Patent Description:
Custom-made systems for clothing or underclothes are formerly known. For example, Patent Document <NUM> describes a custom-made system for underclothes. In this system, a measured value of a predetermined portion of the user's body is measured by a three-dimensional body measurement apparatus, and based on the measured value, template data corresponding to the user's ideal body type is generated. After the preference information is compared with the counseling information, the final sewing information is determined and the underclothes such as a brassiere is manufactured. Patent Document <NUM> describes a data three dimensions apparatus for generating three-dimensional shape data. In this apparatus, three-dimensional shape data obtained by optically reading an actual human body is used. Then, three-dimensional shape data indicating the human body shape of a client is generated using the side view and the front view obtained by photographing the client. Further the disclosure of <NPL> may be helpful for understanding of the present invention. This also applies to the disclosure of <CIT> and <CIT>.

As described above, techniques for customizing a underclothes such as a brassiere are known. Meanwhile, in a underclothes department or the like, it is required to propose or recommend a brassiere (clothing with cups) fitted to the body of a user from among a group of brassieres having various sizes. Top and underbust girths are often used to determine the size of a brassiere that fits a user's body. For example, a store clerk at the underclothes department measures these parts, determines the underbust size from the underbust girth, and determines the cup size from the difference between the top bust girth and the underbust girth. In some cases, the store clerk selects a plurality of sizes and types of brassieres that are likely to fit the user, and lets the user to try on the brassiere and choose a product.

Meanwhile, a three-dimensional scanner (3D scanner) capable of acquiring body shape information may be used for proposal or recommendation to a user. A three-dimensional scanner can also determine the underbust size and cup size of the brassiere. For example, it is conceivable to determine the cup size that fits the user based on the three-dimensional bust shape. However, when many users are targeted, the size and shape of the bust are different for each user, and the shape of each bust is complicated. There are limitations to determine the size of clothing with cups to fit each user's body by traditional apparatus and methods.

The present disclosure describes a size determination apparatus and method that can determine the size of clothing with cups to fit each user's body.

The present invention refers to a size determination apparatus according to claim <NUM> and a size determination method for clothing with cups covering a user's bust according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments may include features of depending claims. Thus a size determination apparatus for clothing with cups covering a user's bust according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit, which acquires a volume of a lower part of the bust and a volume of an entire bust including the lower part of the bust, and a determination unit which determines a cup size of clothing with cups based on the volume of the lower part and the volume of the entire bust, wherein the volume of the lower part is obtained by calculating a volume of a range below a predetermined height position in a height direction of the bust.

According to this clothing with cups size determination apparatus, the cup size of clothing with cups is determined based on the volume of the lower part of the user's bust. The volume of the lower part can have a larger influence on the cup size than the volume of the entire bust. Therefore, if at least the volume of the lower part is used for determination, it is possible to select the cup size that better fits the user's body. Therefore, even when many users are targeted, the size of clothing with cups that fits the body of each user can be determined.

The acquisition unit acquires the volume of the entire bust including the lower part of the bust, and the determination unit may determine the cup size based on the volume of the lower part and the volume of the entire bust. For example, when the volume of the upper part of the bust is relatively small, a gap tends to be formed between the brassiere and the bust. When the volume of the upper part of the bust is relatively large, the brassiere tends to bite into the bust. In this way, by using the volume of the entire bust including the volume of the upper part in addition to the volume of the lower part as a second element, the fitting accuracy is further improved.

The size determination apparatus may include a volume conversion unit which calculates a converted volume of the bust by adding a product obtained by multiplying a volume of the lower part by a first coefficient and a product obtained by multiplying a volume of the entire bust by a second coefficient different from the first coefficient. The determination unit may determine the cup size by comparing the calculated converted volume with boundary values of the converted volume between cup candidate sizes set corresponding to each underbust size. The converted volume calculated by separately setting the first coefficient by which the volume of the lower part is multiplied and the second coefficient by which the volume of the entire bust is multiplied is easily adapted to the classification of the cup size. Determining the cup size based on the converted volume further enhances the accuracy of the fitting.

The second coefficient may be set larger as an underbust size becomes larger. The relationship between the volume of the lower part and the fittable cup size varies depending on the underbust size. By setting the second coefficient in this way, it is possible to select an appropriate cup size for each underbust size.

