# US 11,110,257 B2 · Device and method for selective application of topical composition using dynamic threshold values > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,257 B2 - Document ID: US11110257B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/726,514 - Filed: 2019-12-24 - Published: 2020-07-02 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-27 - Assignees: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. - Applicants: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. - Inventors: Albert Durr Edgar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110257B2 ## CPC - A61M 35/003: {Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media (hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003)} - A61B 5/004: {adapted for image acquisition of a particular organ or body part (A61B5/0082 takes precedence; arrangements for optical scanning A61B5/0062)} - A61B 5/0064: {Body surface scanning} - A61B 5/444: {Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar} - A61B 5/4836: {Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods (A61B5/0036 takes precedence)} - G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract A device and method for selectively applying a composition a treatment surface (e.g., skin) to impart an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the surface. The device may include a detector for obtaining image data corresponding to an image of an area of skin. The device may also include an applicator for selectively applying a fixed amount of the composition to the skin to a location within the area of skin as determined by the device. The fixed amount is selected to reduce the artifact magnitude by a predetermined coverage level when applied to the skin. The device may include a processing arrangement for receiving image data from the detector, determining an artifact magnitude of the location based on the image data, comparing the artifact magnitude to a threshold, and directing the applicator to apply the composition to the skin when the artifact magnitude is above the threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for selectively applying a composition to a treatment surface, comprising: (i) analyzing, by a processing arrangement, image data corresponding to an imaged area of the treatment surface to determine an artifact magnitude of a location within the imaged area of the treatment surface; (ii) comparing, by the processing arrangement, the artifact magnitude of the location to a predetermined threshold value, wherein the predetermined threshold value is dynamically or periodically adjusted based on a deposition rate of an applicator arrangement; (iii) applying, by the applicator arrangement, a fixed amount of the composition to the location only when the artifact magnitude of the location exceeds the predetermined threshold value, wherein the fixed amount of the composition is selected to reduce the artifact magnitude by a predetermined coverage level, and wherein the predetermined threshold value is selected to exceed the predetermined coverage level; (iv) repeating steps (i) through (iii) for a subsequent area of the treatment surface until a predetermined condition has been met; (v) adjusting the predetermined threshold value to a second value lower than the previous predetermined threshold value based on the deposition rate; and (vi) repeating steps (i) through (iii) for a further area of the treatment surface using the adjusted lower predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the artifact magnitude is determined based on a reflectance of the imaged area of the treatment surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the artifact magnitude is determined as a percentage of light reflectance of the location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is a cosmetic composition comprising a reflectance modifying agent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an active ingredient for treating a skin condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second value is higher than the predetermined coverage level. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met upon receipt of an input from a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a deposition rate of the applicator arrangement falls below a predetermined rate. ### Claim 9 A method for selectively applying a composition to a treatment surface, comprising: (i) analyzing, by a processing arrangement, image data corresponding to an imaged area of the treatment surface to determine an artifact magnitude of a location within the imaged area of the treatment surface; (ii) comparing, by the processing arrangement, the artifact magnitude of the location to a predetermined threshold value, wherein the predetermined threshold value is dynamically or periodically adjusted based on a deposition rate of the applicator arrangement; (iii) applying, by an applicator arrangement, a fixed amount of the composition to the location only when the artifact magnitude of the location exceeds the predetermined threshold value, wherein the fixed amount of the composition is selected to reduce the artifact magnitude by a predetermined coverage level, and wherein the predetermined threshold value is selected to exceed the predetermined coverage level; (iv) adjusting, by the processing arrangement, the predetermined threshold value to a value lower than the previous predetermined threshold value based on a deposition rate of the applicator arrangement; and (v) repeating steps (i) through (iv) using the adjusted lower predetermined threshold value for a next area of the treatment surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined threshold value is adjusted to maintain the deposition rate of the applicator arrangement substantially constant. ### Claim 11 A handheld device for selectively applying a composition to a treatment surface, comprising: an applicator arrangement configured to apply a fixed amount of the composition to the treatment surface; a detector obtaining image data corresponding to an image of an area of the treatment surface; and a processing arrangement analyzing the image data to determine an artifact magnitude of a frexel within the area of the treatment surface, the processing arrangement directing the applicator arrangement to apply the fixed amount of the composition to the frexel when the artifact magnitude of the frexel is greater than a predetermined threshold value, wherein the predetermined threshold value is selected to exceed the predetermined coverage level of artifact reduction imparted by the fixed amount of the composition when applied to the treatment surface, wherein the predetermined threshold value is dynamically or periodically adjusted by the processing arrangement based on a deposition rate of the applicator arrangement, the predetermined threshold value being adjusted to a value lower than the previous predetermined threshold value based on the deposition rate, and wherein the processing arrangement directs the applicator arrangement to apply the fixed amount of the composition to a frexel in a next area of the treatment surface when an artifact magnitude of the frexel in the next area of the treatment surface is greater than the adjusted lower predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the composition comprises at least one of a reflectance modifying agent and an active ingredient for treating a skin condition. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the detector arrangement comprises a light source for delivering light to the area of the treatment surface, and a sensor detecting light from the area of the treatment surface to obtain the image data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the artifact magnitude is determined based on a reflectance of the treatment surface detected in the image. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the artifact magnitude is determined as a percentage of light reflectance of a frexel within the imaged area of the treatment surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, further comprising a user interface enabling a user to manually signal to the processing arrangement that the predetermined threshold value should be adjusted. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a deposition rate of the applicator arrangement falls below a predetermined rate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The handheld device of claim 11, wherein the processing arrangement adjusts the predetermined threshold value to maintain a substantially constant deposition rate.