Virtual-product presentation system

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.

This invention relates to point-of-sale kiosks and other product-sales aides. More specifically, this invention relates to the generation of a virtual product for inspection by a potential buyer of that product.

BACKGROUND

In a typical shopping experience, the shopper walks into a merchant's store, decides which department or area of the store he wants to (begin to) shop in and proceeds to that department or area. Once in the desired department or area, the shopper wanders down various aisles or saunters past various display cases, glancing at the merchant's wares to narrow down the search area for the desired product.

Once in the correct department or area and in the correct sub-department or sub-area, the shopper picks up first one example and then another of the desired product, attempting to locate the one that best fits his criteria. Where the desired product is a camera, for example, these criteria can include brand, features, weight, cost, appearance, etc.

Of course, a salesperson may offer his services to the shopper, particularly with respect to criteria which are not readily obvious on initial inspection.

After selecting the exact example of the desired product that he wishes to buy, the shopper so informs the salesperson or a stock agent (where the stock is not immediately accessible to the shopper). The salesperson or stock agent retrieves an example for the shopper to purchase and to carry home or have delivered.

The shopper's satisfaction with such a shopping experience depends on a number of factors: the ease of finding the correct department or area, the ease of finding the correct sub-department or sub-area, the breadth and depth of the merchant's products on display, the extent to which the merchant's products on display correctly represent the merchant's stock on hand, the availability of information about particular instances of the merchant's products on display, etc. The salesperson, who presence is not an unmitigated blessing, can also affect the shopper's shopping experience. Each of the following salesperson attributes can affect the customer's satisfaction: availability, memory for detail, expertise, truthfulness, etc.

These factors and attributes are each described briefly below: Some merchants' stores have many departments, spread out over multiple floors or over areas as large as one square city block—or both. Without the aide of a greeter and even with the aide of a store directory, a shopper can feel overwhelmed at the prospect of searching such a vast space for the right department or area.

Even having located the right department or area, the shopper may still have to wander an entire floor, several long aisles, many short aisles or a minor maze of display cases.

One way to limit these initial searches is to limit the number of different products in the store. However, shoppers like selection and tend to reward merchants with the greater breadth and/or depth. In response, the merchant increases his displays. Nonetheless, the space available to a merchant is not unlimited, and its choice of products to display must also be limited, regardless of the shoppers' desire for more.

A shopper can be extremely frustrated when he has gone through the bother of locating the right department and sub-department and of selecting the right product from the multiple examples on display, only then to learn that the selected product is not in stock. Accordingly, some importance lies in offering for sale only products which can be sold, that is, which are in stock. At the least, a shopper should be told before he invests time in inspecting a product that that product is not in stock.

A stumbling block on the road to a shopper's walking out with a purchase is providing that shopper with enough information to make him confident enough to buy. Where a shopper is interested in, say, the dot pitch of a laptop screen but the marketing literature on display for the product does not include information about the dot pitch, the shopper's desire to buy that product expectedly wanes.

One way to improve the information available to a shopper is to enlist the aide of a salesperson. People, and in particular, good, well informed salespeople, are very adept at presenting the particular information a shopper wants in order to spur the buying of a product. The first hurdle to fully realizing a sales staff is the “Never a Salesperson Around When You Need One” concept. A shopper can get information from a well informed salesperson only if the salesperson is actually available. Further, a well informed salesperson has a limit to the amount of product detail he can retain and recall on demand. Computer-screen dot pitch, for example, is a feature about which the digerati would ask but about which the typical shopper would not even know.

Indeed, in some cases, a shopper is faced with a salesperson who appears to know less about the product of interest than the shopper does. Let alone knowing product details on the boundary between informative and esoteric, a salesperson can fail to be an expert at all.

Where a shopper's inquiries bottom out on the (lack of) depth of the salesperson's knowledge, the salesperson is faced with conflicting interests. Does he maintain his integrity, admit his lack of knowledge add possibly lose the sale or does he manufacture answers to the shopper's questions, independent of the truth, and persevere to close the sale? The latter option may be successful in the short term, but when the shopper tests his newly purchased product against the salesperson's promises, the merchant can expect a dissatisfied shopper returning the product and demanding a refund.

Salesperson or no, sometimes a product is considered too expensive or fragile for a shopper to experience hands on before purchase.

