Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for rotatably driving a floor cloth employed in a suction assembly of a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner drawing in and collecting air and dust in a dust collecting chamber through an air path connecting a suction assembly to a connecting pipe by a negative pressure generated by an operation of a driving portion that is activated by manipulating a driving switch of a handle portion, the apparatus comprising:
a rotary member rotatably disposed on a lower end of the suction assembly, for supporting the floor cloth cleaning a cleaning surface;
rotary driving means on-off controlled by the manipulation of the driving switch, for supplying a driving force for rotating the rotary member in an on-state; and
power supplying means for supplying an electric signal from the manipulation of the driving switch to the rotary driving means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supplying means is disposed in a separate space of the connecting pipe that is protected by a protective cover from the air path, and includes a power terminal electrically connected to the driving switch of the handle portion, and a power conductor for electrically connecting the power terminal to the power driving means.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, the rotary driving means includes a bi-directional rotary motor having a pair of rotary shaft portions formed on both sides of the rotary motor and simultaneously rotated with each other by the power supplied from the power supplying means, and a power transmission unit disposed for transmitting the driving force of the rotary shaft portions to the rotary member.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a pair of worm gear members connected to the rotary shaft portions for being rotated in the same direction as the rotary shaft portions are rotated; and transmission gears meshed with the pair of worm gear members for converting a rotational force of the worm gear members into a perpendicular direction and transmitting the converted rotational force to the rotary member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the worm gear members are connected to the rotary shaft portions by joint connecting members, respectively.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the worm gear members have threads formed on outer circumferences thereof in an opposite direction from each other, for being rotated in the opposite direction when the transmission gears are rotated.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a transmission gears connected to the rotary member; and a worm gear member having a worm gear portion formed on the outer circumference of the worm gear member for being meshed with the transmission gear, and a key portion formed on one end of the worm gear member for being connected to the rotary shaft portion of the rotary driving means in a key way.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein either the key portion or the rotary shaft portion has a key groove having a non-circular section formed on one end, while either the key portion or the rotary shaft portion without the key groove has a key portion that is formed on one end having corresponding shape to the key groove.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the worm gear members have threads formed on the outer circumference in an opposite direction so that the transmission gears can be rotated in the opposite direction.
10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a transmission gears connected to the rotary member; and a worm gear member having a worm gear portion formed on the outer circumference of the worm gear member for being meshed with the transmission gear, and a connecting portion formed on one end of the worm gear member for being screwed to the rotary shaft portion of the rotary driving means.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein either the connecting portion or the rotary shaft portion has a male thread formed on the outer circumference, while either the connecting portion or the rotary shaft portion without the male thread has a female thread formed on the end corresponding to the male thread.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads formed on the connecting portion and the rotary shaft portion are left-hand threads for screw-fastening when the rotary shaft portion is rotated on the rotary shaft in a clockwise direction.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads formed on the connecting portion and the rotary shaft portion are right-hand threads for screw-fastening when the rotary shaft portion is rotated on the rotary shaft in a counterclockwise direction.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads on the outer circumferences of the worm gear members are formed in an opposite direction so that the transmission gears are rotated in the opposite direction.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a casing member formed in the suction assembly for enclosing the rotary driving means, thereby screening the rotary driving means from the air path of the suction assembly.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the casing member has a lower casing having openings formed on a bottom through which the transmission gears are directly connected to the rotary members, respectively, and a plurality of fixing means for rotatably supporting the worm gear members; and an upper casing connected to an upper portion of the lower casing for screening the rotary driving means mounted on the lower casing from the outside.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising removable means for removably supporting the floor cloth onto the rotary members.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the removable means includes at least one Velcro fastener disposed on a lower surface of the rotary members in a predetermined pattern.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the Velcro fastener is seated on a plurality of recesses formed on the lower surface of the rotary members around a center of rotation at a uniform distance from each other.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the Velcro fastener is disposed on the lower surface of the rotary member around the center of rotation at an angle of 120.
21. A floor cloth removably employed in a mounting portion at a lower end of a suction assembly of a vacuum cleaner, the floor cloth for mopping impurities on a cleaning surface, the floor cloth comprising:
a body contacting the cleaning floor;
a removable layer attached to an upper surface of the body, supportable by a binding force with removable means formed on the mounting portion; and
supporting means for improving cleaning efficiency by preventing deformation of the body and enabling easier contact against the cleaning surface, when the body contacts the cleaning surface.
22. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the body and the removable layer are connected with each other by an adhesive.
23. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the supporting means includes a supporting member disposed between the body and the removable layer, for recovering the body into an original shape, elastically.
24. The floor cloth of claim 23, wherein the supporting member is formed of a porous material capable of absorbing a liquid during a wet cleaning with respect to the cleaning surface.
25. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the supporting means includes a protruding pattern protruding from a lower surface of the body contacting the cleaning surface in a predetermined pattern.
26. The floor cloth of claim 25, wherein the protruding pattern includes a plurality of protruding lines protruding from the lower surface of the body contacting the cleaning surface in a linear pattern.
27. The floor cloth of claim 25, wherein the protruding pattern is formed of a fabric that is identical with the fabric of the body.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-17. (canceled)
18. A method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), the TFT-LCD having at least one thin film transistor (TFT) and one storage capacitor (Cs), the method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate;
depositing a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer above the substrate to form a gate electrode of the TFT and a bottom electrode of the storage capacitor;
forming an insulating layer on the first and second-conductive layers and the substrate;
depositing a semiconductor layer and a doped silicon layer on the insulating layer;
forming a sacrifice layer with an island shape on the doped silicon layer, and the sacrifice layer being positioned directly above the first conductive layer;
forming a metal layer covering the sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer;
patterning the metal layer to form a source electrode and a drain electrode above the first conductive layer as well as to form a shielding metal layer above the second conductive layer, a channel being defined between the source electrode and the drain electrode to expose the sacrifice layer in the channel, a capacitor region being defined as a portion of the substrate covered by the shielding metal layer, and a non-TFT region being defined as a portion of the substrate not covered by the source electrode, the drain electrode, the capacitor region, and the channel so as to exposed the doped silicon layer thereon;
using the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the shielding metal layer as a mask to perform the following etching processes at the same time: (a) removing the doped silicon layer and the island-shaped sacrifice layer in the channel so as to expose the semiconductor layer therein, and (b) removing the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer in the non-TFT region so as to expose the insulating layer thereon; and
forming a passivation layer to cover the source electrode, the drain electrode, the channel, and the capacitor region.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein during the etching process, etching rates of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are RIS, Rn, and Ra respectively, the thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are TIS, Tn, and Ta, and the time for removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer in the channel (TISRIS+TnRn) is not less than the time for removing the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer in the non-TFT region (TnRn+TaRa).
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the following steps:
patterning the passivation layer to form a first hole and a second hole so as to expose one of the source electrode and the drain electrode through the first hole, and expose the shielding metal layer in the capacitor region through the second hole; and
forming a transparent conductive layer above the passivation layer, the transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to one of the source and the drain electrodes through the first hole, as well as electrically connected to the shielding metal layer through the second hole for forming an upper electrode of the storage capacitor.
21-25. (canceled)
26. A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), the TFT-LCD having at least one thin film transistor (TFT) and one storage capacitor, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate;
depositing first and second conductive layers above the substrate to respectively form a gate electrode of the TFT and a bottom electrode of the storage capacitor;
forming an insulating layer above the first and second conductive layers and the substrate;
forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating layer;
forming a sacrifice layer with an island shape on the semiconductor layer, and the sacrifice layer being positioned directly above the first conductive layer;
depositing a doped silicon layer to cover the sacrifice layer and the semiconductor layer;
forming a metal layer covering the doped silicon layer;
patterning the metal layer to form a source electrode and a drain electrode above the first conductive layer, as well as to form a shielding metal layer above the second conductive layer; a channel being defined between the source electrode and the drain electrode to expose the doped silicon layer therein; a capacitor region being defined as a portion of the substrate covered by the shielding metal layer; and a non-TFT region being defined as the substrate not covered by the source electrode, the drain electrode, the capacitor, and the channel so as to expose the doped silicon layer thereon;
using the source and drain electrodes and the shielding metal layer as a mask to perform these etching processes at the same time: (a) removing the doped silicon layer and the island-shaped sacrifice layer in the channel so as to expose the semiconductor layer in the channel, and (b) removing the doped silicon and semiconductor layers in the non-TFT region to expose the insulating layer therein; and
forming a passivation layer to cover the source electrode, the drain electrode, the channel, and the capacitor region.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein during the etching process, etching rates of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are RIS, Rn, and Ra respectively; the thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are TIS, Tn, and Ta; and the time for removing the doped silicon layer and the island-shaped sacrifice layer in the channel (TISRIS+TnRn) is not less than the time for removing the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer in the non-TFT region (TnRn+TaRa).
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the following steps:
forming a first hole and a second hole in the passivation layer so as to expose one of the source and drain electrodes via the first hole, and expose the shielding metal layer via the second hole; and
forming a transparent conductive layer above the passivation layer, the transparent conductive layer being electrically connected to one of the source electrode and the drain electrode through the first hole, as well as electrically connected to the shielding metal through the second hole for forming an upper electrode of the storage capacitor.
29. A thin film transistor (TFT), comprising:
a gate electrode with an island shape formed on a substrate;
an insulating layer covering the gate electrode;
a semiconductor layer with an island shape formed on the insulating layer, and positioned directly above the gate electrode;
a source doped silicon layer and a drain doped silicon layer formed on the semiconductor layer, a channel being defined between the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer to expose the semiconductor layer therein;
first and second sacrifice layers with island shapes respectively formed on the source doped silicon layer and drain doped silicon layer, the first and the second sacrifice layers being spaced apart by the channel;
a source electrode formed above the first sacrifice layer and the source dope silicon layer; and
a drain electrode formed above the second sacrifice layer and the drain doped silicon layer;
wherein the thickness of the first and second sacrifice layers varies according to the thickness of the semiconductor layer because the time for etching the first and second sacrifice layers is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer in the subsequent process.
30. The TFT in claim 29, wherein during the etching process, the etching rate of the first and the second sacrifice layers is RIS, the etching rate and the thickness of the drain doped silicon and the source doped silicon layers are Rn and Tn, and the etching rate and the thickness of the semiconductor layer are Ra and Ta, and the thickness of the first and the second sacrifice layers TIS meets the equation of (TISRIS+TnRn)\xb0\u0178(TnRn+TaRa).
31. The TFT in claim 29, further comprising a passivation layer covering the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the channel, and the TFT is used in an in-plane-switch (IPS) type LCD.
32. The TFT in claim 29, further comprising:
a passivation layer covering the TFT on the substrate, and having a hole above the drain electrode; and
a transparent conductive layer formed above the drain electrode and electrically connected to the drain electrode via the hole.
33. A thin film transistor (TFT), comprising:
a gate electrode with an island shape formed on a substrate;
an insulating layer covering the gate electrode;
a semiconductor layer with an island shape formed on the insulating layer, and positioned above the gate electrode;
first and second sacrifice layers with island shapes formed on the semiconductor layer, and a channel being defined between the first and second sacrifice layers so as to expose the semiconductor layer;
a source doped silicon layer and a drain doped silicon layer formed above the first sacrifice layer, second sacrifice layer, and the semiconductor layer, the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer being spaced apart by the channel; and
a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively formed on the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer;
wherein the thickness of the first and second sacrifice layers varies with the thickness of the semiconductor layer because the time for etching the first and second sacrifice layers is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer in the subsequent process.
34. The TFT in claim 33, wherein the etching rate of the first and the second island-shaped sacrifice layers is RIS, the etching rate and the thickness of the drain doped silicon and the source doped silicon layers are Rn and Tn, the etching rate and the thickness of the island-shaped semiconductor layer are Ra and Ta, and the thickness of the first and the second island-like sacrifice layers TIS meets the equation of (TISRIS+TnRn)\xb0\u0178 (TnRn+TaRa).
35. The TFT in claim 33, further comprising a passivation layer covering the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the channel, and the TFT is used in an in-plane-switch (IPS) type LCD.
36. The TFT in claim 33 further comprising:
a passivation layer covering the TFT on the substrate, and having a hole above the drain electrode; and
a transparent conductive layer formed above the drain electrode and electrically connected to the drain electrode via the hole.

1. A fluid-sampling system, comprising:
a downhole tool string with a fluid-sampling tool coupled thereto;
a fluid sampling probe coupled to the tool via a probe extension arm, the fluid sampling probe having an oval pad that contacts a borehole wall, one or more fluid inlets which receive a formation fluid, and a plurality of screens between the borehole wall and the one or more fluid inlets which filter the formation fluid; and
one or more offset arms coupled to the tool which contact the borehole wall.
