JP5199059B2 - Skin observation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a skin observation apparatus that captures an image of skin irradiated with ultraviolet light.

The skin observation device is used as a sales promotion tool for selling an optimal skin care product according to a customer's skin at a cosmetic salon (cosmetics store) or the like.
Conventional skin observation devices generally include a dome-shaped light-shielding head with an observation hole formed at the tip, and this observation head is applied to any part of the skin to be observed, such as the cheeks, temples, or under the eyes. Thus, the state of the customer's skin is enlarged and observed.

In this case, in order to visualize the wastes clogged in the pores, ultraviolet light is irradiated as illumination light, and the ultraviolet light source is small, low power consumption, and high luminance can be obtained. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used.
Although this LED is similar in principle to light emission and characteristics to a semiconductor laser, it can be said that it is safer than a semiconductor laser in that it does not use an oscillation phenomenon and is a diffuse illumination.
JP 2005-6725 A

However, as the brightness of the LED increases, the eye irritation is not necessarily safe, and the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Moreover, since the human eye is not sensitive to ultraviolet rays, even if the energy is high, the human eye feels faint light, and may not be aware that he is looking directly.
Therefore, in the skin observation apparatus using the ultraviolet LED as described above, the periphery of the eye may be observed, and in such a case, safety is required so that the ultraviolet light does not directly enter the eye even if wrong. It is done.

  Furthermore, the lifetime of visible light LEDs is generally about 5000 hours, whereas ultraviolet LEDs are very short, about 500 hours. Therefore, skin observation devices using ultraviolet LEDs can cut UV LEDs. Due to this, the period until imaging is impossible is short, and there is a problem that the apparatus used for business in cosmetic salons lacks reliability.

  Therefore, the present invention is highly safe even when an ultraviolet LED is used as the illumination light source of the skin observation device, and improves the reliability by extending the period until imaging becomes impossible even if the lifetime of the ultraviolet LED is constant. Is a technical issue.

In order to solve this problem, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a light-shielding head that is brought into contact with the skin to be observed is bulged and formed on a skin-contacting surface formed on the bulging portion of the light-shielding head. An observation hole is formed, and an imaging optical system including an imaging element that captures an image of an object to be observed through the observation hole, an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the observation hole, and visible light are irradiated inside the observation hole. In a skin observation apparatus provided with an illumination system including a visible light source, a contact sensor that outputs a detection signal when the skin is in contact with the skin is disposed on the skin contact surface of the light-shielding head, and a lighting switch is operated. visible to the visible light lighting means for lighting the visible light source, based on a detection signal of the contact sensor, Ru turn off the visible light source is lit with ultraviolet light when the skin contact surface is judged to have been in contact with the skin by -UV switching means and after UV light source lighting It is characterized in that a UV light source off means Ru turn off the ultraviolet light source when the skin contact surface based on a detection signal of the contact sensor is determined to away from the skin.
In the skin observation apparatus according to claim 2, contact sensors are provided at a plurality of locations around the observation hole, and the ultraviolet light source is turned on by the control device while detection signals are output from all the contact sensors. It has become.
According to a third aspect of the present invention , the skin observation apparatus includes a still image output unit that continues to output the image displayed immediately before as a still image when the ultraviolet light source is turned off by the ultraviolet light source turn-off unit.
The skin observation apparatus according to claim 4 includes chattering prevention means for preventing blinking of the ultraviolet light source caused by noise of the detection signal output from the contact sensor.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a situation where the skin contact surface of the light shielding head is away from the skin and the inside of the observation hole is visible, the ultraviolet light source is not turned on, and the contact sensor disposed on the skin contact surface is applied to the skin. While being in contact, the ultraviolet light source is turned on.
When the contact sensor is brought into contact with the skin, the observation hole is closed with the skin, so that the light of the ultraviolet light source lit in the light shielding head does not leak to the outside, and safety is improved. .
In addition, the imaging optical system is designed to focus when the observation hole is in contact with the skin, so if the ultraviolet light source is turned on at that time, it is sufficient for illumination, and the lighting time is wasted. There is no. Accordingly, the lighting time of the ultraviolet LED that is turned on each time observation is performed can be shortened, and the period until the imaging becomes impossible due to a ball break can be extended.

In addition, the illumination system includes an ultraviolet light source and a visible light source, and the visible light source is turned on by operating the lighting switch, so that the visible light is irradiated when the observation hole is away from the skin. By irradiating the irradiation spot to the observation site, it becomes easy to align the observation spot.
  Next, when the detection signal of the contact sensor is output, the visible light source is turned off and the ultraviolet light source is turned on. At that time, the observation hole is blocked by the skin, so that the ultraviolet light does not leak.

