Method and apparatus for automatically selecting an alternate item based on user behavior

• US 20020178440A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Lee, Mi-Suen, Gutta, Srinivas, Agnihotri, Lalitha
• Application Number:
  US09/819,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically selecting an alternate item based on user behavior. The disclosed television programming recommender monitors user behavior and automatically selects an alternate program when the viewer does not sufficiently like the current program selection. Detected predefined negative behavior includes, for example, (i) auditory commands, (ii) gestural commands, (iii) facial expressions, or (iv) other predefined behavior suggesting that the viewer dislikes the program. A flexible mechanism is provided for providing an alternate program selection.

Claims

1. A method for selecting an item for a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a first item to said user;

analyzing at least one of audio and video information focused on said user to identify predefined negative behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item; and

selecting an alternate item if said predefined negative behavior is detected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and alternate items are media content selections.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said alternate item is selected based on viewing preferences of said user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes auditory commands.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes gestural commands.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes deriving user preferences from a facial expression of said user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting step is performed by a program content recommender.

8. A method for selecting an item for a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a first item to said user;

monitoring said user using at least one of an audio and a video device focused on said user to determine whether said user likes said first item; and

selecting an alternate item if said user demonstrates behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of defining a plurality of predefined negative behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said first and alternate items are media content selections.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said alternate item is selected based on viewing preferences of said user.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes auditory commands.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes gestural commands.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said predefined negative behavior includes deriving user preferences from a facial expression of said user.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein said selecting step is performed by a program content recommender.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said processor is further configured to define a plurality of predefined negative behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item.

16. A system for selecting an item for a user, comprising:

a memory for storing computer readable code and said user profile; and

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to;

provide a first item to said user;

analyze at least one of audio and video information focused on said user to identify predefined negative behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item; and

select an alternate item if said predefined negative behavior is detected.

17. A system for selecting an item for a user, comprising:

an audio and a video device focused on a user;

a memory for storing computer readable code and said viewer profile; and

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to;

provide a first item to said user;

monitor said user using at least one of an audio and video device focused on said user to determine whether said user likes said first item; and

select an alternate item if said user demonstrates behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item.

19. An article of manufacture for selecting an item for a user, comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising;

a step to provide a first item to said user;

a step to analyze at least one of audio and video information focused on said user to identify predefined negative behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item; and

a step to select an alternate item if said predefined negative behavior is detected.

20. An article of manufacture for selecting an item for a user, comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising;

a step to provide a first item to said user;

a step to monitor said user using at least one of audio or video information generated by an audio or video device to determine whether said user likes said first item; and

a step to select an alternate item if said user demonstrates behavior suggesting that said user does not like said first item.