Amazon gains patent for virtual reality mirror
Amazon’s newest win could help it further secure its place in the fashion industry.
The online retailer was granted a patent for a “blended reality” mirror that lets shoppers virtually try on clothes — in a virtual location. The mirror consists of a display device with a screen positioned behind the mirror. Projectors will illuminate objects in front of the mirror, according to the patent filing.
Here’s how it works: An embedded camera scans the environment to generate a virtual model, and then identifies the face and eyes of the user to determine which objects are to be seen as a reflection. Once this process is completed, the virtual clothes and scene are transmitted through the mirror to create the blended-reality result, according to The Verge.
Amazon filed for the patent on March 30, 2015, according to the filing document.
While there are no solid plans to launch the technology, the mirror is a natural fit within other Amazon projects. For example, the mirror complements Body Labs, a 3D scanning platform that uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and body modeling to accurately create an avatar-like image of a customer’s dimensions. Amazon acquired the company last fall.
The mirror also augments Amazon’s Echo Look, a hands-free video camera that takes floor-length photos of users, then provides style advice and fashion recommendations, The Verge reported.
More importantly, it could give a boost to Amazon’s “try before you buy” Prime Wardrobe service — a subscription-based program that enables Prime members to order (and try on) up to 10 items of clothing before they actually buy any merchandise. The order threshold was lowered to 10 items in November. When the program launched, members could order between three and 15 items — a move that suggests customers were returning more merchandise than they were purchasing.
The online retailer was granted a patent for a “blended reality” mirror that lets shoppers virtually try on clothes — in a virtual location. The mirror consists of a display device with a screen positioned behind the mirror. Projectors will illuminate objects in front of the mirror, according to the patent filing.
Here’s how it works: An embedded camera scans the environment to generate a virtual model, and then identifies the face and eyes of the user to determine which objects are to be seen as a reflection. Once this process is completed, the virtual clothes and scene are transmitted through the mirror to create the blended-reality result, according to The Verge.
Amazon filed for the patent on March 30, 2015, according to the filing document.
While there are no solid plans to launch the technology, the mirror is a natural fit within other Amazon projects. For example, the mirror complements Body Labs, a 3D scanning platform that uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and body modeling to accurately create an avatar-like image of a customer’s dimensions. Amazon acquired the company last fall.
The mirror also augments Amazon’s Echo Look, a hands-free video camera that takes floor-length photos of users, then provides style advice and fashion recommendations, The Verge reported.
More importantly, it could give a boost to Amazon’s “try before you buy” Prime Wardrobe service — a subscription-based program that enables Prime members to order (and try on) up to 10 items of clothing before they actually buy any merchandise. The order threshold was lowered to 10 items in November. When the program launched, members could order between three and 15 items — a move that suggests customers were returning more merchandise than they were purchasing.