WO2001093578A1 - System and method for displaying a personalized portal screen upon initiation of a viewing session - Google Patents

System and method for displaying a personalized portal screen upon initiation of a viewing session Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001093578A1
WO2001093578A1 PCT/US2001/017987 US0117987W WO0193578A1 WO 2001093578 A1 WO2001093578 A1 WO 2001093578A1 US 0117987 W US0117987 W US 0117987W WO 0193578 A1 WO0193578 A1 WO 0193578A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
viewer
portal
video display
control device
circuit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/017987
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Russell M. Krapf
Bradley S. Masters
Scott T. Hughes
Matthew W. Milne
Original Assignee
Keen Personal Media
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Keen Personal Media filed Critical Keen Personal Media
Priority to AU2001266682A priority Critical patent/AU2001266682A1/en
Publication of WO2001093578A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001093578A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4122Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices additional display device, e.g. video projector
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25891Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44213Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44218Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/482End-user interface for program selection
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76Television signal recording

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system for receiving and displaying video data. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for displaying video data that allow a viewer to personalize the display.
  • a conventional system for receiving and displaying video data includes a monitor or a television (TV) set connected to a set top box.
  • the set top box is connected through a coaxial cable to a cable TV network or a satellite dish for "satellite TV.”
  • the TV set and the set top box are located in a viewer's home or in a hotel room and receive a multitude of TV channels from a broadcast head end, wherein each TV channel has a multitude of programs during a typical day.
  • the viewer In order to select and watch a certain program the viewer usually uses a remote control to control at least the set top box to tune to a desired channel.
  • the TV set receives a video signal from the set top box and displays the program of the desired channel.
  • the viewer can activate the set top box and the TV set separately, or activate only the set top box, which then activates the TV set.
  • the set top box tunes to a default channel when the viewer turns the set top box on again.
  • the default channel may be the last channel the viewer watched during a previous viewing session, or a pre-selected channel tuned to a head end start-up channel, such as a welcome screen in a hotel room.
  • Other viewers may prefer leaving the set top box always on and turning only the TV set on and off.
  • the TV set displays as the default channel the last channel the viewer watched.
  • the viewers often expand the system by connecting a video recorder between the TV set and the set top box in order to overcome the rigid scheme according to which the programs are broadcast.
  • a viewer thus, can personalize television viewing by recording a program and watching it when it is convenient for the viewer.
  • the video recorder may be a digital video recorder that includes a hard disk drive with a storage capacity of between 10 GB and 30 GB for recording of up to 30 hours of television programming.
  • the present invention may be regarded as a control device for a video display.
  • the control device includes an output port configured to couple to a video display, a storage device to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences, an image generator and a circuit configured to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session.
  • the image generator is coupled to the storage device and generates a portal image to be displayed on the video display as a personalized portal screen.
  • the portal image is based upon the data stored on the storage device.
  • the circuit is associated with the image generator to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen.
  • the present invention may be regarded as a method of controlling a video display.
  • the method detects whether the viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • the method retrieves data representing a viewer's viewing preferences and uses this data to generate a portal image, which is displayed as a personalized portal screen on the video display upon detecting initiation of a viewing session.
  • the present invention may be regarded as a system for displaying video data on a display.
  • the system includes an input for broadcast video data including a plurality of channels and an output for a video signal and connectable to the display for displaying the video signal.
  • a channel tuner is coupled to the input for receiving the plurality of channels and provides a desired channel selected from the plurality channels to the output.
  • the system includes also a control device coupled to the channel tuner and to the output.
  • the control device includes a storage device configured to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences, an image generator and a circuit to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session.
  • the image generator is coupled to the storage device and generates a portal image to be displayed on the video display.
  • the portal image is based upon the data stored on the storage device and represents a personalized portal screen for the video display.
  • the circuit is associated with the image generator and selects the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen.
  • Figure 1 shows a system for displaying video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that includes a set top box and a control device connected to a display for displaying a personalized portal screen upon initiation of a viewing session, wherein the personalized portal screen includes several display preferences from which a viewer can select.
