Patent ID: 8627377
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: H04H

Abstract:
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.