According to the skin observation apparatus according to claim 2, since the ultraviolet light source is not turned on unless detection signals are output from all the contact sensors provided at a plurality of locations around the observation hole, safety is higher. .

According to the skin observation apparatus of claim 3, when the output of the detection signal of the contact sensor is stopped after the ultraviolet light source is turned on and the ultraviolet light source is turned off, the image displayed immediately before is displayed as a still image. Therefore, even if the skin contact surface momentarily leaves the skin during the observation and the ultraviolet light source is turned off, the observation can be continued continuously.

Furthermore, according to the skin observation apparatus of claim 4 , even if noise is included in the detection signal output from the contact sensor, the ultraviolet light source does not blink by this, so that the image is not disturbed and observed without stress. can do.

The skin observation device of this example is highly safe even when an ultraviolet LED is used as the illumination light source of the skin observation device, and the reliability is increased by extending the period until imaging becomes impossible even if the lifetime of the ultraviolet LED is constant. In order to achieve the purpose of improvement, a light-shielding head that abuts against the skin that is the object to be observed is bulged and an observation hole is formed in the skin-contact surface formed on the bulging portion of the light-shielding head. In addition, an imaging optical system including an imaging element that captures an image of an object to be observed through the observation hole, an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the observation hole, and a visible light source that irradiates visible light are provided on the inside. A contact sensor that outputs a detection signal when touching the skin is disposed on the skin contact surface of the light shielding head, and the visible light source is turned on by operating a lighting switch. and the visible light lighting means, before It said contact sensor and ultraviolet switching means, after lighting the ultraviolet light source - based on the detection signal of the contact sensor, turns off the visible light source visible to Ru is lit ultraviolet light source when the skin contact surface is judged to have been in contact with the skin skin contact surface based on the detection signal and a ultraviolet light source off means Ru turn off the ultraviolet light source when it is determined that remote from the skin.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a skin observation apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an illumination system, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an imaging process. .

In the skin observation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a light shielding head 2 to be brought into contact with the skin to be observed is formed to bulge from the apparatus main body 3, and the skin contact surface 4 formed at the bulging portion of the light shielding head 2. In addition, an observation hole 5 is formed, and an imaging optical system 10 including an imaging element 11 that captures an image of an object to be observed through the observation hole 5 and an illumination system 20 that irradiates illumination light toward the observation hole 5 are arranged. ing.
In the imaging optical system 10, an imaging lens 12 is arranged on an imaging optical axis X extending from the observation hole 5 to the imaging element 11, and a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or a C-MOS is arranged as the imaging element 11.
In the illumination system 20, a visible light source 21 such as a white LED that emits white light (visible light) and an ultraviolet light source 22 such as an ultraviolet LED that emits ultraviolet light are annularly arranged around the imaging optical axis X. .

The skin contact surface 4 of the light shielding head 2 is formed in a flat shape, and an observation hole 5 is formed in the skin contact surface 4 so that the annular flat portion around the observation hole 5 is the skin contact surface. 4
The skin contact surface 4 is provided with a required number of contact sensors S that output a detection signal when the skin comes into contact therewith.
In this example, the observation hole 5 is formed in a square shape, the skin contact surface 4 is also formed in a rectangular ring shape, and contact sensors S are arranged at the four corners.
The contact sensor S has two pairs of contacts 6a and 6b formed close to the skin contact surface 4, and electrical resistance and capacitance generated between the contacts 6a and 6b when the skin touches the contact sensor S. Based on such changes, the touch of the skin is detected and a detection signal is output, and while the skin is in contact with this, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned on by the control device 7 described later. .

The apparatus main body 3 incorporates a control device 7 composed of a microprocessor.
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the image sensor 11 is connected to the input port via the camera control unit 31, and the contact sensor S is connected to the input port via the contact sensing circuit 32 and the off-delay timer 33. In addition, a light source selection switch 34 for selectively outputting a visible light lighting signal and an ultraviolet light lighting signal and an imaging button 38 are connected.
The visible light source 21 is connected to the output port via a white LED lighting circuit 35, the ultraviolet light source 22 is connected via an ultraviolet LED lighting circuit 36, and a liquid crystal display 37 is further connected.

The camera control unit 31 generates an image based on the output signal of the image sensor 11 and outputs the image signal to the control device 7.
The contact sensing circuit 32 determines that the skin contact surface 4 is in contact with the skin based on the detection signals output from the contact sensors S when the detection signals are output from all the contact sensors S. Output a contact signal.
The off-delay timer 33 is provided as chattering preventing means for preventing the ultraviolet light source 22 from blinking due to noise included in the detection signal output from each contact sensor S.
That is, when noise is included in the detection signal output from one contact sensor S, the signal strength of the detection signal is reduced according to the noise period even though the contact sensor S is in contact with the skin. Accordingly, the contact signal output from the contact sensing circuit 32 is momentarily interrupted and the ultraviolet light source 22 blinks. In order to prevent this, for example, if the delay time of the off-delay timer 33 is set to 0.05 seconds, the ultraviolet light source 22 continues to flash even if the contact signal is interrupted for about 0.05 seconds. There is nothing to do.
The light source selection switch 34 selectively outputs a visible light lighting signal and an ultraviolet light lighting signal, thereby controlling the lighting operation of the visible light source 21 and the ultraviolet light source 22.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a control procedure of the illumination system 20 in the control device 7.
When the main switch (not shown) is turned on, the processing is started. After confirming that all the light sources are turned off in step STP1, which light source is selected by the light source selection switch 34 in step STP2. Judging.
If visible light is selected, the visible light source 21 is turned on in step STP3, the light source selection switch 34 is checked again in step STP4, and if it is maintained in visible light, the process proceeds to step STP5 and switched to ultraviolet light. If so, the process proceeds to step STP8.
In step STP5, if the main switch is maintained in the on state, the process returns to step STP4. If the main switch is turned off, the visible light source 21 is turned off in step STP6 and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the ultraviolet light is selected in step STP2, the visible light source 21 is first turned on in step STP7, and the process waits until the contact signal is output from the contact detection circuit 32 in step STP8. In step STP9, the visible light source 21 is turned off and the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned on.
Thereafter, in step STP10, it is determined whether or not the contact signal from the contact sensing circuit 32 is interrupted. When the contact signal is interrupted, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned off and the visible light source 21 is turned on in step STP11, and the process proceeds to step STP8. When the contact signal is continuously output, the light source selection switch 34 is confirmed again at step STP12. If the light source selection switch 34 is maintained at the ultraviolet light, the process proceeds to step STP14, and if it is switched to visible light, the process proceeds to step STP13. Then, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned off and the visible light source 21 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step STP4.
In step STP14, if the main switch is maintained in the on state, the process returns to step STP10. If the main switch is turned off, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned off in step STP15 and the process is terminated.

  Here, the process of step STP7 is a visible light lighting unit that turns on the visible light source by operating the light source selection switch 34 that is a lighting switch, and the process of step STP9 is performed on the skin contact surface based on the detection signal of the contact sensor S. Is a visible-ultraviolet switching means for turning off the visible light source and turning on the ultraviolet light source when it is determined that the contact is made, and the process of step STP11 is based on the detection signal of the contact sensor S after the ultraviolet light source is turned on. UV light source extinguishing means for extinguishing the ultraviolet light source when it is determined that the skin is separated from

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the control procedure of the imaging process in the control device 7.
When a main switch (not shown) is turned on, the processing is started. In step STP21, the image sensor 11 is turned on. In step STP22, the video image is output to the liquid crystal display, and the process proceeds to step STP23.
In step STP23, it is determined which light source is selected by the light source selection switch 34. If visible light is selected, the process proceeds to step STP24, and if ultraviolet light is selected, the process proceeds to step STP28. .

In step STP24, when the imaging button 38 is pressed, the process proceeds to step STP25, and the image captured at that time is taken into the memory. Then, the process proceeds to step STP26, and if the main switch is turned off, step STP24 is performed. At STP27, the image sensor 11 is turned off and the process is terminated.
When the imaging button 38 is not pressed at step STP24, or when the main switch is on at step STP26, the process returns to step STP23.

When ultraviolet light is selected in step STP23, the process proceeds to step STP28, and whether or not the contact signal output from the contact sensing circuit 32 is interrupted, that is, whether or not the skin contact surface 11 is not separated from the skin. Is judged.
If it is determined that they are not separated, the process proceeds to step STP24, and imaging and imaging can be performed in the same manner as visible light.
When it is determined that the user has left, the process proceeds to step STP29 and the image captured immediately before is output as a still image, and whether or not a contact signal is output from the touch detection circuit 32 in step STP30, that is, skin contact It is determined whether or not the contact surface 11 is in contact with the skin.
If contacted, the process returns to step STP22. If not contacted, the process proceeds to step STP31. If the main switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step STP27, and the process is terminated.
If the main switch is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step STP32 and waits until a predetermined time elapses. When the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step STP27 and the image sensor 11 is turned off and the process is terminated.

  Here, the processing of step STP29 is still image output means that continues to output the image that was displayed immediately before as the still image when the ultraviolet light source is turned off.

