JP2005108013A - Information providing method and information providing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing method and information providing program for efficiently performing sales of commodities. <P>SOLUTION: A user terminal 10 is connected with a management computer 21 of a sales system 20 via the Internet I. The management computer 21 is connected with a character information storage section 22, a clothing information storage section 23 and a commodity information storage section 24. The management computer 21 specifies a character of an image similar to a self-portrait of a user received from the user terminal 10 based on the character information in the character information storage section 22. The management computer 21 extracts an image of clothing worn by this specified character in the past based on the clothing information in the clothing information storage section 23. The management computer 21 specifies a commodity most similar to the image of the extracted clothing based on the commodity information storage section 24, and transmits the information related to this commodity to the user terminal 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing method and an information providing program for searching for a product using a similar image search and providing information about the product.

  At present, the purchase of merchandise may be performed not only through the store but also via the Internet. When purchasing via the Internet, the purchaser usually searches for products using keywords or the like. However, words such as keywords cannot sufficiently express shapes and patterns. Therefore, when the purchaser wants a product having a desired shape or a product having a desired pattern, it is difficult to search for the desired product using words. Thus, a technique for searching for a product having a specific shape or a product having a specific pattern based on an image is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a similar floor plan real estate based on the real estate drawing, or a product having a specific shape or pattern based on the shape or pattern shown in the image is searched. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a technique for extracting image features and determining similarity between images is used.

On the other hand, techniques for determining image similarity are described in detail in, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3.
In Patent Document 2, first, based on the color of each pixel constituting an image, it is specified whether each pixel belongs to any region in a color space divided into a plurality of regions. Then, an image color histogram is generated based on the number of pixels belonging to each region, and image similarity determination is performed based on the color histogram.

In Patent Document 3, first, an edge of an image is extracted based on pixel color information. Then, based on the edge of the image, the feature amount of the image regarding the outline of the article and the configuration of the image is extracted. Then, image similarity determination is performed based on the feature amount.
JP 2002-245045 A JP 2000-187731 A JP 2000-285141 A

  However, fashion-related products, such as clothes, may be purchased as a decisive factor whether it suits you. When purchasing at a store, the user can receive advice from a salesperson as to whether clothes are suitable. For this reason, the user can purchase goods efficiently with reference to advice from the salesperson. However, in the case of selling products via the Internet, it is often difficult for a salesperson to handle. For this reason, the user may not know whether the clothes suit him or not, and sometimes purchases it after careful consideration. Therefore, there is a problem that the product cannot be sold efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information providing method and an information providing program for efficiently selling products.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an information providing method for providing information about a product using a management computer connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the management An identification step of identifying image data designated by the user terminal; an image retrieval step of retrieving a similar image similar to the image data identified in the identification step; and the similar image The summary includes a product search stage for searching for a product, and a product information transmission stage for transmitting information related to the product extracted in the product search stage to the user terminal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information providing method according to the first aspect, the product search step includes a whole image search step of searching for a whole image partially including the similar image, and one of the whole images. And a search stage for searching for information relating to a product having an image that is the same as or similar to the image of the part.

The invention according to claim 3 is the information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the product search stage searches for sound as the product.
The invention according to claim 4 is the information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specifying step specifies image data relating to the user.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management computer receives information about the product transmitted to the user terminal from the user terminal. The gist is to further include a purchase stage.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an information providing program for providing information relating to a product using a management computer connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the management computer is designated from the user terminal Specifying means for specifying the image data obtained, image searching means for searching for a similar image similar to the image of the image data specified by the specifying means, product searching means for searching for a product associated with the similar image, and the product The gist of the present invention is to function as product information transmission means for transmitting information on the product extracted by the search means to the user terminal.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information providing program according to the sixth aspect, the product search means includes a whole image search means for searching for a whole image including a part of the similar image, and one of the whole images. And a search means for searching for information relating to a product having an image that is the same as or similar to the image of the part.

The invention according to claim 8 is the information providing program according to claim 6, wherein the product search means searches for sound as the product.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is the information providing program according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the specifying unit specifies image data related to the user.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the information providing program according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the management computer receives information related to the product transmitted to the user terminal from the user terminal. The gist is to further function as purchasing means.

(Function)
According to the first or sixth aspect of the invention, the management computer transmits information related to a product associated with similar image data similar to the image data received from the user terminal to the user terminal. That is, since the management computer provides the user with the product associated with the similar image, the management computer can propose the product with no sense of incongruity even when associated with the image received from the user terminal. Thereby, the user can acquire information on a product that can be associated with the image transmitted from the user terminal, and can efficiently purchase the product. Therefore, it is possible to sell products efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 2 or 7, the management computer searches for a whole image including a similar image as a part thereof, and transmits information related to a product that is the same as or similar to a part of the whole image to the user terminal. To do. Thereby, since the management computer proposes a product that visually harmonizes with a similar image via the entire image, it is possible to propose a product that is highly likely to harmonize with the image received from the user terminal. Therefore, the user can obtain information on products that are highly likely to be harmonized, and can efficiently purchase products. And it can sell goods efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 or 8, the management computer searches for information related to the sound associated with the similar image, and transmits this sound to the user terminal as information related to the product. For this reason, the user can acquire the sound suitable for the transmitted image.

  According to the invention described in claim 4 or 9, image data related to the user is received from the user terminal. Here, the image data relating to the user is an image of the user's own image or image data of an object owned by the user. For this reason, the management computer can propose a product having a high possibility of harmony based on the image data related to the user. Therefore, the user can obtain information about a product that is highly likely to be harmonized with image data related to the user, and can efficiently purchase the product. And it can sell goods efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 5 or 10, when the user purchases a product, the management computer receives information on the product transmitted to the user terminal. For this reason, the user can easily purchase a product simply by transmitting a purchase notice for the product for which information has been provided. Therefore, it is possible to sell products efficiently.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently provide information about products.

(First embodiment)
1st Embodiment which actualized this invention is described based on FIGS. In this embodiment, a sales system used when clothing is sold will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the user uses the user terminal 10 as shown in FIG. The user terminal 10 is a personal computer, for example, and has a storage unit (not shown). For example, image data such as a user's own image is recorded in the storage unit. Furthermore, the user terminal 10 is provided with a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. The display is used to display information received by the user terminal 10. The keyboard and mouse are used for the user to input various instructions. The user terminal 10 is connected to the sales system 20 via the Internet I as a network.

In the present embodiment, the sales system 20 is a system owned by a company that sells clothing. The sales system 20 includes a management computer 21. The management computer 21 performs data management processing for executing data transmission / reception and various information processing with the user terminal 10. The management computer 21 has a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. (not shown), and will be described later (a product search stage comprising a specific stage, an image search stage, an overall image search stage and an information search stage, a product information transmission stage, and a purchase. Process including stages). By executing the information providing program for this purpose, the management computer 21 functions as a product search means, a product information transmission means, and a purchase means comprising a specifying means, an image search means, a whole image search means and an information search means. .

The management computer 21 of the sales system 20 is connected to a person information storage unit 22, a clothing information storage unit 23, and a product information storage unit 24.
As shown in FIG. 2, the person information storage unit 22 stores person information 220 related to the person for each person. This person information 220 is registered in advance before the service by the sales system 20 is performed. In the present embodiment, the person information storage unit 22 records information about a person in a specific field such as an entertainer. The person information 220 includes data related to a person identifier, a face image, and a feature amount.

In the person identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for identifying and specifying a person is recorded.
In the face image data area, data related to the face image of the person specified by the person identifier is recorded.

  In the feature amount data area, data relating to the feature amount of the image recorded in the face image data area is recorded. The feature amount is a value that quantitatively represents the feature of the image, and includes the values of the items of overall color, color distribution, outline, and pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the clothing information storage unit 23 stores clothing information 230 related to the clothing of the person stored in the person information storage unit 22. The clothes information 230 is recorded when a predetermined person wears new clothes. The clothing information 230 includes data relating to a person identifier, a clothing image, and a feature amount.

  Data about an identifier for identifying a person is recorded in the person identifier data area. Based on the data recorded in the person identifier data area, the person information 220 and the clothing information 230 are associated with each other.

  In the clothing image data area, data relating to the image of the clothing worn by the person identified by the person identifier is recorded. This data is specifically image data of the entire photograph of the person, and corresponds to the data of the entire image in the present embodiment.

In the feature amount data area, data relating to the feature amount of the image of the clothing part included in the image recorded in the clothing image data area is recorded.
As shown in FIG. 4, the merchandise information storage unit 24 stores merchandise information 240 of clothes to be sold. This product information 240 is recorded by the time new clothing is sold. The product information 240 is composed of product identifiers, product descriptions, product images, and image data related to feature quantities.

In the product identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a product for the clothes being sold is recorded.
In the product explanation data area, data relating to the explanation about clothes is recorded. This description relates to, for example, the size, price, and material of the clothes.

In the product image data area, data relating to images of clothes to be sold is recorded.
In the feature amount data area, data relating to the feature amount of the image recorded in the product image data area is recorded.

Next, the processing procedure in the sales system 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user terminal 10 performs access processing on the sales system 20 (step S1-1). Specifically, the user terminal 10 is connected to the sales system 20 via the Internet I. Upon receiving access from the user terminal 10, the management computer 21 of the sales system 20 transmits screen data to the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 displays the search screen 100 shown in FIG. 7 on the display based on the screen data received from the management computer 21 (step S1-2).

  The search screen 100 includes a file name display field 102 and a send button 103. The file name display field 102 is a display field for displaying the file name of the image file designated by the user. The send button 103 is a button for instructing data transmission of a file having the file name displayed in the file name display field 102.

Here, the user causes the file name display field 102 to display the name of the file storing the image data including his / her face photograph using the keyboard and mouse.
When the transmission button 103 is selected by the user, the user terminal 10 transmits the image data to the sales system 20 (step S1-3). At this time, the image data transmitted by the user terminal 10 is the image data of the file name displayed in the file name display field 102.

  Next, the management computer 21 of the sales system 20 calculates the feature amount of the received image data (step S1-4). The calculation of the feature amount is performed based on the received image data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the management computer 21 changes the feature amount of the image IP received from the user terminal 10 from the skin color part to the face outline and the face color, from the red part to the mouth, Calculation is performed by extracting a contour such as hair from the black portion.

  Then, the management computer 21 specifies a similar person (step S1-5). Specifically, the management computer 21 compares the calculated feature amount of the image IP with the feature amounts of the person images A1, A2,... An of the person information 220 recorded in the person information storage unit 22. In this case, the management computer 21 performs the comparison with an emphasis on the outline and arrangement such as the shape and arrangement of the mouth and eyes rather than the overall color of the image. As a result of the comparison, the management computer 21 calculates the similarity of the person images A1, A2,. Here, for the sake of explanation, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the similarity of the person image A1 is calculated as 60%, the similarity of the person image A2 is 95%, and the similarity of the person image An is 80%.

  Further, the management computer 21 extracts the person image A2 having the highest similarity of 95% based on the calculated similarity. That is, the management computer 21 extracts a person image A2 that is most similar to the received image IP. Then, the management computer 21 specifies a person corresponding to the extracted person image A2, and acquires the person identifier of the person.

  Next, the management computer 21 extracts clothes images (step S1-6). Specifically, the management computer 21 has worn the person in the past from the clothing information 230 recorded in the clothing information storage unit 23 based on the person identifier of the person corresponding to the extracted person image A2. Clothing images B1, B2,... Bn are extracted.

Next, the management computer 21 specifies a product (step S1-7). Specifically, the management computer 21 extracts feature values of each clothing in the clothing images B1, B2,... Bn from the clothing information 230. Further, the management computer 21 extracts feature amounts of the images from the product information 240 having the product images C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively. Then, the management computer 21 compares the feature amount of the clothing information 230 with the feature amount of the product information 240 to calculate the similarity. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the product image C1 is 60% with respect to the clothing image B1, the product image C2 is 95% with respect to the clothing image B2, and the product image C3 is 55% with respect to the clothing image B2. The image C4 has a 50% similarity calculated with respect to the clothing image Bn. Then, the management computer 21 specifies a product having the product image C2 that is the product with the highest similarity based on the calculated similarity.

  Next, the management computer 21 transmits the proposed product information regarding the specified product to the user terminal 10 (step S1-8). That is, the management computer 21 transmits the product identifier, the product description, and the data related to the product image C2 of the product having the product image C2 having the highest similarity to the user terminal 10.

  The user terminal 10 displays the received suggested product information on the display (step S1-9). Specifically, the user terminal 10 displays a search result screen 150 shown in FIG. 8 on the display. The search result screen 150 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes information on the product image C2 and the product identifier. Further, the search result screen 150 includes a detail button 151, a purchase button 152, and an end button 153.

Here, when the user selects the detail button 151, the user terminal 10 displays detailed information related to the product description such as the size, price, and texture of the product.
When the user selects the purchase button 152, the user terminal 10 displays a purchase screen on the display. When information necessary for product purchase such as the user's name and address is input to this purchase screen and the send button is selected, the user terminal 10 displays information necessary for the product purchase and the search result screen 150. The merchandise identifier displayed in (1) is transmitted to the management computer 21 of the sales system 20. Thereby, the user can purchase the product displayed on the search result screen 150.

Furthermore, when the user selects the end button 153, the user terminal 10 disconnects the connection with the sales system 20 and ends the process.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 specifies a person image A2 similar to the image data of the user's own image received from the user terminal 10. Further, the management computer 21 extracts a clothing image B2 associated with the identified person image A2 via a person. Then, the management computer 21 transmits information on clothes having a product image C2 similar to a part of the extracted clothes image B2 to the user terminal 10. Thereby, the clothing similar to the clothing worn by the person similar to the user can be proposed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently propose clothing that is highly likely to suit the user. Moreover, since the clothing of the product image C2 similar to the clothing of the clothing image B2 associated with the person image A2 is proposed, there is almost no room for the user's subjectivity to enter the proposed clothing. Therefore, the user can receive a proposal for clothing on a more objective basis. And it can sell goods efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the management computer 21 specifies a person image A2 that is most similar to the image data received from the user terminal 10, and a product image C2 that is most similar to a part of the clothing image B2 associated therewith. Information on the clothes is transmitted to the user terminal 10. For this reason, the management computer 21 provides information on products that are more likely to match the person of the image IP received from the user terminal 10. Therefore, since the user can acquire information on a product that can be associated with the image transmitted from the user terminal 10, the user can purchase clothes more efficiently.

In the present embodiment, a person image A2 of a person similar to the image IP of the user's own image
And the image data of the user's own image received from the user terminal 10 and the product image C2 are associated with each other through the clothing image B2 including a clothing similar to the proposed clothing product image C2. Yes. For this reason, the management computer 21 can propose the product image C2 similar to the product in harmony with the person image A2 in the clothing image B2. Therefore, it is possible to propose a product that is highly likely to suit the user.

  In the present embodiment, when purchasing a product displayed on the search result screen 150, the user selects the purchase button 152. As a result, the user terminal 10 transmits purchase information for purchasing the received product to the management computer 21. The management computer 21 sells the product to the user based on the received purchase information. Therefore, the user can easily purchase the clothing for which information has been provided simply by selecting the purchase button 152.

  In the present embodiment, when the user selects the detail button 151 on the search result screen 150, the user terminal 10 displays detailed information about the product in the product image C2 on the display. For this reason, the user can obtain detailed information of the proposed product, and can easily make a purchase decision on the product.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a case where music is sold as a product will be described. The music sold in this embodiment is used as background music (BGM). Note that in the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone is used as the user terminal 30 as shown in FIG. The user terminal 30 has an imaging mechanism, and can capture a landscape or the like using the imaging mechanism and store it as an image. The user terminal 30 includes a display unit 31, a selection button 32, an input button 33, and the like. The user terminal 30 can capture and transmit an image by pressing the selection button 32 or the input button 33.

  The user terminal 30 is connected to the music distribution system 40 via the Internet I. The music distribution system 40 includes a management computer 41. The management computer 41 performs data management processing for executing data transmission / reception and various information processing with the user terminal 30. The management computer 41 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like (not shown), and performs processing described later (processing including a specific stage, an image search stage, a product search stage, and a product information transmission stage). By executing the information providing program for this purpose, the management computer 41 functions as specifying means, image searching means, product searching means, and product information transmitting means.

The management computer 41 of the music distribution system 40 is connected to the landscape information storage unit 42 and the music information storage unit 43.
As shown in FIG. 10, landscape information 420 relating to a landscape image is recorded in the landscape information storage unit 42. This landscape information 420 is recorded when at least one piece of music is associated with a captured still image. The scenery information 420 includes scenery identifiers, scenery images, and data relating to feature amounts.

In the landscape identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a landscape is recorded.
Landscape image data is recorded in the landscape image data area.

In the feature amount data area, data relating to the feature amount of the landscape image recorded in the landscape image data area is recorded.
As shown in FIG. 11, music information 430 related to the provided BGM is recorded in the music information storage unit 43. The music information 430 is recorded when new music is associated with the captured still image. Further, the music information 430 includes data relating to a landscape identifier, music, and music description.

  In the landscape identifier data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a landscape is recorded. The landscape information 420 and the music information 430 are associated with each other through the data recorded in the landscape identifier data area.

  In the music data area, BGM sound data associated with the landscape specified by the landscape identifier is recorded. The association between the scenery and the BGM here is performed depending on whether the images are common or used when the scenery is broadcast.

  In the music explanation data area, data related to the explanation of BGM stored in the music data area is recorded. Specifically, there are explanations of the BGM performers and composers, the reason why the BGM is associated with the landscape specified by the landscape identifier, and the like.

Next, the processing procedure of the music distribution system 40 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When receiving the BGM distribution of the present embodiment, the user registers in advance in the music distribution system 40. More specifically, the music distribution system 40 receives information related to the user terminal 30 and information related to the user required for charging before the user receives BGM distribution, and records it in a storage unit (not shown). And register users.

  When the user wants to receive BGM distribution, the user connects the user terminal 30 to the music distribution system 40. In other words, the user terminal 30 performs access processing on the music distribution system 40 (step S2-1). Specifically, when the user terminal 30 accesses the music distribution system 40, the management computer 41 of the music distribution system 40 confirms the user registration of the accessing user. Then, the confirmation of user registration is completed, and the management computer 41 transmits screen data to the user terminal 30.

The user terminal 30 displays the request screen 200 shown in FIG. 13 based on the received screen data (step S2-2).
The request screen 200 includes a photographing button 202 for photographing an image to be transmitted to the music distribution system 40 and a cancel button 203 for canceling the process.

  Here, when the user selects the shooting button 202, the user terminal 30 is ready for shooting. Therefore, when a predetermined button is pressed by the user, the user terminal 30 captures a scene of the current location of the user (step S2-3). Then, when shooting is completed and image data is generated, the user terminal 30 transmits the shot image data to the music distribution system 40 (step S2-4).

  The management computer 41 of the music distribution system 40 calculates the feature amount of the image based on the received image data (step S2-5). Also in the present embodiment, the image feature amount is obtained by a known calculation method.

Next, the management computer 41 specifies a similar landscape (step S2-6). Specifically, the feature amount calculated in step S2-4 is compared with the feature amount of the landscape information 420 stored in the landscape information storage unit 42, and the similarity is calculated. Then, the scenery having the highest similarity is specified as a similar scenery.

  Then, the management computer 41 extracts music (step S2-7). Specifically, the management computer 41 extracts a landscape identifier of the specified landscape from the landscape information 420. Next, the management computer 41 extracts music (sound data) associated with the extracted landscape identifier from the music information 430 recorded in the music information storage unit 43.

  Then, the management computer 41 transmits the extracted sound data to the user terminal 30 (step S2-8). The user terminal 30 plays music (BGM) based on the received sound data (step S2-9).

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the management computer 41 transmits BGM associated with a landscape image similar to the landscape image to the user terminal 30 based on the landscape image data received from the user terminal 30. For this reason, the management computer 41 can propose BGM suitable for a landscape image similar to the received landscape image. If a landscape image is associated with a BGM because the images are common or used when the landscape is broadcast, a BGM that is highly likely to match the landscape image is proposed to the user. can do.

  In the present embodiment, when the user terminal 30 captures an image, the user terminal 30 transmits the image to the music distribution system 40. Further, the user terminal 30 immediately plays the BGM received from the management computer 41. For this reason, the user can easily obtain a BGM that matches the scenery of the photographed current location with a simple operation of photographing an image.

  In this embodiment, after registering in advance, the user receives BGM distribution. That is, the user only needs to transmit the landscape image to the music distribution system 40 when receiving the distribution of BGM. For this reason, when you are in the landscape, you can immediately hear the appropriate BGM.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In the first embodiment, when the management computer 21 receives the image data of the user's own image from the user terminal 10, the management computer 21 stores the product image C 2 data of the product stored in the product information storage unit 24. 10 sent. The information regarding the product transmitted to the user terminal 10 may not be limited to this. For example, the clothing image B2 extracted in step S1-6 of the above embodiment may be transmitted to the user terminal 10, or information related to the product used in the clothing image B2 may be transmitted to the user terminal 10. Good. Thereby, the user can determine purchase of a product while viewing the clothing image B2.

  In the first embodiment, the management computer 21 sends information related to the product of the product image C2 having the highest similarity to the clothing images B1, B2,... Bn extracted in step S1-6 to the user terminal 10. sent. Instead of this, for example, information related to all products having a predetermined degree of similarity such as 80% or higher may be transmitted to the user terminal 10. Thereby, the user can obtain information on more products with high possibility of matching.

In the first embodiment, the product having the product image C2 associated through the clothing images B1, B2,. Instead of this, information on products associated with other than the entire image may be provided. For example, you may propose the goods linked | related with the person itself. Specifically, a storage unit is provided in which information on products that have been commercialized by entertainers and the entertainers are recorded in association with each other. And management computer 21 will provide the goods linked | related with the specified entertainer, if the entertainer of a similar image is specified based on the image data received from the user terminal. Thereby, various information can be provided.

  In the first embodiment, the user terminal 10 transmits image data of the user's own image. Instead, image data of items owned by the user, such as clothes and furniture, may be transmitted. In this case, the management computer 21 can provide information on products that harmonize with products such as clothes and accessories owned by the user. Therefore, it is possible to sell products efficiently.

  In the second embodiment, the management computer 41 distributes BGM to the user terminal 30. The information regarding the sound distributed to the user terminal 30 is not limited to this. For example, the management computer 41 may distribute poems, literary works, etc. Further, the management computer 41 may distribute not only music but also images including sound, moving images, and the like.

