Search device, search method, and program

Abstract

A search device, a search method, and a program are provided that enable a user to easily search for a desired product. [Solution] A search device provides a three-dimensional image, and identifies a desired portion of an object shown in the three-dimensional image based on a position selected by the user. The search device then provides area information, which is the name of an area including the identified desired portion, identifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user, and provides a list of items available for purchase for the identified item. This allows the user to easily search for a desired product.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, various efforts have been made to make it easier to search for products, services, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that can easily find products that match a search request. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-064471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where a user does not know the name of a desired product, and therefore the above-described information processing device has room for improvement in terms of making it easier for a user to search for a desired product.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that enable a user to easily search for a desired product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A search device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item specifying unit that specifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; Equipped with.

[0007] In addition, in the search device according to the above aspect, a region highlighting unit that highlights the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit, the desired portion being a portion of the object shown in the three-dimensional image, so that the desired portion can be identified by the user; Further, it may be provided.

[0008] In addition, in the search device according to the above aspect, the desired portion specifying unit specifies the desired portion based on a first position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the first position being selected by the user, and then specifies the desired portion based on a second position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the second position being selected by the user; the region highlighting unit performs a first highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the first position, and then changes the first highlighting to a second highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the second position; This may be done.

[0009] In addition, in the search device according to the above aspect, further comprising an item grouping unit that groups the items identified by the corresponding item identification unit based on the similarity of the items; the item providing unit provides, as the item list, a representative item in the group among the items grouped by the item grouping unit; This may be done.

[0010] A search device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: an item specifying unit that specifies an item desired by a user; an item grouping unit that groups the items identified by the item identification unit based on the similarity of the items; a representative item selection unit that selects a representative item within the group from among the items grouped by the item grouping unit; a result list providing unit that provides, as a result list, the representative items corresponding to the groups grouped by the item grouping unit; Equipped with.

[0011] A search method according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: A search method using a search device, a three-dimensional image providing step of providing a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying step of specifying a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown by the three-dimensional image; a region information providing step of providing region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified in the desired portion identifying step; a corresponding item specifying step of specifying an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing step; an item providing step of providing a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified in the corresponding item identifying step; Equipped with.

[0012] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: Computer, a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides three-dimensional images; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item identification unit that identifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased using the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; Function as.

[0013] The program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium can be distributed or sold independently of the computer. Here, a non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, and semiconductor memories. A transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. Examples of transitory recording media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. A temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, such as volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that enable a user to easily search for a desired product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a search device, an information terminal, and a sales server. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a search device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of item information. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a search request process and a search process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on an information terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Overall composition) A search device, a search method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 1, a search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is communicatively connected to an information terminal 200 and a sales server 300 via a computer communication network 400 such as the Internet. The search device 100 in this embodiment has the function of easily identifying the name of a product a user wishes to purchase and providing a sales page for the product by specifying the location of use, installation, or installation of the product. For ease of understanding, the following description of this embodiment will be given using an example in which a user purchases car parts.

[0017] The search device 100 is a computer such as a server. In response to a request from a user of the information terminal 200, the search device 100 has a function of identifying a product desired by the user and providing a product page where the product can be purchased. Specifically, the search device 100 identifies a vehicle model specified by the user and provides a 3D image corresponding to the vehicle model. The search device 100 also has a function of identifying parts corresponding to locations specified in the 3D image as corresponding items and providing the user with a purchase page where the items can be purchased as an item list. Note that, although this embodiment illustrates an example in which the search device 100 is a device separate from the sales server 300, the search device 100 may be provided as a functional unit of the sales server 300.

[0018] The information terminal 200 is an information terminal (so-called computer) used by a user, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC (Personal Computer). The information terminal 200 has a function of providing the search device 100 with vehicle model information indicating the type of vehicle on which the parts to be purchased will be installed, and requesting the search device 100 to provide a three-dimensional image corresponding to the vehicle model. The information terminal 200 also has a function of providing the search device 100 with information on an area including a location specified by the user. In addition, the information terminal 200 also has a function of executing a purchase process for purchasing a desired product (part) from an item list provided by the search device 100 based on an operation by the user. The purchase process includes a process of making a payment for the desired product through communication with the sales server 300.

