PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(51) International Patent Classification © :
`(11) International Publication Number:
`WO 97/29441
`GO6F 17/60
`.
`i.
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`14 August 1997 (14.08.97)
`
`SP (BR).
`
`
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/BR97/00002|(81) Designated States: US, European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE,
`DK,ES,FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`§ February 1997 (05.02.97)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`PI 9600543-2
`
`6 February 1996 (06.02.96)
`
`BR
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`(71)(72) Applicant and Inventor:©BECHARA, Samir, Jacob
`
`[BR/BR]; Rua Dr, Alberto Silveira, 284, 05671-Sa0 Paulo,
`
`(54) Title) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHOOSING AND BUYING SPECTACLES AND COLOR CONTACT LENSES
`
`
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`A system and method for the automation of every step of the commercial! activity of an optical shop (virtual optical shop) is provided,
`comprising an imaging apparatus, a computer unit (operating program, image memories, data memories, A/D and D/A converters), a display
`apparatus, a communication apparatus and an assembling machine. The image of the face of the customer is picked up by the imaging
`apparatus. According to the customer’s cosmetic preferences and the features of the image of his face, the operating program presents
`a showcase with suggestions of best fit eyewear products (spectacles frames and lenses, and color contact lenses). From the suggested
`showcase, the customeris able to try on and compare eyewear products on the image of his face. Once an eyewear product is chosen,
`the purchase order may be confirmed, and the computer unit, connected to an assembling machine through a communication program and
`apparatus, provides immediate assembling and delivery of the chosen eyewear product(s). The virtual optical shop, may be reached through
`the Internet by the customer, allowing him to go through the whole process from his home personal computer.
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCT.
`
`Mauritania Malawi
`
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Ttaly
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgystan
`Democratic People’s Republic
`of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakhstan
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`Mali
`Mongolia
`
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d'ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Czechoslovakia
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`Spain
`Finland
`France.
`Gabon
`
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`
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`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHOOSING AND BUYING
`
`SPECTACLES AND COLOR CONTACT LENSES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`invention relates to a method and
`The present
`system for complete automation of
`the commercial activity of an
`optical shop. It
`includes a method for graphic simulation of
`the
`process
`of
`trying,
`comparing
`and
`choosing
`eyewear products,
`controlling the
`stock of
`eyewear products,
`buying the
`chosen
`eyewear products and assembling the eyewear products, allowing the
`concept of a virtual optical shop.
`
`1) EYEWEAR AND MODERN LIFE
`
`(spectacles and corrective lenses) has
`Eyewear
`become a relevant aspect of modern life. A significant part of the
`population presents
`refractive errors
`(myopia,
`astigmatism and
`hyperopia},
`that
`is, optical disturbances that
`require corrective
`lenses for obtaining good visual acuity. Although hyperopia remains
`the most prevalent refractive error, myopia and astigmatism are the
`most
`important. Hyperopia causes less visual discomfort and may be
`partially or
`totally compensated
`by
`the
`crystalline’
`lens
`accommodative effort, particularly in youngsters, whereas myopia
`and astigmatism may not at all be
`compensated by
`any ocular
`physiologic mechanism.
`Epidemiological
`surveys
`indicate
`that
`approximately 25% of the population is myope in Western countries
`and that such percentage increases in some Asian countries.
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`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`2
`
`In addition to the significant prevalence of
`the importance of eyewear is also cosmetic and
`refractive errors,
`commercial.
`Eyewear
`plays
`an
`important
`role
`in
`individual
`
`presentation, which is vital in today’s social and economical life.
`
`The concept of eyewear is not
`
`limited to visual correction, but is
`
`also
`
`considered
`
`an
`
`important
`
`element
`
`of
`
`the
`
`individual
`
`the
`presentation, with influence on his personality. This urges
`development of systems allowing more efficient, quick and adequate
`methods
`for the process of choosing and buying spectacles frames
`
`10
`
`and corrective lenses,
`
`including contact
`
`lenses,
`
`so
`
`that
`
`the
`
`consumer may be able to go through the whole process without
`
`the
`
`need to personally visit the optical shop(s),
`
`saving him time and
`
`money.
`
`15
`
`2) THE INCONVENIENCES FOR CHOOSING AND BUYING SPECTACLES TODAY
`
`From the moment
`
`the diagnosis of a refractive
`
`error is made, until its definitive correction by spectacles,
`
`the
`
`consumer needs to go through a long, expensive and frustrating way.
