JP7623169B2 - Skin information collection and utilization system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a skin information collection and utilization system.

Healthy, beautiful skin is one of the important external features that brings out the attractiveness of a person, regardless of gender. Therefore, in order to maintain beautiful skin for a long time, it is advisable to take care of your skin on an ongoing basis, and it is even more desirable to do so using effective methods.

For example, in order to effectively prevent age spots, it is effective to focus on areas where age spots are likely to appear.

In particular, skin that is exposed to a lot of UV rays is more likely to develop blemishes, so intensive care of such areas is effective in keeping your skin beautiful.

Therefore, a tool has been proposed that allows counselors at beauty salons and other facilities to give advice to customers about their skin condition based on meteorological information such as the amount of UV rays and temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

This type of tool will enable advice that takes into account the effects of weather conditions such as UV rays and temperature, making it possible to provide accurate skin counseling.

JP 2006-103051 A

However, while the above-mentioned conventional skin counseling tools can take into account the extent to which UV rays were received, they do not provide any insight into which parts of the body of the subject of treatment, counseling, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as the subject) were exposed to the amount of UV rays.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and provides a skin information collection and utilization system that can infer whether a subject has been exposed to a lot of UV rays and which areas have been exposed to the most based on temporary changes in the subject's skin, and can provide treatment and advice.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the skin information collection and utilization system of the present invention is a facial treatment device type skin information collection and utilization system comprising: (1) a treatment device body held by a user; a conductive contact part protruding from the upper front surface of the treatment device body; and a skin color acquisition part and a temperature acquisition part as element state acquisition means arranged on the upper surface of the contact part for acquiring the skin color and temperature state of the user's monitored area, the contact part functions as one electrode for forming a potential gradient, and the treatment part performs skin treatment by introducing ions of a predetermined component contained in a cosmetic material into the skin by passing an electric current through the skin, and a treatment control part for controlling the intensity of the electric current as the treatment intensity of the treatment part based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and the skin information collection and utilization system of the facial treatment device type performs treatment according to the acquired skin color and temperature of the monitored area of the user . The system is equipped with a temporary change detection means for detecting temporary state changes related to the skin color and temperature of the monitored area by comparing the color and temperature acquired by the skin color acquisition unit and the temperature acquisition unit with normal skin color information stored in advance in a specified memory area and palm temperature state information acquired by the palm temperature acquisition unit described below, and an exposure degree estimation means for estimating the degree of ultraviolet light exposure of the skin of the monitored area based on the degree of temporary state change detected by the temporary change detection means, and treatment is performed by the treatment means based on the degree of ultraviolet light exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means.Furthermore, a palm temperature acquisition unit having a contact surface made of metal is arranged as a second element state acquisition means at the position where the treatment device main body is held by the user, and the palm temperature acquisition unit is used as the other electrode for forming the potential gradient .
The skin information utilization system according to the present invention also has the following features.
(2) The contact portion is configured to be capable of cooling or warming the skin that is in contact with the contact portion,
A heat insulating section made of a material having low thermal conductivity is formed around the temperature acquisition section.

According to the present invention, the skin information collection and utilization system of the facial treatment device type includes a treatment device main body held by a user, a conductive contact portion protruding from the upper front surface of the treatment device main body, and a skin color acquisition portion and a temperature acquisition portion as element state acquisition means arranged on the upper surface of the contact portion for acquiring the skin color and temperature state of the user's monitored area, the contact portion functions as one electrode for forming a potential gradient, and a treatment portion for treating the skin by introducing ions of a predetermined component contained in a cosmetic material into the skin by passing an electric current through the treatment portion, and a treatment control portion for controlling the intensity of the electric current as the treatment intensity of the treatment portion based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and the skin information collection and utilization system of the facial treatment device type performs treatment according to the acquired skin color and temperature of the monitored area of the user , and the color and temperature acquired by the skin color acquisition portion and the temperature acquisition portion and the temperature and color information acquired by ... stored in advance in a predetermined memory area are provided. and a temporary change detection means for detecting temporary changes in the skin color and temperature of the monitored area by comparing normal skin color information stored in the monitor with palm temperature status information acquired by a palm temperature acquisition unit described later, and an exposure degree estimation means for estimating the degree of ultraviolet exposure of the skin of the monitored area based on the degree of the temporary status change detected by the temporary change detection means, and treatment is performed by the treatment means based on the degree of ultraviolet exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means.Furthermore , a palm temperature acquisition unit having a contact surface made of metal is disposed as a second element status acquisition means at the position where the treatment device main body is held by the user, and the palm temperature acquisition unit is used as the other electrode for forming the potential gradient, so that a facial treatment device-type skin information collection and utilization system can be provided that is capable of inferring whether the subject has been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet light and the areas that have been exposed to the most from temporary changes in the subject's skin, and performing treatment .

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage state of the skin information collection and utilization system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a user input screen. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage state of the skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a calendar image. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a daily report image. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an information display screen. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a future face display screen. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the close-up lens unit is attached. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the close-up lens unit is used. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a skin information collecting device equipped with a macro lens camera unit. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a skin analysis screen. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a second skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage state of the second skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a mirror-type user device of the third skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a third skin information collection and utilization system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a mirror-type user device.

The present invention provides a skin information collection and utilization system that provides treatment and/or information according to the acquired state of a specific element of the skin of a monitored area of a subject, comprising at least one of the following means: an element state acquisition means for acquiring the state of a specific element of the skin of the monitored area; a treatment means including a treatment unit that performs skin treatment and a treatment control unit that controls the intensity of the treatment unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin; and an alarm means including an alarm unit that notifies information about the skin and an alarm information generation unit that generates alarm information to be supplied to the alarm unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin. The present invention provides a skin information collection and utilization system that provides treatment and/or information according to the acquired state of a specific element of the skin of a monitored area of a subject, comprising at least one of the following means: an element state acquisition means for acquiring the state of a specific element of the skin of the monitored area of a subject; a treatment means including a treatment unit that performs skin treatment and a treatment control unit that controls the intensity of the treatment unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin; and an alarm means including an alarm unit that notifies information about the skin and an alarm information generation unit that generates alarm information to be supplied to the alarm unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin.

The skin information collection and utilization system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[1. The first skin information collection and utilization system]
First, the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 in use.

The first skin information collection and utilization system A1 in this embodiment is a system that estimates the degree of UV exposure from temporary changes in the skin caused by UV rays, and provides information for keeping the skin beautiful based on this.

The first skin information collection and use system A1 is used, for example, at home or in a beauty salon. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(a), a user U uses it on their own skin and can maintain beautiful skin by putting into practice the beauty information and advice obtained.

As shown in FIG. 1(b), in a beauty salon or the like, a counselor becomes a user U of the first skin information collection and use system A1, and by using it on the skin of salon customers, the counselor can provide more accurate counseling and treatment based on the beauty information and advice obtained from the first skin information collection and use system A1. In this specification, including the above description, a person who uses the skin information collection and use system is referred to as a "user," and a person who is the subject of obtaining the state of a specific skin element by the skin information collection and use system is referred to as a "subject." That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a), the user U himself is also the subject T. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(b), the counselor is the user U, and the customer is the subject T.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1. The first skin information collection and utilization system A1 is composed of a skin information collection device 10, a smartphone 11, an internet network 12, and a server device 13.

The skin information collection device 10 is a device for acquiring the temperature state as a specified element from the skin of the monitored area of the subject T, which in this embodiment is several points on the face, and supplying the acquired state to the smartphone 11, and functions as an element state acquisition means in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1.

In this embodiment, the skin information collection device 10 has a roughly cylindrical outer shape, and a temperature sensor 10b is provided at its tip to measure the temperature of the subject T's skin with or without contact.

The skin information collection device 10 receives power from the smartphone 11 via a communication cable 10a, and transmits temperature state information obtained by the temperature sensor 10b to the smartphone 11. Note that communication between the skin information collection device 10 and the smartphone 11 may be performed wirelessly. In this case, the power used by the skin information collection device 10 can be configured to be supplied by a battery or the like.

The smartphone 11 is an information and communication terminal that has a touch-panel LCD display that covers almost the entire surface of one side, and is configured to be able to run various applications and other programs.

