CN1431878A - Methods and system for providing personalized prepns. - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and a system are provided for personalizing cosmetic preparations and services for a consumer. Cosmetic diagnostic data is received from a consumer directly and in a private setting, a cosmetic evaluation is provided based on the diagnostic data, and at least one of a cosmetic preparation and a cosmetic service is provided to the consumer. Further, a method of purchasing cosmetic preparations is provided wherein a consumer provides cosmetic diagnostic data, and a plurality of fluids are provided for producing a customized cosmetic preparation based on the cosmetic diagnostic data, payment is received for the preparation, and the preparation is dispensed for application.

Description

Method and system for providing personalized formulations

technical field

The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing personalized cosmetic cosmetic formulations to consumers.

Background technique

Consumers have long used cosmetic preparations such as sunscreens, skin creams, perfumes, shaving creams, make-up, nail products, deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, mousses, oils, vitamins, antibacterial blends, anti-acne blends, dermatological blends, medicated blends, mascaras, face primers, lip balms, hair dyes, creams, cleansers, etc. to enhance the beauty of their physical appearance and Self-respect, dealing with illness and cleaning yourself. Picking the best product from a wide range of choices presents a dilemma for consumers. Also, when a consumer chooses his/her product in the retail sector, he/she cannot make his/her choice in a private and comfortable environment. Also, once a choice is made, the consumer must submit to his/her choice until the product is consumed or thrown away. This obedience does not allow subsequent flexibility in mood, expected social situations, skin condition, etc. In addition, consumers may be dissatisfied with the effect of a certain product, either from their own feelings or informed by others. Thus, most consumers have a large collection of unused products in their home. Often these unused products have expired, and consumers are seldom aware of the expiration date. Thus, causing potential health hazards to consumers.

Past approaches to personalization of cosmetics have focused on the point of sale in the retail sector. For example, these methods allow a salesperson to manually adjust the formulation of a face primer to match a consumer's skin tone. An advancement of the newer method is that the retail sector is provided with an automatic cosmetic dispensing unit. These newer components are operated by retail store clerks to produce products that are packaged in containers and delivered to consumers.

While the above approach partially addresses consumer demand for personalization, there are several significant drawbacks. For example, these methods are based on the assumption that consumers will not change their minds about products they have already purchased, based on the assumption that they are accustomed to the used product. In the two methods listed above, a change of mind of the consumer requires him/her to repurchase another full bottle of cosmetic product. Furthermore, consumers must physically go to the retail sector and still make choices in a public setting. These methods are inconvenient, costly and still result in significant cosmetic inventory in the consumer's home. Also, expiration dates associated with a consumer's cosmetic inventory are often exceeded before the consumer finally uses up the product.

Additionally, existing point-of-sale cosmetic dispensing devices fill cosmetic products into containers, which require the consumer to transfer the product to an applicator prior to use. For example, point-of-sale custom face creams are typically bottled in the retail sector. Before the consumer can apply the custom cream, the cream must be delivered to the consumer's hand or a pad that is then applied by the consumer. If the customer is not satisfied with the custom cream, the entire bottle of cream can no longer be used because existing equipment does not allow a single application of cream to be spread on the intermediate surface for the customer's single application.

Additionally, consumers want more decision-making power over makeup services. These decisions need to be made directly by the consumer, and existing methods and systems require the consumer to rely on an intermediary in the process of customizing a make-up or make-up service. Thus, there is a need for an environment in which consumers directly provide makeup diagnosis data and receive evaluation data directly in the work of assisting consumers before selecting and purchasing cosmetic formulations and makeup services with more decision-making power.

