`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 1 of 13 PageID #: 71
`
`EXHIBIT B
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`EXHIBIT B
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`
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`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 2 of 13 PageID #: 72
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`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll llllll llll llll llll
`US007948481B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Vilcovsky
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7 ,948,481 B2
`May 24, 2011
`
`(54) DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF
`CAPTURING AND DISPLAYING
`APPEARANCES
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .......... 345/204-215;
`348/333.01; 434/395
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Nissi Vilcovsky, Tel Aviv (IL)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 870 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/817,411
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Mar.1,2006
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /IL2006/000281
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), (4) Date: Aug. 30, 2007
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W02006/092793
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Sep. 8, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0151092Al
`
`Jun,26,2008
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/656,884, filed on Mar.
`1, 2005, provisional application No. 60/656,885, filed
`on Mar. 1, 2005.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/038
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl .
`......................... 345/204; 345/212; 345/214
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5/2003 Bimber et al.
`2003/0085866 Al
`2006/0178902 Al*
`8/2006 Vicars et al ....................... 705/1
`2009/0091710 Al*
`4/2009 Huebner ......................... 353/28
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report for PCT/IL06/00281 mailed on Jun. 12,
`2007.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner - Vi jay Shankar
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm
`Shiloh et al.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include
`systems, devices and/or methods enabling appearance com(cid:173)
`parison. The system, according to some demonstrative
`embodiments, may include at least one interactive imaging
`and display station. The station may include, for example, a
`mirror-display device capable of selectably operating in
`either or both a mirror mode or a display mode; an imaging
`device to capture one or more appearances appearing in a filed
`of view in front of the mirror-display device; and/or an image
`control unit to select the mode of operation of the mirror(cid:173)
`display device according to a user command. Other embodi(cid:173)
`ments are described and claimed.
`
`18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`110
`
`110
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 3 of 13 PageID #: 73
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May24, 2011
`
`Sheet 1of4
`
`US 7,948,481 B2
`
`120
`121
`10 ....-------'------.
`CONTROLLER
`
`131
`
`20
`
`122
`
`30 .....----------1_23___,
`STORAGE DEVICE
`
`40 ....--___ __.__1_24_,
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`50
`
`125
`STORAGE INTERFACE ~-+-ii-'
`
`(
`
`~100
`
`110
`
`130
`140
`
`PORTABLE
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`'--1 so
`
`151
`
`150
`
`190
`
`CONTROL
`CENTER
`
`170
`
`STATION
`
`STATION
`
`FIG.1
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 4 of 13 PageID #: 74
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May24, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7 ,948,481 B2
`
`110
`
`131
`
`120
`121
`
`CONTROLLER
`122
`NElWORK INTERFACE
`123
`STORAGE DEVICE
`124
`INPUT DEVICE
`50
`125
`STORAGE INTERFACE
`
`191 \
`-1
`I
`l
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`f
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`FIG.2A
`
`110
`
`131
`
`120
`121
`
`CONTROLLER
`122
`20
`NETWORK INTERFACE
`123
`STORAGE DEVICE
`124
`INPUT DEVICE
`125
`STORAGE INTERFACE
`
`FIG.2B
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 5 of 13 PageID #: 75
`
`\l
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`~ 0.:
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`0
`N
`0
`
`131
`
`131
`
`141
`
`--120
`121
`CONTROLLER
`122
`NElWORK INTERFACE
`30
`.c-123
`I STORAGE DEVICE
`124
`INPUT DEVICE
`125
`STORAGE INTERFACE
`
`FIG.3A
`
`141
`
`,,..-120
`121
`CONTROLLER
`122
`NETWORK INTERFACE
`30
`.c-123
`STORAGE DEVICE
`-124
`
`131
`
`·10
`
`CONTROLLER
`122
`NETWORK INTERFACE
`30
`.c-123
`STORAGE DEVICE
`124
`
`FIG.3B
`
`FIG.3C
`
`~
`00 .
`
`~
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`t"'t-(cid:173)
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`~ = N
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`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 6 of 13 PageID #: 76
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7 ,948,481 B2
`
`SET MIRROR-DISPLAY
`410
`DEVICE TO MIRROR ~
`MODE
`
`'
`
`POSING IN FRONT OF
`MlRROR-DISPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`f'-/ 420
`
`l
`
`CAPTURE IMAGE OF
`USER APPEARANCE OF ~ 430
`FIRST TRIAL
`
`t
`
`POSING IN FRONT OF
`MIRROR-DISPLAY
`440
`DEVICE IN DIFFERENT ~
`APPEARANCE
`
`'W
`
`SWITCH BETWEEN
`OPERATING MODES OF
`MIRROR-DISPLAY
`
`I'--' 450
`
`FJG.4
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 7 of 13 PageID #: 77
`
`US 7,948,481 B2
`
`1
`DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF
`CAPTURING AND DISPLAYING
`APPEARANCES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a National Phase Application of PCT
`International Application No. PCT/IL06/000281, Interna(cid:173)
`tional Filing Date Mar. 1, 2006, which claims the benefit of
`U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/656,884, filed Mar. 1,
`2005; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/656,885, filed
`Mar. 1, 2005, the entire disclosures of all of which are incor(cid:173)
`porated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates generally to imaging and display
`systems and, more particularly, to interactive displays, e.g., in
`retail and/or service environments.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Customers may shop for consumer articles, for example,
`apparel such as clothes, e.g., shirts, pants, coats and other 25
`garments, as well as shoes, glasses, and/or any other items or
`products, such as cosmetics, furniture and the like. Shopping
`normally takes place at a shopping facility, for example, retail
`stores. Prior to making a decision which article to buy a
`customer may try on various articles (e.g., apparel, cosmetics) 30
`and/or pose with other articles (e.g., furniture), and may view
`for each trial a user-appearance in front of a mirror, which
`may be located, for example, at a trial area of the retail store.
`For example, the customer may try on a first article, e.g., a
`suit, and view for that first trial his/her user-appearance in 35
`front of the mirror. Then, the customer may try on a second
`article, e.g., another suit. The customer may then need to
`memorize his/her user-appearance from the first trial in order
`to perform a mental comparison between the first article and
`the second article, thereby to evaluate which of the two 40
`articles might be a better fit for the customer.
`Unfortunately, since the customer may try on numerous
`articles and/or since the second trial may take place a consid(cid:173)
`erable amount of time after the first trial, the customer may
`not be able to recall his/her appearance for each trial and may 45
`therefore be required to repeatedly retry articles, e.g., items of
`apparels, previously tried on. This may result in a frustrating
`and inefficient shopping experience.
`
`15
`
`2
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the image control unit may include a storage device
`to store data of one or more images which may correspond to
`one or more appearances.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the mirror-display device may be capable of being
`partitioned into at least first and second simultaneously-dis(cid:173)
`playable frames. The first frame may be selectably operable,
`for example, both in a mirror mode and a display mode. The
`10 second frame may be operable, for example, in a mirror mode.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the imaging device may be capable of capturing
`three-dimensional images of appearances.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the mirror-display device may be capable of dis(cid:173)
`playing images of appearances at predefined sequences.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the image control unit may be able to selectively
`20 enable a user access to images of appearances authorized to
`the user, e.g., based on user-identifying data received from the
`user.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the at least one interactive imaging and display
`system may include two or more interactive imaging and
`display stations able to communicate over a network. For
`example, the two or more stations may be able to communi(cid:173)
`cate between each other data representing images of appear(cid:173)
`ances.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the image control unit may control the mirror(cid:173)
`display device to display, e.g., during the display mode, one or
`more images corresponding to the appearances. The one or
`more images may include, for example, one or more mirrored
`appearances.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, a method enabling appearance comparison may
`comprise using a mirror mode of operation of a mirror-dis(cid:173)
`play device capable of being selectably operated in either a
`mirror or a display mode; capturing an image corresponding
`to an appearance of a first trial in front of the mirror-display
`device; storing the image of the first trial; selecting the display
`mode of operation of the mirror-display device; and/or
`retrieving the image of the first trial and displaying the image
`on the mirror-display device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include
`devices, systems and/or methods enabling appearance com(cid:173)
`parison.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, a system enabling appearance comparison may
`include at least one interactive imaging and display station.
`The station may include, for example, a mirror display device
`capable of operating in either or both a mirror or a display 60
`mode; an imaging device to capture one or more appearances
`from a field of view in front of the mirror-display device;
`and/or an image control unit to select the mode of operation
`the mirror display device according to a user command.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention the image control unit may include an input device
`to receive the user command.
