JP7470564B2 - Coordination proposal device, coordination proposal method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology that suggests outfits.

In clothing stores, various clothing items are displayed as merchandise. It can be difficult to determine how to combine these items to create an outfit, so they may show examples of outfits by having mannequins dress them up. However, since a mannequin is needed for each outfit, a method is used in which outfits are shown to customers in more detail by displaying them on a smartphone app or in-store display.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system that retrieves product combinations purchased by other users and enables users to purchase products from there. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that suggests outfits to users based on outfit conditions input by the user.

JP 2019-46115 A JP 2002-339135 A

However, even if a system suggesting outfits is placed on a large display in a store, multiple customers who come shopping together may touch the same large display at the same time, which can make it difficult to use or for many customers to experience the system. In addition, even if an app for outfit search is distributed, it is difficult to improve the customer experience in the store because it is not only used in the store, and there was a concern that it would be difficult to increase the rate of repeat visits.

The present invention aims to provide a way to efficiently link multiple screens in stores such as clothing stores, while providing coordination based on a specific theme.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an information processing device that includes a first display means for receiving a main operation from a user, and a plurality of second display means for receiving a secondary operation from the user and respectively displaying a coordination image corresponding to a theme selected by the user, and each of the plurality of second display means displays thumbnail images of a plurality of products included in the coordination image displayed on the device itself, based on the selection of the coordination image displayed on the device itself by the user.

The present invention makes it possible to efficiently link multiple screens and provide more customers with outfits based on specific themes.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a proposed system including a display device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the display device. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the proposed system, and FIGS. 1B to 1E are schematic diagrams showing examples of display screens of a display device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing how the devices work together. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing how the devices work together. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a product list displayed on the second display device, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a map showing product location information displayed on the second display device.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a coordinate suggestion device 1000 (hereinafter referred to as a suggestion system 1000) including a display control device 100. The suggestion system 1000 includes the display control device 100, a server 200, a first display device 300, and a plurality of second display devices 310. The display control device 130, the server 200, and the inventory information server are communicatively connected by a network 400. The network 400 includes, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless base station such as WiFi, a provider device, and a dedicated line. In this embodiment, the network 400 indicates a communication system that communicates according to the TCP/IP protocol. The suggestion system 1000 is a system that displays previously acquired coordinate information on a plurality of second display devices based on the user's operation on the first display device 300 and the second display device 310, and guides the user to detailed information (inventory information and location information) corresponding to a product specified by the user.

The first display device 300 and the second display device 310 are, for example, tablet terminals. However, they may also be smartphones, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), desktop PCs, etc. Details of the first display device 300 and the second display device 310 will be described later using FIG. 3, but 3 x 3 tablet screens of approximately the same shape are arranged side by side. The display control device 130 is mutually connected to the first display device 300 and the second display device 310. The display control device 130 includes a display control unit 110, an input control unit 120, and a processing unit 130.

The display control unit 110, for example, transmits coordinate information to be displayed on the first display device 300 and the second display device 310, and transmits images to be displayed synchronously on the first display device 300 and the second display device, and is controlled by the processing unit 130.

The input control unit 120 acquires touch operations (main operations) on the first display device and touch operations (secondary operations) on the second display device 310, and acquires requests from the first display device and requests from the second display device. These requests can include various requests such as a request to acquire coordination information, a request to acquire product information for a specific product, a request to acquire inventory information, a request to acquire a floor map, and a request to acquire product location information.

The processing unit 130 includes a reception unit 131, an IF unit 132, and a division unit 133. The reception unit 131 receives a request acquired by the input control unit 120. The IF unit 132 requests the server 200 (or the coordinate information server 210) for identification information and associated location information of the product designated by the reception unit 131 based on the request, and receives the response. In addition, the IF unit 132 receives inventory information of the designated product, for example, inventory information of the product in the target store from a database for product inventory management in each store. When still image content, video content, etc. supplied from the server 200 are divided and displayed on multiple display devices, the division unit 133 divides the content to be displayed on each display device, and skips the processing of content that does not need to be divided. In response to a user's designation, the display unit 110 displays a floor map. The display control unit 133 can also superimpose a location corresponding to the product location information received by the IF unit 132 on the floor map in an identifiable manner.

