Support system, support method and support program

Abstract

To provide a novel support technology capable of supporting the selection of individual clothing items. [Solution] A support system for assisting in the selection of clothing, comprising a memory unit, a judgment unit, and a display unit, wherein the memory unit stores product information including labels relating to the clothing's body type classification or color, the judgment unit judges the compatibility between the clothing and the user based on the labels and user information including a user classification relating to the user's body type or colors that suit them, and the display unit displays based on the compatibility.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support system, a support method, and a support program for supporting clothing selection. [Background technology]

[0002] As conventional technologies related to clothing selection support, there are systems and methods that provide fashion advice according to the physical characteristics and preferences of a target person. These technologies generally aim to suggest optimal clothing and coordination according to an individual's facial and physical characteristics, preferences, and purpose, and are particularly used to improve the customer's purchasing experience.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that provides a fashion that is in harmony with the face, physical features, and desired image of a subject. The technology described in Patent Document 1 is characterized by a configuration in which a fashion type diagnosis system is constructed and a desired correction database is stored in a storage unit. This storage unit is assigned a correction method for achieving harmony between different fashion types, and includes an analysis unit that determines a face impression type and a skeletal type based on a face image and skeletal information. In addition, it has a mechanism for comparing the desired fashion type with a basic fashion type, and determining a correction method for approaching the desired fashion type if the two are different. This technology makes it possible to efficiently suggest fashion suitable for a subject, regardless of the individual's ability or experience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-166454 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 merely provides advice on overall trends according to fashion type, and is unable to assist in the specific selection of clothing items.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel support technology that can assist in the selection of individual clothing items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] A support system for supporting the selection of clothing, comprising a memory unit, a judgment unit, and a display unit, wherein the memory unit stores product information including labels relating to the clothing's body type classification or color, the judgment unit judges compatibility between the clothing and a user based on the labels and user information including a user classification relating to the user's body type or colors that suit the user, and the display unit displays based on the compatibility.

[0008] With this configuration, it is possible to assist the user in selecting a suitable product according to his / her own classification.

[0009] [2] The support system described in [1], wherein the display unit displays a product page for each clothing item to the user, and the product page includes display based on compatibility between the clothing item and the user.

[0010] With this configuration, the user can check the product page of each clothing item to see how the product suits them, and can use this information as a reference when making a purchase.

[0011] [3] The support system according to [1] or [2], further comprising a suggestion unit that suggests clothing items that suit the user based on the compatibility.

[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to specifically suggest suitable products according to the user classification, thereby more effectively supporting the selection of clothing items.

[0013] [4] The support system described in [3], wherein the suggestion unit suggests a second clothing item to be combined when the user wears the first clothing item based on a label related to a skeletal classification of the first clothing item and a user classification related to the user's skeletal structure.

[0014] [5] The support system described in [4], wherein the product information further includes a type of clothing, and the suggestion unit suggests the second clothing based on a label related to a skeletal classification of the first clothing item, a user classification related to the user's skeletal structure, and the type of the second clothing item.

[0015] [6] The support system described in [5], wherein the label related to the bone structure classification of the clothing item and the user classification related to the user's bone structure are both types selected from the same options, and the memory unit stores, for combinations in which the label related to the bone structure classification and the user classification related to the bone structure are different from each other, a bone structure support item indicating a type of additional clothing item to be combined with the clothing item to make it look good on the user, linked to the combination, and the suggestion unit suggests the second clothing item based on the type linked to the combination of the label related to the bone structure classification of the first clothing item and the user classification related to the user's bone structure.

[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to suggest clothing items that will suit the user in a way that suits the target clothing item, which is expected to have a sales promotion effect and improve user convenience.

[0017] [7] The support system described in any of [3] to [6], wherein the determination unit determines that the clothing is compatible with the user when the compatibility between the label related to the body structure classification of the clothing item and the user classification related to the user's body structure meets a predetermined criterion, and the compatibility between the label related to the color of the clothing item and the user classification related to colors that suit the user meets a predetermined criterion, and the suggestion unit suggests the clothing item determined to be compatible to the user.

[0018] With this configuration, compatibility between an item of clothing and a user can be determined taking into account both bone structure and color.

[0019] [8] A support method executed by a computer to support clothing selection, the computer having a memory unit, a determination unit, and a display unit, the memory unit stores product information including labels related to the clothing's body type classification or color, the determination unit determines compatibility between the clothing and a user based on the labels and user information including a user classification related to the user's body type or suitable colors, and the display unit displays based on the compatibility.

