Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/100,175, entitled “Interactive Color Center Display Apparatus,” filed on May 3, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/330,505, filed on May 3, 2010, entitled “Interactive Color Center Display Apparatus,” the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure relates to display systems and in one embodiment, to a large merchandising display for presenting, advertising and promoting paint and other coating products in a retail environment and providing product information to consumers and others. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An illustrative display unit embodiment includes a plurality of display modules arranged in a single row and having an upper display section and a lower display section. One of the display modules may comprise an interactive Kiosk comprising a touch sensitive interactive display screen permitting a user to selectively access a variety of color selection and/or transmission features. 
         [0004]    A second of the display modules may include at least one card reading video station wherein a consumer may pass a coded paint color sample card past a code reader. The consumer is thereafter presented with a display of a color present on the sample card followed by a selectable sequence of video display screens, which may comprise part of a color selection application program. 
         [0005]    A third of the display modules may comprise a whole home display including a computer controlled video monitor allowing a consumer to visually walk through a home and illustrating how colors for the rooms of the home may be coordinated. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first interactive color center display embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating the structure of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the structure of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the frame structure of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of cabinet components of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a partially assembled frame structure of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a core color center portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a scanner and video monitor assembly of the core color center of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a combo card section of the core color center of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a combo card section of the core color center of the  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a color combo card; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective of a color combo card and peg on which it hangs; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a brochure section of the core color center of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a “whole home section” of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a “whole home section” of the display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a “PPUI” section of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a second color center display embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the display of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the display of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a support component of the structure of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the support component of the structure of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a perspective of the core color center display of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 23  is a side sectional view of the display of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a brochure section of the display of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 25  is a front view of an illustrative PPUI embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 26  is a front view of a color combo card; 
           [0032]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of an illustrative main Kiosk embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 28  is a system block diagram of interactive components of the display; 
           [0034]      FIG. 29  illustrates an initial attract loop display screen of an illustrative color center monitor (“POD”) interactive application; 
           [0035]      FIG. 30  illustrates an instructional display screen of the POD application; 
           [0036]      FIG. 31  illustrates a “quick preview” display screen; 
           [0037]      FIG. 32  illustrates a selection display screen; 
           [0038]      FIG. 33  illustrates a “paint photo” display screen; 
           [0039]      FIG. 34  illustrates a “modify color” display screen; 
           [0040]      FIG. 35  illustrates a color chip display screen; 
           [0041]      FIG. 36  illustrates a “send colors and image” display screen; 
           [0042]      FIG. 37  illustrates a text message display screen; 
           [0043]      FIG. 38  illustrates a text confirmation display screen; 
           [0044]      FIG. 39  illustrates an email display screen; 
           [0045]      FIG. 40  illustrates an email confirmation display screen; 
           [0046]      FIG. 41  illustrates an informational attract loop display screen of an illustrative Kiosk monitor interactive application; 
           [0047]      FIG. 42  illustrates a “how to” display screen of the illustrative Kiosk application; 
           [0048]      FIG. 43  illustrates a “send video” display screen; 
           [0049]      FIG. 44  illustrates a text message display screen; 
           [0050]      FIG. 45  illustrates a text confirmation display screen; 
           [0051]      FIG. 46  illustrates an email display screen; 
           [0052]      FIG. 47  illustrates a email confirmation display screen; 
           [0053]      FIG. 48  illustrates a product categories display screen; 
           [0054]      FIG. 49  illustrates an initial interior paints display screen; 
           [0055]      FIG. 50  illustrates a premium plus display screen; 
           [0056]      FIG. 51  illustrates a “where to use” display screen; 
           [0057]      FIG. 52  illustrates a premium plus application display screen; 
           [0058]      FIG. 53-58  illustrate display screens which comprise an interactive product quiz; 
           [0059]      FIG. 59-62  illustrate respective “find my style” display screens of an illustrative Kiosk application; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 63  illustrates a “modern style” display screen. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0061]    A double wall display  11  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The display  11  includes a first rectangular wall section  13  and a second rectangular wall section  15 . Between the wall sections  13 ,  15  is positioned a Kiosk section  17 . The Kiosk section  17  includes an upper section  51 , and a lower section  53 . The lower section  53  includes an interactive display screen  55   
         [0062]    The first wall section  13  includes two generally rectangular upper display panels  19 ,  21  and four lower displays  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 , which comprise, respectively, a wood stain center (EWCC)  23 , an “S1” center  25 , a “whole home” center  27  and a “premium plus ultra” paint information (“PPUI”) center  29 . 