[0019] The sales server 300 is a computer such as a server that sells products. The sales server 300 has a function of purchasing products based on a request transmitted by the payment process performed by the information terminal 200, i.e., performing payment.

[0020] (Functional configuration of search device) Next, the configuration of the search device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the search device 100 includes a storage unit 110, a control unit 120, an input / output unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a system bus (not shown) that interconnects these units.

[0022] The storage unit 110 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM stores a program 111 executed by the control unit 120, various data (not shown) required in advance for executing the program 111, a car information DB 112, and item information 113.

[0023] The program 111 is a program for executing a search process, which will be described later, and is stored in the storage unit 110 in advance.

[0024] The vehicle information DB 112 is a database that stores three-dimensional images (including three-dimensional images of the exterior and interior) for each vehicle model, names corresponding to each position (coordinates) in the three-dimensional images, and area information (attachment part information) of the part corresponding to the position. For example, for a three-dimensional image of a minivan model as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle information DB 112 associates a name such as "front grille" and area information corresponding to the front grille with a designated position (cursor position) shown in the figure. Furthermore, the designated position (cursor position) in the three-dimensional image of the minivan model as shown in FIG. 9 is associated with multiple names such as "console panel" and area information corresponding to the "console panel." In this way, the vehicle information DB 112 associates three-dimensional images for each vehicle model with not only their positions and names (including aliases), but also the names of the attachment parts (small attachment parts) included in the attachment part (large attachment part) indicated by the position. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the "console panel" indicated by the specified position, the car information DB 112 also associates the name of the "shift lever" located within the area including the specified position with its area information (mounting portion), and the area information includes information on not only the large mounting portion but also the small mounting portion. Note that the car information DB 112 may store a three-dimensional image of the car itself, a name corresponding to each position in the three-dimensional image corresponding to the car, and its area information (mounting portion) instead of a three-dimensional image corresponding to a car model and a name corresponding to each position in the three-dimensional image and its area information. Specifically, the car information DB 112 may store a three-dimensional image (including three-dimensional images of the exterior and interior) of a car named "XXX" by Company A and a "minivan" type car named "YYY" by Company B, rather than a three-dimensional image (including three-dimensional images of the exterior and interior) of a car named "XXX" by Company A and a name corresponding to each position in the three-dimensional image corresponding to the car model. It should be noted that, regarding the vehicle type, even if it is the same "minivan", there may be multiple types such as "minivan 1" to "minivan 5".The vehicle information DB 112 in this embodiment is acquired in advance from the sales server 300 via a computer communication network 400 such as the Internet.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 2, item information 113 is a list showing information on items (parts) that can be purchased by the user. In this embodiment, item information 113 is acquired in advance from sales server 300 via computer communication network 400 such as the Internet. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, item information 113 in this embodiment includes at least item number information indicating the item number, item information indicating the name of the item, corresponding area information indicating the position in the three-dimensional image, i.e., the installation part, URL information indicating the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the sales page in sales server 300, and compatible vehicle model information indicating information on vehicle models in which the item (part) can be installed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, "Item A" in item number 1 is a part that can be installed in a "console panel," the compatible vehicle models are "minivans 1 to 5," and the sales page is "http: / / www.XXXXXXXXXX1."

[0026] 2 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 120 operates in accordance with a program 111 stored in the storage unit 110, and executes processing in accordance with the program 111. The control unit 120 includes, as main functional units provided by the program 111 stored in the storage unit 110, a vehicle model information acquisition unit 121, a three-dimensional image provision unit 122, a desired portion identification unit 123, a region emphasis unit 124, a region information provision unit 125, a corresponding item identification unit 126, an item grouping unit 127, and an item provision unit 128.

