# US 8,782,703 B2 · System and method for picture-in-picture assisted time-adaptive surfing for a content presentation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,782,703 B2 - Document ID: US8782703B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/812,782 - Filed: 2007-06-21 - Published: 2008-12-25 - Granted: 2014-07-15 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-21 - Assignees: Imagine Communications Corp. - Applicants: Edward R. Beadle; John L. DeLay - Inventors: Edward R. Beadle; John L. DeLay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782703B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/4221: {Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext} - H04N 21/4316: {for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window} - H04N 21/4532: {involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences (monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18)} - H04N 21/47: End-user applications - H04N 21/482: End-user interface for programme selection - H04N 5/45: Picture in picture {, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Systems and/or methods are disclosed herein to identify a user interacting with a content presentation system, adaptively learn, in a passive manner, a user's pattern of accessing content over time, and globally store the user's identifying and use information. Specifically, disclosed are systems and/or methods for switching from a first signal provided to a second signal, including identifying a user of a first content presentation system, creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of plural signals, where the preferred channel list is created based on the identity of the user and based on channel use information for the user during a recurring first time period, presenting substantially simultaneously to the user 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: (a) identifying a user of a first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; (b) creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; (c) presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and (d) switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame wherein the determining of said identity of said user comprises: (a)(i) providing a first portable device to interact with said first content presentation system, wherein said first portable device includes a first actuator which is operable by said user for interacting with said first content presentation system via said first portable device, and wherein said first actuator obtains biometric information from said user; (a)(ii) operating said first actuator by said user; (a)(iii) obtaining biometric information from said user via said first actuator; and (a)(iv) providing the obtained biometric information to said content provider, presenting on said first content presentation system said first preferred channel list contemporaneous with the non-successive recurring first time period. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining at said content provider said identification of said user based on the provided biometric information. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein determining said identification of said user includes comparing said provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising: transmitting a signal from said content provider based at least on said provided biometric information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the creating said first preferred channel list comprises: (b)(i) collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user's interaction with said first content presentation system; (b)(ii) storing the channel use information; (b)(iii) determining a value for each of said plural channels as a function of the channel use information; and (b)(iv) creating said first preferred channel list for said plural channels as a function of the determined value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: (e) creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of said user and based on previously determined information for said user wherein said information is determined for a non-successive recurring second time period, said second time period being distinct from said first time period; (f) associating said second preferred channel list with a first actuator operable by said user for interacting with said first content presentation system; and (g) operating said first actuator to thereby switch said first content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by said content provider to presenting a fourth signal provided by said content provider. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein said first and said third signals are the same. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein said second and said fourth signals are the same. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said content presentation system is selected from the group consisting of: a television, an internet-connected device, a portable entertainment device, a device having a video screen, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein said content presentation system includes a video display screen wherein said first frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said second frame comprises a picture-in-picture display. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said third frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein said first frame is not displayed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said content presentation system includes a video display screen wherein each signal of said select ones of plural signals is displayed in a separate frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein a resolution of said first signal presented in said first frame is greater than a resolution of said second signal presented in said second frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said first signal includes a video component and an associated audio component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein said second signal includes a video component and an associated audio component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein said audio component of said second signal is muted when said second signal is presented in said second frame. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein if said second signal comprises advertising content during a time when said second signal is presented in said second frame, a saved version of said second signal comprising nonadvertising content is displayed in said second frame and a color of said second frame is a predetermined color. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said content provider is selected from the group consisting of: 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said channel information comprises at least one of a channel number and a network identifier. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said channel information includes a brief description of an entertainment program. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said channel use information includes information selected from the group consisting of: a channel number of a first one of said plural signals, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of said plural signals to the user, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said content presentation system is selected from the group consisting 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. ### Claim 25 A method for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: (a) identifying a user of a first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; (b) creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; (c) presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and (d) switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame; wherein during every instance said second signal comprises advertising content during a time when said second signal is presented in said second frame, said second signal is not displayed and said second frame displays a screen of a uniform color. ### Claim 26 A method for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: (a) identifying, in the content provider, a user of a first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; (b) creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; (c) presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and (d) switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame; wherein said recurring first time period is a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration, presenting on said content presentation system said first preferred channel list contemporaneous with the non-successive recurring first time period. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26 wherein said recurring first time period occurs at the same time of day for a plurality of days. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26 wherein said recurring first time period occurs at the same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks. ### Claim 29 A system for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: a first content presentation system; circuitry for determining an identity of a user of said first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; circuitry for creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; circuitry for presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and circuitry for switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame; circuitry for presenting on said first content presentation system said first preferred channel list contemporaneous with the non-successive recurring first time period; wherein said circuitry for determining said identity of said user comprises: a first portable device including a first actuator which is operable by said user for interacting with said first content presentation system, and wherein said first actuator obtains biometric information from said user; circuitry for obtaining biometric information from said user via said first actuator; and, circuitry for providing the obtained biometric information to said content provider. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 further comprising: circuitry for determining at said content provider said identification of said user based on the provided biometric information. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The system of claim 30 wherein said circuitry for determining said identification of said user includes circuitry for comparing said provided biometric information with a pre-existing database of biometric information. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The system of claim 31 further comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a signal from said content provider based at least on said provided biometric information. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said circuitry for creating said first preferred channel list comprises: circuitry for collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user's interaction with said first content presentation system; a memory device for storing the channel use information; circuitry for determining a value for each of said plural channels as a function of the channel use information; and circuitry for creating said first preferred channel list for said plural channels as a function of the determined value. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 further comprising: circuitry for creating a second preferred channel list based on the identity of said user and based on previously determined information for said user wherein said information is determined for a non-successive recurring second time period; said second time period being distinct from said first time period; a first portable device including a first actuator which is operable by said user for interacting with said first content presentation system; and circuitry for associating said second preferred channel list with said first actuator operable by said user for interacting with said first content presentation system, wherein operating said first actuator switches said first content presentation system from presenting a third signal provided by said content provider to presenting a fourth signal provided by said content provider. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The system of claim 34 wherein said first and said third signals are the same. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The system of claim 35 wherein said second and said fourth signals are the same. ### Claim 37 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said content presentation system is selected from the group consisting of: a television, an internet-connected device, a portable entertainment device, a device having a video screen, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The system of claim 37 wherein said content presentation system includes a video display screen wherein said first frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38 wherein said second frame comprises a picture-in-picture display. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38 wherein said third frame is substantially the same size as the video display screen. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said first frame is not displayed. ### Claim 42 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said content presentation system includes a video display screen wherein each signal of said select ones of plural signals is displayed in a separate frame. ### Claim 43 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein a resolution of said first signal presented in said first frame is greater than a resolution of said second signal presented in said second frame. ### Claim 44 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said first signal includes a video component and an associated audio component. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The system of claim 44 wherein said second signal includes a video component and an associated audio component. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said audio component of said second signal is muted when said second signal is presented in said second frame. ### Claim 47 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein if said second signal comprises advertising content during a time when said second signal is presented in said second frame, a saved version of said second signal comprising nonadvertising content is displayed in said second frame and a color of said second frame is a predetermined color. ### Claim 48 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said content provider is selected from the group consisting of: 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. ### Claim 49 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said channel information comprises at least one of a channel number and a network identifier. ### Claim 50 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said channel information includes a brief description of an entertainment program. ### Claim 51 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said channel use information includes information selected from the group consisting of: a channel number of a first one of said plural signals, a time of initiating a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a date of initiating a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a duration of a presentation of content associated with said first signal to the user; a total duration of a presentation of content associated with each of said plural signals to the user, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 52 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said content presentation system is selected from the group consisting 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. ### Claim 53 A system for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: a first content presentation system; circuitry for determining an identity of a user of said first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; circuitry for creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; circuitry for presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and circuitry for switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame wherein during every instance said second signal comprises advertising content during a time when said second signal is presented in said second frame, said second signal is not displayed and said second frame displays a screen of a uniform color. ### Claim 54 A system for switching from a first signal provided by a content provider to a second signal provided by the content provider, comprising: a first content presentation system; circuitry for determining an identity of a user of said first content presentation system that is operatively connected to said content provider, wherein said content provider provides a plurality of signals to said first content presentation system; circuitry for creating a first preferred channel list which includes channel information for each of select ones of said plural signals, wherein said preferred channel list is created based on the identity of said user and based on channel use information for said user during a non-successive recurring first time period; circuitry for presenting substantially simultaneously to said user via said first content presentation system a first signal of said select ones of plural signals in a first frame and a second signal of said select ones of plural signals in a second frame, wherein said first frame is larger than said second frame; and circuitry for switching said content presentation system so that said second signal is presented in a third frame that is larger than said second frame; wherein said recurring first time period is a time period of one half hour duration or one hour duration: circuitry for presenting on said first content presentation system said first preferred channel list contemporaneous with the non-successive recurring first time period. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The system of claim 54 wherein said recurring first time period occurs at the same time of day for a plurality of days. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The system of claim 54 wherein said recurring first time period occurs at the same time of day on the same day of the week for a plurality of weeks.