METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AND DISPLAYING PRODUCT IMAGES

• US 20110125614A1
• Filed: 01/05/2011
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph R. Dollens
• Original Assignee: Joseph R. Dollens
• Inventors: DOLLENS, Joseph R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,554,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

A method and system displaying and managing images of consumer products. A layout for plural selected consumer products is presented. An N-layer digital image of a shelf layout on which consumer products are displayed is created. The created N-layer digital image includes an M-layer hierarchy of vector images and/or visual overlays stored in progressive resolution format and allows progressive resolution display without loss of image quality on the selected plural consumer products that appear in the N-layer digital image. The created N-layer digital image is displayed via a communications network. The created image provides a virtual shopping experience that emulates a shopping experience in an actual retail store.

Claims

1. A method for displaying and managing products in a virtual display environment, comprising:

creating with an application in a computer readable medium on a server network device with one or more processors connected to a communications network, a first set of a plurality of vector images from a plurality of corresponding raster images of consumer products, wherein the created first set of the plurality of vector images include selected ones of the first set of the plurality of vector images created at different views of the consumer products and also include other selected ones of the plurality the first set of plurality of vector images included vector images created at varying levels of detail from general details to specific details for the consumer products included in the created first set of the plurality of vector images;

creating with the application in the computer readable medium a second set of a plurality of vector images for pre-determined groups of consumer products comprising a plurality of visual overlays;

adding with the application in the computer readable medium a first set of electronic links to individual vector images in the created first set of plurality of vector images, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from a set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a consumer product is displayed;

adding with the application in the computer readable medium a second set of electronic links to the second set of the plurality of vector images for the created plurality of visual overlays, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from the second set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a visual overlay is displayed;

creating with the application in the computer readable medium an N-layer digital image stored in a progressive resolution format for a pre-determined display layout of the consumer products with the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and the added first and second sets of electronic links, wherein the N-layer digital image includes an M-layer vector image hierarchy of the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and wherein the M-layer vector image hierarchy includes selected ones of vector images from the created first set of the plurality of vector images displaying general details for the consumer products or groups of consumer products at a first set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy and other selected ones of vector images from the created first set of plurality of vector images displaying specific details for the consumer products at lowest levels in the M-layer hierarchy and selected ones from the created second set of vector images displaying visual overlays of varying level of details from general to specific for the pre-determined groups of consumer products at a second set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy; and

displaying with the application from the computer readable medium the created N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display via the communications network to allow virtual shopping via the communications network, thereby creating a seller customized on-line store of consumer products with the created N-layer digital image,

wherein the created N-layer digital image allows progressive resolution display of consumer products with the created plurality of vector images in the M-layer vector image hierarchy, wherein the progressive resolution display allows displaying, zooming in and zooming out on selected portions of the created N-layer digital image and allows displaying selected ones of the added one or more sets of electronic links in the plurality of vector image layers and allows linking to one or more sets of electronic information from different vector image layers in the plurality of vector image layers during the progressive resolution display of the created N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image displays only those one or more sets of electronic links added to a vector image layer currently being viewed in the N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display allows display of different vector images and different sets of electronic links providing vector images and electronic links to selected electronic information varying from general electronic information to specific electronic information as lower layers are viewed in the plurality of vector image layers, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image allows display of the N-layer digital image from the computer readable medium with the created plurality of vector images in the plurality of vector image layers without converting any of the created plurality of vector images to another format or having to download any raster images associated with the created plurality of vector images over the communications network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vector images including the visual overlays include a plurality of vector images comprising, brand information, sub-brand information, product category information or product information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adding with the application in the computer readable medium a first set of electronic links to individual vector images in the created first set of plurality of vector images includes adding the first set of electronic links to a plurality of pre-determined locations on the individual vector images of the consumer products.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of electronic links or the second set of electronic links includes graphical icons.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of electronic links or the second set of electronic links includes links include electronic links to print advertising, audio advertising, video advertising, or web-sites accessible via the communications network including additional information about the consumer products.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adding with the application in the computer readable medium a second set of electronic links to the second set of the plurality of vector images for the created plurality of visual overlays includes adding the second set of electronic links to a plurality of pre-determined locations on the individual vector images of the created plurality of visual overlays.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the N-layer digital image is used as a home page on a website available on the communications network.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the graphical icons include graphical icons for new products, products on sale, all natural products, anti-age products, products with new ingredients, products with sun screen, products for specific pre-defined demographic groups, products associated with a brand or products at similar price level.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the creating step further includes:

storing a plurality of database entries in a database associated with the server network device, wherein the stored plurality of data base entries allow individual vector images in the created N-layer digital image to be retrieved and displayed in a progressive resolution format at pre-determined display locations.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

reading a database entry from the database associated with the server network device for a selected vector image;

determining an set of display coordinates from the database entry for the selected vector image; and

displaying with the application from the computer readable medium the selected vector image in N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display using the determined set of display coordinates.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a graphical product selection tool via the application on the server network device to a client network device via the communications network;

receiving a selection input on the application on the server network device via the communications network for selected ones of electronic links from the first set and second set of electronic links and for selected one of the vector images from the created first set of plurality of vector images and second set of plurality of vector images to display in the N-layer digital image; and

displaying the N-layer digital image from the application on the server network device to the client network device via the communications network with the progressive resolution display and displaying only the electronic links and vector images included in the received the selection input, thereby creating a user customized on-line store of consumer products with the created N-layer digital image.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of displaying a graphical product selection tool includes displaying specific product information and product information specifically related to pre-determined demographic groups.

11. The method of Clam 1 wherein the display step further includes:

displaying with the application from the computer readable medium the created N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display by displaying the created vector images for created visual overlays at a first level; and

displaying with the displaying with the application from the computer readable medium vector images for the consumer products at a second lower level beneath the first level.

14. A computer readable medium having stored therein a plurality of instructions for causing one or more processors to execute the steps of:

creating with an application on a server network device with one or more processors connected to a communications network, a first set of a plurality of vector images from a plurality of corresponding raster images of consumer products, wherein the created first set of the plurality of vector images include selected ones of the first set of the plurality of vector images created at different views of the consumer products and also include other selected ones of the plurality the first set of plurality of vector images included vector images created at varying levels of detail from general details to specific details for the consumer products included in the created first set of the plurality of vector images;

creating with the application a second set of a plurality of vector images for pre-determined groups of consumer products comprising a plurality of visual overlays;

adding with the application a first set of electronic links to individual vector images in the created first set of plurality of vector images, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from a set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a consumer product is displayed;

adding with the application a second set of electronic links to the second set of the plurality of vector images for the created plurality of visual overlays, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from the second set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a visual overlay is displayed;

creating with the application an N-layer digital image stored in a progressive resolution format for a pre-determined display layout of the consumer products with the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and the added first and second sets of electronic links, wherein the N-layer digital image includes an M-layer vector image hierarchy of the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and wherein the M-layer vector image hierarchy includes selected ones of vector images from the created first set of the plurality of vector images displaying general details for the consumer products or groups of consumer products at a first set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy and other selected ones of vector images from the created first set of plurality of vector images displaying specific details for the consumer products at lowest levels in the M-layer hierarchy and selected ones from the created second set of vector images displaying visual overlays of varying level of details from general to specific for the pre-determined groups of consumer products at a second set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy; and

displaying with the application the created N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display via the communications network to allow virtual shopping via the communications network, thereby creating a seller customized on-line store of consumer products with the created N-layer digital image,

wherein the created N-layer digital image allows progressive resolution display of consumer products with the created plurality of vector images in the M-layer vector image hierarchy, wherein the progressive resolution display allows displaying, zooming in and zooming out on selected portions of the created N-layer digital image and allows displaying selected ones of the added one or more sets of electronic links in the plurality of vector image layers and allows linking to one or more sets of electronic information from different vector image layers in the plurality of vector image layers during the progressive resolution display of the created N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image displays only those one or more sets of electronic links added to a vector image layer currently being viewed in the N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display allows display of different vector images and different sets of electronic links providing vector images and electronic links to selected electronic information varying from general electronic information to specific electronic information as lower layers are viewed in the plurality of vector image layers, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image allows display of the N-layer digital image from the computer readable medium with the created plurality of vector images in the plurality of vector image layers without converting any of the created plurality of vector images to another format or having to download any raster images associated with the created plurality of vector images over the communications network.

