Product search device, product search method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology to search for a product according to customer needs.SOLUTION: The product search device comprises receiving means for receiving a shape of a product to be searched from input information entered on a terminal device, extracting means for extracting product information about products corresponding to the shape of the product to be searched from a product information database containing information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product and output means for outputting the product information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a product search device, a product search method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that allows users to search for the display location and stock of a product they want to purchase in a store by inputting the product name or product identification number. There is also a technology that allows users to search for the display location and stock of a product they want to purchase in a store by searching for the product in a list of products categorized by category.

[0003] When the product you want to purchase is not yet decided in detail, there is a technique that uses an image to search for products similar to the item contained in the image. The similar products searched for in this technique are, for example, products that belong to the same category and have similar colors and patterns. In other words, products that are similar in appearance are searched for.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses, as a search criterion for a product, an approximate external size, such as the smallest rectangular prism or sphere, that can accommodate the main body of the product, to search for furniture that can be accommodated within the approximate external size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-015228 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] On the other hand, a customer may have a need to search for a product he or she wishes to purchase based on the shape of the product itself.

[0007] An example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for searching for products that meet customer needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A product search device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving means for receiving the shape of the searched product from input information entered on a terminal device, an extraction means for extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database including information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product, and an output means for outputting the product information.

[0009] A product search method in one aspect of the present disclosure accepts the shape of a product to be searched for from input information entered into a terminal device, extracts product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database that contains information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product, and outputs the product information.

[0010] A product search program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of accepting the shape of a search product to be searched for from input information entered into a terminal device, extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the search product from a product information database that contains information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product, and outputting the product information.

[0011] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0012] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is the ability to search for products that meet customer needs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a product search system including a product search device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the product search device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product search reception screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen of a product search. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen of a product search. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the product search device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing a product search device using a computer and its peripheral devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a device that realizes a product search system including a product search device 100. In Fig. 1, the product search system includes a terminal device, the product search device 100, and a product information database (hereinafter also referred to as a product information DB (DataBase)).

[0016] In Fig. 1, the product search device 100 searches a product information DB for products that match the shape of a searched product based on input information inputted in a terminal device. Then, the product search device 100 outputs product information of products that match the shape of the searched product to the terminal device. In Fig. 1, the product search device 100 is realized by a server or cloud computing.

[0017] A search product is a product that a person searches for. In the present disclosure, the search product is mainly assumed to be a material used in DIY (Do It Yourself). The material may include not only a product intended for processing such as a plate material, but also a product with a specific purpose. The product to be searched is at least a product sold in a store. However, the search product is not limited to this example.

[0018] In FIG. 1, the terminal device is a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. A person searching for a product inputs the shape of the searched product into the terminal device. A person searching for a product is, for example, a customer or a store clerk who has received a request from a customer. Hereinafter, a person searching for a product will be referred to as a customer. The terminal device may be a terminal device provided in a store, or a terminal device carried by a customer.

[0019] Also, in FIG. 1, the product information DB stores product information on products to be sold. The product information includes at least product identification information for identifying the product and shape information indicating the shape of the product. The shape information may be any data, as long as it is information that can specify the three-dimensional shape of the product. The shape information may be, for example, a word indicating the three-dimensional shape, or a coordinate or a three-dimensional model indicating the three-dimensional shape. The product information may include the material and color of the product. The product information may also include information used in the sale of the product. The information used in the sale of the product may be the name of the product, the manufacturer of the product, the price of the product, an image of the product, the sales floor of the product, the availability of the product in stock, etc. The sales floor of the product may be a place where the product is displayed in a store, or may be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a website for purchasing the product at a store on the Internet. The availability of the product may be the availability of the product in the store, or may include the availability of the product in other stores. The information used in the sale of the product may be stored in another product information DB in association with the product identification information.

[0020] The configuration of the device that realizes the product search system is not limited to the example in Fig. 1. For example, the product information DB may be included in the product search device 100. Also, for example, the terminal device may be the product search device 100. Even in this case, the product information DB may be provided inside or outside the product search device 100. Also, the product search system and the product search device 100 may be included as one function in a system used for product sales and product management in a store.

[0021] Furthermore, the product search system may be used to search for products in a physical store, or may be used to search for products on an EC (Electronic Commerce) site.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the product search device 100 in the embodiment will be described.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product search device 100. With reference to FIG. 2, the product search device 100 includes a receiving unit 101, an extracting unit 102, and an output unit 103.

[0024] In Fig. 2, the reception unit 101 is an example of a reception means for receiving the shape of a search item to be searched for from input information inputted in a terminal device. Specifically, a customer inputs input information on the shape to be searched for in a terminal device as described below, and the reception unit 101 receives the shape of the search item as a condition for searching for items from the input information inputted in the terminal device by the customer. The input information on the shape inputted by the customer is, for example, information such as words or sentences freely inputted by the customer, information indicating an option selected from options indicating the shape of the search item, and an image inputted by the customer, but is not limited to these.

[0025] The shape of the searched product may be represented by various information, for example, by words indicating the shape, or by coordinates or a three-dimensional model.

[0026] The words indicating the shape of the searched product may be, for example, words indicating a three-dimensional figure such as a plate, a block, a rod, a sphere, a cylinder, a cone, etc. The words indicating the shape may also be words indicating a two-dimensional figure such as a circle, a square, a triangle, an L-shape, etc. Furthermore, the words indicating the shape may be words that combine a word indicating a three-dimensional figure or a two-dimensional figure with an adjective such as big, small, thin, thick, slim, thick, etc., or a word indicating a feature of the shape such as having a hole or a cavity.

[0027] The shape of the searched product may be represented, for example, by three-dimensional coordinates indicating a solid figure or coordinates indicating a planar figure. Also, for example, the shape of the searched product may be represented by a binary image. A binary image is an image that indicates a shape by pixels in an area of ​​the shape of the searched product being 1 or white, and pixels in areas other than the shape of the searched product, such as the background, being 0 or black. Note that the mathematical expression indicating the shape of the searched product may be data indicating only the external shape, or may include data indicating the internal shape.

[0028] The information representing the shape of the searched product is not limited to these examples as long as it is data that allows a search for the product in the product information DB. Furthermore, multiple types of information may be combined as the information representing the shape of the searched product.

[0029] The receiving unit 101 may also receive search conditions for searching for the searched item in addition to the shape of the searched item. The search conditions are conditions for searching for items other than the shape of the searched item. The search conditions are, for example, conditions for items to be included in the search results or conditions related to the properties of the searched item.

[0030] The search condition is a condition of the product to be included in the search result. The condition of the product to be included in the search result is, for example, a condition for the extraction unit 102 described later to determine that the shape of the product included in the product information DB matches the shape of the search product. The search condition can also be said to be a condition indicating how much difference from the shape of the search product is allowed. For example, the search condition is a threshold value of similarity for determining that the shape matches. Also, for example, the search condition may be that the material of the product is a cuttable material and that the shape of the product is larger than the shape of the search product. In this case, the extraction unit 102 may determine whether the material of the product is cuttable or not using customer information. For example, when a customer who performs a product search logs in using customer identification information that identifies the customer on a terminal device, the extraction unit 102 may determine whether the material of the product is cuttable or not according to customer information such as the customer's occupation associated with the customer identification information and the customer's purchase history. For example, when the material of the product is metal, the extraction unit 102 may determine that the material of the product is cuttable if the customer's occupation is related to metal processing, and may determine that the material of the product is not cuttable if the customer's occupation is not related to metal processing. Furthermore, for example, the extraction unit 102 may determine whether cutting is possible depending on whether a tool for cutting metal is included in the purchase history of the customer.

[0031] Furthermore, the search criteria, which are conditions for products to be included in the search results, may be conditions as to whether or not a combination of products may be included in the search results. A combination of products that forms the shape of the search product is, for example, a combination of products that forms the shape of the search product by joining or arranging multiple products. A combination of products may include multiple identical products. Furthermore, in the case where the search criteria are such that the search results include a combination of products, the search criteria may further include a condition as to whether or not the search results include products for gluing the products included in the combination.

[0032] Furthermore, the search criteria regarding the properties of the searched product may be at least one of the material, color, and weight of the searched product. For example, the search criteria regarding the material of the product may be that the material of the searched product is resin. For example, the search criteria regarding the color of the product may be a condition that specifies whether the color of the searched product is transparent, translucent, or opaque. For example, the search criteria regarding the weight of the product may be a numerical range, lower limit, or upper limit of the weight.

[0033] The reception unit 101 may receive search conditions according to the use of the searched product input by the customer. The reception unit 101 may receive the search conditions according to the use of the searched product by referring to information in which the use of the searched product and the search conditions are associated with each other. The information in which the use of the searched product and the search conditions are associated with each other may be stored in advance in a storage unit provided inside or outside the product search device 100. In addition, for example, the reception unit 101 may input the use of the searched product to a trained model, and set search conditions based on the use of the searched product based on the information obtained as an output. Here, the trained model may be a trained model that has learned the correlation between words indicating the use of the searched product and products purchased for the use of the searched product, or may be the above-mentioned generation AI.

[0034] Examples of the use of the searched item and the search conditions are as follows. For example, if the use of the inputted searched item is to hide an item, the receiving unit 101 may receive, as a search condition, that the color of the item is opaque. Also, for example, if the use of the inputted searched item is to add a shelf board to a shelf made of wood, the receiving unit 101 may receive, as a search condition, that the material of the item is wood.

[0035] In this way, when a search condition is set by a customer inputting the purpose of the searched product, the customer can search for a product that suits the purpose.

[0036] Next, an example of a method in which the receiving unit 101 receives the shape of the searched item and the search conditions will be described. For example, the receiving unit 101 receives the shape of the searched item based on input information input by a customer via a terminal device. Also, for example, the receiving unit 101 may receive the search conditions based on the input information. The input information may be, for example, at least one of a word input by the customer and an image input by the customer.

[0037] The reception unit 101 may receive the shape of the searched product based on the words input by the customer. In this case, the input information is the words input by the customer. The words input by the customer may be freely input sentences or words, or may be words selected from options presented on the reception screen of the terminal device. The reception screen of the terminal device will be described later. The reception unit 101 may extract words from the sentence freely input by the customer and receive the extracted words as the shape of the searched product. The process of extracting words from the freely input sentence may be performed in the terminal device or another device such as another server. The reception unit 101 may also receive words extracted from the freely input sentence or freely input words and their synonyms as the shape of the searched product. The reception unit 101 may also receive words selected from options for the shape of the searched product presented on the reception screen of the terminal device as the shape of the searched product. In this case, the output unit 103 described later causes the display unit of the terminal device to display a reception screen for the customer to specify the shape of the searched product. In this case, the input information is information indicating the option selected by the customer. The options for the shape of the searched product may be expressed by words or by a graphic image showing the shape. When the options for the shape of the searched product are expressed by a graphic image showing the shape, the reception unit 101 may accept a word associated with the selected option as the shape of the searched product. When the reception unit 101 accepts the shape of the searched product by options, even if the customer cannot think of a word that indicates the shape of the product he or she wants to search for, the shape is shown in the options, so that the customer can search for products using the product's shape as a condition.

[0038] In the case where the shape of the searched product is accepted using options indicating the shape of the searched product, examples of reception screens that the output unit 103, described later, displays on the display unit of the terminal device will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 4. In Figs. 3 to 4, the reception screen includes options for the shape of the searched product in "shape (1)" and "shape (2)". "shape (1)" and "shape (2)" are stages for selecting an option indicating the name of the shape of the searched product and an option indicating the characteristics of the shape of the searched product, respectively. Also, in Fig. 5, the reception screen includes options for search conditions for searching the searched product in the "other" stage. Options in later stages such as "shape (2)" and "other" may correspond to the options selected in the previous stage.

[0039] In the reception screen example of FIG. 3, the reception screen includes options for selecting the shape of the searched product. The reception screen example of FIG. 3 includes options indicating the name of the shape of the searched product at the stage of "shape (1)" among three stages for selecting the shape of the searched product. For example, in FIG. 3, the options on the reception screen are words indicating the rough shape of the searched product, such as "board", "block", "ball", "rod", "triangle", and "L-shaped". Also, in FIG. 3, the options of words indicating the rough shape of the searched product may include "other". Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the reception screen may include a button for transitioning to another screen. The button for transitioning to another screen is, for example, a button for returning to the previous screen, a button for returning to the initial screen, and a button for proceeding to the next screen. When any option is selected on the reception screen of FIG. 3 and the "next" button is selected, for example, the reception screen may move to a screen displaying options of the next stage according to the selected option. In addition, in FIG. 3, when the "Next" button is selected without selecting an option, the output unit 103 may display a message such as "Please select one of the options" on the reception screen to prompt the selection of an option, and may not transition to a screen displaying the next level of options. An example of a screen displaying the next level of options is the reception screen example shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later. In FIG. 3, when "Other" is selected, the reception unit 101 may search for products that do not fit the other options. In addition, when "Other" is selected in FIG. 3, the reception screen may transition to a screen for freely inputting words indicating the shape of the searched product, or a screen for inputting an image indicating the shape of the searched product.

[0040] In the reception screen example of FIG. 4, similarly to FIG. 3, the reception screen includes options for selecting the shape of the searched product. The reception screen example of FIG. 4 includes options indicating the characteristics of the shape of the searched product at the stage of "shape (2)" among the three stages for selecting the shape of the searched product. The reception screen example of FIG. 4 is an example of a reception screen when "stick" is selected in the reception screen example of FIG. 3. For example, in FIG. 4, the options on the reception screen are options such as "thin", "thick", "short", "long", "round cross section", "square / triangle cross section", "hollow inside", and "hollow inside", which are words indicating the characteristics of the shape of the searched product to specify the shape of the "stick" selected in FIG. 3 in more detail. Also, for example, when "board" is selected in FIG. 3, the options on the reception screen of FIG. 4 may be options such as "square", "round", "thin", "thick", "has holes", and "does not have holes". Also, as the display colors of "stick", "thin", and "long" in FIG. 4 are shown as different options, the output unit 103 may display the selected option on the reception screen so that it is clear that the selected option is being selected. Further, the reception screen example of FIG. 4 may include a button for transitioning to another screen, similar to FIG. 3. When any option is selected on the reception screen of FIG. 4 and the "Next" button is selected, for example, the reception screen may transition to a screen displaying options of the next stage according to the selected option. Note that even when no option is selected and the "Next" button is selected in FIG. 4, transition to a screen displaying options of the next stage may be performed. This is because since there is a word already selected in FIG. 3, even if no word is selected at the "shape (2)" stage in FIG. 4, the reception unit 101 can perform a search using the word selected in FIG. 3. An example of a screen displaying options of the next stage is the reception screen example shown in FIG. 5 described later. Also, in the screen example of FIG. 4, multiple options of words for specifying the shape of the searched product in detail may be selected.

[0041] In the example of the reception screen in FIG. 5, the reception screen includes options for selecting search conditions for searching for products. The example of the reception screen in FIG. 5 includes options in the "other" stage among three stages for selecting the shape of the searched product. In the example shown in FIG. 5, for example, regardless of which option is selected in "shape (1)" and "shape (2)", the output unit 103 may display options of the search conditions on the reception screen. For example, in FIG. 5, the options of the search conditions are options such as "Put something heavy on top", "Can be combined", and "Can be cut out and formed". The example of the reception screen in FIG. 5 may also include a button for transitioning to another screen, as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In the example of the reception screen in FIG. 5, the button for transitioning to another screen includes a button for transitioning to the previous screen and a button for transitioning to the first screen, as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In addition, in the example of the reception screen in FIG. 5, a "search with selected conditions" button for performing a search is included as a button for transitioning to another screen. When "Search by selected conditions" is selected, the receiving unit 101 may accept the option selected in Figures 3 to 5 as the shape of the searched product. In the example screen of Figure 5, similarly to Figure 4, even if no option is selected and the "Next" button is selected, the receiving unit 101 may accept the option selected in Figures 3 to 5 as the shape of the searched product.

[0042] Here, an example of a method in which the reception unit 101 receives search conditions will be described. The option "Put a heavy object on top" is an option for performing a search using a numerical range of the load capacity of the search product as a search condition. For example, when the option "Put a heavy object on top" is selected, the reception unit 101 receives, as a search condition for the search, a load capacity of 5 kg (kilogram) or more. In this case, the load capacity may be changed according to the option. For example, the lower limit of the load capacity may be set to be larger as the shape of the selected search product becomes larger. In addition, when the option "Can be combined" is selected, the reception unit 101 receives, as a search condition for the search, a search condition for searching a combination of products that match the shape of the search product by combining multiple products. The combination of products will be described later in the description of the extraction unit 102. In addition, when the option "Can be cut out and formed" is selected, the reception unit 101 receives, as a search condition for the search, a condition for searching a product that is larger than the shape of the search product. In addition, when the option "can be cut out and formed" is selected, the receiving unit 101 may further receive search conditions for searching for products that are easy to cut out and form, such as not being made of metal, as search conditions for the search.

