Consumer representation rendering with selected merchandise

• US 7,487,116 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen; William J.
• Application Number:
  US11/291,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20070130020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705 26- 27
• US Class Current: 705/26.62
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/02 Foot-measuring devices measuring the shape, pattern or size of the body for diagnostic purposes A61B5/103, e.g. measuring physical dimensions A61B5/107
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/027 Shoe fit indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

At least one computing system, in a network or stand-alone environment, accesses a consumer representation, wherein the consumer representation comprises a three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and movement in each frame of a captured video stream and specified by a selection of sizing measurements detected from a scan of a consumer body shape. The computing system selects at least one merchandise item from among multiple merchandise items each with separate merchandise characteristics. The computing system selects the merchandise item of a size selected to fit the selection of sizing measurements for the consumer. The computing system renders the merchandise item on each rendered frame of the three dimensional model according to the merchandise characteristics as applied to the sizing measurements, wherein a display of the rendered three dimensional model shows a realistic image of the consumer appearance and movement as captured in the video stream rendering the consumer wearing the selected merchandise item.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for virtually rendering a consumer image wearing at least one merchandise item, comprising:

accessing a plurality of data points detected from a scan of a consumer body shape of a consumer by a body scanning device;

calculating a selection of sizing measurements and a three dimensional shape of said consumer from said plurality of data points;

accessing a captured video stream with an image of said consumer comprising a movement;

graphically mapping said movement of said image of said consumer within said captured video stream;

extracting, from said captured video stream, at least one from among at least one facial feature, at least one skin texture characteristics, and at least one lighting characteristic;

generating said three dimensional model rendered to depict said consumer appearance and movement from said selection of sizing measurements, said three dimensional shape, said graphical mapping of said movement, and at least one from among said facial feature, said skin texture characteristic, and said lighting characteristic,

generating a consumer representation of said consumer comprising a three dimensional model rendered to depict said consumer appearance and said movement in each frame of said captured video stream and specified by said selection of sizing measurements, said three dimensional shape, said graphical mapping of said movement, and at least one from among said facial feature, said skin texture characteristic, and said lighting characteristic;

storing said consumer representation by a selection service;

receiving a consumer subscription to said selection service to monitor a plurality of online merchandise vendors;

monitoring, by said selection service, said plurality of online merchandise vendors;

detecting, by said selection service, a plurality of new separate merchandise items added by at least one of said online merchandise vendors to a current inventory of merchandise items;

selecting, by said selection service, at least one particular merchandise item from among said plurality of new separate merchandise items each with a separate set of merchandise characteristics of a size selected to fit said selection of sizing measurements;

accessing, by said selection service, said consumer representation stored by said selection service;

rendering said selected at least one particular merchandise item on each rendered frame of said three dimensional model according to said separate set of merchandise characteristics as applied to said selection of sizing measurements, wherein a display of said rendered three dimensional model shows a realistic image of said consumer appearance and said movement as captured in said video stream and wearing said particular merchandise item; and

generating an email communication to said consumer from which said rendering is accessible to said consumer.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a rendering time constraint for a maximum time between capture of each said frame of said captured video stream and said rendering of a corresponding frame in said rendered three dimensional model wearing said particular merchandise item;

selecting at least one processor element of at least one computing system enabled to meet said rendering time constraint;

building, by said selected at least one processor element, said consumer representation comprising said three dimensional model as said captured video stream is received in real time at said computing system; and

rendering, by said selected at least one processor element, said particular merchandise item on each said rendered frame of said three dimensional model by said at least one computing system within said rendering time constraint for delivery to a display interface, such that said display of said rendering appears to said consumer as if said consumer is looking into a mirror when viewing said rendering at said display interface.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein accessing a consumer representation further comprises:

accessing a consumer representation database comprising a plurality of separate consumer representations associated with a particular consumer identifier, wherein each of said plurality of consumer representations was previously rendered based on a separate captured video stream and a plurality of data points captured in said scan of said consumer body shape, wherein each of said plurality of consumer representation is identified by motion type; and

selecting to access at least one of said plurality of consumer representations.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein selecting at least one particular merchandise item further comprises:

compiling at least one selection criteria from accessing at least one from among a consumer information database comprising at least one merchandise preferences for said consumer captured in said consumer representation, a vendor information database comprising at least one merchandise preference for at least one vendor of at least one of said plurality of merchandise items, and real time selections by a user accessing said rendering; and

selecting said plurality of separate merchandise items from among a database of a plurality of merchandise representation entries for said at least one vendor, wherein said plurality of separate merchandise items match said selection criteria.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

accessing said consumer representation, wherein said consumer representation comprises a three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and movement indicates a particular range of motion;

selecting said at least one particular merchandise item from among said plurality of separate merchandise items each with said separate set of merchandise characteristics of said size selected to fit said selection of sizing measurements and to fit said particular range of motion; and

rendering said at least one particular merchandise item on each rendered frame of said three dimensional model according to said separate set of merchandise characteristics as applied to said selection of sizing measurements and said particular range of motion.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

controlling output of said rendering to at least one consumer access point, wherein said consumer access point comprises at least one from among a display interface, a website interface, an electronic communication, and a printing service.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting at least one response by a consumer to said rendering, wherein said at least one response comprises at least one from among a purchase of said particular merchandise, a selection to view said particular merchandise, a consumer request to save said rendering, a consumer request to send said rendering in an electronic communication, and at least one consumer response to a survey prompted in association with said rendering; and

storing said response in at least one from among a consumer information database for compiling a history of responses by a particular consumer and a vendor information database for compiling a history of responses by a plurality of consumer, wherein stored responses are accessible for determining at least one from among future selections from among said plurality of merchandise items and future merchandise production criteria.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein rendering said particular merchandise item on each rendered frame of said three dimensional model according to said separate set of merchandise characteristics as applied to said selection of sizing measurements, further comprises:

selecting a particular display environment from among a plurality of available display environments; and

rendering said particular merchandise item with each rendered frame of said three dimension model within said selected display environment.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein rendering said particular merchandise item on each rendered frame of said three dimensional model according to said separate set of merchandise characteristics as applied to said selection of sizing measurements, further comprises:

selecting a particular external appearance adjustment from among a plurality of external appearance adjustments; and

rendering said particular merchandise item and said selected external appearance adjustment with each rendered frame of said three dimensional model.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a website interface with a selectable button; and

responsive to a selection of said selectable button by a consumer accessing said website interface at a client system, triggering a request for generating said rendering on demand for display to said consumer via said client system.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

accessing said plurality of data points detected from said scan of said consumer body shape of said consumer by said body scanning device with said consumer in a plurality of separate physical positions which adjust a size and shape of muscles;

calculating said selection of sizing measurements and said three dimensional shape of said consumer from said plurality of data points at each of said plurality of separate physical positions; and

generating said three dimensional model rendered to dynamically depict said consumer appearance and said adjusted size and shape of muscles in said movement of said consumer.