Abstract:
Provided is a method and system of providing a cosmetics enhancement interface. The method comprises showing, at the display screen of a computing device having a memory and a processor: a digital photograph including facial features; an interactive dialog portion reflecting a conversational input received and a subsequent response provided thereto from the computing device, and a product display portion; receiving an inquiry, as reflected in the interactive dialog portion, related to a cosmetic product for application onto a selected facial feature; receiving a selection of the cosmetic product based on a matching to the at least one facial feature according to a predefined rule; displaying, at the product display portion, a product representation associated with the selected cosmetic product; receiving an update request, and updating the digital photograph showing a modification to the facial feature on the display screen by simulating application of the selected cosmetic product thereon.

Description:
[0001]    This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/630,556 filed Dec. 15, 2011, and incorporates by reference the disclosure of said Application No. 61/630,556 in the entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for interactive cosmetics enhancements interface, providing for a user to browse, virtually “try on”, find and purchase beauty products, among other aspects. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Digitally-based detection of facial features based on an accessed digital photograph is finding its way into a variety of internet applications as well as modifications of the digital photograph using various facial visual effects. 
         [0004]    Trying on and buying beauty products can be a significant chore when it involves travelling to a store or boutique, then typically trying several beauty products or articles before finding a satisfactory fit in accordance with subjective tastes and prevailing trendiness. Personally travelling to, and taking the time to try several products in the store or boutique can result in a significant inconvenience to shoppers. A streamlined process allowing shoppers/customers to save time, and further gain the benefit of expert opinions regarding recommendations of beauty products to personal preferences and other unique situational context may advantageously provide time-saving benefits to the on-line Internet shopper, enabling them to “try on”, in a virtual context via simulation, any beauty article or product using a personal digital photograph, prior to making a purchase. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Provided is a method, executed in a computing device having a display screen and a processor, of providing a cosmetics enhancement interface comprising showing, at the display screen: a digital photograph including a plurality of facial features; an interactive dialog portion reflecting a conversational input received and a subsequent response provided thereto from the computing device; and a product display portion; receiving an inquiry, as reflected in the interactive dialog portion, related to a cosmetic product for application onto at least one facial feature of the plurality of facial features, receiving a selection of the cosmetic product based on a matching to the at least one facial feature according to a predefined rule; displaying, at the product display portion, a product representation associated with the selected cosmetic product; receiving an update request; and updating the digital photograph showing a modification to the at least one facial feature on the display screen by simulating application of the selected cosmetic product thereon. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment the conversational input comprises an audible voice input. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment the conversational input comprises a text input. 
         [0008]    In one variation of the method, the at least one facial feature consists of one of a nose, at least one lip of a mouth, an eyebrow, an eyelid, a facial cheek, hair and an ear. 
         [0009]    In another variation, the cosmetic product consists of one of lipstick, eye shadow, hair color, blush makeup, a cosmetic eye lash, and an article of jewellery. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment, the cosmetics enhancement interface comprises a purchasing tool portion to consummate an e-commerce transaction. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment, the cosmetics enhancement interface further comprises a product advertisement section showing offers for purchase. 
         [0012]    In one variation, the computing device consists of one of a desktop computer, a portable computer, a mobile wireless smartphone, and a kiosk. 
         [0013]    The computing device is communicatively coupled to a beauty products database in another variation. 
         [0014]    Further to the method provided, the predefined rule for the matching is at least partly based on an event type specified in the conversational input. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the computing device further includes a memory storing a plurality of earlier conversational inputs of a pre-identified user. The earlier conversational inputs may be used to create a beauty preferences profile of the pre-identified user. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the product representation includes a plurality of color options for selection of at least one option therefrom. 
         [0017]    In yet another variation, the product representation includes a prioritized list of product options for selection of at least one product option therefrom. The product option selections may be used to create a beauty preferences profile of a pre-identified user. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment, the predefined rule for the matching is at least partly based on the beauty preferences profile of the pre-identified user. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment, the matching may be performed in the processor of the computing device. 
