Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PERSONALIZED
PREPARATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing a consumer
with personalized beauty care cosmetic preparations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
to Cosmetic preparations such as sun screens, skin creams, fragrances, shaving
creams, toiletries, nail products, deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, hair
sprays,
mousses, oils, vitamins, antibacterial mixtures, anti-acne mixtures,
dermatology
mixtures, pharmaceutical mixtures, mascara, facial foundation, lipstick, hair
dyes,
creams, cleansers, and the like have long been used by consumers to
aesthetically
enhance their physical appearance and self esteem, treat ailments, and cleanse
themselves. The selection of an optimal product from a broad range of choices
is a
dilemma for consumers. Moreover, the consumer cannot make his/her choice in a
private and comfortable setting while selecting his/her product in a retail
establishment.
Further, once the choice is made, the consumer is committed to his/her choice
until the
2o product is either consumed or discarded. This commitment does not permit
subsequent
flexibility in mood, expected social situation, skin condition, and the like.
Also, the
consumer may be dissatisfied with the impression a product has, either as a
result of
his/her own perception or as communicated by another. Consequently, most
consumers
have a vast array of unused products in their homes. These unused products
often have
expiration dates, which are rarely acknowledged by the consumer and,
therefore, create
potential health hazards to the consumer.
Past approaches to cosmetic personalization have focused on the point of sale
occurring in the retail establishment. For example, methods permit a
salesperson to
manually adjust the formulation of facial foundations so as to match the
consumer's skin
color. More recent approaches have advanced this idea by providing automatic
cosmetic dispensing devices at a retail establishment. These more recent
devices are
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operated by retail store personnel to produce a product which is packaged in a
container
and provided to the consumer.
Although the abovementioned approaches partially address a consumer's need for
personalization, there are several significant disadvantages. For example,
these
approaches assume that a consumer will not change his/her mind, regarding the
purchased product, on a frequent basis after using the product. Under either
approach
listed above, a change of mind on the consumer's part requires him/her to
repurchase
another entire container of cosmetic product. Further, the consumer must
physically visit
the retail establishment and again make selections in a public setting. These
approaches
l0 are inconvenient, expensive and still result in significant cosmetic
inventory at the
consumer's home. Moreover, the expiration dates associated with the consumer's
cosmetic inventory will often expire before the consumer ever finishes the
product.
Furthermore, existing point of sale cosmetic dispensing devices X11 a
container
with a cosmetic product, requiring the product to be transferred onto an
applicator prior
to use by the consumer. For example, point of sale customized facial cream is
typically
provided in a bottle at the retail establishment. Prior to the consumer using
the
customized facial cream, the cream must be transferred to the consumer's hand
or onto a
pad where it is subsequently applied by the consumer. If the consumer is
unhappy with
the customized facial cream, the entire bottle of cream remains unused
because, existing
devices do not permit dispensing a single application quantity of the facial
cream onto an
intermediate surface for a single application by the consumer.
Moreover, consumers desire more decision power with respect to cosmetic
services. These decisions need to be directly made by the consumer, existing
methods
and systems require the consumer to rely on an intermediary during the process
of
customizing a cosmetic or a cosmetic service. Therefore, any environment
wherein the
consumer is directly providing cosmetic diagnostic data and receiving
evaluation data in
an effort to assist the consumer with more decision power prior to selecting
and
purchasing cosmetic preparations and cosmetic services is desirable.
Finally, the current delivery of cosmetic preparations are limited to
preparations
3o which consist of stable, compatible and microbial resistant compositions,
this is so
because some compositions cannot be stored for any extended period of time or
delivered
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with certain attributes such as when warmed or heated. By delivering
customized
cosmetic preparations for single use applications many of these otherwise
prohibitive
aspects of preparing and delivering preparations which are incompatible or
otherwise
unstable are removed. accordingly, by altering the delivery and dispensing of
cosmetic
preparations new and improved cosmetic preparations may be created and
provided to the
consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide consumers with methods
to and a system for receiving customized cosmetic preparations and services.