`
`20
`
`Once suspecting the visual deficit, one has to
`
`undergo an ocular examination either with the optometrist or
`
`the
`
`ophthalmologist
`
`in order
`
`to confirm the refractive error and to
`
`obtain the prescription of
`
`the corrective lenses. Undergoing an
`
`ocular examination requires the interruption of activities or work,
`
`29
`
`that may be more troublesome in case of delay of schedule at
`
`the
`
`professional’s office or in case of pupil dilation,
`
`that takes many
`
`hours for recovery of normal vision.
`
`After
`
`the ocular
`
`examination is over,
`
`the
`
`refractive error
`
`is detected and the corrected prescription is
`
`30
`
`given,
`
`the visual problem still remains unsolved. The patient has
`
`to buy the corrective lenses,
`
`an additional step that
`
`includes
`
`visiting at least one optical shop.
`
`eptical shops in order to choose and buy corrective lenses became a
`
`Considering the way it is done today, visiting
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`WO 97/29441
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`PCT/BR97/00002
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`3
`
`time consuming, money consuming and bothersome activity.
`As with any purchase, it is usually necessary
`to visit a few optical shops,
`in order
`to examine several brands
`and models of spectacles,
`and to compare
`them,
`including as
`to
`their price.
`In a
`shopping center,
`this
`task becomes easier,
`because one finds a few optical shops, separated by a short walking
`
`distance,
`
`in the same place.
`
`In addition,
`
`a shopping center offers
`
`and is
`shopping and leisure options,
`parking facilities, other
`safer. However,
`a shopping center also brings some disadvantages,
`
`10
`
`such as
`
`the restriction to the brands handled by their shops as
`
`well as a tendency to more expensive prices.
`
`the optical shop is located,
`
`some intrinsic problems do occur while
`
`The most
`
`important
`
`is that,
`
`no matter where
`
`choosing and buying spectacles, such as:
`
`15
`
`-
`
`the customer
`
`is limited to the brands and
`
`models dealt by a particular shop;
`- the choosing process is normally oriented by
`
`the
`
`salesman,
`
`who
`
`separates
`
`and
`
`suggests models
`
`for
`
`trial;
`
`therefore,
`
`the
`
`choosing process
`
`is
`
`limited by
`
`the patience,
`
`20
`
`expertise and preferences of the salesman, as well as by the brand
`and models available at the optical shop;
`
`25
`
`30
`
`- choosing a specific spectacle frame is often
`requiring a detailed and slow analysis by the consumer,
`not easy,
`considering
`particularly
`its
`impact
`on
`the
`his
`cosmetic
`
`the optical shop definitively is
`presentation. The environment at
`not appropriate for such a delicate analysis, with great movement
`of people,
`and without
`the privacy necessary for choosing such an
`
`important personal belonging. Therefore,
`
`the environment at
`
`the
`
`optical shop for choosing an spectacle frame is not adequate;
`
`-
`
`the customer who is buying eyewear usually
`
`presents
`
`a
`
`low uncorrected visual acuity. He
`
`is not
`
`able
`
`to
`
`accurately see the appearance of the spectacle frame on his face,
`
`because he has to remove his pair of spectacles to try on a new
`
`frame without corrective lenses. Therefore,
`
`the traditional optical
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`WO 97/29441
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`4
`
`shop system does not allow for the consumer to see clearly his face
`with the selected frame on;
`-
`a
`
`‘similar
`
`drawback
`
`occurs with
`
`the
`
`shop system allows no
`traditional optical
`corrective lens. The
`the chosen corrective
`the visual
`previous
`idea about
`impact of
`lens,
`as
`to its thickness, optical distortion,
`color
`and
`any
`surface coating treatment,
`since frames at optical
`shops
`come
`without any test corrective lenses;
`- the customer needs to visit several optical
`
`to evaluate a sufficient number of models and to
`in order
`shops
`compare prices, what takes time, energy and money.
`In conclusion, one might say that
`
`the system
`
`choosing
`for
`shops,
`traditional optical
`based on
`is inefficient,
`lenses
`spectacles and color contact
`tiring,
`tedious, bothersome and expensive.
`
`and buying
`incomplete,
`
`3) DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED PRIOR ART
`
`Some prior inventions tried to solve the above
`mentioned problems, but reached only partial solutions,
`limited to
`technical aspects of the synthesis of the image of the face of the
`consumer with the image of the spectacles.
`A
`simulation
`system for
`attachment
`of
`spectacles in which the state of the face as if wearing spectacles
`can be made was presented by Mori et al.
`in a system disclosed in
`U.S. Patent No.
`4,730,260.
`In
`this method,
`through an
`image
`synthesis processing technique,
`an image of
`a person who has
`removed his own spectacles is picked up by a video camera. An image
`pickup signal of
`this person’s
`image
`is A/D converted into a
`digital signal. This digital signal is stored into an image memory
`device. A display signal which is derived by synthesizing the data
`of
`the person’s image stored in the image memory device and the
`data of a
`frame of spectacles to be selected is formed. The state
`in which this person wears
`the spectacles
`is displayed by the
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`WO 97/29441
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`5
`
`thereby allowing a preferable pair of spectacles
`display apparatus,
`to be selected.
`In order to insert the face whose image is picked
`up into the range of the frame at the position of the frame of the
`spectacles on the screen of the display apparatus,
`the size of the
`face must be made coincident with the fixed position on the display
`screen. Therefore,
`in this system,
`it
`is necessary to perform
`correct
`and fine adjustments
`such as
`to move
`the photographing
`means such as the video camera,
`to match the correct size of
`the
`
`face of the consumer.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The
`
`invention presented by Ninomiya et al.
`
`under U.S. Patent No. 4,845,641 tried to eliminate the foregoing
`
`drawback, enabling a person’s image to be picked up by a camera
`without needing the adjustment of the correct position of an object
`to be photographed,
`the adjustment of
`the
`inclination of
`the
`portion of both eyes to the horizontal
`line of the display screen,
`and the matching of the size of the fixed screen with the size of
`the person to be photographed. The embodiments described in this
`invention use as references either the distance between the pupils
`
`or the distance between the person and the imaging apparatus.
`Tamura et al. proposed a system and method for
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`image processing recording, disclosed in U.S.
`frame
`spectacles
`Patent No. 4,852,184 in which an image of
`a human face and the
`frame image can be synthesized by edge processing and color mixing
`processing. Basically,
`this invention improved the graphic quality
`of the image of the frame border, and allowed variable presentation
`
`options.
`
`The above cited patents were restricted to the
`
`technical aspect of the synthesis of the image of the face of the
`
`a matter of
`the spectacles frame. As
`consumer and the image of
`fact,
`those synthesis effects may be nowadays performed by ordinary
`currently available graphic softwares. The above cited patents did
`not
`care
`about
`several other
`important points
`related to the
`
`include other
`shops. They did not
`complex activity of optical
`eyewear products, such as color contact
`lenses. They did not cover
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`WO 97/2944]
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`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`6
`
`eyewear
`related to the
`important aspects
`process, either cosmetic (fitting the product
`
`and buying
`choosing
`to the kind of
`face
`
`of the customer) or commercial
`(improved efficacy and speed for the
`process of choosing, buying, paying, assembling and shipping). They
`did not offer a
`showcase which the customer might choose eyewear
`
`products from.
`
`invention was developed to solve
`The present
`those drawbacks, enabling the automation of every consecutive step
`optical shop activity, allowing the conception of a virtual optical
`shop, which is very important
`in contemporary life,
`providing
`speed,
`comfort, better
`and more
`complete choice,
`therefore the
`
`10
`
`whole process of choosing and buying eyewear without
`
`the need to
`
`personally visit the optical shop.
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`PCT/BR97/00002
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`7
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`above
`pointed
`In
`order
`to
`eliminate
`the
`choosing and
`related to the
`drawbacks,
`traditional process of
`buying spectacles (frames and lenses) and color contact
`lenses,
`the
`present
`invention is provided. It is an object of
`the present
`invention to provide a method and a system to encompass every step
`of the whole process of the optical
`shop activity,
`including the
`commercial and cosmetic features.
