A local research team has recently developed a mobile image query using a system that can help shoppers learn more about prices for similar products.
“The new system allows a mobile phone user to get information about the appearances, styles and prices of items similar to the product a consumer plans to buy,” said Winston Hsu (徐宏民), an associate professor at National Taiwan University’s (NTU) Graduate Institute of Computer Science and Information Engineering, who led the research team that developed the system.
ALMOST INSTANTLY
Hsu said the shopper needs only to photograph the product with a mobile phone to get related information almost instantly.
“By so doing, the shopper will get a sense of prevailing market prices,” he said.
“I got the idea to develop the system after I went shopping with my wife one time at a local department store,” he said.
His wife intended to buy a handbag for NT$50,000.
INSPIRATION
“She asked me whether it was too expensive. I had no idea about handbag prices and could not give her any advice, “Hsu said, prompting him to develop the multimedia system.
Hsu said the system has been patented and that he is discussing projects with local system developers and online shopping companies.
The system will also be used to identify local landmarks, he said.
“For instance, if you were somewhere and had no idea about a certain building, you could photograph it and then get information about it online,” he said.
PROJECT
The system was one of the 23 multi-media products developed in a cooperative project between NTU and the National Science Council.
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