Additional objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will be
set
forth in the description that follows and, in part, will become apparent to
those skilled in
the art upon examining or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages
of the
invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the
foregoing
and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention,
methods
and a system are provided for providing customized cosmetic preparations and
services
to a consumer.
A method of providing personalized cosmetics is provided, comprising acquiring
2o cosmetic diagnostic data from a consumer in a private setting and providing
evaluation
data based on the diagnostic data to the consumer. Next, at Ieast one of a
cosmetic
preparation and a cosmetic service is delivered to the consumer.
Further, a method of purchasing cosmetic preparations is provided, comprising
receiving diagnostic data from a consumer and providing a plurality of fluids
for
producing a cosmetic preparation based on the diagnostic data. A payment is
received
from the consumer, and the customized cosmetic preparation is dispensed for
application.
Moreover, a system for producing customized cosmetics is provided, comprising
a
cosmetic diagnostic device, a cosmetic evaluation device, and a cosmetic
delivering
device operative to deliver at least one of a customized cosmetic preparation
and
3o cosmetic advice data to a consumer.
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Finally, a method of providing personalized cosmetics is provided, comprising
receiving directly from the consumer cosmetic diagnostic data, providing
cosmetic
evaluation data based on the diagnostic data and delivering at least one of a
cosmetic
preparation and a cosmetic service directly to the consumer.
Still other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in
the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is by
way of
illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the
invention. As will
be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects,
all without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are
illustrative
in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings,
incorporated in and forming part of the specification, illustrate several
aspects of the
present invention and, together with their descriptions, serve to explain the
principles of
the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 depicts a flow diagram of a method of providing personalized cosmetic;
Fig. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a method of purchasing cosmetics;
Fig. 3 depicts a block diagram of a system for providing customized cosmetics;
Fig. 4 depicts a schematic of a customized cosmetic device;
2o Fig. 5 depicts a schematic of an alternative customized cosmetic device;
Fig. 6 depicts an internal schematic of a customized cosmetic device; and
Fig. 7 depicts an internal schematic view of an customized cosmetic device.
Reference will now be made to the present preferred embodiment of the
invention,
an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
numerals
indicate the same element throughout the views.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is implemented using
3o standard mechanical pumps, mixing devices, heaters, dispensers,
microprocessors, and
cosmetic ingredients well known in the art and readily combinable in
accordance with the
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present invention. Moreover, basic software programming techniques and web-
enabled
technologies such as Java, Perl, C, C++, and the like provide software
programming
languages that may be used to implement the present invention, although as one
skilled in
the art will appreciate other computer languages and technologies exist which
may be
used to implement the present invention.
Fig. 1 depicts a flow diagram of one embodiment for a method of providing
personalized cosmetic. Initially. an interface is provided to a consumer in
step 10
wherein the consumer provides diagnostic data and makes selections with
respect to
cosmetic preparations and services. This interface may be in person, over the
telephone,
over the Internet (using standard Internet protocols such as TCP/IP, and the
like), regular
postal mail, through appliances equipped with a software logic to communicate
cosmetic
diagnostic data, electronic mail (e-mail), photographs from cameras or videos,
special
devices designed to collect cosmetic data (probes such as spectrophotometer,
corneometer, colorimeter, thermometer, and the like), cosmetic advisors (in
person or
electronically assigned to a consumer), and the like. Furthermore, the
interface is in a
private setting such as a consumer's home, a device directly operated by a
consumer, a
non-retail establishment, and the like. A non-retail establishment includes
any
establishment other than a traditional cosmetic counter located in a
department store.
Therefore, a device located in a mall, hotel, bar, gas station, airplane,
amusement park,
2o restaurant, and others would still be considered a non-retail establishment
as long as the
device was not located at a traditional cosmetic counter in a store. However,
even when a
device is located at the traditional cosmetic counter, as long as the device
is directly
operated by the consumer, as opposed to cosmetic counter personnel, the device
would
still be within a private setting.
In step 20 diagnostic data are acquired from the consumer via the interface,
these
data include personal preferences (favorite colors, fragrances, and the like),
skin or color
measurements (obtained from cameras, videos, probes, medical records, and the
like),
health monitoring data (blood pressure, temperature, weight, and the like),
inputs
provided from an advisor (obtained from medical doctors, beauty consultants,
personal
3o trainers, parents, fashion consultants, teachers, and the like), electronic
data (obtained
from daily planners, calendars, important dates, weather conditions,
preferences of
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famous individuals, preferences of friends, preferences of family, fashion
trends, and the
like), feedback loops (obtained from questions asked the consumer, past
choices, changes
to previous cycles, changes based on visualization of output choices, and the
like), and
others. Moreover, diagnostic data may be acquired from devices which are used
to
interface with the consumer, such diagnostic data may include, by way of
example only,
supply levels of raw materials, device maintenance needs, installation inputs,
and the like.
Furthermore, these data may include skin or hair condition data (physical skin
state,
skin/hair dryness, skin/hair oiliness, and the like), texture measures (pores,
wrinkles, and
the like), color data (lightness data, chroma data, hue data, and spectral
data), and the
like.
As indicated in step 10, these diagnostic data may be communicated via a
variety
of methods. Once diagnostic data are collected initially, evaluation data is
provided to
the consumer in step 40. Evaluation data may include providing the diagnostic
data to
advisors such as medical/dental professionals, cosmetologists, beauty
consultants,
personal trainers, and the like. Additionally, evaluation data may be stored
as data
constants in an electronic system which identify personal preferences of
famous
individuals, family, friends, popular cosmetic choices, and the like.
Evaluation data also
may be standard computer algorithms which take color, condition, texture, and
other
measurements from a consumer directly, or indirectly, and produces a visual
selection for
2o the consumer.
Further, the evaluation data may be processed by a sales representative in a
store,
telephonically, or door-to-door, consumer software, remote software, and the
like. Once
the evaluation data is determined it is provided as a feedback loop to any
diagnostic
device used and may provide advice data to the consumer in step 30. Moreover,
the
advice data may provide executable instructions to a customized cosmetic
preparation
device (described below) informing the device or the percent of raw materials
necessary
to produce a cosmetic preparation, the mixing times, mechanical pump speeds,
and the
like. Furthermore, advice data may include application tips, instructions,
device selection
parameters, and the like.
3o In step 50, a consumer makes a selection for a cosmetic preparation or
service.
This selection may be made with the aid of a visualization device displaying
to the
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consumer the evaluation data. During selection, the consumer may modify and
essentially override any evaluative data provided, thereby selecting cosmetic
preparations
and service not suggested by the evaluation data. In this way, the consumer
maintains
the final decision making authority with respect to his/her cosmetic choices.
The consumer is delivered a cosmetic preparation or service in step 55. The
cosmetic preparation may be any mixture produced from the diagnostic data and
evaluation data used by the consumer, a consumer may include chemists,
pharmacists,
and the like. Delivery of the customized preparation may be made directly to a
desired
body location of a consumer, such as a finger nail, hair, and the like.
Moreover, the
i0 preparation may be delivered to an intermediate surface such a consumer's
finger, an
applicator, and the like. Additionally, the preparation may be delivered to a
container
such as a bottle, a bag, and the like. Customized preparations may be directly
dispensed
in step 90, in such case these preparations are exemplarily provided by
customized
cosmetic dispensing devices such as the ones discussed below, although as one
skilled in
the art will appreciate other devices are possible. Also, the preparations may
be delivered
via mail, or via electronic email (e.g. digital information used by devices
within the
consumers household to dispense cosmetics and fragrances directly to the
consumer).
Further, the information about how to prepare these preparations may be
directly
provided to the consumer via any electronic means either directly to the
consumer or
2o indirectly to a consumer's appliance. Any such device/appliance delivering
a cosmetic
preparation will need raw materials which are provided in step 70. The raw
materials are
exemplarily provided as single or multi ingredient fluids wherein each fluid
includes
different/various or single ingredients.
In addition to cosmetic preparations, a consumer may receive cosmetic services
as
illustrated in step 80. These services include product recommendations,
referrals to
professionals, automatic reordering of device raw materials, automatically
reordering of
previously selected cosmetic preparations, communication with consumer
appliances
(consumer alarm clock or coffee pot set and the like), electronic dialogues
with
professionals, web-site recommendations, and the like.
Although Fig. 1, illustrates delivery of a cosmetic preparation after
receiving
diagnostic data from a consumer, a cosmetic preparation may actually initiate
the
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diagnostic and evaluation process such that a consumer is initially presented
with a
sample which is then used as a basis for interacting with the consumer to
deliver a
consumer developed customized preparation. Moreover, diagnostic data may be
measured in a variety or ways including having the consumer compare various
preparation samples and selecting the most appealing sample.
In Fig. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment for a method of
purchasing
cosmetics. Initially, in step 100 an interaction is established with a
consumer, this
interaction is an interface as discussed in Fig. 1. Diagnostic data is
received in step 110,
advisors are provided in step 120. These advisors may be electronic advisors
as for
to example software implemented algorithms or real advisors where a consumer
is contacted
either electronically or in person by a professional advisor. A consumer is
provided with
evaluation data in step 140 and advice data in step 130. The consumer makes a
selection
for a specific cosmetic preparation or service in step 150, and payment is
received from
the consumer in step 160.
Payment received from the consumer is exemplarily provided via a kiosk device
wherein a consumer provides diagnostic data and receives evaluation data
through a
feedback loop implemented with a software logic. Prior to selection of a
specific
cosmetic preparation or cosmetic service, the consumer pays directly for the
preparation
or the service by directly providing the device or method with a payment
means. For
2o example in the case of kiosk, the consumer may use a credit/debit card or
cash to pay for
a service of providing a cosmetic or service, and in the case of remote access
a consumer
may provide a credit card or bank account number or other convenient payment
methods
within which payment may be acquired for the product or service.
The cosmetic dispenser is activated in step 170 and the preparation is
dispensed in
step 190. Any device dispensing the preparation is provided fluids in step 180
which are
mixed in accordance with the selection made by the consumer to produce the
desired
cosmetic preparation.
Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment for a system 200 that
provides customized cosmetics. An input interface 210 is provided which
permits a
3o consumer to directly interface either electronically, manually, or in
person with the
system of step 200. A diagnostic device 220 collects from the consumer
diagnostic data,
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as described above, which are used by an evaluation device 23. Optionally, a
consumer
may pay to receive a cosmetic preparation or service via a payment device 240
(e.g.
kiosk). The consumer makes the final decision on which cosmetic preparations
or
services he/she receives via a selection device 270 (e.g. software form driven
selections, a
store display device with menus providing choices, and the like). Base
ingredients 280
(single or multiple ingredient fluids), are provided to produce any required
cosmetic
preparations, whereas an information data store 290 is provided to provide the
consumer
with cosmetic services. A delivery interface 300 provides the mechanism for
delivering a
cosmetic preparation or service. A preparation may be provided via cosmetic
dispensing
1o device (discussed below) or through a software interface (web, email, fax,
and the like)
for cosmetic service advice.
Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a schematic for customized cosmetic
device.
The device 310 includes cartridges 320, a video port 330, a communications
port 340, a
slide selector 350, a palette of colors 360, a dispenser 370, and a surface
380
The device 310 houses one or more cartridges 320 wherein the fluids
(ingredients)
reside, which when combined in consumer driven quantities produce a customized
cosmetic preparation 390 on a surface 380 of the device 310' or on an
intermediate surface
390 Each cartridge 320 may house one or more fluids. However, as will be
appreciated,
the cartridges 320 housing the fluids need not be required at all, since the
fluids could
2o easily be added to reservoirs included in the device 310 (not shown in Fig.
4).
The ingredients are single or mufti ingredient fluids such as waxes comprising
various colors and consistencies necessary to produce a variety of cosmetic
preparations,
such as lipstick, eye liner, lotion, powder, mascara, and the like. The
consumer provides
selection and diagnostic data which will drive the required fluid quantities
necessary to
produce the customized cosmetic preparation 390 These selection and diagnostic
data
include color and product selection such as lipstick, eye liner, lotion,
powder, mascara,
and the like.
The consumer provides these selection data via one or more input selection or
diagnostic means attached or interfaced to the device 310, such as a palette
of colors 360,
a slide selector 350, a video port 330, and a communications port 340 The
video port 330
permits the device 310 to receive consumer selection and diagnostic data from
devices
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such as a video, a digital camera, a television, and the like. The
communications port 340
permits the device 310 to receive consumer selection data from devices such as
digital
phones, computers, hand-held computing devices, wireless communication
devices, and
the like. Further, the communications port 340 need not be a physical
connection to the
device 310, rather, this port may be a wireless or infrared port. Also, the
communications port 340 could be connected to a sensor, which measures color,
moisture, oiliness, texture, skin sensitivity, and the like. These
measurements may permit
preselected algorithms to determine optimal selection data for a consumer.
Additionally, a single line LCD (not shown) may permit a consumer to enter
l0 selection and diagnostic data as a numeric value which represents product
and color
choices. Moreover, the communications port 340 and the video port 330 may be
used by
the device 310 to display to the consumer the color selections provided by the
consumer.
These selections are also available to the consumer via the palette of colors.
As described above, consumers may provide selection data in a variety of ways
to
the device 310. In fact, prepackaged selection data may be made available to a
consumer
via automated phone system or an Internet web site where the consumer may
retrieve
numeric codes representing selection data necessary to generate existing
market products
or shades/products which are comparable to existing products. In this way, the
consumer
may produce on an as needed basis cosmetic product mimicking name-brand
products.
2o Further, these selections may be provided in advertising material for the
name-brand
products.
Once the consumer has selected his/her color and product, the device 310 will
calculate the appropriate fluid quantities needed to produce the customized
cosmetic
preparation 390. The fluids are then appropriately dispensed from the
cartridges 320,
mixed or heated as needed to permit discharge from the device 310, and
deposited
through a dispenser 370 onto an intermediate surface 400 or a surface 380
attached to the
device 310. The dispenser 370 may use a controlled dispensing technology such
as
pressure spraying, twin-fluid spraying, electrostatic spraying, mechanical
screw
extrusion, piezo electric spraying, sputtering technology, and the like. The
deposited
3o customized cosmetic preparation 390 may exit the device 310 in a number of
forms such
as a spray, a dollop, or a coating.
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Fig. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a schematic for an alternative customized
cosmetic device. In Fig. 5, a cosmetic device 410 is depicted wherein the
device 410 is
horizontal and detached from a surface 420. Such a device 4I0 would permit
easy
attachment to a wall in a consumer's home and make more efficient use of
available
counter space in a consumer's home.
Similar to the device of Fig. 4, cartridges 430 housing the fluids axe
provided and,
the customized cosmetic preparation 440 are discharged from the device 410
through a
dispenser 450. Moreover, the customized cosmetic preparation 440 is capable of
being
directly discharged onto an intermediate surface 460, such as a lipstick
applicator.
to Although not shown in Fig. 5, a consumer input selection means may be
provided in a
variety of ways as discussed with Fig. 4. Further, consumer selection and
diagnostic data
may be displayed to the consumer prior to discharging the customized cosmetic
preparation 440.
Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an internal schematic for a customized
cosmetic device. The internal schematic view more particularly depicts a
metering
device of a customized cosmetic preparation device 470 and the dispenser 480.
The
metering device illustrates how the fluids are combined in varying quantities
to produce a
customized cosmetic preparation 490 on a surface 500. Fig. 6 also illustrates
how the
fluids are discharged from the device 470 through a dispenser 480. The
cosmetic device
470 may include a microprocessor 510, a data bus 520, cartridges 530, a piping
system
540, a mixer 550, a heater 560, an ejector 570, and a dispenser 480.
After selection and diagnostic data are received by the microprocessor 510 in
device 470, signals are sent to the cartridges 530 via a data bus 520. The
signals drive the
cartridges 530 to release the fluids in the appropriate quantities which are
dictated by the
selection and diagnostic data input to the microprocessor 510. The
microprocessor 510
uses calculations, which are well known to one skilled in the art, for
producing a formula
which selects the appropriate quantities of the fluids contained in the
cartridges 530. The
fluids include dyes such as Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and the like, and pigments
such as
titanium, iron oxides, ultramarine blue, and the like permitting color
customization.
3o Further, the fluids also include waxes, sun screens, moisturizers,
perfumes, anti-
wrinkling and anti-aging agents, skin agents, cleansing agents, conditioners,
and the like.
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Once the appropriate quantities of the fluids are released from the cartridges
530,
they are pushed through a piping system 540 which allows movement of the
fluids from
the cartridges 530 to the dispenser 480. The fluid movement may be achieved by
using
gravity but, movement may be accomplished through any mechanical means, such
as a
screw extruder, and the like.
Upon exiting the cartridges 530, the fluids may be mixed using a mixer 550 or
heated using a heater 560. Mixing may occur by using a static micromixer which
is
available from the Institute of Microtechnik (Maniz, Germany). The heater 560
enhances
the fluidity of the fluid when the fluid includes wax-like ingredients.
Moreover, the
l0 mixer 550 releases the mixed fluids into an ejector 570. The ejector 570 is
mobile, which
permits uniform dispensing of the customized cosmetic preparation 490 onto a
surface
500 through the dispenser 480. As previously discussed, the dispenser 480 may
be
implemented using any one or combinations of controlled dispensing
technologies such
as pressure spraying, twin-fluid spraying, electrostatic spraying, mechanical
screw
extrusion, piezo electric spraying, sputtering technology, and the like.
Fig. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an internal schematic view for a
customized
cosmetic device. The cosmetic device 580 includes a microprocessor 590, a data
bus
600, cartridges 610, a piping system 620 for moving the fluid from the
cartridges 610,
and a dispenser 630.
2o Again in Fig. 7, the microprocessor 590 receives selection and diagnostic
data
which is used to drive the microprocessor 590 to issue commands through a data
bus 600,
causing specific quantities of the fluids contained in the cartridges 610 to
be released into
the piping system 620. However, in Fig. 7 the fluids of device 580 are not
combined to
form a customized cosmetic preparation 640 on a surface 650, until the fluids
are
accumulated on the surface 650 and have exited the device 580 through a
dispenser 630.
Moreover, the device 580 includes a dispenser 630, which travels back and
forth by the
action of a step motor (not shown) in response to commands issued from the
microprocessor 590. This motion of the dispenser 630 allows control of the
placement of
the fluids on the surface 650 and creates color perceptions similar to those
obtained, by
3o way of example, from ink jet printing dyes on a paper medium.
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Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art the devices of
Figs. 4-
7 need not have cartridges housing the fluid ingredients, as fluid reservoirs
may be built
directly into these devices obviating the need for any cartridges. Further,
the devices
depicted in Figs. 4-7, could be modified to be a kiosk which is available to a
consumer
for use in a variety of environments wherein the consumer directly operates
and pays to
use the devices.
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 exhaustive
nor to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives,
modifications,
to and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the
above teaching.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives,
modifications, and
variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the attached claims.
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