WO2010125409A1

WO2010125409A1 - System and method for administering discrete items

Info

Publication number: WO2010125409A1
Application number: PCT/GR2010/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Effimia Panagiotidou
Original assignee: Effimia Panagiotidou
Priority date: 2009-04-29
Filing date: 2010-04-21
Publication date: 2010-11-04
Also published as: GR1006894B

Abstract

The described system and the method refer to the administration of discrete items and particularly to the production and management of colours and designs' combinations, among discrete items, in a way as to create a total acceptable according to pre-defined criteria. This system functions with screen (1), knowledge base (5), rule base (6), processing and control means (7), data base (4) and user interface and data input (9). The system can comprise the ability of checking authenticity and learning system (8), i.e. learning from examples, and following, conclusions based on the acquired knowledge.

Description

System and method for administering discrete items

The invention belongs to the field of electronic technology and/or computer technology. In particular, it belongs to the field of administration of discrete items of electronic / computer form.

The system and method described herein deals with discrete items administration and with producing certain combinations amongst these items based on their features, in particular on their colour, form, and material, such that said combinations meet certain predefined criteria. The basic idea underlying the system and method proposed, is that management of discreet items and the production of combinations of these items based on those criteria, can be automated, written in code, and used by any user, private or professional, with the help of computer technology.

The problem solved by this invention, results when studying the combinations of numerous elements of a set, and it is the number of combinations, that theoretically result by the combination analysis, that number being disproportional huge. The problem is aggravated when items of different categories have to be combined, whereby combinations are subject to certain, user-defined conditions. This is for instance the case in internal space decoration, in garden arrangements, in apparel combinations and styling, in planning and decoration of special purpose internal spaces (e.g. aircraft or vehicle cabins). The combinatorial problem gets particularly difficult as the number of items and hence the number of possible combinations is increases. The user cannot check all possible item combinations one by one for the purpose of selecting only those fulfilling predefined criteria. A necessary condition is that the number of combinations to be individually considered is reduced using a method based on certain rules. Such rules might be based for instance on the nature of the items, their colour, their material, their form, such that only a reduced number of combinations is proposed to the user for final selection.

Another technical problem solved by this invention is to check and verify authenticity of named products.

The present method and the corresponding system, in it's most basic edition, comprise, among others, the following features: A knowledge and rules base, a processing and control means and a data base.

Additionally, the system may include a video recording and/or display unit and a corresponding data base, printing means, means to communicate results via internet, such that the whole system may be used, for instance, as en electronic services commercial operation, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, the system comprises the ability of the acquisition of knowledge (education - learning system), i.e. a means to learn from examples and subsequently to derive conclusions on the basis of the learned rules. In particular, the system can be provided with user- defined conditions and based on a learning mechanism, produce and store a number of rules corresponding to the conditions and the user's preferences. These rules can then be used to create further combinations.

Additionally, the system enables management of all the discrete items such that at any moment in time there is clear information as to the current items available in the set, as well as their use, displacement, addition or deletion to and from the set and processing according to predefined criteria. For instance, all changes are possible, such as addition of new items in the set, deletion of pre-existing items, change of the features of existing items etc. This management operation is necessary in order to define which items are available to be used for creating combinations, since it may well be the case that certain items are temporarily not available to participate in combinations. The system is usually installed close to where the combinations will be used, and in case of professional operation, in the commercial user's premises.

Alternatively, the system can be installed on the basis of a computer network or operate via the internet.

The system is user-friendly, even if the user has no technical knowledge or is not familiar with computers. In its simplest form, the system suggests to the user combinations amongst the distinctive items that are already in the user's possession, provided that the user has entered the features of these items in the database. Furthermore, the database can also be updated with distinctive items not yet in the user's possession, provided that the features of these items have been made available by their manufacturer, or alternatively, the items will be entered by the user in the categories chosen by him.

Given that the features of the discrete items are provided directly by their manufacturer, it is possible for the system also to discern authentic named products from illegal copies (counterfeit products).

From the existing literature it is not known the existence of a system similar to the one described herein, i.e. an integrated system comprising the entirety of the described constituent parts and implementing the functionality as described in the technical description below. In particular, there exists no similar system including the capability to check the authenticity of the product, which at the same time displays educating/learning ability from examples, i.e. rules extraction from the specific about the general, and/or ability to be used by visually impaired persons, e.g. the color blind.

The annexed figures present, in short:

Figures 1 up to 5, show the structure and operation of the system in the general case of application, independently of the nature of the items managed. In particular:

Figure 1 shows the basic structure of the system, and in particular the basic flow of information and control amongst the components of the system.

Figure 2 shows how the system functions on the elementary level, thus leading to the final combinations' results, acceptable by the user.

Figure 3 shows the database maintenance and updating process.

Figure 4 shows the structure of the system and the flow of information and control after adding the learning component.

Figure 5 shows the learning process of the learning component.

Figures 6 to 10 show the system structure and operation in the specific application of the invention in the specific sector of styling of clothes and accessories and in particular: Figure 6 shows the elementary system structure and more specifically the basic information and control flow amongst the different constituents of the system in the styling clothes/accessories field, including the detachable memory means and the reading means for reading the detachable memory means.

Figure 7 shows the functioning of the system in the styling clothes/accessories field, leading eventually to the combination of apparel and colors acceptable by the user.

Figure 8 shows the data base updating and maintenance process in the styling clothes/accessories field. It includes the case of the detachable readable memory means and the corresponding reading means, and also the case of the entry of clothes that are not equipped with the detachable readable memory means.

Figure 9 shows the structure of the system and in particular the basic information and control flow amongst the different constituents of the system in the styling clothes/accessories field, including the learning component.

Figure 10 shows the learning process with positive and negative examples of the learning component when the system is applied in the styling clothes/accessories field.

More specifically, the system described, in its simplest form, as shown in figure 1, includes, among others, the following:

1) Screen or other display device (Fig. 1, n. 1)

2) User interface and phonetic interface and data input device (n. 9) 3) Data base (n. 4), for storing the data of each discrete item as well as data regarding the item management such as identification code, data of last update, availability, predicted date of availability, reason of non-availability, etc, which data are entered directly by the user. 4) Knowledge base and rule base (n. 5 and 6) for storing data and rules regarding the various item combinations, directly by the user, according to the various categories, and/or from the system programmer, and/or from the learning component, and/or from the items manufacturer via a detachable memory means, which is attached to the item. The knowledge base (5) stores mainly data of declarative knowledge, and the rule base (6) stores mainly data of procedural knowledge. The aforementioned data and the rules given by the system producer can be modified by the user. 5) Rendering software (n. 7). 6) Processing and control means (n. 7), operative to:

- display on the display means the data stored in the data base (4), the knowledge base (5) and the rules base (6)

- accesses the internet to obtain data regarding the specific application - accept user commands regarding the criteria, according to which the combinations will be produced

- selects from the data base (4) those discrete items that fulfil, firstly individually, the aforementioned criteria

- based on the user commands, the data from the internet, the selected discrete items from the data base (4), the data from the knowledge base (5), and the rules stored in the rule base (6), produces and proposes to the user on the display means (1) various combinations of the selected discrete items which combinations fulfil the aforementioned criteria, and constitute a subset of the possible combinations according to combinatorial analysis, and the corresponding pictures.

In the simplest mode of operation, according to figure 2, upon activation of the system by the user, the system can access the internet and verify the originality of a discrete item, based on an identification code, provided by the item's manufacturer. Moreover the user can derive information from the internet concerning the basic parameters that influence the desired combinations and are relevant to the specific application field. Next, the user enters to the system, basic criteria necessary for the production of combinations. Based on the internet-derived data, and the user's selections, the system selects a first set of discrete items, which, each one for itself, fulfils the conditions entered by the user. Next, using the data and the rules stored by the manufacturer in the knowledge base and rule base (fig. 1, n. 5 and 6), the system proposes to the user respective combinations amongst the selected items. The number of the proposed combinations is significantly lower than the number of combinations according to combinatorial analysis, given that applying the rules out of the rule base excludes some of the combinations as non-acceptable. The user has the choice to accept one of the proposals (fig. 2) or to review the criteria and ask for new proposals by repeating the process. Upon acceptance of a result, the system records this result in the knowledge base and rule base (fig. 1, n. 5 and 6). Results that have been identified as accepted can be used in the future during the learning phase (education).

Figure 3 shows the updating and maintenance process of the data base. "Updating" refers to adding or deleting items from the data base. "Maintenance" refers to changing the features of the items already stored in the data base, e.g. identifying an item as provisionally unavailable.

Figure 4 shows the system structure after adding the learning component.

Figure 5 shows the system's capability to activate the learning component and to let the user train the system. In particular, the system can acquire knowledge (education - learning system ( fig. 4, no 8), i.e. learning from examples and reaching conclusions based on the acquired knowledge. More specifically, the user can enter into the system combinations of his own choice. Next, the system, based on any of the well-known knowledge acquisition mechanisms (e.g. neural networks), can produce and store a set of combination rules that correspond to the specific user's preferences. These rules, once acquired and stored, can be used by the system as base for production of further combinations for the specific user. As is shown in fig. 5, during the learning phase, the user can provide both positive and negative examples to the system.

In the following, and by way of example, a non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described, in the field of styling clothes/accessories field using apparel, reference is made to figures 6 to 10, where the predefined criteria refer to styling appropriate for specific occasions applied combined with specific rules. The desired result is the production of a styling proposal, which, when meeting the standards set by the user, is accepted by the system and is proposed to the user as appropriate for the event at hand.

Additionally, the system enables the management of the content of the user's wardrobe, such that the user can at any moment be informed about the content. Thus the user can be informed about the use and/or whereabouts of the items in the wardrobe, (even in case they have been sent away for cleaning, repair, rent, etc) and the user can effect the update of the contents according to predefined criteria. In its simplest form, the system proposes to the user combinations of the items already in the user's possession, i.e. items that have been obtained before the installation of the present invention and therefore do not possess any detachable readable memory means containing their features. However, the system as shown in figure 6, has also the ability to be used to the clothing/accessories manufacturing industries since it has detachable data saving means (2) concerning the items.

In particular, as shown in figure 6, the proposed embodiment as applied in its simplest form in the styling the clothing/accessories field, for producing combinations of garments, includes, among others, the following:

1) Screen or other display means (preferably placed in the user's wardrobe (fig. 6, no I)).

2) User interface and phonetic interface (no 9) 3) Detachable saving digital or analogue data means (2), e.g. chip, magnetic stripe, bar code, for storing the distinctive features of the specific cloth/accessory, (including at least one picture e.g. a photograph of the specific cloth/accessory). The mentioned detachable, readable memory means is attached to the item when the item is purchased by the user. Concerning clothes/accessories in sale after the application of the present invention, those data given by the manufacturer-provided.

4) Reader (no. 3) of the data stored in the above memory means (no. 2), able to read the data stored distinctive features of the specific item and store it in the data base (4).

5) Data base (4) for storing the abovementioned distinctive features of the specific cloth/accessory as well as other information pertaining to the cloth/accessory, as e.g. availability (cloth available or away for cleaning/modification/ repair/rent) etc. The same data base includes the data pertaining to the clothes/accessories that belonged to the wardrobe before the implementation of the present invention.

6) Knowledge base and rule base (5 and 6) for storing data and rules pertaining to different styles and rules for combining different clothes. The data and rules can be stored directly by the user, according to the user's preferences with regard to different categories, they can be stored and/or by the system programmer, and/or by the learning component, and/or by the cloth/accessory manufacturer with the help of the detachable readable memory means (fig. 6, no 2) attached to the item when purchased. The rules can be declarative knowledge rules, e.g. that a coat is not used in the Mediterranean region during the summer months, and can also be procedural knowledge rules, e.g. that black color can be combined with white color, a skirt can be combined with a shirt but not with a pair of trousers etc. These rules, given by the system programmer, can be modified by the user.

7) Rendering software (no 7).

8) Processing and control means (no 7) operable to: display on the display means the data stored in the data base (no 4) accesses on the internet data relevant to the season of the year, climatic and weather conditions, time of the day etc. accepts user input relevant to a general style, the occasion at hand, the material, specific clothes/jewels/accessories etc. - based on user input, the data from the data base (4), and the knowledge and rules stored in the knowledge base and rule base (5, 6), produces and proposes a variety of styles and displays the corresponding pictures on the display means (1).

In that simplest form (fig. 6), the proposed system operates as follows: Every apparel/accessory item is equipped with a detachable label or similar coded data storage means, which carries a bar code, the like provided by the item manufacturer (magnetic stripe, chip, etc.). This is mostly already presently the case with the existing clothes' labels. However, in the invention described, the coded data (bar code or chip or magnetic stripe) carry much more information than is presently the case. In particular, besides data referring to the price, or the availability etc, in the proposed invention every cloth/accessory purchased, carries on its label provided by the manufacturer, also data which include, amongst others, for instance: i) the producer's/manufacturer's name of the cloth/accessory ii) a visual representation of the cloth/accessory/shoes etc., e.g. a photograph iii) the features of the cloth, e.g. material, size, colour, colour or manufacturing pattern, cleaning and maintenance instructions data, country of origin etc. iv) the manufacturer's general suggestions for the cloth/accessory's use, e.g. whether it is preferably for morning or evening use, winter or summer use, etc. v) the manufacturer's general suggestions as to the proper combinations of the specific cloth/accessory with other items taking into consideration the style, the colour etc. vi) the manufacturer's specific suggestions as to with which clothes/accessories of the same manufacturer, of the same or previous collection, the specific cloth can be combined, those clothes also bear specific codes by the manufacturer. vii) a special authenticity code certifying that the specific item is genuine and not an unauthorized copy/imitation of a named product.

As shown in figure 7, upon system activation by the user, the originality of an item can be checked and certified based on a special authenticity code the specific item is equipped by its manufacturer. Next, and always via internet, the user can, if so desired, be inform about specific parameters influencing the choice of items (as for instance weather conditions) which are presented by the system to the user. Following this step, the user enters to the system basic criteria necessary for the production of combinations of items, for instance the occasion (evening or morning outfit, office or business attire, outfit for entertainment, winter or summer dress), or the kind (dress or skirt or trousers and shirt etc.). Based on the above internet data and the user' s choices/criteria, the system using the rules stored by the system manufacturer or/and the cloth's manufacturer in the knowledge and rule base (fig. 6, no. 5 & 6), suggests to the user respective garment combinations. The user has the choice to accept one of the proposals, or to revise the criteria and ask for new suggestions by repeating the procedure. Upon accepting a result, the system enters it in the knowledge and rule base (no. 5 & 6) and uses it for future use during the learning phase (education), as shown in figures 9 and 10.

Alternatively, the user can pre-select specific clothes/accessories as the "basis" of desired eventual combinations proposed by the system (e.g. spring apparel, morning or business clothes, labour clothes, special appearance, 18 degrees temperature, combination of skirt - blouse, command to create a combination based on a specific white shirt or on a specific shoes pair the user wishes to wear).

The user can also increase the number of items to be included in the combinations, as for instance to ask the system to propose shoes or/and accessories also (jewels, belts, scarves, gloves, bags, etc), as well as to set the number of combinations to be suggested by the system, as for instance one proposal only or 5, or 10, etc.

Alternatively, the user can sidestep many of the initial choices and to go directly to specific middle parts of the program, for instance to ask for individual suggestion only as to which shoes can be combined with a certain handbag, etc.

The system can rank the suggestions according to predefined criteria, for instance according to the frequency with which certain suggested combinations finally have been chosen by the user during previous uses, etc.

Additionally, the system can store certain choices of combinations provided by the user. These combinations can then be presented to the user, each time the user selects any of the items included in the stored combinations.

The system can as well inform the user about the date a certain item has been used for the last time, about the date a certain item has been removed from the wardrobe (for whatever reason, e.g. repair, cleaning etc), and about the date of return. A certain item can as well be deleted from the data base, also the system can create a list of all the clothes that have not been worn for a certain time (e.g. two months, six months, two years, etc.). Also, the system could change the fulfillment of other services relevant to the wardrobe, as for instance accelerating their return from the cleaner, by way of a communication between the cleaning service and the system, possibly in the framework of a subscription mechanism.

