Patent Publication Number: US-2011061074-A1

Title: System and Method for Biometric Identification Using Portable Interface Device for content Presentation System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/812,781 filed Jun. 21, 2007. Cross-reference is made to the following concurrently-filed patent applications, the specification of each being hereby incorporated herein in its entirety: application Ser. No. 11/812,779 entitled “System and Method for a Passively-Adaptive Preferred Channel List” (Attorney Docket No. HAR59 019); application Ser. No. 11/812,780 entitled “System and Method for Networking Data Collection Devices for Content Presentation Systems” (Attorney Docket No. HAR59 020); application Ser. No. 11/812,783 entitled “System and Method for Creating and Using a Smart Electronic Programming Guide” (Attorney Docket No. HAR59 021); application Ser. No. 11/812,782 entitled “System and Method for Picture-in-Picture Assisted Time-Adaptive Surfing for a Content Presentation System” (Attorney Docket No. HAR59 022); and application Ser. No. 11/812,773 entitled “System and Method for Creating and Using a Smart Channel Tuner List” (Attorney Docket No. HAR59 023). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a vast and growing industry dedicated to gathering, organizing, and presenting media content to consumers (viewers and/or users) of information such as news, entertainment, sports, emergency alerts, advertisements, and other subject matter. This industry is supplying information to consumers at an ever-increasing rate. This overabundance of information will soon surpass the standard methods consumers use to sift through the information to access the information that is desired. For example, serially switching channels on a television from one channel number to the next highest (or lowest) channel number is inefficient, frustrating, and time-consuming. The problem becomes exacerbated as the number of available television channels increases. The typical television viewer normally is not interested in viewing any but a small fraction of the available channels and the need to “surf” through a huge number of channels to reach a desired channel makes the viewing experience less than optimal. Even jumping to a particular channel (e.g., by entering the channel number into a remote control device) becomes problematic since the viewer must remember the channel number, manage the rearrangement of channels which may change from time-to-time as distributors rearrange their channel assignments to accommodate new programming and/or remove old programming, and associate desired content with completely different channel numbers if the viewer travels to a different geographic location. This problem is in no way limited to television viewing as is evident by the increase in the number of terrestrial radio stations as well as the advent of satellite radio “stations” with their large number of channels dedicated to particular musical, informational, or “talk radio” content. Similarly, for example, media content presented to consumers via the internet is continually expanding and the consumer is presented with comparable problems. A further example is a music-playing device, such as a personal portable music player for which the consumer can add/delete content at will. There are also other means of communication for which the need to manage the flow of information is becoming necessary. 
     Furthermore, current systems for interfacing with a content presentation system (e.g., a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof) may not have the means to identify the user nor present content for which the identified user is most likely seeking access. Those systems that do require that the user actively input information into the system. Additionally, current interfacing systems do not share their information with other interfacing systems but rather are slaved to a particular content presentation system. 
     The present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned limitations in existing systems by disclosing, among other things, systems and/or methods to identify a user interacting with a content presentation system, adaptively learn, in a passive manner, a user&#39;s pattern of accessing content over time, and globally store the user&#39;s identifying and use information. 
     According to one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel method for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system comprising providing a portable device with an actuator, operating the actuator by the viewer, obtaining biometric information via the actuator, and providing the biometric information to a content provider. The method may further comprise determining at the content provider an identification of the viewer based on the biometric information. 
     According to another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel method for identifying a viewer comprising providing a first portable device having a first actuator for obtaining a first set of biometric information from the viewer, operating the actuator by the viewer, obtaining the first set of biometric information, providing the first set of biometric information to a first content provider, determining a first identification based on the first set of biometric information, providing a second portable device having a second actuator for obtaining a second set of biometric information from the viewer, obtaining the second set of biometric information, providing the second set of biometric information to a second content provider, and determining a second identification based on the second set of biometric information. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system, comprising a portable device with an actuator, circuitry and/or software for obtaining biometric information, and circuitry and/or software for providing the biometric information to a content provider. The system may further comprise circuitry and/or software for determining at the content provider an identification of the viewer based on the biometric information. The system may additionally comprise circuitry and/or software for comparing the biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. 
     According to still another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel system for identifying a viewer comprising a first portable device having a first actuator including first circuitry and/or software for obtaining a first set of biometric information from the viewer, second circuitry and/or software for providing the first set of biometric information to a first content provider, first determining circuitry and/or software for determining a first identification based on the first set of biometric information, a second portable device having a second actuator including third circuitry and/or software for obtaining a second set of biometric information from the viewer, fourth circuitry and/or software for providing the second set of biometric information to a second content provider, and second determining circuitry and/or software for determining a second identification based on the second set of biometric information. 
     According to a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel method for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system, comprising providing to a content provider biometric information of the viewer, determining at the content provider an identification of the viewer based on the provided biometric information, and selecting at the content provider a program where the selecting is based on previously-obtained information regarding program preferences of the viewer. 
     According to yet a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a novel system for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system, comprising a portable device including an actuator having circuitry and/or software for obtaining biometric information of the viewer, a content provider connected to the content presentation system, circuitry and/or software for providing the biometric information to the content provider, circuitry and/or software for determining at the content provider an identification of the viewer based on the provided biometric information, and circuitry and/or software for selecting at the content provider a program where the selecting is based on previously-obtained information regarding program preferences of the viewer. The system may further comprise a transmitter for delivering the selected program to the content presentation system. The system may also further comprise circuitry and/or software for executing an adaptive learning algorithm for determining program preferences of the viewer as a function of one or more viewing patterns of the viewer. 
     These and many other advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings, and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a system for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 21  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 22  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 25  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 26  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 27  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 29  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 30  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 31  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 32  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 33  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 34  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 35  is a block diagram of a system for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 36  is a block diagram of a system for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 37  is a block diagram of a system for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 38  is a block diagram of a system for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 39  is a flow diagram for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 40  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 41  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 42  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 43  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 44  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 45  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 46  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 47  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 48  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 49  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 50  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 51  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 52  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 53  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 54  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 55  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 56  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 57  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 58  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 59  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 60  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 61  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 62  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 63  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 64  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 65  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 66  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 67  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 68  is a flow diagram for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 69  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 70  is a block diagram of a system for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 71  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 72  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 73  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a flow diagram is shown for a method for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The viewer may be a television viewer, a user of a system (e.g., a computerized system), a radio or music listener, or other similar consumer of information. At block  101 , a portable device with an actuator is provided. The portable device may be akin to a remote control device which controls, for example, a television. The actuator may be a button on the remote control which, when operated by the viewer, changes a state of the content presentation system from off to on. An alternative arrangement is that the actuator may be a button which, when operated by the viewer, causes the content presentation system to switch from presenting to the viewer a first received signal from a content provider to presenting to the viewer a second received signal from the content provider. Alternatively, the actuator may be a scanner, a touch pad, a voice recognition device, an eye scanning device, a keypad for entering a password or code, etc. The first and/or second received signal may be a television signal on a television channel. In other words, the received signal conveys information from a television transmitter, a radio transmitter, a cable transmitter, an internet content provider, etc., to be consumed by the viewer. 
     The portable device is used to interact with a content presentation system, such as a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. The content presentation system is operatively connected to a content provider, such as one or more broadcasters, one or more cable television systems, one or more magnetic storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, one or more electronic storage devices, and combinations thereof. 
     The actuator is operable by the viewer for interacting with the content presentation system via the portable device, and the actuator and/or the portable device includes circuitry and/or software for obtaining biometric information from the viewer. The biometric information may be a fingerprint, for example a fingerprint from the finger depressing the actuator. In other embodiments, the biometric information may be obtained through voice recognition, input of a password or unique code, an eye scan, or other methods for obtaining biometric information from the viewer. At step  102 , the actuator is operated by the viewer. At step  103 , biometric information from the viewer is obtained via said actuator or other method as described above. At step  104 , the obtained biometric information is provided to the content provider. In an embodiment, the obtained biometric information is provided to the content provider via a transmission path between the content provider and the content presentation system where the transmission path also carries said first received signal. As a nonlimiting example, the transmission path may be a wired, wireless, optical, or other transmission path over which may be traversed by both the first received signal and a signal carrying the biometric information. 
     With reference now drawn to  FIG. 2 , a flow diagram is presented of a method for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  201 ,  202 ,  203 , and  204  correspond to blocks  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104  of  FIG. 1 , respectively. At block  205 , an identification of said viewer is determined at the content provider where the identification is based on the provided biometric information of the viewer. The determining of the identification of the viewer may include comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. Once the content provider associates the provided biometric information with a set of stored biometric information, the content provider is aware the identity of the viewer and can supply the viewer with information tailored to his/her specific viewing habits/preferences, as will be described in further detail below. 
     Attention is now drawn to  FIG. 3  where a flow diagram is presented for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block  301  a portable device is provided which is capable of interacting with a first content presentation system that is operatively connected to a first content provider. The portable device includes a first actuator which is operable by the viewer for interacting with the first content presentation system via the first device. The first actuator includes first circuitry for obtaining a first set of biometric information from the viewer, as discussed above. It shall be understood by those of skill in the art that a reference to “circuitry” shall include hardware, software, firmware, printed circuits, integrated circuits, any combinations of the foregoing as well as any equivalents thereof as is known in the art. At block  302 , the first actuator is operated by the viewer and at block  303  a first set of biometric information is obtained from the viewer via the first actuator as previously described. At block  304 , the obtained first set of biometric information is provided to the first content provider where, at block  305 , a determination is made at the first content provider of a first identification of the viewer. This determination is based, at least in part, on the provided first set of biometric information. 
     At block  306 , a second portable device is provided to interact with a second content presentation system. The second content presentation system is operatively connected to a second content provider. The second device includes a second actuator which, like the first actuator mentioned in reference to block  301 , is operable by the viewer for interacting with, in this case, the second content presentation system via the second device. The second actuator includes second circuitry for obtaining a second set of biometric information from the viewer. At block  307 , the viewer operates the second actuator which may occur at a point in time after the viewer&#39;s operation of the first actuator associated with the first portable device. Upon operation of the second actuator, a second set of biometric information from the viewer is obtained at block  308 . At block  309 , the obtained second set of biometric information is provided to the second content provider, and at block  310  a second identification of the viewer based at least in part on the provided second set of biometric information is obtained at the second content provider. In an embodiment, the first and second portable devices may be the same and/or the first and second content providers may be the same. 
     With attention now directed towards  FIG. 4 , a block diagram is shown representative of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the system  400  may include a portable device  401  which can be used for interacting, typically (but not necessarily) wirelessly as indicated at  411 , with a content presentation system  405  which is operatively connected to a content provider  406  via a transmission path  412 . The transmission path  412  may be wired, wireless, optical, acoustic, or any other typical transmission path. The portable device  401  may include an actuator  402  which is operable  410  by the viewer for interacting with the content presentation system  405  via the portable device. The portable device  401  may include circuitry  403  for obtaining biometric information from the viewer upon operation  410  of the actuator  402  and may further include circuitry  404  for providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider  406 , typically via the content presentation system  405  and transmission path  412 . As discussed above, the transmission path  412  may also carry signals, such as, but not limited to, television signals between the content presentation system  405  and the content provider  406 . As stated above, the content provider  406  may include one or more broadcasters, one or more cable television systems, one or more magnetic storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, one or more electronic storage devices, and similar devices and/or combinations thereof. The content presentation system  405  may comprise a television, a radio, an Internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and similar devices and/or combinations thereof. 
     The content provider  406  may include a determining circuit  407  at the content provider  406  for determining an identification of the viewer based on the provided biometric information. Furthermore, the determining circuit  407  may include circuitry  408  for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database  409  of biometric information. The database  409  may include biometric information previously gathered from the viewer as well as biometric information for other viewers. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the system  500  may include a first portable device  501   a , which may be similar to the portable device  401  described above, for interacting by either a wired, wireless, optical, acoustic, etc. path  511   a  with a first content presentation system  505   a , which may be similar to the content presentation system  405  described above, that is operatively connected via transmission path  512   a  to a first content provider  506   a , which may be similar to the content provider  406  described above. The first portable device  501   a  may include a first actuator  502   a  which is typically operable  510   a  by the viewer, as described above, for interacting with the first content presentation system  505   a  via the first device. 
     The system  500  may also include a second portable device  501   b  for interacting via transmission path  511   b  with a second content presentation system  505   b  that is operatively connected via transmission path  512   b  to a second content provider  506   b . The second device  501   b  may include a second actuator  502   b  which is operable  510   b  by the viewer for interacting with the second content presentation system  505   b  via the second device. As may be obvious to one of skill in the art, the following devices may be similar, respectively: portable devices  501   a  and  501   b , actuators  502   a  and  502   b , transmission paths  511   a  and  511   b , content presentation systems  505   a  and  505   b , and content providers  506   a  and  506   b . In other embodiments, portable devices  501   a  and  501   b  may be the same device, as indicated at  514 , and/or content providers  506   a  and  506   b  may be the same, as indicated at  513 . 
     One of skill in the art will recognize that when the portable devices  501   a  and  501   b  are the same, a viewer could use, for example, a single remote control device to control both content presentation systems  505   a  and  505   b  which may be, for example, a television in one room of the viewer&#39;s house and a radio in another room of the viewer&#39;s house. As another example, the content presentation system  505   a  may be a television in the viewer&#39;s house and the content presentation system  505   b  may be a television in a hotel in a different city than the city in which the viewer&#39;s house is located. Additionally, when the content providers  506   a  and  506   b  are the same, or when information is shared between them, it is recognized that the biometric information and, therefore, the identity and viewing preferences of the viewer can be accessed and put to use regardless of the location of the viewer and/or the content presentation system through which the user is interacting. 
     With attention now directed towards  FIG. 6 , a flow diagram is presented for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block  601  a content provider is provided with biometric information of the viewer which may be obtained through the use of a portable device, as described above. The portable device may include an actuator which is operable by the viewer for interacting with a content presentation system via the portable device. The actuator may include circuitry for obtaining the biometric information from the viewer, as described above. At block  602 , an identification of the viewer based on the provided biometric information may be determined preferably at the content provider and at block  603  the content provider may then select a program based on the determined identification of the viewer and, in an embodiment, on previously-obtained information regarding program preferences of the viewer. In a further embodiment, at block  604  the selected program is delivered to the content presentation system. The program may include a television program, a radio program, a music program, a new program, a sports program, or any other informational content. 
     The determining of the identification of the viewer at block  602  may include comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information, as indicated at block  605 . In an embodiment, the information regarding program preferences of the viewer at block  603  may be gathered as a function of an adaptive learning algorithm applied to a viewing pattern of the viewer, as indicated at block  606 . The adaptive learning algorithm may be any typical adaptive learning algorithm that is suitable to this task. Typical adaptive learning algorithms will be described below. This information regarding program preferences of the viewer may be gathered without the viewer actively providing data regarding the viewing pattern. In other words, the viewer need not specifically enter program preference information into, for example a computer program. Rather, the normal activity of the viewer for accessing programs (e.g., changing television channels, radio stations, etc.) is captured and processed to obtain the viewer&#39;s program preference information. This will be described in more detail below. In an embodiment, the adaptive learning algorithm may operate over a predetermined time interval, and may weigh a recent viewing pattern of the viewer more heavily than an older viewing pattern of the viewer. In a further embodiment, the adaptive learning algorithm may operate over a predetermined time interval that constitutes a sliding window, as is known in the art. For example, the sliding window may comprise a predetermined number of viewing cycles of the viewer, a predetermined number of hours, days, weeks, etc., or any other useful window. In one embodiment, the sliding window may comprise a seven day interval where the seven days includes the current day and the six immediately previous days. In another embodiment, the sliding window may comprise every Tuesday in a one month interval where the one month interval begins on the current day. Additionally, in an embodiment, the adaptive learning algorithm may weigh a recent viewing pattern of the viewer more heavily than an older viewing pattern of the viewer. Alternatively, the adaptive learning algorithm may retain most or all of the viewer&#39;s viewing history and more heavily weight the information that is closest in time to the current time. 
     At  FIG. 7 , a block diagram is presented of a system for interacting with a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  700  may include a content presentation system  705  (previously described) and a portable device  701  (previously described) for interfacing between the viewer and the content presentation system  705  via the transmission path  711  (previously described). The portable device  701  may include an actuator  702  (previously described) which is operable  710  by the viewer for interacting with the content presentation system  705  via the portable device  701 . The actuator  702  may include circuitry  703  for obtaining biometric information from the viewer and may further include transmitter  704  for transmitting the obtained biometric information to a content provider  706 . The content provider  706  may be operatively connected to the content presentation system  705  via the transmission path  712  (previously described). In an embodiment, the content provider  706  may include circuitry  707  for determining an identification of the viewer based on the provided biometric information, and circuitry  708  for selecting at the content provider a program. The selection of the program may be based on the determined identification of the viewer and on previously-obtained information regarding program preferences of the viewer. In a further embodiment, the content provider  706  may include a transmitter for delivering the selected program to the content presentation system  705 . The circuitry  707  for determining the identification of the viewer may include circuitry for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information (as shown in  FIG. 4  at  408  and  409 ). 
     In another embodiment, the content provider  706  may include circuitry  709  for determining program preferences of the viewer. The circuitry  709  may include circuitry  713  for executing an adaptive learning algorithm for determining program preferences of the viewer as a function of one or more viewing patterns of the viewer. The adaptive learning algorithm typically operates as described above at  FIG. 6 . 
     The adaptive learning algorithm can be used advantageously, as further described below, to enhance the viewing experience of the viewer. For example, once the viewer is identified by the content provider, the content provider can transmit to the content presentation system the “most likely favorite” program to present to the viewer. This most likely favorite may be based on any one or more of the following factors: the time of day, the day of the week, the day of the month, past viewing patterns, etc. As stated above, the adaptive learning algorithm preferably gathers viewing information parasitically/passively, i.e., without the need for the viewer to explicitly input data into the system. As the viewer changes channels, for example, the adaptive learning algorithm captures this input and factors it into the determination of the viewer&#39;s viewing pattern. Additionally, in an embodiment, the adaptive learning algorithm may reject input where the viewer is merely “channel surfing”, which may be determined by, for example, sequential scroll up/down of a number of channels where the dwell time on any one or more of the channels is less than a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds). Another advantage to the use of the adaptive learning algorithm is to populate a “preferred channel list” based on the viewer&#39;s viewing history/programming preferences for the particular time of day, day of week, etc. This preferred channel list may be utilized to set up, for example, a tailored channel surfing list for the viewer for the particular time of day. Additionally, the adaptive learning algorithm may be used to create a “smart electronic programming guide” which may include, for example, a graphical user interface displayed on a television screen listing the identified viewer&#39;s favorite channels based on the viewer&#39;s viewing history/programming preferences. Another enhancement possible with the preferred channel list and/or the smart electronic programming guide is the use of picture-in-picture displays on the television for selecting programming which may be based on the viewer&#39;s viewing history/programming preferences. As would be obvious to those of skill in the art, many more variations and embodiments beyond the exemplary ones mentioned here are possible based on the innovative methods and systems for gathering viewing information and interacting with a viewer as presented herein. The preferred channel list, the smart electronic programming guide, a smart channel surfing list, and other enhancements possible according to the methods and systems herein described may take advantage of being time-adaptive so that the viewer is presented with information that is tailored to the viewer&#39;s viewing habits at the particular time the viewer wishes to viewing programming content. 
     Regarding the obtaining of viewer biometric information and identification of the viewer based on the biometric information, if, for example, an actuator on a remote control device for a television is commonly used by the viewer during normal interactions with the television (e.g., using the ON/OFF button, a channel changing button, a volume control button, etc.) then the presently-disclosed methods and systems may allow for seamless changing of the “viewer” who is in control. Therefore, when a new viewer is identified, the new viewer&#39;s viewing preferences may be accessed so that the new viewer enjoys the benefits of a television that is configured to the new viewer&#39;s viewing preferences. 
     The present system for obtaining a viewer&#39;s programming preferences may include a “reset” command to clear current viewing patterns thereby allowing the viewer to begin escape old viewing patterns and begin anew. 
