Method and apparatus for automatic updating of user profiles
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for use in updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customized services to a respective user, the apparatus comprising:
- an input for receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity;
a first rule store for storing a first set of rules;
an inference engine for interring updates to a user profile for the user according to said first set of rules using event statistics received at said input;
a store for storing user preference data;
a store for storing a set of personalized rule weightings in respect of said user;
a second rule store for storing a second set of rules;
adjustment means for adjusting said personalized rule weightings according to said second set of rules and with reference to said stored user preference data; and
wherein said inference engine is arranged to use said personalized rule weightings in the application of said first set of rules to the inference of profile updates and thereby to determine and output a set of at least one update to the user profile.
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Abstract
Appropriate updates to a respective user profile are inferred from monitored user activity. Such updates are suitable for use with applications programs that customize services based upon data and attributes stored in a user profile. The apparatus is arranged to personalize various aspects of a preferred profile updating process on the basis of stored user preferences, applying meta-rules to apply those user preferences to the definition of a set of personalized rule weights to be applied in a fuzzy inference process that infers profile updates by applying fuzzy rules and fuzzy sets to the analysis of event statistics derived from the results of user monitoring. The personalized rule weights are applied to selectively adjust the effect of particular fuzzy rules. In addition, mapping of event statistics to fuzzy rule premises in the fuzzy inference process may be personalized through the use of user-defined fuzzy sets.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customized services to a respective user, the apparatus comprising:
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an input for receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity; a first rule store for storing a first set of rules; an inference engine for interring updates to a user profile for the user according to said first set of rules using event statistics received at said input; a store for storing user preference data; a store for storing a set of personalized rule weightings in respect of said user; a second rule store for storing a second set of rules; adjustment means for adjusting said personalized rule weightings according to said second set of rules and with reference to said stored user preference data; and wherein said inference engine is arranged to use said personalized rule weightings in the application of said first set of rules to the inference of profile updates and thereby to determine and output a set of at least one update to the user profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customized services to a respective user, the method comprising:
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(i) storing a first set of rules; (ii) generating a set of personalized rule weightings according to a second set of rules and with reference to a set of user preference data; (iii) receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity; and (iv) applying an inference engine to infer and output at least one update to a profile for the user according to said first set of rules weighted according to said generated set of personalized rule weightings, using said received event statistics.
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Specification