Patent ID: 7577972

Claim:
An automatic keyword extraction apparatus, comprising: a first extraction unit operable to extract a keyword from title character string information which designates a title of contents in electronic program guide (EPG) information using a first keyword dictionary in which a character string designating a sub-genre is registered; and a second extraction unit operable to extract a keyword from detailed character string information which explains details of the contents in the EPG information using a second keyword dictionary in which names of persons are registered, and to extract a keyword utilizing a character type separation method, said first extraction unit being operable to make a whole title character string or strings in which character strings registered in the keyword dictionary for titles are included within a respective program title or titles a keyword extraction objective or objectives, substitute by a space or spaces a portion or portions of a character string or strings which are designated in an exclude character string dictionary for titles within a title or titles which are made to be a keyword extraction objective, and extract a keyword therefrom in accordance with a predetermined rule, and said predetermined rule includes extracting an entire respective title string when the respective title string is not separated by a special character from among a number of predetermined special characters which does not include “•” (midpoint), extracting two or more letters of the respective title string when the respective title string is separated by the special character, and when the respective title string includes the “•” (midpoint) at a beginning or end thereof extracting the respective title string without the “•” (midpoint).