Method and apparatus for ordering paint using a portable self-contained tool

• US 8,352,332 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Color Commerce, LLC
• Original Assignee: Color Commerce, LLC
• Inventors: Pesicek, John
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, MATTHEW E
• Application Number:
  US12/777,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20110282763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/26.7, 705/27.1, 356/4.01, 356/3, 356/73, 356/319, 356/445, 356/300, 367/99, 702/155, 702/156
• US Class Current: 705/26.7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/00 Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services

Abstract

A method and a system for ordering paint to cover a surface includes, retrieving a color value from a machine-readable memory to a processor. The processor retrieves a paint quantity from a machine-readable memory. The processor compiles an order for paint including the paint quantity and color value and then transmits the order from the processor to a vendor for formulating the paint quantity having the color value when painted upon the surface and allowed to dry.

Claims

1. A method of ordering paint, the method comprising:

providing, by a retailer at a retail establishment, a portable self-contained paint purchasing tool to a consumer;

at a location different than the retail establishment;

determining, by the paint purchasing tool, a color of paint by illuminating a sample with a light and sensing colors within the light reflected from the sample using the paint purchasing tool;

calculating, by the paint purchasing tool, a quantity of the color of paint required to cover a surface based on dimensions of the surface, wherein the dimensions are determined using at least one of an ultrasonic rangefinder within the paint purchasing tool or laser rangefinder within the paint purchasing tool; and

recommending, by the paint purchasing tool, at least one additional product for purchase based on an analysis of at least the calculated quantity of the color of paint, wherein the at least one additional product is at least one of a brush, roller, sprayer, tarp, or drop cloth;

transmitting, by the paint purchasing tool, an order for the at least the quantity of the color of paint and at least one additional product to the retailer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating a paint quantity includes:

selecting a suitable ratio expressing the quantity of paint to cover the surface of having the dimensions of the surface; and

calculating a quantity of paint necessary to cover the surface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting a suitable ratio includes interviewing the user to determine a quality of the surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting includes transmitting through a communication port selected from a group consisting of radio communication, cell phone link, and a wired communications port.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

receiving from a user payment information at a vendor server;

receiving the transmitted order from the processor to the vendor for formulating the paint quantity having the color value; and

formulating the paint in accord with the order.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving a paint quantity includes:

capturing an image of the surface with a camera;

amending the image of the surface based upon the color of paint; and

displaying the image as amended at a display.

7. An apparatus for ordering paint, the apparatus comprising:

a portable self-contained paint purchasing tool including a processor having memory;

at least one color sensor and light source included as part of the paint purchasing tool, wherein the paint purchasing tool is configured to illuminate a sample with a light from the light source and with the color sensor sense colors within the light reflected from the sample;

at least one ultrasonic or laser rangefinder included as part of the paint purchasing tool, wherein the paint purchasing tool is configured to receive dimension data from the at least one rangefinder and calculate a quantity of the color of paint required to cover a surface based the dimension data;

at least one display included as part of the paint purchasing tool, wherein the paint purchasing tool is configured to generate an interview for a user on the display, wherein generating includes recommending at least one additional product for purchase based on analyzing at least the calculated quantity of the color of paint, wherein the at least one additional product is at least one of a brush, roller, sprayer, tarp, or drop cloth; and

at least one transmitter included as part of the paint purchasing tool, wherein the paint purchasing tool is configured to transmit an order for at least the quantity of the color of paint and at least one additional product to a retailer computer for fulfillment of the order.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a camera to capture an image of the surface and formulate an image signal the camera sends to the processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

instructions stored in the memory to instruct the processor to perform the steps of;

amending the image of the surface based upon the color value; and

displaying the image as amended at a display.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

instructions stored in the memory to instruct the processor to perform the steps of;

receiving from a user payment information at a vendor server;

receiving the transmitted order from the processor to the vendor for the paint quantity having the color.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

instructions stored in the memory to instruct the processor to perform the steps of;

selecting a suitable ratio expressing the quantity of paint to cover a surface of a known area based upon the interview; and

calculating a quantity of paint necessary to cover the surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the user interface includes at least one of a touch-sensitive surface on the display and a keyboard.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

instructions stored in the memory to instruct the processor to perform the steps of;

displaying questions in the interview;

receiving answers through the user interface; and

amending the order based upon the answers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the written instructions stored in the memory to instruct the processor to perform the steps of:

displaying questions relating to painting accessories; and

amending the order based upon the answers to include an order for painting accessories.