Abstract: A method for displaying a TV program to a viewer, comprising receiving a plurality of TV programs, allowing the viewer to select one of the plurality of received TV programs for viewing, and responding to the viewer selection by controlling the programming displayed to the viewer in accordance with the viewer selection and with previously determined viewing preferences of the viewer. Controlling the programming displayed to the viewer may include displaying the viewer selected program and additional programs selected in accordance with the previously determined viewing preferences of the viewer. The additional programs may include advertisements.

Abstract: Television program availability and recordings are personalized by learning the program preferences of the TV and PDR user. This is effected over a period of time by observing, recording and processing user activity. A viewing record module agent (VRM) and a program information viewing history agent (CDM) are software agents that, according to built-in algorithms, operate on user activity and other events to ultimately produce preference profile information in special purpose relational databases (CDB, viewing history database).

Abstract: Channel lineup information in a television system is efficiently managed with an internal electronic program guide manager (IEM). The IEM creates and maintains an internal electronic program guide (EPG) information database for a user program preference determination engine (PDE), which is resident in a STB, DTV or PVR. The internal EPG data are for use by software agents of the PDE only. The external EPG is used for a graphical user interface display. First, external channel lineup information is received from an external program guide; from that, internal channel lineup information is generated that contains less information than the external channel lineup information, yet sufficient information to render the internal channel lineup information useful in the internal database management system; and the internal channel lineup information is updated upon receiving notification of a change to the external channel lineup information.

Abstract: A system residing preferably in a television set-top box monitors the television watching habits of one or more viewers and creates one or more profiles for each viewers descriptive of various characteristics of each viewers, including television watching preferences and demographics. The set-top box is able to select among various available video programming segments to create customized and/or targeted video programs for delivery to the viewer or viewers as a linear program. The customized linear video programs may include targeted content, advertising, and other video programming.

Abstract: A system for recording television programs for subsequent viewing by a user includes a preference determination module which is responsive to attribute information associated with television programs viewed by the user. The preference determination module categorizes the attribute information in accordance with categorization parameters to generate recordation preference information, indicative of television program viewing preferences of the user. The system also includes a recordation module which is responsive to the recordation preference information, for causing recordation on a storage medium of subsequently transmitted television programs, having attribute information corresponding to the recordation preference information.

Abstract: A method for displaying a TV program to a viewer, comprising receiving a plurality of TV programs, allowing the viewer to select one of the plurality of received TV programs for viewing, and responding to the viewer selection by controlling the programming displayed to the viewer in accordance with the viewer selection and with previously determined viewing preferences of the viewer. Controlling the programming displayed to the viewer may include displaying the viewer selected program and additional programs selected in accordance with the previously determined viewing preferences of the viewer. The additional programs may include advertisements.

Abstract: Television program availability and recordings are personalized by learning the program preferences of the TV and PDR user. This is effected over a period of time by observing, recording and processing user activity. A viewing record module agent (VRM) and a program information viewing history agent (CDM) are software agents that, according to built-in algorithms, operate on user activity and other events to ultimately produce preference profile information in special purpose relational databases (CDB, viewing history database).

Abstract: Channel lineup information in a television system is efficiently managed with an internal electronic program guide manager (IEM). The IEM creates and maintains an internal electronic program guide (EPG) information database for a user program preference determination engine (PDE), which is resident in a STB, DTV or PVR. The internal EPG data are for use by software agents of the PDE only. The external EPG is used for graphical user interface display. The IEM provides other software agents with various control interfaces to enable extraction of the program information from the IE database, for maintenance and to update changes.