WO2019115194A1

WO2019115194A1 - Arrangement for determining metabolic end products in the skin

Info

Publication number: WO2019115194A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/082149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Bock; Thomas Welss
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2017-12-12
Filing date: 2018-11-22
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Also published as: DE102017222530A1

Abstract

An arrangement (100) for determining skin properties is proposed. The arrangement has: a capturing unit (110) for capturing skin features; an evaluation unit (120) for evaluating the captured skin features and for determining the skin properties on the basis of the captured skin features; and a user interface (130) having an output unit (134), wherein the user interface is designed to interact with a user. The evaluation unit (120) is designed to query a data storage unit (140) using the determined skin properties, to receive, from the data storage unit (140), features of treatment agents and/or instructions for use for the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the determined skin properties and to instruct the output unit (134) to output information relating to the treatment agents and/or instructions for use to a user. The evaluation unit (120) is a portable computer unit and the capturing unit is designed to emit light in the direction of a skin surface to be investigated in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm and to capture light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm and to determine a ratio of the reflected light and of the light emitted through autofluorescence.

Description

Arrangement for determining metabolic end products in the skin

The invention relates to an arrangement for determining skin properties and a

Computer program product, which is designed to be executed on a portable computing unit.

In many areas of daily life, there has been a trend towards personalized programs that address specific needs and needs, such as nutrition or health. This also applies to personalized cosmetics. It should enable the consumer to find specific products or

To receive nurses' suggestions tailored to their individual needs.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide user-friendly and effective approaches for determining non-therapeutic body surface treatment and an arrangement that implements such approaches.

It can be regarded as an object of the invention to describe an arrangement which allows a user, in particular a consumer or end user, to make recommendations based on individual skin properties for non-therapeutic

To receive treatment agents and instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of the body surface, especially the skin.

This object is achieved by an arrangement for determining skin properties, comprising the arrangement:

a detection unit for detecting skin features;

an evaluation unit for evaluating the detected skin characteristics and for determining the skin properties based on the detected skin characteristics;

a user interface having an output unit, wherein the

User interface is designed to interact with a user;

wherein the evaluation unit is executed:

query a data storage unit using the determined skin characteristics;

from the data storage unit features of treatment agents and / or

To obtain instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the skin characteristics determined;

instruct the output unit to output information on the treatment means and / or application instructions to a user;

wherein the evaluation unit is a portable computing unit;

wherein the detection unit is designed to emit light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm in the direction of a skin surface to be examined and to emit light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm and to detect a proportion of the reflected light and a proportion of light emitted by autofluorescence light.

In one aspect, an arrangement for determining skin properties is disclosed. The arrangement comprises: a detection unit for detecting skin features, a

Evaluation unit for evaluating the detected skin characteristics and for determining the

Skin properties based on the detected skin features and a user interface having an output unit, the user interface configured to interact with a user. The evaluation unit is designed to perform the following functions: a

Retrieve data storage unit using the determined skin characteristics; obtain from the data storage unit characteristics of treatment agents and / or instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the determined skin properties; and instruct the output unit to output information on the treatment agents and / or application notes. In this embodiment, the evaluation unit is a portable computing unit and the detection unit is designed to light in one

Wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm in the direction of a to be examined

To emit skin surface and to detect light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm and to determine a proportion of the reflected light and a proportion of light emitted by autofluorescence light.

In other words, first light in a first wavelength range or

Excited area emitted. The first wavelength range extends from 200 nm to 420 nm. The thus illuminated skin will reflect a portion of the light in the first wavelength range; the reflected light is also from the first wavelength range. However, in the first wavelength range, the light will excite certain metabolic end products in the skin to autofluorescence, so that the skin emits light in a second wavelength range due to the autofluorescence, the second wavelength range being, for example, from 420 nm to 1500 nm. The detection unit detects both the reflected light in the first wavelength range and that by autofluorescence in the second

Wavelength range emitted light.

In the present case, autofluorescence is understood to be the ability of the skin to emit light without additional substances being introduced into the skin.

The approach described here makes it possible to identify metabolic end products in the skin. Such metabolic end products may be, for example, advanced

Glycation end products (AGEs).

AGEs are metabolic end products that are formed by non-enzymatic reaction (Maillard reaction) of sugars with lipids, nucleic acids and especially proteins. They accumulate in the context of aging in tissues and contribute to a number of diseases, such as diabetes mellitus including typical complications, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory reactions. They also play a role in skin aging. Examples of AGEs are 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) and methylglyoxal (MGO). The formation of AGEs in tissues usually takes weeks or years and therefore also applies mainly to long-lived proteins, such as. Collagen. However, an increase in oxidative stress, smoking or other stressors may also lead to a more rapid formation of AGEs. Also a recording about the food is possible.

The device described herein makes it possible to determine the content of AGEs in the skin by determining the autofluorescence of the skin in a specific range of Spektra I. Accordingly, the ascertained skin property is a content of metabolic end products, in particular a content of AGEs.

