data representing evolution of the external condition; and

a graphical generator for causing the subject to be presented conjunctively with a first representation of the evolution data and a second representation of an expected evolution of the at least one condition, the conjunctive presentation of the first and second representations being configured to permit the subject to gauge effectiveness of the beauty product.