Method and apparatus for finding and updating user group preferences in an entertainment system

An entertainment system, comprising:

• a. at least one entertainment system component providing programming available to at least one user, the programming being received via at least one input to the entertainment system component;
• b. a persistent data store having a plurality of storage locations to store user preference data for a corresponding plurality of entertainment system user groups, wherein at least one unique storage location is dedicated to store the user preference data for a unique corresponding system user group;
• and
• c. a profile processor, operatively in communication with the at least one entertainment system component, the persistent data store, and a user group detection system, the profile processor programmed to:
• i. automatically detect which user group of the plurality of entertainment system user groups are currently within a predefined viewing area;
• ii. automatically create a user group profile based on the user preference data for the user group currently detected within the predefined viewing area;
• and
• iii. dynamically adjust operating parameters for the entertainment system in response to the user group profile.

A method for creating a user group profile for a user group comprising a plurality of users, the method comprising:

• a. automatically detecting which of a plurality of users are currently within a predetermined viewing area;
• b. determining an identity of a user group consisting of the detected plurality of users;
• c. for the identified user group,
• i. comparing the identified user group's identity against a first predetermined portion of user group data stored in a persistent data store;
• and
• ii. retrieving a second predetermined portion of user group data from the persistent data store for the identified user group;
• and
• d. generating a user group profile from each of the second predetermined portions of user data.

In an entertainment system including a program processor operatively connected to a persistent data store, a program output device, an audio input device, a user detection device, and a video input device, a method for automatically configuring the entertainment system for a plurality of identified system users, the method comprising:

• a. detecting which users are currently within a predetermined viewing area;
• b. determining a detected user group consisting of the detected users;
• c. determining an identified user group from the detected user group, the identified user group having user preference data stored from the detected user group in the persistent data store;
• d. retrieving the user preference data corresponding to the identified user group from the persistent data store;
• e. creating a user group profile using the retrieved user preference data;
• f. scanning programming information for available entertainment options which match the user group profile within a predetermined range of matching values;
• and
• g. adjusting the entertainment system in accordance with the user group profile and available entertainment options.