US6571003B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Skin imaging and analysis systems and methods
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1999-06-14
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Granted: 2003-05-27
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Expires: 2019-06-14
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a process that can be implemented by a human operator and a computing device to analyze and display human skin images. The system acquires a digital image from a camera or scanner. Subsequently, the system determines which area(s) of the image to analyze using landmarks such as the corner of the eye. The determined areas are then analyzed to locate skin defects such as red spots, and the defects are visually identified on a display. A severity is calculated for the defects and the severity is compared to an average skin severity associated with a population of people. In addition, a simulation is generated and displayed showing an improvement to the defect areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg George Hillebrand
- 👤 Kukizo Miyamoto
- 👤 Brian Dale Barford
- 👤 Joseph Michael Miller
- 👤 Mark Steven Hayworth
- 👤 Michael Lee Hilton
- 👤 Gary Gordon Heaton
- 👤 Michael Eugene Rubush
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; A61B5/442; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0064; A61B5/444; A61B5/74; A61B5/742; A61B5/7435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for locating one or more visual skin defects of a portion of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the portion of the person; electronically analyzing the first digital image of the portion of the person to locate an area containing a skin defect; determining a first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect; and generating a comparison between the first numerical severity and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for locating one or more visual skin defects of a portion of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the portion of the person; electronically analyzing the first digital image of the portion of the person to locate an area containing a skin defect; determining a first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect; and generating a comparison between the first numerical severity and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined value associated with the population of people is one of the group consisting of (a) an age specific value, (b) a geographic specific value, and (c) an ethnic specific value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising storing the first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect for the purpose of tracking a plurality of skin defect severities associated with the person over time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising: electronically creating a second digital image visually identifying the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the second digital image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising: electronically creating a third digital image simulating an improvement to the area containing the skin defect by electronically altering the color of a plurality of pixels in the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the third digital image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person, wherein the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person and the step of displaying the third digital image, simulating an improvement to the area containing the skin defect, are repeatedly alternated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising: electronically creating a third digital image simulating a worsening to the area containing the skin defect by electronically altering the color of a plurality pixels in the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the third digital image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person, wherein the step of displaying the first digital image and the step of outputting the second digital image are repeatedly alternated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising: identifying a plurality of landmarks located on the first digital image of the portion of the person; and electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the portion of the person based on the plurality of landmarks, wherein the step of electronically analyzing the first digital image is limited to the sub-image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , comprising the step of electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the portion of the person by comparing a plurality of color values of a plurality of pixels to a predetermined threshold indicative of skin color, wherein the step of electronically analyzing the first digital image is limited to the sub-image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 4 , wherein the first skin defect comprises one of the group consisting of (a) wrinkles, (b) fine lines, (c) smoothness,(d) texture, (e) follicular pores, (f) red spots, (g) hyperpigmentation, and (h) brown spots.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising electronically analyzing the first digital image of the face of the person to determine an overall skin characteristic associated with the digital image of the face of the person.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus adaoted to perform the method of claim 1 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tangible medium storing program instructions adapted to perform the method of claim 1 .
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for locating one or more visual skin defects of a portion of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the portion of the person; electronically analyzing the first digital image of the portion of the person to locate an area containing a skin defect; determining a first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect; and comparing the first numerical severity with a second numerical severity, wherein the second numerical severity is associated with the person after a skin treatment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for locating one or more visual skin defects of a portion of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the portion of the person; electronically analyzing the first digital image of the portion of the person to locate an area containing a skin defect; determining a first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect; and comparing the first numerical severity with a second numerical severity, wherein the second numerical severity is associated with the person after a skin treatment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising: electronically creating a third digital image simulating an improvement to the area containing the skin defect by electronically altering the color of a plurality of pixels in the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the third digital image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person, wherein the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person and the step of displaying the third digital image, simulating an improvement to the area containing the skin defect, are repeatedly alternated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising: electronically creating a third digital image simulating a worsening to the area containing the skin defect by electronically altering the color of a plurality pixels in the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the third digital image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising the step of displaying the first digital image of the portion of the person, wherein the step of displaying the first digital image and the step of outputting the second digital image are repeatedly alternated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising storing the first numerical severity associated with the area containing the skin defect for the purpose of tracking a plurality of skin defect severities associated with the person over time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising: identifying a plurality of landmarks located on the first digital image of the portion of the person; and electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the portion of the person based on the plurality of landmarks, wherein the step of electronically analyzing the first digital image is limited to the sub-image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising the step of electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the portion of the person by comparing a plurality of color values of a plurality of pixels to a predetermined threshold indicative of skin color, wherein the step of electronically analyzing the first digital image is limited to the sub-image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first skin defect comprises one of the group consisting of (a) wrinkles, (b) fine lines, (c) smoothness,(d) texture, (e) follicular pores, (f) red spots, (g) hyperpigmentation, and (h) brown spots.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A nethod as defined in claim 15 , further comprising: electronically creating a second digital image visually identifying the area containing the skin defect; and displaying the second digital image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising electronically analyzing the first digital image of the face of the person to determine an overall skin characteristic associated with the digital image of the face of the person.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising the step of generating a comparison between the first numerical severity and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 26 , wherein the predetermined value associated with the population of people is one of the group consisting of (a) an age specific value, (b) a geographic specific value, and (c) an ethnic specific value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus adapted to perform the method of claim 15 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tangible medium storing program instructions adapted to perform the method of claim 15 .
Claim 32
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for locating a plurality of visual skin defects associated with a face of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the face of the person, the first digital image having a size and a skin color; identifying a first plurality of landmarks located on the first digital image of the face of the person, wherein at least one of the landmarks is selected from the group comprising (a) a corner of an eye in the first digital image, (b) a corner of a nose in the first digital image, and (c) a corner of a mouth in the first digital image; electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person based on the first plurality of landmarks; and electronically analyzing the sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person to locate a plurality of defect areas, wherein each defect area contains a visual skin defect and each defect area has a size that is less than about 10% of the size of the first digital image of the face of the person.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for locating a plurality of visual skin defects associated with a face of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the face of the person, the first digital image having a size and a skin color; identifying a first plurality of landmarks located on the first digital image of the face of the person, wherein at least one of the landmarks is selected from the group comprising (a) a corner of an eye in the first digital image, (b) a corner of a nose in the first digital image, and (c) a corner of a mouth in the first digital image; electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person based on the first plurality of landmarks; and electronically analyzing the sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person to locate a plurality of defect areas, wherein each defect area contains a visual skin defect and each defect area has a size that is less than about 10% of the size of the first digital image of the face of the person.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the step of identifying the first plurality of landmarks located in the first digital image of the face of the person comprises selecting the positions of the first plurality of landmarks by activating an input device while a cursor is displayed on a display device at each of the landmarks in the first plurality of landmarks.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
123 words
A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the step of identifying the first plurality of landmarks located in the first digital image of the face of the person comprises: selecting the positions of a second plurality of landmarks by activating an input device while a cursor is displayed on a display device at each of the landmarks in the second plurality of landmarks, wherein the second plurality of landmarks is a subset of the first plurality of landmarks; and electronically determining the positions of a third plurality of landmarks based on the positions of the second plurality of landmarks and a predetermined template of standard landmarks, wherein the third plurality of landmarks is a subset of the first plurality of landmarks.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the step of identifying the first plurality of landmarks located in the first digital image of the face of the person comprises electronically detecting the position of at least one of the landmarks in the first plurality of landmarks.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
101 words
A method as defined in claim 30 , further comprising: electronically creating a second digital image based on the first digital image of the face of the person and the location of the defect areas, the second digital image visually identifying the plurality of defect areas located in the first digital image of the face of the person by electronically altering the color of a plurality of pixels substantially in the area containing the skin defect to at least one color visually distinct from the skin color of the first digital image; and displaying the second digital image on a display.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 30 , further comprising: determining a first numerical severity associated with the plurality of defect areas located in the first digital image of the face of the person; and generating a comparison between the first numerical severity and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus adapted to perform the method of claim 30 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tangible medium storing program instructions adapted to perform the method of claim 30 .
Claim 41
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for characterizing skin associated with a face of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the face of the person; electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person; electronically analyzing the sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person to determine an overall skin characteristic associated with the digital image of the face of the person; and determining a comparison between the overall skin characteristic and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for characterizing skin associated with a face of a person, comprising: acquiring a first digital image of the face of the person; electronically determining a sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person; electronically analyzing the sub-image of the first digital image of the face of the person to determine an overall skin characteristic associated with the digital image of the face of the person; and determining a comparison between the overall skin characteristic and a predetermined value associated with a population of people.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 38 further comprising the step of: generating a second digital image based on the comparison between the overall skin characteristic and the predetermined value; and displaying the second digital image on a display.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus adapted to perform the method of claim 38 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tangible medium storing program instructions adapted to perform the method of claim 38 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-26 | 2006-11-25 | 2007-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-26 | 2010-11-25 | 2011-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-26 | 2014-11-25 | 2015-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |