Abstract:
Aspects of bandwidth conservation include monitoring, via a processor over a period of time, program state information for content streamed to an electronic device, and accumulating, in a memory device via the processor, inputs received over the period of time from a user of the electronic device. Each of the inputs is correlated to the program state information based on a location in the content at which the corresponding input occurred. Aspects further include identifying patterns of user behavior based on collective correlations between the inputs and the program state information, determining from the patterns a presence or absence of the user at the electronic device with respect to currently streamed content when no inputs are received by the user, and performing a bandwidth control operation with respect to the currently streamed content based on the determined presence or absence of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/193,652, filed Feb. 28, 2014 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/298,402, filed on Dec. 9, 2005, which further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/713,487, filed Sep. 1, 2005, entitled “TV Bandwidth Conservation Based On User Presence Detection Using Remote Control,” and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application generally relates to interactive multimedia distribution systems and, more particularly, to presence detection in such systems. 
         [0003]    Bandwidth is becoming a problem in the communications industry. As subscribers demand more and more content, higher definition services, interactive services, and data services, the existing network infrastructure has trouble supplying adequate bandwidth. The industry is hard at work identifying new ways of increasing bandwidth. The industry is also striving to reduce wasted bandwidth. 
         [0004]    An “always on” set-top box is one example of wasted bandwidth. An “always on” set-top box continually receives content, even while no one is watching television. When the set-top box remains powered “on” and tuned to a channel, the set-top box consumes bandwidth. Often times, however, that channel is not watched and bandwidth is wasted. Many cable subscribers, for example, forget to, or are unable to, turn “off’ their set-top box. Many subscribers power “off’ the television, yet the set-top box remains powered “on” and receiving content. It&#39;s not uncommon for a set-top box to continually receive a video stream while the subscriber sleeps for hours and/or vacations for days. No one is watching the content, yet the set-top box is consuming network bandwidth. Because communications networks need to efficiently utilize bandwidth, there is a need in the art for reducing bandwidth consumption. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, devices, and computer program products that conserve bandwidth in communications networks are provided. A method includes monitoring, via a processor over a period of time, program state information for content streamed to an electronic device. The method also includes accumulating, in a memory device via the processor, inputs received over the period of time from a user of the electronic device. Each of the inputs is correlated to the program state information based on a location in the content at which the corresponding input occurred. The method further includes identifying patterns of user behavior based on collective correlations between the inputs and the program state information, determining from the patterns a presence or absence of the user at the electronic device with respect to currently streamed content when no inputs are received by the user, and performing a bandwidth control operation with respect to the currently streamed content based on the determined presence or absence of the user. 
         [0006]    Other systems, methods, and/or devices according to the exemplary embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or devices be included within this description, be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic illustrating an operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a more detailed schematic illustrating exemplary embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a bandwidth prompt  50 , according to even more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a reduced resolution message, according to yet more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating transmission of a reduced resolution stream of data, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating local retrieval of content, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustrating the use of user preferences when conserving bandwidth, according to yet more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating the restored, full-resolution stream  12  of data, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating the use of tags, according to still more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustrating an alternative operating environment for the presence detection application  18 , according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 11-12  are schematics illustrating solutions for a broadband remote access server (BRAS), according to even more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a schematic illustrating various types of electronic devices, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a schematic illustrating various types of multimedia devices, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 15-17  are schematics further illustrating the electronic device storing the presence detection application, according to exemplary embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  is a schematic further illustrating the electronic device, according to exemplary embodiments; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of conserving bandwidth, according to more exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The exemplary embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The reader should recognize, however, that the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Moreover, all statements herein reciting exemplary embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
         [0025]    Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods of the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing the exemplary embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer. 
         [0026]    The exemplary embodiments describe methods, systems, and devices that conserve bandwidth in communications networks. These exemplary embodiments describe how a multimedia service provider can reduce the occurrences of wasted bandwidth. These exemplary embodiments minimize bandwidth consumption of an established session by detecting the physical presence of a user. If the user is physically present, then the exemplary embodiments deliver a stream of data to a multimedia electronic device, and a bit rate of the stream of data is appropriate to the needs of the electronic device. If, however, the physical presences of the user cannot be detected, inferred, or predicted, then there is little or no need for a full-resolution feed to the electronic device. The exemplary embodiments, instead, degrade or even terminate the stream of data to conserve bandwidth in the network. The terms “degrade,” “degraded,” “degradation,” and other variants mean the resolution of the stream of data is reduced to conserve bandwidth. When the stream of data is degraded, the degraded stream of data still preserves an established data session, yet the degraded stream of data has a reduced bit rate to reduce bandwidth consumption. When the physical presence of the user is again detected or inferred, then the exemplary embodiments restore the stream of data to its full-resolution data rate. The exemplary embodiments, therefore, reduce the occurrences of wasted bandwidth. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic illustrating an operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 1  shows an electronic device  10  receiving a stream  12  of data via a communications network  14 . The electronic device  10  can be any device, such as a set-top box, a television, or an integrated television and set-top box. The electronic device  10  may also be an analog/digital recorder, CD/DVD player/recorder, audio equipment, receiver, tuner, and/or any other consumer electronic device. The electronic device  10  may also include any computer, peripheral device, camera, modem, storage device, telephone, personal digital assistant, and/or mobile phone. The stream  12  of data may be any RF and/or digital content, such as television/cable programming, .mpg streams, or any other content. The communications network  14  may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. The communications network  14 , however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). The communications network  14  may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The communications network  14  may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the IEEE 802 family of standards). 
         [0028]    As  FIG. 1  shows, the electronic device  10  also detects or monitors the physical presence of a user. The user is generally a person in the vicinity of the electronic device (such as in the same room) and who is watching, listening to, or otherwise experiencing a movie, game, TV program, or other content represented by the stream  12  of data. The user may be a customer, a subscriber, a viewer, a listener, or any other person experiencing content delivered to the electronic device  10 . A presence detection application  18  is a computer program that infers the presence of the user. The presence detection application  18  stores in memory  20  of the electronic device  10  and monitors or detects when the user is present. The term “present” implies the user is watching, listening to, or otherwise experiencing the content represented by the stream  12  of data. If the user is experiencing the stream  12  of data, then the bandwidth allocated to that stream  12  of data is maintained. If, however, the user is not watching or otherwise experiencing the delivered stream  12  of data, then perhaps bandwidth is being wasted. The presence detection application  18 , then, may (or may not) conserve bandwidth. 
         [0029]    The presence detection application  18  predicts the presence of the user. The presence detection application  18  monitors inputs to the electronic device  10  and predicts when the user is present, thus justifying the allocated bandwidth. The presence detection application  18 , for example, monitors inputs received via a user interface  22 . The electronic device  10  includes the user interface  22 , and the user interface  22  provides direct or menu-driven access to functions, features, and settings for the electronic device  10 . The user interface  22 , for example, may be a keyboard, a keypad, control panel, soft-touch control buttons, voice-activated or voice-recognition software, graphical user interface, or any other means for inputting commands to the electronic device  10 . Although the user interface  22  may be any means for inputting commands,  FIG. 1  illustrates the user interface  22  as a wireless remote control  24 . The user interface  22  may include any combination of alphabetic, numeric, and iconic character buttons. The user interface  22  may also include cursor movement buttons that enable the user to scroll and to sequence through menu options. If the user is making inputs via the user interface  22 , then those inputs are a positive indication that the user is present and the allocated bandwidth is justified. If, however, no inputs are received over a period of time, then, as the following paragraphs explain, the presence detection application  18  may or may not infer that the user is or is not present. If the user is not watching, listening to, or otherwise experiencing the stream  12  of data, then the allocated bandwidth for the stream  12  of data may be reduced to conserve network resources. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a more detailed schematic illustrating exemplary embodiments. The electronic device  10  again receives the stream  12  of data via the communications network  14 . Although the electronic device  10  may be any device, here the electronic device  10  is shown as a set-top box  30 . The set-top box  30  receives and decodes the stream  12  of data. The presence detection application  18  is an algorithm stored in the memory  20  of the set-top box  30 , and the presence detection application  18  monitors or detects when the user is present. If the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is present, then the presence detection application  18  maintains the full-resolution of the stream  12  of data. If, however, the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not watching, listening to, or otherwise experiencing the stream  12  of data, then the allocated bandwidth for the stream  12  of data may be reduced to conserve network resources. 
         [0031]    As  FIG. 2  illustrates, the presence detection application  18  monitors inputs received via the user interface  22 . As the user makes channel changes, cursor movements, volume commands, and other inputs via the user interface  22 , the presence detection application  18  accumulates those inputs in the memory  20 . Again, while the user interface  22  may be a keyboard, keypad, control panel or other means for inputting commands,  FIG. 2  illustrates the user interface  22  as the remote control  24 . As each input to the remote control  24  is received, the input is stored in the memory  20 . The inputs may be stored as a log  32 , with each entry  34  describing at least the input and the time the input was entered, received, or logged. The inputs may be sequentially stored throughout time. More likely, however, the inputs are stored during any period of time from seconds to years, depending on the amount of available memory. When the memory allocated to the log  32  is filled, the log  32  would sequentially replace the earliest entry with the newest entry. The user may even configure the memory  20  and the log  32  to select the amount of memory allocated to the log  32 , and the presence detection application  18  may prompt the user to increase memory allocation when the log  32  is nearly full. 
         [0032]    The presence detection application  18  may also predict presence using historical patterns. These historical patterns tell the presence detection application  18  when to expect activity at the user interface  22 . When activity is expected, and inputs to the user interface  22  are received, then the presence detection application  18  may infer the user is present, thus justifying the allocated bandwidth. If, however, no inputs are received when expected, then perhaps the user is not present and bandwidth is being wasted. 
         [0033]    As  FIG. 2  also illustrates, the presence detection application  18  may access a historical pattern  36  of inputs. The historical pattern  36  of inputs may be stored in a database that is locally maintained in the memory  20  of the electronic device  10 . The historical pattern  36  of inputs may be additionally or alternatively be stored at a remote location, such as a remote server  38  communicating with the electronic device  10  via the communications network  14 . However the historical pattern  36  of inputs is accessed, the historical pattern  36  of inputs stores historical information describing behavioral patterns of inputs to the user interface  22 . The historical pattern  36  of inputs may be associated with the individual user, such as a learned pattern of input events or some interval of time describing historical use associated with the user. The historical pattern  36  of inputs, however, may additionally or alternatively be a pattern of inputs collected from a sample of users or collected from a population of users across a node, branch, region, or other grouping. The presence detection application  18  may even itself analyze the log  32  of inputs, looking for any patterns of usage. 
