JP6059545B2 - Information providing apparatus, information providing program, and information providing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing program, and an information providing method for providing information on another user whose status is similar to that of a target user.

  With the recent spread of information and communication networks, CGM (Consumer Generated Media) such as community sites and online shopping sites has become popular. The CGM site displays other users 'transmission information such as so-called word-of-mouth and other users' evaluations and comments on products and contents. The browsing user may refer to the purchase of products and contents based on the transmission information.

  Here, in a site where individual users can be identified by a user login or the like, the transmission information of other users may be displayed in association with the identifiers of other users. Furthermore, based on the transmission information such as the profile of other users, purchase status, comments, etc., there may be a case where a product or content is recommended to the browsing user.

  At this time, the reliability of other users corresponding to the transmission information and the similarity between the browsing user and the other users are important, and it is expected to make recommendations based on the information of other users more similar to the browsing user. The

  Generally, a method is known in which a third party determines the reliability of transmission information and other users by inputting evaluations using a “Like” button to the transmission information and other users. There is also known a technique for analyzing the user's diary and the like, extracting elements such as the user's hobbies and preferences, and calculating the degree of similarity between the users (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, the similarity may be calculated using past action elements of other users.

JP 2010-66814 A

  However, in the recent CGM site, although a product is recommended, it is difficult to understand how the product was recommended, and even if the user is recommended, there is a problem that the browsing user is not interested in the product. . For example, a viewing user may be more interested in a product recommended by another user who is more similar to the viewing user's status than when a general-purpose product recommended by many people is recommended. is there. However, since the background of recommended products is not clear, it has been difficult for viewing users to visually compare recommended products, and it is difficult to determine which products are suitable for viewing users. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult for the browsing user to select information such as recommended products.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus, an information providing program, and an information providing method for providing information that can be easily selected by a user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first feature of the present invention relates to an information providing apparatus that provides information related to another user whose status is similar to that of a target user. That is, the information providing apparatus according to the first feature of the present invention includes status acquisition means for acquiring factor values corresponding to the statuses of the target user and other users, and the similarity between the target user and other users based on the factor values. The similarity output means for calculating the similarity, the similar user output means for outputting the identifier of the other user and the similarity of the target user with the other user in association with each other.

  Here, the storage device for storing the transmission data in which the other user identifier is associated with the transmission information transmitted by the other user, the identifier of the other user, and the transmission information of the other user extracted from the transmission data are associated with each other. A transmission information output means for outputting the information may be further provided.

  The similar user output means may output a quantitative similarity.

  When the factor value of the target user is newly acquired or updated, the similarity output unit calculates a new similarity between the target user and another user, and the similar user output unit And the new similarity of the target user with the other user may be output in association with each other.

  Further, the status acquisition means may acquire a factor value calculated based on the weight of the answer explicitly indicated by the target user and the other user for the questionnaire asking for the status.

  Further, the similarity output means may normalize and output the similarity.

  The similarity output means calculates a similarity between a feature vector including factor values for a plurality of statuses of the target user and a feature vector of another user, and the similarity is calculated in consideration of the weight of each status. May be.

  The similar user output means may further output a status that affects the similarity.

  In addition, the status acquisition unit further holds the acquired date and time information in association with each other, and the similarity output unit stores the factor value of the other user and the date and time information of the target user corresponding to the date and time information of the factor value of the other user. The degree of similarity may be calculated based on the factor value.

  The second feature of the present invention relates to an information providing program for providing information on another user whose status is similar to that of the target user. That is, the information providing program according to the second feature of the present invention includes a status acquisition means for acquiring a factor value corresponding to the status of the target user and other users, and the target user and other users based on the factor values. The similarity output means for calculating the similarity degree, the identifier of the other user, and the similarity user output means for outputting the degree of similarity of the target user with the other user in association with each other.