Accordingly, a new method of presenting a product for sale to a shopper is desirable where:a shopper does not have to invest time or energy in determining the right department and sub-department or area and sub-area,the merchant can display an essentially unlimited number of types of products and examples of product types,a merchant does not present for sale an item which the merchant does not have in stock or, at least, informs a shopper early in the shopping experience that the item is not in stock,a merchant can present to the shopper all marketing and technical information about the product and/ormarketing and official technical information about any product is always available to the shopper.

DalmerChrysler Corp. of Detroit, Mich. has manufactured a kiosk for displaying products.FIG. 1is a sketch of this kiosk100according to the prior art. The kiosk100includes a touch screen120, a cathode-ray tube display110, a speaker system130and a printer140. A housing150holds the components of the kiosk100together.

The speaker system130is stereophonic but with low-quality speakers.

In operation, a user approaches the kiosk100and, following directions on its display110, uses the touch screen120to navigate its menu system to locate a product of interest. The kiosk100displays a limited-animation or non-animated sequence of pictures of the product—or even a single, static picture of the product. The audio information that the kiosk100offers is voice and/or music only.

Accordingly, an improved product presentation system is desirable where:the visual display of the product is dynamic and/orthe display of the product includes sensory information other than product appearance and human voice.
Indeed, in its fullest expression, such a product presentation system would include all sensory aspects of the product such that having the actual product present would be redundant. The product as presented is virtually real.

These and other goals of the invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art on reading the background above and the description below.

SUMMARY

Herein are described 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 storage of the characteristic representation may involve storage in a database accessible over an internet.

The apparatus may include a memory storing a representation of a characteristic of the product for purchase. The characteristic is 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.

The memory may store a second representation of a second characteristics of the product for purchase, the second characteristic from the same set of characteristics. Then the apparatus also includes a second sub-system corresponding to the second characteristic, the second sub-system from also the same set of simulation sub-systems and also communicatively coupled to the memory.

The sales sub-system may be a purchase sub-system for purchasing the product.

An internet may couple the memory and the simulation sub-system.

In another embodiment, the apparatus for virtually presenting a product for purchase may include a memory storing three representations of a respective three characteristics of a product for purchase, the respective three characteristics from a characteristics set including an image, a sound, vibrations, a mass, a texture, a smell and a temperature. The apparatus may also include three sub-systems corresponding to the three characteristics. That is to say, the three sub-systems are from a set of simulation sub-systems including a visual sub-system for simulating images, an auditory sub-system for simulating sounds, a vibratory sub-system for simulating vibrations, a mass-simulation sub-system for simulating a mass, 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. The three simulation sub-systems are communicatively coupled to the memory.

The memory may store a fourth representation of a fourth characteristic of the product for purchase, the fourth characteristic from the same characteristics set. Then the apparatus also includes a fourth sub-system corresponding to the fourth characteristic, the fourth sub-system also from the same set of simulation sub-systems and also communicatively coupled to the memory.

An internet may couple the memory and the three simulation sub-systems.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus for virtually presenting products for purchase may include the memory containing the three representations of a respective three characteristics of a product for purchase, the three sub-systems corresponding to the three characteristics (still communicatively coupled to the memory), an internet coupling the memory and the three simulation sub-systems and the purchase sub-system for purchasing the product.

The drawings are not to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Devices

A Virtual-Product Presentation System

FIG. 2illustrates a virtual-product presentation system200according to one embodiment of the invention. The virtual-product presentation system (VPPS)200may include a central processing unit (CPU)290, memory2A0, a communications interface2B0, a visual sub-system210for simulating images, an auditory sub-system220for simulating sounds, a vibratory sub-system230for simulating a vibrations, a mass-simulation sub-system240for simulating one or more characteristics of a mass (center of gravity, inertia, weight, etc.), a textural sub-system250for simulating a texture, an olfactory sub-system260for simulating a smell, a temperature-simulation sub-system270for simulating a temperature, a communications bus2C0and a housing280(not shown).

The housing280physically relates the sub-systems210,220,230,240,250,260,270to each other. The communications bus2C0communicatively couples each of the visual; auditory, vibratory, mass-simulation, textural, olfactory, temperature-simulation and communications sub-systems210,220,230,240,250,260,270,2B0to the CPU290and to the memory2A0, as well as couples the CPU290and memory2A0to each other.