`
`50
`
`The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
`pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion
`of the specification. The invention, however, both as to orga(cid:173)
`nization and method of operation, together with features and
`advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to
`55 the following detailed description when read with the accom(cid:173)
`panied drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an interactive system
`enabling appearance comparison in accordance with some
`demonstrative embodiments of the invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of two,
`sequential, stages of appearances comparison using an inter(cid:173)
`active system in accordance with some demonstrative
`embodiments of the invention; and
`FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic illustrations of three,
`65 sequential, stages of appearances comparison using an inter(cid:173)
`active system in accordance with some demonstrative
`embodiments of the invention; and
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
`Case 1:21-cv-00111-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 01/28/21 Page 8 of 13 PageID #: 78
`
`US 7,948,481 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of a method enabling
`comparison of one or more user-appearances in accordance
`with some demonstrative embodiments of the invention.
`It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
`illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessar(cid:173)
`ily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimen(cid:173)
`sions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to
`other elements for clarity or several physical components
`included in one element. Further, where considered appropri(cid:173)
`ate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to
`indicate corresponding or analogous elements. It will be
`appreciated that these figures present examples of embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the
`scope of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRJPTION OF SOME
`DEMONSTRATNE EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the following description, various aspects of the present
`invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
`specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
`provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
`However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the
`present invention may be practiced without the specific
`details presented herein. Furthermore, some features of the
`invention relying on principles and implementations known
`in the art may be omitted or simplified to avoid obscuring the
`present invention.
`Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention may
`include an interactive system enabling a user to compare one
`or more appearances, for example, to compare between dif(cid:173)
`ferent appearances, e.g., as described in detail below.
`Tue term "user-appearance" as used herein may relate to
`the appearance of a customer while trying a consumer article.
`Tue article may include, for example, apparel, such as cloth(cid:173)
`ing, shoes, glasses, garments, ties, and the like; an article, e.g.,
`furniture, located in the vicinity of the customer; as well as
`other items, articles, designs or products such as, for example,
`cosmetics, headdresses, hair cuts.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, the system may include an imaging device able to
`capture user-appearances and a mirror-display device, able to
`operate selectably as a mirror or as a display. When in the
`mirror mode, the mirror-display device may enable the user to
`evaluate and/or view a user-appearance of a current trial of a
`consumer article. When in the display mode, the mirror(cid:173)
`display device may enable the user to evaluate and/or view
`one or more user-appearances, e.g., as captured by the imag(cid:173)
`ing device, of a previous trial, e.g., as described in detail
`below.
`Reference is made to FIG. 1, which schematically illus(cid:173)
`trates an interactive system 100 in accordance with some
`demonstrative embodiments of the invention.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, system 100 may include an interactive imaging and
`display station 110, which may include an image control unit
`120, an imaging device 130, and a mirror-display device 140.
`Image control unit 120 may include a controller 121, a net(cid:173)
`work interface 122, a storage device 123, an input device 124,
`all of which elements are described in detail below.
`Aspects of the invention are described herein in the context
`of demonstrative embodiments of an imaging device, e.g.,
`imaging device 130, a mirror-display device, e.g., mirror(cid:173)
`display device 140, and/or an image control unit, e.g., image
`control unit 120, being separate units of an appearance com(cid:173)
`parison system, e.g., system 100. However, it will be appre-
`
`4
`ciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not
`limited in this respect, and that according to other embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention, the system may include any suitable
`configuration, combination, and/or arrangement of the imag(cid:173)
`ing device, the mirror-display device, and/or the image con(cid:173)
`trol unit. For example, the system may include an integrated
`module including the mirror-display device, the imaging
`device and/or the image control unit. For example, the imag(cid:173)
`ing device and/or the image control unit may be implemented
`10 as part of the mirror-display device.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, mirror-display device 140 may be configured and/
`or may include components and mechanisms allowing mir(cid:173)
`ror-display device 140 to operate selectably in two modes of
`15 operation. In a first mode of operation (the "mirror-mode"),
`mirror-display device 140 may operate as a mirror. In a sec(cid:173)
`ond mode of operation (the "display mode"), mirror-display
`device 140 may operate as a display. When mirror-display
`device 140 operates in the mirror-mode, a user 111 of system
`20 100 may evaluate and/or view a user-appearance of a first trial
`of a consumer article, as may be reflected by mirror-display
`device 140. Imaging device 130 may capture an image of the
`user-appearance of the first trial. The captured image may be
`stored, for example, by storage device 123, e.g., as described
`25 below. User 111 may then pose in front of mirror-display
`device 140 trying a second article, and imaging device 130
`may capture a second image of the user-appearance of the
`second trial. When in the display mode, mirror-display 140
`may be controlled to display one or more of previously cap-
`30 tured images. By virtue of the capability of mirror-display
`device 140 to operate selectably in the mirror or display
`mode, user 111 may be able to compare simultaneously or
`sequentially between the user-appearances of the first and
`second trials, as described in detail below. In some demon-
`35 strative embodiments of the invention, e.g., as shown in FIGS.
`1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and/or 3B, controller 121 may control device
`140 to display, during the display mode of operation, a mirror(cid:173)
`image of the appearances. However, it will be appreciated by
`those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not
`40 limited in this respect, and that in other embodiments the
`controller may control device 140 to display, during the dis(cid:173)
`play mode of operation, any other image corresponding to the
`appearance, e.g., a rotated appearance, a revered appearance,
`a substantially non-altered, e.g., frontal, appearance, a ren-
`45 dered appearance, and the like, e.g., as described below.
`Device 140 may include any suitable configuration and/or
`mechanism to enable selectably operating mirror-display
`device 140 in the first and second modes of operation. For
`example, in one embodiment device 140 may include an array
`50 of liquid crystal (LC) elements, which may change their
`optical attributes such as, e.g., reflectivity, refractive index
`and the like, depending on, for example, a voltage applied to
`the liquid crystals. For example, applying a first voltage may
`result in changing the optical attributes of the liquid crystals
`55 such that mirror-display device 140 may operate as a mirror;
`and a second voltage may result in changing the optical
`attributes of the liquid crystals such that mirror-display
`device 140 may operate as a liquid crystal display.
`In another embodiment of the invention, for example, mir-
`60 ror-display device 140 may include a liquid crystal display
`(LCD) device embedded in a semi-reflective or one-direc(cid:173)
`tional mirror. Accordingly, ifthe LCD is switched to an inac(cid:173)
`tive mode of operation, mirror-display 140 may passively
`reflect sufficient light incident thereon to enable the user to
`65 view user-appearances at reasonable quality and brightness.
`In contrast, when the LCD is turned to an active mode of
`operation, mirror-display device 140, images displayed by
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
`
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`US 7 ,948,481 B2
`
`5
`the LCD device may be viewed by user 111 because they may
`be significantly brighter than residual reflections from the
`surface of the mirror-display.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, mirror display device 140 may be implemented by 5
`a LCD HD ready mirror 1V such as, for example, model No.
`32PM8822/10 available from Royal Philips Electronics, e.g.,
`as described at the Internet site <http://www.research.philip(cid:173)
`s.com/newscenter/archive/2003/mirrortv.html>. Such
`a
`device may include, for example, a polymer-based organic 10
`light-emitting display (OLED). Mirror-display device 140
`may include any other suitable device implementing any suit(cid:173)
`able display technology. For example, device 140 may
`include a nano-emissive display (NED); a plasma display
`panel (PDP); a cathode ray tube display (CRT); a Digital 15
`Light Processing (DLP) display; a surface conduction elec(cid:173)
`tron emitter display (SED); a Tablet screen; a flat-panel SED;
`an Organic electronic display; electronic paper; a 3-Dimen(cid:173)
`sional display, e.g., a Hologram display; a thin fihn resistor
`(TFT) display; an optical TFT; a Dot Matrix LED screen; an 20
`LCD having CCD capabilities, e.g., such that mirror-display
`140 may be capable of performing the functionality of imag(cid:173)
`ing device 130; a paintable LCD; a surface-conduction elec(cid:173)
`tron-emitter (SED) display; a high definition television
`(HD1V) display; a rear projector display device, and the like. 25
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, imaging device 130 may be adapted to capture one
`or more appearances from a Field-of-View (POV) in front of
`mirror-display device 140. The POV in front of mirror-dis(cid:173)
`play device 140 may include, for example, a field, area, scene, 30
`zone, and/or region in front of mirror-display device 140. For
`example, the POV may include at least part of a field, area,
`scene, zone, and/or region captured by mirror-display device
`140 when in the mirror mode.
`Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in 35
`this respect, imaging device 130 may be or may include, for
`example, a CCD camera, a video camera, a camera and/or
`camera set-up enabling capturing of 3D-images, e.g., a ste(cid:173)
`reoscopic camera and the like. A stereoscopic camera may be
`adapted, for example, to capture a 3-D image of the user- 40
`appearance. The stereoscopic camera may include, for
`example, two lenses having a distance between each other
`that may correspond to a distance between two human eyes.
`Accordingly, the stereo camera may be able to simulate
`human binocular vision, also known as Stereophotography, 45
`thereby being able to capture a 3D-image.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, station 110 may be a stand alone unit, which may
`be located at an appearance-comparison area of a desired
`location, for example, an office, a home, or a retail store, e.g., 50
`apparel store.
`According to other demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, station 110 may be connected, e.g., via network
`interface 122, to a network, for example, a network 150,
`thereby enabling communication between station 110 and 55
`one or more other stations affiliated with network 150 such as,
`for example, station 160 and/or station 170.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, station 110 may include a network interface 122,
`which may be adapted to interact with network 150, to send 60
`and receive information from other stations in network 150,
`as described herein. Such information may include but is not
`limited to data corresponding to images of users captured at
`various stations of system 100, for example, station 160 and/
`or 170, as well as identifying information of the users to 65
`enable secure access to the system, as described in more detail
`below. Network 150 may include, for example, a local area
`
`6
`network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global com(cid:173)
`munication network, e.g., the Internet, a wireless communi(cid:173)
`cation network such as, for example, a wireless LAN
`(WLAN) communication network, a Bluetooth network, a
`wireless virtual private network (VPN), a cellular communi(cid:173)
`cation network, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership
`Project (3GPP), such as, for example, Frequency Domain
`Duplexing (FDD) network, a Global System for Mobile com(cid:173)
`munications (GSM) network, a Wideband Code Division
`Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular communication net(cid:173)
`work, and the like.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, one or more of stations 160 and 170 may be por(cid:173)
`table devices. Non-limiting examples of such portable
`devices may include a mobile telephone, a laptop computer, a
`notebook computer, a mobile computer, a Personal Commu(cid:173)
`nication Systems (PCS) device Personal Digital Assistants
`(PDA), a wireless communication device, a PDA device
`which incorporates a wireless communication device, a cel(cid:173)
`lular telephone, a wireless telephone, a smart card, a token, a
`memory card, a memory unit, and the like. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention, one or more of stations 160 and 170
`may be non-portable devices such as, for example, a desktop
`computer, a tablet computer, a television set, a server com(cid:173)
`puter, and the like.
`According to some embodiments of the invention, system
`100 may also include a control center 190, which may be
`connected to stations 110, 160 and/or 170, e.g., via network
`150. Control center 190 may receive and store data, which
`may represent, for example, data and/or images of user-ap(cid:173)
`pearances, received from one or more of stations 110, 160
`and/or po.
`According to some embodiments of the invention, stations
`110, 160and/or170 may be located at different locations such
`as, for example, different stores of a retail chain. In addition,
`stations 110, 160 and/or 170 may be located at different
`locations within a building, e.g., different floors, different
`sections at the same floor and the like. Such locations may
`include, for example, clothing stores, shoe stores, points of
`sale, concept showrooms, exhibitions, shopping malls, eye(cid:173)
`wear stores, cosmetic stores, sport clubs, health institutes,
`fitness centers, airports, train stations, coffee shops, restau(cid:173)
`rants, hotels, homes, and the like. One or more of stations 110,
`160and170 may also be used for interactive billboard signs.
