JP2009268501A - Measuring instrument of cutaneous property - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To evaluate the surface properties of the skin inclusive of the scalp by a simple measuring instrument. <P>SOLUTION: The measuring instrument 1A of cutaneous properties includes a pressing element 10 for directly pressing the surface S of the skin, an illumination means 30 for illuminating the pressed region P1 of the surface S of the skin so as to form the shadow of the cavity of the surface S of the skin by pressing and an imaging means 20 for photographing the pressed region P1. The illumination means 30 is preferably provided at the position near to the cavity outside the cavity forming region of the surface S of the skin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating skin properties such as elasticity and flexibility.

  In order to evaluate the surface characteristics against stress such as elasticity and flexibility of the skin, compressed gas is injected to the measurement site on the skin surface, the surface displacement is measured optically, and the time from the injection and the surface displacement A method for investigating the relationship (Patent Document 1) and a method for capturing changes appearing temporarily on the skin surface by jetting compressed gas in an image and observing wrinkles and gloss rings appearing in the image are proposed (Patent Document 2). Yes.

JP 2004-108794 A JP 2006-346020 A

  However, the conventional method of injecting compressed air onto the skin requires a compressed gas injection device and the like, and a large-scale device is required to implement the method.

  In addition, in a region where the hair is fluttered, such as the scalp, it is difficult to measure the surface displacement of the skin due to the injection of compressed air and to observe wrinkles and gloss rings.

  On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to evaluate the surface properties of the skin including the scalp with a simpler device.

  The inventor presses the skin surface with a stick-shaped pressing element, illuminates the pressed part so that the shadow of the depression on the skin surface due to the pressing is clearly formed, takes an image, and the shadow derived from the depression on the skin surface It has been found that the skin properties against pressing such as elasticity and flexibility can be easily evaluated by measuring the forming position and the forming state such as spreading.

  That is, the present invention includes a pressing member that presses the skin surface, an illuminating unit that illuminates the pressed part of the skin surface so as to form a shadow of a dent on the skin surface, and an imaging unit that captures the pressed part. A skin property measuring device is provided.

  In addition, the present invention presses the skin surface with a pressing element, illuminates the pressed part to form a shadow of the depression on the skin surface by pressing, and photographs the pressed part on which the shadow is formed. Provided is a method for evaluating skin properties based on the formation state of a shadow derived from a dent on the skin surface.

  According to the present invention, the skin is directly pressed with a pressing element, and the skin surface properties such as elasticity and flexibility are evaluated based on the shadow of the dent on the skin surface formed by the pressing. The surface property of the skin can be evaluated by the apparatus, and it can be applied to the scalp where the hair is growing and the skin where the hair is growing.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same numerals indicate the same or equivalent components.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a skin property measuring apparatus 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the measurement principle of the skin property measuring apparatus 1A (top view (a), side view (b)). It is. This skin property measuring apparatus 1A includes a rod-like presser 10 and an imaging means 20 attached to a pedestal 3 slidable in an axial direction of a cylinder as indicated by an arrow in a cylindrical housing 2, and a wall surface of the housing 2. A directional light source attached as the illumination means 30 is provided.

  From the viewpoint of stability and simplicity, the cylindrical housing 2 preferably has an inner diameter of 5 to 100 mm, particularly 5 to 50 mm when measuring the scalp. In addition, when the skin S is pressed by the distal end portion 11 of the pressing element 10 and the pressing portion P1 is illuminated by the directional light source 30, a cylindrical shape is formed so that the shadow of the depression of the skin S due to the pressing is clearly formed. The inner wall of the housing 2 is preferably light-absorbing, and for that purpose it is preferably painted in matte gray or black. In order to eliminate the influence of ambient light, it is preferable that the wall of the housing 2 has a low light transmittance.

  The presser 10 is not particularly limited in terms of the material, but is a plastic such as acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET, ABS resin from the viewpoint of processability, moldability, durability, and chemical resistance. It is made of hard or soft glass, metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or brass, wood or the like.

  The pressing element 10 is attached to the pedestal 3 so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 so that the skin S can be pressed vertically. The shape of the distal end portion 11 of the presser 10 is preferably a flat surface or a curved surface from the viewpoint of preventing the skin from being painful. In particular, when the diameter of the distal end portion 11 of the presser 10 is small, The shape is preferably a curved surface. The diameter of the tip 11 is preferably 10 mm or less when there is no hair or body hair at the measurement site, but when there is hair, the root of the hair H when it is applied to the scalp S. It is preferable to make it narrower than the space | interval of the pores of a head so that it may not take, and it is preferable to set it as 2 mm or less, especially 1.6 mm or less.

