PARAMETERIZED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FOR IRRADIATION

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (30) for irradiating the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation. The apparatus (30) comprises a first interface (20) for transmitting data, an analysis module (22) for creating a parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of the transmitted data, a control unit (24) for adapting device settings on the basis of the parameterized operating environment created, and an irradiation unit (26) which receives a signal (25) from the control unit (24) according to the parameterized operating environment (23) created. The invention further relates to a system, a method and a computer program product for carrying out the method.

Claims

1. Apparatus (30) for irradiating the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation, comprising: a. a first interface (20) for transmitting data; b. an analysis module (22) for creating a parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of said transmitted data; c. a control unit (24) for adjusting device settings on the basis of the created parameterized operating environment (23); and d. an irradiation unit (26) which receives a signal (25) according to the created parameterized operating environment (23) from the control unit (24).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first interface (20) enables a Bluetooth connection with a user device (10).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first interface (20) has a wired connection with a user device (10).

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second interface (28), in particular a network interface, for transmitting data to/from a usage database (40, 40′).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the analysis module (22) receives data of the usage database (40, 40′) and uses said data as the basis for the parameterized operating environment (23).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis module (22) is arranged outside the apparatus (30).

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the parameterized operating environment (23) comprises an irradiation plan.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (24) performs the adjustment of the parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of a user's data.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (24) performs the adjustment of the parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of data of a usage database (40, 40′).

10. Method for operating an apparatus for irradiating the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation, in particular for operating an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: a. transmitting a user's data via an interface (20); b. creating a parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of said transmitted data; c. adjusting device settings on the basis of the created parameterized operating environment (23); and d. applying the device settings for irradiation according to the created parameterized operating environment (23).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the transmitted data comprise one or more of the following pieces of information: presets, a profile, a partial profile, a history of previous irradiations.

12. Method according to any one of claims 10 and 11, further comprising transmitting data from a usage database (40, 40′), wherein the data preferably comprise one or more of the following values: usage time, frequency of use, skin type, and device settings.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the transmission of data from the usage database (40, 40′) comprises historical data of other users.

14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the creation of the parameterized operating environment (23) comprises an analysis of the profile of the user, whereby the skin type of the user is determined.

15. Computer program product for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. System (1) for creating a parameterized operating environment (23) for irradiation of the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation, comprising: a. an interface (20) for transmitting a user's first data; b. a usage database (40, 40′) providing second data; c. an analysis module (22) for creating a parameterized operating environment (23) on the basis of said transmitted first data and said provided second data; d. a control unit (24) for adjusting device settings on the basis of the created parameterized operating environment (23); and e. an irradiation unit (26) which receives a signal (25) according to the created parameterized operating environment (23) from the control unit (24).

17. System (1) according to claim 16, wherein the usage database (40, 40′) contains second data having one or more of the following values: duration of use, frequency of use, skin type, and device settings.

18. System (1) according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein the transmitted first data are stored in the usage database (40, 40′) in an anonymized manner.

19. System (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the usage database (40) is implemented as a cloud service (40′).

20. System (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein multiple apparatuses (30, 50, 60, 70, 80) are connected to the usage database (40, 40′) via a connection (4, 6).

21. System (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the analysis module (22) outputs user-specific recommendations for the parameterized operating environment (23) with an irradiation plan.

22. System (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein a user device (10) accesses the usage database (40, 40′) via a network connection (8).

23. System (1) according to claim 22, wherein the user device (10) receives usage database data from the usage database (40, 40′), which, following the individualization of said data, results in the creation of the parameterized operating environment (23) in one or more apparatuses (30, 50, 60, 70, 80).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments of the invention are described on the basis of the following drawings, wherein identical reference signs denote identical or similar parts.

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically shows an arrangement having multiple apparatuses, a usage database, and a user device.

[0037] FIG. 2 schematically shows an arrangement of an apparatus according to the invention, coupled with a usage database and a user device.

[0038] FIG. 3 schematically shows an arrangement of an apparatus according to the invention, coupled with a usage database, and a connection between a user device and said usage database.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sequence of steps.

CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a system 1 with multiple components. The apparatus 30 is designed for irradiating the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation. The apparatus 30 is equipped with an interface 20, via which a first connection 2 with a user device 10 can be established. The user device 10, which may be a smartphone, tablet, or another application-executing device, is connected via the first, wired connection 2 to the apparatus 30 via the interface 20 and can exchange data via said connection 2. The apparatus 30 is connected to a usage database 40 via a second connection 4. The usage database 40 is connected to further apparatuses 50, 60, 70, 80 via a third connection 6. Further apparatuses can be connected to the usage database 40. Each apparatus 30, 50, 60, 70, 80 can be the same or a different irradiation or tanning apparatus. The data transmission via the second connection 4 and the third connection 6 is preferably carried out via LAN or WLAN.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 30 which is wirelessly connected to the user device 10, e.g. via Bluetooth®, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), or near-field communication. The user device 10 has a display 12 for displaying information and an input unit 14. Display 12 and input unit 14 can be merged and combined into one unit. A user records his profile or desired settings on the display 12, which are then transmitted to the interface 20, hereinafter also called first interface 20.

[0042] The apparatus 30 further comprises an analysis module 22 for creating a parameterized operating environment 23, a control unit 24, and an irradiation unit 26. The analysis module 22 comprises a computing unit for processing data. The apparatus 30 is equipped with a second interface 28, which is connected to the analysis module 22. The second interface 28 is connected to the usage database 40′—which is executed as a cloud service in the example shown here—via a second connection 4. The analysis module 22 is connected to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 adjusts the device settings on the basis of the created parameterized operating environment. The control unit 24 sends a signal 25 to the irradiation unit 26 according to the created parameterized operating environment. The parameterized operating environment is determined by the analysis module 22 on the basis of the data transmitted from the user device 10 and/or the usage database 40′. The control unit 24 then adjusts or sets the device settings. A wide variety of values are incorporated into determining the optimal operating environment. On the one hand, specifications, such as those stored in a profile, are given by the user, and on the other hand, values from the usage database 40′ are used to determine the optimal operating environment. In general, the parameterized operating environment contributes to the comfort of a user, as values such as preferred intensity, temperature, but also optimal exposure duration can be set. In the case of multiple tanning apparatuses, the parameterized operating environment enables an improved control of the utilization and use of individual apparatuses.

[0043] The control unit 24 controls the irradiation unit 26, which, for example, emits actinic radiation, via a signal 25 according to the created parameterized operating environment 23. This has the advantage that certain body regions can be treated with defined intensity and duration in order to achieve an optimal result.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the system 1 in a further preferred embodiment. The apparatus 30 is designed for irradiating the human body with medical-cosmetic radiation. Herein, the first interface 20 is connected to the user device 10 via the first connection 2 by means of WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). Particularly preferably, the interface 20 comprises a module with a microchip with a 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n WLAN capacity. Other wireless connection types are entirely possible, as are wired connections. The user device 10 transmits data stored in the user device 10. The apparatus 30 receives this data via the first interface 20 and forwards it to the analysis module 22 for further processing.

[0045] The apparatus 30 is connected to a network 90, such as the Internet, via the second connection 4. The network 90 can run as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (wide-area network), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), or proprietary network. The user device 10 is connected to the network 90 via a fourth connection 8. The usage database 40 is connected to the network 90 via a third connection 6. This allows the data of a user from the user device 10 to be stored directly in the usage database 40. The user can also receive information from the usage database 40. Such information can include evaluations, preferred free appointments or periods, but also advertising. This is particularly effective if the usage database 40 acts as a cloud service, as described in FIG. 2. The usage database 40′ is then not a pure database but can be provided with modules for analysing the data, which generate added value.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a schematic step sequence 100 for operating an apparatus 30 for irradiating the human body or parts of the human body with optical radiation.

[0047] In step 102, data of a user are transmitted via the interface 20. Herein, the interface 20 can be designed for sending and receiving, i.e. it can be bidirectional. In a further embodiment, the interface 20 is provided only for receiving data. This unidirectional connection only allows data to be imported to the apparatus 30. An optimal operating environment can be created in combination with other data, such as data from the previously described usage database 40, 40′.

[0048] In step 104, a parameterized operating environment 23 is created on the basis of the transmitted or received data. Because the transmitted or received data contain user-specific values and information, they can be analysed and matched or correlated with the usage database 40, 40′ to provide an optimal operating environment 23 for the user. This process is performed by the analysis module 22, which is preferably located in the apparatus 30.

[0049] In step 106, device settings are adjusted on the basis of the created parameterized operating environment 23. Thus, individual wishes and preferences of a user, but also system- and apparatus-relevant conditions, can be taken into account. The control unit 24 performs the adjustments.

[0050] In step 108, the device settings for irradiation are applied. In one embodiment, the irradiation unit 26 receives a signal 25 according to the created parameterized operating environment 23 from the control unit (24). This enables optimal irradiation according to the created parameterized operating environment 23.

[0051] With the present invention, an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer program product for operating the method was provided, which remedies at least one disadvantage of the known prior art.