         [0020]    Yet further, the cosmetics enhancement interface further may comprise a video display portion. 
         [0021]    In yet another embodiment, the cosmetics enhancement interface may further comprise a plurality of hyperlinks to access websites associated with respective cosmetic products. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an interactive interface according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations with a user; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a situational context involving an event specified by user; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a situational context involving a personal article specified by a user for a style-based matching; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving an instructional video related to a product recommendation; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a purchasing tool for entering into and consummating an ecommerce transaction related to a product recommendation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    This description pertains to a system for assisting a beauty consumer (i.e. “user”) to browse, explore, virtually try-on, and/or purchase beauty products, wherein a user starts by asking a question or request related to her beauty interests or needs. Then, based on the user&#39;s initial question or request, the system will search the Internet and its own internal database for relevant information about the product and display the results to the user. The results could be in the form of a before and after photo, a representative image, a video, a set of links, a scrolling list of entries, or any other mechanism for displaying visual search results to the user. The user can then virtually try the beauty products on her digital photo, or ask more questions via an interactive conversation with the system. The user may then purchase the selected beauty products through an e-commerce website, mobile site, or application. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows an interactive interface according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0031]    A system is designed for assisting a user to browse, explore, virtually try on, and find the best beauty products.  FIG. 1  shows an example of the user interface for the system. The large menu at the top of  FIG. 1  is the Virtual Makeover tool where the effect of applying different makeup products is simulated. The white box at the bottom of  FIG. 1  is the conversation tool provided to the user, which is intended to let the user have a conversation to the system about her beauty needs. 
         [0032]    The virtual makeover tool is a system that allows the user to visualize any products, or effects on her own digital photo. This process is done completely automatically, meaning that all the interactions that user will have with the virtual makeover system, is just to provide it with a photo, and select different beauty products, or effects. As soon as the user selects a product or effect, her photo will automatically be updated accordingly. 
         [0033]    The conversational tool is an system which allows the user to have conversations to the system and get directions. The conversational tool can work based on either voice or text input from the user. In either case, the input sentences from the user are detected and analyzed. Then the system uses the large data base of the information on the beauty products and their features, and provides the user with responses and guidelines. 
         [0034]    A user starts by providing a digital photo of herself to the system, as shown in  FIG. 1 . This step could be done in different ways depending on the system platform, which includes web, mobile, tablet, or kiosk. This step is done because the system is then going to visualize the beauty products by means of automatically simulating the effect of applying the make up products on the user&#39;s face. 
         [0035]    The user then proceeds by starting a conversation with the system, related to her beauty interests or needs. For example, the user can start with the request: 
         [0036]    I have blue eyes and I am looking for a beautiful eye shadow for my eyes. 
         [0037]    Then, the system will respond back to the user with: 
         [0038]    Okay. I can help you find an Eyeshadow. I just sorted the palette for you. 
         [0039]    This is shown in  FIG. 1 . What happens is that the virtual makeover tool processes the digital photo of the user, and finds the specific characteristics of the user&#39;s eyes. Then, based on those features, and the color of the eyes mentioned by the user, the system automatically detects which eye shadows best match to the user&#39;s eyes. Finally the system sorts the palette of eye shadows for the user and provides her with the option to select and try any of them. As soon as the user selects one of the suggested colors for the eyeshadow, an eyeshadow with the same color will immediately be applied to her digital photo on the virtual makeover tool, as shown in  FIG. 1 . This way, the user can try as many colors as she wants and select the one she is interested in. 
         [0040]    The system is designed in a way that it is not limited to request and questions only. Instead, the user can also describe a situation to the system, and the system will guide them based on their situation. An example of this is shown in  FIG. 2 . In this example, the user has explained her situation to the system as: 
         [0041]    I am going to a party tonight, and I was wondering what color is the best for my lipstick. 