2. The fluid-sampling system of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool string further comprises a downhole pump which draws the formation fluid from the formation via the one or more fluid inlets.
3. The fluid-sampling system of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool string further comprises a fluid analyzer which receives and analyzes the formation fluid via the one or more fluid inlets.
4. The fluid-sampling system of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool string further comprises a fluid storage chamber which receives and stores the formation fluid via the one or more fluid inlets.
5. A method of sampling a formation fluid, comprising:
deploying a fluid sampling tool having a fluid-sampling probe downhole;
pressing an oval pad of the fluid-sampling probe against a borehole wall;
drawing a formation fluid from a formation with one or more inlets of the fluid-sampling probe; and
filtering particulates from the formation fluid with a plurality of screens arranged between the borehole wall and the one or more inlets.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein pressing the pad against the borehole wall further comprises extending a probe extension arm.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising extending a tool extension arm to assist pressing the pad against the borehole wall, the tool extension arm being coupled to the fluid sampling tool.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising dispersing the formation fluid within a fluid cavity with the plurality of screens.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein pressing the pad against the borehole wall forms a seal.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein filtering particulates further comprises filtering a first size particulate prior to filtering a second size particulate, wherein the first size is larger than the second size.
11. The method of claim 5, further comprising dissipating the particulates with a chemical coupled to the plurality of screens.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the dissipating the particulates occurs prior to filtering the particulates.
13. A fluid-sampling probe, comprising:
a pad that contacts a borehole wall, the pad having a recessed area;
one or more inlets that receive a formation fluid; and
a plurality of screens between the borehole wall and the one or more inlets which filter particulates from the formation fluid.
14. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein the pad is oval shaped.
15. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein the pad is circularly shaped.
16. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein the pad contacting the borehole wall forms a seal.
17. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein multiple of the plurality of screens have different screen sizes.
18. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 17, wherein the largest screen size is arranged closest to the borehole wall and screen sizes decrease with the smallest screen size being furthest from the borehole wall.
19. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 17, wherein the plurality of screens are of a size ranging from 1000 microns to 1400 microns.
20. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein the screens are mounted to the probe using one of the group of spot welding or friction fitting or screwing or bolting.
21. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 13, wherein a cavity which connects the one or more inlets is at least partially defined between the screens and a body of the tool.
22. The fluid-sampling tool of claim 13, further comprising a chemical coating coupled to the plurality of screens.
23. The fluid-sampling probe of claim 22, wherein the chemical coating is one of polylactic acid or glycolic acid.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members are dressed to project a commonly-governed image, the method comprising:
establishing image criteria that associate a first set of apparel specifications with corresponding first set of body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group, the first set of apparel specifications including a first range of at least one apparel size, and the first set of body sizes includes a first range of at least one body measurement;
conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network, including automatically gathering user-specific information from a set of users over the computer network, wherein the set of users includes at least a first participating member of the group; and
generating a set of virtual sizing results, including processing user-specific information gathered from the set of users, wherein the processing is based on the image criteria, and wherein the set of virtual sizing results includes at least a first virtual sizing result associated with the first participating member of the group.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the group is a workforce, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of apparel specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of: garment size; a garment dimension; a garment type; and a garment style.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of: a gender; at least one body dimension; a body type classification; a body shape classification; a body silhouette classification; and at least one ratio of body dimensions.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image criteria includes an association of a first garment with a second garment.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of: at least one body measurement; body type selection; a body shape selection; a body silhouette selection; a style preference; a fit preference; a preference based on selected famous brand apparel; material allergy information; maternity status; and special need.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing includes computing user-specific information from the first participating member of the group to produce a set of body properties that are associated with the first participating member of the group.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual sizing result includes at least one result type selected from the group consisting of an apparel size determination; an apparel size selection recommendation for the first participating member; an apparel type selection recommendation for the first participating member; a recommendation to adjust a preference entry in order for the first participating member to comply with the image criteria; an indication that virtual sizing has failed; and an indication that the first participating member requires further apparel fitting service.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the set of virtual sizing results includes a second virtual sizing result associated with a second participating member of the group; and
wherein the second virtual sizing result includes at least one result type that is not included in the first virtual sizing result
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically gathering of the user-specific information includes:
