Method to collect use data in customized skin care

Abstract

Methods to collect use data of a user during customized skin care by using a specimen dispensing device are presented. Methods to utilize the embedded memory and electrical interface of the dispensing device and dispensers to collect use data of said user are also presented. The invention may also be applied to health care and personal care needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to collect use data during customized skin care of a user with a specimen dispensing device comprising the steps of:
 said user installing a dispenser to said specimen dispensing device, wherein said dispenser comprises a first data storage component storing dispenser data including identification data (ID) of a specimen contained in said dispenser;   said user controlling said specimen dispensing device to dispense said specimen from said dispenser;   a control unit included in said specimen dispensing device producing usage data following said dispensing of said specimen, wherein said usage data include said ID received from said first data storage component by said control unit through a first data connection, and time of occurrence of said dispensing of said specimen; and   said usage data being stored in a second data storage component included in said control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said dispenser data include any of:
 brand of said dispenser;   brand of said specimen;   physical form of said specimen;   origin of manufacture of said dispenser;   origin of manufacture of said specimen;   production date of said dispenser;   intended skin care purpose of said specimen;   composition of said specimen; and   authentication data of said dispenser.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said usage data include user data relating to said user, wherein said user data include any of:
 identification of said user;   skin feature existing on said skin area and grades of said skin feature;   biometrics information of said user;   health information of said user;   dietary information of said user; and   age, gender, location, and ethnicity of said user.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said usage data includes duration of use of said specimen dispensing device by said user after said dispensing of said specimen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said usage data is transmitted outside of said specimen dispensing device by said control unit through a second data connection to any of:
 a first database; and   a computing device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said usage data is transmitted from said second data storage component to said first data storage component through said first data connection, and said dispenser is then retrieved by a vendor of said dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said usage data in said first database is retrieved by a vendor of said specimen dispensing device and utilized for data analysis of said user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said usage data in said dispenser is retrieved by said vendor of said dispenser and utilized for data analysis of said user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said usage data in said computing device is processed by a software within said computing device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said usage data is transmitted by said computing device to a second database through a data network, wherein said second database is accessible by any of:
 a vendor of said dispenser;   a vendor of said specimen dispensing device; and   a skin care service provider.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said software interacts with a social network through an internet connection, whereas said user is a member of said social network. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first data connection is one of the following:
 wireless data communication including any of: wireless, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared, inductive coupling, fiber optics interface;   and data communication through one or more electrical wires.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said second data connection is one of the following:
 wireless data communication including any of: wireless, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared, inductive coupling, fiber optics interface; and   data communication through one or more electrical wires.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said second data connection is achieved with said specimen dispensing device communicating through a charger by inductive coupling. 
     
     
         15 . A method to collect use data during customized skin care of a user with a specimen dispensing device comprising the steps of:
 said user installing a dispenser that contains a specimen to said specimen dispensing device and dispensing said specimen from said dispenser, wherein said dispenser comprises a first data storage component storing first data to identify said specimen;   a control unit included in said specimen dispensing device producing usage data including: said first data, second data including time of said dispensing of said specimen, and third data to identify said user; and   said usage data being stored in a second data storage component within said control unit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a service provider obtains said usage data from said second data storage component during a skin analysis of said user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said usage data is transmitted from said second data storage component to said first data storage component, and a vendor of said dispenser retrieves said usage data from said first data storage component after receiving said dispenser from said user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said usage data contains fourth data created by said user indicating privacy of said usage data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said first data storage component is one of the following:
 a digital storage device;   an analog data storage device;   an optically recognizable marking;   a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;   a magnetic data storage media; and   physical indentations or protrusions.   
     
     
         20 . A method to collect use data during skin care of a user comprising the steps of:
 a vendor providing said user a specimen dispensing device, and a dispenser that comprises a first data storage component storing specimen data to identify a specimen contained in said dispenser;   said user installing said dispenser to said specimen dispensing device and dispensing said specimen;   said specimen dispensing device producing usage data including: first data, time of said dispensing of said specimen, and second data to identify said user; and   said usage data is transmitted outside of said specimen dispensing device through a data connection to a database accessible by said vendor.