         [0034]    As the user makes inputs via the user interface  22  (e.g., the remote control  24 ), the presence detection application  18  may analyze those inputs for trends. The user, for example, may have a history of making inputs after a transition in content. When content programming transitions to an advertisement, the user may have a history of making channel or content changes after the transition. If the content transitions to an advertisement, but no inputs are received, then perhaps the user is not present and bandwidth is being wasted. The historical pattern  36  of inputs may, likewise, also indicate that, at a certain time of day, the user interface  22  usually receives inputs. The user, for example, may “surf’ content near the top of the hour, when content providers typically transition programming offerings. If that time of day passes with little or no inputs, then perhaps again the user is not present and bandwidth is being wasted. The presence detection application  18  may thus predict presence of the user by comparing historical patterns to actual inputs received via the user interface  22 . 
         [0035]    The presence detection application  18  may also predict presence using state information  40 . This state information  40  describes a current state of the stream  12  of data being received at the electronic device  10 . The state information  40  describes, at any particular moment in time, the content represented by the stream  12  of data. The state information  40 , for example, may describe programming timing and indicate that the stream  12  of data is currently near the middle (or any other point) of a movie, TV program, song, or other content. The state information  40  may also indicate top of the hour, bottom of the hour, or other advertisement insertion slots. The state information  40  may be transmitted by a service provider, content provider, head end, server, or any other entity and received at the electronic device  10  via the communications network  14 . The state information  40  may be transmitted with the stream  12  of data, or the state information  40  may be separately transmitted as a timing signal. However the state information  40  is received, the presence detection application  18  may receive and analyze this state information  40  when predicting presence. 
         [0036]    The state information  40  may include a program control information signal  42 . The program control information signal  42  may be delivered with programming and other content received via the communications network  14 . The program control information signal  42  may be transmitted by a content provider, a network operations center, a headend, or any other entity. The program control information signal  42  may contain a description of the content or packages of content, such as channel number, program title, program length, program category, and start/end times. The program control information signal  42  may also contain menu content, such as menu locations for messages, graphics and video, menu colors, text fonts, sizes, and styles, and other menu information. The program control information signal  42  may also contain commands for the electronic device  10  (e.g., the set-top box  30 ) and other information relevant to signal transmission. 
         [0037]    As  FIG. 2  also illustrates, the state information  40  may additionally or alternatively include advertisement insertion information  44 . The advertisement insertion information  44  is used when inserting an advertisement into the stream  12  of data. The advertisement insertion information  44  may be inserted at the headend and sent via the communications network  14  or embedded in the stream  12  of data (or other program signal). The advertisement insertion information  44 , for example, may include “Q-tones” or other information that identifies a point in the stream  12  of data in which an advertisement is inserted. The presence detection application  18  may interface with an MPEG decoder  46  that is capable of detecting, decoding, and/or or hearing MPEG Q-tones within the stream  12  of data. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, the Q tone provides the MPEG decoder  46  and/or the presence detection application  18  with an advance indication of a point in the content where an advertisement is inserted. The Q tone provides a set time (e.g., 30 or 60 seconds) after which the advertisement should begin. Because Q-tones are well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, Q-tones will not be further explained. 
         [0038]    The presence detection application  18  may also predict presence using modal information  48 . This modal information  48  describes a current mode of operation for the electronic device  10 . The modal information  48 , for example, may indicate that the electronic device  10  is currently operating in a broadband mode (e.g., receiving the stream  12  of data via a broadband connection to the communications network  14 ). The modal information  48  could additionally or alternatively indicate the electronic device  10  is operating in a broadcast mode. The electronic device  10 , for example, may be wirelessly receiving the stream  12  of data via an AM/FM/VHF/UHF transmission, via a CDMA/TDMA/GSM or variant signaling standard, via an industrial, scientific, and medical band (ISM) (e.g., BLUETOOTH®) transmission, via a satellite transmission, via any of the IEEE 802 family of standards, or via any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The modal information  48  may additionally or alternatively indicate the electronic device  10  is operating in an auxiliary mode, such as receiving auxiliary content from a DVD/CD-ROM, VHS, digital recorder, or other memory storage component. The modal information  48  may additionally or alternatively indicate the electronic device  10  is operating in a gaming mode and, thus, receiving and/or visually or audibly presenting a game. Whatever the mode of operation, the presence detection application  18  may use this modal information  48  when predicting the presence of the user. 
         [0039]    The presence detection application  20  then uses any of the above-described information sources to predict presence. The presence detection application  20  receives and analyzes the inputs received via the user interface  22 , the historical pattern  36  of inputs, the state information  40 , and/or the modal information  48 . The presence detection application  20  then intelligently predicts whether the user is currently present and experiencing the stream  12  of data. 
         [0040]    An example provides additional explanation. Suppose the electronic device  10  is in a broadband mode of operation and is receiving content. The state information  40  indicates the stream  12  of data is nearing the middle of a three-hour movie. The state information  40  also includes timing information indicating that a top of the hour is approaching. At the top of the hour, the presence detection application  20  knows to expect inputs to the user interface  22 , based on trends from the historical pattern  36  of inputs. The historical pattern  36  of inputs, for example, indicates that the user, or a group of users, commonly makes “surfs” or makes channel changes at the top of the hour, when programming transitions to advertisements. Because the user is in the middle of a commercial-free movie, however, the user may not normally “surf’ content at the top of the hour. If the presence detection application  20  heeded the historical information, the lack of inputs at the top of the hour could erroneously indicate that the user is not present and that bandwidth is being wasted. 
         [0041]    Yet the presence detection application  20  is more intelligent. Because the user is in the middle of a movie, the presence detection application  18  may ignore historical information describing top-of-the-hour inputs. As the presence detection application  20  builds the log  32  of inputs, each entry  34  may be correlated with the corresponding state information  40  and with the corresponding modal information  48 . Such information may describe the operation of the electronic device  10 , such as whether the input was made after transition to a commercial, during a commercial-free movie, or during a gaming mode. If the state information  40  indicates the electronic device  10  is receiving a movie without inserted ads, the presence detection application  18  may decide to ignore historical information. That is, if the state information  40  does not include ad insertion information, the presence detection application  18  should not expect inputs to the user interface  22  at the top of the hour, at the bottom of the hour, or at other times of typical ad insertion. The presence detection application  18 , instead, maintains the bandwidth allocated to the stream  12  of data, knowing that the user is in the middle of a commercial-free movie. 
         [0042]    The presence detection application  18  thus helps conserve bandwidth. When the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is present, the allocated bandwidth for the stream  12  of data may be justified and maintained. The presence detection application  18  makes no change in the data rate of the stream  12  of data. That is, the stream  12  of data is continually delivered at its full resolution, whatever that full resolution may be. When, however, the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, actions are taken to conserve bandwidth. If the presence detection application  18  cannot detect or infer the presence of the user, then there may be no need to communicate a high-bandwidth stream  12  of data from the communications network  14 . As the following paragraphs will explain, when the presence of the user cannot be predicted or detected, the presence detection application  18  causes degradation in the stream  12  of data. The stream  12  of data may be degraded to a reduced-resolution version to conserve bandwidth. The stream  12  of data may even be terminated. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a bandwidth prompt  50 , according to even more exemplary embodiments. When the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, here the presence detection application  18  may visually and/or audibly cause a display device  52  (such as a television or monitor) to produce the bandwidth prompt  50 . The bandwidth prompt  50 , for example, may visually and/or audibly present a message  54 , notifying the user that the high-resolution version of the stream  12  of data is about to be degraded, or even terminated, unless the user responds. The presence detection application  18  may recognize any input via the user interface  22  as an affirmative response, thus confirming full-resolution is desired. That is, if the user makes any input (such as pushing a button on the remote control  24 ), then the presence detection application  18  knows that the user is truly present and the high-resolution version of the stream  12  of data should be maintained. 
         [0044]    When the bandwidth prompt  50  is presented, the presence detection application  18  may even recognize any movement of the remote control  24  as an affirmative response. That is, perhaps the remote control  24  comprises an accelerometer or other movement or position sensor that detects movements, and such movement affirmatively indicates the user is present. The user interface  22  may additionally or alternatively comprise any means for sensing movement, such as a gravity switch, a mercury switch, a GPS transmitter or receiver, an infrared transmitter or receiver, any transmitter or receiver utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, or any device utilizing the Doppler Effect. The bandwidth prompt  50  may include a visual and/or audible timer that counts down the remaining time until degradation. If no response to the bandwidth prompt  50  is detected, then the presence detection application  18  implements actions to reduce bandwidth. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates a reduced resolution message  56 , according to yet more exemplary embodiments. When the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, then bandwidth is possibly being wasted. The presence detection application  18  may immediately take actions to reduce bandwidth consumption. The presence detection application  18  may additionally produce the bandwidth prompt (shown as reference numeral  50  in  FIG. 3 ) to confirm the presence of the user. Regardless, when the presence detection application  18  is ready to conserve network resources, the presence detection application  18  sends the reduced resolution message  56  to a server  58 . The stream  12  of data is sent by the server  58 , and the reduced resolution message  56  instructs the server  58  to reduce the resolution of the stream  12  of data. The server  58  receives the reduced resolution message  56  via the communications network  14 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating transmission of a reduced resolution stream  60  of data, according to exemplary embodiments. When the server  58  receives the reduced resolution message  56 , the server  58  implements strategies to conserve network resources. The reduced resolution message  56  instructs the server  58  to reduce the resolution of the stream  12  of data. As  FIG. 5  illustrates, the reduced resolution stream  60  of data is then processed and sent from the server  58  to the set-top box  30  via the communications network  14 . The reduced resolution stream  60  of data has a reduced data rate measured in bytes per second. Because the reduced resolution stream  60  of data has a reduced data rate, the bandwidth allocated to the set-top box  30  may be reduced and reallocated to other uses within the communications network  14 . The reduced resolution stream  60  of data may have reduced resolution audio and/or video portions to conserve bandwidth. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating local retrieval of content, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, when the presence detection application  18  sends the reduced resolution message  56  to the server  58 , the reduced resolution message  56  instructs the server  58  to terminate the stream  12  of data. That is, the presence detection application  18  instructs the server  58  to cease delivery of the full-resolution stream  12  of data. The presence detection application  18 , instead, locally retrieves content from the memory  20  and causes that local content to be visually and/or audibly presented to the user. When the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  ceases transmission of the stream  12  of data for maximum reduction in bandwidth. The presence detection application  18  then reverts to local content  62  retrieved from the local memory  20 . The local content  62  may be a movie, music, slide show, family photos, or any other file (having any format or extension). The local content  62  still presents audio and/or video content, yet the local content  62  is not drawing or requiring bandwidth from the communications network  14 . The local content  62  may be selected and downloaded by a content provider, a service provider, or by a network operator. The local content  62  may also be selected and configurable by the user. 