`there is
`invention,
`According to the present
`provided a method for automation of the whole process of choosing
`and buying eyewear in an optical shop, comprising the steps of:
`- picking up
`the
`image of
`the
`face of
`customer using an imaging apparatus, such as a video camera;
`of
`-
`selecting
`and
`suggesting
`a
`group
`spectacle frames, according to the preferences of the customer and
`according to cosmetic features of the face of the customer, using
`specific computer operating programs;
`- automating the comparison and choosing of
`spectacle frames and lenses, as well as color contact lenses by the
`customer,
`through the synthesis of the image of any chosen eyewear
`product with the image of
`the face of
`the customer, using basic
`computer graphic programs;
`-
`automating the process of buying eyewear
`products by the customer, allowing the whole process to be carried
`out without the need to go personally to the optical shop;
`-
`automating the process of
`assembling and
`delivering eyewear products, using a connection (direct or modem)
`between the computer unit
`and the assembling machine,
`allowing
`either immediate delivery or automatic shipping to the customer.
`
`a
`
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`8
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`is a diagram of an arrangement of
`
`the components of
`
`the
`
`system for choosing and buying spectacles and color contact
`
`lenses
`
`{virtual optical shop) according to the present invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a graphic diagram of an arrangement of the components of
`the system for choosing and buying spectacles and color contact
`
`10
`
`lenses (virtual optical shop), according to the present
`
`invention,
`
`as it would look in a regular place.
`
`FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart for the operation of
`
`the
`
`system for choosing and buying spectacles and color contact
`
`lenses
`
`"15
`
`(virtual optical shop), according to the present invention.
`
`FIG.
`
`4
`
`shows,
`
`on the display apparatus,
`
`a spectacle frame image
`
`synthesized with the image of the face of a customer,
`
`the showcase
`
`17 with some suggested frames and the menu bar 18.
`
`FIG.
`
`5
`
`shows,
`
`on the display apparatus,
`
`a comparative mode,
`
`in
`
`which it
`
`is possible to compare up to four different
`
`selected
`
`frames, synthesized on the image of the face of the customer,
`
`the
`
`showcase 17 with some suggested frames and the menu bar 18 .
`
`20
`
`25
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`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`9
`
`invention will be
`An embodiment of the present
`described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`FIG.
`1 is a block diagram of an arrangement of
`choosing and buying spectacles
`system for
`a
`and color contact
`lenses
`(virtual optical shop) according to the present
`invention,
`that comprises: a imaging apparatus 1, a computer unit 2; a display
`apparatus 13;
`a printer 14;
`a communication apparatus
`15 and an
`assembling machine 16.
`video
`usually a_
`1,
`apparatus
`imaging
`The
`camera, picks up an image of the face of a person, with which the
`image of the spectacles or the color contact
`lens is synthesized.
`The imaging apparatus is not limited to a video camera but may also
`be another device,
`such as a image scanner
`(hand,
`table or
`film
`
`scanner).
`
`A/D
`an
`comprises:
`2
`unit
`computer
`The
`converter 3;
`a D/A converter 4;
`a CPU (Central processing unit) 5;
`an image memory 6 for trial products (spectacles frames and lenses,
`and color contact
`lenses)
`to be synthesized with the image of the
`face;
`an image memory 7
`for showcase products
`(spectacles frames
`and lenses, and color contact lenses)
`to be chosen by the customer;
`an operating program 8;
`a
`communication program 9
`to link the
`computer unit to the assembling machine and/or to the laboratory; a
`data memory 10
`for
`information concerning the customer;
`a data
`Memory
`11
`for
`information concerning the products
`(spectacles
`frames and lenses, and color contact
`lenses); a data memory 12 for
`information concerning the control of stock of the products dealt
`by the virtual optical
`shop. The composition and mechanism of
`functioning of a computer
`system are well
`known and don’t need
`detailed explanation. Both the D/A conversion and A/D conversion of
`the image pickup signal are equally well known. The mechanism of
`functioning of the communication program,
`through the modem is also
`
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`WO 97/29441
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`
`well known.
`
`10
`
`The image memory 6 (trial products) comprises
`frame data memory of different brands, models,
`sizes and colors,
`corrective lenses data memory
`(spectacles or contact
`lenses) of
`different brands, and colors, adequately prepared to be synthesized
`with the image of the face of the customer.
`
`The
`
`image memory 7
`
`(showcase), consists of
`
`a
`
`10
`
`data-base of images, comprising frames of different brands, models,
`Sizes
`and colors,
`as well
`as corrective lenses
`(spectacles or
`contact
`lenses) of different brands
`and colors, presented in a
`Similar way as a showcase or a catalogue, which is examined by the
`customer prior to choosing which products to try on.
`
`invention and
`coordinates the elements of the system of the present
`executes every step of the method of the present invention.
`
`15
`
`The
`
`operating
`
`program
`
`8
`
`controls
`
`and
`
`20
`
`25
`
`The data memories
`
`10,
`
`11
`
`and
`
`12
`
`comprise
`
`various data-bases
`
`related to customer descriptive information,
`
`purchase orders and eyewear products in stock,
`frames and lenses, and color contact lenses.
`
`such as spectacles
`
`A display apparatus
`
`13, usually a
`
`computer
`
`screen,
`
`on which the face of
`
`the customer
`
`is shown,
`
`synthesized
`
`with different options of spectacles frames and lenses,
`
`and color
`
`contact
`
`lenses. Its principle and mechanism of functioning is well
`
`known and does not need detailed explanation.
`
`A printer
`
`14,
`
`used
`
`to
`
`print
`
`out
`
`data
`
`describing details of
`
`the purchase,
`
`the purchase order
`
`and the
`
`image of the face of the customer synthesized with selected eyewear
`product(s)
`to be ordered and/or purchased.
`
`A
`
`communication
`
`apparatus
`
`15,
`
`usually a
`
`30
`
`modem,
`
`to link the computer unit of
`
`the system of
`
`the virtual
`
`optical
`process,
`
`the
`the beginning of
`shop to the distant customer, at
`in case of
`transferring the image of his face through
`
`the Internet, or to link the computer unit of the virtual optical
`
`shop either to the laboratory or
`
`to the assembling machine, at
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`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`ll
`
`in order to transfer the purchase order
`the end of the process,
`to the laboratory or
`to expedite the immediate assembling and
`delivery of the final product, respectively.
`An assembling machine
`
`16,
`
`consisting of
`
`a
`
`in accordance
`machine in which the lens block is ground or cut
`with a frame shape, and in which the finished lens is fitted in a
`frame previously selected by the consumer.
`there is shown a
`2,
`Referring now to FIG.
`graphic representation of the arrangement of the components of the
`system for choosing and buying spectacles and color contact
`lenses
`(virtual optical
`shop),
`as it would look in a normal commercial
`place. This unit might be
`located at varied places,
`such as
`a
`shopping center,
`the office of an optometrist who dispenses eyewear
`products,
`and
`the office of
`an ophthalmologist who dispenses
`eyewear products. An
`important
`inventive aspect of
`the present
`invention is that
`the method and system herein described may be
`comprised in an autonomous satellite unit, outside and independent
`of
`the optical
`shop. At
`this virtual optical
`shop unit,
`the
`customer would be able go through the whole process of choosing and
`buying
`eyewear products
`(spectacles
`and
`color
`contact
`lens),
`without the need to visit personally one or many optical shops. The
`image and data memories comprised in the present
`invention would
`have
`capacity to gather
`information and varieties of
`eyewear
`products from an unlimited number of optical shops and brands,
`so
`that
`the customer, using the virtual optical shop as described in
`the present invention, would be able to simulate a visit to a great
`number of optical shops.
`In addition,
`the system presented in this
`invention may also be reached through the Internet,
`so that
`the
`customer may go through the whole process of choosing and buying
`eyewear
`from his personal
`computer at home.
`In this case,
`the
`customer
`transfers the image of his face through the Internet,
`using a communication program and apparatus,
`the payment is done by
`credit card and the purchase is sent through the mail.
`Referring now to FIG. 3,
`the process flow for
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
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`
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`
`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`12
`
`spectacles or color contact
`buying and shipping the
`choosing,
`lenses
`in the system (virtual optical
`shop) presented in this
`invention and configured as above will be described in detail. As
`shown in FIG. 3,
`the initial
`input process is carried out on the
`part of the virtual optical shop unit and the numbers following “Ss”
`denote step numbers.
`[Si] The process of choosing, buying and shipping eyewear products
`(spectacles frames and lenses, and color contact
`lenses)
`is started
`at
`the computer unit 2. The operator clicks on the image pick up
`option of the main menu,
`the customer sits on an appropriate chair
`for
`image pick up,
`properly located for
`correct
`dimensional
`correspondence between the image of the face of the person and the
`image of
`the spectacles frames and the color contact
`lenses from
`the image memory. The image of
`the face of
`the person is seen on
`the computer screen in real
`time and the position of the chair is
`adjusted. Then,
`the image of the face of the person is pick up and
`transferred to the computer. The above described method for picking
`up the image of the face of the customer by the video camera is the
`usual way of acquiring the image. A second possible method is
`picking up the image of
`the face of
`the customer
`through the
`Internet,
`using a
`communication
`program and
`a
`communication
`apparatus. This
`second possibility allows
`the
`customer
`to go
`through the whole process of choosing, buying and shipping the
`spectacles
`or
`color
`contact
`lenses without
`the
`need
`to
`go
`personally to the virtual optical shop unit.