  A third feature of the present invention relates to an information providing method for providing information on another user whose status is similar to that of a target user. That is, in the information providing method according to the third feature of the present invention, the information providing apparatus obtains a factor value corresponding to the status of the target user, and the information providing apparatus obtains a factor value corresponding to the status of the other user. A step of acquiring, a step of calculating a similarity between the target user and the other user based on the factor value of the target user and the factor value of the other user, and an information providing device including an identifier of the other user The step of associating the degree of similarity of the target user with the other user and outputting it to the user terminal of the target user is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information provision apparatus, the information provision program, and the information provision method which provide the information which a user can select easily can be provided.

It is a figure explaining the information provision system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the hardware constitutions and functional block of an information provision apparatus. It is a figure explaining an example of the data structure of the status data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the data structure of the similarity data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the data structure of the transmission data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the questionnaire input screen which the information provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention outputs. It is a figure explaining an example of the similar user display screen which the information provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention outputs. It is a figure explaining an example of the transmission information display screen which the information provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention outputs. (Part 1) It is a figure explaining an example of the transmission information display screen which the information provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention outputs. (Part 2) It is a sequence diagram explaining the information provision method which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

(Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 1 is connected to a plurality of user terminals 2a, 2b, 2c,. Here, when the user terminals 2a, 2b, 2c,... Are not distinguished, they may be simply referred to as user terminals 2. The user terminal 2 is an information processing terminal used by each user. Specifically, the user terminal 2 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like.

  The information providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention collects transmission information of a plurality of users from the user terminal 2. When the information providing apparatus 1 outputs the transmission information of another user to the target user, the information providing apparatus 1 also outputs the similarity between the target user and the other user. Although the information provision apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention demonstrates the case where the transmission information regarding hair is shown to the user of the community who has trouble with hair, it is not restricted to this. The information providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention provides information with an emphasis on how similar a target user and other users are, such as a community of people having the same trouble. Is preferred.

  The information providing apparatus 1 is a general computer including a storage device 10, a central processing control device 20, a communication control device 30, and the like. The information providing apparatus 1 functions as each unit shown in FIG. 1 by an information providing program for causing a general computer to execute predetermined processing. The communication control device 30 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 3.

  The storage device 10 stores status data 11, similarity data 12, and outgoing data 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the status data 11 is data in which a user identifier is associated with factor values corresponding to a plurality of status factors. Here, the status factor is an item used when calculating the similarity of users belonging to the community. For example, in the case of a community having trouble with hair, items such as the hair state of each user, the medicine being taken, and lifestyle habits. Factor values are user values for these items. The status data 11 is updated by the status acquisition unit 21.

  The status data 11 may further include an update date / time item as shown in FIG. The update date and time is information on the date and time when the factor time was updated by the user answering a questionnaire.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the similarity data 12 is data in which a user identifier, a comparison user identifier other than this user, and the similarity between the user and the comparison user are associated with each other. The similarity data 12 is updated by the similarity output means 22.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the outgoing data 13 is data that associates a user identifier with outgoing information sent by the user. The transmission information preferably includes information that the target user wants to know about other users similar to the target user. The transmission information is, for example, word-of-mouth information for the product input by the user, purchase history of the product, questions and answers to the questions. The transmission data 14 may further be associated with information on the transmission date and time as shown in FIG.

  The central processing control device 20 includes a status acquisition unit 21, a similarity output unit 22, a similar user output unit 23, a transmission information output unit 24, and a transmission information update unit 25.

  The status acquisition unit 21 acquires factor values corresponding to the statuses of the target user and other users. The status acquisition unit 21 stores the acquired factor value in the status data 11. Here, the status acquisition means 21 may acquire the factor value calculated based on the weight of the answer explicitly shown by the target user and other users for the questionnaire asking for the status. Here, the status acquisition unit 21 may present a questionnaire asking for a plurality of statuses, and may acquire a plurality of factor values calculated based on the weights of a plurality of answers from the target user and other users.

  The status acquisition unit 21 first displays a questionnaire input screen P101 as shown in FIG. This questionnaire input screen P101 includes a plurality of questionnaire items, and each questionnaire item corresponds to each status factor shown in FIG. The number of questionnaire items is preferably a number that does not burden the user. The questionnaire input screen P101 is provided with radio buttons and the like so that a plurality of options are associated with each questionnaire item and the user can select any one option. The user terminal 2 transmits the option selected by the user for each questionnaire item as an answer to the information providing apparatus 1. As a result, the status acquisition unit 21 acquires an answer for each questionnaire item of each user from the user terminal 2.