The determination unit may output a plurality of candidate sizes determined based on the volume of the lower part as a determination result. It is often difficult to select the only cup size that fits the user. When multiple candidate sizes are output as a determination result, room for choice is given to the user, and matching to the body or preference of the user is realized.

The volume of the lower part may be obtained by dividing the entire bust up and down at a height position in the height direction of a nipple of the bust, in case the height position of the nipple in the height direction is higher than a lower groove line of the bust. When the volume of the lower part is obtained based on the bust top (as a boundary), a more appropriate cup size corresponding to the bust of each user can be determined. In addition, the standard is easily standardized for all users, and the stability and reliability of determination in the determination unit are also enhanced.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a size determination method of clothing with cups covering a user's bust, acquiring a volume of a lower part of the bust and a volume of an entire bust including the lower part of the bust and determining a cup size of clothing with cups based on the volume of the lower part and the volume of the entire bust, wherein the volume of the lower part is obtained by calculating a volume of a range below a predetermined height position in a height direction of the bust.

According to the size determination method of clothing with cups, the cup size of clothing with cups is determined based on the volume of the lower part of the user's bust and a volume of an entire bust including the lower part of the bust. The volume of the lower part can have a larger influence on the cup size than the volume of the entire bust. Therefore, if the volume of the lower part and a volume of an entire bust including the lower part of the bust is used for determination, it is possible to select the cup size that better fits the user's body. Therefore, even when many users are targeted, the size of clothing with cups that fits the body of each user can be determined.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to determine the size of clothing with cups that fits the body of each user even when many users are targeted.

In the description of the drawings, same reference numerals are given to the same element, and the overlapping description will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, a brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is incorporated into the clothing size determination system S and constitutes a part of the clothing size determination system S. The clothing size determination system S is a system that presents or recommends underclothes fitting to the body of user C to the user C who is a customer coming to, for example, a underclothes store. The clothing size determination system S is configured to propose or recommend a fittable underclothes to a large number of users C. According to the clothing size determination system S, a plurality of three-dimensional positions on the body of the user C are measured by the 3D scanner <NUM>, and one or more underclothes are automatically proposed or recommended based on the measured values. In the clothing size determination system S, for example, the customer service by the store clerk is unnecessary (can be omitted), and the users C can choose a underclothing (product) by themselves. That is, self-service underclothing purchases or underclothing choices are possible.

The clothing size determination system S includes a 3D scanner <NUM> for acquiring body shape information of the user C, and the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> for determining the size of a brassiere (clothing) with cups fitted to the user C based on a measured value output from the 3D scanner <NUM>. The clothing size determination system S further includes a database <NUM> in which information on brassieres having various sizes (including sizes, types, prices, and the like) and size determination information including boundary values and the like used for size determination described later are stored, and a display <NUM> for displaying the information on the brassiere output from the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>. Clothing with cups is an upper body garment having a pair of cups covering the left and right bust B of user C. Specific examples of clothing with cups include, in addition to brassieres, camisole with cups, one piece with cups, and the like.

The 3D scanner <NUM> is, for example, an optical three-dimensional body shape measurement device. The type of the 3D scanner <NUM> is not particularly limited. A known infrared scanner or a known laser scanner may be used as the 3D scanner <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the 3D scanner <NUM> can measure at least the shape of the upper body of the user C, that is, the shape of the body (trunk) of the user C and the shape of the bust B of the user C (see <FIG>). The 3D scanner <NUM> includes a measurement device <NUM> for scanning a user C standing at the center of a rectangular apparatus, and a calculation unit <NUM> for inputting a measurement result by the measurement device <NUM>, performing a predetermined calculation, and outputting body shape information. The measurement device <NUM> includes various sensors. The measurement device <NUM> transmits three-dimensional data (measurement results), which is whole-body point cloud data including the bust B of the user C, to the calculation unit <NUM>. The calculation unit <NUM> includes a computer. The calculation unit <NUM> performs a predetermined process on the input three-dimensional data, performs a process of recognizing a measurement target portion (including the bust B and the underbust), and generates, for example, a three-dimensional image (or two-dimensional images such as front and side images).

The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is able to transmit and receive information to and from the 3D scanner <NUM>, the database <NUM>, and the display <NUM> via a communication network. The configuration and type of each of the communication networks are not limited at all, and may be designed according to any policy. For example, the communication network may be constructed by the Internet, an intranet, or a combination thereof. The communication network may be a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, or a combination thereof.

The database <NUM> is an apparatus (storage unit) for storing clothing information on clothing with cups. The clothing information indicates attributes of individual clothing. The clothing information may indicate attributes of individual clothing items that can be traded for charge or free of charge. An attribute of a garment refers to a data item that characterizes the garment, for example, a shape feature, a dimension feature, a fabric feature, a member feature, a structural feature, a sewing feature, a garment pressure, or a function of the garment. The attributes of the garment may include an image (product image) of the garment.

In the present embodiment, the clothing information includes information on the brassiere described above. Attributes of the garment include brassiere size as a dimensional feature of the garment. The brassiere size includes at least a cup size of a cup covering the user C's bust B and an underbust size corresponding to the user C's underbust girth. Underbust girth refers to the girth of the fuselage at the lowest point of bust B. As shown in <FIG>, the cup size includes a plurality of types of sizes such as an A cup, a B cup, a C cup, a D cup, an E cup, an F cup, and a G cup. The underbust size includes a plurality of types of sizes such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. It should be noted that these figures are Japanese brassiere sizes on a centimeter (cm) basis, but the size determination apparatus and size determination method according to the present disclosure may be similarly applied to brassiere sizes in other countries employing standards different from Japan using the configurations and methods disclosed in the specification.

The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> includes, as a functional element, an acquisition unit <NUM>, a volume calculation unit <NUM>, a volume conversion unit <NUM>, a determination unit <NUM>, and an output unit <NUM>. The acquisition unit <NUM> acquires three-dimensional information of the whole body of user C transmitted from the 3D scanner <NUM>. In particular, the acquisition unit <NUM> acquires three-dimensional data of the upper body shape including the bust B of the user C.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer <NUM> that can function as the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>. For example, the computer <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a main storage unit <NUM>, an auxiliary storage unit <NUM>, a communication control unit <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, and an output device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> executes an operating system and an application program. The main storage unit <NUM> includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM. The auxiliary storage unit <NUM> is constituted by, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory, and generally stores a larger amount of data than the main storage unit <NUM>. The auxiliary storage unit <NUM> stores a program <NUM> for causing at least one computer to function as the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>. The communication control unit <NUM> includes, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module. The input device <NUM> includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The output device <NUM> includes, for example, a monitor and a speaker.

Each function element of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is realized by causing the processor <NUM> or the main storage unit <NUM> to read the program <NUM> and execute the program. The program <NUM> includes codes for realizing each function element of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> operates the communication control unit <NUM>, the input device <NUM>, or the output device <NUM> according to the program <NUM>, and reads and writes data in the main storage unit <NUM> or the auxiliary storage unit <NUM>. Each function element of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is realized by this processing. Data or databases necessary for processing may be stored in the main storage unit <NUM> or the auxiliary storage unit <NUM>.

The program <NUM> corresponds to a brassiere size determination program. The program <NUM> may be provided after being fixedly recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the program <NUM> may be provided via a communication network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> may be constituted by one or more computers. When a plurality of computers are used, these computers are connected to each other via a communication network to configure the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the volume calculation unit <NUM> calculates the volume of the bust B based on the three-dimensional data of the upper body shape acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>. The volume calculation unit <NUM> extracts the range of the left and right bust B from the three-dimensional data of the upper body shape. At the lower end of the bust B, a boundary line between the bust B and the body, which is usually called Verge's line (a registered trademark in Japan), appears. This boundary line may be referred to as a lower groove line. In the three-dimensional data, since there is a portion around which the curvature changes, the volume calculation unit <NUM> extracts the Verge's line from the change point of the curvature. The volume calculation unit <NUM> extracts the boundary line from the change point of the curvature for the upper side and both the left and right sides of the bust B in the same manner as the Verge's line. By connecting these extracted Verge's lines and boundary lines to each other, an annular boundary line Ba of the bust B is generated. The volume calculation unit <NUM> calculates, for example, the volume of the range surrounded by the boundary line Ba as a bust volume Vt which is the volume of the entire bust.

The volume calculation unit <NUM> further calculates a first volume Va which is the volume of the lower part of the bust B. The bust volume Vt of the bust B corresponds to the sum of the first volume Va and the second volume Vb which is the volume of the upper part of the bust B. The volume calculation unit <NUM> calculates the first volume Va by splitting the bust B into two in the vertical direction at the height position of the bust B in the height direction of the bust top Bb. After obtaining the three-dimensional data of the lower part based on the three-dimensional data of the bust B, the volume calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the volume of the lower part from the three-dimensional data in the range below the horizontal split plane Bc (horizontal plane) set at the height position of the height direction of the bust top Bb. That is, in the calculation of the first volume Va, the calculation of the bust volume Vt is not necessarily required. The first volume Va may be directly calculated from the three-dimensional data without calculating the bust volume Vt. Of course, after calculating the bust volume Vt of the bust B, the volume calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the second volume Vb in a range below the split plane Bc in the bust volume Vt. The volume calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the second volume Vb, which is the volume of the upper part of the bust B, and subtract the second volume Vb from the bust volume Vt.

The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> calculates the first volume Va in this manner by noting that the first volume Va, which is the volume of the lower part of the bust B, is an important factor in determining (choice of) the brassiere size. The second volume Vb, which is the volume of the upper part of the bust B, also relates to the determination of the brassiere size as a second factor. In the present embodiment, the bust volume Vt corresponding to the sum of the first volume Va and the second volume Vb is used as the second factor. The acquisition unit <NUM> and the volume calculation unit <NUM> correspond to an acquisition unit that acquires at least the first volume Va of the bust B. The acquisition unit <NUM> and the volume calculation unit <NUM> correspond to an acquisition unit that acquires the bust volume Vt. The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is not limited to calculating the first volume Va and the bust volume Vt. The first volume Va and the bust volume Vt may be transmitted from the calculation unit <NUM> of the 3D scanner <NUM>, and the acquisition unit <NUM> may acquire them.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the volume of the upper part of the bust B corresponds to the difference obtained by subtracting the first volume Va, which is the volume of the lower part of the bust B, from the bust volume Vt, which is the volume of the entire bust. That is, the volume of the entire bust is the sum of the volume of the lower part (lower half) of the bust B and the volume of the upper part (upper half) of the bust B. However, the volume of the upper part of the bust B may be defined in a different way. For example, the volume of the entire bust B may be divided into three parts. That is, the bust B may include a lower part, a middle part, and an upper part. In this case, the brassiere size may be determined based on the volume of the lower part and the volume of the upper part of the bust B. The middle part may include a bust top Bb. The brassiere size may be determined based on the volume of the lower part of the bust B and a volume of at least a portion other than the lower part of the bust B. The brassiere size may be determined based on the volume of the lower part and the volume of the middle part of the bust B.

The volume calculation unit <NUM> calculates the underbust girth of user C from the three-dimensional data of the upper body shape. The underbust girth may be transmitted from the calculation unit <NUM> of the 3D scanner <NUM> and acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>. The underbust girth may be input to the calculation unit <NUM> or the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> of the 3D scanner <NUM> by the user C.

The volume conversion unit <NUM> calculates the converted volume of the bust B based on a predetermined determination equation. As described above, the first volume Va and the bust volume Vt are used to determine the brassiere size. The volume conversion unit <NUM> uses these <NUM> values to calculate the converted volume Vc of the bust B. The brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> stores a first coefficient k1, which is a weighting coefficient multiplied by the first volume Va, and a second coefficient k2, which is a weighting coefficient multiplied by the bust volume Vt, according to a plurality of underbust sizes. The first coefficient k1 and the second coefficient k <NUM> are, for example, positive values.

The determination equation in the present embodiment is represented by the following formula (<NUM>) (See also <FIG>) <MAT> Wherein:.

That is, the volume conversion unit <NUM> calculates the converted volume Vc of the bust B by adding the product obtained by multiplying the first volume Va of the lower part by the first coefficient k1 and the product obtained by multiplying the bust volume Vt by the second coefficient k2. The second coefficient k2 may be a value different from the first coefficient k1. The second coefficient k2 may be smaller than the first coefficient k1. The second coefficient k2 may be greater than the first coefficient k1. As shown in <FIG>, the first coefficient k1 ((a) in the figure) may be constant regardless of the underbust size. The second coefficient k2 may be set larger as the underbust size becomes larger. In the first coefficient k1 and the second coefficient k2 shown in <FIG>, the magnitude relationship between the coefficients may be b <a <c <d. The second coefficient k2 is, for example, the same in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM> ((b) in the figure), the same in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM> ((c) in the figure), and the same in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM> ((d) in the figure). The second coefficient k2 may be set so as to change more greatly according to the underbust size than the first coefficient k1. That is, depending on the underbust size, the first coefficient k1 may be relatively unchanged or constant, while the second coefficient k2 may be relatively largely changed. Even in this case, the second coefficient k2 is set larger as the underbust size becomes larger. Such a setting of the first and second coefficients allows suitable weighting in the converted volume.

The first coefficient k1 and the second coefficient k2 may be determined for each underbust size based on the test shown in <FIG> and <FIG> described later. When the first coefficient k1, the second coefficient k2, and the boundary value of the converted volume Vc (described later) are determined so that the degree of coincidence of the cup size is high, the accuracy and reliability of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> are improved.

The determination unit <NUM> determines the underbust size of the brassiere (underbust candidate size) fitted to the user C based on the underbust girth calculated by the volume calculation unit <NUM>. The determination unit <NUM> determines the cup size of the brassiere (cup candidate size) fitted to the user C based on at least the first volume Va of the lower part of the bust B. That is, the determination unit <NUM> determines the underbust candidate size and the cup candidate size based on the girth of the underbust and the first volume Va. These are the most important parts of the brassiere size that brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> recommends to user C. The underbust candidate size can also be referred to as a fittable underbust size. The cup candidate size may also be referred to as a fittable cup size.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the method for determining the brassiere size in the determination unit <NUM> will be described in more detail. <FIG> is a table showing cup candidate sizes corresponding to various underbust sizes. <FIG> conceptually shows the boundary value of the converted volume and the cup candidate size in the cup size determination of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, in the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM>, for example, six kinds of underbust sizes shown in the figure are set. Depending on the girth of the underbust, any underbust size is selected as the underbust candidate size. For example, a boundary value (such as <NUM> and <NUM>) may be set between two adjacent underbust sizes (such as <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>). Further, a plurality of cup sizes are set corresponding to each underbust size. In these cup size determinations, the converted volume Vc calculated by the above-described determination equation (<NUM>) is used.

More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the boundary value of the converted volume Vc (V1 to V6, and the like) is set corresponding to each underbust size. In each area between two adjacent boundary values, two types of cup sizes are set. For example, when the underbust size is <NUM> and the converted volume Vc is a value between the boundary values V2 and V3, the D-cup or the C-cup is selected as the cup candidate size. Then, as shown in <FIG>, D70 or C70 is selected as the brassiere candidate size. As shown in <FIG>, when the converted volume Vc is an area within a range from C to D, a larger D-cup may be offered as a first candidate, and a smaller C-cup may be offered as a second candidate. In <FIG>, one with a larger font and shown first corresponds to the first candidate. In <FIG>, the first one corresponds to the first candidate.

In this way, the determination unit <NUM> determines the cup size that fits the user C based on the converted volume Vc. That is, the determination unit <NUM> determines the cup size that fits the user C based on the first volume Va and the bust volume Vt. The determination unit <NUM> outputs two candidate sizes determined based on the first volume Va and the bust volume Vt as determination results. In offering the two candidate sizes, the determination unit <NUM> may assign priorities to the candidate sizes. The priority is the degree of recommendation. When the two candidate sizes are offered, the determination unit <NUM> may equally offer the two candidate sizes without giving priority to the candidate sizes. When the priority is given, the candidate size having a higher degree of recommendation may be displayed larger. The candidate size having a higher degree of recommendation may be displayed first (in displaying order or temporally). A description for recommendation such as "this size is recommended" may be added to the candidate size having a higher degree of recommendation.

In the determination of the cup size, as shown in <FIG>, the width between two adjacent boundary values may increase as the underbust size increases. The width between boundary values is the same in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM> (V1 to V6 in the figure), in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM>, and in underbust sizes <NUM> and <NUM>, for example. The data structure in the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> is not limited to one shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and may be designed arbitrarily.

The determination unit <NUM> determines the underbust size and the cup size of the brassiere by the determination method described above. The determination unit <NUM> may acquire a plurality of product informations (candidate brassieres) matching the determination result from the database <NUM>. The determination unit <NUM> outputs size information indicating the determination result and product information corresponding thereto to the output unit <NUM>. The output unit <NUM> outputs the information output from the determination unit <NUM> to the display <NUM>. The output unit <NUM> outputs the information of the candidate brassiere to the display <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the operation of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> and the brassiere size determination method according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in <FIG>, first, in step S01, the acquisition unit <NUM> of the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> acquires three-dimensional information of the whole body of user C transmitted from the 3D scanner <NUM> as a measured value. The three-dimensional data includes three-dimensional data of an upper body shape. Next, the volume calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the underbust girth of user C from the three-dimensional data of the upper body shape.

In step S02, the determination unit <NUM> determines the underbust size of the brassiere fitted to the user C by comparing the girth of the underbust with the boundary value. Next, in step S03, the volume calculation unit <NUM> extracts the range of the left and right bust B from the three-dimensional data of the upper body shape, and calculates the first volume Va and the bust volume Vt.

Subsequently, in step S04, the volume conversion unit <NUM> acquires the first coefficient k1 and the second coefficient k <NUM> corresponding to the underbust size. Here, coefficient a and either coefficient b or c or d shown in <FIG> are acquired according to the underbust size that fits user C. In step S05, the volume conversion unit <NUM> calculates the converted volume Vc of the bust B by substituting the numerical values for the two volumes calculated in step S03 into the determination equation (equation (<NUM>)).

In step S06, the determination unit <NUM> determines a brassiere size to be fitted to the user C shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In step S07, the output unit <NUM> outputs size information indicating the determined brassiere size. Through the series of processes described above, the recommended brassiere size and product information suitable to the user C are displayed on the display <NUM>, for example.

According to the brassiere size determination apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment, the cup size of the brassiere is determined based on the first volume Va of the lower part of the bust B of the user C. The first volume Va of the lower part may have a larger influence on the cup size than the bust volume Vt. Therefore, if at least the first volume Va of the lower part is used for determination, it is possible to select the cup size that better fits the body of the user C. Therefore, even when many users C are targeted, the size of the brassiere that fits the body of each user C can be determined.

For example, when the first volume Va of the upper part of the bust B is relatively small, a gap tends to be formed between the brassiere and the bust B. If the second volume Vb of the upper part of the bust B is relatively large, the brassiere tends to bite into the bust B. In this way, by using the bust volume Vt including the volume of the upper part in addition to the first volume Va of the lower part as the second element, the fitting accuracy is further improved.

The converted volume Vc calculated by separately setting the first coefficient k1 by which the first volume Va of the lower part is multiplied and the second coefficient k2 by which the bust volume Vt of the lower part is multiplied is easily fitted to the classification of the cup size. Determining the cup size based on the converted volume Vc further enhances the accuracy of fitting.

Here, the usefulness of the determination formula of the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a graph showing the distribution of the first volume Va of the lower part with respect to the bust volume Vt and the cup candidate size. In <FIG> and <FIG> nineteen subjects were asked to self-report the cup sizes that they considered fit, and the volumes of the busts of the subjects separately measured by the 3D scanner <NUM> were plotted on a graph. The test data shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are test data in a population having an underbust size of <NUM>. The boundary line corresponding to the boundary value of the determination formula of the present embodiment is represented as a broken line extending obliquely on the graph. As shown in <FIG>, by setting these broken lines as boundary lines, the fittable cup size according to the self-report matched the cup size of the area delimited by the boundary lines in eighteen out of nineteen persons (matching rate is <NUM>%). (It should be noted that only one data of a subject who reported that the fittable cup size was neither C cup nor D cup is plotted in the area from C to D.

