Patent Publication Number: US-2018040055-A1

Title: Method for providing a customized product recommendation

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for providing customized product recommendations and specifically to systems and methods for providing customized hair cutting or hair removal product recommendations from information collected from a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wide variety of products are marketed for cutting and removing hair. Such products include products for cutting hair, products for removing hair, products to be applied by a user prior to cutting/removing hair and products to be applied by a user after cutting/removing hair. With such a wide variety of products to choose from and each for different purposes and/or benefits it is not uncommon for a user to have difficulty determining which product or combination of products such as a regimen should be used for their unique needs. 
     A variety of methods have been used in other industries such as the cosmetics industry to provide customized product recommendations to users. For example, some methods use a feature-based analysis in which one or more features of a skin condition (e.g., fine lines, wrinkles, spots, uneven skin tone) are detected in a captured image (e.g., a digital photo) by looking for features that meet a definition are commonly used. However, such systems have not addressed the needs for hair cutting/removal. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a customized product recommendation to a user that is customized to the individual user&#39;s hair cutting or hair removal needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user is provided. Information is collected from a user regarding how frequently the user cuts and/or removes hair over a given period of time. The collected information is analyzed. A product is selected for the user from at least two available products based upon information collected and analyzed from the user. Recommending the selected product to the user. 
     The frequency comprises more than one time a day, one time a day (daily), six times a week, five times a week, four times a week, three times a week, two times a week, one time a week and less than one time a week. The frequency may comprise once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once and a month, once every two months, once every three months, once every four months, once every five months, and once every six months. Other frequencies may be offered and selected. Additionally, information is collected from a user regarding an area of the body where the user cuts and/or removes hair. The areas of the body comprise a user&#39;s cheek, a user&#39;s neck, a user&#39;s head, a user&#39;s groin, a user&#39;s underarm, a user&#39;s chest, a user&#39;s back, a user&#39;s leg, a user&#39;s arm, and a user&#39;s bikini area. 
     The products comprise products to use for cutting hair, products for removing hair, products to be applied by a user prior to cutting and/or removing hair and products to be applied by a user after cutting and/or removing hair. 
     Products for cutting hair comprise a multi-blade razor, a single blade razor, a straight razor, a disposable razor, a dry shaver, and a trimmer. 
     Products for removing hair comprise a wax, a light-based device, and a laser based device, an epilator, an abrasive pad, and a depilatory cream. 
     Products to be applied by the user prior to cutting and/or removing hair comprise a shave cream, a shave soap, a shave oil, a shave prep, a shave foam and a shave gel. 
     Products to be applied by the user after cutting and/or removing hair comprise an after-shave lotion, an after-shave balm, an after-shave gel, an oil, a serum and a moisturizer. 
     The information may be collected using a computing device. The computing device may comprise a mobile device, a tablet, a handheld device, and a desktop device. 
     The information may comprise voice information, pictorial information, video information, written questionnaire, and digital information. 
     The product selected may comprise a regimen of two or more products. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a computing environment for providing customized product recommendations, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a flow chart of a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a chart showing products to be selected from for cutting hair. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a chart showing products to be selected from for removing hair. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a chart showing products to be selected from to be applied by a user prior to cutting and/or removing hair. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a chart showing products to be selected from to be applied by a user after cutting and/or removing hair. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart of another method for providing a customized product recommendation. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a flow chart of another method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user to be used in conjunction with the methods shown in  FIG. 2-7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a system  100  for collecting information from a user, analyzing the information, and providing a customized product recommendation. The system  100  may include a network  101 , which may be embodied as a wide area network (such as a mobile telephone network, a public switched telephone network, a satellite network, the internet, etc.), a local area network (such as wireless-fidelity, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Bluetooth™, etc.), and/or other forms of networking capabilities. Coupled to the network  101  are a computing device  102 ,  102   a  a kiosk computing device  106 , a cloud based service  120  a web app  130  and/or an e-commerce platform  135 . 
