Methods and systems for selling apparel

• US 20060020482A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lori Coulter, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lori Coulter, LLC
• Inventors: Coulter, Lori A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide a garment that complements one or more figure characteristics. A garment is selected from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types. Information regarding a person'"'"'s body shape is obtained. The body shape information is analyzed to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape. At least one garment type is identified that compliments the identified figure characteristic. Garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type are identified. The identified garments are recommended. An input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments is received.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system having a program for selecting a garment from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining information regarding a person'"'"'s body shape;

analyzing the body shape information to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape;

identifying at least one garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic;

identifying garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type;

recommending the identified garments; and

receiving an input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic visually emphasizes the figure characteristic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic visually deemphasizes the figure characteristic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic makes the figure characteristic appear at least one of more defined, minimized, accommodated, enhanced, minimized, supported, controlled, covered, larger, smaller, longer, shorter, fuller and narrower.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is selected from the group consisting of:

shoulders, bust, hip, thighs, waist, tummy, seat, legs, arms, torso length, back, and size.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information is obtained by performing a three-dimensional scan of the person'"'"'s body.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information is obtained by obtaining measurements of the person'"'"'s body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information comprises at least one of measurements, body shape, and size.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommended garment comprises at least one of a shirt, a pant, a short, a dress, a shoe, a hat, a sweater, a bra, an undergarment, a swimsuit, eyewear, and a jacket.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying the recommended identified garments.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

recommending at least one option for modifying the recommended garment; and

receiving input regarding the option for modifying the recommended garment.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

recommending at least one accessory to the recommended garment; and

receiving input regarding the recommended accessory to the recommended garment.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving an order for the recommended garment.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying a model of the recommended garment on a simulation of the person'"'"'s body shape.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

manufacturing the recommended garment.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing the recommended garment to the person.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

storing the person'"'"'s body shape information in a database.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

storing information for manufacturing the recommended garment in a database.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

ordering the recommended garment.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommended garment is a made-to-order garment.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommended garment is a pre-made garment.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the body shape information includes a body shape type received as input.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the body shape information includes a calculated body shape type.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is received as input.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is determined based on the body shape information.

26. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a data processing system having a program to perform a method for selecting a garment from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining information regarding a person'"'"'s body shape;

analyzing the body shape information to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape;

identifying at least one garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic;

identifying garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type;

recommending the identified garments; and

receiving an input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic visually emphasizes the figure characteristic.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic visually deemphasizes the figure characteristic.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the identified garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic makes the figure characteristic appear at least one of more defined, minimized, accommodated, enhanced, minimized, supported, controlled, covered, larger, smaller, longer, shorter, fuller and narrower.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is selected from the group consisting of:

shoulders, bust, hip, thighs, waist, tummy, seat, legs, arms, torso length, back, and size.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information is collected by performing a three-dimensional scan of the person'"'"'s body.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information is collected by obtaining measurements of the person'"'"'s body.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the person'"'"'s body shape information comprises at least one of measurements, body shape, and size.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the recommended garment comprises at least one of a shirt, a pant, a short, a dress, a shoe, a hat, a sweater, a bra, an undergarment, a swimsuit, eyewear, and a jacket.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

displaying the recommended identified garments.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

recommending at least one option for modifying the recommended garment; and

receiving input regarding the option for modifying the recommended garment.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

recommending at least one accessory to the recommended garment; and

receiving input regarding the recommended accessory to the recommended garment.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

receiving an order for the recommended garment.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

displaying a model of the recommended garment on a simulation of the person'"'"'s body shape.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

manufacturing the recommended garment.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

providing the recommended garment to the person.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

storing the person'"'"'s body shape information in a database.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

storing information for manufacturing the recommended garment in a database.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

ordering the recommended garment.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the recommended garment is a made-to-order garment.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the recommended garment is a pre-made garment.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the body shape information includes a body shape type received as input.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the body shape information includes a calculated body shape type.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is received as input.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the at least one figure characteristic is determined based on the body shape information.

51. A data processing system for selecting a garment from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types, the data processing system comprising:

a memory having a program that obtains information regarding a person'"'"'s body shape, analyzes the body shape information to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape, identifies at least one garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic, identifies garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type, recommends the identified garments, and receives an input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments; and

a processing unit that runs the program.

52. A data processing system for selecting a garment from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types, the data processing system comprising:

means for obtaining information regarding a person'"'"'s body shape;

means for analyzing the body shape information to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape;

means for identifying at least one garment type that compliments the identified figure characteristic;

means for identifying garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type;

means for recommending the identified garments; and

means for receiving an input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments.