Information processing device for obtaining high-quality content

• US 7,599,987 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kondo, Tetsujiro, Ohta, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): BATES, KEVIN T
• Application Number:
  US10/203,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,862 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/224, 707/2, 707/6, 725/14
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• 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 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access

Abstract

An information processing apparatus which allows high-quality contents to be easily obtained. A WWW browser section sends search request information which includes a keyword for web pages, input by the user, to an evaluation and search server. A search section of the evaluation and search server receives the search request information through a transmitting and receiving control section, and searches a WWW data base for web pages corresponding to the reported keyword. The search section reports the URLS, access information, of web pages obtained as a search result, to an evaluation section to request the calculation of an evaluation value for each web page. The search section generates search result information including evaluation from the access information of the web pages obtained as a search result and the evaluation value for each web page, and sends it to the WWW browser section through the transmitting and receiving control section.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, the apparatus including a combination of hardware elements and software elements, comprising:

a viewing-action-information collecting unit configured to collect viewing-action information representing viewing action of a user for content;

an evaluation calculation unit configured to calculate an evaluation value of each user for the content according to the viewing-action information collected by the viewing-action-information collecting unit;

an evaluation-information storage unit configured to store evaluation information representing the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation calculation unit, an evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of the evaluation information in descending order of the evaluation value, being stored in the evaluation storage unit;

an evaluation-information providing unit configured to provide each user with their own list among the evaluation-information lists stored by the evaluation-information storage unit and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list; and

a degree-of-similarity calculation unit configured to calculate degree of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users, stored by the evaluation-information storage unit;

wherein the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information representing operation content applied by the user, in a reproduction apparatus for reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium, to the recording-medium content, as the viewing-action information;

wherein the evaluation calculation unit calculates the evaluation value of each user for the recording-medium content according to the viewing-action information collected by the viewing-action-information collecting unit;

wherein the evaluation calculation unit weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity calculated by the degree-of-similarity calculation unit, adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents, the degree of similarity representing a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation-information lists for the focused-on user and other users; and

wherein the evaluation calculation unit produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation,

wherein the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position, and

wherein the evaluation values are updated every time that update information is generated based on counting display time of the content.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information representing a time when the user outputs the content, as the viewing-action information.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects operation information representing the content of an operation applied by the user to an output apparatus where the content is output, as the viewing-action information.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects the operation information in which the user specifies recording of the content.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit calculates the average of the evaluation values of a plurality of users for the content.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the evaluation-information storage unit stores the evaluation information for web-page information, calculated by the evaluation calculation unit, and

the evaluation-information providing unit provides an URL which specifies web-page information corresponding to a predetermined condition, and the evaluation information of each user for the web-page information corresponding to the condition.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information representing a time when the user outputs the web-page information, as the viewing-action information.

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be entered into a bookmark, as the viewing-action information.

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be printed, as the viewing-action information.

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be saved, as the viewing-action information.

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects information representing a viewing action applied by the user, in a receiving and reproduction apparatus for receiving broadcasting content and reproducing them, to the broadcasting content, as the viewing-action information, and

the evaluation calculation unit calculates the evaluation value of each user for the broadcasting content according to the viewing-action information collected by the viewing-action-information collecting unit.

12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

the viewing-action-information collecting unit collects switching-timing information representing timing when the channel for the broadcasting content is switched, as the viewing-action information, and

the evaluation calculation unit calculates the evaluation value according to the switching-timing information.

13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein,

when the switching-timing information indicates that the channel has been switched immediately after a predetermined commercial message was broadcasted, the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value for the broadcasting content which had been broadcasted immediately before the commercial message was broadcasted, by a predetermined value.

14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein,

when the switching-timing information indicates that certain broadcasting content have been selected after the channel was continuously switched, the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value for the selected broadcasting content, by a predetermined value.

15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit calculates the evaluation value according to the viewing-action information representing the reproduction speed of the recording-medium content, collected by the viewing-action-information collecting unit.

16. An information processing apparatus according claim 1, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the entire recording-medium content or a predetermined part thereof has been repeatedly being reproduced.

17. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that a predetermined part of the recording-medium content has been fast-forwarded.

18. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the recording-medium content has been paused.

19. An information processing method comprising:

a viewing-action-information collecting step of collecting viewing-action information representing the viewing action of the user for content;

an evaluation calculation step of calculating the evaluation value of each user for the content according to the viewing-action information collected by a process in the viewing-action-information collecting step;

an evaluation-information storage step for storing evaluation information representing the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation calculation step, an evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of the evaluation information in the descending order of the evaluation value;

an evaluation-information providing step for providing each user with the their own list among the evaluation-information lists and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list;

a degree-of-similarity calculation step for calculating the degrees of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users;

wherein the viewing-action-information collecting step collects information representing operation content applied by the user, in a reproduction apparatus for reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium, to the recording-medium content, as the viewing-action information; and

wherein the evaluation calculation step calculates the evaluation value of each user for the recording-medium content according to the viewing-action information collected in the viewing-action-information collecting step;

wherein the evaluation calculation step weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity calculated by the degree-of-similarity calculation step, adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents, the degree of a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation information lists for the focused-on user and other users;

wherein the evaluation calculation step produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation;

wherein the evaluation calculation step increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position;

updating the evaluation values every time update information is generated based on counting display time of the content; and

generating update information.

20. A recording medium storing a computer-readable program, the program comprising:

a viewing-action-information collecting control step of controlling the collection of viewing-action information representing the viewing action of the user for content;

an evaluation calculation step of calculating the evaluation value of each user for the content according to the viewing-action information collected by a process in the viewing-action-information collecting control step;

an evaluation-information storage step for storing evaluation information representing the evaluation value calculated, an evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of the evaluation information in the descending order of the evaluation value;

an evaluation-information providing step for providing each user with their own list among the evaluation-information lists and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list;

a degree-of-similarity calculation step for calculating the degrees of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users;

wherein the viewing-action-information collecting step collects information representing operation content applied by the user, in a reproduction apparatus for reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium, to the recording-medium content, as the viewing-action information;

wherein the evaluation calculation step calculates the evaluation value of each user for the recording-medium content according to the viewing-action information collected in the viewing-action-information collecting step;

wherein the evaluation calculation step weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity calculated by the degree-of-similarity calculation step, adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents, the degree of similarity representing a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation-information lists for the focused-on user and other users; and

wherein the evaluation calculation step produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation;

wherein the evaluation calculation step increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position

wherein the evaluation values are updated every time update information is generated based on counting display time of the content; and

generating update information.

21. An information processing apparatus, the apparatus including hardware elements and software elements, comprising:

an output unit configured to output content;

a viewing-action-information generation unit configured to generate viewing-action information representing a viewing action of a user, according to an input applied to the content output from the output unit; and

a communication unit configured to send the viewing-action information generated by the viewing-action-information generation unit to a second information processing apparatus and receive and evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of evaluation information in descending order of an evaluation value for the content according to the viewing-action information by the second information processing apparatus and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list;

a reproduction unit for reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium; and

an evaluation calculation unit for calculating an evaluation value for the recording-medium content according to operation information representing the content of an operation applied by the user to the recording-medium content reproduced by the reproduction unit,

wherein the output unit outputs the recording-medium content reproduced by the reproduction unit, and the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information including the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation calculation unit, and

wherein the each weighted evaluation is calculated by the second information processing apparatus which calculates the degrees of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users,

weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity, the degree of similarity representing a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation information lists for the focused on user and other users,

adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents,

produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation,

wherein the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position,

wherein the evaluation values are updated every time update information is generated based on counting display time of the content.

22. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates information representing a time when the output unit outputs the content, as the viewing-action information.

23. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information according to operation information representing an operation content performed by the user.

24. An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information according to the operation information specifying recording of the content.

25. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising

a requesting unit managed by the another information processing apparatus, for requesting transmission of evaluation information representing an evaluation value serving as an evaluation for content.

26. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information according to information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be entered into a bookmark.

27. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information according to information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be printed.

28. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the viewing-action-information generation unit generates the viewing-action information according to information indicating that the user specifies that the web-page information be saved.

29. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:

acquisition unit for acquiring broadcasting content; and

evaluation calculation unit for calculating an evaluation value for the broadcasting content according to switching-timing information representing timing when the channel of the broadcasting content acquired by the acquisition unit is switched,

wherein the output unit displays the broadcasting content acquired by the acquisition unit; and

the viewing-action generation unit generates the viewing-action information including the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation calculation unit.

30. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein,

when the switching-timing information indicates that the channel has been switched immediately after a predetermined commercial message was broadcasted, the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value for the broadcasting content which had been broadcasted immediately before the commercial message was broadcasted, by a predetermined value.

31. An information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein,

when the switching-timing information indicates that the channel had been continuously switched and then predetermined broadcasting content were selected, the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value for the selected broadcasting content by a predetermined value.

32. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit calculates the evaluation value according to the operation information representing the reproduction speed of the recording-medium content.

33. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the operation information indicates that the entire recording-medium content or a predetermined part thereof has been repeatedly reproduced.

34. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the operation information indicates that a predetermined part of the recording-medium content has been fast-forwarded.

35. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the operation information indicates that the recording-medium content has been paused.

36. An information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the operation information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position.

37. An information processing method comprising:

an output step of outputting content;

a viewing-action-information generation step of generating viewing-action information representing a viewing action of a user, according to an input applied to the content output by a process in the output step;

a communication step of sending the viewing-action information generated by a process in the viewing-action-information generation step, to a second information processing apparatus and receive and evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of evaluation information in descending order of an evaluation value for the content according to the viewing-action information by the second information processing apparatus and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list;

a reproduction step of reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium; and

an evaluation calculation step of calculating an evaluation value for the recording-medium content according to operation information representing the content of an operation applied by the user to the recording-medium content reproduced in the reproduction step,

wherein the output step outputs the recording-medium content reproduced in the reproduction step, and the viewing-action-information generation step generates the viewing-action information including the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation calculation step, and

wherein the each weighted evaluation is calculated by the second information processing apparatus which calculates the degree of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users;

weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity, the degree of similarity representing a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation information lists for the focused-on user and other users;

adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents;

produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation;

wherein the evaluation calculation step increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position wherein the evaluation values are updated every time update information is generated based on counting display time of the content; and

generating update information.

38. A recording medium recording a computer-readable program that is executed by a computer, the program comprising:

an output control step of outputting content;

a viewing-action-information generation step of generating viewing-action information representing a viewing action of a user, according to an input applied to the content output by a process in the output control step;

a communication control step of controlling transmission of the viewing-action information generated by a process in the viewing-action-information generation step, to a second information processing apparatus and receive and evaluation-information list for each user, formed of a predetermined number of evaluation information in descending order of an evaluation value for the content according to the viewing-action information by the second information processing apparatus and a weighted evaluation for each content in the list;

a reproduction step of reproducing recording-medium content stored in a predetermined recording medium; and

an evaluation calculation step of calculating an evaluation value for the recording-medium content according to operation information representing the content of an operation applied by the user to the recording-medium content reproduced in the reproduction step,

wherein the output step outputs the recording-medium content reproduced in the reproduction step, and the viewing-action-information generation step generates the viewing-action information including the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation calculation step, and

wherein the each weighted evaluation is calculated by the second information processing apparatus which calculates the degrees of similarity of preferences between a focused-on user being focused on and other users according to the evaluation-information list of the focused-on user and those of the other users,

weights the evaluation values of the other users for predetermined contents according to the degrees of similarity, the degree of similarity representing a number of common evaluation information in the evaluation-information lists for the focused-on user and other users,

adds obtained values to calculate the evaluation value of the focused-on user for the predetermined contents,

produces the weighted evaluation for the content as a result of the calculation,

wherein the evaluation calculation unit increases the evaluation value by a predetermined value when the viewing-action information indicates that the reproduction of the recording-medium content had been paused, and then was restarted at a paused position;

wherein the evaluation values are updated every time update information is generated based on counting display time of the content; and

generating update information based on said relationship.