SYSTEM AND METHOD ENABLING SHOPPING FROM HOME FOR FITTED EYEGLASS FRAMES

A system and method for shopping, using a personal computer operated from a convenient location such as home, for fitted eyeglasses that can include either prescription or non-prescription lenses. A customer visits one of possibly several different customer diagnostic locations where digital images of the customer's head and face are acquired using various known techniques so as to obtain size and image data with respect to the customer. The customer then receives a password and information on how to connect to a computer (remote electronic store) associated with the various customer diagnostic locations. When the customer later connects a personal computer to the remote electronic store using the password issued by the customer diagnostic location, the remote electronic store provides images to the personal computer of how the customer would appear wearing different eyeglasses having frames fitted precisely to the customer's head based on the size and image data acquired at the customer diagnostic location. Alternatively the remote electronic store will download to the customer's personal computer an application that will construct the displays of how the customer would appear wearing different eyeglasses. The remote electronic store can further use frame selection data input by the customer related to the customer's lifestyle preferences. This information in combination with the size and image data is used by the remote electronic store to select a subset of frames best suited to the customer. The customer can purchase selected eyeglasses for direct delivery or for pick-up at a selected optical retail location.