Apparatus for monitoring a person having an interest to an object, and method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of monitoring a person ( 101 ) having an interest to an object. The method comprising steps of: ( 210 ) providing a data processor ( 111 ) for obtaining interaction data related to a remote interaction between the person and at least one of a plurality of the objects ( 131, 132, 133 ), ( 240 ) using the data processor for analysis of the interaction data to identify a particular one of the objects ( 133 ), to which the person has the interest, and ( 250 ) obtaining additional data related to the particular object for informing the person about the particular object. The analysis of the interaction data may comprise a step ( 220 ) of identifying a remote location where the interest of the person is focused, and a step ( 230 ) of determining locations of the objects with respect to the remote location.

1 . A method of monitoring a person having an interest to an object, the method comprising steps of:
 providing a data processor for obtaining interaction data related to a remote interaction between the person and at least one of a plurality of the objects wherein the plurality of objects are physical items visible to the person,   using the data processor for analysis of the interaction data to identify a particular one of the objects, to which the person has the interest,   obtaining additional data related to the particular object for informing the person about the particular object, and   providing the additional data to the person.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis of the interaction data comprises:
 a step of identifying a remote location where the interest of the person is focused, and   a step of determining locations of the objects with respect to the remote location.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising any one or a combination of:
 a step of using at least one video camera for obtaining video data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, and providing the video data to the data processor,   a step of using at least one microphone for obtaining audio data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, and providing the audio data to the data processor,   a step of using a touch detector for obtaining touch input data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, the touch detector being remote to the objects, and providing the touch input data to the data processor.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data processor is configured as an eye-gaze detector for determining a direction (D) of a person's look and an intersection of the direction with the particular object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein more than one particular object is identified, further comprising a step of determining a further particular object out of the particular objects, the further particular object having attracted most of the person's interest. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of enabling the person to view the additional data on a display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of using the additional data for actively demonstrating the particular object to the person through an illumination or physical motion of the particular object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein locations of the objects and corresponding types of the remote interaction are variably defined on an interaction map. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the objects are located in a shop area. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for monitoring a person having an interest to an object, the apparatus comprising a data processor for
 obtaining interaction data related to a remote interaction between the person and at least one of a plurality of the objects wherein the plurality of objects are physical items visible to the person,   analysing of the interaction data to identify a particular one of the objects, to which the person has the interest,   obtaining and providing additional data related to the particular object for informing the person about the particular object.   
     
     
         11 . A system for monitoring a person having an interest to an object, the system comprising an apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , and any one or a combination of:
 a video camera for obtaining video data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, and providing the video data to the apparatus,   a microphone for obtaining audio data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, and providing the audio data to the apparatus,   a touch detector for obtaining touch input data being the interaction data related to the remote interaction, the touch detector being remote to the objects, and providing the touch input data to the apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . A non-transitory medium including a computer program product enabling a programmable device, when executing a computer program of said product, to implement the method of  claim 1 .