Apparatus and method for managing information and control program

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for managing information and control program allowing for appropriately providing a matter of concern of a user to a server under management by a service operator.SOLUTION: An apparatus for managing information according to the present disclosure comprises an information acquiring section that acquires information about one or more matters of concern of a first user, a display control section that allows a monitor to display one or more first nodes corresponding to acquired one or more matters of concern of the first user together with a reference node with those brought close to the reference node by a distance dependent on levels of respective concerns, an operation-information accepting section that accepts operation information about a display content on a monitor of an operation terminal, and an output section that outputs information about the one or more matters of concern of the first user adjusted in level of concern depending upon the accepted operation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information management device, an information management method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed that allows service providers such as EC (Electronic Commerce) site operators to recommend services that match the user's interests by personalizing them based on user interests extracted from website search history, television viewing history, etc. As a related technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a content recommendation method using a content recommendation device.

[0003] However, it is generally the service provider's responsibility to decide what information to extract from website search history and use for user personalization. As a result, users are unable to understand what information the service provider is referring to when deciding which services to recommend. Furthermore, users may be recommended services by the service provider that do not match their preferences.

[0004] A solution to this problem is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 discloses a personal attribute information management method that enables a service user to manage, at his or her own discretion, personal attribute information of the service user that is necessary for using the service when using the service of a service provider. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-002944 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-244272 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In addition to the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a demand for appropriate provision of information about the user's interests to service providers in order to receive recommendations from the service providers for services that match the user's hobbies and preferences.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information management device, an information management method, and a control program that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information management device according to the present disclosure includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information about one or more topics of interest of a first user; a display control unit that moves one or more first nodes corresponding to the acquired one or more topics of interest of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance according to the level of interest of each node, and displays the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information about the display content of the monitor on an operation terminal; and an output unit that outputs information about the one or more topics of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted according to the received operation information.

[0009] The information management method disclosed herein involves a computer acquiring information about one or more interests of a first user, moving one or more first nodes corresponding to the acquired one or more interests of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of interest of each of the first nodes, displaying the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor, accepting operation information about the display content of the monitor on an operation terminal, and outputting information about the one or more interests of the first user with the level of interest adjusted according to the accepted operation information.

[0010] The control program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring information about one or more interests of a first user; moving one or more first nodes corresponding to the acquired one or more interests of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance according to the level of interest of each of the first nodes and displaying the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; receiving operation information about the display content of the monitor at an operation terminal; and outputting information about the one or more interests of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted according to the received operation information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present disclosure can provide an information management device, an information management method, and a control program that can appropriately provide information on user interests to a server managed by a service provider. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information management device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the information management device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information management system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of a monitor. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of a monitor. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of a monitor. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of a monitor. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for realizing an information management function of the information management device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are simplified, and the technical scope of the embodiments should not be narrowly interpreted based on the description in the drawings. Furthermore, identical elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0014] In the following embodiments, when necessary for convenience, the description will be divided into multiple sections or embodiments. However, unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is a partial or complete modification, application example, detailed explanation, supplementary explanation, etc. of the other. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when the number of elements (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is mentioned, it is not limited to that specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the components (including operational steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or approximate to the shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly not essential in principle. The same applies to the above numbers, etc. (including numbers, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc.).

[0016] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an information management device 11 according to the present disclosure. The information management device 11 is a device that selects and discards user interests extracted from website search history and provides the selected interests to a service provider. The service provider personalizes the received user interests and recommends services that match the user's hobbies and preferences. This will be described in detail below.

[0017] 1, the information management device 11 includes an information acquisition unit 111, a display control unit 112, an operation information reception unit 113, and an output unit 114. Note that the information acquisition unit 111, the display control unit 112, the operation information reception unit 113, and the output unit 114 are not limited to being implemented in a single device, and may be implemented in different devices.

[0018] The information acquisition unit 111 acquires information about one or more interests of user U1. User U1's interests are things in which user U1 is interested, such as sports, work, music, vehicles, and local areas. More specifically, sports include tennis, baseball, and soccer. More specifically, work includes software development, hardware development, sales, and human resources. More specifically, music includes J-POP, K-POP, 80s Western music, and enka. More specifically, transportation includes trains, taxis, and airplanes. More specifically, local areas include Minato Ward, Kawasaki City, and Karuizawa.

[0019] For example, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires information about one or more interests of the user U1 from the user U1's search history on a website, television viewing history, etc. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires information about one or more interests of the user U1 from the user U1's purchase history on an e-commerce site, etc.

[0020] The information acquisition unit 111 also acquires information about the level of interest of user U1 in each of one or more topics of interest. For example, the information acquisition unit 111 acquires information about the level of interest of user U1 in each of one or more topics of interest from the frequency of searches on websites by user U1, a television viewing history, etc. For example, the information acquisition unit 111 determines that the higher the search frequency of a keyword related to a certain topic of interest, the higher the level of interest in that topic of interest, and that the lower the search frequency of a keyword related to a certain topic of interest, the lower the level of interest in that topic of interest.

[0021] The display control unit 112 displays one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more interests of the user U1 acquired by the information acquisition unit 111 on the monitor together with the reference node NB, moving them closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest. One or more corresponding interests (keywords) may be displayed on each of the one or more nodes N1. For example, the name of the user U1 may be displayed on the reference node NB.

[0022] For example, the display control unit 112 displays one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more interests of user U1 on the monitor closer to the reference node NB the higher the level of interest, and farther from the reference node NB the lower the level of interest.

[0023] The operation information receiving unit 113 receives operation information regarding the display content of the monitor of the operating terminal. Specifically, the operation information receiving unit 113 receives an operation to adjust the distance from the reference node NB of one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more topics of interest of user U1 displayed on the monitor. This adjusts the level of interest of each of the one or more topics of interest of user U1 provided to the service provider. The operation information receiving unit 113 also receives addition and deletion (exclusion) of nodes N1. This adds or deletes topics of interest of user U1 provided to the service provider.

[0024] The output unit 114 outputs information about one or more of the user U1's interests, the level of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information. For example, the output unit 114 outputs the information about one or more of the user U1's interests, the level of which has been adjusted, to a management server used by a service provider. The service provider is, for example, an e-commerce site operator. There may be multiple service providers to which the information is provided. The service provider presents information about services related to the one or more of the received user U1's interests (such as advertisements, information about recommended products, and information about recommended services) on the service provider's website currently used by the user U1 or in a designated space on a search site currently used by the user U1. In other words, the service provider personalizes the received user's interests and recommends services that match the user's hobbies and preferences.

[0025] (Operation of information management device 11) Next, the operation of the information management device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information management device 11.

[0026] First, the information management device 11 acquires information about one or more interests of the user U1 (step S101). For example, the information management device 11 acquires information about one or more interests of the user U1 from the search history of the user U1 on a website, etc.

[0027] The information management device 11 also acquires information about the level of interest of the user U1 in each of one or more topics of interest. For example, the information management device 11 acquires information about the level of interest of the user U1 in each of one or more topics of interest from the frequency of searches on a website by the user U1, etc.

[0028] Thereafter, the information management device 11 moves one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more of the acquired interests of the user U1 closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest, and displays them together with the reference node NB on the monitor (step S102). Each of the one or more nodes N1 may display one or more corresponding interests (keywords). For example, the name of the user U1 may be displayed on the reference node NB.

[0029] For example, the information management device 11 displays one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more interests of user U1 on the monitor closer to the reference node NB the higher the level of interest, and farther from the reference node NB the lower the level of interest.

[0030] Thereafter, the information management device 11 accepts operation information regarding the display content of the monitor of the operation terminal (step S103). Specifically, the information management device 11 accepts an operation to adjust the distance from the reference node NB to one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more topics of interest of the user U1 displayed on the monitor. This adjusts the level of interest of each of the one or more topics of interest of the user U1 provided to the service provider.

[0031] Thereafter, the information management device 11 outputs information about one or more topics of interest of user U1, the level of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information (step S104). For example, the information management device 11 outputs the information about one or more topics of interest of user U1, the level of which has been adjusted, to a management server used by a service provider. The service provider presents information about services related to the received one or more topics of interest of user U1 in a predetermined space on the service provider's website currently used by user U1 or on a search site currently used by user U1.

[0032] In this manner, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure moves one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more interests of user U1, acquired from a website search history, etc., closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest, and displays the nodes N1 and the reference node NB on the monitor. This allows user U1 to easily grasp the interests and level of interest of user U1 that the service provider intends to provide to the service provider. The information management device 11 according to the present disclosure also accepts operation information regarding the display content of the monitor on the operation terminal. In other words, user U1 can adjust the interests and level of interest of user U1 that the service provider intends to provide to the service provider. Furthermore, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure outputs information about user U1's interests, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the accepted operation information, to a server managed by the service provider. This makes it easier for user U1 to receive recommendations for services tailored to his or her hobbies and preferences from the service provider, in a manner that appropriately reflects the user's own intention regarding the use of information.

[0033] (Configuration of Information Management System 1) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an information management system 1 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, the information management system 1 includes an information management device 11, an operation terminal 12, a storage device 13, and a network 14. Fig. 2 also shows a management server 50, which is a server managed by a service provider. The information management device 11, the operation terminal 12, the storage device 13, and the external management server 50 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless network 14.

[0034] The storage device 13 stores information about one or more interests of the user U1 acquired by the information management device 11. In this embodiment, the information management device 11 and the storage device 13 are provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information management device 11 may have the function of the storage device 13 as a storage unit.

[0035] The operation terminal 12 is a communication-capable terminal that is owned by the user or temporarily assigned to the user, such as a PC (Personal Computer) terminal, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, or a dedicated communication terminal prepared for this system.

[0036] For example, the user U1 adjusts the display content of the monitor 121 by operating the monitor 121 of the operation terminal 12 with a touch pen or a finger, or by operating the mouse, keyboard, etc. of the operation terminal 12. Specifically, the user U1 operates the operation terminal 12 to adjust the distance (i.e., the level of interest) from the reference node NB of each of one or more nodes N1 displayed on the monitor 121, add a new node N1, or remove any of the nodes N1. The operation terminal 12 receives this information and transmits it to the information management device 11 via the network 14. Note that the monitor 121 is not limited to being formed integrally with the operation terminal 12, and may be provided separately from the operation terminal 12.

[0037] 4 to 6 are diagrams showing examples of the display content of the monitor 121. Fig. 4 shows the display content of the monitor 121 before adjustment, and Figs. 5 and 6 show the display content of the monitor 121 after adjustment.

[0038] First, as shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of nodes N1 corresponding to a plurality of interests of user U1 and a reference node NB are displayed in the display area A1 of the monitor 121. In the example of Fig. 4, six nodes N1 are displayed as nodes N1_1 to N1_6. Also, in the example of Fig. 4, node N1_1 includes nodes N1_1a and N1_1b, and node N1_6 includes nodes N1_6a and N1_6b.

[0039] Furthermore, each of the plurality of nodes N1 displays a plurality of interests (keywords) corresponding to the plurality of nodes N1. Specifically, the keyword "sports" is displayed in node N1_1. The keyword "tennis" is displayed in node N1_1a included in node N1_1. The keyword "mountain climbing" is displayed in node N1_1b included in node N1_1. The keyword "plastic model" is displayed in node N1_2. The keyword "work" is displayed in node N1_3. The keyword "SW (Software) development" is displayed in node N1_3a included in node N1_3. The keyword "HW (Hardware) development" is displayed in node N1_3b included in node N1_3. The keyword "Kawasaki City" is displayed in node N1_4. The keyword "Minato Ward" is displayed in node N1_5. The keyword "music" is displayed in node N1_6. The keyword "J-POP" is displayed in the node N1_6a included in the node N1_6. The keyword "K-POP" is displayed in the node N1_6b included in the node N1_6. In addition, the name "U1" of the user U1 is displayed in the reference node NB.

