WO2022144806A1

WO2022144806A1 - System and apparatus for evaluating sebum level

Info

Publication number: WO2022144806A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/062439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ning Lu; James MAINARD
Original assignee: Shiseido Company, Limited
Priority date: 2020-12-30
Filing date: 2021-12-29
Publication date: 2022-07-07

Abstract

An apparatus for evaluating a sebum level associated with an area of human skin, including a housing that includes a port defined by a perimeter region that is configured to contact a test skin surface and to define the test skin surface when the apparatus is in an operating mode. A first and second sensor are contained in the housing, and a light source contained in the housing and configured to project light onto the test skin surface. The first sensor configured to generate first sensor data in response to detection of light that is reflected from the area of skin in the operating mode. The second light sensor is configured to generate second sensor data in response to detection of light that is reflected from the area of human skin and light that is diffused from the area of skin in operating mode.

Description

[0001] System and Apparatus for Evaluating Sebum Level

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a system and apparatus for evaluating sebum level associated with an area of human skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many devices exist for measuring the sebum content of skin. Such devices are typically high costand employed by a dermatologist or other skin care professional and not suitable for purchase and use by an average consumer at home.

[0004] In addition, many existing devices which measure sebum require disposable components and/or components that need to be cleaned between uses.

[0005] There is a need in the art for a low-cost sebum measurement device that can achieve a reasonable level of accuracy and be purchased by an average consumer and used at home, and that does not require disposable components or need to be cleaned between uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, there is an apparatus for evaluating a level of sebum associated with a test skin surface that includes a housing comprising a port defined by a perimeter region configured to contact a test skin surface when the apparatus is in an operating mode and configured to define the area of the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode; a first sensor and a second sensor contained in the housing; a light source contained in the housing and configured to project light through the port onto the test skin surface in the operating mode, wherein the first sensor is configured to generate first sensor data in response to detection by the first sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface in the operating mode, and the second sensor is configured to generate second sensor data in response to detection by the second sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface and light that is diffused from the test skin surface in the operating mode, and wherein the first sensor data and the second sensor data are sufficient light sensor data to evaluate the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface.

[0007] In some embodiments of the apparatus, at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor includes a photo-diode. [0008] In some embodiments of the apparatus, at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor includes a digital camera.

[0009] In some embodiments, apparatus further comprises a processor configured to perform the step of evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface and wherein the evaluating comprises calculating a difference between the first sensor data and the second sensor data.

[0010] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a processor configured to perform the step of evaluating a level of sebum associated with test skin surface wherein the evaluating includes processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data using a machine learning model. In some embodiments, the processor is configured perform the step of evaluating by both calculating a difference between the first sensor data and the second sensor data and processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data using a machine learning model.

[0011] In some embodiments, the perimeter region is arranged to be the only portion of the apparatus that touches the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode.

[0012] In one embodiment, there is a method for evaluating a level of sebum associated with a test skin surface, that includes contacting an apparatus proximate the test skin surface, wherein the apparatus includes a housing including a port defined by a perimeter region configured to contact the test skin surface when the apparatus is in an operating mode and configured to define the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode; a first sensor and second sensor each positioned within the housing; and a light source positioned within the housing; projecting light from the light source through the port onto the test skin source in the operating mode; generating first sensor data in response to detection by the first sensor of light that is reflected fromthe test skin surface in the operating mode; generating second sensor data in response to detection by the second sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface and light that is diffused from the test skin surface in the operating mode; evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface based on the first sensor data and the second sensor data.

[0013] In some embodiments of the method, at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprises a photo-diode.

[0014] In some embodiments of the method, at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprises a digital camera.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface including calculating a difference between the first sensor data and the second sensor data. [0016] In some embodiments, the method further includes evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface that includes processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data using a machine learning model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the system and apparatus of facial skin care management, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0018] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a portion of an apparatus for evaluating sebum level on a test skin surface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 2A illustrates light as reflected from skinhaving a higher sebum content(e.g., oily skin);

[0020] Fig. 2B illustrates light as reflected from skin having a lower sebum content (e.g., clean skin);

[0021] Fig. 3 is an illustration of light generated by the apparatus of Fig. 1 being reflected and diffused off the surface of a subject’s skin;

[0022] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 including a housing;

[0023] Figs. 4B and 4C are partially disassembled views of the interior of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ; and

[0025] Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the top and bottom surfaces of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for measuring sebum content of the skin.

