Virtual Sizing System and Method

• US 20080255920A1
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Affinity Specialty Apparel, Inc.
• Original Assignee: G & K Services
• Inventors: Peifer, Jeannmarie, Vandergriff, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,548,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Systems and methods for selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members dressed to project a commonly-governed image. One or more image criteria are established that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to the commonly-governed image to be maintained for the group. Virtual sizing sessions arc conducted with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network. User-specific information from a set of users (e.g., group members) is automatically gathered over the computer network, and a set of virtual sizing results is generated by at least processing user-specific information gathered from the set of users. The processing is based on the image criteria.

Claims

1. A method of selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members are dressed to project a commonly-governed image, the method comprising:

establishing image criteria that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group;

conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network, including automatically gathering user-specific information from a set of users over the computer network, wherein the set of users includes at least a first participating member of the group; and

generating a set of virtual sizing results, including processing user-specific information gathered from the set of users, wherein the processing is based on the image criteria, and wherein the set of virtual sizing results includes at least a first virtual sizing result associated with the first participating member of the group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the group is a workforce, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of apparel specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of:

garment size;

a garment dimension;

a garment type; and

a garment style.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of:

a gender;

at least one body dimension;

a body type classification;

a body shape classification;

a body silhouette classification; and

at least one ratio of body dimensions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image criteria includes an association of a first set of apparel specifications with a first set of body properties, wherein the first set of apparel specifications includes a first range of at least one apparel size, and wherein the first set of body sizes includes a first range of at least one body measurement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the image criteria includes an association of a first garment with a second garment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of:

at least one body measurement;

body type selection;

a body shape selection;

a body silhouette selection;

a style preference;

a fit preference;

a preference based on selected famous brand apparel;

material allergy information;

maternity status; and

special need.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing includes computing user-specific information from the first participating member of the group to produce a set of body properties that are associated with the first participating member of the group.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual sizing result includes at least one result type selected from the group consisting of:

an apparel size determination;

an apparel size selection recommendation for the first participating member;

an apparel type selection recommendation for the first participating member;

a recommendation to adjust a preference entry in order for the first participating member to comply with the image criteria;

an indication that virtual sizing has failed; and

an indication that the first participating member requires further apparel fitting service.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of virtual sizing results includes a second virtual sizing result associated with a second participating member of the group;

and

wherein the second virtual sizing result includes at least one result type that is not included in the first virtual sizing result.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically gathering of the user-specific information includes:

gathering a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item;

gathering a second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and

comparing the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

establishing an acceptable range of consistency for the overlapping information portions; and

indicating an existence of a problem in the first virtual sizing result if the informational consistency of the overlapping portions is outside of the acceptable range of consistency.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts about each user from the set of users and subjective preferences of each user;

and wherein the generating of the first virtual sizing result includes producing an apparel size selection that substantially accords with the objective facts about the first participating member of the group, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member of the group to an extent that is consistent with the image criteria.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the first virtual sizing result over the computer network for display to the first participating member of the group.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the display includes a graphical image of a garment according to the first virtual sizing result worn by a virtual model having body properties based on the user-specific information from the first participating member of the group.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

interactively scheduling a style session for the first participating member of the group over the computer network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the scheduling is based on the first virtual sizing result.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

interactively ordering at least one item of apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

fabricating apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting apparel for delivery to a style session, wherein the selecting is based on the first virtual sizing result.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the set of virtual sizing results includes aggregating user-specific information gathered from a first plurality of the participating members of the group to produce a first set of survey results, and generating a first apparel procurement forecast based on the first set of survey results.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a user profile for the first participating member of the group, wherein the user profile includes at least a portion of the user-specific information.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a set of user account records for the first participating member of the group.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

restricting permission for the first participating member of the group to view or modify at least a restricted portion of the image criteria.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the user-specific information from additional participating members of the group based on the image criteria to generate a plurality of virtual sizing results that include the first virtual sizing result; and

computing apparel fabrication requirements for the group based on the plurality of virtual sizing results.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the user-specific information from additional participating members of the group based on the image criteria to generate a plurality of virtual sizing results that include the first virtual sizing result; and

defining standard apparel sizes based on the plurality of virtual sizing results.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the conducting of the virtual sizing sessions includes generating a sequence of information prompts including a first information prompt and a second information prompt that is subsequent to the first information prompt, wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of selectable options, and wherein the selectable options provided in the offering are based on information provided in response to the first information prompt and on the image criteria.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first information prompt is for a fit preference, and wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of a plurality of body silhouette options.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing individual user accounts for each participating member of the group; and

configuring each of the individual user accounts with employment information specific to each participating member of the group.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

establishing a group account specific to the group; and

providing administrative access to an image authority, wherein the administrative access facilitates the establishing of the image criteria.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically gathering of the user-specific information includes:

gathering a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item;

gathering second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and

comparing the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.

31. A method of surveying a group in connection with the group'"'"'s apparel needs, the method comprising:

conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network, including automatically gathering user-specific information from a set of users over the computer network; and

generating a set of survey results, including aggregating the user-specific information gathered from the set of users; and

generating a uniform procurement forecast based on the set of survey results.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the participating group members are employees of the workforce, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of:

at least one body measurement;

body type selection;

a body shape selection;

a body silhouette selection;

a style preference;

a fit preference;

a preference based on selected famous brand apparel;

material allergy information;

maternity status; and

special need.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

automatically scheduling a style session over the computer network.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

selecting apparel for delivery to a style session site, wherein the selecting is based on the set of survey results.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

establishing image criteria that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group; and

wherein the conducting of the virtual sizing sessions includes presenting selectable options to each participating member of the group, and applying the image criteria to limit the selectable options presented to each participating member of the group.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the set of apparel specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of;

garment size;

a garment dimension;

a garment type; and

a garment style;

the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of;

a gender;

at least one body dimension;

a body type classification;

a body shape classification;

a body silhouette classification; and

at least one ratio of body dimensions; and

the image criteria includes an association of a first set of uniform specifications with a first set of body properties.

39. A method of selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members are dressed to project a commonly-governed image, the method comprising:

establishing image criteria that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group;

conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application, including;

prompting each of the participating members of the group for user-specific information that includes at least one selection from among selectable options;

applying the image criteria to user-specific information to determine which selectable options to present to each of the participating members; and

presenting selectable options to each of the participating members according to the image criteria.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein:

the set of uniform specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of;

garment size;

a garment dimension;

a garment type; and

a garment style;

the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of;

a gender;

at least one body dimension;

a body type classification;

a body shape classification;

a body silhouette classification; and

at least one ratio of body dimensions;

the image criteria includes an association of a first range of sizes of a first uniform type with a second range of sizes of a second uniform type; and

the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of;

at least one body measurement;

body type selection;

a body shape selection;

a body silhouette selection;

a style preference;

a fit preference;

a preference based on selected famous brand apparel;

material allergy information;

maternity status; and

special need.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the prompting includes generating a sequence of information prompts including a first information prompt and a second information prompt that is subsequent to the first information prompt, wherein the first information prompt is for a fit preference, and wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of a plurality of selectable body silhouette options.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the virtual sizing session:

gathers a first type of user-specific information and a second type of user-specific information from a first participating member of the group, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts and subjective preferences relating to each respective participating member of the group;

and further comprising;

generating a first virtual sizing result corresponding to a first participating member of the group, including determining a uniform size that substantially matches the objective facts about the first participating member, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member to an extent that is consistent with the image criteria.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

automatically interactively scheduling a style session for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

automatically interactively ordering apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.

47. A system for managing apparel needs for a group, the system comprising:

a network interface that communicates information over a computer network;

a set of group-specific data, including image criteria that associate a set of uniform specifications with corresponding body properties according to an established image;

a virtual sizing application communicatively coupled with the network interface and the set of group-specific data, wherein the virtual sizing application automatically gathers user-specific information over the computer network, and generates a virtual sizing result based on the user-specific information and the image criteria.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the group is a workforce, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein:

the set of uniform specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of;

garment size;

a garment dimension;

a garment type; and

a garment style;

the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of;

a gender;

at least one body dimension;

a body type classification;

a body shape classification;

a body silhouette classification; and

at least one ratio of body dimensions;

the image criteria includes an association of a first set of uniform specifications with a first set of body properties; and

the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of;

at least one body measurement;

body type selection;

a body shape selection;

a body silhouette selection;

a style preference;

a fit preference;

a preference based on selected famous brand apparel;

material allergy information;

maternity status; and

special need.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the virtual sizing result includes at least one result type selected from the group consisting of:

an apparel size determination;

a size selection recommendation for the first participating member;

a recommendation to adjust a preference entry in order for the first participating member to comply with the image criteria;

an indication that virtual sizing has failed; and

an indication that the first participating member requires further apparel fitting service.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein the virtual sizing application is adapted to:

gather a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item;

gather a second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item,

wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and

compare the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts about each user from a set of users and subjective preferences of each user;

and wherein the first virtual sizing result includes a uniform size selection that substantially accords with the objective facts about a first participating member of the group, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member of the group to an extent that is consistent with the image criteria.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein the network is the Internet, and wherein the network interface includes a Web server application that transmits the virtual sizing result over the network.

54. The system of claim 47, further comprising:

a style session scheduler communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application, wherein the style session scheduler automatically interactively schedules a style session appointment over the computer network based on the virtual sizing result.

55. The system of claim 47, further comprising:

a customer servicer communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application, wherein the customer servicer automatically facilitates interactive order placement for a garment over the computer network.

56. The system of claim 47, further comprising:

a statistical data analyzer communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application that facilitates gathering of a plurality of virtual sizing results.

57. The system of claim 47, further comprising;

user-specific storage that maintains a set of user accounts.

58. The system of claim 47, further comprising:

an administrative interface that provides administrative access to an image authority, wherein the administrative interface facilitates the establishing the image criteria.