JP7508145B1 - Coordination device, coordination system, coordination method, and coordination program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a coordination device, coordination system, coordination method, and coordination program that enable selection from images of candidate fashion items for coordination in an appropriate and easy-to-use manner. [Solution] A coordination device that enables coordination using item images, comprising an item information storage unit that stores item information including item categories and item images, and an item information control unit that selects item images from the item images in the item information storage unit based on item selection information and generates item display information including the selected item image, and based on the item display information, the selected item image is displayed at a predetermined position determined according to the item category, and when there are multiple selected item images, the selected item images are displayed side by side in a predetermined direction and can be moved in the predetermined direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a technology that allows users to coordinate fashion items such as clothing, hats, and shoes by combining images of these items that are worn on the body.

The market for apparel-related electronic commerce (EC) has been expanding in recent years. This is thought to be due to the fact that many tools for apparel-related EC have become available, making it easier to start your own brand, and these tools have improved production efficiency and increased the number of items sold. Another factor in the expansion of the apparel-related EC market is the trend of consumers refraining from going out due to the spread of infection caused by a new virus.

In e-commerce via the Internet, for apparel such as clothing and fashion-related items worn on the body, such as hats and shoes (hereafter referred to as "fashion items"), consumers are generally unable to see the actual product until they receive it, which can lead to problems such as not knowing if the size will fit, not knowing how to combine or wear it, or the fabric or color being different from what was expected. Some companies offer services such as shipping the actual product to customers to try on and then returning it, but these costs must be borne by the company.

As a solution to these problems in e-commerce for fashion items, technology has been proposed that uses images of fashion items to coordinate how best to combine fashion items, for example, how to combine tops and pants to be worn on the upper body, and even how to combine them with shoes, etc.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-342820 (Patent Document 1) proposes a coordination system that selects a combination of products that are elements of fashion, such as clothing, sporting goods, and accessories. In the system described in Patent Document 1, for example, a personal computer is used, images of many products are loaded into the storage unit of the personal computer, and images of each product are displayed in a list on the first display unit of the display unit of the personal computer, and images of the products of each product item are displayed on the second display unit. Products are grouped by product item on the first display unit, and when a product item is selected, a group of products belonging to that product item is displayed, and when a product is selected from the group of products, the selected product is displayed on the second display unit. On the second display unit, the products selected for each product item are displayed according to a preset position, size, orientation, and order of overlap with other products, so that various product combinations can be tried. When combining products, an image of the customer's face or figure can also be used.

JP 2002-194613 A (Patent Document 2) proposes an image display technology that displays fashion items traded in electronic commerce from a seller's server to a buyer's terminal device via a communications network. In the system described in Patent Document 2, when a fashion item is selected from a panel of a list image of fashion items displayed on the buyer's terminal device, a model image composed of the image of the selected fashion item is displayed on the terminal device. In the list image panel, the fashion items are classified by type and displayed overlapping each other. In the model image, in order to make all the selected fashion items visible, each fashion item is assigned to a layer with a transparent film-like structure, and the fashion items are composited in a hierarchical manner. The layer hierarchy in which the image of each fashion item is composited into the model image is specified.

JP2018-515861A (Patent Document 3) proposes a method and device for presenting other products that match a selected product (business object) in e-commerce, for example in the fashion category. In the device described in Patent Document 3, an image of a model wearing a proposed matching item is displayed on the screen as an image showing the matching effect of the proposed matching, and other matching suggestions are displayed to the left and right of it. By sliding left or right, the image can be changed to show the matching effect of the other proposed matching.

JP 2003-342820 A JP 2002-194613 A JP 2018-515861 A

However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, images of each product are displayed in a list on the first display unit, which makes the images small. If this system is applied to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the images will be even smaller and harder to see, which may hinder appropriate product selection. Furthermore, since the images of the product group change for each product item, operations become cumbersome when, for example, the user wishes to select products by alternating between products to try out various combinations.

In the system described in Patent Document 2, a model image is synthesized by selecting a fashion item from a panel of a list image of fashion items classified by fashion item category. Furthermore, layers to which images of each fashion item are assigned are overlaid according to a hierarchy specified for each fashion item. Therefore, there are similar problems to those of the system described in Patent Document 1 in terms of image visibility and operability.

In the device described in Patent Document 3, other matching proposals are displayed to the left and right of the model and can be switched by sliding, making the image easier to see than the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. However, since what is displayed on the left and right are other matching proposals, and not candidates for each item, it is difficult to understand how to switch candidates for just one item or try out various combinations, and it is unclear whether such operations are even possible.

The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coordination device, coordination system, coordination method, and coordination program that, when coordinating fashion items by combining images of fashion items, allows appropriate and easy selection from images of candidate fashion items for coordination.

The present invention relates to a coordination device that enables coordination using item images, which are images of fashion-related items, and the above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by comprising an item information storage unit that stores item information including the item category and the item image, and an item information control unit that selects an item image from the item images in the item information storage unit based on item selection information including the item category, and generates item display information including a selected item image, which is the selected item image, and by displaying the selected item image at a predetermined position determined according to the category of the item based on the item display information, and by displaying the selected item image at a predetermined position determined according to the category of the item ...

Furthermore, the above object of the present invention is achieved by a coordination system comprising the above coordination device and a terminal device that transmits the item selection information to the coordination device and receives the item display information from the coordination device, the terminal device having a display unit that displays the selected item image based on the item display information.

The present invention also relates to a coordination method that enables coordination using item images, which are images of fashion-related items, and the above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by including an item information control step of selecting an item image based on item selection information including the item category from the item information in an item information storage unit that stores item information including the item category and the item image, and generating item display information including a selected item image, which is the selected item image, and displaying the selected item image at a predetermined position determined according to the item category based on the item display information, and when there are multiple selected item images, displaying the selected item images side by side in a predetermined direction and being movable in the predetermined direction.

Furthermore, the above object of the present invention is achieved by a coordination program for causing a computer to execute the above coordination method.

According to the coordination device, coordination system, coordination method, and coordination program of the present invention, the selected item images that are candidates for coordination are displayed in a predetermined direction for each category and can be moved in the predetermined direction, so that the candidate item images are easy to see and operate, and the item images can be appropriately selected.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration example (first embodiment) of a coordinate system including a coordinate device according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example (first embodiment) of transmitting and receiving information between a coordination device and a terminal device. FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen. FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (first embodiment) of a coordination device. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an attribute table. FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of an item information table. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example (first embodiment) of a coordination device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (first embodiment) of a terminal device. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image using divided images. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image of layered clothing. 4 is a part of a flowchart showing an operation example (first embodiment) of the terminal device. 4 is a part of a flowchart showing an operation example (first embodiment) of the terminal device. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example (second embodiment) of transmitting and receiving information between a coordination device and a terminal device in model image selection. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (second embodiment) of a coordination device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (second embodiment) of a terminal device. 13 is a part of a flowchart showing an operation example (second embodiment) of the terminal device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (third embodiment) of a coordination device.

The present invention makes it possible to coordinate various combinations of fashion-related items (fashion items) using images of the fashion items (item images). This allows users of the fashion items to try out different combinations without actually wearing the fashion items. Note that fashion items include apparel such as clothing, as well as items worn on the body such as hats and shoes, and are a broad concept that also includes watches, accessories, etc., since they are worn on the body.

When displaying item images for coordinating outfits, candidate item images for coordinating outfits (hereinafter referred to as "candidate item image group") are displayed side-by-side in a predetermined direction, for example, to the left and right of the screen, and can be moved by operations such as swiping (sliding a finger up, down, left, or right while touching the screen). This allows the user to check item images with high visibility and easily browse the candidate item image group, allowing the user to appropriately select the desired item image from the candidate item image group.

The item images are displayed at a predetermined position determined for each fashion item category. Fashion item categories include lower concepts, which are the names of specific fashion items such as T-shirts and jeans, intermediate concepts, which are names that collectively refer to fashion items of the same type such as shirts and pants, and even higher concepts, which are more generalized names such as tops and bottoms, and the elements to be used as categories are determined as necessary. Items that are composed of multiple fashion items, such as suits, can also be considered as one category. The candidate item images are displayed in a line in a predetermined direction (for example, left and right) from a predetermined position determined for each fashion item category, and can be moved by an operation such as swiping for each category. Thus, the multiple candidate item images can be displayed with good visibility, and the item images can be changed for each category.

In the present invention, it is possible to display an item image superimposed on an image of a model (model image). By displaying an item image superimposed on a model image, more accurate coordination can be achieved. Models used as model images include not only people, but also sculptures created to imitate humans, such as mannequins. Rather than photographing a model, a model image may be created artificially.

The present invention also allows for the coordination of layered clothing. For example, an image of an outer garment such as a jacket worn over a shirt can be displayed. In this case, the display positions of the overlapping item images are approximately the same, so for a group of candidate item images, for example, only one of the groups of candidate item images is displayed. For a fashion item that does not display a group of candidate item images, one item image of that fashion item is displayed, and the group of candidate item images of the other fashion item is displayed overlapping the item image.

In the present invention, it is possible to appropriately display item images of fashion items such as a hooded coat, whose positional relationship with the model when viewed from the front varies depending on the part (the hood is on the back of the model, and the coat itself is on the front of the model). For example, the item image is divided into parts whose positional relationship with the model differs, and the front-to-back positional relationship with the model image is changed for each divided image (split image). For example, in the case of an item image of a hooded coat, the item image is divided into the hood and the coat itself, and the split image of the hood is displayed after the model image, and the split image of the coat itself is displayed before the model image. This makes it possible to display an image similar to when the model actually wears the fashion item. Note that the model image may be divided instead of the item image to achieve the above display. In other words, the model image is divided into the face and other parts, and the split image of the face is displayed before the item image of the hooded coat.

This invention also allows you to change model images and save item images.

The present invention may be realized as a coordination device that performs the above-mentioned processing, or as a coordination system that includes a coordination device and a terminal device that receives information from the coordination device. Alternatively, the present invention may be realized as a coordination method that includes the above-mentioned processing, or a coordination program for executing the method.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted. Also, the configurations and the like in the following description are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. Furthermore, the following description focuses on the main configurations and operations for implementing the present invention, and descriptions of general-purpose processing required for implementing the present invention, such as communication processing and screen display processing, are simplified or omitted.

1 shows an example of the configuration of a coordination system (first embodiment) equipped with a coordination device according to the present invention. The coordination system 1 of this embodiment includes a coordination device 2 that provides a service of coordinating fashion items using model images and item images (hereinafter referred to as a "coordination service"), and a terminal device 3 used by a user who enjoys the coordination service, which are connected via a network 4 consisting of the Internet or the like. For example, a general-purpose server is used as the coordination device 2, and the coordination service is executed by a program running on the server. As the terminal device 3, a general-purpose information device having a communication function such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer is used. Then, a website that provides the coordination service to the coordination device 2 is constructed, a general-purpose web browser is installed on the terminal device 3, and information such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) pages is transmitted and received between the website on the coordination device 2 and the web browser on the terminal device 3 via the network 4 using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) as a network protocol. Note that the coordination device 2 and/or the terminal device 3 may be a dedicated device rather than a general-purpose device, and part or all of the coordination service may be realized by hardware. In addition, the person who uses the coordination service provided by the coordination system 1 and the person who wears the fashion items do not necessarily have to be the same person, so when distinguishing between the two, the former is called a user and the latter a user.

The coordination device 2 stores information related to items, including item images (item information), and transmits the information to the terminal device 3 in response to a request from the terminal device 3. The terminal device 3 receives the information transmitted from the coordination device 2 and appropriately displays the information on a screen using a display means such as a liquid crystal panel, while also inputting user instructions using an input means such as a touch panel and transmitting a corresponding request to the coordination device 2.

Here, the flow of the coordination service provided by the coordination system 1 will be explained using an example of a coordination service for fashion items related to sports (e.g., tennis) and examples of sending and receiving information between the coordination device 2 and the terminal device 3 and displaying information on the screen of the terminal device 3.

Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of information transmission and reception between the coordination device 2 and the terminal device 3. Figures 3 and 4 are image diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the screen 30 of the terminal device 3.

First, the terminal device 3 transmits a request for a coordination service (hereinafter referred to as a "service request") to the coordination device 2 (step S1). For example, the terminal device 3 transmits a uniform resource locator (URL) of a website that provides the coordination service. Upon receiving the service request, the coordination device 2 transmits initial information including a model image 311 and the names of categories of fashion items to be coordinated (hereinafter referred to as an "item category list") to the terminal device 3.

The terminal device 3 displays the model image 311 in the received initial information near the center of a model display field 310 provided at the top of the screen 30, as shown in FIG. 3(A). In addition, a list of item categories in the initial information is displayed in an item category field 320 provided below the model display field 310. In this embodiment, the categories of fashion items are caps (hats), shirts, pants, and shoes, and corresponding buttons ("hat", "shirt", "pants", "shoes") (hereinafter referred to as "item category buttons") are displayed in the item category field 320.

When a fashion item category is selected by the user by touching an item category button displayed in the item category column 320, the terminal device 3 transmits the selected fashion item category (hereinafter referred to as the "selected item category") to the coordination device 2 (step S2). When the coordination device 2 receives the selected item category, it transmits information (hereinafter referred to as the "attribute option information") relating to the attribute options of the selected item category (hereinafter referred to as the "attribute option list") to the terminal device 3. Here, it is assumed that a shirt has been selected as the selected item category, and that the shirt's manufacturer and color are set as the shirt's attributes. Note that touch operations include operations such as clicking with a mouse in addition to touching with the user's finger, etc., and the same applies in the following explanation.

The terminal device 3 that has received the attribute option information displays a list of attribute options in the first attribute display column 330 and the second attribute display column 340 provided below the item category column 320 as shown in FIG. 3B (hereinafter, the columns that display the list of attribute options are collectively referred to as "attribute display columns"). Here, there are companies A, B, C, D, and E as shirt manufacturers, and buttons corresponding to each company are displayed in the first attribute display column 330, and there are black, white, blue, pink, and red as shirt colors, and buttons corresponding to each color ("black", "white", "blue", "pink", and "red") are displayed in the second attribute display column 340. In addition, a "Send" button 351 and a "Decision" button 352 are displayed in the operation column 350 provided below the second attribute display column 340. The "Send" button 31 is a button used when selection by the attributes of the fashion item is completed. The "Decide" button 352 is used when the fashion items to be coordinated have been decided.

The user selects the manufacturer and color of the fashion item by touching the buttons displayed in the first attribute display field 330 and the second attribute display field 340, and when the selection is complete, touches the "Send" button 351 displayed in the operation field 350. When the terminal device 3 confirms the touch operation of the "Send" button 351, it transmits the attributes of the selected fashion item (hereinafter referred to as "selected item attributes") to the coordination device 2 (step S3). When the coordination device 2 receives the selected item attributes, it selects item information that matches the selected item selection information using the selected item category and selected item attributes received in step S2 as item selection information and transmits it as item display information to the terminal device 3. If a shirt is selected as the selected item category and Company A and white are selected as the selected item attributes, it selects item information having the attributes "shirt", "Company A" and "white". Note that when only one of the manufacturer or color of the fashion item is selected and the "Send" button 351 is touched, the selected attribute and selected item category are used as item selection information to select item information. If neither is selected and the "Send" button 351 is touched, only the selected item category is used as the item selection information, and item information is selected. In other words, all item information in the selected item category is sent as item display information. Also, multiple options, in this case multiple manufacturers and/or multiple colors, may be selected.

