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&#39;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.

Description:
[0001]     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  
       [0002]     In a typical shopping experience, the shopper walks into a merchant&#39;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&#39;s wares to narrow down the search area for the desired product.  
         [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     Of course, a salesperson may offer his services to the shopper, particularly with respect to criteria which are not readily obvious on initial inspection.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     The shopper&#39;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&#39;s products on display, the extent to which the merchant&#39;s products on display correctly represent the merchant&#39;s stock on hand, the availability of information about particular instances of the merchant&#39;s products on display, etc. The salesperson, who presence is not an unmitigated blessing, can also affect the shopper&#39;s shopping experience. Each of the following salesperson attributes can affect the customer&#39;s satisfaction: availability, memory for detail, expertise, truthfulness, etc.  
         [0007]     These factors and attributes are each described briefly below: Some merchants&#39; 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.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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&#39; desire for more.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     A stumbling block on the road to a shopper&#39;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&#39;s desire to buy that product expectedly wanes.  
         [0012]     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.  
         [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     Where a shopper&#39;s inquiries bottom out on the (lack of) depth of the salesperson&#39;s knowledge, the salesperson is faced with conflicting interests. Does he maintain his integrity, admit his lack of knowledge and possibly lose the sale or does he manufacture answers to the shopper&#39;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&#39;s promises, the merchant can expect a dissatisfied shopper returning the product and demanding a refund.  
         [0015]     Salesperson or no, sometimes a product is considered too expensive or fragile for a shopper to experience hands on before purchase.  
         [0016]     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/or     marketing and official technical information about any product is always available to the shopper.        
 
         [0022]     DalmerChrysler Corp. of Detroit, Mich. has manufactured a kiosk for displaying products.  FIG. 1  is a sketch of this kiosk  100  according to the prior art. The kiosk  100  includes a touch screen  120 , a cathode-ray tube display  110 , a speaker system  130  and a printer  140 . A housing  150  holds the components of the kiosk  100  together.  
         [0023]     The speaker system  130  is stereophonic but with low-quality speakers.  
         [0024]     In operation, a user approaches the kiosk  100  and, following directions on its display  110 , uses the touch screen  120  to navigate its menu system to locate a product of interest. The kiosk  100  displays 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 kiosk  100  offers is voice and/or music only.  
         [0025]     Accordingly, an improved product presentation system is desirable where: 
        the visual display of the product is dynamic and/or     the 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. 
       
 
         [0028]     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  
       [0029]     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&#39;s buying the product—the retrieval of the product for the shopper may be initiated.  
         [0030]     The storage of the characteristic representation may involve storage in a database accessible over an internet.  
         [0031]     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.  
         [0032]     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.  
         [0033]     The sales sub-system may be a purchase sub-system for purchasing the product.  
         [0034]     An internet may couple the memory and the simulation sub-system.  
         [0035]     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.  
         [0036]     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.  
         [0037]     An internet may couple the memory and the three simulation sub-systems.  
         [0038]     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, 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]      FIG. 1  is a sketch of a kiosk according to the prior art.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a virtual-product presentation system according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the visual sub-system.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the auditory sub-system.  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the vibratory sub-system  230 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the mass-simulation sub-system  240 .  
         [0045]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate one embodiment of the textural sub-system  250 .  FIG. 7A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sub-system  250  while  FIG. 7B  illustrates an external view of the same.  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the olfactory sub-system  260 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of the temperature-simulation sub-system  270 .  
         [0048]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate two alternate embodiments of the visual sub-system.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate alternate embodiments of the mass-simulation sub-system.  FIG. 13  is a side-on view of a rod-in-mass configuration composing the sub-system.  
         [0050]      FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the textural sub-system.  
         [0051]      FIG. 15  illustrates a database accessible over a network via the communications interface.  
         [0052]      FIG. 16  is a top-down view of the rod-in-mass configuration of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
       [0053]     The drawings are not to scale.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Devices  
       [0054]     A Virtual-Product Presentation System  
         [0055]      FIG. 2  illustrates a virtual-product presentation system  200  according to one embodiment of the invention, The virtual-product presentation system (VPPS)  200  may include a central processing unit (CPU)  290 , memory  2 A 0 , a communications interface  2 B 0 , a visual sub-system  210  for simulating images, an auditory sub-system  220  for simulating sounds, a vibratory sub-system  230  for simulating a vibrations, a mass-simulation sub-system  240  for simulating one or more characteristics of a mass (center of gravity, inertia, weight, etc.), a textural sub-system  250  for simulating a texture, an olfactory sub-system  260  for simulating a smell, a temperature-simulation sub-system  270  for simulating a temperature, a communications bus  2 C 0  and a housing  280  (not shown).  
         [0056]     The housing  280  physically relates the sub-systems  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  to each other. The communications bus  2 C 0  communicatively couples each of the visual, auditory, vibratory, mass-simulation, textural, olfactory, temperature-simulation and communications sub-systems  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280  to the CPU  290  and to the memory  2 A 0 , as well as couples the CPU  290  and memory  2 A 0  to each other.  
         [0057]     The memory  2 A 0  includes high-speed, volatile random-access memory (RAM)  2 A 2 , as well as non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM)  2 A 1  and magnetic disk drives. Further, the memory  2 A 0  contains software  2 A 3 . The software  2 A 3  is layered: Application software  2 A 31  communicates with the operating system  2 A 32 , and the operating system  2 A 32  communicates with the I/O subsystem  2 A 33 . The I/O subsystem  2 A 33  communicates with the sub-systems  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  and the communications interface  2 B 0  by means of the communications bus  2 C 0 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the visual sub-system  210 . In  FIG. 3 , the visual sub-system  210  includes an optical-image projector  211 , a mirror  212 , a dome  213 , and a screen  215 . The projector, mirror, dome and screen  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  215  are optically coupled.  
         [0059]     The optical-image projector  211  of the visual subsystem  210  may be a motion-picture projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like.  
         [0060]     The dome  213  defines a physical space for the projected image and helps the illusion that a physical object is inside. The visual sub-system  210  may include an optional background  214 . This background  214  blocks out background distractions and creates the illusion that the image is an object inside the dome  213 .  
         [0061]     The screen  215  is a light-reflecting, non-mirror surface. The screens used in motion-picture or slide projection are examples. Additionally, the screen  215  may have fade-away edges and a color matching the background  214 , both in order to avoid sharp contrast with the background  214 . (In one embodiment, this color is black.)  
         [0062]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the auditory sub-system  220 . In  FIG. 4 , the sub-system  220  includes high-quality stereophonic speakers  221 , a signal processor  222  and a communications bus  223 . The bus  223  may be fully or partially integral with the communications bus  2 C 0 .  
         [0063]     The signal processor  222  includes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter.  
         [0064]     In  FIG. 4 , the sub-system  220  includes stereophonic speakers, although a monophonic presentation is possible, as is an N-channel presentation, where N&gt;2. For example, six-channel speaker systems are commonly used to re-create a movie-theater experience outside of such a theater.  
         [0065]     Also, the speakers  221  are described as high quality. Lower-quality speakers are, of course, possible (but would limit the representation of certain products - top-quality speakers, for example).  
         [0066]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the vibratory sub-system  230 . In  FIG. 5 , the vibratory sub-system  230  includes a rest, mold or mount  231 , actuation system  232 , and a cable  233  or other means for communicatively connecting the actuation system  232  and the rest  231 . The rest  231  may be a joystick, a grip ring, a hand mold or other means for transmitting vibrations to a hand in physical contact with the mount  231 . The bus  2 C 0  connects to the actuation system  232  to permit external control of the sub-system  230 .  
         [0067]     The sub-system  230  optionally includes other rests or mounts  234  for 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 rest  231  itself need not be for a hand but may be for another body part as well.  
         [0068]     The mass-simulation sub-system  240  simulates characteristics of a mass in a gravity field (typically, Earth&#39;s gravity field at sea level). Simulated characteristics may include center of gravity, inertia and weight.  
         [0069]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the mass-simulation sub-system  240 . In  FIG. 6 , the mass-simulation sub-system  240  includes a handle(s)  241 , a magnetic mass  243 , a magnetic-field generator  244  and a cable  245 . The cable  245  mechanically couples the handle(s)  241  to the magnetic mass  243 . The magnetic mass  243  is itself coupleable magnetically to the magnetic-field generator  244 . The bus  2 C 0  connects to the generator  244  to permit external control of the sub-system  230 .  
         [0070]     (As used herein, the phrase “magnetic mass” refers to a collection of matter capable of being attracted by a magnet.)  
         [0071]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate one embodiment of the textural sub-system  250 .  FIG. 7A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sub-system  250  while  FIG. 7B  illustrates an external view of the same. The sub-system  250  may include a belt  251 , multiple texture samples  252 , a rotor  253 , the housing  280 , an opening  281  and the bus  2 C 0  (not shown). The multiple samples  252  are attached or integral to the belt  251 , the belt itself mechanically coupled to the rotor  253 . The housing  280  substantially covers the samples  252  except for an opening  281  exposing a single sample  252 . The bus  2 C 0  connects to the rotor  253  to permit external control of the textural sub-system  250 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a top view of the sub-system  250 .  
         [0073]     Not shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are optional hydraulic, pneumatic or the like pads supporting corresponding samples  252  (from the shopper&#39;s perspective). A supporting pad may vary the pressure with which it supports its sample  252  to more accurately represent the texture to be simulated.  
         [0074]      FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the olfactory sub-system  260 . The olfactory sub-system  260  may include multiple non-specific olfaction sample containers  261 , respective multiple non-specific olfaction samples  266 , respective multiple channels  267 , a mixer  262 , an expresser  263  and the bus  2 C 0 .  
         [0075]     The expresser  263  is mechanically coupled to the sample containers  261  and the mixer  262 . The samples  266  reside in respective containers  261  that connect to respective channels  267 . The channels  267  also connect to the mixer  262 . The mixer  262  includes an exit  268 . The bus  2 C 0  connects to the expresser  263 , permitting external control of the sub-system  260 .  
         [0076]     In operation, the bus  2 C 0  carries a signal to the expresser  263  to express a particular smell. The expresser  263  expresses some combination of quantities of the samples  266  from the containers  261  into the channels  267 . The sample quantities travel along the channels  267  into the mixer  262 .  
         [0077]     The mixer  262  mixes the sample quantities, and the expresser  263  expresses the resulting mixed sample through the exit  268  in the expected general direction of a shopper. (The mixer  262  or the expresser  263  may atomize the mixed sample.)  
         [0078]     In one embodiment, the non-specific olfaction samples  266  span 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-system  260  includes N non-specific olfaction samples  266  corresponding respectively to those N characteristics.)  
         [0079]     The reference  Firms 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-system  260 . (The Wall Street Journal reference is incorporated herein by reference.)  
         [0080]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of the temperature-simulation sub-system  270 . The sub-system  270  includes a heating element  271 , a cable  272 , a thermostat  273  and the bus  2 C 0 . The heating element  271  may radicate, conduct, convect or otherwise impart its heat to the intended target. The cable  272  communicatively couples the thermostat  273  and the heating element  271 . The bus  2 C 0  connects to the thermostat  273 , permitting external control of the sub-system  270 .  
         [0081]     Again regarding the VPPS system  220  of  FIG. 2 , the communications interface  2 B 0  may include a controller  2 B 1  for accessing a communications link  2 D 0 . At least one database  2 E 0  of product information is accessible via the link  2 D 0 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the database  2 E 0  accessible over a network  2 D 0  via the communications interface  2 B 0 .  
         [0082]     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.  
         [0083]     By farming the storage requirements out to a database available over the communications link  2 D 0  (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 link  2 D 0 . Indeed, the database may reduce any product&#39;s representation to basic shapes that can be modified to represent the product with minimal cues from the database to the VPPS  200 .  
         [0084]     The communications sub-system  2 B 0  may also include devices for communicating with the shopper. For example, in some embodiments, the sub-system  2 B 0  includes some or all of the following devices common in computer systems: a monitor  2 B 2 , a keyboard  2 B 3 , a mouse  2 B 4 , a touchscreen  2 B 5  overlying an LCD  2 B 6 , a pen  2 B 7 , a trackball  2 B 8 .  
         [0085]     The system  200  may include a point-of-sale (POS) sub-system  2 F 0  (not shown).  
