Information retrieval systems, information processing apparatus and method, an information retrieval apparatus and method

The present invention relates to an information retrieval system so as to recommend a program information corresponding to the interest of the user, the information processing apparatus and method, an information retrieval apparatus and method. PC extracts the words that the user corresponding to the interest of the user from the document of mail sent and received, to record the interest data. In S121, S122, HDD recorder, once logged by the user, and requests acquisition of interest data, based on the request, PC transmits the interest data corresponding to the user who is logged in. In S123, S124, HDD recorder transmits the received interest data to the server, in S131, the server transmits searches the program information matching the received interest data. In S125, HDD recorder, on the basis of the program information included in the search result, sets a recording reservation of a program. The present invention is applicable to a program installed in a personal computer.