The present ion penetration skin-care device further provides other improved functions, including a displaying function that employs a minimum number of connecting pins.

2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional portable skin-care device has a problem in that it easily runs out of power due to the consistent consumption of power regardless of whether the device is in usage or is idling. Because the conventional device does not have a detecting probe, the user sometimes is not aware of whether the probe of the device is actually in contact with the skin.

Because the conventional portable skin care device uses a simple LED displaying system, it has a shortcoming in that there may be too many operating statuses to display on the LED display. The LED displayer usually needs the same number of ports as there are displaying functions. Therefore, production cost is raised due to the increased number of ports in the CPU needed to display multiple functions.

THE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to minimize energy consumption, the present invention is provided with a skin contact-sensing unit that operates a dual energy consumption mode-- an idling mode and a full-load operation mode. The energy consumption mode is automatically determined by detecting contact with the skin. When the skin-care device is turned on, it operates in idling mode to minimize the amount of energy consumed until it detects contact with the skin. If the detecting probe is brought into contact with the user's skin, the skin-care device operates in full-load operation mode. Therefore, energy is conserved.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a displaying unit with a minimum number of contacting pins for indicating multiple functions on the LED display. Specifically, production cost is reduced if the LED display is able to display multiple functions with a minimum number of contacting pins.

In order to achieve the above objectives of the present invention, an ion penetration skin-care device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided comprising a DC-DC converting unit (20; 120; 120; 220) for boosting the supply of power, a galvanic operating unit (51; 151; 251) for activating a galvanic probe by a micro-controller (2; 102; 202), a switching unit (30; 130; 230) for switching the operation mode of the galvanic operating unit, a controlling unit (2; 102; 202) for controlling the DC-DC converting unit, the galvanic operating unit and the switching unit, and a sensor (60; 160; 260) for detecting skin contact with the probe of the galvanic operating unit.

In addition to the above configurations, the present invention provides a laser-emitting unit (53; 153) for irradiating the laser beam on the skin or a supersonic vibration unit (150; 250) for generating supersonic vibration to stimulate the skin.

Furthermore, the present invention also provides a far infrared beam- emitting means (52) for irradiating the infrared beam on the skin or a high/low frequency generating means (54) for generating high/low frequency vibrating waves to stimulate the skin.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a displaying device

equipped with a minimum number of connecting pins for displaying various operating modes. This displaying device is configured such that the first and second LEDs (D11, D12) are connected in opposite directions, but are disposed between the first input-output terminal (RDO) and the second input-output terminal (RD1), in parallel ; the third and fourth LEDs (D16, D17) are connected in opposite directions, but are disposed between the second input-output terminal (RD1) and the third input-output terminal (RD2), in parallel ; the fifth and sixth LEDs (D21, D22) are connected in opposite directions, but are disposed between the third input-output terminal (RD2) and the fourth input-output terminal (RC6), in parallel ; and the seventh LED (D15) is connected between the first input-output terminal (RC6) and the fourth input-output terminal (RC5). Each LED is independently activated to turn on and off according to each signal of the input-output terminal from the controlling unit of the CPU.

The displaying unit is usually designed to use the first to sixth LEDs for adjusting the strength of modes, and the seventh LED for displaying the operating status of the skin care device.

Further, the displaying unit further comprises eighth and ninth LEDs (D25, D26) connected in opposite directions but disposed between the fourth input- output terminal (RC6) and the fifth input-output terminal (RC5) in parallel. It is usually designed to use the first to sixth LEDs for displaying the galvanic ion penetration and supersonic operation modes, the seventh LED for displaying the operating status of the skin care device, and the eighth and ninth LEDs for displaying the strength of the operating modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an overall block diagram of the laser-operated ion penetration skin- care device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a circuitry diagram of the power supply and the switch unit according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a detailed circuitry diagram of a display device according to the

skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a circuitry diagram for operating the laser beam, far infrared beam and high/low frequency wave device according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a circuitry diagram for operating the galvanic driver according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an outer feature of the operation panel according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 7a is a pulse wave for controlling the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 7b is a voltage wave for controlling the galvanic driver according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart for maintaining a stable supply of power according to the skin-care device of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an overall block diagram of the laser-operated supersonic ion skin- care device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the power supply and the switch unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a detailed circuitry of the displaying unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the laser operating unit and the supersonic operating unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the galvanic driver and the skin contact sensing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is an outer feature of the operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 an overall block diagram of the laser-operated supersonic ion skin- care device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the power supply and the switch unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the displaying unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the far infrared operating unit and the supersonic operating unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a detailed circuitry diagram of the galvanic driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a detailed circuitry diagram and auxiliary circuitry diagrams of the skin contact sensing unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a vibrating element having dual functions of a vibrating plate and an ion penetrating probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, along with the accompanying drawings.

As seen in Figs. 1 through 7b, a laser-operated ion penetration skin-care device of the present invention is disclosed in an overall block diagram (Fig. 1), and a circuitry of the power supply and the switch unit in the skin-care device (Fig. 2), a detailed circuitry diagram of the display device (Fig. 3), a circuitry diagram for operating the laser beam,. the far infrared beam and the high/low frequency. wave device (Fig. 4), a circuitry diagram for operating the galvanic driver (Fig. 5), an outer feature of the operation panel (Fig. 6), a pulse wave for controlling the skin- care device (Fig. 7a) and a voltage wave for controlling the galvanic driver (Fig.

7b) are also presented.

As seen in Fig. 1, the present laser-operated ion penetration skin-care device comprises a DC-DC converting unit (20) for boosting the supplied power from a battery to an operating voltage and supplying it to the CPU (2), a galvanic operating unit (51) for stimulating the patient's skin, thereby assisting the galvanic

ionic substances in penetrating underneath the skin, a sensing unit (60) for detecting skin contact with the probe of the sensor, a laser-emitting unit (53) for irradiating a laser beam on the patient's skin, a far infrared emitting unit (52) for irradiating the far infrared beam on the patient's skin, a high or low frequency wave-generating unit (54) for generating high/low frequency vibrating waves, a switch unit (30) for operating the main switch and each functional switch, a display unit (40) for displaying each operating status, an auxiliary circuit (90), and a battery voltage measuring unit (10) for minimizing energy consumption.

Referring to Fig. 2, a first switch (31) and a second switch (32) in the switch unit (30), a DC-DC converting unit (20) and an auxiliary circuit for resetting the unit (90) are described in detail.

The input port of the first switch (31) is connected in parallel to the ports (J1, J3) of the external power source and a battery terminal (J4). A spare terminal (J2) is provided for polarity alternation.

When the main switch (SW1) is turned on, the switching element of the FET (D9) accesses the battery power supplied to the DC-DC converting unit (20) through an adapter. A detecting means formed with a split resistor (R2) and a diode (D8) measures the battery voltage and transmits a signal to an analogue input terminal (AN1) of the CPU.

Since the conventional portable skin-care device uses a 3.6V battery as a unique power source, it is necessary to boost the battery power to a high operating voltage of 20-30V. In order to boost the battery power to the higher voltage, an expensive microchip is used in the, conventional method. In contrast, the present method, as seen in Fig. 2, adopts a switching element (D6) and a PMW control program in the CPU for boosting the battery power to the operating voltage by adjusting the frequency duty rate.

When a switching signal is issued from the PWM control device (port No.

10) of the CPU, it turns the switching element (D6) on or off to control the output voltage for varying the pulse width and eventually controlling power consumption.

When a user turns on the skin-care device, the device idles as it warms up. Then, when the user brings the vibrating plate of the device into contact with the skin, the

skin contact sensing unit (60) transmits the detected signal to the CPU for stepping up the voltage by delaying the"switch on time"PWM signal. As shown in Fig. 7 (a), by virtue of a feedback control method, the power is gradually increased to reach the operating voltage, so that shortcomings, such as shutdown due to the sudden power surge, can be avoided. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 7 (b), the power is also gradually stepped down by reducing the amplitude of the pulse signal.

Eventually, it is possible to supply stable power and therefore to save energy.

The actual output voltage (VDD) of the DC-DC converting unit (20) is 20V- 30V during full operation. At the initial turning on, the skin-care device maintains an idling output voltage of 10V to reduce power consumption when it is not in actual use.

Split resistors (R3, R4) are provided to match the output voltage of the CPU (for example, 3.3V) by sensing the output voltage of the analogue input port (AN2).

Referring to Fig. 8, a flowchart of the power control is described. First, an initial pulse width (S1) is set, and the pulse width check program (PWMCHECK) is initiated. Next, the operating pulse width is detected and the detected value of the PMW is verified to determine whether it is within the set range of pulse width (S2). If the value is within the set range ('PMW OK FLAG'= 1), the process returns to step S9; if not, a target value of PWM ('PWMTARGET') is compared with the actual operating value of PWM ('PWM PUF') (S3). If the comparison of the two values is same, the process returns to step S9; if not, the process returns to an adjusting step--either step S4 or step S8.

Checking whether the compared value of the two values is zero (0) (S4).

This process verifies whether the duty rate of the pulse amplitude is larger than the target value of PWM. If the detected value of the PWM is smaller than the target value, re-set a new target value (S7), to step up, by adding the difference between the detected value and the target value. If the detected value of the PWM is larger than the target value, re-set a new target value (S8), to step down, by subtracting the difference between the detected value and the target value. Then, the process is returned to continue step S2.

Through the above pulse width-checking program, it is possible to adjust

the strength of output by operating an analogue input switch (SW3) of the skin care device. When a user wants to intentionally adjust the strength from weak to strong, the duty ratio is increased by accessing a PWM pulse width signal from the PWM control terminal (Pin No. 10) to an analogue input terminal (AN7). For example, when a delicate area of the human body, such as the face, is being stimulated, the output of the vibrating device must be gentle. But, when a muscle area of the human body, such as a hip or a leg, is being stimulated, the output of the vibrating device must be strong.

The second switch (SW2) of the second switch unit (32) is a mode switch for adjusting the various levels of the skin care device. The fourth switch (SW4) is a step control switch for controlling the operating step of the device. As shown in Fig. 6, an outer feature of the switch unit for controlling each input power comprises a first LED for displaying each operational step of cleansing, massage, nutrition, lifting, and whitening; a second LED for displaying the degree of galvanic ion penetration power; a third LED for displaying the strength level of the supersonic vibration mode; a fourth LED for displaying the strength level of laser irradiation; and a fifth LED for indicating whether the operation is in laser function or galvanic ion penetrating function.

To produce a proper signal according to each step, the frequency and amplitude of the input signal of the analogue input port is transformed by the operating units (51-54 in Figs. 4 and 5). Additionally, it is possible to alter the two modes from high mode to low mode or vice versa.

By virtue of the comparable configuration of, the switch 2, it is possible for an input port to receive various levels of power voltages. The comparable configuration includes the reset (90), the reactor (L1), the condensers (C2, C3) and the diode (D1-D5).

Referring to Fig. 5, a core invention of the galvanic operation unit (50) is described. First, a pulse wave control signal from an output port (RB7) of a micro- controller (2) is amplified by amplifying circuits (U3A, R31, R33, R35, R37). The amplified signal is also integrated by integration circuits (U3B, R32, R38, R39, R29, C9, C10). The signal is then transmitted to each contacting probe of the face

(J6) and body or hands (J7, J8) through resistors (R34, R36).

At this point, a PWM control signal from an input-output terminal (RB2, RB3) of the micro-controller is transmitted to the PWM controlling transistor (Q5, Q6) through each resistor (R54, R55). Each port of the PWM control transistor (Q5, Q6) is connected to each contacting probe of the face, body and hands for outputting the pulse wave depending on the PWM control signal. When a signal of the port (RB2) is set to"high", the transistor (Q55) is in the"on"status and is connected to the contacting probe of the hand to output between tO and t1, as seen in Fig. 7b. To the contrary, when a signal of the port (RB3) is set to"high", the transistor (Q9) is in the"on"status and is connected to the contacting probe of the face to output between t1 and t2, as seen in Fig. 7b. Eventually, the current flows to the contacting probe of the hand or face, alternatively, to assist the galvanic active substance in penetrating into the skin.