<FIG> is a graph showing the distribution of the converted volume Vc with respect to the bust volume Vt and the cup candidate size. As shown in <FIG>, in the underbust size <NUM>, the first coefficient k1 and the second coefficient k2 are set so that the boundary lines are horizontal. The boundary lines showing a high matching rate in <FIG> are converted by the determination formula and become the boundary values of the converted volume Vc (see V1 to V6 shown in <FIG>). It can be read that the cup sizes are adapted to the areas R1 to R6, which are areas partitioned by V1 to V6 after the conversion by the conversion formula, with a matching rate of <NUM>%. As described above, if the determination formula and the first and second coefficients are prepared so that the boundary line becomes horizontal by drawing the boundary line so that the matching rate becomes high in the plot of <FIG>, a high matching rate can be obtained. These determination formulas and the first and second coefficients are set for each underbust size as described above.

In this embodiment, the second coefficient k2 is set larger as the underbust size becomes larger. The relationship between the first volume Va of the lower part and the fittable cup size varies depending on the underbust size. By setting the second coefficient k2 in this manner, it is possible to select an appropriate cup size for each underbust size.

It is often difficult to select the only cup size that fits user C. When multiple candidate sizes are output as a determination result, room for choice is given to user C, and matching to the body or preference of user C is realized.

As for the portion of the brassiere above the bust top portion (a portion covering the bust top Bb), the range covering the upper part of the bust B of the user C often varies depending on the design of the product. On the other hand, as for the portion below the bust top portion, the range covering the lower part of the bust B of the user C is not changed in most products. That is, the portion of the brassiere below the bust top portion covers all or substantially all of the lower part of the bust B of user C in most products. When the first volume Va of the lower part is obtained based on the bust top Bb (as a boundary), a more appropriate cup size can be determined according to the bust B of each user C. Further, the standard is easily unified for all users C, and the stability and reliability of determination in the determination unit <NUM> are also enhanced.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the range of the converted volume Vc in a certain area (e.g., area R2) may be split into <NUM> equal parts, areas R21, R22, and R23 may be set in ascending order, and the larger area (D-cup in the illustrated example) may be set as the first candidate when the area R23 or R22 is satisfied, and the smaller area (C cup in the illustrated example) may be set as the first candidate when the area R21 is satisfied. This is merely an example, and n equal parts (n is an integer of <NUM> or more) other than three equal parts may be used, and which of the larger and smaller parts is set as the first candidate can be arbitrarily determined.

The first volume Va is not limited to the aspect in which the first volume Va is obtained based on the height position in the height direction of the bust top Bb. For example, the first volume Va may be calculated from three-dimensional data in a range below a predetermined height position in the height direction among the three-dimensional data of the bust B. A volume ratio to the bust volume Vt may be determined in advance based on the three-dimensional data of the bust B, and the first volume Va may be calculated based on the volume ratio.

The determination of brassiere size may not take into account the bust volume Vt. That is, the brassiere size may be determined based on only the first volume Va. Based on the first volume Va and the second volume Vb, a bra size may be determined.

The determination unit <NUM> may output only one candidate size. In this case, for example, the determination method illustrated in <FIG> may be applied to offer only the first candidate as the candidate size. The determination unit <NUM> may output <NUM> candidate sizes. In this case, the center candidate size of the <NUM> sizes may be preferentially offered.

The cup size of clothing with cups may be determined based only on the volume of the lower part of the bust B of user C. In this case, the cup size of clothing with cups may be determined based on the volume of the lower part of the bust B of the user C and a correspondence relationship similar to that shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The size determination method of clothing with cups is not limited to the case of being performed by a computer, and may be performed by, for example, a store clerk of an underclothes department. The store clerk may estimate the volume corresponding to the first volume Va of the lower part based on the difference between the girth of the top bust and the girth of the underbust of the bust B of the customer user C and the outer shape (appearance) of the bust B, and select the brassiere size based on the volume. In this case, the entire volume corresponding to the bust volume Vt may be added.

Claim 1:
A size determination apparatus (<NUM>) for clothing with cups covering a user's bust (B) comprising:
an acquisition unit (<NUM>) which acquires a volume (Va) of a lower part of the bust (B) and a volume (Vt) of an entire bust (B) including the lower part of the bust (B);
a determination unit (<NUM>) which determines a cup size of the clothing with cups based on the volume (Va) of the lower part and the volume (Vt) of the entire bust
wherein the volume of the lower part (Va) is obtained by calculating a volume of a range below a predetermined height position in a height direction of the bust.