Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
A METHOD OF VIRTUAL GARMENT FITTING, SELECTION, AND PROCESSING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the garment industry. More
specifically it relates to the fitting, selection and
processing of garments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of garment fitting, selection and
processing there are a number of methods which are directed
towards helping clients obtain a garment of a correct fit, and
having a particular appearance. Convenience, efficiency and
reliability are important in providing systems which enable
clients to obtain clothing which fits properly, and meets their
approval visually.
It is common knowledge what is involved with standard
ready to wear approaches to providing well fitted clothes which
meet a client's visual preferences. Typically, one of the most
reliable and traditional approaches of retailers involves
providing mirrors, and if needed, changing facilities so that
clients may actually try on garments for sale to directly
assess the fit and appearance of that garment prior to
purchase. This method relies upon the physical presence of
garments having a wide variety sizes, fabrics and styles, on a
retailer's premises. Additional steps such as the provision of
service personnel for consultation, measuring and alteration (a
form of garment processing) further helps in achieving a fit
and appearance desirable to the client. For clarity, garment
processing is hereinafter understood to at least include the
process of altering garments and the process of manufacturing
or creating garments. Although this approach is reliable, it
may not prove to be convenient for busy clients who do not have
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time, or are too removed geographically to physically relocate
themselves to the premises of the garment providing retailer to
try on clothing. A desired garment may simply not be available
from a local retailer. There also is a lack of efficiency as
locating, trying on, and removing garments can be time
consuming and requires some physical exertion.
Other traditional approaches are used when a client
is not satisfied with buying ready to wear garments or altered
ready to wear garments from a retailer. Typically these
approaches provide services for the creation of made to measure
clothing, or custom made clothing, and requires a different
shopping process. Typically a dressmaker or a tailor provides
the service by arranging a consultation with the client. At
that meeting, the client discusses with the tailor, the
garments they would like made, typically with the help of
magazines, patterns, etc. depicting ready made garments that
would not fit the client, as references. The tailor then
measures the client and in consultation with the client, helps
the client choose suitable fabrics and styles. The tailor
would then begin the process of custom design including many
fittings involving the client and the tailor. Once these
fittings are concluded the garment is finished and the client
receives the made to measure clothing. There are a number of
problems associated with this method. The client often
encounters difficulty finding both the proper fabric and a
suitable tailor; the fabric industry and the tailoring industry
not being completely integrated industries. The tailor may
take inaccurate measurements, leading to fitting difficulties.
The client, although involved in the process of garment
creation, does not ever completely know what the final fitted
garment will look like which may lead to dissatisfaction once
the garment is complete. Tailoring skills to custom fit
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clothing to any body shape and size are rare and can demand a
high premium.
Other well known traditional approaches attempt to
mitigate the efficiency and convenience shortfalls of these
methods which require clients to physically try on garments or
have their measurements taken by a tailor. Examples of such
approaches are catalogue based shopping, and more recently
online catalogue based shopping. These methods focus on
convenience and allow a client to obtain clothing without ever
having to physically go to the provider's premises to try on
the garment. These methods provide pictures of garments worn
by models to help a client decide which garments meet their
visual approval. The ordering mechanism typically allows the
client to use a rough description of their physical make-up or
size, in an attempt to obtain garments of a proper fit. The
very convenience of these methods, however, can lead to
unreliability because of the difficulties in predicting fit and
predicting appearance without actually physically bringing
together the garment, and the particular client. In specifying
size or physical make-up, a client may be unrealistic about
their own measurements or simply inaccurate. Some catalogue
and online shopping approaches provide for some customization
based on measurements of the client but even so this does not
guarantee a proper fit, and still does not address the problem
of predicting the appearance of the garment as worn by the
client.
Although these traditional methods are each in their
turn reliable, and alternatively convenient and efficient, they
do not constitute solutions which can be said to be at the same
time reliable, convenient, and efficient.
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More recent approaches to garment fitting, selection
and creation have attempted to solve various areas of the
problem but do not provide a complete integrated and
coordinated solution.
Some approaches for online shopping of garments allow
a client to browse existing inventory through a web site or at
a kiosk in a retail location. Some online retailers offer a
virtual try on feature. These virtual try on features
generally allow a client to choose from a variety of face
shapes, body features, hair color and styles of garments. An
image is generated using computer graphics, often using simple
shaded polygons, from the choices made by the client. This
image is either generated from manual input of a client or may
involve the use of a scanner. The client can then browse
through selected merchandise and try articles on the computer-
generated image. This image is not a realistic representation
of the client given the limits to the size and shape of the
model that can be generated and the facial characteristics,
hair styles, and body proportions are often predetermined
renderings. The final composite image of the client in the
garments is a visual simulation, and does not involve physical
simulation of clothing. If a client likes a garment they may
purchase the garment in person or online electronically, after
which the garment could be shipped to the client. Although
this process can provide additional convenience and efficiency
it has its own shortfalls with respect to reliability. Some of
the problems associated with this process are that the image
used to virtually try on garments may not be a true
representation of what the client would look like in the
garment. The client generally must rely on a generated image
alone to choose a garment. These images would not show how the
garment would drape and fall on a client's body and for example
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how tightly it would fit, since the computer generated image
can only produce rudimentary visual cues, and is not a physical
simulation of the garments. As a result, the client may buy
clothing in the wrong size. If a client happens to purchase
5 clothes of the right size there may be certain aspects of the
clothes which do not fit. For example the sleeves could be too
long, or the pants too short, or some aspect of clothing too
tight, too loose, or perhaps drapes differently from the
computer image.
It would be desirable for there to be a method of
garment fitting, selection, and processing which is convenient,
reliable, and efficient, by providing a way of virtually trying
on clothing which produces an accurate photo-realistic
representation of what the clothing will look like on a client,
and avoids the problems of existing methods. It would be
desirable for a method which, in addition to providing a client
with an accurate virtual representation of how they would look
in a garment through a computer generated image, also provides
a solution which avoids the problem of a client purchasing
clothing which is the incorrect size, or is otherwise too
tight, too loose, too long, too short, or does not fit in a
certain respect due to the reliance only upon a computer
generated image to choose a piece of clothing. It would also
be desirable to provide the client access to virtually any
design or style of garment rather than relying on the
availability of garments at the local retailer premises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a reliable,
convenient and efficient method of garment fitting, selection
and processing which provides a photo-realistic virtual 3-D
image of an individual in a physically simulated 3-D garment
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and provides for the use of measurements of the individual to
intelligently recommend garments, produce patterns for custom
made garments, and to provide alteration suggestions to fit a
garment to a particular individual. The measurements and the
photo-realistic 3-D information is stored so that the
individual does not need to re-input information or undergo
multiple scans, and can shop from home using the previously
obtained information profile. Measurements and suggestions can
be used by the individual or automatically sent to a
manufacturer, dressmaker or tailor for the creation or
alteration of a garment to achieve a correct fit for the
individual.
It is to be understood that the term "3-D image"
includes any display of an image rendered using 3-D technology
whether displayed as a 3-D stereoscopic image, a 2-D projection
or rendering, or any other display.
According to a first broad aspect, the invention
provides for a method of fitting, selecting and processing a
garment for an individual including, spatially measuring the
individual to obtain spatial measurements of the individual,
obtaining an image of a face and head of the individual,
creating and displaying a virtual photo-realistic 3-D image
simulating visually and physically how the garment would appear
and behave when worn by the individual using the spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head
of the individual, and generating specifications for processing
the garment using the spatial measurements of the individual
and information regarding the garment.
According to a second broad aspect, the invention
provides for a method of fitting, selecting and processing
garments for an individual including, spatially measuring the
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individual to obtain spatial measurements of the individual,
obtaining an image of a face and head of the individual,
storing the spatial measurements of the individual and the
image of a face and head of the individual as stored
information in an individual profile, providing the individual
with a choice of garments to view, creating and displaying a
virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating visually and
physically how a garment chosen by the individual would appear
and behave when worn by the individual using the stored
information in the individual profile, and generating
specifications for processing the chosen garment using the
stored information in the individual profile and information
regarding the chosen garment.
According to a third broad aspect, the invention
provides for a method of fitting, selecting and processing
garments for an individual including, spatially measuring the
individual to obtain spatial measurements of the individual,
obtaining an image of a face and head of the individual,
storing the spatial measurements of the individual and the
image of a face and head of the individual as stored
information in an individual profile, providing the individual
with a choice of garments to view, creating and displaying a
virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating visually and
physically how a garment chosen by the individual would appear
and behave when worn by the individual using the stored
information in the individual profile, generating
specifications for processing the chosen garment using the
stored information in the individual profile and information
regarding the chosen garment, sending the specifications for
processing the chosen garment for use in processing the chosen
garment, processing the chosen garment according to the
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specifications for processing the chosen garment, and shipping
the chosen garment to the individual.