When the terminal device 3 receives the item display information, it displays the item images included in the item display information as a group of candidate item images in the model display field 310. When the selected item category is a shirt, as shown in FIG. 3(C), item images 312a, 312b, and 312c that constitute the group of candidate item images are displayed side by side at the position of the upper body of the model image 311, where the shirt is worn. In FIG. 3(C), item image 312b is displayed on the model image 311, but immediately after receiving the item display information, item image 312a, which is located at the top of the group of candidate item images, is displayed on the model image 311. The group of candidate item images can be moved left and right by an operation such as swiping, and FIG. 3(C) shows a state in which item image 312a has been moved to the left and item image 312b has been brought onto the model image 311. If the candidate item image group has four or more item images, by moving the candidate item image group further to the left from the state shown in FIG. 3(C), other item images will appear and be displayed in sequence from the right end of the screen 10. Note that the candidate item images are displayed side by side at the head position of the model image 311, which is the part where the cap is worn, if the selected item category is caps, at the waist position of the model image 311, which is the part where the pants are worn, if the selected item category is pants, and at the feet position of the model image 311, which is the part where the shoes are worn.

In step S3, if the desired fashion item is not included in the group of candidate item images, the user can obtain other candidate item images from the coordination device 2 by selecting other options from the first attribute display field 330 and the second attribute display field 340 and touching the "Send" button 351 in the operation field 350.

In order for a user to identify a desired item image from the group of candidate item images, the user first moves the item image onto the model image 311. Then, if there is another category of fashion items that the user wishes to display, the user touches the corresponding item category button in the item category column 320. This touch operation identifies the item image moved onto the model image 311 as the desired item image. After confirming the touch operation of the item category button, the terminal device 3 transmits information about the identified item image as item identification information to the coordination device 2 (step S4), and further transmits the selected item category to the coordination device 2 (step S2). Thereafter, the operation of the coordination device 2 in step S2 and the operation in step S3 are repeated to identify the desired item image.

If there are no other categories of fashion items to display, the "Decide" button 352 in the operation column 350 is touched. This touch operation identifies the desired item image. After confirming that the "Decide" button 352 has been touched, the terminal device 3 transmits item identification information to the coordination device 2 (step S4), and further transmits information indicating that the fashion items to be coordinated have been determined (hereinafter referred to as "decision information") to the coordination device 2 (step S5).

The coordination device 2 that receives the decision information completes the coordination based on the item-specific information it has received up to that point.

In step S2, the selected item category is not sent by touching an item category button, but rather, when the initial information is received, the terminal device 3 may display a "Send" button 351 and a "Confirm" button 352 in the operation column 350, and the selected item category may be sent by touching the "Send" button 351. The fashion item category may also be selected hierarchically. For example, the user may first be prompted to select a higher-level category such as tops or bottoms as the fashion item category, and then may be prompted to select a middle-level category such as shirts or pants that belongs to the selected category, or a lower-level category such as T-shirts or jeans, and the last selected category may be set as the selected item category.

The item identification information in step S4 may also be sent by touching the "Send" button 351 rather than by touching the item category button. In this case, the terminal device 3 does not need to display the item category button in order to send the item identification information, so when the attribute selection option information is received in step S2, the display of the item category list in the item category column 320 may be erased when displaying the attribute selection option list in the attribute display column. Then, when the item identification information is sent in step S4, the terminal device 3 displays the item category list again. This makes it possible to set the item category column and the attribute display column in the same position on the screen 30, making it possible to widen the model display column 310.

In the operation of identifying item images of other fashion item categories after the desired item image is identified, the terminal device 3 may erase the item images of the candidate item image group other than the already identified item image from the model display field 310, or may leave them displayed. For example, in FIG. 3(C), when identifying an item image of pants after identifying an item image of a shirt 312b, the item images 312a and 312c of the shirt may be erased as shown in FIG. 4(A), or may remain displayed as shown in FIG. 4(B). Furthermore, in the latter case, it is also possible to simultaneously identify item images in multiple categories by sending the item identification information by touching the "Send" button 351. For example, in the case of FIG. 4(B), the user simultaneously identifies the item image of the shirt and the item image of pants, and then touches the "Send" button 351 after identifying both item images. However, if other fashion items are to be worn over the identified item image, it is preferable to delete item images from the candidate item image group other than the identified item image from the model display field 310 in order to reduce the amount of processing, etc.

The following describes in detail the coordination device 2 and terminal device 3 that realize the coordination service described above.

First, the coordinate device 2 will be described in detail.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the coordinating device 2. A general-purpose server is used as the coordinating device 2, and Fig. 5 shows only the components related to the present invention. This also applies to the configuration example of the terminal device 3 described later and to each diagram showing the configuration examples of the coordinating device and the terminal device in other embodiments.

The coordination device 2 comprises a reception processing unit 20, an attribute table storage unit 21, an item information storage unit 22, an item category processing unit 23, an attribute option processing unit 24, an item information selection unit 25, an item identification processing unit 26, a completion processing unit 27, a specific item information holding unit 28, and a transmission processing unit 29. Of these, the item category processing unit 23, the attribute option processing unit 24, the item information selection unit 25, and the item identification processing unit 26 constitute an item information control unit.

The receiving processing unit 20 receives the request data Gd transmitted from the terminal device 3. As described above, the terminal device 3 transmits a service request, selected item category, selected item attributes, item identification information, decision information, etc. These are transmitted to the coordination device 2 as request data Gd in the same data format. Therefore, the receiving processing unit 20 checks the contents of the request data Gd, and depending on the contents, outputs a service request Rq to the item category processing unit 23, a selected item category Tps to the attribute option processing unit 24 and the item information selection unit 25, a selected item attribute Ats to the item information selection unit 25, item identification information Is to the item identification processing unit 26, and decision information Dif to the completion processing unit 27.

The attribute table storage unit 21 stores an attribute table that stores in advance the attributes of each fashion item category and options for each attribute. An image diagram of an example of the attribute table is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, "category" represents the category of fashion items, "attribute" represents the attributes of the fashion item category, and "option" represents the options for each attribute, and the attribute table stores the attributes and options for each fashion item category. For example, for a fashion item category of "cap," "manufacturer" and "color" are set as attributes. "Manufacturer" is the name of the company that manufactures and sells the fashion item, and "color" is the color of the fashion item. As options for each attribute, "Company A," "Company B," and "Company C" are set for "manufacturer," and "black" (black-based), "white" (white-based), "blue" (blue-based), and "red" (red-based) are set for "color." The "length" set as an attribute of "pants" is the shape based on the length of the pants, and the option "short" represents short pants and "half" represents half pants.

The item information storage unit 22 stores item information for each fashion item. The item information is stored in a table format, and an example of the table (hereinafter referred to as the "item information table") is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, "item ID" is an identification number given to identify each fashion item, and each fashion item can be specified by the item ID. "Category" is the category of the fashion item. "Gender" is the gender for which the fashion item is intended, "male" is for men, "female" is for women, and "unisex" is for both men and women. "Manufacturer" and "color" are the name of the company that manufactured and sold the fashion item and the color of the fashion item, respectively, and these are attributes common to all fashion item categories, so they are independent items. Attributes unique to each fashion item category are set as "unisex attributes". Since "length" is a unique attribute for "pants," when the "category" is "pants," data for "length" (either "short" or "half") is stored in the "unisex attributes" column. If there are two or more "unisex attributes," data for the number of "unisex attributes" is stored. The item information storage unit 22 also stores item images as item information, and the location where the item image corresponding to each fashion item is stored (e.g., memory address, file name, etc.) is stored in the "Item Image" column. Note that, instead of adopting a single color that is characteristic of the fashion item because it occupies the widest area, multiple colors that the fashion item possesses may be adopted. In the latter case, multiple colors are stored in the "Color" column.

Since the item image is displayed superimposed on the model image 311, the size and orientation of the item image are adjusted to match the model image 311. Furthermore, when the model is wearing the fashion item and the model image 311 is viewed from the front, such as the area around the collar of a shirt, any parts that would normally be hidden are deleted in advance. However, there are cases where the parts are left untouched and do not look unnatural when superimposed on the model image 311, and so on, so there is no need to delete them.

In the case of a fashion item such as a hooded coat, whose positional relationship with the model when viewed from the front varies depending on the part (hereinafter referred to as a "fashion item with a back"), the split images obtained by dividing the entire item image are displayed superimposed on the model image 311. In this case, the split images are stored in the item information storage unit 22 instead of the item image, and the location where the split images are stored is stored in the "item image" column of the item information table. Whether or not a fashion item is a fashion item with a back is determined by the category of the fashion item, and if the category stored in the "category" column of the item information table is a name belonging to a fashion item with a back (for example, "coat with a hood"), it is determined to be a fashion item with a back. In addition, the position of the split images in front of or behind the model image 311 when superimposing the split images on the model image 311, that is, whether the split images are displayed in front of or behind the model image 311, is determined by the order in which they are stored in the "item image" column. For example, the split image stored first is displayed in front of the model image 311, and the split image stored second is displayed after the model image 311. In order to maintain this order, when the item information selection unit 25 extracts item information from the item information storage unit 22, it extracts the divided images in the order in which they are stored, so that the order is not changed. It should be noted that whether or not a fashion item is a fashion item with a back may be determined by other methods, rather than by the category of the fashion item. For example, a flag indicating that it is a fashion item with a back may be prepared, a column for storing the flag may be provided in the item information table, and the flag stored in that column may be used. Also, the front and rear positions of the divided images relative to the model image 311 may be determined by other methods, rather than by the order in which they are stored in the "item image" column. For example, information indicating the front and rear positions of the divided images relative to the model image 311 may be added to each divided image, the information may be stored in the item information storage unit 22, and the information may be used. The flag indicating that it is a fashion item with a back and/or the information indicating the front and rear positions of the divided images relative to the model image 311 may be inherited in the process until the divided images are displayed.

The item category list and attribute option list are generated based on the attribute table (see below), and item information that matches the item selection information including the selected item category and selected item attributes that are the selection results in the item category column 320 that displays the item category list and the attribute display column that displays the attribute option list is extracted from the item information table (see below). Therefore, the data stored in each column of the attribute table ("Category", "Attribute", and "Option") and the data stored in each column of the item information table ("Category", "Manufacturer", "Color", and "Unique Attribute") are adjusted so that there is no inconsistency. Note that other attributes such as standard size (S size, M size, L size, etc.) and price may be added as attributes of fashion items, and the added attributes may be used as selected item attributes.

The item category processing unit 23 generates initial information Sif in response to the service request Rq. When the service request Rq is input, the item category processing unit 23 sequentially reads out the fashion item categories Tp stored in the "category" column from the attribute table in the attribute table storage unit 21 to create an item category list. For example, in the case of the attribute table shown in FIG. 6, an item category list is created with elements of "cap", "shirt", "pants" and "shoes". The item category processing unit 32 also holds a model image 311 in advance, and generates initial information Sif, which is information for displaying and controlling the model image 311 and the item category list on the screen 30 of the terminal device 3, based on the model image 311 and the item category list. The initial information Sif is output to the transmission processing unit 29. Note that an item category list may be created and held in advance, and when the service request Rq is input, the initial information Sif may be generated from the held item category list and the model image 311. Furthermore, initial information Sif may be generated in advance from the item category list and model image 311 and stored, and when a service request Rq is input, the stored initial information Sif may be output to the transmission processing unit 29.

The attribute option processing unit 24 creates an attribute option list corresponding to the selected item category Tps based on the attribute table storage unit 21. The attribute option processing unit 24 checks the category of the fashion item selected by the selected item category Tps, reads out the attributes At of the fashion item category and the options Ch of each attribute from the attribute table in the attribute table storage unit 21, and creates an attribute option list. For example, using the attribute table shown in FIG. 6, when the selected item category Tps is "shoes", the attribute option list is created in which the attributes are "manufacturer" and "color", the options for "manufacturer" are "Company A", "Company B", "Company D", and "Company E", and the options for "color" are "white" (white-based), "blue" (blue-based), "red" (red-based), and "yellow" (yellow-based). Based on the created attribute option list, attribute option information Aif, which is information for displaying and controlling this on the screen 30 of the terminal device 3, is generated and output to the transmission processing unit 29. Note that instead of including all the options stored in the attribute table in the attribute option list, the options to be included in the attribute option list may be selected. For example, only "Company A" and "Company D" may be included in the attribute option list as options for "manufacturer" of "shoes." If the selection results in only one option, the attribute of that option itself may not be included in the attribute option list. The criteria for selecting options are set in advance, or a means for setting them is provided.

The item information selection unit 25 selects item information from the item information storage unit 22 based on the selected item category Tps and the selected item attribute Ats. The gender of the user who wears the fashion item is acquired in advance by another means (for example, a login process to a website, etc.), and item information It1 that matches the item selection information to which the selected item category Tps and the selected item attribute Ats are added is extracted from the item information table in the item information storage unit 22. For example, in the item information table shown in FIG. 7, when the gender is "male", the selected item category Tps is "shoes", and the selected item attribute Ats is "Company B" and "white", item information It1 with item IDs of 0001, 0006, etc. is extracted. The item information It1 is composed of data stored in the "item ID" to "unique attribute" columns and an item image or a divided image specified from the data stored in the "item image" column. Note that data included in the item selection information may be excluded from the item information It1. Also, "gender" may be included in the selected item attributes Ats, similar to "maker" and "color." That is, a field for displaying gender options may be provided in the attribute display field on the screen 30 of the terminal device 3, and gender may be selected by touching a button displayed there.
The extracted item information It1 is output to the transmission processing unit 29 as item display information Iif, which is information for displaying and controlling the item information It1 on the screen 30 of the terminal device 3.

The transmission processing unit 29 transmits the input initial information Sif, attribute option information Aif, and item display information Iif as response data Rd to the terminal device 3. At the time each piece of information is input, it is transmitted as response data Rd in the same data format.

The item identification processing unit 26 identifies item information from the item information storage unit 22 based on the item identification information Is. The item ID is used as the item identification information Is, and item information It2 corresponding to the same item ID as the value of the item identification information Is is extracted from the item information table in the item information storage unit 22. The extracted item information It2 is output to the specific item information holding unit 28.

The specific item information storage unit 28 stores the item information It2 output from the item identification processing unit 26.

When the completion processing unit 27 receives the decision information Dif, it completes the coordination. If item information is required in the next process after the coordination is completed, for example, for purchasing a specified fashion item, the completion processing unit 27 reads out the item information It2 stored in the specified item information storage unit 28 and passes it to the next process.

An example of the operation of the coordination device 2 configured as above will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8.

When the receiving processing unit 20 receives the request data Gd sent from the terminal device 3 (step S10), it checks the contents (step S20).