In addition, the smartphone 11 is provided with a camera unit 16 (front camera 16f, rear camera 16b) as an imaging means on the front side where the LCD display is located and on the rear side behind it, making it possible to obtain images of the subject T's face and macro images of the monitored area.

In the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the smartphone 11, together with the server device 13, constitutes part of the skin information analysis device, and functions as a temporary change detection means and also as a notification means equipped with a notification section that can display information such as skin-related advice in the form of an image.

The smartphone 11 also has a built-in radio signal receiving unit for the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a means for providing geographical location information. For example, if the subject T carries the smartphone 11 around with him or her on a daily basis, the smartphone 11 generates a behavioral history that can be referenced as to when and where the subject T was, based on the location information and time information obtained from the radio signal receiving unit. In the following description, the combination of the skin information collection device 10 and the smartphone 11 is also collectively referred to as the user device 15.

The smartphone 11 is also capable of sending and receiving information to and from the server device 13 via the Internet network 12. Therefore, for example, it is possible to supply information on the location or elements of a monitored area in which a temporary change has been detected by the temporary change detection means of the smartphone 11 (hereinafter also referred to as temporary change information) to the server device 13, and also to receive the results of analyzing this information from the server device 13.

In this embodiment, various means and functions, such as the function of the smartphone 11 as a temporary change detection means of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the function of a geographical location information supply means, the function of communicating with the server device 13, and the function of supplying power and communicating with the skin information collection device 10, are configured to be realized by executing a dedicated program (dedicated app) installed on the smartphone 11.

The smartphone 11 also functions as an aging factor manifestation prediction means for predicting the manifestation of aging factors in the skin, such as blemishes, wrinkles, and irregular skin texture, on various parts of the face of the subject T, based on information (described below) about the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated by the server device 13, and also functions as a notification information generation unit for generating images including notification information about beauty based on the prediction of the manifestation of aging factors, i.e., images to be displayed on the display of the smartphone 11 to notify the user U of the beauty information. These functions are also realized by the above-mentioned app.

The server device 13 is a computer device that functions as an exposure level estimation means in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, and together with the smartphone 11 constitutes part of the skin information analysis device.

The server device 13 estimates the degree of UV exposure at each part of the face based on the temporary change information provided by the smartphone 11. Information regarding the estimated degree of UV exposure is sent back via the Internet network 12 to the smartphone 11 of the subject T, which is the source of the temporary change information.

In addition, the temporary change information supplied from the smartphone 11 to the server device 13 and the corresponding information on the estimated degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays are stored in the database 13a. In particular, the server device 13 can be accessed via the Internet network 12 by multiple user devices 15, such as user devices 15a and 15b of other users, and the individual data supplied to the server device 13 from each user device 15 is stored in the database 13a and can be used as big data. This big data can be provided for secondary use, as well as by the operator of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1. In other words, it can be made available for use by those who wish to use the big data, such as cosmetics manufacturers, by entering into a license agreement.

Next, the procedure for using the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 having such a configuration and the flow of processing will be explained while assuming a somewhat concrete scenario. Here, as shown in FIG. 1(a) above, the subject T is the user U, and the user U carries the smartphone 11 with him on a daily basis. In addition, the user U has already started using the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 on a daily basis, and predetermined information about the user U has been stored in the memory area of the smartphone 11 and in the database 13a of the server device 13.

At the end of the day, before going to bed, user U begins using the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 to check today's (Sunday, May 16, 20XX) skin information. Subject T also performed the same operations described below last night before going to bed. Therefore, the skin information check that subject T will perform from now on will check the information from the approximately 24 hours from last night's (previous) check to the present.

When using the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the user U first launches a program for providing skin information (hereinafter also referred to as a skin information providing app) that is pre-installed on the smartphone 11.

As shown in Fig. 3, a screen (user input screen 20) is then displayed, which prompts the user U to enter information. In addition to today's date display section 21, the user input screen 20 also has a countermeasure input section 22 for inputting UV protection measures taken by the user U today, and a diary section 23 for freely inputting events of the day, and the user U enters information in each section.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, user U inputs into the countermeasure input section 22 that he/she did not take any special measures against ultraviolet rays today, and into the diary section 23 that he/she got up at 6:30 in the morning, did some housework, drove a car for a long time, and played tennis in the sunshine in the afternoon.

The user input screen 20 also includes a digital mirror section 24. The digital mirror section 24 is a section that displays in real time the face of the user U captured by the front camera 16f of the smartphone 11, and functions as a means for presenting a visible light image of the face to the user U (visible light image presenting means) in the same way as a mirror.

The digital mirror unit 24 is used for confirmation when the user U uses the skin information collection device 10 to measure the skin of each part of the face (acquiring the state of a specific element). That is, after inputting the above-mentioned countermeasure input unit 22 and diary unit 23, the user U connects the skin information collection device 10 to the smartphone 11 via the communication cable 10a to construct the user device 15.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the face is adjusted so that it is within the angle of view G of the front camera 16f while referring to the digital mirror unit 24, and the tip of the skin information collection device 10 is placed against the skin on each part of the face to obtain the state of a specific element of the skin, in this case the state of the skin temperature, for each part.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the points where temperature should be measured (areas to be monitored) are predefined as four locations: the forehead, the left and right cheeks, and the chin. The user U measures the temperature by placing the tip of the skin information collection device 10 against these locations, but the user U can measure from any of these four locations in any order.

In other words, when the smartphone 11 associates the four predetermined monitoring target areas on the face (forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin) with the skin temperature state acquired by the skin information collection device 10 at any of these monitoring target areas, the smartphone 11 estimates which of the four areas (forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin) the temperature state was acquired from, for example by image analysis of the tip position of the skin information collection device 10, based on the face image captured by the front camera 16f while the skin temperature state is acquired by the skin information collection device 10, and is configured to set the temperature state acquired when the measurement button 10c of the skin information collection device 10 is pressed as the temperature state of the area estimated at that time.

Here, the user U obtains the temperature status of each monitored body part in the following order: right cheek → chin → left cheek → forehead (not shown), and the temperature status for each monitored body part is stored in the memory area of the smartphone 11.

The smartphone 11 also references the past temperature conditions for each part of the body that have been stored in the memory area through previous use of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, detects temporary changes caused by ultraviolet rays in each monitored part of the body, and determines the extent of those changes.

The operation of this temporary change detection means may, for example, be to determine the skin temperature when it is considered that the user U is not affected by ultraviolet rays based on the past movement history or the amount of ultraviolet rays observed in the past as the normal skin temperature, and determine that a temporary change has occurred when the temperature is higher than this, or it may employ known methods such as having AI (artificial intelligence) determine multiple factors to detect temporary changes.

Here, the temporary change detection means detects temporary changes in all four areas: the forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin, and the degree of change is evaluated on a four-level scale of "no change," "slight change," "somewhat clear change," and "noticeable change." The forehead, left cheek, and chin are deemed to have undergone "somewhat clear change," while the right cheek is deemed to have undergone "noticeable change."

After performing the operation of detecting the temporary change, the smartphone 11 then transmits information (temporary change information) regarding the location and degree of the temporary change detected by the temporary change detection means to the server device 13 via the Internet network 12.

The smartphone 11 also transmits to the server device 13 the geographical location information of the user U at each time, i.e., a 24-hour movement history, which is generated by storing data generated by the GPS radio signal receiving unit, which is a geographical location information supply means, in a memory area.

On the other hand, the server device 13 is configured to execute a program that causes it to function as part of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, and to function as various means, such as analyzing information and transmitting the analysis results to each user device 15, which is a client.

The server device 13 receives the temporary change information and geographical location information supplied from the skin information collection device 10 via the Internet network 12, and estimates the degree of exposure based on the movement history based on the geographical location information, information on the amount of UV rays observed in the area in the movement history separately obtained from the Internet, information on UV protection measures input by the user U in the measures input section 22 of the user input screen 20, and various other information as necessary.

For example, based on the travel speed obtained from the geographical location information, it is determined that the user U traveled by car, the temporary change information is corrected taking into account the temperature, and further, by referring to the big data accumulated in the database 13a of the server device 13, the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays of the user U is estimated for each of the four locations of the forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin by known methods, particularly AI methods, and further the overall degree of exposure is also estimated. The estimated degree of exposure may be a numerical value, but may also be evaluated in several stages. Here, the estimated information on the degree of exposure is output in five stages: low, slightly low, normal, slightly high, and high. The information on the degree of exposure estimated for each part and for the whole is transmitted to the smartphone 11 of the user U via the Internet network 12.

The smartphone 11, which has received the estimated information on the degree of exposure, further acquires information on the amount of UV rays in the area based on the movement history from the GPS-based movement history stored in the memory area and information on the amount of UV rays in each area provided via the Internet network 12, and functions as a notification information generator to generate a calendar image 30 that lists both the estimated degree of exposure and the actual amount of UV rays based on the behavioral history.

The generated calendar image 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the smartphone 11, which is the notification unit, as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the actual amount of ultraviolet light based on the behavioral history and the overall exposure level of the user U, which is estimated as "high" by the server device 13 functioning as the exposure level estimation means, are displayed in the square for Sunday, May 16th.

When user U taps the box for today (Sunday, May 16th) with his/her fingertip, as indicated by the dotted line in Figure 5, smartphone 11 functions as a notification information generator and generates a daily report image 40 based on today's weather information obtained from the Internet network 12, user U's movement history for today, UV protection information for user U entered on user input screen 20, and information on the estimated degree of exposure for each monitored area and for the entire body.

At this time, the smartphone 11 also functions as an aging factor manifestation prediction means that refers to the history of the degree of exposure to ultraviolet light that has been estimated each time the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 has been used, and based on this, predicts the manifestation of aging factors of the skin of the monitored area of the user U, such as age spots, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other factors that make the face look old or that should be avoided from a cosmetic standpoint. In addition, the use of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 up to this point improves the accuracy of predictions of the manifestation of aging factors thereafter.

The generated daily report image 40 is an image in which more detailed information is compiled in the form of a daily report, and is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the smartphone 11, which serves as the notification unit, as shown in FIG. 6.

The daily report image 40 includes today's weather information 41, user U's behavior information 42, UV protection information 43, and overall estimated exposure level information 44.

The weather information 41 is obtained via the Internet 12, and displays today's weather and ultraviolet ray amount. Here, it is displayed that the weather today, May 16th (Sunday), was sunny, and that the ultraviolet ray amount was △△μw/ ^cm3 , which was very high. Note that the ultraviolet ray amount may be a specific numerical value as shown in Fig. 6, but it may also be expressed simply as a number classified into multiple levels, such as high and low.

The behavioral information 42 indicates the user U's movement history for the day, and the information is presented here by displaying the trajectory on a map.

The UV protection information 43 is information that is displayed based on the information that the user U inputs on the user input screen 20, and here, it is displayed that the user U did not take any special measures against UV rays today.

The estimated exposure level information 44 is information that is estimated about the user U's level of exposure to ultraviolet rays today, and is displayed here under the heading "effects of ultraviolet rays" so that the user U can easily understand. Here, it is displayed that the overall level of exposure of the user U to ultraviolet rays is estimated to be "high."

The estimated exposure level information 44 also includes a details confirmation button 44a for displaying details of the effects of ultraviolet rays, i.e., the estimated exposure level for each specified time period for each monitored area, in chronological order.

When the user U presses this detail confirmation button 44a, the notification information generating unit constituting the notification means of the smartphone 11 supplies image data for displaying the estimated degree of exposure for each specified time period in chronological order for each monitored area to the liquid crystal touch panel serving as the notification unit, and displays it.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the body part exposure degree information display screen 50 that is displayed when the user U presses the details confirmation button 44a. As shown in Figure 7, the body part exposure degree information display screen 50 displays body part information 51 (51a to 51d) for each of the four monitored body parts: the forehead, right cheek, left cheek, and chin.

The information by body part 51 also includes a body part display section 52a that indicates the body parts to be monitored, and a time series display section 52b. The body part display section 52a is a section that displays which body part's degree of exposure is indicated by the time series graph shown in the time series display section 52b.

The time series display section 52b is a section that shows a time series graph of the degree of exposure in the area shown in the area display section 52a, where the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the degree of exposure rated on a five-level scale of "low," "slightly low," "normal," "slightly high," and "high," and shows the change in the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays in a specified monitored area of the user U approximately every hour.

Looking at the four time series display sections 52b, we can see that the exposure level trends common to each body part are that the exposure level from morning until 9:00 is low to somewhat low, but that from 9:00 when the drive begins, exposure to UV rays continues to be considerable throughout the morning. Also, while the impact of UV rays was low during lunchtime indoors, the person played tennis in the afternoon in the sun for about two hours, which suggests that the person was exposed to a large amount of UV rays. After that, we can see that the exposure level gradually decreased as the sun set on the way home.

Also, noteworthy here is that, as shown by the dashed line in the time series display section 52b for the right cheek, the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays during the drive from 9:00 to 12:00 is greater than that of other parts. As will be mentioned later, this is because the server device 13, which functions as an exposure degree estimation means, takes into account the movement history of the user U, etc., and estimates that the right cheek was exposed to strong sunlight from the driver's seat side.

In addition, a time axis change button 54 is provided on the information display screen 50. This time axis change button 54 is a button for changing the time axis, i.e., the horizontal axis, of the time series graph displayed in the time series display section 52b, and includes a plus button 54a that zooms in on the range displayed on the horizontal axis, such as 1 month → 1 week → 1 day, each time the button is pressed, and a minus button 54b that zooms out, such as 1 day → 1 week → 1 month.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the time series graph shown in the time series display section 52b shows the fluctuations in the degree of exposure for each time of day, pressing the minus button 54b causes the time axis to zoom out and show the fluctuations in the degree of exposure for each day of the week.

If the minus button 54b is pressed again in this state, the time axis will zoom out further and a display will be displayed showing the fluctuations in exposure levels for each day over the course of a month.

Conversely, when the plus button 54a is pressed when the display shows the fluctuations in the degree of exposure for each day in the past month, the time axis is zoomed in and the display returns to show the fluctuations in the degree of exposure for each day in the past week. If the plus button 54a is pressed again, the time series graph shown in the time series display section 52b returns to show the fluctuations in the degree of exposure for each time of day.

In addition, a back button 53 is provided on the information display screen 50, and the user U can press the back button 53 to return to the daily report image 40.

Returning to the explanation of the daily report image 40, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower half of the daily report image 40 includes a part illustration display section 45 that displays information about each part along with a facial image. The part illustration display section 45 is made up of a facial image 46 and a part explanation 47.

The facial image 46 is an image that allows intuitive recognition of each part of the face that is to be monitored, and here, an actual facial image of the user U taken by the front camera 16f when acquiring the temperature state of each part that is to be monitored as shown in FIG. 4 is used. Note that this facial image 46 does not necessarily have to be an actual photograph, and may be an illustration that includes the parts that are to be monitored.

The explanation of each part 47 is a section that displays at least one of the following information: information about temporary changes in the condition of each monitored part, information about the estimated degree of exposure at that part, and information about skin aging factors predicted to appear in that part. Here, an example is shown in which all three pieces of information are displayed.

In addition, the explanations for each part 47 are displayed for each monitored part, such as explanations for the forehead 47a, explanations for the right cheek 47b, explanations for the left cheek 47c, and explanations for the chin 47d.

For example, referring to the explanation of each part 47c regarding the left cheek, the degree of temporary change is fairly clear, the estimated degree of exposure is estimated to be somewhat high, and furthermore, as described above, the smartphone 11 functions as a means for predicting the onset of aging factors, and thus the onset of age spots is predicted.

Furthermore, for the forehead and chin, the degree of temporary changes is also somewhat clear, and the estimated degree of exposure is estimated to be somewhat high, with the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead and sagging on the chin predicted.

In other words, based on an analysis of various information such as today's behavior history, actual amount of UV rays, and skin temperature state (element state) acquired by the skin information collection device 10, the degree of exposure of the forehead, left cheek, and chin to UV rays was determined to be "slightly high."

In contrast, when looking at the explanation for each part of the right cheek 47b, it is similar to the other three in that the appearance of aging factors (spots) is predicted, but the degree of temporary change is significant and the estimated degree of exposure is estimated to be high, suggesting that the impact of ultraviolet rays was greater than in other parts of the body.

This reflects the fact that when the server device 13 estimates the degree of exposure using AI technology, it refers to the user U's behavioral history, and takes into consideration the user U's travel speed, which indicates that the user traveled by car, the direction of travel, the sunlight conditions, and the fact that there was a noticeable temporary change in the right cheek, and estimates that the user U was seated in the driver's seat and drove while being exposed to sunlight for a long period of time. Conversely, even if the cheek temperature is higher than normal and is detected as a temporary change, if the temperatures of both cheeks are approximately the same, it is possible to take other circumstances into account and estimate that the user has a fever due to a cold or the like, and to perform an appropriate action without reflecting this in the estimated degree of exposure.

In this way, the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 infers from temporary changes in the skin of the subject T (user U) that the subject T has been exposed to a lot of UV rays and provides advice, so that by obtaining information provided about each monitored area, the user U can clearly, or even quantitatively to a certain extent, know what kind of care should be given to each area, and thus maintain beautiful skin.

The part diagram display section 45 also displays a future face prediction button 48. This future face prediction button 48 is a button for displaying the future predicted appearance of the user U, and when the future face prediction button 48 is pressed, the smartphone 11 generates a future face image by adding aging elements to the actual face image of the user U taken by the front camera 16f when acquiring the temperature state of each monitored part shown in FIG. 4, and displays it on the liquid crystal touch panel.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the future face display screen 60. The future face image 61 displayed approximately in the center of the future face display screen 60 is a face image in which graphics of aging factors predicted by the aforementioned aging factor manifestation prediction means are displayed in the predicted areas, and in this case, a realistic future face image 61 that has been processed from a live-action facial image of the user U is displayed.

Specifically, an image of wrinkles will be displayed on the forehead where wrinkles are predicted to appear, images of blemishes will be displayed on the left and right cheeks where blemishes are predicted to appear, and an image of sagging skin will be displayed on the chin where sagging skin is predicted to appear.

In addition, the right cheek, which is estimated to have been exposed to ultraviolet rays, is reproduced in the future face image 61 with more age spots than the left cheek.

By displaying the future face display screen 60 in this manner, it is possible to more reliably raise awareness among the user U about the importance of taking measures against ultraviolet rays.

Regarding the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, the configuration of each part can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above-mentioned first skin information collection and utilization system A1, an example was given in which a smartphone 11 was used to construct the user device 15, but this is not limited to this, and it may be, for example, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc., or it may be a dedicated device for constructing the first skin information collection and utilization system A1.

In addition, in the example of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, the user U is also the subject T as shown in FIG. 1(a), but it goes without saying that the user U and subject T may be separate, such as in a beauty salon, as shown in FIG. 1(b).

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the facial image 46 shown in the daily report image 40 and the future facial image 61 shown on the future facial display screen 60 are based on real-life images of the subject T, but are not limited to this and may be based on illustrated images.

In addition, in the daily report image 40, the behavioral information 42 is displayed as a map, but it is also possible to configure the behavioral information to be displayed as text information.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, when detecting a temporary change, the skin temperature of the monitored area when the user U is thought not to be affected by ultraviolet rays is taken as the normal skin temperature, and if the temperature is higher than this, it is determined that a temporary change has occurred. However, this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to refer to the skin temperature of a body surface area other than the monitored area at approximately the same time as acquiring the state of the skin temperature of the monitored area, and to determine that a temporary change has occurred if this temperature difference is greater than a predetermined value. In this case, the measurement of the skin temperature of the body surface area other than the monitored area may be provided with a different temperature sensor as the second element state acquisition means, different from the temperature sensor used to measure the temperature of the monitored area.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the detection target for temporary changes in skin is skin temperature, but this is not limited to this. For example, a sensor that identifies skin color may be provided to capture temporary changes in skin color, or both skin temperature and skin color may be measured. If temporary changes are detected by referring to both, the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays can be estimated more accurately than when temporary changes are detected by only one of them.

In addition, when detecting temporary changes in skin color, a sensor that identifies skin color can be configured to capture skin image data using an image sensor, and the control unit can process this data to compare the skin color with past skin colors to identify it.

In this case, the imaging element may be an imaging element of the camera unit 16 provided in the smartphone 11. For example, a temporary change in skin color may be captured based on an image of the substantially entire face captured when displayed on the digital mirror unit 24 of the user input screen 20.

If the camera unit 16 has a macro function, it is also possible to bring the camera unit 16 close to the skin of the area to be monitored and take a close-up shot to capture temporary changes in skin color. Even if the smartphone 11 does not have a macro function, a close-up lens unit 70 as shown in FIG. 9(b) can be separately attached to the rear camera 16b of the smartphone 11 shown in FIG. 9(a).

With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, the user can obtain a skin image by bringing the lens portion 71 of the close-up lens unit 70 close to the skin of the area to be monitored and taking a picture.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the skin information collection device 10 is not equipped with a means for capturing images, but it is of course possible to implement an imaging means in the skin information collection device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a macro lens camera unit 80d as an imaging means capable of taking close-up images of the skin can be disposed at the tip of the skin information collecting device 80, and together with a temperature sensor 80b also disposed at the tip, the temperature state of the monitored area and the captured image can be acquired. In this case, another temperature sensor 80e, which is the second element state acquisition means described above, can also be disposed at the gripping portion of the skin information collecting device 80. By detecting temporary state changes related to specific elements of the skin based on temperature information from these temperature sensors 80b and 80e and captured images from the macro lens camera unit 80d, the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays can be estimated with greater accuracy. In other words, the accuracy of analysis can be improved by predicting exposure to a large amount of ultraviolet rays based on close-up images of the skin and skin temperature.

The acquired skin image can be used to detect skin texture and blemishes, and in beauty salons, for example, the color tone and contrast can be adjusted to make the image easier to see skin texture and blemishes, and this can be presented to customers to give advice, etc.

Specifically, a skin analysis screen 90 as shown in FIG. 12 may be displayed. In addition to a skin analysis image display section 91 and a skin analysis evaluation display section 92, the skin analysis screen 90 includes today's weather information 41, similar to the daily report image 40 described above, UV protection information 43, overall estimated exposure level information 44, and a section 45 showing diagrams of each part.

The skin analysis image display section 91 is a section that displays close-up images of the skin captured by the aforementioned rear camera 16b or macro lens camera section 80d, as well as images that have been processed based on the same images. In addition to the normal skin image 91a, images in which the texture and blemishes have been accentuated through image adjustments such as contrast are displayed. Such image display allows the subject T to more clearly recognize the condition of his or her skin.

The skin analysis evaluation display section 92 is a section that displays the analysis results of the skin condition obtained by analyzing the acquired close-up image of the skin, and here, the analysis results are displayed in the form of a radar chart for each item such as texture, transparency, whitening level, age spots, pore condition, and amount of fine wrinkles. In addition, below the radar chart, a comparison result with the general skin of the same age is displayed, allowing the user to understand the condition of their skin relative to their age.

These analysis results may simply be displayed on the skin analysis evaluation display unit 92, but may also be referenced when the exposure level estimation means estimates the degree of exposure to ultraviolet light. With this configuration, the accuracy of estimating the degree of exposure can be further improved.

In addition, the display may be configured to present analysis results such as those shown in the skin analysis image display section 91 and the skin analysis evaluation display section 92, as well as other skin information, and to introduce recommended products according to the skin condition. For example, on each screen for providing information, specifically the calendar image 30, the daily report image 40, the information display screen 50, the future face display screen 60, the skin analysis screen 90, etc., it is possible to display and introduce images of cosmetics such as lotions that cool skin that has become hot due to ultraviolet rays, or images of skin care devices with facial beautifying effects. In particular, it is possible to suggest cosmetics that are suitable for the amount of ultraviolet rays exposed and the area, and to suggest a schedule for using cosmetics based on time-series data.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, a feedback information input button 93 is provided in each part explanation 47 of the each part diagram display section 45.

The feedback information input button 93 functions as a means for the user U to input the validity of the result of the estimated degree of ultraviolet exposure, and is composed of three buttons: an upward revision button 93a, a validity button 93b, and a downward revision button 93c.

Here, we will explain with reference to the explanation of each part 47a related to the forehead. When the user U checks the explanation of each part 47a related to the forehead, if the user U gets the impression that "in reality, I may have been exposed to more UV rays," then by pressing the upward correction button 93a, the user U's feeling is referred to in the estimation of the degree of UV exposure in the server device 13, and is fed back to improve the reliability of the prediction.