In some embodiments of the invention, spatially
measuring the individual includes taking a three dimensional
body scan of the individual. In some embodiments of the
invention, spatially measuring the individual includes
obtaining spatial measurements from the individual.
In some embodiments of the invention, obtaining an
image of a face and head of the individual includes taking a
visual scan of a face and head of the individual. In some
embodiments of the invention, obtaining an image of a face and
head of the individual includes obtaining a copy of an image of
a face and head of the individual from the individual.
In some embodiments of the invention, providing the
individual with a choice of garments to view includes providing
web pages for viewing on the internet. In some embodiments of
the invention, providing the individual with a choice of
garments to view includes providing a computer kiosk at a
shopping facility.
In some embodiments of the invention, providing the
individual with a choice of garments to view includes providing
a list of recommended inventory from an inventory to the
individual, in which the list of recommended inventory is
generated using the spatial measurements of the individual and
the image of a face and head of the individual and information
regarding garments of the inventory.
In some embodiments of the invention, simulating
visually how a garment would appear includes true color 3-D
textured shaded rendering of the garment and the individual.
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In some embodiments of the invention, simulating physically how a
garment would behave when worn by the individual includes simulating
physically
how the garment would drape on the individual.
In some embodiments of the invention, generating specifications for
processing a garment includes generating a pattern for use in manufacturing
the
garment, sending specifications for processing a garment includes
automatically
sending the pattern for use in manufacturing the garment, and processing a
garment
includes manufacturing the garment according to the pattern.
In some embodiments of the invention, generating specifications for
processing a garment includes generating a recommended set of alterations for
use
in altering the garment, sending specifications for processing a garment
includes
automatically sending the recommended set of alterations for use in altering
the
garment, and processing a garment includes altering the garment according to
the
recommended set of alterations.
In some embodiments of the invention, a computer program stored on a
computer readable medium is adapted to implement a method of fitting,
selecting and
processing garments for an individual according to a broad aspect of the
invention.
In some embodiments of the invention, an automated system
comprising software and hardware is adapted to implement a method of fitting,
selecting and processing a garment for an individual according to a broad
aspect of
the invention.
According to yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of fitting, selecting and processing a garment for an
individual
comprising: spatially measuring the individual to obtain spatial measurements
and
non-posture related physical characteristics that affect garment fit;
obtaining an
image of a face and head of the individual; obtaining the individual's
shopping
CA 02359513 2011-08-02
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9a
preferences as shopping criteria; generating, using the spatial measurements
and
non-posture related physical characteristics that affect garment fit, the
shopping
criteria and the image of the face and head of the individual, a list of
recommended
garments from a garment inventory; displaying the list of recommended garments
from which the individual can choose a selected garment; creating and
displaying a
virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating visually and physically how the
selected
garment would appear and behave when worn by the individual using the spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head of the
individual;
and generating specifications for processing the selected garment using the
spatial
measurements of the individual and information regarding the garment; and
generating a recommended set of alterations for use in altering the garment.
According to yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of fitting, selecting and processing garments for an
individual
comprising: spatially measuring the individual to obtain spatial measurements
and
non-posture related physical characteristics that affect garment fit;
obtaining an
image of a face and head of the individual; storing the spatial measurements
of the
individual and the image of a face and head of the individual as stored
information in
an individual profile; obtaining the individual's shopping preferences as
shopping
criteria; generating, using the spatial measurements and non-posture related
physical
characteristics that affect garment fit, the shopping criteria and the image
of the face
and head of the individual, a list of recommended garments from a garment
inventory; displaying the list of recommended garments from which the
individual can
choose a selected garment; creating and displaying a virtual photo-realistic 3-
D
image simulating visually and physically how the selected garment would appear
and
behave when worn by the individual using the spatial measurements of the
individual
and the image of a face and head of the individual; and generating
specifications for
processing the selected garment using the spatial measurements of the
individual
and information regarding the garment; and generating a recommended set of
alterations for use in altering the garment.
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9b
According to still another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions,
stored thereon for execution by a computer for implementing a method of
fitting,
selecting and processing a garment for an individual, which when executed by a
computer implement the following steps: measure the individual to obtain
spatial
measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that affect
garment
fit; obtain an image of a face and head of the individual; obtain the
individual's
shopping preferences as shopping criteria; generating, using the spatial
measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that affect
garment
fit, the shopping criteria and the image of the face and head of the
individual, a list of
recommended garments from a garment inventory; displaying the list of
recommended garments from which the individual can choose a selected garment;
creating and displaying a virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating
visually and
physically how the selected garment would appear and behave when worn by the
individual using the spatial measurements of the individual and the image of a
face
and head of the individual; and generating specifications for processing the
selected
garment using the spatial measurements of the individual and information
regarding
the garment; and generating a recommended set of alterations for use in
altering the
garment.
According to yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions
stored thereon, for execution by a computer for implementing a method of
fitting,
selecting and processing garments for an individual, which when executed by a
computer implement the following steps: measure the individual to obtain
spatial
measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that affect
garment
fit; obtain an image of a face and head of the individual; store the spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head of the
individual as
stored information in an individual profile; obtain the individual's shopping
preferences as shopping criteria; generating, using the spatial measurements
and
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non-posture related physical characteristics that affect garment fit, the
shopping
criteria and the image of the face and head of the individual, a list of
recommended
garments from a garment inventory; displaying the list of recommended garments
from which the individual can choose a selected garment; creating and
displaying a
virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating visually and physically how the
selected
garment would appear and behave when worn by the individual using the spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head of the
individual;
and generating specifications for processing the selected garment using the
spatial
measurements of the individual and information regarding the garment; and
generating a recommended set of alterations for use in altering the garment.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an automated system comprising software and hardware for implementing
a
method of fitting, selecting and processing a garment for an individual, said
automated system adapted to: measure the individual to obtain spatial
measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that affect
garment
fit; obtain an image of a face and head of the individual; obtain the
individual's
shopping preferences as shopping criteria; generating, using the spatial
measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that affect
garment
fit, the shopping criteria and the image of the face and head of the
individual, a list of
recommended garments from a garment inventory; displaying the list of
recommended garments from which the individual can choose a selected garment;
creating and displaying a virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating
visually and
physically how the selected garment would appear and behave when worn by the
individual using the spatial measurements of the individual and the image of a
face
and head of the individual; and generating specifications for processing the
selected
garment using the spatial measurements of the individual and information
regarding
the garment; and generating a recommended set of alterations for use in
altering the
garment.
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9d
According to a yet a further broad aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an automated system comprising software and hardware for
implementing a method of fitting, selecting and processing a garment for an
individual, said automated system adapted to: measure the individual to obtain
spatial measurements and non-posture related physical characteristics that
affect
garment fit; obtain an image of a face and head of the individual; store the
spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head of the
individual as
stored information in an individual profile; obtain the individual's shopping
preferences as shopping criteria; generating, using the spatial measurements
and
non-posture related physical characteristics that affect garment fit, the
shopping
criteria and the image of the face and head of the individual, a list of
recommended
garments from a garment inventory; displaying the list of recommended garments
from which the individual can choose a selected garment; creating and
displaying a
virtual photo-realistic 3-D image simulating visually and physically how the
selected
garment would appear and behave when worn by the individual using the spatial
measurements of the individual and the image of a face and head of the
individual;
and generating specifications for processing the selected garment using the
spatial
measurements of the individual and information regarding the garment; and
generating a recommended set of alterations for use in altering the garment.
Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon
79624-1 CA 02359513 2001-10-19
review of the following description of a specific embodiment of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in greater detail
5 with reference to the accompanying diagram, in which:
FIGs. 1A and 1B form a flow chart of a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGs 1A and 1B, a preferred embodiment
10 of the invention will now be described. This example
embodiment is a method of garment fitting, selection and
processing in a client and garment retailer/manufacturer
context. More generally the invention further contemplates
other contexts for the fitting, selection and processing of
garments.
The method contemplated in the preferred embodiment
generally consists of providing a process for setting-up
clients on a system, and then providing for the shopping for
and ordering of garments by clients.
The first step for setting-up clients begins with
client registration in step 100 in which the client provides
personal information which will be associated with a client
profile and stored for later use. In the preferred embodiment
this may include such personal information as mailing address,
gender, age etc. At step 102 once the personal information is
taken and a client registered, a virtual ID is assigned to the
client. The virtual ID allows for tracking of all the
information of the stored client profile. In the preferred
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embodiment, before an actual virtual shopping session, a client
will complete his or her profile by providing measurements of
his or her body and an image of his or her face and head. At
step 110 this is done with the use of a body scanner which has
the capacity to take 3-D measurements (having an appropriate
accuracy for use of that information in subsequent steps), or
with use of measurements input manually by a client. In the
preferred embodiment obtaining manual input of measurements may
include receipt of a data file from the client containing three
dimensional or other measurements in a format compatible with
the system. The next step in the method is to obtain an image
of the client's face and head at step 112 through the use of a
body scanner which also has the capability to take photographic
scans, or with the use of a traditional format image data file
provided by the client, which in electronic form could be e-
mailed. In an alternative embodiment if the picture were in
traditional paper form, the client could provide the picture,
after which it could be scanned and entered into the client
profile. Once the registration information, virtual ID,
measurement information, and face and head image are present in
the user profile it is stored for future reuse at step 114.
Future reuse allows for the client to reuse the information
each time he or she goes online or uses a kiosk on a retailer's
premises to shop for garments and try on clothes virtually.
Step 114 marks completion of client profile set-up, after which
all information in the profile is available for reuse and
accessible through the virtual ID. At step 120 the client is
provided with a preview photo-realistic 3-D image of themselves
in a simulated garment. In the preferred embodiment the photo-
realistic preview combines true color texture mapping and
shading to render a realistic 3-D image with physical
simulation of clothing and its behavior on a client 3-D virtual
model. It is to be understood that particulars of the photo-
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realistic rendering and physical simulation may be different in
alternate embodiments, but the preferred embodiment
contemplates the use of the true color image of the client's
head and face to create a realistic head, the use of the skin
tones of the image of the client's face and head to define the
skin tone of the virtual body, and displays a true color shaded
texture mapped version of the garment on the body. In
alternate embodiments this preview is dispensed with until
viewing the virtual garments while shopping occurs. With step
124, shopping actually commences. In the preferred embodiment,
the client is either at home using a web page provided by a
retailer, or is at a computer driven kiosk on the premises of
the retailer. At step 124, the client provides shopping
criteria, which could include any specification of category to
group garments such as price range, style, designer, color, and
fit of desired garments. The method then provides the client a
choice to shop all inventory at step 126 or to shop recommended
inventory at step 128. If the client chooses to shop all
inventory the client can browse through a display of all
garments from the inventory at step 130 which also meet the
shopping criteria obtained at step 124. If the client chooses
only to shop recommended inventory at step 128 the method
provides for the generation of a list of recommended items at
step 129. Inventory is recommended based on the measurement
information and the image of the client's face and head in the
client profile, taking into account current styles, colors, and
sizes of garments in the inventory, and garment details and
characteristics. The goal of recommending certain items from
the inventory is to make suggestions as to garments which would
result in a better fit, and more appealing appearance. The
list of recommended items will also conform to the shopping
criteria obtained at step 124. The client can browse through a
display of recommended inventory items at step 132. Referring
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13
now also to FIG. 1B, for each garment or inventory item the
client chooses to view, the client is enabled to virtually try
on a chosen garment and is provided a recommended size and a
recommended set of alterations for that garment at step 140.
The size and recommended alterations are generated using the
three dimensional body scan provided by the scanner, or the
measurements provided by the client in the client profile,
along with the background information on the drafting and
design process used by the garment maker of the chosen article.
Recommended alterations could include hemming pants, letting
sleeves down, taking a waist in or letting it out etc. In
general these suggested sizes and alterations are displayed to
a client while the client is virtually trying on clothes. When
virtually trying on a chosen garment, the client is provided
with a display of a photo-realistic 3-D image of themselves in
a simulated garment of the same texture mapped shaded quality
as that from step 120. In the preferred embodiment, three
dimensional and physical information associated with a garment
is used in physically simulating and photo-realistically
rendering the garment on the 3-D virtual model of the client.
