Patent Abstract:
Suggestions for content are based on either designation by or a habit of a user. Favored genres of content are determined at different times of day. Should content be requested at a particular time of day for which no favored genre of content is determined, then one of the known favored genres of content is suggested.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/848,081 filed Mar. 21, 2013 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,221, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/955,217 filed Sep. 19, 2001 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,688, with both applications incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to entertainment systems, and more particularly, to a system and method for generating a television (TV) programming guide. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     With cable and satellite TV technologies, a TV set can receive broadcast signals through hundreds of channels. A TV set “tunes in” to a channel selected by a viewer. For TV sets that have two tuners, a viewer can see a first program of a first channel in the monitor and a second program of a second channel in a smaller “window” within the same monitor. Each tuner is typically controlled by the viewer using a remote control unit. 
     “Channel surfing” involves a viewer tuning in to a first channel, quickly determining whether he or she wishes to watch the program of the first channel, and tuning in to a second channel. The process repeats for additional channels. With hundreds of channels available for surfing, it can take the viewer a long time to find a desirable program. Channel surfing is often performed by the user by repeatedly pressing one of the “Channel Up” and the “Channel Down” buttons on the remote control unit. 
     Recognizing that channel surfing is time consuming, a number of solutions have been offered by TV set manufacturers. One solution is to make the remote control unit programmable. A user of a programmable remote control unit can designate certain channels as his or her “favorite” or “frequently watched” channels. One example of this solution is to program the “Channel Up” button and the “Channel Down” button so that when one of them is pressed, only those channels previously designated as “favorite” will be tuned in. For example, when a viewer presses the “Channel Up” button repeatedly, instead of sequentially tuning in to Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc., the solution enables to viewer to scan only Channels 2, 4, and 7, assuming that these three channels have been designated by the viewer to be his “favorite” or “frequently watched” channels. 
     Additional efforts have been made to help viewers navigate through hundreds of TV channels without requiring them to affirmatively program the remote control unit or the TV set itself. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,865 issued to Amano et al. (“The Amano Patent”) on Dec. 17, 1996, discloses a “television broadcast receiver which selects programs by genre and past viewing habits.” When an Amano receiver receives a genre code from a user, the receiver tunes in the channel that has a past record of highest frequency of reception among all channels that are associated with the genre code. The Amano Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,444 issued to Yoshinobu (“The Yoshinobu Patent”) on May 31, 1998, discloses a “broadcast receiving apparatus that automatically records frequency [sic] watched programs.” The Yoshinobu apparatus automatically records a user&#39;s frequently tuned in programming when the user is not watching the programming at the day and time when the user is expected to tune in to the channel. The Yoshinobu Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,988 issued to Williams et al. (“The Williams Patent”) on Aug. 31, 1999, discloses a “method and apparatus for automatically determining and dynamically updating user preferences in an entertainment system.” The Williams invention monitors a user&#39;s interaction with an entertainment system. Based on the interaction, the invention can automatically determine which of a plurality of users is currently using the entertainment system. The Williams Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,009 issued to Ohkura et al. (“The Ohkura Patent”) on Oct. 3, 2000, discloses a “Program guide controller.” In this invention, programs of high viewing frequency of a user are automatically registered, permitting registered programs to be included in genre information. The Ohkura Patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for generating a broadcast programming guide. One embodiment of the present invention is a broadcast signals receiver that contains a tuner, a microcomputer, a memory, and an output device. The tuner is adapted to select a specific channel out of many that are broadcast by stations. The microcomputer is adapted to monitor activities of the tuner. The microcomputer stores the result of monitoring in the memory. After a suitable time period of monitoring, the microcomputer generates a programming guide based at least in part on the result. Preferably, the programming guide contains programming information obtained from one or more external sources. After the programming guide is generated and when the receiver is powered on or when the programming guide is requested by a user of the receiver, the programming guide is reproduced on the output device. Reproduction can be an audio output by a speaker or a video display by a monitor, or both, depending on the type of output device equipped with the receiver. 
     One method for generating the programming guide involves the following steps. First, one or more favorite channels are recognized by the receiver based on how the tuner has been controlled by a user over a predetermined period of time. In other words, the habit of the user during that time period is interpreted by the microcomputer to determine which are his or her favorite channels. Alternatively, the user may designate the favorite channels by directly inputting them in the memory of the receiver. 
     Second, the microcomputer of a preferred embodiment, via a modem, retrieves programming information for the favorite channels from one or more external sources. The external sources may be, for example, host computers or web sites of broadcast stations or other entities that provide broadcast programming information. Third, the microcomputer generates a programming guide based on the favorite channels and the programming information. Finally, the programming guide is reproduced by an output device of the receiver when the receiver is powered on or when the programming guide is requested by the user. 
     In one embodiment in which the present invention is incorporated in a TV set that has access to multiple channels, the invention can generate a short list of suggested channels for the television user. In one specific implementation of the present invention, the viewer&#39;s habit for using the television can be used to cull a list of suggested channels out of a substantially larger number of available channels. For example, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, after the viewer has used his television set for a period of, e.g., three weeks, the short list can comprise four suggested channels out of 400 available channels. The first two suggested channels may be, for example, the viewer&#39;s most frequently watched channels. Each of the next two suggested channels may be, for example, a channel similar to one of the first two channels, but that which has not been tuned in by the viewer in the past. A number of criteria can be used to generate the list of suggested channels. 
     Accordingly, none of the prior art references, standing alone or in combination, teaches a system and method that would provide a user of a TV set, or other broadcast program receivers, a customized programming guide in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in generating a programming guide in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in dynamically generating a programming guide in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating receiver  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that receiver  100  can be a TV set, a radio receiver, a video cassette recorder, a cable TV or satellite TV set top box, or other similar devices that can receive and process broadcast signals in multiple channels. For discussion purposes, the exemplary receiver depicted in  FIG. 1  is a TV set. 
     Antenna  102  of receiver  100  is adapted to receive broadcast signals  101  that are transmitted by one or more TV stations (not shown). Antenna  102  supplies broadcast signals  101  to tuner  104 . Amplifier  106 , audio signal processor  110 , and video signal processor  120  process these signals for output by speaker  114  and for display on monitor  124 . One or more of the patents that have been incorporated by reference disclose a system and method for receiving and reproducing broadcast signals. 
     For cable TV programming, tuner  104  can be adapted to received broadcast signals  101  from a cable TV programs provider via a cable (not shown). Similarly, for satellite TV programming, tuner  104  can be adapted to receive broadcast signals  101  from a satellite through a satellite dish and a cable (not shown). 
     Microcomputer  130  is in communication with tuner  104 . Microcomputer  130  can process information related to tuner  104  and store the information in memory  132 . In addition, microcomputer  130  can retrieve the information from memory  132  to operate or control tuner  104 . 
     Microcomputer  130  is in communication with user signal receiver  140 . User signal receiver  140  is adapted to receive user signals  141  comprising a user&#39;s input. For example, in one embodiment, user signal receiver  140  can be a remote control signal receiver that is adapted to receive a signal generated by a remote control unit (not shown). In another embodiment, user signal receiver  140  can be adapted to receive electrical or electronic signals generated by the user using other methods. For example, user signal receiver  140  can be adapted to receiver user signals  141  from an input device (not shown) connected to receiver  100 . The input device may be a keyboard, a mouse, a track ball, or another similar device. User signals  141  received from the user can also be stored in memory  132 . 
     Microcomputer  130  is also in communication with character generator  150  and sound generator  160 . Character generator  150  can be instructed by microcomputer  130  to generate characters. The characters generated can then be added to a video signal by adder  152  for display on monitor  124  or another output device. Similarly, sound generator  160  can be instructed by microcomputer  130  to generate sound to be mixed by adder  162  for output by speaker  114 . Speaker  114  and monitor  124  are two types of output devices. An audio switch (not shown) and a video switch (not shown) that are controlled by microcomputer  130  can be used to select whether outputs of sound generator  160  and character generator  150  should be reproduced by speaker  114  and monitor  124 , respectively. 
     Furthermore, microcomputer  130  can be adapted to receive information from a number of external sources. For example, microcomputer  130  can be adapted to have access to computer network  190 . Preferably, computer network  190  is the Internet, from which microcomputer  130  can obtain specific information as explained below. In other embodiments, computer network  190  can be a local area network or a wide area network. For example, information available at external sources  182  can be obtained by microcomputer  130  via modem  170  and computer network  190 . External sources  182  can be, for example, host computers or web sites associated with broadcast stations. External sources  182  may also be other entities that provide programming information for broadcast signal receivers. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in generating a programming guide for a TV set in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     In optional step  202 , memory  132  of receiver  100  is preloaded with preliminary channel information. The preliminary channel information can be supplied by a manufacturer or vendor of receiver  100 . For example, if receiver  100  is designed for a user or purchaser in a specific geographic market, memory  132  may be preloaded with information related to broadcast programs that are receivable by receiver  100  in that market. In one specific implementation of the present invention, for example, the preliminary channel information stored in memory  132  can include the information shown in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Preliminary Channel Information 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Channel 
                 Station 
                 Network Address 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 14 
                 WNBC 
                 www.wnbc.com 
               
               
                 17 
                 WABC 
                 www.wabc.com 
               
               
                 19 
                 WCBS 
                 www.wnbc.com 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Information contained in the left column of Table 1 represents the numeric channel designations that are associated with specific broadcast frequencies. In Table 1 shown above, for example, Channels 14, 17, and 19 are associated with Stations WNBC, WABC, and WCBS, respectively, as indicated in the middle column. Each of these stations is also associated with a network address, which is shown in the right column of Table 1. In an example in which computer network  190  uses TCP/IP, the network addresses for the stations can be uniform resource locators (URL). It is noted that Table 1 can contain information related to hundreds of channels. 
     Step  202  is optional. However, regardless of whether memory  132  has been preloaded with the preliminary channel information in step  202 , at the start of the process memory  132  does not contain any user specific information. 
     In step  204 , when a user brings home the TV set, the user can decide whether or not to supplement memory  132  with user-specific information. The supplemental user-specific information may comprise, for example, a short list of the user&#39;s favorite channels. For example, as the user channel surfs, the user may designate one or more channels as his or her favorite channels. Designation of favorite channels may be accomplished by pressing a specific button on the TV set or its remote control unit. For illustration purposes, assume that memory  132  were preloaded with Table 1 above. In addition, assume further than the user adopts two of the channels in Table 1 as his or her favorite channels, and the user designates two additional channels as his or her favorite channels. As explained below in a different embodiment (see  FIG. 3 ) of the present invention, designation of the user&#39;s favorite channels can be done dynamically. 
     In step  206 , receiver  100  stores the data created in step  204  in memory  132 . At the conclusion of step  206 , Table 1 may be modified or updated based on the example and assumption discussed above, to become Table 2 shown below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User-Specific Channels 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Channel 
                 Station 
                 Network Address 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 14 
                 WNBC 
                 www.wnbc.com 
               
               
                 17 
                 WABC 
                 www.wabc.com 
               
               
                 21 
                 WGAM 
                 www.sportngames.com 
               
               
                 23 
                 WPUB 
                 www.localpbs.com 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In step  208 , microcomputer  130  retrieves programming schedule for each channel listed in Table 2. The programming schedules may be retrieved from memory  132  or directly from external sources  182 . 
     Preferably, once a day and at a specific time of the day, for example, at 12:01 am (or at other time), microcomputer  130 , in step  252 , reviews data in memory  132  to determine what information it has and what additional details it needs from external sources  182 . 
     In step  254 , microcomputer  130  establishes a data communication session with computer network  190  via modem  170 . The data communication session may be accomplished in one of several ways. For example, the session may be established using a conventional telephone line, a digital subscriber line, or other known methods. 
     During the data communication session, in step  256 , microcomputer  130  contacts external sources  182  that are associated with the stations listed in Table 2. External sources  182  can be one or more host computers or web sites of the stations listed in Table 2. External sources  182  may also be associated with an entity that provides broadcast programming guides for a plurality of broadcast stations including those listed in Table 2. 
     In step  258 , microcomputer  130  obtains daily programming schedules from external sources  182 . In step  260 , microcomputer  130  updates memory  132  with the daily programming schedules obtained in step  258 . 
     It is noted that steps  252  through  260  may be optional, they may be performed more than once for a particular day, or they may be performed once every few days. 
     In step  210 , information obtained in step  208  can be used by receiver  100  to generate a programming guide or a channel guide. Table 3 below is one example of a programming guide. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User-Specific Programming guide 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Channel 
                 7 pm 
                 8 pm 
                 9 pm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 14 
                 Movie 
                 News 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 17 
                 Sitcom 
                 Talk Show 
                 News 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 Tennis 
                 Golf 
                 Football 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 History 
                 Biography 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 3 shown above represents one of many different ways that can be used to organize the information generated in step  210 . As shown above, the guide shows the programming of the user&#39;s favorite channels for a three-hours period when receiver  100  is expected to be powered on. If the user were to receive the guide at 9 pm, however, the guide might appear as Table 4. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User-Specific Programming guide 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Channel 
                 9 pm 
                 10 pm 
                 11 pm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 News 
                 Travel Guide 
                 Talk Show 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 17 
                 News 
                 Movies 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 21 
                 Football 
                 Hockey 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 23 
                 Biography 
                 Home &amp; Garden Show 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     It is noted that Tables 3 and 4 can be presented in different formats. For example, the user-specific programming guide can contain scheduling information for more than three hours. In another example, the user-specific programming guide can be scrolled down automatically or by the user to reveal more information. Note that the user-specific programming guide, such as that shown in Table 3 or Table 4, is significantly shorter than a typical programming guide that takes a long time to browse. 
     In step  212 , memory  132  is updated with information generated in step  210 . 
     In accordance with the embodiment shown above, each time the user powers on receiver  100  after step  212  or otherwise requests a programming guide, depending on the time of day, a variation of Table 3 or Table 4 would appear. The user can then select one of the channels that appears on the suggested list. In the specific example described above, the invention allows the user to browse his or her specific programming guide that comprises four favorite channels, effectively avoiding browsing information related to hundreds of other channels that are not of interest to the user. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involving in dynamically generating a TV programming guide for a user. In this embodiment, microcomputer  130  is adapted to monitor the activities of tuner  104 . 
     In optional step  302 , as in step  202 , memory  132  of receiver  100  can be preloaded with preliminary channel information. 
     In step  304 , as the user tunes in to different channels using tuner  104  at different times, microcomputer  130  stores in memory  132  information related to how tuner  104  is used or controlled by the user. For example, the information can be related to which channel was tuned in, for how long, and on what day. 
     In step  306 , receiver  100 , through microcomputer  130 , memory  132 , and tuner  104  monitors the user&#39;s interaction with respect to, for example, what channels the user tunes in, at what time, and on what day. After a suitable amount of time specified in step  306  has passed, receiver  100  can use the information collected in steps  304 - 306  to generate a programming guide and store it in memory  132 . The amount of time can be, for example, two weeks. The amount of time can also be longer, for example, four weeks. 
     In one specific instance, assume that the user, for a period of four weeks, consistently tunes in to channel 26 between the hours of 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. In this example, microcomputer  130  may be adapted to interpret that each time the user powers on receiver  100  between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm on a week night, the user would want to view the program being broadcast on channel 26. Accordingly, it may be said that the user has a habit of viewing the program on channel 26 every weekday within that 30 minute time period. Similarly, further assume that the same or a different user consistently tunes in to Channel 7 on weekdays between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. In that respect, if receiver  100  is powered on during that time period on a weekday, receiver  100  assumes that the user would want to tune in to channel 7. 
     Accordingly, in step  308 , microcomputer  130  may create a new table and store the table in memory  132 . The new table may comprise, for example, information shown in Table 5 below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User&#39;s Viewing Habits 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Day of Week 
                 Time of Day 
                 Channel 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 
                 7 
               
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm 
                 26 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Thus, each time the user powers on receiver  100  or otherwise requests for a programming guide after step  308 , a user-specific programming guide can be provided based on information stored in memory  132 . For example, when the user powers on receiver  100 , Table 6 below may appear on monitor  124  as follows. 
     
       
         
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 User-Specific Programming guide 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Please Pick One of Your Favorite Channels 
               
               
                  7 
               
               
                 26 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 6 may be presented in different ways. For example, Table 7 may be presented when receiver  100  is powered on at 2:50 pm on a weekday. 
     