If the request data Gd is a service request, the reception processing unit 20 outputs the service request Rq to the item category processing unit 23 (step S30). The item category processing unit 23 creates an item category list based on the attribute table in the attribute table storage unit 21 (step S40), generates initial information Sif including the model image 311 (step S50), and outputs it to the transmission processing unit 29. The transmission processing unit 29 transmits the initial information Sif to the terminal device 3 as response data Rd (step S60).

If the request data Gd is a selected item category, the reception processing unit 20 outputs the selected item category Tps to the attribute option processing unit 24 and the item information selection unit 25 (step S70). The attribute option processing unit 24 reads the attribute At and option Ch set for the selected item category Tps from the attribute table in the attribute table storage unit 21 and creates an attribute option list (step S80). Then, based on the created attribute option list, it generates attribute option information Aif (step S90) and outputs it to the transmission processing unit 29. The transmission processing unit 29 transmits the attribute option information Aif to the terminal device 3 as response data Rd (step S100).

If the request data Gd is a selected item attribute, the reception processing unit 20 outputs the selected item attribute Ats to the item information selection unit 25 (step S110). The item information selection unit 25 extracts item information It1 that matches the previously input selected item category Tps, selected item attribute Ats, and user gender information from the item information table in the item information storage unit 22 (step S120). Then, it outputs the extracted item information It1 to the transmission processing unit 29 as item display information Iif (step S130). The transmission processing unit 29 transmits the item display information Iif to the terminal device 3 as response data Rd (step S140).

If the request data Gd is item identification information, the reception processing unit 20 outputs the item identification information Is to the item identification processing unit 26 (step S150). The item identification processing unit 26 extracts item information It2, which uses the value of the item identification information Is as the item ID, from the item information table in the item information storage unit 22 (step S160). The extracted item information It2 is stored in the specific item information storage unit 28 (step S170).

If the request data Gd is decision information, the reception processing unit 20 outputs the decision information Dif to the completion processing unit 27 (step S180). After inputting the decision information Dif, the completion processing unit 27 completes the coordination (step S190).

The coordination device 2 performs the above operations each time it receives request data Gd sent from the terminal device 3.

The specific item information storage unit 28 stores the item information It2, but only stores the item ID in the item information It2. When the item information It2 is necessary, it may be extracted from the item information table in the item information storage unit 22 based on the item ID stored in the specific item information storage unit 28. The item information It2 stored in the specific item information storage unit 28 may be erased or overwritten when the next coordination is performed, but may be retained as is or stored in another storage means. In this way, it is possible to refer to the results of past coordination. In the above configuration, any combination or all of the item category processing unit 23, attribute option processing unit 24, item information selection unit 25, item identification processing unit 26, and completion processing unit 27 may be combined into one component.

Next, the terminal device 3 will be described in detail.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 3, and a general-purpose information device is used as the terminal device 3.

The terminal device 3 includes an input unit 31, a reception processing unit 32, a service request unit 33, an initial information control unit 34, an attribute selection control unit 35, an item display control unit 36, a display unit 37, and a transmission processing unit 38.

The input unit 31 has input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc., which are provided in a general-purpose information device, and inputs a user input Ui using the input means. The coordination service executed in the terminal device 3 is divided into a plurality of stages, and in each stage, the input unit 31 outputs a signal based on the user input Ui. Specifically, in the stage of making a service request (hereinafter referred to as the "service request stage"), a service request signal Rs corresponding to the service request is output. In the stage of receiving initial information (hereinafter referred to as the "initial stage"), an item category button signal Tbs generated by touching an item category button is output. In the stage of receiving attribute option information (hereinafter referred to as the "attribute selection stage"), an option button signal Abs generated by touching a button corresponding to each option of an attribute of the selected item category and a send button signal Sbs generated by touching a "send" button are output. In the stage of receiving item display information (hereinafter referred to as the "item selection stage"), an item category button signal Tbs or a decision button signal Dbs generated by touching a "decision" button are output. The input unit 31 outputs a service request signal Rs to the service request unit 33, an item category button signal Tbs to the initial information control unit 34 and the item display control unit 36, an option button signal Abs and a send button signal Sbs to the attribute option control unit 35, and a decision button signal Dbs to the item display control unit 36.

The receiving processing unit 32 receives the response data Rd transmitted from the coordination device 2. The response data Rd includes initial information Sif, attribute option information Aif, and item display information Iif, so the receiving processing unit 32 checks the contents of the response data Rd and outputs the initial information Sif to the initial information control unit 34, the attribute option information Aif to the attribute option control unit 35, and the item display information Iif to the item display control unit 36.

In response to the input of the service request signal Rs, the service request unit 33 outputs a service request Rq to the transmission processing unit 38.

The initial information control unit 34 generates initial screen information Sdp based on the initial information Sif, and generates a selected item category Tps based on the item category button signal Tbs. The initial information control unit 34 displays the model image 311 in the initial information Sif in the model display field 310 on the screen 30, and generates initial screen information Sdp for displaying item category buttons corresponding to the categories of each fashion item in the item category list in the item category field 320. In addition, when the item category button signal Tbs is input, the fashion item category corresponding to the item category button signal Tbs is identified and output as the selected item category Tps. The initial screen information Sdp is input to the display unit 37, and the selected item category Tps is input to the transmission processing unit 38.

The attribute option control unit 35 generates attribute option screen information Adp based on the attribute option information Aif, and generates selected item attributes Ats based on the option button signal Abs and the send button signal Sbs. The attribute option control unit 35 displays buttons corresponding to the options of each attribute in the attribute option list in the attribute option information Aif in the attribute display column in the screen 30, and generates attribute option screen information Adp for displaying the "Send" button 351 and the "Decid" button 352 in the operation column 350. When there are many options, a pop-up menu may be used to display the options. The attribute display columns are provided as many as the number of attributes in the attribute option list (for example, in FIG. 3(B), there are two attributes, manufacturer and color, so two attribute display columns, a first attribute display column and a second attribute display column, are provided), but if it is not possible to display all the attribute display columns in the specified range in the screen 30, all the attribute display columns can be viewed by scrolling up and down within the specified range. When the attribute option control unit 35 receives an option button signal Abs, it identifies and holds the option for the attribute corresponding to the option button signal Abs. Then, when it receives a send button signal Sbs, it outputs all the options it has identified and held up to that point as selected item attributes Ats. The attribute option screen information Adp is input to the display unit 37, and the selected item attributes Ats are input to the send processing unit 38.

The item display control unit 36 generates item screen information Idp based on the item display information Iif, generates item specific information Is based on the item category button signal Tbs or the decision button signal Dbs, and further generates decision information Dif based on the decision button signal Dbs. The item display control unit 36 generates item screen information Idp for displaying a group of candidate item images composed of item images (or divided images) in the item display information Iif at a predetermined position in the model display field 310. The group of candidate item images can be moved left and right by an operation such as swiping. When the item display control unit 36 inputs the item category button signal Tbs or the decision button signal Dbs, it outputs the item ID corresponding to the item image on the model image 311 as the item specific information Is. After that, if the input signal is the decision button signal Dbs, it outputs the decision information Dif. The item screen information Idp is input to the display unit 37, and the item specific information Is and the decision information Dif are input to the transmission processing unit 38. The item identification information Is may be output when the item category button signal Tbs or the decision button signal Dbs is input, i.e., when an item category button or "decision" button is touched. For example, the item identification information Is may be output when an item image displayed in the model display area 310 is touched. In this case, the item ID corresponding to the item image that is the target of the touch operation is output as the item identification information Is.

When the item display information Iif includes split images of a fashion item with a back, the item display control unit 36 generates item screen information Idp to create an image in which the split images are superimposed on the model image 311 in the order stored in the item display information Iif. For example, item screen information Idp is generated in which the first stored split image is displayed before the model image 311, and the second stored split image is displayed after the model image 311. Figure 10 shows an example of an image in which a split image of a hooded coat is superimposed on the model image 311, and the split images are stored in the item display information Iif in the order of split image 313-1, split image 313-2 so that the split image 313-1 of the coat body is displayed before the model image 311, and the split image 313-2 of the hood is displayed after the model image 311.

The display unit 37 has a display means such as a liquid crystal panel provided in a general-purpose information device, and displays images based on the input initial screen information Sdp, attribute option screen information Adp, and item screen information Idp on the screen 30 of the display means. For example, based on the initial screen information Sdp, images such as those shown in the model image 311 and item category column 320 in the model display column 310 of FIG. 3(A) are displayed, based on the attribute option screen information Adp, images such as those shown in the first attribute display column 330, second attribute display column 340, and operation column 350 in FIG. 3(B) are displayed, and based on the item screen information Idp, images such as item images 312a, 312b, and 312c in the model display column 310 of FIG. 3(C) are displayed.

In displaying item images based on the item screen information Idp, when item images are displayed as layered clothing, i.e., when another item image is displayed layered on the model image 311 and a new item image is displayed layered on the item image, the order of overlapping is determined by the category of the fashion item. For example, FIG. 11 shows an example of an image in which a jacket is layered on a shirt, and the order of overlapping is determined in advance as "shirt" and "jacket", so that an item image 314 in the "jacket" category is displayed before an item image 315 in the "shirt" category. Note that a method of adding information indicating the order of overlapping to each category and overlapping according to that order may also be used. In this case, the information indicating the order of overlapping may be stored in an attribute table stored in the attribute table storage unit 21 of the coordination device 2, for example, and transmitted from the coordination device 2 to the terminal device 3.

The transmission processing unit 38 transmits the input service request Rq, selected item category Tps, selected item attribute Ats, item specification information Is, and decision information Dif as request data Gd to the coordination device 2. When each piece of information is input, it is transmitted as request data Gd in the same data format.

An example of the operation of the terminal device 3 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 12 and 13.

The terminal device 3 operates according to the stage of the coordination service, so it first checks the stage of the coordination service (step S210).

If the stage is the service request stage, the input unit 31 inputs a user input Ui (step S220), and if the user input Ui corresponds to a service request (step S230), it outputs a service request signal Rs to the service request unit 33 (step S240). The service request unit 33 outputs a service request Rq to the transmission processing unit 38 (step S250). The transmission processing unit 38 transmits the service request Rq to the coordinate device 2 as request data Gd (step S260).

If the stage is the initial stage, the reception processing unit 32 receives response data Rd (step S270), and if the response data Rd is initial information Sif (step S280), outputs the initial information Sif to the initial information control unit 34 (step S290). The initial information control unit 34 generates initial screen information Sdp based on the initial information Sif (step S300) and outputs it to the display unit 37. The display unit 37 displays an image based on the initial screen information Sdp on the screen 30 (step S310).

Then, the input unit 31 inputs a user input Ui (step S320), and if the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of an item category button (step S330), it outputs an item category button signal Tbs to the initial information control unit 34 and the item display control unit 36 (step S340). The initial information control unit 34 outputs the category of the fashion item corresponding to the item category button signal Tbs as a selected item category Tps to the transmission processing unit 38 (step S350). The transmission processing unit 38 transmits the selected item category Tps to the coordination device 2 as request data Gd (step S360). The item display control unit 36, which has received the item category button signal Tbs, does not operate at this stage.

If the stage is the attribute selection stage, the reception processing unit 32 receives response data Rd (step S370), and if the response data Rd is attribute option information Aif (step S380), outputs the attribute option information Aif to the attribute option control unit 35 (step S390). The attribute option control unit 35 generates attribute option screen information Adp based on the attribute option information Aif (step S400) and outputs it to the display unit 37. The display unit 37 displays an image based on the attribute option screen information Adp on the screen 30 (step S410).

Then, the input unit 31 inputs the user input Ui (step S420), and if the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of a button corresponding to each attribute option of the selected item category (step S430), it outputs an option button signal Abs to the attribute option control unit 35 (step S440). The attribute option control unit 35 holds the attribute option corresponding to the option button signal Abs (step S450). If the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of the "Send" button (step S430), the input unit 31 outputs a send button signal Sbs to the attribute option control unit 35 (step S460). The attribute option control unit 35 outputs the options held up to that point to the transmission processing unit 38 as the selected item attribute Ats (step S470). The transmission processing unit 38 transmits the item attribute Ats to the coordination device 2 as request data Gd (step S480).

If the stage is the item selection stage, the reception processing unit 32 receives response data Rd (step S490), and if the response data Rd is item display information Iif (step S500), outputs the item display information Iif to the item display control unit 36 (step S510). The item display control unit 36 generates item screen information Idp based on the item display information Iif (step S520) and outputs it to the display unit 37. The display unit 37 displays an image based on the item screen information Idp on the screen 30 (step S530).

Then, the input unit 31 inputs the user input Ui (step S540), and if the user input Ui corresponds to the touch operation of the item category button (step S550), it outputs the item category button signal Tbs to the item display control unit 36 and the initial information control unit 34 (step S560). The item display control unit 36 outputs the item ID corresponding to the item image on the model image 311 to the transmission processing unit 38 as the item specific information Is (step S570). The transmission processing unit 38 transmits the item specific information Is to the coordination device 2 as the request data Gd (step S580). The initial information control unit 34 that has received the item category button signal Tbs performs the same operation as in step S350 to output the selected item category Tps to the transmission processing unit 38 (step S590), and the transmission processing unit 38 performs the same operation as in step S360 to transmit the request data Gd to the coordination device 2 (step S600). If the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of the "OK" button (step S550), the input unit 31 outputs a OK button signal Dbs to the item display control unit 36 (step S610). The item display control unit 36 performs the same operation as in step S570 to output the item identification information Is to the transmission processing unit 38 (step S620), and the transmission processing unit 38 transmits the item identification information Is as request data Gd to the coordination device 2 (step S630). Furthermore, the item display control unit 36 outputs the decision information Dif to the transmission processing unit 38 (step S640), and the transmission processing unit 38 transmits the decision information Dif as request data Gd to the coordination device 2 (step S650).

In addition, any combination or all of the service request unit 33, initial information control unit 34, attribute option control unit 35, and item display control unit 36 may be combined into one component.

In this embodiment, the attributes of the fashion item category are used to narrow down the item images to be displayed, but it is also possible to display all item images belonging to each category without narrowing down the items by attributes. In this case, the attribute display field and "Submit" button are not necessary on screen 30, and once a fashion item category is selected, a group of candidate item images will be displayed.

Fashion items handled by the coordination service provided by the coordination system 1 are usually products intended for sale, and so item images are prepared in advance. However, images of fashion items owned by the user may be added to the item images so that the user can try combinations with fashion items they own. In this case, for example, images of fashion items owned by the user are captured into the terminal device 3 using a camera function or the like of the terminal device 3, processed, and transmitted to the coordination device 2, which then stores the images as item images.

A reduced image (thumbnail) of the item image may be stored in advance in the item information storage unit 22 of the coordination device 2, and this thumbnail may be included in the item information It1 and transmitted to the terminal device 3 via the item display information Iif and response data Rd, and the terminal device 3 may display thumbnails corresponding to the candidate item image group on the screen 30. On the screen 30, these thumbnails may be displayed, for example, at the top of the screen.

In this embodiment, the item image is displayed superimposed on the model image 311, but it may be possible to display only the item image without displaying the model image. In particular, when desired item images have been identified in multiple categories and an item image in another category is further identified, it is possible to infer the outcome of the coordination from the item image alone, so it may be possible to select a form in which the model image 311 is not displayed.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, only model image 311 is used as the model image, but it is also possible to prepare multiple model images and select and use the model image as appropriate. By preparing at least male model images and female model images, and if possible, preparing model images of various body types, and combining and displaying item images on appropriate model images, it becomes possible to achieve more appropriate coordination.

Model image selection on the terminal device is performed by providing a button (hereinafter referred to as the "model change button") on the screen of the terminal device that requests a change of the model image, and the user touching the model change button. Model image selection can be performed at any timing after a service request has been sent and the initial information has been received, or at a predetermined timing, and the model change button is displayed on the screen according to the timing of execution. Here, the model change button is displayed immediately after the initial information is received, so that it can be performed at any timing.

The flow of model image selection in an example (second embodiment) of a coordination system that allows the selection of a model image will be explained using an example of sending and receiving information between a coordination device 2A and a terminal device 3A provided in this coordination system.

Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of information transmission and reception between a coordination device 2A and a terminal device 3A during model image selection.

When the model change button is touched, the terminal device 3A requests information about selectable model images (hereinafter referred to as "model list information") from the coordination device 2A (hereinafter this request is referred to as a "model change request") (step S6). When the coordination device 2A receives the model change request, it transmits the model list information to the terminal device 3A. The model list information is composed of information about the model images (hereinafter referred to as "model attributes"), and the model attributes may, for example, be reduced images of the model images or outline descriptions of the features.

Based on the received model list information, the terminal device 3A displays buttons (hereinafter, "model buttons") corresponding to each model image on the screen. When displaying, other fields may be hidden if necessary.

The user selects the desired model image by touching the model button. After confirming the touch operation of the model button, the terminal device 3A transmits information on the selected model image (hereinafter referred to as "selected model information") to the coordination device 2A (step S7). After receiving the selected model information, the coordination device 2A identifies the model image that corresponds to the selected model information and transmits it as specified model image information to the terminal device 3A.

The terminal device 3A that receives the specific model image information displays the specified model image in the position in the model display area where the model image is displayed.

Details of the coordination device 2A and terminal device 3A are explained below.

A configuration example of a coordination device 2A is shown in FIG. 15. Compared to the coordination device 2 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in the coordination device 2A, a model information storage unit 51 and a model information processing unit 52 are added, and the reception processing unit 20 and the transmission processing unit 29 are changed to a reception processing unit 20A and a transmission processing unit 29A, respectively. In addition, the initial information Sif generated by the item category processing unit 23 includes information for displaying and controlling the model change button.

The model information storage unit 51 stores, for each model image, model information consisting of the model image, model attributes, and a model ID, which is an identification number assigned to identify each model image.

The receiving processing unit 20A, like the receiving processing unit 20, receives the request data Gd transmitted from the terminal device 3A, checks the contents of the request data Gd, and outputs a service request Rq, a selected item category Tps, a selected item attribute Ats, item specific information Is, and decision information Dif, as well as outputs a model change request Rm and selected model information Ms. The model change request Rm and selected model information Ms are input to the model information processing unit 52.

The model information processing unit 52 generates model list information Msi in response to the model change request Rm. When the model change request Rm is input, the model information processing unit 52 reads all model attributes Mat from the model information storage unit 51 and generates model list information Msi, which is information for displaying and controlling these on the screen of the terminal device 3A. The model list information Msi is output to the transmission processing unit 29A. Note that it is also possible to read all model attributes Mat from the model information storage unit 51 in advance to generate and store model list information Msi, and when a model change request Rm is input, to output the stored model list information Msi to the transmission processing unit 29A. In this case, the model list information Msi may be simply stored by the model information processing unit 52, and the model information storage unit 51 may store only the model ID and model image without storing the model attributes.

The model information processing unit 52 also identifies a model image from the model information storage unit 51 based on the selected model information Ms. It uses a model ID as the selected model information Ms, and extracts a model image corresponding to the model ID having the value of the selected model information Ms from the model information storage unit 51. Based on the extracted model image, it generates specific model image information Mif, which is information for displaying and controlling the model image on the screen of the terminal device 3A, and outputs it to the transmission processing unit 29A.

Similar to the transmission processing unit 29, the transmission processing unit 29A transmits the input initial information Sif, attribute option information Aif, and item display information Iif as response data Rd to the terminal device 3A, and also transmits the input model list information Msi and specific model image information Mif as response data Rd to the terminal device 3A.

The operation of the coordinating device 2A is the same as that of the coordinating device 2, except that operations related to the model information processing unit 52 are added to the example of the operation of the coordinating device 2 shown in FIG. 8. The added operations are the operations executed by the receiving processing unit 20A, the model information processing unit 52, and the transmitting processing unit 29A as described above when the request data Gd is a model change request and when the request data Gd is selected model information.

An example of the configuration of terminal device 3A is shown in FIG. 16. Compared to the terminal device 3 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in terminal device 3A, a model display control unit 61 is added, and the input unit 31, reception processing unit 32, display unit 37 and transmission processing unit 38 are changed to input unit 31A, reception processing unit 32A, display unit 37A and transmission processing unit 38A, respectively. In addition to the service request stage, initial stage, attribute selection stage and item selection stage, the coordination service executed in terminal device 3A also includes a stage for making a model change request (hereinafter referred to as the "model change request stage"), a stage for receiving model list information (hereinafter referred to as the "model selection stage") and a stage for receiving specific model image information (hereinafter referred to as the "model display stage").

The input unit 31A, like the input unit 31, inputs a user input Ui using an input means and outputs a signal based on the user input Ui. Then, in the added model change request stage, the input unit 31A outputs a model change button signal Mcs generated by touching the model change button, and in the model selection stage, the input unit 31A outputs a model button signal Mbs generated by touching the model button, to the model display control unit 61.

The receiving processing unit 32A, like the receiving processing unit 32, receives the response data Rd sent from the coordination device 2A, checks the contents of the response data Rd, and outputs the initial information Sif, attribute selection option information Aif, and item display information Iif, and also outputs the model list information Msi and specific model image information Mif to the model display control unit 61.

The model display control unit 61 outputs a model change request Rm to the transmission processing unit 38A in response to the input of the model change button signal Mcs.

The model display control unit 61 also uses each model attribute in the input model list information Msi to generate model list screen information Msd for displaying each model button on the screen, and outputs it to the display unit 37A. Then, when a model button signal Mbs is input, the model ID of the model information corresponding to the model button signal Mbs is output to the transmission processing unit 38A as selected model information Ms.

Furthermore, the model display control unit 61 generates model screen information Mdp for displaying the model image in the input specific model image information Mif in the model display area of the screen, and outputs it to the display unit 37A.

Similar to display unit 37, display unit 37A displays images based on initial screen information Sdp, attribute selection option screen information Adp, and item screen information Idp on the screen, and also displays images based on model list screen information Msd and model screen information Mdp on the screen.

Similar to the transmission processing unit 38, the transmission processing unit 38A transmits the service request Rq, the selected item category Tps, the selected item attributes Ats, the item specific information Is, and the decision information Dif as request data Gd to the coordination device 2A, and also transmits the model change request Rm and the selected model information Ms as request data Gd to the coordination device 2A.

The operation of the terminal device 3A is the same as that of the coordinate device 2, except that operations at the model change request stage, model selection stage, and model display stage are added to the operation example of the terminal device 3 in the first embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 13. Operation examples at these three stages will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 17. Figure 17 (A) shows a flowchart of an operation example at the model change request stage, Figure 17 (B) shows a flowchart of an operation example at the model selection stage, and Figure 17 (C) shows a flowchart of an operation example at the model display stage.