[0027] Referring to Fig. 1 , there is shown an illustration of a portion of an apparatus, generally designated 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus of Fig. 1 includes a light source 90, a first sensor 70, a second sensor 80, a wall 72, and a port 74 illustrated in Fig. 1 as a break in the wall 72 where the apparatus of Fig. 1 engages a test skin surface 76. In some embodiments, the light source 90, first sensor 70, and second sensor 80 are coupled to the wall 72. The wall 72 may be a light absorbing wall that prevents light generated by light source 90 from exiting the wall 72. In some embodiments, the wall 72 defines the port 74. In some embodiments, the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is configured to form a seal when placed on the surface of a subject’s skin (e.g., test skin surface 76) such that light external to the apparatus does not enter into the apparatus and light generated by light source 90 does not exit the apparatus. In some embodiments, the light source may be an LED light source.

[0028] In some embodiments, the light source 90 emits light that is projected through the port 74 and onto a portion of the test skin surface 76. For example, the light projected through port 74 may be limited to the portion of the test skin surface 76 that is positioned within the port 74. It will be understood that the test skin surface 76 refers to the portion of the subject’s skin that is positioned within port 74. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include one or more channels 78a-78c within which light may travel. In some embodiments, the light source 90, first sensor 70, and second sensor 80 are positioned within different channels 78a-78c. For example, the light source 90 maybe positioned within a first channel 78a, the first sensor 70 may be positioned within a second channel 78b, and the second sensor 80 may be positioned within a third channel 78c. In some embodiments, the light generated by light source 90 is projected through the first tunnel 78a and onto the test skin surface 76. The light projected through the first tunnel 78a may be reflected off an area of the skin surface 76, and at least a portion of the reflected light may be detected by the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 may be optical sensors such as, but not limited to, photo-diodes. In some embodiments the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 may include a charge coupled device (CCD) and/or one or more complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors/cameras. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 are one or more of optical sensors, CCD or CMOS images sensor/cameras. In some embodiments, both the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80 have generally the same light sensing capabilities.

[0029] In some embodiments, the light source 90 is positioned in the apparatus 100 such that the light emitted by the light source 90 is projected onto the test skin surface 76 at an angle 0 that allows for the light source 90 to be incident with at least a portion of the internal walls of the pores in the test skin surface 76. In one embodiment, the light emitted by light source 90 is projected onto the skin at an angle 0 of about 45 degrees with reference to the surface of the test skin surface 76. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 is disposed within the apparatus 100 such that the first sensor 70 is positioned within a path that is generally orthogonal to the angle 0 of the light emitted by light source 90 Similarly, the first channel 78a may extend generally parallel to the angle 0 of the light emitted by the light source 90 and the second channel 78b may be generally orthogonal to the first channel 78a. In some embodiments, the second sensor 80 is disposed within the apparatus 100 such that the second sensor 80 is positioned within a a path that is normal to the test skin surface 76 (e.g., about 45 degrees with reference to the path of the light projected by light source 90 that is projected at angle 0 onto the skin).

[0030] It will be understood that the above angles of the light emitted by the light source 90 and/or the angles of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80 relative to the emitted light angle 0 are an example and that other angles with respect to the skin surface and/or with respect to one or more of the light source 90, first sensor 70, and second sensor 80 are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first sensor 70 may be placed on a path that is not orthogonal to angle 0, such as, butnot limited to, less than 90 degrees (e.g.., between about 90 degrees and 45 degrees, about 60 degrees). The second sensor 80 may be placed on a path that is less than 45 degrees (e.g., between about 45 degreesand about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees) with reference to the angle 0 of the light projected by light source 90. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle between that paths of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80 is at least between about 20 degrees and about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the channels 78a-78c through which light is projected may comprise a light absorbing material configured to minimize interference from light external to the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the path of the light source 90 is not physically embodied within the respective channel 78a. In such an embodiment, there may be a housing encompassing an open space that includes the path for the directed light source 90 as well as the paths for reflected/diffused light (e.g., light that is detected by the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80). The inside of such a housing may comprise light absorbing material.