  In the first embodiment, information about clothes is transmitted to the user terminal 10. In the second embodiment, music is transmitted to the user terminal 30. The information regarding the product transmitted by the management computers 21 and 41 is not limited to this. For example, in the first embodiment, the management computer 21 may propose a hairstyle based on the received user image data. Specifically, instead of the clothing information storage unit 23, a hairstyle information storage unit is provided as hairstyle information in which a hairstyle that a person has made in the past is recorded in association with the person identifier. Then, the hairstyle of the person specified from the feature amount of the user's image data may be transmitted to the user terminal 10 to propose the hairstyle.

  Alternatively, information for introducing a human resource may be provided. Specifically, for each person, a storage unit is provided that stores a person image associated with the person's family or lover. Then, the management computer 21 identifies a similar person from the user terminal 10 based on the image data of the user's own image, and then extracts a spouse or lover's face image of the identified person. Then, the management computer 21 extracts a person similar to the extracted face image from, for example, a storage unit that stores information related to the person registered in the personnel introduction, and sends information about the extracted person to the user terminal 10. You may send it. Thereby, the management computer 21 can efficiently propose to the user a person who matches the user.

  The management computers 21 and 41 of the above embodiments use the product information stored in the product information storage unit 24 of the sales system 20 or the music information storage unit 43 of the music distribution system 40 as the user terminals 10 and 30. Proposed to. Instead, the management computers 21 and 41 may detect a product sold by another system via the Internet I and propose the product.

  In the management computers 21 and 41 of the above embodiments, the image data received from the user terminals 10 and 30 is specified as the image data designated from the user terminals 10 and 30. The method of specifying the image data is not limited to this. For example, the image data from the user terminals 10 and 30 may be stored in advance in a predetermined server. In this case, when the user wants to receive information, information for designating image data recorded on the server may be transmitted to the management computers 21 and 41.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system in a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the person information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the clothing information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the merchandise information storage part. The flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence in 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence in 1st Embodiment. The screen figure of the search screen displayed on the user terminal in 1st this embodiment. The screen figure of the search result screen displayed on the user terminal in a 1st embodiment. The schematic diagram of the system in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the landscape information storage part. Explanatory drawing of the data recorded on the music information storage part. The flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence in 2nd Embodiment. The screen figure of the transmission screen displayed on the user terminal in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  B1, B2, Bn: Clothing images as whole images, I: Internet as a network, 10, 30 ... User terminals, 21, 41 ... Management computers.

Claims (10)

An information providing method for providing information about products using a management computer connected to a user terminal via a network,
The management computer is
A specifying step of specifying image data designated from the user terminal;
An image search step for searching for a similar image similar to the image of the image data specified in the specifying step;
A product search stage for searching for a product associated with the similar image;
A product information transmission method comprising: a product information transmission step of transmitting information related to the product extracted in the product search step to the user terminal. The product search stage includes
A whole image search step for searching for a whole image partially including the similar image;
A search stage for searching for information relating to a product having an image that is the same as or similar to a part of the whole image;
The information providing method according to claim 1, further comprising: The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein in the product search stage, sound is searched for as the product. The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the specifying step specifies image data related to the user. The information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a purchase step in which the management computer receives information on the product transmitted to the user terminal from the user terminal. . An information providing program for providing information about products using a management computer connected to a user terminal via a network,
The management computer,
A specifying means for specifying the image data specified from the user terminal;
Image search means for searching for a similar image similar to the image of the image data specified by the specifying means;
An information providing program for functioning as product information transmitting means for searching for a product associated with the similar image, and product information transmitting means for transmitting information about the product extracted by the product searching means to the user terminal. . The product search means includes:
Whole image search means for searching for a whole image partially including the similar image;
Search means for searching for information relating to a product having an image that is the same as or similar to a part of the whole image;
The information providing program according to claim 6, further comprising: The information providing program according to claim 6, wherein the product search unit searches for sound as the product. The said specifying means specifies the image data regarding the said user.
8. The information providing program according to any one of 8. 10. The information provision according to claim 6, further causing the management computer to function as a purchase unit that receives information on the product transmitted to the user terminal from the user terminal. program.

Images