         [0063]    The second wall section  15  includes two upper generally rectangular display areas  31 ,  33  and two lower displays  35 ,  37 . The lower displays  35 ,  37  comprise a core paint color center display  35  and a third party display  37 , which may be, for example, a display of third party color chips, such as Disney. Above each of the lower display sections  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 ,  35 ,  37  is positioned a generally rectangular light box e.g.  70 , arranged to illuminate the displays which lie beneath them. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate the display structure in further detail. As shown, the upper rectangular displays, e.g.  19 , may supported by a structure  56  comprising a vertical header  57 , which may display suitable graphics, as well as a recessed back panel  59 , with an angled end portion  61  leading into a vertical footer  62 . 
         [0065]    In the illustrated embodiment, the upper displays are attached to and supported by horizontal tubing  63 ,  65 , ( FIG. 6 ) which attach to upper frame panels  67 , which in turn are attached to lower cabinet sidewalls. The lower cabinets are illustrated in further detail in  FIG. 5  and, in the illustrative embodiment, comprise an EWCC lower body  71 , an S-1 lower body  73 , a whole home lower body  75 , a PPUI lower body  77 , a Kiosk lower body  79 , right and left core lower body sections  81 ,  83  and a third party display lower body  85 . The respective displays identified in connection with  FIG. 1  are mounted in their respective cabinet sections of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment for supporting the upper signage frames. The structure of  FIG. 6  includes upper frame sidewalls  67  attached to respective lower cabinet side walls  68 , as well as the horizontally extending tubing  63 ,  65 , mounted or attached to the upper sidewalls  67  and various light boxes, e.g.  70 . One of the upper display support structures  56  is shown attached to the tubing  63 ,  65  in finished position in  FIG. 6 . Steel angles  109  may be used to attach the lower end  62  of signage display  21  to a lower horizontal tube  65 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 7-13  illustrate one embodiment of a core color center display  35 . The core display  35  includes a number of display sections  111 ,  112  etc. positioned within cabinets  81 ,  83  and resting on first and second bases  121 ,  123 . 
         [0068]    One embodiment of a display section  111  is illustrated further in  FIG. 8  and includes a computer controlled video monitor  125  and a cooperating card reader or scanner  127 , as well as four rows of color cards  128  and six sheen samples  130 . On one side of each display section  111  is located a second display section  112 , illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 9-10 . Each display section  112  includes a number of rows  131 , each having 3 color cards  133 , each card  133  suspended by a peg hook  134  mounted in a back portion of the display section  112 . Below the first two rows  131  of color cards  133  is positioned a literature holder or pouch  135 . Each card  133  has respective rounded or oval top and bottom surface  136 ,  138 . 
         [0069]    The core display  35  further includes a number of side load paint display card sections  114  and a brochure section  116 , shown in further detail in  FIG. 13 . Overlapping side load pockets  141  are positioned in a center row of the illustrative brochure section, while the remaining four rows include top loading pocket  143 , with respective juxtaposed side front retaining panels  145 . 
         [0070]    An illustrative whole home section  151  is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The whole home section  151  includes an acutely angled card receptacle  153  resting on a base  154  positioned within the cabinet  75 . The whole home section  151  includes four rectangular arrays  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158  of color card receptacles, e.g.  159 , disposed to vertically position respective color cards. Each rectangular array  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158  may be devoted to color cards matching a particular theme such as contemporary, modern, eclectic and casual. A computer controlled display monitor  161  is centrally positioned in the display  151 , adjacent the lower inner corners of the upper card receptacle arrays  155 ,  156  and the upper corners of lower card receptacle arrays  157 ,  158 . Collateral material holders  163  may also be positioned above and below the central monitor  161 . 
         [0071]    In an illustrative embodiment, the monitor  161  is arranged to show a video or a series of screen shots which walks a consumer through a whole home illustrating to the consumer how colors for the rooms of the entire home may be coordinated. In one embodiment, the display screen may be touch sensitive such that a consumer can scroll through or otherwise select subsequent screen shots or video segments. 
         [0072]    A PPUI display  77  is illustrated in  FIG. 16  and includes a rectangular array comprising a number of color cards, e.g.  217 , and five flower petal covered brochures, e.g.  219 , disposed at selected positions within the display  77 . 
         [0073]    Another color center display embodiment  311  is shown in  FIG. 17 , which may be referred to as a single wall embodiment. The embodiment of  FIG. 17  includes a plurality of upper display areas  313 ,  315 ,  317 ,  319 ,  321 ,  323  and a plurality of lower display sections  325 ,  327 ,  329 ,  331 ,  333 ,  335 ,  337 . The lower sections comprise a wood stain center (“EWCC”) display  325 , a third party display  319 , a core color center display  331 , a color Kiosk  333 , a premium plus paint and primer (PPUI) display  335  and a third party display (Disney)  327 . 
         [0074]    In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the upper display section  313 ,  315 ,  317 ,  319  comprise four rectangular framed graphic presentations, which may, for example, be themed to attract customer attention to attractively painted rooms. Such graphics may be, for example, Duratron LED back lit graphics, static graphics or other types in an illustrative embodiment. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 18-21  show a structure or assembly for receiving and/or supporting the various displays and graphics illustrated in  FIG. 17 . This structure includes an elongated rectangular upper mounting surface  347 , a crown section  349  and an end section  351 . Steel rail sections  353 ,  355 , are employed to hook or otherwise attach the rectangular upper section  347  to respective upper and lower tubes  357 ,  359  ( FIG. 18 ). The tubes  357 ,  359  are supported and positioned by a number of standards  361  attached to the rear walls of lower cabinets  363  . . .  379 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , a standard  361  includes a vertical member  362  from which extends a lower horizontal support member  385 , carrying a hook  386  at its end, and an upper support member  387  angled slightly downwardly to the horizontal and having an upper projecting pin  388  at its far end. The lower cabinets  363  . . .  379  provide surfaces which receive and mount the respective lower displays  325  . . .  337  of  FIG. 16 . 
         [0076]    An illustrative embodiment of a core color center display  331  mounted on base decks  332 ,  334  is shown in  FIGS. 22-24 . The core display  331  of  FIGS. 22-24  includes 3 flat screen television monitors  391 ,  392 ,  393 , which may comprise, for example, LCD, Plasma, or LED flat screens. The display  331  further includes three scanner/monitors  395 , which may be constructed and function the same as the monitors  125  of  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , the core color center  331  includes a large number of color cards, e.g.  397 , disposed vertically in respective mounting slots, e.g.  398  in a main color card section  400 . A number of collateral brochures  401  are located near the central monitor  395 . 
         [0077]    Color cards  403  of a different format are located in four rectangular display areas at opposite ends of the main color card section  400 . A brochure section  405  is located at the right end of the core center display  331 , and is shown in more detail in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0078]    An illustrative embodiment of a PPUI  409  is shown in  FIG. 25 . This embodiment includes a rectangular array comprising number of color cards, e.g.  217 , and six flower petal covered brochures, e.g.  219 , disposed at selected positions within the display  77 . 
         [0079]    A color combo card which may serve, for example, as cards  403  is shown in  FIG. 26 . It includes three different colors: a main or body color  11 , a trim color  13 , and accent color  15 , as well as an inspirational graphic  17 . A horizontal dividing line  16  separates the body color  11  and graphic  17  from the trim and accent colors  13 ,  15 . A circular dividing line  18  separates the graphic  7  from the body  18  and the trim color  15 . The three color shades on the card may be selected to be harmonizing colors that work together in a decorating scheme inspired by the photo or graphic  17 . The graphic  17  may be either photo from nature; a deco-related photo using furniture or textiles or room scenes; or a lifestyle photo of people, place, animals activities from life. The card further has slightly arcuate bottom and top edges and straight side edges. Such cards may be fabricated of various material, such as for example, sturdy paper stock. 
         [0080]      FIG. 27  shows details of the Kiosk display section  333  including a front plate  421  with video display screen and a lower panel section  423  of arcuate contour preferably matching the contour of the upper contoured section  349  of the Kiosk section  333 . The modular structure of the single and double wall display embodiments allow the Kiosk unit and other units to be positioned at other locations in the display, 
         [0081]    The scanners  127  are adapted to read a bar code on a color card whereafter the computer monitor electronics controlled by a computer and program storage media  128  ( FIG. 28 ) may cause entry into a color selection and coordination computer program application where the application may begin by causing video display of the color displayed on the physical color card which was scanned. The application may thereafter enable performance of various color selection features, embodiments of which are disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/610,192; 12/610,031; 12/128,582, 11/041,659, and 12/381,269 all incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
         [0082]    In one embodiment, two embedded stations or “pods”, each including a color scanner, e.g.  127 , and two 15 inch touch screen monitors are provided in a manner similar to monitors  125  of  FIG. 7 . Above these monitors is positioned a digital signage screen, which may comprise three 40 inch LCD monitors positioned, for example, as in  FIG. 21 . This screen plays or displays an inspirational digital video “attract” loop above the core palette to draw attention of consumers and others to the palette display. In one embodiment, motion detectors may be positioned to sense where the consumer is in respect to the display and display colors on the monitors which are on cards adjacent to the consumer&#39;s location. The main Kiosk, e.g.  53 , may comprise a 32 inch touch capacitive screen  423 , which is controlled by Kiosk display computer program application and displays various color selection related displays and allows emailing and texting as hereafter described. 
         [0083]    In another embodiment, separate computers and their associated memory including program storage media may be employed to control each display screen/monitor  125 ,  161 ,  423 . In one embodiment, only a “pod” screen  125  and scanner  127  are employed with a computer interfacing with the monitor  125  and scanner  127  and with the computer running a pod application program stored on associated computer readable storage media and configured to execute functionality and control display of various display screens, for example, as described in connection with  FIGS. 29-40  hereof. Such a computer and the computer(s) of other embodiments may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the Internet and/or other communication media, such as, for example, cell and smart phones. A computer may comprise one or more computers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, general or special purpose computers including but not limited to, a computer dedicated to executing pod related color selection and other functions as described herein. 
         [0084]    In an illustrative embodiment, the web pages or display screens presented by a “POD” computer program application on the “pods”  125 ,  127  may include those shown and described in  FIGS. 29-40 . The display screens or web pages on the main Kiosk display may include those shown and described in  FIGS. 41-63 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 29  illustrates a display screen  501  comprising an initial attract loop screen, which comprises part of an instructional attract loop for a customer to follow to use the interactive “POD” application.  FIG. 30  illustrates an instructional page  503  for the customer to follow to use the interactive application. This screen  503  appears after the attract loop screen  501  is touched. This screen  503  instructs the customer/user to find a color card  505  in the display module or core color center, e.g.  35  ( FIG. 7 ) and to then scan the barcode, e.g.  504 , on the back of a color card and to thereafter view the color on the interactive screen by touching a button “3” or adjacent area in another embodiment on the screen  503 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 31  illustrates a “quick preview” screen  505  which displays the bar code color scanned by the customer, which is displayed after the customer touches the button “3” of  FIG. 30 . An illustrative screen  505  could also be presented automatically after scanning of a color as instructed by screen  503 . In one embodiment, the screen  505  allows the customer to scan another color to create a personal color palette  510  by, for example, touching a “scan another color” area  517 , to interactively paint the previewed image  509  by touching “paint photo” area  513 ; to change the preview room to other rooms  515 ,  516 , by touching arrows  518 ,  519 ; to select a coordinating palette, e.g.  511 , by touching “coordinate colors”; to locate the colors chips in the Color Center by touching a “locate chips” area  514 ; to send the selected color to an email address or cell phone by touching rectangle  520 ; or to quit the interactive application or go back to the previous page or screen. A coordinating palette  511  may comprise body, trim and accent colors. 
         [0087]      FIG. 32  illustrates a selection screen  521  with options for the customer to change the room type for the color selected. When a user selects the “More Rooms” button  522  or the “Exteriors” button  523  on the screen  505  of  FIG. 31 , the screen  521  appears. This screen  521  allows the customer to switch to another room type by touching a room type button, e.g.  524  or to a home exterior by touching area  523 , interactively paint the previewed image, change the preview room, select a coordinating palette, e.g.  511 , locate the colors chips in the Color Center, send the selected color to an email address or cell phone, or quit the interactive application or go back to the previous page. 
         [0088]      FIG. 33  illustrates a “paint photo” screen  525 , which is displayed when the customer touches the “paint photo” area  513 . This screen  525  instructs the customer how to apply color to the selected room  526 . This screen  525  allows the customer to interactively paint the previewed image  509 , undo painted selections, clear all colors from the previewed image, enlarge the previewed image, select additional colors to be previewed, locate the colors chips in the Color Center, send the selected color(s) to an email address or cell phone, or quit the interactive application or go back to the previous page. In particular, the screen  525  instructs the customer via a guide arrow  527  to tap a desired color and then apply it to a desired area by touching a second guide arrow  528 . A third guide arrow  529  instructs the customer to double tap a color button, e.g.  530 , twice, in order to replace the color represented by the color represented by the button  530 . By employing the arrows  527  and  528 , the customer may, for example, paint the walls  507 ,  508  of the room image  509  with the color represented by the button  531 , which may be, for example, “Aqua Spray.” In one embodiment, the arrows  527 ,  528 ,  529  may be touch-slid to change their operative position on the screen  525  of  FIG. 33 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 34  illustrates a “modify color” screen  535  with instructions for the customer on how to modify a selected color. In one embodiment, this screen  535  is automatically generated when the customer taps the “replace color” arrow  529  on screen  525  of  FIG. 33 . In the illustrative embodiment, the screen  535  presents a matrix or array of color squares, e.g.  537 , each of which may represent a different shad or color. This screen  535  allows the customer to select a new color by tapping a square, e.g.  537 , representing the new color or by scanning another color by tapping area  542 , or to change to one of eight color families by touching one of the color family select buttons, e.g.  538 , or to cancel the modify color selection by touching “Cancel”  539 . After changing color families, a newly displayed square like square  537  may be tapped to select a new color. After selection of a new color, the screen  525  of  FIG. 33  may then be redisplayed with the new color selection, for example, by touching the “Back” area of the screen  535 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 35  illustrates a color chip screen  550  which shows a customer where to find the physical color cards or chips carrying the selected colors in the physical Color Center, e.g.  35  ( FIG. 7 ). In the illustrative embodiment, the screen  550  of  FIG. 35  is automatically displayed when the customer touches the “locate chips” area  514  of any of the other display screens. As shown, a visual representation  552  of the color center layout is provided with the four selected colors  553 ,  554 ,  555 ,  556  arranged above it. In the illustrative embodiment, the display screen  550  “pin points” the precise location of each color chip in the physical display, e.g.  35 . The location of each of the colors  553 ,  554 ,  555 ,  556  in the display may be pinpointed, for example, by solid highlighted rectangle areas or highlighted borders around the appropriate rectangles  557 ,  558 ,  559 ,  560  in the display  552 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 36  illustrates a “send colors and image” screen  560 , which gives the customer the option to send his or her project (e.g. four selected colors and “painted” room image) by text message or email by touching appropriate buttons  561 ,  562 .  FIG. 37  illustrates a text message screen  565 , which gives the customer the option to enter a phone number in order to receive a text message that contains the project summary by touching appropriate keys in a keypad  566 . This screen allows the customer to enter the phone number, opt-in for news and special offers from the paint/coatings manufacturer or supplier, send the project, cancel the operation, or view the privacy policy.  FIG. 38  illustrates a text message confirmation screen  570 , which provides confirmation when the project has been sent. 
         [0092]      FIG. 39  illustrates an email screen  575 , which gives the customer the option to enter his or her email address via touch keyboard  577  to receive an email that contains the project summary. This screen allows the customer to enter a name and email address, opt-in for news and special offers from the paint/coatings manufacturer or supplier, send the project, cancel, or view the privacy policy.  FIG. 40  illustrates an email confirmation screen, which provides confirmation when the project has been sent. 
         [0093]      FIG. 41  illustrates an illustrative informational attract loop screen  610  employed to introduce the customer to the interactive application presented and available at the kiosk terminal  333 . This screen  610  invites the customer to use a color selection application by touching an area  611 , find a specific color style by touching an area  612 , learn about products of the paint/coatings manufacturer or supplier by touching an area  613 , and view how-to video clips by touching a screen area  614 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 42  illustrates a “how-to” featured video screen  620  generated when a customer/user touches area  614  of  FIG. 41 . This screen  620  enables the customer to view interior and exterior “how-to” videos by project type by touching appropriate buttons, save a selected video to a website-stored workbook, send the video to an email address or a cell phone, or switch to another interactive category. 
         [0095]      FIG. 43  illustrates a “send video” screen  630  enabling the customer to elect to send a link to a selected video through text message or email, or cancel out of the selection.  FIG. 44  illustrates a text message screen  640  which allows the customer the option to enter a phone number to send the video link, and/or opt-in for manufacturer news and special offers, or cancel out of this selection.  FIG. 45  illustrates a text message confirmation screen  646 , which provides confirmation that the video link (and other information, if requested) has been sent. 
         [0096]      FIG. 46  illustrates an email screen  650  which allows the customer to enter a name and email address to receive the video information, opt-in for news and special offers, send the video link, or cancel out of the selection.  FIG. 47  illustrates an email confirmation screen  655 , which provides confirmation when the video link has been sent. 
         [0097]      FIG. 48  illustrates a product categories screen  660  generated when the customer/user touches the area  613  of  FIG. 41 . This screen  660  enables the customer to select a Product Category by touching a button in areas  661 ,  663 , take a quiz to find the right product to use for a project by touching area  664 , find out about the Weekly Featured Product by touching area  665 , see a product comparison by touching area  667 , or switch to another interactive category by touching one of three areas, “scan”, “style” or “how to” along the bottom edge of the screen  660 .  FIG. 49  illustrates an ultra interior paints screen  670 , which allows the customer to select the a paint product that he or she would like to learn about. 
         [0098]      FIG. 50  illustrates a premium plus ultra interior eggshell enamel screen  675 , which allows the customer to touch respective areas to read an overview about a specific product selected on screen  670 , switch to other features about the specific product, go back to the previous page, save the product information on a website storage facility, or send a PDF version of the product information through text message or email. 
         [0099]      FIG. 51  illustrates a premium plus ultra eggshell enamel “where to use” screen  680 , which allows the customer to touch respective areas to enable the customer to read the suggested areas where the product can be applied, switch to other features about the specific product, go back to the previous page, save the product information to a paint manufacturer&#39;s website storage facility, or send a PDF version of the product information through text message or email, for example, by using screens similar to those shown in  FIGS. 43 to 47 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 52  illustrates a premium plus ultra eggshell enamel application screen  685 , which allows the customer to touch respective areas to enable the customer to read the suggested process for applying the product, switch to other features about the specific product, go back to the previous page, save the product information to a website storage facility, send a PDF version of the product information through text message or email. 
