Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/317,136, entitled “Integrated skin-treatment specimen dispenser with electrical interface,” filed on Oct. 11, 2011, which claims the benefit of domestic priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/456,164 filed on Nov. 2, 2010, entitled “Integrated skin-treatment specimen dispenser with electrical interface,” the content of which being incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
         [0002]    This application is based on, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/464,520, entitled “Skin treatment device with an integrated specimen dispenser,” filed on Mar. 3, 2011, the content of which being incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. If any part of this application is not qualified to claim the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/317,136 with a domestic priority of Nov. 2, 2010, then the nonqualified part claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/464,520 filed on Mar. 3, 2011. 
         [0003]    The application is also related to (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/925,017, entitled “Ultrasonic device with integrated specimen dispenser,” filed on Oct. 12, 2010, (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/932,316, entitled “Massaging device with multiple ultrasonic transducers,” filed on Feb. 22, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/404,923 filed on Oct. 12, 2010, and (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/317,203, entitled “Piezoelectric element driver”, filed on Oct. 11, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/404,922 filed on Oct. 12, 2010 and to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/456,164 filed on Oct. 2, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention generally relates to electrical and electronic massage technology and more particularly to a skin treatment device with an integrated specimen dispenser. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Skin treatment with electronic devices is a widely accepted method to enhance skin beautification process to achieve better results than application of cream, lotion and serum products alone. The devices usually introduce certain kind of physical means to the human skin to either help activate chemical molecules within the cream or lotion or serum products, or help such molecules further penetrate into the skin by agitating the skin cells and opening up chemical pathways into the cells. 
         [0006]    The inventors believe that the following listed are relevant prior arts: (1) Y. Mitsu, “Skin beautification cosmetic system using iontophoresis device, ultrasonic facial stimulator, and cosmetic additive,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,273 B2 (2008); (2) M. Nunomura, and T. Oba, “ultrasound applying skin care device,” Pub. No. US 2006/0149169 (2006); (3) U. Motoyoshi, “ULTRASONIC FACIAL AND BEAUTY APPLIANCE,” Pub. No. JP2007050204 (A) (2007); (4) H. Hisao, “ULTRASONIC FACE MASSAGER,” Pub. No. JP2001314473 (A) (2001); (5) J. Reed, and et al, “Ultrasound based cosmetic therapy method and apparatus,” Pub. No. US 2009/0318853 (2009); (6) D. G. Kern, “Galvanic current skin treatment,” Pub. No. US 2007/0185431 A1 (2007); and (7) Z. Geva, and et al, “Multi-application skin care system,” Pub. No. US 2011/0106067 A1 (2011). 
         [0007]    The physical means that are introduced to act on the skin may include ultrasound, powered brushing, powered vibration, powered tapping, electric current and light illumination. These electrically powered physical means increase the efficiency of skin treatment process. 
         [0008]    However, in prior art devices, lotion, cream and serum products (referred to as “lotion” herein after) are either applied externally to the target skin area or directly onto the skin treatment surface, of the electronic device before treating the skin. In other prior arts, the lotion is also applied by an externally attached dispenser that itself is also the skin treatment element which requires being attached to main device before treatment and disposed after each treatment. In all these prior arts, the lotion is either applied from a lotion container that is separated from the electronic device or externally attached to the electronic device, which all require operation by both hands of the user to apply the lotion or install container before treatment. This process makes skin treatment by the prior art devices not suitable for on-the-go usage where single-hand operation is generally required. 
         [0009]    Additionally, all prior art devices only uses skin care specimen of a pre-determined composition and does not allow for adjustment of the composition according to each different user&#39;s own skin condition. 
         [0010]    Prior arts do not contain an integrated specimen dispenser that is functionally part of the device itself which requires no preparation before treatment process, and lacking of which limits the portability of prior art devices and ability of using the devices for anytime and anywhere purpose. 
         [0011]    What is desired is an integrated specimen dispenser for the electronic massage devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    By introducing an integrated specimen dispenser, the various types of electronic skin treatment devices can have much better portability, flexibility and feasibility of customized skin treatment. This integrated specimen dispenser may also be used to synthesize customized skin care specimen according to the different user&#39;s own skin condition. 
         [0013]    In various embodiments of this invention, we described skin-treatment specimen dispenser being integrated within various electronic skin treatment devices. 
