Shoe Selection Support System Using Distribution Diagrams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoe sizes vary among manufacturers and models, and individual differences in foot size and comfort preferences complicate the selection of suitable shoes, leading to inefficient trial fitting and increased returns in mail-order purchases.
Innovation Solution
A shoe selection support system that includes a database for shoe and member information, generating distribution diagrams to intuitively show compatible shoe sizes and foot sizes, allowing users to select suitable shoes based on individual differences and member feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shoe sizes are indicated by predetermined values at regular intervals, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but individual fitting comfort cannot be adequately addressed due to size variations among manufacturers and models
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the discrete shoe size parameter into a continuous representation by displaying actual foot size measurements (e.g., 24.5cm, 25.2cm) alongside corresponding shoe sizes. This allows customers to see precise size mappings for different manufacturers and models, enabling them to select shoes that better match their actual foot dimensions while maintaining standardized size labeling.
2Reliability
If customers try on shoes to select suitable footwear, then fitting comfort can be confirmed, but time is spent by both customers and store clerks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary size matching by displaying distribution diagrams that show which shoe sizes are most suitable for customers based on their measured foot size. Customers can pre-identify candidate shoes before visiting the store or completing their purchase, significantly reducing the number of trial fittings needed and allowing store clerks to focus on assisting with final selections rather than basic size matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution diagram serves as an intermediary tool between the customer's foot size and the available shoe inventory. It translates complex size variations across different manufacturers into a visual representation that shows probability distributions of fit quality, enabling customers to make informed decisions without extensive physical trials.
3Ease of operation
If shoes are purchased by mail order without trial fitting, then convenience is improved, but returns increase when shoes do not fit
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary size verification through distribution diagrams that show the likelihood of good fit for different shoe options based on the customer's measured foot size. Customers can review this information online before purchasing, reducing uncertainty and the likelihood of returns while maintaining the convenience of mail-order shopping.
4Loss of information
If information from other people's comments and feedback is used for shoe selection, then social proof is provided, but individual differences in foot size and preference limit the usefulness of such information
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by segmenting user feedback according to specific foot size ranges and displaying it alongside the corresponding portion of the distribution diagram. Customers can see comments and experiences from other users with similar foot sizes, making the feedback more relevant and actionable while still leveraging collective wisdom from the community.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a shoe selection support system in which it is possible to utilize information from other people while considering individual differences and in which it is possible to easily select suitable shoes.This system is provided with: (a), a shoe information storage unit (27) which associates and stores shoe IDs and shoe information; (b), a member information storage unit (28) which associates and stores member IDs and member information that includes foot size; (c), a related information storage unit (29) which associates and stores related information, shoe IDs and member IDs; (d), a shoe size distribution generation unit (22) which generates shoe size distribution data for showing a shoe size distribution diagram; (e), a foot size distribution generation unit (23) which generates foot size distribution data for displaying a foot size distribution diagram; and (f), a member specification unit (25) which generates specific member data for showing the position corresponding to the foot size of the specified member in a shoe size distribution diagram and a foot size distribution diagram.