Shoe information providing device, shoe information providing method, and shoe information providing system

Abstract

In the present invention, a target person information storing unit stores target person information including a favorite kind of sport of a specific target person. An event information storing unit stores a holding period of a sport event and a product recommendation actuation period set in association with the holding period. A product information storing unit stores product information of shoes corresponding to the kind of sport of the sport event. When a sport event corresponding to the favorite kind of sport of the specific target person is held during a prescribed period of calendar information on a display unit which displays calendar information of the prescribed period, an identification unit identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the kind of sport of the sport event from the product information. A display control unit performs control so that information regarding the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit is displayed on the display unit during a period corresponding to the product recommendation actuation period of the calendar information.

Description

Shoe information providing device, shoe information providing method, and shoe information providing system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shoe information providing device, a shoe information providing method, and a shoe information providing system.

[0002] Shoes must be worn in an appropriate size according to the wearer's foot size, such as foot length, foot circumference, and arch height, and wearing shoes of an inappropriate size can cause bunions and blisters. In particular, if the wearer is a child, wearing shoes of an inappropriate size can have a negative impact on the growth of the foot.

[0003] Since foot size changes with growth and aging, shoes that are the optimal size for a person's current foot size may no longer be the optimal size for that foot size in the future.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses an invention that calculates a predicted change in a user's foot size, determines a recommended purchase date for shoes based on the predicted change and product information, and displays a recommended purchase date icon indicating the recommended purchase date on a calendar.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-77479

[0006] Various sporting events are held throughout the year. Users may participate in sporting events. In addition, users may be influenced by sporting events and try out the sports featured in the sporting events.

[0007] However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot recommend shoes suitable for a sporting event.

[0008] In one aspect, an object is to recommend shoes suitable for a sporting event.

[0009] A shoe information providing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a target person information storage unit, an event information storage unit, a product information storage unit, an identification unit, and a display control unit. The target person information storage unit stores target person information including the type of sport preferred by the specific target person. The event information storage unit stores a period during which a sport event is held and a product recommendation activation period set in association with the event period. The product information storage unit stores product information of shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event. When a sport event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific target person is held during a predetermined period of calendar information on a display unit that displays calendar information for a predetermined period, the identification unit identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event from the product information. The display control unit controls the display of information related to the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit during a period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period of the calendar information.

[0010] According to one aspect of the embodiment, shoes suitable for a sporting event can be recommended in accordance with the sporting event.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a shoe information providing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of user information according to an embodiment. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of subject information according to an embodiment. FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of product information according to an embodiment. FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of used product information according to an embodiment. FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of event information according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of registering a foot size according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of registering used shoes according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of displaying recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of displaying recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of shoe information providing processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment.

[0012] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of a shoe information providing device, a shoe information providing method, and a shoe information providing system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. In the embodiments described below, identical or common parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0013] In the following description, foot size is taken as an example of foot length and foot circumference, but foot size may also include measurable dimensions such as arch height. Foot size may also include three-dimensional scan data of the foot. Furthermore, foot size may not only be the size of the foot itself, but also the dimensions of parts of a shoe that correspond to foot length, foot circumference, arch height, etc.

[0014] One of the purposes of this embodiment is to recommend shoes suitable for a sporting event in accordance with the sporting event.

[0015] [System Configuration] First, a shoe information providing system 10 including the shoe information providing device of the present disclosure will be described. The shoe information providing system 10 is a system that identifies appropriate recommended shoes for a specific target person and provides information about the identified recommended shoes to the user. In the embodiment, the specific target person for whom recommended shoes are identified is the user's child, and information about recommended shoes for children is provided to the user. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the general configuration of the shoe information providing system 10 according to the embodiment. The shoe information providing system 10 includes a server 11 and a user terminal 12. In this embodiment, the server 11 corresponds to the shoe information providing device of the present disclosure.

[0016] The server 11 and the user terminal 12 are communicatively connected to a network N. One aspect of the network N may be any type of communication network, whether wired or wireless, such as a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), or a virtual private network (VPN). In the example of FIG. 1 , the network N is provided with a base station N1 of a mobile communication network. The user terminal 12 is communicatively connected to the network N via the base station N1 by mobile communication. Note that the example of FIG. 1 illustrates a case where one user terminal 12 is provided, but this is not limiting, and any number of user terminals 12 may be provided.

[0017] The server 11 is a device that provides a Web (World Wide Web) service that includes a function for identifying recommended shoes. The server 11 is, for example, a computer such as a server computer. The server 11 may be implemented as a single computer or may be implemented by multiple computers. In this embodiment, the server 11 is described as a single computer. The Web service provided by the server 11 can be used by registering an account. When registering an account, the server 11 accepts input of various information related to the user and the child. The server 11 uses the input various information related to the user and the child to provide the user with information related to recommended shoes for the child.

[0018] The user terminal 12 is a communication terminal device owned by the user. For example, the user terminal 12 is an information processing device such as a smartphone owned by the user. The user uses the user terminal 12 to access the server 11 and use a web service. The user terminal 12 has a display unit 12a. The user terminal 12 displays various screens provided by the web service on the display unit 12a. When registering an account for a web service provided by the server 11, the user inputs various information about the user and their child.

[0019] [Device Configuration] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server 11 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server 11 according to the embodiment. The server 11 has a communication unit 20, multiple storage units 21, and a control unit 22.

[0020] The communication unit 20 is a communication interface that communicates with the network N. The communication unit 20 transmits and receives various data to and from the user terminal 12 via the network N.

[0021] The plurality of storage units 21 are storage devices capable of storing information, such as hard disks, solid state drives (SSDs), optical disks, etc. The plurality of storage units 21 store various types of information. For example, the server 11 according to the embodiment has six storage units 21a to 21f.

[0022] The storage unit 21a stores user information 30. The storage unit 21b stores subject information 31. The storage unit 21c stores product information 32. The storage unit 21d stores product use information 33. The storage unit 21e stores event information 34. The storage unit 21f stores foot size change information 35. Note that the storage units 21a to 21f may store various other information. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 21b that stores the subject information 31 corresponds to the subject information storage unit of the present disclosure. Also, the storage unit 21c that stores the product information 32 corresponds to the product information storage unit of the present disclosure. Also, the storage unit 21e that stores the event information 34 corresponds to the event information storage unit of the present disclosure. Note that some or all of the user information 30, the subject information 31, product use information 33, product information 32, event information 34, and foot size change information 35 may be stored in the same storage unit 21. In this case, the storage unit 21 that stores the subject information 31 corresponds to the subject information storage unit of the present disclosure. The storage unit 21 that stores the product information 32 corresponds to the product information storage unit of the present disclosure. The storage unit 21 that stores the event information 34 corresponds to the event information storage unit of the present disclosure.

[0023] The user information 30 is data that stores various pieces of information about each user. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the user information 30 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, the user information 30 has the following items: user ID (identification), subject ID, relationship, name, residential area, and foot size. Note that the items of the user information 30 shown in FIG. 3A are examples, and the user information 30 may have other items. Furthermore, the data configuration of the user information 30 shown in FIG. 3A is an example, and other data configurations may also be used.

[0024] The user ID field is an area that stores a user ID that identifies a user. A unique user ID is assigned to a user. The user ID field stores the user ID assigned to the user. The target person ID field stores the target person ID that identifies a specific target person for which recommended shoes are to be specified. A unique target person ID is assigned to the specific target person registered by the user of the user ID. The relationship field is an area that stores the relationship of the user in the target person ID field to the specific target person in the target person ID field. The name field is an area that stores the user's name. The residential area field is an area that stores the user's residential area. The foot size field is an area that stores the user's foot size.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 3A, a user with user ID "U001" has registered a specific target person with target ID "T001", and his relationship to the specific target person is father, his name is AAA, and his shoe size is 25.3 cm.

[0026] The subject information 31 is data that stores various information related to each specific subject. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the subject information 31 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3B, the subject information 31 includes the following items: subject ID, registered user ID, name, left foot length, right foot length, left foot circumference, right foot circumference, size registration date, date of birth, gender, height, weight, preferred sport, and preferred color. Note that the items in the subject information 31 shown in FIG. 3B are examples, and other items may be included. Furthermore, the data configuration of the subject information 31 shown in FIG. 3B is an example, and other data configurations may be used.

[0027] The subject ID field is an area that stores the subject ID of a specific subject. The registered user ID field is an area that stores the user ID of the user who registered the specific subject. The name field is an area that stores the name of the specific subject. The left foot length field is an area that stores the left foot length of the specific subject. The right foot length field is an area that stores the right foot length of the specific subject. The left foot circumference field is an area that stores the left foot circumference of the specific subject. The right foot circumference field is an area that stores the right foot circumference of the specific subject. The size registration date field is an area that stores the registration date on which the foot size was registered. The date of birth field is an area that stores the date of birth of the specific subject. The gender field is an area that stores the gender of the specific subject. The height field is an area that stores the height of the specific subject. The weight field is an area that stores the weight of the specific subject. The preferred sport field is an area for storing the type of sport that the specific subject likes, and the preferred color field is an area for storing the color that the specific subject likes.

[0028] 3B, the specific subject with subject ID "T001" has a registered user ID of "U001," a name of BBB, a left foot length of 20.3 cm, a right foot length of 20.2 cm, a left foot circumference of 20.2 cm, and a right foot circumference of 20.2 cm. The specific subject with subject ID "T001" also has a foot size registration date of August 1, 2023, a date of birth of October 1, 2012, a gender of male, a height of 142 cm, a weight of 37.5 kg, a preferred sport of soccer and tennis, and a preferred color of blue.

[0029] The product information 32 is data that stores various information about various shoes. The product information 32 stores various information about shoes corresponding to the type of sport in a sporting event. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product information 32 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3C, the product information 32 includes the following fields: shoe ID, model name, size, color, compatible sport, surface, athletic level, release date, and product description. Note that the fields in the product information 32 shown in FIG. 3C are merely examples, and other fields may be included. Furthermore, the data configuration of the product information 32 shown in FIG. 3C is merely an example, and other data configurations may be used.

[0030] The Shoe ID field is an area that stores the shoe ID that identifies the shoe. The Model Name field is an area that stores the model name of the shoe. The Size field is an area that stores the shoe size. The Color field is an area that stores the color of the shoe. The Corresponding Sport field is an area that stores the type of sport that the shoe is compatible with. The Surface field is an area that stores the type of surface that the shoe is compatible with in the corresponding sport. The Athletic Level field is an area that stores the athletic level that the shoe is compatible with for the corresponding sport. The athletic level ranges from 1 to 4, with higher numbers indicating higher athletic levels. The Release Date field is an area that stores the release date of the shoe. The Product Description field is an area that stores product descriptions for the shoe.

[0031] In the example of Figure 3C, the shoe with shoe ID "S0001" has a model name of shoe model A, a size of 22.0 cm, a color of blue, a corresponding sport of running, a corresponding surface of road, a corresponding athletic level of 1, and a release date of January 1, 2022.

[0032] The product usage information 33 is data that stores various information related to shoes used by a specific subject. FIG. 3D is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product usage information 33 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3D, the product usage information 33 includes the following fields: number, subject ID, brand, size, model name, color, sport, and registration date. Note that the fields in the product usage information 33 shown in FIG. 3D are merely examples, and other fields may be included. Furthermore, the data configuration of the product usage information 33 shown in FIG. 3D is merely an example, and other data configurations may be used.

[0033] The number field is an area that stores a sequence number that identifies the record. The subject ID field is an area that stores the subject ID of the specific subject who uses the used shoes. The brand field is an area that stores the brand of the used shoes. The size field is an area that stores the size of the used shoes. The model name field is an area that stores the model name of the used shoes. The color field is an area that stores the color of the used shoes. The sport field is an area that stores the type of sport mainly played with the used shoes. The registration date field is an area that stores the registration date on which the used shoes were registered.

[0034] In the example of Figure 3D, the shoe number "1" is used by a specific subject with subject ID "T001", the brand is XXXXXX, the size is 22.0 cm, the model name is Shoe Model A, the color is blue, the main sport played is running, and the registration date is August 1, 2023.

[0035] The event information 34 is data that stores various information related to each sporting event. FIG. 3E is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the event information 34 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3E, the event information 34 includes items such as an event ID, an event name, a sport, a surface, an event period, a product recommendation activation period, an age range, and an athletic level. Note that the items in the event information 34 shown in FIG. 3E are examples, and other items may be included. Also, the data configuration of the event information 34 shown in FIG. 3E is an example, and other data configurations may be used.

[0036] The "event ID" field is an area for storing an event ID that identifies a sporting event. The "event name" field is an area for storing the name of the sporting event. The "sport" field is an area for storing the type of sport played in the sporting event. The "surface" field is an area for storing the type of surface, such as the court, stadium, or road surface, on which the sport of the sporting event is played. The "event period" field is an area for storing the period during which the sporting event is held. The "product recommendation activation period" is an area for storing the period during which product recommendations are activated in response to the sporting event. The product recommendation activation period is set in association with the period during which the sporting event is held. For example, if the sporting event is an event that general users and children can participate in, the product recommendation activation period is set to a longer period, including the preparation period for participating in the sporting event. On the other hand, if the sporting event is an event that general users and children cannot participate in, such as a tournament for top-level athletes or a match between professional athletes, the product recommendation activation period is set to a period that is approximately the same as the period during which the sporting event is held or slightly before the period. The "age range" field is an area for storing the age range that can participate in the sporting event. If there is an age limit for participation in a sporting event, the age range in which participation is permitted is set in the age range. The competition level item is an area for storing the competition level of a sporting event.

[0037] In the example of Figure 3E, the sports event with event ID "I0001" is a national youth soccer tournament, the type of sport is soccer, the surface is natural grass, the event period is from December 26, 2023 to December 29, 2023, the product recommendation activation period is from December 8, 2023 to December 29, 2023, the age range is 10 to 12 years old, and the competition level is 2.

[0038] The foot size change information 35 is data showing statistical changes in foot size. For example, the foot size change information 35 includes the average change in foot size by gender and age. The average change in foot size can be calculated by extracting the change in foot size for children by gender and age and averaging multiple samples. In this embodiment, the foot size change information 35 includes the average change in foot length and foot circumference as the average change in foot size by gender and age.

[0039] The control unit 22 is a device that controls the entire server 11. The control unit 22 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 22 has an internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and control data, and executes various processes using these. The control unit 22 functions as various processing units when various programs are run. For example, the control unit 22 has a display control unit 40, a registration unit 41, a prediction unit 42, and an identification unit 43.

[0040] The display control unit 40 controls the display of various types of information. For example, the display control unit 40 generates data for various screens of the web service in response to access from the user terminal 12, transmits the generated screen data to the user terminal 12, and controls the display of various screens on the accessing user terminal 12. For example, the display control unit 40 displays a login screen on the user terminal 12 in response to access from the user terminal 12. Furthermore, when login is complete, the display control unit 40 displays a screen including a calendar for a predetermined period on the user terminal 12.

[0041] The registration unit 41 registers information input on various screens in the storage unit 21. For example, the registration unit 41 registers various pieces of information about the user that the user input on the screen of the user terminal 12 in the user information 30. The registration unit 41 also registers various pieces of information about the child that the user input on the screen of the user terminal 12 in the target person information 31.

[0042] The prediction unit 42 predicts changes in the child's foot size. For example, the prediction unit 42 obtains the child's current age from the child's date of birth stored in the subject information 31. The prediction unit 42 extracts, from the foot size change information 35 based on the obtained child's age, average foot size changes by age, which are average changes in foot size by age up to the predicted future time point. The prediction unit 42 calculates predicted foot size changes up to the future time point using the extracted average foot size changes by age. The prediction unit 42 sets the predicted child's foot size as the first foot size and adds the calculated predicted foot size changes to the first foot size to calculate the child's second foot size, which is the child's foot size at the future time point. In this embodiment, the prediction unit 42 calculates the left foot length, right foot length, left foot circumference, and right foot circumference of the user's child stored in the subject information 31 as the first foot size, and calculates the left foot length, right foot length, left foot circumference, and right foot circumference of the child at the future time point as the second foot size.

[0043] For example, if a child is currently X years and Y months old and the future time to be predicted is (X+1) years and Z months old, the second foot size at the future time is calculated as the sum of the first foot size, the average foot size change at age X from the present to the birth month of the child at (X+1) years old, and the average foot size change at age (X+1) to the birth month of the child at (X+1) years and Z months old. If the child's current age is X and the number of months since the birth month is Y, the predicted foot size change from the present to the birth month of the child at (X+1) years old is (average foot size change at age X) × (12 - Y) / 12. Furthermore, the predicted foot size change at age (X+1) years and Z months old is (average foot size change at age (X+1)) × Z / 12. Therefore, the predicted foot size change at the future time is {(average foot size change at age X) × (12 - Y) / 12} + {(average foot size change at age (X+1)) × Z / 12}.

[0044] Furthermore, if the future time point to be predicted is (X+2) years and Z months, the second foot size at that time point is calculated as the sum of the first foot size, the average change in foot size at age X from the present to the birth month of (X+1) years, the average change in foot size at age (X+1), and the average change in foot size at age (X+2) from the present to the birth month of (X+2) years and Z months.

[0045] If at least one of the child's weight, hand size, and whether or not the child has growing pains is known, the prediction unit 42 may correct the second foot size based on this information. For example, if the child's weight or hand size is below the average for the child's age, the prediction unit 42 may apply a negative correction to the second foot size because future changes in foot size are expected to be small. If the child has growing pains, the prediction unit 42 may apply a positive correction to the second foot size because future increases in foot size are expected. If the user is a parent and at least one of the user's size, height, and peak growth period are known, the prediction unit 42 may correct the second foot size based on this information. If the child's current age is older than the peak growth period, the prediction unit 42 may apply a negative correction to the second foot size because future changes in foot size are expected to be small. In addition, since a child's growth peak is expected to occur around the user's growth peak age, if the child's age is close to the user's growth peak age, the prediction unit 42 can make a positive correction to the second foot size.

[0046] The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes from the product information 32. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes that correspond to a child's foot size from the product information 32. The identification unit 43 identifies a suitable shoe size from the child's foot size, and identifies shoes of the identified suitable size as recommended shoes from the product information 32. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes at the current time. The identification unit 43 also identifies recommended shoes for a future time. Multiple recommended shoes may be identified. When there are multiple recommended shoe candidates that satisfy the conditions, the identification unit 43 identifies the recommended shoes in order of most recent release date. For example, when there are four or more shoes that satisfy the conditions, the identification unit 43 identifies the three most recent release dates as recommended shoes.

[0047] When identifying currently recommended shoes, the identification unit 43 identifies the current suitable shoe size from the child's foot size stored in the subject information 31. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies the current suitable shoe size by performing a conversion from the child's foot size. The identification unit 43 identifies shoes that fit the current suitable size as currently recommended shoes from the product information 32.

[0048] When identifying recommended shoes for a future time point, the identification unit 43 identifies the appropriate shoe size for the future time point from the child's foot size for the future time point predicted by the prediction unit 42. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, shoes that fit the appropriate size for the future time point as recommended shoes.

[0049] When a sporting event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the child is held during a period on the calendar displayed on the screen under the control of the display control unit 40, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event from the product information 32. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event and corresponding to the child's foot size from the product information 32.

[0050] The identification unit 43 may identify recommended shoes using at least one of the conditions of color, the child's favorite sport, and model name. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes from the product information 32 that are the same as or similar to the child's favorite color stored in the target person information 31 and that correspond to the child's foot size. The identification unit 43 may identify multiple recommended shoes.

[0051] If a sporting event has a target age range for participants, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes for the sporting event in which the child's age falls within the target age range. For example, if the age calculated from the child's date of birth falls within the target age range and a sporting event corresponding to the child's favorite type of sport is being held during the period shown on the calendar on the screen, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes from the product information 32 that correspond to the type of sport of the sporting event and that fit the child's foot size.

[0052] Furthermore, when identifying recommended shoes for a sport in a sporting event, the identification unit 43 identifies the recommended shoes based on at least one of the surface type where the sport in the sporting event is played and the competitive level of the sporting event. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes from the product information 32 that correspond to the type of sport in the sporting event, the surface type where the sport in the sporting event is played, the competitive level of the sporting event, and the child's foot size. If there are no shoes that meet the same conditions for the surface type and competitive level, the identification unit 43 may identify shoes that meet similar conditions as recommended shoes, or may prioritize them in advance and identify shoes with a higher priority as recommended shoes. For example, if there are no shoes that meet the same surface type, the identification unit 43 identifies shoes that meet similar conditions in order of priority according to a predetermined surface priority. More specifically, in tennis, the surface priority is set in descending order of priority: all court, omni court, and clay court. When identifying recommended tennis shoes for clay courts, if there are no clay court shoes, the identification unit 43 searches for all-court shoes. If there are no all-court shoes, the identification unit 43 searches for omni-court shoes. Similarly, in soccer, the surface priority is determined in descending order of natural grass, dirt, and artificial turf. When identifying recommended soccer shoes for natural grass, if there are no natural grass shoes, the identification unit 43 searches for soil shoes. If there are no soil shoes, the identification unit 43 searches for artificial turf shoes. Regarding the athletic level, if there are no shoes for the same athletic level as the athletic level of the sporting event, shoes for a similar athletic level may be identified. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies as recommended shoes shoes the highest athletic level below the athletic level of the sporting event.

[0053] The display control unit 40 controls the display on the screen of information related to the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43. For example, the display control unit 40 controls the display on the screen of information related to the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 in accordance with the sport of the sporting event during a period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period of the sporting event.

[0054] [Specific Example] Next, an example of a specific operational flow in which the shoe information providing system 10 recommends shoes to a user will be described. The user accesses the web service of the server 11 using the user terminal 12.

[0055] In response to access from the user terminal 12, the display control unit 40 displays a login screen on the user terminal 12. The login screen has a new registration button and a login button. A user who has already registered an account selects the login button on the login screen and logs in by entering a previously assigned user ID and password. On the other hand, a user who is registering a new account selects the new registration button on the login screen.

[0056] The web service according to this embodiment accepts input of various information about the user and the child via a screen in order to recommend appropriate shoes for the user. The display control unit 40 transmits information about the input screen for registering various information about the user and the child, and controls the display of the input screen on the accessing user terminal 12.

[0057] 4 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen according to the embodiment. The input screen according to the embodiment is composed of a parent information input screen 100 and a child information input screen 120. The parent information input screen 100 is displayed first on the user terminal 12.

[0058] The parent information input screen 100 has a parent name input area 101, a relationship input area 102, a foot size input area 103, and a region input area 104. When the relationship input area 102 is selected, father, mother, brothers / sisters, grandparents, etc. are displayed, and the parent can select and input the relationship with the child. When the region input area 104 is selected, various region names are displayed, and the parent can select and input the region. The region may be a regional block such as Kanto or Kansai, or a prefecture such as Tokyo, Osaka, or Hyogo.

[0059] The user inputs the name of the guardian in the guardian name input area 101 and the relationship with the child in the relationship input area 102. The user also inputs the user's foot size in the foot size input area 103 and the user's residential area in the area input area 104.

[0060] The parent information input screen 100 is provided with a back button 105 and a next button 106. When the user has completed registering information about the parent, the user selects the next button 106.

[0061] When the Next button 106 is selected, a child information input screen 120 is displayed on the user terminal 12. The child information input screen 120 is provided with a child name input area 121, a birth date input area 122, a gender input area 123, a height input area 124, a weight input area 125, a sport input area 126, and a color input area 127. When the gender input area 123 is selected, "Male" or "Female" is displayed, and the gender can be input by selecting it. When the sport input area 126 is selected, the names of various sports such as running / sprinting, tennis, padel tennis, volleyball, soccer, etc. are displayed, and the type of sport can be input by selecting it. When the color input area 127 is selected, the names of various colors such as red, orange, yellow, and blue are displayed, and the color can be input by selecting it.

[0062] The user inputs the child's name in child name input area 121, the child's date of birth in date of birth input area 122, and the child's gender in gender input area 123. The user also inputs the child's height in height input area 124 and the child's weight in weight input area 125. The user also inputs the child's favorite sport in sport input area 126 and the child's favorite color in color input area 127.

[0063] The child information input screen 120 is provided with a back button 128 and a register button 129. When the user has completed registering information about the child, the user selects the register button 129.

[0064] When the registration button 129 is selected, the registration unit 41 assigns a new subject ID. Then, the registration unit 41 registers the user's user ID, the assigned subject ID, and information input in the guardian name input area 101, relationship input area 102, foot size input area 103, and region input area 104 of the guardian information input screen 100 in the user information 30. The registration unit 41 also registers the user's user ID, the assigned subject ID, and information input in the child name input area 121, date of birth input area 122, gender input area 123, height input area 124, weight input area 125, sport input area 126, and color input area 127 of the child information input screen 120 in the subject information 31.

[0065] When the registration unit 41 has completed registration of the user and child information, or when the user logs in from the login screen, the display control unit 40 sends information about the home screen and controls the display of the home screen on the user terminal 12.

[0066] An example of the home screen 140 will be described below using an example in which a user with user ID "U001" has logged in. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen 140 according to the embodiment. The home screen 140 is displayed on the user terminal 12. The home screen 140 has a main area 150 near the center, a header area 160 above the main area 150, and a footer area 170 below the main area 150.

[0067] The header area 160 displays the name of the logged-in user's child. The header area 160 also displays the child's current age and the number of months since the month of birth. In FIG. 5, the current date is November 6, 2023.

