Virtual-product presentation system
First Claim
1. A system to present a virtual representation of at least one product for purchase by a user of the system, the system including:
- a processor unit;
memory, coupled to said processor unit, storing an approximation of an image of said product;
a visual sub-system, functionally coupled to said memory and defining a three-dimensional display area, that simulates said image for said user such that a three-dimensional visual representation of said product appears in said display area;
a monitor, functionally coupled to said processor unit, to display for viewing by said user a selection including each said product; and
a sales unit, coupled to said processor unit, enabling said user to purchase said product.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for virtually presenting a product for purchase by a consumer. The product has one of the following characteristics: vibrations, a mass, a texture, a smell and a temperature. A memory stores a representation of a characteristic of the product. The representation is retrieved on demand from a shopper, and the characteristic reproduced from the retrieved representation for the benefit of the shopper. At the appropriate point—say, after the shopper'"'"'s buying the product—the retrieval of the product for the shopper may be initiated. The storing of the characteristic representation may involve storing the representation in a database accessible over an internet. The apparatus may include a memory containing a representation of an approximation of a characteristic of the product for purchase, the characteristic from a set of characteristics including vibrations, a mass, a texture, a smell, and a temperature. The apparatus may also include a simulation sub-system communicatively coupled to the memory and corresponding to the characteristic. That is to say, the sub-system is from a set of simulation sub-systems including a vibratory sub-system for simulating vibrations, a mass-simulation sub-system for simulating mass characteristics, a textural sub-system for simulating a texture, an olfactory sub-system for simulating a smell and a temperature-simulation sub-system for simulating a temperature. Finally, the apparatus may also include a sales sub-system for indicating a desire to purchase the product.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A system to present a virtual representation of at least one product for purchase by a user of the system, the system including:
-
a processor unit; memory, coupled to said processor unit, storing an approximation of an image of said product; a visual sub-system, functionally coupled to said memory and defining a three-dimensional display area, that simulates said image for said user such that a three-dimensional visual representation of said product appears in said display area; a monitor, functionally coupled to said processor unit, to display for viewing by said user a selection including each said product; and a sales unit, coupled to said processor unit, enabling said user to purchase said product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification