Visual Product Comparison Using Personal Reference Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in intuitively understanding the real-world size of products when viewing them online, as dimensions like height, width, and color are not enough to convey the actual size.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for visual image comparison that allows users to compare product images with either personal or standardized objects by receiving a request for a visual comparison, retrieving relevant images, generating dimensional properties, and displaying these images to show the relative size, using an auto comparator module integrated with web portals, reference objects database, and display module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If product dimensions are provided in numerical form, then information accuracy is improved, but user comprehension and intuitive understanding deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimension information accuracyVSAvoiduser comprehension of real-world size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of a reference object (such as a credit card or common item) and places it alongside the product image. This copy allows users to intuitively compare sizes without needing to interpret numerical dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between precise measurement information and user comprehension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reference object as an intermediary between the product and the user. This intermediary provides a familiar size reference that mediates the user's understanding of the product's real-world dimensions, transforming abstract numerical data into concrete visual comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If product images are displayed without reference objects, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to convey real-world size deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidreal-world size perception

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates or retrieves a copy of a reference object and displays it alongside the product image. This adds size context information without requiring complex user input or system configuration, maintaining relative simplicity while preventing information loss about real-world dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The reference object is pre-selected and prepared in advance based on the product type, so that when the product image is displayed, the appropriate size reference is already in place. This preliminary preparation ensures size information is conveyed without adding operational complexity during the user interaction phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10133954B2Visual comparisons using personal objects

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide automated systems and methods for visualizing a product using standard and personal objects. An image can be retrieved from the shopping history or shopping cart of a user, and the dimensions of the image can be automatically adjusted to make an accurate relative size comparison to a product for purchase.