     Regarding the adaptive learning algorithm, various weighting schemes known in the art may be utilized to tailor the adaptive learning algorithm to a particular user&#39;s viewing patterns. As non-limiting examples, the adaptive learning algorithm may include an unweighted finite memory scheme (similar to a finite impulse response), recursive updating with weighting (similar to an infinite impulse response), a combined finite memory and weighting scheme, significance test (e.g., significance weighting, trend detection overrides, etc.), adaptive weighting schemes, and others. Each of the above methods may be used, as appropriate, with a finite window, an infinite window, a sliding window or any combinations thereof. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of a system for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A portable device  801  (previously described) is operatively connected via a transmission path  811  (previously described) to a content presentation system  805  which itself is operatively connected to a content provider  806 . In this embodiment, a sensor  802  receives a signal (which preferably includes biometric information from a viewer) from the portable device  801  and transfers that signal (or information contained within the signal) to a microprocessor  803 . Standby power supply  804  supplies power to the sensor  802  and the microprocessor  803 . The microprocessor  803  sends a signal (preferably containing the biometric information from the viewer) to the content provider  806  which includes a microprocessor  810  and a user database  812  which are used to determine an identity of the viewer based on the provided biometric information. Once the viewer is identified, the content provider  806  sends programming content to the content presentation system  805 , specifically to the display and/or presentation circuitry  809 . The microprocessor  803  also may send a system power enable signal  813  to the power supply module  807 , which sends power  814  (typically, but not necessarily, direct current power) to the system functions module  808 . Additionally, the microprocessor  803  may send programming commands  815  to the system functions module  808 . The system functions module  808  may send a signal to the display and/or presentation module  809  to, for example, energize the presentation module and prepare it for accepting programming content from the content provider  806 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block  901  a viewer powers on a content presentation system by, e.g., depressing a button on a remote control device which captures biometric information from the viewer. At block  902  a determination is made as to whether a master viewer exists. If a master viewer exists, then at block  904  a determination is made as to whether the current viewer is the master viewer. If a master viewer does not exist, then at block  903  a procedure is run, as is known by those of skill in the art, to establish a master viewer. Once the master viewer is established, then at block  906  commands received from the current viewer are received. With attention directed back to block  904 , if the current viewer is the master viewer, then at block  906  commands received from the current viewer are received. If. at block  904 , the current viewer is not the master viewer, then at block  905  the current viewer and master viewer status data may be displayed and the current viewer&#39;s commands are received at block  906 . At block  907 , a determination is made as to whether the received current viewer&#39;s commands are valid for the viewer. If the received commands are valid for the current viewer, then the received commands may be executed at block  908  and the system is set to receive additional commands at block  906 . If the received commands are not valid for the current user, then the received commands may be rejected at block  909  and the system is set to receive additional commands at block  906 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram for identifying a viewer of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block  1001 , a “change/enter master command” is presented to a content presentation system. At block  1002  a determination is made as to whether a master viewer exists. If a master viewer does not exist, then at block  1003  biometric information of the current viewer is acquired and stored thereby setting up a master viewer. A log entry to that effect may be made. The routine then ends at block  1009 . If a master viewer does exist at block  1001 , then biometric information of the current viewer is acquired at block  1004 . At block  1005 , a determination is made as to whether the current viewer is the master viewer. This determination is typically made using the acquired biometric information from block  1004 . At block  1005 , if the current viewer is not the master viewer, then at block  1006  an unauthorized access condition is met which may result in a display to that effect being displayed by the content presentation system and/or an error log entry may be made. The routine then ends at block  1009 . If at block  1005  the determination made is that the current viewer is the master viewer, then at block  1007  the change/enter master command is accepted and at block  1008  biometric information of the current viewer is acquired and stored thereby setting up a new master viewer and a create master change log entry may be made. The routine then ends at block  1009 . 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block  1101 , an identity of a user/viewer interacting with a content presentation system is determined. At block  1102 , channel use information is collected for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system. The channel use information is typically information related to the user&#39;s viewing of a stream of information received via a content presentation system. For example, channel use information includes, but is not limited to, a channel number of a channel, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. At block  1103 , the channel use information may be stored, and at block  1104  a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information may be determined. The “value” will be discussed in further detail below. At block  1105 , a preferred channel list may be created for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
     The determination of an identity of the user may be determined by using identification information such as, but not limited to, biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. At block  1106 , the determination of an identity of the user may include comparing identification information gathered from the user with a pre-existing database of identification information. 
     At block  1107 , the determination of a value for a first channel of a plurality of channels may be determined as a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period. In other words, the value may be the fraction of total “on” time of the content presentation system for a predetermined amount of time in which the content presentation system is tuned to the first channel. In one embodiment, the predetermined time period is approximately one half hour. In another embodiment, the predetermined time period is approximately an hour. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined time period is approximately one day. In other embodiments, the predetermined time period may be less than or equal to one week, or may be more than one week. 
     The predetermined time period may correspond to a first predetermined time slot and a first value for the first channel may be stored for a first occurrence of the first predetermined time slot. A second value for the first channel may be stored for a second occurrence of the first predetermined time slot. An example of a predetermined time slot may be every Monday between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, local time. Therefore, a first occurrence of the predetermined time slot may be Monday, Jan. 1, 2007 between 6:00 and 7:00 PM while a second occurrence of the predetermined time slot may be Monday, Jan. 8, 2007 between 6:00 and 7:00 PM. The determined value for the first channel may include the aforementioned first and second values. 
     In an embodiment, the channel use information may not include information for any of the plural channels for which a duration of a presentation of content associated with any of the plural channels is less than a predetermined amount. In this embodiment, time spent “channel surfing” is not factored into the determination of the value for any channel. 
     At block  1108 , the value may be determined at least in part by a method including, but not limited to, an unweighted finite memory method, a finite memory and weighting method, a method using recursive updates; a method using recursive updates and weights, an adaptive weighting method, a significance test, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, channels may be listed in a preferred channel list in order of descending value and upon activation of a content presentation system, the channel with the largest value (e.g., the first channel listed in the preferred channel list) may be presented to the user. The preferred channel list need not list every possible channel but may only list those channels for which the value associated with the channel is greater than a predetermined amount. This may allow the preferred channel list to be smaller and somewhat more manageable if it only contains those channels that are viewed more than a predetermined fraction of time that the content presentation system is activated. Of course, as stated above, the preferred channel list may be time-dependent so that the preferred channel list only lists those channels that are sufficiently viewed during a predetermined time period and/or time slot (recurring or otherwise). 
     The method may further comprise, at block  1109 , the creation of a first preferred channel list for a plurality of channels that are presented via a first mode of content delivery by the content presentation system and the creation of a second preferred channel list for the plurality of channels that are presented via a second mode of content delivery by the content presentation system. For example, the first mode of content delivery may be via a main television display and the second mode of content delivery may be via a picture-in-picture display. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure as described above. In an embodiment, the system  1200  may be disposed at/within a content provider, a content presentation system, locally at a portable device operated by a user, a combination of two or more of the aforementioned devices, or any other convenient location. The system  1200  may include circuitry  1201  for determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system (not shown here for clarity), circuitry  1202  for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, an electronic storage device  1203  for storing the channel use information; circuitry  1204  for determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and circuitry  1205  for creating a preferred channel list for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
     In an embodiment, the circuitry  1201  for determining an identity of the user may include circuitry  1206  for collecting identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof as is known in the art. Furthermore, the circuitry  1201  may include circuitry  1207  for comparing the collected identification information with pre-existing identification information stored in a database  1208  of identification information. 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a system  1300  for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1301 ,  1302 ,  1303 ,  1304 , and  1305  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ,  1204 , and  1205 , respectively. The system  1300  may further include circuitry  1309  for determining a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with a first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of a plurality channels over the predetermined time period, as discussed above. The predetermined time period may be, but is not limited to, any one of the following: approximately one half hour, approximately an hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a system  1400  for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1401 ,  1402 ,  1403 ,  1404 , and  1405  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ,  1204 , and  1205 , respectively. The system  1400  may further include circuitry  1410  for storing a first value for a first channel in a first database  1411  for a first occurrence of a first predetermined time slot. Circuitry  1410 , or similar other circuitry (not shown for clarity) may also store a second value for the first channel in the first database  1411  for a second occurrence of the first predetermined time slot. In addition, the circuitry  1404  for determining the value for the first channel may operate on both the first and second values. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1501 ,  1502 ,  1503 ,  1504 , and  1505  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ,  1204 , and  1205 , respectively. In the system  1500 , the circuitry  1502  for collecting channel use information may include circuitry  1512  for collecting channel use information such as, but not limited to, a channel number of a first one of the plural channels, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the circuitry  1502  for collecting channel use information may not collect information for any one or more of a plurality of channels for which a duration of a presentation of content associated with that one or more of the plurality of channels, respectively, is less than a predetermined amount. This is to prevent “channel surfing” from skewing the determination of a value for any one or more channels. 
     Furthermore, the circuitry  1504  for determining a value may include circuitry  1513  for running an algorithm, as discussed above, such as an unweighted finite memory algorithm, a finite memory and weighting algorithm, an algorithm using recursive updates; an algorithm using recursive updates and weights, an adaptive weighting algorithm, a significance test algorithm, and combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1601 ,  1602 ,  1603 ,  1604 , and  1605  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ,  1204 , and  1205 , respectively. In the system  1600  the circuitry  1605  for creating a preferred channel list may include circuitry  1614  for presenting to the user, upon activation of the content presentation system (not shown for clarity), content associated with a first channel where the first channel has a value greater than a value for any other of a plurality of channels. Moreover, the circuitry  1605  for creating a preferred channel list may populate a database  1617  with ones of the plural channels where each of the ones have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount as determined by circuitry  1615  and/or where each of the ones have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount, as determined by circuitry  1616 . 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram of a system for creating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1701 ,  1702 ,  1703 ,  1704 , and  1705  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ,  1204 , and  1205 , respectively. In the system  1700  the circuitry  1705  for creating a preferred channel list may include circuitry  1718  for creating a first preferred channel list for a plurality of channels for a first mode of content delivery by a content presentation system (not shown for clarity) and for creating a second preferred channel list for the plurality of channels for a second mode of content delivery by the content presentation system. The first mode of content delivery may include conventional circuitry (not shown for clarity) for displaying content via a main television display and the second mode of content delivery may include conventional circuitry (not shown for clarity) for displaying content via a picture-in-picture display. 
     With reference now directed toward  FIG. 18 , a flow diagram is depicted for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, a method for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider may include, at block  1801 , identifying a user of a first content presentation system that is operatively connected to the content provider, where the content provider provides one or more signals, including the first and second signals, to the first content presentation system. The method may also include, at block  1802 , creating a first preferred channel list based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user wherein the information is determined for a recurring first time period, at block  1803 , associating the first preferred channel list with a first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system, as well as at block  1804  operating the first actuator to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting the first signal provided by the content provider to presenting the second signal provided by the content provider. The user of the system is typically the operator of the first actuator. Furthermore, the recurring first time period may be, but is not limited to, a time period of one half hour duration, or one hour duration, that occurs at a same time of day for a plurality of days. As an example of one alternative, the recurring first time period may be, but is not limited to, a time period of one half hour duration, or one hour duration, that occurs at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 19  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  1901 ,  1902 ,  1903 , and  1904  are similar to blocks  1801 ,  1802 ,  1803 , and  1804 , respectively. In this embodiment, the method of determining the identity of the user in block  1901  may also include at block  1921  providing a first portable device to interact with the first content presentation system, where the first portable device includes a first actuator which is operable by the user for interacting with a first content presentation system via the first portable device, and where the first actuator obtains biometric information from the user, at block  1931  operating the first actuator by the user, at block  1941  obtaining biometric information from the user via the first actuator, and at block  1951  providing the obtained biometric information to a content provider. Furthermore, the method for switching signals may include at block  1905  determining at the content provider the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information, which may entail, at block  1925 , comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. Moreover, the method for switching signals may include at block  1906  transmitting a signal from the content provider based at least in part on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 20  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2001 ,  2002 ,  2003 , and  2004  are similar to blocks  1801 ,  1802 ,  1803 , and  1804 , respectively. This embodiment of a method for switching signals may include at block  2022  collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from a user&#39;s interaction with a first content presentation system, at block  2032  storing the channel use information, at block  2042  determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and at block  2052  creating a first preferred channel list for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 21  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2101 ,  2102 ,  2103 , and  2104  are similar to blocks  1801 ,  1802 ,  1803 , and  1804 , respectively. This embodiment further includes at block  2105  operatively connecting a first data collection device to a second data collection device where the first data collection device is operatively connected to a first content presentation system and the second data collection device is operatively connected to a second content presentation system, and where the first and second content presentation systems are each operatively connected to a content provider, at block  2106  transmitting at least one of an identity, channel use information, and a first preferred channel list from the first data collection device to the second data collection device, and at block  2107  transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first preferred channel list from the second data collection device to a third data collection device. 
