Method and apparatus for finding and updating user group preferences in an entertainment system
First Claim
1. An apparatus useful with a system which has a number of variables that are set to accommodate the preferences of a group of users, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a persistent data store having a plurality of storage locations to store a plurality of user preference data for a corresponding plurality of system user groups, wherein individual storage locations are dedicated to store user preference data for each one of the plurality of system user groups;
b. a user group detection system; and
c. a profile processor, communicatively coupled to the persistent data store and the user group detection system, the profile processor programmed to;
i. automatically detect which user group of the plurality of system user groups is currently within a predetermined viewing area; and
ii. automatically create a user group profile, useful for generating a set of recommended options from a set of available options, the user profile being based on the user preference data for the user group currently within the predetermined viewing area.
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Abstract
A system, method, and article of manufacture suitable for automatically generating recommendations of a set of entertainment options from a larger set of entertainment options based on user preferences for those options. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of automatically generating recommendations for viewing television programs based on past viewing patterns and preferences of a group of television viewers, all of whom are physically present in front of the television. The present invention creates a user group profile based on the expressed preferences of the user group or preferences implied by past viewing patterns of the user group. The recommendations may be based on the user group'"'"'s preferences and viewing patterns for viewing during certain times of day or week or certain dates.
293 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus useful with a system which has a number of variables that are set to accommodate the preferences of a group of users, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a persistent data store having a plurality of storage locations to store a plurality of user preference data for a corresponding plurality of system user groups, wherein individual storage locations are dedicated to store user preference data for each one of the plurality of system user groups;
b. a user group detection system; and
c. a profile processor, communicatively coupled to the persistent data store and the user group detection system, the profile processor programmed to;
i. automatically detect which user group of the plurality of system user groups is currently within a predetermined viewing area; and
ii. automatically create a user group profile, useful for generating a set of recommended options from a set of available options, the user profile being based on the user preference data for the user group currently within the predetermined viewing area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An entertainment system, comprising:
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a. at least one entertainment system component providing programming available to at least one user, the programming being received via at least one input to the entertainment system component;
b. a persistent data store having a plurality of storage locations to store user preference data for a corresponding plurality of entertainment system user groups, wherein at least one unique storage location is dedicated to store the user preference data for a unique corresponding system user group; and
c. a profile processor, operatively in communication with the at least one entertainment system component, the persistent data store, and a user group detection system, the profile processor programmed to;
i. automatically detect which user group of the plurality of entertainment system user groups are currently within a predefined viewing area;
ii. automatically create a user group profile based on the user preference data for the user group currently detected within the predefined viewing area; and
iii. dynamically adjust operating parameters for the entertainment system in response to the user group profile.
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10. A method for creating a user group profile for a user group comprising a plurality of users, the method comprising:
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a. automatically detecting which of a plurality of users are currently within a predetermined viewing area;
b. determining an identity of a user group consisting of the detected plurality of users;
c. for the identified user group, i. comparing the identified user group'"'"'s identity against a first predetermined portion of user group data stored in a persistent data store; and
ii. retrieving a second predetermined portion of user group data from the persistent data store for the identified user group; and
d. generating a user group profile from each of the second predetermined portions of user data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25)
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24. In an entertainment system including a program processor operatively connected to a persistent data store, a program output device, an audio input device, a user detection device, and a video input device, a method for automatically configuring the entertainment system for a plurality of identified system users, the method comprising:
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a. detecting which users are currently within a predetermined viewing area;
b. determining a detected user group consisting of the detected users;
c. determining an identified user group from the detected user group, the identified user group having user preference data stored from the detected user group in the persistent data store;
d. retrieving the user preference data corresponding to the identified user group from the persistent data store;
e. creating a user group profile using the retrieved user preference data;
f. scanning programming information for available entertainment options which match the user group profile within a predetermined range of matching values; and
g. adjusting the entertainment system in accordance with the user group profile and available entertainment options. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification