Abstract: A category pair is generated in a round-robin fashion for all of categories by obtaining each category of a document directory, each category of a bookmark, and a URL registered to each category from each of a document directory storing unit and a bookmark storing unit, and the degree of similarity is calculated for each category pair. Next, a pair of categories whose degrees of association are high is selected from among all of category pairs, and a URL candidate to be recommended each other is extracted for each selected category pair.

Abstract: In a method for providing information on commodities to a user by using a computer, commodity-comparison information indicating at least one result of at least one comparison between the commodities is acquired and stored. Next, a commodity-comparison map which visually indicates at least one relationship between the commodities is produced by using the commodity-comparison information stored above, in such a manner that at least one coordinate axis of the commodity-comparison map corresponds to at least one evaluation criterion used in evaluation of the commodities, respectively. Then, relative-evaluation information which indicates at least one relative evaluation of the commodities is produced by using the commodity-comparison map. Finally, the relative-evaluation information is provided to the user.

Abstract: The information use frequency prediction device is provided with a comparison section for shifting a second time series data related to the use frequency of a first keyword, sequentially on the time base in a unit of predetermined time, based on a first time series data related to the use frequency of a second keyword input while searching over the Internet, and calculating a correlation coefficient between the first time series data and the second time series data, for each unit of predetermined time. Moreover, a prediction section specifies a pair of the first time series data and the second time series data, corresponding to the correlation coefficient having the highest value, of a plurality of correlation coefficients calculated by the comparison section and for predicting the use frequency of the first time series data constituting the pair, based on the second time series data.

Abstract: A category pair is generated in a round-robin fashion for all of categories by obtaining each category of a document directory, each category of a bookmark, and a URL registered to each category from each of a document directory storing unit and a bookmark storing unit, and the degree of similarity is calculated for each category pair. Next, a pair of categories whose degrees of association are high is selected from among all of category pairs, and a URL candidate to be recommended each other is extracted for each selected category pair.

Abstract: An online shop is connected to the terminal of a client through a network. The online shop includes a owned merchandise information storage unit (for example, ‘virtual bookshelf’) for storing the information about the merchandise owned by the client, and a merchandise explanation information storage unit. The online shop manages the information about the merchandise owned by the client. The online shop obtains the information from the owned merchandise information storage unit according to an instruction of the client, and provides it for the client.

Abstract: The information use frequency prediction device is provided with a comparison section for shifting a second time series data related to the use frequency of a first keyword, sequentially on the time base in a unit of predetermined time, based on a first time series data related to the use frequency of a second keyword input while searching over the Internet, and calculating a correlation coefficient between the first time series data and the second time series data, for each unit of predetermined time. Moreover, a prediction section specifies a pair of the first time series data and the second time series data, corresponding to the correlation coefficient having the highest value, of a plurality of correlation coefficients calculated by the comparison section and for predicting the use frequency of the first time series data constituting the pair, based on the second time series data.

Abstract: In a method for providing information on commodities to a user by using a computer, commodity-comparison information indicating at least one result of at least one comparison between the commodities is acquired and stored. Next, a commodity-comparison map which visually indicates at least one relationship between the commodities is produced by using the commodity-comparison information stored above, in such a manner that at least one coordinate axis of the commodity-comparison map corresponds to at least one evaluation criterion used in evaluation of the commodities, respectively. Then, relative-evaluation information which indicates at least one relative evaluation of the commodities is produced by using the commodity-comparison map. Finally, the relative-evaluation information is provided to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus according to this invention for a coordination control between a window and a camera for use in displaying an image captured by the camera in the window of a display means comprises, a window control means for controlling the window according to a window operation command issued by a user, an information conversion means for converting window information supplied from the window control means into camera control information, and a camera control means for controlling the camera based on the camera control information supplied from the information conversion means. In this apparatus, the window information and the camera control information are interrelated for displaying the image.

Abstract: An apparatus according to this invention for a coordination control between a window and a camera for use in displaying an image captured by the camera in the window of a display means comprises, a window control means for controlling the window according to a window operation command issued by a user, an information conversion means for converting window information supplied from the window control means into camera control information, and a camera control means for controlling the camera based on the camera control information supplied from the information conversion means. In this apparatus, the window information and the camera control information are interrelated for displaying the image.

Abstract: A method of automatically laying out a graph having a plurality of nodes and edges, each indicating a relationship between the nodes, capable of laying out a plurality of kinds of edge in accordance with their respective different rules. It is arranged so that forces acting on each edge are defined to control the direction of the edge, a physical model is prepared corresponding to the graph into which the forces are incorporated, a stable state of the physical model is obtained, and the graph is drawn or displayed corresponding to the stable state of the physical model.

Abstract: Using a writing implement model defined in the O-XYZ coordinate system a character or graphic form is generated on a writing plane model (O-XY plane) defined in the O-XYZ coordinate system. A control polygon for a character or graphical form to be generated is designed in advance in the O-XYZ coordinate system and a smooth writing motion model is generated using local basis functions that are weighted by the coordinate values of the respective vertices of that control polygon. The position component of the writing motion model represents variations in the position of a representative point of the writing implement model in the O-XYZ coordinate system with respect to time, and the posture component of the writing motion model represents time-variations of its inclination in the O-XYZ coordinate system with respect to the O-XYZ coordinate system. The writing implement model and the writing plane model intersect at a time, thereby forming a character segment.

Abstract: A document classifying system is formed by a document data classifying system, a document classifying function building system, a sample data storage apparatus and a keyword storage apparatus. The document data classifying system inputs document data and defines a classification to which the document data belongs. The document classifying function building system is operatively connected to the document data classifying system and automatically builds a classification decision tree in the document data classifying system. A sample data storage apparatus is operatively connected to the document classifying function building system and stores sample data formed by a set comprised of the document data and the classification to which the document data belongs. The keyword storage apparatus is operatively connected to the document classifying function building system and stores keywords extracted thereby.