     The computing device  102 ,  102   a  may be a mobile device, a handheld device, a mobile telephone, a tablet, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a desktop device, a desktop computer and/or other computing device configured for collecting, capturing, storing, and/or transferring information such as voice information, pictorial information, video information, written questionnaire and/or digital information such as a digital photograph. Accordingly, the computing device  102  may comprise an image capture device  103  such as a digital camera and/or may be configured to receive images from other devices. The computing device  102  may comprise an image display screen  105  to display an image of a product such as a multi-blade razor  107 . The mobile computing device  102   a  may comprise a voice capture device  104  such as an audio recorder and/or may be configured to receive audio input from other devices. The computing device  102   a  may comprise a speaker  108  to provide audio information to a user. The computing device  102 ,  102   a  may include a memory component  140 , which stores information capture logic  144   a , interface logic  144   b , and analyzing logic  144   c . The memory component  140   a  may include random access memory (such as SRAM, DRAM, etc.), read only memory (ROM), registers, and/or other forms of computing storage hardware. The information capture logic  144   a , the interface logic  144   b  and the analyzing logic  144   c  may include software components, hardware circuitry, firmware, and/or another computing infrastructure, as described herein. The information capture logic  144   a  may facilitate capturing, storing, preprocessing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user. The interface logic  144   b  may be configured for providing one or more user interfaces to the user, which may include questions, options, and the like. The analyzing logic  144   c  may facilitate processing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user for selecting a product to be recommended to a user. The mobile computing device  102 ,  102   a  may also be configured for communicating with other computing devices via the network  101 . The devices may also be linked to an e-commerce platform  135  to enable the user to purchase the product(s) being recommended. 
     The system  100  may also comprise a kiosk computing device  106 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The kiosk computing device  106  may operate similar to the computing device  102 ,  102   a  but may also be able to dispense one or more products and/or receive payment in the form of cash or electronic transactions. 
     It should be understood that while the kiosk computing device  106  is depicted as a vending machine type of device, this is merely an example. Some embodiments may utilize a mobile device that also provides payment and/or production dispensing. Consequently, the hardware and software depicted for the computing device  102 ,  102   a  may be included in the kiosk computing device  106  and/or other devices. 
     The system  100  may also comprise a cloud based service  120 . The cloud based service  120  may include a memory component  140 , which stores information capture logic  144   a , interface logic  144   b , and analyzing logic  144   c . The memory component  140   a  may include random access memory (such as SRAM, DRAM, etc.), read only memory (ROM), registers, and/or other forms of computing storage hardware. The information capture logic  144   a , the interface logic  144   b  and the analyzing logic  144   c  may include software components, hardware circuitry, firmware, and/or another computing infrastructure, as described herein. The information capture logic  144   a  may facilitate capturing, storing, preprocessing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user. The interface logic  144   b  may be configured for providing one or more user interfaces to the user, which may include questions, options, and the like. The analyzing logic  144   c  may facilitate processing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user for selecting a product to be recommended to a user. 
     The system  100  may also comprise a web app  130 . The web app  130  may include a memory component  140 , which stores information capture logic  144   a , interface logic  144   b , and analyzing logic  144   c . The memory component  140   a  may include random access memory (such as SRAM, DRAM, etc.), read only memory (ROM), registers, and/or other forms of computing storage hardware. The information capture logic  144   a , the interface logic  144   b  and the analyzing logic  144   c  may include software components, hardware circuitry, firmware, and/or another computing infrastructure, as described herein. The information capture logic  144   a  may facilitate capturing, storing, preprocessing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user. The interface logic  144   b  may be configured for providing one or more user interfaces to the user, which may include questions, options, and the like. The analyzing logic  144   c  may facilitate processing, analyzing, transferring, and/or performing other functions on collected information from a user for selecting a product to be recommended to a user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  a flow chart  150  is shown. Flow chart  150  includes a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. At  151  a question is presented to the user regarding how frequently the user cuts hair over a period of time. Shaving refers to the act of cutting hair. Several inputs/choices for the frequency of hair cutting occurrences are provided at  152   a - 152   e . The frequency comprises one time a day (daily) or more than one time a day  152   a , six times a week, five times a week or four times a week  152   b , three times a week or two times a week  152   c , one time a week  152   d  and less than one time a week  152   e . Of course, other frequencies may be offered and chosen. The information from a user regarding the frequency of hair cutting occurrences over a period of time is collected at  155 . The collected information  155  is then analyzed at  156 . Based on the collected and analyzed information  155 ,  156 , a product is selected at  157  for the user. The product selection  157  is performed from at least two available products. 
     Product selection  157  of a product may comprise one or more selections of different types of products. Product selection may comprise selection of a product to use for cutting hair  160   a - 160   e . If a user selects daily or more than one time a day  152   a  as the frequency, hair cutting product A is selected  160   a . If a user selects four, five or six times a week  152   b  as the frequency, hair cutting product B is selected  160   b . If a user selects two or three times a week  152   c  as the frequency, hair cutting product C is selected  160   c . If a user selects once a week  152   d  as the frequency, hair cutting product D is selected  160   d . If a user selects less than once a week  152   e  as the frequency, hair cutting product E is selected  160   e.    