In addition, if user U gets the impression that "maybe he/she hasn't actually been exposed to that much UV rays," he/she can press the downward revision button 93c, and if he/she gets the impression that "this is a roughly reasonable estimation result," he/she can press the reasonableness button 93b.Similarly, user U's sense is referenced in the estimation of the degree of UV exposure in the server device 13, and is fed back to improve the reliability of the prediction.

In addition, in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, the areas of the skin to be monitored are four: the forehead, the left and right cheeks, and the chin. However, this is not limited to these areas. For example, the area between the eyebrows, the face line, the nose, under the nose, and under the chin may also be monitored, and areas other than the face may also be monitored.

[2. The second skin information collection and utilization system]
Next, the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 will be described. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 having the form of a facial treatment device 100.

The second skin information collection and utilization system A2 is generally similar to the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above in that it acquires the state of specific elements in the skin of each part of the face, which is the monitored area, detects temporary changes, and estimates the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays based on this, but is functionally different in that it provides treatment based on the obtained estimated degree of exposure.

The first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above was constructed by connecting a skin information collection device 10, a smartphone 11, an Internet network 12, a server device 13, etc., but the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 does not link with other devices, and is structurally significantly different in that the system is completed within the facial treatment device 100 shown in Figure 13.

This device is the second skin information collection and utilization system A2, but it is also the facial beauty treatment device 100. For ease of explanation, the configuration will be explained from the perspective of the facial beauty treatment device 100, and then the configuration and operation will be explained from the perspective of the second skin information collection and utilization system A2.

As shown in FIG. 14, the facial treatment device 100 allows a user U to hold the treatment device main body 112 and place the contact portion 114 against the skin, so that the contact portion 114 functions as an ion introduction portion to treat the skin.

The intensity of this treatment is also controlled by the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet light. That is, areas estimated to be highly exposed to ultraviolet light have a stronger treatment intensity to achieve efficient treatment, while areas estimated to be less exposed have a weaker treatment intensity to reduce power consumption.

As shown in FIG. 13, the facial beauty treatment device 100 has a roughly elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a thick plate-like appearance that curves slightly backward from the middle to the top. The treatment device main body 112 has a circumference large enough to be held in the palm of the hand, and its vertical length is large enough that the top part extends beyond the hand when the housing is held.

The treatment device body 112 is the main part of the facial treatment device 100 in which the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 and the iontophoresis unit are mounted, and has a roughly cylindrical contact part 114 protruding from the upper front surface.

The contact portion 114 is the portion that comes into contact with the skin to be treated, and is made of a conductor such as metal so that it functions as one electrode for forming a potential gradient when the iontophoresis portion is functioning.

Specifically, cotton 115 soaked in cosmetics or the like is placed on the upper surface 114a of the contact portion 114, and a ring-shaped fixing device (not shown) is attached from above the cotton 115, thereby fixing the cotton 115 to the contact portion 114. In this state, by operating the iontophoresis unit described below and passing electricity through the cotton 115 to the skin against which the contact portion 114 is in contact, it is possible to perform iontophoresis of a specific component contained in the cosmetics or the like. At this time, heating is also performed by a heater as necessary. Although not shown in the figure, the other electrode that is used during iontophoresis is disposed on the rear part of the treatment device main body 112.

In addition, a skin color acquisition unit 102 and a temperature acquisition unit 103 are provided on the upper surface 114a of the contact portion 114.

The skin color acquisition unit 102 is a part for acquiring the color state of a specific element of the skin using an image sensor (not shown) built into the contact unit 114, and in the skin information collection mode described below, information on the skin color state (hereinafter also referred to as skin color information) acquired by the skin color acquisition unit 102 is supplied to the control unit 130 and used to detect temporary changes in the skin state.

The temperature acquisition unit 103 is also a part for acquiring the temperature state of a specific element of the skin. In the skin information collection mode, information on the state of the skin temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 103 (hereinafter also referred to as skin temperature information) is supplied to the control unit 130 and used to detect temporary changes in the skin state. An insulating part 103a made of a material with low thermal conductivity is formed around the temperature acquisition unit 103. This insulating part 103a is intended to prevent heat from affecting the measurement by the temperature acquisition unit 103 when the contact part 114 is heated to warm the skin.

In addition, an operation unit 117 is provided on the front of the facial treatment device 100, allowing the user U to input instructions to the control unit 130 housed inside the treatment device main body 112.

In addition, a palm temperature acquisition unit 101 is provided on the side of the facial treatment device 100. This palm temperature acquisition unit 101 is a second temperature acquisition unit for measuring the temperature of the palm as the skin of another body surface part, rather than the facial skin that is the subject of acquisition of the state of a specific element, that is, a part corresponding to the second element state acquisition means. Note that the other side electrode for the aforementioned ion introduction, which is the opposite electrode of the contact part 114 and is provided on the back part of the treatment device main body 112, can also be provided in the same position as this palm temperature acquisition unit 101, rather than on the back part. In other words, it is preferable that the surface of the palm temperature acquisition unit 101 that comes into contact with the palm is made of a metal with good thermal conductivity, but since metal is also conductive, it can also function as the other side electrode for ion introduction, which can contribute to reducing the number of parts.

The operation unit 117 is provided with a power button 117a, a function button 117b, and a mode selection button 117c, and each button is electrically connected to the control unit 130.

The power button 117a is a button for starting up the facial beauty treatment device 100 or for turning off the power. When the power button 117a is pressed before start-up, power is supplied from the power source (a battery, not shown, built into the facial beauty treatment device 100 in this embodiment) to the control unit 130, making it possible to function the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 and the iontophoresis unit. When the power button 117a is pressed after start-up, power to the control unit 130 is cut off and the facial beauty treatment device 100 returns to the state before start-up.

The function button 117b is a button that performs different functions depending on the mode selected by the mode selection button 117c described below. When the operation unit 117 is pressed in the skin information collection mode, the elemental condition of the skin is acquired, similar to the measurement button 10c of the skin information collection device 10 in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above. Note that in this facial treatment device 100 (second skin information collection and utilization system A2), the elemental condition of the skin is acquired by acquiring both the skin temperature and the skin color.

When the operation unit 117 is pressed in the treatment mode, power is supplied to the pulse current supply circuit 49 (described later) and other components constituting the iontophoresis unit, and ions are introduced into the skin that is in contact with the contact unit 114 via the cotton 115. Power is also supplied to the heater, sensor, and other components constituting the heating unit, and the skin that is in contact with the contact unit 114 is heated as necessary.

As described above, the mode selection button 117c is a button for switching between the skin information collection mode and the treatment mode. Although it is possible to use the facial treatment device 100 only in the treatment mode, in order to achieve efficient treatment, the general usage mode envisioned for this device is to first execute the skin information collection mode to estimate the degree of exposure to ultraviolet light for each part of the skin, and then perform treatment based on the estimated results.

An indicator lamp 117d is provided at the top of the operation unit 117. Under the control of the control unit 130, the indicator lamp 117d is turned off before the facial treatment device 100 is started and turned on after startup, thereby indicating the startup state of the facial treatment device 100. The indicator lamp 117d is also made of a so-called multi-color LED, and notifies the user U by changing the color to indicate whether the facial treatment device 100 is in skin information collection mode or treatment mode.

Next, regarding the facial beauty treatment device 100, the focus will shift to the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 according to this embodiment, and the usage procedure and processing flow will be explained while assuming a somewhat specific scenario. The second skin information collection and utilization system A2 will also be explained assuming a case in which the subject T is the user U. The user U has already started using the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 on a daily basis, and the memory area provided inside the facial beauty treatment device 100 already stores skin color information (normal skin color information) measured by the user U himself for each monitored area when not affected by ultraviolet rays. Note that the monitored areas are set to four areas on the face, the forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin, as in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above.

When using the second skin information collection and utilization system A2, the user U first presses the power button 117a to start up the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 (facial beauty treatment device 100).

Next, when the mode selection button 117c is operated to select the skin information collection mode and the function button 117b is pressed, the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 transitions to the skin information collection mode.

Here, the control unit 130 issues voice guidance to the user U to measure the skin of each part of the face (acquire the state of a specific element). Specifically, the control unit 130 functions as a guidance means that sequentially guides the user U to the parts of the face where the skin color and skin temperature state should be acquired by the element state acquisition means, the skin color acquisition unit 102 and the temperature acquisition unit 103, namely the four parts of the face, the forehead, the left and right cheeks, and the chin.

