Virtual Showroom System and Method

• US 20080117232A1
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andra Group, LP
• Original Assignee: Tomima Edmark
• Inventors: Edmark, Tomima
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/630
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2014 Reading out of stimulable sheets, e.g. latent image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/388 using mutual authentication without cards, e.g. challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns

Abstract

The present invention provides a network server with enhanced graphics and improved methods for displaying articles offered for purchase, to allow a purchaser to fully evaluate the article while shopping “on-line.” In a particular embodiment, a virtual showroom associated with the network server may be provided, for displaying first and second articles. A first electronic image representing the first article and a second electronic image representing the second article may also be provided. The second article may be complementary to the first article, such that the second article may be worn in conjunction with the first article. In another embodiment, a user may have the option to overlay the first electronic image with the second electronic image. In a particular embodiment, the second electronic image may include an at least partially translucent depiction of a substantial portion of the second article.

Claims

1. A method of displaying an article within a virtual showroom associated with a network server, comprising:

providing a plurality of thumbnail images of said article, each image representing a respective perspective view of said article, wherein a user of said network server may select one of said plurality of thumbnail images for display in a master display field;

providing a distinctive characteristic to said one of said plurality of thumbnail images selected by said user; and

displaying said selected one of said plurality of thumbnail images in said master display field.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of thumbnail images is equal to or greater than three.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said distinctive characteristic includes a first color scheme of said one of said thumbnail images selected by said user, wherein each of said plurality of thumbnail images not selected by said user include a second color scheme.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said distinctive characteristic includes a first size of said one of said thumbnail images selected by said user, wherein each of said plurality of thumbnail images not selected by said user includes a second size.

5. A method of displaying a plurality of articles within a virtual showroom associated with a network server, comprising:

providing a plurality of thumbnail images, each thumbnail image corresponding to one of said plurality of articles, wherein a user of said network server may select one of said plurality of thumbnail images for display within a master display field;

providing a distinctive characteristic to said one of said plurality of thumbnail images selected by said user; and

displaying said selected one of said plurality of thumbnail images in said master display field.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said plurality of thumbnail images is equal to or greater than three.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said distinctive characteristic includes a first color scheme of said one of said thumbnail images selected by said user, wherein each of said plurality of thumbnail images not selected by said user include a second color scheme.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said distinctive characteristic includes a first size of said one of said thumbnail images selected by said user, wherein each of said plurality of thumbnail images not selected by said user includes a second size.

9. A method of displaying an article within a virtual showroom associated with a network server, comprising:

providing a first electronic image representing said article, within a master display field; and

overlaying said first electronic image with a second electronic image, said second electronic image representing a scaled map which conforms to contours associated with said article, such that a user of said network server may determine a plurality of measurements associated with said article.

10. A method of displaying a plurality of articles within a virtual showroom associated with a network server, comprising:

providing a first plurality of electronic images, each of said first plurality of electronic images representing a respective one of said plurality of articles wherein each of said first plurality of electronic images includes a first perspective view;

providing a second plurality of electronic images, each of said second plurality of electronic images representing a respective one of said plurality of articles, wherein each of said second plurality of electronic images includes a second perspective view; and

providing first and second graphical objects wherein selection of said first graphical object by a user of said network server will display said first perspective view of said plurality of articles within a master display field, and selection of said second graphical object by said user will display said second perspective view of said plurality of articles within said master display field.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing a third plurality of electronic images, each of said third plurality of electronic images representing a respective one of said plurality of articles, wherein each of said third plurality of electronic images includes a third perspective view; and

providing at least a third graphical object wherein selection of said third graphical object by said user will display said third perspective view of said plurality of articles within said master display field.