Online shopping with virtual modeling and peer review

• US 6,901,379 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 4-D Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 4-D Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Balter, Clifton, Finkelstein, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FADOK, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US09/610,678
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 345751-759, 434/79, 434/80, 434/395
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

When a user browses an online retailer'"'"'s Web site or a mirror site, the user can select an item and model the item online by having a server generate a digital image of the user wearing the item. If the user is still unsure as to whether to buy the item, the user can enter an online chat room in which the online modeling image is displayed to other users. The user can then receive the other users'"'"' feedback before deciding whether to buy the item. In a second embodiment, multiple online modeling images are generated to provide the user with a customized catalog, which can be of items for a single merchant or multiple merchants.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a user to preview an item from one of a plurality of retailers and solicit opinions on the item before purchasing the item, the method comprising:

(a) storing a first digital image of a setting in which the item is to be used;

(b) receiving from the user an identification of the item, the item being available from a first one of the plurality of retailers;

(c) automatically generating, from the first digital image, a second digital image of the item in the setting in which the item is to be used;

(d) displaying to the user the second digital image;

(e) providing an electronic chat room for the plurality of retailers, the chat room being accessible to the user;

(f) displaying the second digital image to other users in the chat room;

(g) performing steps (a)-(c) for a second user and a second item from a second one of the plurality of retailers to generate a third digital image;

(h) displaying the third digital image in the chat room;

(i) receiving from the user, through a link associated with the third digital image, an indication that the user is interested in the second item shown in the third digital image; and

(j) generating, from the first digital image, a fourth digital image showing the item and the second item in the setting in which the item is to be used.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the item is an item of apparel; and

the digital image stored in step (a) is a digital image of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) comprises allowing the user to select a characteristic of the other users in the chat room to whom the second digital image is displayed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of an age group and a geographical area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises:

providing a link from a site of the first one of the plurality of retailers; and

receiving the identification of the item when the user clicks on the link.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one of steps (c) and (f) is performed on a server remote from the site of the first one of the plurality of retailers.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising (k) storing the indication of at least the item and the second item for future use by the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) is performed as part of a registration process in which the user provides personal information in order to access the chat room.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (d) and (f) are performed using the Internet.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) comprises permitting the user to receive comments from the other users in the electronic chat room regarding the second digital image.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises permitting the user and the plurality of other users to exchange comments in the electronic chat room regarding the second digital images.

12. A system for allowing a user to preview an item from one of a plurality of retailers and solicit opinions on the item before purchasing the item, the system comprising:

(a) a server for (i) storing a first digital image of a setting in which the item is to be used, (ii) receiving from the user an identification of the item, the item being available from a first one of the plurality of retailers, (iii) automatically generating, from the first digital image, a second digital image of the item in the setting in which the item is to be used, (iv) displaying to the user the second digital image, (v) providing an electronic chat room for the plurality of retailers, the electronic chat room being accessible to the user, in which the second digital image is displayed to other users, (vi) performing operational steps (i)-(iii) for a second item from a second one of the plurality of retailers to generate a third digital image, (vii) displaying the third digital image in the chat room, (viii) receiving from the user, through a link associated with the third digital image, an indication that the user is interested in the second item shown in the third digital image, and (ix) generating, from the first digital image, a fourth-digital image showing the item and the second item in the setting in which the item is to be used; and

(b) an electronic connection for providing communication between the server and a computing device operated by the user at a location remote from the server.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the server allows the user to select a characteristic of the other users in the chat room to whom the second digital image is displayed.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of an age group and a geographical area.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the server is remote from a site of the first one of the retailers.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the server stores the first digital image as part of a registration process in which the user provides personal information in order to access the chat room.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic connection is an Internet connection.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the server stores the indication of the item and the second item for future use by the user.