[0043] As described above with reference to the reception screen examples of Figs. 3 to 5, the reception unit 101 may receive the option selected on the reception screen example as the shape of the searched product and the search conditions. For example, the reception unit 101 may receive a word or a numerical value corresponding to the option selected on the reception screen example as the shape of the searched product. The word or numerical value corresponding to the selected option is a word or numerical value for the extraction unit 102 described later to extract the product from the product information DB. The word corresponding to the selected option is, for example, a synonym of the word shown in the option. For example, the numerical value corresponding to the selected option is a numerical range of the shape assumed from the word shown in the option. For example, the numerical value corresponding to the option of "board" on the reception screen may be a numerical range of thickness of 1 cm (centimeter) or less. For example, the numerical value corresponding to the option of "thick" on the reception screen may be a numerical range of cross-sectional area of ​​4 square cm or more. The numerical value range may be appropriately determined according to the type of product handled in the store.

[0044] Although an example of inputting the shape of a searched product and search conditions in a terminal device has been described using a series of reception screen examples in Figs. 3 to 5, examples of reception screens in the case of receiving the shape of a searched product and search conditions using options are not limited to these examples. For example, as described above, the option indicating the shape of a searched product in the reception screen example may be represented by a figure. Also, for example, the reception screen may be one in which options are selected on one screen. Also, the types and number of options on the reception screen may be set according to the product to be searched and the needs of the customer. Also, the reception screen presenting the options for the shape of a searched product may include buttons and input fields that allow free input of words, as described above.

[0045] Next, another example of the method in which the receiving unit 101 receives the shape of the searched item will be described.

[0046] For example, the reception unit 101 may accept the shape of the searched product based on an image input by the customer. In this case, the input information is an image input by the customer. For example, the customer inputs an image of the shape of the object to be searched for into the terminal device. Then, the reception unit 101 may detect the contour of the object to be searched for, such as an object or a gap between objects, from the image input by the customer using an image processing technique, and accept the detected contour as the shape of the product. The method by which the customer inputs the image is not particularly limited. For example, the customer may input the image by taking an image with an imaging device provided in the terminal device. Also, for example, the customer may input the image by uploading the image to a website for transmitting the image to the terminal device or the product search device 100. When the reception unit 101 accepts the shape of the searched product based on the contour detected from the image, the customer can select the contour detected from the image even if the customer does not know an appropriate word to indicate the shape of the searched product. Therefore, the customer can search for a product using the shape of the product as a condition. Note that the method of detecting the shape of the searched product is not limited to this example. For example, a method using image recognition such as segmentation may be used as a method for detecting the shape of the searched product.

[0047] An example of a reception screen in the case where the reception unit 101 receives the contour detected from the image as the shape of the searched product will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an example of a reception screen in this case. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the output unit 103 displays the contour detected from the image superimposed on the input image on the reception screen. In the reception screen example of FIG. 6, multiple contours are displayed. In contrast to this, in the reception screen in which the contour detected from the image is superimposed and displayed, the output unit 103 may display some of the contours detected from the image superimposed on the image. In addition, the reception screen example of FIG. 6 includes a message that allows the customer to select a shape to be searched from multiple contours. Furthermore, the reception screen example of FIG. 6 includes a back button, a button for searching using another image, and a button for searching for a product of the selected shape. The back button is a button for canceling the search using the input image. When the back button is selected, the terminal device may delete the input image from the storage unit and return to the initial screen. The button for searching using another image is a button used when the customer inputs another image because the shape he or she expects is not detected. When a button for searching using a different image is selected, the terminal device may delete the input image from the storage unit, and transition to a reception screen for accepting input of an image. The button for searching for products of the selected shape may be controlled so as to be selectable in a state where one contour is selected. The customer selects a contour indicating a shape to be searched for from multiple contours displayed on the reception screen of the terminal device, and presses a button for searching for products of the selected shape. When a contour is selected and the button for searching for products of the selected shape is pressed, the reception unit 101 may accept the selected contour as the shape of the searched product.

[0048] The receiving unit 101 may also receive the shape of the search item based on a plurality of images of the object to be searched taken from different angles. For example, the receiving unit 101 may receive the shape of the search item based on two images taken from angles that differ by 90 degrees. In this way, the receiving unit 101 may receive the shape of the search item indicated by the two-dimensional shape detected from one image and the shape in the depth direction detected from the other image.

[0049] Furthermore, the receiving unit 101 may receive the shape of the side of the received planar shape and other search conditions in addition to the planar shape received in the example reception screen of Fig. 6. For example, in this case, the output unit 103 displays options such as those shown in Figs. 3 to 5 on the reception screen. Then, the receiving unit 101 may receive the shape of other surfaces such as the side of the searched product and search conditions for searching according to the option selected by the customer.

[0050] Next, still another example of the method in which the receiving unit 101 receives the shape of the searched item will be described.

