Object feature virtualization 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 visualization system, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions; and   at least one processor that executes the instructions to:
 determine a mapped image that corresponds to a design material mapped to at least one surface; 
 reduce brightness and color from a portion of the mapped image corresponding to an area next to an object onto which the mapped image is mapped; and 
 use projecting devices to project the mapped image onto the at least one surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor generates the mapped image by:
 selecting an image of the design material;   mapping the image to the at least one surface.   
     
     
         3 . The visualization system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor generates the mapped image in response to receiving a selection from a user. 
     
     
         4 . The visualization system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor generates the mapped image upon determining that the mapped image is not retrievable from a database. 
     
     
         5 . The visualization system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor stores the mapped image in a database. 
     
     
         6 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor retrieves the mapped image from a database. 
     
     
         7 . The visualization system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor retrieves the mapped image from the database in response to user input. 
     
     
         8 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surface comprises at least a portion of a wall, a floor, or the object. 
     
     
         9 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection of the mapped image includes shading. 
     
     
         10 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the design material comprises a wall covering. 
     
     
         11 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor provides a selection option to a user regarding at least one of the design material or the at least one surface. 
     
     
         12 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor places an order for the design material. 
     
     
         13 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection of the mapped image includes one of a set of different lightings. 
     
     
         14 . The visualization system of  claim 13 , wherein the set of different lightings comprises daylight lighting, night lighting, or evening lighting. 
     
     
         15 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the design material comprises:
 carpet;   tile;   wood;   fabric;   stone; or   leather.   
     
     
         16 . The visualization system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection of the mapped image includes shadowing. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 determining, using at least one processor, a mapped image that corresponds to a design material mapped to at least one surface;   reducing, using the at least one processor, brightness and color from a portion of the mapped image corresponding to an area next to an object onto which the mapped image is mapped; and   using projecting devices to project the mapped image onto the at least one surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating the mapped image. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising placing an order for the design material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising capturing a simulation image of the at least one surface with the mapped image projected thereon to provide to a display device.