It is also equipped with a skin contact sensing unit (60) for sensing skin contact with the vibrator. The sensed signal is transmitted for amplification through amplifying circuits (U3C, U3D, R42, R44, R46, R48, R49, R53 C11, C12) and input to the micro-controller (2) through an analogue input port (AN5, AN6), as seen in Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 4, a far infrared device (52) receives a signal from the output port (RA4) of the micro controller (2) to transmit the signal to a transistor (Q4) through a resistor (R26). The far infrared LED (D13, D14, D18, D19, D20, D23), in connection with the Vcc, is operated by the signals received through the resistors (R17-R19, R21, R22, R24).

Next, a laser operating unit (53) receives a signal from the first infrared output port (ANO) of the micro controller (2) and transmits the signal to the photodiode (PD) and the laser diode (LD), which are controlled by the output of a second laser output port (PWM1) of a switching transistor (Q1).

A high/low frequency-generating unit (54) operates as follows : a signal from the first high/low frequency output port (AN3) of micro-controller (2) is transmitted to a switching transistor (Q2) through frequency conversion circuitry (U2A, R13- R16, C6, C7). The signal is accessed to generate a low frequency wave at the

vibrating probe (J5). A signal from the second high/low frequency output port (BUZ) of the micro-controller is transmitted to the transistor (Q3) through the resistor (R25) and capacitor (C8) for generating high frequency vibration at the vibrating probe (J5).

The conventional ion supersonic vibrator and conventional high/low frequency vibrator use a small DC motor. As shown in Fig. 21, the present invention adopts a vibrating probe for reducing noise and improving durability.

Moreover, the signal from the second high/low frequency output port (BUZ) is able to use a sound alert. In this case, a high/low frequency generating unit (R25, C8, Q3, D24, R20) is operated as a buzz driver.

For performing the ion penetration process, it is efficient to simultaneously operate the functions of far infrared irradiation and vibration. The laser penetration process can be independently operated; however, it is preferable to simultaneously operate the galvanic ion penetration process and the laser penetration process.

Referring to Fig. 3, the displaying unit (40) has a configuration as follows.

The first LED is connected in parallel to the second LED (D11, D12), between the first terminal (RDO) and the second terminal (RD1) of the CPU, but in opposite directions. The third LED is connected in parallel to the fourth LED (D17, D18), between the second terminal (RD1) and the third terminal (RD2) of the CPU, but in opposite directions. The fifth LED is connected in parallel to the sixth LED (D21, D22), between the third terminal (RD2) and the fourth terminal (RC6) of the CPU, but in opposite directions. The seventh LED (D15) of the CPU is connected to the first terminal (RDO) and the fourth terminal (RC5). The eighth LED is connected in parallel to the ninth LED (D25, D26), between the fourth terminal (RC6) and the fifth terminal (RC5) of the CPU, but in opposite directions. However, each LED is operable independently based upon the individual signal from the CPU.

The first to sixth LEDs (D11, D12, D16, D17, D21, D22, D25, D26) display the function of cleansing, massage, nutrition, lifting, whitening, and softening, as well as the stage level of the ion functions. The seventh LED (D15) indicates the usage of each functional status. The eighth LED (D25) and the ninth LED (D26)

display the level of strength of the far infrared beam operation and galvanic ion penetration.

Further, the LED (D27) for indicating the operation of galvanic ion penetration and the LED (D28) for indicating the operation of the laser beam are connected to the output ports (RC4, RC3).

Table 1 illustrates turning the LED light on and off as discussed in the above example.

(Explanations) Each port is able to select input or output.

1 : the output status of the port with the output value of"1", 0: the output status of the port with the output value of"0", and x : the input status of the port with no value.

Table 1 : Led A B C D E C 0 1 x x x M 1 0 x x x N x 0 1 x x L x 1 0 x x W x x 0 1 x Low x x 1 0 x Low x x x 0 1 High x x x 1 0 Back 1 x x 0 x Referring to Figs. 9 through 14, a supersonic ion penetrating laser skin-care device of the second embodiment of the present invention is described as follows an overall block diagram of the laser-operated supersonic ion skin-care device (Fig. 9), a detailed circuitry diagram of the power supply and the switch unit (Fig.

10), a detailed circuitry diagram of the displaying unit (Fig. 11), a detailed circuitry diagram of the laser operating unit and the supersonic operating unit (Fig. 12), a detailed circuitry diagram of the galvanic driver and the skin contact sensing unit (Fig. 13) and an outer feature of the operation panel (Fig. 14) are presented.

Herein, it is noted that the functions and portions of the second embodiment with a similar configuration as those of the first embodiment of the skin-care device will be omitted in the following description.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the second embodiment of the present invention employs an adapter unit, rather than a rechargeable battery, to supply power. In a DC adaptor (101), power is supplied to a DC-DC converting unit (120) through connecting ports (J1, J3) when the main switch (SW1) is turned on. The supplied power is amplified using the same method as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. The functions of the switch unit (130) and the reset unit (190) are operated in the same way as described in the first embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 12, a supersonic generating unit (15) operates as follows ; when a control signal from an output port (AN3) of the micro-controller is transmitted to a switching transistor (Q4) through a diode (D16) and a resistor (R22), the supersonic generating unit (ULTRA1) and the resonance transistor (Q3), together, are activated for generating supersonic vibration. Two resonance and switching transistors (Q3, Q4) are connected to the electrical elements (R16, R18-R20, R23, L3-L5, C7-C11, D9) in the circuit.

The laser operating unit (153) is identical as that described in the first embodiment. As seen in Fig. 11, the display unit (140) is operated in the same manner as described in Fig. 3 of the first embodiment. A galvanic operating unit (151) and a body contact sensing unit (160), as shown in Fig. 13, also operate as described in the first embodiment of the invention.

As seen in Fig. 14, the various functions of the switching units for supplying stable power, for generating supersonic, ion or laser vibration, are described, as are the functional operating switches for controlling the strength level of the pulse.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 20, the supersonic ion penetration skin-care device for the third embodiment is disclosed in an overall block diagram of the laser-

operated supersonic ion skin-care device (Fig. 15), including a detailed circuitry diagram of the power supply and the switch unit (Fig. 16), a detailed circuitry diagram of the displaying unit (Fig. 17), a detailed circuitry diagram of the far infrared operating unit and the supersonic operating unit (Fig. 18), a detailed circuitry diagram of the galvanic driver (Fig. 19), a detailed circuitry diagram and auxiliary circuitry diagrams of the skin contact sensing unit (Fig. 20). It is noted that the functions and portions of the third embodiment that are of a similar configuration as that of the first embodiment of the skin-care device will also be omitted in the following description.

As seen in Figs. 15 and 16, a first converting unit (220), which is the same as the DC-DC converting unit (220) of the first embodiment, amplifies the battery output voltage to the intermediate voltage (for example, 3.6 V boosted to 12V- 15V), and again amplifies the intermediate voltage to the operating voltage 30V by the second DC-DC converting unit (220) for easily penetrating the galvanic ion active substances into the patient's skin.

The difference in the switch unit (231) is that the main switch (SW1) is connected to the standard voltage (Vcc). However, the rest of them have the same functions as that of the CPU (202), which is activated to transmit power to the DC-DC converting unit (220) through the first switch (231) when the main switch is turned on.

As shown in Fig. 16, the second DC-DC converting unit can applied to a converter chip (U1). A signal from the sixth analogue output port (AN6) of the micro-controller (202) triggers the switching transistor (Q2) through the resistor (R15) and further activates the converter chip. The rest of the elements-- resistors (R1, R3, R6, R11, R12), capacitors (C1, C4, C6) and inductors (L1, D1)-- are linked in the circuit with the converter chip.

Referring to Fig. 17, a display unit (240) of the third embodiment equips a couple of functions of the input/output terminal (RDO, RD1, RD2) of the micro- controller (202), along with the input/output terminal (RB2}, such as a checking function to check the input of each switch (SW2, SW3, SW4). The output port also has a function of operating the display LED (D5-D7, D11, D13, D15, D17-D19,

D20, D21) with the switching transistors (Q6, Q7, Q8).

Referring to Fig. 18, a supersonic operating unit (250) and a far infrared operating unit (252) are described as follows : when a control signal from the output port (RAO) of the micro-controller (202) is transmitted to the switching transistor (Q4) through a diode (D16) and the resistor (R22), the supersonic driver (ULTRA1) and the resonance transistor (Q3) are activated. The rest of the elements--resistors (R16, R18-20, R23), capacitors (C7-C11), inductors (L3-L5) and a diode (D9) --are connected in the circuit.

