Apparatus for and method of taking and viewing images of the skin

• US 7,738,032 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Merola, Kenneth, Pote, Jeffrey S., Kollias, Nikiforos, Payonk, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Nhan T
• Application Number:
  US10/978,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348/68, 348/37, 348/77, 348/370, 348/371, 348/333.01, 348/333.11, 348/333.12, 600/178, 600/473, 600/476
• US Class Current: 348/370
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03

Abstract

A self-contained, portable apparatus and corresponding method for capturing, displaying and analyzing images of a person includes a housing for containing a digital camera, a light source capable of providing at least two different wavelengths of light, a touch-screen display and a computer for controlling the camera, the light source and the display. The apparatus selectively captures and displays a plurality of digital images using different wavelengths of illuminating light. The light source may include a plurality of flashes and filters, some of which may be adjustable to adjust the angle of incidence of the illuminating light on the subject. Preferably, the apparatus is self-serve, allowing any person to capture, review and analyze the images. To that end, the apparatus may provide a moving image and verbal instructions to a user to aid in positioning themselves relative to the camera. Instruction may further be provided by text or internet connection for using the apparatus and/or interpreting the captured images. An intuitive graphic user interface with thumbnail images is employed. Focus control, zoom and synchronized side-by side comparison of images are available.

Claims

1. An apparatus for capturing images of a person, comprising:

a housing;

a camera mounted in said housing for capturing the images of the person;

means for illuminating mounted in said housing, said means for illuminating providing light for capturing different types of images of the person and being capable of providing at least two different wavelengths of light in capturing the images, the wavelengths of light used in capturing a first image differing from the wavelengths of light used in capturing a subsequent image;

a display mounted in said housing for displaying the first and subseguent images captured by said camera; and

control means for controlling said camera, said means for illuminating and said display for selectively capturing and displaying the captured images on said display,

said display being a touch-screen display capable of receiving input from an operator of the apparatus for controlling the review of captured images in conjunction with said control means and having an image display area for displaying a captured image and a control area sensing on operator contact, the image display area subdivided for displaying a plurality of different types of images permitting side-by-side comparison of the different images, which may each be enlarged and repositioned, the enlargement and repositioning thereof being synchronized such that each image is presented in the same position and scale.

2. An apparatus for capturing images of a person, comprising:

a housing;

a camera mounted in said housing for capturing the images of the person;

at least one door attached to said housing for covering said camera when in a closed position and uncovering said camera when in an open position;

means for illuminating mounted in said housing, said means for illuminating providing light for capturing the images of the person and being capable of providing at least two different wavelengths of light in capturing the images, the wavelengths of light used in capturing a first image differing from the wavelengths of light used in capturing a subsequent image;

a display mounted in said housing for displaying images captured by said camera; and

control means for controlling said camera, said means for illuminating and said display for selectively capturing and displaying the captured images on said display, said control means including a computer programmed to direct said camera and said means for illuminating to automatically sequentially capture a plurality of images using a plurality of different wavelengths of light, said means for illuminating including a light attached to an inner portion of said at least one door such that when said at least one door is open, said light is capable of illuminating the person, the incidence angle of the illuminating light being adjustable by adjusting the angle of the at least one door relative to said housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means for positioning said at least one door at a selected position.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a polarizing filter juxtaposed next to said light attached to said door for providing polarized light for illumination of the subject.