COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION METHOD, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

• US 20080215662A1
• Filed: 12/26/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Akira Tange, Tetsujiro Kondo
• Original Assignee: Akira Tange, Tetsujiro Kondo
• Inventors: KONDO, TETSUJIRO, TANGE, AKIRA
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

Value-added information is generated by collecting information relating to apparatuses from a plurality of users, and service is automatically and adaptively provided in a manner that satisfies each user'"'"'s own preference.

Since a second electronic apparatus of a given user is controlled based on control information of a second electronic apparatus of another user to which first electronic apparatus information of the user is similar, electronic apparatus control service is performed in a manner adaptively matching preference of the user without complex signal processing such as user preference analysis. The electronic apparatus of the user is controlled based electronic apparatus information of the similar user with whom the user shares activity information such as transfer and purchases of apparatuses in common, electronic apparatus control service is performed in a manner adaptively matching preference of the user without complex signal processing such as user preference analysis.

Claims

1-140. -140. (canceled)

141. A communication apparatus comprising:

a receiver device configured to receive first electronic apparatus operation information and second electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users,

a determining device configured to determine a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus operation information;

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitter device configured to transmit control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the second electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

142. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the first electronic apparatus, receives broadcast data.

143. A communication apparatus according to claim 142, wherein the receiver device receives, as video and audio information from each user, the ID and replay time of a content replayed by the receiving device.

144. A communication apparatus according to claim 142, wherein the receiver device receives, as channel switching information from each user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned, and channel switch time at which that tuned channel ID is changed.

145. A communication apparatus according to claim 142, wherein the receiver device receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content replayed by the receiving device and recorded in a recording medium.

146. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a recording device which, as the first electronic apparatus records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

147. A communication apparatus according to claim 146, wherein the receiver device receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in a recording medium by the recording device.

148. A communication apparatus according to claim 146, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information from each user, the ID of a content preprogrammed for recording by the recording device.

149. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a reproducing device which, as the first electronic apparatus, replays a content recorded in a medium.

150. A communication apparatus according to claim 149, wherein the receiver device receives, as the operation information from each user, at least one of the function commands of replay, fast-forward, rewind, and pause given to the reproducing device and the time assigned for that function.

151. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus.

152. A communication apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the receiver device receives, as browsing information from each user, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

153. A communication apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the receiver device receives, as download information from each user, a URL at which a file downloaded from the external apparatus by the terminal is stored.

154. A communication apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the receiver device receives, as upload information from each user, a URL at which a file and the ID of the file uploaded to the external apparatus by the terminal are stored.

155. A communication apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the receiver device receives, as bookmark information from each user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and then bookmarked by the terminal.

156. A communication apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the receiver device receives, as edit information from each user, the ID of a file edited by the terminal and an edit ID identifying the type of edit.

157. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

158. A communication apparatus according to claim 157, wherein the receiver device receives, as service use information from each user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to the external apparatus from the communication terminal.

159. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, receives broadcast data.

160. A communication apparatus according to claim 159, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned.

161. A communication apparatus according to claim 159, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, area information representing a target area of image data received and replayed by the receiving device.

162. A communication apparatus according to claim 159, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second apparatus of the first user, volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device.

163. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second apparatus of the first user, operation information for a recording device which, as the second apparatus of the second user, records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

164. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

165. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, preprogrammed recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device.

166. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, digest information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

167. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, search index information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

168. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as delete information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

169. A communication apparatus according to claim 163, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as title production information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, title information corresponding to the content produced by the second user and recorded in the recording medium.

170. A communication apparatus according to claim 141, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a terminal which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus.

171. A communication apparatus according to claim 170, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as browsing information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

172. A communication apparatus according to claim 170, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as download information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL at which a download file browsed by the terminal is stored.

173. A communication apparatus according to claim 170, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as bookmark information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL which represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

174. A communication apparatus according to claim 170, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as category information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the second user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal.