         [0086]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate two alternate embodiments of the visual sub-system  210 . In  FIG. 10 , the sub-system  210  includes the projector  211 , the screen  215  and the dome  213 . The projector, mirror and dome are still optically coupled but in a different configuration. Here, the projector  211  is horizontal (that is to say, parallel to the ground). A photon generated by the projector  211  travels vertically upward into the dome  213  and reflects off of the screen  215  into the line of sight of a viewer. A color-matched background  214  is positioned behind the screen  215 .  
         [0087]     In  FIG. 11 , the sub-system  210  includes the projector  211 , the mirror  212 , the dome  213  and the screen  215 . The projector, mirror and dome are still optically coupled but in yet a different configuration. Here, the projector  211  is angled to project an image from behind and near the bottom or below the dome  213  onto the mirror  212  located above and closer to the dome  213 . The mirror  212  is angled to reflect that image down onto the screen  215 . The image reflects off of the screen  215  into the line of sight of a viewer.  
         [0088]     An advantage of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  is that the sub-system  210  requires less space vertically than the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 11 .  
         [0089]     A format converter  224  is optional in the auditory sub-system  220 . The sub-system  220  may also include a CPU  225  and memory  226  that allows the sub-system to operate initially under the direction of the kiosk CPU  290  but subsequently independently of that CPU  290 .  
         [0090]     One embodiment of the mass-simulation system  240  is 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.  
         [0091]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate alternate embodiments of the mass-simulation sub-system  240 . In  FIG. 12 , an optional pulley system  242  changes the direction of movement of the handle(s)  241  (indicated with solid, double-headed arrows) with respect to that of the magnetic mass  243  (indicated with blank double-headed arrows).  
         [0092]      FIG. 13  is a side-on view of a rod-in-mass configuration composing the sub-system  240 . The rod-in-mass configuration includes one or more handles  241 , an actuator  246  including multiple rods  247 , respective multiple masses  249  and a cable  245 . The bus  2 C 0  attaches to the actuator  206  to allow external control of the sub-system  240 .  
         [0093]     The cable  245  connects the handles  241  to the actuator  246 . Each of the rods  247  is capable of moving in order to connect or disconnect a respective mass  249  to the actuator  246 . The actuator  246  moves the rods  247 .  
         [0094]     The rods  247  and the actuator  246  together effect a tunable mass  243 . For example, if the maximum weight to be simulated is forty-eight (48) pounds, then the rods  247  weigh 1 pound, 2 pounds, 4 pounds, 8 pounds, 16 pounds and 32 pounds. With this combination of weighted rods, the sub-system  240  can simulate 1 through 48 pounds (actually, through 63 pounds) in 1-pound increments.  
         [0095]     More generally, where the maximum desired weight to be simulated is N, then the rods  247  are of weights 1, 2, . . . , 2 M , where M is the log 2  of 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.  
         [0096]      FIG. 16  is a top-down view of the rod-in-mass configuration of  FIG. 13 . In this view, optional races or runs  248  stabilize the configuration shown.  
         [0097]     Where the multiple masses  249  are magnetic masses, then a mass-simulation sub-system  240  combining properties of the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 13  is possible. For example, a sub-system  240  can use the masses  249  to approximate the mass to be simulated, while the field generator  244  tunes the mass approximation.  
         [0098]      FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the textural sub-system  250 . As in  FIG. 7A , the sub-system  250  includes the belt  251 , multiple samples  252 , housing  280  and opening  281 . The sub-system  250  also includes the rotor  253 —which may be differently configured to support this embodiment. The sub-system  250  also includes the rest, actuation circuitry and cable  231 ,  232 ,  233  of the vibratory sub-system  230 . This embodiment combines the textural and mass-simulation sub-systems  250 ,  230 .  
         [0099]     In  FIG. 8 , the olfactory sub-system  260  optionally includes specific-source containers  264 . Specific source containers  264  contain examples of specific, olfactorily complex products  26 D that a shopper may wish to smell. Typically, these products  26 D are so complex that the non-specific-source containers  261  would have difficulty reproducing them.  
         [0100]     The sub-system  260  also optionally includes a de-expresser  265  for increasing the rate at which an expressed smell dissipates. In one embodiment, the de-expresser  265  is a fan. In another embodiment, the de-expresser  265  includes an air purser  26 A, a sampler  26 , optional valves  26 B and a feedback signal  26 C. The pulser  26 A and the sampler  269  connect to the mixer  262 .  
