Patent ID: 7707283

Claim:
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display device; a processor; and a memory device which stores instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device to: (a) manage: (i) first data about preferences of a user by managing a first factor in association with a first numeric value belonging to the user with respect to the first factor; (ii) second data about information used by the user by managing a second factor regarding the information in association with a second numeric value belonging to the information with respect to the second factor; and (iii) a database which includes: (A) a first reason which corresponds to a third data, said third data specifying that the first reason is to be displayed to the user; and (B) a second reason which corresponds to a fourth data, said fourth data specifying that the second reason is not to be displayed to the user; (b) retrieve the second data about the information used by the user; (c) update the first data by use of the retrieved second data; (d) if the first factor coinciding with the second factor within the second data are found to exist within the first data: (i) calculate a new first value using said first value and said second value; and (ii) write the newly calculated first value into the first data; (e) if the first factor coinciding with the second factor within the second data are not found to exist within the first data, add the second factor and the second value to the first data; (f) create a recommended program based on the first data; (g) provide a reason for the recommended program in terms of degree of match with the first data; (h) determine, by referencing said database, whether said provided reason for the recommended program corresponds to said first reason; (i) in response to said provided reason for the recommended program corresponding to said first reason, display said provided reason; (j) determine, by referencing said database, whether said provided reason for the recommended program corresponds to said second reason; and (k) in response to said provided reason for the recommended program corresponding to said second reason, suppress display of said provided reason.