  • Figures 2A-2E show embodiments of a circuit that detects initiation of a viewing session in order to trigger the display of the personalized portal screen as soon as the viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • Figure 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a control device included in the system of Figure 1 that is coupled to the set top box and to the display, and that includes the circuit that detects when a viewer initiates a viewing session, a portal control device, a storage device, an image generator and a display generator.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that generates and displays the personalized portal screen on the display when a viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • Figure 5 shows a system for displaying video data in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that includes a tune and control apparatus, which includes a control device and a set top box circuitry, connected to a display for displaying a personalized portal screen upon activation of the display, wherein the personalized portal screen includes viewing options a viewer can select.
  • a tune and control apparatus which includes a control device and a set top box circuitry, connected to a display for displaying a personalized portal screen upon activation of the display, wherein the personalized portal screen includes viewing options a viewer can select.
  • the system 1 includes a set top box 2, a display 4, a control device 10 and a remote control 6, which are usually located within a viewer's home.
  • a cable 20 connects the set top box 2 to a remotely located broadcast head end 24, which, for example, is part of a cable TV network.
  • a data line 18 connects the set top box 2 and the control device 10 to the display 4, which displays a personalized portal screen 8 upon a viewer initiating a viewing session.
  • the personalized portal screen 8 includes several display preferences 9, which the viewer may select during the viewing session.
  • the display preferences 9 are illustrated as SELECT 1, SELECT 2 ... SELECT N within the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the broadcast head end 24 provides broadcast video data that includes a multitude of channels with a multitude of programs having audio and video data.
  • the broadcast head end 24 may further enable the viewer to subscribe to and receive video-on-demand or pay-per-view services.
  • the format of the broadcast video data may be in accordance with known video/television formats such asNTSC, PAL, S- Video or the like.
  • the control device 10 communicates with the set top box 2 through a control bus 26 and includes a storage device 12, an image generator 14 and a circuitry 16 that detects when the viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • the storage device 12 may be a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores data representing the viewer' s viewing preferences. For instance, these viewing preferences and, thus, the display preferences 9, may be categorized based on broadcast content, such as sports, entertainment, news, and movies, or based on sources for certain viewing preferences, such as preferred TV channels including pay-per view channels and video-on- demand channels. In addition, the viewing preferences may include other categories such as advertising, infomercials, catalogs, or internet content which is accessible via a modem.
  • HDMI hard disk drive
  • the control device 10 may update the viewing preferences depending on the viewer's actual preferences or, for example, depending on whether or not it is the season for a sports event.
  • the control device 10, therefore, enables the personalized portal screen 8 to have a "learning" capability for adjusting to the viewer's viewing preferences.
  • the image generator 14 may access the storage device 12 and retrieve the viewing preferences to generate a portal image, preferable a digital portal image, that is the basis for the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the image generator 14 generates a new and updated image every time the circuit 16 detects that the viewer, for example, activates the display 4.
  • the circuit 16 interprets the activation of the display 4 as an indication that the viewer wants to initiate a viewing session, i.e., either to watch TV, a pre-recorded movie, or other content.
  • the circuit 16 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image so that the display 4, which was activated, shows the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the system 1 in accordance with the present invention therefore displays the personalized portal screen 8 as a default screen whenever the viewer initiates a new viewing session.
  • the set top box 2 is always on, and the status of the display 4, i.e., "ON" or "OFF," is a viewer-determined variable.
  • the set top box 2 may include a software module that operates as a preference engine and that learns a viewer's watching preferences by monitoring the viewer's viewing patterns.
  • the preference engine uses the viewing patterns to create a viewer profile which may be stored within the set top box 2 or the storage device 12.
  • One embodiment of the preference engine is a software module (not shown) that is commercially available from Metabyte Networks, Inc.
  • the circuit 16 triggers displaying of the personalized portal screen 8 upon detecting the viewer's actual intention to watch TV.
  • the circuit 16 may be configured in accordance with several embodiments, including the embodiments shown in Figures 2A-2E.
  • Figure 2 A illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect a viewer's voice command.
  • the circuit 16 is coupled to a microphone 28 that converts the voice command in an electrical signal which is input to a processor 30.
  • the processor 30 determines whether the electrical signal corresponds to a stored signal representing a "known" command.
  • the command may be, for example, "TV ON.”
  • the circuit 16 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image.
  • the circuit 16 detects noise or sound emitted from a sound system of the display 4. Instead of processing a viewer's voice command, the processor 30 then determines whether the noise detected by the microphone 28 is noise that is characteristic of the display's noise system. For instance, the processor 30 may analyze the spectrum of the noise or sound.
  • Figure 2B illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 connected to the display 4. The circuit 16 detects and measures current drawn by the display 4 when the viewer turns the display 4 on.
  • FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect an electromagnetic field (EMF) 32 that the display 4 generates as soon as it is turned on.
  • An EMF detector 35 is located next to the display 4 and generates a signal as soon the electromagnetic field 32 is present.
  • Figure 2D illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect whether the display 4 emits light.
  • the circuit 16 is coupled to a photodetector 34 located near the screen of the display 4. When the display 4 is turned on, the emitted light generates a photocurrent in the photodetector 34.
  • Figure 2E illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect a command signal emitted by the remote control 6. Assuming the set top box 2 is already turned on, the circuit 16 detects when the viewer uses the remote control 6 to turn the display 4 on.
  • the viewer uses the remote control 6 to turn the set top box 2 on and off.
  • the display 4 may be plugged into a switchable outlet at the rear side of the set top box 2.
  • the set top box activates the outlet and provides power to the display 4 to turn it on.
  • Figure 3 is an illustration of the set top box 2 and the control device 10 interconnected through a multiplexer 40, wherein the exemplary control device 10 is shown in greater detail.
  • the multiplexer 40 has a first input 41, which is connected to the set top box 2 via a data line 18b, the multiplexer 40 has a second input 43, which is connected to the control device via a data line 18a.
  • An output of the multiplexer 40 indicated as VIDEO OUTPUT, is connected to a data line 18c which is connected to the display 4.
  • the control device 10 includes a portal control circuit 36 and a display generator 38.
  • the portal control circuit 36 controls the operation of the control device 10 and communicates with the set top box 2 via the control bus 26.
  • the portal control circuit 36 is connected to the circuit 16 via a control line 50 and receives a signal indicating whether the viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • the portal control circuit 36 processes the signal from the circuit 16 and controls the storage device 12 via a control line 46 and controls the image generator 14 via a control line 45 in response to the signal.
  • the portal control circuit 36 determines that a viewing session has been initiated, the portal control circuit 36 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image.
  • the portal control circuit 36 comprises peripheral circuits connected to a microprocessor bus.
  • the storage device 12 stores data representing the viewer's viewing preferences.
  • the portal control circuit 36 triggers the image generator 14, the portal control circuit 36 also enables the image generator 14 to access and retrieve data from the storage device 12.
  • the portal control circuit 36 further controls the storage device 12 to enable the storage device 12 to store new data to update the data stored on the storage device 12.
  • the preference engine may be associated with the storage device 12 and may update the data under control of the portal control circuit 36.
  • the image generator 14 retrieves the data from the storage device 12 via the data line 44 and generates the digital portal image that forms the basis of the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the image generator 14 "builds" the digital portal image in accordance with conventional techniques.
  • the display generator 38 is connected to the image generator 14 through a data line 48 and receives the digital portal image from the image generator 14.
  • the display generator 38 converts this digital portal image into a signal format that can be displayed on the display 4.
  • the signal format may be in accordance with known video/television formats such as NTSC, PAL, S- Video or the like.
  • the display generator 38 outputs the generated signal to the data line 18a, which is connected to the input 43 of the multiplexer 40.
  • the multiplexer 40 is a 2:1 multiplexer that selectively connects one of the inputs 41, 43 to its output.
  • the multiplexer 40 is connected to the portal control circuit 36 through a control line 47, indicated in Figure 3 as MUX SELECT.
  • the portal control circuit 36 selects the input 43 that connects the data line 18a to the multiplexer output so that the display 4 can receive the generated signal and display it as the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the portal control circuit 36 selects the input 41 connecting the set top box 2 to the display 4.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart of a procedure illustrating the method in accordance with the present invention.
  • the method displays the personalized portal screen 8 on the display 4 when a viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • the method provides that the first thing the viewer sees when the display 4 is turned on is the personalized portal screen 8 and its display preferences 9.
  • the procedure is described with reference to Figure 3.
  • the procedure executes routine procedures to determine whether the system
  • the routine procedures also determine the number and kind of devices (e.g., the display 4 and the set top box 2, or additional devices as discussed below) the system 1 includes. If a device fails, the procedure generates an error message. Further, the routing procedures assess and organize the viewer' s viewing preferences and learn the viewer' s viewing pattern to update the preferences using, for example, the preference engine of the set top box 2.