     Product selection may comprise the selection of a product to be applied by a user prior to hair cutting  161   a - 161   e . If a user selects daily or more than one time a day  152   a  as the frequency, prior to hair cutting product A is selected  161   a . If a user selects four, five, or six times a week  152   b  as the frequency, prior to hair cutting product B is selected  161   b . If a user selects two or three times a week  152   c  as the frequency, prior to hair cutting product C is selected  161   c . If a user selects once a week  152   d  as the frequency, prior to hair cutting product D is selected  161   d . If a user selects less than once a week  152   e  as the frequency, prior to hair cutting product E is selected  161   e.    
     Product selection may comprise selection of a product to be applied by a user after hair cutting  162   a - 162   e . If a user selects daily or more than one time a day  152   a  as the frequency, after hair cutting product A is selected  162   a . If a user selects four, five or six times a week  152   b  as the frequency, after hair cutting product B is selected  162   b . If a user selects two or three times a week  152   c  as the frequency, after hair cutting product C is selected  162   c . If a user selects once a week  152   d  as the frequency, after hair cutting product D is selected  162   d . If a user selects less than once a week  152   e  as the frequency, after hair cutting product E is selected  162   e.    
     The product selection may comprise a regimen of two or more products. For example, the product selection may be a regimen comprising a product to use for cutting hair  160   a  and a product to be applied by a user prior to cutting hair  161   a . The product selection may be a regimen comprising a product to use for cutting hair  160   b , a product to be applied by a user prior to cutting hair  161   b  and a product to be applied by a user after cutting hair  162   b . Other combinations are possible from the choices shown. 
     After the product has been selected, the selected product is recommended to the user at  163 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown product selection  157  of a product to use for cutting hair  160 . Products to be used for cutting hair comprise a multi-blade razor  170 , a single blade razor  171 , a straight razor  172 , a disposable razor  173 , dry shaver  174 , and a trimmer  175 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is a shown product selection  157  of a product to use for removal of hair  260 . Products to be used for removal of hair comprise a wax  270 , a light-based device  271 , and a laser based device  272 , a depilatory cream  273 , an epilator  274 , and an abrasive pad  275 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown another product selection  157  of a product to be applied by a user prior to hair cutting and/or removal  161 . Products to be applied by a user prior to hair cutting and/or removal comprise a shave cream  180 , a shave soap  181 , a shave oil  182 , a shave prep  183 , a shave foam  184  and a shave gel  185 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown another product selection  157  of a product to be applied by a user after hair cutting and/or removal  162 . Products to be applied by a user after hair cutting and/or removal comprise an after-shave lotion  190 , an after-shave balm  191 , an after-shave gel  192 , an oil  193 , a serum  194  and a moisturizer  195 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  a flow chart  250  is shown. Flow chart  250  includes a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. At  251  a question is presented to the user regarding how frequently the user removes hair over a period of time. Question  251  may be asked on its own or in addition to question  151  from  FIG. 2 . Several inputs/choices for the frequency the user removes hair over a period of time are provided at  252   a - 252   e . The frequency comprises once a month  252   a , once every two months  252   b , once every three months  252   c , once every four months  252   d , and once every six months  252   e . Of course, other frequencies may also be offered and chosen. For example, the frequencies for cutting hair may also be used for the frequencies for removing hair. The information from a user regarding the frequency of hair removing occurrences over a period of time is collected at  255 . The collected information  255  is then analyzed at  256 . Based on the collected and analyzed information  255  and  256 , a product is selected at  257  for the user. The product selection  257  is performed from at least two available products. 
     Product selection  257  of a product may comprise one or more selections of different types of products. Product selection may comprise the selection of a product to use for removing hair  260   a - 260   e . If a user selects once a month  252   a  as the frequency, hair removing product A is selected  260   a . If a user selects once every two months  252   b  as the frequency, hair removing product B is selected  260   b . If a user selects once every three months  252   c  as the frequency, hair removing product C is selected  260   c . If a user selects once every four months  252   d  as the frequency, hair removing product D is selected  260   d . If a user selects once every six months  252   e  as the frequency, hair removing product E is selected  260   e.    
     Product selection may comprise selection of a product to be applied by a user prior to hair removing  261   a - 261   e . If a user selects once a month  252   a  as the frequency, prior to hair removing product A is selected  261   a . If a user selects once every two months  252   b  as the frequency, prior to hair removing product B is selected  261   b . If a user selects once every three months  252   c  as the frequency, prior to hair removing product C is selected  261   c . If a user selects once every four months  252   d  as the frequency, prior to hair removing product D is selected  261   d . If a user selects once every six months  252   e  as the frequency, prior to hair removing product E is selected  261   e.    
     Product selection may comprise the selection of a product to be applied by a user after hair removing  262   a - 262   e . If a user selects once a month  252   a  as the frequency, after hair removing product A is selected  262   a . If a user selects once every two months  252   b  as the frequency, after hair removing product B is selected  262   b . If a user selects once every three months  252   c  as the frequency, after hair removing product C is selected  262   c . If a user selects once every four months  252   d  as the frequency, after hair removing product D is selected  262   d . If a user selects once every six months  252   e  as the frequency, after hair removing product E is selected  262   e.    
     The product selection may comprise a regimen of two or more products. For example, the product selection may be a regimen comprising a product to use for removing hair  260   a  and a product to be applied by a user prior to removing hair  261   a . The product selection may be a regimen comprising a product to use for removing hair  260   b , a product to be applied by a user prior to removing hair  261   b  and a product to be applied by a user after removing hair  262   b . Other combinations are possible from the choices shown. 
     After the product is selected, the selected product is recommended to the user at  263 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  a flow chart  300  is shown. Flow chart  300  includes a method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user. At  301  a question is presented to the user regarding an area of the body where the hair cutting and/or removing occurs. Question  301  would come after or in addition to questions  151  and  251  regarding the frequency of hair cutting and/or removing hair as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Several inputs/choices for the area of the body where the shaving stroke is taken are provided at  302 - 311 . The inputs/choices include a user&#39;s cheek  302 , a user&#39;s neck  303 , user&#39;s head  304 , a user&#39;s groin  305 , a user&#39;s underarm  306 , a user&#39;s chest  307 , a user&#39;s back  308 , a user&#39;s leg  309 , a user&#39;s arm  310 , and a user&#39;s bikini area  311 . The information from a user regarding the area of the body where the hair cutting and/or removing occurs is collected at  355 . The collected information  355  is then analyzed at  356 . Based on the collected and analyzed information  355  and  356 , a product is selected at  357  for the user. The product selection  357  is performed on at least two available products. The steps of collecting information  355 , analyzing the information  356  and selecting product are similar if not identical to those set forth above in  FIGS. 2-7 . After the product is selected, the selected product is recommended to the user at  363 . 
     COMBINATIONS 
     Examples are: 
     
         
         A. A method for providing a customized product recommendation to a user comprising the steps of: 
         a. collecting information from a user regarding how frequently the user cuts and/or removes hair over a period of time; 
         b. analyzing the collected information; 
         c. selecting a product for the user from at least two available products based upon information collected and analyzed from the user; and 
         d. recommending the selected product to the user. 
         B. The method of Paragraph A, wherein the frequency comprises one time a day (daily) or more than one time a day, six times a week, five times a week or four times a week, three times a week or two times a week, one time a week, less than one time a week, once a month, once every two months, once every three months, once every four months and once every six months. 
         C. The method of Paragraph A or B, further comprising the step of: 
         e. collecting information from a user regarding an area of the body where the user cuts and/or removes hair is taken. 
         D. The method of Paragraph C, wherein the area of the body comprises a user&#39;s cheek. 
         E. The method of Paragraph C, wherein the area of the body comprises a user&#39;s neck. 
         F. The method of Paragraph C, wherein the area of the body comprises a user&#39;s head, a user&#39;s groin, a user&#39;s underarm, a user&#39;s chest, a user&#39;s back, a user&#39;s leg, a user&#39;s arm and a user&#39;s bikini area. 
         G. The method of any preceding paragraph, wherein the products comprise a product for cutting hair, a product for removing hair, a product to be applied by the user prior to cutting and/or removing hair and a product to be applied by the user after cutting and/or removing hair. 
         H. The method of Paragraph G, wherein the products for cutting hair comprise a multi-blade razor, a single blade razor, a straight razor, a disposable razor, a dry shaver and a trimmer. 
         I. The method of Paragraph G, wherein the products for removing hair comprise a wax, a light-based device, a laser based device, a depilatory cream, an epilator, and an abrasive pad. 
         J. The method of Paragraph G, wherein the products to be applied by a user prior to cutting and/or removing hair comprise a shave cream, a shave soap, a shave oil, a shave prep, a shave foam and a shave gel. 
         K. The method of Paragraph G, wherein the products to be applied by the user after cutting and/or removing hair comprise an after-shave lotion, an after-shave balm, an after-shave gel, an oil, a serum and a moisturizer. 
         L. The method of any preceding paragraph, wherein the information is collected using a computing device. 
         M. The method of Paragraph L, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device, a tablet, a handheld device, and a desktop device. 
         N. The method of any preceding paragraph, wherein the information comprises voice information, pictorial information, video information, written questionnaire, and digital information. 
         O. The method of any preceding paragraph, wherein the product selected comprises a regimen of two or more products. 
       
    
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.