The server 200 includes a store information storage unit 201, a product information storage unit 203, and an output unit 204. The store information storage unit 201 stores floor map images for each store and location information for each product in each store. The product information storage unit 203 stores the product ID of each product in association with information indicating the details of each product and attribute information (thumbnail image of the product, high-resolution image of the product, product category, size, color, advertising slogan, etc.). The coordinate information server 210 stores each coordinate image (thumbnail image of clothing, high-resolution image of clothing) in association with an image ID and a product ID included in each coordinate. The thumbnail image of each product included in each coordinate may be stored in the coordinate information server 210. The output unit 204 acquires location information and inventory information of a product specified by a user from the store information storage unit 201 or the product information storage unit 203 in the second display device 310, converts the information into a format suitable for the second display device 310, and outputs the information via the display control device 100. The server 200 also stores video and still image content for product promotion, and can distribute this promotional content based on a request from the display control device 100.

Each product and shelf fixture in the store is assigned an RFID, and by scanning these RFIDs in advance using a specified RFID reader, the position of the product whose RFID has been scanned can be estimated and stored in the store information storage unit 201 of the server 200. The coordination information server 210 also performs image analysis on previously uploaded coordination images, identifies products included in the outfit shown in the coordination image, and associates the coordination image with a product ID and stores it.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the first display device 300 and the second display device 310. The display device 300 (310) includes a storage unit 20, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a communication unit 24, a display unit 25, and an input unit 26.

The memory unit 20 stores a program that is executed by the CPU 21 to realize the flow described below, as well as data used by this program.

The CPU 21 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 23 or the storage unit 20, and controls each unit of the display device 100. The ROM 23 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 21 when the display device 100 is started up, programs that depend on the hardware of the display device 100, and the like. The CPU 21 deploys the program in the ROM 23 onto the RAM 22, and executes the deployed program to realize the flow described below. The CPU 21 may obtain these programs from another device via the network 400 and execute them, or may directly execute the programs stored in the ROM 23.

The communication unit 24 receives display control device 130 data via a wired connection and sends it to the CPU 21, and transmits data generated by the CPU 21 and operations and instructions by the user to the display control device 130 via the wired connection described above. Note that the server 200 and the display control device 130 each have the same configuration as in FIG. 2 (CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.), but detailed explanations are omitted. The input unit 26 is, for example, a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc. that accepts operation input from the user, and accepts instructions and input from the user via the touch panel or keys. Note that the input unit 26 also functions as the display unit 25, and the display unit 25 and the input unit 26 may be integrated into one structure.

Figure 3 (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining the external appearance of the proposed system 1000. Here, as an example, a configuration will be explained in which one first display device 300 is installed on a piece of furniture, with eight second display devices 310 arranged around it. The first display device 300 and the second display device 310 are each connected to a display control device 100 (not shown) that functions as a set-top box. Figures 3 (B) and (C) show example screens of the first display device 300. Figures 3 (D) and (E) show example screens of the second display device 310.

4 and 5 are sequence diagrams showing how the devices work together. In step S40, the first display device 300 and the second display device start working together. The trigger for starting the working together may be the camera of the first display device recognizing that the user has approached the first display device, or the user touching the first display device. In step S41, the second display device 310 displays a theme screen as shown in FIG. 3(D). In FIG. 3(D), "happy colors" is written as the theme notation 311. Images showing images corresponding to the theme notation and representative coordination may also be displayed. The eight second devices 310 shown in FIG. 3(A) each display a different theme, and may display themes corresponding to seasonal trends, items, materials, and colors, such as "earth colors," "transparent coordination," "backless," "sherbet colors," "classic blue," and "nature mood." These themes may be set in advance in the second display device 310, or may be periodically distributed from the server 200.

In step S42, the first display device 300 displays a display for accepting a secondary operation of selecting one of the themes displayed on the second display device 310, as shown in FIG. 3B. In step S43, the user touches one of the second display devices 310, which selects the theme displayed on the second display device 310 touched by the user, and the selected second display device 310 transmits a message to notify the display control device 100 of the selected theme. In step S44, the display control device 100 obtains a message indicating the theme selected by the user from the second display device 310, and obtains coordination information based on this theme from the coordination information server 210 via the network. The coordination information includes an image showing how multiple products are worn according to the coordination information and a product ID indicating each product, and the display control device 100 obtains coordination information indicating different styles of wearing for the number of second display devices 310. The display control device 100 sends an instruction to switch the main operation screen of the first display device 300 to the screen of FIG. 3(C) (S45), and also sends the acquired coordinate information to each second display device 310 to switch the sub-operation screen to display the coordinated screen of FIG. 3(E) (S46).

3(C) is one of the main operation screens displayed by the first display device 300, and buttons 301 and 302 are displayed. Button 301 displays "Shuffle", and when the user presses it, the display control device 100 re-executes step S44 to obtain other eight pieces of coordination information, and displays the new coordination information on each of the second display devices 310. Button 302 displays a "Theme Selection" screen, and when the user presses it, the display control device 100 returns to the state of step S40, the first display device is in the state of step S42, and the second display device 310 is in the theme display state. Button 312 is displayed on the coordination display screen of FIG. 3(E), which is one of the sub-operation screens, and this button 312 displays the notation "View worn items", and when the user presses it as one of the sub-operations, the second display device requests the display control device 100 to obtain product information included in the coordination (S47). In addition, in a state where individual coordinations are displayed on multiple second display devices 310, each second display device 310 can be operated individually for the sequence from step S47 onwards. In other words, multiple users on the same theme can independently operate different second display devices 310 to check details of products included in coordinations that interest them. This allows multiple users who come shopping together to separately operate coordinations related to the same theme to search for desired products. Also, the same user can operate two or more second display devices 310 for multiple coordinations, allowing comparison of details of products related to different coordinations displayed on each second display device 310.

In step S48, the display control device 100 acquires detailed product information included in the coordination selected by the user from the product information storage unit 203 of the server 200. The display control device 100 acquires detailed information about the product from the product information storage unit 203 based on the product ID included in the coordination information selected by the user. The detailed information includes attribute information indicating size and color variations of each product, and evaluation information and reviews by other users. The display control device 100 then sends detailed information about each product included in the coordination information selected by the user to the second display device 310. In step S49, the second display device 310 displays a product list (described later using FIG. 6) based on the detailed information acquired from the display control device.

Figure 5 shows the continuation of the sequence in Figure 4. When the user selects one from the product list (S50), the second display device 310 sends to the display control device 100 the product ID indicating the product selected by the user and a message requesting detailed information about the product. In step S51, the display control device 100 acquires details of the product selected by the user from the product information storage unit 203 of the server 200. In step S52, the second display device 310 displays the acquired product details. If the second display device 310 has already acquired detailed information about the products included in each coordination from the display control device 100 in step S48, the second display device 310 may omit sending a request and the display control device 100 acquiring information (S51). However, if all data is imported in advance in step S48, the amount of data between the second display device 310 and each server via the display control device 100 increases from the time the user selects the coordination information until the product list is displayed, and the response may be delayed. Therefore, there is a trade-off between data volume and response time, and whether to accept user selections sequentially to reduce the amount of data transferred and speed up response, or to reduce user selection actions and transfer large amounts of data, depends on the interface and device specifications.

In step S53, when the user selects a product for which the user wants to check the product location from the product list, the second display device 310 sends a message requesting the location information to the display control device 100. Based on the product ID included in this message, the display control device 100 acquires the product's location information (X, Y coordinates and floor on the floor map) from the store information storage unit 201. In step S55, the second display device 310 superimposes an icon indicating the product location on the floor map stored in advance at a location corresponding to the acquired location information (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 (B)). In step S56, when the user selects a product for which the user wants to check the inventory from the product list, the second display device 310 sends a message requesting inventory information to the display control device 100. Based on the product ID included in this message, the display control device 100 acquires the product's inventory information (total number in stock, how many in the sales floor, how many in the store warehouse, etc.) from the store information storage unit 201. In step S55, the second display device 310 displays the acquired stock information (for example, if there are three or fewer items in stock, an X mark is displayed to indicate that there is no stock, if there are four to five items in stock, a △ mark is displayed to indicate that there is only a small amount of stock remaining, and if there are six or more items in stock, a ◯ mark is displayed to indicate that there is stock).

