Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home

• US 6,304,855 B1
• Filed: 12/07/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dassault Systemes SA
• Original Assignee: Raymond R. Burke
• Inventors: Burke, Raymond R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US09/457,067
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 705/27, 705/26, 705/28, 235/383, 235/385, 235/375, 235/378, 235/376, 345/419, 345/425, 345/429, 345/433, 345/427, 345/352, 345/353, 345/335, 345/962, 345/964, 348/12, 348/13
• US Class Current: 705/26.9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A system for generating images representative of a store shelf includes a retail space management system for generating information describing product and shelf sizes and locations in three dimensions, and including a code which is unique to each product. The products are typically commodity goods. A product database is used to store images of product packages which are accessible using codes unique to each product. A three-dimensional modeling and display system which takes size and location information from the retail space management system and generates three-dimensional models of each shelf and product and accesses the product database using the codes provided by the retail space management system to obtain images for each product. It generates a display of each product on each shelf by combining the obtained images and the generated three-dimensional models. The consumer may manipulate the display to change what is being viewed, to examine product packages and to purchase products.

Claims

1. A computer system for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising:

an interface for communicating commands from the user descriptive of at least one data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

an interface for enabling the user to communicate a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

an interface for displaying to the user a digital image representative of the selected product category representing a combination of an image for each product in the selected product category and a generated three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category,

an interface for receiving a command from the user through an input device, wherein the command is indicative of a manipulation of one or more of the products in the displayed digital image,

an interface for redisplaying a modification of the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to the manipulation indicated by the command from the user; and

an interface for communicating tracking information about each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the interface for communicating tracking information comprises:

an interface for transmitting an indication of the selected one or more of the products, a price for the selected one or more of the products, and a quantity of the selected one or more of the products.

3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the interface for communicating tracking information further includes an interface for transmitting an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

4. The computer system of claim 2, further comprising:

an interface for transmitting indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

an interface for transmitting an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase as output to the user from a utilization of a data file indicating products selected by the user for purchase.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer system further comprises:

an interface for communicating an indication of product information and a selected sort operation;

an interface for redisplaying a digital image of a reconstruction of the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using a changed location of the products in the display area according to results of the selected sort operation of sorting the products in the selected product category according to the indication of product information and the selected sort operation.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the interface for displaying to the user a digital image representative of the selected product category comprises:

an interface for displaying a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan; and

an interface for allowing a user to communicate an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories displayed on the floor plan.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the interface for displaying to the user a digital image representative of the selected product category comprises:

an interface for displaying a menu of the plurality of product categories; and

an interface for allowing a user to communicate an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories displayed on the menu.

8. A computer system for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising:

means for communicating at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

means for accessing a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product,

means for receiving an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

means for retrieving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for the selected product category,

means for retrieving, through the means for accessing the product image database and using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category,

means for generating a three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the retrieved information,

means for combining the retrieved images and the generated three-dimensional models to generate a digital image representative of the selected product category,

means for transmitting the digital image,

means for modifying the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user,

means for transmitting the modified digital image, and

means for tracking each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the means for tracking comprises means for storing an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the means for tracking further includes means for storing an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

11. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for storing in a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

means for obtaining an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase from a utilization of the data file.

12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer system further comprises:

means for sorting the products in the selected product category according to an indication of product information and a selected sort operation;

means for changing the locations of the products in the display area according to results of the selected sort operation;

means for reconstructing the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using the changed location of the products; and

means for transmitting the reconstructed digital image of the selected product category.

13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the means for receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises means for transmitting a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan.

14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the means for receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises means for communicating a menu of the plurality of product categories.

15. A computer-implemented process for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising steps of:

communicating commands from the user descriptive of at least one data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

communicating an indication from the user of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

retrieving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for the selected product category,

displaying a digital image representative of the selected product category, combined from a retrieved image for each product in the selected product category and a generated three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category, to the user,

receiving a command from the user through an input device, wherein the command is indicative of a manipulation of one or more of the products in the displayed digital image,

redisplaying a digital image of the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected category, modified according to the manipulation indicated by the command from the user; and

communicating tracking information about each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

16. The computer-implemented process of claim 15, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more products for purchase, and wherein the step of communicating tracking information comprises transmitting an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

17. The computer-implemented process of claim 16, wherein the step of communicating tracking information further includes transmitting an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

18. The computer-implemented process of claim 16, further comprising steps of:

transmitting indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

transmitting an indication to the user of products previously selected by the user for purchase.

19. The computer-implemented process of claim 15, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer-implemented process further comprises steps of:

communicating an indication of product information and a selected sort operation; and

redisplaying a reconstructed digital image of the selected product category based on reconstructing the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using the changed locations of the products in the display area according to the results of sorting the products in the selected product category according to the indication of product information and the selected sort operation.

20. The computer-implemented process of claim 15, wherein the step of communicating an indication from the user of a selected product category comprises steps of:

displaying a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan; and

allowing the user to communicate an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories displayed on the floor plan.

21. The computer-implemented process of claim 15, wherein the step of communicating an indication from the user of a selected product category comprises steps of:

displaying a menu of the plurality of product categories; and

allowing the user to communicate one of the plurality of product categories displayed on the menu.

22. A computer-implemented process for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising steps of:

accessing at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

accessing a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product,

receiving an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

retrieving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for the selected product category,

retrieving, using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category,

generating a three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the retrieved information,

combining the retrieved images and the generated three-dimensional models to generate a digital image representative of the selected product category,

transmitting the digital image,

modifying the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user,

transmitting the modified digital image according to the manipulation indicated by the command from the user; and

tracking each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

23. The computer-implemented process of claim 22, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the step of tracking includes storing an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

24. The computer-implemented process of claim 23, wherein the step of tracking further includes storing an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

25. The computer-implemented process of claim 23, further comprising steps of:

storing in a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

utilizing the data file to provide an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase.

26. The computer-implemented process of claim 22, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer-implemented process further comprises steps of:

receiving an indication of product information and a selected sort operation;

sorting the products in the selected product category according to the indication of product information and the selected sort operation;

changing the locations of the products in the display area according to results of the selected sort operation;

reconstructing the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using the changed location of the products; and

transmitting the reconstructed digital image of the selected product category.

27. The computer-implemented process of claim 22, wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises communicating a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan.

28. The computer-implemented process of claim 22, wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises communicating a menu of the plurality of product categories.

29. A computer system for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising:

means for accessing at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

means for receiving an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

means for retrieving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for a selected product category,

means for communicating a digital image representative of the selected product category combined from retrieved images from a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product, and a generated three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the retrieved information,

means for communicating a modified three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user, and

means for communicating tracking information for each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

30. The computer system of claim 29, further comprising:

means for accessing the product image database, and

means for retrieving, through the means for accessing the product image database and using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category.

31. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the means for communicating tracking information comprises means for storing an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

32. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the means for communicating tracking information further includes means for storing an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

33. The computer system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for storing in a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

means for obtaining an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase from a utilization of the data file.

34. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer system further comprises means for communicating a reconstructed digital image of the selected product category from the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using a changed location of the products in the display area according to results of sorting the products in the selected product category according to an indication of product information and a selected sort operation.

35. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the means for receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises means for communicating a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan.

36. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the means for receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises means for communicating a menu of the plurality of product categories.

37. A computer system for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising:

means for receiving at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

means for receiving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

means for generating a three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the image for each product in the selected product category from a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product,

means for combining the images and the generated three-dimensional models to generate a digital image representative of the selected product category,

means for transmitting the digital image,

means for modifying the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user,

means for transmitting the modified digital image according to the manipulation indicated by the command from the user, and

means for tracking each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

38. The computer system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for accessing the product image database, and

means for retrieving, through the means for accessing the product image database and using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category.

39. The computer system of claim 37, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the means for tracking comprises means for receiving an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

40. The computer system of claim 39, wherein the means for receiving further includes means for receiving an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

41. The computer system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for receiving from a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

means for receiving an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase from a utilization of the data file.

42. The computer system of claim 37, wherein the manipulation of one or more products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer system further comprises:

means for sorting the products in the selected product category according to an indication of product information and a selected sort operation;

means for changing the locations of the products in the display area according to results of the selected sort operation;

means for reconstructing the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using the changed location of the products; and

means for transmitting the reconstructed digital image of the selected product category.

43. A computer-implemented process for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising steps of:

transmitting at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

receiving an indication of a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

communicating a digital image representative of the selected product category combined from retrieved images from a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product, and a generated three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the retrieved information,

communicating a modified three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user, and

communicating tracking information for each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

44. The computer-implemented process of claim 43, further comprising steps of:

accessing the product image database, and

retrieving, through the step of accessing the product image database and using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category.

45. The computer-implemented process of claim 43, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the step of communicating tracking information comprises the step of storing an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

46. The computer-implemented process of claim 45, wherein the step of storing further includes storing an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

47. The computer-implemented process of claim 45, further comprising steps of:

storing in a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

utilizing the data file to provide an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase.

48. The computer-implemented process of claim 43, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer-implemented process further comprises communicating a reconstructed digital image of the selected product category from the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using a changed location of the products in the display area according to results of sorting the products in the selected product category according to an indication of product information and a selected sort operation.

49. The computer-implemented process of claim 43, wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises transmitting a digital image of a floor plan of a store indicating the plurality of product categories on the floor plan.

50. The computer-implemented process of claim 43, wherein the step of receiving the indication of the selected product category comprises transmitting a menu of the plurality of product categories.

51. A computer-implemented process for enabling a user to virtually manipulate products in three dimensions, comprising steps of:

receiving at least one user-specified data file, wherein the at least one data file contains information, for each of a plurality of product categories, describing dimensions of a display area in three dimensions, indications of products in the display area and locations of the products in three dimensions, wherein each product has a unique code, and wherein the at least one data file further contains information describing each product and dimensions of each product in three dimensions,

receiving the information describing the locations and dimensions of the products in three dimensions and dimensions of the display area in three dimensions for a selected product category of the plurality of product categories,

generating a three-dimensional model of the selected product category, including a three-dimensional model of the display area and a three-dimensional model of each product in the selected product category from the image for each product in the selected product category from a product image database, wherein an image of each of the products is stored and wherein the image of each product is accessible using the unique code for the product,

combining the images and the generated three-dimensional models to generate a digital image representative of the selected product category,

transmitting the digital image,

modifying the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and the digital image of the selected product category according to a manipulation of one or more of the products in the selected product category indicated by a command from the user,

transmitting the modified digital image according to the manipulation indicated by the command from the user; and

tracking each product manipulated and the manipulation performed on the product.

52. The computer-implemented process of claim 51, further comprising steps of:

accessing the product image database, and

retrieving, through the means for accessing the product image database and using the unique code for each product in the selected product category, the image for each product in the selected product category.

53. The computer-implemented process of claim 51, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a selection of the one or more of the products for purchase, and wherein the step of tracking comprises receiving an indication of the selected product, a price for the selected product, and a quantity of the selected product.

54. The computer-implemented process of claim 53, wherein the step of tracking further includes receiving an indication of time spent viewing an image of the selected product category and a time spent manipulating each of the products.

55. The computer-implemented process of claim 53, further comprising steps of:

receiving from a data file indications of products selected by the user for purchase; and

receiving an indication of products previously selected by the user for purchase from a utilization of the data file.

56. The computer-implemented process of claim 51, wherein the manipulation of one or more of the products is a resequencing of the products in the display area according to product information and wherein the computer-implemented process further comprises steps of:

sorting the products in the selected product category according to an indication of product information and a selected sort operation;

changing the locations of the products in the display area according to results of the selected sort operation;

reconstructing the three-dimensional model of the selected product category and corresponding digital image using the changed location of the products; and

transmitting the reconstructed digital image of the selected product category.