Patent ID: 12232594

EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, referring toFIGS.1and2, an overview of a device for applying cosmetic ink, which is a cosmetic ink application device1, according to the present invention, is described.FIG.1is a side view of the cosmetic ink application device1according to the present invention in a state in which the cosmetic ink application device1does not apply the ink, andFIG.2is a side view of the cosmetic ink application device1according to the present invention in a state in which the cosmetic ink application device1is applying the ink.

The cosmetic ink application device1according to the present invention comprises: a light source2for irradiating human skin22with ultraviolet light4; an optical sensor6for detecting an intensity of fluorescence8in an ultraviolet range and/or a visible light range emitted from the skin22in response to the irradiation of the ultraviolet light4; an applicator10for applying an ink12to the skin22; a head portion14for holding the light source2, the optical sensor6, and the applicator10; and a controller20. The cosmetic ink application device1may further comprise a guiding member16for moveably supporting the head portion14.

The controller20is electrically coupled with the light source2, the optical sensor6, the applicator10, and the head portion14in order to transmit control signals to and/or receive signals from the light source2, the optical sensor6, the applicator10, and the head portion14.

A marker region24is provided on the skin22. The marker region24emits fluorescence8having an intensity different from fluorescence emitted from other regions of the skin22when irradiated with the ultraviolet light4. For example, the marker region24may emit the fluorescence8in an ultraviolet range and/or a visible light range having an intensity higher than the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the regions of the skin22other than the marker region24when irradiated with the ultraviolet light. Alternatively, the marker region24may emit the fluorescence8having the intensity smaller than the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the regions of the skin22other than the marker region24when irradiated with the ultraviolet light. Since the marker region24is formed on locations of the skin22such as a face, the marker region24may affect the appearance if the marker region24is visually recognizable under the visible light. Therefore, it is preferable that the marker region24is visually unrecognizable when irradiated with the visible light. The details of the marker region24are discussed later.

The cosmetic ink application device1is preferably small and lightweight for in-home use by a person, and is more preferably portable. The cosmetic ink application device1needs to precisely apply the ink12to a small region such as an eyebrow or a lip. Therefore, the light source2, and the optical sensor6for detecting a region for applying the ink12, and the applicator10for carrying out the application of the ink12are also preferably small.

The light source2may emit the ultraviolet light4in response to signals from the controller20. The light source2may be a light source which can emit the ultraviolet light4such that the marker region24emits the fluorescence8when irradiated with the ultraviolet light4. For example, an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode, and a laser may be employed as the light source2. However, the light source2is preferably small, as discussed above. Furthermore, since strong ultraviolet light may cause damage, such as a sunburn, to human skin, the light source2preferably emits ultraviolet light having an intensity such that the light does not cause damage to human skin. Furthermore, the ultraviolet light preferably has a wavelength between 350 and 370 nm. As a small and low-power ultraviolet light source, for example, a light emitting diode may be chosen. However, if a laser is employed as the light source, the position of the marker region24can be very precisely determined.

The optical sensor6may be a sensor which can detect the fluorescence8in the ultraviolet range and/or the visible light range emitted from the marker region24in response to the ultraviolet light4. For example, a photodiode, a CCD image sensor, and a CMOS image sensor may be employed as the optical sensor6. The optical sensor6may detect light in an ultraviolet range and/or a visible light range and output signals depending on an intensity of light. The signals output from the optical sensor6are transmitted to the controller20. When the intensity of the fluorescence8emitted from the skin and detected by the optical sensor6has varied, for example, to be over a predetermined threshold value, the controller20determines the region where the intensity of the fluorescence8has varied as a marker region24.

The applicator10may apply an ink12in response to signals from the controller20. Preferably, the applicator10precisely applies the ink12, more preferably, a cosmetic ink such as an ink for eyebrows or a lipstick, on the skin22. For example, an ink jet printer head such as a thermal ink jet printer head or a piezo ink jet printer head, a stamp, a brush, a roller, a pen, or a pencil can be employed as the applicator10. The ink jet printer head ejects the ink12on the skin22in response to the application signals from the controller20. Since the ink jet printer head can eject extremely fine droplets of an ink, the ink jet printer head can carry out precise application, for example, it can precisely draw an eyebrow. When a stamp, a roller, or a brush is employed as the applicator10, the ink12is transfused in the stamp, the roller, or the brush. When a pen is employed as the applicator10, the ink12is ejected from the tip of the pen via a conduit in the pen. When a pencil is employed as the applicator10, the ink12may be provided as a tip of the pencil. When the ink12is applied, the stamp, the roller, the brush, the pen, or the pencil contacts the skin22and the ink12is applied on the skin22in response to the application signals from the controller20.

The head portion14may hold the light source2, the optical sensor6, and the applicator10together. The optical sensor6may be disposed adjacent to the light source2. In such a configuration, the optical sensor6can detect the fluorescence8emitted from the skin22in response to the ultraviolet light4from the light source2with high sensitivity. In this case, a light shielding plate (not shown) may be provided between the light source2and the optical sensor6in order to prevent the optical sensor6from directly receiving light emitted from the light source2.

The applicator10may be disposed adjacent to the light source2and the optical sensor6. In such a configuration, since the applicator10can apply the ink12close to the marker region24detected by the optical sensor6, the region for applying the ink12can be precisely determined with respect to the marker region24. In a configuration wherein the applicator10is disposed adjacent to the light source2and the optical sensor6, and, specifically, in the case that the applicator10is an ink jet printer head, an ink shielding plate (not shown) may be provided in order to prevent the ejected ink12from adhering to the light source2and the optical sensor6. In this case, the ink jet printer head is disposed on one side of the ink shielding plate, and the light source2and the optical sensor6are disposed on the other side of the ink shielding plate.

As described above, the cosmetic ink application device1may comprise a guiding member16which moveably supports the head portion14, or may not comprise a guiding member16.

If the cosmetic ink application device1is configured not to comprise the guiding member16, for example, the application of the ink12can be carried out by manually moving the head portion14or entire the cosmetic ink application device1. If the head portion14is configured to cover the whole ink application region, the application of the ink12can be carried out without moving the head portion14. In this case, since the ink12can be applied on the whole ink application region at the same time, a time for the ink application can be shortened. In another example, the head portion14may comprise a moving mechanism.

If the cosmetic ink application device1comprises the guiding member16, the head portion14may be automatically moved and the ink application may be carried out more precisely than by manually moving the head portion14. In another example, the head portion14may not be configured to cover the whole ink application region, or may not comprise a moving mechanism. In this case, the head portion14may be miniaturized or simplified.

Hereinafter, as one example, the present invention will be explained based on a configuration in which the guiding member16moveably supports the head portion14. AlthoughFIGS.1and2show that the head portion14is moved in one moving direction (indicated with an arrow18) along the guiding member16, the head portion14can be preferably moved in at least two dimensions in order to apply the ink12in a desired region. Since the region of the skin for applying the ink12, for example, an eyebrow, is a small region compared to the entire skin, for example, the entire face, the region for applying the ink12can be considered as a substantially flat surface. In this case, the guiding member16is preferably configured to allow the head portion14to move two-dimensionally in a plane parallel to the skin22. When it is more desirable to more precisely apply the ink12on an eyebrow, or when the ink12is applied on a lip, an undulation of the region for applying the ink12cannot be ignored. Therefore, the guiding member16is preferably configured to allow the head portion14to move three-dimensionally. In order to realize such a three-dimensional movement, the guiding member16can be preliminarily formed in a curved shape (for example, a curved rail) corresponding to the curved surface of the skin22. Alternatively, the guiding member16may have a mechanism such as an actuator allowing the head portion14to move perpendicularly to the skin22.

A direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of an eyebrow and/or a lip is herein defined as a main direction18. When the head portion14moves in the main direction18, the light source2and the optical sensor6are preferably disposed in front of the applicator10along the main direction18. In such a configuration, when the ink12is applied along the marker region24, the head portion14can be moved such that the optical sensor6tracks the marker region and the applicator10applies the ink12on the skin immediately after the optical sensor6. Therefore, the ink12can be precisely applied along the marker region24even if the skin22is moved.

For example, a linear motor, a stepping motor and wheels, a belt mechanism, a wire mechanism, and a screw mechanism may be employed as the guiding member16.

The head portion14is moved along the guiding member16in response to the signals from the controller20.

Hereinafter, the marker region24is explained. A user forms the marker region24on the skin of the user before applying the ink12by using the cosmetic ink application device1.

A marker agent for forming the marker region24may include a fluorescent agent prepared to form, for example, a marker region visually unrecognizable when irradiated with visible light but emitting fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light. When the marker region24is formed on the skin22with such a marker agent, the marker region24emits fluorescence8having an intensity higher than an intensity of fluorescence emitted from other regions of the skin22in response to the ultraviolet light4projected by the light source2. The controller20monitors the intensity of the fluorescence detected by the optical sensor6. When a difference between the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from one region of the skin22and the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from other regions of the skin22has reached a predetermined threshold value or larger, the controller20determines and defines the region having the higher intensity of the fluorescence detected by the optical sensor6as a marker region24. If the controller cannot find regions where the difference between the intensity of the fluorescence8emitted from these regions and the intensity of the fluorescence from other regions is the predetermined threshold value or larger, the cosmetic ink application device1can stop the application of the ink12and abort the operation.

Then, the controller20applies the ink12based on the position of the marker region24. In other words, the cosmetic ink application device1utilizes the marker region24as an alignment marker and determines the position for applying the ink12. Since the marker region24formed by the marker agent discussed above is visually unrecognizable when irradiated with visible light, the marker region24does not affect the appearance and is preferable for the cosmetic application. The marker agent is removed from the skin22with time, and the marker region24gradually vanishes.

Alternatively, a marker agent may include dihydroxyacetone (DHA) prepared to form a marker region visually unrecognizable when irradiated with visual light but emitting fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light.FIG.3shows images showing the temporal change of the fluorescence8emitted by the marker region24formed by applying the marker agent including the DHA on the skin22such that the marker region24is visually unrecognizable when irradiated with visible light but emits fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light. The DHA is conventionally used as a “sunless tanning agent”, turning the color of skin darker even without absorbing the sun. When the DHA of, for example, 1 to 20 weight % is applied on the skin, the DHA reacts with residues of amino acid to create a pigment referred to as melanoidin on the skin. The melanoidin remains on the skin, and appears with a color like a suntan for several days or even several weeks even if the residual DHA is removed. Furthermore, the melanoidin emits a strong fluorescence in response to the irradiation of the ultraviolet light. As shown inFIG.3, the fluorescence remains for several days or even several weeks. Furthermore, the DHA does not adversely affect human health and is listed as a cosmetic ingredient by FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Therefore, the DHA is preferable for forming the marker region24when irradiated with visible light but emits strong fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light. If the marker region24is visually recognized, the marker region24affects an appearance of the skin. If the DHA is used for forming the marker region24, the DHA having a concentration lower than the concentration for sunless tanning, for example, less than 1 weight % is preferably used. The visual recognition of the marker region24is affected by, not only the concentration of the DHA, but also various factors such as a lapse time and a total amount of the DHA applied.

Alternatively, a marker agent may include at least one of Dansyl Chloride, Lawsone, Acetyl Tyrosine and Indigo instead of the DHA. Erythrulose also can be considered as an additive for a combination with DHA.

Alternatively, a marker agent may include a coating material which does not substantially or completely emit fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light or which shields fluorescence. When the marker agent including such a coating material is applied on the skin22, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the applied region is lower than the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from other regions. Therefore, if the controller20determines a region having an intensity of fluorescence lower than the fluorescence of other regions as a marker region24, the marker agent discussed above is available.

Additionally, the marker agent may include a dilution agent, a thickening agent, an antiseptic agent, and other ingredients other than materials emitting strong fluorescence, materials substantially or completely not emitting fluorescence, and materials shielding fluorescence.

Hereinafter, with reference toFIG.4, a method400for applying the ink12to the skin22by the cosmetic ink application device1is described.

First, in step402, the light source2irradiates the skin22with the ultraviolet light4in response to the signals from the controller20. The skin22emits the fluorescence8in response to the irradiation of the ultraviolet light.

Next, in step404, the optical sensor6detects the fluorescence8emitted from the skin22and outputs and transmits the signals depending on the intensity of the fluorescence8to the controller20.

In step406, the controller20moves the head portion14until the signals from the optical sensor6, i.e., the intensity of the fluorescence8, varies over a predetermined threshold value. If the controller20cannot find a region in which a difference between the intensity of the fluorescence8emitted from the region and the intensity of the fluorescence8emitted from other regions has reached the predetermined threshold value or larger, the cosmetic ink application device1can stop the application of the ink12and abort the operation.

In step408, if the controller20finds a region where the intensity of the fluorescence8has varied over the predetermined threshold value, the controller20defines this region as a marker region24.

In step410, the applicator10applies the ink12on the skin22based on the data preliminarily chosen by the user regarding a shape, color, and concentration of a region for applying the ink, i.e., the shape, color, and concentration of the eyebrow, and based on the position of the marker region24. In other words, the cosmetic ink application device1utilizes the marker region24as an alignment marker. The applicator10can adjust the color and the concentration of the ink12to be applied based on the data. The ink12may be applied to the marker region24and may be applied to a position offset by a predetermined distance from the marker region24, as instructed by the data. When the ink12is applied to the position offset by the predetermined distance from the marker region24, the shape of the region for applying the ink can be differentiated from the shape of the marker region24itself, and the options for the shape of the application region can be expanded. The ink12can be applied via printing technology including an ink jet printer such as a thermal ink jet printer and a piezo ink jet printer, a stamp, a roller, a brush, a pen, and a pencil.