[0020] [9] An assistance program for causing a computer to execute the assistance method described in claim 8. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, a novel support technology can be provided that can support the selection of individual clothing items. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] Hardware configuration diagram. [Diagram 3] An example of registration information. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a proposal process. [Diagram 5] Screen display example. [Figure 6] Screen display example. [Figure 7] Screen display example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] <1.Definition> It is generally known that the characteristics of clothing that make a person's figure look beautiful differ depending on the characteristics of the skeleton, and that the color of clothing that makes a person look lively differs depending on the skin color, facial features, etc. Based on such knowledge, the present invention relates to a technology for providing support that takes into account the compatibility between a user and clothing items.

[0024] In the present invention, clothing broadly refers to various clothes and accessories worn by humans. For example, clothing such as tops, bottoms, innerwear, outerwear, and accessories such as accessories, shoes, hats, etc., that is, various products generally called "fashion items", are included in the clothing of the present invention.

[0025] In the following, skeletal classification refers to classification based on the human skeleton. For example, a method of classifying hair into three categories, straight, wavy, and natural, is widely known, and in this embodiment, these three categories are assumed as skeletal classification.

[0026] Moreover, the classification of colors refers to a classification that indicates the type of color that suits a person according to his / her personality. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a classification called personal color is used as the classification of colors. There are various known methods and classifications of personal colors, for example, a method of dividing into four types, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, a method of dividing into two types, yellow-based and blue-based, based on the color of skin, eyes, hair, etc., and a method of classifying using both of these. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the four types, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are used as the classification of colors.

[0027] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown, but which may be embodied in many different forms and are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0028] For example, in this embodiment, the configuration, operation, etc. of the assistance system will be described, but similar effects can be achieved by a device having similar functions, a method executed by the device, a computer program that causes a computer device to execute the method, etc. The program may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided so as to be downloadable from an external server.

[0029] In the following embodiments, the term "unit" may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In this embodiment, "information" is represented by, for example, a physical value of a signal value representing a voltage or current, a high or low signal value as a binary bit collection consisting of 0 or 1, or a quantum superposition (so-called quantum bit), and communication and calculation can be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

[0030] A circuit in the broad sense is a circuit realized by appropriately combining a circuit, a processor, a memory, etc. For example, it is a circuit including any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0031] <2. System configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a support system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the support system includes a support device 1 and a user terminal 2. The support device 1 and the user terminal 2 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NW. In this embodiment, the network NW is an IP (Internet Protocol) network, but there are no limitations on the type of communication protocol, the type of network, etc.

[0032] The support device 1 judges the compatibility between the user and the clothing item based on a request from the user terminal 2, and determines a suggestion based on the judgment result. The support device 1 transmits the contents of the suggestion to the user terminal 2, thereby making the suggestion to the user.

[0033] The support device 1 of this embodiment also functions as an EC server. That is, it further has a function of selling clothing as a commodity and managing purchase information, etc. The EC server may be realized using another server device, etc., and may communicate with the support device 1 to provide suggestions based on compatibility in selling commodities, as in this embodiment.

[0034] The user terminal 2 is a terminal device used by a user and functions as a client device. The user terminal 2 communicates with the support device 1 based on an input from the user, and performs output to the user.

[0035] <3. Hardware configuration> Next, the hardware configuration of the support system in this embodiment will be described. One or more information processing devices 10 (computer devices), such as a general-purpose server or a personal computer, can be used as the support device 1. Furthermore, a terminal device 9 (computer device), such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, can be used as the user terminal 2. In this embodiment, the support device 1 is the information processing device 10 in which a computer program (support program) that executes the support method is installed.

[0036] Fig. 2(a) is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 10 has a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a communication unit 103, which are used to cause each unit and each process to function.

[0037] The control unit 101 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and executes an OS and programs. The storage unit 102 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, an assistance program, a DBMS, and the like. The communication unit 103 has an interface for physically connecting to a network, and controls communication with the network NW to input and output information.

[0038] Fig. 2(b) is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device 9. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 9 has a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an input unit 904, and an output unit 905, which are used to perform the functions of each unit and each process.

[0039] The control unit 901 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and executes an OS, application programs, and the like. The storage unit 902 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, any application program, and the like. The communication unit 903 has an interface for physically connecting to a network, and controls communications with the network NW to input and output information. The input unit 904 includes an operation input device capable of input processing, such as a touch panel or a keyboard, and an audio input device capable of audio input, such as a microphone. The output unit 905 includes a display device capable of display processing, such as a display, and an audio output device, such as a speaker.