       FIG. 22  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2201 ,  2202 ,  2203 , and  2204  are similar to blocks  1801 ,  1802 ,  1803 , and  1804 , respectively. Additionally, blocks  2205  and  2206  are similar to blocks  2105  and  2106 , respectively. This embodiment also includes, at block  2208  associating a first preferred channel list with a second actuator operable by the user for interacting with a second content presentation system, and at block  2209  operating the second actuator to thereby switch the second content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider to presenting the a fourth signal provided by the content provider. In an embodiment the first and third signals may be the same and/or the second and fourth signals may be the same. 
       FIG. 23  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2301 ,  2302 ,  2303 , and  2304  are similar to blocks  1801 ,  1802 ,  1803 , and  1804 , respectively. The method depicted in this embodiment may include at block  2310  creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user where the information is determined for a recurring second time period, at block  2311  associating the second preferred channel list with the first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system, and at block  2312  operating the first actuator to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider. As with the previous embodiment, the first and third signals may be the same and/or the second and fourth signals may be the same. 
     With attention now drawn to  FIG. 24 , a block diagram of a system  2400  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure is depicted. The system  2400  may preferably include a first actuator  2402  operable  2410  by a user for interacting via the transmission path  2411  with a first content presentation system  2405 . The actuator  2402  and its operation  2410  may be the same as previously described. The system  2400  may be used for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider  2406  to a second signal provided by the content provider  2406  and may additionally include the first content presentation system  2405  operatively connected to the content provider  2406  via the transmission path  2512  where the content provider  2406  may provide one or more signals to the first content presentation system  2405  via transmission path  2512 . The content provider  2406  may include circuitry  2407  for determining an identity of a user of the first content presentation system, circuitry  2408  for creating a first preferred channel list which may be based on the identity of the user and/or may be based on previously determined information for the user, where the information is determined for a recurring first time period, and circuitry  2409  for associating the first preferred channel list with the first actuator where the operation of the first actuator switches the first content presentation system from presenting the first signal provided by the content provider to presenting the second signal provided by the content provider. The recurring first time period may be, but is not limited to, a time period of one half hour duration, or one hour duration, that occurs at a same time of day for a plurality of days. As an example of one alternative, the recurring first time period may be, but is not limited to, a time period of one half hour duration, or one hour duration, that occurs at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 25  is a block diagram of a system  2500  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2505 ,  2506 ,  2507 ,  2508 , and  2509  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2405 ,  2406 ,  2407 ,  2408 , and  2409 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  2511  and  2512  may be similar to the transmission paths  2411  and  2412 , respectively. Additionally, the actuator  2502  may be similar to the actuator  2402  and operation  2510  of the actuator  2502  may be similar to operation  2410  of the actuator  2402 . The circuitry for determining the identity of the user may include a first portable device  2501  which may include the first actuator  2502  which, as described above, may be operable  2510  by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system  2505 . The first actuator  2502  may obtain biometric information from the user, which may be obtained via circuitry  2503  and circuitry  2504  may provide the obtained biometric information to the content provider  2506  via the transmission paths  2511  and  2512 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 26 , a block diagram of a system  2600  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure is depicted. Blocks  2601 ,  2603 ,  2604 ,  2605 ,  2606 ,  2608 , and  2609  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2501 ,  2503 ,  2504 ,  2505 ,  2506 ,  2508 , and  2809 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  2611  and  2612  may be similar to the transmission paths  2511  and  2512 , respectively. Additionally, the actuator  2602  may be similar to the actuator  2502  and operation  2610  of the actuator  2602  may be similar to operation  2510  of the actuator  2502 . In the embodiment depicted the circuitry  2607  may determine at the content provider the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information. The circuitry  2607  may include circuitry  2613  for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database  2614  of biometric information. The biometric information may be as described above. Additionally, the content provider  2606  may include a transmitter  2615  for transmitting a signal from the content provider based at least in part on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 27  is a block diagram of a system  2700  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2705 ,  2706 ,  2707 ,  2708 , and  2709  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2505 ,  2506 ,  2507 ,  2508 , and  2509 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  2711  and  2712  may be similar to the transmission paths  2511  and  2512 , respectively. Additionally, the actuator  2702  may be similar to the actuator  2502  and operation  2710  of the actuator  2702  may be similar to operation  2510  of the actuator  2502 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 27 , the circuitry  2708  for creating the first preferred channel list may include circuitry  2716  for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system, a memory device  2717  for storing the channel use information, circuitry  2718  for determining a value for each of a plurality of channels as a function of the channel use information, and circuitry  2719  for creating the first preferred channel list for the plurality of channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a system  2800  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2805   a  and  2805   b  may each contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2505 , and block  2806  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in block  2506 . Furthermore, the transmission path  2811  may be similar to the transmission path  2511 , while the transmission paths  2812   a  and  2812   b  may each be similar to the transmission path  2512 . Additionally, the actuator  2802  may be similar to the actuator  2502  and operation  2810  of the actuator  2802  may be similar to operation  2510  of the actuator  2502 . The system  2800  may include circuitry  2824  for operatively connecting a first data collection device  2820   a  to a second data collection device  2820   b , via the transmission paths  2822   a  and  2822   b , and where the first data collection device  2820   a  is operatively connected to the first content presentation system  2805   a  and the second data collection device  2820   b  is operatively connected to a second content presentation system  2805   b . Alternatively, first content presentation system  2805   a  and first data collection device  2820   a  may be an integral unit. Additionally, second content presentation system  2805   b  and second data collection device  2820   b  may be an integral unit. The first and second data collection devices may collect data such as, but not limited to, an identity of a user, channel use information for the user, and a first preferred channel list for the user. The interconnection of the first and second data collection devices, such as the circuitry  2824 , allows for one-way or two-way transmission of at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first preferred channel list from/to the first data collection device to/from the second data collection device. Each of the first and second content presentation systems ( 2805   a  and  b , respectively) may be operatively connected to the content provider  2806 . In addition, an optional first transmitter  2821   a  may transmit via the transmission path  2823   a  at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first preferred channel list from the first data collection device to the second data collection device. The connection circuitry  2824  and the first transmitter  2821   a  may be the same. In a further embodiment, the system  2800  may include a second transmitter  2821   b  for transmitting via the transmission path  2823   b  at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first preferred channel list from the second data collection device  2820   b  to a third data collection device  2820   c.    
       FIG. 29  is a block diagram of a system  2900  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  2905   a  and  2905   b  may each contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2505 , and block  2906  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in block  2506 . Furthermore, the transmission paths  2911   a  and  2911   b  may be similar to the transmission path  2511 , while the transmission paths  2912   a  and  2912   b  may each be similar to the transmission path  2512 . Additionally, the first actuator  2902   a  and the second actuator  2902   b  may each be similar to the actuator  2502  and operation  2910   a  of the first actuator  2902   a  and operation  2910   b  of the second actuator  2902   b  may each be similar to operation  2510  of the actuator  2502 . Moreover, blocks  2907  and  2908  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2507  and  2508 , respectively. Also, block  2909   a  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2509 . The content provider  2906  may include circuitry  2909   b  for associating the first preferred channel list with the second actuator  2902   b  operable  2910   b  by the user for interacting with the second content presentation system  2905   b  via the transmission path  2911   b . The actuator  2902   b  may further include circuitry  2932  for switching the second content presentation system  2905   b  from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider  2906  to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider  2906 . In particular embodiments, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
       FIG. 30  is a block diagram of a system  3000  for switching signals using a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  3005  and  3006  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2505  and  2506 , respectively. Blocks  3007 ,  3008   a , and  3009   a  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  2507 ,  2508 , and  2509 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  3011  and  3012  may be similar to the transmission paths  2511  and  2512 , respectively. The first actuator  3002  may be similar to the actuator  2502  and operation  3010  of the first actuator  3002  may be similar to operation  2510  of the actuator  2502 . This embodiment may include at the content provider  3006  circuitry  3008   b  for creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user where the information is determined for a recurring second time period, and circuitry  3009   b  for associating the second preferred channel list with the first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system, where operating the first actuator switches the first content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider. The first and second recurring time periods are as described above. In additional embodiments, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
     With attention now directed towards  FIG. 31 , a flow diagram is depicted for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method includes operatively connecting a first data collection device to a second data collection device at block  3101 . The data collection devices may be as described above and may be, for example, a modified television set-top box, where the set-top box is commonly used when interacting with a cable or satellite television broadcaster. The first data collection device is operatively connected to a first content presentation system and the second data collection device is operatively connected to a second content presentation system. The first and second content presentation systems are each operatively connected to a content provider. The content presentation system and the content provider may be as respectively described above. At block  3102 , an identity of a user interacting with the first content presentation system may be determined. This may be accomplished according to one of the techniques discussed above, for example through the use of identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the first content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the first content presentation system, and combinations thereof. Additionally, at block  3116  determining the identity of the user may include comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database of identification information. At block  3103 , channel use information may be collected at the first data collection device for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system, as previously described. At block  3104 , at the first data collection device, a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information may be determined, for example as indicated at block  3117 , by determining a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period. The channel use information may include information such as a channel number of a first one of a plurality of channels transmitted by the content provider, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. At block  3105  a preferred channel list may be created at the first data collection device for the plural channels as a function of the determined value, as previously described. At block  3106 , information such as the identity of the user, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list may be transmitted from the first data collection device to the second data collection device. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second data collection devices may be connected via a wireless link, such as a multiple access link. The wireless link may also carry information from the content provider. Alternatively, the first and second data collection devices may be connected via a wired link. Moreover, the wires in the wired link may also be power supply wires. 
     In another embodiment, at least one of the identity of the user, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list is automatically updated based on the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system. 
       FIG. 32  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure, where blocks  3201 ,  3202 ,  3203 ,  3204 ,  3205 , and  3206  are similar to blocks  3101 ,  3102 ,  3103 ,  3104 ,  3105 , and  3106 , respectively. This embodiment includes, at block  3207 , transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list from the second data collection device to a third data collection device. 
       FIG. 33  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  3301 ,  3302 ,  3303 ,  3304 ,  3305 , and  3306  are similar to blocks  3101 ,  3102 ,  3103 ,  3104 ,  3105 , and  3106 , respectively. The determining of the identity of the user at block  3302  may include, at block  3307  providing a first portable device to interact with the first content presentation system, where the first portable device includes an actuator which is operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system via the first portable device, and where the actuator obtains biometric information from the user, at block  3308  operation of the actuator by the user, and at block  3309  obtaining biometric information from the user via the actuator. 
     In a further embodiment, at block  3310   a  providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider, at block  3311   a  the identification of the user may be determined at the content provider based on the provided biometric information. The determining of the identification of the user may include, at block  3312 , comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. 
     In one alternative embodiment, at block  3310   b  providing the obtained biometric information to the first data collection device, and at block  3311   b  the identification of the user may be determined at the first data collection device based on the provided biometric information, using any method herein described. 
     In yet another embodiment, a signal may be transmitted from the content provider based on the provided biometric information, as indicated at block  3313 , such as a signal containing entertainment programming or any other type of programming. As stated above, one of the advantages of determining the user&#39;s identity at a central location, such as the content provider, a network operation center, a content presentation system, a data collection device, or similar place that may serve as a nexus for accessing programming content, is that the user&#39;s identification information, preferences, and other useful information may be accessed through a variety of means rather than having access restricted to use a single remote control device, for example. 
       FIG. 34  is a flow diagram for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  3401 ,  3402 ,  3403 ,  3404 ,  3405 , and  3406  are similar to blocks  3101 ,  3102 ,  3103 ,  3104 ,  3105 , and  3106 , respectively. In this embodiment, the user may interact with the second content presentation system via a second portable device, as indicated at block  3414 , and at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list may be accessed from the second data collection device, as indicated at block  3415 . 
       FIG. 35  is a block diagram of a system  3500  for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  3500  may include circuitry  3524  for connecting a first data collection device  3519   a  to a second data collection device  3519   b  via the transmission paths  3521   a  and  3521   b , respectively. The first data collection device  3519   a  may be operatively connected to a first content presentation system  3505   a  and the second data collection device  3519   b  may be operatively connected to a second content presentation system  3505   b . The first and second content presentation systems ( 3505   a  and  3505   b , respectively) may each be operatively connected to a content provider  3506  via the transmission paths  3512   a  and  3512   b , respectively. The system  3500  may include means  3531  for determining identification information of a user interacting with the system  3500  through one or both of transmission paths  3511   a  and/or  3511   c . The first data collection device  3519   a  may include circuitry  3523  for collecting channel use information at the first data collection device  3519   a  for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the system  3500 , circuitry  3508  for determining at the first data collection device  3519   a  a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, circuitry  3518  for creating a preferred channel list at the first data collection device  3519   a  for the plural channels as a function of the determined value, and a first transmitter  3520   a  for transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list from the first data collection device  3519   a  to the second data collection device  3519   b . This transmission may be via the circuitry  3524  for connecting the first data collection device  3519   a  to the second data collection device  3519   b , or alternatively, the transmission may use a separate transmission path, such as a separate wired or wireless path. In an embodiment, the system  3500  may further include a second transmitter  3520   b  for transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list from the second data collection device  3519   b  to a third data collection device  3519   c  via wired or wireless transmission path  3521   c . As discussed above, one or more of the data collection devices ( 3519   a, b, c ) may be a modified television set-top box. The content presentation systems ( 3505   a, b ) may each be one or more of a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. 
     The user identifying means  3531  may determine the user&#39;s identification using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the first content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the first content presentation system, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list is automatically updated based on the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system  3505   a . The channel use information may include information such as a channel number of a first one of a plurality of channels transmitted by the content provider, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, circuitry  3508  may determine the value for the first channel as a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period. 
     In another embodiment, the first and second data collection devices  3521   a  and  3521   b , respectively, may be connected via a wireless link, such as a multiple access link. The wireless link may also carry information from the content provider  3506 . Alternatively, the first and second data collection devices,  3521   a  and  3521   b , respectively, may be connected via a wired link. Moreover, the wires in the wired link may also be power supply wires. 
       FIG. 36  is a block diagram of a system  3600  for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In system  3600 , blocks  3605   a ,  3605   b ,  3606 ,  3619   a ,  3619   b ,  3624 ,  3631 ,  3623 ,  3620   a ,  3620   b ,  3608 , and  3618  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  3505   a ,  3505   b ,  3506 ,  3519   a ,  3519   b ,  3524 ,  3531 ,  3523 ,  3520   a ,  3620   b ,  3508 , and  3518 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  3611   a ,  3612   a ,  3612   b ,  3621   a , and  3621   b  may be similar to the transmission paths  3511   a ,  3512   a ,  3512   b ,  3521   a , and  3521   b , respectively. In system  3600 , the means  3631  for determining of the identity of the user may include a first portable device  3601  capable of interacting with the first content presentation system  3605   a  via the transmission path  3611   a  (preferably, but not necessarily, a wireless transmission path), where the first portable device  3601  includes an actuator  3602  which is operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system  3605   a  via the first portable device  3601 , and circuitry  3603  for obtaining biometric information from the user upon operation of the actuator  3602 , all as previously described above. 
     A further embodiment may include circuitry  3604  for providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider  3606 . The content provider  3606  may include circuitry  3607  for determining at the content provider the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information. Moreover, the circuitry  3607  for determining the identification of the user may include circuitry  3627  for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database  3637  of biometric information. 
       FIG. 37  is a block diagram of a system  3700  for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In system  3700 , blocks  3705   a ,  3705   b ,  3706 ,  3719   a ,  3719   b ,  3724 ,  3731 ,  3723 ,  3720   a ,  3708 , and  3718  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  3505   a ,  3505   b ,  3506 ,  3519   a ,  3519   b ,  3524 ,  3531 ,  3523 ,  3520   a ,  3620   b ,  3508 , and  3518 , respectively. Block  3707  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in block  3607 . Furthermore, the transmission paths  3711   c ,  3712   a ,  3712   b ,  3721   a , and  3721   b  may be similar to the transmission paths  3511   c ,  3512   a ,  3512   b ,  3521   a , and  3521   b , respectively. In the system  3700 , the means  3731  for determining the identification information of the user may include a first portable device  3701  capable of interacting with the first data collection device  3719   a  via the transmission path  3711   c  (preferably, but not necessarily, a wireless transmission path), wherein the first portable device  3701  includes an actuator  3702  which is operable by the user for interacting with the first data collection device  3719   a  via the first portable device  3701 . The first portable device  3701  may include circuitry  3703  for obtaining biometric information from the user upon operation of the actuator  3702 , a transmitter  3704  for transmitting the obtained biometric information to the first data collection device  3719   a , and circuitry  3707  for determining at the first data collection device  3719   a  the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 38  is a block diagram of a system  3800  for sharing user information according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In system  3800 , blocks  3805   a ,  3805   b ,  3806 ,  3819   a ,  3819   b ,  3824 ,  3831 ,  3823 ,  3820   a ,  3808 , and  3818  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  3505   a ,  3505   b ,  3506 ,  3519   a ,  3519   b ,  3524 ,  3531 ,  3523 ,  3520   a ,  3620   b ,  3508 , and  3518 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission paths  3811   a ,  3811   c ,  3812   a ,  3812   b ,  3821   a , and  3821   b  may be similar to the transmission paths  3511   a ,  3511   c ,  3512   a ,  3512   b ,  3521   a , and  3521   b , respectively. The system  3800  may include a second portable device  3801  capable of interacting with the second content presentation system  3805   b , wherein the user can access at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the preferred channel list from the second data collection device. The second portable device  3801  may include circuitry  3803  for obtaining biometric information from the user upon operation of the actuator  3802 , and a transmitter  3804  for transmitting the obtained biometric information. 
     Now directing attention to  FIG. 39 , a flow diagram is shown for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method may include at block  3901  determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system, at block  3902  collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, at block  3903  storing the channel use information, at block  3904  determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and at block  3905  creating a smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
     The identification of the user may be determined using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. At block  3901 , the identity of a user may be determined at block  3906  by comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database of identification information. 
     In one embodiment, the determination of the value for a first channel of the plurality of channels at block  3904  may be determined at block  3907  as a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period. As previously stated, the predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. Optionally, the predetermined time period may correspond to a first predetermined time slot and a first value for the first channel is stored for a first occurrence of the first predetermined time slot as indicated at block  3910 . Also, a second value for the first channel may be stored for a second occurrence of the first predetermined time slot as indicated at block  3911 . The determined value for the first channel in block  3904  may include the first and second values from blocks  3910  and  3911 . 
     At block  3902 , the channel use information may include, but is not limited to, a channel number of a first one of the plural channels, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the channel use information may not include information for any of the plural channels for which a duration of a presentation of content associated with any of the plural channels is less than a predetermined amount, so as to minimize the effect of “channel surfing” on the determination of channel values in block  3904 , where the channel values may be determined as a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period, where the predetermined time period may be as described above. 
     In another embodiment, the determination of channel values at block  3904  may include a determination based on an unweighted finite memory method, a finite memory and weighting method, a method using recursive updates; a method using recursive updates and weights, an adaptive weighting method, a significance test, and combinations thereof, as indicated at block  3908 . 
     At block  3912 , the smart electronic programming guide created at block  3905  may include a first channel which has a value greater than a value for any other of the plural channels, as determined at block  3904 . Upon activation of the content presentation system, the first channel may be presented to the user. 
     In yet another embodiment, the smart electronic programming guide may only include ones of the plural channels that have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount and/or the smart electronic programming guide may only include ones of the plural channels that have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount. 
     In still another embodiment, the method may include, at block  3909 , creating a first smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels for a first mode of content delivery by the content presentation system and creating a second smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels for a second mode of content delivery by the content presentation system. As stated above, the content presentation system may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. In an example of the first and second modes of content delivery, the content presentation system may be a television and the first mode of content delivery may be via a main television display and the second mode of content delivery may be via a picture-in-picture display. 
     In a further embodiment, the smart electronic programming guide created at block  3905  may include a first section listing a first channel of the plurality of channels based on the determined value from block  3904 , and a second section listing a second channel of the plurality of channels wherein the second channel is related to the first channel, where the relationship between the first and second channels may be based, for example, on a type of program associated with the first channel (e.g., sports, news, weather, etc.). 
       FIG. 40  is a block diagram of a system  4000  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the system  4000  may be disposed at/within a content provider, a content presentation system, locally at a portable device operated by a user, a combination of two or more of the aforementioned devices, or any other convenient location. The system  4000  may include circuitry  4001  for determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system, circuitry  4002  for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, an electronic storage device  4003  for storing the channel use information, circuitry  4004  for determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and circuitry  4005  for creating a smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
     The circuitry  4001  for determining an identity of the user may include circuitry  4006  for collecting identification information via biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, the circuitry  4001  for determining an identity of the user may include circuitry  4007  for comparing the identification information with a pre-existing identification information stored in a database  4008  of identification information. 