         [0101]     In operation, the pulser  26 A pushes air through the mixer  262  in order to blow any residual mixed samples from the mixer  262 . The sampler  269  samples the air exiting the mixer  262  to determine concentrations of the samples  261  in the air. The feedback signal communicates these determined concentrations to the pulser  26 A (which may be a part of the expresser  263 ) that then determines whether the concentrations are sufficiently low to stop the pushed air. The optional valves  26 B prevent any sample remaining in a channel  267  from contaminating the mixer  262  after the pulser  26 A has cleaned it.  
       Protocols  
       [0102]     The operation of the sub-systems of the VPPS  200  and of the VPPS  200  itself in one embodiment is further described below. The operation of the subsystems and the VPPS  200  with alternate embodiments will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art:  
         [0103]     The VPPS  200  initially presents a greeting and/or instructional screen on its LCD  2 B 6  instructing 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.” 
         [0104]     In response to a shopper&#39;s touching the screen  2 B 5 , the VPPS  200  may present one or more additional greeting, instructional and/or advertisement screens.  
         [0105]     The VPPS  200  presently presents on the LCD  2 B 6  a 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.)  
         [0106]     In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating the departmental area of interest, the VPPS  200  presently lists the product categories available in that departmental area and instructs the shopper how to choose.  
         [0107]     In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating the product category of interest, the VPPS  200  presently asks the shopper whether he wishes to browse or look at a specific known product.  
         [0108]     In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating that he wishes to browse, the VPPS  200  may present browsing options. For example, the VPPS  200  may 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 VPPS  200  can present a “browse-by-” option for each characteristic in its database of the product category.  
         [0109]     In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating that he wishes to browse all of the product category, the VPPS  200  presently 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.  
         [0110]     In a preferred embodiment, while or after presenting an abbreviated simulation, the VPPS  200  instructs the shopper to select the next product. In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating his desire to move onto the next product, the VPPS  200  terminates 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.  
         [0111]     In addition to instructing the shopper to select the next product to browse, the VPPS  200  instructs the shopper to indicate when he wishes to see a fuller simulation of the product currently but abbreviatedly simulated. In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating his wish to see a particular product more fully simulated, the VPPS  200  retrieves the characteristics of the selected product from a database (the database  2 E 0 , for example) and activates the sub-systems  210  through  270  as indicated by the characteristic values retrieved.  
         [0112]     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.)  
         [0113]     In response to the shopper&#39;s indicating that he wishes to see a specific, known product, the VPPS  200  instructs the shopper to enter information sufficient to identify the product, typically the brand and model. After receiving and verifying the data entered, the VPPS  200  retrieves the characteristics of the identified product from a database and activates the sub-systems  210  through  270  as indicated by the characteristic values retrieved.  
         [0114]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is visual, the visual-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the visual sub-system  210 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , instructing the projector  211  to emit one or more images (that the mirror and screen  212 ,  215  reflect) into the shopper&#39;s eye. These images approximate an image of the product. (“Approximation” includes exact reproduction.)  
         [0115]     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&#39;s turning smoothly and continuously in space, and the shopper controls the viewpoint. To allow the user to control the viewpoint, the VPPS  200  coordinates the output the visual sub-system  210  and input from the user from, say, the trackball  2 B 8  of the communications sub-system  2 B 0 , a handle  241  of the mass-simulation sub-system  240  or a mass-sensitive rim of the sub-system  240 .  
         [0116]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is auditory, the auditory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the auditory sub-system  220 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , instructing the signal processor  222  to emit one or more sounds that the speakers  221  broadcast into the shopper&#39;s ears. These sounds approximate the sounds of the product.  
         [0117]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is vibratory, the vibratory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the vibratory sub-system  230 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , instructing the actuation circuitry  232  to vibrate a rest  231 ,  234  to approximate the vibrations of the product.  
         [0118]     Where the sound of a product varies according to its vibrations, the VPPS  200  may coordinate the operation of the auditory and vibratory sub-systems  220 ,  230 .  