  • the procedure detects an event that indicates that the viewer initiates a viewing session.
  • the control device 10 and the viewing session detection circuit 16 are permanently in a stand-by mode. In the stand-by mode, the control device 10 may periodically poll the circuit 16. Alternatively, the control device 10 is passive and waits until the circuit 16 indicates an event.
  • the procedure determines whether an event occurs that indicates that the viewer initiates a viewing session. If the circuit 16 does not detect an event, i.e., the viewer has not yet initiated a viewing session, the procedure returns along the NO branch to the step 108.
  • the procedure proceeds along the YES branch to a step 116.
  • the procedure generates the digital portal image that serves as the basis for the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the portal control circuit 36 enables access to the storage device 12 and controls the image generator to retrieve data from the storage device 12.
  • the image generator 14 uses this data to generate the digital portal image.
  • the procedure converts the digital image, for example, into aNTSC signal that the display 4 shows as the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the procedure ends at a step 128.
  • FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the system 1 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the system 1 has generally the same structure as the system 1 shown in Figure 1, i.e., the control device 10 and the functionality of a set top box are interconnected between the broadcast head end 24 and the display 4.
  • the control device 10 and the functionality of a set top box are integrated into a tune and control apparatus 15 connected to the cable 16 and the data line 18.
  • the functionality of a set top box is illustrated as a set top box circuitry 21 coupled to the control device 10 through the control bus 26.
  • the set top box circuitry may advantageously include a preference engine module 27.
  • an output of the control device is connected to a first input of a multiplexer 56, and an output of the set top box circuitry 21 is connected to a second input of the multiplexer 56, which may be integrated in the tune and control apparatus 15.
  • the multiplexer 56 which may be a 4: 1 multiplexer, receives the control signal MUX SELECT from the control device 10.
  • the illustrated system 1 may include additional devices located, for example, within a viewer's home.
  • One of these devices may be a personal video recorder 54 for recording and playing of viewer-preferred content.
  • This viewer-preferred content may be represented on the personalized portal screen 8 as one of the display preferences 9.
  • the personal video recorder 54 is connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 through a data line
  • the communication between the tune and control apparatus 15 and the personal video recorder 2 may occur via a communications bus, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), and appropriate interface circuits.
  • a data line 57 may connect the personal video recorder 54 to a third input of the multiplexer 56.
  • a data line 59 may connect the personal video recorder 54 to the set top box circuitry 21. Since the personal video recorder 54 may be directly connected to the multiplexer 56 or via the set top box circuitry 21, the lines 57, 59 are shown as dashed lines for illustrative purposes.
  • a modem 52 Another device that may be connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 is a modem 52, the modem 52 is connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 through a data line 61.
  • the modem 52 has a port 62, which may be connected to the public telephone network or to a coaxial cable of a cable TV network that also provides modem capability. In the latter case, the modem
  • a data line 63 connects the modem 52 to a fourth input of the multiplexer 56. Since, in an alternative embodiment, the modem 52 may be connected to the set top box circuitry 21 or to the control device 10, the data line 63 is shown as a dashed line for illustrative purposes.
  • connecting the modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 to the tune and control apparatus 15 is one option to add these devices to the system 1. For instance, another option is to connect both the personal video recorder 54 and the modem 52 to the display 4, and to set up the control device 10 to note that the modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 are available in the system 1.
  • modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 may also be added to the system 1 shown in Figure 1, in which the control device 10 and the set top box 2 are separate devices.
  • the functionalities of the set top box 2 and the personal video recorder 54 may be combined into a single apparatus.
  • the modem 52 allows the system 1 to automatically access a remote data source or the internet and to update the content of the storage device 12 of the control device
  • the modem capability of the system 1 may be represented as one of the display preferences 9 on the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the viewer can select the internet and its multitude of web sites as a display option and to surf the Web.
  • the viewer controls at least the set top box 2 through the remote control 6.
  • the remote control 6 communicates with the personal video recorder 2 via a wireless link 22 that conveys control signals using infrared (TR) light.
  • TR infrared
  • IR light is modulated with a specific command, e.g., channel up or down, volume up or down, select a function, and the like, and that the controlled device detects and processes the modulated IR light to execute the command in the controlled device.
  • the viewer uses the remote control 6 to select one of the display preferences 9 of the personalized portal screen 8.
