Design and retail service technologies for well-fitting eyeglass frames

- Toward the mass customization business -

Abstract

Mass customization that enables any consumer to easily obtain a custom-fitted product is the ultimate goal of this research. As the first step towards this goal, an IT-based product recommendation system for eyeglass frames was developed. Using this system, a customer's 3-D face shape is measured, frame(s) of the proper size are recommended, and a simulation of the customer wearing the eyeglass frame is generated as a style recommendation. Technologies such as face measurement, size recommendation and impression simulation were integrated based on a 3-D face shape database. When the system is utilized on a retail level, the contents of the 3-D face shape database will be expanded, and statistical information on face shape and⁄or impressions of the face and eyeglass frame will be utilized for product designing and retailing services.