CZ20023561A3 - Methods and system for providing personalized preparations - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and a system are provided for personalizing cosmetic preparations and services for a consumer. Cosmetic diagnostic data is received from a consumer directly and in a private setting, a cosmetic evaluation is provided based on the diagnostic data, and at least one of a cosmetic preparation and a cosmetic service is provided to the consumer. Further, a method of purchasing cosmetic preparations is provided wherein a consumer provides cosmetic diagnostic data, and a plurality of fluids are provided for producing a customized cosmetic preparation based on the cosmetic diagnostic data, payment is received for the preparation, and the preparation is dispensed for application.

Description

Methods and system for providing individually targeted formulations

Technical field

The invention relates to methods and systems for providing individually targeted beauty cosmetic compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetics such as sun protection, skin creams, perfumes, shaving creams, toiletries, nail cosmetics products, deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, foams, oils, vitamins, antibacterial mixtures, anti-acne mixtures, dermatological mixtures, pharmaceuticals blends, mascara, facial under makeup, lipsticks, hair dyes, creams, skin cleaners and the like. They have been used by customers for a long time to enhance their physical appearance and self-esteem, correct individual ailments and cleanse their skin. Choosing the optimal product from a wide range of options is often a dilemma for the customer. In addition, the customer does not have the choice of privacy and convenience when choosing a product in a retail organization. Further, once it has chosen, it is left to the selected product until it is consumed or discarded. This circumstance does not allow to react to later flexibility in mood, expected social situation, skin condition and so on. The customer may also be dissatisfied with the impression of the product, whether by himself or by others. As a result, most customers have a large number of unused products at home. These often have an expired warranty period, which the customer seldom knows, creating a potential health risk for them.

Past approaches to cosmetic individualization have focused on the moment of retail sales (retail). For example, in methods allowing the operator to personally adjust the composition of the facial substrate to better match the color of the customer's skin. More recent approaches have developed this idea by supplying an automatic cosmetics dispensing device in retail. These newer devices are operated by retail staff to produce a product that is packaged in a rigid package and provided to the customer.

Although the above approaches partially focus on the customer demand for individualization, they have several significant drawbacks. For example, they assume that the customer does not change their decision about the purchased product, which often happens after the first use of the product. In both of the above-mentioned approaches, changing the customer's decision requires repurchasing another complete package of the cosmetic product. Besides, he must

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Customer retail store physically visit and make the selection again in a public environment. Such approaches are inconvenient, expensive and still lead to a considerable supply of cosmetics at the customer's home. Also, the relevant inventory warranty times often expire before the customer even consumes the product.

In addition, at the moment of sale of the cosmetic dispensing device, the cosmetic product fills the package from which the product must be transferred to the applicator before use. E.g. a custom-made facial cream is typically provided in a tube in retail. Before applying to the face, the customer must first transfer it to the palm or pad and then apply it. If it turns out that the customer has not had a lucky hand with this custom-made face cream, the entire tube of cream remains unused, since existing devices do not allow dispensing of only one application lotion on the auxiliary surface, allowing the customer to test the product experimentally.

In addition, customers want to have greater decision-making competences regarding cosmetic services. The customer needs to make direct decisions, but existing methods and systems count on the process of cosmetics production or custom-made cosmetic services with an intermediate link. Thus, it is desirable to have an environment where the customer directly provides cosmetic diagnostic data and receives evaluation data in an effort to assist in greater decision-making competence before choosing and buying cosmetic products and services.

Finally, the normal supply of cosmetic products is limited to formulations that consist of stable, compatible and microbially resistant ingredients, since some ingredients cannot be stored for extended periods of time or delivered with certain characteristics, such as when heated or heated. By delivering custom-made cosmetic products for single-use use, many of these otherwise restrictive aspects in the preparation and delivery of products that are incompatible or otherwise unstable are eliminated, so changing the delivery and dispensing of cosmetic products can lead to the creation of new, better-performing products and these can then be provided to the customer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide customers with methods and systems for providing customized cosmetic products and services.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and to some extent will become apparent to those skilled in the art investigating or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention can be determined and realized by means of and tools

In order to achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the object of the present invention, methods and systems are provided to the customer providing him with cosmetic products and custom services.