By means of a measuring device (the detection unit) based on the autofluorescence of the skin, which as a device to a portable, personal device such as a user

Smartphone, tablet or other computer unit (these units can be generally referred to as a computing unit or portable computing unit) connected or integrated in it, cosmetically relevant parameters of the skin are measured, in particular the content of AGEs in the skin. In a computer program product (e.g., software or personal / portable device software), the parameters (AGEs content) are then displayed in the form of values, arbitrary units, or verbal derivatives. From the parameters can then (a) derived product recommendations for individually fitting care products and individual treatment recommendations and / or (b) the treatment success in a cosmetic treatment, which has the goal of positively influencing the measured parameters, determined and / or spent. A positive influence may include an improvement of the determined skin property or at least no deterioration of the identified skin property.

The measuring device may have an interface via which a connection with the

Calculating unit is manufactured. The arithmetic unit may have a first interface and a second interface. The first interface can be designed as a counterpart to the interface of the measuring device, ie to connect the measuring device to the computing unit. The second interface can be designed to connect the arithmetic unit to a data network. These connections are designed to transmit information in at least one direction, preferably in both directions. The connection between the measuring device and the computing unit on the one hand and the connection between the computing unit and an access point of the data network can be wired or wireless. Wired connections can, for example, use optical or electrical signals for information transmission. Use wireless connections typically electromagnetic waves for signal transmission, eg radio signals or optical signals.

For the connection of the measuring device to the computing unit, protocols can be used that work according to the principles of mesh networks. For example, the thread protocol which is based on IPv6 can be used for the data transmission and for the connection of the measuring device to the arithmetic unit. The thread protocol is used in particular to connect automated or semi-automated devices with each other, in this case, for example, the detection unit with the arithmetic unit.

The measuring device can be structurally plugged onto the arithmetic unit in one example, or conversely the arithmetic unit to the measuring device. This means that the measuring device is mechanically fastened to the arithmetic unit or to a housing of the arithmetic unit. For example, this can be done by a tool-free installation via a reversible connection. In the plugged position, the measuring device can be equipped with a releasable frictional or

positive connection are held relative to the arithmetic unit. The interfaces between the measuring device and the arithmetic unit can be arranged so that in the plugged position an electrical connection between the measuring device and the arithmetic unit is automatically established or established.

The arithmetic unit may be an application (or a program, hereinafter also referred to as

Computer program product) which receives or retrieves data from the meter. The received or retrieved data is exploited in the application to determine one or more output values. The data is processed and / or evaluated by the application in accordance with the approaches described herein.

To run the application, processors (and one or more

Memory blocks) of the arithmetic unit are used. However, the arithmetic unit can also be designed to outsource computation steps for executing the application. For example, the application can transmit the data received or requested by the measuring device to an external computing unit. Before the data are transmitted to the external arithmetic unit, they can be fed to preprocessing.

The external processing unit may be physically remote from the meter and the portable

Arranged computing unit. The portable computing unit may be connected to the external computing unit via the data network, i. are in a communication connection. The external processing unit may be a single computer or processor or a composite of computers or processors. In a computer or processor network, the

Computational burden from different points of view to the individual components of the network. In addition to computing power, this computer network can also provide storage capacities for Provide users and keep data shared or tagged by users. Thus, the space required in the portable computing unit can be reduced. It also makes it easier for the user to exchange a portable computing unit, because locally no or almost no data is stored. The computer network can be configured as a group of meshed networked servers.

It is difficult to impossible for a consumer of cosmetic products

Treatment success of a non-therapeutic treatment with cosmetic products at home standardized and objectively assessed. On the one hand, this makes it more difficult for the consumer to control the individual effectiveness of a cosmetic, and on the other hand it leads to a reduction in the motivation to carry out a corresponding treatment in the longer term. In particular, it should enable the consumer to find specific products or to receive health care recommendations that are tailored to the individual needs of his skin.

According to one embodiment, the detection unit is configured to light in one

Wavelength range between 300 nm and 420 nm (first wavelength range) in the direction of the skin surface to be examined and to detect light in a wavelength range between 300 nm and 600 nm and a proportion of the reflected light in the wavelength range between 300 nm and 420 nm (first wavelength range ) and the light emitted by autofluorescence in the wavelength region between 420 nm and 600 nm (second wavelength range).

It has been found that light having a wavelength of the first wavelength range (300 to 420 nm) excites AGEs in the skin to autofluorescence. This knowledge is used in the present case by the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence light are separated spectrally detected.

According to a further embodiment, the detection unit is executed, which indicates the light emitted in the direction of the skin surface to be examined over the whole

Wavelength range to emit.

Thus, light is emitted over the entire spectrum of the first wavelength range in the direction of the skin surface to be examined in order to irradiate the skin surface to be examined over a broadband range. Likewise, light is detected over the entire specified wavelength range by the detection unit in order to determine a spectrum of the light reflected and / or emitted by autofluorescence.

According to another embodiment, this has to be examined in the direction of

Skin surface emitted light at the wavelength of 370 nm has a higher intensity than the other wavelengths of the first wavelength range. At 370 nm or a narrow range around 370 nm, for example between 365 nm and 375 nm or between 360 nm and 380 nm, the emitted light has a higher intensity. AGEs in the skin can react in particular to light around 370 nm and be excited to autofluorescence. If the light has a higher intensity at this wavelength, a measurement result can have a higher accuracy. For example, the intensity of the light at 370 nm or in the specified range around 370 nm may have an intensity that is at least two times higher than the intensity at the remaining wavelengths of the first wavelength range.

According to a further embodiment, the detection unit has a spectrometer which is designed to detect the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence in the wavelength range mentioned.

In particular, the spectrometer is designed to reflect the reflected light in the first

Wavelength range and the light emitted by autofluorescence in the second light

Capture the wavelength range separately. The spectrometer can detect the intensity and a spectral profile of the intensity in the first and second wavelength range and provide it for further processing. This may result in a typical course of the intensity of the light in the first and second wavelength range for an examined skin or a examined area of the skin. From this typical course can be concluded that the condition of the examined skin. It is possible to deduce from said typical course treatment agents and / or instructions for use or treatment instructions for the examined skin, in order to influence or change a state of the examined skin in a desired or desirable direction. For example, one goal of treating agents may be to reduce or at least not increase the level of AGEs in the skin. Depending on the condition of the examined skin, treatment agents may be recommended for this purpose and / or instructions for use thereof

Treating agents and / or general treatment instructions are expressed with or without reference to the treatment agent. The arrangement described herein makes it possible to easily monitor or understand the efficacy of the treatment and or treatment agent, thereby facilitating the selection of an individually suitable treatment agent and / or the provision of instructions for use.

For example, suitable treating agents may include ingredients that result in degradation of the existing AGEs (e.g., combination of red-root leaf extract and vitamin B3) or that inhibit the regeneration of AGEs (e.g., antioxidants, such as antioxidants)

Carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, polyphenols [eg propyl gallate, elagic acid, flavonoids, epigallocatechin], carrot extracts or dimethylmethoxy chromanol). High sun protection factor treatments are suitable for reducing the formation of AGEs. Suitable sun protection factors include, for example, benzophenone-3,

Benzophenone-4, benzophenone-5, 3-benzylidene camphor, benzylidene-sulfonic acid, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol-methoxyphenyltriazine (BEMT), butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDM, avobenzone), diethylhexylbutamidotriazone, dimethicodiethylbenzalmalonate, dimethyl

Pabamidopropyl laurium monosylate, drometrizoltrisiloxane (DTS), ethylhexyldimethyl PABA, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), homosalates, isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, isopropylbenzyl salicylate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), octocrylene (OC), octyltriazone , PABA, PEG-25 PABA,

Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (PBSA), disodium phenyldibenzimidazole tetrasulfonate (DPDT), polyacrylamidomethylbenzylidene camphor, terephthalidene diceramide sulfonic acid (TDSA) and salts, titania or mixtures of these sun protection factors.

Accordingly, a user with an elevated or high level of AGE in the skin may be advised to use treatment agents containing ingredients that degrade AGEs and / or inhibit and / or reduce their replication. As an indication to the user may be recommended, for example, excessive UV radiation of his skin by wearing protective clothing outdoors, especially in strong sunlight, and / or

Avoidance / reduction of solarium applications.

According to a further embodiment, the spectrometer is designed to generate a signal pattern which is characteristic for the skin properties, based on the detected light.

This means that absolute values for skin properties do not necessarily have to be determined. Rather, it may be sufficient to use the obtained signal pattern of the spectrometer to determine a product recommendation and / or an application note. For example, body surfaces, ie skin, can be examined to determine a typical signal pattern of the spectrometer. Then it can be independently determined which products and / or application instructions for the examined body surface are useful. The thus determined products and / or application instructions can then the appropriate

Signal patterns are assigned to express that these products and / or

Use instructions for a body surface with this signal pattern. This means that the finding of a suitable product recommendation is simplified, because only the determined signal pattern of the body surface with signal patterns that the products and / or

Application notes are assigned, must be compared.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is executed, a quotient of the average intensity of the light emitted by autofluorescence and the

average intensity of the reflected light. The content of AGEs in the skin can be determined by determining the autofluorescence of the skin in a specific spectral range. Typically, this will be one

Excitation wavelength from 300 nm to 420 nm with an increased intensity at 370 nm or in a range around 370 nm used. The light emission of the skin and the excitation light reflected by the skin are measured by means of a spectrometer, typically in the wavelength range of 300 nm to 600 nm. Thus, the spectrometer detects both reflected light and autofluorescence emitting the light. Since the pigmentation of the skin may affect the autofluorescence thereof, e.g. through the formation of the following

Quotients are normalized: (average intensity of the emitted light at 420 nm to 600 nm) / (average intensity of the reflected excitation light between 300 nm and 420 nm).

It is an aspect of the arrangement that the equipment required for this purpose is hand portable (portable), ie operable and portable in one hand. For example, the display unit has a surface up to 36 cm ² , but may be larger.

According to a further embodiment, the arrangement further comprises an energy store which is arranged in the housing in order to supply the evaluation unit and the user interface with energy in order at least temporarily to allow autonomous operation of the evaluation unit and the user interface without connection to an external energy source.

This means that the evaluation unit, the user interface and also the detection unit can be operated independently and without external supply of energy as intended. The energy store is preferably a rechargeable energy store.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is executed, the

Data storage unit to reach over a data network.

This means that the data storage unit is arranged spatially separated from the evaluation unit. For example, the data storage unit is arranged such that a variety of arrangements as described herein can access the data storage unit. This makes it possible that the data storage unit can be filled in a central location with information about treatment agents and / or treatment instructions. Thus, current information can be supplied to requesting arrangements. In addition, experience from other users can be considered.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to match the characteristics of treatment agents for the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface with the determined skin properties and an effect of the treatment agent on the Body surface, taking into account the determined skin properties and possibly a predetermined treatment goal (eg, a desired or to be reached state of the skin properties) to determine.

This means that the treatment agents are selected as a function of the determined skin properties and output on the user interface, for example displayed.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is executed, of which

Data storage unit to receive advice on the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the skin characteristics determined and to instruct the output unit to provide the information received.

These references may be general (unrelated to a particular treatment) reference regarding the treatment or care of skin, but may also be references to a particular treatment. The clues may also include explanations as to which behaviors influence what features of the body surface (especially skin).

The data storage unit can provide information from dermatological studies as well

Information from literature sources and / or scientific publications may be included. The evaluation unit can be executed, a user depending on the detected

Properties of the body surface to display an excerpt from this information, to take into account in the determination of the product and / or treatment recommendation, or at least to point out.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to query information from a user and to additionally take this information into account when interrogating the data storage unit in order to obtain from the data storage unit features of treatment means for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the queried one

To get information.

The queried information can be detected by means of a predetermined questionnaire, in which a statement by the user is given more or less weight or is selected from one of several possible answers. The default

In addition to age, gender and weight of the user, the questionnaire may focus on the user's habits and exceptional pressures, such as dietary habits, duration and quality of sleep, amount of drink, type of drink, use of luxury foods (eg nicotine, alcohol), professional activities and leisure activities (spending time outside of buildings in any weather, staying in the Bergen, visit to a solarium). Also, the requested information may relate to a desired or to be achieved property of the body surface.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit has a local memory which is designed to persistently store the data retrieved from the data storage unit.

This means that the evaluation unit can perform its functions at least temporarily, without having to rely on a permanent connection to the data storage unit, because the retrieved data is stored in the local memory. The data are stored in the local memory in such a way that they are retained when the evaluation unit is switched off or out of operation (persistent storage). It is possible that the

Evaluation unit only retrieves such data from the data storage unit, which match a current image or current characteristics of the skin. In one embodiment, such data may also be retrieved and stored locally, which will match slightly altered skin characteristics based on the current condition. It is therefore not necessary to retrieve all the data from the data storage unit and store it in the local memory. Rather, you can target those data or information from the

Data storage unit are transferred to the local memory, which match the detected state of the skin.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to store the determined skin properties provided with a time stamp relating to the determination of the skin properties in the local memory.

This makes it possible to observe and analyze changes in the body surface over time. Thus, these changes may also be used to provide suitable non-therapeutic treatment and / or treatment advice. Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible for a user to observe the changes in order to be able to determine, if appropriate, the achievement of or approaching self-set goals.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to store the determined skin properties over a longer period comprising at least two processes of detecting the skin properties in the local memory and optionally to retrieve a development of the skin properties over a predefinable period of time from the local memory and to instruct the output unit to do so To spend development, for example to display.

According to a further embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to transmit the determined skin properties to the data storage unit. The determined and transmitted skin properties can be assigned in the data storage unit to a code number or a user identifier, so that a user can view his data from different devices. Likewise, this approach has the advantage that the data of a user in case of loss or defect of the personal evaluation are secured or deposited at a central location.

Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to detect a user's skin properties over a longer period of time and to observe their change and, if appropriate, to link these with the recommendations for non-therapeutic treatment agents and / or treatment instructions.

As already stated above, the skin properties are properties of the skin of a human user of the arrangement. In particular, the arrangement or detection unit is designed to examine those portions of the skin of a human user exposed to the environment, in particular hands / arms, legs / feet, face. Of course, this does not preclude the detection unit from examining other portions of a human body and detecting their properties, ie those portions which are not normally exposed to environmental influences over a prolonged period of time, such as the upper body (back, chest, abdomen) and intimate zone /Buttocks.

According to a further embodiment, the arrangement is designed to output instructions for the operation of the detection unit visually on the output unit and / or acoustically via a loudspeaker. This can be particularly helpful when the user's body surface is first and comprehensively detected in order to gain an overview of the condition of the skin.

According to a further embodiment, the dispensing unit is designed, information regarding ingredients and / or composition of a treatment agent and / or

To give instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface.

Thus, a user is allowed to get an idea of a treatment agent in its entirety. In addition, the user may be given application instructions related to a treatment agent or independently thereof. The instructions for use may refer to desired and / or undesired behavior.

According to a further embodiment, the user interface is designed to receive an input from a user after issuing features of a treatment agent and to initiate an action regarding the recommended treatment agent based on this input. The action can relate, for example, to the fact that the user is offered a treatment agent for sale and the user can initiate the purchase by means of an entry. In addition to the purchase of treatment agents, the user can also be offered further information on the purchase. This further information may refer to more detailed treatment and application instructions. For example, the program receives the request that the user wants to purchase the treatment agent, stores the request, and / or transmits the request to a trading company which stores the request

Distributes treatment agent. The user is prompted by the computer program, his personal data (address, bank information, dispatch preference, etc.) on the

Input unit. Alternatively, the user can be indicated where (for example, drugstore, beauty salon, pharmacy, etc.) he can purchase the treatment.

According to another aspect, there is provided a computer program product configured to be executed on a portable computing unit. The computer program product is designed to instruct a processor of the portable computing unit to carry out the following steps: detecting skin features of a user in the light in one

Wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm in the direction of a to be examined

The surface of the skin is detected and light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm is detected and a proportion of the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence light is detected; Evaluating the detected skin characteristics and determining the skin characteristics based on the detected skin characteristics; Querying a data storage unit under

Use of the determined skin properties; Obtaining features of treatment agents and / or instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface in accordance with the determined skin characteristics of the data storage unit; and instructing the output unit to output information on the treatment agents and / or application notes.

The computer program product enables control and tracking of the results by presenting (e.g., graphically or acoustically) the measurement results over time. Based on the results obtained, the computer program product gives individual treatment and product recommendations. The quality of the treatment and product recommendations may be improved by additionally answering questions about age, gender, weight, skin condition, dietary habits, general health, and / or other behaviors that the computer program product processes. Not only are e.g. Literature data based, but also the treatment success of other users of the computer program product, in particular

Treatment successes of other users who have at least a similar skin condition. The data collected by means of the questionnaire can be used to analyze a development of the state of the skin of the user in the given circumstances, that is, the data entered by the user. This development can be compared with the development of other users. From this it can be concluded whether during a treatment with a certain care product the development of users with similar or same inputs in the questionnaire is similar or deviates from users with other inputs.

For example, the influence of a particular fact on the success of treatment can be deduced. For example, if the development of a skin parameter in several smokers with a given cigarette consumption (eg, ten cigarettes per day) shows a significant deviation from the development of the same skin parameter in nonsmokers, it can be concluded that smoking has an effect on the particular parameter in a quantifiable manner , Alternatively, it can be concluded that smokers are advised to use another product or treatment.

The data entered by the user can thus be used for a global analysis to monitor the success of a treatment and the efficacy of a product under different conditions and to possibly recommend changes to the treatment and / or the product.

It is possible to present the questionnaire to the user at periodically recurring times and to ask for changes. Under certain circumstances, it is also possible to provide information about the requested information. For example, a recommendation may be to extend sleep time, to reduce the use of semi-luxury foods (alcohol, cigarettes), or to adjust other lifestyle habits.

The invention makes it possible to control and track the efficacy of a cosmetic treatment in an objective and standardized manner, with the particular aim of maintaining or structurally altering or improving skin. The

Effectiveness of the (cosmetic, non-therapeutic) treatment can be better understood and thus the selection of an individually suitable product can be simplified. The invention makes it possible to obtain individual treatment recommendations and product recommendations that respond to the needs of the individual user. In addition, it increases the motivation to perform a treatment in the longer term, including comparison with other users and / or observation of the development of one's own skin.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below. Showing: 1 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for determining skin properties according to an embodiment;

2 shows a schematic representation of a data carrier with a computer program product according to a further exemplary embodiment;

3 shows a schematic illustration of a method executed by a computer program product according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 shows a schematic representation of a detection unit for an arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present application and in which

By way of illustration specific embodiments are shown in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or functional or logical changes may be made without departing from

To deviate scope of the present invention. In this regard will

Directional terminology such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "front", "rear", etc. used with reference to the orientation of the described figure (s). Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is illustrative and is in no way limiting. It should be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is therefore not to be considered in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims as well as equivalents thereof.

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement 100 for determining skin properties. The arrangement 100 has a detection unit 110, an evaluation unit 120 and a user interface 130. The detection unit 110 is designed to detect properties of a body surface, in particular skin properties, of a human user. To this end, the

Detection unit 110 light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm, in particular 300 nm and 420 nm with an intensity maximum at 370 nm in the direction of a surface to be examined 12 of the analysis object 10 (for example, the human hand or generally a portion of the body surface) and detects reflected Light in the same wavelength range as well as by autofluorescence-induced light in a wavelength range of 420 nm to 1500 nm. That of the examined

Surface area 12 reflects light and the light emitted by autofluorescence is emitted by the detection unit 110 and allows conclusions about the composition and structure of the surface area to be examined 12th

The detection unit 110 has a suitable source of electromagnetic waves. This source is a light emitter or laser emitter and may also be referred to as a radiation source and is disposed on or in the detection unit 110. The radiation source may be arranged on or in the detection unit 110 such that when the electromagnetic waves 112 are emitted, the radiation source occupies a predetermined distance from the surface region 12 to be examined, in particular when the detection unit 110 is placed on the surface region to be examined. The distance of the radiation source from the surface area to be examined can be variable and can be changed by means of actuators or manually. It should be noted that for the sake of simplicity, the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence are not shown in FIG.

The detection unit 110 is connected to the evaluation unit 120 via a data transmission connection 114. The communication link 114 may be a unidirectional or

enable bidirectional data transmission between the detection unit 110 and the evaluation unit 120. Thus, the detection unit 110 delivers signals relating to the detected features of the skin to the evaluation unit 120, whereas the evaluation unit 120 can supply control commands to the detection unit 110, wherein the control commands specify how the detection unit 110 operates. In the case of a unidirectional data transmission connection 114, which only permits data transmission from the detection unit 110 to the evaluation unit 120, control parameters can be preset at the detection unit 110 via input elements (buttons, switches, dials, etc., not shown). The detection unit 1 10 has

optionally display elements (not shown) indicative of a status of the detection unit or the set control parameters. Alternatively, the detection unit 110 can also transmit the set control parameters to the evaluation unit 120, where these can optionally be displayed.

The evaluation unit 120 has a processor 126 and a local memory 128. The evaluation unit 120 receives signals relating to the features of the examined

Surface area 12, and based on these features, determines a recommendation for non-therapeutic treatment of the surface area of interest. The non-therapeutic treatment may include recommendations on treatment agents and / or

Treatment instructions or instructions for use for each examined

Surface area included. Treatment notes and application notes are used in the context of this description as synonyms and refer to indications for the non-therapeutic treatment of the examined surface area 12 using selected treatment agents or even without the use of treatment agents. In particular, indications for the use of a Contain treatment, or even be undertaken by the user or to omit measures. For example, the treatment instructions may contain an indication of desired or undesirable behavior after the application of a treatment agent. To determine a non-therapeutic treatment to be recommended, the information collected may include:

Characteristics of the investigated surface area 12 with application areas, effects and instructions for use of treatment agents and / or treatment instructions to be aligned. Information about the treatment agents and / or treatment instructions may be stored in a data storage unit 140.

The data storage unit 140 may exist outside and spatially separated from the evaluation unit 120. The evaluation unit 120 can access the data storage unit 140 via a data network 122 and information about the treatment agents stored there and / or

Obtain treatment instructions. This information will be retrieved by the

Evaluation unit 120 aligned with the detected features of the surface area 12 to be examined in order to determine appropriate recommendations for the non-therapeutic treatment of the examined surface area. In other words, it means that the data storage unit is retrieved using the determined skin characteristics. From the data storage unit, a plurality of stored information can first be retrieved in order to then filter which of the treatment means and / or. Using the ascertained skin properties and possibly of treatment objectives

Treatment instructions are relevant. For this purpose, the data from the data memory can be loaded into a volatile main memory. Alternatively, however, the ascertained skin properties can already be used when retrieving the information from the data store in order to retrieve only the relevant information from the data store. For the purposes of this description, these two variants may be considered equivalent in their effect.

The data network 122 may be a public data transmission network which has partially wired or wireless transmission sections. For example, the evaluation unit 120 may establish a wireless connection to an access point (not shown) to the data network 122 in order to be able to establish a corresponding connection to the data storage unit 140.

The user interface 130 is connected to the evaluation unit 120 via the data transmission connection 124. The user interface 130 has an input unit 132 and a

Output unit 134 on. The input unit 132 allows a user to specify parameters for the operation and configuration of the evaluation unit 120, the detection unit 110 and / or the user interface 130. The input unit 132 can record information via various interfaces: a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-sensitive display or via a microphone (so-called voice control). It is conceivable that any interface is used via which a human user communicate with a computing unit and enter data or can pass. The output unit 134 may be a display or other display unit that outputs visual information to a user. Also, the output unit 134 may have a speaker through which acoustic information can be output. Visual information may be output on a touch-sensitive output unit so that the output unit also allows a user to make inputs thereon.

The evaluation unit 120 has a processor 126 and a local memory 128. The processor 126 executes instructions to perform its intended function or functions. In the local memory 128, the features of the skin detected by the detection unit 110 or the associated signals or values can be stored.