The memory2A0includes high-speed, volatile random-access memory (RAM)2A2, as well as non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM)2A1and magnetic disk drives. Further, the memory2A0contains software2A3. The software2A3is layered: Application software2A31communicates with the operating system2A32, and the operating system2A32communicates with the I/O subsystem2A33. The I/O subsystem2A33communicates with the sub-systems210,220,230,240,250,260,270and the communications interface2B0by means of the communications bus2C0.

FIG. 3illustrates one embodiment of the visual sub-system210. InFIG. 3, the visual sub-system210includes an optical-image projector211, a mirror212, a dome213, and a screen215. The projector, mirror, dome and screen211,212,213,215are optically coupled.

The optical-image projector211of the visual subsystem210may be a motion-picture projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like.

The dome213defines a physical space for the projected image and helps the illusion that a physical object is inside. The visual sub-system210may include an optional background214. This background214blocks out background distractions and creates the illusion that the image is an object inside the dome213.

The screen215is a light-reflecting, non-mirror surface. The screens used in motion-picture or slide projection are examples. Additionally, the screen215may have fade-away edges and a color matching the background214, both in order to avoid sharp contrast with the background214. (In one embodiment, this color is black.)

FIG. 4illustrates one embodiment of the auditory sub-system220. InFIG. 4, the sub-system220includes high-quality stereophonic speakers221, a signal processor222and a communications bus223. The bus223may be fully or partially integral with the communications bus2C0.

InFIG. 4, the sub-system220includes stereophonic speakers, although a monophonic presentation is possible, as is an N-channel presentation, where N>2. For example, six-channel speaker systems are commonly used to re-create a movie-theater experience outside of such a theater.

Also, the speakers221are described as high quality. Lower-quality speakers are, of course, possible (but would limit the representation of certain products—top-quality speakers, for example).

FIG. 5illustrates one embodiment of the vibratory sub-system230. InFIG. 5, the vibratory sub-system230includes a rest, mold or mount231, actuation system232, and a cable233or other means for communicatively connecting the actuation system232and the rest231. The rest231may be a joystick, a grip ring, a hand mold or other means for transmitting vibrations to a hand in physical contact with the mount231. The bus2C0connects to the actuation system232to permit external control of the sub-system230.

The sub-system230optionally includes other rests or mounts234for transmitting vibrations to (an)other part(s) of the human body, including a rest for a second hand, a seat for buttocks or a rest for a foot. Indeed, the rest231itself need not be for a hand but may be for another body part as well.

The mass-simulation sub-system240simulates characteristics of a mass in a gravity field (typically, Earth's gravity field at sea level). Simulated characteristics may include center of gravity, inertia and weight.

FIG. 6illustrates one embodiment of the mass-simulation sub-system240. InFIG. 6, the mass-simulation sub-system240includes a handle(s)241, a magnetic mass243, a magnetic-field generator244and a cable245. The cable245mechanically couples the handle(s)241to the magnetic mass243. The magnetic mass243is itself coupleable magnetically to the magnetic-field generator244. The bus2C0connects to the generator244to permit external control of the sub-system230.

(As used herein, the phrase “magnetic mass” refers to a collection of matter capable of being attracted by a magnet.)

FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate one embodiment of the textural sub-system250.FIG. 7Aillustrates a cross-sectional view of the sub-system250whileFIG. 7Billustrates an external view of the same. The sub-system250may include a belt251, multiple texture samples252, a rotor253, the housing280, an opening281and the bus2C0(not shown). The multiple samples252are attached or integral to the belt251, the belt itself mechanically coupled to the rotor253. The housing280substantially covers the samples252except for an opening281exposing a single sample252. The bus2C0connects to the rotor253to permit external control of the textural sub-system250.

FIG. 7Billustrates a top view of the sub-system250.

Not shown inFIGS. 7A and 7Bare optional hydraulic, pneumatic or the like pads supporting corresponding samples252(from the shopper's perspective). A supporting pad may vary the pressure with which it supports its sample252to more accurately represent the texture to be simulated.

