METHOD FOR FINDING PRODUCTS IN A NETWORK

Abstract

A method for finding products in a network is provided. An image representation of a desired object is generated using specifications for an image generation program of an electronic data processing system. The image representation contains at least a part of the features of the desired object. The generated representation is subjected to an image analysis by an electronic data processing system, and a result of the image analysis is then used to search for identical or similar real products in the network. At least one identical or similar real product found by the search is displayed on a display device of an electronic data processing system of the user.

Claims

1. A method for finding products in a network, comprising the steps of: generating at least one image representation of a fictitious object with the aid of specifications for an image generation program of an electronic data processing system, the at least one image representation containing at least some of features of the fictitious object; subjecting the at least one of the generated representation to image analysis by the electronic data processing system; using a result of said image analysis to search for identical or similar real products in the network; and displaying at least one identical or similar real product, found as a result of the search, on a display device of a user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image generation program generates the at least one image representation with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the specifications for the at least one image representation of the fictitious object to be generated are made by an acoustic input, a text input, and/or pictorial elements that are part of a desired object and/or by a man-machine interface based on imagination or thoughts of the user.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of image representations of the fictitious object is generated on the basis of the specifications, which image representations are displayed on the display device, and wherein at least one of the plurality of image representations is selected by the user for the image analysis.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein several of the plurality of image representations are selectable and at least one new pictorial representation is generated from the selected image representations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one generated image representation is displayed on the display device next to the at least one identical or similar real product.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the image analysis comprises a similarity analysis of the at least one image representation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one identical or similar real product found by the search is selectable with an operating pointer to obtain further information about the at least one identical or similar real product.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of identical or similar real products are found by the search and are displayed on the display device according to predeterminable criteria.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specifications for the at least one image representation of the fictitious object to be generated are made by an acoustic input, a text input, and/or pictorial elements that are part of a desired object and/or by a man-machine interface based on imagination or thoughts of the user.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of image representations of the fictitious object is generated on the basis of the specifications, which image representations are displayed on the display device, and wherein at least one of the plurality of image representations is selected by the user for the image analysis.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein several of the plurality of image representations are selectable and at least one new pictorial representation is generated from the selected image representations.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one generated image representation is displayed on the display device next to the at least one identical or similar real product.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image analysis comprises a similarity analysis of the at least one image representation.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one identical or similar real product found by the search is selectable with an operating pointer to obtain further information about the at least one identical or similar real product.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of identical or similar real products are found by the search and are displayed on the display device according to predeterminable criteria.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawing.

[0019] The single figure shows the flow of the method for finding products in a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The user 11 has in his mind's eye a fictitious object 12 which he wishes to acquire, for example. The object has at least two features A, B which the user can describe. The user 11 formulates these two features A, B as input 13 for an electronic data processing system 14.

[0021] The input can be textual via a keyboard or acoustic via a voice control. Other input possibilities can also be used to generate the input 13 with the characteristics A, B. For example, combined inputs are also possible, which may also include a graphic or several graphic sketches.

[0022] In the data processing system 14 an image generation program is implemented or accessible, which creates at least one pictorial representation 15, 16, 17 of the desired object 12 with the features A, B from this input 13. Such image generation programs are known and use Artificial Intelligence to create a pictorial representation 15, 16, 17 of a corresponding object 12 from the mere input 13 of the features A, B. This object 12 is thus fictitious and does not exist in the real world.

[0023] The pictorial representations 15, 16, 17 are displayed on a display device 18 of the user 11. This display device 18 may be, for example, the screen of a computer or a tablet computer or a smartphone. Also, these representations may be displayed in VR (virtual reality) glasses. In any case, these representations are displayed in a manner that is visually perceptible to the user. This also includes the mental display or projection, in which the products or a pictorial representation of the product appear only in front of the user's “mind's eye” via a man-machine interface.

[0024] The representations 15, 16, 17 thus generated can be selected with an operating pointer 19. The operating pointer 19 may be the “mouse” pointer of the electronic data processing system 14. In touch-sensitive display devices 18, such as those used in mobile smart phones or tablet computers, the control pointer 19 may also be the user's fingertip or a stylus tip. In VR goggles, the control pointer 19 may be controlled by focusing the eye of the user on one of the pictorial representations. It is also possible to manifest, move and actuate the control pointer 19 by means of a man-machine interface only by the thoughts of the user 11. All possible embodiments of the control pointer result in at least one of the shown pictorial representations 15 being highlighted or selected.

[0025] The selected pictorial representation 15 is fed to another or the same data processing system 20. In this, an image processing program runs which performs a similarity search within a network for identical or similar products. The products thus found are real products which exist and can be purchased. These products 21, 22, 23 thus found are displayed on another page 24 of the user's display device or other data processing equipment. It is useful if the selected pictorial representation 15 is also displayed on this page 24 of the display device. Provision may also be made for the search history to be displayed on the display device or stored in a retrievable manner. In this way, the search remains clear.

[0026] The products 21, 22, 23 found can be displayed with further information DEF, GHJ, KLM. This information may include in particular the seller, the dimensions, the place of sale and the purchase price. The user 11 is thus able to easily find and purchase a product 21, 22, 23 that is at least similar to his designed object 12 in the network.