         [0048]    The local content  62  may be advantageously selected. The presence detection application  18 , for example, may retrieve a promotion that is locally stored in the memory  20 . The promotion encourages the user to select or to tune to content, a product, or a service that might be of interest to the user. That content, product, or service could also generate revenue for the network operator and/or the content provider. Perhaps, for example, the presence detection application  18  detects or infers that the user is not present. The presence detection application  18  may then terminate the stream  12  of data and, instead, retrieve a promotion channel from local memory. The promotion channel may promote video-on-demand services, special event programming, or other pay-per-view programming that may appeal to the user. If the user is present and intrigued, the user may make a purchase. 
         [0049]    The presence detection application  18  may implement other actions. When the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, then bandwidth is possibly being wasted. The presence detection application  18  may immediately take actions to reduce bandwidth consumption. The presence detection application  18  may assume the user has left the room or fallen asleep and disable or “turn off’ the screen and speakers. Whenever the presence detection application infers with a high probability that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  may lower the volume. If the user is present, the user should be motivated to restore the volume or provoked to make some other input. The presence detection application  18  may be configured for other scenarios that reduce bandwidth consumption. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustrating the use of user preferences when conserving bandwidth, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, when the presence detection application  18  takes actions to conserve bandwidth, the presence detection application  18  consults a database  64  of user preferences. The database  64  of user preferences stores one or more preferences  66  associated with the user. The database  64  of user preferences may be locally stored in the memory  20  of the electronic device  10 . The database  64  of user preferences may be additionally or alternatively be stored at a remote location, such as a remote server  68  communicating with the electronic device  10  via the communications network  14 . These preferences  66  describe how the user wishes the stream  12  of data to be degraded when conserving bandwidth. The user, for example, may have a preference for an audio-only version of the stream  12  of data, such that video portions are discarded or otherwise not transmitted. The user may alternatively prefer a grainy video portion and/or a smaller sized resolution version of the stream  12  of data. The user may prefer that the stream  12  of data be terminated. How the user specifies their preferences may depend on economic factors. If, for example, the user pays a per-minute charge for broadband usage, the user may prefer that the stream  12  of data be terminated when presence is not detected. If the user pays according to data rate, then the user may prefer that the stream  12  of data be degraded, or again even terminated, when conserving bandwidth. The network operator, service provider, or content provider may even provide incentives to conserve bandwidth. These incentives, for example, may cause the user to agree to termination or to degradation during peak demand times, designated events, network outages, or any other circumstances. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating the restored, full-resolution stream  12  of data, according to exemplary embodiments. The presence detection application  18  may continually monitor for the presence of the user. When the presence of the user is redetected, or inferred, then the presence detection application  18  causes a restoration in the data rate (e.g., bytes per second) of stream  12  of data. The presence detection application  18  sends a restoration message  70  to the server  58 , and the restoration message  70  instructs the server  58  to restore the full-resolution data rate of the stream  12  of data. When the server  58  receives the restoration message  70 , the server  58  resumes sending the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data. 
         [0052]    The presence detection application  18  may also send the restoration message  70  upon any input via the user interface  22 . As the above paragraphs explained, the presence detection application  18  may recognize any input via the user interface  22  as an affirmative indication of the presence of the user. As the electronic device  10  receives the reduced resolution stream of data (shown as reference numeral  60  in  FIG. 5 ), the presence detection application  18  continually monitors for the presence of the user. Should the presence detection application  18  infer the presence of the user, then the presence detection application  18  restores the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data. When, for example, the user makes any input via the user interface  22  (such as pushing a button on the remote control  24 ) after bandwidth is conserved, then the presence detection application  18  knows that the user is present and the high-resolution version of the stream  12  of data should be restored. The user, as earlier explained, may simply move the remote control  24  to indicate his or her presence. Such movement causes the presence detection application  18  to send the restoration message  70 , thus instructing the server  58  to resume sending the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating the use of tags, according to still more exemplary embodiments. Recall that when the presence detection application  18  infers that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  sends the reduced resolution message  56  to the server  58 . The reduced resolution message  56  instructs the server  58  to reduce the resolution of the stream  12  of data. The server  58  then processes and sends the reduced resolution stream of data (shown as reference numeral  60  in  FIG. 5 ). The reduced resolution stream of data has a reduced data rate measured in bytes per second. Here, however, the presence detection application  18  also instructs the server  58  to mark or tag the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data. The full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data is tagged at the point it was interrupted. A tag  72  is inserted into the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data at the point in time at which degradation occurs. If the presence detection application  18  has erred—that is, the presence detection application  18  has incorrectly inferred that the user is not present—then the presence detection application  18  can return the user to the point in the stream  12  of data prior to degradation. Should the user affirmatively respond to the bandwidth prompt (shown as reference numeral  50  in  FIG. 3 ), make an input via the user interface  22 , move the remote control  24 , or any other action that indicates the user is present, then the full-resolution version of the stream  12  of data is resumed from the moment or time denoted by the tag  72 . The user need only pick up or move the remote control  24  and the presence detection application  18  restores to the previous state. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustrating an alternative operating environment for the presence detection application  18 , according to more exemplary embodiments. Here the presence detection application  18  reduces bandwidth in a wide area network (WAN)  80  (such as the communications network  14 ) and may also reduce bandwidth in a content supplier&#39;s network  82 . The presence detection application  18  entirely or partially stores within the memory  20  of the electronic device  10 . A complimentary presence detection application  84  also operates within the content supplier&#39;s network  82  (such as within a content server  86 ). When the electronic device  10  detects or infers that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  enters the low bandwidth state. The reduced resolution message  56  is sent from the electronic device  10  to the content supplier&#39;s network  82 . The reduced resolution message  56  routes through the wide area network  80  and informs the content supplier&#39;s network  82  of the low bandwidth state. 
