U.S. patent application number 14/136058 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for methods, systems and devices relating to merged images and storage thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANGRAM ACQUISITIONS L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is PANGRAM ACQUISITIONS L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Robert J. CRAWFORD, Robert GIANNINI.
Application Number | 20140108191 14/136058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41531116 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140108191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GIANNINI; Robert ; et
al. |
April 17, 2014 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES RELATING TO MERGED IMAGES AND STORAGE
THEREOF
Abstract
An e-commerce method involves on-line viewing of a first article
through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A
particular application of the invention is directed to online
apparel shopping involving a color matching scheme using color
codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line
viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure,
includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to a
colored article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line
viewer site with an image of a color structure selected by the
on-line viewer, and indicating whether the colored article and the
colored structure satisfy a color-matching criterion.
Inventors: |
GIANNINI; Robert; (Jersey
City, NJ) ; CRAWFORD; Robert J.; (Apple Valley,
MN) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANGRAM ACQUISITIONS L.L.C. |
Dover |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANGRAM ACQUISITIONS L.L.C.
Dover
DE
|
Family ID: |
41531116 |
Appl. No.: |
14/136058 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12567474 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
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14136058 |
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09531102 |
Mar 17, 2000 |
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12567474 |
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60167493 |
Nov 24, 1999 |
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60159476 |
Oct 14, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0222 20130101;
G06Q 30/0254 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101;
G06Q 30/0253 20130101; G06Q 30/0269 20130101; G06Q 30/0641
20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101; G06Q 30/0633
20130101; G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G06Q 30/0643 20130101; G06Q
30/0229 20130101; G06Q 30/0273 20130101; G06Q 30/0256 20130101;
G06F 16/972 20190101; G06Q 30/0255 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.7 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: accessing a user profile via logon data,
the user profile including: a virtual closet, a list of websites of
retailer data indicating one or more retailers, and data of
purchases associated with the user profile; suggesting a clothing
article representing an article offered for sale by the one or more
retailers, the suggesting based upon the data of purchases and at
least one selected first image data stored in the virtual closet;
retrieving the at least one selected first image data stored in the
virtual closet and a selected suggested clothing article image
data; accessing foundation structure image data; merging the
retrieved at least one selected first image data, the retrieved
selected suggested clothing article image data, and the accessed
foundation structure image data to form a merged image data; and
displaying the merged image data on a display device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the user
profile associated with the logon data; and receiving the logon
data from a communicator device.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the
retrieved at least one selected image data to a communicator
device; presenting article selection options to the communicator
device; receiving article selection data from the communicator
device; and retrieving, from at least one retailer website, the
selected suggested clothing article image data.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: storing the at least
one second image data in the virtual closet; and retrieving the at
least one second article image data in response to receiving logon
data from the communicator device.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving, from the
communicator device, favorite retailer data indicating various ones
of the one or more retailers and in response to subsequently
receiving the logon data from the communicator device, providing a
list of the various ones of the one or more retailers.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising linking the
communicator device to a first website associated with a first
favorite retailer from the list of the various ones of the one or
more retailers and therefrom linking the communicator device to a
second website associated with a second favorite retailer from the
list of the various ones of the one or more retailers.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the selected
suggest clothing article on hold.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing purchase
options to the communicator device for articles corresponding to
image data stored in the virtual closet.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a fee for a
user having the user profile associated with the logon data.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: tracking purchases;
saving the data of purchases along with the user profile; and
providing demographic information of user interests.
11. A system including at least one server configured to perform
operations comprising: accessing a user profile via logon data, the
user profile including: a virtual closet, a list of websites of
retailer data indicating one or more retailers, and data of
purchases associated with the user profile; suggesting a clothing
article representing an article offered for sale by the one or more
retailers, the suggesting based upon the data of purchases and at
least one selected first image data stored in the virtual closet;
retrieving the at least one selected first image data stored in the
virtual closet and a selected suggested clothing article image
data; accessing foundation structure image data; merging the
retrieved at least one selected first image data, the retrieved
selected suggested clothing article image data, and the accessed
foundation structure image data to form a merged image data; and
displaying the merged image data on a display device.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: storing the user
profile associated with the logon data; and receiving the logon
data from a communicator device.