When the stage is the model change request stage, the input unit 31A inputs a user input Ui (step S710), and if the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of the model change button (step S720), a model change button signal Mcs is output to the model display control unit 61 (step S730). The model display control unit 61 outputs a model change request Rm to the transmission processing unit 38A (step S740). The transmission processing unit 38A transmits the model change request Rm as request data Gd to the coordination device 2A (step S750).

If the stage is the model selection stage, the receiving processing unit 32A receives response data Rd (step S760), and if the response data Rd is model list information Msi (step S770), outputs the model list information Msi to the model display control unit 61 (step S780). The model display control unit 61 generates model list screen information Msd based on the model list information Msi (step S790) and outputs it to the display unit 37A. The display unit 37A displays an image based on the model list screen information Msd on the screen (step S800).

Then, the input unit 31A inputs a user input Ui (step S810), and if the user input Ui corresponds to a touch operation of a model button (step S820), it outputs a model button signal Mbs to the model display control unit 61 (step S830). The model display control unit 61 outputs selected model information Ms corresponding to the model button signal Mbs to the transmission processing unit 38A (step S840). The transmission processing unit 38A transmits the selected model information Ms as request data Gd to the coordination device 2A (step S850).

If the stage is the model display stage, the reception processing unit 32A receives response data Rd (step S860), and if the response data Rd is specific model image information Mif (step S870), outputs the specific model image information Mif to the model display control unit 61 (step S880). The model display control unit 61 generates model screen information Mdp based on the specific model image information Mif (step S890) and outputs it to the display unit 37A. The display unit 37A displays an image based on the model screen information Mdp on the screen (step S900).

In the first and second embodiments, the facial portion of the model image displayed on the screen of the terminal device may be changed to a facial image prepared in advance, for example, the facial image of the user. By using the facial image of the user, it is possible to approximate an image in which the user is actually wearing the fashion item, and more appropriate coordination can be achieved. In particular, in the second embodiment, by using the facial image of the user for a model image that is similar to the user's body type, more appropriate coordination can be achieved. The facial image can be changed, for example, by capturing the user's facial image into the terminal device using a camera function or the like of the terminal device, processing it, and sending it to the coordination device, and the coordination device changes the facial portion of the model image to be sent to the terminal device to the sent facial image. The coordination device may store the model image with the changed facial image, and allow the model image to be used repeatedly.

The above-described embodiment is a configuration of a coordination system that includes a coordination device and a terminal device, but it is also possible for the coordination device to have input means and display means and for the coordination device to execute all of the coordination services on its own. For example, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer that has input means such as a keyboard and display means such as a display is used as the coordination device, and the coordination service is executed by this computer alone. This simplifies the overall configuration and makes it easier to maintain, etc.

FIG. 18 shows a configuration example (third embodiment) of a coordinate device to which the above-mentioned contents are applied to the coordinate device 2 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In the coordination device 2B in the third embodiment, since it is not necessary to send and receive information to and from the terminal device, the receiving processing unit 20 and the transmitting processing unit 29 are deleted, and instead, an input unit 31B, a service request unit 33B, an initial information control unit 34B, an attribute option control unit 35B, an item display control unit 36B, and a display unit 37B are provided which have similar functions to the input unit 31, service request unit 33, initial information control unit 34, attribute option control unit 35B, item display control unit 36B, and display unit 37B which are provided in the terminal device 3, and the input and output of information which was previously performed via the transmitting processing unit 29 and the receiving processing unit 32, as well as the transmitting processing unit 38 and the receiving processing unit 20, is performed without going through them.

The above-described embodiment can be realized in a computer and memory configuration by using the attribute table storage unit, item information storage unit, model information storage unit, and specific item information storage unit as memory, and implementing the processing of the other components as a program as described above. Each component can also be realized in hardware such as a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment has been described in the form of a system or device, the present invention can also take the form of a method or program.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, matters not expressly disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment do not depart from the scope of ordinary practice by a person skilled in the art, and values that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art can be adopted.

1 Coordination system 2, 2A, 2B Coordination device 3, 3A Terminal device 4 Network 20, 20A, 32, 32A Reception processing unit 21 Attribute table storage unit 22 Item information storage unit 23 Item category processing unit 24 Attribute option processing unit 25 Item information selection unit 26 Item identification processing unit 27 Completion processing unit 28 Specific item information holding unit 29, 29A, 38, 38A Transmission processing unit 30 Screen 31, 31A, 31B Input unit 33, 33B Service request unit 34, 34B Initial information control unit 35, 35B Attribute option control unit 36, 36B Item display control unit 37, 37A, 37B Display unit 51 Model information storage unit 52 Model information processing unit 61 Model display control unit

Claims (13)

A coordination device that enables coordination using item images that are images of fashion-related items,
an item information storage unit that stores item information including a category of the item and an item image;
an item information control unit that selects an item image from the item images in the item information storage unit based on item selection information including a category of the item, and generates item display information including a selected item image that is the selected item image;
the item information control unit prepares an item category list including a plurality of categories of the item selectable by a user, and includes the category of the item selected from the item category list in the item selection information;
Selection from the item category list is executable when starting a coordination service and after generating the item display information;
A coordination device characterized in that, based on the item display information, the selected item image is displayed at a predetermined position determined according to the category of the item, and when there are multiple selected item images, the selected item images are displayed side by side in a predetermined direction and are movable in the predetermined direction. The coordination device according to claim 1, wherein the selected item image can be displayed superimposed on a model image, which is an image of a model, based on the item display information. The coordination device according to claim 1 or 2, in which selected item images for multiple different categories can be displayed simultaneously based on the item display information, even if there are multiple selected item images. The coordination device according to claim 1 or 2, which is capable of displaying selected item images of a category different from the category corresponding to the displayed selected item image superimposed on the displayed selected item image based on the item display information. At least one of the item image and the model image is composed of a plurality of divided images,
When the selected item image and the model image are displayed in an overlapping manner based on the item display information, the divided images are used for the images constituted by the divided images;
3. The coordinate device according to claim 2, wherein the front and rear positions of the divided images with respect to the image on which the divided images are superimposed can be changed for each divided image. a model information storage unit that stores model information including the model image;
The coordination device according to claim 2 , further comprising: a model information processing unit that selects a model image onto which the item image is to be superimposed from the model images in the model information storage unit. The coordination device according to claim 2 or 6, which is capable of changing the face part of the model image to a face image prepared in advance and displaying the item image superimposed on the changed model image. The item information control unit identifies an item image from the selected item image based on the item identification information,
The coordination device according to claim 1 , further comprising a specific item information storage unit that stores item information including the specified item image. The coordination device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display unit that displays the selected item image based on the item display information. The coordination device according to claim 1 ;
a terminal device that receives information including the item category list from the coordination device, transmits information about the category of the item selected from the item category list to the coordination device, and receives the item display information from the coordination device;
A coordinate system, wherein the terminal device comprises a display unit that displays the selected item image based on the item display information. A coordination method that enables coordination using item images that are images of fashion-related items, comprising:
an item information control step of selecting an item image based on item selection information including the item category from the item information in an item information storage unit that stores item information including the item category and the item image, and generating item display information including a selected item image that is the selected item image;
In the item information control step, an item category list including a plurality of categories of the item selectable by a user is prepared, and the category of the item selected from the item category list is included in the item selection information;
Selection from the item category list is executable when starting a coordination service and after generating the item display information;
A coordination method characterized in that, based on the item display information, the selected item image is displayed at a predetermined position determined according to the category of the item, and if there are multiple selected item images, the selected item images are displayed side by side in a predetermined direction and are movable in the predetermined direction. The coordination method according to claim 11, wherein the selected item image can be displayed superimposed on a model image, which is an image of a model, based on the item display information. A coordination program for causing a computer to execute the coordination method according to claim 11 or 12.

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