`For example, imaging device 130 may, for example, capture
`images which may be displayed on a billboard sign (not
`shown). System 100 may enable user 111 to choose an image
`to be displayed on the billboard sign out of a plurality of
`images of, for example, various previous trials of apparel.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, images of user appearances may be viewed at
`different locations. For example, imaging device 130 may
`capture an image of the first trial. The image may then be sent
`from network interface 122 via network 150 using signals 151
`and 152, for example, to station 160. Accordingly, user 111
`may be able to view the image of the first user-appearance at
`station 160. Therefore, user 111 may be able to view, for
`example, the user-appearance of the first trial in a first store of
`a retail store chain, e.g., a store associated with station 110;
`and may compare the user-appearance of the first trial with a
`user-appearance of a second trial, which may take place at a
`second store of the same or an affiliated chain, e.g., a store
`associated with station 160; and/or at a different time, e.g.,
`one or more hours, days or weeks after the first trial.
`According to another demonstrative embodiment of the
`invention, imaging device 130 may capture an image of a
`user-appearance of a first trial, and send the image via net-
`
`Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 06-17-2020
`
`
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`US 7,948,481 B2
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`7
`work interface 122 over network 150 to control center 190,
`where the image may be stored for later retrieval. Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, user 111 may gain access to the images of the first trial
`by accessing any station, e.g., station 160, connected over
`network 150 with control center 190.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, storage device 123 may include, for example, a
`hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD)
`drive, a CD-ROM drive, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive,
`or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, controller 121 may be or may include, for example,
`a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor
`(DSP), a microprocessor, a controller, a chip, a microchip, an
`Integrated Circuit (IC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or
`specific processor or controller, e.g., as are known in the art.
`Input device 124 may include, for example, a keyboard; a
`remote control; a motion sensor; a pointer device such as, for
`example, a laser pointer; a mouse; a touch-pad; a touch
`screen, which may be embedded, for example, in mirror(cid:173)
`display device 140, or may be implemented by any other
`suitable unit, e.g., separate from device 140; a biometric input
`device, e.g., a fingerprint scanner, and/or a camera for scan(cid:173)
`ning a face; and/or any other suitable pointing device or input
`device. Input device 124 may be adapted to receive user(cid:173)
`identifying data, for example, to enable, access, e.g., secure
`access, of user 111 to system 100, as described in detail
`below.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the 30
`invention, user 111 may provide user commands to input
`device 124 for operating the imaging device 130. Input device
`124 may include, for example, an interface to enable user 111
`of system 100 to define operational parameters of imaging
`device 130. Controller 121 may receive the inputs from user 35
`111 via signals 131 and control the operation of imaging
`device 130 accordingly. The user commands may include, for
`example, commands relating to the timing for capturing an
`image, the positioning ofimaging device 130, e.g., according
`to an automatic tracking algorithm which may follow, for 40
`example, the position of user 111, and/or imaging attributes
`such as focus, camera position, capturing angle, dynamic
`range and the like. The user commands may also include
`commands to define image capturing operating modes of
`imaging device 130 such as, for example, a video capturing 45
`mode, a photographic mode and the like. According to some
`embodiments of the invention, imaging device 130 may
`include a sound input device, for example, a microphone
`and/or a sound output device, for example, a loudspeaker.
`Accordingly, imaging device may receive audio signals, e.g., 50
`voice signals generated by user 111, which may be recorded
`and stored, e.g., in storage device 123 and reproduce the audio
`signals through the sound output device. The sound output
`device may be able to reproduce any other kind of audio
`signals such as, radio programs, compact disc records and the 55
`like.
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, controller 121 may, for example, set the mode of
`operation of mirror-display device 140 according to the com(cid:173)
`mand received from user 111. For example, if mirror-display
`device 140 operates in the mirror mode, the user of system
`100 may provide input device with a switching command,
`e.g., by pressing a designated button at input device 124, for
`switching mirror-display device 140 to the display mode.
`Controller 121 may receive the input from input device 124
`and may control device 140 to switch to the display mode of
`operation, e.g., using signals 141.
`
`8
`According to some demonstrative embodiments of the
`invention, imaging device 130 may be mounted in various
`positions such as, for example, on top, below, or on the side of
`mirror-display device 140, thereby capturing an image of a
`user-appearance which may be an image of a given trial of
`apparel, an image of user 111 with various articles, e.g.,
`furniture and/or posing with different garments and the like.
`In some embodiments of the invention, imaging device 130
`may capture a user-appearance as it appears in mirror-display
`10 device 140, i.e., a mirror-image of the user-appearance. In
`other embodiments, imaging device 130 may capture the
`appearance, and controller 121 may generate a mirror-image
`corresponding to the a