A method of providing individually targeted cosmetics is provided, comprising obtaining cosmetic diagnostic data from a customer at a private location and providing evaluation data based on the diagnostic data to the customer. Subsequently, the customer is provided with at least one cosmetic product and a cosmetic service.

Further provided is a method of purchasing cosmetic compositions comprising receiving diagnostic data from a customer and supplying a plurality of fluid consistency substances (hereinafter referred to as fabrics) for producing a cosmetic composition based on such diagnostic data. The customer pays and the appropriate custom-made cosmetic product is given to him for use.

Further provided is a system for manufacturing individual cosmetics, comprising cosmetic diagnostic devices, cosmetic evaluation devices and cosmetic delivery devices operative to deliver at least one custom-made cosmetic product and cosmetic consulting data to the customer.

Finally, there is provided a method of providing individually targeted cosmetics, comprising directly receiving cosmetic diagnostic data from the customer, providing cosmetic evaluation data based on the diagnostic data, and delivering at least one cosmetic product and cosmetic service directly to the customer.

Still other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is, by way of illustration, one of the best contemplated embodiments of the invention. As can be imagined, the invention recognizes other distinct and obvious aspects without departing from its scope. Accordingly, the illustrations and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

List of illustrations

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the invention illustrate some aspects of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to illustrate the nature of the invention. In these illustrations:

Giant. 1 is a flow chart of a method of providing individually targeted cosmetics;

Giant. 2 is a flow chart of a method of purchasing cosmetics;

Giant. 3 is a block diagram of a system for providing individual cosmetics; Giant. 4 shows a prototype of an individual cosmetic device;

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Giant. 5 shows a prototype of an alternative device for individual cosmetics;

Giant. 6 shows an internal diagram of a device for individual cosmetics; and

Giant. 7 shows an internal diagram of a second embodiment of an individual cosmetic device.

Reference will now be made in the description to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is realized using standard mechanical pumps, mixers, heaters, dispensers, microprocessors, and cosmetic ingredients generally known and easily combinable according to the present invention. In addition, the basic procedures of programming software and technology to access the Web, such as Java, Perl, C, C ++, etc. they provide programming languages for software that can be used in the practice of the present invention, although one skilled in the art will recognize that other computer languages and technologies can be used.

Giant. 1 illustrates a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of providing individually targeted cosmetics. First, in step 10, the customer is provided with an interface in which the customer enters diagnostic data and makes a choice regarding cosmetic products and services. Contact can be made in person, by telephone, over the Internet (using a standard protocol, eg TCP / IP, etc.), by standard mail, by devices equipped with software logic to transfer cosmetic diagnostic data, e-mail (e-mail), camera images or video, special devices designed to collect cosmetic data (probes eg spectrophotometer, corneometer, colorimeter, thermometer, etc.), cosmetic consultants (personally or electronically assigned to the customer) and the like. In addition, the interface is at a private location, such as a customer's dwelling, a facility directly serviced by the customer, a non-retail organization, and the like. "Non-Retail" refers to any organization other than a traditional cosmetics counter in a department store. Thus, equipment located in a shopping mall, hotel, bar, petrol station, aircraft, amusement park, restaurant, and elsewhere could still be considered as being in an organization that is not a retailer once the equipment was not placed at a traditional cosmetic counter in a store. However, even if the device is located at a traditional cosmetic counter, it is still considered to be in a private location as soon as it is directly serviced by the customer instead of the cosmetic department staff.

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At step 20, the customer receives data through the interface, including personal preferences (favorite colors, fragrances, etc.), skin and color parameters (obtained from cameras, videos, probes, medical records, etc.), health monitoring data condition (blood pressure, body temperature, weight, etc.), inputs provided by the counselor (obtained from doctors, cosmetic consultants, personal trainers, parents, fashion consultants, teachers, etc.), electronic data (obtained from diaries, calendars, important meetings, weather conditions, famous person preferences, friend preferences, family preferences, fashion trends, etc.), feedback (obtained from customer inquiries, past selections, changes from previous period, changes based on visualization of selected output products, etc.) and other data . In addition, diagnostic data may be obtained from devices that are used in contact with the customer, such diagnostic data may include, by way of example only, the amount of raw material stock, equipment maintenance needs, installation inputs, and the like. Furthermore, these data may include data on skin and hair condition (physical condition of the skin, skin / hair dryness, skin / hair grease, etc.), structure data (pores, wrinkles, etc.), color data (lightness, saturation) , hue and spectral data), etc.

As shown in step 10, this diagnostic data can be communicated in various ways. After the initial collection of the diagnostic data, in step 40, evaluation data is provided to the customer. The evaluation data may include providing diagnostic data to consultants such as medical / dental professionals, cosmetologists, beauty consultants, personal trainers, and the like. Additionally, the evaluation data can be stored in the electronic system as constants, identifying personal preferences of famous people, family, friends, favorite cosmetic tips, and the like. The evaluation data may also be standard computer algorithms that register color, condition, structure and other detected parameters directly or indirectly from the customer and make a visual selection for the customer.

Furthermore, the evaluation data can be processed by sales representatives in the store, by telephone, door-to-door agent, customer software, remote software and the like. Once the assessment data has been established, they are passed on to any diagnostic device used and can provide guidance to the customer at step 30 In addition, guidance data can provide implementation instructions for the custom cosmetics preparation facility (described below), informing the facility about the percentages of raw materials needed. for the production of cosmetics, mixing times, mechanical pump speeds and the like. In addition, the guidance data may include application tips, instructions, device selection parameters, and the like.

At step 50, the customer selects a cosmetic or service. The selection can be made with the help of a visualization device displaying the evaluation data to the customer. During the selection, the customer may modify any provided evaluation data and in fact annul it to select cosmetic products or services not designed according to the evaluation data. In this way, the customer will remain the ultimate decision-making authority on his cosmetic choice.

The customer receives the cosmetic composition or service at step 55. The cosmetic composition may be any composition produced according to diagnostic data and evaluation data used by the customer, and the customer may include chemists, pharmacists, and the like. The delivery of individual products (custom-made) can be carried out directly to the desired location of the customer's body, such as nail, hair, etc. In addition, the formulation may be delivered to an auxiliary surface such as a customer's finger, an applicator, and the like. In addition, the preparation may be supplied in a container, such as a bottle, sachet, or the like. At step 90, the individual formulations may be dispensed immediately, in which case the formulations are exemplary provided by individual cosmetic dispensing devices such as those described below, although other devices may be used by those skilled in the art. The formulations may also be delivered by mail, e-mail (i.e., through digital information used by devices in the customer's home to dispense cosmetics and fragrances directly to the customer). Further, information on how to make these preparations can be provided to the customer by any electronic means, either directly to him or indirectly to his devices. Each such cosmetic delivery device / apparatus will need the raw materials that are supplied at step 70. The raw materials are exemplary supplied as mono- or multi-component substances, where each substance contains different / many or individual components.

In addition to cosmetic products, the customer can receive cosmetic services as shown in step 80. These services include product recommendations, expert advice links, automatic re-ordering of raw materials to the facility, automatic re-ordering of previously selected cosmetic products, communication with customer's devices alarm clock or kettle, etc.), electronic dialogues with experts, website recommendations, etc.

Although Figure 1 illustrates the delivery of a cosmetic product upon receipt of diagnostic data from the customer, the cosmetic product may even initiate the diagnostic and evaluation process by first submitting a sample to the customer, which is then used as a basis for customer interaction leading to the customer individual preparation. In addition, diagnostic data can be collected in a variety of ways, including directing a customer to compare several product samples and select the one he likes best.

Giant. 2 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of purchasing cosmetics. First, at step 100, customer interaction is provided, which is an interaction through the interface described in FIG. 1. At step 110, diagnostic data is received at φ · φ · φ · ΦΦ ··· · ΦΦ ·· Step 120 is provided by the counselor. The consultants can be electronic, such as embedded algorithm software, or real, where the customer is contacted either electronically or in person with a professional consultant. At step 140, evaluation data is provided to the customer, and at step 130, guidance data is provided. The customer selects a particular cosmetic or service at step 150 and pays at step 160.

The payment received from the customer is exemplary paid via a vending machine where the customer provides diagnostic data and receives the evaluation data through a feedback loop with built-in software logic. Before choosing a particular cosmetic product or service, the customer pays for the product or service immediately by providing payment facilities directly to the facility. For example, in the case of a vending machine, a customer may use a credit / debit card or cash to pay for a cosmetic or service, and in the case of remote access, a customer may provide a credit card or bank account number or other usual forms of payment. service.

At step 170, a cosmetic dispenser is activated and the formulation is dispensed at step 190. Each formulation dispensing device is supplied at step 180 with substances that are blended at the customer's choice to form the desired cosmetic formulation.

Giant. 3 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an individual cosmetic delivery system 200. An input interface 210 is provided that allows the customer at step 200 to interact directly with the system, whether electronically, manually or in person. The diagnostic device 220 collects diagnostic data from the customer, as mentioned above, which is used by the evaluation device 23. Alternatively, the customer may pay for receiving a cosmetic product or service through a payment device 240 (eg, an automated machine). The customer makes the final decision to receive the cosmetic products or services through the selection device 270 (eg, selections made through a software form, a display device for making choices, and the like). For the manufacture of any desired cosmetic products, the essential components 280 (mono-component or multi-component substances) are supplied, while the provision of cosmetic services to the customer is provided by the information data pool 290. The delivery interface 300 provides a mechanism for delivering the cosmetic product or service. dispensing cosmetics (described below) or, for advice on cosmetic services, through a software interface (web, email, fax, etc.).

Giant. 4 depicts one embodiment of a prototype device for custom cosmetics. The device 310 includes cartridges 320, video port 330, communication port 340, selector 350, color palette 360, dispenser 370, and area 380.

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There is one or more cartridges 320 in the device 310 containing substances (ingredients) that, combined in customer-controlled quantities, produce a custom cosmetic product 390 on the surface 380 of the device 310 or on the auxiliary surface 400. Each cartridge 320 may contain one or more substances. However, as can be understood, the fabric cassettes 320 may not be needed at all, as these materials could easily be added to the containers contained in the device 310 (not shown in FIG. 4).

Additives are single- or multi-component substances such as waxes of different colors and consistencies necessary for the production of a wide range of cosmetic products such as lipstick, eyeliner, lotion, powder, mascara, etc. The customer provides diagnostic and selection data that determines the required amounts of substances required to form a custom cosmetic product 390. The data includes color and product selection, such as lipstick, eyeliner, lotion, powder, mascara, and the like.

The customer enters this selection data through one or more input selection or diagnostic means connected to the device 310 or interface, such as a color palette 360, a selector 350, a video port 330, and a communication port 340. The video port 330 allows the device 310 to receive selection and diagnostic customer data from devices such as video, digital camera, television, and the like. Communication port 340 allows the device 310 to receive customer selection data from devices such as digital telephones, computers (laptops), wireless communication devices, and the like. Also, communication port 340 may not represent a physical connection to device 310, but may be a wireless or infrared port. Also, the communication port 340 could be connected to a sensor that detects color, moisture, grease, texture, skin sensitivity, and the like. The values obtained may allow preselected algorithms to determine optimal selection data for the customer.

Alternatively, a single line LCD (not shown) may allow the customer to enter selection and diagnostic data as numeric values representing product and color choices. In addition, the communication port 340 and video port 330 of the device 310 can be used by the customer to show the colors of his choice. The customer can also choose colors using the color palette.

As mentioned above, the customer 310 can provide selection data in a variety of ways. In reality, a pre-prepared set of selection data may be made available to the customer via an automated telephone system or a web site where the customer can obtain (retrieve) numeric codes representing the selection data needed to demonstrate products on the market or their generics / products comparable thereto. In this way, the customer can create a cosmetic product imitating on the necessary basis.

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9 9 99 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 · ···· famous brand products. Promotional materials of well-known branded products also provide a choice.

After the customer has chosen his color and product, the device 310 calculates the appropriate amount of substances required to produce the custom cosmetic product 390. Thereafter, the substances are dispensed appropriately from the cartridges 320, mixed or heated as needed to be dispensed from the device 310 and through the dispenser. 370 disposed on the auxiliary surface 400 or surface 380 belonging to the device 310. Controlled dispensing technology such as pressure spraying, two-component spraying, electrostatic spraying, mechanical screw extrusion, piezoelectric spraying, sputtering and the like can be used in the dispenser. The stored custom cosmetic composition 390 can leave the device 310 in numerous forms, such as a spray, lump or layer.

Giant. 5 depicts one embodiment of a prototype of an alternative device for individual cosmetics. FIG. 5 shows a cosmetic device 410, which device 410 is horizontal, with a separate area 420. Such a device 410 would allow easy placement to the wall of the customer's dwelling and more efficient use of the respective handling space.

Similar to the device of Fig. 4, there are fabric containing cassettes 430 and the individual cosmetic composition 440 is dispensed from the device 410 via the dispenser 450. In addition, the cosmetic composition 440 can be dispensed directly onto an auxiliary surface 460 such as a lipstick applicator. The input selection means for the customer can be provided in various ways, as discussed in connection with FIG. 4, although these are not shown in FIG. 5. Customer selection and diagnostic data can also be displayed to the customer prior to dispensing the cosmetic composition 440.

Giant. 6 shows an internal diagram of one embodiment of an individual cosmetic device. More specifically, the view of the internal diagram shows the metered block of the individual cosmetic device 470 and the dispenser 480. The metered block shows how the substances are combined in different amounts to produce an individual cosmetic product 490 on the surface 500. FIG. 6 also illustrates how substances are dispensed from device 470 by dispenser 480. Cosmetic device 470 may include a microprocessor 510, data bus 520, cassettes 530, piping system 540, mixer 550, heater 560, ejector 570, and dispenser 580.

Upon receipt of the selection and diagnostic data by the microprocessor 510 in the device 470, signals are transmitted to the cassettes 530 by the data bus 520. The signals control the discharge of the substances from the cassettes 530 in an appropriate amount determined by the selection and diagnostic data entering the microprocessor 510. a number of substances from the cartridges 530 are generally known to those skilled in the art. Substances

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA include dyes such as cyan, magenta, yellow and the like, and pigments such as titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarine blue, allowing color individualization. Further substances include waxes, sun protection factors, moisturizing factors, fragrances, wrinkle and aging inhibitors, skin care products, skin cleansers, conditioners and the like. Once the appropriate quantities of the substances from the cartridges 530 have been dispensed, they are discharged through a piping system 540 allowing the transfer of the substances from the cartridges 530 to the dispenser 480. The movement of the substances can occur by gravity, but can also be achieved by any mechanical means, e.g.