[0040] 4, the distances of the nodes N1_4 and N1_5 from the reference node NB are shorter than the distances of the other nodes N1 from the reference node NB. In other words, the interest level of the node N1_4 in "Kawasaki City" and the node N1_5 in "Minato Ward" is higher than the interest level of the other nodes.

[0041] Next, in the example of FIG. 5, the display content of the monitor 121 is adjusted by the user U1 operating the operation terminal 12. Specifically, the node N1_4 is moved from the display area A1 to the outer area A2. As a result, "Kawasaki City" of the node N1_4 is excluded from the interests provided to the service provider. In other words, the level of interest of "Kawasaki City" of the node N1_4 becomes zero. In addition, the distance of the node N1_5 from the reference node NB is increased. As a result, the level of interest of "Minato Ward" of the node N1_5 decreases. In addition, a node N1_7 representing "Karuizawa" is added. As a result, "Karuizawa" of the node N1_7 is added to the interests provided to the service provider.

[0042] Next, in the example of Fig. 6, compared to Fig. 5, an area B1 including nodes N1_1 and N1_2 is added to the display area A1 by the user U1 operating the operation terminal 12. For example, the interests corresponding to the nodes N1_1 and N1_2 in the area B1 can be provided only to the service provider designated by the user U1 among a plurality of service providers.

[0043] In this manner, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same move one or more nodes N1 corresponding to one or more interests of user U1 acquired from a website search history, etc., closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest, and display the nodes N1 together with the reference node NB on the monitor 121. This allows user U1 to easily grasp the interests of user U1 that the service provider intends to provide to the service provider and the level of interest. Furthermore, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same accepts operation information regarding the display content of the monitor 121 on the operation terminal 12. In other words, user U1 can adjust the interests of user U1 that the service provider intends to provide to the service provider and the level of interest. Furthermore, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same output information about user U1's interests, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the accepted operation information, to a server managed by the service provider. This makes it easier for user U1 to receive recommendations for services tailored to his or her hobbies and preferences from the service provider in a manner that appropriately reflects the user's own intention regarding the use of information.

[0044] <Embodiment 2> The information management device 11 is not limited to providing information selectively about the interests of only one user to a server managed by a service provider, but may also provide information selectively about a combination of interests of multiple users who are related to each other, such as family members. In the following, an example will be described in which information selectively about the interests of two related users U1 and U2 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and information selectively about the interests of three or more users may also be provided.

[0045] The information acquisition unit 111 is configured to be able to acquire information about one or more topics of interest and the level of interest of user U2, in addition to information about one or more topics of interest and the level of interest of user U1.

[0046] The display control unit 112 is configured to display, in addition to the node N1, one or more nodes N2 corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the user U2, together with the reference node NB on the monitor 121, by moving them closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest. One or more corresponding interests (keywords) may be displayed in each of the one or more nodes N2. For example, a name (e.g., a family name) common to the users U1 and U2 may be displayed in the reference node NB.

[0047] Here, the display control unit 112 may display on the monitor 121 a node NC that combines nodes N1 and N2, which corresponds to a common interest between one or more interests of user U1 and one or more interests of user U2. In this case, the display control unit 112 may highlight the node NC on the monitor 121. Furthermore, the display control unit 112 may display on the monitor 121 a node NC that corresponds to a common interest between one or more interests of user U1 and one or more interests of user U2, closer to the reference node NB than a node that does not share a common interest. Alternatively, the display control unit 112 may display on the monitor 121 only a node NC that corresponds to a common interest between one or more interests of user U1 and one or more interests of user U2.

