Viewing images for review in merged image form and with parameter-based image processing

Abstract

A method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a matching scheme using codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to an article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line viewer site with an image of a structure selected by the on-line viewer, and indicating whether the article and the structure satisfy a category-matching criterion. In certain embodiments, the articles are represented by (search) parameters that permit organizational advantages.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform operations comprising:
 providing a web interface for access by a remote computer;   receiving a search parameter from the remote computer;   finding an article that matches the search parameter;   receiving, from the remote computer, selection data corresponding to the found article;   linking the remote computer to a remote website that correspond to the found article;   returning to the web interface from the remote website;   processing image data for the found article;   storing the image data in a virtual closet for access by the remote computer;   merging the image data for the found article with image data of a structure to generate merged image data of the article placed on the structure; and   providing the merged image data to the remote computer for displaying.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 categorizing the found article according to one or more categorization parameters; and   configuring the web interface to display the found article in categories based on the categorizing.   
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 displaying advertising for the article; and   charging retailers that offer for sale for the advertisement.   
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 tracking purchases made by on-line viewers operating the remote computer using the search parameter; and   in response to the tracking, providing demographic information to one or more of retailers.   
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 4 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 charging the one or more of retailers for the demographic information.   
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 providing a selectable icon for enabling the search parameter.   
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the search parameter includes identification of selected retailers. 
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the search parameter includes selection of an outline of the found article. 
     
     
         9 . A host application server, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:
 provide a web interface for access by a remote computer; 
 receive a search parameter from the remote computer; 
 find an article that matches the search parameter; 
 receive, from the remote computer, selection data corresponding to the found article; 
 link the remote computer to a remote website that correspond to the found article; 
 return to the web interface from the remote website; 
 process image data for the found article; 
 store the image data in a virtual closet for access by the remote computer; 
 merge the image data for the found article with image data of a structure to generate merged image data of the article placed on the structure; and 
 provide the merged image data to the remote computer for displaying. 
   
     
     
         10 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 categorize the found article according to one or more categorization parameters; and   configure the web interface to display the found article in categories.   
     
     
         11 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 display advertising for the article offered for sale by retailers; and   charge the retailers for the advertisement.   
     
     
         12 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 track purchases made by on-line viewers using the search parameter; and   in response to the tracking, provide demographic information to one or more of retailers.   
     
     
         13 . The server of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to charge the retailers for the demographic information. 
     
     
         14 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide a selectable icon for enabling the search parameter. 
     
     
         15 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the search parameter includes identification of selected retailers. 
     
     
         16 . The server of  claim 9 , wherein the search parameter includes selection of an outline of the found article. 
     
     
         17 . A method performed by an application hosted on a computing device, the method comprising:
 receiving an input of a search parameter from a user;   providing an article that matches the search parameter;   receiving selection data corresponding to the found article;   providing a link to a remote website that correspond to the found article;   processing image data for the found article;   storing the image data in a virtual closet;   merging the image data for the found article with image data of a structure to generate merged image data of the article placed on the structure; and   displaying the merged image data.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the image data includes an outline definition of the found article, color frequency codes linked to sections of the found article, and size of the found article. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 categorizing the found article according to one or more categorization parameters; and   displaying the found article in categories based on the categorizing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 displaying advertising for the article; and   charging retailers that offer for sale for the advertisement.