       FIG. 41  is a block diagram of a system  4100  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  4101 ,  4102 ,  4103 ,  4104 , and  4105  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005 , respectively. The circuitry  4104  for determining the value for a first channel of the plurality of channels may include circuitry  4109  for determining a ratio of a total duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel over a predetermined time period to a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels over the predetermined time period, where the predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, more than one week, or as elsewhere described herein. 
       FIG. 42  is a block diagram of a system  4200  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  4201 ,  4202 ,  4203 ,  4204 , and  4205  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005 , respectively. The system  4200  may further include circuitry  4210  for storing a first value for a first channel in a first database  4211  for a first occurrence of a first predetermined time slot. Circuitry  4210 , or similar other circuitry (not shown for clarity) may also store a second value for the first channel in the first database  4211  for a second occurrence of the first predetermined time slot. In addition, the circuitry  4204  for determining the value for the first channel may operate on both the first and second values. 
       FIG. 43  is a block diagram of a system  4300  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  4301 ,  4302 ,  4303 ,  4304 , and  4305  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005 , respectively. In the system  4300 , the circuitry  4302  for collecting channel use information may include circuitry  4312  for collecting channel use information such as, but not limited to, a channel number of a first one of the plural channels, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first channel to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural channels to the user, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the circuitry  4302  for collecting channel use information may not collect information for any one or more of a plurality of channels for which a duration of a presentation of content associated with that one or more of the plurality of channels, respectively, is less than a predetermined amount. This is to prevent “channel surfing” from skewing the determination of a value for any one or more channels. 
     Furthermore, the circuitry  4304  for determining a value may include circuitry  4313  for running an algorithm, as discussed above, such as an unweighted finite memory algorithm, a finite memory and weighting algorithm, an algorithm using recursive updates; an algorithm using recursive updates and weights, an adaptive weighting algorithm, a significance test algorithm, and combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 44  is a block diagram of a system  4400  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  4401 ,  4402 ,  4403 ,  4404 , and  4405  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005 , respectively. In the system  4400  the circuitry  4405  for creating a preferred channel list may include circuitry  4414  for presenting to the user, upon activation of the content presentation system (not shown for clarity), content associated with a first channel where the first channel has a value greater than a value for any other of a plurality of channels. Moreover, the circuitry  4405  for creating a preferred channel list may populate a database  4417  with ones of the plural channels where each of the ones have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount as determined by circuitry  4415  and/or where each of the ones have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount, as determined by circuitry  4416 . 
       FIG. 45  is a block diagram of a system  4500  for creating a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  4501 ,  4502 ,  4503 ,  4504 , and  4505  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005 , respectively. In the system  4500  the circuitry  4505  for creating a preferred channel list may include circuitry  4518  for creating a first preferred channel list for a plurality of channels for a first mode of content delivery by a content presentation system (not shown for clarity) and for creating a second preferred channel list for the plurality of channels for a second mode of content delivery by the content presentation system. The first mode of content delivery may include conventional circuitry (not shown for clarity) for displaying content via a main television display and the second mode of content delivery may include conventional circuitry (not shown for clarity) for displaying content via a picture-in-picture display. 
       FIG. 46  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The depicted embodiment is for a method for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider. At block  4601 , a user of a first content presentation system is identified where the first content presentation system is operatively connected to the content provider and where the content provider provides one or more signals, including the first and second signals, to the first content presentation system. At block  4602 , a first smart electronic programming guide is created (as previously discussed) where the first smart electronic programming guide may be based on the identity of the user and/or on previously determined information for the user where the information may be determined for a recurring first time period. At block  4603 , the first smart electronic programming guide is associated with a first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system. At block  4604 , the first actuator is operated by the user to thereby present the first smart electronic programming guide to the user, where the first smart electronic programming guide includes programming information for the first and second signals. At block  4613 , a second actuator may be operated to select the second signal (e.g., selecting the second signal on the first smart electronic programming guide), and at block  4614  a third actuator may be operated to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting the first signal provided by the content provider to presenting the second signal provided by the content provider. In one embodiment, any two or more of the first, second, or third actuators may be the same. 
     In one embodiment, the recurring first time period may be, for example, a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration, and, optionally, the recurring first time period may occur at a same time of day for a plurality of days and/or may occur at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 47  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  4701 ,  4702 ,  4703 ,  4704 ,  4713 , and  4714  are similar to blocks  4601 ,  4602 ,  4603 ,  4604 ,  4613 , and  4614 , respectively. The determining of the identity of the user at block  4701  may include at block  4721  providing a first portable device to interact with the first content presentation system, where the first portable device includes the first actuator which is operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system via the first portable device, and where the first actuator obtains biometric information from the user, at block  4731  operating the first actuator by the user, at block  4741  obtaining biometric information from the user via the first actuator, and at block  4751  providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider. 
     In a further embodiment, at block  4705  an identification of the user is determined at the content provider based on the provided biometric information. This determination may include, at block  4725 , comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. In still a further embodiment, at block  4706  a signal may be transmitted from the content provider based at least on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 48  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  4801 ,  4802 ,  4803 ,  4804 ,  4813 , and  4814  are similar to blocks  4601 ,  4602 ,  4603 ,  4604 ,  4613 , and  4614 , respectively. The creating of the first smart electronic programming guide at block  4802  may include at block  4822  collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system, at block  4832  optionally storing the channel use information, at block  4842  determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and at block  4852  creating the first smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 49  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  4901 ,  4902 ,  4903 ,  4904 ,  4913 , and  4914  are similar to blocks  4601 ,  4602 ,  4603 ,  4604 ,  4613 , and  4614 , respectively. In this embodiment, the user&#39;s information/preferences that may be stored and/or accessed via a first data collection device is shared such that the user&#39;s information/preferences may be stored and/or accessed via a second data collection device so that the first actuator may be used to interact with both the first and second data collection devices. The depicted embodiment includes, at block  4905 , operatively connecting a first data collection device to a second data collection device where the first data collection device is operatively connected to the first content presentation system and the second data collection device is operatively connected to a second content presentation system, and where the first and second content presentation systems are each operatively connected to the content provider, and at block  4906  transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first smart electronic programming guide from the first data collection device to the second data collection device. A further embodiment includes, at block  4907 , transmitting at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first smart electronic programming guide from the second data collection device to a third data collection device. 
       FIG. 50  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  5001 ,  5002 ,  5003 ,  5004 ,  5013 , and  5014  are similar to blocks  4601 ,  4602 ,  4603 ,  4604 ,  4613 , and  4614 , respectively. Additionally, blocks  5005  and  5006  are similar to blocks  4905  and  4906 , respectively. In this embodiment, the user&#39;s information/preferences that may be stored and/or accessed using, for example, a first remote control device via a first data collection device may also be stored and/or accessed using, for example, a second remote control device via a second data collection device. This embodiment includes, at block  5015 , associating the first smart electronic programming guide with a fourth actuator operable by the user for interacting with the second content presentation system, at block  5016  operating the fourth actuator to thereby present the first smart electronic programming guide to the user, where the first smart electronic programming guide includes programming information for a third signal and a fourth signal, at block  5017  operating a fifth actuator to select the fourth signal (e.g. selecting the fourth signal on the first smart electronic programming guide), and at block  5018  operating a sixth actuator to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting the third signal provided by the content provider to presenting the fourth signal provided by the content provider. 
     In an embodiment, at least any two of the fourth, fifth, or sixth actuators may be the same. In a further embodiment, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
       FIG. 51  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  5101 ,  5102 ,  5103 ,  5104 ,  5113 , and  5114  are similar to blocks  4601 ,  4602 ,  4603 ,  4604 ,  4613 , and  4614 , respectively. In the method depicted by the flow diagram, in addition to creating a first smart electronic programming guide and associating it with a first actuator, a second smart electronic programming guide is created and is also associated with the first actuator. In this way, the user can access two separate programming guides through the same actuator where, for example, the first programming guide may be associated with the user&#39;s sports preferences while the second programming guide may be associate with the user&#39;s new preferences. The method includes at block  5110  creating a second smart electronic programming guide based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user wherein the information is determined for a recurring second time period, at block  5111  associating the second smart electronic programming guide with the first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system, at block  5119  operating the first actuator to thereby present the second smart electronic programming guide to the user, where the second smart electronic programming guide includes programming information for the first and second signals, at block  5120  operating a second actuator to select the second signal, and at block  5121  operating a third actuator to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting the first signal provided by the content provider to presenting the second signal provided by the content provider. 
     In a further embodiment, at least any two of the first, second, or third actuators may be the same. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 52 , a block diagram is shown of a system  5200  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  5200  may be used to switch from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider. The system  5200  may include a first content presentation system  5205 , circuitry  5207  for determining an identity of a user of the first content presentation system  5205  that is operatively connected via transmission path  5212  to the content provider  5206 , wherein the content provider  5206  provides one or more signals to the first content presentation system  5205 , circuitry  5208  for creating a first smart electronic programming guide based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user wherein the information is determined for a recurring first time period, a first actuator  5202  operable by the user for interacting via transmission path  5211  with the first content presentation system  5205 , and circuitry  5209  for associating the first smart electronic programming guide with the first actuator  5202  wherein the operation  5210  of the first actuator switches the first content presentation system  5205  from presenting the first signal provided by the content provider  5206  to presenting the second signal provided by the content provider  5206 . The transmission paths  5211  and/or  5212  may each be wired, wireless, or as previously described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the recurring first time period may be, for example, a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration, and, optionally, the recurring first time period may occur at a same time of day for a plurality of days and/or may occur at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 53  is a block diagram of a system  5300  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5305 ,  5306 ,  5307 ,  5308 , and  5309  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 , and  5209 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  5311  and  5312  may be similar to the transmission paths  5211  and  5212 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  5302  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5310  of the actuator  5302  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . In the system  5300  the circuitry for determining the identity of the user may include a first portable device  5301  including the first actuator  5302  which is operable by the user  5301  for interacting via the transmission path  5311  with the first content presentation system  5305 , and where the first actuator  5301  obtains biometric information from the user and may include circuitry  5303  for obtaining biometric information from the user via the first actuator  5302 , and circuitry  5304  (which may be a transmitter) for providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider  5306 . 
       FIG. 54  is a block diagram of a system  5400  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5401 ,  5403 ,  5404 ,  5405 ,  5406 ,  5407 ,  5408 , and  5409  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5201 ,  5203 ,  5204 ,  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 , and  5209 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  5411  and  5412  may be similar to the transmission paths  5211  and  5212 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  5402  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5410  of the actuator  5402  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . In the system  5400 , circuitry  5407  may further be capable for determining at the content provider  5406  the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information. Furthermore, the circuitry  5407  for determining the identification of the user may include circuitry  5413  for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database  5414  of biometric information. 