[0048] The operation information receiving unit 113 receives operation information regarding the display content of the monitor 121 of the operation terminal 12. Specifically, the operation information receiving unit 113 receives an operation to adjust the distance from the reference node NB of one or more nodes N1 displayed on the monitor 121, and also receives an operation to adjust the distance from the reference node NB of one or more nodes N2 displayed on the monitor 121. The operation information receiving unit 113 may receive an operation to adjust the distance from the reference node NB of the node NC. This adjusts the level of interest in the topics of interest of each of users U1 and U2 provided to the service provider. The operation information receiving unit 113 also receives addition and deletion (exclusion) of nodes N1 and N2. This adds or deletes the topics of interest of each of users U1 and U2 provided to the service provider.

[0049] In this embodiment, the case where users U1 and U2 operate a common operation terminal 12 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and users U1 and U2 may operate different operation terminals 12.

[0050] The output unit 114 outputs information about the interests of users U1 and U2, the level of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information. For example, the output unit 114 outputs this information to a management server used by a service provider. The service provider presents information about services related to the received interests of users U1 and U2 on the service provider's website currently used by users U1 and U2 or in a predetermined space on a search site currently used by users U1 and U2.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of the monitor 121. As shown in FIG.

[0052] First, the upper left side of Fig. 7 shows an example of a display of a plurality of nodes N1 corresponding to a plurality of interests of user U1, and a reference node NB. In the display example in the upper left side of Fig. 7, three nodes N1 that user U1 has permitted to share with user U2 are shown as nodes N1_1 to N_3. "Tennis" is displayed in node N1_1. "Minato Ward" is displayed in node N1_2. "J-POP" is displayed in node N1_3. Furthermore, the name of user U1, "U1", is displayed in the reference node NB.

[0053] Next, the upper right side of Fig. 7 shows an example of a display of a plurality of nodes N2 corresponding to a plurality of interests of user U2, and a reference node NB. In the display example in the upper right side of Fig. 7, four nodes N2 that user U2 has permitted to share with user U1 are shown as nodes N2_1 to N2_4. Node N2_1 displays "tennis." Node N2_2 displays "hot springs." Node N2_3 displays "trains." Node N2_4 displays "J-POP." Furthermore, the name of user U2, "U2," is displayed in the reference node NB.

[0054] 7 shows an example of displaying nodes N1 and N2 corresponding to the interests of users U1 and U2, respectively, and a reference node NB. That is, the example of display at the bottom of Fig. 7 is a combination of the example of display at the top left and the example of display at the top right of Fig. 7. The reference node NB displays the family name "F1" common to users U1 and U2.

[0055] In the example display at the bottom of FIG. 7, nodes N1_1 and N2_1 share the common interest of "tennis," and are therefore grouped together as node NC_1. Nodes N1_3 and N2_4 share the common interest of "J-POP," and are therefore grouped together as node NC_2. Nodes NC_1 and NC_2 may be highlighted. Nodes NC_1 and NC_2 are both nodes corresponding to the common interest of users U1 and U2, and are therefore moved to positions that shorten their distance from the reference node NB. Nodes N1_1 and N2_1 may be displayed separately rather than grouped together as node NC_1, and nodes N1_3 and N2_4 may be displayed separately rather than grouped together as node NC_2.

[0056] In this manner, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same move the nodes N1 and N2 corresponding to the interests of users U1 and U2, acquired from website search histories, etc., closer to the reference node NB by a distance corresponding to the level of interest of each user, and display the nodes N1 and N2 together with the reference node NB on the monitor 121. This allows each user U1 and U2 to easily grasp the interests and level of interest of the user that the service provider intends to provide. Furthermore, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same accepts operation information regarding the display content of the monitor 121 on the operation terminal 12. In other words, each user U1 and U2 can adjust the interests and level of interest of the user that the service provider intends to provide. Furthermore, the information management device 11 according to the present disclosure and the information management system 1 including the same outputs information about the interests of users U1 and U2, the level of interest of which has been adjusted according to the accepted operation information, to a server managed by the service provider. This makes it easier for users U1 and U2 to receive recommendations from service providers for services that suit their interests and tastes, in a manner that appropriately reflects the users' own intentions regarding the use of information.

[0057] (Hardware configuration for realizing the information management function of the information management device 11) The information management process performed by the information management device 11 can be realized by a general-purpose computer system, which will be briefly explained below with reference to FIG.