[0040] <4. Functional configuration> Next, referring again to FIG. 1, the functional configuration of the support device 1 will be described. The support device 1 has a determination unit 11, a proposal unit 12, a display unit 13, and a storage unit 14. This is a concrete implementation of information processing by software using hardware. Note that these configurations do not need to be implemented by a single computer, and may be implemented by multiple computers working together. As described above, the support device 1 may have a functional configuration related to the sale of products, although this is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0041] The determination unit 11 determines the compatibility between the clothing and the user based on the product information on the clothing and the user classification on the user. More specifically, labels related to the body type classification of the clothing and labels related to the colors are stored as the product information in the storage unit 14. Then, using the user's body type classification and classification related to colors that suit the user as the user classification, the compatibility is determined based on a combination of the label related to the body type classification in the product information and the body type classification of the user, and a combination of the label related to colors in the product information and classification related to colors that suit the user.

[0042] More specifically, for example, with regard to bone structure, it would be possible to register the suitability of each piece of clothing (how well it suits each bone structure) as a label for the bone structure classification of the clothing item using a numerical value or a multi-level classification, and then score the item based on that.

[0043] For example, with regard to color, a color classification that matches the clothing item may be registered as a label related to the color of the clothing item, and the clothing item may be scored against colors that suit and do not suit the user's classification. The clothing item's color is classified using the same classification method as the user's color classification. In this embodiment, four types of color classification, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are used. In addition, instead of the color classification, the main constituent colors of the clothing item may be registered as a color label, or a classification based on color features based on an image of the clothing item may be registered as a color label.

[0044] The judgment unit 11 of this embodiment evaluates the overall compatibility (degree of suitability) based on the combination of bone structure and color, taking into consideration the combination of the score (or multi-level evaluation) regarding bone structure compatibility and the score (or multi-level evaluation) regarding color compatibility, using a numerical value or multiple levels. For example, the overall compatibility can be evaluated using levels such as "suits", "slightly suits", "average", "needs some improvement", and "doesn't suit". The judgment result of such overall compatibility is passed to the display unit 13 and presented to the user on the product page or the like.

[0045] The determination unit 11 also performs a determination for making a proposal in the proposal unit 12. Specifically, if the compatibility between the label related to the bone structure classification of the clothing item and the user classification related to the user's bone structure meets a predetermined criterion, and the compatibility between the label related to the color of the clothing item and the user classification related to colors that suit the user meets a predetermined criterion, the determination unit 11 determines that the clothing item and the user are compatible with each other, and passes the result to the proposal unit 12.

[0046] The suggestion unit 12 suggests clothing items that suit the user based on the compatibility determined by the determination unit 11. The suggestion unit 12 of this embodiment suggests to the user clothing items that have been determined to be compatible by the determination unit 11. A specific method for determining the clothing items to be suggested will be described later.

[0047] The display unit 13 performs display based on the compatibility between the clothing item and the user determined by the determination unit 11. Specifically, the display unit 13 performs display processing of various screens and transmits the processing results to the user terminal 2, thereby controlling the display on the user terminal 2. The support device 1 of this embodiment has a function as an EC server, and the display unit 13 displays a product page for selling products. The display of the "suitability" for each product (clothing item) and the suggestion of suitable products, which will be described later, are both examples of "display based on compatibility".

[0048] <5. Registration Information> The storage unit 14 stores product information including a label related to a body type classification of the clothing item and a label related to a color. Fig. 3 is an example of registered information in the storage unit 14 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 14 in this embodiment stores product information and user information including a user classification related to the user's body type and a user classification related to colors that suit the user.

[0049] The product information includes a product ID, a product name, a type, a suitable bone structure, a flag for each bone structure classification (straight flag, wavy flag, natural flag), a color classification, a size range, and a product description. The suitable bone structure and the flag for each bone structure classification are both examples of "labels related to bone structure classification." The product description may also include a price, a product image, etc.

[0050] In this embodiment, the skeletal classification is assigned as a compatible skeletal classification to the product information of clothing that matches a specific skeletal structure to a certain degree. The compatible skeletal structure is a classification selected from the same options as the user's skeletal classification, classified from the same perspective. In addition to the above, a flag is assigned for each skeletal classification, such as "not suitable" for items that do not suit the user, "needs to be tweaked" for items that can be made to suit the user with some effort, and "suitable" for items that suit the user particularly. The judgment unit 11 of this embodiment judges compatibility based on a combination of the compatible skeletal structure and flags.

[0051] The user information also includes a user ID, a user name, a bone structure classification of the user, a color classification relating to colors that suit the user, and the user's usual clothing size. The bone structure classification is an example of a user classification relating to the user's bone structure, and the color classification is an example of a user classification relating to colors that suit the user. In this embodiment, three types of bone structure classifications, straight, wavy, and natural, are used. Furthermore, four types of color classifications, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, which are the same as the color classifications in the product information, are used as the color classifications in the user information.

[0052] Note that it is not essential to pre-register user information. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which input from the user is accepted each time a suitability assessment or a suggestion of suitable clothing is made. In the following, a description will be given on the assumption that user registration has been performed in advance and user information has been registered in the storage unit 14.

[0053] Here, the support device 1 may further have a function of diagnosing a user classification. For example, answers to a plurality of questions about bone structure are received from the user, and the bone structure classification of the user can be determined based on the answers. Similarly, for the user classification regarding suitable colors, answers to a plurality of questions about skin, eye, hair color, etc. are received from the user, and the color classification of the user can be determined based on the answers.

[0054] Furthermore, for combinations of clothing labels related to bone structure classification and user classifications related to bone structure that are different from each other, the memory unit 14 stores bone structure support items indicating the type of additional clothing that should be combined with the clothing to make it look good on the user, linked to the combination of the label related to bone structure classification and the user classification related to bone structure.

[0055] For example, even if an outfit does not look good on a user with a natural bone structure when worn alone, it may be possible to make the outfit look natural by marking the waist with a belt. In this manner, in this embodiment, clothing items for covering weaknesses due to bone structure, such as clothing items for making clothes that look particularly good on straight people look natural, and clothing items for making clothes that look particularly good on natural people look good on waves, are stored in advance as bone structure support items for each combination of the user's bone structure and the compatible bone structure of the product. This enables the suggestion unit 12 to suggest additional products for making the target product look good on the user based on the compatible bone structure of the product and the user's bone structure classification.

[0056] In addition, the storage unit 14 stores the best and worst colors for each color classification (hue compatibility in FIG. 3). This makes it possible to determine compatibility between the color of a product and each of the user's color classifications.

[0057] <6. Proposal method> Next, a procedure for proposing clothing items by the determination unit 11 and the proposing unit 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The support device 1 of this embodiment has a function as an EC server, and performs searches for clothing items that are for sale, displays product pages, accepts orders, and the like.

[0058] In step S41, in response to a request from the user terminal 2, products that meet the conditions are extracted from the product information by referring to the color classification of the user information. Specifically, products that correspond to the color classification of the user are extracted. Note that in step S41, the system is not limited to clothing items whose color classification in the product information is the same as that in the user information, and may be configured to exclude only unacceptable combinations.

[0059] Next, in step S42, from the products extracted in step S41, products that meet the conditions are further extracted by referring to the bone structure classification of the user information. Specifically, products that do not suit the user's bone structure classification are excluded by referring to the matching bone structure and / or a flag corresponding to the user's bone structure classification. For example, it is assumed that products whose user's bone structure classification is included in the matching bone structure are extracted, and products whose flag corresponding to the user's bone structure classification is set to "does not suit" are excluded.

[0060] In this way, steps S41 and S42 are processes in which the determination unit 11 determines the compatibility of each product with the user, and the proposal unit 12 extracts products that are determined to be compatible. Note that the order of steps S41 and S42 may be changed arbitrarily.

[0061] In step S43, the suggestion unit 12 determines an additional suggestion for the extracted product. The additional suggestion process may be executed not only when a product suitable for the user is suggested, but also when the user individually searches for a product and displays a product page.

[0062] The suggestion unit 12 suggests another product (second clothing) to be worn together with a suggested product (first clothing) based on the compatible bone structure and flag of the product and the user's bone structure classification. Specifically, the suggestion unit 12 refers to bone structure support items corresponding to a combination of the compatible bone structure in the product information and the user's bone structure classification. Then, the suggestion unit 12 extracts products of a type designated as bone structure support items and suggests them as additional products.

[0063] In addition, when making additional suggestions, color may be further taken into consideration. For example, the colors of the first clothing item and the second clothing item may be taken into consideration, and a product with a color that matches the first clothing item may be selected as the second clothing item. Furthermore, the color classification of the user may be further taken into consideration, and a product with a color that suits the user may be selected as the second clothing item.

[0064] In the present embodiment, for example, when the first clothing item is assigned a natural bone structure as a suitable bone structure and at least one of the other bone structure classifications (straight or wavy) has a bone structure classification that is not assigned a flag of "does not suit" thereto, the suggestion unit 12 refers to the bone structure support item and suggests the second clothing item. In this way, the suggestion unit 12 may use both the suitable bone structure and the flag in combination to determine the suggestion of the second clothing item.

[0065] Once the suggested products are determined, the process proceeds to step S44, where the display unit 13 displays the suggested products. In this embodiment, a list of the products extracted in step S42 is displayed as suitable products. If additional suggestions exist for each product, the first clothing item and the second clothing item are displayed in association with each other. Specifically, when a product is selected from the list, a product page for that product is displayed, and additional suggested products are displayed on the product page.

[0066] <7. Display example> Next, a display example in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a display example of a product page in this embodiment. The product page displays a product image, a product name, a price, and a suitability level for the user. The suitability level is an overall compatibility level between the product and the user determined by the determination unit 11.

[0067] In this embodiment, the product page further includes input fields for specifying the user's gender, bone structure classification, and color classification. When a registered user displays the product page, the input fields are displayed filled in based on the user information, and the suitability rating is also displayed in the initial state. On the other hand, when no user information is registered, the user classification is specified in the input fields and the "Measure" button is selected, whereby the judgment unit 11 judges compatibility and displays the suitability rating.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a display example in which an additional suggestion is made. In this way, the second clothing item determined by the suggestion unit 12 is displayed on the product page of the first clothing item. In addition to this, a combination suggestion may be made. For example, when the displayed product is a top, bottoms that are easy to combine may be further displayed. More specifically, for example, when the design around the waist does not match the user's bone structure classification, it is assumed that a jacket or other outerwear is displayed. Another example is to consider the user's height and suggest boots for a skirt that is not long enough.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a display example of a list page of suitable products. For example, it is assumed that a link to a list of suitable products is placed on a user's personal page, and when the user selects the link, the suggestion unit 12 extracts the products and displays the list page of Fig. 7. The list page displays product images, prices, and color labels for each product.

[0070] The list page can be narrowed down using a filter. For example, in addition to price, type, and color, it may be possible to narrow down the product information to those that have or do not have a specific flag assigned to them that corresponds to the user's body type classification.

[0071] As described above, the support system of this embodiment can effectively support the selection of clothing based on the user's bone structure and colors that suit the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Support device 2: User terminal 11: Judgment section 12: Proposal Department 13: Display section 14: Storage section 10: Information processing device 101: Control unit 102: Storage section 103: Communications Department 9: Terminal device 901: Control unit 902: Storage section 903: Communications Department 904: Input section 905: Output section NW: Network

Claims

1. A support system for supporting clothing selection, comprising: The device includes a storage unit, a determination unit, and a suggestion unit, The storage unit stores product information including a label and a type related to a body type classification of the clothing item, and a body type support item; the determination unit determines compatibility between the first clothing item and the user based on a label related to the bone structure classification of the first clothing item and user information including a user classification related to the bone structure of the user; The skeleton support item is information indicating a type of additional clothing item to be combined with the clothing item to make the clothing item look good on the user, the type of additional clothing item being associated with a different combination of a label related to the skeleton classification of the clothing item and a user classification, The suggestion unit suggests, based on the skeletal support item linked to a combination of a label related to a skeletal classification of the first clothing item and a user classification related to the user's skeletal structure, a clothing item corresponding to the type as a second clothing item to be combined when the user wears the first clothing item.

2. Further comprising a display unit, The display unit displays a product page for each clothing item to a user, The support system of claim 1 , wherein the product page includes a display based on compatibility between the clothing item and the user.

3. The storage unit further stores a label regarding a color of the clothing item as the product information, the determination unit determines that the clothing item is compatible with the user when a compatibility between a label related to a bone structure classification of the clothing item and a user classification related to the bone structure of the user satisfies a predetermined criterion, and a compatibility between a label related to a color of the clothing item and a user classification related to a color that suits the user satisfies a predetermined criterion; The support system according to claim 1 , wherein the suggestion unit suggests the clothing items determined to be compatible with the user to the user.

4. 1. A computer-implemented method for assisting in selecting clothing items, comprising: The computer includes a storage unit, a determination unit, and a suggestion unit, The storage unit stores product information including a label and a type related to a body type classification of the clothing item, and a body type support item; the determination unit determines compatibility between the first clothing item and the user based on a label related to the bone structure classification of the first clothing item and user information including a user classification related to the bone structure of the user; The skeleton support item is information indicating a type of additional clothing item to be combined with the clothing item to make the clothing item look good on the user, the type of additional clothing item being associated with a different combination of a label related to the skeleton classification of the clothing item and a user classification, The support method includes the step of: based on the skeletal support item linked to a combination of a label related to a skeletal classification of the first clothing item and a user classification related to the user's skeletal structure, the suggestion unit suggests a clothing item corresponding to the type as a second clothing item to be combined when the user wears the first clothing item.

5. A support program for causing a computer to execute the support method according to claim 4.

Images