[0051] For example, the reception unit 101 may accept the shape of the searched item based on a figure drawn by the customer on the reception screen. In this case, for example, the output unit 103 causes a reception screen including a drawing area for the customer to draw a figure to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. The customer draws a figure to specify the shape of the searched item in the drawing area of ​​the reception screen displayed on the terminal device. The customer may draw the figure by operating a mouse or by touching a touch panel. Then, the reception unit 101 accepts the shape of the searched item based on the figure drawn in the drawing area. When the reception unit 101 accepts the shape of the searched item based on the shape drawn by the customer, the customer can search for products using the product shape as a condition by drawing the shape he or she wants to search for, even if he or she does not know an appropriate word to indicate the shape of the searched item.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an example of a reception screen in the case where a shape drawn by a customer is accepted as the shape of a searched item. For example, in FIG. 7, the example reception screen includes an area for drawing a shape. Also, in FIG. 7, the example reception screen may include an operation button for drawing a shape. The operation button for drawing a shape may be, for example, buttons such as "Back", "Forward", "Delete all", and "Switch to eraser" as shown in FIG. 7, but is not limited to these examples. In the example reception screen of FIG. 7 displayed on the terminal device, the customer draws the shape of a product to be searched. Also, in FIG. 7, the reception screen includes a button for quitting the search, a button for searching for a product of the drawn shape, and a button for further specifying the shape of the searched product. The button for quitting the search is the "End search" button in FIG. 7. When the button for quitting the search is selected, the reception screen may return to the initial screen. The button for searching for a product of the drawn shape is the "Search for a product of the drawn shape" button in FIG. 7. When the button for searching for a product of the drawn shape is selected, the reception unit 101 accepts the shape drawn by the customer as the shape of the searched product. The reception unit 101 may receive, as the shape of the searched product, a shape obtained by processing the shape drawn by the customer. Processing of the figure drawn by the customer may be, for example, smoothing the drawn lines or approximating the drawn lines to simple lines, but is not limited to these examples. This may facilitate the search for products using the shape drawn by the customer. The button for further specifying the shape of the searched product is, for example, the "input size" button in FIG. 7. When the button for further specifying the shape of the searched product is selected, the reception unit 101 may transition to a screen for inputting the shape of the searched product by selecting an option, as in FIG. 5, or a screen for further drawing the shape in the depth direction of the shape drawn in the example reception screen of FIG. 7. For example, when the "input size" button in FIG. 7 is selected, the reception screen may transition to a screen displaying an input field for inputting the size or options for selecting the size.

[0053] FIG. 8 is an example of a reception screen in the case where a shape drawn by a customer over an image input by the customer is accepted as the shape of a searched item. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the reception screen includes an area for displaying the image input by the customer. The area for displaying the image is an area in which a figure can be further drawn. Also, in FIG. 8, as in FIG. 7, the reception screen example may include an operation button for drawing a shape, a button for canceling the search, a button for searching for a product of the drawn shape, and a button for further specifying the shape of the searched item. In the reception screen example of FIG. 8 displayed on the terminal device, the customer draws the shape of the product to be searched. In FIG. 8, when the "input size" button, which is an example of a button for further specifying the shape of the searched item, is selected, the reception screen may allow the size of an item detected from an image to be input. When the size of an item detected from an image is input, the reception unit 101 may accept the size of the shape of the searched item based on the ratio between the size of the item and the size of the drawn shape as the shape of the searched item. Also, in FIG. 8, the reception screen example may include a button for drawing a shape on another image. The button for drawing a shape on another image is the "Draw a shape on another image" button in FIG. 8. When the button for drawing a shape on another image is selected, the reception screen may transition to a reception screen for the customer to input an image. Similarly to FIG. 7, the reception unit 101 may accept, as the shape of the searched item, a shape obtained by processing the figure drawn by the customer. Processing the figure drawn by the customer may be, as described above, smoothing the drawn lines or approximating the drawn lines to simple lines, but is not limited to these examples.

[0054] Although the method for the receiving unit 101 to receive the shape of the searched item has been described above, the method for receiving the shape of the searched item and the display screen on the terminal device for receiving the shape of the searched item are not limited to these examples.

[0055] The reception unit 101 may also receive the shape of the searched product based on the use of the searched product input by the customer. In this case, the output unit 103 displays a reception screen that receives the input or selection of the use of the searched product on the display unit of the terminal device. The customer inputs or selects the use of the searched product on the reception screen of the terminal device, and the reception unit 102 receives the shape of the searched product according to the use. This is because it is assumed that the size of the searched product may be estimated from the use of the searched product. For example, if the use of the searched product is DIY of a bedside table, the range of the size of the materials used can be set from the size of a general bedside table. For example, the reception unit 101 may input the use of the searched product into a trained model, and set the size of the searched product based on the use of the searched product based on the information obtained as the output. Here, the trained model may be a trained model that has learned the correlation between the words indicating the use of the searched product and the shape of the product purchased for the use of the searched product, or may be a generation AI (Artificial Intelligence). The generation AI is a machine learning model that outputs data such as text, images, and three-dimensional models generated based on input information. The reception unit 101 uses, for example, an LLM (Large Language Model) that generates text as the generation AI. In this case, the reception unit 101 may input a prompt to the LLM for generating a shape, such as a size of a searched product according to a purpose, and may receive the shape of the searched product based on the generated text.

[0056] The extraction unit 102 is an example of an extraction means for extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the search product received by the reception unit 101 from a product information database including information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product. The extraction unit 102 searches the product information DB for a product that matches the shape of the received search product. Then, the extraction unit 102 extracts product information of a product that matches the shape of the received search product from the product information DB. Here, the product information extracted by the extraction unit 102 is product information to be presented to a customer who is about to purchase a product. In other words, the product information extracted by the extraction unit 102 may be a part or all of the product information in the product information DB. Furthermore, when the reception unit 101 receives search conditions for searching for the search product, the extraction unit 102 may extract product information of a product that matches the shape of the search product and satisfies the search conditions.

[0057] Here, conforming to the shape of the received search product means that the shape of the product indicated in the shape information included in the product information DB matches the shape of the search product. Also, conforming to the shape of the received search product may include that the shape of the product indicated in the shape information included in the product information DB is similar to the shape of the search product. For example, the extraction unit 102 may determine that a product whose similarity between the shape of the search product and the shape of a product included in the product information DB is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold matches the shape of the received search product. Also, for example, the threshold value of similarity for determining conformity may be one accepted by the acceptance unit 101 as a search condition. Also, the extraction unit 102 may extract product information of a product associated with a shape similar to the shape of the search product when the product information DB does not include a product associated with a shape matching the shape of the received search product.

