Patent ID: 8456477

Claim:
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a network structure generation unit, implemented by a processor, that generates a network structure showing relations formed between registered users at one or more predetermined times based on user information containing attribute information showing attributes of the registered user registered with a social networking service (SNS) and registration time information showing a registration time of the registered user, and relation information containing relation formation information showing a relation formed between the registered users on the SNS and relation formation time information showing a relation formation time; a network image generation unit, implemented by the processor, that generates a network image representing the generated network structure with the registered user as a node and a relation formed between the registered users as an edge; a network image display unit that chronologically displays the generated network images at the one or more predetermined times; and a display mode selection unit for selecting a display mode of the network image, wherein: in response to a selection of the display mode, the network image generation unit generates a network image corresponding to a total display mode in which all registered users contained in the generated network structure and relations formed between all the registered users are displayed or a local display mode in which a specific registered user and relations formed by the specific registered user are displayed, and the network image display unit displays the generated network image corresponding to the total display mode or the local display mode.