[0068] The footer area 170 includes a home page 171 and a registration / measurement page 172. The user selects the registration / measurement page 172 when registering the child's foot size or the shoes the child uses.

[0069] 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of registering a foot size according to an embodiment. On the home screen 140, when registration / measurement 172 in the footer area 170 is selected, a balloon area 175 including foot measurement 173 and shoe registration 174 is displayed. When the user wants to register a child's foot size, the user selects foot measurement 173 in the balloon area 175. When foot measurement 173 is selected, the display control unit 40 generates information for a foot size input screen 180, transmits it to the user terminal 12, and controls the user terminal 12 to display the foot size input screen 180.

[0070] The foot size input screen 180 is provided with a left foot length input area 181 , a right foot length input area 182 , a left foot circumference input area 183 , and a right foot circumference input area 184 .

[0071] The user inputs the child's left foot length in a left foot length input area 181, and the child's right foot length in a right foot length input area 182. The user also inputs the child's left foot circumference in a left foot circumference input area 183, and the child's right foot circumference in a right foot circumference input area 184.

[0072] The foot size input screen 180 is provided with a cancel button 185 and a register button 186. When the user has completed registering the child's foot size, the user selects the register button 186.

[0073] When the registration button 186 is selected, the registration unit 41 registers the information entered in the left foot length input area 181, right foot length input area 182, left foot circumference input area 183, and right foot circumference input area 184 of the foot size input screen 180, as well as the date of registration, in a record of the subject information 31 corresponding to the subject ID assigned to the user's child.

[0074] 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of registering shoes used according to an embodiment. When registration / measurement 172 in the footer area 170 is selected, a balloon area 175 including foot measurement 173 and shoe registration 174 is displayed. When the user wants to register shoes used by a child, they select shoe registration 174. When shoe registration 174 is selected, the display control unit 40 generates information for a shoes used input screen 190, transmits it to the user terminal 12, and controls the user terminal 12 to display the shoes used input screen 190.

[0075] The shoe input screen 190 has a sport input area 191, a brand input area 192, a size input area 193, a model input area 194, and a color input area 195. When the sport input area 191 is selected, the names of various sports such as running / short-running, tennis, padel tennis, volleyball, soccer, etc. are displayed, and the type of sport can be input by selecting an option. When the brand input area 192 is selected, the names of various sports shoe brands are displayed, and the brand can be input by selecting an option. When the color input area 195 is selected, the names of various colors such as red, orange, yellow, and blue are displayed, and the color can be input by selecting an option.

[0076] The user inputs the sport that the child mainly plays with the shoes in the sport input area 191, and the brand of the shoes the child uses in the brand input area 192. The user also inputs the size of the shoes the child uses in the size input area 193, the model name of the shoes the child uses in the model input area 194, and the color of the shoes the child uses in the color input area 195.

[0077] The used shoes input screen 190 is provided with a cancel button 196 and a register button 197. When the user has completed the registration of the child's used shoes, the user selects the register button 197.

[0078] When the register button 197 is selected, the registration unit 41 assigns a new number. Then, the registration unit 41 registers the assigned number, the subject ID assigned to the user's child, the information entered in the sport input area 191, brand input area 192, size input area 193, model input area 194, and color input area 195 of the used shoes input screen 190, and the date of registration in the used product information 33.

[0079] A main area 150 of the home screen 140 is divided into a month display area 151 on the left side and a detail display area 152 from the center to the right side.

[0080] A schedule is displayed in the detail display area 152. The detail display area 152 can be scrolled vertically. The display in the detail display area 152 scrolls vertically in response to a vertical scroll operation, and the displayed schedule changes. When the first schedule of the month is reached by vertical scrolling in the detail display area 152, the schedule of the previous month is read out and displayed continuously, and when the last schedule of the month is reached, the schedule of the next month is read out and displayed continuously.

[0081] To encourage regular measurement of the child's foot size, foot measurement dates are periodically displayed in the details display area 152. Messages tailored to the child's growth stage are also displayed in the details display area 152. When displaying the schedule for the current month, the details display area 152 also displays recommended shoes for the current month.

[0082] When displaying the schedule for the current month in the details display area 152, the identification unit 43 identifies the currently appropriate shoe size from the child's foot size stored in the subject information 31. The identification unit 43 identifies shoes of the currently appropriate size from the product information 32 as currently recommended shoes. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes using at least one of the conditions of color, the child's favorite sport, and model name. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies shoes of the currently appropriate size that are the same as or similar to the child's favorite color stored in the subject information 31 from the product information 32 as currently recommended shoes. The identification unit 43 may identify multiple recommended shoes. For example, the identification unit 43 identifies shoes of the same or similar color as the child's favorite color stored in the subject information 31, of the currently appropriate size, and corresponding to the type of sport the child prefers stored in the subject information 31 as currently recommended shoes. Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 43 identifies as currently recommended shoes shoes that are the same or similar color as the child's preferred color stored in the target person information 31, have the current compatible size, and have the same model name as the shoes used by the user's child stored in the used product information 33. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the currently recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 in the details display area 152.

[0083] The detailed display area 152 of the home screen 140 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a recommendation display area 153 that displays recommended shoes along with a message display of "These are the shoes to buy now," and the currently recommended shoes are displayed in the recommendation display area 153. If there are multiple recommended shoes, the multiple recommended shoes are displayed side by side in the recommendation display area 153. The recommendation display area 153 can be scrolled horizontally. The display in the recommendation display area 153 scrolls horizontally in response to a horizontal scroll operation, and the displayed recommended shoes change.

[0084] The month display area 151 displays months in which various events will occur over a predetermined period, arranged vertically. The predetermined period is set by the user or the system. In this embodiment, the predetermined period is set to one year. The month display area 151 displays months in which various events will occur within one year from the current time, arranged vertically. In this embodiment, the month displayed in the month display area 151 corresponds to the calendar information disclosed herein. For example, the month display area 151 displays the month including the birth date (birthday) of the user's child. The month display area 151 also displays the month in which a sporting event for the user's child's favorite sport is held. The month display area 151 also displays the month in which a sporting event for a specific type of sport is held as a default. In this embodiment, the specific type of sport is running. Even if running is not registered as a child's favorite sport, the month display area 151 displays the month in which a running sporting event is held. In this embodiment, the event information 34 includes sport events of the user's children's favorite sports and running other than those shown in FIG. 3E , so January, February, April, and the like are also displayed in the month display area 151. The month display area 151 can be scrolled vertically. The month display area 151 scrolls vertically in response to a vertical scroll operation, and the displayed month changes.

[0085] The display control unit 40 extracts the user's child's date of birth and favorite sport from the target person information 31. The display control unit 40 extracts the user's child's favorite sport and the period when a running sport event is held from the event information 34. The display control unit 40 generates information for a home screen 140 that displays the month including the user's child's date of birth and the month in which the extracted sport event is held vertically in the month display area 151, and displays the schedule vertically in the detail display area 152. The display control unit 40 transmits the information for the generated home screen 140 to the user terminal 12 and controls the user terminal 12 to display the home screen 140 in the detail display area 152.

[0086] When a sporting event of the user's child's favorite sport and running is held during a predetermined period displayed in the month display area 151, the identification unit 43 identifies, for each sporting event, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event. For example, for the sporting event of the user's child's favorite sport and running extracted by the display control unit 40, the identification unit 43 identifies, for each sporting event, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event. For each sporting event, the identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event and corresponding to the child's foot size. For example, the prediction unit 42 predicts, for each sporting event, a change in the child's foot size during the sporting event. For example, the prediction unit 42 calculates the child's current age from the child's date of birth stored in the subject information 31. The prediction unit 42 also determines a future time to predict within the sporting event period. For example, the prediction unit 42 determines the first day of the sporting event period as the future time. The prediction unit 42 extracts, from the foot size change information 35 based on the child's obtained age, an average foot size change amount by age, which is the average change in foot size by age up to a future time point. The prediction unit 42 calculates a predicted foot size change amount by using the extracted average foot size change amount by age up to a future time point. The prediction unit 42 sets the predicted child's foot size as a first foot size and calculates a second foot size, which is the child's foot size at a future time point, by adding the calculated predicted foot size change amount to the first foot size. The identification unit 43 identifies, for each sporting event, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event and corresponding to the child's foot size during the sporting event, from the product information 32. In this embodiment, when identifying recommended shoes corresponding to a sport of a sporting event, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes based on conditions such as color, the type of surface on which the sport of the sporting event is played, and the competition level of the sporting event.For example, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes from the product information 32 that are the same or similar to the color preferred by the child stored in the subject information 31, correspond to the type of sport in the sporting event, correspond to the type of surface on which the sport in the sporting event is played, correspond to the competitive level of the sporting event, and correspond to the child's foot size predicted by the prediction unit 42.

[0087] The month display area 151 allows the user to select a month. When a month is selected in the month display area 151, the schedule for the selected month is displayed in the details display area 152. The details display area 152 also displays schedules for sporting events of the user's child's favorite sport and running according to the event period. The details display area 152 also displays recommended shoes corresponding to the sport of the sporting event during the product recommendation activation period for the sporting event of the user's child's favorite sport and running. For example, when the display period of the schedule in the details display area 152 includes any date in the product recommendation activation period for the sporting event of the user's child's favorite sport and running, the display control unit 40 controls the display in the details display area 152 of information related to recommended shoes for the sporting event identified by the identification unit 43 during the period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period for the sporting event.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a case where December 2023 is selected in the month display area 151 and the schedule for December 2023 is displayed in the detail display area 152. The user's child's age as of December 2023 is 11 years old. The child's age falls within the age range for the national youth soccer tournament. The prediction unit 42 predicts a change in the child's foot size in December 2023. For example, the child's foot size in December 2023 is predicted to be 22.0. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, shoes that are blue or a color similar to blue, correspond to soccer, are played on natural grass on which the national youth soccer tournament is held, have a competition level of 2 for the national youth soccer tournament, and have a size predicted by the prediction unit 42 as recommended shoes. December 2023 falls within the product recommendation activation period for the national youth soccer tournament, which is included in the event information 34. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 in the details display area 152. The details display area 152 of the home screen 140 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a recommendation display area 153 that displays recommended shoes along with a soccer event message, and recommended shoes for soccer are displayed in the recommendation display area 153. A soccer shoe model B in size 22.0 is displayed as a recommended shoe in the recommendation display area 153. When a recommended shoe displayed in the recommendation display area 153 is selected, a pop-up screen 155 is displayed. Information about the selected recommended shoe is displayed on the pop-up screen 155. For example, the pop-up screen 155 displays the model name, size, color, and product description of the recommended shoe. The pop-up screen 155 is provided with a button 156. When the button 156 is selected, an EC (electronic commerce) site selling the recommended shoe is displayed. On the EC site, a page selling the recommended shoe is displayed with the size and color selected according to the size and color of the recommended shoe. This allows the user to smoothly purchase the recommended shoe on the EC site.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of displaying recommended shoes for a sporting event according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where May 2024 is selected in the month display area 151 and the schedule for May 2024 is displayed in the detail display area 152. The prediction unit 42 predicts changes in a child's foot size in May 2024. For example, the child's foot size in May 2024 is predicted to be 22.5. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, shoes that are blue or a color similar to blue, that are the corresponding sport of tennis, that are played on a clay court where the Paris World Championships will be held, that are at a competitive level of 4 for the Paris World Championships, and that are predicted by the prediction unit 42 to be 22.5, as recommended shoes. Here, it is assumed that the product information 32 does not include tennis shoes suitable for clay courts, and that there are no tennis shoes with a size of 22.5 and a competitive level of 4. If there are no shoes that meet the same conditions for the surface type and the competitive level of the sports event, the identification unit 43 may identify shoes that meet a predetermined priority or similar conditions as recommended shoes. For example, because there are no shoes for clay courts, the identification unit 43 identifies shoes for all courts according to the predetermined priority of the surface, and identifies, from among the all-court shoes, shoes with a competitive level of 2 (the highest competitive level below 4) and a size of 22.5 as recommended shoes. May 2024 includes the product recommendation activation period for the Paris World Championships included in the event information 34. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 in the details display area 152. The details display area 152 of the home screen 140 shown in FIG. 9 includes a recommended display area 153 that displays recommended shoes along with a message about the tennis event, and the recommended shoes are displayed in the recommended display area 153. Tennis shoe model C in size 22.5 is displayed as a recommended shoe in the recommended display area 153. When a recommended shoe displayed in the recommendation display area 153 is selected, a pop-up screen 155 is displayed. The pop-up screen 155 displays information about the selected recommended shoe.For example, the model name, size, color, and product description of the recommended shoes are displayed on the pop-up screen 155. When a button 156 on the pop-up screen 155 is selected, an EC site selling the recommended shoes is displayed.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of displaying recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where March 2024 is selected in the month display area 151 and a schedule for March 2024 is displayed in the details display area 152. The prediction unit 42 predicts changes in a child's foot size in March 2024. For example, the child's foot size in March 2024 is predicted to be 22.0. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, shoes that are blue or a color similar to blue, that correspond to running, that have a surface that is a road where running is performed, that have an athletic level of XX marathon athletic level 1, and that are predicted by the prediction unit 42 to be 22.0, as recommended shoes. March 2024 includes the product recommendation activation period for the XX marathon, which is included in the event information 34. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 in the details display area 152. The detail display area 152 of the home screen 140 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a recommended display area 153 that displays recommended shoes along with a running event message, and the recommended shoes are displayed in the recommended display area 153. The recommended display area 153 displays running shoe model D, size 22.0, as a recommended shoe. When a recommended shoe displayed in the recommended display area 153 is selected, a pop-up screen 155 is displayed. Information about the selected recommended shoe is displayed on the pop-up screen 155. For example, the model name, size, color, and product description of the recommended shoe are displayed on the pop-up screen 155. When a button 156 on the pop-up screen 155 is selected, an e-commerce site selling the recommended shoe is displayed.

[0091] [Shoe Information Providing Process] The flow of the shoe information providing process for displaying recommended shoes will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the shoe information providing process according to the embodiment.

[0092] The display control unit 40 generates information for the home screen 140, transmits it to the user terminal 12, and controls the user terminal 12 to display the home screen 140 (step S10). The display control unit 40 displays, in a month display area 151 of the home screen 140, months in which there are sporting events for the user's child's favorite sports and running for a predetermined period, arranged vertically.

[0093] When sporting events of the user's child's favorite sports and running are held during a specified period in the monthly display area 151, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of each sporting event for the sporting events of the user's child's favorite sports and running that are held during the specified period (step S11).

[0094] The display control unit 40 determines whether the display period of the schedule in the details display area 152 includes dates in the product recommendation activation period of the sporting event (step S12). If the display period does not include dates in the product recommendation activation period of the sporting event (step S12: No), the display control unit 40 determines whether to end the display of the home screen 140 (step S13). For example, if the screen is ended or if a transition to another screen occurs, the display control unit 40 determines to end the display of the home screen 140. If the display is not to be ended (step S13: No), the process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if the display is to be ended (step S13: Yes), the display control unit 40 ends the display of the home screen 140 (step S14) and ends the process.

[0095] On the other hand, if the display period of the schedule in the details display area 152 includes the dates of the product recommendation activation period for the sports event (step S12: Yes), the display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 for the sports event in the details display area 152 (step S15), and ends the processing.

[0096] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the specific target person for which recommended shoes are identified is the user's child, and information about recommended shoes for the child is provided to the user. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The specific target person may be any person. For example, if the specific target person is the user himself / herself, the technology of the present disclosure can provide the user with information about recommended shoes for the user himself / herself.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the preferred colors and preferred sports of a specific target person (child) are input and registered in the target person information 31, and recommended shoes are identified based on the colors and sports registered in the target person information 31. However, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to this. The colors and sports of shoes used registered in the used product information 33 may be the preferred colors and sports of the specific target person. Therefore, the identification unit 43 may identify recommended shoes based on the colors and sports registered in the used product information 33. Alternatively, the identification unit 43 may read the colors and sports from the target person information 31 and the used product information 33, respectively, and identify recommended shoes based on overlapping colors and sports or colors and sports registered in at least one of them.

[0098] Each shoe model has its own unique characteristics. For example, when a person runs, the foot rolls inward upon landing, causing the medial longitudinal arch to collapse. This series of foot movements is called pronation and is known as a natural foot movement that disperses impact when landing. An appropriate state in which the foot rolls inward too much is called neutral pronation. A state in which the foot rolls inward too much is called overpronation. A state in which the foot rolls outward too much is called underpronation. There are various running shoe models corresponding to each pronation. Furthermore, cushioning varies depending on the shoe model. Therefore, the technology disclosed herein may identify recommended shoes based on shoe characteristics such as pronation and cushioning. For example, the product information 32 further includes shoe characteristics such as pronation and cushioning for each shoe. The target person information 31 further includes shoe characteristics such as pronation and cushioning suitable for a specific target person. The shoe characteristics suitable for a specific target person may be input via a screen or may be identified from the shoes used by the target person registered in the used product information 33. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes that correspond to the type of sport in the sporting event and the characteristics of shoes suitable for the specific target person, and that correspond to the foot size of the specific target person, from the product information 32. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes that have characteristics such as pronation and cushioning that are suitable for the specific target person as recommended shoes.

[0099] In the above embodiment, when identifying recommended shoes for a sport in a sporting event, the prediction unit 42 has been described as predicting a change in a child's foot size during the sporting event. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The prediction unit 42 may also predict a change in a child's foot size during a product recommendation trigger period for the sporting event.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the detailed display area 152 displays recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event without limiting the area where the event is held. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Recommended shoes corresponding to a sporting event held in an area corresponding to a user may also be displayed in the detailed display area 152. The area corresponding to the user may be the user's residential area or the area where the user is located. If the user terminal 12 has a location identification function such as a GPS (Global Positioning System), the area where the user is located may be determined from the location identified by the location identification function of the user terminal 12. Furthermore, IP addresses used for communication are classified by country or prefecture. Therefore, the area where the user is located may be determined from the IP address used by the user terminal 12 for communication. For example, the event information 34 further includes the area where the sporting event is held. The display control unit 40 extracts from the event information 34 sporting events held in the area corresponding to the user and related to a sport preferred by children stored in the target person information 31. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about recommended shoes for the extracted sporting event in the detailed display area 152 during the period corresponding to the product recommendation trigger period of the sporting event. This allows the server 11 to display to the user recommended shoes for the sporting event being held in the area corresponding to the user.

[0101] Effect of the Embodiment As described above, the server 11 (shoe information providing device) includes a memory unit 21b (subject information memory unit), a memory unit 21e (event information memory unit), a memory unit 21c (product information memory unit), an identification unit 43, and a display control unit 40. The memory unit 21b stores subject information 31 including the type of sport preferred by the specific subject. The memory unit 21e stores the duration of a sport event and a product recommendation activation period set in association with the event period. The memory unit 21c stores product information 32 of shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event. When a sport event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific subject is held during a predetermined period of calendar information on a user terminal 12 (display unit) that displays calendar information for the predetermined period, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event from the product information 32. The display control unit 40 controls the display of information about the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit 43 on the user terminal 12 during the period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period in the calendar information.

[0102] This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes suitable for a sporting event.

