Object Feature Visualization Apparatus and Methods

Abstract

An object feature visualization system is disclosed. The system may include a computing device that generates video-mapped images to project onto physical objects. The video-mapped images may include features to be projected onto the objects. The projection of a video-mapped image onto the physical object allows for the visualization of the feature on the object. In some examples, the computing device receives a feature selection for a particular object, and generates a video-mapped image with the selected feature to provide to a projector to project the video-mapped image onto the physical object. In some examples, a user is able to select one or more features for one or more objects of a room display via a user interface. The system then projects video-mapped images with the selected features onto the physical objects. The system may allow a user to save feature selections, and to purchase or request additional information about objects with selected features.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A feature visualization system, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions; and   a processor that executes the instructions to:
 determine a mapped image that characterizes at least one surface with at least one feature; 
 receive a selection of a shading or a shadowing that is different than that cast by actual lighting; 
 modify the mapped image to generate a modified mapped image by compensating for differences between the shading or the shadowing and that cast by the actual lighting; and 
 use at least one of a group of projecting devices to project the modified mapped image onto the at least one surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the instructions to generate the mapped image. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor generates the mapped image by mapping an image of the at least one feature to the at least one surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the instructions to obtain the mapped image from a database. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the mapped image in response to receiving at least one user selection. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one user selection indicates at least one of the at least one surface of the at least one feature. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one user selection includes:
 a first user selection indicating the at least one surface; and   a second user selection indicating the at least one feature.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature includes at least one of a material, a fabric, a color, a finish, or a pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surface is at least a portion of a display room. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surface is at least a portion of a piece of furniture. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein using the at least one of the group of projecting devices to project the modified mapped image onto the at least one surface comprises:
 using a first projecting device of the group of projecting devices to project a first portion of the modified mapped image onto a first portion of the at least one surface; and   using a second projecting device of the group of projecting devices to project a second portion of the modified mapped image onto a second portion of the at least one surface.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surface comprises multiple surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the multiple surfaces form at least part of a corner. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the instructions to communicate with a manufacturer of the at least one feature. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the processor communicates with the manufacturer regarding an order. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor receives the selection in response to providing an option via a user interface. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 determining, using at least one processor, a mapped image that characterizes at least one surface with at least one feature;   receiving, using the at least one processor, a selection of a shading or a shadowing that is different than that cast by actual lighting;   modifying, using the at least one processor, the mapped image to generate a modified mapped image by compensating for differences between the shading or the shadowing and that cast by the actual lighting; and   using at least one of a group of projecting devices to project the modified mapped image onto the at least one surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising obtaining the mapped image. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating the mapped image. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising placing an order for the at least one feature.