FIG. 8illustrates one embodiment of the olfactory sub-system260. The olfactory sub-system260may include multiple non-specific olfaction sample containers261, respective multiple non-specific olfaction samples266, respective multiple channels267, a mixer262, an expresser263and the bus2C0.

The expresser263is mechanically coupled to the sample containers261and the mixer262. The samples266reside in respective containers261that connect to respective channels267. The channels267also connect to the mixer262. The mixer262includes an exit268. The bus2C0connects to the expresser263, permitting external control of the sub-system260.

In operation, the bus2C0carries a signal to the expresser263to express a particular smell. The expresser263expresses some combination of quantities of the samples266from the containers261into the channels267. The sample quantities travel along the channels267into the mixer262.

The mixer262mixes the sample quantities, and the expresser263expresses the resulting mixed sample through the exit268in the expected general direction of a shopper. (The mixer262or the expresser263may atomize the mixed sample.)

In one embodiment, the non-specific olfaction samples266span all or a signification portion of the space of human olfaction. (In a preferred embodiment, where the human sense of smell can be said to separate any given olfactory input into N (not necessarily orthogonal) characteristics, then the sub-system260includes N non-specific olfaction samples266corresponding respectively to those N characteristics.)

The referenceFirms Are On Scent of New Technology: Internet Odors, Taste, Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2000, at C25A, surveys scent technology. Such scent technologies are alternate embodiments of the olfaction sub-system260. (The Wall Street Journal reference is incorporated herein by reference.)

FIG. 9illustrates one embodiment of the temperature-simulation sub-system270. The sub-system270includes a heating element271, a cable272, a thermostat273and the bus2C0. The heating element271may radicate, conduct, convect or otherwise impart its heat to the intended target. The cable272communicatively couples the thermostat273and the heating element271. The bus2C0connects to the thermostat273, permitting external control of the sub-system270.

Again regarding the VPPS system220ofFIG. 2, the communications interface2B0may include a controller2B1for accessing a communications link2D0. At least one database2E0of product information is accessible via the link2D0.FIG. 15illustrates the database2E0accessible over a network2D0via the communications interface2B0.

For example, the storage requirements for multi-angle, high-resolution, three-dimensional images of a single product are notoriously high. Multiplying that storage requirement by hundreds or thousands of different products makes the storage requirements even more onerous.

By farming the storage requirements out to a database available over the communications link2D0(here, say, the internet), the invention allows multiple sites across the world to share the same database of images. This reduces to almost the point of elimination the local storage requirements for the kind of data stored in the internet database. Further, the economies of scale reduce the cost of maintaining the database over the communications link2D0. Indeed, the database may reduce any product's representation to basic shapes that can be modified to represent the product with minimal cues from the database to the VPPS200.

The communications sub-system2B0may also include devices for communicating with the shopper. For example, in some embodiments, the sub-system2B0includes some or all of the following devices common in computer systems: a monitor2B2, a keyboard2B3, a mouse2B4, a touchscreen2B5overlying an LCD2B6, a pen2B7, a trackball2B8.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate two alternate embodiments of the visual sub-system210. InFIG. 10, the sub-system210includes the projector211, the screen215and the dome213. The projector, mirror and dome are still optically coupled but in a different configuration. Here, the projector211is horizontal (that is to say, parallel to the ground). A photon generated by the projector211travels vertically upward into the dome213and reflects off of the screen215into the line of sight of a viewer. A color-matched background214is positioned behind the screen215.

InFIG. 11, the sub-system210includes the projector211, the mirror212, the dome213and the screen215. The projector, mirror and dome are still optically coupled but in yet a different configuration. Here, the projector211is angled to project an image from behind and near the bottom or below the dome213onto the mirror212located above and closer to the dome213. The mirror212is angled to reflect that image down onto the screen215. The image reflects off of the screen215into the line of sight of a viewer.

An advantage of the embodiment ofFIG. 11is that the sub-system210requires less space vertically than the embodiments ofFIGS. 3 and 11.

A format converter224is optional in the auditory sub-system220. The sub-system220may also include a CPU225and memory226that allows the sub-system to operate initially under the direction of the kiosk CPU290but subsequently independently of that CPU290.