[0027] Vehicle model information acquisition unit 121 is a functional unit that acquires vehicle model information, which is information about a vehicle model corresponding to parts desired by the user, from information terminal 200. Specifically, vehicle model information acquisition unit 121 has a function of acquiring, from information terminal 200, vehicle model information corresponding to a vehicle model selected by a selection operation by the user in an application started on information terminal 200. In this embodiment, vehicle model information is transmitted from information terminal 200 to search device 100 when the user of information terminal 200 presses a vehicle model determination button.

[0028] The three-dimensional image providing unit 122 is a functional unit that provides the information terminal 200 with a three-dimensional image corresponding to the vehicle model indicated by the vehicle model information. Specifically, the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 has a function of obtaining a three-dimensional image of the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle model information obtained by the function of the vehicle model information obtaining unit 121 from the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110, and providing the image to the information terminal 200. The three-dimensional image provided to the information terminal 200 by the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 includes a three-dimensional image of the exterior and a three-dimensional image of the interior (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The three-dimensional image provided by the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 can change the display portion up, down, left, and right based on an operation by the user.

[0029] The desired part identification unit 123 shown in FIG. 2 is a functional unit that identifies a desired part, which is a part on which the user wishes to purchase a part to be attached. Specifically, the desired part identification unit 123 has a function of acquiring, as selected part information, a part designated by the user in the three-dimensional image provided to the information terminal 200 by the function of the three-dimensional image providing unit 122, and identifying a part including the part indicated by the selected part information as a part on which the user wishes to attach the part, i.e., the desired part. The desired part identification unit 123 may identify the desired part at multiple times, for example, when the cursor is superimposed on the three-dimensional image or when a desired part determination button is pressed. In this embodiment, the desired part identification unit 123 acquires the desired part when the cursor is superimposed on the three-dimensional image. In other words, when the user superimposes the cursor on the three-dimensional image, information on the corresponding part is transmitted from the information terminal 200 to the search device 100 as selected part information. That is, each time the user moves the cursor, selected part information is transmitted, and desired part identification unit 123 identifies the part indicated by the selected part information as the desired part each time. More specifically, desired part identification unit 123 identifies the desired part (attachment part) corresponding to the part (coordinates) indicated by the selected part information, based on vehicle information DB 112 stored in storage unit 110.

[0030] The region highlighting unit 124 is a functional unit that highlights the region of the desired part identified by the function of the desired part identifying unit 123. Specifically, the region highlighting unit 124 has a function of highlighting the region of the desired part (attachment part) identified by the function of the desired part identifying unit 123 as the part where the user wishes to attach the device. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the desired part identifying unit 123 identifies a part including the illustrated designated position (cursor position) as the desired part, and the region highlighting unit 124 highlights the region corresponding to that position. As described above, in this embodiment, selected part information is transmitted each time the user moves the cursor, and the desired part identifying unit 123 identifies the desired part corresponding to the position indicated by the selected part information each time. Therefore, the region highlighting unit 124 highlights the region corresponding to the desired part each time the desired part identifying unit 123 identifies the desired part. In addition, the region highlighting unit 124 also has a function of highlighting a region indicated by selection information transmitted when a small mounting portion included in region information provided by the function of the region information providing unit 125 (described later) is selected. For example, after information such as "console panel" is provided as region information by the function of the region information providing unit 125 (described later) as shown in the upper part of FIG. 10 , when a small mounting portion of "shift lever" included in the region information is selected on the information terminal 200 side, selection information indicating that the "shift lever" has been selected is transmitted from the information terminal 200 to the retrieval device 100. Then, the region highlighting unit 124 highlights the region corresponding to the "shift lever" as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10 . That is, the highlighting of the "console panel" is changed to the highlighting of the "shift lever." Even in this case, the desired portion to be highlighted can be identified by the function of the desired portion identifying unit 123 based on the vehicle information DB 112.

[0031] The region information providing unit 125 is a functional unit that provides the information terminal 200 with the names of the attachment parts included in the region highlighted by the function of the region highlighting unit 124 as region information. Specifically, the region information providing unit 125 has a function of identifying the names of the attachment parts included in the region highlighted by the function of the region highlighting unit 124 based on the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110, and providing the identified names of the attachment parts to the information terminal 200 as region information. For example, when a highlighting display as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7 is performed by the function of the region highlighting unit 124, the region information providing unit 125 identifies the names of the attachment parts included in the region corresponding to the highlighting based on the vehicle information DB 112, and provides the identified names of the attachment parts to the information terminal 200 as region information, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 9. Note that while the illustrated example shows an example in which the names of multiple attachment parts are included as region information, this is merely an example, and the region information may also include the name of a single attachment part.

[0032] The corresponding item identification unit 126 is a functional unit that identifies an item corresponding to a mounting part selected by the user from among the names of mounting parts included in the area information provided by the function of the area information providing unit 125. Specifically, the corresponding item identification unit 126 acquires, as selection information, from the information terminal 200, the mounting part selected by the user from among the names of mounting parts included in the area information provided by the function of the area information providing unit 125. Then, the corresponding item identification unit 126 determines that the part indicated by the selection information is the mounting part of the part desired by the user, and identifies an item corresponding to the mounting part based on the item information 113 stored in the storage unit 110. For example, if the user's vehicle model is "minivan 1" and the mounting part indicated by the selection information is "console panel," the corresponding item identification unit 126 identifies "item A" to "item D," which correspond to item numbers 1 to 4 in the item information 113 shown in FIG. 3, as the corresponding items.

[0033] The item grouping unit 127 is a functional unit that groups items identified by the function of the corresponding item identification unit 126. Specifically, the item grouping unit 127 is a functional unit that groups multiple items identified by the function of the corresponding item identification unit 126 into groups of similar items. For example, the corresponding item identification unit 126 groups multiple items identified by the function of the corresponding item identification unit 126 into groups of highly similar items based on the similarity of the product images of the items. Note that the grouping may be performed by any method, such as principal component analysis or clustering.

[0034] The item providing unit 128 is a functional unit that provides the user with an item list that summarizes representative items for each group of items grouped by the function of the item grouping unit 127. Specifically, the item providing unit 128 has a function of extracting the best-selling item as a representative item from among the items belonging to each group grouped by the function of the item grouping unit 127, and transmitting the list of extracted items to the information terminal 200, thereby providing the item list to the user. To determine which items are best-selling items, information such as sales numbers, i.e., information for calculating best-selling items, can be obtained from the sales server 300, for example.

[0035] The input / output unit 130 shown in FIG. 2 is a device that is made up of a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a microphone, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and the like, and is used to input and output various types of data.

[0036] The communication unit 140 is a device that enables the search device 100 to communicate with other information terminals such as the information terminal 200 and the sales server 300 via the computer communication network 400. The configuration of the search device 100 has been described above.

[0037] (operation) Next, the operations of the search device 100 and the information terminal 200 will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a search request process in the information terminal 200 and a search process in the search device 100. By performing the search request process and search process in this embodiment, parts corresponding to the installation location where the user wishes to install are identified, and an item list is provided as a purchase page where the parts can be purchased. First, the search request process shown in Fig. 4 is started based on an operation on an application by the user who is the user of the information terminal 200. Note that in this example, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the vehicle model to which the user wishes to install parts is "minivan 1."

[0038] When the search request process is started, first, a search request is made by the user operating an application on the information terminal 200 side (step S11). Specifically, in the process of step S11, the information terminal 200 makes a search request and transmits vehicle model information to the search device 100 in response to the user's operation of selecting a vehicle model and pressing a search request button.

[0039] Upon receiving the vehicle model information, the search device 100 starts a search process. When the search process starts, the control unit 120 identifies the vehicle model using the function of the vehicle model information acquisition unit 121 (step S12). Specifically, in the process of step S12, the vehicle model information acquisition unit 121 identifies the vehicle model indicated by the received vehicle model information as the vehicle model on which the user desires to install parts.

[0040] After executing the process of step S12, the control unit 120 provides a three-dimensional image using the function of the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 (step S13). Specifically, in the process of step S13, the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 acquires a three-dimensional image corresponding to the vehicle model identified in the process of step S12 from the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110, and provides the image to the information terminal 200, which is the sender of the vehicle model information. The three-dimensional image provided to the information terminal 200 by the three-dimensional image providing unit 122 includes a three-dimensional image of the exterior and a three-dimensional image of the interior. As a result, three-dimensional images of the exterior and interior of the vehicle model (minivan 1) to which the user desires to install parts are displayed on the information terminal 200, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 4 , on the side of information terminal 200, the user operates information terminal 200 to select the desired location of the part to be installed from the exterior or interior image displayed as a three-dimensional image (step S14). Specifically, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7 , the user selects the desired location by moving the cursor over the desired location of the part to be installed. Once the desired location is selected, in the process of step S14, position information of the selected location in the three-dimensional image is transmitted from information terminal 200 to retrieval device 100 as selected location information. Note that FIG. 7 shows an example in which a three-dimensional image of the interior of "minivan 1" desired by the user is displayed, and the upper part of the image shows an example in which the console panel portion has been selected. Therefore, in this case, selected location information indicating that the console panel portion in the three-dimensional image of the interior has been selected is transmitted to retrieval device 100. Note that the selected location information may be the coordinates of the selected location in the three-dimensional image. Furthermore, as described above, when the user superimposes the cursor on the three-dimensional image, information on the superimposed location (coordinates in the three-dimensional image) is transmitted from the information terminal 200 to the search device 100 as selected location information.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 4 , on the retrieval device 100 side, upon receiving the selected location information, the control unit 120, using the function of the desired location identification unit 123, acquires a desired location corresponding to the installation location of the part the user wishes to purchase, based on the location indicated by the selected location information (step S15). Specifically, in the process of step S15, the desired location identification unit 123 acquires the desired location corresponding to the acquired selected location information from the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110. For example, if, in the process of step S14, selected location information indicating that a console panel portion in a three-dimensional image of the interior has been selected is transmitted to the retrieval device 100 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7 , in the process of step S15, the desired location identification unit 123 identifies, based on the area information in the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110, the area of ​​the console panel, which is the desired location (installation portion) corresponding to the location (coordinates) indicated by the selected location information, in this embodiment. As described above, in this embodiment, the selected location information is transmitted each time the user moves the cursor. Therefore, the process of step S15 is executed every time selected portion information is transmitted, and the desired portion specifying unit 123 specifies the portion indicated by the selected portion information as the desired portion.

[0043] After executing the process of step S15 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 120 uses the function of the region highlighting unit 124 to highlight the region corresponding to the desired part identified in the process of step S15 (step S16). Specifically, in the process of step S16, the region highlighting unit 124 highlights the region corresponding to the desired part identified in the process of step S15 as the part where the user desires to install the device. For example, if, in the process of step S14, selected location information indicating that a console panel part in a three-dimensional image of the interior has been selected is transmitted to the retrieval device 100 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, in the process of step S15, the desired part identifying unit 123 identifies the region of the console panel that is the desired part (installation part) corresponding to the location (coordinates) indicated by the selected location information, based on the region information in the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110. Then, in the process of step S16, the region highlighting unit 124 highlights the region of the console panel as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7. Also, as described above, in this embodiment, selection point information is transmitted each time the user moves the cursor. Therefore, if selection point information indicating the shift lever is transmitted again after the area highlighting unit 124 has once highlighted the area of ​​the console panel in the process of step S16 as shown in the upper part of Fig. 8, the area highlighting unit 124 executes the process of step S16 again and highlights the area of ​​the shift lever as shown in the lower part of Fig. 8.

