Virtual-Reality Apparatus
An apparatus comprises a virtual-reality user interface, a memory containing virtual-reality presentation information for a plurality of items available for retail sale as well as information including a plurality of partiality vectors for a particular customer, and a control circuit that operably couples to both the virtual-reality user interface and the memory. The control circuit selects a particular one of the plurality of items to present to the customer via the virtual-reality user interface as a function, at least in part, of the partiality vectors. The virtual-reality user interface can include, for example, an audio-content user interface and/or an active haptic-content user interface along with a visual interface. By one approach the control circuit presents particular ones of the plurality of items in an order of presentation that begins with a product that best accords with the customer's partiality vectors.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a virtual-reality user interface;
a memory having stored therein:
virtual-reality presentation information for a plurality of items available for retail sale;
information including a plurality of partiality vectors for a particular customer;
a control circuit operably coupled to the memory and to the virtual-reality user interface and configured to select a particular one of the plurality of items to present to the customer via the virtual-reality user interface as a function, at least in part, of the partiality vectors.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the virtual-reality user interface includes an active haptic-content user interface.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the virtual-reality user interface includes an audio-content user interface.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a least some of the partiality vectors are based, at least in part, upon prior purchases made by the customer.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the prior purchases made by the customer include prior purchases made by the customer via the virtual-reality user interface.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the prior purchases made by the customer also include prior purchases made by the customer other than via the virtual-reality user interface.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the partiality vectors is generated, at least in part, via passive analysis of purchases made by the customer.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide the customer with an opportunity to edit at least one of the partiality vectors.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is further configured to present particular ones of the plurality of items in an order of presentation that begins with a product that best accords with the customer's partiality vectors.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the order of presentation continues with products that increasingly less accord with the customer's partiality vectors.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the virtual-reality user interface is configured to provide a user with a product showroom experience.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the product showroom experience includes an opportunity to manipulate a virtual product.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the opportunity to manipulate the virtual product includes the opportunity to experience virtual touching of the virtual product.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the virtual-reality user interface is configured to provide a user with an opportunity to experience a product in a virtual real-world setting other than in a product showroom.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the virtual real-world setting comprises a real-world setting personal to the customer.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide the customer with an opportunity to input at least one indication about what the customer values about a particular one of the presented items and to select another one of the plurality of items to present to the customer via the virtual-reality user interface as a further function of the at least one indication.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 wherein selecting the another one of the plurality of items to present to the customer via the virtual-reality user interface as a further function of the at least one indication includes overriding an automatically-determined preference that is based on the customer's partiality vectors in favor of the at least one indication.