One embodiment of the mass-simulation system240is a magnetic levitation-based haptic system reportedly under development at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa. The following articles describe that Carnegie Mellon haptic system: “Simulating Touch,” Popular Science, June 1999, at 39; P. J. Berkelman and R. L. Hollis, “Interaction with Simulated Environments using a Magnetic Levitation Haptic Interface Device,” IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation Video Proceedings, May 10-15, 1999 (a video) (“Berkelman I”); and P. J. Berkelman, R. L. Hollis, and D. Baraff, “Interaction with a Realtime Dynamic Environment Simulation using a Magnetic Levitation Haptic Interface Device,” IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, May 10-15, 1999, pp. 3261-3266 (“Berkelman II”). “Simulating Touch,” Berkelman I and Berkelman II are incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate alternate embodiments of the mass-simulation sub-system240. InFIG. 12, an optional pulley system242changes the direction of movement of the handle(s)241(indicated with solid, double-headed arrows) with respect to that of the magnetic mass243(indicated with blank double-headed arrows).

FIG. 13is a side-on view of a rod-in-mass configuration composing the sub-system240. The rod-in-mass configuration includes one or more handles241, an actuator246including multiple rods247, respective multiple masses249and a cable245. The bus2C0attaches to the actuator206to allow external control of the sub-system240.

The cable245connects the handles241to the actuator246. Each of the rods247is capable of moving in order to connect or disconnect a respective mass249to the actuator246. The actuator246moves the rods247.

The rods247and the actuator246together effect a tunable mass243. For example, if the maximum weight to be simulated is forty-eight (48) pounds, then the rods247weigh 1 pound, 2 pounds, 4 pounds, 8 pounds, 16 pounds and 32 pounds. With this combination of weighted rods, the sub-system240can simulate 1 through 48 pounds (actually, through 63 pounds) in 1-pound increments.

More generally, where the maximum desired weight to be simulated is N, then the rods247are of weights 1, 2, . . . , 2M, where M is the log2of N, rounded up to the next highest integer, if not an integer. Where a granularity other than one pound is desired, then the maximum desired weight is converted into units of the desired granularity, and the above process applied.

FIG. 16is a top-down view of the rod-in-mass configuration ofFIG. 13. In this view, optional races or runs248stabilize the configuration shown.

Where the multiple masses249are magnetic masses, then a mass-simulation sub-system240combining properties of the embodiments ofFIGS. 6 and 13is possible. For example, a sub-system240can use the masses249to approximate the mass to be simulated, while the field generator244tunes the mass approximation.

FIG. 14illustrates an alternative embodiment of the textural sub-system250. As inFIG. 7A, the sub-system250includes the belt251, multiple samples252, housing280and opening281. The sub-system250also includes the rotor253—which may be differently configured to support this embodiment. The sub-system250also includes the rest, actuation circuitry and cable231,232,233of the vibratory sub-system230. This embodiment combines the textural and mass-simulation sub-systems250,230.

InFIG. 8, the olfactory sub-system260optionally includes specific-source containers264. Specific source containers264contain examples of specific, olfactorily complex products26D that a shopper may wish to smell. Typically, these products26D are so complex that the non-specific-source containers261would have difficulty reproducing them.

The sub-system260also optionally includes a de-expresser265for increasing the rate at which an expressed smell dissipates. In one embodiment, the de-expresser265is a fan. In another embodiment, the de-expresser265includes an air pulser26A, a sampler26, optional valves26B and a feedback signal26C. The pulser26A and the sampler269connect to the mixer262.

In operation, the pulser26A pushes air through the mixer262in order to blow any residual mixed samples from the mixer262. The sampler269samples the air exiting the mixer262to determine concentrations of the samples261in the air. The feedback signal communicates these determined concentrations to the pulser26A (which may be a part of the expresser263) that then determines whether the concentrations are sufficiently low to stop the pushed air. The optional valves26B prevent any sample remaining in a channel267from contaminating the mixer262after the pulser26A has cleaned it.

Protocols

The operation of the sub-systems of the VPPS200and of the VPPS200itself in one embodiment is further described below. The operation of the subsystems and the VPPS200with alternate embodiments will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art:

The VPPS200initially presents a greeting and/or instructional screen on its LCD2B6instructing a shopper how to make the VPPS aware of his presence. Such a greeting screen(s) could, for example, include the phrases, “Hello! Please touch this screen to begin.”