  • the control device 10 processes the viewer's selection and controls the set top box 2 ( Figure 1) or set top box circuitry 21 ( Figure 5) appropriately.
  • the set top box 2 and the set top box circuitry 21 include at least one tuner that selects one of the channels of the video data provided by the broadcast head end 24. For example, using the remote control 6 or a separate remote control for the set top box 2, the viewer can control the set top box 2 to tune to the selected channel.
  • the set top box circuitry 21 can be controlled in a similar manner.
  • the personal video recorder 54 includes a storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD).
  • the hard disk drive for example, has a storage capacity of between 10 GB and 30 GB to selectively store and, thus, record digital information such as sequences of the broadcast video data.
  • the hard disk drive may store up to 30 hours of compressed video and audio data.
  • the compression is often achieved by using a standardized process defined by the Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG), e.g., MPEG-2.
  • MPEG Moving Picture Expert Group
  • the tune and control apparatus 15 may be expanded to incorporate the functionality of the personal video recorder 54 and to include the modem 52 as an internal modem.
  • the personal video recorder 54 and the control device 10 may share one storage device having an appropriate storage capacity to store compressed video data and the viewing preferences.

Abstract

A control device (10) for a video display (4) includes an output port configured to couple to a video display (4), a storage device (12) to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences, an image generator (14) and a circuit (16) configured to activate the image generator (14) upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session. The image generator (14) is coupled to the storage device (12) and generates a portal image to be displayed on the video display as a personalized portal screen (8). The portal image (9) is based upon the data stored on the storage device (12). The circuit (16) is associated with the image generator (14) to activate the image generator (14) upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image (9) representing the personalized portal screen (8).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A PERSONALIZED PORTAL SCREEN UPON INITIATION OF A VD3WING SESSION
Background of the Invention Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for receiving and displaying video data. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for displaying video data that allow a viewer to personalize the display. Description of the Related Art A conventional system for receiving and displaying video data includes a monitor or a television (TV) set connected to a set top box. The set top box is connected through a coaxial cable to a cable TV network or a satellite dish for "satellite TV." The TV set and the set top box are located in a viewer's home or in a hotel room and receive a multitude of TV channels from a broadcast head end, wherein each TV channel has a multitude of programs during a typical day. In order to select and watch a certain program the viewer usually uses a remote control to control at least the set top box to tune to a desired channel. The TV set receives a video signal from the set top box and displays the program of the desired channel.
Depending on how the system is configured, the viewer can activate the set top box and the TV set separately, or activate only the set top box, which then activates the TV set. If the viewer turns the set top box off after a viewing session, the set top box tunes to a default channel when the viewer turns the set top box on again. The default channel may be the last channel the viewer watched during a previous viewing session, or a pre-selected channel tuned to a head end start-up channel, such as a welcome screen in a hotel room. Other viewers may prefer leaving the set top box always on and turning only the TV set on and off. Thus, when a viewer turns on the TV set, the TV set displays as the default channel the last channel the viewer watched.
The viewers often expand the system by connecting a video recorder between the TV set and the set top box in order to overcome the rigid scheme according to which the programs are broadcast. A viewer, thus, can personalize television viewing by recording a program and watching it when it is convenient for the viewer. The video recorder may be a digital video recorder that includes a hard disk drive with a storage capacity of between 10 GB and 30 GB for recording of up to 30 hours of television programming. Although the system including a digital video recorder provides for a certain degree of personalized television, there is a need to improve upon the prior art technique for displaying video data so that television is even more personalized.
Summary of the Invention The present invention may be regarded as a control device for a video display. The control device includes an output port configured to couple to a video display, a storage device to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences, an image generator and a circuit configured to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session. The image generator is coupled to the storage device and generates a portal image to be displayed on the video display as a personalized portal screen. The portal image is based upon the data stored on the storage device. The circuit is associated with the image generator to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen.
Further, the present invention may be regarded as a method of controlling a video display. The method detects whether the viewer initiates a viewing session. The method retrieves data representing a viewer's viewing preferences and uses this data to generate a portal image, which is displayed as a personalized portal screen on the video display upon detecting initiation of a viewing session.
