US 2008/0075340 A1Published application

Image processing method and apparatus

AssigneeBiocompatibles UK Limited

InventorsSymon D'Oyly Cotton, Robert James Morse, Mark Chellingworth, Stephen John Preece

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Abstract

An image of an individual (2) is obtained via a digital camera (1). The RGB image data is then processed to derive from the image data data representative of the distribution of chromophores resulting in the appearance of the individual (2). A calculated chromophore distribution is then utilised to derive a revised chromophore distribution representing the effect of the desired cosmetic or surgical intervention or medical condition. This chromophore distribution is then processed to generate an output image (34) illustrating the expected result of that intervention. The generated image (34) can be displayed simultaneously with an original image (33) so that the extent of expected improvement can be determined.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An image processing apparatus comprising:

a data store operable to store model data defining a relationship between concentrations of one or more chromophores and data indicative of the apparent colour of skin including said concentrations of said one or more chromophores;
a distribution determination module operable to process received image data representative of an image of an individual to determine the distribution of at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual utilising model data stored in said data store;
a processing module operable to process a determined distribution of at least one chromophore determined by said distribution determination module to generate data representative of a revised chromophore distribution;
a variation determination module operable to utilise a determined distribution of at least one chromophore determined by said distribution determination module and received image data representative of an image of an individual to determine variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual;
and
an image data generation module operable to generate data representative of an individual utilising data representative of a revised chromophore distribution determined by said processing module and said model data stored in said data store defining said relationship between concentrations of one or more chromophores, data indicative of the apparent colour of skin including said concentrations of said one or more chromophores, and variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual determined by said variation determination module.

3 more elements

An image processing apparatus operable to determine variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual, said apparatus comprising:

a data store operable to store model data defining a relationship between concentrations of one or more chromophores and data indicative of the apparent colour of skin including said concentrations of said one or more chromophores;
a distribution determination module operable to process received image data representative of an image of an individual to determine the distribution of at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual utilising model data stored in said data store;
a variation determination module operable to utilise a determined distribution of at least one chromophore determined by said distribution determination module and received image data representative of an image of an individual to determine variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual by utilising a determined distribution of one or more chromophores determined by said distribution determination module to generate image data representative of the appearance of an individual's skin due to the distribution of said one or more chromophores and comparing said generated image with received image data representative of an image of the actual appearance of said individual.

An image processing method comprising:

storing model data defining a relationship between concentrations of one or more chromophores and data indicative of the apparent colour of skin including said concentrations of said one or more chromophores;
processing received image data representative of an image of an individual utilising said stored model data to determine the distribution of at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual;
processing a determined distribution of at least one chromophore to generate data representative of a revised chromophore distribution;
utilising a determined distribution of at least one chromophore and received image data representative of an image of an individual to determine variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual;
and
generating data representative of an individual utilising said data representative of said revised chromophore distribution, said stored model data and said determined variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual.

3 more elements

An image processing method for determining variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual, the method comprising:

storing model data defining a relationship between concentrations of one or more chromophores and data indicative of the apparent colour of skin including said concentrations of said one or more chromophores;
processing received image data representative of an image of an individual utilising said stored model data to determine the distribution of at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual;
utilising a determined distribution of at least one chromophore to generate image data representative of the appearance of an individual's skin due to the distribution of said at least one chromophore;
and
comparing said generated image with received image data representative of an image of the actual appearance of said individual to determine variations in appearance of an individual's skin due to factors other than the distribution of said at least one chromophore in the skin of the represented individual.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/524,803Filed 21 Sep 2006
Priority: GB 0519497.223 Sep 2005
Published: 27 Mar 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

G01N 21/21
Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated: polarisation-affecting properties
A61B 5/0059
Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons: using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
A61B 5/442
Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis: evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
A61B 5/443
Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis: evaluating skin constituents, e.g. elastin, melanin, water

Family

US 7,916,910 B2Related patent
US 2008/0075340 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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