In response to a shopper's touching the screen2B5, the VPPS200may present one or more additional greeting, instructional and/or advertisement screens.

The VPPS200presently presents on the LCD2B6a top-down series of menus for choosing departments, sub-departments and other lower-level departmental divisions as appropriate and instructs the shopper how to choose and/or invites the shopper to choose. (Herein, the concept of instructing a shopper how to do something means instructing the shopper how to do that thing and/or inviting the shopper to do that thing.)

In response to the shopper's indicating the departmental area of interest, the VPPS200presently lists the product categories available in that departmental area and instructs the shopper how to choose.

In response to the shopper's indicating the product category of interest, the VPPS200presently asks the shopper whether he wishes to browse or look at a specific known product.

In response to the shopper's indicating that he wishes to browse, the VPPS200may present browsing options. For example, the VPPS200may list two or more of the following or similar options: browse-all, browse-by-brand, browse-by-weight, browse-by-cost, and browse-by-color. The VPPS200can present a “browse-by-” option for each characteristic in its database of the product category.

In response to the shopper's indicating that he wishes to browse all of the product category, the VPPS200presently presents an abbreviated simulation of a first product from the category, followed by an abbreviated simulation of a next product, followed by another and so on. The abbreviated simulations may be still images, one per product.

In a preferred embodiment, while or after presenting an abbreviated simulation, the VPPS200instructs the shopper to select the next product. In response to the shopper's indicating his desire to move onto the next product, the VPPS200terminates the simulation and presents n abbreviated simulation of a next product—whether or not the abbreviated simulation has run its course. This is done until the category is exhausted.

In addition to instructing the shopper to select the next product to browse, the VPPS200instructs the shopper to indicate when he wishes to see a fuller simulation of the product currently but abbreviatedly simulated. In response to the shopper's indicating his wish to see a particular product more fully simulated, the VPPS200retrieves the characteristics of the selected product from a database (the database2E0, for example) and activates the sub-systems210through270as indicated by the characteristic values retrieved.

The other browsing options are handled in a similar manner. (The ordering of the product presentation within a characteristic category may be a matter of marketing.)

In response to the shopper's indicating that he wishes to see a specific, known product, the VPPS200instructs the shopper to enter information sufficient to identify the product, typically the brand and model. After receiving and verifying the data entered, the VPPS200retrieves the characteristics of the identified product from a database and activates the sub-systems210through270as indicated by the characteristic values retrieved.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is visual, the visual-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the visual sub-system210. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, instructing the projector211to emit one or more images (that the mirror and screen212,215reflect) into the shopper's eye. These images approximate an image of the product. (“Approximation” includes exact reproduction.)

The projector may project multiple, discrete images. In a preferred embodiment, the images are three-dimensional reproductions of the product, two successive images are sufficiently similar and close together as to replicate the product's turning smoothly and continuously in space, and the shopper controls the viewpoint. To allow the user to control the viewpoint, the VPPS200coordinates the output the visual sub-system210and input from the user from, say, the trackball2B8of the communications sub-system2B0, a handle241of the mass-simulation sub-system240or a mass-sensitive rim of the sub-system240.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is auditory, the auditory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the auditory sub-system220. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, instructing the signal processor222to emit one or more sounds that the speakers221broadcast into the shopper's ears. These sounds approximate the sounds of the product.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is vibratory, the vibratory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the vibratory sub-system230. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, instructing the actuation circuitry232to vibrate a rest231,234to approximate the vibrations of the product.

Where the sound of a product varies according to its vibrations, the VPPS200may coordinate the operation of the auditory and vibratory sub-systems220,230.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is mass, the mass-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the mass-simulation sub-system240. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, in one embodiment instructing the generator244to generate an electromagnetic field that acts (in concert with the earth's gravitational field) on the mass243approximately as does the earth's gravitational field on the product.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is textural, the textural-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the textural sub-system250. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, in one embodiment instructing the rotor253to turn the belt251to bring the appropriate sample252approximating a texture of the product to the opening281and to appropriately adjust back pressure.

Where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is olfactory, the olfactory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the olfactory sub-system260. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, in one embodiment instructing the expresser263to express a certain amount (possibly none) of each of the samples266,26D (into the mixer262) for ultimate expression via exit268towards the shopper. The combination of the certain amounts of all of the samples266,26D approximate a smell of the product.