Figure 8 shows updating and maintenance of the data base (4), and the enrichment of the data base with new data, and specifically: - after purchasing each new cloth/accessory, the user enters the item's data in the system, by using the bar code reader means (or other detachable readable memory means) (fig. 6, no 3) reading the label data while afterwards the label or other detachable readable memory means can be disposed of. Recording of the item's data takes place in the data base (figure 6, feature 4) where the user stores all data from all clothes he purchases, either through electronic reading of their labels, while at the same time, an originality check/verification of the item's authenticity code takes place. The process described above is called "updating", and this term includes deleting items from the data base,

- also shows that the user can directly enter in the system further data and additional features relevant to the stored clothes, as for instance that a clothe needs repair or that a clothe is currently with the cleaning service and will be due on a certain date. This process above n this invention is called "maintenance" and is relevant to clothes/accessories already stored in the data base. Part of the updating process is the possibility for the user to include in the system clothes that according to the present state of the art, when they were purchased they were not equipped with a bar code with the above data, or also clothes that were already present in the user's wardrobe before installation of the present invention, independent of whether when purchased, they were provided or not, with the detachable readable memory means (bar code etc). In case for any reason no detachable readable memory means of the clothe 's features is provided, the user can enter directly those clothes in the data base by entering their data, entering each cloth to the category he believes the cloth belongs according to its' features, by using where appropriate, one or more pictures of the cloth he shot, thus replacing the categorization the system would do to the same cloth, if the cloth had a detachable readable memory means (label, etc. no 2).

Figure 9 shows the system structure and the flow of information and control after inclusion of the learning component, whereas figure 10 shows respectively the corresponding learning process.

In particular, figure 9 shows the system structure including the learning component (fig. 9, no 8). The learning component can be implemented in any known way, for instance neural networks, statistical methods etc.

Figure 10 shows system operation when the learning component is activated and the system is trained by the user. In particular, the system can acquire knowledge/be educated from examples (learning system figure 9, no 8) and draw conclusions based on the acquired knowledge. The algorithms to be used belong to the general field of learning systems (for instance neural networks).

More specifically, the user can feed the system with combinations of his own choice, and with specific circumstances under which the combinations are appropriate. Then, the system, operating under any of the known learning mechanisms, can derive and store a set of rules which reflect the preferences of the specific user. The learning mechanism can be based, for instance, on a neural network which, on further operation, and in combination with the acquired rules, can be used by the system as a start in order to produce further styling suggestions. In the state of the art there are ample algorithms for training neural networks and there are abundant of- the-shelf commercial products, implementing algorithms concerning learning from examples. Such commercial products, which can be used for implementing the invention, and which correlate input parameters (as input by the user) and eventually can produce rules for styling proposals, are for instance Matlab MathWorks.com (and in particular Neural Network Toolbox), the open-source package SciLab and Basis-of-AI- backprop (http://www.mcs.com), FuzzyCOPE (http://kel.otago.ac.nz/software/ FuzzyC0PE3/misc/FAQ.html), Mactivation, NeurDS

(ftp.gatekeeper.dec.com), NeuroSolutions (www.nd.com/download/ downnsv3.htm), Rochester Connectionist Simulator (ftp.cs.rochester.edu), SNNS, The Brain, NeuroShell2/Neuro Windows, NeuralWorks etc.

As shown in figure 10, the user can furnish the system with both positive and/or negative examples.

Specifically the positive examples are a number of styling combinations, corresponding to the user's choices and which the system does not influence. Being trained to the user preferences and having reached the relative combinations' rules, the system can propose similar styling combinations.

In the same way, negative examples contribute to train the system to create rules for avoid specific combinations, which are defined by the user as a priori unacceptable. In the same way the user can characterize as negative example a proposition made by the system, and by this way educates the system not to make the same or a similar proposal again.

The various system components are updated or revised in an automatic manner, for instance through internet connection. The user may make internet connection periodically, under a subscription scheme, in order to update the program, e.g. with new combination proposals. Similarly, the whole system can operate on a subscription base, where the user is the receiver of the system's services. The system can be applied for home use, e.g. installed in the user's closet, as well as remotely via the internet. It can be professionally used, for service to third parties, mainly under the following two schemes: either checking and approving styling proposals electronically sent by the users, or advising the users according to the proposals created at a central, professional installation, which stores the data of each user.

Any user can operate the system, including person with visual impairment, like the color blind. It can be operated by all the members of the family, or by a professional offering styling advisor services. The system can also incorporate styling knowledge from past times or geographical regions (e.g. mediaeval time, 20's, central Europe etc). In this case, time and place are parameters of the system, leading to styling combinations pertaining to certain periods and certain places or regions. In this particular case the system can be of use to the historic stylist or the theatre stylist.

Additionally, the system can include visualization means and / or video means and corresponding data base, printing means, data transfer means e.g. via a network or the internet, such that it can be used as a professional service provider system etc.

Claims

]4CLAIMS

1. System for administering discrete items and producing combinations amongst said discrete items, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

i) screen or other display means (1)

ii) data input means (9), for entering data pertaining to the discrete items and for entering data by the user

iii) data base (4) for storing data pertaining to the discrete items

iv) knowledge base (5) and rule base (6), for storing, respectively, data pertaining to the use of the discrete items and rules for creating combinations amongst the discrete items according to predefined criteria

v) rendering software

vi) data processing and program control means (7), which, in response to data entered by the user, and using the data base (4), the knowledge base (5), and the rule base (6), produces combinations amongst the discrete items, said combinations corresponding to the data entered by the user, and displays through the rendering software (7) a pictorial representation of said combinations on the screen or other display means (1).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a learning means (8), which accepts user-defined combinations, and, by using a learning mechanism such as the use of positive and negative examples, creates and stores in the knowledge base (5), a plurality of rules corresponding to the combinatorial preferences of the user, and which rules can be used by the system for creating further combinations.

3. System according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that, specifically for creating combinations on the field of clothes/accessories, it further comprises: i) detachable mean (2) for storing digital or analogue data, which mean contains the distinctive features and the authenticity code of a specific discrete item which mean is attached on the item, ii) reading mean (3), operable to read the data stored on said detachable mean (2), checking the authenticity of the item and storing the data of the item in the data base (4), and further characterised by the fact that a data input means (9) records the movements of said clothes/accessories items and updates the data base (4) according to the items' availability.

4. System according to claims 1 to 3 characterised by the fact that the data input mean (9) comprises a graphic user interface and / or a phonetic user interface (9).

5. System according to claims 1 to 4 characterised by the fact that it also operates on a computer network and/or on the internet.

6. System according to claims 1 to 5 characterised by the fact that the data input means (9) has the ability to enter pictures of the discrete items and to store those pictures in the data base (4).

7. Method for administering and creating combinations amongst discrete items, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: i) entering the distinctive features of the discrete items and entering data by the user, using a data input means (9) and storing said data in a data base (4) ii) displaying the data stored in the data base (4) on a screen or other display means (1) iii) storing in a knowledge base (5) and a rule base (6), respectively, data pertaining to the use of the discrete items and rules for combining the discrete items, according to predefined criteria iv) based on data entered by the user, and using the data in the data base (4), the data in the knowledge base (5), and the rules in the rule base (6), through data processing and program flow control, creating combinations amongst the discrete items, said combinations corresponding to the data entered by the user, and presentation through rendering software (7) of said pictures on the screen or other display means (1).

8. Method according to claim 7, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it may further comprises the following steps: i) providing the system with user-defined combinations, such as corresponding to positive or/and negative examples, and ii) functioning of a learning system (8) which creating and storing a plurality of rules that correspond to the combinatorial preferences of the sprcific user, and which rules can be used by the system for creating further combinations.

9. Method according to claims 7 and 8, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that specially for creating combinations amongst discrete clothes /accessories, it comprises the following additional steps: . i) use of a detachable data storing means (2), digital or analogue, having stored the distinctive features and the authenticity code of the specific discrete item, which is attached to the item, ii) reading the data stored on the detachable means (2), and storing of them in the data base (4), by using a reading means (3) iii) checking authenticity of the cloth/accessory on the basis of an originality code, and further characterised by the fact that, by using a data input means (9) records the movements of the clothes/accessories and updates the data base (4) according to the items' availability.

10. Method according to any of claims 7 to 9, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it is being implemented on the system, through the internet connection, and for a single user or on a computer network, and on a subscription basis.

11. Method according to any of claims 7 to 10, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that data input takes place wholly or partly via a graphic user interface and / or a phonetic interface (9).

12. Method according to any of claims 7 to 11, as implemented by the system of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the data input means (9) comprises the ability of entering pictures of the discrete items and storing the pictures in the data base (4).