178. A communication apparatus comprising:

a receiver device configured to receive activity information and electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users,

a determining device configured to determine a matching degree for a first user based on the received activity information,

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitter device configured to transmit control information as contents of an operation for the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

179. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, the information of the position of the user as the activity information.

180. A communication apparatus according to claim 179, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information from each user, the information of the position of the user and identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located.

181. A communication apparatus according to claim 179, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information from each user, information of the operation of an electronic apparatus by the user.

182. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information from each user, product purchase information that is detected when a credit card is used.

183. A communication apparatus according to claim 182, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information from each user, the identification information of a building in which the user is currently located.

184. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the first electronic apparatus of the second user, receives broadcast data.

185. A communication apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned.

186. A communication apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, area information representing a target area of image data received and replayed by the receiving device.

187. A communication apparatus according to claim 184, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, volume information representing audio data received and replayed by the receiving device.

188. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a recording device which, as the first electronic apparatus of the second user, records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

189. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded by the recording device as preprogrammed recording information.

190. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, preprogrammed recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device.

191. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, digest information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

192. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, search index information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

193. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as delete information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

194. A communication apparatus according to claim 188, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as title production information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, title information corresponding to the content produced by the second user and recorded in the recording medium.

195. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus.

196. A communication apparatus according to claim 195, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as browsing information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

197. A communication apparatus according to claim 195, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as download information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL at which a download file browsed by the terminal is stored.

198. A communication apparatus according to claim 195, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as bookmark information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

199. A communication apparatus according to claim 195, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as category information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the second user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal.

200. A communication apparatus according to claim 178, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the first electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

201. A communication apparatus according to claim 200, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set in the communication terminal and replayed at the arrival of a call.

202. A communication apparatus according to claim 200, wherein the transmitter device transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal.

203. A communication apparatus comprising:

a receiver device configured to receive first electronic apparatus information and user activity information from each of a plurality of users,

a determining device configured to determine a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus activity information,

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitter device configured to transmit control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the user activity information of the second user.

204. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the first electronic apparatus, receives broadcast data.

205. A communication apparatus according to claim 204, wherein the receiver device receives, as video and audio information from each user, the ID and replay time of an content replayed by the receiving device.

206. A communication apparatus according to claim 204, wherein the receiver device receives, as channel switching information from each user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned, and channel switch time at which that tuned channel ID is changed.

207. A communication apparatus according to claim 204, wherein the receiver device receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content replayed by the receiving device and recorded in a recording medium.

208. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the receiver device receives, as the first electronic apparatus from each user, operation information for a recording device which records, in a medium, a content replayed by another reproducing device.

209. A communication apparatus according to claim 208, wherein the receiver device receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in a recording medium by the recording device.

210. A communication apparatus according to claim 204, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information from each user, the ID of a content preprogrammed for recording by the recording device.

211. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a reproducing device which, as the first electronic apparatus, replays a content recorded in a medium.

212. A communication apparatus according to claim 211, wherein the receiver device receives, as the operation information from each user, at least one of the function commands of replay, fast-forward, rewind, and pause given to the reproducing device and the time assigned for that function.

213. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus.

214. A communication apparatus according to claim 213, wherein the receiver device receives, as browsing information from each user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

215. A communication apparatus according to claim 213, wherein the receiver device receives, as download information from each user, a URL at which a file downloaded from the external apparatus by the terminal is stored.

216. A communication apparatus according to claim 213, wherein the receiver device receives, as upload information from each user, a URL at which a file and the ID of the file uploaded to the external apparatus by the terminal are stored.

217. A communication apparatus according to claim 213, wherein the receiver device receives, as bookmark information from each user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

218. A communication apparatus according to claim 213, wherein the receiver device receives, as edit information from each user, the ID of a file edited by the terminal and an edit ID identifying the type of edit.

219. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the receiver device receives, from each user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

220. A communication apparatus according to claim 219, wherein the receiver device receives, as service use information from each user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to the external apparatus from the communication terminal.

221. A communication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, information of the position of the second user, namely, the activity information of the second user.

222. A communication apparatus according to claim 221, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as the control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the information of the position of the user and the identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located, as the activity information of the second user.

223. A communication apparatus according to claim 221, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, product purchase information that is detected as the activity information of the second user when a credit card is used.

224. A communication apparatus according to claim 223, wherein the transmitter device transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the product purchase information that is detected when the credit card is used, and the identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located, as the activity information of the second user.

225. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a receiver device configured to receive control information for an electronic apparatus of a first user; and

a control device configured to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar user, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on contents of an operation for another electronic apparatus, and

wherein the contents of an operation for the other electronic apparatus of the second user is similar to that of the first user.

226. An electronic apparatus according to claim 225, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a receiving device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, receives broadcast data, and

the control device controls a receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

227. An electronic apparatus according to claim 226, wherein the receiver device receives, as channel information, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device of the similar user is tuned, and

the control device controls a tuning operation in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the channel ID.

228. An electronic apparatus according to claim 226, wherein the receiver device receives area information of image data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control device performs a resolution setting process on the image data corresponding to the area information.

229. An electronic apparatus according to claim 226, wherein the receiver device receives volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the volume of the audio data in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the volume information.

230. An electronic apparatus according to claim 225, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a recording device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, records in a medium a content replayed by a reproducing device, and

the control device controls a recording device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

231. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information, the ID and recording time of a content which is recorded in a recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the ID and the recording time of the content.

232. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information, recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device of the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received preprogrammed recording information.

233. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives digest information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control device controls the production of the digest of the content in accordance with the digest information.

234. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives search index information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control device controls the production of the search index of the content in accordance with the received search index.

235. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives, as delete information, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to delete the content therewithin in accordance with the content ID of the received delete information.

236. An electronic apparatus according to claim 230, wherein the receiver device receives title information corresponding to a content stored in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to automatically produce the title of the content to be recorded in the recording device in accordance with the title information.

237. An electronic apparatus according to claim 226, wherein the receiver device receives the operation information for a terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus, and

the control device controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

238. An electronic apparatus according to claim 237, wherein the receiver device receives, as browsing information, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls a browsing operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

239. An electronic apparatus according to claim 237, wherein the receiver device receives, as download information, a URL at which a download file downloaded from an external apparatus by the terminal of the similar user is stored, and

the control device controls a download operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

240. An electronic apparatus according to claim 237, wherein the receiver device receives, as bookmark information, a URL representing a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the registration of a bookmark in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

241. An electronic apparatus according to claim 237, wherein the receiver device receives, as category information, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the similar user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal, and

the control device controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus to automatically categorize the plurality of contents to be stored in the recording medium of the terminal in accordance with the received category information.

242. An electronic apparatus according to claim 225, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a communication terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication, and

the control device controls a communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

243. An electronic apparatus according to claim 242, wherein the receiver device receives an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set and replayed at the arrival of a call in the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the incoming call sound in the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received incoming call sound ID.

244. An electronic apparatus according to claim 242, wherein the receiver device receives a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus to transmit the ticket-booking information corresponding to the received service ID.

245. An electronic apparatus according to claim 225, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information of the similar user, user position information, and

the control device controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information when the user is so located.

246. An electronic apparatus according to claim 245, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information of the similar user, position information and identification information of a building in which the user is currently located, and

the control device controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information and the building.

247. An electronic apparatus according to claim 245, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information of the similar user, product purchase information that is detected when the user uses a credit card,

and the control device controls the electronic apparatus to outwardly transmit advance order information to order a product in response to the received product purchase information.

248. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a receiver device configured to receive control information for controlling the electronic apparatus of a first user, and

a control device configured to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on an activity information,

wherein an activity information of the second user is similar to an activity information of the first user of the electronic apparatus, and

wherein the matching degree is determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis or a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

249. An electronic apparatus according to claim 248, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a receiving device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, receives broadcast data, and

the control device controls a receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

250. An electronic apparatus according to claim 249, wherein the receiver device receives, as channel information, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device of the similar user is tuned, and

the control device controls a tuning operation in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the channel ID.

