Method and apparatus for automatically configuring a system based on a user's monitored system interaction and preferred system access times

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, designed to be executed by a processor, for implementing a function to:

• update a user profile corresponding to a user based at least in part on monitored user interaction with a system;
• identify preferred system access times of the user based at least in part on the user profile;
• automatically configure the system based at least in part on the user profile and the user's preferred system access times;
• detect a plurality of corresponding time periods during which a programming device is recording a source;
• identify that the recording device has not been programmed to record the source during a first time period which corresponds to the plurality of corresponding time periods;
• and
• prompt a user as to whether the user wishes to record the source during the first time period.

An apparatus for use in a system, the apparatus comprising:

• a user profile database which stores information corresponding to a user's system usage;
• a usage monitor to update the user profile based at least in part on monitored user interaction with the system;
• a customization module to identify preferred system access times of the user based at least in part on the user profile, and to automatically configure the system based at least in part on the user profile and the user's preferred system access times;
• and
• a recording module operative to,
• detect a plurality of corresponding time periods during which a programming device is recording a source,
• identify that the recording device has not been programmed to record the source during a first time period which corresponds to the plurality of corresponding time periods, and
• prompt a user as to whether the user wishes to record the source during the first time period.