Information retrieval method and apparatus

• US 7,117,518 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1998
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yoshida, Kimiyoshi, Takahashi, Yasushi, Fujiwara, Yoshihito
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, AN SON PHI
• Application Number:
  US09/078,469
• Time in Patent Office: 3,064 Days
• Field of Search: 725 3- 5, 725 32- 36, 725 45- 47, 725/97, 725 9- 21, 725/39, 725/86, 705/7, 705/10
• US Class Current: 725/86
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/735 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 21/4668 for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite

Abstract

In an information retrieval method and apparatus, a specific user model is formed for a specific user based at least upon the specific user'"'"'s own selection data. A plurality of specific user models formed for respective users are registered, and a group user model is formed on the basis of the plurality of specific user models. Information is subsequently retrieved based on the group user model. The group user model may be formed by selecting a maximum, minimum or average value of the plurality of specific user models.

Claims

1. An information retrieval method, comprising the steps of:

forming a specific user'"'"'s specific user model based on general user selection taste data comprising classification items and information contents on the basis of a general user group classified according to a user attribute and/or the state of information utilization, and based on the basic information selection taste data of said specific user;

registering said specific user model formed for each of plural users so as to correspond to respective users;

retrieving the information suiting one or more specific user model(s) based on said one or more specific user model(s) among a plurality of specific user models; and

forming a group user model on the basis of said plurality of specific user models and retrieving information based on priority order tables located in the group user model,

wherein said group user model is employed to retrieve information in accordance with one of a plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein said plurality of user-selectable modes includes a maximum value mode, a minimum value mode, and an average value mode,

wherein retrieval based on the maximum value mode is based on one specific user model and retrieval based on the minimum value mode and the average value mode are based on each of said plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein, when the maximum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a highest preference of one user model among the plurality of specific use models,

wherein, when the minimum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a number of complaints by the plurality of specific user models, and

wherein a determination of the information retrieval method is based on the priority order tables.

2. The information retrieval method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said group user model at an end user equipment and displaying a program menu at the end user equipment in a prioritized format according to the group user model stored at the end user equipment in accordance with a request from a user to retrieve said program menu.

3. The information retrieval method according to claim 2 wherein said program menu is an electronic program guide (EPG) which is displayed it said prioritized format via rearrangement of menu contents of the EPG in accordance with a genre priority order according to said selected group user model.

4. The information retrieval method according to claim 2 wherein said program menu is an electronic program guide (EPG) which is displayed in said prioritized from at via display of selected menu contents of the EPG in a differentiating manner with respect to non-selected menu contents displayed on a common screen, said selected menu contents being selected in accordance with said group user model.

5. The information retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein when said maximum value mode is selected, a genre having the highest degree of taste is continually selected from among a plurality of genres constituting the group user model and liked by each specific user of the group.

6. The information retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein when said minimum value mode is selected, at least a genre having at least the lowest degree of taste is continually selected from among the genres constituting the group user model and liked by each specific user.

7. The information retrieval method according to claim 1 wherein said group user model is formed exclusively on the basis of a plurality of specific user models formed for users of a common end user equipment of a household.

8. The information retrieval method according to claim 7 wherein said common end user equipment is television equipment.

9. An information retrieval apparatus, comprising:

storing means for storing general user selection taste data comprising classification items and information contents on the basis of a general user group classified according to a user attribute and/or the state of information utilization;

specific user model forming means for forming a specific user'"'"'s own specific user model based on said general user selection taste data read out from said storing means and basic information selection taste data of said specific user;

registering means for registering said specific user model formed for each of plural users so as to correspond to respective users, whereby a plurality of specific user models are registered;

group user model forming means for forming a group user model on the basis of said plurality of specific user models registered by said registering means,

wherein said group user model is employed to retrieve information in accordance with one of a plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein said plurality of user-selectable modes includes a maximum value mode, a minimum value mode, and an average value mode; and

retrieving means for retrieving information based on priority order tables located in the group user model so that particular desired information from said group user model in accordance with said selected mode is provided;

wherein retrieval based on the maximum value mode is based on one specific user model and retrieval based on the minimum value mode and the average value mode are based on each of said plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein, when the maximum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a highest preference of one user model among the plurality of specific user models,

wherein, when the minimum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a number of complaints by the plurality of specific user models, and

wherein a determined of an information retrieval method is based on the priority order tables.

10. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

said information retrieval apparatus comprises group user model storing means, at common end user equipment, for storing said group user model; and

said group user model is read out from said group user model storing means in accordance with a request from a user to retrieve said information.

11. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said group user model forming means selects the maximum value of said plurality of specific user models to form a group user model.

12. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said group users model forming means selects the minimum value of said plurality of specific user models to form a group user model.

13. An information retrieval method, comprising the steps of:

forming a specific user model for a specific user based at least upon the specific user'"'"'s own selection data;

registering said specific user model formed for each of plural users, whereby a plurality of specific user models are registered and correspond to respective users; and

forming a group user model on the basis of said plurality of specific user models and retrieving information based on priority order tables located in the group user model;

wherein said group user model is employed to retrieve information in accordance with one of a plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein said plurality of user-selectable modes includes a maximum value mode, a minimum value mode, and an average value mode.

wherein retrieval based on the maximum value mode is based on one specific user model and retrieval based on the minimum value mode and the average value mode are based on each of said plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein, when the maximum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a highest preference of one user model among the plurality of specific user models,

wherein, when the minimum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a number of complaints by the plurality of specific user models, and

wherein a determination of the information retrieval method is based on the priority order tables.

14. A method for recommending one or more video programs meeting a group user preference, comprising:

enabling each user of a group of users of common end user equipment to input video program preference data;

processing the inputted program preference data to create a specific user model for each user in the group;

forming a group user model on the basis of said plurality of specific user models;

retrieving information based on priority order tables located in the group user model;

storing said formed group user model in a group user'"'"'s preference database;

receiving program guide information;

determining one or more programs which may be of interest to a group user by use of said group user'"'"'s preference database and said program guide information;

generating a display signal representing a prioritized screen which includes a list of said determined programs; and

selecting, via a user interface, a program from said displayed list for viewing;

wherein said group user model is employed to retrieve information in accordance with one of a plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein said plurality of user-selectable modes includes a maximum value mode, a minimum value mode, and an average value mode; and

wherein retrieval based on the maximum value mode is based on one specific user model and retrieval based on the minimum value mode and the average value mode are based on each of said plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein, when the maximum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a highest preference of one user model among the plurality of specific user models,

wherein, when the minimum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a number of complaints by the plurality of specific user models,

wherein a determination of an information retrieval method is based on the priority order tables.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said group user model is formed on the basis of said plurality of specific user models formed for users of said common end user equipment of a household.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein said prioritized screen contains information of an electronic program guide (EPG), said information being displayed prioritized via rearrangement of menu contents of the EPG in accordance with a genre priority order according to said group user model.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein said prioritized screen contains information of an electronic program guide (EPG), said information being displayed prioritized via display of selected menu contents of the EPG in a differentiating manner with respect to displayed non-selected menu contents on the screen, said selected menu contents being determined in accordance with said group user model.

18. Apparatus for recommending one or more video program meeting a group user preference, comprising:

a user interface for enabling each user of a group of users of common end user equipment to input video program preference data;

a processing unit for creating a specific user model for each user in the group;

a group user model forming part for forming a group user model on the basis of said plurality of specific user models;

a retrieving means for retrieving information based on priority order tables located in the group user model;

a group user'"'"'s preference database for storing said formed group user model;

a determination part for determining one or more programs which may be of interest to a group user for use of said group user'"'"'s preference database and program guide information; and

a display processor for generating a display signal representing a prioritized screen which includes a list of said determined programs;

wherein said user interface enables said group user to select a program from said displayed list for viewing; and

said group user model is employed to retrieve information in accordance with one of a plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein said plurality of user-selectable modes includes a maximum value mode, a minimum value mode, and an average value mode,

wherein retrieval based on the maximum value mode is based on one specific user model and retrieval based on the minimum value mode and the average value mode are based on each of said plurality of user-selectable modes,

wherein, when the maximum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a highest preference of one user model among the plurality of specific user models,

wherein, when the minimum value mode is selected, retrieval is a function of a number of complaints by the plurality of specific user models, and

wherein a determination of an information retrieval methods is based on the priority order tables.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said group user model is formed on the basis of said plurality of specific user models formed for users of said common end user equipment of a household.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said prioritized screen contains information of an electronic program guide (EPG), said information being displayed prioritized via rearrangement of menu contents of the EPG in accordance with a genre priority order according to said group user model.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said prioritized screen contains information of an electronic program guide (EPG), said information being displayed prioritized via display of selected menu contents of the EPG in a differentiating manner with respect to displayed non-selected menu contents on the screen, said selected menu contents being determined in accordance with said group user model.