[0058] The extraction unit 102 may also extract, from the product information database, product information for each product included in the combination of products that matches the shape of the search product when multiple products are combined. That is, the products that match the shape of the search product may include not only individual products but also a combination of multiple products. The combination of products may include multiple products of the same type. For example, the extraction unit 102 identifies the shape of the combination of multiple products that matches the shape of the search product. The shape of the combination of multiple products may be calculated by a known technique such as three-dimensional modeling using information representing the three-dimensional shape of the products included in the product information DB. The shape of the combination of multiple products may be calculated in advance and stored in the product information DB. Then, the extraction unit 102 extracts product information for each product included in the specified shape of the combination of multiple products from the product information DB. The process of identifying the combination of products that matches the shape of the search product may be performed by an identification unit (not shown).

[0059] When a combination of products is included as a suitable product, the extraction unit 102 may, for example, search for a combination of products made of the same material with priority. This is because, when a customer uses a combination of multiple products, it may be easier to process the products, such as gluing, if the multiple products are made of the same material, or the combined products may look better. The extraction unit 102 may extract product information for combinations of products made of the same material, not only for products made of the same material, but also for combinations of products made of the same material that have the same material category. In the case of a combination of products, a combination of products made of the same material may be, for example, a combination of a plywood product and a plywood product, or may include a combination of a plywood product and a cypress product that belong to the wood category.

[0060] In a search by the product search device 100, whether or not to include a product combination in the search results may be specified by a customer by the receiving unit 101 receiving search conditions, or whether or not to include a product combination in the search results may be set in advance. In addition, when a product having a shape matching the shape of the searched product is not included in the product information DB, the extraction unit 102 may extract product information of a product included in a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when combined.

[0061] Furthermore, when a search includes a combination of products as a result of a search, the extraction unit 102 may extract product information of a joined product for joining the products included in the combination according to the material of the products included in the product combination. The joined product may be, for example, an adhesive such as resin, an adhesive tape such as one-sided tape or double-sided tape, a string such as a rubber string or a cable tie, or metal fittings such as a screw or a hinge. In this case, the product information of the joined product includes information indicating a material that can be joined or a material that cannot be joined. The extraction unit 102 refers to the product information of the products included in the product combination and extracts product information of a joined product that can join the materials of multiple products from the product information DB based on the material of the products.

[0062] Furthermore, when the receiving unit 101 receives search conditions, the extracting unit 102 may extract product information of products that satisfy the search conditions and match the shape of the searched product.

[0063] The output unit 103 is an example of an output means for outputting the product information extracted by the extraction unit 102. The output unit 103 outputs the extracted product information to a display unit of the terminal device as a search result that matches the shape of the searched product.

[0064] FIG. 9 is an example of a search result screen showing the search results output by the output unit 103 to the terminal device. In FIG. 9, the example of the search result screen includes product information of the extracted products, such as the product name, the product manufacturer, the product size, the product price, the product image, and the product sales floor. In the example of the search result screen, the order in which the products are displayed and the number of products to be displayed are not limited to the example of FIG. 9. In addition, in FIG. 9, the example of the search result screen includes a display area such as "recommended order" in FIG. 9, which indicates the order in which the search results are displayed. Note that the recommended order may be the order in which the store or company selling the products recommends the customers to purchase. Furthermore, in FIG. 9, the example of the search result screen may include a button such as an inverted triangle mark in FIG. 9 for changing the order in which the search results are displayed. When the button for changing the order in which the search results are displayed is selected, the output unit 103 may display options for the order in which the products are displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, and display the products in the selected order in which the products are displayed. The options for the display order may be, for example, in addition to the above-mentioned recommended order, an order of lowest total price, highest total price, highest total weight, lowest total weight, new arrival, highest rating, most review comment, etc., but are not limited to these examples. Note that the order of displaying the search results may be changed by the terminal device based on the information output by the output unit 103.

[0065] Furthermore, when a combination of products is included in the search results, the output unit 103 outputs product information and the number of products included in one combination so that the customer can distinguish the product information from other product information.

[0066] FIG. 10 is an example of a search result screen showing a search result including a combination of products, which is output by the output unit 103 to a terminal device. In FIG. 10, the example of the search result screen includes a field for showing the combination of products in addition to the contents of the example of the search result screen in FIG. 9. In the field for showing the combination of products, the identification number of the combination and the number of products to be combined are shown for the products included in the combination. The identification number of the combination is a number for distinguishing the combination from other combinations and other products. The identification number of the combination is, for example, "combination 1" and "combination 2" shown in FIG. 10. The number of products to be combined may be shown in association with the identification number of the combination. In addition, in the field for showing the combination, for products that are not a combination, that is, a product that matches the shape of the searched product with one product, it may be shown that it is not a combination, as in "-" in FIG. 10. Note that the screen showing the combination of products is not limited to this example, and may be any screen that allows the customer to recognize the combination of products.

[0067] When multiple pieces of product information are extracted, the output unit 103 may output the multiple pieces of product information by category. The categories in the search results are categories that classify products according to attributes so that products included in the search results can be easily found. The categories in the search results may be, for example, categories based on the shape of the product, categories based on the material of the product, or whether or not there is a combination. The categories based on the shape of the product are categories that classify products according to shapes that are not specified in the shape of the searched product. For example, when only "block" is specified as the shape of the searched product, the categories based on the shape of the product may be categories by the size of the product, categories classified by whether or not the product has a cavity, and the like. The categories based on the material of the product may be categories classified by the material itself of the product, or categories classified by the properties of the material of the product. The categories classified by the material itself of the product are categories such as "wood", "plastic", and "metal". The categories classified by the properties of the material of the product may be categories such as "magnetic", "easily bent", "easily cut", "light", "heavy", and "load capacity of 5 kg or more". The search result screen of the terminal device may include a button for changing the display method between a list display as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, or by category.

[0068] An example of the operation of the product search device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 11, the receiving unit 101 receives the shape of the searched item from the input information inputted in the terminal device (step S101).

[0070] Next, the extraction unit 102 searches the product information DB for a product having a shape that matches the shape of the search product received in step S101 (step S102).

[0071] If there is a product whose shape matches the shape of the received search product (step S102: Yes), the extraction unit 102 extracts product information of the product that matches the shape of the received search product (step S103).

[0072] Then, the output unit 103 outputs the product information extracted in step S103 to the terminal device (step S104).

[0073] Furthermore, if there is no product that matches the shape of the received search product (step S102: No), the extraction unit 102 searches the product information DB for a combination of products that match the shape of the search product when combined (step S105). If there is no combination of products that match the shape of the search product when combined (step S105: No), the process may return to step S101, for example. At this time, the output unit 103 may output a notification that there is no product that matches the shape of the search product.

[0074] If there is a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when combined (step S105: Yes), the extraction unit 102 extracts the combination of products that matches the shape of the received searched product and the product information of each product included in the combination from the product information DB (step S106).

[0075] Then, the output unit 103 outputs the product information of the products included in the product combination extracted in step S106 and the number of each product included in the product combination (step S107).

[0076] With the above, the product search device 100 ends a series of operations. Note that the series of operations in the product search device 100 is not limited to this example. For example, even if there is a product matching the shape of the received search product in the product information DB in step S102, the operations of steps S105 to S107 for searching and outputting a product combination may be performed. In this case, the operations of steps S102 to S104 and steps S105 to S107 may be performed in parallel or in any order. Also, for example, if there is no product or product combination matching the shape of the received search product in the product information DB (step S102: No and step S103: No), the product search device 100 may end a series of processes. Even when the series of processes is ended, the output unit 103 may output a notice notifying that there is no product matching the shape of the search product.

[0077] In the product search device according to the present embodiment described above, the receiving unit receives the shape of a search product from input information inputted to a terminal device, the extracting unit extracts product information of a product that matches the shape of the search product from a product information database that includes information representing the three-dimensional shape of the product, and the output unit outputs the extracted product information.

[0078] As a result, the product search device in this embodiment can search for products that meet the needs of the customer.

[0079] [Hardware configuration] Some or all of the components of the devices or systems in the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program as shown in Fig. 12. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0080] ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)1001 ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)1003 Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 A storage device 1005 for storing a program 1004 A drive device 1007 for reading and writing data from the recording medium 1006 A communication I / F 1008 that connects to a communication network 1009 Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data A bus 1011 connecting each component Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0081] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes these functions. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is, for example, stored in storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, and is read by CPU 1001 as necessary. Note that program 1004 may be supplied to CPU 1001 via communication network 1009, or may be stored in recording medium 1006 in advance, and drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to CPU 1001.

[0082] There are various variations in the method of implementing each device. For example, each device or system may be implemented by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Also, multiple components included in each device may be implemented by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0083] In addition, a part or all of each component of each device or system is realized by a general-purpose or dedicated circuit including a processor or a combination of these. The circuit is, for example, a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an LSI (Large Scale Integration) for AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing. These may be configured by a single chip, or may be configured by multiple chips connected via a bus. A part or all of each component of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0084] When a part or all of each component of each device or system is realized by a plurality of information processing devices, circuits, etc., the plurality of information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally arranged or distributed. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, etc., in a form in which each is connected via a communication network.

[0085] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0086] In addition, although the operations are described in a sequence in the form of a flowchart, the sequence does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the sequence of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0087] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0088] [Appendix 1] A receiving means for receiving a shape of a searched product from input information inputted to a terminal device; An extraction means for extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database including information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; An output means for outputting the product information; A product search device comprising:

[0089] [Appendix 2] the input information is an image, The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on the image. 2. A product search device as described in appendix 1.

[0090] [Appendix 3] The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on a plurality of images of the object to be searched taken from different angles. 3. A product search device as described in appendix 2.

[0091] [Appendix 4] the input information is information indicating an option selected from options displayed on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The accepting means accepts a shape of the searched product in accordance with the selected option. A product search device according to any one of appendix 1 to 3.

[0092] [Appendix 5] the input information is a graphic drawn on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on the graphic. A product search device according to any one of appendix 1 to 4.

[0093] [Appendix 6] When a plurality of pieces of product information are extracted, the output means outputs the plurality of pieces of product information for each category. A product search device according to any one of appendix 1 to 5.

[0094] [Appendix 7] The category is based on the shape of the product. 7. A product search device as described in appendix 6.

[0095] [Appendix 8] The category is based on the material of the product. 8. A product search device according to claim 6 or 7.

[0096] [Appendix 9] The extraction means extracts, from the product information database, product information of products included in a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when a plurality of products are combined. A product search device according to any one of appendix 1 to 8.

[0097] [Appendix 10] the extraction means extracts product information of a product for joining the products included in the combination in accordance with a material of the products included in the combination; 10. A product search device as described in appendix 9.

[0098] [Appendix 11] The receiving means further receives search conditions for searching the search item, The extraction means extracts product information of products that satisfy the search conditions. A product search device according to any one of appendix 1 to 10.

[0099] [Appendix 12] The search conditions are conditions that allow differences in the shape of the searched product. 12. A product search device as described in appendix 11.

[0100] [Appendix 13] The input information further includes a use of the search product; The receiving means receives the search conditions according to an intended use of the searched product. 13. A product search device according to claim 11 or 12.

[0101] [Appendix 14] The search conditions are at least one of the material, color, and weight of the product. A product search device according to any one of appendix 11 to 13.