251. An electronic apparatus according to claim 249, wherein the receiver device receives area information of image data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control device performs a resolution setting process on the image data corresponding to the received area information.

252. An electronic apparatus according to claim 249, wherein the receiver device receives volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the volume of the audio data in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the volume information.

253. An electronic apparatus according to claim 248, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a recording device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, records in a medium a content replayed by a reproducing device, and

the control device controls a recording device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

254. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information, the ID and recording time of a content which is recorded in a recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received ID and the recording time of the content.

255. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives, as preprogrammed recording information, recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received preprogrammed recording date and time information.

256. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives digest information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control device controls the production of the digest of the content in accordance with the received digest information.

257. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives search index information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control device controls the production of the search index of the content in accordance with the received search index.

258. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives, as delete information, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to delete the content therewithin in accordance with the received content ID.

259. An electronic apparatus according to claim 253, wherein the receiver device receives title information corresponding to a content stored in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control device controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to automatically produce the title of the content to be recorded in the recording device in accordance with the received title information.

260. An electronic apparatus according to claim 248, wherein the receiver device receives the operation information for a terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus, and

the control device controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

261. An electronic apparatus according to claim 260, wherein the receiver device receives, as browsing information, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls a browsing operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

262. An electronic apparatus according to claim 260, wherein the receiver device receives, as download information, a URL at which a download file downloaded from an external apparatus by the terminal of the similar user is stored, and

the control device controls a download operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

263. An electronic apparatus according to claim 260, wherein the receiver device receives, as bookmark information, a URL representing a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the registration of a bookmark in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

264. An electronic apparatus according to claim 260, wherein the receiver device receives, as category information, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the similar user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal, and

the control device controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus to automatically categorize the plurality of contents to be stored in the recording medium of the terminal in accordance with the received category information.

265. An electronic apparatus according to claim 248, wherein the receiver device receives operation information for a communication terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication, and

the control device controls a communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

266. An electronic apparatus according to claim 265, wherein the receiver device receives an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set and replayed at the arrival of a call in the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the setting of the incoming call sound in the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received incoming call sound ID.

267. An electronic apparatus according to claim 265, wherein the receiver device receives a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control device controls the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus to transmit the ticket-booking information corresponding to the received service ID.

268. An electronic apparatus according to claim 248, wherein the receiver device receives user position information as the activity information of the similar user, and

the control device controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information when the user is so located.

269. An electronic apparatus according to claim 268, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information of the similar user, user position information and identification information of a building in which the user is currently located, and

the control device controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information and the building.

270. An electronic apparatus according to claim 268, wherein the receiver device receives, as the activity information of the similar user, product purchase information that is detected when the user uses a credit card,

and the control device controls the electronic apparatus to actually transmit advance order information to order a product in response to the received product purchase information.

271. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus operation information and second electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus operation information;

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the second electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

272. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving activity information and electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the received activity information a selecting step of selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information as contents of an operation for the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

273. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information and user activity information from each of a plurality of users;

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received operation information similar to the first electronic apparatus information of a first user;

a selecting step of selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the user activity information of the second user.

274. A control method for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling an electronic apparatus of a first user; and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on contents of an operation for another electronic apparatus, and

wherein the contents of an operation for the other electronic apparatus of the second user is similar to that of the first user.

275. A control method for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus of a first user; and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on an activity information,

wherein an activity information of the second user is similar to an activity information of the first user of the electronic apparatus, and

wherein the matching degree is determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis or a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

276. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program that when executed on a processor causes the processor to perform a method for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on control information of electronic apparatuses of a plurality of users the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus operation information and second electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users;

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received operation information similar to the first electronic apparatus information of a first user;

a selecting step of selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the second electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

277. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program that when executed on a processor causes the processor to perform a method for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on activity information of a plurality of users, the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving activity information and electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users;

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the received activity information;

a selecting step of selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information as contents of an operation for the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

278. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program that when executed on a processor causes the processor to perform a method for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on electronic apparatus information of a plurality of users, the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information and user activity information from each of a plurality of users;

a determining step of determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus activity information;

a selecting step of selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the user activity information of the second user.

279. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program that when executed on a processor causes the processor to perform a method for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on activity information of a similar user, the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling an electronic apparatus of a first user; and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on contents of an operation for another electronic apparatus, and

wherein the contents of an operation for the other electronic apparatus of the second user is similar to that of the first user.

280. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program that when executed on a processor causes the processor to perform a method for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on activity information of a similar user, the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus of a first user; and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on an activity information,

wherein an activity information of the second user is similar to an activity information of the first user of the electronic apparatus, and

wherein the matching degree is determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis or a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

281. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving first electronic apparatus operation information and second electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users;

determining means for determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus operation information;

a selecting means for selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

transmitter means for transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the second electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

282. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving activity information and electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users;

determining means for determining a matching degree for a first user based on the received activity information;

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

transmitter means for transmitting control information as contents of an operation for the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

283. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving first electronic apparatus information and user activity information from each of a plurality of users;

determining means for determining a matching degree for a first user based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus included in the received first electronic apparatus activity information

a selecting device configured to select a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

transmitter means for transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the user activity information of the second user.

284. An electronic apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving control information for controlling an electronic apparatus of a first user; and

control means for controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on contents of an operation for another electronic apparatus, and

wherein the contents of an operation for the other electronic apparatus of the second user is similar to that of the first user.

296. The communication apparatus of claim 284, wherein the similar user has a highest degree of matching with the other electronic apparatus with the user based on the contents of an operation of the other electronic apparatus determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis and a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

285. An electronic apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus of a first user; and

control means for controlling the electronic apparatus of the first user based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for an electronic apparatus of a second user as a similar, the second user selected based on a matching degree for the first user based on an activity information,

wherein an activity information of the second user is similar to an activity information of the first user of the electronic apparatus, and

wherein the matching degree is determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis or a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

297. The communication apparatus of claim 285, wherein the similar user has a highest degree of matching with the other electronic apparatus with the user based on the contents of an operation of the other electronic apparatus determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis and a weighting process performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.

286. A server comprising:

an identifying unit configured to identify a preference of a first user; and

a controller configured to transmit a control signal to an electronic apparatus associated with the first user according to the preference.

287. The server of claim 286, wherein the electronic apparatus is a television, and

wherein the controller transmits a control signal to change a channel of the television.

288. The server of claim 287, wherein the controller identifies a preference of a first user according to operation information for another electronic apparatus.

289. The server of claim 288, wherein the controller identifies the preference of the first user according to a preference of a second user having similar operation information for another electronic apparatus to operation information of the first user for another electronic apparatus.

290. A communication method comprising the steps of:

identifying a preference of a first user; and

transmitting a control signal to an electronic apparatus associated with the first user according to the preference.

291. The communication method of claim 290, wherein the electronic apparatus is a television, and

wherein the transmitter transmits a control signal to change a channel of the television.

292. The communication method of claim 291, wherein the preference of a first user is identified according to operation information for another electronic apparatus.

293. The communication method of claim 292, wherein operation for another electronic apparatus is a preference of a second user having similar operation information for another electronic apparatus to operation information of the first user for another electronic apparatus.

294. A communication method comprising:

receiving first electronic apparatus operation information and second electronic apparatus operation information from each of a plurality of users;

determining a matching degree for a first user among said received first electronic apparatus operation information based on the contents of an operation for the first electronic apparatus received from each of the plurality of users;

selecting a second user associated with the first user based on the matching degree; and

transmitting control information to control a second electronic apparatus of the first user based on the second electronic apparatus operation information of the second user.

295. The communication method of claim 294, wherein the matching degree based on the contents of the operation is determined from the number of fully matched words on a text basis and a weighting process is performed with the degree of matching varied from full to partial matching.