         [0055]    Here the content supplier&#39;s network  82  reduces bandwidth. A device operating in the content supplier&#39;s network  82  (such as the content server  86 ) receives the reduced resolution message  56  and reduces the bit rate of the stream  12  of data. That is, the content supplier&#39;s network  82  may discard bits to reduce resolution. The content supplier&#39;s network  82 , therefore, begins transmitting the reduced resolution stream  60  of data having a reduced resolution. The reduced resolution stream  60  of data routes through the wide area network  80  to the electronic device  10 . This solution, then, reduces bandwidth in the wide area network  80  and may also reduce bandwidth in the content supplier&#39;s network  82 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustrating a solution for a broadband remote access server (BRAS)  90 , according to even more exemplary embodiments. The broadband remote access server  90  sets policies for individual users and each user&#39;s allowance of bandwidth consumption. The broadband remote access server  90  also sets policies for individual sessions, regardless of the user. Here, when the presence detection application  18  infers that low-bandwidth is desired, a transaction is established with the broadband remote access server  90 . When the electronic device  10  (such as the set-top box  30 ) detects or infers that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  enters the low bandwidth state. The reduced resolution message  56  is sent from the set-top box  30  to the broadband remote access server  90 . The reduced resolution message  56  routes through the wide area network  80  and informs the broadband remote access server  90  of the low-bandwidth state. 
         [0057]    The broadband remote access server  90  may itself reduce bandwidth. When the broadband remote access server  90  receives the reduced resolution message  56 , the broadband remote access server  90  itself reduces the bit rate of the stream  12  of data. That is, the broadband remote access server  90  receives the full resolution stream  12  of data and discards bits to reduce resolution. The broadband remote access server  90 , therefore, begins transmitting the reduced resolution stream  60  of data having a reduced resolution. The reduced resolution stream  60  of data routes through the wide area network  80  to the electronic device  10 . This solution reduces bandwidth in the wide area network  80 , yet this solution fails to reduce bandwidth in the content supplier&#39;s network  82 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  is a schematic further illustrating the broadband remote access server (BRAS)  90 , according to still more exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 12  is similar to  FIG. 11 , although here the content supplier&#39;s network  82  is instructed to reduce the resolution of the stream  12  of data. When the electronic device  10  (such as the set-top box  30 ) detects or infers that the user is not present, the presence detection application  18  enters the low bandwidth state. The reduced resolution message  56 , as before, routes from the electronic device  10 , through the wide area network  80 , and to the broadband remote access server  90 . The reduced resolution message  56  informs the broadband remote access server  90  of the low-bandwidth state. 
         [0059]    The broadband remote access server  90  then instructs the content supplier to reduce the bit rate of the session. The broadband remote access server  90  sends a message to the content supplier&#39;s network  82 . The message is received by some controller (such as the content server  86 ). The content server  86  then discards bits from the stream of data (shown as reference numeral  12  in  FIG. 10 ). The message from the broadband remote access server  90  may simply be a forwarded version of the reduced resolution message  56 , as  FIG. 12  illustrates. The message from the broadband remote access server  90 , however, may take any form and have any protocol. Whatever the form, the message instructs or informs the content server  86  of the low-bandwidth need. The reduced resolution stream  60  of data, having a reduced resolution, routes through the wide area network  80  to the electronic device  10 . This solution, then, reduces bandwidth in both the wide area network  80  and in the content supplier&#39;s network  82 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of exemplary details of the electrical device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-12 . The electrical device  10  can be any device, such as an analog/digital recorder, television, CD/DVD player/recorder, audio equipment, receiver, tuner, and/or any other consumer electronic device. The electrical device  10  may also include any computer, peripheral device, camera, modem, storage device, telephone, personal digital assistant, and/or mobile phone. The electrical device  10  may also be configured as a set-top box (“STB”) receiver that receives and decodes digital signals. The electrical device  10 , in fact, can be any electronic/electrical device that has an input  100  for receiving the stream of data (shown as reference numeral  12  in  FIGS. 1-11 ). The input  100  may include a coaxial cable interface  102  for receiving signals via a coaxial cable (not shown). The input  100  may additionally or alternatively include an interface to a fiber optic line, to a telephone line (such as an RJ-48/56), to other wiring, and to any male/female coupling. The input  100  may even include a wireless transceiver unit for wirelessly receiving transmitted signals. 
