Patent Description:
Skin care product manufacturers create skin care products to assist users with maintaining healthy and beautiful skin. However, one of the biggest problems in the consumer skin care and cosmetics industries are the difficulties in assessing skin type, the inability to quantitatively and objectively demonstrate that a skin care product is effective, and the difficulty in matching cosmetics colors to a consumers' specific skin tones.

Various solutions exist that attempt to address at least some of these challenges. However, limitations and failures of these solutions abound. For example existing solutions suffer from one or more of the following limitations: (a) Inaccuracy in measurements. For example caused by technical limitations, unrealistic requirements of a user, and the like. (b) Too limited a scope of measurement capability. For example only measuring one or two skin care characteristic when two or more are required to effectively recommend skin care products or provide skin analysis. For example most solutions are stand-alone device that do not leverage existing technology and high end components. Therefore the solutions include all components that are required for the various measurements, and all the product design needed. This makes such solutions prohibitively expensive. (d) Logistic challenges in deploying solutions. Specialized hardware is difficult to deploy, particularly when it is expensive. Hardware that is difficult to calibrate, maintain, or use is similarly difficult to deploy in a way that it will be used, and used accurately.

<CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for measuring skin moisture employing near infrared reflectance spectroscopy employing a halogen lamp and spectrometer.

There is accordingly a need in the art for an improved method and system capable of skin analysis using electronic devices such as smartphones.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more reliable skin moisture estimation in the use of skin analysis devices. According to the invention this object is solved by a system for calibrating a moisture sensor according to claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, it is provided a system for calibrating a moisture sensor configured to be pressed into contact with a user's skin at an unknown pressure by a user when taking a moisture sensor reading, wherein pressure affects the moisture sensor reading. The system according to the invention comprises: a moisture sensor, configured to provide moisture sensor readings to a skin characteristic application, and an electronic device comprising a camera with a variable focus distance, that has a focus distance when taking an image; and a skin characteristic application configured to facilitate taking a first picture of a test subject at a forceful pressure and recording i) a first focus distance when the first picture was taken and ii) a first moisture sensor reading from the moisture sensor; implement taking a second picture of the test subject at a light pressure and recording i) a second focus distance when the second picture was taken and ii) a second moisture sensor reading from the moisture sensor; calculate a pressure-based moisture adjustment slope; apply a pressure-based moisture adjustment factor, obtained from said pressure-based moisture adjustment slope, to a future moisture sensor reading, taken at a future focus distance, to arrive at an adjusted future moisture sensor reading.

In an embodiment of the invention the skin characteristic application is further configured to: determine the pressure-based moisture adjustment slope having a first (x/y) point at (the first focal length/the first moisture sensor reading) and a second (x/y) point at (the second focus distance/the second moisture sensor reading); and quantify an average focus distance from the first focus distance and the second focus distance.

In an embodiment of the invention the applying further comprises: solving a slope point form equation of a form Y - Y1 = m(X - X1), where Y is the adjusted future moisture sensor reading; Y1 is the future moisture sensor reading; m is the pressure-based moisture adjustment slope; X is the average focus distance; and X1 is the future focus distance.

In an embodiment of the invention the skin characteristic application is further configured to: prompt a user to select a first focal point near a middle of a display of the electronic device that is previewing the first picture; and accept a user input selecting the focal point as a trigger to take a picture.

In an embodiment of the invention the skin characteristic application is further configured to: ask a user to select a first focal point near a middle of a display of the electronic device that is previewing the first picture; and receive a user input selecting the focal point as a trigger to take a picture.

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which:.

Broadly, the invention as herein described is a skin analysis device that attaches to a mobile device and performs one or more skin analysis actions such as capturing images of a human face to assess moisture, pores and the like. Images and other measurements are stored, compared to other samples and used to recommend products to assist with skin care. The present invention is defined by claim <NUM>.

As used, and further described herein, the following terms have the following meanings:.

<FIG> illustrates aspects of a system <NUM> with an exemplary electronic device <NUM> and skin analysis device 20a that are able to communicate, via network <NUM>, with skin analysis server <NUM> ("SAS"), one or more skin care product manufacturers/owners ("product owner") <NUM> and one or more e-commerce vendors/sites ("vendor") <NUM>.

System <NUM> may allow a user to measure and obtain/collect, store, disseminate, track and act on or use various skin characteristics and samples.

Measuring and obtaining may mean collecting data at one or more times (each a skin characteristic sample) using one or more skin characteristic measurement devices, with or without aid from one or more skin characteristic assisters. Electronic device <NUM> may have one or more skin characteristic measurement devices (such as camera <NUM>) and one or more skin characteristic assisters (such as vibration motor). Skin analysis device <NUM> may also have one or more skin characteristic measurement devices (such as moisture sensor <NUM>) and one or more skin characteristic assisters (such as lens <NUM> or ).

Storing may mean local or remote storage of one more skin characteristic samples either for a particular user or for a larger group of users.

Tracking may allow a user to compare themselves to their own prior skin characteristic samples (ie "is my skin more moist than it was a week ago") or to others' skin characteristics samples (ie "is my skin oilier than other people who may be comparable to me").

Acting may mean a user purchases a foundation that matches the color of their skin for the light they are going to be seen in, purchasing a recommended moisturizer and using it, or visiting a doctor to examine concerning spots on their skin.

All of such may be as more thoroughly described herein. All of such may occur between devices, as described herein, which may be connected via one or more networks <NUM> of varying types and arrangements.

SAS <NUM> may be a server that stores and processes skin characteristic measurement or sample, as described herein. SAS <NUM> may be any combination of web servers, applications servers, and database servers, as would be known to those of skill in the art. Each of such servers may comprise typical server components including processors, volatile and non-volatile memory storage devices and software instructions executable thereon. SAS <NUM> may be central point of communication for app <NUM> to perform the functionality described herein, including exchanging skin analysis measurement samples, product recommendations, e-commerce capabilities, and the like. Of course skin characteristic application <NUM> may perform these, alone or in combination with SAS <NUM>, as well.

SAS <NUM> may include a database server that receives and stores all skin characteristic samples from all users into a user profile for each registered user and guest user. These may be received from one or more electronic devices <NUM>, though app <NUM> may be configurable to store skin characteristic samples locally only (though that may preclude some of the results information based on population and demographic comparisons).

SAS <NUM> (and/or app <NUM>) may share user profiles (and any skin characteristic samples received therefrom) with the user referrer, for example when a user profile includes a user referrer. This may be via providing user profiles to a server of a product owner, for example.

SAS <NUM> may provide various analysis functionality as described herein (such as computing histograms of comparisons with a user's historical scores or of comparisons with peers), and may provide various display functionality as described herein (such as providing websites that may present various analysis, provide links or functional links for other websites to access and display such results, and the like).

Product owners <NUM> may be entities, as defined above with respect to interests in skin care products, and may also have one or more product owner servers including web servers, applications servers, and database servers, as would be known to those of skill in the art. Each of such servers may comprise typical server components including processors, volatile and non-volatile memory storage devices and software executable thereon. Product owner <NUM> may be a point of communication for app <NUM> (directly, or via SAS <NUM>) for skin analysis measurement samples (such as those obtained via a user that was provided skin analysis device <NUM> by such product owner <NUM>) and for storage and execution of product recommendation algorithms. For example, one or more generic product recommendation algorithms may be stored and owned by SAS <NUM> for each product recommendation type, and product owners may own and implement their own proprietary product recommendation algorithms (for example with product owner <NUM> receiving the required data to perform the product recommendation algorithm, and returning the recommended product). Product owners <NUM> may also offer e-commerce services directly, may suggest vendors such as Amazon™ (separately or with the recommended products) or may be agnostic about how a user may purchase a recommended product.

Vendors <NUM> may provide one or more e-commerce websites or screens (separate from or embedded in app <NUM>, as screens on app <NUM>, for example) that facilitate business or commercial transactions involving the transfer of information over network <NUM> (such as the Internet). Types of e-commerce sites include but are not limited to: retail sites, auctions sites, and business-to-business sites. Exemplary vendors <NUM> that may facilitate the purchase of skin care products may include Amazon™, eBay™, and Overstock™. Of course product owners <NUM> may have their own e-commerce sites as part of their general websites, or SAS <NUM> may be such a vendor.

Electronic device <NUM> may be a mobile phone such as an iPhone™, such as a <NUM> or <NUM>. Electronic device <NUM> may have one more components thereof, such as camera <NUM>, and other components as are common for such devices, such as flash <NUM> for camera <NUM> power and volume buttons, a motor to cause vibration ("vibration motor", interior to electronic device <NUM>), screens, processors, storage/memory, and the like. Some of such components may have visual or physical aspects thereto, that may be visible or present on the exterior surface of electronic device <NUM> ("visible components"). Other components may be internal to electronic device <NUM>, such as GPS transceivers ("internal components") but may have requirements for external surfaces of electronic device <NUM> to function properly (such as not blocking GPS or other wireless signals).

Electronic device <NUM> may comprise expensive and powerful components (including but not limited to processors, storage/memory, camera <NUM> and the like). However such components may not be suited to be skin characteristic measurement devices, or skin characteristic measurement assisters, without other skin characteristic measurement devices or skin characteristic measurement assisters. For example, camera <NUM> may have good resolution but may not have adequate traits (such as optical zoom or magnification) to enable capturing images that are suitable for skin characteristics and skin characteristic samples. Hence, as described herein, skin characteristic measurement assisters (on skin analysis device <NUM> and/or electronic device <NUM>) may be employed, and other skin characteristic measurement devices may be employed).

Electronic device <NUM> may have software located thereon (such as an 'app') as is known, that may be obtained and installed from an 'app store'. The app according to an embodiment of the present invention may be accessed on electronic device <NUM> to perform functionality as described herein. The app may also be able to access storage located on electronic device <NUM>, such as to store data, as described herein. The app may also be able to perform communications between electronic device <NUM> and skin analysis device <NUM>, and network <NUM> (and hence with SAS <NUM>, product owners <NUM> and vendors <NUM>.

Electronic device <NUM> may also have an operating system that provides access to various application programming interfaces ("API"). Such API allow apps on electronic device <NUM> to 'call' the API and thus access various functionality of electronic device <NUM> (such as camera <NUM>, controlling a vibration motor, turning on an electronic device light source such as flash <NUM> or controlling its operation when performing skin care actions, and the like).

Electronic device <NUM> may have one or more apps <NUM> (also referred to as skin characteristic applications) installed thereon. App <NUM> may perform various functionality noted herein, and may be a human user's primary way to interact with electronic device <NUM> (in terms of accessing functions described herein) and skin analysis device <NUM>. App <NUM> may be able to access various features and components of electronic device <NUM>. In particular, app <NUM> may recive inputs from users, and provide activation signals to skin analysis device <NUM> (for example to take a moisture sensor reading, turn on light sources, and the like).

Electronic device <NUM> may have an owner/user and may have one more guest users.

Exemplary skin analysis device 20a may be one embodiment of skin analysis device <NUM>. Skin analysis device 20a may comprise exemplary enclosure 22a and sleeve 24a, both of which may comprise additional components as described herein. Sleeve 24a may be introduced and removably attached to enclosure 22a, such as by introducing them together by moving sleeve 24a along attachment line <NUM>.

Skin analysis device 20a may be introduced and removably attached to electronic device <NUM>, such as by snapping skin analysis device 20a onto the back of electronic device <NUM>, following securement lines <NUM>/<NUM>. It is to be understood that the shape of skin analysis device <NUM>, and in particular of enclosure <NUM>, may be altered so as to allow attachment to various electronic devices <NUM> (such as iPhones™, iPads™, various Android™ phones, personal computers, and the like) in various manners (such as by snapping on as portions of enclosure <NUM> can snuggly attach to protrusions or edges of electronic device <NUM>, allowing electronic device <NUM> to slide into an electronic device aperture <NUM>). The shape of enclosure <NUM>, or other aspects of skin analysis device <NUM> as necessary, can easily change to accommodate attachment to various electronic devices <NUM>.

Enclosure <NUM>, and other aspects of skin analysis device <NUM> as necessary, can also be altered so as to not block or disrupt the functioning of electronic device <NUM>. By way of example, visible components may include volume controls, power on or wake up buttons, camera <NUM>, flash <NUM>, and the like, and may be exposed via component apertures <NUM> if such components would have been covered or affected by skin analysis device <NUM> when attached to electronic device <NUM>. It is also to be understood that the shape of enclosure <NUM>, and other aspects of skin analysis device <NUM>, can easily change to accommodate exposing various visible components, or facilitating the operation of internal components, of various electronic devices <NUM>.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, sleeve 24a may comprise several components of skin analysis device <NUM>, such as lens, color calibrator, light source board, diffuser, moisture sensor, and the like (all largely as described herein but not visible in <FIG>) and may be removably detachable from enclosure 22a. In other embodiments various components of skin analysis device <NUM> may be separable from other components, such as to create a stand-alone color calibrator as described herein (for example, with one or more of sleeve <NUM>, calibration ring <NUM>, optionally one or more light sources <NUM>/<NUM>, optionally with diffuser <NUM>, and a contact ring <NUM> comprising the stand-alone color calibrator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, skin analysis device <NUM> may be located at an upper end <NUM> of the back side <NUM> of electronic device <NUM> and may therefore cover a top portion of the back side of electronic device <NUM>, such as no more than a third of the vertical height of electronic device <NUM> - though the size of such upper portion can be altered as required. Again as shown in <FIG>, skin analysis device <NUM> may attach to electronic device <NUM> such that very little of the front side of the electronic device <NUM> is blocked.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate front views, and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate rear views, of an exemplary skin analysis device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. Skin analysis device <NUM> generally comprises enclosure <NUM> comprising enclosure body <NUM>, cylindrical sleeve assembly aperture <NUM>, board housing <NUM> and electronic device housing <NUM> that further comprises top housing <NUM> and side edges <NUM>, both board housing and electronic device housing <NUM> working in connection with lid <NUM> to house PCB <NUM> and electronic device <NUM> respectively, lens <NUM>, cylindrical sleeve assembly <NUM> comprising cylindrical sleeve <NUM>, moisture sensor 36a with moisture sensor leads 36b, light source board <NUM> comprising first light source <NUM>, second light source <NUM> and light source leads <NUM>, diffuser <NUM> comprising light source aperture <NUM> and camera lens aperture <NUM>, and color calibration ring <NUM> comprising adhesive strip <NUM>, calibration ring <NUM> having one or more color quadrants <NUM>, skin analysis device circuit board (PCB) <NUM> comprising sleeve cutout <NUM>, processor (which may also include a Bluetooth™ transceiver) <NUM>, connector <NUM>, charge indicator <NUM>, reset button <NUM> and battery <NUM> (not shown, on the reverse side of PCB <NUM>), and lid <NUM> comprising reset aperture <NUM> and charging aperture <NUM>.

Enclosure <NUM> comprises an enclosure body <NUM>, configured to be removably connected to electronic device <NUM>, and a cylindrical sleeve assembly aperture <NUM> configured to receive a cylindrical sleeve assembly <NUM> and be disposed in front of camera <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> when the skin analysis device <NUM> is attached to electronic device <NUM>. When attached enclosure or other portions of skin analysis device <NUM> may cover flash <NUM> so that any light that is part of images of a user's skin come from light source <NUM>.

Cylindrical sleeve assembly aperture <NUM>, also known as sleeve housing <NUM>, may further comprise base plate <NUM>, lens plate <NUM> and wire aperture <NUM>. Base plate <NUM> may be a surface, proximate to electronic device <NUM> and optionally forming a portion of electronic device housing <NUM>. Base plate <NUM> may be a surface to which lens <NUM> and/or sleeve assembly <NUM>, are bonded and/or rests on when inserted in sleeve assembly aperture <NUM>. Lens plate <NUM> may be a portion of base plate <NUM> that conforms to the shape of lens <NUM> to facilitate lens resting in the proper position when skin analysis device <NUM> is attached to electronic device <NUM>. Wire aperture <NUM> may be an opening in sleeve housing <NUM> that is configured to allow electrical connections from one or more of moisture sensor 36a (such as moisture sensor leads 36b) and light source assembly (such as leads <NUM>) to be attached to PCB <NUM>.

Sleeve housing <NUM> may further comprise a contact surface <NUM> that may be substantially in contact with the subject when skin analysis occurs. Contact surface <NUM> may be of a material that is comfortable for a user, such as plastic or rubber and may be integral with enclosure <NUM> or may be a separate component that is connectable thereto.

Sleeve housing <NUM> may further comprise one or more lips or shelves <NUM>. Shelf <NUM> may be a portion, optionally cylindrical, of sleeve housing <NUM> on which moisture sensor <NUM> and/or color calibrator are attached. Lips <NUM> may be radially interior from contact surface <NUM> such that contact surface largely envelopes lips <NUM>.

Electronic device <NUM> may be slide into electronic device housing <NUM> such that electronic device <NUM> is in contact with lid <NUM> and is kept in place by lid <NUM>, top housing <NUM> and side edges <NUM>. Such connection may be tight enough, for example as a result of the relative dimensions of electronic device housing <NUM> and/or material properties of enclosure <NUM> and electronic device <NUM>, that removal of skin analysis device <NUM> from electronic device <NUM> is unlikely to occur with a user attempting to do so.

Enclosure has a front surface <NUM> on which advertising or other information may be printed, stuck or otherwise located.

Lid <NUM> may be slideably inserted, or placed, inside board housing <NUM> to protect PCB from the environment outside of skin analysis device <NUM>. Lid <NUM> may be shaped to fit in board housing <NUM> and otherwise fit with the internal layout of PCB <NUM> (hence reset aperture <NUM> and charging aperture <NUM> that allow access to reset button <NUM>, and charging button <NUM>, respectively). Lid <NUM>, when inserted, may form part of electronic device housing <NUM>.

Skin analysis device <NUM> further comprises lens <NUM>, attachedly inserted in the cylindrical sleeve assembly aperture <NUM>, radially closer to the camera than a first light source. Lens <NUM> may have a working distance to the skin/surface of <NUM> and a working distance to camera <NUM> lens of <NUM>. Lens <NUM> may be glass coated. There may also be one or more polarizers (which may be thin and tinted sheets that polarize one or more light sources that go through polarizer and window to assist with sensitivity analysis, and which may be located between lens <NUM> and the skin. Lens <NUM> may be a magnification lens that has a magnification factor as appropriate for the skin surface being imaged (for example a 30X lens <NUM> for skin analysis and a different magnification for hair analysis).

Cylindrical sleeve assembly <NUM>, may be attachedly inserted in cylindrical sleeve assembly aperture <NUM>, and comprising a cylindrical sleeve <NUM>, moisture sensor <NUM> disposed on or in the cylindrical sleeve assembly <NUM> and optionally located at a axially remote end of the sleeve from the camera, such that moisture sensor <NUM> can measure moisture qualities of a surface of the human user when the skin analysis device <NUM> is in a measuring mode, and a light diffuser assembly, that diffuses light from a first light source located thereon, disposed in front of the camera when the skin analysis device is attached to the electronic device, on an axially proximate end of the sleeve from camera <NUM>.

Sleeve <NUM> may be a cylinder that is sized so as to be insertable into housing <NUM>. Sleeve <NUM> may rest on base plate <NUM> when attached to enclosure substantially black on the inside. Sleeve <NUM> may have an interior surface and an exterior surface. Interior surface of sleeve <NUM> may be light absorbing, such as a black color, so that the nature of the light that is directed at the subject (such as a user's skin) is known.

Moisture sensor <NUM> may comprise sensor 36a and sensor leads 36b. Moisture sensor <NUM> may measure the moisture content of the skin and provide such measurement to skin analysis device processor <NUM>. Moisture sensor <NUM> may be capacitive or resistive. In one embodiment moisture sensor <NUM> is capacitive and comprises two circular/cylindrical electrodes, having track thicknesses of. <NUM>-<NUM>, with a gap therebetween of. <NUM>-<NUM>. Moisture sensor <NUM> may be disposed on, and attached to, lips <NUM> of sleeve <NUM> and may be shaped such that they do not interfere with camera <NUM> (and thus may be located radially exterior to the inner/inside surface of sleeve <NUM> through which camera <NUM> may capture an image.

In testing a moisture sensor with <NUM> tracks and a gap of <NUM> was found to produce acceptably reliable and repeatable capacitance values for various readings (skin on face, skin on arm, and the like) and a good range of capacitances such that several gradations or degrees of moisture could be attributed to the subject skin or surface.

Moisture sensor <NUM> may be in communication with a skin analysis device processor via moisture sensor leads 36b that may travel along sleeve aperture <NUM>, through wire aperture <NUM> and be connected to PCB <NUM>.

When in use, skin analysis device <NUM>, and in particular moisture sensor <NUM> and contact ring <NUM> may be touching a user's face or other surface. The amount of pressure applied to skin analysis device <NUM> to touch a user's face, or be pressed into contact therewith, can affect moisture sensor <NUM> readings, in a measurable and predictable way. However it may be difficult to determine how hard a user is pushing during a given use. To combat this a sensor focus distance calibration may be undertaken. This may involve asking a user to push the device hard, using forceful pressure, and allow the autofocus to determine a first lens travel distance as it takes a first moisture reading, and then asking the user to push the skin analysis device lightly, using light pressure, and allow the autofocus to determine a second lens travel distance as it takes a second moisture reading. App <NUM> may then conduct an interpolation between these values, and calculate the equation that best correlates to a range of focus distances and moisture readings, as described herein. Then each future time a moisture reading, likely using unknown pressure, is taken the future focus distance may be captured, compared to the first lens travel distance and second lens travel distance, to determine a moisture factoring value that can be applied to the moisture reading. Of course such approach may rely on camera <NUM> being a camera <NUM> with variable focus distance.

Light source board <NUM> may comprise first light source <NUM>, second light source <NUM> and light source leads <NUM>. Light source board <NUM> may be in communication with the skin analysis device processor, such as via light source leads <NUM>. Light source board <NUM> may, in combination with diffuser <NUM>, be referred to as light source assembly.

First light source: A first light source may be light emitting diode (LED) lights, such as via Vishay Semiconductors'™ VLMU3100 (Power SMD LED PLCC-<NUM>), which may have known light characteristics (such as luminous intensity, luminous intensity with angular displacement, chromaticity, and the like) which may be published in technical documentation related thereto. The first light source being LED light may mean that such light needs to be diffused so that white spots are not created on an image that is taken. As such, each LED light may be directly behind diffuser <NUM> and its light may not pass through light source aperture <NUM>. Some LED lights may be configured, with one or more polarizers, to be polarized.

Second light source: A second light source may be ultraviolate (UV) lights, such as via Vishay Semiconductors™ VLMU1610-<NUM>-<NUM>, which may have known light characteristics (such as luminous intensity, luminous intensity with angular displacement, chromaticity, and the like) which may be published in technical documentation related thereto. The second light source being UV light may mean that such light does not need to be diffused when an image that is taken. As such, each UV light may be directly behind a light source aperture <NUM>, such that the UV light passes through such light source aperture <NUM>. UV lights may be considered an adverse effect device, in that it can be dangerous if used improperly (such as directed into a user's eyes for long periods). As such extra care may be taken in the control of the activation of UV lights, as described herein.

Light source board <NUM> may specifically feature multiple lights, from multiple light sources, that may be individually controllable and mounted so that the angle of light hitting the surface of the skin is varied. The varied angles may illuminate the skin to reveal specific textures in a 3D type of effect. This may assist in one or more skin analyses, such as by providing a measure of the depth of a line or wrinkle.

In use, because the light spectrum of the one or more light sources (such as first light source and second light source, or any others that may be added) is known, flash <NUM> may be blocked or disabled (such as via app <NUM>), contact ring <NUM> may be tight against a user's face (creating a a user contact point where at least a portion of skin analysis device <NUM> and/or electronic device <NUM> are proximate to or in contact with a user's skin) and sleeve <NUM> blocks out external light, the spectrum of light applied to a user's skin can be known. Optionally in combination with color calibrator <NUM> this may allow one or more color matching functionalities as described herein.

It may be desirable to use light source board <NUM> (in combination with other components noted herein to keep out other light sources) instead of flash <NUM>, not only so the spectrum of light is known and is consistent (potentially more consistent than from flash <NUM>) but also so that shadows and other anomalies may be eliminated - which could cause difficulty in various processings.

Of course light source board may have any number of light sources, and various other light sources may be used. For example infrared light may be used, which may be able to measure skin temperature and hence be used for different dermatological assessments.

Diffuser <NUM> may be a component that is shaped and sized to fit inside sleeve <NUM>, and thus may be a circle or cylinder. Diffuser may be made of any material of any color provided that such has the diffusing properties required based on the light source(s) that are to be diffused. In one example such diffuser <NUM> may be a white plastic. Diffuser may comprise one or more light source apertures <NUM>, arranged to allow the desired light through from light source board, and camera lens aperture <NUM> to allow camera <NUM> to function with lens <NUM> to take images.

Color calibrator <NUM> may be an exemplary passive skin characteristic measurement assister. Color calibrator <NUM> may be configured such that when camera <NUM> takes an image, color calibrator <NUM>, or at least a portion of calibration ring <NUM>, having at least one color quadrant <NUM>, may be part of the image, for example a radial portion of the field of view of camera <NUM>.

Color calibrator <NUM> may comprise adhesive strip <NUM> that may assist in sticking color calibrator <NUM> to skin analysis device <NUM>, such as by folding adhesive strip <NUM> so that it is inserted axially inside sleeve aperture <NUM> and calibration ring <NUM> is at least partially in the field of view of camera <NUM> (such as being the radially exterior portion of the field of view - thus creating both a human user portion and a color calibration portion when an image of a human user is taken). Of course color calibrator <NUM> may have a center aperture <NUM> that is sized such that camera <NUM> can take a picture, through lens <NUM> as described herein, and still take a large enough sample of a user's skin to be effective. Color quadrants <NUM> may include any number of colors of known properties. In one embodiment there may be a sole color quadrant, with a sole known color, being gray with an RGB value of <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>. As such, when an image is taken by camera <NUM> the colors of the user's skin can be adjusted based on the adjustments to the colors of color quadrants <NUM> as compared to their known colors (as further described herein).

When combined with other components, color calibrator <NUM> may form a color calibrator assembly. Color calibrator assembly may essentially keep all light, not coming from flash <NUM>, out of an image taken by camera <NUM>.

Such color calibrator assembly may include color calibrator <NUM>, sleeve <NUM>, and skin contact ring <NUM>. In such a configuration color calibrator assembly may remain a passive skin characteristic measurement assister. In another embodiment a color calibrator assembly may further comprise light source board and/or diffuser <NUM>, which may make it a more effective and flexible color calibrator assembly and make it an active skin characteristic measurement assister. As an active characteristic measurement assister color calibrator assembly may require processor <NUM> or another way to control light source board <NUM>.

Configuration color calibrator assembly may be attached to electronic device <NUM> using skin analysis device <NUM>, or portions thereof, or may have a simple attachment mechanism ("color calibrator assembly attachment") such as an adhesive ring on the end of sleeve <NUM>, or a simple mechanical element that snaps or hooks onto electronic device <NUM> at an attachment point. Color calibrator assembly attachment may allow flash <NUM> to direct light into color calibrator assembly attachment, particularly when being used as a passive characteristic measurement assister.

Although described herein as a component that may be part of skin analysis device <NUM>, color calibrator may also be part of a stand-alone device that attaches to electronic device <NUM>.

PCB <NUM> may comprise comprising sleeve cutout <NUM>, processor (which may also include a Bluetooth™ transceiver) <NUM>, connector <NUM>, charge indicator <NUM>, reset button <NUM>, battery <NUM> (not shown, on the reverse side of PCB <NUM>) and one or more I/O connections <NUM>.

PCB <NUM> may be a typically constructed circuit board, with standard connections between components. PCB <NUM> may be shaped so as to be insertable into board housing <NUM>, including having sleeve cutout <NUM> to fit around sleeve housing <NUM>.

Connector <NUM> may allow PCB to be connected to a charging and/or data transfer wire, such as micro or mini USB, as is known in the art. Charge indicator <NUM> may simply indicate that battery <NUM> is charging. Reset button <NUM> may allow PCB <NUM>, and processor <NUM> in particular, to be reset.

PCB further comprises battery <NUM> (on reverse of board <NUM>), to provide power to PCB <NUM>, and hence power attached components (such as moisture sensor <NUM> and light source board <NUM>). Battery <NUM> may be charged by plugging into connector <NUM>, which may be a micro or mini USB port.

PCB <NUM>, and more particularly processor <NUM>, is in communication with electronic device <NUM> (for example using Bluetooth transceiver that may be part of processor <NUM> or via another wired or wireless connection), and moisture sensor <NUM> and light source board <NUM>, for example via I/O connections <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may be a microprocessor that is capable of varied and complex functioning - as described herein - including assisting in obtaining skin analysis samples (such as by controlling the functioning of moisture sensor <NUM> and light source board <NUM>) and processing data (such as skin analysis samples), communicating (or controlling communications). Components of skin analysis device that communicate with or are capable of being controlled by processor <NUM> may be considered active components. Processor <NUM> may comprise a Bluetooth transceiver, to enable it to communicate with substantially any Bluetooth device, but preferably with at least electronic device <NUM> so as to facilitate the functionality described herein.

Processor <NUM> may be a _Bluetooth integrated microprocessor from Silicon Labs™ (BGM111) microprocessor but may have custom firmware.

Custom firmware may comprise largely off-the shelf software (OTSS) instructions to control typical features. However, custom software instructions may be written to enable the functionality described herein, and improve deficiencies in typical firmware. In one embodiment custom firmware may simply be written to remove unnecessary code that results in slower responsiveness of processor <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may perform at least the following operations:.

<FIG> is a method <NUM> for assembly of a skin analysis device <NUM> according to an aspect of the present invention.

Method <NUM> begins at <NUM> where various components are produced, such as via a 3d printer. Such printed components may comprise enclosure <NUM>, sleeve <NUM>, and enclosure lid <NUM>. As part of such producing/printing, such printed components may be trimmed, to remove support materials.

At step <NUM> lens <NUM> may be bonded in enclosure <NUM>. This may be by gluing lens <NUM> onto base plate <NUM> and into lens plate <NUM>.

At step <NUM> light source board <NUM> may be bonded on one end of sleeve <NUM>. The end having light source board <NUM> may be the end that is proximate to electronic device <NUM> ("proximate end"). Bonding may involve gluing light source board <NUM> to sleeve <NUM> such that light sources are radially inside sleeve <NUM> and direct light through sleeve <NUM> towards the remote end of sleeve <NUM>, as described herein.

At step <NUM> moisture sensor <NUM> may be bonded on one end of sleeve <NUM> (the opposite end from where light source board <NUM> may be bonded, which may be the end of sleeve <NUM> away from the electronic device ("remote end"). Bonding may involve gluing light source board <NUM> to sleeve <NUM>.

At step <NUM> a battery may be attached to skin analysis device processor board <NUM> and leads (such as moisture sensor leads 36b and light source board leads <NUM>) may be soldered to provide power thereto.

At step <NUM> processor <NUM> may be flashed with custom firmware, as described herein.

At step <NUM> sleeve <NUM> may be slid into enclosure <NUM> and bonded thereto, for example by applying glue to inner surfaces of sleeve housing <NUM>.

At step <NUM> skin analysis device processor board may be inserted into enclosure <NUM> and wires for light source board <NUM> and moisture sensor <NUM> may be soldered to skin analysis device processor board <NUM>.

At step <NUM> lid <NUM> may be inserted into enclosure lid aperture <NUM> and bonded thereto, for example by applying glue thereto. Optionally enclosure lid aperture may be designed such that the connection causes lid <NUM> to snap into place.

Various tests may then be undertaken, with or without being attached to electronic device <NUM>, to ensure proper functioning of skin analysis device <NUM>, though is may be separate from assembly. Exemplary tests may include:.

Of course it is to be understood that various methods of assembling skin analysis device <NUM> may be followed, and various adjustments may be made to method <NUM>.

<FIG> is a method <NUM> for use of a skin analysis device <NUM> according to an aspect of the present invention.

Method <NUM> may be implemented by various elements of system <NUM>, alone or in combination. Parts of method <NUM> may be implemented or performed separately, together and in various orders (even if depicted as part of method <NUM> and in a particular order). Various portions of method <NUM> may be depicted in screenshots 1200a-m, 1400a-d and 1500a-b.

Method <NUM> begins at <NUM> where a skin measurement is initiated. This may be, for example, via selecting <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. Although possible for initiation to occur via skin analysis device <NUM> or other aspects of system <NUM>, in a typical use initiation is via app <NUM> and a user thereof. As shown and described herein, initiation may be of one or more skin characteristic measurements, in largely any combination.

At <NUM> a query is made whether skin analysis device <NUM> and electronic device <NUM> are calibrated. This query may be answered via app <NUM>, for example that may store information or flags that indicate whether one or more calibrations have been done (for example an autofocus based moisture sensor calibration flag that indicates whether such calibration has occurred). Calibrations that are subject to the query may be any and all calibrations or may only be the calibrations that may be required for the skin characteristic measurements that have bene initiated.

If any required calibrations have not occurred then method <NUM> proceeds to <NUM> where such calibrations are performed. Exemplary calibrations include:.

If calibrations are not required then method <NUM> continues at <NUM> where skin measurements occur. For each skin characteristic measurement that is undertaken there may be one or more skin characteristic measurement devices and one or more skin characteristic assisters involved. These may all need to work in unison to properly perform such skin characteristic measurements. In one embodiment the skin characteristic measurements may be based on one or more of a moisture sensor reading and/or image(s) of the user.

Step <NUM> may be more fully described in <FIG> but but in one simple example the skin characteristic may be a pore analysis and step <NUM> may involve:.

Portions of <NUM> and <FIG> may be performed or initiated using screenshots 1200b/1200d/1200e, for example.

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> where the skin analysis measurement sample is obtained. This may involve app <NUM> receiving the image from camera <NUM> (such as images <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), or receiving a moisture level from moisture sensor <NUM>, which may be received by processor <NUM> and then communicated to app <NUM> via, for example, Bluetooth. It is to be understood that generally step <NUM> involves getting the captured data, generally unprocessed, from the skin characteristic measurement device(s) to app <NUM>.

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> where processing of the skin characteristic measurement sample may occur (ie one or more skin analysis processings). Of course such skin analysis processings will depend on what skin characteristic measurement(s) were taken. However exemplary skin analysis processings may include various image processing techniques (as described herein and shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) that may take raw images (from camera <NUM>) and apply various techniques thereto.

By way of a few examples, the following skin care processings may be performed:.

Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may largely be performed on or by electronic device <NUM> and/or skin analysis device <NUM>. However, other aspects of system <NUM> may be involved, such as SAS <NUM>, for example if greater processing power or storage space is required.

At this point method <NUM> may have substantially completed processing of a skin analysis measurement sample for one or more skin analysis measurements. This may result in having a skin analysis sample. Such a sample may have one or more raw images, one or more processed images, a user identifier, a date and time stamp, and other related information. Images may be uploaded to SAS <NUM> in real-time, being sent from electronic device <NUM>. The user's sex, age, GPS coordinates, and other potentially non-personally identifying information can be stored (or personally identifying as required/desired, pursuant to applicable privacy requirements). Processing, as described herein, can occur on the device and/or on SAS <NUM> and/or on product owner <NUM> depending, for example on how intensive the processing is, what is to happen after the processing, and what entity/entities are to have a copy of the data when all is complete.

In one example of a skin characteristic sample the sample (or skin characteristic sample data structure) may include one or more of the following:.

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> to begin the calculations and processing required for analysis to be presented. The steps performed at <NUM> will depend greatly on the analysis, however the collected sample may, at <NUM>, be compared to one or more collections or subsets of samples stored at SAS <NUM> that may relate to the current user (for comparison to themselves over time, such as in <FIG>) or comparing the current user to all users in SAS <NUM> (or for product owner <NUM>) in the user's demographic (such as in <FIG>, UI element <NUM>).

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> where results may be shown to the user, for example on one or more screenshots of app <NUM> (for example as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> where a recommendation algorithm is performed. Of course <NUM> may occur before <NUM>/<NUM> or simultaneous therewith. Recommendation algorithms may exist for each skin characteristic, and even for various combinations of skin characteristics. Recommendation algorithms may be substantially the generic recommendation algorithms described herein, which may be performed by app <NUM> and/or SAS <NUM>. In such cases app <NUM> and/or SAS <NUM> have the required data and can simply apply the recommendation algorithm. Alternatively, and for example where a product owner <NUM> has its own recommendation algorithm, the recommendation algorithms can be performed by product owner <NUM>. In such cases app <NUM> and/or SAS <NUM> may provide data required for the recommendation algorithm ("recommendation required data") to product owner <NUM>, and product owner <NUM> may communicate the recommended products (all the data required or a skin product identifier identifying a product whose information is stored in app <NUM>) back to app <NUM>.

Method <NUM> then continues to <NUM> where one or more recommended products are displayed for a user to review and consider purchasing, for example as shown in <FIG>.

Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be somewhat iterative, in that they may further involve prompting a user for additional information to better perform a recommendation algorithm. For example, a user may be doing a moisture analysis and they have dry skin. At <NUM> a moisturizer may be recommended. However, after showing such recommended product, at <NUM>, or before, method <NUM> may ask a user if they plan on using the product during the day and/or outside. If so the recommendation algorithm may change the moisturizer to a moisturizer with UV protection, particularly if skin care updates or external sources indicate high UV for where the user is located (as may be determined by a GPS location of electronic device <NUM>).

<FIG> is a method <NUM> for performing skin analysis measurements according to an aspect of the present invention. Method <NUM> essentially addresses the methods for performing the recordation, or obtaining, the skin analysis measurements (with getting them into app <NUM>, processing them, communicating them beyond app <NUM> being separate herefrom).

Method <NUM> begins at <NUM>, having arrived from <NUM>, for example. At <NUM> a query is made whether skin analysis device <NUM> (and/or electronic device <NUM>) is in place. This may mean that skin analysis device <NUM> is being held on a user's face or body. In cases where one or more skin characteristics measurement devices and/or skin characteristic measurement assisters could be damaging (an adverse effect device - that may assist a skin characteristic measurement device take a skin characteristic sample of a user but may be dangerous to the user if used in an improper way), such a step may be desirable. For example, in one embodiment second light source <NUM> may be UV and may be damaging to eyes, or other light sources that may be damaging (lasers, infrared, and the like). At <NUM> moisture sensor <NUM> (in such an example a safe use indicator device) may be queried and if a reading from moisture sensor <NUM> indicates that the user has skin analysis device <NUM> in place (in such case such reading being a safe use indicator signal) then the method may proceed, and in particular before UV lights are turned on in a safe use. Of course it may be desirable to assure skin analysis device <NUM> is in place before performing method <NUM>, for example to help preventing improper images from being taken. Alternatively these queries may be performed just before the particularly problematic/dangerous skin characteristic measurement device is activated.

If skin analysis device <NUM> is not in place then at <NUM> method <NUM> may wait.

Continuing, method <NUM> arrives at <NUM>, where a loop (of <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>) may begin for each skin characteristic measurement that is to occur. Broadly speaking there may be imaging and moisture sensor reading. However, among imaging there may be slightly different performance of <NUM>-<NUM>, for example for lines/wrinkles, oil, elasticity, etc, based on what devices and assisters may be used.

Returning to <NUM> a query is made whether, for the given skin characteristic measurement, if the required skin characteristic measurement device(s) are ready. By way of example, camera <NUM> or moisture sensor <NUM> may need to be turned on, or warmed up, in particular if they have not been used recently (as known by app <NUM>). If they are not ready then method <NUM> waits at <NUM> and prepares them.

At <NUM> a query is made whether, for the given skin characteristic measurement, if the required skin characteristic measurement assister(s) are ready. This is much the same as for the skin characteristic measurement devices in <NUM> and <NUM>. By way of example, first light source <NUM> may preferably be warm before being used (making its light spectrum more consistent).

At <NUM>, having been assured that the required components were ready, each skin characteristic measurement assister may be activated (one or more for a given skin characteristic measurement). For passive skin characteristic measurement assisters this may not be required (ie lens <NUM> may already be in place). For active skin characteristic measurement assisters this may be:.

At <NUM>, each skin characteristic measurement device may be activated (one or more for a given skin characteristic measurement), possibly after a delay to ensure assisters are sufficiently prepared (for example <NUM> second after a particular light source is activated). This may involve:.

At <NUM> skin characteristic measurement device and skin characteristic measurement assister that was activated may be deactivated (for example turning off first light source <NUM>).

At <NUM> method <NUM> may confirm that proper functioning occurred. This may be via logic on app <NUM> and/or via inputs from a user (for example indicating acceptable image quality). This may be performed using screenshot 1200f, for example.

Method <NUM> may then return to <NUM>, as described herein.

It is to be understood that although <NUM>-<NUM> are described "for each skin characteristic measurement" several may be combined in quick succession. For example one or more may be initiated at the same time, such that the above control (ie turning on and off various light sources in advance and in between taking various images) may be abstracted from a user. A user, or logic in app <NUM>, may select one or more skin characteristic measurements and once a user places skin analysis device at a first skin location the required steps may be taken without further user input.

In one exemplary embodiment, lines, oiliness and moisture are the skin characteristic measurements. Assuming method <NUM> had reached <NUM> (ie camera <NUM>, lens <NUM>, first light source <NUM> and moisture sensor <NUM> were prepared), the following might occur:.

<FIG> illustrate screenshots of app <NUM> for electronic device <NUM> according to an aspect of the present invention.

Screenshots 1200a-m show various screens of app <NUM> that may be shown to a user to allow a user to access the functionality described herein. Each of such screens may include one or more user interface (UI) elements (buttons, text, widgets, icons, pictures, drop-down lists, tabs, infographics, and the like). It is to be understood that screenshots 1200a-m and the UI elements shown are exemplary only - many designs, layouts, orderings and styles of screens, UI elements, and features may be conceived to implement the functionality and aspects of the invention as described herein.

Beginning at screenshot 1200a a user may be presented with buttons <NUM> or <NUM> to select what they would like to do first. Of course all buttons herein may be accessed using user inputs (such as pushing the button on the screen or using a pointing device). If a user selects button <NUM> they may begin a skin analysis, as described herein. If a user selects button <NUM> they may begin finding a product, as described herein.

At screenshot 1200b a user may be presented with the following UI elements:.

At screenshot 1200d a user may be presented with the following UI elements:.

At screenshot 1200e a user may be presented with a picture of a user <NUM> and various sample locations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that a user is to apply skin analysis device <NUM> to, in order to perform the intended analyses.

At screenshot 1200f a user may be presented with an image that was taken <NUM> (noting such may be post-processing in <FIG>), with buttons to redo <NUM>, save and take the next image <NUM> (ie save a copy of the image on electronic device <NUM>) and go to next <NUM> (ie the image will be used but not saved in a photo album on electronic device <NUM>).

At screenshot <NUM> a user may be presented with results of their skin care analyses. Such results may be described based on the type of result <NUM> and aspects of the type of result <NUM>. In the present example the type is versus peers and the aspects are same sex, same age range and same country. Types may also be against myself, with an aspect being historical. Results may be shown in a results summary infographic <NUM>, which may include percentiles for results of lines <NUM>, pores <NUM>, moisture <NUM>, elasticity <NUM>, oil <NUM> and acne <NUM>.

In <NUM> percentiles may be assigned for each result (noting being in the <NUM>% percentile is more desirable in <FIG>, though any nomenclature may be used). These percentiles may be generally calculated, for the various skin characteristics, as such:.

As noted, screenshot <NUM> is an exemplary screenshot that may show results. Another exemplar screenshot, showing results without a comparison, may be seen at screenshot 1400d in <FIG>. In such screenshot 1400d UI element <NUM> may show various skin characteristics (<NUM>) and the results/scores thereof (<NUM>).

At screenshot <NUM> a user may be presented with the recommended product <NUM>, along with information about the recommend product <NUM> (such as a rating, reviews and links thereto, volume information, and price). Notably, ratings and reviews from other users may be specific to users with similar skin types and/or skin tone - thus increasing the value of the ratings and reviews - for example by filtering ratings and reviewers. Information about the recommended product may further include how it works <NUM> and instructions for use <NUM>. A user may select button <NUM> to initiate the purchase of recommended product, for example by placing it in a cart (as known in the art) which may be a cart on app <NUM> and/or an app of vendor <NUM>.

At screenshots 1200i-m a user may be presented with various images <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> that provide instructions. Of course these may be accompanied by text, if desired. In general, and as further described herein, a user will wash their face, ensure it appears 'normal' (ie no dirt or makeup abnormalities), position the skin analysis device appropriately and click a button on electronic device <NUM> (such as volume button) to initiate an image being taken by camera <NUM> (as in <NUM>), and wait for a response from app <NUM> to indicate they can move to another location or the image taking is complete (such as via an audible signal or a vibration).

<FIG> are methods 1300a and an example thereof for color matching for different lighting according to an aspect of the present invention.

The goal of method 1300a may be to determine, based on light other than ambient light (as may be specified by a user - for example outdoor, very bright for television, darker than indoor, etc), and potentially a mood or persona the user wants (such as rock and roll in <NUM> - a "mood"), whether a color shade other than mindE may be preferable for the desired user, light conditions and persona. Method 1300a, as described, considers that images (and hence mindE) are based on ambient lighting at capture (optionally normalized to such lighting but referred to as "capture lighting") and then a user may want a recommended product/shade for outdoor or indoor lighting (each "alternative lighting" having "alternative lighting characteristics", such as in <NUM>). Of course different capture lightings and different alternative lightings can be used, and all of the configurable parameters can be adjusted to suit (parameters varying, for example on the nature of the differences between the capture lighting and the various alternative lightings). The goal is to alter mindE if a more suitable shade exists for the lighting/persona the user intends to use the skin care product in (such more suitable shade being a "contextual suggested product color").

Method 1300a begins at <NUM> where the minimum dE (minimum color difference) and resulting color (mindE color) is found, as described herein (for example of the candidate hue matches or the total color options).

At <NUM>, the dE values are found for color shades that are +<NUM> and +<NUM> shades darker than mindE color (ie mindE1C and mindE2C, or one shade darker and two shades darker). The dE values between shades are then found at <NUM>.

At <NUM> a query is made whether mindE1 minus mindE is less than or equal to <NUM> (where one may be configured but is the dE between shades in the selection of color options. Of course if there are many shades in the color option there is a higher likelihood that the next shade darker is close to mindE (meaning that the query at <NUM> is more likely to be "yes").

At <NUM>, if the answer is yes then the recommended product for outdoor use (assuming such use was specified) would be mindE1.

At <NUM> a query is made if mindE2 minus mindE1 is less than or equal to a configurable parameter (<NUM> as an example for shades <NUM>-<NUM>, using the color shades from screenshot <NUM>) and mindE2 minus mindE1 is less than or equal to a further configurable parameter (<NUM> as an example for shades <NUM>-<NUM>, using the color shades from screenshot <NUM>). If so then at <NUM> mindE2C becomes the recommended product for indoor lighting (if a user asks for such a product recommendation, or it may be stored in app <NUM>). If not then mindE1C becomes the recommended product for indoor lighting.

Returning to <NUM>, if the result of the query is "no" then method <NUM> continues to <NUM> where mindE becomes the recommended product for outdoor lighting.

Then at <NUM> a query is made if mindE1 minus mindE is less than or equal to a configurable parameter (<NUM> as an example for shades <NUM>-<NUM>, using the color shades from screenshot <NUM>) and mindE1 minus mindE is less than or equal to a further configurable parameter (<NUM> as an example for shades <NUM>-<NUM>, using the color shades from screenshot <NUM>). If so then at <NUM> mindEC becomes the recommended product for indoor lighting (if a user asks for such a product recommendation, or it may be stored in app <NUM>). If not then mindE1C becomes the recommended product for indoor lighting.

Turning to <FIG>, screenshot <NUM> may be an exemplary screenshot when "MyColor" tab <NUM> is selected. Screenshot <NUM> shows a measured skin color <NUM> and one or more color options comprising the total color options for the particular color match, along with their color values. Tab <NUM> may bring a user to a screenshot, which may be similar to screenshot <NUM>, which has recommended products that may be color matched skin care products like foundation, blush, and the like.

At 1302b Medium Tan is determined to be mindE. Tan and Tan Deep are mindE1C and mindE2C respectively, at 1304b. At 1306b and 1308b the subtractions occur and result in values (. <NUM> and <NUM>). Therefore Tan (mindE1C) becomes the outdoor recommended product or color match at 1318b and at <NUM> Tan becomes the indoor recommended product or color match.

The embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of both. These embodiments may be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers or electronic devices, each such device including at least one processor, a data storage system (including volatile memory or non-volatile memory or other data storage elements or a combination thereof), and at least one communication interface. In certain embodiments, the computer may be a digital or any analogue computer.

Program code is applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices, in known fashion. Such may be accomplished via applications that are operable on the electronic devices, for example.

Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming or scripting language, or both, to communicate with and/or between computer systems. However, alternatively the programs may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired and/or as required by the particular processor or device. The language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program may be stored on a storage media or a device (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk, optical disc), readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer, for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. Embodiments of the system may also be considered to be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform the functions described herein.

Furthermore, the systems and methods of the described embodiments are capable of being distributed in a computer program product including a physical, nontransitory computer readable medium that bears computer usable instructions for one or more processors. The medium may be provided in various forms, including one or more diskettes, compact disks, tapes, chips, magnetic and electronic storage media, and the like. Non-transitory computer-readable media comprise all computer-readable media, with the exception being a transitory, propagating signal. The term non-transitory is not intended to exclude computer readable media such as a volatile memory or random access memory (RAM), where the data stored thereon is only temporarily stored. The computer useable instructions may also be in various forms, including compiled and non-compiled code.

Claim 1:
A system for calibrating a moisture sensor (<NUM>) configured to be pressed into contact with a user's skin at an unknown pressure by a user when taking a moisture sensor reading, wherein pressure affects the moisture sensor reading, the system comprising:
a moisture sensor (<NUM>), configured to provide moisture sensor readings to a skin characteristic application (<NUM>); and
an electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a camera (<NUM>) with a variable focus distance, that has a focus distance when taking an image; and
a skin characteristic application (<NUM>) configured to:
facilitate taking a first picture of a test subject at a forceful pressure and recording i) a first focus distance when the first picture was taken and ii) a first moisture sensor reading from the moisture sensor (<NUM>);
implement taking a second picture of the test subject at a light pressure and recording i) a second focus distance when the second picture was taken and ii) a second moisture sensor reading from the moisture sensor (<NUM>);
calculate a pressure-based moisture adjustment slope;
apply a pressure-based moisture adjustment factor, obtained from said pressure-based moisture adjustment slope, to a future moisture sensor reading, taken at a future focus distance, to arrive at an adjusted future moisture sensor reading.