In step412, the head portion14is moved to the next application position based on the position of the marker region24.

In step414, the controller20determines whether or not the head portion14has come to the end point of the application, i.e., the end point of the marker region24based on the signals from the optical sensor6. If the head portion14has not come to the end point of the marker region24yet, the method400returns to step408to apply the ink12. If the head portion14has come to the end point of the marker region24, the application of the ink12is finished in step416. Repeating steps410to414until the head portion14comes to the end point of the marker region24, the head portion14carries out the application of the ink12by tracking the marker region24.

Hereinafter, referring toFIG.5, a method in which a user uses the cosmetic ink application device1to apply an ink to an eyebrow is described.

As shown inFIG.5(a), the user applies the marker agent to a region30for applying the ink12from the start point to the end point of the application of the ink. The user can apply the marker agent by using, for example, a roller, a brush, a pen, or a pencil. Alternatively, the user may use a template for defining the shape of the marker region with a through-recess such as a ruler or a stencil sheet in order to more precisely and more easily form the marker region24having a desirable shape. When using the template, the user brings the template into contact with a desirable position of the face of the user. Then, the user applies the marker agent on the face through the template by using a roller, a brush, a pen, or a pencil. Alternatively, the user may use a stamp having a desirable shape for the marker region24instead of the template. In this case, the user brings the stamp into contact with the marker agent at a desirable position of the face of the user to form the marker region24. The marker agent used for forming the marker region may include at least one of dihydroxyacetone, Dansyl Chloride, Lawsone, Acetyl Tyrosine and Indigo as described above. Erythrulose also can be considered as an additive for a combination with dihydroxyacetone. The marker region24formed with such a marker agent is visually unrecognizable when irradiated with visible light but emits fluorescence having an intensity different from an intensity of fluorescence emitted from other regions of the skin22when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Therefore, even after applying the ink, the marker region24does not affect the appearance.

Then, as shown inFIG.5(b), the user chooses a desirable shape of an eyebrow by using, for example, an application executed on a mobile phone32or a computer. The application of the mobile phone32transmits data corresponding to the chosen shape of the eyebrow to the controller20of the cosmetic ink application device1via wired or wireless communication. The data corresponding to the shape of the eyebrow may include information such as a position, a width, an angle, a length, a curvature, a color, a concentration, and a brightness of the eyebrow. The data may be preliminarily stored in the application, or stored on, for example, a server, and downloaded to the mobile phone via a network. The user may preliminarily or in real-time download the data from the server via a network.

AlthoughFIG.5(b)shows an example in which the user chooses a desirable shape of an eyebrow by using an application executable on a mobile phone, the user may use data stored in the cosmetic ink application device1instead of receiving data from an external device such as the mobile phone32. In this case, the cosmetic ink application device1may comprise, for example, a data storing device, an input device receiving the user's input, and a display device showing the data to the user. The user can use the input device to choose a desirable shape from a menu read from the data storing device and displayed on the display device. The data may be preliminarily stored in the data storing device or stored on, for example, a server, and preliminarily or in real-time downloaded to the cosmetic ink application device1via a network.

Then, when the user brings the cosmetic ink application device1into contact with a region for applying the ink, for example, the face, the cosmetic ink application device1applies the ink as shown inFIG.5(c), along with the method400discussed with reference toFIG.4.

After the cosmetic ink application is finished, the eyebrow having the desirable shape is formed by the ink, as shown inFIG.5(d).

An embodiment according to the present invention includes a kit comprising the cosmetic ink application device1and the marker agent discussed above. The kit may further include the template for applying the marker agent discussed above. The kit may further include the stamp discussed above for applying the marker agent.

The cosmetic ink application device1, the kit, and the methods400,700configured as above can form a marker region24which can be used as an alignment marker on human skin, detect the marker region24to easily locate the applicator10, and automatically and precisely apply the cosmetic ink12:

DESIGNATIONS

1: a cosmetic ink application device2: a light source4: ultraviolet light6: an optical sensor8: fluorescence10: an applicator12: an ink14: a head portion16: a guiding member18: a moving direction of the head portion20: a controller22skin24,24-1, and24-2: a marker region30: a region for applying the ink32: a mobile phone36: a start point38: an end point400and700: methods of applying the ink on the skin by the cosmetic ink application device