Article and method for selection of individualized personal care products

• US 20040131996A1
• Filed: 01/07/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc.
• Inventors: Pannozzo, Anthony, Depiano, John, Kennedy, Christine Elizabeth, Eddowes, Miles Hugh, Dziersk, Mark Dieter, Ortiz-Valero, Carlos, Gibford, Gail Eileen
• Granted Patent: US 7,104,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/99
• 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: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle

Abstract

A diagnostic article and method is disclosed wherein the article includes a mirror, a plurality of attribute selection sites arranged along or associated with the mirror with each of the sites having a plurality of choice selectors, and an output for recommending at least one personal care product based upon input from the choice selectors. A diagnostic for skin includes attribute selection sites hosting questions related to a customer'"'"'s age, skin coloration, dryness, sunburn susceptibility, pimple breakout affinity, wrinkle formation and pore size. Hair, dental and underarm products may also be personalized by the diagnostic system. The mirror allows a customer in-store to more accurately answer attribute questions through reference to the customer'"'"'s mirror reflection.

Claims

1. A diagnostic article comprising:

(i) a mirror;

(ii) a plurality of attribute selection sites arranged along or associated with the mirror, the sites each having a plurality of choice selectors; and

(iii) an output for recommending at least one personal care product based upon input from the choice selectors.

2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the attribute selection sites are areas hosting questions related to those selected from the group consisting of age, skin coloration, dryness, sun-burn susceptibility, pimple breakout affinity, wrinkles, pore sizes and combinations thereof.

3. The article according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of the sites have at least three choice selectors.

4. The article according to claim 1 wherein activation of one of the choice selectors in a site precludes concurrent activation of any other selector at that same site.

5. The article according to claim 1 wherein each of the choice selectors within a site differ from one another by representing a different degree of an attribute describing the site.

6. The article according to claim 1 wherein a choice selector is activated by finger pressure against an area designated as a selector site.

7. The article according to claim 1 wherein activation of a choice selector initiates an electronic transmission signal to a computer program.

8. The article according to claim 1 wherein activation of a choice selector initiates a mechanical transmission not connected to an electronic computer.

9. The article according to claim 1 wherein the output is detailed on one or more charts which recommend one or more personal care products most suitable to a customer.

10. The article according to claim 1 wherein the mirror is a two-way mirror.

11. The article according to claim 10 wherein at least one personal care product is identified by icon, pictorial or trademark on a support behind the mirror.

12. The article according to claim 11 further comprising a backlight behind the mirror arranged to selectively highlight the icon, pictorial or trademark.

13. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a membrane keypad behind the mirror.

14. The article according to claim 1 wherein the attribute selection sites are areas hosting hair related questions selected from the group consisting of oiliness, color, dandruff susceptibility, age, curliness, thickness and combinations thereof.

15. The article according to claim 1 wherein the attribute selection sites are areas hosting dental questions related to those selected from the group consisting of teeth whiteness, number of cavities, breath freshness, taste, packaging and combinations thereof.

16. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a camera aligned with the mirror focusing on a customer whose image is reflected in the mirror.

17. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a wireless phone transmitting information processed from input from the choice selectors and the information being transmitted to a distant computer.

18. The article according to claim 1 further comprising an array of similarly sized areas each with a different color shade arranged on the mirror for helping to find a color match with that of a facial image reflected in the mirror.

19. A method for recommending a personal care product to a customer comprising:

(A) providing a diagnostic article comprising;

(i) a mirror;

(ii) a plurality of attribute selection sites arranged along or associated with the mirror, the sites each having a plurality of choice selectors; and

(iii) an output for recommending at least one personal care product based upon input from the choice selectors;

(B) instructing a customer to actuate one of the plurality of choice selectors for each of the attribute selection sites thereby answering questions related to personal attributes of the customer; and

(C) recommending to the customer one or more personal care products based upon their input from the choice selectors.