Abstract: A recommendation information generation apparatus and a recommendation information generation method that can select a similar user appropriately even if the amount of history information is small. In an information distribution server, a user characteristic vector calculation unit calculates a user characteristic vector of each of users, and a similar user calculation unit calculates the degree of similarity between the users based on the calculated user characteristic vector of each of the users. The similar user calculation unit then selects a similar user who is similar to a first user based on the calculated degree of similarity. A relevance evaluation unit generates recommendation information for the first user based on the characteristic vector of the selected similar user.

Abstract: Providing an information providing system and an information providing method capable of providing detail information required for a user to execute his/her scheduled activity smoothly.

Abstract: A content evaluation apparatus and a content evaluation method that can distribute contents that a user potentially needs without any omissions. A history class separation unit generates a separation plane for separating in a separation plane a characteristic vector of a selected content and characteristic vectors of non-selected contents stored in a browsing history table. A user characteristic vector calculation unit generates a user characteristic vector based on an orthogonal vector perpendicular to the separation plane thus generated and stores the user characteristic vector in a user characteristic vector management table. Subsequently, when a recommendation request receiving unit receives a recommendation request, a content evaluation unit evaluates the contents based on the stored user characteristic vector.

Abstract: A recommendation information generation apparatus and a recommendation information generation method that can select a similar user appropriately even if the amount of history information is small. In an information distribution server, a user characteristic vector calculation unit calculates a user characteristic vector of each of users, and a similar user calculation unit calculates the degree of similarity between the users based on the calculated user characteristic vector of each of the users. The similar user calculation unit then selects a similar user who is similar to a first user based on the calculated degree of similarity. A relevance evaluation unit generates recommendation information for the first user based on the characteristic vector of the selected similar user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a task selection assistance apparatus, and a task selection assistance method, which enable burdens on a user to be alleviated in selecting a task for solving a problem. A domain candidate determining portion 210 determines domain candidates to be presented to the user from among domains stored in a task model DB 102, and a domain candidate transmitting portion 201 transmits the domain candidates to a portable terminal 101. A user selected domain obtaining portion 203 obtains a domain, which has been selected by the user, from the portable terminal 101, and the task candidate determining portion 211 determines task candidates to be presented to the user from among tasks stored in the task model DB 102 based on the domain selected by the user.

Abstract: The invention provides an information delivery apparatus and information delivery method that can improve the rate of access by a user. A task node designation unit acquires task information related to contents sent by a contents transmission unit, and the contents transmission unit sends the acquired task information to the user, thereby making it possible to assist the actions of the user suitably. Consequently, since task information that is related to the contents, for example, task information which can cause the user to consider performing an action of some kind in relation to the content can be also viewed, the user is encouraged to perform new actions, whereby the access rate to the content can be improved.

Abstract: A service recommendation system and a service recommendation method capable of improving the probability of the estimation of a user task and recommending a service depending on a user task can be provided. The user role obtaining unit 210 of the service recommendation server 100 obtains the role of a user, and the task estimating unit 207 estimates a user task from a task model associated with the obtained user role and stored in the task knowledge DB 103. The service knowledge retrieving unit 208 retrieves a service capable of assisting a user task obtained from the task estimating unit 207.

Abstract: Providing an information providing system and an information providing method capable of providing detail information required for a user to execute his/her scheduled activity smoothly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a task selection assistance apparatus, and a task selection assistance method, which enable burdens on a user to be alleviated in selecting a task for solving a problem. A domain candidate determining portion 210 determines domain candidates to be presented to the user from among domains stored in a task model DB 102, and a domain candidate transmitting portion 201 transmits the domain candidates to a portable terminal 101. A user selected domain obtaining portion 203 obtains a domain, which has been selected by the user, from the portable terminal 101, and the task candidate determining portion 211 determines task candidates to be presented to the user from among tasks stored in the task model DB 102 based on the domain selected by the user.