[0044] 4, the control unit 120 uses the function of the area information providing unit 125 to provide the information terminal 200 with the names of the attachment parts included in the area highlighted in the processing of step S16 as area information (step S17). Specifically, in the processing of step S17, the area information providing unit 125 identifies the names of the attachment parts included in the area highlighted in the processing of step S16 based on the vehicle information DB 112 stored in the storage unit 110, and provides the identified names of the attachment parts to the information terminal 200 as area information. For example, if the highlighting as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7 is performed by the processing of step S16, the area information providing unit 125 identifies the names of the attachment parts included in the area corresponding to the highlighting based on the vehicle information DB 112 in the processing of step S17, and provides the identified names of the attachment parts to the information terminal 200 as area information, as shown in the upper part of FIG.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 4, when the information terminal 200 receives the area information, a display such as that shown in the upper part of FIG. 9 is displayed. Then, the name of the attachment part of the part desired by the user is selected as the part to be purchased (step S18). Specifically, the user of the information terminal 200 selects a corresponding name from the names of the attachment parts displayed on the information terminal 200 as area information, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9. As a result, the information terminal 200 transmits selection information corresponding to the selected name to the retrieval device 100 in the processing of step S18. In the illustrated example, a "console panel" is selected as the part to be purchased, and selection information corresponding to the "console panel" is transmitted to the retrieval device 100. Note that, unlike this, for example, when area information such as that shown in the upper part of FIG. 10 is displayed on the information terminal 200 in the processing of step S17, even if the cursor is positioned on a shift lever in an area smaller than the console panel, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the selection information is transmitted from the information terminal 200 to the retrieval device 100. In this case, the processes of steps S15 and S16 shown in FIG. 4 are executed again, and the area corresponding to the shift lever indicated by the selection information is highlighted as shown in the lower part of FIG.

[0046] 4, upon receiving the selection information, the control unit 120 of the retrieval device 100 uses the function of the corresponding item identification unit 126 to identify an item corresponding to the attachment part indicated by the selection information (step S19). Specifically, in the process of step S19, the corresponding item identification unit 126 determines that the part indicated by the selection information transmitted in the process of step S18 is the attachment part of the part desired by the user, and identifies an item (part) corresponding to the attachment part based on the item information 113 stored in the storage unit 110. For example, if the user's vehicle model is "minivan 1" and the attachment part indicated by the selection information is "console panel" as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, in the process of step S19, the corresponding item identification unit 126 identifies "item A" to "item D" corresponding to item numbers 1 to 4 in the item information 113 shown in FIG. 3 as the corresponding items.

[0047] After executing the process of step S19 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 120 uses the function of the item grouping unit 127 to group the items identified in the process of step S19 (step S20). Specifically, in the process of step S20, the item grouping unit 127 groups the multiple items identified in the process of step S19 into groups of highly similar items based on the similarity of the product images of the items. For example, if the items identified in the process of step S19 are "item A" to "item D," the item grouping unit 127 groups "item B," which has a high similarity to "item A," into the same group, and groups the items into three groups: a group to which "item A" and "item B" belong, a group to which "item C" belongs, and a group to which "item D" belongs. Note that this example shows a case where "item C" and "item D" each have low similarity, and both have low similarity to "item A."

[0048] After executing the process of step S20, the control unit 120, using the function of the item providing unit 128, provides the information terminal 200 with an item list that summarizes representative items for each group of items grouped in the process of step S20 (step S21), and terminates the search process. Specifically, in the process of step S21, the item providing unit 128 extracts (selects) the best-selling items from among the items belonging to each group grouped in the process of step S20 as representative items based on information such as sales volume received from the sales server 300, and transmits a list of the extracted items (a results list) to the information terminal 200, thereby providing the item list to the user. For example, in the process of step S21, the item providing unit 128 transmits an item list such as that shown in FIG. 11 to the information terminal 200. As shown in the figure, the item list includes, for each item, a product image showing an image of the item and product description information showing details of the item, and each item can be purchased based on a user operation. That is, although not shown in the figure, the product description information for each item displayed in the item list also includes a purchase button. It also includes information such as price and purchase quantity. In other words, the item list can be said to be a product purchase page. In the example shown, in the group to which "item A" and "item B" belong, "item A" is the representative item, and in the group to which "item C" belongs and the group to which "item D" belongs, "item C" and "item D" are the representative items, respectively.

[0049] When the item list is provided by the processing of step S21 in Fig. 4, the display shown in Fig. 11 appears on the information terminal 200 side. Then, when the user performs a purchase operation on the information terminal 200 side, the purchase processing shown in Fig. 4 is performed (step S22), and the search request processing ends. Specifically, in the processing of step S22, the information terminal 200 transmits a purchase request to the sales server 300 based on the user's purchase operation, and performs payment for the item corresponding to the purchase request through communication with the sales server 300. This allows the user to purchase the desired part (item).

