Vision system and method for observing use of a product by a consumer

• US 7,168,804 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Velazquez, Herb F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US10/435,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/41, 345/7, 345/8, 348/14.01, 348/158
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

A vision system and method for use by a consumer. The vision system includes an article (e.g., glasses) that is worn by the consumer and a camera attached to the article. The vision system further includes a microphone attached to the article. In another aspect, the vision system includes an article worn by the consumer and a camera attached to the article. The camera may be manually and/or automatically adjustable relative to said article to modify the view as seen by the camera. The method includes affixing a camera to an article (e.g., glasses) that are worn by the consumer; adjusting the camera relative to the article to modify the view of the activity as seen by the camera; and recording the performance of the activity by the consumer using the camera. In some forms, the method includes affixing a microphone to the article worn by the consumer.

Claims

1. A vision system for use by an individual, the vision system comprising:

an article worn by the individual, wherein said article is glasses that are adapted to be worn by the individual;

a camera attached to said glasses; and

a microphone attached to said glasses, wherein said camera and said microphone clip onto said glasses.

2. The vision system of claim 1 further comprising a display that receives signals from said camera.

3. The vision system of claim 2 further comprising a speaker that receives signals from said microphone.

4. The vision system of claim 3 wherein said speaker is integral with said display.

5. The vision system of claim 3 wherein said speaker receives wireless signals from said microphone and said display receives wireless signals from said camera.

6. The vision system of claim 1 further comprising a recorder that receives signals from said microphone and said camera.

7. The vision system of claim 6 further comprising an apparatus that is adapted to be worn by the individual, said recorder being attached to said apparatus.

8. The vision system of claim 1 wherein said camera is adjustable relative to said article.

9. A vision system for use by a consumer, the vision system comprising:

glasses worn by the consumer;

a camera attached to the glasses, wherein said camera is adjustable relative to said glasses;

a microphone attached to the glasses, wherein said camera and said microphone clip onto said glasses;

a recorder that records signals from said camera and said microphone, the signals providing ethnographic information relating to the consumer using a product; and

an apparatus worn by the consumer, said recorder being attached to said apparatus.

10. The vision system of claim 9 further comprising a display that receives signals from said camera and a speaker that receives signals from said microphone.

11. The vision system of claim 9 wherein said recorder receives wireless signals from said microphone and said camera.

12. A method of observing an activity performed by an individual, the method comprising:

affixing a camera to an article worn by the individual;

affixing a microphone to the article worn by the individual, wherein affixing the camera and the microphone to the article worn by the individual includes clipping the camera and the microphone onto glasses; and

recording the performance of the activity by the individual using the microphone and the camera.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising preparing instructions on how to use the article, camera and microphone.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein affixing a camera to an article worn by the individual and affixing a microphone to the article worn by the individual includes utilizing the instructions on how to use the article, camera and microphone.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein recording the performance of the activity by the individual includes utilizing the instructions on how to use the article, camera and microphone.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising training the individual on how to use the article, camera and microphone.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising obtaining information from the individual relating to said recording the performance of the activity by the individual using the microphone and the camera.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising training other individuals to perform the same activity using information obtained from said recording the performance of the activity by the individual using the microphone and the camera.