Method of Collecting Information Regarding Absorbent Articles

• US 20120314042A1
• Filed: 06/08/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Agami, Sion, Robles, Miguel Alvaro
• Granted Patent: US 8,843,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Methods of collecting information from an individual regarding absorbent articles are provided. A method entails collecting input information from an individual regarding absorbent article use wherein at least some of the information collected includes data generally known by most consumers. The method further entails collecting still or video image data from an individual consumer using a computing device and uploading the input information and still or video image data to a server. The input information and still or video image data is used to output data regarding the absorbent articles and to output a set of correlations between the visual data and the input information.

Claims

1. A method of collecting information from an individual regarding absorbent articles, the method comprising:

(a) collecting input information from an individual regarding absorbent article use wherein at least some of the information collected includes data generally known by most consumers;

(b) collecting still or video image data from an individual consumer using a computing device;

(c) uploading input information and still or video image data to a server;

(d) using the input information and still or video image data collected to output data regarding the absorbent articles; and

(e) using the input information and still or video image data collected to output a set of correlations between the visual data and the input information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the absorbent article comprises a feminine hygiene pad, interlabial product, pantiliner, tampon, sanitary napkin, topsheet, or incontinence device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes at least the perceived flow of the consumer on the heaviest flow day during the consumer'"'"'s menstrual cycle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data from comprises:

a. placing the absorbent article in proximity to a device configured to capture still or video image data;

b. centering the absorbent article;

c. capturing the still or video image data; and

d. uploading the still or video image data using a computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data from comprises:

a. placing an undergarment in proximity to a device configured to capture still or video image data;

b. placing an absorbent article in the undergarment in the manner understood by the individual prior to wearing;

c. centering the undergarment;

d. capturing the still or video image data; and

e. uploading the still or video image data using a computing device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data further comprises using a color standard in the photo.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data comprises:

a. placing the absorbent article in proximity to a computing device configured to capture still or video image data;

b. opening an application on the computing device;

c. selecting information from a drop down menu regarding the absorbent article;

d. centering the absorbent article;

e. capturing the still or video image data;

f. uploading the still or video image data to a server through the application.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data from a subject further comprises:

a. using a virtual frame specific to the type of absorbent article chosen in the drop down menu; and

b. centering the absorbent article using photo alignment indicia.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data from a subject further comprises enhancing a stained area of the absorbent article.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the computing device is

a) a mobile device, tablet or handheld computer, the computing device comprising:

i) a processor;

ii) a display; and

iii) a memory;

wherein the memory stores an application, which, when executed by the processor, configures the mobile device to perform a set of acts comprising;

1) receiving a set of questions specified from a remote computing device;

2) allowing a user of the computing device to submit a form comprising the one or more questions and the still or video image data to a remote server;

b) the remote server, the remote server comprising a processor and a memory, and configured, via instructions stored in the memory, to perform a set of acts comprising;

i) sending the set of questions specified remotely from a computer to the computing device; and

ii) receiving, from the computing device, the input data.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output data is used to create improved questions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of collecting information from the individual is performed using a telephone system.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of collecting information from the individual is performed using a computing device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein input information and still or video image data is uploaded to a server wherein consumer input and still or video image data is collected from multiple consumers.

15. A method of collecting information from an individual regarding absorbent articles, the method comprising:

(a) collecting still or video image data from an individual consumer using a computing device;

(b) uploading still or video image data to a server;

(d) using the still or video image data collected to output data regarding the absorbent articles; and

(e) using the still or video image data collected to output a set of correlations between the still or video image data and the absorbent article.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the absorbent article is a feminine hygiene pad, interlabial product, pantiliner, tampon, sanitary napkin, topsheet, or incontinence device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data comprises:

a. placing the absorbent article in proximity to a computing device configured to capture still or video image data;

b. opening an application on the computing device;

c. selecting information from a drop down menu regarding the absorbent article;

d. centering the absorbent article;

e. capturing the still or video image data;

f. uploading the still or video image data to a server through the application.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the absorbent article is worn for a minimum of three hours prior to having the still or video image data captured.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of acquiring still or video image data further comprises enhancing a stained area of the absorbent article.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the still or video image data uploaded to the server is password protected.