[0031] A method of operation of the present invention is based on the principle that the light reflected from skin of a subject (e.g., the test skin surface 76) with a higher sebum content is measured with a higher intensity than light ref lected from clean skin (e.g., skin with a sufficiently low sebum content). Fig. 2A depicts the intensity of light reflected from a first subject’s test skin surface 76a and Fig. 2B depicts the intensity of light reflected from a second subject’s test skin surface 76b. As can be seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, the intensity of the light reflected in Fig. 2A is greater than the intensity of the light reflected in Fig. 2B. As such, the test skin surface 76a has a higher sebum content than the test skin surface 76b. Put another way, the test skin surface 76a of the first subject is more oily, less clean, than the test skin surface 76b of the second subject. Additionally, the method of operation of the present invention is also based on the principle that, for a highly reflective surface such as a mirror, most light is reflected at the same angle at which it is projected onto the skin (i.e., orthogonal to the light source). In the context of the present disclosure, the surface of the skin is not a highly reflective surface. Due to the porous nature of the skin, all light does not reflect at the same angle at which it is projected onto the skin and, instead, reflects at many different angles, and some light is absorbed in the skin. As such, in some embodiments, the apparatus 100 of the present disclosure is configured to measure light reflected from the skin surface at both the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80. In some embodiments, the difference between the light intensity measured atthe first sensor 70 and secondsensor 80 is recorded and is indicativeof the amount of sebum on the skin surface.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 3 , there is shown an illustration of the path of light generated by the light source 90 projected toward the test skin surface 76 and the paths of the resulting reflected and diffused light. As illustrated, light emitted by the light source 90 may travel generally along a path as illustrated by arrow A to the test skin 76. A portion of the light emitted from light source 90, travelling along path A, may be reflected by the test skin surface 76 and travel generally along a path as illustrated by arrow B. Another portion of the light emitted from the light source 90 may be diffused at the test skin surface 76 as illustrated by the broken line arrows C. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 are positioned within the apparatus 100 and relative to the test skin surface 76 and/or the light source 90 such that light of differing intensity may be detected by each of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 may detect a higher intensity reflected light and lower intensity diffused light and the second sensor 80 may detect more diffused light than reflected light In some embodiments, the measured light intensity from the first and second sensors 70, 80 may be combined to obtain a measurement or approximation of sebum level in the test skin surface 76. In some embodiments, the measured light intensity may be transmitted in the form of electrical signals to one or more computing devices. In some embodiments, the signals from the firstand second sensors 70, 80 are normalized (as discussed further below) and the normalized signals are combined to generate a signal difference which is indicative of a sebum level. In one embodiment, the difference between the readings of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80 is representative of the sebum measurement. In one embodiment, the difference value does not correspond precisely to the level of sebum in the tested skin 76 but is strongly correlated to the sebum level. To calibrate and normalize the measurement so that it is more closely representative of the sebum content of the skin, artificial intelligence, such as machine learning-based algorithms, may be employed. Such artificial intelligence and machine learning based algorithms account for variations in testing conditions that include variations in sensor sensitivity, accuracy, calibration, other sensor attributes. The algorithms may also take into account variations in the type of sensors 70, 80 (e.g., photo-diodes or cameras) and/or skin attributes of the test skin surface 76 such as skin roughness, pore diameter, visible pore depth, and skin color. In an exemplary embodiment, the algorithms are associated with a machine learning engine that involves a deep learning approach. More particularly, a model may be trained using data input including dermatological data. Dermatological data may include data from sources such as dermatological experts and/or readings from instruments such as professional grade sebum meters. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of training involves taking a measurement using the apparatus 100 of the present disclosure, which does not involve physical contact with the area of skin being assessed. For example, sensors 70, 80 and light source do not directly contact the test skin surface 76. The method of training may include taking a measurement using a professional grade sebum meter, which involves contacting the sebum meter to the skin surface to lift the oil from the skin surface. In some embodiments, the measurements taken from the apparatus 100 and professional grade sebum meter are taken from the same location on the skin and both measurements are input to a machine learning engine, which then learns how the measurement output from the apparatus of the present invention corresponds to measurements taken using a professional grade sebum meter. Ongoing training of the model may be achieved by inputting to the model the output values of the apparatus 100 of the present disclosure. If the model detects anomalies (e.g., at a threshold level), the machine learning algorithm will be tuned to account for those. Use of machine learning is particularly useful in camera-based systems in which rich data sets may be collected by the sensors/cameras and include data that are not easily human detectable or interpretable.

[0033] In some embodiments, both the firstand second sensors 70, 80 are photo-diodes and a value may be collected that represents the electrical current (produced when converting light to electrical current). In some embodiments, a time series of data may be collected, such as, but not limited to, ten samples over one to five seconds. In some embodiments, the values obtained from the first and/or second sensors 70, 80 may be averaged, and assessed for anomalies. In response to an error condition being indicated (e.g., the current is not approximately constant within some small threshold), the user of the apparatus may be instructed to resample. In some embodiments in which the first and second sensors 70, 80 are digital cameras, the following parameters may be collected with regard to the image: bit depth, resolution, dynamic range and compression. The following parameters may be collected with regard to the sensor/camera: array size, quantum efficiency, dynamic range, noise characteristics and linearity. Algorithms that might be applied as a preprocessing step - or as an additional data set to the machine learning solution - may include histogram equalization, gaussian filtering with binarization, computing diffuse and illuminant chromaticity combined with Tan’s Specular to Diffuse algorithm. In some embodiments, such processing may not be employed and raw data may be used.

[0034] For some embodiments in which the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 are photodiodes, the output measurement of each of the photo-diodes is one or several values representative of the amount of light received by the respective sensor 70, 80. A difference between two or more values (e.g., the values measured by each of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80) maybe correlated to the amount of sebum on the test skin surface 76 (e.g., higher values are associated with more skin sebum). A model trained using machine learning algorithms may be used to process data to improve precision of photo-diode output measurement correlation to outputs from measurement devices having greater actual or perceived accuracy and reliability. An exemplary machine learning algorithm (e.g., implementing a polynomial regression analysis) may interpret the output from the photo-diodes and maps the output relative to measurements taken by a professional grade device. [0035] For embodiments in which the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 include cameras, a rich data set may be generated by each of the cameras. Such a data set may include skin attribute data such as color data and skin texture data, including details such as pores (size and depth (e.g., visual depth)) and wrinkles. The data may be processed by the trained model in order to, e.g., identify specific properties indicative of oil, such as small changes in color of the images of the skin surface taken by the first sensor 70 versus the second sensor 80, as well as detail obscuration (e.g., are wrinkles or skin texture obscured due to more reflective properties of oil). By way of further example, pores can be detected by a camera, as well as oil sitting within the pores, accounted for and a correlation between oil and pore size can be determined. This provides an advantage over existing sebum measurement systems that require transfer of sebum onto a paper, glass plate or other substrate — such systems do not account for oil that is sitting within a pore, as the substrate will not necessarily pick up any/all of that oil. The images captured by each of the cameras may also be processed in a manner that could allow for more meaningful comparisons between the images. In the embodiments in which the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 include cameras, the machine learning algorithm may be a neural network, which is capable of processing the rich array of data captured by the camera sensor.

[0036] In some embodiments, a single sensor may be used (e.g., only one of the first sensor 70 or second sensor 80). In such an embodiment, the sensor may be a camera with a polarizing filter and the light source 90 may also be polarized. In one embodiment, the polarizing filter for the sensor camera and the polarizing attributes of the light source 90 are selected to mitigate, neutralize and/or rectify attributes of light diffused in response to impacting skin. [0037] Referring to Figs. 4A-6, there is shown the apparatus 100 of the present disclosure configured to evaluate a level of sebum associated with an area of human skin. The apparatus 100 may alternatively be referred to as sebum meter 100. The apparatus 100 may include a housing 95 that includes port 74 defined by a periphery at the front of the housing 95. In some embodiments, the walls 72 shown in Fig. 1 comprise a portion of the housing 95 (e.g., the wall 72 is a part of the housing 95). In some embodiments, the periphery defining the port 74 is configured to be the only portion of the apparatus 100 that touches the subject’s skin when the apparatus 100 is in an operating mode. In periphery at the front of the housing 95 that defines port 74 may also define the area of the subject’s skin to be tested when the apparatus 100 is in the operating mode. The light source 90, first sensor 70 and a second sensor 80 may be contained in the housing 95. In some embodiments, the light source 90 contained in the housing 95 may be configured to project light through the port 74 onto the area of human skin in the operating mode. The first sensor 70 may be configured to generate first sensor data in response to detection, by the first sensor 70, of light that is reflected from the area of human skin while the apparatus 100 is in the operating mode. The second sensor 80 may be configured to generate second sensor data in response to detection, by the second sensor 80, of light that is reflected from the area of human skin and light that is diffused from the area of human skin while the apparatus 100 is in the operating mode. In some embodiments, the first sensor data and the second sensor data are sufficient light sensor data to evaluate the level of sebum associated with the area of human skin.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 4A, a top perspective view of the apparatus 100 including housing 95 is shown. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the housing 95 of the apparatus 100 may be designed in any one of many different ways within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, housing 95 has a generally tear-drop shape, however it will be understood that the shape of the housing 95 may have a different shape than what is shown. . The top side of the apparatus 100 may include a push button 10 that may be configured to allow a user to actuate the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, a user may manually depress the push button 10 to actuate the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the push button 10 is in communication with an electronic device that is configured to actuate the apparatus 100. For example, the push button 10 may be operatively coupled to PCB 40 (shown in Fig. 4B) such that depressing the push button causes the functionality of the PCB 40 to be actuated. In some embodiments, depressing the push button while the apparatus is actuated causes the apparatus 100 to deactivate. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes an indication light 20 visible through at a surface of the housing 95 and configured to illuminate to indicate to the end user that the apparatus 100 has been actuated. [0039] Fig. 4B depicts the interior of the apparatus 100, where housing 95 has been split into two pieces including a first housing part 95a and second housing part 95b. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a power source 50 (e.g., a battery) in electrical communication with a printed circuit board 40 (PCB). In some embodiments, the power source 50 may supply power to one or more electrical components connected to the PCB 40. The PCB 40 may have affixed thereto one or more electronic components configured to cause the apparatus 100 and the components thereof to perform one or more of the functionalities described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes a wireless adapter 60 (e.g., Bluetooth) electrically connected to the PCB 40. In some embodiments, the first sensor 70 (e.g., a first photodiode sensor), second sensor 80 (e.g., a second photodiode ), and light source 90 (e.g., an LED) are each electrically connected to the PCB 40. In exemplary embodiments, the light source 90 is a white or colored (e.g., red) light with a wavelength of between about 620- 665 nm, and the first and second sensors 70, 80 may be configured to detect a wavelength of light between about 450 and 1050 nm. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the light source 90 and sensors 70, 80 are about 1 to 2 inches away from the test skin surface 76 of the subject, when the apparatus 100 is in use.