[0050] The above is the operation of the search device 100 and the information terminal 200. As described above, according to the search device 100 of this embodiment, by specifying the attachment part of the desired body part based on the three-dimensional image, the name of the attachment part and the item corresponding to the attachment part can be provided to the user. Furthermore, even if the name of the product desired by the user is unknown, the product can be easily found. Therefore, the user can easily search for the product desired.

[0051] (Variation) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the search device 100 and the information terminal 200 according to the above-described embodiments do not need to have all of the technical features described above, and may have some of the configurations described in the above-described embodiments so as to solve at least one problem in the prior art. Furthermore, at least a portion of each of the following modifications may be combined.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which, in the process of step S13 shown in FIG. 4, three-dimensional images of the exterior and interior corresponding to the vehicle model indicated by the vehicle model information transmitted from information terminal 200 are provided. However, the three-dimensional images provided by the process of step S13 can be enlarged or reduced based on a user operation. For example, in the case where a three-dimensional image of the interior is provided by the process of step S13 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12, if the user selects the plus button, the image is enlarged as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12. On the other hand, for example, if the user selects the minus button in the display state of the lower part of FIG. 12, the image is reduced as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12. This allows the user to easily find the installation location of the desired part.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the case where a user purchases car parts has been described as an example, but this is just one example. The search device 100 can be applied to searching for items for DIY (Do It Yourself) projects, in addition to searching for car parts. For example, when a new item is to be retrofitted in a room, the search device 100 provides a three-dimensional image of the room, and the user can easily find the desired item by selecting the part where the item should be attached.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the example of executing the process of step S17 after executing the process of step S16 shown in FIG. 4, i.e., the example of providing area information after highlighting, is shown, but this is just one example. The order of executing the process of step S16 and the process of step S17 may be reversed. Furthermore, when providing area information by the process of step S17, highlighting may also be performed.

[0055] In the above embodiment, in the process of step S20 shown in Fig. 4, the items identified in the process of step S19 are grouped according to the similarity of the product images of the items, but this is just an example. Grouping by the process of step S20 does not have to be performed.

[0056] 4, an example has been shown in which the best-selling item is extracted as a representative item and a list of the extracted items is transmitted to information terminal 200. In addition, for example, when a user selects a representative item, a sublist in which items belonging to the group are arranged may be displayed. In other words, by selecting a representative item, all items in the group may be viewable.

[0057] 7 to 10, the operation of the search process in the search device 100 has been described as an example. However, the same applies to the case where a three-dimensional image of the exterior is displayed. That is, when the user desires a part to be attached to the exterior of the car, the user only needs to select the desired location where the part is to be attached, just as in the case of the interior.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the process from step S19 onward is executed after the name of the attachment part of the desired part is selected as the part to be purchased by the process of step S18 shown in FIG. 4 . However, this is merely an example. Alternatively, for example, when providing area information in the process of step S17, items corresponding to the area information (the name of the attachment part) may be identified and a list of items may be provided. That is, without performing the process of step S18, the process from step S19 onward may be executed as part of the process of step S17, and the item list may be provided together with the area information (the name of the attachment part) in the process of step S17. In this case, the item list may be provided on a separate page from the area information, or the corresponding items may be displayed under the name of each attachment part indicated by the area information. Furthermore, when providing each item corresponding to the area information as a search result without performing the process of step S18, the items may be displayed with a priority depending on the inclusion relationship of the attachment parts. For example, if attachment part A is narrower than attachment part B, items corresponding to attachment part A may be displayed with priority over items corresponding to attachment part B.

[0059] The search device 100 and information terminal 200 according to the above-described embodiments can be realized using a normal computer, rather than a dedicated device. For example, the search device 100 that executes the above-described processes may be configured by installing a program for executing any of the above processes on a computer from a recording medium storing the program on the computer. Also, one search device 100 and information terminal 200 may be configured by multiple computers operating in cooperation with each other.