gathering a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item; gathering a second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and comparing the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
establishing an acceptable range of consistency for the overlapping information portions; and
indicating an existence of a problem in the first virtual sizing result if the informational consistency of the overlapping portions is outside of the acceptable range of consistency.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts about each user from the set of users and subjective preferences of each user; and wherein the generating of the first virtual sizing result includes producing an apparel size selection that substantially accords with the objective facts about the first participating member of the group, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member of the group to an extent that is consistent wit the image criteria.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting the first virtual sizing result over the computer network for display to the first participating member of the group.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display includes a graphical image of a garment according to the first virtual sizing result worn by a virtual model having body properties based on the user-specific information from the first participating member of the group.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
interactively scheduling a style session for the first participating member of the group over the computer network.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the scheduling is based on the first virtual sizing result.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
interactively ordering at least one item of apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fabricating apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
selecting apparel for delivery to a style session, wherein the selecting is based on the first virtual sizing result.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the set of virtual sizing results includes aggregating user-specific information gathered from a first plurality of the participating members of the group to produce a first set of survey results, and generating a first apparel procurement forecast based on the first set of survey results.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining a user profile for the first participating member of the group, wherein the user profile includes at least a portion of the user-specific information.
22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining a set of user account records for the first participating member of the group.
23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
restricting permission for the first participating member of the group to view or modify at least a restricted portion of the image criteria.
24. The method of claim 1, further comprising
processing the user-specific information from additional participating members of the group based on the image criteria to generate a plurality of virtual sizing results that include the first virtual sizing result; and
computing apparel fabrication requirements for the group based on the plurality of virtual sizing result&
25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
processing the user-specific information from additional participating members of the group based on the image criteria to generate a plurality of virtual sizing results that include the first virtual sizing result; and
defining standard apparel sizes based on the plurality of virtual sizing results.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the conducting of the virtual sizing sessions includes generating a sequence of information prompts including a first information prompt and a second information prompt that is subsequent to the first information prompt, wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of selectable options, and wherein the selectable options provided in the offering are based on information provided in response to the first information prompt and on the image criteria.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first information prompt is for a fit preference, and wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of a plurality of body silhouette options.
28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
establishing individual user accounts for each participating member of the group; and
configuring each of the individual user accounts with employment information specific to each participating member of the group.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:
establishing a group account specific to the group; and
providing administrative access to an image authority, wherein the administrative facilitates the establishing of the image criteria.
30. A method of surveying a group in connection with the group’s apparel needs, the method comprising:
conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network, including automatically gathering user-specific information from a set of users over the computer network; and
generating a set of survey results, including aggregating the user-specific information gathered from the set of users; and
generating a uniform procurement forecast based on the set of survey results.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the participating group members are employees of the workforce, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of: at least one body measurement; body type selection; a body shape selection; a body silhouette selection; a style preference; a fit preference; a preference based on selected famous brand apparel; material allergy information; maternity status; and special need.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the automatically gathering of the user-specific information includes:
gathering a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item; gathering second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and comparing the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.
34. The method of claim 30, further comprising:
automatically scheduling a style session over the computer network.
35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:
selecting apparel for delivery to a style session site, wherein the selecting is based on the set of survey results.
36. The method of claim 30, further comprising:
establishing image criteria that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group; and
wherein the conducting of the virtual sizing sessions includes presenting selectable options to each participating member of the group, and applying the image criteria to limit the selectable options presented to each participating member of the group.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein:
the set of apparel specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of: garment size; a garment dimension; a garment type; and a garment style;
the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of: a gender; at least one body dimension; a body type classification; a body shape classification; a body silhouette classification; and at least one ratio of body dimensions; and the image criteria includes an association of a first set of uniform specifications with a first set of body properties.