         [0014]    It is an object of this invention to integrate a skin treatment specimen dispenser with a skin treatment electronic device to provide an ultra portable and hygiene solution to enable anytime and anywhere skin treatment. 
         [0015]    It is yet another object of this invention to use a specimen dispenser with an electrical interface to further enhance portability, flexibility and customizability of skin treatment devices, and to personalize both the skin treatment process as well as the skin care specimen preparation before treatment process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the device according to first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the device according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the device according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the device according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the device according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the device according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the device according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a typical exterior shape of the device according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram illustrating the perspective view of the device which is placed in a wireless recharger; and 
           [0028]    FIG. C is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of  FIG. 6B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, designs or configurations, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation or restriction of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further implementations of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0030]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate the first preferred embodiment of the current invention, where a specimen dispenser is integrated within an ultrasound skin treatment device.  FIG. 1A  shows the front view of the proposed device.  FIG. 1B  shows the cross-section view along the center line  101  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0031]    The first embodiment, which represents the best mode of this invention, contains the following aspects: (1) an enclosure body  11  which is made of metal, alloy or plastics; (2) an ultrasound transmission plate  12  for contacting the skin with a smooth treatment surface  13  and transmitting ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasound generator  16  to the target skin area; (3) a skin treatment specimen container and a dispenser, collectively referred to as dispenser  14  that contains skin treatment specimen  19  which can be, but not limited to, liquid, gel, cream, paste and powder; (4) a specimen outlet  15  existing on the same continuous surface  13  of the ultrasound transmission plate  12 , through which skin treatment specimen  19  is dispensed close to or, preferably, directly on top of the surface  13  that is to be in contact with the skin during skin treatment; (5) an electronic control unit  17  containing electrical circuits, electronic components and necessary embedded software exists within the enclosure body  11 ; and (6) an electrical interface  18  exists between the ultrasound generator  16  and the electronic control unit  17  so that the performance of the ultrasound generator  16  can be controlled by the electronic control unit  17 . The electronic control unit  17  controls ultrasonic generation from  16 , and may also provide user interface, power supply and charging functions. Additionally, the electronic control unit  17  may send electrical signals to the specimen dispenser  14  or receives electrical signals from the specimen dispenser  14  to achieve required skin treatment procedure through another electrical interface  140  that connects to the electrical contacts  141  on dispenser  14 . 
         [0032]    In the most preferred mode, the enclosure body is in an easy-holding oval shape and includes two continuous pieces—front and back pieces—which are mechanically coupled together. The specimen outlet  15  is on the front piece immediately coupled to the ultrasonic transmission plate  12 . In use, the back piece is for palm-holding. The device includes a wireless charger and thus it can be charged wirelessly. So, except the specimen outlet  15 , the device does not have any other outlet or connectors. As an example,  FIG. 6A-FIG .  6 C illustrates a typical exterior shape of the device  60  according to the present invention, wherein it contains a skin treatment surface  62  as a front piece and a specimen outlet  65  on the treatment surface  62 . The device  60  can be wirelessly charged when it is placed in the recharger frame  61  as shown in  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6B . 
         [0033]    The dispenser  14  may have any of the below features: (1) the dispenser  14  can be removable, in other words, it may be taken out and installed back into the enclosure body  11  by the user; (2) the specimen  19  may be replenished within dispenser  14  by the user after depletion of the specimen during skin beatification process, i.e. dispenser  14  may be re-used; (3) the dispenser  14  may be disposable and for one-time use only, where specimen  19  is pre-filled within the dispenser before usage; (4) the dispenser  14  can be configured as multiple dispensers containing same or different specimens such that the dispensers can be individually selected to dispense contained specimen; (5) the dispenser  14  can be configured as a single dispenser with multiple specimen compartments that may contain same or different specimens, such that each compartment within the dispenser can be individually selected and dispense specimen; (6) the dispensing of the specimen  19  is fulfilled by a manually exerted force to the dispenser, upon which a pressure generation component that is part of the dispenser, for example a lead, a lever, a gauge, a cap, a piston, or a stretched porch, forces the specimen  19  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  15 ; (7) the dispensing of the specimen  19  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the dispenser and operated by the electrical interface  140  located within the enclosure  11  body; (8) the dispensing of the specimen  19  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the device and electrically controlled by the control unit  17 . The driving mechanism forces the specimen  19  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  15 . 