       
         
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Programming guide on Weekdays 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Your Favorite Programs Are Scheduled to Be Broadcast 
               
               
                 At 3 pm on Channel 7 
               
               
                 At 6:30 pm on Channel 26 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In addition, microcomputer  130  may be programmed to tune in to the user&#39;s favorite channel directly, without offering the programming guide first. For example, if the user were to power on receiver  100  between 3 pm and 4 pm, microcomputer  130  tunes in to Channel 7 directly without providing any programming guide. 
     Table 8 represents an exemplary programming guide that can be displayed on monitor  124  when receiver  100  is powered on or when the programming guide is requested at a time when there is no favorite channel available. For example, no favorite channels for the users have been established for Saturdays and Sundays. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Programming guide on Weekends 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Your Favorite Channels Are 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Channel 7 
                 For weekdays between 3 and 4 pm 
               
               
                   
                 Channel 26 
                 For weekdays between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm 
               
             
          
           
               
                 May We Also Suggest 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Channel 107 
                 Which broadcasts programs similar to that you  
               
               
                   
                   
                 like on Channel 7 
               
               
                   
                 Channel 126 
                 Which is affiliated with Channel 26 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 8 contains a list of four channels, two of which were a product of steps  304  through  308 . Specifically, channels 7 and 26 are included in Table 8 based on information collected in steps  304  through  308 . Channels 107 and 126 may be created, for example, in steps  310  through  314  described below. 
     In step  310 , microcomputer  130  can be adapted to obtain additional information related to a habit of the user that was established in steps  304 - 308 . The additional information can be obtained, for example, from external sources that are accessible via computer network  190 . For example, from one or more external sources  182  via computer network  190 , microcomputer  130  can obtain specific information about the favorite programs of the user. Specifically, from an external source that is associated with Channel 7, it may be determined that Channel 7 broadcasts a popular soap opera between the hours of 3 pm and 4 pm on weekdays. Similarly, through the same or a different external source, it may be determined that Channel 26 broadcasts financial news on weekdays from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Table 9 is an example of how such information may be stored in memory  132 . The similar and additional information may also be derived from broadcast signals  101  through a filter or splitter (not shown) of receiver  100 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Additional Information of Favorite Channels 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Day of Week 
                 Time of Day 
                 Channel 
                 Genre 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 
                 7 
                 Soap Opera 
               
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm 
                 26 
                 Financial News 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In step  312 , based on the information obtained in step  310 , microcomputer  130  can be adapted to access the same or other external sources via computer network  190  for similar programs. For example, it may be determined that Channel 107 broadcasts old episodes of various soap operas all day long everyday. Similarly, it may be determined that Channel 126 is affiliated with Channel 26 and specializes in financial news reporting. Table 10 is an exemplary format of how such additional information may be organized in memory  132 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Additional Channels Similar to Favorite Channels 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Favorite Channel 
                 Genre 
                 Also Suggest 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Channel 17 
                 Soap Opera 
                 Channel 107 
               
               
                 Channel 26 
                 Financial News 
                 Channel 126 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In step  314 , memory  132  is updated by microcomputer  130  with the information obtained and processed in steps  310  through  312 . It is noted that each of the favorite channels can have more than one suggested channel associated with it. 
     Optionally, microcomputer  130  can be adapted to obtain additional information from the user in step  313 . For example, the user can input his or her name in step  313 . Memory  132  can be updated in step  314 , resulting in, for example, Table 11 below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Programming Guide for Smith Family 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Day of  
                 Time of 
                   
                 Type of 
                   
               
               
                 Week 
                 Day 
                 Channel 
                 Content 
                 User 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 
                 7 
                 Soap  
                 Gary  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Opera 
                 Smith 
               
               
                 Monday-Friday 
                 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm 
                 26 
                 Business  
                 Tammy  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 News 
                 Smith 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using one embodiment of the present invention. 
     In step  402 , receiver  100  is powered on. 
     In step  404 , microcomputer  130  reviews the information contained in memory  132 . 
     In step  406 , microcomputer  130  instructs tuner  104  to display a programming guide as discussed above or tune in to a default channel. The default channel can be one of several channels, as specified by the manufacturer or by the user. The default channel can be, for example, the last channel tuned in to during the previous viewing session. The default channel may be, alternatively, the most frequently tuned in channel at that time and day. In step  406 , one of the tables shown above, or a variation thereof, may be displayed on monitor  124  as a short list of suggested channels. 
     In step  408 , receiver  100  stays tuned to the channel previously selected unless the user interrupts in step  410 . 
     In step  410 , the user may interrupt by doing one of several things. First, the user may press a specific button to tune in a specific channel associated with the specific button. Second, the user may press the “channel up” or the “channel down” button to view a different channel. If the user interrupts, the process goes to step  412 ; otherwise, the process goes to step  416 . 
     In step  412 , microcomputer  130  tunes in to the channel selected by the user in step  410 . In step  414 , unless receiver  100  is powered off, the process returns to step  408 . 
     In step  416 , microprocessor  130  continues to review the contents of memory  132 . If it is time for a favorite program, microprocessor  130  notifies the user in step  422 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to step  418  and stays tuned in to the channel. Depending on whether receiver  100  is powered off in step  420 , the process returns to step  408  or ends. 
     In step  422 , after determining in step  416  that a favorite program is about to start, microprocessor  130  notifies the user that it is time for a favorite program. Microprocessor  130  can be adapted to notify the user in one of several ways. For example, a pop-up window may come up to notify the user that a favorite program is about to be broadcast in another channel. Alternatively, microprocessor  130  can run a banner across the screen to notify the user. Still, sound generator  160 , adder  162 , and speaker  114  can be used to notify the user by sound. 
     In step  424 , microcomputer  130  awaits the user&#39;s respond to the notification. If the user agrees to switch, the process goes to step  426 , otherwise, the process goes to step  408 . 
     In step  426 , microcomputer  130  tunes in to the favorite channel. When the program of the favorite channel has concluded, the process returns to step  408 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention. 
     In step  502 , receiver  300  is powered on. 
     In step  504 , microcomputer  130  determines identity of the user. This step can be preformed using any known methods, including those disclosed in the patents incorporated by reference. 
     In step  506 , microcomputer  130  reviews the information related to the user in memory  132 . 
     In step  508 , microcomputer  130  suggests a number of favorite channels that are specific to the user. For example, if the user is Gary Smith, then only Gary&#39;s favorite channels would be suggested by receiver  100 . Preferably, the number is between about three and about five channels. The list of suggested channels (the programming guide) can be based on the frequency of the channels viewed within, for example, the previous two weeks. The programming guide can also be generated using other method and criteria. 
     In step  510 , if the user picks one of the suggested channels, the process goes to step  512 . If the user does not pick any of the channels, the process goes to step  518 . 
     In step  512 , microcomputer  130  receives the response and instructs tuner  104  to tune in to the channel selected by the user in step  510 . 
     In step  514 , receiver  100  stays tuned to the channel. 
     In step  516 , unless receiver  100  is powered off, the process goes to step  524 . 
     In step  518 , microcomputer  100  instructs tuner  104  to tune in to one of the favorite channels on the programming guide. Tuner  104  may tune in to the channel that has the most frequency of viewing in the past. 
     In step  520 , if the user disagrees with the selection, the process goes to step  510 . If the user agrees with or does not object to the selection in step  520 , the process goes to step  522 . 
     In step  522 , receiver  100  stays tuned to the channel tuned in step  518 . 
     In step  524 , microcomputer  130  determines whether there is an overriding factor. An overriding factor can be, for example, a show time for another favorite channel has arrived, and if so, the process returns to step  518 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using another embodiment of the present invention. The steps involved in  FIG. 6  is generally same as those corresponding steps discussed above in  FIG. 5 . In step  604 , however, instead of determining the identity of the user as was done in step  504 , the current day and time is determined. The current day and time is then used to generate the programming guide. In step  608 , for example, the programming guide may comprise a list of programs associated with favorite channels that are being broadcast or are about to be broadcast within three hours (e.g., see one of Tables 3 and 4). 
     In describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of exemplary steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7