Virtual Product Overlay for Accurate Space Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face challenges in determining how large or heavy items will fit in their home spaces without physical placement, and existing systems struggle to accurately scale products in user-supplied images.

Innovation Solution

A system that receives an image of a user space and its physical definition, queries a networked marketplace to filter products that fit within the defined space, generates a composite image by overlaying the product image scaled according to the user space and product dimensions, and provides virtual guidelines for accurate scaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a consumer physically places a large or heavy item in their home to test its appearance, then they can accurately determine how the product will look and fit, but it demands significant effort and may require the seller to allow temporary placement without purchase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of product visualizationVSAvoideffort required for product testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical product by generating a three-dimensional model that can be digitally placed and viewed in the user's space. This virtual replica allows consumers to examine product appearance, size, and fit without physically handling the actual item, thereby eliminating the need for temporary physical placement while maintaining accurate visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically transporting and placing heavy items with a digital system that uses computer vision, image processing, and three-dimensional rendering. The system captures images of the user's space, processes them to understand spatial dimensions, and digitally overlays virtual product models, substituting physical manipulation with computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing systems overlay an image of the item on a background image, then they can show product placement, but they struggle to determine the correct scale of the product without user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct placement visualizationVSAvoidscale accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system captures images of the user's actual space, analyzes spatial dimensions and reference objects in those images, and uses this information to automatically scale virtual product models to the correct size. The system continuously refines its understanding of the space based on user input and adjusts the visualization accordingly, eliminating the need for manual scale specification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic scaling and spatial analysis without requiring user intervention. It identifies reference objects in user-provided images, calculates real-world dimensions, and autonomously determines the appropriate scale for displaying virtual products, making the system self-sufficient in determining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If users search through lists of available products to determine whether the product will fit a given user space, then they can find suitable products, but examining each dimension of potential purchases is an arduous task

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct selection efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent examining product dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of the user's space by capturing and analyzing images of the area where the product will be placed. The system pre-calculates available dimensions, identifies suitable reference objects, and determines spatial constraints before the user even selects a product. This preliminary preparation enables rapid product matching and eliminates the need for users to manually check each product's dimensions against their space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal visualization system that can handle multiple product types and categories within a single interface. The three-dimensional modeling and spatial analysis framework works across different product categories (furniture, appliances, decor), allowing users to visualize and compare various products in their actual space context without needing separate tools or manual measurements for each item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12315004B2Integrating a product model into a user supplied image

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 EBAY INC

AI summary

Techniques for integrating a product model into a user supplied image are presented herein. A method is disclosed that includes receiving an image of a user space from a user, receiving one or more definitions that describe the user space, retrieving, based on search terms provided by the user, one or more items available at a networked marketplace that fit within the definitions of the user space, and generating a composite image by overlaying an image of one of the items on the image of the user space. The method further scales the image of the item according to the definition of the user space and the physical dimensions of the item, and depicts virtual guidelines indicating a current scale of the image of the item.