Method and system for collecting and using data

• US 20060184993A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Goldthwaite, Flora Peabody, Cluts, Jonathan C., Baumert, David William, Reichert, James T., Hendrickson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US11/057,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/135
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

The present invention provides at least a method and system for collecting and using data with a computing device for a smart closet. With respect to the present invention, a computing device processes information from the interaction of a user with an interactive device such as a mirror or display. Information is relayed to the user to enable to the user to make informed decisions about the clothing to wear. The user interacts with the computing device using gesture recognition, voice inputs, motion recognition, or touch.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for interacting with a computing device, the method comprising:

(a) detecting by an interactive device connected to a computing device at least one of a user'"'"'s presence, an item, and a movement;

(b) upon such detecting, beginning an interactive session with the computing device;

(c) operating the interactive device to exchange a first set of information;

(d) operating the interactive device by exchanging a second set of information in response to detecting the item held in proximity to the interactive device; and

(e) without manual intervention, repeating steps (c) and (d) to use the computing device until the interactive device ceases to detect automatically at least one of the item, movement, and the user'"'"'s presence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive device is adapted to both receive input and display output.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein operating the interactive device to exchange the first set of information comprises establishing predefined or predetermined user content.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving at the interactive device at least one of a touch to select a choice on the interactive device, a hand gesture without touching any device, a motion, and a voice input.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein operating the interactive device to exchange the second set of information comprises operating the interactive device to exchange information with an outside source.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising obtaining access to services provided by the outside sources.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the item is an article of clothing and wherein operating the interactive device to exchange the second set of information comprises operating the interactive device to exchange information relevant to the clothing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the relevant information includes at least one of the following:

matching selected clothing to other clothing in a user'"'"'s wardrobe;

matching clothing with colors and patterns;

selecting clothing based on a pre-defined scheme; and

matching types of clothing and materials.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the item held in proximity to the interactive device comprises detecting a signal indicative of the item held at a variable distance from the interactive device, the item being tagged with an identification device to allow detection by the interactive device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a RF, wireless communication signal, infrared signal, laser, optical wavelength, and microwave.

11. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing the method of claim 1.

12. A computer-implemented method for using a room, the method comprising:

beginning a session with a computing device that is in communication with an interactive device;

populating a data store that is connected to the computing device with user preferences to build an inventory of useable data;

at a time not associated with the population of user preferences, beginning an interactive session with the computing device;

detecting information from the user operating the computing device at the interactive device, the interactive device detecting the information from the user over a communication channel;

storing the detected information in the data store to continue to build the inventory of useable data;

interacting with one or more computer programs operating in the computing device using the useable data to provide at least one of a service and a message to the user; and

displaying to the user at the interactive device at least one of the service and the message in a format pre-defined by the user to use the room.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

retrieving additional information over a network connection from other computing devices in response to the populated user preferences and the detected information from the user; and

storing the additional information in the data structure to continue to build the inventory of useable data.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the data store comprises at least one of a database, spreadsheet, storage medium, and array.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interactive device is adapted to both receive input and display output.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein populating with user preferences to build an inventory of useable data comprises establishing predefined or predetermined user content.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting information from the user comprises receiving from the user at least one of a touch to select a choice on the interactive display, a hand gesture without touching any device, a motion, a voice input, and an item held in proximity of the interactive device and detected by the interactive device wherein the item includes at least one of a garment, clothing, and apparel.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising at least one of the garment, clothing, and apparel tagged with an identification device to allow detection by the interactive device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication channel comprises at least one of a RF, wireless communication signal, infrared signal, laser, optical wavelength, microwave, and human-machine connection.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein storing the detected information comprises storing detailed information on one or more garment, clothing, and apparel.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

retrieving information from outside sources; and

obtaining access to services from the outside sources.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein storing the additional information comprises storing detailed information received from outside sources.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein interacting with one or more computer programs operating in the computing device using the useable data to provide at least one of a service and a message to the user comprises providing information relevant to the clothing.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving by the user at the interactive device at least one of the service and the message in the format pre-defined by the user comprises receiving by the user at the interactive device at least one of the service and the message in the format set in the user preferences for at least one of an audio display and a video display.

25. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for performing the method of claim 12.

26. A computer-implemented system for interacting with a computing device comprising:

at least a computing device operable to execute one or more computer software to receive user configuration preferences and to display a set of content;

a data store in communication with the computing device operable to store information generated from an operation of the computing device, and to build an inventory of accessible data;

an interactive device in communication with the computing device operable in one or more ways to detect at least one of a user'"'"'s presence, an item, and a movement, to exchange one or more sets of information between the user and the computing device, and to output at least the service and the message to the user; and

a plurality of links operable to interconnect the at least computing device, the data store, and the interactive device to facilitate the transfer of data.