  As a pressurizing mechanism that changes the force of pressing the skin S with the presser 10, a weight receiving base 4 is extended above the base 3, and the weight 5 is placed on the weight receiving base 4 in a replaceable manner. Can be placed. In this case, it is preferable to apply a pressure of about 0 to 100 g. The pressurizing mechanism for applying the pressing force to the pressing element 10 is not limited to the configuration of the weight receiving base 4 and the weight 5, and for example, a spring material attached to the housing 2, a stepping motor, a piezoelectric actuator, a rack pinion, or the like. The pressing element 10 may be urged toward the skin by a pressing mechanism such as a type pressing mechanism, an air bellows, or a mechanism that combines a cylinder and a piston. As a result, not only the upward skin S but also skin facing in an arbitrary direction can be set as a measurement target. In addition to making the pressing force applied to the skin S a constant value, the pressing force can be changed over time, for example, by changing it with a sine wave.

  In the present invention, the illuminating means 30 may be provided with a directional light source that emits light having directivity such as light condensed at one point or spot or parallel light, or a diffusion light source that diffuses light in all directions. May be. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a directional light source including a light source 31 and a lens system 32 positioned in front of the light source 31 is provided.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the light source 31, It is preferable to use a light emitting diode, an incandescent lamp, etc. Or it is good also as the light emission end of the optical fiber which installed the light source separately.

  As the lens system 32, for example, the light source 31 emits light so that a dent formed on the skin surface when the skin S is pressed by the distal end portion 11 of the presser 10 forms a clear shadow by illumination of a directional light source. A condensing lens that condenses the collected light at one point may be provided, or a convex lens that condenses the light at a spot may be used. The condensing point can be adjusted to the skin pressing site P1 by the pressing member 10.

  On the other hand, when a diffused light source is provided as the illumination means 30, a concave lens may be provided on the front surface of the light source 31. Thereby, a shadow can be formed extensively.

  Furthermore, the illumination unit 30 may be provided with two or more light sources of different colors. In this case, the anisotropy of the dent can be detected by taking out each color independently by the color filter in the imaging means 20.

  With respect to the installation position of the illumination means 30, it is preferable to be outside the region where the depression 10 is formed on the skin surface by the pressing element 10 and as close as possible to the pressing portion P1 on the skin surface. More specifically, in the case of providing a directional light source or a diffused light source as the illumination means 30, the horizontal distance L1 from the pressed portion P1 is 5 to 50 mm, and the height L2 from the skin surface is 0 to 0. A position of 30 mm is preferable.

  As the image pickup means 20, it is preferable to use a digital camera, a video camera, a camera module equipped with a CCD or CMOS image pickup device, and the like. In order to reduce the size of the housing 2, these lens portions are provided in the housing 2. It is preferable.

  Further, the skin property measuring apparatus 1A is provided with a display means 40 such as a 1 to 50 inch display capable of displaying an enlarged image so that a measurer and a subject can easily visually recognize an image taken by the imaging means 20 on the spot. It is preferable to provide it. Further, as the display means 40, a display of a printer or a mobile phone may be used.

  It is preferable that a personal computer 41 is connected to the imaging means 20 and that the personal computer 41 is equipped with image processing software that enables measurement of the position, length, area, etc. of the shaded area of the captured image. Further, the personal computer 41 may be provided with a function of evaluating skin properties based on image data, and the skin property measuring device 1A and the personal computer 41 may form a system for evaluating skin properties. In this case, the personal computer 41 stores a photographed image, a function for storing measurement values such as the position, length, and area of the shadow region, those measurement values, and a result of evaluation of the skin property of the subject by a beauty specialist. A function of outputting an evaluation value of the skin property of the subject from the measured value of the subject based on the database corresponding to the above, a function of constructing the database, a change in the measured value before and after applying the predetermined cosmetic to the subject It is preferable to provide a function of outputting a change state of the skin property from a daily change of the measured value of the subject or the like.

  In addition, the skin property measuring apparatus 1A directly detects the displacement amount of the presser 10 using a differential transformer as a contact displacement sensor, a laser displacement meter as a non-contact displacement sensor, an ultrasonic displacement meter, or the like. You may provide the mechanism to do. These displacement meters preferably have a minimum displacement that can be detected is 0.1 mm or more, preferably 0.01 mm or more.

  This skin property measuring apparatus 1A is used as follows.

  First, in the housing 2, a weight 5 having a predetermined weight is placed on the weight receiving base 4 while the presser 10 is lifted by hand to the opposite side of the skin S, and the housing 2 is placed perpendicular to the skin S. Next, the hand is released and the surface of the skin S is directly pressed by the pressing member 10. Alternatively, the weight 5 having a predetermined weight is placed on the weight receiving base 4 in a state in which the tip portion 11 of the presser 10 is brought into contact with the skin S. In addition, when scalp is made into evaluation object among skin, the hair 2 is divided | segmented and the housing 2 is contact | abutted to the ground as much as possible.

  By pressing, the skin S is recessed with a width D1 and a depth D2 corresponding to the skin properties such as elasticity and flexibility. For example, even when a pressing force of about 1 to 300 g is applied to the pressing element 10, the depth of the dent hardly varies depending on the properties of the skin, the dent area is dent in a narrow area and hard skin is wide. Recessed by area. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the pressing part P1 is illuminated by the illumination means (directional light source) 30, this depression causes the pressing part P1 side to become a shadow of the dent from the light source side end P2 of the dent. It becomes. The shadow during this period becomes longer as the area where the skin is recessed is wider and shorter as the area where the skin is recessed is narrower. Therefore, while pressing, the pressing part P1 is photographed by the imaging means 20, and the position of the shadow on the image is recognized by the personal computer 41, and formed between the directional light source 30 and the pressing part P1. The distance L3 between the shadow light source side end portion (that is, the light source side end portion P2 of the recessed area) and the pressing portion P1 (preferably the pressing center) is obtained, and this distance L3 is a skin with a sense of tightness, elasticity, flexibility, etc. Use as an evaluation index for properties.

  On the other hand, the same shading measurement may be performed after the skin S is pressed once with the pressing element 10 and the pressing is released. More specifically, for example, after pressing with the presser 10 for 1 to 100 seconds in the same manner as described above, the presser 10 is lifted from the skin, and measurement is performed 0.1 to 300 seconds after the pulling. In such a measurement, the skin with less elasticity is more clearly shaded for a longer time after the presser 10 is pulled up, so that the elasticity can be evaluated.

  In the usage method of the skin property measuring apparatus 1A described above, even when the diffusing light source 33 is provided as the illumination means, as shown in FIG. So it can be done in the same way. In this case, shadows can be formed in a wider range, but the boundary between the light area and the dark area of the shadow tends to be unclear, so a directional light source is used as the illumination means from the viewpoint of obtaining stronger contrast. It is preferable to do.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a skin property measuring apparatus 1B according to a different aspect of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the measurement principle of the skin property measuring apparatus 1B. This skin property measuring apparatus 1B is different from the above-described skin property measuring apparatus 1A in that a diffusion light source 34 is provided at the distal end portion 11 of the presser 10 as illumination means for illuminating the pressing portion P1.

  As the diffused light source 34, it is preferable to use a light emitting end of an optical fiber, a light emitting diode element, or the like from the point of forming the distal end portion 11 of a pressed portion having a diameter of 2 mm, particularly 1.6 mm or less. For example, Matsushita Electric's chip type light emitting diode LNJ208R8 series (size: 1.6 mm × 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm), Everlite 19-213SUBC series (size: 1.6 mm × 0.8 mm × 0. 8 mm) may be used.

  When the surface of the skin S is pressed with a predetermined pressing force by the pressing element 10 of the skin property measuring device 1B, as shown in FIG. 5, the skin S corresponds to the skin properties such as its elasticity, flexibility, and feeling of tension. It is recessed with a width D1 and a depth D2. The depression due to pressing becomes a bright area, but the outside becomes a shadow area and becomes a dark area. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressing part P1 is photographed by the imaging means 20, and on the image, the diameter L4 of the annular contour of the shadow formed around the pressing part P1 is spaced from the pressing part P1 on the skin. Use as an evaluation index for properties. The skin property measuring device 1B is preferable in that the light source device configuration is simpler than the skin property measuring device 1A shown in FIG. 1 described above, but the skin property shown in FIG. The measuring device 1A is preferable. Moreover, the skin property measuring apparatus 1B is preferable for the measurement of a greatly curved portion.

  As an evaluation index of the skin property, the distance L3 between the light source side end P2 and the pressing portion P1 of the dent area or the diameter L4 of the annular contour described above may be used as they are. The area or the like of the dent may be calculated, and the area or the like may be used as an evaluation index for skin properties.

Example 1
For the scalp of three women (A, B, C) of 26 to 29 years old with different skin properties, using the skin property measuring device 1A of FIG. A distance L3 between the end portion P1 and the pressed portion P2 was obtained from the number of pixels of the taken image.

  In this case, the specification of the apparatus 1A was as follows.

Diameter of the tip of the presser: 1.5 mm
Presser material: ABS resin Light source: Light-emitting diode (Toyoda Gosei EIL53-3G)
Imaging means: Small CMOS camera module Trinity / IUCM-130FO2
Weight: 14.5g
PC used: NEC PC-MY26XLZEH
Software used to measure distance: Microsoft Photo Editor 3.01

  On the other hand, when the presence or absence of the scalp feeling of the above-mentioned 3 persons (A, B, C) was evaluated by a beauty specialist, the results were as follows.

A: No tension B: No tension C: Tightness

  The results are shown in FIG. From FIG. 6, in the scalp evaluated as having a feeling of tension by the beauty specialist, the distance L3 between the light source side end P2 and the pressing part P1 of the recessed area is large, that is, the recessed area is formed in a wide range. I understand. Therefore, it can be seen that the sense of tension can be evaluated by the distance L3.

Example 2
After pressing the weight at 54 g for 10 seconds, releasing the pressure, and taking images before and after the release, in the same manner as in Example 1, using the skin property measuring device 1A of FIG. 1, three women (A, B, C) scalp was measured.

  In addition, when the beauty specialists evaluated the elasticity of these three women, the results were as follows.

A: No elasticity B: Elasticity C: Elasticity

  The results of the measurement using the skin property measuring device are as follows. In the case of the elastic scalp (B, C), the shadow disappears about 5 seconds after the pressing force is released. In the case of the non-elastic scalp (A), the pressing force Even after 15 seconds had elapsed from the release, a shadow (a portion surrounded by a broken line) was recognized as shown in FIG. Thereby, according to this apparatus, it turns out that the elasticity of skin can also be evaluated.

  According to the skin property measuring device and the skin property measuring method of the present invention, it is possible to evaluate the surface properties of the skin and scalp such as elasticity and flexibility with a simple and compact device. , Hair care agent, scalp care agent, scalp care method development, sales promotion and so on.

It is a schematic diagram of the skin property measuring apparatus of an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the measurement principle of the skin property measuring apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the shadow at the time of using a diffused light source. It is a schematic diagram of the skin property measuring apparatus of another Example. It is explanatory drawing of the measurement principle of the skin property measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a related figure of the skin property of an Example, and the distance L3 by a shadow. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image of a pressed part of a scalp having no elasticity before pressing and after releasing pressing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B Skin property measuring apparatus 2 Housing 3 Base 4 Weight receiving stand 5 Weight 10 Presser 11 Pusher tip 20 Imaging means 30 Illumination means (directional light source)
31 Light source 32 Lens system 33, 34 Diffuse light source 40 Display means 41 Personal computer D1 Depth width D2 Depth depth P1 Pressed part P2 End of light source side of dent area S Skin (scalp)
H hair

Claims (14)

  A skin property measuring apparatus comprising: a pressing element that presses the skin surface; an illuminating unit that illuminates the pressed part of the skin surface so as to form a shadow of a dent on the skin surface by pressing; and an imaging unit that images the pressed part.   2. The skin property measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is a directional light source, and the directional light source is provided at a position close to the dent outside the formation area of the dent on the skin surface.   The skin property measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is a diffused light source, and the diffused light source is provided at the tip of the presser.   The skin property measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pressing member, a light source, and a lens portion of an imaging means are provided in a cylindrical housing.   The skin property measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a tip diameter of the presser is 10 mm or less.   The skin property measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a pressurizing mechanism that varies a pressing force applied to the pressing element.   The skin property measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising display means for displaying an image taken by the imaging means.   While pressing the skin surface with a presser, illuminating the pressed part to form a shadow of the depression on the skin surface by pressing, photographing the pressed part where the shadow was formed, derived from the dent on the skin surface in the photographed image A method for evaluating skin properties based on the state of shadow formation.   The method according to claim 8, wherein the skin surface is a scalp.   The method of Claim 8 or 9 which image | photographs a press site | part while pressing the skin surface with a presser.   The method of Claim 8 or 9 which image | photographs a press site | part after pressing the skin surface with a presser.   9. The pressing portion is illuminated with a directional light source from the outside of the skin surface dent formation region, and the distance between the light source side end of the shadow formed between the light source and the pressing portion and the pressing portion is measured. The method in any one of -11.   Any of Claims 8-11 which illuminate a press part with the diffused light source provided in the front-end | tip part of a presser, and measure the diameter of the cyclic | annular outline of the shadow formed around a press part at intervals with a press part. The method of crab.   A skin property evaluation system comprising: the skin property measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and a computer that evaluates the skin property based on image data output from the skin property measurement device.