[0060] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned functions are realized by sharing the functions between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and the application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the medium.

[0061] It is also possible to superimpose the program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs may then be started and run under the control of an operating system in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0062] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0063] (Appendix 1) a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item specifying unit that specifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; A search device comprising:

[0064] (Appendix 2) a region highlighting unit that highlights the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit, the desired portion being a portion of the object shown in the three-dimensional image, so that the desired portion can be identified by the user; The search device according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0065] (Appendix 3) the desired portion specifying unit specifies the desired portion based on a first position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the first position being selected by the user, and then specifies the desired portion based on a second position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the second position being selected by the user; the region highlighting unit performs a first highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the first position, and then changes the first highlighting to a second highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the second position; 3. The search device according to claim 2,

[0066] (Appendix 4) further comprising an item grouping unit that groups the items identified by the corresponding item identification unit based on the similarity of the items; the item providing unit provides, as the item list, a representative item in the group among the items grouped by the item grouping unit; 4. The search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[0067] (Appendix 5) an item specifying unit that specifies an item desired by a user; an item grouping unit that groups the items identified by the item identification unit based on the similarity of the items; a representative item selection unit that selects a representative item within the group from among the items grouped by the item grouping unit; a result list providing unit that provides, as a result list, the representative items corresponding to the groups grouped by the item grouping unit; A search device comprising:

[0068] (Appendix 6) A search method using a search device, a three-dimensional image providing step of providing a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying step of specifying a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown by the three-dimensional image; a region information providing step of providing region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified in the desired portion identifying step; a corresponding item specifying step of specifying an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing step; an item providing step of providing a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified in the corresponding item identifying step; A search method comprising:

[0069] (Appendix 7) Computer, a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides three-dimensional images; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item identification unit that identifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased using the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; A program that functions as a

[0070] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that enable a user to easily search for a desired product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Search Device 110 Storage section 111 Program 112 Car information DB 113 Item Information 120 control section 121 Vehicle Information Acquisition Unit 122 3D image provision department 123 Desired part specification part 124 Area emphasis part 125 Area Information Provision Department 126 Compatible Item Identification Section 127 Item Grouping Section 128 Item Provision Department 130 Input / output section 140 Communications Department 200 Information terminal 300 Sales Server 400 Computer Network

Claims

1. a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item specifying unit that specifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; A search device comprising:

2. a region highlighting unit that highlights the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit, the desired portion being a portion of the object shown in the three-dimensional image, so that the desired portion can be identified by the user; The search device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. the desired portion specifying unit specifies the desired portion based on a first position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the first position being selected by the user, and then specifies the desired portion based on a second position on the object shown in the three-dimensional image based on the second position being selected by the user; the region highlighting unit performs a first highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the first position, and then changes the first highlighting to a second highlighting corresponding to the desired portion based on the second position; 3. The search device according to claim 2.

4. further comprising an item grouping unit that groups the items identified by the corresponding item identification unit based on the similarity of the items; the item providing unit provides, as the item list, a representative item in the group among the items grouped by the item grouping unit; 4. The search device according to claim 1, wherein the search device is a search engine.

5. A search method using a search device, a three-dimensional image providing step of providing a three-dimensional image; a desired portion specifying step of specifying a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown by the three-dimensional image; a region information providing step of providing region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified in the desired portion identifying step; a corresponding item specifying step of specifying an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing step; an item providing step of providing a list of items that can be purchased for the item identified in the corresponding item identifying step; A search method comprising:

6. Computer, a three-dimensional image providing unit that provides three-dimensional images; a desired portion specifying unit that specifies a desired portion that is a portion desired by the user based on a position selected by the user in the object shown in the three-dimensional image; a region information providing unit that provides region information that is a name of a region including the desired portion identified by the desired portion identifying unit; a corresponding item identification unit that identifies an item corresponding to the area information selected by the user from the area information provided by the area information providing unit; an item providing unit that provides a list of items that can be purchased using the item identified by the corresponding item identifying unit; A program that functions as a

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