[0058] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration that realizes the information management function of the information management device 11. The computer 300 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, which is a control device, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 303. The computer 300 further includes an IF (Interface) 304, which is an interface with the outside, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 305, which is an example of a non-volatile storage device. Furthermore, the computer 300 may include other components not shown, such as input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a display.

[0059] The HDD 305 stores an operating system (OS) (not shown) and a control program 306. The control program 306 is a computer program in which the information management process of the information management device 11 is implemented.

[0060] The CPU 301 controls various processes in the computer 300, and access to the RAM 302, ROM 303, IF 304, and HDD 305. In the computer 300, the CPU 301 reads and executes the OS and control program 306 stored in the HDD 305. In this way, the computer 300 realizes the information management function of the information management device 11.

[0061] The above-mentioned program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in this disclosure. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0063] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0064] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0065] (Appendix 1) an information acquisition unit that acquires information about one or more interests of the first user; a display control unit that moves one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the first user, and displays the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in the operation terminal; an output unit that outputs information about one or more subjects of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; An information management device comprising:

[0066] (Appendix 2) the operation information receiving unit receives an operation to adjust a distance from the reference node to one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user displayed on the monitor; 2. The information management device according to claim 1.

[0067] (Appendix 3) the display control unit displays one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user closer to the reference node as the level of interest increases, and displays one or more first nodes farther from the reference node as the level of interest decreases, on the monitor; 2. The information management device according to claim 1.

[0068] (Appendix 4) The output unit is configured not to output an interest whose level of interest is zero among the one or more interests of the first user whose level of interest has been adjusted. 2. The information management device according to claim 1.

[0069] (Appendix 5) the information acquisition unit acquires information about one or more interests of the first user from a search history of the first user on a website; 2. The information management device according to claim 1.

[0070] (Appendix 6) the information acquisition unit acquires the level of interest of the first user in each of one or more topics of interest from the frequency of searches on the website by the first user; 6. The information management device according to claim 5.

[0071] (Appendix 7) The information acquisition unit further acquires information about one or more interests of a second user associated with the first user; the display control unit moves one or more second nodes corresponding to the one or more acquired interests of the second user closer to the reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the second user, and further displays the second nodes together with the reference node on the monitor; the output unit outputs information about one or more interests of each of the first user and the second user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information. 2. The information management device according to claim 1.

[0072] (Appendix 8) the display control unit causes the monitor to display nodes corresponding to common interests between one or more interests of the first user and one or more interests of the second user as a node that combines the first and second nodes; 8. The information management device according to claim 7.

[0073] (Appendix 9) the display control unit highlights on the monitor a node corresponding to a common interest between one or more interests of the first user and one or more interests of the second user; 9. The information management device according to claim 8.

[0074] (Appendix 10) the display control unit displays, on the monitor, a node corresponding to a common interest between the one or more interests of the first user and the one or more interests of the second user closer to the reference node than when there is no common interest between the one or more interests of the first user and the one or more interests of the second user; 9. The information management device according to claim 8.

[0075] (Appendix 11) the display control unit causes the monitor to display only nodes corresponding to common interests between the one or more interests of the first user and the one or more interests of the second user; 9. The information management device according to claim 8.

[0076] (Appendix 12) an information management device according to Supplementary Note 1; The monitor and An operation terminal; Equipped with outputting the information output from the information management device to an external management server; Information management system.

[0077] (Appendix 13) The computer Obtaining information about one or more interests of the first user; one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more of the acquired interests of the first user are brought closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest, and are displayed on a monitor together with the reference node; receiving operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in an operation terminal; outputting information about one or more of the first user's interests, the level of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; Information management method.

[0078] (Appendix 14) The receiving of the operation information includes receiving an operation to adjust a distance from the reference node to one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user displayed on the monitor. Information management method described in Appendix 13.

[0079] (Appendix 15) The obtaining of the information further includes obtaining information about one or more interests of a second user associated with the first user; In the display on the monitor, one or more second nodes corresponding to one or more of the acquired interests of the second user are brought closer to the reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest, and are further displayed on the monitor together with the reference node; and outputting the information about one or more interests of the first user and the second user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information. Information management method described in Appendix 13.

[0080] (Appendix 16) In displaying the monitor, a node corresponding to a common interest between one or more interests of the first user and one or more interests of the second user is displayed on the monitor as a node that combines the first and second nodes. Information management method described in Appendix 15.

[0081] (Appendix 17) obtaining information about one or more interests of the first user; a process of moving one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the first user to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the first user, and displaying the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; A process of receiving operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in the operation terminal; a process of outputting information about one or more subjects of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; A control program that causes a computer to execute the above.

[0082] (Appendix 18) In the process of receiving the operation information, an operation of adjusting a distance from the reference node to one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user displayed on the monitor is received. 18. The control program according to claim 17.

[0083] (Appendix 19) The process of acquiring information further includes acquiring information about one or more interests of a second user associated with the first user; In the process of displaying on the monitor, one or more second nodes corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the second user are brought closer to the reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the second user, and are further displayed on the monitor together with the reference node; In the process of outputting the information, information on one or more topics of interest of each of the first user and the second user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information, is output. 18. The control program according to claim 17.

[0084] (Appendix 20) In the process of displaying on the monitor, a node corresponding to a common interest between one or more interests of the first user and one or more interests of the second user is displayed on the monitor as a node that compiles the first and second nodes. 19. The control program of claim 19. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Information Management System 11 Information management device 12 Operation terminal 13 Storage device 14 Network 50 External Management Server 111 Information Acquisition Department 112 Display control unit 113 Operation information reception unit 114 Output section 121 Monitor 300 Computers 301 CPU 302 RAM 303 ROM 304 IF 305 HDD 306 Control Program

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires information about one or more interests of the first user; a display control unit that moves one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the first user, and displays the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in the operation terminal; an output unit that outputs information about one or more subjects of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; An information management device comprising:

2. the operation information receiving unit receives an operation to adjust a distance from the reference node to one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user displayed on the monitor; The information management device according to claim 1 .

3. the display control unit displays one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more interests of the first user closer to the reference node as the level of interest increases, and displays one or more first nodes farther from the reference node as the level of interest decreases, on the monitor; The information management device according to claim 1 .

4. The output unit is configured not to output an interest whose level of interest is zero among the one or more interests of the first user whose level of interest has been adjusted. The information management device according to claim 1 .

5. the information acquisition unit acquires information about one or more interests of the first user from a search history of the first user on a website; The information management device according to claim 1 .

6. the information acquisition unit acquires a level of interest in each of one or more topics of interest of the first user from a search frequency on a website by the first user; The information management device according to claim 5 .

7. The information acquisition unit further acquires information about one or more interests of a second user associated with the first user; the display control unit moves one or more second nodes corresponding to the one or more acquired interests of the second user closer to the reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the second user, and further displays the second nodes together with the reference node on the monitor; the output unit outputs information about one or more topics of interest of each of the first user and the second user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information. The information management device according to claim 1 .

8. the display control unit causes the monitor to display, as a node that compiles the first and second nodes, nodes corresponding to common interests between the one or more interests of the first user and the one or more interests of the second user. The information management device according to claim 7.

9. The computer Obtaining information about one or more interests of the first user; one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more of the acquired interests of the first user are brought closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the first user, and are displayed on a monitor together with the reference node; receiving operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in an operation terminal; outputting information about one or more subjects of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; Information management method.

10. obtaining information about one or more interests of a first user; a process of moving one or more first nodes corresponding to one or more acquired interests of the first user closer to a reference node by a distance corresponding to the level of each interest of the first user, and displaying the first nodes together with the reference node on a monitor; A process of receiving operation information regarding the display content of the monitor in the operation terminal; a process of outputting information about one or more subjects of interest of the first user, the level of interest of which has been adjusted in accordance with the received operation information; A control program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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