A SYSTEM AND A ETHOD FOR GENERATING A DIGITAL BROCHURE FOR A
PRODUCT
Field of the Invention
[1] The present invention relates to digital representations of a product generally, and in particular to generating customized digital brochures for products.
[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in generating customized digital brochures in particular, customized digital brochures that provide product information specific to the customer’s needs. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
Background of the Invention
[3] One of the major drawbacks with brochures is that printed or digital brochures represent a single product or a range of products in one particular configuration. Moreover, the information that the brochures convey is common for a multitude of customers. There is currently no way of customizing the brochures for different individual customers’ needs and preferences.
[4] The present disclosure seeks to provide a system and a method for generating a digital brochure for a product, which may overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.
[5] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide.
Summary of the Invention
[6] There is provided a system for generating a digital brochure for a product, the system comprising: a product option selection device to receive a first indication indicative of an option in relation to the product; a user information acquisition device to receive a second indication indicative of information pertaining to a user; and a processor connected to the product option selection device and the user information acquisition device, the processor being configured to; receive the first indication from the product option selection device; receive the second indication from the user information acquisition device; and generate the digital brochure based on the first indication and the second indication.
[7] The product option selection device may comprise a touch screen.
[8] The product option selection device may comprise a keyboard.
[9] The product option selection device may comprise a trackball.
[10] The user information acquisition device may comprise a camera that is configured to capture a digital image of the user as at least part of the second indication.
[11] The user information acquisition device may further comprise a keyboard that is configured to receive a name or an address of the user as at least part of the second indication.
[12] The processor may further be configured to include the digital image, the name or the address of the user in the digital brochure.
[13] The processor may further be configured to: invoke a map application to obtain a geographical image corresponding to the address of the user; generate an image of the product based on the first indication; and generate a composite image in the digital brochure, the composite image including the geographical image and the image of the product.
[14] The processor may further be configured to: store the digital brochure at a location identified by a web link; and send the web link to a device associated with the user for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link.
[15] The processor may further be configured to instruct a printer to print the digital brochure.
[16] The product may be a vehicle.
[17] The product may be clothing.
[18] There is provided a computer implemented method for generating a digital brochure for a product, the method comprising: receiving, from a product option selection device, a first indication indicative of an option in relation to the product; receiving, from a user information acquisition device, a second indication indicative of information pertaining to a user; and generating the digital brochure based on the first indication and the second indication.
[19] The first indication may be received from a touch screen.
[20] The first indication may be received from a keyboard.
[21] The first indication may be received from a trackball.
[22] At least part of the second indication may include a digital image of the user received from a camera that is configured to capture the digital image of the user.
[23] At least part of the second indication may include a name or an address of the user received from a keyboard that is configured to receive the name or the address of the user.
[24] The computer implemented method may further comprise: invoking a map application to obtain a geographical image based on the second indication data corresponding to the address of the user; generating an image of the product based on the first indication data; and generating a composite image that includes the geographical image and the image of the product based on the first indication and the second indication.
[25] The computer implemented method may further comprise: storing the digital brochure at a location identified by a web link; and sending the web link to a device associated with the user for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link.
[26] The computer implemented method may further comprise instructing a printer to print the digital brochure.
[27] The product may be a vehicle.
[28] The product may be clothing.
[29] There is provided a computer software program, including machine-readable instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the computer implemented method previously described.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[30] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[31] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary environment of devices to which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;
[32] Figure 2 illustrates a product option selection device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[33] Figure 3 illustrates a screenshot of a first screen of the product option selection device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[34] Figure 4 illustrates a user information acquisition device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[35] Figure 5 illustrates a method for generating a digital brochure for a product, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments
[36] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.
[37] Any one of the terms: “including” or “which includes” or “that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others.
[38] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.
[39] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The exemplary environment illustrates a system 100 for generating a digital brochure for a product. The system 100 comprises a product option selection device 102, a user information acquisition device 104 and a processor 112. It should be noted that although the product option selection device 102, the user information acquisition device 104 and the processor 112 are shown in Figure 1 as separate entities, the product option selection device 102, the user information acquisition device 104 and the processor 112 can be integrated in a same entity in other examples. It should be also noted although the processor 112 is shown in Figure 1 as part of a promotion server 102, it can also be integrated with the product option selection device 102 or the user information acquisition device 104 without departing from the scope of the invention. There is also a printer 106 shown in the exemplary environment, which may be used to print the digital brochure generated by the system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the printer 106 is connected to the promotion server 110 through a network router
108 and an internal network 109. In various embodiments, the internal network
109 is a Local Area Network (LAN) implemented through wired and/or wireless means such as LAN cables, network routers and wireless network routers. It is further envisaged here that the internal network 109 is confined within a product store or a showroom. The product being displayed in such a product store or a showroom may be one or more of, but not limited to, vehicles, clothing, electronic appliances, footwear and watches etc.
[40] The promotion server 110 comprises a processor 112 and may be configured to host and run various applications required for management of the product store or the showroom. In that manner, it is envisaged that the promotion server 110 further comprises a memory unit (not shown) configured to store machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions may be fed into the memory unit, for example, through a computer program. When, executed by the processor 112, the machine readable instructions enable the processor 112 to carry out a plurality of operations as desired from the various applications.
[41] Further connected to the promotion server 110 is a promotion storage device
113 having a promotion database. The promotion database may be configured to store details of a number of products, such as product names, one or more attributes of each one of the number of products. The one or more attributes comprise, but are not limited to, colour, dimensions, variants, price and availability etc. The promotion storage device 113 also may have a user database. The user database is configured to store a plurality of user profiles corresponding to a plurality of users.
[42] Further, connected to the promotion server 110 can be a map server 116, through an external network 114. In various embodiments, the external network 114 is a Wide Area Network (WAN). Preferably, the external network
114 is the Internet. The map server 116 may be configured to provide two dimensional and three dimensional maps of a wide geographical region with multiple resolutions, altitudes and modes (such as street mode and satellite mode etc.). In that manner, it is envisaged that the promotion server 110 may be configured to integrate the two dimensional and three dimensional maps etc. in applications hosted by the promotion server 110 through an Application Program Interface (API) pertaining to the map server 116.
[43] Further connected to the external network 114 is a database server 120 configured to connect to an external storage device 122. The external storage device 122 can store an external database configured to store information in document form and transmit the document through the database server 120 to any device trying to access the document using a web link. Further connected to the external network 114 is a device 118 associated with a user. In various embodiments, the device 118 is selected from a group including a mobile phone, a desktop pc, a laptop and a tablet etc.
[44] Figure 2 illustrates an example of the product option selection device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from Figure 2, the product option selection device 102 may be a booth placed at a strategic location within the product store. A user uses the product option selection device 102 to select one or more options in relation to the product the user potentially purchases. The product option selection device 102 can include a first screen 1022 to present to the user the options in relation to the product. The product option selection device 102 may also include a first input means 1024 for the user to select one or more options from the options presented by the first screen 1022. In one embodiment, the first screen 1022 is a touchscreen, which is able to present to the user the options in relation to the product and receive one or more options selected by the user, and therefore the first screen 1022 and the first input means 1024 may be integrated with each other. In another embodiment, if the first screen 1022 is not able to receive the one or more options selected by the user, the first input means 1024 comprises a separate keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a computer mouse) or a trackball. The user uses the separate keyboard or pointing device to select one or more options from the options presented on the first screen 1022.
[45] Figure 3 illustrates an example graphical user interface 300 presented on the first screen 1022 of the product option selection device 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from Figure 3, the graphical user interface 300 includes a plurality of colour options in relation to a product, for example, a vehicle. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first screen 1022 is a touch screen, and the user can use his finger to touch one of the colour options of the vehicle in the graphical user interface 300 to select a colour for the vehicle. In other embodiments, the user may use the separate first input means 1024, for example, a computer mouse, a keyboard, or a trackball, to select the colour from the graphical user interface 300.
[46] Once the user selects one of the colour options in the graphical user interface 300 using his finger or the separate first input means 1024, the product option selection device 102 receives a first indication indicative of the option in relation to the product. In various embodiments, the first indication is selected from various attributes of the product. For example, the first indication may be a colour for a vehicle or a type of fabric (such as linen) for a piece of clothing. In another example, the first indication may be a variant of the vehicle, such as with or without automatic transmission. Another example would be a variant of an appliance, such as a top loading fully automatic washing machine or a refrigerator with a water dispenser in the door. This way the user can select a variant, a colour, a size and other attributes of the product depending upon his or her personal choice, allowing the user to experience a customized product promotion.