38. A method of selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members are dressed to project a commonly-governed image, the method comprising:
establishing image criteria that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to a desired image to be maintained for the group;
conducting virtual sizing sessions with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application, including:
prompting each of the participating members of the group for user-specific information that includes at least one selection from among selectable options;
applying the image criteria to user-specific information to determine which selectable options to present to each of the participating members;
presenting selectable options to each of the participating members according to the image criteria; and
gathering a first type of user-specific information and a second type of user-specific information from a first participating member of the group. wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein: the set of uniform specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of: garment size; a garment dimension; a garment type; and a garment style;
the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of: a gender; at least one body dimension; a body type classification; a body shape classification; a body silhouette classification; and at least one ratio of body dimensions; the image criteria includes an association of a first range of sizes of a first uniform type with a second range of sizes of a second uniform type; and
the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of: at least one body measurement; body type selection; a body shape selection; a body silhouette selection; a style preference; a fit preference; a preference based on selected famous brand apparel; material allergy information;
maternity status; and special need.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein the prompting includes generating a sequence of information prompts including a first information prompt and a second information prompt that is subsequent to the first information prompt wherein the first information prompt is for a fit preference, and wherein the second information prompt provides an offering of a plurality of selectable body silhouette options.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts and subjective preferences relating to each respective participating member of the group; and further comprising:
generating a first virtual sizing result corresponding to a first participating member of the group, including determining a uniform size that substantially matches the objective facts about the first participating member, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member to an extent that is consistent with the image criteria.
43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:
automatically interactively scheduling a style session for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.
44. The method of claim 42, further comprising:
automatically interactively ordering apparel for the first participating member of the group based on the first virtual sizing result.
45. A system for managing apparel needs for a group, the system comprising:
a network interface that communicates information over a computer network;
a set of group-specific data, including image criteria that associate a set of uniform specifications with corresponding body properties according to an established image; a virtual sizing application communicatively coupled with the network interface and the set of group-specific data, wherein the virtual sizing application automatically gathers user-specific information over the computer network, and generates a virtual sizing result based on the user-specific information and the image criteria; and
an administrative interface that provides administrative access to an image authority and facilitates the establishing the image criteria.
46. The system of claim 45, wherein the group is a workforce, wherein the group members are employees of the workforce, wherein the image criteria is brand image criteria, and wherein the apparel includes uniforms to be worn by the workforce.
47. The system of claim 45, wherein:
the set of uniform specifications includes at least one specification selected from the group consisting of: garment size; a garment dimension; a garment type; and a garment style;
the body properties include at least one physical attribute selected from the group consisting of: a gender; at least one body dimension; a body type classification; a body shape classification; a body silhouette classification; and at least one ratio of body dimensions;
the image criteria includes an association of a first set of uniform specifications with a first set of body properties; and
the user-specific information includes at least one information type selected from the group consisting of: at least one body measurement; body type selection; a body shape selection; a body silhouette selection; a style preference; a fit preference; a preference based on selected famous brand apparel; material allergy information; maternity status; and special need.
48. The system of claim 45, wherein the virtual sizing result includes at least one result type selected from the group consisting of: an apparel size determination; a size selection recommendation for the first participating member; a recommendation to adjust a preference entry in order for the first participating member to comply with the image criteria; an indication that virtual sizing has failed; and an indication that the first participating member requires further apparel fitting service.
49. The system of claim 45, wherein the virtual sizing application is adapted to:
gather a first type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered first information item;
gather a second type of user-specific information to obtain a gathered second information item, wherein the first type of user-specific information and the second type of user-specific information are at least partially overlapping at respective overlapping information portions; and compare the gathered first information item and the gathered second information item to evaluate informational consistency of the respective overlapping information portions.
50. The system of claim 45, wherein the user-specific information includes a combination of objective facts about each user from a set of users and subjective preferences of each user; and wherein the first virtual sizing result includes a uniform size selection that substantially accords with the objective facts about a first participating member of the group, and that accommodates the subjective preferences of the first participating member of the group to an extent that is consistent with the image criteria.
51. The system of claim 45, wherein the network is the Internet, and wherein the network interface includes a Web server application that transmits the virtual sizing result over the network.
52. The system of claim 45, further comprising:
a style session scheduler communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application, wherein the style session scheduler automatically interactively schedules a style session appointment over the computer network based on the virtual sizing result.
53. The system of claim 45, further comprising:
a customer servicer communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application, wherein the customer servicer automatically facilitates interactive order placement for a garment over the computer network.
54. The system of claim 45, further comprising:
a statistical data analyzer communicatively coupled with the virtual sizing application that facilitates gathering of a plurality of virtual sizing results.
55. The system of claim 45, further comprising:
user-specific storage that maintains a set of user accounts.