Finally, where one of the selected or indicated product's characteristics is temperature, the temperature-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the temperature-simulation sub-system270. Accordingly, the CPU290drives the bus2C0, instructing the thermostat273to drive the heating unit271to temperatures approximating temperatures associated with the product.

While or after presenting a simulation of a product, the VPPS200instructs the shopper how to purchase the product.

Of course, some of the above steps may be collapsed, making the VPPS200presentation less logical but more user friendly.

Also, the VPPS200incorporates “pause,” “go back” and “start over” options, as well as reasonable timeouts to account, for example, for the shopper walking away in mid-presentation.

The VPPS200coordinates simulations presentations through the sub-systems210through270as appropriate. Indeed, where particular sub-systems are not needed in the simulation of a product, the VPPS200may nonetheless use them to create ancillary sensations of the product, including ancillary sensations of the experience of using the product. For example, where the VPPS200is demonstrating the vibrations transmitted through a racket when hit in its sweet spot by a ball, the auditory sub-system220can present the sound of the ball hitting that sweet spot.

EXAMPLE

With the VPPS200in place, an example shopping experience can be more like the following: The shopper walks into a merchant's store and up to the VPPS200. (The store may be a major department store such as Macy's or Sears.) In response to a greeting screen, the shopper touches the touchscreen to proceed.

Seeing a menu of departments, the shopper selects the department of the store he wants to start shopping in. Now, rather than proceeding to that department to narrow the search area for the desired product, the shopper further uses the touchscreen2B5and LCD2B6to walk the lower-level menus presented by the VPPS200. Let's say the shopper is interested in kitchenwares, more specifically, kitchen appliances.

Having communicated to the VPPS200the correct department and sub-department, the shopper next selects the product category of interest. Let's say it is hand-held mixers.

Given the choice to browse or go directly to a known product, the shopper elects to browse, and when given more options, elects to browse by cost. The shopper then sees an image of a first hand-held mixer, along with some product information, including cost. Since this first hand-held mixer is clearly not what he wants, the shopper touches the next-product button. The shopper moves through several mixers in such a manner until he sees one in particular that he likes. This VPPS selection process simulates the shopper's picking up first one product sample and then another, attempting to find the one that best fits his criteria.

Touching the fuller-simulation button, the shopper sees the previously still image of the mixer begin to turn, giving him a full three-dimensional picture of what the mixer looks like. He also hears a voice explaining how he can experience the quietness (that is to say, hear the noise level) of the mixer at different speeds by touching the desired mixer speed button on the touchscreen. The voice also informs him that he can feel how little the mixer vibrates and how strong the torque is by gripping a handle.

The shopper selects a mixing speed, grips the handle and listens to the audio output. He acquires a much fuller sense of the mixer product than he would from just selecting from boxes on shelves or even from seeing samples side-by-side on a shelf.

As a sales aide, the VPPS200deploys the otherwise unused olfactory sub-system260to express, say, the aroma of baking bread or cookies.

Unclear whether the mixer's controls are easy-to-understand, the shopper uses the handle to turn the image to display the controls and instructs the VPPS200to pause and zoom the image. He thus gets a closer look at the controls.

Fairly convinced that this mixer is good, the shopper pulls on the handle to test the weight of the product. More convinced but still not firmly so, he touches a button for more product information. He reviews the store and manufacturer's sales and marketing information, as well as the specifications for the product. He is now firmly convinced.

The shopper inserts his payment card (credit, EFT, smart, etc.) into the point-of-sale terminal in the VPPS200and purchases the product. Receiving a receipt from the VPPS200and having been informed that delivery of the mixer to the shopper (that is to say, while he is at the VPPS200) takes a minute or two, the shopper waits at the VPPS200. He may possibly be distracted by store advertisements or other information from the VPPS200or may begin to use the VPPS200to shop for another product.

A sales agent or stock person delivers the mixer to the shopper.

Of course, a salesperson may offer his services to the shopper, particularly with respect to criteria which are not readily obvious on initial inspection.

The invention now being fully described, many changes and modifications that can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of two mirrors rather than a combination of a mirror212and a screen215in the visual sub-systems ofFIGS. 3 and 11is still another example.