Thursday, 24 May 2012

Smartphone app tracks skin condition over time


       Fujitsu Laboratories has developed a system for measuring skin color accurately, using a smartphone's camera and a Color Frame. This technology makes it easier to measure skin condition, including spots, dullness, and pore size.

          "Skin looks different under different lighting conditions, such as incandescent or fluorescent illumination. But Color Frame can compensate for color differences caused by different environments."
        "The pictures are taken with the outer camera, so you take them while looking in a mirror. You take four shots: around the cheekbone, beside the nose, beside the cheek, and around the mouth. When you have the four shots, you press the Analyze button. The results are given as scores, and you can also see the analyzed images. Firstly, spots are detected from the cheekbone shot, and shown as a binary image. Similarly, the shots beside the nose and cheek are used to detect pores."
             
              All the analysis records are stored in the history, so you can compare results with previous measurements enabling you to check how your skin care regimen is progressing.
"For example, when cosmetics makers give out free samples, they could provide the Color Frame and app as well, so customers can check whether using a sample really makes a difference. That could help with sales promotion, and also be a way to communicate with customers."
Fujitsu plans to start the service this year. The application is currently designed for Japanese women, but it could be extended to other users, by collecting skin data from men and women with various racial characteristics.


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