Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to the field of graphical representation of items or shoppers. (G06Q30/0643)
The virtual reality shopping system is a virtual reality system. The virtual reality shopping system is adapted for use with a client. The virtual reality shopping system provides a virtual environment that emulates the physical process of procuring one or more services. The virtual reality shopping system is a virtual shopping center. The virtual reality shopping system comprises a directory structure, an environment generation structure, and a plurality of avatars. The directory structure presents a virtual “storefront” that is presented to the client by vendors that are willing to enter into a contractual arrangement with the client. The environment generation structure transforms the virtual storefront into a virtual environment for the client. The plurality of avatars are virtual representations for the client and a virtual individual who represents the virtual storefront within the generated virtual environment.
These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the virtual reality shopping system will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the virtual reality shopping system in detail, it is to be understood that the virtual reality shopping system is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the virtual reality shopping system.
It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the virtual reality shopping system. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in
The virtual reality shopping system 100 (hereinafter invention) is a virtual reality system. The invention 100 is adapted for use with a client. The invention 100 provides a virtual environment that emulates the physical process of procuring one or more services. The invention 100 is a virtual shopping center. The invention 100 comprises a directory structure 101, an environment generation structure 102, and a plurality of avatars 103. The directory structure 101 presents a virtual “storefront” that is presented to the client by vendors that are willing to enter into a contractual arrangement with the client. The environment generation structure 102 transforms the virtual storefront into a virtual environment for the client. The plurality of avatars 103 are virtual representations for the client and a virtual individual who represents the virtual storefront within the generated virtual environment. The client 104 is defined elsewhere in this disclosure.
The directory structure 101 is a collection of individual virtual storefronts. Each individual virtual storefront selected from the directory structure 101 is a vending organization willing to execute a transaction with the client 104. The selected individual virtual storefront maintains a virtual storefront that the client 104 accesses through the environment generation structure 102. The directory structure 101 comprises transportation services 111, shelter services 112, retail services 113, and personal need services 114.
The transportation services 111 is a subset of individual virtual storefronts selected from the directory structure 101 that are associated with the transportation services 111. The transportation services 111 comprises a plurality of transportation storefronts 141. The individual transportation storefronts 141 contained in the transportation services 111 are focused on the services necessary to transport passengers and cargo. Examples of the individual transportation storefront 141 include, but are not limited to: parcel delivery companies and airlines.
The shelter services 112 is a subset of individual virtual storefronts selected from the directory structure 101 that are associated with the shelter services 112. The shelter services 112 comprises a plurality of shelter storefronts 142. The individual shelter storefronts 142 contained in the shelter services 112 are focused on the services necessary to provide and manage housing for individual clients 104. Examples of the individual shelter storefronts 142 include, but are not limited to: real estate companies, property management companies, and home services companies.
The retail services 113 is a subset of individual virtual storefronts selected from the directory structure 101 that are associated with the retail services 113. The retail services 113 comprises a plurality of retail storefronts 143. The individual retail storefronts 143 contained in the retail services 113 are focused on the sale of domestic articles. Examples of the individual retail storefronts 143 include, but are not limited to: clothing/linen stores, houseware stores, and electronic equipment/office supply retail stores.
The personal need services 114 is a subset of individual virtual storefronts selected from the directory structure 101 that are associated with the personal need services 114. The personal need services 114 comprises a plurality of personal need storefronts 144. The individual personal need storefronts 144 contained in the personal need services 114 are focused on the sale of services. Examples of the individual personal need storefronts 144 include, but are not limited to: home/vehicle repair services, medical/therapeutic services, and food/entertainment services.
The environment generation structure 102 is the structure of the invention 100 that generates the virtual environment the client 104 experiences during the use of the invention 100. The environment generation structure 102 creates a virtual reality structure that interacts with the senses of the client 104.
The environment generation structure 102 presents a first virtual environment that represents a shopping center. The first virtual environment presented by the environment generation structure 102 offers the client 104 access to the individual virtual storefronts that are accessible through the directory structure 101. Upon the selection of an individual virtual storefront by the client 104, the environment generation structure 102 generates a second virtual environment to the client 104 that emulates a shopping experience within the selected individual virtual storefront. The client 104 interacts with the selected individual virtual storefront through the first virtual environment and the second virtual environment to complete a transaction. The environment generation structure 102 directly controls the first virtual environment. The selected individual virtual storefront controls the second virtual environment through the facilities provided by the environment generation structure 102.
The environment generation structure 102 comprises a logic module 121, a virtual reality display device 122, a plurality of joint motion devices 123, and a hand controller 124.
The logic module 121 is a logical device. The logic module 121 forms a communication link with each individual virtual storefront selected from the directory structure 101. The logic module 121 transmits input received from the client 104 to the individual virtual storefront selected from the directory structure 101 by the client 104. The logic module 121 generates the second virtual environment received from the individual virtual storefront for the benefit of the client 104.
The logic module 121 forms a communication link with the client 104. The logic module 121 presents the first virtual environment and the second virtual environment to the client 104. The logic module 121 receives input from the client 104. The logic module 121 uses the input received from the client 104 to adjust the presentation of the first virtual environment to the client. The logic module 121 further uses the input received from the client 104 to adjust the presentation of the second virtual environment to the client. The logic module 121 further uses the input received from the client 104 to facilitate a transaction between the client 104 and the selected individual virtual storefront presenting the second virtual environment.
The virtual reality display device 122 is an interface structure. The virtual reality display device 122 electrically connects to the logic module 121. The logic module 121 controls the operation of the virtual reality display device 122. The virtual reality display device 122 presents to the client 104 the visual stimulation component of the virtual environment being presented to the client 104. The virtual reality display device 122 presents to the client 104 the audible stimulation component of the virtual environment being presented to the client 104.
The virtual reality display device 122 tracks the movement of the eyes of the client 104 and uses the tracked movement to: a) adjust the virtual environment presented to the client 104; and, b) facilitate a transaction between the client 104 and the selected individual virtual storefront. The virtual reality display device 122 tracks the audible sounds made by the client 104 and uses the captured sound to: a) adjust the virtual environment presented to the client 104; and, b) facilitate a transaction between the client 104 and the selected individual virtual storefront. The virtual reality display device 122 further measures the pulse rate, respiration rate, the blood pressure, and the temperature of the client 104. The virtual reality display device 122 provides the pulse rate, respiration rate, the blood pressure, and the temperature of the client 104 to the selected individual virtual storefront interacting with the client 104.
Each joint motion device selected from the plurality of joint motion devices 123 is a sensor. Each joint motion device selected from the plurality of joint motion devices 123 attaches to a joint of the client 104 selected from the group consisting of: a) an elbow of the client 104; b) a wrist of the client 104; c) the knee of the client 104; and d) an ankle of the client 104. Each joint motion device selected from the plurality of joint motion devices 123 forms an electric connection with the logic module 121. The logic module 121 monitors the operation of each joint motion device.
The plurality of joint motion devices 123 are used to capture directional and pointing cues that are generated by the client 104. Each joint motion device selected from the plurality of joint motion devices 123 tracks the motion of its associated joint such that the logic module 121 can use the detected motion to: a) adjust the virtual environment presented to the client 104; and, b) facilitate a transaction between the client 104 and the selected individual virtual storefront.
The hand controller 124 is an interface structure. The hand controller 124 is operated by the client 104. The hand controller 124 allows the client 104 to directly input operating instructions to the logic module 121.
Each avatar selected from the plurality of avatars 103 is an image. The image of each selected avatar presents indicia to the client 104 that stimulates a sentiment that represents the participants of a potential transaction between the client 104 and the selected individual virtual storefront. Each avatar selected from the plurality of avatars 103 is presented in a virtual environment selected from the group consisting of: a) the first virtual environment; b) the second virtual environment; and, c) both the first virtual environment and the second virtual environment. The plurality of avatars 103 comprises a client 104 avatar 131 and a virtual assistant avatar 132.
The client 104 avatar 131 is an avatar selected from the plurality of avatars 103. The client 104 avatar 131 is an image. The client 104 avatar 131 presents indicia that stimulates a sentiment that the client 104 avatar 131 represents the image of the client 104.
The virtual assistant avatar 132 is an avatar selected from the plurality of avatars 103. The virtual assistant avatar 132 is an image. The virtual assistant avatar 132 presents indicia that stimulates a sentiment that the virtual assistant avatar 132 represents the image of the selected individual virtual storefront interacting with the plurality of avatars 103.
The following definitions were used in this disclosure:
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in
It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.