It is a particular aspect of this embodiment that the detection unit 110 can be operated with an evaluation unit 120 and a user interface 130, which are implemented in a portable device of a user or consumer. Thus, it is particularly easy to couple a detection unit 110, which allows advanced analysis and investigation possibilities for a body surface (skin) of a human user, with a portable computerized data processing device. The portable data processing device can be, for example, a smartphone, phablet or a tablet and a home computer. The detection unit 1 10 can by means of a defined

Interface with the portable data processing device mechanically, electrically and

signal technology connected or coupled.

FIG. 2 shows a data carrier 300. The data carrier stores a computer program product which is designed to be executed on a portable computing unit 120 and to instruct a processor of the portable computing unit 126 to carry out the following steps: detecting skin features of a user in the light a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm is emitted in the direction of a skin surface to be examined and light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm is detected and a proportion of the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence light is detected; Evaluating the detected skin characteristics and determining the skin characteristics based on the detected skin characteristics; Polling a data storage unit 140 using the determined skin characteristics; Obtain characteristics of treatment agents and / or

Application instructions for the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the determined skin characteristics of the data storage unit 140; and instruct the

Output unit (134) to output information on the treatment agents and / or application notes.

The data carrier 300 can use magnetic, optical or electrical storage techniques (or combinations thereof) to implement the instructions of the computer program product in one machine-readable form vorzuhalten. These instructions may be used to be executed directly by the processor 126 of the portable computing unit 120 (the evaluation unit 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1). Alternatively, the instructions may be used to load the computer program product into an internal memory of the portable computing unit 120 for execution therefrom. This internal memory may be, for example, the local memory 128 of FIG. 1.

The computer program product may be loaded onto a user's portable device via a data network and installed on the portable device for use by the user.

In addition to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a method 400 with the following steps (these steps correspond to the functions of the computer program product): in a first step 410, skin characteristics of a user are detected by applying light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm emitted in the direction of a skin surface to be examined and light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm is detected and a proportion of the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence light is detected; in a second step 420, the detected skin characteristics are evaluated and skin properties are determined based on the detected skin characteristics; in a third step 430, a data storage unit 140 is queried using the ascertained skin characteristics (this may mean, for example, that the skin properties are transferred to the data store 140 and the data store returns data or information in response thereto); in a fourth step 440, features of treatment agents and / or

Application notes for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface in accordance with the determined skin characteristics transmitted from the data storage unit 140 and received by the portable computing unit 120; and finally, in a fifth step 450, the output unit 134 is instructed to provide information about the treatment means or regarding the treatment

To give treatment instructions.

The computer program product includes instructions that instruct the processor 126 of the portable computing unit 120 to perform these steps 410-450.

Of course, the method 400 or its steps 410-450 may be in accordance with one of the embodiments of the arrangement 100, as with reference to FIG. 1 and the remainder

Description shown, modified. This means that the functions described here of the arrangement 100 or one of its components, in particular the evaluation unit 120, can be implemented as a step of the method 400. It is not necessary to repeat the functions of the evaluation unit at this point. Rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that and how these functions are implemented as method steps. The various method steps as well as the components of the arrangement can be realized by one or more circuits. In one embodiment, a "circuit" is to be understood as any entity that implements logic, and may be hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in one embodiment, a "circuit" may be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit, such as a programmable processor, such as a microprocessor or field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. A "circuit" can also be understood to mean a processor that executes software, for example any type of computer program, such as a computer program in programming code for a virtual machine (delimited runtime environment, virtual machine), such as a Java computer -Program. In one embodiment, a "circuit" may be understood as any type of implementation of the functions described below.

4 shows a schematic representation of a detection unit 110. The detection unit has a surface 111, at which a light emitter 116 and a spectrometer 118 are shown. The light emitter 116 is shown in a circle and the spectrometer 118 is shown quadrangular.

From the detection unit 1 10 that surface is to be seen, which at a

Detection process of the skin of a user is facing. In other words, the light emitters 116 emit the light rays out of the plane of the drawing toward a viewer.

When a portion of a human user's body surface is irradiated with light (eg, laser), a portion of that light is reflected without changing wavelength and a second portion of the light results in autofluorescence of the irradiated skin, with the wavelength reflected by autofluorescence Light extended.

The processor 126 (FIG. 1) may implement control functions and output control commands to the light emitter 116. Thus, the processor 126 may drive the light emitter to output light of some intensity, wavelength, and / or spectral distribution (these may be referred to as parameters of the light).

The evaluation unit 120 with the processor 126 (FIG. 1) also receives the signals of the

Spectrometer 118 and can classify the examined body surface based on these signals. In other words, the signals provided by the spectrometer 118 are indicative of the body surface. These signals can also be referred to as signal patterns and can be used to determine and output a product recommendation and / or application instructions. It is conceivable that a product and / or an application advice a typical

Signal pattern is assigned, in which the product and or the application note can be usefully used. This associated signal pattern of the products and / or the application instructions can be compared with the actual signal pattern. At some degree, the conformity of the signal pattern acquired or supplied by the spectrometer with that associated with the products and / or application instructions

Signal patterns can then be output the corresponding products and / or application notes. The signals may be for qualitative similarity (corresponding to the shapes or courses of the signals) and / or quantitative similarity (for signals having similar input values, i.e., light, similar output values, i.e., reflected light or through

Autofluorescence emitted light).

It is also conceivable, depending on user inputs, to determine a factor which is applied to the signal detected by the spectrometer before this input signal is compared with the signal patterns of the products or application instructions. This has the advantage that a correction factor can be applied to the detected signal to improve the accuracy of the product recommendations and / or application hints for a particular user.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

10 analysis object

12 surface area to be examined

100 arrangement for determining skin properties

110 detection unit

111 surface

112 electromagnetic waves

114 Data transmission connection

116 light emitter

118 spectrometer

120 evaluation unit

122 data network

124 data transmission connection

126 processor

128 local memory

130 user interface

132 input unit

134 output unit

140 data storage unit

200 housings

210 energy storage

300 disks

400 procedures

410 - 450 process steps

Claims

An assembly (100) for determining skin properties, comprising:

a detection unit (110) for detecting skin features;

an evaluation unit (120) for evaluating the detected skin characteristics and for determining the skin properties based on the detected skin characteristics;

a user interface (130) having an output unit (134), the user interface configured to interact with a user;

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is executed:

query a data storage unit (140) using the determined skin characteristics;

from the data storage unit (140) features of treatment agents and / or

instruct the output unit (134) to output information on the treatment means and / or application notes to a user;

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is a portable computing unit;

wherein the detection unit (110) is designed to emit light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm in the direction of a skin surface to be examined and to detect light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm and a portion of the reflected light and a proportion Autofluorescence emitted light to determine.

2. Arrangement (100) according to claim 1,

wherein the detection unit (110) is designed to emit light in a wavelength range between 300 nm and 420 nm in the direction of the skin surface to be examined and to detect light in a wavelength range between 300 nm and 600 nm and a proportion of the reflected light in the wavelength range between 300 nm and 420 nm and of the light emitted by autofluorescence in the wavelength range between 420 nm and 600 nm.

3. Arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the detection unit is designed to emit the light emitted in the direction of the skin surface to be examined over the entire wavelength range of 200 nm to 420 nm, preferably of 300 nm and 420 nm.

4. Arrangement (100) according to claim 3,

wherein the light emitted in the direction of the skin surface to be examined at the wavelength of 370 nm has a higher intensity than at the other wavelengths.

5. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the detection unit (110) comprises a spectrometer configured to detect the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence in the wavelength region between 200 nm and 1500 nm, preferably between 300 nm and 600 nm.

6. Arrangement (100) according to claim 5,

wherein the spectrometer is implemented based on the detected light

Create signal pattern that is characteristic of the skin properties.

7. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is executed, a quotient of the

average intensity of the light emitted by autofluorescence and the

average intensity of the reflected light.

8. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

further comprising a housing and an energy store (210), wherein the

Evaluation unit (120) and the user interface (130) are housed in the housing and wherein the energy storage in the housing (200) is arranged to power the evaluation unit (120) and the user interface (130), and at least temporarily enable autonomous operation of the evaluation unit and the user interface without connection to an external power source.

9. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is designed to match the characteristics of treatment agents for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface with the determined skin properties and an effect of the treatment agents on the body surface below

Considering the determined skin properties.

10. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is adapted to obtain from the data storage unit (140) indications for the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the determined skin characteristics and to instruct the output unit (134) to output the received clues.

11. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the evaluation unit (120) is designed to query information from a user and additionally take this information into account when interrogating the data storage unit (140) in order to obtain from the data storage unit (140) features of treatment means for the non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface according to the requested information receive.

12. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the skin properties are properties of skin of a human user of the assembly (100).

13. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the output unit (134) is adapted to output information regarding ingredients and / or composition of a treatment agent and / or instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface.

14. Arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the user interface (130) is designed to receive an input from a user after issuing features of a treatment agent and / or application instructions and to initiate an action regarding the recommended treatment agent and / or application instructions based on this input.

A computer program product adapted to be executed on a portable computing unit (120) and to instruct a processor (126) of the portable computing unit to carry out the following steps:

Detecting skin characteristics of a user by emitting light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 420 nm in the direction of a skin surface to be examined and detecting light in a wavelength range between 200 nm and 1500 nm and determining a proportion of the reflected light and the light emitted by autofluorescence becomes;

Evaluating the detected skin characteristics and determining the skin characteristics based on the detected skin characteristics;

Polling a data storage unit (140) using the determined ones

Skin properties;

Obtaining features of treatment agents and / or instructions for non-therapeutic treatment of a body surface as determined

Skin properties from the data storage unit (140);

Instructing the output unit (134) to output information about the treatment agents and / or application notes.