For example, when the control unit 130 functions as a guide means and issues a guide from the built-in speaker saying, "Place the contact part against your right cheek," the user U is prompted to acquire the state of a specific element of the right cheek, as shown in FIG. 14, and by pressing the function button 117b, information on the skin color state of the right cheek is acquired by the skin color acquisition unit 102, and information on the temperature state of the right cheek is acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 103. At this time, palm temperature information is also acquired from the palm temperature acquisition unit 101, and each is supplied to the control unit 130.

Next, the built-in speaker gives instructions such as "Place the contact part against your left cheek," "Place the contact part against your chin," and "Place the contact part against your forehead." With each instruction, the user U places the contact part 114 at the specified location and presses the function button 117b to obtain information on the skin color condition and temperature condition of each part. Each piece of information obtained is stored in a specified memory area of the second skin information collection and utilization system A2.

In this way, the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 is characterized in that, in acquiring the status of a specific element, when associating multiple monitored areas with the status of a specific skin element acquired by the element status acquisition means at each monitored area, the status of the specific element acquired immediately after each guidance by the guidance means is regarded as the status of the specific element at the same guidance area.

Next, the control unit 130 refers to normal skin color information stored in advance in a specified memory area and the palm temperature state acquired by the palm temperature acquisition unit 101 to detect temporary changes caused by ultraviolet rays in each monitored area and judge the extent of those changes.

Specifically, the skin color information acquired from each part is compared with the normal skin color information, and if the degree of redness is greater than a predetermined level, it can be determined that there is a temporary change. In addition, the temperature information acquired from each part is compared with the palm temperature state information, and if the temperature is higher than a predetermined level, it can be determined that there is a temporary change. When comparing the skin color information acquired from each part with the normal skin color information, it is desirable to generate preliminary information in advance, such as whether the subject T is dark-skinned or light-skinned, based on the normal skin color information. If the subject T has dark skin, changes in skin color caused by ultraviolet rays tend not to appear easily. However, even in such cases, by generating preliminary information in advance and referring to this, it is possible to take into account that even a slight change may be due to a large exposure to ultraviolet rays, and it is possible to estimate the degree of temporary change with even greater accuracy.

Here, it is also possible to estimate the degree of temporary change by comprehensively taking into account the results regarding temporary changes obtained based on skin color information and the results regarding temporary changes obtained based on temperature information. By performing such processing, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of estimating the degree of temporary change.

Here, the temporary change detection means takes into account both the skin color information and the temperature information, and the degree of temporary change is determined to be "no change" for the "forehead" and "chin" on the four-point scale mentioned above, "slight change" for the right cheek, and "somewhat clear change" for the left cheek.

After performing the detection operation for the temporary change, the control unit 130 next estimates the degree of exposure of each monitored area based on the temporary change information provided.

For example, this does not involve as complex a process as the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, and the degree of exposure of each monitored area may be determined in proportion to the degree of temporary change, or the degree of exposure may be estimated after processing to reduce errors due to certain factors, such as taking into account the room temperature at the time of measurement.

Here, on a five-point scale of little, slightly little, normal, slightly more, and more, the forehead and chin were rated as "little," the right cheek was "normal," and the left cheek was "slightly more."

After estimating the degree of exposure, the control unit 130 then emits a sound from the built-in speaker to prompt the user to switch to the treatment mode.

Then, upon hearing this voice, the user U operates the mode selection button 117c to select the treatment mode, and presses the function button 117b to switch the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 to the treatment mode.

The user U also places cotton 115 soaked in lotion on the upper surface 114a of the contact portion 114 and secures the cotton 115 in place with a ring-shaped fixture (not shown).

Next, when the user U presses the function button 117b, the control unit 130 starts to pass electricity to the contact part 114, making it possible to administer treatment, and then a message is given to the user U via the built-in speaker saying, "Please place the contact part against your right cheek."

Following this guidance, the user U places the contact part 114 against his or her right cheek, and treatment using iontophoresis begins. At this time, the estimated exposure level on the right cheek is "normal," so treatment is performed with a general level of electrical current.

After the right cheek has been treated for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 130 then issues a message to the user U through the built-in speaker saying, "Place the contact part against your left cheek." When the user U follows this message and places the contact part 114 against his left cheek, a relatively stronger current is applied than the normal current applied to the right cheek, and treatment with a slightly higher intensity is performed, based on the estimated degree of exposure to the left cheek being "slightly high."

In this way, more intense treatment can be selectively administered to areas with a higher estimated degree of exposure, making it possible to efficiently maintain the skin.

Similarly, the control unit 130 sequentially guides the user U to "Place the contact part against your chin" and "Place the contact part against your forehead." At this point, since the estimated degree of exposure for the "chin" and "forehead" was "low," weaker treatment is performed with a relatively weaker current than the normal current applied to the right cheek.

In this way, by selectively administering low-intensity treatment to areas with a low estimated degree of exposure, it is possible to reduce the power consumed by the second skin information collection and utilization system A2, and it is possible to extend the operating time of the battery-powered second skin information collection and utilization system A2, for example.

As described above, the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 according to this embodiment can provide a skin information collection and utilization system that can infer whether a subject has been exposed to a lot of UV rays and which areas have been exposed to the most UV rays from temporary changes in the subject's skin, and can then provide treatment.

In addition, with regard to the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 described above, the configuration of each part can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the above-mentioned second skin information collection and utilization system A2 is configured to be completed by a single device, but this is not limited to this, and the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 may be configured together with a separate device such as a computer or smartphone connected by wire or wirelessly. In this case, the facial treatment device 100 is equipped with an element state acquisition means and a treatment means, and the other means constituting the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 can be left to the smartphone or computer.

In addition, the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 described above is not configured to connect to the Internet network, but it may be possible to connect and download the necessary information, etc. as needed.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second skin information collection and utilization system A2, the palm temperature acquisition unit 101, which is the second element state acquisition means (second temperature measurement unit), is provided on the side of the treatment device main body 112, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the temperature measurement target can be the skin of another body surface part. In addition, the second element state acquisition means is provided integrally with the housing of the facial treatment device 100, but it is also possible to configure the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 as a separate unit, for example, by using a thermometer capable of wireless communication with the facial treatment device 100 as the second element state acquisition means.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second skin information collection and utilization system A2, after acquiring information on the skin color and temperature conditions of all four monitored areas, temporary changes are detected and the degree of exposure is estimated, but this is not limited to the above, and for example, temporary changes may be detected each time the state of a specific element is acquired in the monitored area, and the degree of exposure may be estimated.

In addition, with this configuration, each time the state of a specific element is acquired at each monitored area, the user U can be notified of the estimated degree of exposure at that area.

Specifically, when the user U presses the function button 117b to obtain the state of a specific element, a voice message such as "The estimated degree of exposure is 'slightly low'" may be issued from the built-in speaker, or the degree of exposure may be indicated by color using an indicator lamp 117d provided on the operation unit 117.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second skin information collection and utilization system A2, the treatment performed when switching to the treatment mode is treatment by iontophoresis, but this is not limited to this, and any treatment method that is expected to have the effect of maintaining beautiful skin, such as treatment by low-frequency pulse current or treatment by vibration, can be used as appropriate.

In addition, if the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 has a function of cooling the skin via the contact portion 114, the cooling function for lowering the temperature of the skin prior to treatment may be operated first, or the cooling operation time may be extended.

The skin color acquisition unit 102 of the second skin information collection and utilization system A2 may be a predetermined element built into the contact unit 114, such as an image sensor, or may be a combination of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that analyzes the reflected light from the skin surface, so long as it is capable of acquiring the color state of a predetermined element of the skin, and the resolution, etc., is not an issue.

However, if the skin color acquisition unit 102 is provided with an image sensor having a number of pixels sufficient to detect skin texture and blemishes, and sufficient to allow the user U or subject T to confirm the presence of skin texture and blemishes when an image is displayed, and an optical system capable of taking close-up shots of the skin surface, it will be possible to make it easier for the subject T to check the skin condition by displaying an image, to display and notify the results of the skin analysis, and even to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the degree of exposure to ultraviolet light by the exposure degree estimation means by referring to these analysis results, as in the skin analysis image display unit 91 and skin analysis evaluation display unit 92 of the skin analysis screen 90 described above with reference to FIG. 12.

[3. The third skin information collection and utilization system]
Next, the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 will be described. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage mode of a mirror-type user device 200 having a form like a wall-mounted mirror, which is one of the components of the third skin information collection and utilization system A3. The third skin information collection and utilization system A3 has many components in common with the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, but differs in some points.

For example, the user device 15 in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above is configured by connecting a skin information collection device 10 and a smartphone 11, which are separate entities, but the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 differs in that the user device is configured as an integrated wall-mounted mirror.

The specific element of the skin to be acquired is the skin temperature, just like in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, but the configuration differs in that the temperature state of each monitored area of the user U's face is acquired in a non-contact manner using thermography.

The configuration of the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 according to this embodiment will be described below. However, as the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 has many components in common with the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 as described above, the description of the similar components will be simplified or omitted.

Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the third skin information collection and utilization system A3. The third skin information collection and utilization system A3 is composed of a mirror-type user device 200, an Internet network 212, and a server device 213.

The mirror-type user device 200 functions as an element status acquisition means for acquiring the temperature status of a specified element from the skin of the monitored area of the user U who is the subject T, which in this embodiment is several locations (forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin), and also functions as a temporary change detection means, and further functions as a notification means having a notification unit that can display information such as skin-related advice in the form of an image. The mirror-type user device 200 is essentially an information and communication terminal having the outer shape of a mirror, and the control unit 203 described below is configured to be able to execute programs such as various applications.

Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the mirror-type user device 200. As shown in Figure 17, the mirror-type user device 200 is configured by disposing a mirror 202 over the entire surface inside a ring-shaped edge frame 201. In addition, the back side of the mirror 202 houses a control unit 203 that is responsible for the overall control of the mirror-type user device 200, and a thermography unit 207 that visualizes the temperature distribution of the body surface of the user U through an image, making it possible to measure the overall skin temperature of the user U's face.

In addition, the lens portion 204 and front camera 216f of the thermography unit 207 are arranged on the upper part of the edge frame 201 so as to be directed toward the face of the user U.

In addition, a human presence sensor 206 is provided at the bottom of the edge frame 201, making it possible to detect the approach of a person to the mirror-type user device 200.

In addition, a liquid crystal display 205 capable of displaying images is provided on the rear surface of the mirror 202 as a notification unit. When an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 205, the displayed image can be seen through the mirror 202. However, when no image is displayed, the liquid crystal display 205 is not visible and functions as a mirror. Therefore, the portion of the mirror 202 facing the liquid crystal display 205 is configured as a so-called magic mirror (one-way mirror).

In addition, a touch pad is provided in this magic mirror portion, forming a touch panel together with the LCD display 205, allowing the user U to make specific inputs by touching it.

The mirror 202 also functions as a visible light image presenting means capable of presenting a visible light image of substantially the entire face of the user U in the mirror-type user device 200. In other words, it makes it possible to visually recognize the visible light image of the user U when photographed by the thermography device.

As shown in FIG. 16, the mirror-type user device 200 can also exchange information with a server device 213 via the Internet network 212.

The mirror-type user device 200 also functions as an aging factor manifestation prediction means for predicting the manifestation of skin aging factors such as blemishes and wrinkles on various parts of the face, similar to the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, based on information regarding the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated by the server device 213, and also functions as a notification information generation unit for generating an image including notification information regarding beauty based on the prediction of the manifestation of aging factors, i.e., an image for displaying on the liquid crystal display 205 to notify the user U of the beauty information. These functions are also realized by an app executed in the control unit 203.

Note that the Internet network 212 and the server device 213 have substantially the same configuration as the Internet network 12 and the server device 13 of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, and therefore their explanation will be omitted.

Next, the procedure for using the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 having such a configuration and the flow of processing will be explained while assuming a somewhat specific scenario. The third skin information collection and utilization system A3 will also be explained assuming a case where the subject T is the user U. The user U has already started using the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 on a daily basis, and a temperature distribution image (normal skin temperature distribution image) of the user U taken by the thermography device when not affected by ultraviolet rays has already been stored in the memory area provided inside the mirror-type user device 200. Note that the areas to be monitored are set to four locations on the face, the forehead, left and right cheeks, and chin, as in the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above.

When the user U returns home from outside and approaches the mirror-type user device 200, the human presence sensor 206 detects the user U, and the control unit 203 starts the startup operation of the mirror-type user device 200.

The control unit 203 then displays on the LCD display 205 whether or not to start acquiring skin temperature status, and waits for input from the user U.

When user U touches the start button displayed on the liquid crystal display 205 via the touchpad and positions approximately the entirety of his or her face in a specified position while looking at the mirror 202, the thermography unit 207 starts up and captures an image of the entirety of user U's face via the lens section 204, generating an image of the temperature distribution of the face. In addition, the front camera 216f starts up and captures an image of user U's face (visible light image).

Next, the control unit 203 refers to a normal skin temperature distribution image stored in advance in a specified memory area, and compares it with the acquired temperature distribution image to detect temporary changes caused by ultraviolet rays in each monitored area, and judges the extent of those changes.

After performing the operation of detecting the temporary change, the control unit 203 then transmits information (temporary change information) regarding the location and degree of the temporary change detected by the temporary change detection means to the server device 213 via the Internet network 212.

The server device 213 receives the temporary change information supplied via the Internet network 12 and estimates the degree of exposure while referring to information on the observation results of the amount of ultraviolet light obtained from the Internet and various other information. The estimated information on the degree of exposure is transmitted to the mirror-type user device 200 of the user U via the Internet network 212.

After receiving the estimated information on the degree of exposure, the mirror-type user device 200 then displays each image, such as a calendar image, on the LCD display 205 in a manner similar to the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 described above, and provides the user U with information about their skin.

For example, the control unit 203 functions as a notification information generating unit, and generates a calendar image together with the estimated degree of exposure using information on the amount of ultraviolet light in a specific area (e.g., information on the amount of ultraviolet light at home) acquired via the Internet network 212. The generated calendar image is an image as shown in FIG. 5, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display 205, which is the notification unit.

In addition, based on the estimated information on the degree of exposure, a screen similar to the daily report image, information display screen, and future face display screen is displayed. Note that compared to the calendar image 30, daily report image 40, information display screen 50, future face display screen 60, etc. of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1, location information and other missing information are not displayed.

The third skin information collection and utilization system A3 according to this embodiment can also provide a skin information collection and utilization system that can infer whether the subject T, i.e., user U, has been exposed to a lot of UV rays and the areas that have been exposed to the most UV rays from temporary changes in the skin, and can provide advice.

In particular, by using the mirror-type user device 200, the user U can easily check his or her skin when checking his or her appearance, and can keep the skin beautiful.

In addition, with regard to the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 described above, the configuration of each part can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the first skin information collection and utilization system of this embodiment, the system is provided with at least one of the following means: an element status acquisition means for acquiring the status of a specific element of the skin of the monitored area; a treatment means including a treatment unit that performs skin treatment and a treatment control unit that controls the treatment intensity of the treatment unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin; and a notification means including a notification unit that notifies information about the skin and a notification information generation unit that generates notification information to be supplied to the notification unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin. The system provides treatment and/or provides information according to the acquired status of a specific element of the skin of the monitored area of the subject, The system includes a temporary change detection means for detecting a temporary change in the state of the specified element of the skin of the monitored area by comparing the state of the specified element acquired by the element state acquisition means with the past state of the specified element, and an exposure degree estimation means for estimating the degree of UV exposure of the skin of the monitored area based on the degree of the temporary state change detected by the temporary change detection means, and the treatment means performs treatment and/or the notification means provides information based on the degree of UV exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means, thereby providing a skin information collection and utilization system that can infer whether the subject has been exposed to a lot of UV rays and the areas that have been exposed to a lot of UV rays from temporary changes in the skin of the subject, and can provide treatment or advice.