         [0042]    The system has then reacted with the response: 
         [0043]    For a party, I would recommend darker and more vibrant colors. I have sorted the lipstick products for you. 
         [0044]    The lipstick products are then sorted accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this case, the system does not only act as a simple automated chatting tool, but it also has the ability to understand and analyze the exact beauty needs of the user and provide her with a professional recommendation via the interactive conversation tool.  FIG. 2  further shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations with a user. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a situational context involving an event specified by user. 
         [0046]    There are some situations that the system might be able to provide a much better response to the user if it knows some more details about the user&#39;s situation. In this case, the system asks the user for more information about her situation, An example of this is shown if  FIG. 3 . The user has described her situation as: 
         [0047]    I am going to a wedding. Could you help me choose a good blush? 
         [0048]    The system then asks the following question in order to have more information about the preferences of the user: 
         [0049]    Sure, what is the color of your dress for the wedding? 
         [0050]    The user&#39;s answer could be something like: 
         [0051]    It is going to be purple. 
         [0052]    Now the system knows the exact preferences of the user and can narrow down the list of the beauty products for this specific user. So the system responds with: 
         [0053]    Perfect, I have sorted the blush products that best match to your dress color for you. 
         [0054]    And it sorts the colors of the blush products that best match the color of the user&#39;s dress, as in  FIG. 4 , the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a situational context involving a personal article specified by a user for a style-based matching. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving an instructional video related to a product recommendation. There is a component in the system which allows browsing the web based on the user&#39;s question and presenting the results to the user. Therefore, all the information about the beauty products on the web is used by the system in addition to the system&#39;s database for beauty products. An example of this component is shown in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , the user has asked the question: 
         [0056]    How do I apply a smoky eye effect? Could you help me with that? 
         [0057]    The system has then provided the response: 
         [0058]    Sure, here is a video that might be helpful. 
         [0059]    And it provides video of the specific brand for the user to watch. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  shows the interactive interface displaying an embodiment of the interactive conversations involving a purchasing tool for entering into and consummating an e-commerce transaction related to a product recommendation. 
         [0061]    The disclosure herein is not limited to the interactive conversations provided in the examples above, but it includes all kind of questions and conversations about the features, pricing, usage, and all other details of the beauty products. 
         [0062]    There is a component in the interactive conversational system, which keeps track of the whole conversation, as well as the products already selected by the user. So the details of the conversation and the make up products the user has tried and selected are all stored. This information is considered when providing responses to the user for the next steps. Therefore, when the system is about to provide the response to the user&#39;s question, it not only uses its own large database of beauty products and their features, but it also uses the history of the conversation it has had to the current user. So for example, if the user has selected a green blush for her face, and now she is looking for a lipstick, then the system can take this into account for recommending a lipstick color to the user. 
         [0063]    There is a component of the system that collects the overall results of the conversations with the users, The overall results include the details of the conversations, the details of the products tried and selected by the users. The system then utilizes these overall results, in order to update the large database of beauty products and their features that it uses to communicate to the users. 
         [0064]    A component is also provided in the updating part of the system that keeps track of all the beauty products in the market. This component then updates the database of beauty products in the system according to the products currently available in the market. This way, the system is always synchronized with the most up to date beauty products. 
         [0065]    The system collects all the beauty products selected by the user during a conversation and displays them on the interface as shown in  FIG. 6 . The conversation will continue until the user is satisfied with the collection of products that are visualized on her photo. At this point, there is a component in the system that makes it possible for the user to purchase them through an e-commerce web or mobile site. 
         [0066]    The disclosure herein is not limited to the makeup products on the face only. Rather, it pertains to other kinds of beauty products, such as but not limited to hair color and dressing products. For all other kinds of beauty products, the user can have conversations to the system about the specific product, and get directions for application or use. 
         [0067]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments in the disclosure herein, varying modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.