         [0034]    In other words, the dispenser can be any of: a removable and replaceable dispenser; a refillable dispenser; a disposable and for one-time use only dispenser; an integrated dispenser having multiple sub-dispensers containing same or different specimens, the sub-dispensers being individually selected to dispense specimen therein; and an integrated dispenser with multiple specimen compartments containing same or different specimens, each of the compartments being individually selected to dispense specimen therein. 
         [0035]    The dispenser  14  may also have any of the following features with one or more electrical contacts  141  that exist within the dispenser  14 . 
         [0036]    The dispenser  14  may include an embedded specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism that is controlled by the electronic control unit  17  through the electrical interface  140  and the contacts  141 . 
         [0037]    The dispenser  14  may include an embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to: (1) information of the specimen contained within the dispenser  14 , which can be, but not limited to, specimen brand, name, type, original, composition, production date and expiration date, specimen level within the dispenser and ordering information; (2) information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the ultrasonic generator  16  through the electronic control unit  17  when the specimen  19  contained in dispenser  14  is to be used, where the operational mode can be, but not limited to, timing, ultrasonic vibration strength and location of the operation to be generated on transmission plate  12 ; (3) information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the different dispensers  14  or difference specimen compartments within a single dispenser, where the operational mode can be, but not limited to, timing of specimen application from each different dispenser or each different compartment, amount of specimen to be dispensed from each different dispenser or each different compartment; (4) the information of historic usage data of the device, the dispenser and specimen; and (5) information that is created or input by the user; and (6) biographic information of the user. 
         [0038]    The electronic control unit  17  may receive data stored in the dispenser  14  to display information to the user through visual, skin contact or sound effects. 
         [0039]    Alternatively, the electronic control unit  17  may receive data stored in the dispenser  14  to operate the ultrasonic generator  16  in a specific manner determined by the information stored in the said data. 
         [0040]    The control unit  17  may also comprise another embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to, device operation data, user skin information data, user personal and biometrics information, dispenser identification data. Such stored information may be updated as needed. Control unit  17  may also contain embedded programs that utilize all the information stored in the control unit  17  and dispenser  14  to operate and control the serum dispensing from dispenser  14 , as well as the ultrasound generator  16 . Such embedded programs may also be updated for better function. 
         [0041]    Alternatively, the electronic control unit  17  may send data to be stored in the dispenser  14 . 
         [0042]    The dispenser  14  may be recovered by the manufacture and data stored within the dispenser  14  may be retrieved. 
         [0043]    Although  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show dispenser  14  residing within the enclosure body  11 , in practice the dispenser  14  may also be externally attached to the enclosure body  11 . However, when attached, the lotion  19  is still dispensed through a conduit that connects from the inside to the outside of the enclosure body  11  and finally through the outlet  15 . Thus, the attached dispenser  14  still functions as an integral part of the device. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0044]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, where a specimen dispenser is integrated within an electrically powered brush device for skin treatment.  FIG. 2A  shows the front view of the device and  FIG. 2B  shows the cross-section view along the center line  101  of  FIG. 2A . 
         [0045]    The device according to this embodiment includes the following components: (1) an enclosure body  21  made of metal, alloy or plastics; (2) a brush head  22 , which can have any of rotational, tapping, pulsating and vibration movements during skin treatment that are powered and controlled by a brush head driver  26 ; (4) various brush fiber  23  for skin treatment being attached to the brush head; (5) a skin treatment specimen container and dispenser  24  that contains a skin treatment specimen  29 , which can be, but not limited to, liquid, gel, cream, paste and powder; (6) a specimen outlet  25  that is either in the form of a clearance into the brush head surface where brush fiber(s)  23  are disposed, or in the form of a tube extruding from the brush head surface to a height slightly shorter than the maximum length of the brush fibers, and through the specimen outlet  25 , the specimen  29  is dispensed to the surface of the brush head  22  and, preferably, to the brush fibers  23  that are to be in contact with the skin during skin treatment; (7) an electronic control unit  27  containing electrical circuits, electronic components and necessary embedded software exists within the enclosure body  21 ; (8) an electrical interface  28  that exists between the brush head driver  26  and an electronic control unit  27  so that the performance of the brush head driver  26  can be controlled by the electronic control unit  27 , where the electronic control unit  27  controls the motion of the brush head  22  via the brush head driver  26  and may, optionally, also provide user interface, power supply and charging functions. Additionally, the electronic control unit  27  may send electrical signals to the specimen dispenser  24  or receives electrical signals from the specimen dispenser  24  to achieve required skin treatment procedure through another electrical interface  240  that connects to the electrical contacts  241  on dispenser  24 . 
         [0046]    The dispenser  24  may have any of the below features: (1) the dispenser  24  is removable, i.e., it may be taken out and installed back into the enclosure body  21  by the user; (2) the specimen  29  may be replenished within dispenser  24  by the user after depletion of the specimen during skin beatification process, i.e. dispenser  24  may be re-used; (3) the dispenser  24  may be disposable and for one-time use only, where specimen  29  is pre-filled within the dispenser before usage; (4) the dispenser  24  can be configured as multiple dispensers containing same or different specimens may be installed in one enclosure body  21 , such that dispensers can be individually selected to dispense contained specimen; (5) the dispenser  24  can be configured as a single dispenser with multiple specimen compartments that may contain same or different specimens, such that each compartment within the dispenser can be individually selected and dispense specimen; (6) the dispensing of the specimen  29  is fulfilled by a manually exerted force to the dispenser, upon which a pressure generation component that is part of the dispenser, for example a lead, a lever, a gauge, a cap, a piston, or a stretched porch, forces the specimen  29  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  25 ; and (7) the dispensing of the specimen  29  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the dispenser and operated by the electrical interface  240  located within the enclosure  21  body; (8) the dispensing of the specimen  29  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the device and electrically controlled by the control unit  27 . The driving mechanism forces the specimen  29  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  25 . 
         [0047]    The dispenser  24  may also include an embedded specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism within the dispenser  24  that is controllable by the electronic control unit  27  through the electrical interface  240  and one or more electrical contacts  241  embedded in the dispenser  24 . 
         [0048]    The dispenser  24  may also include an embedded memory or data storage device  242  within dispenser  24  for storing information such as, but not limited to: 
         [0049]    data stored in digital format by an embedded memory or data storage device within dispenser  24  that may contain any of the below information: (1) information of the specimen contained within the dispenser, such as but not limited to, specimen brand, name, type, original, composition, production date and expiration date, specimen level within the dispenser and ordering information; (2) information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the brush head  22  through the control electronics  27  when the specimen  29  contained in dispenser  24  is to be used, such as but not limited to, timing, motion type, motion strength and sequence of motions of the brush head  22 ; (3) information of optimal or preset operational mode of the different dispensers  24  or difference specimen compartments within a single dispenser, such as but not limited to, timing of specimen application from each different dispenser or each different compartment, amount of specimen to be dispensed from each different dispenser or each different compartment; (4) information of historic usage data of the device, the dispenser and specimen; (5) information that is created or input by the user; and (6) biographic information of the user. 
         [0050]    The electronic control unit  27  may receive data stored in the dispenser  24  to display information to the user through visual, skin contact or sound effects. 
         [0051]    The electronic control unit  27  may receive data stored in the dispenser  24  to operate the brush head  22  in a specific manner determined by the information stored in the said data; 
         [0052]    The control unit  27  may also comprise another embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to, device operation data, user skin information data, user personal and biometrics information, dispenser identification data. Such stored information may be updated as needed. Control unit  27  may also contain embedded programs that utilize all the information stored in the control unit  27  and dispenser  24  to operate and control the serum dispensing from dispenser  24 , as well as the brush head driver  26 . Such embedded programs may also be updated for better function. 
         [0053]    Alternatively, the electronic control unit  27  may send data to be stored in the dispenser  24 . 
         [0054]    The dispenser  24  may be recovered by the manufacture and data stored within dispenser  24  may be retrieved. 