Finally, the above-mentioned explanations of each embodiment are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, even if the embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiments, various modifications can be made depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

In particular, the configurations mentioned in the description of any of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 to the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 are of course applicable to the other systems of the first skin information collection and utilization system A1 to the third skin information collection and utilization system A3 within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, and are naturally included in the present invention. Therefore, the fact that a configuration described in an embodiment of one skin information collection and utilization system is not described as a configuration of an embodiment of another skin information and utilization system does not prevent the applicant from adding the configuration when patenting the other skin information and utilization system, a skin information and utilization system of a higher concept that includes each embodiment, or an invention related thereto. However, when patenting the one skin information and utilization system, a skin information and utilization system of a higher concept that includes each embodiment, or an invention related thereto, the applicant also does not prevent the omission of the configuration based on the fact that it is not described as a configuration of an embodiment of another skin information and utilization system.
The present application also includes the following points.
(1) A treatment means including an element state acquisition means for acquiring the state of a predetermined element of the skin of a monitoring target part, and including a treatment unit for treating the skin and a treatment control unit for controlling the intensity of the treatment of the treatment unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and at least one of a notification means including a notification unit for notifying information about the skin and a notification information generation unit for generating notification information to be supplied to the notification unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and a treatment and/or information acquisition means for acquiring the state of a predetermined element of the skin of a monitoring target part of a subject, the treatment and/or information acquisition means including an element state acquisition means for acquiring the state of a predetermined element of the skin of a monitoring target part of a subject, the treatment means including a treatment unit for performing a treatment of the skin and a treatment control unit for controlling the intensity of the treatment of the treatment unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and a notification means including a notification unit for notifying information about the skin and a notification information generation unit for generating notification information to be supplied to the notification unit based on the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin, and The skin information collection and utilization system provides skin information, the system comprising: a temporary change detection means for detecting a temporary change in the status of a specific element of the skin of the monitored area by comparing the status of the specific element acquired by the element status acquisition means with a past status of the specific element; and an exposure degree estimation means for estimating a degree of ultraviolet light exposure of the skin of the monitored area based on the degree of the temporary status change detected by the temporary change detection means, and the treatment means performs treatment and/or the notification means provides information based on the degree of ultraviolet light exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means.
(2) When comparing the state of the specified element with the past state of the specified element, the temporary change detection means also refers to the state of the specified element on the skin of other body surface parts.
(3) The element state acquisition means may include a second element state acquisition means for acquiring the state of the specified element on the skin of the monitored part or on the skin of another body surface part.
(4) The predetermined element of skin is skin color and/or skin temperature.
(5) A guidance means is provided which sequentially guides the user to the areas where the status of a specified element should be acquired by the element status acquisition means, and when matching the multiple monitored areas with the state of the specified skin element acquired by the element status acquisition means at each monitored area, the state of the specified element acquired immediately after each guidance by the guidance means is regarded as the state of the specified element of the same monitored area.
(6) Providing a visible light image presenting means capable of presenting a visible light image of substantially the entire face of the subject.
(7) The device is equipped with an alarm means having an alarm unit capable of displaying images, a geographical location information supplying means for supplying geographical location information of the subject at a specified time, and an ultraviolet ray amount information supplying means for supplying information on the amount of ultraviolet ray observed in a specified area, and the alarm information generating unit supplies data to the alarm unit for displaying a calendar image in which the estimated degree of exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means and the amount of ultraviolet ray supplied by the ultraviolet ray amount information supplying means for the geographical location at the specified time supplied by the geographical location information supplying means are shown side by side for each day.
(8) The notification means has an alarm unit capable of displaying images, and the notification information generating unit supplies data to the notification unit for displaying a daily report including weather information for a specified day, behavioral information of the subject on the specified day, information on UV protection measures taken by the subject on the specified day, and an estimated degree of exposure estimated by the exposure degree estimation means.
(9) The device comprises an alarm means having an alarm unit capable of displaying images, and an aging factor manifestation prediction means for predicting the manifestation of skin aging factors in the monitored areas of the subject based on the history of the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated by the exposure degree estimation means, and the alarm information generation unit supplies facial image data to the alarm unit, in which information regarding at least one of the following is displayed at a corresponding position on the facial image: a temporary state change detected at a specified monitored area of the face by the temporary change detection means, an estimated degree of exposure estimated for the specified monitored area of the face by the exposure degree estimation means, and a skin aging factor predicted to manifest for the specified monitored area of the face by the aging factor manifestation prediction means.
(10) The device comprises an alarm means having an alarm unit capable of displaying images, and an aging element manifestation prediction means for predicting the manifestation of skin aging elements in a monitored area of the subject based on the history of the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated by the exposure degree estimation means, and the alarm information generation unit supplies to the alarm unit facial image data in which skin aging elements predicted to manifest in a specified monitored area of the face by the aging element manifestation prediction means are drawn at corresponding positions on a facial image.
(11) The facial image is a photographed image of the subject's face.
(12) The notification means has an alarm unit capable of displaying images, and the notification information generation unit supplies data to the notification unit for displaying in chronological order the estimated degree of exposure for each specified time period estimated by the exposure degree estimation means.
(13) The exposure degree estimation means estimates the estimated exposure degree for each specified time period for each monitored area, and the notification information generation unit supplies data for displaying the chronological order to the notification unit for each monitored area.
(14) The system is constructed of two or more separate devices, and both the element state acquisition means and the treatment means are implemented in one of the devices.
(15) The system is configured to include a skin information collecting device having the element state acquisition means, and a skin information analyzing device having the temporary change detection means and the exposure degree estimation means, and the treatment means and/or notification means are provided in the skin information collecting device or the skin information analyzing device.
(16) The skin information analysis device is composed of an information communication terminal to which the skin information collecting device is connected and an information server device connected to the information communication terminal via the Internet, and the treatment means and/or the notification means are provided in the skin information collecting device or the information communication terminal.
(17) An imaging means is provided for imaging approximately the entire face of the subject, and when matching a plurality of predetermined monitoring target areas on the face with the state of a specified skin element acquired by the skin information collecting device at any one of these monitoring target areas, a monitoring target area from which the state of the specified element was acquired is estimated based on a facial image captured by the imaging means while the skin information collecting device is acquiring the state of the specified skin element, and the state of the specified element acquired when the facial image was taken is regarded as the state of the specified element at the estimated monitoring target area.

10 Skin information collection device 10b Temperature sensor 11 Smartphone 13 Server device 15 User device 16 Camera unit 20 User input screen 21 Date display unit 22 Countermeasure input unit 24 Digital mirror unit 30 Calendar image 40 Daily report image 41 Weather information 42 Behavioral information 43 UV protection information 44 Estimated exposure level information 46 Face image 61 Future face image 100 Facial beauty treatment device 101 Palm temperature acquisition unit 102 Skin color acquisition unit 103 Temperature acquisition unit 200 Mirror-type user device A1 First skin information collection and utilization system A2 Second skin information collection and utilization system A3 Third skin information collection and utilization system T Subject U User

Claims (2)

A treatment device body held by a user;
A conductive contact portion protruding from the upper front surface of the treatment device body;
a skin color acquisition unit and a temperature acquisition unit as element state acquisition means for acquiring the skin color and temperature state of the monitored part of the user, the element state acquisition unit being disposed on the upper surface of the contact part ;
a treatment unit that causes the contact portion to function as one electrode for forming a potential gradient and treats the skin by applying current to introduce ions of a predetermined component contained in the cosmetic material into the skin , and a treatment control unit that controls the intensity of the current as a treatment intensity of the treatment unit based on a degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays estimated to have been received by the skin,
A facial treatment type skin information collection and utilization system that performs treatment according to the acquired skin color and temperature of the monitored area of the user ,
a temporary change detection means for detecting a temporary change in the skin color and temperature of the monitoring target body part by comparing the color and temperature acquired by the skin color acquisition unit and the temperature acquisition unit with normal skin color information stored in a predetermined memory area and palm temperature state information acquired by a palm temperature acquisition unit described later;
an exposure degree estimation means for estimating an exposure degree of the skin of the monitoring target part to ultraviolet rays based on the degree of the temporary state change detected by the simultaneous change detection means;
The treatment is performed by the treatment means based on the ultraviolet exposure degree estimated by the exposure degree estimation means ,
Furthermore, a palm temperature acquisition unit with a metal contact surface is arranged at the position where the user holds the treatment device main body, as a second element state acquisition means, and the palm temperature acquisition unit is used as the other electrode for forming the potential gradient . The contact portion is configured to be capable of cooling or warming the skin that it comes into contact with,
2. The facial treatment device type skin information collection and utilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that a heat insulating section made of a material with low thermal conductivity is formed around the temperature acquisition section.

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