Finally, the cosmetic products delivered today are limited to those composed of stable, compatible and antibacterial ingredients, because some ingredients cannot be stored for too long or cannot be dispatched under certain properties, such as warming or heating. By providing a custom cosmetic product for a single use application, many aspects of preparing and delivering incompatible or unstable formulations that would otherwise be prohibitive are eliminated. Thus, by changing the delivery and dissemination of formulations, new and improved cosmetic formulations can be generated and offered to consumers.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide consumers with methods and systems for receiving customized cosmetic formulations and services.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the following description, and some of them will become apparent to those skilled in the art after proving and practicing the present invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the above and other objects and uses according to the present invention, methods and systems for providing customized cosmetic formulations and services to consumers are provided.

A method of providing personalized cosmetics is provided, which includes obtaining makeup diagnostic data from a consumer in a private environment, and providing evaluation data to the consumer based on the diagnostic data.

Additionally, a method of purchasing a cosmetic formulation is provided that includes receiving diagnostic data from a consumer and providing fluids for producing a cosmetic formulation based on the diagnostic data. Payment is received from the consumer, and the custom cosmetic formulation is distributed for use.

In addition, a system for producing customized cosmetics is provided, which includes a makeup diagnostic unit, a makeup evaluation unit, and a cosmetic delivery unit operative to deliver at least one customized cosmetic formulation and makeup advice to consumers.

Finally, a method of providing personalized cosmetics is provided, comprising receiving cosmetic diagnostic data directly from a consumer, providing cosmetic evaluation data based on the diagnostic data directly to the consumer and providing at least one of a cosmetic formulation and a cosmetic service.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is illustrative only and contemplated as one of the best modes of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of all other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, as well as the following description, are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention and, together with their description, explain the principles of the invention. In the attached picture:

Figure 1 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing personalized cosmetics;

Figure 2 depicts a flowchart of a method of purchasing cosmetics;

Figure 3 depicts a block diagram of a system for providing customized cosmetics;

Figure 4 depicts a schematic diagram of a custom cosmetic part;

Figure 5 depicts a simplified diagram of an alternative custom cosmetic part;

Figure 6 depicts a schematic interior view of a custom cosmetic component; and

Figure 7 depicts a schematic interior view of a custom cosmetic component.

Detailed ways

Referring now to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is shown in the several drawings, like numerals indicating like parts throughout.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are implemented using standard mechanical pumps, mixers, heaters, diffusers, microprocessors, and cosmetic ingredients that are well known and readily incorporated in accordance with the technology of the invention. In addition, basic software programming techniques such as Java, Perl, C, C ⁺⁺ , and Internet technologies can provide software programming languages used to implement the present invention, although as those skilled in the art understand, there are other methods that can be used to implement the present invention. Computer languages and technologies.

Figure 1 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of providing personalized cosmetics. Initially, the consumer is provided at step 10 with an interface for the consumer to provide diagnostic data and make choices about cosmetic formulations and services. Such an interface could be a person, telephone, Internet (using standard Internet protocols such as TCP/IP, etc.), regular mail, an appliance with software logic to communicate cosmetic diagnostic data, electronic mail, photographs from a camera or camcorder, design Special equipment (such as spectrometers, goniometers (corneometer), colorimeters, thermometers and other detectors) to collect makeup data, cosmetic consultants (real people or electronically given to consumers) and so on. Additionally, the interface is located in a private environment (eg, a consumer's home), in a device directly operated by the consumer, in a non-retail setting, and the like. A non-retail segment includes anything other than a traditional cosmetics counter in a department store. Thus, equipment located in commercial centers, hotels, bars, gas stations, airports, amusement parks, restaurants, etc. would be considered a non-retail sector as long as it is not located in a traditional cosmetics counter in a store. However, even if a device is located at a traditional cosmetics counter, as long as the device is operated directly by the consumer and not by cosmetics counter personnel, the device is still considered to be in a private environment.