Upon exiting from the cartridges 530, the fabrics may be mixed in a mixer 550 and heated in a heater 560. A static micromixer from the Institute of Microtechnics (Maniz, Germany) may be used for mixing. If the substance contains waxy additives, the viscosity of the heater 560 increases. In addition, the mixer 550 discharges the mixed substances into the ejector 570. The ejector 570 is movable, allowing uniform dispensing of the individual cosmetic product 490 onto the surface 500 by the dispenser 480. As mentioned earlier, the dispenser 480 may be implemented with one controlled dispensing technology or combinations thereof. technologies such as pressure spraying, two-component spraying, electrostatic spraying, mechanical screw extrusion, piezoelectric spraying, sputtering, and the like.

Giant. 7 is a view of an internal diagram of a second embodiment of an individual cosmetic device. The cosmetic device includes a microprocessor 590, a data bus 600, cassettes 610, a piping system 620 for conveying fabrics from the cassettes 610, and a dispenser 630.

According to FIG. 7, microprocessor 590 receives selection and diagnostic data on the basis of which microprocessor 590 issues commands via data bus 600, which results in the release of a specified amount of substances contained in the cartridges 610 into the piping system 620. combined to form an individual cosmetic composition 640 on the surface 650, but only when they are collected on the surface 650 after they have been individually dispensed by the dispenser 630. In addition, the device 580 has a dispenser 630 moving back and forth by stepper motor (not shown) according to commands microprocessor 590. The dispenser movement 630 allows control of the deposition of fabrics on the surface 650 and produces a color impression resembling, for example, color printing from an inkjet printer on paper

Further, as those skilled in the art will understand, the device of FIGS. 4 to 7 need not have additive-containing cassettes, since the substance containers can be directly built-in to those devices that do not need any cassettes for some reason. Also, the devices illustrated in Figures 4-7 could be modified as an automated machine that is available to the customer at various locations where the customer directly operates the equipment and pays to use it.

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The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and qualification. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to its precise wording. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Accordingly, the invention is intended to include all alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the broad scope and spirit of the appended claims.

PV2002-3SC1

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS A method of providing individually targeted cosmetics, comprising: obtaining cosmetic diagnostic data from the customer, wherein the customer is in a private location; providing evaluation data based on cosmetic diagnostic data to the customer; delivery of at least one cosmetic product and cosmetic service to the customer. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining cosmetic diagnostic data comprises assessing the skin surface of the customer to obtain at least one color, spectrum, texture and skin condition data. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the customer's final choice prior to the delivery step. The method of claim 1, wherein the private location is at least one of: a customer's dwelling; customer-operated cosmetics dispensing equipment; and a non-retail organization. 5. A method of purchasing cosmetic products, comprising: receiving cosmetic diagnostic data from a customer; producing an individual cosmetic product based on these cosmetic diagnostic data; receiving payment from the customer; and dispensing the individual cosmetic composition. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the cosmetic diagnostic data comprises obtaining the cosmetic diagnostic data using one or more questions posed to the customer. • 9 • · • fcfc • 0 fc · ·· fc · • fcfc · fc · · · • fc · « Ί. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the cosmetic diagnostic data comprises detecting at least one of the skin property data, environmental parameter data, health status data, and customer preference data. 8. A system for providing individual cosmetics, comprising: cosmetic diagnostic devices; cosmetic evaluation devices; a cosmetic delivery device operative to deliver at least one individual cosmetic product and cosmetic counseling data to a customer, utilizing diagnostic data obtained from a cosmetic diagnostic device and operable by a cosmetic evaluation device producing at least one of the individual cosmetic products and cosmetic counseling data. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an individual cosmetic dispensing device operative to produce an individual cosmetic composition. A method of providing individually targeted cosmetics, comprising: receiving cosmetic diagnostic data directly to a customer; providing cosmetic assessment data based on cosmetic diagnostic data directly to the customer; and delivering at least one cosmetic product and cosmetic service directly to the customer. The method of claim 26, wherein the cosmetic composition is at least one of lipstick products, make-up substrate, mascara, shampoo, perfume, eye shadow, nail polish, powder, lotion, hair color, skin cleanser, conditioner, sun protection , face cream, vitamin, hair spray, foam and red cheek. PV 2.002-