         [0061]    The electrical device  10  includes one or more processors  104  executing instructions  106  stored in a system memory device. The instructions  106 , for example, are shown residing in a memory subsystem  108 . The instructions  106 , however, could also reside in flash memory  110  or a peripheral storage device  112 . When the processor  104  executes the instructions  106 , the processor  104  may also consult the presence detection application  18  stored in the system memory device. The one or more processors  104  may also execute an operating system that controls the internal functions of the electrical device  10 . A bus  114  may communicate signals, such as data signals, control signals, and address signals, between the processor  104  and a controller  116 . The controller  116  provides a bridging function between the one or more processors  104 , any graphics subsystem  118  (if desired), the memory subsystem  108 , and, if needed, a peripheral bus  120 . The peripheral bus  120  may be controlled by the controller  116 , or the peripheral bus  90  may have a separate peripheral bus controller  122 . The peripheral bus controller  122  serves as an input/output hub for various ports. These ports include the input terminal  100  and perhaps at least one output terminal. The ports may also include a serial and/or parallel port  124 , a keyboard port  126 , and a mouse port  128 . The ports may also include one or more external device ports  130 , networking ports  132  (such as Ethernet), and a USB port  134 . 
         [0062]    The electrical device  10  may also include an audio subsystem  136 . The electrical device  10  may also include a display device (such as LED, LCD, plasma, or any other) to present instructions, messages, tutorials, and other information to a user. The electrical device  10  may further include one or more encoders, one or more decoders, input/output control, logic, one or more receivers/transmitters/transceivers, one or more clock generators, one or more Ethernet/LAN interfaces, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more “Firewire” interfaces, one or more modem interfaces, and/or one or more PCMCIA interfaces. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular architecture or hardware. 
         [0063]    The processors  104  may be implemented with a digital signal processor (DSP) and/or a microprocessor. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., for example, manufactures a full line of microprocessors (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088-3453, 408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com). The Intel Corporation also manufactures a family of microprocessors (Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119, 408.765.8080, www.intel.com). Other manufacturers also offer microprocessors. Such other manufacturers include Motorola, Inc. (1303 East Algonquin Road, P.O. Box A3309 Schaumburg, Ill. 60196, www.Motorola.com), International Business Machines Corp. (New Orchard Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, (914) 499-1900, www.ibm.com), and Transmeta Corp. (3940 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054, www.transmeta.com). Texas Instruments offers a wide variety of digital signal processors (Texas Instruments, Incorporated, P.O. Box 660199, Dallas, Tex. 75266-0199, Phone: 972-995-2011, www.ti.com) as well as Motorola (Motorola, Incorporated, 1303 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, Ill. 60196, Phone 847-576-5000, www.motorola.com). There are, in fact, many manufacturers and designers of digital signal processors, microprocessors, controllers, and other componentry that are described in this patent. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that this componentry may be implemented using any suitable design, architecture, and manufacture. Those of ordinary skill in the art, then understand that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any particular manufacturer&#39;s component, or architecture, or manufacture. 
         [0064]    The memory (shown as memory subsystem  108 , flash memory  110 , or peripheral storage device  112 ) may also contain an application program. The application program cooperates with the operating system and with a video display device to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The graphical user interface provides a convenient visual and/or audible interface with a user of the electrical device  10 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 14  is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments. FIG.  14  illustrates that the electronic device  10  may include various types of devices. The presence detection application  18  operates within any of these various types of devices.  FIG. 14 , for example, illustrates that the presence detection application  18  may entirely or partially operate within a personal digital assistant (PDA)  140 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) device  141 , an interactive television  142 , an Internet Protocol (IP) phone  143 , a pager  144 , a cellular/satellite phone  145 , or any computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digital signal processor (DSP)  146 . The electronic device  10  may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, and other apparatuses and systems. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 15-17  are schematics further illustrating the electronic device  10  storing the presence detection application  18 , according to exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a Subscriber Identity Module  150 , while  FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate, respectively, the Subscriber Identity Module  150  embodied in a plug  152  and the Subscriber Identity Module  150  embodied in a card  154 . As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize, the Subscriber Identity Module  150  may be used in conjunction with many electronic devices (such as the electronic devices shown in  FIG. 14 ). The Subscriber Identity Module  150  stores user information (such as the user&#39;s International Mobile Subscriber Identity, the user&#39;s K; number, and other user information) and any portion of the presence detection application  18 . As those of ordinary skill in the art also recognize, the plug  152  and the card  154  each interface with the communications device according to GSM Standards 2.17 and 11.11 and ISO Standard 7816, with each incorporated herein by reference. The GSM Standard 2.17 is formally known as “European digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 1); Subscriber Identity Modules, Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995-01)).” The GSM Standard 11.11 is formally known as “Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment (Subscriber Identity Module—ME) interface (GSM 11.11 V5.3.0 (1996-07)).” Both GSM standards are available from the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (650 route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex, FRANCE, Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 94 42 00, Fax: +33 (0)4 93 65 47 16, www.etsi.org). The ISO Standard 7816 is formally known as “Information technology—Identification cards—Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts,” and the standard is available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (1, rue de Varembe, Case, postale 56CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, Telephone +41 22 749 01 11, Telefax +41 22 733 34 30, www.iso.org). 
         [0067]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram of the Subscriber Identity Module  150 , whether embodied as the plug  152  of  FIG. 16  or as the card  154  of  FIG. 17 . Here the Subscriber Identity Module  150  comprises a microprocessor  156  communicating with memory modules  158  via a data bus  160 . The memory modules may include Read Only Memory (ROM)  162 , Random Access Memory (RAM) and or flash memory  164 , and Electrically Erasable-Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)  166 . The Subscriber Identity Module  150  stores some or all of the presence detection application  18  in one or more of the memory modules  158 .  FIG. 15  shows the presence detection application  18  residing in the Erasable-Programmable Read Only Memory  166 , yet the presence detection application  18  could alternatively or additionally reside in the Read Only Memory  162  and/or the Random Access/Flash Memory  164 . An Input/Output module  168  handles communication between the Subscriber Identity Module  150  and the electronic device. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are many suitable ways for implementing the operation and physical/memory structure of the Subscriber Identity Module. If, however, the reader desires more information on the Subscriber Identity Module, the reader is directed to the following sources: LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 99-100, 113-14 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL et al., GSM AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 303-69 (1998); and JOACHIM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0068]      FIG. 18  is a schematic further illustrating the electronic device  10 , according to exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 18  is an alternative block diagram of the electronic device  10  storing the presence detection application  18 . Here the electronic device  10  comprises a radio transceiver unit  172 , an antenna  174 , a digital baseband chipset  176 , and a man/machine interface (MMI)  178 . The transceiver unit  172  includes transmitter circuitry  180  and receiver circuitry  182  for receiving and transmitting signals. The transceiver unit  172  couples to the antenna  174  for converting electrical current to and from electromagnetic waves. The digital baseband chipset  176  contains a digital signal processor (DSP)  184  and performs signal processing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals. As  FIG. 14  shows, the digital baseband chipset  176  may also include an on-board microprocessor  186  that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI)  178 . The man/machine interface (MMI)  178  may comprise a display device  188 , a keypad  190 , and the Subscriber Identity Module  150 . 
         [0069]    The on-board microprocessor  186  performs GSM protocol functions and control functions for the radio circuitry  180  and  182 , for the display device  188 , and for the keypad  190 . The on-board microprocessor  186  may also interface with the Subscriber Identity Module  150  and with the presence detection application  18  residing in the memory module  158  of the Subscriber Identity Module  150 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be many suitable architectural configurations for the elements of the electronic device  10 . If the reader desires a more detailed explanation, the reader is invited to consult the following sources: LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 105-120 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL et al., GSM AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 389-474 (1998); and JOACHIM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0070]    The presence detection application  18  may be utilized regardless of signaling standard. As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize,  FIGS. 15-18  illustrate the electronic device  10  utilizing a Global System for Mobile (GSM) standard. That is, the electronic device  10  utilizes the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard. Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, also recognize that the presence detection application  18  may be utilized with the Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of the GSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard. 
         [0071]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of conserving bandwidth, according to exemplary embodiments. Inputs to a user interface are accumulated in memory (Block  200 ). State information is received, and the state information comprises advertisement insertion information (Block  202 ). The accumulated inputs are compared to a historical pattern of inputs (Block  204 ). The historical pattern of inputs describes an expected activity of inputs occurring after a transition in content (Block  206 ). When inputs are accumulated, the method predicts that a user is present (Block  208 ). When inputs are expected, but no inputs are received during transition to an advertisement, then the method predicts that no user is present and conserves bandwidth (Block  210 ). A preference of the user may be retrieved for conserving bandwidth (Block  212 ). A message may be sent that ceases delivery of a stream of data and retrieves content locally stored in memory (Block  214 ). A message may additionally or alternatively be sent that reduces resolution of a video portion of a received stream of data (Block  216 ). A stream of data may be tagged to indicate a point at which the stream was degraded to conserve bandwidth (Block  218 ). If an input is received after bandwidth is conserved, then full resolution of a stream of d ta is resumed (Block  220 ). 
         [0072]    The presence detection application  18  may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-users, licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but considered within the scope of the embodiments, allow the presence detection application  18  to be easily disseminated. A computer program product for conserving bandwidth comprises the computer-readable medium, and the presence detection application stores on the computer-readable medium. The presence detection application comprises computer code for detecting, inferring, and/or predicting the physical presence of a user. If the physical presence of the user is determined, then a full-resolution stream of data is delivered to an electrical device. If, however, the physical presence of the user cannot be detected, inferred, or predicted, then the resolution of the stream of data is reduced, or the stream is even terminated, to conserve bandwidth. 
         [0073]    The presence detection application  18  may also be physically embodied on or in any addressable (e.g., HTTP, IEEE 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) wire line or wireless device capable of presenting an IP address. Examples could include a computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol mobile phone, or a wireless pager. 
         [0074]    While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.