Method and system for providing usage information for a set-top box
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for collecting usage information for a set-top box, comprising:
- storing, using a processor of the set-top box, a plurality of user profiles for the set-top box, each of the user profile associated with different users of the set-top box;
storing usage information associated with media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed;
identifying, using the processor of the set-top box, patterns in the usage information to determine which of the different users of the set-top box is viewing a media content being received by the set-top box;
determining, based on user preferences, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on at least one of an identity of the determined user and a type of the media content being received by the set-top box;
responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieving a notification identifier associated with the particular user and sending the viewing notification regarding the usage information associated with the identity of the determined user to the particular user using the notification identifier associated with the particular user;
receiving a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and
performing, using the processor of the set-top box, the requested command.
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Abstract
A method and system for providing usage information for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives a request for usage information for a set-top box and the usage information has media content received by the set-top box, queries a database with a query based upon the request and the request has criteria for usage information, and sends a query result for the query.
36 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for collecting usage information for a set-top box, comprising:
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storing, using a processor of the set-top box, a plurality of user profiles for the set-top box, each of the user profile associated with different users of the set-top box; storing usage information associated with media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed; identifying, using the processor of the set-top box, patterns in the usage information to determine which of the different users of the set-top box is viewing a media content being received by the set-top box; determining, based on user preferences, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on at least one of an identity of the determined user and a type of the media content being received by the set-top box; responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieving a notification identifier associated with the particular user and sending the viewing notification regarding the usage information associated with the identity of the determined user to the particular user using the notification identifier associated with the particular user; receiving a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and performing, using the processor of the set-top box, the requested command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A set-top box comprising:
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a processor operable to execute a set of instructions; and a computer readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer readable medium operable to store the set of instructions, wherein the processor executes the set of instructions to; store a plurality of user profiles for the set-top box, each of the user profile associated with different users of the set-top box; store usage information associated with media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed; identify, using the processor of the set-top box, patterns in the usage information to determine which of the different users of the set-top box is viewing a particular media content being received by the set-top box; determine, based on user preferences, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on at least one of an identity of the determined user and a type of the media content being received by the set-top box; responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieve a notification identifier associated with the particular user and send the viewing notification regarding the usage information associated with the identity of the determined user to the particular user using the notification identifier associated with the particular user; receive a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and perform the requested command. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising instructions to:
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store a plurality of user profiles for the set-top box, each of the user profile associated with different users of a set-top box; store usage information associated with media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed; identify, using a processor of the set-top box, patterns in the usage information to determine which of the different users of the set-top box is viewing a media content being received by the set-top box; determine, based on user preferences, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on at least one of an identity of the determined user and a type of the media content being received by the set-top box; responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieve a notification identifier associated with the particular user and send the viewing notification regarding the usage information associated with the identity of the determined user to the particular user using the notification identifier associated with the particular user; receive a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and perform the requested command. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification