Method and apparatus for automatically determining and dynamically updating user preferences in an entertainment system

An entertainment system, the entertainment system comprising:

• at least one entertainment system component providing programming received via at least one input;
• a storage medium having a plurality of storage locations to store user preference information for up to a corresponding plurality of entertainment system users, wherein a storage location is dedicated to store the user preference information for a corresponding system user;
• and
• a processor, communicatively coupled to the at least one entertainment system component and the storage medium, to monitor user interaction with the entertainment system, automatically detect which user of the plurality of entertainment system users is currently using the entertainment system, and dynamically adjust operating parameters for the entertainment system in response to retrieved user preference information associated with the detected user.

A method for automatically detecting which user of a plurality of users is currently using an entertainment system, the method comprising:

• (a) monitoring the user's interaction with the entertainment system;
• (b) comparing the user's interaction with the entertainment system against stored user preferences for a plurality of known entertainment system users;
• and
• (c) selecting a user profile which most closely matches the user's interaction, based on the result of said step of comparing.

In an entertainment system including a system controller, a television/monitor, an audio input device and a video input device, a method for automatically configuring the entertainment system for an identified user of a plurality of system users, the method comprising:

• (a) determining which user from the plurality of system users is currently using the entertainment system;
• (b) retrieving user preference information corresponding to the determined user;
• (c) scanning programming information for available programming which matches one or more of the user preference information;
• and
• (d) adjusting the entertainment system in accordance with the user preference information and available programming.