In addition, the present invention may be regarded as a system for displaying video data on a display. The system includes an input for broadcast video data including a plurality of channels and an output for a video signal and connectable to the display for displaying the video signal. A channel tuner is coupled to the input for receiving the plurality of channels and provides a desired channel selected from the plurality channels to the output. The system includes also a control device coupled to the channel tuner and to the output. The control device includes a storage device configured to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences, an image generator and a circuit to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session. The image generator is coupled to the storage device and generates a portal image to be displayed on the video display. The portal image is based upon the data stored on the storage device and represents a personalized portal screen for the video display. The circuit is associated with the image generator and selects the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen. Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, same elements have the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows a system for displaying video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that includes a set top box and a control device connected to a display for displaying a personalized portal screen upon initiation of a viewing session, wherein the personalized portal screen includes several display preferences from which a viewer can select. Figures 2A-2E show embodiments of a circuit that detects initiation of a viewing session in order to trigger the display of the personalized portal screen as soon as the viewer initiates a viewing session.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a control device included in the system of Figure 1 that is coupled to the set top box and to the display, and that includes the circuit that detects when a viewer initiates a viewing session, a portal control device, a storage device, an image generator and a display generator.
Figure 4 is a flow chart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that generates and displays the personalized portal screen on the display when a viewer initiates a viewing session.
Figure 5 shows a system for displaying video data in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that includes a tune and control apparatus, which includes a control device and a set top box circuitry, connected to a display for displaying a personalized portal screen upon activation of the display, wherein the personalized portal screen includes viewing options a viewer can select.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system 1 for displaying video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 includes a set top box 2, a display 4, a control device 10 and a remote control 6, which are usually located within a viewer's home. A cable 20 connects the set top box 2 to a remotely located broadcast head end 24, which, for example, is part of a cable TV network. A data line 18 connects the set top box 2 and the control device 10 to the display 4, which displays a personalized portal screen 8 upon a viewer initiating a viewing session. As described below in greater detail, the personalized portal screen 8 includes several display preferences 9, which the viewer may select during the viewing session. The display preferences 9 are illustrated as SELECT 1, SELECT 2 ... SELECT N within the personalized portal screen 8.
The broadcast head end 24 provides broadcast video data that includes a multitude of channels with a multitude of programs having audio and video data. The broadcast head end 24 may further enable the viewer to subscribe to and receive video-on-demand or pay-per-view services. The format of the broadcast video data may be in accordance with known video/television formats such asNTSC, PAL, S- Video or the like.
The control device 10 communicates with the set top box 2 through a control bus 26 and includes a storage device 12, an image generator 14 and a circuitry 16 that detects when the viewer initiates a viewing session. The storage device 12 may be a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores data representing the viewer' s viewing preferences. For instance, these viewing preferences and, thus, the display preferences 9, may be categorized based on broadcast content, such as sports, entertainment, news, and movies, or based on sources for certain viewing preferences, such as preferred TV channels including pay-per view channels and video-on- demand channels. In addition, the viewing preferences may include other categories such as advertising, infomercials, catalogs, or internet content which is accessible via a modem. The control device 10 may update the viewing preferences depending on the viewer's actual preferences or, for example, depending on whether or not it is the season for a sports event. The control device 10, therefore, enables the personalized portal screen 8 to have a "learning" capability for adjusting to the viewer's viewing preferences. The image generator 14 may access the storage device 12 and retrieve the viewing preferences to generate a portal image, preferable a digital portal image, that is the basis for the personalized portal screen 8. The various categories of the viewing preferences, all or only a selection thereof, appear as the display preferences 9 within the personalized portal screen 8. The image generator 14 generates a new and updated image every time the circuit 16 detects that the viewer, for example, activates the display 4. The circuit 16 interprets the activation of the display 4 as an indication that the viewer wants to initiate a viewing session, i.e., either to watch TV, a pre-recorded movie, or other content. In response to detecting the viewing session, the circuit 16 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image so that the display 4, which was activated, shows the personalized portal screen 8. The system 1 in accordance with the present invention therefore displays the personalized portal screen 8 as a default screen whenever the viewer initiates a new viewing session. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the set top box 2 is always on, and the status of the display 4, i.e., "ON" or "OFF," is a viewer-determined variable. Thus, as soon as the display 4 is turned on, the viewer immediately sees the personalized portal screen 8 with its display preferences 9. The display preferences 9 directly guide the viewer to a preferred program or content without the need to study a voluminous program guide and without the inconvenience of first "clicking" through a variety of channels to find a preferred content. The set top box 2 may include a software module that operates as a preference engine and that learns a viewer's watching preferences by monitoring the viewer's viewing patterns. The preference engine uses the viewing patterns to create a viewer profile which may be stored within the set top box 2 or the storage device 12. One embodiment of the preference engine is a software module (not shown) that is commercially available from Metabyte Networks, Inc. Advantageously, the circuit 16 triggers displaying of the personalized portal screen 8 upon detecting the viewer's actual intention to watch TV. The circuit 16 may be configured in accordance with several embodiments, including the embodiments shown in Figures 2A-2E. Figure 2 A illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect a viewer's voice command. The circuit 16 is coupled to a microphone 28 that converts the voice command in an electrical signal which is input to a processor 30. The processor 30 determines whether the electrical signal corresponds to a stored signal representing a "known" command. The command may be, for example, "TV ON." When the viewer says "TV ON" and the processor 30 recognizes the command, the circuit 16 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit 16 detects noise or sound emitted from a sound system of the display 4. Instead of processing a viewer's voice command, the processor 30 then determines whether the noise detected by the microphone 28 is noise that is characteristic of the display's noise system. For instance, the processor 30 may analyze the spectrum of the noise or sound. Figure 2B illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 connected to the display 4. The circuit 16 detects and measures current drawn by the display 4 when the viewer turns the display 4 on.