15. A system for displaying and managing products in a virtual display environment, comprising in combination:

an application on a computer readable medium on a server network device with one or more processors connected to a communications network;

for creating a first set of a plurality of vector images from a plurality of corresponding raster images of consumer products, wherein the created first set of the plurality of vector images include selected ones of the first set of the plurality of vector images created at different views of the consumer products and also include other selected ones of the plurality the first set of plurality of vector images included vector images created at varying levels of detail from general details to specific details for the consumer products included in the created first set of the plurality of vector images;

for creating with the application in the computer readable medium a second set of a plurality of vector images for pre-determined groups of consumer products comprising a plurality of visual overlays;

for adding with the application in the computer readable medium a first set of electronic links to individual vector images in the created first set of plurality of vector images, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from a set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a consumer product is displayed;

for adding with the application in the computer readable medium a second set of electronic links to the second set of the plurality of vector images for the created plurality of visual overlays, wherein only selected ones of electronic links from the second set of electronic links added to an individual vector image are visible and displayable when the individual vector image for a visual overlay is displayed;

for creating with the application in the computer readable medium an N-layer digital image stored in a progressive resolution format for a pre-determined display layout of the consumer products with the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and the added first and second sets of electronic links, wherein the N-layer digital image includes an M-layer vector image hierarchy of the created first set and second set of the plurality of vector images and wherein the M-layer vector image hierarchy includes selected ones of vector images from the created first set of the plurality of vector images displaying general details for the consumer products or groups of consumer products at a first set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy and other selected ones of vector images from the created first set of plurality of vector images displaying specific details for the consumer products at lowest levels in the M-layer hierarchy and selected ones from the created second set of vector images displaying visual overlays of varying level of details from general to specific for the pre-determined groups of consumer products at a second set of highest levels in the M-layer vector image hierarchy;

for displaying with the application from the computer readable medium the created N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display via the communications network to allow virtual shopping via the communications network, thereby creating a seller customized on-line store of consumer products with the created N-layer digital image,

wherein the created N-layer digital image allows progressive resolution display of consumer products with the created plurality of vector images in the M-layer vector image hierarchy, wherein the progressive resolution display allows displaying, zooming in and zooming out on selected portions of the created N-layer digital image and allows displaying selected ones of the added one or more sets of electronic links in the plurality of vector image layers and allows linking to one or more sets of electronic information from different vector image layers in the plurality of vector image layers during the progressive resolution display of the created N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image displays only those one or more sets of electronic links added to a vector image layer currently being viewed in the N-layer digital image, wherein the progressive resolution display allows display of different vector images and different sets of electronic links providing vector images and electronic links to selected electronic information varying from general electronic information to specific electronic information as lower layers are viewed in the plurality of vector image layers, wherein the progressive resolution display of the N-layer digital image allows display of the N-layer digital image from the computer readable medium with the created plurality of vector images in the plurality of vector image layers without converting any of the created plurality of vector images to another format or having to download any raster images associated with the created plurality of vector images over the communications network;

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

for storing a plurality of database entries in a database associated with the server network device, wherein the stored plurality of data base entries allow individual vector images in the created N-layer digital image to be retrieved and displayed in a progressive resolution format at pre-determined display locations;

for reading a database entry from the database associated with the server network device for a selected vector image;

for determining an set of display coordinates from the database entry for the selected vector image; and

for displaying with the application from the computer readable medium the selected vector image in N-layer digital image with a progressive resolution display using the determined set of display coordinates.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

for displaying a graphical product selection tool via the application on the server network device to a client network device via the communications network;

for receiving a selection input on the application on the server network device via the communications network for selected ones of electronic links from the first set and second set of electronic links and for selected one of the vector images from the created first set of plurality of vector images and second set of plurality of vector images to display in the N-layer digital image; and

for displaying the N-layer digital image from the application on the server network device to the client network device via the communications network with the progressive resolution display and displaying only the electronic links and vector images included in the received the selection input, thereby creating a user customized on-line store of consumer products with the created N-layer digital image.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the graphical product selection tool includes displaying specific product information and product information specifically related to pre-determined demographic groups.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein vector images including the visual overlays include a plurality of vector images comprising, brand information, sub-brand information, product category information or product information.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the first set of electronic links or the second set of electronic links includes links include electronic links to print advertising, audio advertising, video advertising, or web-sites accessible via the communications network including additional information about the consumer products.