13. The system of claim 11, further comprising: providing the
retrieved at least one selected image data to a communicator
device; presenting article selection options to the communicator
device; and receiving article selection data from the communicator
device.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising retrieving, the
selected suggested clothing article image data.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one server is
further configured to perform operations comprising storing the
selected suggested clothing article image data image data in the
virtual closet.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one server is
further configured to perform operations comprising receiving, from
the communicator device, favorite retailer data indicating various
ones of the one or more retailers and in response to subsequently
receiving logon data from the communicator device, providing a list
of the various ones of the one or more retailers.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one server is
further configured to perform operations comprising placing a
selected suggested clothing article on hold.
18. A computer-readable medium storing executable instructions
that, when executed, cause a computer to perform operations
comprising: accessing a user profile via logon data, the user
profile including: a virtual closet, a list of websites of retailer
data indicating one or more retailers, and data of purchases
associated with the user profile; suggesting a clothing article
representing an article offered for sale by the one or more
retailers, the suggesting based upon the data of purchases and at
least one selected first image data stored in the virtual closet;
retrieving the at least one selected first image data stored in the
virtual closet and a selected suggested clothing article image
data; accessing foundation structure image data; merging the
retrieved at least one selected first image data, the retrieved
selected suggested clothing article image data, and the accessed
foundation structure image data to form a merged image data; and
displaying the merged image data on a display device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/567,474, filed Sep. 25, 2009,
which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/531,102, filed on Mar. 17, 2000, which claims priority to
provisional U.S. Application No. 60/167,493, filed on Nov. 24, 1999
and provisional U.S. Application No. 60/159,476, filed on Oct. 14,
1999, their entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to e-commerce and,
more specifically, to use of linked web servers sites for on-line
shopping.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The consumer in today's market is limited to a particular
retailer's or department store's inventory, selection and styles.
Traditionally, a consumer shops for items from different stores
with the anticipation and hope that the items will coordinate.
Alternatively, a consumer will wait for an opportunity to try on
all the different items purchased and return those items that do
not coordinate. Recent technological advances have attempted to
enhance the shopping ability through the use of e-commerce,
sometimes referred to as "online buying" or "online shopping."
[0004] There are differences inherent between "online buying" and
"online shopping" in that current e-commerce transactions are based
on the individual buying goods or services online that they have
either decided to buy prior to logging on to the internet or find
as a result of bargain hunting on the internet. There is very
little, if any, true shopping on the internet. Most women define
shopping as an "experience" "fun" "exciting" and the like. True
shopping is going to a mall or department store with the intention
of buying yet to be determined goods or services. Few consumers are
getting on the internet with the same mindset that they have before
they physically go shopping. It is the difference between logging
onto the internet to buy an additional pair of Levi's Jeans and
going shopping and then coming home with 2 pairs of Levi's Jeans, a
belt, 2 sweaters and 2 shirts.
[0005] A particular problem that arises in connection with shopping
electronically concerns color matching. Unlike true shopping where
the buying experience involves the ability of the user to
color-match articles based on actual appearances, the colors of the
articles are mischaracterized when displayed for the shopper over a
computer terminal. This alteration is largely due to
miscalibrations at both the input (e.g., image capturing) and the
output, for example, the display terminal itself. Consequently, few
consumers are comfortable color matching items over the
internet.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the present invention is generally directed to
a method for on-line viewing of articles that are color matched
using a color-identification standard. An example implementation of
this aspect of the present invention involves on-line viewing of a
first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another
structure. A color matching scheme uses color codes provided with
the images to be merged. In a more particular example, on-line
viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure,
includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to a
colored article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line
viewer site with an image of a colored structure selected by the
on-line viewer, and indicating whether the colored article and the
colored structure satisfy a color-matching criterion.
[0007] Another particular application of the present invention
involves an on-line viewer linked to the host-site and to a virtual
closet maintained by the host-site. The host-site selects a
structure in response to a command received by the on-line viewer,
and using the host-site, the viewer is linked to the
article-provider site and images are passed from that site for view
by the on-line viewer. A selected one of the articles is merged
with the structure by forming an image including representations of
both the structure and the selected article.
[0008] An optional feature allows each user a certain amount of
storage capacity, referred to as a "closet," where the user can
store different items from multiple stores as they move from store
to store, each time bringing back different items to mix and match,
coordinate and so on. This storage space allows the consumer to put
items "on hold" for a limited period of time without purchasing
them. Color codes are included with each article stored in the
closet. This feature allows consumers to return at a later date and
purchase these items with a full appreciation of their color
coordination.
[0009] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of
the present invention. The figures in the detailed description that
follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may be more completely understood in
consideration of the following detailed description of various
embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for
implementing the present system in accordance with one example
embodiment of the invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example manner for implementing
one aspect of the present invention.
[0013] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention is generally directed to a method and
system involving e-commerce over interconnected communication
networks such as those currently known as the Internet. The present
invention is particularly suited for conveniently bringing virtual
apparel into customers' respective homes and permitting customers
to try on the apparel before accepting/purchasing the apparel.
While the present invention is not necessarily so limited, a better
understanding of the invention will be found by reading the
detailed description and exemplary embodiments that follow.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a method and
system for implementing the present system. The system includes a
host application server 101 including several example functional
blocks. These blocks include a block 102 that merges two images A
and B (e.g. corresponding to a personalized or generic article
identified by the on-line shopper, and a foundation or structure
image to be merged with the identified article). Another block 103
permits merging of images selected from A, B, and/or articles
previously stored in a "closet," depicted as block 105. Another
block 107 includes personalized images and an inventory of generic
images corresponding to the foundation or structure. A revenue
generator block 109 provides fee generation from on-line shoppers
who subscribe to the host application server per on-line or
off-line agreement, and/or fee generation from retailers (or
sellers) and others such as magazine publishers desiring
participation and benefit from the system of FIG. 1.
[0016] The on-line shopper uses a PC or intelligent black box 112
to access the host application server 101. Through this access, the
on-line shopper either selects a generic structure from an inquiry
of such structures provided by block 107 or provides a personalized
image (for example, a scanned image of himself or of his house) to
be used as the structure. Using the host application server 101,
the on-line shopper is coupled through the web to a seller,
depicted at block 114. Images of selectable articles are
communicated back to the on-line shopper over the web and through
the host application server 101. The on-line shopper selects one or
more articles from at least one of the sellers for storage in the
closet 105, and/or for merging with the previously-selected
structure. Similarly, the structure can be changed per a command
from the on-line shopper so as to merge the selected article(s)
with different structures. In response, the host application server
101 processes images corresponding to the article and structure and
generates a new image including representations of both the
structure and the article.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example process for
implementing the example system of FIG. 1, according to the present
invention. As discussed above, after accessing the host application
server 201, optionally the host application server verifies
registration/payment as is conventional with current on-line
shopping as depicted at 201a. At block 204 the structure or
foundation is selected as discussed above, and at block 206 the
link is made to the seller. At block 208 the article(s) is viewed
by the on-line shopper and, optionally, a selection of a color
and/or size for the article is made. Next, the on-line shopper
selects the article as a candidate for storage in the closet and/or
for merging with the structure.
[0018] At block 210 the on-line shopper instructs the host
application server to store the article in the closet by returning
to block 204, merge with the structure as depicted at block 212, or
return to block 206 for linking to the same seller or another
seller for additional viewing.
[0019] From block 212 flow proceeds to block 214 where the new
image is created per the merger instruction.
[0020] Next, at block 216, the new image is sent for viewing to the
on-line shopper.
[0021] At block 218 the on-line shopper chooses one of multiple
options. Either the closet is accessed and the on-line shopper
returns to block 204, or an election is made to purchase the
article and/or other articles that may have been stored in the
closet as depicted in block 220. From block 220, flow proceeds to
block 222 where the on-line shopper decides to return to block 204
or end the transaction.
[0022] Example articles can be: A) clothing; B) paint; C)
furniture; D) glassware; E) landscaping; F) orthodontic and teeth
ware; G) cabinetry; H) plastic-surgery type enhancements; I)
car/person.
[0023] Example foundation for merger with corresponding article(s)
can be: a) person, pet; b) house, cars, etc.; c) house, cars,
office, etc.; d) kitchen, face; e) yard; f) mouth; g) rooms in
office/house; h) person (chest, face, belly, etc.); I)
person/car.
[0024] In another example embodiment according to the present
invention, an important advantage relating to color matching is
achieved using a commonly-used color standard that covers
sufficient color variations to permit various articles to be
matched to one another. In one more specific embodiment, an
industry color-standardization scheme is used. Examples include:
Exxel Color Match Guide (see http://sharones.com/prod013234.htm)
and Color match Chart (http://www.csprings.com/aero lettering/c
match.htm). More sophisticated color standardization schemes
include the above examples in combination with equipment
specifically identifying a frequency range corresponding to the
color of the article in question or the equipment approach by
itself.
[0025] Example equipment of this type includes optics-based
detectors adapted to provide a measured (color) frequency in a
given light condition/environment. For example, white light may be
used along with selected background materials characterized within
certain selected ranges of reflectivity. Other definitional
parameters needed and/or useful in connection therewith will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0026] In a particular application, the color frequencies measured
for the articles to be matched are reported and provided in the
form of a tag that is carried with the article, electronically for
the web server shopping function and, optionally, as a supplemental
hard-copy coded label (e.g., as part of or as a supplementation to
the coding used on a bar code label). In a more particular
implementation involving this use as part of the bar code label,
the conventional bar code scanners and bar code generators are
modified and adapted to receive the color frequency of the article
and to conveniently report the color frequency in conjunction with
the electronic shopping function and/or the conventional/reality
shopping applications.
[0027] In yet another more specific embodiment, the closet of
selected articles (as described for example in connection with
block 105 of FIG. 1) is electronically defined using a partial-data
set corresponding to each of the closeted articles. In one
application thereof, the partial-data set comprises an outline
definition of each of the articles along with the color frequency
codes linked to the various sections of each article, as necessary
to fully define the article in terms of article shape and color.
Further, the size of the article is also stored as part of the
partial-data set. Collectively, these various pieces advantageously
define all needed aspects of each article in the closet without
having to consume excessive amounts of memory and without requiring
excessive processing to recreate the article for view by the
user.
[0028] The virtual closet discussed above in connection with FIG. 1
can be used to permit the shopper to buy or hold (without buying)
an article and subsequently retrieving the article for matching to
other articles in terms of structure, size, color and other
stylistic aspects. In applications concerned with limited memory
bandwidth, the host application can provide a maximum amount of
storage space for each shopper, with additional storage space being
provided for a fee. These data stored in such memory is limited to
a fixed-period, e.g., one month, with extensions being provided for
yet additional consideration, such as a monthly fee or purchases of
items stored in the closet during an immediately preceding period.
This approach advantageously encourages the shoppers to revisit the
host application repeatedly to access their personalized virtual
closet, and advantageously provides on-going advertising for (which
is also optionally billed on a related, on-going basis to) the
seller/retailers.
[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention,
on-line shoppers (for example 112 of FIG. 1) are provided a number
of selectable icons or other data permitting feedback from the
host/server (for example 101 of FIG. 1). Examples include: expert
fashion advice (e.g., professional consultants employed by the
retailers (for example sellers 114 of FIG. 1), outside fashion
consultants and/or employees of the entity providing the host
application (101 of FIG. 1); on-line offers from the sellers
(discounts, sales, etc.); updates on up-coming styles, colors, the
most recent and hottest fashions. Each of these various offerings
is optionally categorized for convenient selection by the
shopper/user, for example, by category, style, activities,
retailers. Advantageously, this application permits the host
application to provide the sellers unique demographic information
pertaining to particular customers' interests, selection trends and
other data useful in attracting the shoppers to the retailers.
[0030] For convenience to the shoppers, a feedback icon can be used
to provide a "favorite retailers" list to be defined by each
shopper. When the shopper logs onto the host application, any of
these favorite retailers can be immediately linked to for various
uses. Examples include: reviewing closeted items and making changes
thereto for a particular retailer, checking sales at that
particular retailer and/or continuing to shop at a particular
retailer without being required to return to the host application
web site. Further, as a shopper links from retailer to retailer
(the "Favorites"), a "shopping basket" can be selected and filled
as the shopper accesses the articles.
[0031] According to another important aspect of the present
invention, the host application includes a search engine that
searches selected, or all, participating sellers/retailers for
particular merchandise, as identified by the on-line shopper. In
one implementation, this service is provided to the shopper using a
selectable icon or other feedback data as discussed above. At this
point, the host application can: list all such retailers and allow
the shopper to link to their web site; virtually pull the item from
the respective web sites and allow the shopper to "try on" the
article or store it in the closet (with a variation which
optionally permits the shopper to change the size and color);
and/or a combination of these approaches.
[0032] Implementation of the merging function can be accomplished
using one or more of a variety of currently-available methods.
Examples of such methods include those used in connection with web
sites: www.virtualmakeover.com and
www.segasoft.com/customer/index.html. Other example implementations
are described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,769 entitled,
"System and Method for Fashion Shopping." Various types of software
and hardware can be used to implement each aspect of the system and
method described.
[0033] As noted above, the present invention is applicable to a
number of techniques for merging various types of structures, or
foundations, with one or more corresponding articles. The present
invention should not be considered limited to the particular
examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover
all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached
claims. For example, the present invention could be characterized
as covering one or more of the above characterized features.
Accordingly, various modifications, equivalent processes, as well
as numerous structures to which the present invention may be
applicable will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan upon
review of the present specification.
* * * * *
References