Digital Wallet Virtual Sampling via 2D Image Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online shopping lacks the ability for consumers to 'touch and feel' products, leading to dissatisfaction and high return rates, as existing augmented reality solutions are expensive and cumbersome, requiring special hardware and software.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables consumers to virtually sample products in real-time using a digital wallet, allowing them to try products before buying, without the need for expensive computing devices or significant modifications to online shopping portals, by superimposing product images onto user-provided images using a clickable button on merchant websites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If augmented reality technology is used to enable virtual product sampling, then consumers can touch and feel products virtually, but the solution becomes expensive and requires special hardware like virtual reality headsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 2D image overlays instead of full 3D augmented reality, creating simplified copies of product visuals that can be displayed on standard mobile device screens. This eliminates the need for complex VR headsets while maintaining the core functionality of virtual product visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the technical parameters of augmented reality from requiring specialized 3D hardware to using standard 2D mobile device displays. By adjusting the complexity level and visual representation method, the solution becomes accessible to consumers with ordinary smartphones.
2Ease of operation
If augmented reality software is implemented for product sampling, then virtual try-on is enabled, but the solution becomes cumbersome and out of reach for most consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential visual overlay functionality from complex augmented reality software, separating it from the heavy computational and hardware requirements. This allows the core product sampling feature to function on basic mobile devices without requiring sophisticated AR software suites.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses lightweight, easily deployable image overlays that can be quickly loaded and displayed on standard devices, replacing the need for expensive, complex AR software installations. The solution is economically accessible and technically simple.
3Speed
If traditional online shopping checkout is used, then transaction speed is fast, but consumers must enter sensitive information like credit card numbers and bank information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements digital wallet technology where sensitive financial information is pre-stored and pre-validated in a secure digital wallet application. During checkout, this previously prepared information is automatically retrieved and used, eliminating the need for consumers to manually enter sensitive data while maintaining fast transaction speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital wallet acts as an intermediary between the consumer and the merchant's payment system. It securely holds sensitive information and handles the authentication process, protecting consumers from directly exposing their financial data while enabling rapid checkout transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for enabling a consumer to virtually sample and purchase a product while shopping on-line are provided. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a system and method provide an improved and streamlined holistic on-line shopping experience which includes providing a sampling webpage linked to a consumer's digital wallet to allow for sampling for a product and purchase thereof.