The far infrared operating unit (252) operates the far infrared LED (D8, D10, D12, D14) connected to the Vcc through a resistor (R17) when a control signal from the output port (RB3) of the micro-controller (202) is transmitted to the switching transistor (Q5) through the resistor (R21).

Referring to Fig. 19, a galvanic operating unit (251) is operated in the following manner: a pulse wave shaped control signal from the output terminal (PWM1) of the micro-controller (202) is converted to DC voltage by comparison circuits (U3A, R24, R28, R29, R36, C13). Then, it is transmitted to the contact probe of the face (J4) and hands (J5, J6) through each resistor (R31, R38).

A PWM control signal from the input/output terminal (RB6, RB7) of the micro-controller (202) is transmitted to the PWM control transistor (Q9, Q10) through each resistor (R41, R43). Each transistor (Q9, Q10) is connected to the contacting probe of the face and hands. According to the PWM control signal, an output pulse wave having a triangular shape is generated, as shown in Fig. 7 (b).

In addition, a skin contact sensing unit (2. 60) is provided to detect skin contact. The detected signal is amplified by a circuit (U3B, U3c, R30, R32, R37, R39, C12, C14) and transmitted to the micro-controller (202) through the analog input terminal (AN4, AN5).

Referring to Fig. 20, a heat sensing unit (20) consists of a thermo-starter (RT1) and a split resistor (R46), which detects the contacting surface temperature of the face and the vibrating plate, and transmits the detected signal to the CPU through an analogue input terminal (AN3). Due to the high frequency of vibration, the supersonic vibrator easily overheats to a temperature that would harm human

skin (for example 45° C). Therefore, it is necessary to control the duty ratio of the pulse wave (PWM) to prevent overheating.

An audible alert unit (R5, Q1, BUZ1) is a circuit of the buzzer (BUZ1) for alerting a user to the malfunctioning of the device or indicating the operational condition of the device. The circuit includes a basic voltage-amplifying unit (291; R44, D26, C15) for generating the standard voltage, and a reset unit (292; R45, D25, C16).

In order to efficiently and simultaneously perform skin stimulation with galvanic ion penetration, the dual functions of supersonic vibration and ion penetration are combined in one device, as presented in the second and third embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, a vibrating element is introduced to combine the dual functions of a vibrating plate and an ion penetrating probe, as shown in Fig. 21: (a) illustrates the disassembled vibrating layers of the supersonic vibrating unit, (b) shows a cover of the vibrating element, and (c) shows the final assembly of the vibrating element.

As described earlier, skin care could be enhanced by using the combined stimulation methods of supersonic vibration and ion penetration. Unfortunately, at present, there is no such device on the market. Therefore, the present invention provides a skin care device that is equipped with the dual function for simultaneously performing supersonic vibration and ionic penetration.

In order to implement the dual functions as described above, a vibrating probe, configured as shown in Fig. 21, is introduced. To perform the supersonic vibrating function, a material of supersonic vibration ceramic (a1) having a positive (+) on one side and a negative (-) on the other side, a flexible PCB (FPCB; b1, b2, b3) and a vibrating probe (dl) for ion penetrating as well as supersonic vibration are needed. In the flexible PCB (FPCB), a SUS (c1) is also necessary for insulating the brass plates (b1, b2) being connected to a microchip. Moreover, the vibrating probe_ (d1) is able not only to transmit supersonic vibration, but also to penetrate the ion with positive (+) and negative (-) polarity during the process.

Stainless steel is a suitable material for the vibrating probe.

The vibrating probe should theoretically have precise clearance between

the two brass plates to simultaneously implement supersonic vibration and ionic penetration. However, in practice, it is difficult to provide precise clearance between the two brass plates because the insulation layer formed between the contacting surfaces is in micrometer size. If the insulation layer is not thick enough, an electric current flows through the clearance. Thus, the material selected should be thick enough for good insulation, yet thin enough for performing the dual functions. A suitable material is polyamide film (65um) or polyethylene (70um) with heat durability (120°).

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

As discussed so far, the supersonic skin care device of the present invention has merit in that it is able to discern whether it is in full-load operation mode or idling mode by sensing skin contact with the probe of the vibrator, thereby minimizing energy consumption.