Rotatable Electronic Mirror for Virtual Outfit Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of selecting a suitable clothing ensemble for business or social occasions is time-consuming and frustrating, as it involves trying on multiple items of clothing in different combinations, which can be inefficient, especially when time is limited.
Innovation Solution
A digital/video camera captures images of a person, which are then displayed on a rotatable flat-panel video monitor or TV set, allowing for image manipulation, storage, and sharing, enabling the creation of virtual clothing combinations and accessory overlays, and functioning as both an electronic mirror and a conventional TV or monitor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a person tries on multiple items of clothing in different combinations to select a suitable ensemble, then they can find the right outfit, but the process becomes time-consuming and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the person's image using a camera, and then manipulates this copy by overlaying different clothing items and accessories. This allows the person to view various outfit combinations without physically trying them on, thus maintaining outfit selection quality while dramatically reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes images of clothing items and accessories, storing them in a database ready for combination. When the user wants to select an outfit, the system quickly assembles pre-prepared image components rather than requiring real-time physical manipulation of actual clothing items, thereby reducing selection time while maintaining quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digital camera captures and displays images on a flat panel monitor, then the person can view their clothing ensemble electronically, but the device must serve multiple functions (mirror and TV/monitor)
Solution Approach 1:
The flat panel monitor is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as an electronic mirror display when showing captured images with clothing overlays, and as a conventional TV or video monitor when displaying broadcast or digital content. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while the system manages complexity through software-based mode switching.
Data Source
AI summary
An Electronic Mirror is described that can capture and display, using a digital/video camera or cameras, the image of a subject as they look when viewing themselves in a mirror. The captured image is displayed on a video monitor or TV set. A widescreen flat panel monitor is utilized, having the ability to physically rotate 90°. In portrait mode the monitor functions as an Electronic Mirror, and in landscape mode is capable of functioning as a conventional TV set or video monitor. Rotation is either manual or motorized. Captured images of a subject may be split such that a portion reflecting one type of outfit may be combined with a portion reflecting a different outfit, thus electronically creating a combination of clothing that may never have been actually worn. Video capture may also be supported enabling a subject to capture and replay a 360 degree view as they turn around.