In this way clothing is shown in the photo-realistic rendering
as it would appear draped over the client's body, and the
fabric in that rendering would have the same texture, color,
and overall appearance as that of the actual clothing. This
display would advantageously incorporate any recommended
alterations or made to measure patterns and would enable the
client to view the garment as would appear in its final form
before purchase. After viewing a garment in this manner, the
client is provided a choice at step 144 to simply search the
inventory again and try on other garments at which point, step
124 would be recommenced. At step 146, the client is provided
the choice to place a garment in a hold area, so that they can
physically inspect it and try it on at the retailer's premises
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14
in a conventional manner. In an exemplary embodiment, this
could be provided to a client whether or not he or she is at
home or at a kiosk at the premises of the retailer. At step
150 the client is provided a choice to purchase a garment of a
ready to wear size available from a designer. If a client
chooses to purchase such a garment, the three dimensional body
scan or the measurements supplied by the client present in the
client profile, along with the background information on the
drafting and design process used by the garment maker of the
chosen article are used by automated alteration technology to
generate a set of alterations at step 152. These alterations
are the same as the recommended alterations in the display at
step 140. At step 154 the set of alterations is sent for
garment alteration. Typically a dressmaker or tailor who may
either be in house or simply convenient to the retailer will
receive the set of alterations, and will perform step 156, the
alteration of the garment which is done according to the
generated alterations. In an exemplary embodiment the
generated alterations is sent automatically via e-mail. Once
the garment is altered according to the set of alterations, it
is shipped to the client in step 158. In alternate embodiments
the client may wish to receive the garment without any
alterations made, so that he or she could use the recommended
alterations provided at step 140 (or 152) to have the garment
altered to a proper fit. A choice of purchasing a custom size
or made to measure garment is provided at step 160. If a
client makes this choice, the three dimensional body scan or
the measurements supplied by the client present in the client
profile, and base sizes of the pattern (reference patterns
associated with specific sizes and designers) are used by
automated pattern generation technology to generate a made to
measure pattern at step 162. At step 163 the generated pattern
is sent for garment manufacturing. Typically, a garment
79624-1 CA 02359513 2001-10-19
manufacturer will receive the pattern, and will perform step
164, the manufacturing of the garment which is done according
to the pattern. In an exemplary embodiment the generated
pattern is sent automatically via e-mail to a just-in time
5 manufacturer. Once the garment is manufactured according to
the pattern, it is shipped to the client in step 166.
The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a
convenient, effective and reliable way to fit, select, and
process garments for clients. The efficiency and convenience
10 afforded by the re-use of three dimensional information and the
face and head image allows for a client to have his or her
information entered once and would never need to be rescanned
unless he or she underwent significant bodily or facial
changes. The storing of the client information and its
15 retrieval through the virtual ID provides for convenience and
efficiency by allowing a client to remain at home or to
virtually try on multiple garments at an in store kiosk without
ever having to locate the garments and physically try them on
and subsequently remove them. When the client is happy with a
garment on his or her virtual model he or she can either put it
on hold to actually try it on later, or can simply order the
garment.
The method provides for reliable garment fitting,
selection and creation by providing an accurate measurement
through the use of a body scanner, providing an accurate photo-
realistic 3-D image by using the measurements of the scanner
and an image of the client and by physically simulating
garments on the client's body. The method avoids the problems
associated with relying solely on a computer generated image to
guarantee fit and appearance, by providing an intelligent
system which makes recommendations regarding inventory,
79624-1 CA 02359513 2001-10-19
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recommendations with respect to garment sizes and required
alterations, and provides custom made patterns for made to
measure garments, all taking into account the specific body
shape and size of the client, his or her face and head image,
and the attributes of the garment, its construction, pattern
and its manufacturer. The integration of a method which
displays a virtual model, with the provision of automatic
pattern generation and garment manufacture also guarantees that
the fabric the client sees on the virtual model is the same as
that used by a manufacturer in the creation of the garment.
The result is an appropriate fit without the expense,
inconvenience, and risk of using any particular tailor, and a
garment whose appearance on the client is exactly what is
expected.
It should be understood that this method may be
carried out other than how it is described and may optionally
be carried out in whole or in part by a system, using software
or hardware or using any combination of software and hardware
and input from individuals which perform or initiate steps of
the method. It should also be understood that the method may
be embodied in whole or in part as a computer program stored on
a computer readable medium located at the retailer's premises,
a central server, or elsewhere. It is to be understood that
various steps of the method may be carried out by an automated
system, and that individuals may be used in initiating, with or
without the aid of an automated system, other various steps of
the process.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the
79624-1 CA 02359513 2001-10-19
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appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein.