[0102] [Appendix 15] The computer A shape of a search item to be searched for is received from input information inputted into the terminal device; extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database that includes information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; Output the product information How to search for products.

[0103] [Appendix 16] the input information is an image, The computer, Accepting a shape of the searched product based on the image; Product search method described in Appendix 15.

[0104] [Appendix 17] The computer, accepting a shape of the searched product based on a plurality of images of the object to be searched taken from different angles; A method for searching products as described in Appendix 16.

[0105] [Appendix 18] the input information is information indicating an option selected from options displayed on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The computer, Accepting a shape of the searched product in accordance with the selected option; A product search method according to any one of appendix 15 to 17.

[0106] [Appendix 19] the input information is a graphic drawn on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The computer, Accepting a shape of the searched product based on the graphic. A product search method according to any one of appendix 15 to 18.

[0107] [Appendix 20] The computer, When a plurality of pieces of product information are extracted, the plurality of pieces of product information are output for each category. A product search method according to any one of appendix 15 to 19.

[0108] [Appendix 21] The category is based on the shape of the product. A method for searching products as described in Appendix 20.

[0109] [Appendix 22] The category is based on the material of the product. 22. A product search method as described in appendix 20 or 21.

[0110] [Appendix 23] The computer, extracting, from the product information database, product information of products included in a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when a plurality of products are combined; A product search method according to any one of appendix 15 to 22.

[0111] [Appendix 24] The computer, extracting product information of a product for joining the products included in the combination according to a material of the products included in the combination; A method for searching products as described in Appendix 23.

[0112] [Appendix 25] The computer, Further accepting search conditions for searching the search item; Extracting product information of products that satisfy the search conditions; A product search method according to any one of appendix 15 to 24.

[0113] [Appendix 26] The search conditions are conditions that allow differences in the shape of the searched product. Product search method described in Appendix 25.

[0114] [Appendix 27] The input information further includes a use of the search product; The computer, accepting the search conditions according to the intended use of the search product; 27. A product search method as described in appendix 25 or 26.

[0115] [Appendix 28] The search conditions are at least one of the material, color, and weight of the product. A product search method described in any one of Appendices 25 to 27.

[0116] [Appendix 29] A shape of a search item to be searched for is received from input information inputted into the terminal device; extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database that includes information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; Outputting the product information. A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

[0117] [Appendix 30] the input information is an image, Accepting a shape of the searched product based on the image; 30. The program according to claim 29, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0118] [Appendix 31] accepting a shape of the searched product based on a plurality of images of the object to be searched taken from different angles; 31. The program according to claim 30, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0119] [Appendix 32] the input information is information indicating an option selected from options displayed on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, Accepting a shape of the searched product in accordance with the selected option; 32. A program according to any one of appendices 29 to 31 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0120] [Appendix 33] the input information is a graphic drawn on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, Accepting a shape of the searched product based on the graphic. 33. A program according to any one of appendices 29 to 32 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0121] [Appendix 34] When a plurality of pieces of product information are extracted, the plurality of pieces of product information are output for each category. 34. A program for causing a computer to execute the process described in any one of appendices 29 to 33.

[0122] [Appendix 35] The category is based on the shape of the product. 35. The program according to claim 34.

[0123] [Appendix 36] The category is based on the material of the product. 36. The program according to claim 34 or 35.

[0124] [Appendix 37] extracting, from the product information database, product information of products included in a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when a plurality of products are combined; 37. A program for causing a computer to execute the process described in any one of appendices 29 to 36.

[0125] [Appendix 38] extracting product information of a product for joining the products included in the combination according to a material of the products included in the combination; 38. The program according to claim 37, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0126] [Appendix 39] Further accepting search conditions for searching the search item; Extracting product information of products that satisfy the search conditions; 39. A program for causing a computer to execute the process described in any one of appendices 29 to 38.

[0127] [Appendix 40] The search conditions are conditions that allow differences in the shape of the searched product. 39. The program according to claim 39.

[0128] [Appendix 41] The input information further includes a use of the search product; accepting the search conditions according to the intended use of the search product; 41. The program according to claim 39 or 40, for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0129] [Appendix 42] The search conditions are at least one of the material, color, and weight of the product. 42. The program of any one of appendixes 39 to 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 100 Product search device 101 Reception 102 Extraction part 103 Output section 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording media 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication Network 1010 Input / Output Interface 1011 Bus

Claims

1. A receiving means for receiving a shape of a searched product from input information inputted to a terminal device; An extraction means for extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database including information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; An output means for outputting the product information; A product search device comprising:

2. the input information is an image, The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on the image. The product search device according to claim 1.

3. The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on a plurality of images of the object to be searched taken from different angles. The product search device according to claim 2.

4. the input information is information indicating an option selected from options displayed on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The accepting means accepts a shape of the searched product in accordance with the selected option. The product search device according to claim 1.

5. the input information is a graphic drawn on a reception screen displayed on the terminal device, The receiving means receives the shape of the searched product based on the graphic. The product search device according to claim 1.

6. The extraction means extracts, from the product information database, product information of products included in a combination of products that matches the shape of the searched product when a plurality of products are combined. The product search device according to claim 1.

7. the extraction means extracts product information of a product for joining the products included in the combination in accordance with a material of the products included in the combination; The product search device according to claim 6.

8. The input information further includes a use of the search product; The receiving means further receives search conditions according to the purpose of the searched product, The extraction means extracts product information of products that satisfy the search conditions. The product search device according to claim 1.

9. The computer A shape of a search item to be searched for is received from input information inputted into the terminal device; extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database that includes information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; Output the product information How to search for products.

10. A shape of a search item to be searched for is received from input information inputted into the terminal device; extracting product information of a product that matches the shape of the searched product from a product information database that includes information representing a three-dimensional shape of the product; Outputting the product information. A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

Images