Diagnostic data is obtained from the consumer via the interface at step 20, these data include personal preferences (favored colours, scents, etc.), skin or color measurements (obtained from cameras, camcorders, detectors, medical records, etc.), health monitoring Data (blood pressure, temperature, weight, etc.), consumer-provided input (from physicians, beauty consumers, personal trainers, parents, fashion consumers, teachers, etc.), electronic data (from daily planners, calendars, important dates, weather conditions, celebrity preferences, friend preferences, family preferences, fashion trends, etc.), feedback data (derived from asking consumers questions, past choices, changes to previous processes, changes to visualization based on output choices, etc. )etc. Additionally, diagnostic data may be obtained from devices used to interact with consumers, such diagnostic data may include, as examples, supply levels of raw materials, equipment maintenance requirements, installation inputs, and the like. Additionally, these data can include skin or hair state data (skin physical state, skin/hair dryness, skin/hair oiliness, etc.), texture measurements (pores, wrinkles, etc.), color data (lightness data, chroma data, hue data and spectral data, etc.).

As noted in step 10, these diagnostic data can be communicated through various methods. Once the diagnostic data is initially collected, evaluation data is provided to the consumer at step 40 . Evaluating the data may include providing the diagnostic data to a consultant, such as a medical/dental professional, beautician, beauty consultant, personal trainer, and the like. Additionally, evaluation data may be stored as data constants in an electronic system used to determine an individual's preferences for celebrities, family, friends, general cosmetic choices, and the like. Evaluation data can also be various standard computer algorithms that take color, state, texture, and other measurements directly or indirectly from the consumer and generate visual choices for the consumer.

Additionally, evaluation data can be processed by sales representatives in the store, by telephone or door to door, by consumer software, remote software, and the like. Once this assessment data is determined, it is provided as feedback data to any diagnostic device used and advice data can be provided to the customer at step 30 . Additionally, the recommendation data can provide executable instructions to a custom cosmetic formulation device to inform the device of the percentages of raw materials, mixing times, mechanical pump speeds, etc. required to produce a certain cosmetic formulation. Additionally, advisory data may include usage cautions, reminders, device selection parameters, and the like.

At step 50, the consumer makes a selection for a cosmetic formulation or service. This choice can be made with the aid of a visualization device that displays assessment data to the consumer. During selection, the consumer can modify and substantially disregard any provided evaluation data, thereby selecting cosmetic formulations and services not suggested by the evaluation data. In this way, the consumer retains the final decision-making power in his/her cosmetic choices.

At step 55 the cosmetic formulation or service is provided to the consumer. The cosmetic formulation may be any mixture generated from diagnostic and evaluation data used by the consumer, who may include a chemist, a pharmacist, and the like. Custom formulations can be delivered directly to the consumer's desired body parts, such as fingernails, hair, etc. Additionally, the formulation can be provided to an intermediate surface, such as a consumer's finger, an applicator, or the like. Additionally, the formulation can be provided in containers such as bottles, bags and the like. Customized formulations may be dispensed directly in step 90, in which case they may exemplarily be provided by custom cosmetic dispensing components such as those discussed below, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other components are also possible. Furthermore, formulations may be provided by mail or by electronic mail (such as digital information used by consumer in-house means for distributing cosmetics and fragrances directly to consumers). Also, information on how to prepare these formulations can be provided directly to the consumer by any electronic device or appliance either directly to the consumer or indirectly to the consumer. Any such components/appliances for providing cosmetic formulations will require the raw materials provided at step 70 . These raw materials are provided, for example, in single or multiple ingredient fluids, wherein each fluid comprises a different/various or single ingredient.

In addition to makeup formulations, as shown in step 80, the consumer may receive makeup services. These services include product recommendations, recommending professionals, automatic reordering of raw materials, automatic reordering of previously selected cosmetic formulations, communication with user appliances (consumer alarm clocks or coffee pots, etc.), electronic dialogue with professionals, outlet recommendations, etc. .

Although FIG. 1 shows the cosmetic formulation being provided after receiving diagnostic data from the consumer, in practice a cosmetic formulation can initiate the diagnostic and evaluation process by initially providing a sample to the consumer, which then acts as an interactive tool for the consumer. basis in order to provide custom formulations derived from consumers. Additionally, diagnostic data can be measured in a variety of ways, including the consumer comparing various formulation samples and selecting the most appealing sample.

A flowchart of an embodiment of a method of purchasing cosmetics is shown in FIG. 2 . Initially, at step 100 an interface with the consumer is established, which is the interface discussed in FIG. 1 . Diagnostic data is received at step 110 and advisors are provided at step 120, which may be electronic advisors, such as algorithms implemented in software, or actual professional advisors that the consumer contacts electronically or in person. Evaluation data is provided to the consumer at step 140 and recommendation data is provided at step 130 . At step 150 the customer makes a selection for a particular cosmetic formulation or service, and at step 160 payment is received from the customer.

Payment received from the consumer is provided, for example, via a kiosk device where the consumer provides diagnostic data and receives evaluation data through a feedback loop implemented in software logic. Before selecting a particular cosmetic formulation or cosmetic service, the consumer pays directly for the formulation or service by directly providing payment means to the device and method. For example, in the case of a kiosk, a consumer can pay a business that provides cosmetics or services using a credit/debit card or cash. While in the case of remote access, the customer can provide a credit card or bank account number or other convenient payment method by which the product or service can be paid for.

The cosmetic dispenser is activated at step 170 and the formulation is dispensed at step 190 . At step 180, any component that dispenses the formulation is provided with various fluids that are mixed according to selections made by the consumer to produce the desired cosmetic formulation.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 200 for providing customized cosmetics. An input interface 210 is provided which allows the consumer to interface directly with the system 200 electronically, manually or in person. The diagnostic component 220 collects the aforementioned consumer diagnostic data from the consumer, which data is used by the evaluation component 23 . Optionally, the consumer may pay to receive cosmetic formulations or services through a payment component 240 (eg, a kiosk). The consumer makes his final decision on the cosmetic formulation or service to receive through the selection component 270 (eg, selection in software driven form, store display device with menu offering selections, etc.). A variety of basic ingredients (single or multiple ingredient fluids) are provided to produce any desired cosmetic formulation, while on the other hand an information database 290 is provided to provide cosmetic services to consumers. Interface 300 is configured to provide a mechanism for delivering cosmetic formulations or services, either via a cosmetic dispensing component (discussed later) for formulations, or via a software interface (web, email, fax, etc.) for cosmetic service recommendations.

Figure 4 shows a simplified diagram of one embodiment of a custom cosmetic component. The component 310 includes sleeves 320 , a video port 330 , a communication port 340 , a slide selector 350 , a palette 360 , a diffuser 370 and a surface 380 .

Part 310 houses one or more cartridges 320 that hold fluids (ingredients) therein that when combined in consumer-driven quantities produce a custom cosmetic formulation either on surface 380 of part 310 or on an intermediate surface 390 . Each sleeve can hold one or more fluids. However, as will be appreciated, these fluid holding sleeves 320 may not be required at all due to the ease of adding these fluids to the respective reservoirs (not shown in FIG. 4 ) contained in component 310 .

These ingredients are one or more ingredient fluids, such as a variety of waxes including various colors and various consistencies required to produce various cosmetic formulations, such as lipsticks, eyeliners, lotions, cosmetic powders , mascara and more. The customer provides options and diagnostic data to drive the amount of fluid needed to create a custom cosmetic formulation 390 . This selection and diagnostic data includes color and product selections such as lipstick, eyeliner, lotion, powder, mascara and more.

The customer provides these selection data through one or more input selection or diagnostic devices attached to or interfaced on component 310 , such as palette 360 , slide selector, video port 330 and communication port 340 . Video port 330 allows component 310 to receive customer selection and diagnostic data from components such as camcorders, digital cameras, televisions, and the like. Communication port 340 allows component 310 to receive customer selection data from components such as digital phones, computers, handheld computing devices, wireless communication devices, and the like. Furthermore, communication port 340 need not be a physical connection to component 310, instead the port could be a wireless or infrared port. Communication port 340 can also be connected to a sensor that measures color, temperature, oiliness, texture, skin sensitivity, and the like. These measurements allow a pre-selection algorithm to determine the best option for the consumer.

Additionally, a single line LCD (not shown) may allow the consumer to enter selection and diagnostic data with numeric values representing product and color selections. Also, component 310 may utilize communication port 340 and video port 330 to display to the customer the color choices provided by the customer. Consumers can also get these options through color palettes.

As explained above, the customer may provide selection data to component 310 in a variety of ways. In fact, consumers can obtain prepackaged selection data through automated telephone systems or Internet sites, from which consumers can retrieve the numerical code representing the selection data, which is very important for obtaining existing market products or products similar to existing products. These numeric codes for products are required. In this way, consumers can produce cosmetic products that mimic brand name products on demand. Additionally, such selection data may be provided on advertising material for brand name products.

Once the consumer selects a color and product, component 310 calculates the appropriate amount of fluid needed to create the customized cosmetic formulation 390 . These fluids are then appropriately dispensed from each sleeve 320 , mixed or heated as needed to allow drainage from the component 310 , and deposited by the diffuser 370 on the intermediate surface 400 or adhered to the surface 380 of the component 310 . Disperser 370 may use a controlled dispensing technique such as pressure jetting, dual fluid jetting, electrostatic jetting, mechanical screw extrusion, piezoelectric jetting, sputtering techniques, and the like. Deposited custom cosmetic formulation 390 may be expelled from component 310 in several forms, such as a spray, a dollop, or a layer.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of an alternative custom cosmetic component embodiment. In FIG. Such a component 410 can be conveniently secured to a wall in a consumer's home and allows for a more efficient use of available counter space in the consumer's home.

Similar to the components of FIG. 4 , a fluid-holding cartridge set 430 is provided, and a customized cosmetic formulation 440 is expelled from the component 410 through a dispenser 450 . In addition, custom cosmetic formulations 440 can be discharged directly onto an intermediate surface 460, such as a lip balm applicator. Although not shown in FIG. 5 , the customer selection input device can be configured in various ways as discussed in FIG. 4 . Additionally, consumer selection and diagnostic data may be displayed to the consumer prior to expelling the customized cosmetic formulation 440 .

Figure 6 shows a simplified internal view of a customized cosmetic component of one embodiment. The internal schematic depicts a metering component and dispenser 480 of the customized cosmetic formulation component 470 in more detail. The metering component illustrates how to combine various quantities of different fluids to create a customized cosmetic formulation 490 on surface 500 . FIG. 6 also illustrates how these fluids are drained from member 470 through diffuser 480 . The cosmetic component 470 may include a microprocessor 510 , a data bus 520 , a sleeve set 530 , tubing 540 , a mixer 550 , a heater 560 , an ejector 570 , and a diffuser 480 .

After the microprocessor 510 in the unit 470 receives the selection and diagnostic data, it sends a signal to each sleeve 530 via the data bus 520 . These signals cause each sleeve 530 to release various fluids in amounts dictated by selection and diagnostic data input to microprocessor 510 . Microprocessor 510 generates a formula by calculations well known to those skilled in the art that selects the appropriate amount of each fluid that each sleeve 530 contains. These fluids include dyes such as cyan, magenta, yellow and pigments such as titanium, iron oxide, cyan to allow color customization. In addition, these fluids also include various waxes, sunscreens, moisturizers, perfumes, anti-wrinkle anti-aging agents, skin care products, cleansers, hair conditioners and more.

Once the appropriate quantities of the respective fluids are released from the respective sleeves 530 , they pass through the tubing 540 that allows the fluids to flow from the respective sleeves 530 to the diffuser 480 . Fluid movement can be achieved by gravity, however, fluid movement can also be achieved by any mechanical device, such as a screw extruder or the like.

Once out of the sleeve 530, the fluids can be mixed using a mixer 550 or heated using a heater 560, which can be done using a static micromixer commercially available from Microtechnik Equipment, Inc. (Maniz, Germany). When the fluid includes a waxy ingredient, the heater 560 can increase the fluidity of the fluid. Also, the mixer 550 releases the mixed fluid into the ejector 570 . Ejector 570 is movable, which allows custom cosmetic formulation 490 to be evenly spread over surface 500 by spreader 480 . As previously explained, the spreader 480 may be implemented using controlled dispensing techniques, such as one or a combination of pressure jetting, two-fluid jetting, electrostatic jetting, mechanical screw extrusion, piezoelectric jetting, sputtering techniques, and the like.

Figure 7 shows a simplified internal view of a customized cosmetic component of one embodiment. The cosmetic component 580 includes a microprocessor 590 , a data bus 600 , a sleeve set 610 , tubing 620 to move fluid from each sleeve 610 , and a diffuser 630 .

In FIG. 7 microprocessor 590 also receives selection and diagnostic data which is used to drive microprocessor 570 to issue commands via data bus 600 to release specific amounts of fluid contained in each sleeve 610 to tubing 620 middle. However, in FIG. 7 , the individual fluids of component 580 do not combine to form customized cosmetic formulation 640 on surface 650 until the fluids have pooled on surface 650 and have exited component 580 through diffuser 630 . Additionally, component 580 includes a spreader 630 that moves back and forth by the action of a stepper motor (not shown) in response to commands from microprocessor 590 . This movement of the spreader 630 can control the placement of these fluids on the surface 650 and create a color perception similar to that produced by inkjet dye printing on paper media, for example.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the components of Figures 4-7 need not have sleeve sets to hold the fluid ingredients, as the fluid reservoir sets can be built directly into these components without requiring any sleeves. Additionally, the components described in Figures 4-7 can be modified into kiosks that consumers can use in any environment, where they directly operate and pay to use the components.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exclusive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. From the above description, many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A method of providing personalized cosmetics comprising: Obtain cosmetic diagnostic data from consumers while they are in a private setting; Provide makeup assessment data to consumers based on makeup diagnostic data; and At least one of a makeup formulation and a makeup service is delivered to the consumer. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining cosmetic diagnostic data includes measuring the consumer's skin surface for at least one of color data, spectral data, texture data, and skin condition data. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a final selection from the customer prior to the transmitting step. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the private environment is at least one of the following: the consumer's home; Cosmetic dispensing components operated by consumers; and non-retail sector. 5. A method of purchasing a cosmetic preparation comprising: receive cosmetic diagnostic data from consumers; Generate a customized cosmetic formulation based on the cosmetic consultation data; receive payment from consumers; and Spread the custom make-up formulation. 6. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the makeup diagnostic data comprises obtaining the makeup diagnostic data through one or more questions asked of the consumer. 7. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving cosmetic diagnostic data includes measuring at least one of skin attribute data, environmental attribute data, health attribute data, and consumer preference data. 8. A system for providing customized cosmetics, comprising: a cosmetic diagnostic unit; a makeup evaluation component; a cosmetic delivery part operable to deliver at least a custom cosmetic preparation and makeup using diagnostic data acquired from the makeup diagnosis part and processed by the makeup evaluation part for generating at least one of custom cosmetic preparation data and makeup advice data One of the suggestions. 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: A customized cosmetic dispensing member operative to produce the customized formulation. 10. A method of providing personalized cosmetics comprising: Receive makeup diagnostic data directly from consumers; providing makeup assessment data to the consumer based on the makeup diagnostic data; and At least one of a makeup formulation and a makeup service is delivered directly to the consumer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cosmetic preparation is at least lipstick, primer, mascara, shampoo, perfume, eyelid cream, nail polish, cosmetic powder, lotion, hair dye, cleanser, conditioner Hair lotion, sunscreen, vitamins, hairspray, mousse, and redness.

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