[47] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the user information acquisition device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, in one embodiment, the user information acquisition device 104 is a kiosk unit strategically placed in the product store. In another embodiment, the user information acquisition device 104 is a personal computer and is connected to the promotion server 110 through the network router 108 and the internal network 109. It can also be seen from Figure 4, that the user information acquisition device 104 comprises a second screen 1044 and a second input means 1046. In one embodiment, the second input means 1046 comprises a keyboard. Further, the user information acquisition device 104 comprises a camera 1042. The user information acquisition device 104 can be configured to receive a second indication indicative of information pertaining to a user. In one embodiment, the user uses the keyboard 1046 to type a name or address of the user, and the keyboard 1046 is configured to receive the name or address of the user as at least part of the second indication. Further, in another embodiment, the camera 1042 is configured to capture a digital image of the user as at least part of the second indication. [48] The processor 112 in turn, through machine readable instructions, is configured to receive the first indication from the product option selection device 102. Further, the processor 112 is configured to receive the second indication from the user information acquisition device 104. Further, the processor 112 is configured to generate the digital brochure based on the first indication and the second indication.
[49] For example, the processor 112 extracts various attributes of the product from the first indication and applies the various attributes of the product to a product template. The processor 112 adjusts the product template according to the various attributes of the product to generate an image of the product with the attributes of the product. As another example, the processor 112 accesses a product database (not shown) having multiple entries. Each of the entries stores the attributes of the product, an image of the product having the attributes, and other product-related information. The processor 112 searches the product database for an entry by the attributes extracted from the first indication and retrieves from the entry the image of the product having the attributes and other product-related information. The processor 112 further extracts the digital image of the user from the second indication and applies an image processing process (for example, a pattern recognition process) to recognise for example an area in the image, including the head and shoulders of the user. The processor 112 extracts the area from the digital image of user, and combines this area with the image of the product.
[50] In one embodiment, the processor 112 is further configured to include the name or the address of the user in the digital brochure. For example, a user enters the colour blue for a vehicle and enters a name such as “John”. The digital brochure generated will have the blue coloured vehicle, with “John’s Car” inscribed on top of a windshield of the vehicle and the digital image of the user at a driver’s side of the vehicle. In another example, the user may enter as a part of the first indication “denim” as a choice of fabric for a piece of clothing and a waist size of “32” as a part of the second indication. The digital brochure will have a pair of denim trousers of waist size “32”. This way the user will receive much more personalized information of the product and the user will be able to make a much more informed choice about the product.
[51] In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 112 is further configured to invoke a map application to obtain a geographical image corresponding to the address of the user. In one embodiment, the processor 112 invokes the map application through the map server 116 provided by for example Google. Particularly, the processor 112 sends to the map server 116 a location indication indicative of a location, for example, the address of the user. Upon receipt of the location indication at the map server 116, the map server 116 retrieves a geographical image corresponding to the location indication from a geographical database (not shown in Figure 1). The geographical database stores geographical information corresponding to a location, for example, geographical images of different resolutions or street views from different perspectives. As an example, the geographical image is a satellite image corresponding to the address of the user. The map server 116 sends the geographical image to the processor 112. Further, the processor 112 is configured to generate an image of the product based on the first indication, for example an image of a vehicle with a particular rear end. Further, the processor 112 is configured to generate a composite image in the digital brochure, the composite image including the geographical image and the image of the product. For example, the composite image includes the image of the vehicle, with the rear end, parked next to an entrance of the user’s house shown in the geographical image corresponding to the address of the user. This takes the personalization of the brochure to an even further level and the user will have a much more enhanced feel of the product, before the user goes on to actually purchase the product.
[52] In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 112 is further configured to store the digital brochure at a location identified by a web link. The web link points to the external storage device 122 accessible through database server 120. Further, the processor 112 is configured to send the web link to the device 118 associated with the user for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link. For example, the processor 112 sends the web link to the device 118 via a short message, or sends an email containing the web link to an email account associated with user. The user connects the device 118 to the external network 114 (for example, a cellular communication network or Internet) and uses the device 18 to access the short message or the email containing the web link. In that manner, the user downloads the digital brochure onto the device 118 via the web link. In another embodiment, the processor 112 is further configured to send an instruction to the printer 106. The instruction instructs the printer 106 to print the digital brochure. The printed brochure may then be collected by the user at the product store.
[53] Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 for generating the digital brochure for the product, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 can be implemented as a software program including machine-readable instructions for execution by the processor 112. The processor 112 receives 510 from the product option selection device 102, the first indication indicative of the option in relation to the product. At step 520, the second indication indicative of information pertaining to the user is received by the processor 112, from the user information acquisition device 104. At step 530, the processor 112 generates the digital brochure based on the first indication and the second indication. In one embodiment of the invention, the first indication is received from the touch screen. In another embodiment, the first indication is received from the keyboard. In yet another embodiment, the first indication is received from the trackball. Further, in one embodiment, at least part of the second indication includes the digital image of the user. Further, in one embodiment, at least part of the second indication includes the name or the address of the user.
[54] In one embodiment, the processor 112 invokes the map application to obtain the geographical image based on the second indication data corresponding to the address of the user. Further, the processor 112 generates the image of the product based on the first indication data. Further, processor 112 generates the composite image that includes the geographical image and the image of the product based on the first indication and the second indication. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 112 stores the digital brochure at the location identified by a web link. Further, the processor 112 sends the web link to the device 118 associated with the user for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link. In one embodiment, the processor 112 instructs the printer 106 to print the digital brochure.
[55] In exemplary scenario, a customer walks into a vehicle showroom. The customer walks up to a booth placed in the vehicle showroom. The booth acts as a product option selection device 102. The customer uses a touch screen 1022 to enter a colour, a make, a model, a fuel variant and a type of transmission (for example automatic) as constituents of the first indication. Further, the customer walks up to a kiosk unit placed in the vehicle showroom. The kiosk unit acts as a user information acquisition device 104. The customer uses the second input means 1046 to enter a name and an address of the user as a part of the second indication. Also, the camera 1042 captures a digital image of the user as a part of the second indication. The processor 112 uses, the colour, the make, the model, the fuel variant and the type of transmission of the vehicle and the name, the address and the digital image of the user to generate a digital brochure. For example, the windscreen of the vehicle may have the name of the customer inscribed on it.
[56] Alternatively, the processor 112 obtains a geographical image of the residence of the user, as per the address of the user. Further, the processor 112 generates an image of the vehicle as per the first indication (i.e. the colour, the make, the model, the fuel variant and the type of transmission of the vehicle). Further, the processor 112 generates a composite image by combining the geographical image and the image of the product. The composite image is then included in the digital brochure. Further, the processor 112 then stores the digital brochure at a location identified by a web link and send the web link to the device 118 (such as a cellular phone) associated with the user, for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link. Alternately, the processor 112 instructs the printer 106 in the vehicle showroom to print the digital brochure which the user can carry home.
[57] In another exemplary scenario, a customer walks into a clothing store. The customer walks up to a booth placed in the clothing store. The booth acts as a product option selection device 102. The customer uses a touch screen 1022 to enter a colour, a fabric (such as cotton or denim) and a type of fitting (for example straight fit or slim fit or low waist) as parts of the first indication. Further, the customer walks up to a kiosk unit placed in the vehicle showroom. The kiosk unit acts as a user information acquisition device 104. The customer uses the second input means 1046 to enter a name and a waist size of the user as a part of the second indication. Also, the user uses the camera 1042 to capture a digital image of the user as a part of the second indication. The processor 112 uses, the colour, the fabric and the type of fitting of the clothing and the name, the waist size and the digital image of the user to generate a digital brochure. In that manner it is envisaged that, the digital brochure will illustrate the user wearing blue colour denim slim fit jeans with the name of the user embroidered onto a rear pocket of the jeans.
[58] Further, the processor 112 can then store the digital brochure at a location identified by a web link and sends the web link to the device 118 (such as a cellular phone) associated with the user for the user to download the digital brochure from the web link. Alternately, the processor 112 instructs the printer 106 in the clothing showroom to print the digital brochure which the user can carry home.
[59] The embodiments of the present invention offer a number of advantages. First a user can generate a personalized brochure by choosing one or more of a plurality of attributes for a product. The personalization can be taken a step further, by integrating satellite images of an address provided by the user. The ability to provide the brochure both in electronic form or a print form caters to both tech-savvy and non-tech-savvy type of customers. Also, many such brochures can be linked to an online profile of the user and can be used for future reference and performing predictive study as to what kind of products the user is more inclined to purchase.
[60] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to a skilled addressee from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is meant to provide the broadest scope, consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.