         [0119]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is mass, the mass-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the mass-simulation sub-system  240 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , in one embodiment instructing the generator  244  to generate an electromagnetic field that acts (in concert with the earth&#39;s gravitational field) on the mass  243  approximately as does the earth&#39;s gravitational field on the product.  
         [0120]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is textural, the textural-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the textural sub-system  250 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , in one embodiment instructing the rotor  253  to turn the belt  251  to bring the appropriate sample  252  approximating a texture of the product to the opening  281  and to appropriately adjust back pressure.  
         [0121]     Where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is olfactory, the olfactory-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the olfactory sub-system  260 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , in one embodiment instructing the expresser  263  to express a certain amount (possibly none) of each of the samples  266 ,  26 D (into the mixer  262 ) for ultimate expression via exit  268  towards the shopper. The combination of the certain amounts of all of the samples  266 ,  26 D approximate a smell of the product.  
         [0122]     Finally where one of the selected or indicated product&#39;s characteristics is temperature, the temperature-characteristic value includes information sufficient to operate the temperature-simulation sub-system  270 . Accordingly, the CPU  290  drives the bus  2 C 0 , instructing the thermostat  273  to drive the heating unit  271  to temperatures approximating temperatures associated with the product.  
         [0123]     While or after presenting a simulation of a product, the VPPS  200  instructs the shopper how to purchase the product.  
         [0124]     Of course, some of the above steps may be collapsed, making the VPPS  200  presentation less logical but more user friendly.  
         [0125]     Also, the VPPS  200  incorporates “pause,” “go back” and “start over” options, as well as reasonable timeouts to account, for example, for the shopper walking away in mid-presentation.  
         [0126]     The VPPS  200  coordinates simulations presentations through the sub-systems  210  through  270  as appropriate. Indeed, where particular sub-systems are not needed in the simulation of a product, the VPPS  200  may nonetheless use them to create ancillary sensations of the product, including ancillary sensations of the experience of using the product. For example, where the VPPS  200  is demonstrating the vibrations transmitted through a racket when hit in its sweet spot by a ball, the auditory sub-system  220  can present the sound of the ball hitting that sweet spot.  
       EXAMPLE  
       [0127]     With the VPPS  200  in place, an example shopping experience can be more like the following: The shopper walks into a merchant&#39;s store and up to the VPPS  200 . (The store may be a major department store such as Macy&#39;s or Sears.) In response to a greeting screen, the shopper touches the touchscreen to proceed.  
         [0128]     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 touchscreen  2 B 5  and LCD  2 B 6  to walk the lower-level menus presented by the VPPS  200 . Let&#39;s say the shopper is interested in kitchenwares, more specifically, kitchen appliances.  
         [0129]     Having communicated to the VPPS  200  the correct department and sub-department, the shopper next selects the product category of interest. Let&#39;s say it is hand-held mixers.  
         [0130]     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&#39;s picking up first one product sample and then another, attempting to find the one that best fits his criteria.  
         [0131]     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.  
         [0132]     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.  
         [0133]     As a sales aide, the VPPS  200  deploys the otherwise unused olfactory sub-system  260  to express, say, the aroma of baking bread or cookies.  
         [0134]     Unclear whether the mixer&#39;s controls are easy-to-understand, the shopper uses the handle to turn the image to display the controls and instructs the VPPS  200  to pause and zoom the image. He thus gets a closer look at the controls.  
         [0135]     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&#39;s sales and marketing information, as well as the specifications for the product. He is now firmly convinced.  
         [0136]     The shopper inserts his payment card (credit, EFT, smart, etc.) into the point-of-sale terminal in the VPPS  200  and purchases the product. Receiving a receipt from the VPPS  200  and having been informed that delivery of the mixer to the shopper (that is to say, while he is at the VPPS  200 ) takes a minute or two, the shopper waits at the VPPS  200 . He may possibly be distracted by store advertisements or other information from the VPPS  200  or may begin to use the VPPS  200  to shop for another product.  
         [0137]     A sales agent or stock person delivers the mixer to the shopper.  
         [0138]     Of course, a salesperson may offer his services to the shopper, particularly with respect to criteria which are not readily obvious on initial inspection.  
         [0139]     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 mirror  212  and a screen  215  in the visual sub-systems of  FIGS. 3 and 11  is still another example.