     In a further embodiment, a transmitter  5415  may be included for transmitting a signal from the content provider  5406  based at least on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 55  is a block diagram of a system  5500  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5505 ,  5506 ,  5507 ,  5508 , and  5509  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 , and  5209 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  5511  and  5512  may be similar to the transmission paths  5211  and  5212 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  5502  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5510  of the actuator  5502  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . In the system  5500 , the circuitry  5508  for creating the first smart electronic programming guide may include circuitry  5516  for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system  5505 , a memory device  5517  for storing the channel use information, circuitry  5518  for determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information. and circuitry  5519  for creating the first smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 56  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5605   a  and  5605   b  may each contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5205 , and block  5606  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in block  5206 . Furthermore, the transmission path  5611  may be similar to the transmission path  5211 , while the transmission paths  5612   a  and  5612   b  may each be similar to the transmission path  5212 . Additionally, the actuator  5602  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5610  of the actuator  5602  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . The system  5600  may include circuitry  5624  for operatively connecting a first data collection device  5620   a  to a second data collection device  5620   b , via the transmission paths  5622   a  and  5622   b , and where the first data collection device  5620   a  is operatively connected to the first content presentation system  5605   a  and the second data collection device  5620   b  is operatively connected to a second content presentation system  5605   b . Alternatively, first content presentation system  5605   a  and first data collection device  5620   a  may be an integral unit. Additionally, second content presentation system  5605   b  and second data collection device  5620   b  may be an integral unit. The first and second data collection devices may collect data such as, but not limited to, an identity of a user, channel use information for the user, and a first preferred channel list for the user. The interconnection of the first and second data collection devices, such as the circuitry  5624 , allows for one-way or two-way transmission of at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first smart electronic programming guide from/to the first data collection device  5620   a  to/from the second data collection device  5620   b . Each of the first and second content presentation systems ( 5605   a  and  b , respectively) may be operatively connected to the content provider  5606 . In addition, an optional first transmitter  5621   a  may transmit via the transmission path  5623   a  at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first smart electronic programming guide from the first data collection device  5620   a  to the second data collection device  5620   b . The connection circuitry  5624  and the first transmitter  5621   a  may be the same. In a further embodiment, the system  5600  may include a second transmitter  5621   b  for transmitting via the transmission path  5623   b  at least one of the identity, the channel use information, and the first smart electronic programming guide from the second data collection device  5620   b  to a third data collection device  5620   c.    
       FIG. 57  is a block diagram of a system  5700  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5705   a  and  5705   b  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5605   a  and  5605   b , respectively. Blocks  5706 ,  5707 ,  5708 , and  5709   a  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 , and  5209 , respectively. Furthermore, the transmission path  5711   a  may be similar to the transmission path  5611 , while the transmission paths  5712   a  and  5712   b  may be similar to the transmission paths  5612   a  and  5612   b , respectively. Additionally, the first actuator  5702   a  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5710   a  of the first actuator  5702   a  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . The system  5700  may also include circuitry  5709   b  for associating the first smart electronic programming guide with a second actuator  5702   b  operable by the user for interacting with the second content presentation system  5705   b , wherein the operation  5710   b  of the second actuator  5702   b  sends a signal via the transmission path  5711   b  which causes the first smart electronic programming guide to be presented to the user, where the first smart electronic programming guide may include programming information for a third signal and a fourth signal. Additionally, the system  5700  may include a third actuator  5702   c  the operation  5710   c  of which by the user sends a signal via the transmission path  5711   c  to select the fourth signal, and a fourth actuator  5702   d  the operation  5710   d  of which by the user send a signal via the transmission path  5711   d  to switch the second content presentation system  5712   b  from presenting the third signal provided by the content provider  5706  to presenting the fourth signal provided by the content provider  5706 . 
     In an embodiment, at least any two of the second, third, or fourth actuators may be the same. In a further embodiment, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
       FIG. 58  is a block diagram of a system  5800  for switching signals using a smart electronic programming guide according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  5805 ,  5806 ,  5807 ,  5808   a , and  5809   a  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 , and  5209 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  5811  and  5812  may be similar to the transmission paths  5211  and  5212 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  5802  may be similar to the actuator  5202  and operation  5810  of the actuator  5802  may be similar to operation  5210  of the actuator  5202 . The system  5800  may further include circuitry  5808   b  for creating a second smart electronic programming guide based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user where the information is determined for a recurring second time period, and circuitry  5809   b  for associating the second smart electronic programming guide with the first actuator  5802  operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system  5805 , wherein operating the first actuator  5802  switches the first content presentation system  5805  from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider  5806  to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider  5806 . 
     In a further embodiment, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
     With attention now directed toward  FIG. 59 , a flow diagram is depicted for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, the depicted method may be useful for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider where, at block  5901 , a user of a first content presentation system is identified where the first content presentation system is operatively connected to the content provider and the content provider provides a plurality of signals to the first content presentation system, at block  5902  a first preferred channel list is created which includes channel information for each of select ones of the plural signals and where the preferred channel list is created based on the identity of the user and/or based on channel use information for the user during a recurring first time period, at block  5903  where a first signal and a second signal are presented substantially simultaneously to the user via the first content presentation system, where the first signal is one of the select ones of plural signals in a first frame and the second signal is one of the select ones of plural signals in a second frame, where the first frame is larger than the second frame, and at block  5904 , the content presentation system switches so that the second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than the second frame. 
     In an embodiment, the content provider may include one or more broadcasters, one or more cable television systems, one or more magnetic storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, one or more electronic storage devices, and combinations thereof. The content presentation system may include a television, an internet-connected device, a portable entertainment device, a device having a video screen, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the content presentation system may include a video display screen where the first frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen, the second frame may comprise a picture-in-picture display, and the third frame may be substantially the same size as the video display screen. In a certain embodiment, when the second signal is displayed on the video display screen in the third frame, the first frame is not displayed, or the signals may be interchanged so that the second signal is in the larger frame and the first signal is in the smaller (e.g., picture-in-picture) frame. Furthermore, each of the first and second signals may include, for example, a video component and an audio component. The video resolution of the first signal in presented in the first frame will typically be greater than the video resolution of the second signal in the second frame. Additionally, the audio component of the second signal when presented in the second frame will typically be muted. 
     In another embodiment, the content presentation system may include a video display screen where each signal of the select ones of plural signals is displayed in a separate frame. 
     In a further embodiment, if the second signal comprises advertising content during a time when the second signal is presented in the second frame, the second signal may not be displayed and the second frame may instead display a screen of a uniform color. Alternatively, if the second signal comprises advertising content during a time when the second signal is presented in the second frame, a saved version of the second signal comprising nonadvertising content may be displayed in the second frame (e.g., a still frame or a loop of non-advertising content received via the second signal) and, optionally, a color of the second frame may be a predetermined color. 
     The channel information may include at least one of a channel number and a network identifier as well as a brief description of an entertainment (e.g., sports, news, weather, talk show, emergency broadcast, etc.) program. The channel use information may include a channel number of a first one of the plural signals, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural signals to the user, and combinations thereof. The recurring first time period may be, for example, a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration, and, optionally, the recurring first time period may occur at a same time of day for a plurality of days and/or may occur at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 60  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  6001 ,  6002 ,  6003 , and  6004  are similar to blocks  5901 ,  5902 ,  5903 , and  5904 , respectively. In an embodiment, the determining of the identity of the user in block  6001  may include at block  6021  providing a first portable device to interact with the first content presentation system where the first portable device includes a first actuator which is operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system via the first portable device, and where the first actuator obtains biometric information from the user, at block  6031  operating the first actuator by the user, at block  6041  obtaining biometric information from the user via the first actuator, and at block  6051  providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider. 
     A further embodiment includes, at block  6005 , determining at the content provider the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information, where determining the identification of the user may include, at block  6025 , comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. An additional embodiment may include, at block  6006 , transmitting a signal from the content provider based at least on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 61  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  6101 ,  6102 ,  6103 , and  6104  are similar to blocks  5901 ,  5902 ,  5903 , and  5904 , respectively. In an embodiment, the creating the first preferred channel list at block  6102  may include, at block  6122 , collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system, at block  6132 , optionally storing the channel use information, at block  6142 , determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and at block  6152 , creating the first preferred channel list for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 62  is a flow diagram for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure where blocks  6201 ,  6202 ,  6203 , and  6204  are similar to blocks  5901 ,  5902 ,  5903 , and  5904 , respectively. An embodiment further includes, at block  6207 , creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user where the information is determined for a recurring second time period, at block  6208 , associating the second preferred channel list with a first actuator operable by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system, and at block  6209 , operating the first actuator to thereby switch the first content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider. In an additional embodiment, the first and the third signals may be the same, and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
       FIG. 63  is a block diagram of a system  6300  for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  6300  may be used advantageously for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider  6306  to a second signal provided by the content provider  6306  and may include a first content presentation system  6305 , circuitry  6307  for determining an identity of a user of the first content presentation system  6305  that is operatively connected via the transmission path  6312  to the content provider  6306 , where the content provider  6306  provides a plurality of signals to the first content presentation system  6305 , circuitry  6308  for creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of the plural signals, where the preferred channel list is created based on the identity of the user and/or based on channel use information for the user during a recurring first time period, circuitry  6309  for presenting substantially simultaneously to the user via the first content presentation system  6305  a first signal of the select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of the select ones of plural signals in a second frame, where the first frame is larger than the second frame, and circuitry  6315  for switching the content presentation system  6305  so that the second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than the second frame. The user may interact with the content presentation system  6305  using a device, e.g., a remote control device, having an actuator  6302 . When the user operates  6310  the actuator  6302 , a signal is sent via the transmission path  6311  to the content presentation system  6305 , as has been hereinbefore described. 
     In an embodiment, the content provider  6406  may include one or more broadcasters, one or more cable television systems, one or more magnetic storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, one or more electronic storage devices, and combinations thereof. The content presentation system  6305  may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, or other device having a video screen, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the content presentation system  6305  may include a video display screen where the first frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen, the second frame may comprise a picture-in-picture display, and the third frame may be substantially the same size as the video display screen. In a certain embodiment, when the second signal is displayed on the video display screen in the third frame, the first frame is not displayed, or the signals may be interchanged so that the second signal is in the larger frame and the first signal is in the smaller (e.g., picture-in-picture) frame. Furthermore, each of the first and second signals may include, for example, a video component and an audio component. The video resolution of the first signal in presented in the first frame will typically be greater than the video resolution of the second signal in the second frame. Additionally, the audio component of the second signal when presented in the second frame will typically be muted. 
     In another embodiment, the content presentation system  6305  may include a video display screen where each signal of the select ones of plural signals is displayed in a separate frame. 
     In a further embodiment, if the second signal comprises advertising content during a time when the second signal is presented in the second frame, the second signal may not be displayed and the second frame may instead display a screen of a uniform color. Alternatively, if the second signal comprises advertising content during a time when the second signal is presented in the second frame, a saved version of the second signal comprising nonadvertising content may be displayed in the second frame (e.g., a still frame or a loop of non-advertising content received via the second signal) and, optionally, a color of the second frame may be a predetermined color. 
     The channel information may include at least one of a channel number and a network identifier as well as a brief description of an entertainment (e.g., sports, news, weather, talk show, emergency broadcast, etc.) program. The channel use information may include a channel number of a first one of the plural signals, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with the first signal to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of the plural signals to the user, and combinations thereof. The recurring first time period may be, for example, a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration, and, optionally, the recurring first time period may occur at a same time of day for a plurality of days and/or may occur at a same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. 
       FIG. 64  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  6405 ,  6406 ,  6407 ,  6408 ,  6409 , and  6415  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6305 ,  6306 ,  6307 ,  6308 ,  6309 , and  6315 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  6411  and  6412  may be similar to the transmission paths  6311  and  6312 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  6402  may be similar to the actuator  6302  and operation  6410  of the actuator  6402  may be similar to operation  6310  of the actuator  6302 . The system  6400  may include a first portable device  6401  including a first actuator  6402  which is operable  6410  by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system  6405  via the transmission path  6411 , and where the first actuator  6402  obtains biometric information from the user via circuitry  6403  and circuitry  6404  for providing the obtained biometric information to the content provider  6406 . 
       FIG. 65  is a block diagram of a system  6500  for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  6505 ,  6506 ,  6507 ,  6508 ,  6509 , and  6515  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6305 ,  6306 ,  6307 ,  6308 ,  6309 , and  6315 , respectively. Blocks  6501 ,  6503 , and  6504  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6401 ,  6403 , and  6404 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  6511  and  6512  may be similar to the transmission paths  6311  and  6312 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  6502  may be similar to the actuator  6302  and operation  6510  of the actuator  6502  may be similar to operation  6310  of the actuator  6302 . The system  6500  may include circuitry  6507  for determining at the content provider the identification of the user based on the provided biometric information which may include circuitry  6513  for comparing the provided biometric information with a pre-existing database  6514  of biometric information. Furthermore, the content provider  6506  may also a transmitter  6516  for transmitting a signal from the content provider  6506  based at least on the provided biometric information. 
       FIG. 66  is a block diagram of a system  6600  for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  6605 ,  6606 ,  6607 ,  6608 ,  6609 , and  6615  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6505 ,  6506 ,  6507 ,  6508 ,  6509 , and  6515 , respectively. Blocks  6601 ,  6603 , and  6604  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6401 ,  6403 , and  6404 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  6611  and  6612  may be similar to the transmission paths  6311  and  6312 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  6602  may be similar to the actuator  6302  and operation  6610  of the actuator  6602  may be similar to operation  6310  of the actuator  6302 . The circuitry  6608  for creating the first preferred channel list may include circuitry  6617  for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the first content presentation system  6605 , a memory device  6618  for storing the channel use information, circuitry  6619  for determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and circuitry  6620  for creating the first preferred channel list for the plural channels as a function of the determined value. 
       FIG. 67  is a block diagram of a system for switching signals using picture-in-picture-assisted time-adaptive channel surfing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  6705 ,  6706 ,  6707 ,  6708   a , and  6709   a , may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6505 ,  6506 ,  6507 ,  6508 , and  6509 , respectively. Blocks  6701 ,  6703 , and  6704  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6401 ,  6403 , and  6404 , respectively. Additionally, the transmission paths  6711  and  6712  may be similar to the transmission paths  6311  and  6312 , respectively. Furthermore, the actuator  6702  may be similar to the actuator  6302  and operation  6710  of the actuator  6702  may be similar to operation  6310  of the actuator  6302 . The content provider  9706  may further include circuitry  6708   b  for creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of the user and based on previously determined information for the user where the information is determined for a recurring second time period, circuitry  6709   b  for associating the second preferred channel list with the first actuator  6702  operable  6710  by the user for interacting with the first content presentation system via the transmission path  6711 , where operating  6710  the first actuator  6702  switches the first content presentation system  6705  from presenting a third signal provided by the content provider  6706  to presenting a fourth signal provided by the content provider  6706 . 
     In a further embodiment, the first and the third signals may be the same and/or the second and the fourth signals may be the same. 
     Now directing attention to  FIG. 68 , a flow diagram is presented for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The depicted method may include, at block  6801 , determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system, at block  6802 , collecting channel switching information from the first channel to each of a plurality of second channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, at block  6804 , determining a value for each of the plural second channels as a function of the channel switching information, and at block  6805 , creating a smart channel tuner list as a function of the determined value. The content presentation system may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the identification of the user may be determined using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. 
     In a further embodiment, the determining of an identity of a user at block  6801  may include comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database of identification information at block  6806 . In still a further embodiment, the determining of a value for the channels at block  6804  may include, at block  6807 , determining the value for one channel of the plural second channels is as a ratio of the number of channel switches from the first channel to the one channel to a total number of channel switches from the first channel to any other channel over a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. Alternatively, the predetermined time period may correspond to a predetermined time slot where the predetermined time slot recurs on a daily basis and/or recurs on a weekly basis. 
     In another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount, or that have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount. 
     In still a further embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may include a channel immediately adjacent to the first channel, i.e., a channel that has a channel number one above and/or one below the channel number for the first channel. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 69 , a block diagram of a system  6900  is presented where the system  6900  may be used for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  6900  may include circuitry  6901  for determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system (not shown for clarity), circuitry  6902  for collecting channel switching information from the first channel to each of a plurality of second channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, circuitry  6904  for determining a value for each of the plural second channels as a function of the channel switching information, and circuitry  6905  for creating a smart channel tuner list as a function of the determined value. The content presentation system, as previously described, may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the circuitry  6901  for determining an identity of a user may include circuitry  6906  where the user is determined using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the circuitry  6901  for determining an identity of a user may include circuitry  6907  for comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database  6908  of identification information. 
     In another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount or the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount. 
     In yet another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may include a channel immediately adjacent to the first channel, e.g., a channel that has a channel number one number greater or less than the channel number of the first channel. 
       FIG. 70  is a block diagram of a system  7000  for creating a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  7001 ,  7002 ,  7004 , and  7005  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  6901 ,  6902 ,  6904 , and  6905 , respectively. In this embodiment, the circuitry  7004  for determining the value for the one channel of the plural second channels may include circuitry  7009  for determining a ratio of the number of channel switches from the first channel to the one channel to a total number of channel switches from the first channel to any other channel over a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. Alternatively, the predetermined time period may correspond to a predetermined time slot where the predetermined time slot recurs on a daily basis and/or recurs on a weekly basis. 
       FIG. 71  is a flow diagram for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The depicted method may include, at block  7101 , determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system, at block  7102 , collecting channel switching information from the first channel to each of a plurality of second channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, at block  7104 , determining a value for each of the plural second channels as a function of the channel switching information, and at block  7110 , switching from a first channel to one of the second channels as a function of the determined value. The content presentation system may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the identification of the user may be determined using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. 
     In a further embodiment, the determining of an identity of a user at block  7101  may include comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database of identification information at block  7106 . In still a further embodiment, the determining of a value for the channels at block  7104  may include, at block  7107 , determining the value for one channel of the plural second channels is as a ratio of the number of channel switches from the first channel to the one channel to a total number of channel switches from the first channel to any other channel over a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. Alternatively, the predetermined time period may correspond to a predetermined time slot where the predetermined time slot recurs on a daily basis and/or recurs on a weekly basis. 
     In another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount, or that have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount. 
     In still a further embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may include a channel immediately adjacent to the first channel, i.e., a channel that has a channel number one above and/or one below the channel number for the first channel. 
     An embodiment further includes at block  7105  creating a smart channel tuner list as a function of the channel switching information. Another embodiment includes at block  7111  using a first tuner for accessing the first channel and using a second tuner for accessing one of the plural second channels. Another embodiment at block  7112  using a first decoder for presenting the first channel on the content provider and using a second decoder for one of the plural second channels. 
       FIG. 72  is a block diagram of a system  7200  for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. More specifically, the system  7200  may be used for switching from a first channel provided by a content provider (not shown for clarity) to a second channel provided by the content provider. The system  7200  may include circuitry  7201  for determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system (not shown for clarity), circuitry  7202  for collecting channel switching information from the first channel to each of a plurality of second channels from the user&#39;s interaction with the content presentation system, circuitry  7204  for determining a value for each of the plural second channels as a function of the channel switching information, and circuitry  7210  for switching from the first channel to one of the second channels as a function of the determined value. The content presentation system, as previously described, may include a television, a radio, an internet-connected device, a music playing device, a portable entertainment device, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone/information system, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the circuitry  7201  for determining an identity of a user may include circuitry  7206  where the user is determined using identification information such as biometrics, voice activation, fingerprint, user-entered password, use of a unique key on a remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, use of a unique remote device by which the user interacts with the content presentation system, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the circuitry  7201  for determining an identity of a user may include circuitry  7207  for comparing the identification information with a pre-existing database  7208  of identification information. 
     In another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value greater than a predetermined amount or the smart channel tuner list may only include ones of the plural second channels that have a determined value for a predetermined time slot greater than a predetermined amount. 
     In yet another embodiment, the smart channel tuner list may include a channel immediately adjacent to the first channel, e.g., a channel that has a channel number one number greater or less than the channel number of the first channel. 
       FIG. 73  is a block diagram of a system  7300  for switching signals using a smart channel tuner list according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Blocks  7301 ,  7302 ,  7304 , and  7310  may contain circuitry similar to circuitry described above in blocks  7201 ,  7202 ,  7204 , and  7210 , respectively. In this embodiment, the circuitry  7304  for determining the value for the one channel of the plural second channels may include circuitry  7309  for determining a ratio of the number of channel switches from the first channel to the one channel to a total number of channel switches from the first channel to any other channel over a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be approximately one half hour, approximately one hour, approximately one day, less than or equal to one week, or more than one week. Alternatively, the predetermined time period may correspond to a predetermined time slot where the predetermined time slot recurs on a daily basis and/or recurs on a weekly basis. 
     In a further embodiment, the system  7300  may include circuitry  7305  for creating a smart channel tuner list as a function of the channel switching information. Another embodiment may also include a first tuner  7311   a  for accessing the first channel and a second tuner  7311   b  for accessing one of the plural second channels. Still another embodiment may also include a first decoder  7312   a  for presenting the first channel on the content provider and a second decoder  7312   b  for decoding one of the plural second channels. The first and second tuners and the first and second decoders may be typical prior art tuners and decoders, as are known in the art. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalents, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.