  The status acquisition unit 21 holds the feature amount in association with each questionnaire item option in advance. For this feature amount, for example, a numerical value of “0” to “6” is given in consideration of the degree of influence that each questionnaire item option has in order to calculate the similarity between users. .

  The status acquisition unit 21 stores the feature amount corresponding to the option selected by the user in the status data 11 as a factor value corresponding to the status factor of this questionnaire item. For example, consider a case where the feature amount of the option selected by the user with the user identifier “U001” is “3” for the questionnaire item corresponding to the first status factor. The status acquisition unit 21 sets the feature quantity “3” of the option selected by the user as the factor value corresponding to the user identifier “U001” and the first status factor.

  The status acquisition means 21 converts it into a factor value based on each user's questionnaire response and stores it in the status data 11. Here, the status acquisition means 21 updates the status data 11 each time a user's questionnaire response is acquired. For example, when the user's own status changes, the user connects to the information providing apparatus 1 and inputs the latest status on the questionnaire input screen P101 shown in FIG.

  The similarity output unit 22 calculates the similarity between the target user and another user based on the factor value of the status data 11. The similarity output means 22 preferably normalizes and outputs the calculated similarity. When the similarity output means 22 outputs the similarity for the target user with the user identifier “U001”, from the factor value of the target user and the factor value of any user corresponding to the identifier other than the user identifier “U001”, The degree of similarity between the target user and this arbitrary user is calculated. The similarity output unit 22 calculates the similarity with the target user for all the users corresponding to the identifiers other than the user identifier “U001”, and stores the similarity in the similarity data 12.

  The similarity output means 22 calculates the similarity between the feature vector including a plurality of factor values of the target user and the feature vector of another user. The similarity is calculated in consideration of the weight of each status. Here, when calculating the factor value and the similarity based on the questionnaire, each factor value is also calculated based on the weight for each answer of the questionnaire. Therefore, the similarity is calculated in consideration of two types of weights, that is, the weight of the answer and the weight of the status asked in the questionnaire.

  The similarity output means 22 calculates an integrated similarity regarding a plurality of questionnaire items by calculating a similarity between feature vectors including a plurality of factor values. Moreover, it is preferable that the similarity output means 22 converts the similarity into a numerical value that meets a predetermined standard such as 0 to 100% by normalization and outputs it. Thereby, the target user can discriminate other similar users based on the similarity expressed in the common standard.

  Here, when the status data 11 is updated, the similarity output unit 22 calculates a new similarity between the target user and another user. Since the status acquisition unit 21 acquires the latest status of the user, the similarity output unit 22 updates the target user and the other each time the status data 11 is updated based on the latest status input by the target user. The latest similarity with the user is calculated.

A process in which the similarity output unit 22 calculates the similarity between users will be described. The similarity output means 22 generates a feature vector U of the target user as shown in Expression (1). The feature vector U has a plurality of factor values u ₁ , u ₂ , u ₃ ,.

Here, u ₁ is a factor value for the first status factor of the target user, u ₂ is a factor value for the second status factor of the target user, and u ₃ is for the third status factor of the target user. Factor value. The number of elements of the feature vector U corresponds to the number of questionnaires shown in FIG. 5, and the value of each element is a factor value of any one of the feature amounts “0” to “6”.

Similarly, the similarity output unit 22 generates a feature vector X of an arbitrary user other than the target user as shown in Expression (2).

Here, x ₁ is a factor value for the other user's first status factor, x ₂ is a factor value for the other user's second status factor, and x ₃ is for the other user's third status factor. Factor value. The number of elements of the feature vector X corresponds to the number of questionnaires shown in FIG. 5, and the value of each element is a factor value of any one of the feature amounts “0” to “6”.

Similarity output means 22 calculates a distance D (U, X) between feature vector U of the target user shown in equation (1) and feature vector X of another user as shown in equation (3).