`[(S2]
`In this step, customer general
`information such as name, age,
`sex,
`address,
`phone
`number,
`fax number,
`and day of birth is
`entered. This information is kept at
`the data memory, and is used
`to identify the ongoing session as well as
`for
`future contact
`
`(mailing list, phone or Internet) with the customers.
`[S3] The customer specifies the eyewear product he wants to try on,
`either spectacles (frames and lenses) or color contact lenses.
`
`{S4]
`
`In case of opting for spectacles,
`
`the customer is asked about
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`various preferences and_theconcerning the spectacles frame
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`13
`
`frame
`frame material,
`shape,
`frame
`such as,
`lenses,
`spectacles
`type of nasal support,
`lens material,
`style, suggested price level,
`lens color,
`and special
`lens surface treatment. Considering the
`above mentioned aspects of
`the spectacles
`frame
`and lens,
`the
`program selects and suggests,
`from what
`is available at its image
`memory,
`frames and lenses that best fit both the above cosmetic
`preferences
`and the
`format
`and dimensions of
`the
`face of
`the
`customer. The format and dimensions of the face of the customer is
`analyzed by the operating program on the image of the face of
`the
`customer, picked up at
`the beginning of the method (step 1). This
`selection is presented in form of
`a
`showcase
`17,
`comprising
`suggestions of frames in a similar way as a catalogue, as shown in
`FIG.
`4 and FIG. 5.
`In the case of
`the color contact
`lenses,
`no
`
`selection is needed and the showcase includes all available options
`
`10
`
`15
`
`of colors and brands.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`[S5] The operating program takes some anatomical references on the
`face of
`the
`customer
`(such
`as
`the position the pupils,
`the
`interpupillary distance),
`that are used to guide the positioning of
`the selected frame and/or color contact
`lenses on the face of the
`person. The operator browses
`through the suggested frames and/or
`contact lenses, and the customer chooses which ones to try on. Each
`chosen spectacles frame or color contact lens may be synthesized on
`the face of
`the customer,
`as
`shown
`in FIG.
`4
`and then either
`
`confirmed or discarded, using the available options on the menu bar
`18. The
`image of
`the spectacles frame, when synthesized on the
`image
`of
`the
`face
`of
`the
`customer,
`presents
`an
`effect
`of
`transparency in the optical zone, corresponding to the lens zone,
`whereas
`in the region of
`the frame
`it covers
`the face of
`the
`customer.
`When synthesizing the images of
`the spectacles color.
`lenses
`and
`the
`color
`contact
`lenses,
`the
`program uses
`a
`transparency effect. Both for the frames and lenses,
`the synthesis
`and dispiay of the images are done by the use of well known image
`processing
`techniques,
`available
`in
`standard
`current
`graphic
`softwares. The
`customer may
`test
`every selected and suggested
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`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`14
`
`eyewear product. He
`
`also has
`
`also the option to browse all
`
`remaining eyewear products of the image memory. However,
`
`this will
`
`be a very tiring option. For each and every product on the display
`apparatus 13, descriptive data will be shown,
`including the model,
`
`color, material and price. For each item in the showcase 17,
`
`the
`
`program also shows
`
`the options of color, as shown in FIG. 5. Each
`
`time
`
`the
`
`customer
`
`chooses
`
`a product
`
`from the showcase,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`automatically synthesized with the
`
`image of
`
`the
`
`face of
`
`the
`
`the frame synthesized
`customer, as shown in FIG. 4. The image of
`with the image of the face may be kept for posterior comparison or
`immediately discarded. Up to four kept
`images may be simultaneously
`compared,
`as
`shown in FIG. 5.