[0103] The storage unit 21e also includes, for each sporting event, the type of surface on which the sport is played. The product information 32 also includes, for each shoe, the corresponding surface type. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport and surface type of the sporting event. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes corresponding to the type of surface of the sporting event.

[0104] The target person information 31 also includes the date of birth of the specific target person. The storage unit 21e further includes, for each sporting event, a target age range for the sporting event. When the age determined from the date of birth of the specific target person falls within the target age range and a sporting event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific target person is held during a predetermined period in the calendar information, the identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event from the product information 32. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes suitable for sporting events that fall within the target age range for the specific target person.

[0105] The storage unit 21e also includes, for each sporting event, the athletic level of the sporting event. The product information 32 also includes, for each shoe, the corresponding athletic level. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport and the athletic level of the sporting event from the product information 32. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes corresponding to the type of sport and the athletic level of the sporting event in accordance with the athletic level of the sporting event.

[0106] The target person information 31 further includes shoe characteristics suitable for the specific target person. The product information 32 further includes shoe characteristics for each shoe. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport in the sporting event and the shoe characteristics suitable for the specific target person from the product information 32. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes corresponding to the type of sport in the sporting event and the shoe characteristics suitable for the specific target person.

[0107] The server 11 (shoe information providing device) further includes a prediction unit 42. When a sporting event corresponding to a type of sport preferred by the specific target person is held during a predetermined period in the calendar information, the prediction unit 42 predicts the specific target person's foot size during the sporting event period or the product recommendation activation period. The identification unit 43 identifies, from the product information 32, recommended shoes that correspond to the type of sport of the sporting event and that correspond to the specific target person's foot size predicted by the prediction unit 42. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes that correspond to the specific target person's predicted foot size during the sporting event period or the product recommendation activation period, even if the specific target person is a child whose foot size changes as they grow.

[0108] The subject information 31 further includes the foot size of the specific subject. The identification unit 43 identifies recommended shoes that correspond to the foot size of the specific subject included in the subject information 31. This allows the server 11 to recommend shoes that correspond to the subject's foot size.

[0109] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 11 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the server 11 includes a computer including a processor 3010, a memory 3020, an input / output IF 3030, and a bus 3040. The processor 3010, the memory 3020, and the input / output IF 3030 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via the bus 3040.

[0110] The processor 3010 executes each function by reading and executing a management program stored in the memory 3020. The processor 3010 is, for example, an example of a processing circuit, and includes one or more of a CPU, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a system LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0111] The memory 3020 includes one or more of a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The input / output IF 3030 includes, for example, an AD converter, a DA converter, an input / output port, etc.

[0112] Server 11 may also be configured to include a data reading unit that reads a computer-readable management program from a recording medium on which the management program is recorded. Processor 3010 controls the data reading unit to obtain the management program recorded on the recording medium from the data reading unit, and can store the obtained management program in memory 3020. The recording medium may include, for example, one or more of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible memory, an optical disk, a compact disk, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0113] Server 11 may also include a communication unit that receives the management program from the server via a network. In this case, processor 3010 can obtain the management program from the server via the communication unit and store the obtained management program in memory 3020.

[0114] The disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the above-described embodiments may be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0115] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Shoe information providing system 11 Server 12 User terminal 20 Communication unit 21, 21a to 21f Storage unit 22 Control unit 30 User information 31 Subject information 32 Product information 33 Product usage information 34 Event information 35 Foot size change information 40 Display control unit 41 Registration unit 42 Prediction unit 43 Identification unit

Claims

1. A shoe information providing device having: a subject information storage unit that stores subject information including a type of sport preferred by a specific subject; an event information storage unit that stores a period during which a sporting event is held and a product recommendation activation period set in association with the period; a product information storage unit that stores product information of shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event; an identification unit that identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event from the product information when a sporting event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific subject is held during a specified period of calendar information displayed on a display unit for a specified period; and a display control unit that controls the display of information regarding the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit during the period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period of the calendar information.

2. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, wherein the event information storage unit further includes, for each sporting event, the type of surface on which the sport is played, the product information further includes, for each shoe, the corresponding type of surface, and the identification unit identifies, from the product information, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport and type of surface of the sporting event.

3. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, wherein the target information further includes the date of birth of the specific target person, the event information storage unit further includes, for each sport event, a target age range for which the sport event is targeted, and the identification unit identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event from the product information when the age determined from the date of birth of the specific target person falls within the target age range and a sport event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific target person is held during a specified period in the calendar information.

4. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, wherein the event information storage unit further includes, for each sporting event, a competitive level of the sporting event, the product information further includes, for each shoe, a corresponding competitive level, and the identification unit identifies, from the product information, recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport and competitive level of the sporting event.

5. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, wherein the target information further includes shoe characteristics suitable for the specific target person, the product information further includes shoe characteristics for each shoe, and the identification unit identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event and the shoe characteristics suitable for the specific target person from the product information.

6. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, further comprising a prediction unit that predicts the foot size of the specific target person during the period in which a sporting event corresponding to a type of sport preferred by the specific target person is held during a specified period of the calendar information or during the product recommendation trigger period, and the identification unit identifies recommended shoes from the product information that correspond to the type of sport of the sporting event and that correspond to the foot size of the specific target person predicted by the prediction unit.

7. The shoe information providing device of claim 1, wherein the subject information further includes a foot size of the specific subject, and the identification unit identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the foot size of the specific subject included in the subject information.

8. A shoe information providing method in which a computer executes a process based on a subject information storage unit that stores subject information including a type of sport preferred by a specific subject, an event information storage unit that stores a period during which a sporting event is held and a product recommendation activation period set in association with the period, and a product information storage unit that stores product information of shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event, when a sporting event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific subject is held during a specified period of calendar information on a display unit that displays calendar information for a specified period, identifying recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sporting event from the product information, and controlling the display of information regarding the identified recommended shoes on the display unit during the period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period of the calendar information.

9. A shoe information provision system comprising a user terminal and a shoe information provision device, wherein the user terminal has a display unit that displays calendar information for a predetermined period, and the shoe information provision device has a subject information storage unit that stores subject information including a type of sport preferred by a specific subject, an event information storage unit that stores a period during which a sport event is held and a product recommendation activation period set in association with the event period, a product information storage unit that stores product information of shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event, an identification unit that, when a sport event corresponding to the type of sport preferred by the specific subject is held during the predetermined period of the calendar information on the display unit, identifies recommended shoes corresponding to the type of sport of the sport event from the product information, and a display control unit that controls the display of information regarding the recommended shoes identified by the identification unit during the period corresponding to the product recommendation activation period of the calendar information.

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