In step S59, if the user finds that the product he or she desires is not in stock at the store when checking the stock, the user can choose to purchase the product online. The EC purchase procedure may be performed directly on the proposed system 1000, but it is preferable to transfer the contents to the user's smartphone so that the user can purchase the product using a browser or dedicated app that the user normally uses. When transferring the contents to the smartphone, a two-dimensional code that embeds the product ID and link information (WWW URL) of the product detail page on the Internet can be displayed on the second display device 310 of the proposed system 1000, and the user can take a picture of the code with the smartphone to transfer the code to the smartphone. The order of the processes in steps S50, S53, and S56 may be reversed. In addition, the inventory information and product location may be displayed when displaying the product list.

FIG. 6(A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a list of products included in a coordination image selected by a user on the second display device 310. The second display device 310 displays thumbnail images 601 and buttons 602 for each of the products included in the coordination image. The user can select one of the thumbnail images 601 by a touch operation (secondary operation) to select a product and view more detailed information.

When the user presses the button 602, the product location in the store is identifiably displayed on the floor map as shown in FIG. 6(B) based on the link information associated with the tapped button 603. FIG. 6(B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a floor map showing product locations. When the product specified by the user is in stock, the location of the specified product in the store is identifiably displayed on the floor map. In this figure, an icon 603 indicates the location of the specified product. It is preferable that the icon 603 is displayed on the floor map in an emphasized manner, for example, by highlighting the icon 603 with a highlighting color, by surrounding the icon with a frame, by blinking, or the like. In this way, by displaying the product location on the floor map, the user can accurately and smoothly find the desired product. Also, the user can take a picture of the two-dimensional code 604 with a smartphone, take over the floor map and product location on the smartphone browser, and check them while actually walking around the store.

In addition, in step S47, if the product location, store inventory, and product details are acquired, the list shown in FIG. 6 (A) may be supplemented with a reduced image of a floor map including the product location, information showing the store inventory, general product information, color variations, and size variations.

The number of second display devices 310 may be eight or more, and when not operating in conjunction with the first display device 300, the second display device 310 may operate independently as a terminal for searching for products. When operating independently, it is sufficient to enable searches based on product categories (MENS, WOMENS, KIDS, TOPS, etc.), themes, and product names. Also, multiple sets of display devices as shown in FIG. 3(A) may be arranged side by side.

As described above, this embodiment allows multiple screens to be efficiently linked, and allows more customers to be provided with outfits based on specific themes, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.

<Other embodiments>
Although the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above based on several drawings, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. When the processing in the display control device 100, the first display device 300, the second display device 310, and the server 200 is realized by a computer, the processing contents of the functions that each part of these devices should have are executed based on a program. The program describing the above-mentioned processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any other suitable type. The processing of each part may be configured by executing a predetermined computer-readable program on a computer.

Claims (7)

a first display means for receiving a main operation from a user;
a plurality of second display means for receiving a secondary operation from a user and displaying a coordinate image corresponding to a theme selected by the user,
The coordination suggestion device is characterized in that each of the plurality of second display means displays thumbnail images of a plurality of products included in the coordination image displayed on the device, based on a user's selection of the coordination image displayed on the device. The coordination suggestion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the plurality of second display means are displaying images corresponding to different themes and a secondary operation is received from a user on one of the plurality of second display means, each of the plurality of second display means displays a coordination image corresponding to the theme displayed on the second display means that received the secondary operation. The coordination suggestion device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the plurality of second display means displaying the coordination image individually accepts a secondary operation from the user and operates independently. The coordination suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second display means, when accepting a selection from a user of a thumbnail image of the product, displays a map showing the location of the product. The coordination suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the second display means accepts a selection from the user for the coordination image, it displays, for each of a plurality of products included in the coordination image being displayed on the device, a thumbnail image of the product, a map showing the location of the product, and the inventory of the product in association with each other. A coordination suggestion method using a computer including a first display means for receiving a main operation from a user, and a plurality of second display means for receiving a secondary operation from the user and displaying a coordination image corresponding to a theme selected by the user, the method comprising:
The coordination suggestion method is characterized in that each of the plurality of second display means has a display step of displaying thumbnail images of a plurality of products included in the coordination image displayed on the device based on a user's selection of the coordination image displayed on the device. A computer including a first display means for receiving a main operation from a user, and a plurality of second display means for receiving a secondary operation from the user and displaying a coordinated image corresponding to a theme selected by the user,
A computer-readable program that causes each of the plurality of second display means to function to display thumbnail images of a plurality of products included in the coordination image displayed on the device based on a user's selection of the coordination image displayed on the device.

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