[0040] Fig. 4C depicts a portion of the interior of the apparatus 100 in which housing 95 has been split into two pieces. In Fig. 4C, there are arrows extending between the port 74 and the light source 90 and sensors 70, 80. The arrows may represent the path of the emitted light (e.g., the arrows extending from the light source to the port 74) and the general path of the reflected and diffused light from a user’s skin (e.g., the remaining two arrows). In some embodiments, The channels 78a-78c are partially defined by the housing 95.

[0041] In some embodiments, the one or more of the channels 78a-78c is notan entirely enclosed tunnel but instead is a path way to direct and/or restrict the direction of light. In some embodiments, the inside of the housing 95 that defines the path of light source 90, e.g., the first channel 78a, may comprise light absorbing material. In some embodiments, the second and third channel 78b-78c comprise a light absorbing material. By providing a light absorbing material, light reflections within the apparatus 100 may be reduced thereby allowing the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80 to more accurately measure light reflected from the skin. In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4C, there is a wall 85 positioned between the light source 90 and second sensor 80. In some embodiments, the wall 85 is configured to improve the definition of the path of light source 90 without an requiring the use of an enclosed tunnel structure. In some embodiments, the wall 85 prevents light from light source 90 from interfering with the reading of sensor B. Wall 85 may extend a selected distance (e.g., a percentage of the distance to port 74) toward port 74 from a point that is offset a selected distance from a line passing through light source 90, second sensor 80 and first sensor 70 (e.g., a curved centerline).

[0042] Referring to Fig. 6, in some embodiments, the port 74 may have a width Wi. In an exemplary embodiment, port 74 has a width Wi of about 26 millimeters. In general, the size of the port 74 is sized and dimensioned to cooperate with the light source 90 to illuminate an area of skin to serve as a reasonable proxy for a larger, unmeasured, area of the skin. For example, if only a few pores on the skin were illuminated, the measurement may be too localized and may not accurately predict the surrounding sebum composition of the skin. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be used to take measurements in more than one area of the skin and apply a weighting system to the multiple measurements to gain a more accurate representation of sebum across a larger area of the skin. In some embodiments, the housing 95 may have a length Li and a width Wi. In an exemplary embodiment, housing 95 has a length Li of about 50 millimeters and a depth of about 70 millimeters.

[0043] Referring back to Fig. 4C, the first sensor 70 may be configured to receive light reflected from the skin at an angle that is 60 degrees with reference to the path of the light source 90 that is projected onto the skin, and second sensor 80 may be configured to receive light reflected from the skin at an angle that is 30 degrees with reference to the path of the light source 90.

[0044] In some embodiments, PCB 40 includes a microprocessor configured to carry out calculations based on the data generated by the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80. For example, the microprocessor may be configured to calculate a difference between the measured values of the firstand second sensors 70, 80, as well as processing such values and/or data from images taken by a camera (e.g., a camera included in the apparatus 100 or external to the apparatus 100, a camera included in at least one of the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80) using the machine learning model. However, in other embodiments, the apparatus 100 is used only to capture data using the firstand second sensors 70, 80. In some embodiments, wireless adapter 60 may be configured to transmit data from the apparatus 100 to an external device, such as a, but not limited to, a smart phone (not shown). The external device may be programmed to process the data it receives from apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the external device may be configured to transmit data received from the apparatus to a remote server configured to perform the calculations.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 5 there is shown a front perspective view of the apparatus 100 in which the housing 95 is assembled. In some embodiments, the of port 74 forms a cavity 31. Cavity 31 may include cavity opening 32 and cavity opening 33. Cavity opening 32 may be configured to allow for reflected/diffused lightto be received by the first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80. Cavity opening 33 may be configured to allow for light from light source 90 to reach the skin surface in contact with port 74.

[0046] As described above with reference to Figs. 1, 2A-2B and 3, when actuated, light source 90 may emit light onto the test skin surface 76 that is contacting port 74. The light may be reflected/diffused and received by first sensor 70 and/or second sensor 80. A measurement value may be determined from each of the first sensor 70 and second sensor 80. In some embodiments, data representing these measurement values may be transmitted from the sensors 70, 80 to PCB 40. PCB 40 may transmit the measurement values to wireless adapter 60 and, the wireless adapter 60 may transmit the measurement values to an external device. The external device may perform calculations on the data (e.g., the measured values) and display the result of such calculations to the end user on external device. Alternatively, external device may further transmit such data to a remote server (e.g., cloud server) to perform such calculations.

[0047] In one embodiment the wavelength of the light source 90 is within the visible and infrared range. In one embodiment, the wavelength of the light source is between about 620 nm and about 1720 nm, where a wavelength of about 770 nm producing a result comparable to traditional sebum meters.

[0048] Several advantages are provided by the apparatus 100 and methodology of the present invention, including simplicity of operation and use, low cost of manufacturing, and improved user experience. In some embodiments, the apparatus may not include any disposable parts and/or may not require any, or frequent, cleaning between usages. Furthermore, the apparatus 100 and methodology of the present invention allow for immediate repeating of measurements on the skin because the apparatus 100 does not require picking-up of residue from the skin surface to take a measurement, whereas existing methods and/or existing sebum meters require physical sampling of residue from skin which would preclude a second reading at the same spot.

[0049] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words “proximal”, “distal”, “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.

[0050] It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

[0051] Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and yet remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for evaluating a level of sebum associated with a test skin surface comprising: a housing comprising a port defined by a perimeter region configured to contact a test skin surface when the apparatus is in an operating mode and configured to define the area of the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode; a first sensor and a second sensor contained in the housing; a light source contained in the housing and configured to project light through the port onto the test skin surface in the operating mode, wherein the first sensor is configured to generate first sensor data in response to detection by the first sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface in the operating mode, and the second sensor is configured to generate second sensor data in response to detection by the second sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface and light that is diffused from the test skin surface in the operating mode, wherein the first sensor data and the second sensor data are sufficient light sensor data to evaluate the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a photo-diode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a digital camera.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to perform the step of evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface and wherein the evaluating comprises calculating a difference between the first sensor data and the second sensor data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to perform the step of evaluating a level of sebum associated with the test skin surface wherein the evaluating comprises processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data using a machine learning model.

6. A method for evaluating a level of sebum associated with a test skin surface, the method comprising: contacting an apparatus proximate the test skin surface, the apparatus comprising: a housing including a port defined by a perimeter region configured to contact the test skin surface when the apparatus is in an operating mode and configured to define the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode; a first sensor and second sensor each positioned within the housing; and a light source positioned within the housing; projecting light from the light source through the port onto the test skin source in the operating mode; generating first sensor data in response to detection by the first sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface in the operating mode; generating second sensor data in response to detection by the second sensor of light that is reflected from the test skin surface and light that is diffused from the test skin surface in the operating mode; evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface based on the first sensor data and the second sensor data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a photo-diode.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a digital camera.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface comprises calculating a difference between the first sensor data and the second sensor data.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein evaluating the level of sebum associated with the test skin surface comprises processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data using a machine learning model.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the perimeter region is arranged to be the only portion of the apparatus that touches the test skin surface when the apparatus is in the operating mode.