`In case of not
`liking any of
`the
`suggested frames of
`the showcase,
`the customer has
`the option to
`restart the whole process, changing his preference options. Once a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`few spectacles frames have been selected,
`examine them, either each one separately,
`
`the customer may then
`in the one view screen
`
`(FIG. 4),
`
`or
`
`in the
`
`comparative
`
`screen,
`
`showing up
`
`to
`
`four
`
`different eyewear products simultaneously (FIG. 5). The customer
`
`will
`
`then finally choose his preferred product, discarding all the
`
`20
`
`remaining selected ones. A similar routine is done for
`
`the trial
`
`and choosing of color contact
`
`lenses. On any selected spectacles
`
`frame,
`
`the customer may try different
`
`lenses, varying color and
`
`surface
`
`treatment,
`
`and
`
`then
`
`confirming his
`
`final
`
`choice
`
`of
`
`spectacles frame and lens.
`
`25
`
`{S6] The operating program shows the final chosen eyewear product
`
`on the face of the customer, either a spectacle frame and lens, or
`
`a color contact
`
`lens,
`
`and there is also the option to show other
`
`characteristics, such as material, model, size, color, and price.
`
`([S7] The customer
`
`is then asked to confirm the purchase order.
`
`If
`
`30
`
`he does, a purchase order menu comes out on the screen,
`
`showing the
`
`complete
`
`identification of
`
`the
`
`customer,
`
`as
`
`entered at
`
`the
`
`beginning of the process (Step 2),
`
`the complete description of the
`
`confirmed product, as well as the image of the face of the customer
`
`synthesized with the chosen eyewear product. At
`
`this step,
`
`the
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`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`15
`
`(spectacles or
`and the delivery
`
`lenses
`the
`the prescription of
`operator enters
`the price,
`the way of payment,
`contact
`lenses),
`.
`schedule.
`[S8] The computer unit may be connected to an assembling machine,
`which, once receiving the description of the chosen and purchased
`product,
`is able to grind and cut
`the appropriate lens block,
`fitting it to the chosen spectacles frame. Such kind of assembling
`machines are well
`known in the eyewear market
`and do not need
`further explanation as
`to their principles.
`In this case,
`there
`will
`be
`an
`immediate delivery of
`the
`chosen eyewear product
`(spectacles frame and lens). The color contact
`lens does not need
`to be assembled and,
`if present
`in stock,
`it may be immediately
`
`delivered.
`
`be
`shop may
`the virtual optical
`of
`computer unit
`The
`{S9]
`through the communication program and apparatus,
`to a
`connected,
`central laboratory, where the purchase order is transferred to.
`[S10] At
`the laboratory,
`the assembling process is carried out at
`the assembling machine according to the information of the purchase
`order transferred from the computer unit.
`(S11]
`The
`eyewear product,
`once
`assembled,
`
`shipped to the
`
`is
`
`customer.
`
`the whole
`In case the customer does not confirm the purchase,
`[S12]
`process may be saved and kept
`for future retrieval. The customer
`may also have
`a print out,
`containing the
`image of his
`face
`synthesized with the chosen product,
`and all the descriptive data
`of his
`session. The
`customer will
`then be
`able
`to show his
`
`simulation to other people and later decide about his confirmation.
`In case of late decision,
`the whole process may be again retrieved
`
`from the computer memory.
`The system and method of the invention herein
`presented show great commercial potential.
`They are useful
`for
`allowing a
`significant
`improvement of
`the efficacy of current
`available methods of commercial activity of optical
`shops. They
`
`allow complete
`
`automation of
`
`the whole process of
`
`choosing,
`
`PERFECT CORP. EXH. 1003
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`295
`
`30
`
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`
`

`

`WO 97/29441
`
`PCT/BR97/00002
`
`16
`
`comparing and buying eyewear products,
`
`such as spectacles frames
`
`and lenses, and color contact
`
`lenses. They allow the automation of
`
`all
`
`the activities of an optical
`
`shop,
`
`including the control of
`
`stock, making the whole process
`faster and more efficient. More
`important,
`they effectively make possible the concept of a virtual
`optical shop, which may be accessed by the Internet, and in which
`
`the whole process for eyewear products choosing and buying may be
`carried out without
`the need for personally going to an optical
`shop. Through the Internet,
`the customer will be able, using the
`present system and method,
`to choose and buy eyewear products from
`his home personal computer. With the herein presented system and
`method,
`the stock of eyewear products of an unlimited number of
`brands and optical
`shops might be put
`together
`in the image and
`data memories,
`significantly improving
`the
`options
`for
`the
`customer, who would no more be limited to the