         [0101]      FIGS. 53-58  illustrate screens of an illustrative product quiz, which may be presented after the customer touches the “take a fun quiz” area  644  of the screen of  FIG. 48 .  FIG. 53  illustrates a screen  686 , which asks the first question for the product finder quiz: “Which product is right for me?” This screen  686  enables the customer to determine if the project is interior or exterior, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, and switch to another interactive category by touching respective touch sensitive areas of the display  686 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 54  illustrates a room screen  690 , which represents the second question for the product finder quiz. This screen  690  enables the customer to determine the interior location for the project, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, or switch to another interactive category by touching respective touch sensitive areas of the display  690 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 55  illustrates a room features screen  695 , which represents the third question for the product finder quiz. This screen  695  enables the customer to determine the nature and condition of the interior project, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, and switch to another interactive category by touching respective areas of the screen  695 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 56  illustrates a sheen selection screen  700 , which represents the fourth question for the product finder quiz. This screen  700  enables the customer to determine the desired sheen finish for the interior project, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, or switch to another interactive category by touching respective touch sensitive areas of the screen  700 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 57  illustrates a paint requirements screen  705  for the product finder quiz. This screen  705  enables the customer to determine the correct proportion between budget and time for the interior project by, for example, moving the circle or “cursor” on a horizontal line having “budget” at one end and “time” at the other, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, or switch to another interactive category by touching respective touch sensitive areas of the screen  705 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 58  illustrates a paint recommendations screen  710 , which provides the result or “answers” for the product finder quiz. This screen  710  allows the customer to view the recommended product. It further enables the customer to save the results to a website, send the result by text message or email, switch to the product comparison application, find out about the Weekly Featured Product, or switch to another interactive category by touching respective areas of the display screen  710 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 59  illustrates a “find my style” screen  715  which may be generated when the customer touch selected area  612  of  FIG. 41 , and which is the first selection for the Style Finder. This screen  715  enables the customer to touch-select an image that they prefer from images  716 ,  717 ,  718 ,  719 , switch to the 2010 Color Trends guide, switch to the style guide, and switch to another interactive category by touching respective touch sensitive areas of the screen  715 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 60  illustrates a second “find my style” screen  720 , which is the second selection for the Style Finder. This screen displays the image  719  selected in screen  715  and enables the customer to select another image that they prefer from images  721 ,  722 ,  723 , or  724 , switch to 2010 Color Trends guide, switch to the style guide, or switch to another interactive category, again by touching respective areas of the screen  720 . 
         [0109]      FIG. 61  illustrates a third “find my style” screen  728 , which is the third selection for the Style Finder. This screen  728  enables the customer to select a third image that they prefer from images  729 ,  730 ,  731 , or  734 , switch to the 2010 Color Trends guide, switch to the style guide, or switch to another interactive category by appropriate touch selection. 
         [0110]      FIG. 62  illustrates a “find my style” results screen  736 , which provides the style results for the style finder. This screen allows the customer to view the style that they have chosen, save the results to a website, send the result by text message or email, switch to the 2010 Color Trends guide, switch to the style guide, switch to another interactive category by appropriate touch selection. 
         [0111]      FIG. 63  illustrates a “modern style” screen  740 , which allows the customer to view the style that they have chosen, and by appropriate touches, view different images that represent the selected style, view the associated design elements for the previewed image, drag favorite images to the top of the screen to save on a website or send by text message or email, save the results to a website, send the results by text message or email, view different style categories for the interior and the exterior, switch to the 2010 Color Trends guide, switch to the style guide, switch to the style finder, or switch to another interactive category. 
         [0112]    The illustrative embodiment screens or web pages and functionality of  FIGS. 29 to 63  may be implemented in an application program or application programs which may be written in, for example, Java, Laszlo Presentation Server or C++ and, which may run, for example, on a Windows XP or other operating system. The application may be based locally, such as in memory located in a kiosk or may be accessed over one or more communication links, such as from a server over the internet. 
         [0113]    It will be further appreciated that the computer program applications described herein are stored on computer readable storage media which tangibly stores thereon computer readable instructions. For the purposes of this disclosure a computer readable medium stores computer data, which data can include computer program code that is executable by a computer, in machine readable form. By way of example, and not limitation, a computer readable medium may comprise computer readable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data, or communication media for transient interpretation of code-containing signals. Computer readable media, as used herein, refers to physical or tangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includes without limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable storage media implemented in any method or technology for the tangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical or material medium, which can be used to tangibly store the desired information or data or instructions and which can be accessed by a computer or processor. 
         [0114]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Category: g