The distance D (U, X) shown in Expression (3) is calculated in consideration of the coefficient K _i for the factor value of the i-th status factor. K _i is the weight of each element of the feature vector. The similarity output means 22 calculates the Euclidean distance D between the feature vector U of the target user and the feature vector X of another user in consideration of the weight K _i of each element of the vector. The vector element weight K _i is a weight set for each questionnaire item on the questionnaire input screen shown in FIG.

The similarity output means 22 calculates the distance D shown in Expression (3) between the target user and all users other than the target user. Thereafter, the similarity output means 22 normalizes the calculated distance D and converts it into a similarity R displayed on the user terminal 2. For example, in the case of outputting a similarity value with a numerical value of 0 to 100%, the similarity R (U, Xa) between the feature vector U of the target user and the feature vector Xa of any other user is expressed by Equation (4). It is.

Here, D (U, X) _max is the maximum value among the distances D (U, X) of Equation (3) calculated for all other users, and the distance D (U, Xa) is an arbitrary value. It is D (U, X) of Formula (3) calculated about other users Xa. For example, regarding the distance D shown in Expression (3), the distance D between the target user U and the user A is 120, the distance D with the user B is 60, and the distance D with the user C is 30. In this case, for the similarity R shown in Equation (4), the similarity R between the target user U and the user A is 0%, the similarity R with the user B is 50%, and the similarity R with the user C is R Is 75%.

  As described above, when the similarity output unit 22 calculates the similarity between the target user and all other users, the similarity data 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 is updated. When the similarity is output as a numerical value from 0 to 100%, the value after normalization calculated by the equation (4) is set in the “similarity” column of the similarity data 12.

  Here, the feature amount associated with each questionnaire option and the weight of each questionnaire are set as appropriate. According to the knowledge obtained by the inventors' verification experiment, it is preferable that the number of questionnaire items, that is, the number of feature vector elements is 11, and the maximum distance of the feature amount is set to about 6. Under this condition, the feature amount and the weight of each questionnaire item are set so that the similarity R between the target user and other users has a normal distribution with an average of 44%. Since the average value is 44%, the user can narrow down the number of other users with high similarity, for example, so that other users who are similar can be extracted efficiently. Further, by narrowing down similar other users, the information providing apparatus 1 can prompt the target user to acquire or track the transmission information of the specific similar other users.

  The similar user output unit 23 associates and outputs the identifier of the other user and the similarity of the target user with the other user. Here, the similar user output means 23 outputs a quantitative similarity. Thereby, the similar user output means 23 makes it easy for the target user to select a more similar user. Further, the similar user output means 23 can provide a sort function such as preferential output from more similar users.

  Each time the similarity output means 22 outputs a new similarity, the similar user output means 23 may output the other user's identifier in association with the new similarity of the target user with the other user. good. Further, when the factor value of the target user changes due to a questionnaire input by the target user, the similarity output means 22 outputs the similarity calculated thereafter in real time.

  The similar user output means 23 calculates the similarity after the user inputs an answer to the questionnaire input screen P101 shown in FIG. 5, and displays the similar user display screen P102 shown in FIG. The similar user display screen P102 displays a similarity, that is, an identifier of a user having a high degree of matching and a quantitative similarity of the user in association with each other. The notation of similarity should be easy to understand visually. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the similarity is represented by a numerical value, but other representations such as a graph and a meter may be used. In addition, a user having a high degree of similarity may be displayed in a dark color. Further, the similar user display means P102 may display only about users whose similarity is a predetermined value or more.

  The transmission information output means 24 outputs the other user identifier and the other user transmission information extracted from the transmission data 13 in association with each other. The transmission information output means 24 displays a transmission information display screen P103 as shown in FIG. The transmission information output unit 24 acquires the transmission information associated with the identifier of the other user from the transmission data 13. Here, the transmission information output means 24 may acquire transmission information related to other users having a predetermined similarity or higher. As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission information output unit 24 displays the other user's identifier, the degree of similarity between the target user and the other user, and the transmission information of the other user in association with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the transmission information is word-of-mouth information transmitted by each user for a certain product.

  Moreover, the transmission information output means 24 may display the transmission information display screen P104 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the transmission information is a question item transmitted by another user and its answer.

  When the user newly inputs the transmission information, the transmission information update unit 25 updates the transmission data 13 by associating the user identifier, the transmission information input by the user, and the transmission date and time. The transmission information update unit 25 may update the transmission data 13 in association with information transmitted to a server other than the information providing apparatus 1 by the user when the user is associated.

(Information provision method)
With reference to FIG. 9, the information provision method which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. A user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 9 is a user terminal of the target user. Further, it is assumed that factor values corresponding to the statuses of other users are stored in the status data 11 in advance.

  First, in step S1, the user terminal 2 requests the information providing apparatus 1 to change the status of the target user. Specifically, the user terminal 2 transmits the answer result of the target user on the questionnaire input screen P101 shown in FIG. Here, when the user terminal 2 accesses the information providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention for the first time, the same processing is performed.

  When the answer result is acquired from the user terminal 2, the information providing apparatus 1 converts the answer result into a factor value and updates the status data 11 in step S2. The information providing apparatus 1 refers to the feature value associated with each question option, and uses the feature value of the option selected by the target user as a factor value. The information providing apparatus 1 converts the answer results of all questionnaire items into factor values, and updates the status data 11.

  In step S <b> 3, the information providing apparatus 1 refers to the factor value of the status data 11 and calculates a distance D between the target user and another user shown in Expression (3). In step S4, the information providing apparatus 1 normalizes the distance D calculated in step S3, and calculates the similarity R with each user shown in Expression (4). In step S5, the information providing apparatus 1 updates the similarity data 12 based on the similarity R calculated in step S4.

  When the similarity R between the target user and each other user is calculated, in step S6, the information providing apparatus 1 associates the user identifier of the other user with the similarity between the other user and the target user, and the target user Are output to the user terminal 2. Accordingly, in step S7, the user terminal 2 displays the similar user display screen P102 shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 8, the user terminal 2 of the target user transmits a transmission information request to the information providing apparatus 1 together with a predetermined other user identifier. One or more identifiers of other users may be designated here. In step S <b> 9, the information providing apparatus 1 acquires the transmission information associated with the user identifier received in step S <b> 8 from the transmission data 13. Furthermore, in step S10, the information providing apparatus 1 associates the identifier of the other user with the transmission information of the other user and transmits it to the user terminal 2 in step S10. Accordingly, in step S11, the user terminal 2 displays a transmission information display screen shown in FIG. 7 or FIG.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the case where the information providing apparatus 1 outputs the similarity with another user and the information providing apparatus 1 further outputs the transmission information for the other user selected in the user terminal 2 has been described. Not limited to. For example, the information providing apparatus 1 may output the other user's transmission information to the user terminal 2 in association with the similarity with the other user.

  Thus, the information providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention displays the similarity between the target user and other users on the user terminal 2. As a result, the target user can select other users' outgoing information, compare and examine other users based on what kind of user they are, specifically, the degree of similarity with them. can do. Further, the target user can sort the identifiers of other users based on the degree of similarity, and can grasp a user with a higher degree of similarity.

  The information providing apparatus 1 causes the target user to select the target user's own information through a questionnaire, and calculates the similarity based on the selection result. Thereby, compared with the case where a similarity is calculated based on a user's past activity history and transmission information, a similarity can be calculated based on the truth which the user showed explicitly.

  The information providing apparatus 1 outputs the transmission information of the other user in association with the similarity with the other user. Thereby, the target user can select the transmission information suitable for himself, such as placing importance on the transmission information of other users with high similarity among the transmission information.

  The information providing apparatus 1 newly calculates a similarity every time the target user answers a questionnaire. Therefore, as compared with the case where the similarity is calculated based on the user's past activity history and transmission information, the information providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the user's latest hobbies and the user's intention. Based on the above, the similarity can be calculated.

(First modification)
In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the similarity is calculated based on the weight of the questionnaire item set by the similarity output unit 22 has been described. However, in the first modification, the target user appropriately sets the weight. Explain when possible.

  In the first modification, the target user may set the questionnaire items according to his / her hobbies and preferences.

  For example, the target user does not have to answer all questionnaire items, and does not need to answer items that the target user thinks are not important. In this case, the status acquisition means 21 can select options such as “9” in advance. A value different from the feature value assigned to is set in the status data 11 as a factor value. The similarity output means 22 regards the item for which “9” is set as being unanswered by the user, removes it from the similarity calculation item, and calculates the similarity with other users for the questionnaire item answered by the user. .

  Here, various other processes can be considered for the item questionnaire item in which “9” is set as the factor value. For example, regarding the status where the factor value of the target user is “9” and the factor value of the other user is “9”, both the target user and the other user are common in that this questionnaire item is not considered important. it is conceivable that. Therefore, the similarity output unit 22 may calculate the similarity as the same value for such items.

  Moreover, it is considered that the target user does not attach importance to the statuses other than the factor value of “9” for the target user and the factor value of other users for “9”. In this case, the similarity output means 22 sets the weight of the status to a low value or sets the distance between the target user and other users for this status to a predetermined value such as a maximum value. The degree may be calculated.

  In addition, it is considered that other users do not attach importance to the status where the factor value of the target user is other than “9” and the factor value of the other user is “9”. In this case, the similarity output means 22 sets the weighting of this status as usual, or sets the distance between the target user and other users for this status to a predetermined value such as an intermediate value, for example. The similarity may be calculated.

  On the other hand, the questionnaire input screen P101 shown in FIG. 5 may include a check box for inputting a questionnaire item that the user thinks important. In this case, the similarity output means 22 gives a high weight to the factor values of the questionnaire items that are considered important, and calculates the similarity with other users. Conversely, a check box may be provided in which a questionnaire item that the user thinks is not important can be input. In this case, the similarity output unit 22 calculates a similarity with another user by assigning a low weight to a questionnaire item that is not important.

  As described above, the information providing apparatus 1 according to the first modified example calculates the degree of similarity according to the hobbies and preferences of the target user by appropriately selecting the questionnaire items or adjusting the specific gravity of the questionnaire items. Make it possible. Moreover, the information provision apparatus 1 can output the similarity degree according to the hobby taste of the target user at that time in real time whenever a target user inputs a questionnaire.

(Second modification)
The information providing apparatus 1 according to the second modified example of the present invention describes a case where information for narrowing down similar users to the target user is further displayed.

  The similar user output means 23 can output the reason why the similarity is high for a user having a high similarity. Specifically, the similar user output unit 23 outputs a status that affects the similarity. When the factor value of the first status factor of the target user is close to the factor value of the first status factor of the other user, the similar user output unit 23 outputs information on the first status factor to the user terminal 2. To do. As a result, the user can grasp that the degree of similarity with other users has increased due to the fact that the information of the first status factor is close. When the factor value of the second status factor of the target user is far from the factor value of the second status factor of the other user, the similar user output unit 23 sends the information on the second status factor to the user terminal 2. Output. As a result, the user can grasp that the degree of similarity with other users has increased because the information on the second status factor is far.

  In this way, by outputting information on the status that has affected the degree of similarity with other users, the target user subjectively selects similar users based on items that the target user places importance at the time. be able to.

(Third Modification)
The information providing apparatus 1 according to the third modified example of the present invention will be described with respect to a case where the similarity at the time when other user's transmission information is transmitted is calculated. The information providing apparatus 1 according to the third modification holds a history of changes in the factor values of each user, and calculates the similarity based on the factor values at a predetermined timing.

  For example, the status acquisition unit 21 associates the factor value with the acquired date / time information, and holds it in the status data 21. The similarity output unit 22 may further calculate the similarity based on the factor value of the other user and the factor value of the target user corresponding to the date information on which the factor value of the other user is acquired. In this case, the similar user output unit 23 acquires the factor value of the status of the other user having the update date and time closest to the other user's information transmission, and acquires the factor value of the target user. Further, the similar user acquisition unit 23 calculates the similarity based on the factor values of the other user and the target user at the time of other users' information transmission, calculates the current similarity, and outputs these. Further, the similar user output means 23 may compare the current similarity with the information transmission time of other users and display a change tendency such as high / low similarity.

  As a result, when the outgoing information output unit 24 outputs outgoing information of other users, the outgoing information output means 24 determines the similarity between the target user and other users at the time of other user's information transmission, and the current target user and other users. It can be displayed together. If the target user has a change in the degree of similarity at the time of other users 'information transmission and the degree of similarity at the present time, it can be inferred that the degree of similarity has changed due to the action taken after the other users' information has been transmitted.

  Further, when outputting a plurality of pieces of outgoing information for a predetermined other user, the outgoing information output means 24 may display each similarity degree close to the time of outgoing information of each outgoing information in association with the outgoing information. As a result, the target user can specify the transmission information that has influenced the change in the similarity by the change in the similarity with the other users. Also in the third modification example, similarly to the second modification example, a status that is considered to have influenced the similarity may be displayed together.

  In this way, the information providing apparatus 1 outputs the similarity in chronological order so as to grasp the effect of the transmission information such as the product used by the other user and the action taken by the other user. One material can be provided.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention and the first to third modifications thereof have been described. However, it should be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Absent. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, the information providing apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention may be configured on one piece of hardware as shown in FIG. 1, or may be configured on a plurality of pieces of hardware according to the functions and the number of processes. May be. Moreover, you may implement | achieve on the existing information provision system.

  It goes without saying that the present invention includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision apparatus 2 User terminal 3 Communication network 10 Storage apparatus 11 Status data 12 Similarity data 13 Transmission data 20 Central processing control apparatus 21 Status acquisition means 22 Similarity output means 23 Similar user output means 24 Transmission information output means 25 Transmission information Update means 30 Communication control device

Claims (6)

An information providing apparatus that provides information about a target user and other users,
A storage device for storing transmission data in which the identifier of the other user is associated with the transmission information transmitted by the other user and the transmission date and time;
Status acquisition means for acquiring factor values corresponding to the statuses of the target user and the other users, and storing the acquired date and time information in association with each other;
Similarity output for calculating the similarity between the target user and the other user based on the factor value of the other user and the factor value of the target user corresponding to the date and time information that acquired the factor value of the other user Means,
The transmission information of the other user is displayed with reference to the transmission data, the similarity between the target user corresponding to the transmission date and time of the transmission information and the other user, the target user corresponding to the current time, and the An information providing apparatus comprising transmission information output means for displaying a similarity with other users together .   Similar user output means for associating and outputting an identifier of another user and a similarity between the target user and the other user
  The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An information providing program for providing information on a target user and other users,
Computer
Storage means for storing transmission data in which the identifier of the other user is associated with the transmission information and the transmission date and time transmitted by the other user;
Status acquisition means for acquiring factor values corresponding to the statuses of the target user and the other users, and storing the acquired date and time information in association with each other;
Similarity output for calculating the similarity between the target user and the other user based on the factor value of the other user and the factor value of the target user corresponding to the date and time information that acquired the factor value of the other user Means,
The transmission information of the other user is displayed with reference to the transmission data, the similarity between the target user corresponding to the transmission date and time of the transmission information and the other user, the target user corresponding to the current time, and the An information providing program for functioning as a transmission information output means for displaying the similarity with other users together .   Similar user output means for associating and outputting an identifier of another user and a similarity between the target user and the other user
  The information providing program according to claim 3, further functioning as: An information providing method for providing information about a target user and other users,
An information providing device storing outgoing data in which the identifier of the other user is associated with outgoing information sent by the other user and outgoing date and time;
A step wherein the information providing apparatus, which acquires the factor value corresponding to the status of the target user and the other users, held in association with the acquired date and time information,
Based on the factor value of the other user and the factor value of the target user corresponding to the date and time information on which the factor value of the other user is acquired by the information providing device, the similarity between the target user and the other user Calculating steps,
The information providing device displays the transmission information of the other user with reference to the transmission data, and corresponds to the degree of similarity between the target user corresponding to the transmission date and time of the transmission information and the other user, and the current time And displaying the similarity between the target user and the other user together .   The information providing apparatus associates the identifier of the other user with the degree of similarity of the target user with the other user and outputs it to the user terminal of the target user
  The information providing method according to claim 5, further comprising:

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