The above is one configuration example of the present invention, and the operation thereof will be described next.
When observing skin with ultraviolet rays, when the main switch is turned on and ultraviolet light is selected by the light source selection switch 34 (step STP2), first, the visible light source is turned on (step STP7), and at the same time, the image sensor 11 is turned on. It is turned on (step STP21) and is in an observable state.
Next, when the skin contact surface 4 of the light shielding head 2 is brought into contact with the skin and detection signals are output from all the contact sensors S..., The contact signal is output from the contact detection circuit 34 and the visible light source 21 is turned off. Then, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned on (step STP9).
Thereby, ultraviolet light is irradiated to the skin through the observation hole 5, and the image is captured by the image sensor 11 and displayed on the liquid crystal display. When necessary, the image is recorded by pressing the imaging button 38 (steps STP24, 25). ).
At this time, since the skin contact surface 4 is in close contact with the skin, the observation hole 5 is closed by the skin, so that the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 22 does not leak outside.

During this time, when the contact signal output from the contact sensing circuit 32 is interrupted, the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned off (step STP11). Therefore, even when the skin contact surface 4 moves away from the skin when the skin observation apparatus 1 is moved on the skin, ultraviolet light does not leak outside through the gap.
Further, at this time, since the image displayed immediately before is output to the liquid crystal display 37 as a still image (step STP29), the observation can be continued continuously even when the ultraviolet light source 22 is turned off.
When the contact signal is output from the contact sensing circuit 32 by correctly bringing the skin contact surface 4 into contact with the skin within a predetermined time, the image can be captured again through the observation hole 5 by the image sensor 11. The video image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 37 (steps STP30 and S22).

When observing with visible light, when the main switch is turned on and visible light is selected with the light source selection switch 34 (step STP2), the visible light source is turned on (step STP3) and at the same time, the image sensor 11 is turned on ( In step STP21), an observable state is obtained.
Next, when the skin contact surface 4 of the light-shielding head 2 is brought into contact with the skin and the observation hole 5 is set to an arbitrary observation site, visible light is irradiated to the skin through the observation hole 5, and the image is captured by the image sensor 11. The image is displayed on the liquid crystal display, and an image is recorded by pressing the imaging button 38 as necessary (steps STP24 and S25).

In the above description, when it is determined that the skin contact surface 4 is away from the skin, the case where the image captured immediately before in step STP29 in the imaging process is output as a still image has been described. As described above, in the illumination system 20, if the ultraviolet light source 21 is turned off and the visible light source 22 is turned on (step STP 11), the visible light image captured by the image sensor 11 is video-recorded without outputting a still image. You can continue to output. In this case, it is not necessary to perform the process (steps STP23, 28 to 32) enclosed by the broken line in FIG.
Further, the skin observation apparatus 1 in which the visible light source 21 and the ultraviolet light source 22 are arranged side by side as the illumination system 20 has been described, but it is needless to say that the illumination system 20 can be applied to a skin observation apparatus dedicated to ultraviolet light observation that has only an ultraviolet light source.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to the use of a skin observation apparatus that observes skin by irradiating ultraviolet light as illumination light.

The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the skin observation apparatus which concerns on this invention. The block diagram. The flowchart which shows the control procedure of an illumination system. The flowchart which shows the control procedure of an imaging process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Skin observation apparatus 2 Shading head 3 Apparatus main body 4 Skin contact surface 5 Observation hole S Contact sensor 6a Contact 6b Contact 7 Control apparatus 10 Imaging optical system 11 Imaging element 12 Imaging lens X Imaging optical axis 20 Illumination system 21 Visible Light source 22 Ultraviolet light source

Claims (4)

A light-shielding head that abuts against the skin as the object to be observed is formed to bulge, and an observation hole is formed in the skin contact surface formed in the bulging portion of the light-shielding head, and through the observation hole inside In a skin observation apparatus provided with an imaging optical system including an image pickup device that captures an image of an object to be observed, and an illumination system including an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the observation hole and a visible light source that irradiates visible light ,
A contact sensor that outputs a detection signal when being in contact with the skin is disposed on the skin contact surface of the light shielding head,
Visible light lighting means for turning on the visible light source by operating the lighting switch, and the ultraviolet light source by turning off the visible light source when it is determined that the skin contact surface is in contact with the skin based on the detection signal of the contact sensor. visible Ru is lit - with the ultraviolet switching means, and a ultraviolet light source off means Ru turn off the ultraviolet light source when the skin contact surface based on a detection signal of the contact sensor after the lighting ultraviolet light source is determined to away from the skin A skin observation apparatus characterized by that.   The skin observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact sensors are provided at a plurality of locations around the observation hole, and the ultraviolet light source is turned on while detection signals are output from all the contact sensors.   The skin observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a still image output unit that continuously outputs an image projected immediately before as a still image when the ultraviolet light source is turned off by the ultraviolet light source turning-off unit.   The skin observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising chattering prevention means for preventing blinking of an ultraviolet light source caused by noise of a detection signal output from the contact sensor.

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