Communication assistance device, communication assistance method, and computer readable recording medium

A computer-implemented communication assistance method comprising:

• determine a current communication level between a first user and a second user, the current communication level including at least one of a first stranger level, an intermediate level between strangers and friends, and a friend level, wherein the intermediate level further includes at least one of:
• a second stranger level wherein the first and second users have no knowledge of each other, there is a degree of similarity between first preference information associated with the first user and second preference information associated with the second user that exceeds a threshold, and the first user is not interested in the second user;
• and
• a candidate-for-friend level wherein the degree of similarity between the first preference information and the second preference information exceeds the threshold and the first user is interested in the second user;
• wherein the second stranger level and the candidate-for-friend level is each classified into:
• an existence awareness level at which the first user is aware of the existence of the second user;
• and
• an information exchange level at which the first user has exchanged information with the second user;
• determining whether to degrade, maintain, or upgrade the current communication level, based on:
• (i) the degree of similarity between the first preference information and the second preference information;
• (ii) one or more user action records reflecting one or more actions taken by the first user to the second user;
• and
• (iii) the current communication level;
• and
• providing a topic to be transmitted to the second user based on the current communication level, the determination of whether to degrade, maintain, or upgrade the current communication level, and on the first and second preference information.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute:

• determine a current communication level between a first user and a second user, the current communication level including at least one of a first stranger level, an intermediate level between strangers and friends, and a friend level, wherein the intermediate level further includes at least one of:
• a second stranger level wherein the first and second users have no knowledge of each other, there is a degree of similarity between first preference information associated with the first user and second preference information associated with the second user that exceeds a threshold, and the first user is not interested in the second user;
• and
• a candidate-for-friend level wherein the degree of similarity between the first preference information and the second preference information exceeds the threshold and the first user is interested in the second user;
• wherein the second stranger level and the candidate-for-friend level is each classified into:
• an existence awareness level at which the first user is aware of the existence of the second user;
• and
• an information exchange level at which the first user has exchanged information with the second user;
• determining whether to degrade, maintain, or upgrade the current communication level, based on:
• (i) the degree of similarity between the first preference information and the second preference information;
• (ii) one or more user action records reflecting one or more actions taken by the first user to the second user;
• and
• (iii) the current communication level;
• and
• providing a topic to be transmitted to the second user based on the current communication level, the determination of whether to degrade, maintain, or upgrade the current communication level, and the first and second preference information.