         [0055]    Although  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show dispenser  24  residing within the enclosure body  21 , in practice the dispenser  24  may also be externally attached to the enclosure body  21 . However, when attached, the lotion  29  is still dispensed through a conduit that connects from the inside to the outside of the enclosure body  21  and finally through the outlet  25 . Thus, the attached dispenser  24  still functions as an integral part of the device. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0056]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  illustrates the third preferred embodiment of the current invention, where a specimen dispenser is integrated within an electrically powered skin massaging device for skin treatment.  FIG. 3A  shows the front view of the proposed device.  FIG. 3B  shows the cross-section view along the center line  101  of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0057]    The embodiment contains the following components: (1) an enclosure body  31  made of metal, alloy or plastics or a combination thereof; (2) a skin massaging tip  32  for contacting the skin with a treatment surface  33  and transmitting the mechanical massaging motion to the target skin area, where the massaging motion of the massaging tip can be, but not limited to, vibration, pulsating, rotation, tapping, expansion and contraction; (3) a motion generator  36  which generates the massaging motions; (4) a skin treatment specimen container and dispenser, herein after collectively referred to as dispenser  34 , that contains specimen  39  which can be, but not limited to, liquid, gel, cream, paste and powder; (5) an specimen outlet  35  existing on the same continuous surface  33  of the massaging tip  32 , through which skin treatment specimen  39  is dispensed close to or preferably, directly on top of the massaging tip  32  surface  33  that is to be in contact with the skin during skin treatment; (6) an electronic control unit  37  containing electrical circuits, electronic components and necessary embedded software exists within the enclosure body  31 ; and (7) an electrical interface  38  located between the motion generator  36  and the electronic control unit  37  so that the performance of the massaging tip  32  can be controlled by the electronic control unit. 
         [0058]    The electronic control unit  37  controls the motions of the massaging tip  32  and it may, alternatively, also provide user interface, power supply and charging functions. Additionally, the electronic control unit  37  may send electrical signals to the specimen dispenser  34  or receives electrical signals from the specimen dispenser  34  to achieve the required skin treatment procedure through another electrical interface  340  that connects to the electrical contacts  341  on dispenser  34 . 
         [0059]    The dispenser  34  may have any of the below features: (1) the dispenser  34  may be taken out and installed back into the enclosure body  31  by the user; (2) the specimen  39  may be replenished within the dispenser  34  by the user after depletion of the specimen during skin beatification process, i.e. dispenser  34  may be re-used; (3) the dispenser  34  may be disposable and for one-time use only, where the specimen  39  is pre-filled within the dispenser before usage; (4) the dispenser  34  can be configured as multiple dispensers containing same or different specimens may be installed in a single enclosure body  31 , such that dispensers can be individually selected to dispense contained specimen; (5) the dispenser  34  can be configured as a single dispenser with multiple specimen compartments that may contain same or different specimens, such that each compartment within the dispenser can be individually selected and dispense specimen; (6) the dispensing of the specimen  39  is fulfilled by a manually exerted force to the dispenser, upon which a pressure generation component that is part of the dispenser, for example a lead, a lever, a gauge, a cap, a piston, or a stretched porch, forces the specimen  39  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  35 ; (7) the dispensing of the specimen  39  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the dispenser and operated by the electrical interface  340  located within the enclosure  31  body; (8) the dispensing of the specimen  39  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the device and electrically controlled by the control unit  37 . The driving mechanism forces the specimen  39  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  35 . 
         [0060]    The dispenser  34  may also include a specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism embedded in the dispenser  34 . The embedded specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism is controlled by the electronic control unit  37  through the electrical interface  340  and various electrical contacts  341  embedded in the dispenser  34 . 
         [0061]    The dispenser  34  may also include an embedded memory or data storage device for storing information, such as but limited to: (1) the information of the specimen contained within the dispenser, such as but not limited to, specimen brand, name, type, original, composition, production date and expiration date, specimen level within the dispenser and ordering information; (2) information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the massaging tip  32  through the electronic control unit  37  when the specimen  39  contained in dispenser  34  is to be used, such as but not limited to, timing, motion type, motion strength and the sequence of motions of the massaging tip  32 ; (3) the information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the different dispensers  34  or difference specimen compartments within a single dispenser, such as but not limited to, timing of specimen application from each different dispenser or each different compartment, amount of specimen to be dispensed from each different dispenser or each different compartment; (4) the information of historic usage data of the device, the dispenser and specimen; (5) the information that is created or input by the user; and (6) the biographic information of the user. 
         [0062]    The electronic control unit  37  may receive data stored in the dispenser  34  to display information to the user through visual, skin contact or sound effects. 
         [0063]    The electronic control unit  37  may, alternatively, also receive data stored in the dispenser  34  to operate the massaging tip  32  in a specific manner determined by the information stored in the said data. 
         [0064]    The control unit  37  may also comprise another embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to, device operation data, user skin information data, user personal and biometrics information, dispenser identification data. Such stored information may be updated as needed. Control unit  37  may also contain embedded programs that utilize all the information stored in the control unit  37  and dispenser  34  to operate and control the serum dispensing from dispenser  34 , as well as the motion generator  36 . Such embedded programs may also be updated for better function. 
         [0065]    The electronic control unit  37  may send data to be stored in the dispenser  34 . 
         [0066]    The dispenser  34  may be recovered by the manufacture and data stored within the dispenser  34  may be retrieved. 
         [0067]    Although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show dispenser  34  residing within the enclosure body  31 , in practice the dispenser  34  may also be externally attached to the enclosure body  31 . However, when attached, the lotion  39  is still dispensed through a conduit that connects from the inside to the outside of the enclosure body  31  and finally through the outlet  35 . Thus, the attached dispenser  34  still functions as an integral part of the device. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0068]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of the current invention, where a specimen dispenser is integrated within an electrically powered galvanic skin treatment device that produces electric current flowing along skin surface and/or through skin cells.  FIG. 4A  shows the front view of the proposed device.  FIG. 4B  shows the cross-section view along the center line  101  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0069]    The embodiment contains the following components: (1) an enclosure body  41  made of metal, alloy or plastics or a combination thereof; (2) a galvanic skin treatment head  42  for contacting the skin with one or more electrodes  43  and producing electric voltage and current on the target skin area; (3) a voltage or current driver  46  which generates the electric voltage or current; (4) a skin treatment specimen container and dispenser, collectively referred to as dispenser  44  that contains specimen  49  that can be, but not limited to, liquid, gel, cream, paste and powder; (5) a specimen outlet  45  existing on the surface of the treatment head  42  where the electrodes  43  reside, through the specimen outlet  45 , the skin treatment specimen  49  is dispensed close to or, preferably, directly on top of one or more of the electrodes  43  that are to be in contact with the skin during skin treatment; (6) an electronic control unit  47  containing electrical circuits, electronic components and necessary embedded software exists within the enclosure body  41 ; and (7) an electrical interface  48  located between the voltage or current driver  46  and the electronic control unit  47  so that the voltage or current exerted by the electrodes  43  on the skin can be controlled by the electronic control unit. 
         [0070]    The electronic control unit  47  controls the electrode  43  by the voltage or current driver  46 , and may also provide user interface, power supply and charging functions. Additionally, the electronic control unit  47  may send electrical signals to the specimen dispenser  44  or receives electrical signals from the specimen dispenser  44  to achieve required skin treatment procedure through another electrical interface  440  that connects to the electrical contacts  441  on dispenser  44 . 
         [0071]    The dispenser  44  may have any of the below features: (1) the dispenser  44  is removable, i.e., may be taken out and installed back into the enclosure body  41  by the user; (2) the specimen  49  may be replenished within dispenser  44  by the user after depletion of the specimen during skin beatification process, i.e. dispenser  44  may be re-used; (3) the dispenser  44  may be disposable and for one-time use only, where the specimen  49  is pre-filled within the dispenser before usage; (4) the dispenser  44  may be configured as multiple dispensers  44  containing same or different specimens, such that dispensers can be individually selected to dispense contained specimen; (5) the dispenser  44  may be configured as a single dispenser with multiple specimen compartments that may contain same or different specimens, such that each compartment within the dispenser can be individually selected and dispense specimen; (6) the dispensing of the specimen  49  is fulfilled by a manually exerted force to the dispenser, upon which a pressure generation component that is part of the dispenser, for example a lead, a lever, a gauge, a cap, a piston, or a stretched porch, forces the specimen  49  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  45 ; (7) the dispensing of the specimen  49  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the dispenser and operated by the electrical interface  440  located within the enclosure  41  body; (8) the dispensing of the specimen  49  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the device and electrically controlled by the control unit  47 . The driving mechanism forces the specimen  49  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  45 . 
         [0072]    The dispenser  44  may also include an embedded specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism within the dispenser  44 . The embedded specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism is controlled by the electronic control unit  47  through the electrical interface  440  and various electrical contacts  441  embedded in the dispenser  44 . 
         [0073]    The dispenser  44  may also include an embedded memory or data storage device for storing information, such as but not limited to: (1) the information of the specimen contained within the dispenser, such as but not limited to specimen brand, name, type, original, composition, production date and expiration date, specimen level within the dispenser and ordering information; (2) the information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of electrodes  43  through the control electronics  47  when the specimen  49  contained in dispenser  44  is to be used, such as but not limited to, timing, voltage or current type (DC or AC), voltage or current level, voltage or current temporal waveform, and frequency of the voltage or current applied by the electrodes  43  to the skin; (3) the information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the different dispensers  44  or difference specimen compartments within a single dispenser, such as but not limited to, timing of specimen application from each different dispenser or each different compartment, amount of specimen to be dispensed from each different dispenser or each different compartment; (4) the information of historic usage data of the device, the dispenser and specimen; (5) the information that is created or input by the user; and (6) the biographic information of the user. 
         [0074]    The electronic control unit  47  may receive data stored in the dispenser  44  to display information to the user through visual, skin contact or sound effects. 
         [0075]    The electronic control unit  47  may receive data stored in the dispenser  44  to operate the electrodes  43  in a specific manner determined by the information stored in the said data. 
         [0076]    The control unit  47  may also comprise another embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to, device operation data, user skin information data, user personal and biometrics information, dispenser identification data. Such stored information may be updated as needed. Control unit  47  may also contain embedded programs that utilize all the information stored in the control unit  47  and dispenser  44  to operate and control the serum dispensing from dispenser  44 , as well as the voltage or current driver  46 . Such embedded programs may also be updated for better function. 
         [0077]    The electronic control unit  47  may send data to be stored in the dispenser  44   
         [0078]    The dispenser  44  may be recovered by the manufacture and data stored within dispenser  44  may be retrieved. 
         [0079]    Although  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show dispenser  44  residing within the enclosure body  41 , in practice the dispenser  44  may also be externally attached to the enclosure body  41 . However, when attached, the lotion  49  is still dispensed through a conduit that connects from the inside to the outside of the enclosure body  41  and finally through the outlet  45 . Thus, the attached dispenser  44  still functions as an integral part of the device. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0080]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrates the fifth preferred embodiment of the current invention, where a specimen dispenser is integrated within an electrically powered light illumination device for skin treatment.  FIG. 5A  shows the front view of the proposed device.  FIG. 5B  shows the cross-section view along the center line  101  of  FIG. 5A . 
         [0081]    The embodiment contains the following components: (1) an enclosure body  51  made of metal, alloy or plastics or a combination thereof; (2) a lightening housing  52  for treating skin with light illumination generated by one or more lightening units  53  which are powered by a light controller  56 ; (3) a skin treatment specimen container and dispenser, collectively referred to as dispenser  54  that contains specimen  59  which can be, but not limited to, liquid, gel, cream, paste and powder; (4) a specimen outlet  55  existing on the surface of the lighting housing  52  where lightening units  53  reside, through the outlet  55 , the skin treatment specimen  59  is dispensed either on the surface of the housing unit, or directly onto the skin area to be treated; (5) an electronic control unit  57  containing electrical circuits, electronic components and necessary embedded software exists within the enclosure body  51 ; and (6) an electrical interface  58  located between the light controller  56  and the electronic control unit  57  so that the light emission from the lightening unit  53  can be controlled by the electronic control unit  57 . 
         [0082]    The electronic control unit  57  controls the lightening unit  53  via the lightening controller  56 . It may also provide user interface, power supply and charging functions. Additionally, the electronic control unit  57  may send electrical signals to the specimen dispenser  54  or receives electrical signals from the specimen dispenser  54  to achieve required skin treatment procedure through another electrical interface  540  that connects to the electrical contacts  541  on dispenser  54 . 
         [0083]    The dispenser  54  may have any of the below features: (1) the dispenser  54  is removable, i.e., it may be taken out and installed back into the enclosure body  51  by the user; (2) the specimen  59  may be replenished within dispenser  54  by the user after depletion of the specimen during skin beatification process, i.e. dispenser  54  may be re-used; (3) the dispenser  54  may be disposable and for one-time use only, where specimen  59  is pre-filled within the dispenser before usage; (4) the dispenser  54  may be configured as multiple dispensers containing same or different specimens, such that the dispensers can be individually selected to dispense contained specimen; (5) the dispenser  54  may be configured as a single dispenser with multiple specimen compartments that may contain same or different specimens, such that each compartment within the dispenser can be individually selected and dispense specimen; (6) the dispensing of the specimen  59  is fulfilled by a manually exerted force to the dispenser, upon which a pressure generation component that is part of the dispenser, for example a lead, a lever, a gauge, a cap, a piston, or a stretched porch, forces the specimen  59  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  55 ; (7) the dispensing of the specimen  59  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the dispenser and operated by the electrical interface  540  located within the enclosure  51  body; (8) the dispensing of the specimen  59  is fulfilled by an electrically powered driving mechanism that is part of the device and electrically controlled by the control unit  57 , where the driving mechanism forces the specimen  59  to flow out of the dispenser through the outlet  55 . 
         [0084]    The dispenser  54  may also include a specimen dispensing or releasing mechanism which is controlled by the electronic control unit  57  through the electrical interface  540  and various electrical contacts  541  embedded in the dispenser  54 . 
         [0085]    The dispenser  54  may also include a memory or data storage device embedded in the dispenser  54  that may store information, such as but not limited to: (1) the information of the specimen contained within the dispenser such as but not limited to, specimen brand, name, type, original, composition, production date and expiration date, specimen level within the dispenser and ordering information; (2) the information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of lightening unit  53  through the control electronics  57  when the specimen  59  contained in dispenser  54  is to be used, such as but not limited to, timing, light power, light duration, light wavelength and sequence of different lightening schemes that are emitted by the lightening unit  53 ; (3) the information of optimal or pre-set operational mode of the different dispensers  54  or difference specimen compartments within a single dispenser, such as but not limited to, timing of specimen application from each different dispenser or each different compartment, amount of specimen to be dispensed from each different dispenser or each different compartment; (4) the information of historic usage data of the device, the dispenser and specimen; (5) the information that is created or input by the user; (6) the biographic information of the user. 
         [0086]    The electronic control  57  may receive data stored in the dispenser  54  to display information to the user through visual, skin contact or sound effects. 
         [0087]    The electronic control  57  may also receive data stored in the dispenser  54  to operate the lightening units  53  in a specific manner determined by the information stored in the said data. 
         [0088]    The electronic control  57  may also send data to be stored in the dispenser  54 . 
         [0089]    The control unit  57  may also comprise another embedded memory or data storage device for storing information such as, but not limited to, device operation data, user skin information data; user personal and biometrics information, dispenser identification data. Such, stored information may be updated as needed. Control unit  57  may also contain embedded programs that utilize all the information stored in the control unit  57  and dispenser  54  to operate and control the serum dispensing from dispenser  54 , as well as the light controller  56 . Such embedded programs may also be updated for better function. 
         [0090]    The electronic control unit  57  may send data to be stored in the dispenser  54   
         [0091]    The dispenser  54  may be recovered by the manufacture and the data stored within dispenser  54  may be retrieved. 
         [0092]    Although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show dispenser  54  residing within the enclosure body  51 , in practice the dispenser  54  may also be externally attached to the enclosure body  51 . However, when attached, the lotion  59  is still dispensed through a conduit that connects from the inside to the outside of the enclosure body  51  and finally through the outlet  55 . Thus, the attached dispenser  54  still functions as an integral part of the device. 
         [0093]    The present invention has numerous advantages over the prior arts. For examples: (1) the integrated specimen dispenser with various electronic skin treatment devices enhances the portability and flexibility of the skin treatment process; (2) the integrated specimen dispenser with electrical interface, together with the embedded memory within the dispenser or the control unit, enables customizability of the various electronic devices to provide treatment methods that are specific for each individual&#39;s own skin care need, including personalized skin care product synthesized at the spot of treatment; and (3) with the integrated dispenser containing product information, best mode of operation, pre-set beautification process and usage data, the device greatly increases the positive effect of the skin beautification process, reduces the complexity of the user&#39;s operation and provides means of feedback from user to manufacture for further improvement on the skin care products. 
         [0094]    While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adoptions to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Technology Category: 1