Figure 2C illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect an electromagnetic field (EMF) 32 that the display 4 generates as soon as it is turned on. An EMF detector 35 is located next to the display 4 and generates a signal as soon the electromagnetic field 32 is present.
Figure 2D illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect whether the display 4 emits light. The circuit 16 is coupled to a photodetector 34 located near the screen of the display 4. When the display 4 is turned on, the emitted light generates a photocurrent in the photodetector 34.
Figure 2E illustrates an embodiment of the circuit 16 which is configured to detect a command signal emitted by the remote control 6. Assuming the set top box 2 is already turned on, the circuit 16 detects when the viewer uses the remote control 6 to turn the display 4 on.
In an alternative embodiment, the viewer uses the remote control 6 to turn the set top box 2 on and off. For instance, the display 4 may be plugged into a switchable outlet at the rear side of the set top box 2. Whenever the viewer turns the set top box 2 on, the set top box activates the outlet and provides power to the display 4 to turn it on. Figure 3 is an illustration of the set top box 2 and the control device 10 interconnected through a multiplexer 40, wherein the exemplary control device 10 is shown in greater detail. The multiplexer 40 has a first input 41, which is connected to the set top box 2 via a data line 18b, the multiplexer 40 has a second input 43, which is connected to the control device via a data line 18a. An output of the multiplexer 40, indicated as VIDEO OUTPUT, is connected to a data line 18c which is connected to the display 4.
In addition to the components described with reference to Figure 1 (i.e., the storage device 12, the image generator 14 and the viewing session detection circuit 16), the control device 10 includes a portal control circuit 36 and a display generator 38. The portal control circuit 36 controls the operation of the control device 10 and communicates with the set top box 2 via the control bus 26. The portal control circuit 36 is connected to the circuit 16 via a control line 50 and receives a signal indicating whether the viewer initiates a viewing session. The portal control circuit 36 processes the signal from the circuit 16 and controls the storage device 12 via a control line 46 and controls the image generator 14 via a control line 45 in response to the signal. In case the portal control circuit 36 determines that a viewing session has been initiated, the portal control circuit 36 triggers the image generator 14 to generate the digital portal image. In one embodiment, the portal control circuit 36 comprises peripheral circuits connected to a microprocessor bus.
As described above, the storage device 12 stores data representing the viewer's viewing preferences. When the portal control circuit 36 triggers the image generator 14, the portal control circuit 36 also enables the image generator 14 to access and retrieve data from the storage device 12. The portal control circuit 36 further controls the storage device 12 to enable the storage device 12 to store new data to update the data stored on the storage device 12. For instance, the preference engine may be associated with the storage device 12 and may update the data under control of the portal control circuit 36.
The image generator 14 retrieves the data from the storage device 12 via the data line 44 and generates the digital portal image that forms the basis of the personalized portal screen 8. The image generator 14 "builds" the digital portal image in accordance with conventional techniques.
The display generator 38 is connected to the image generator 14 through a data line 48 and receives the digital portal image from the image generator 14. The display generator 38 converts this digital portal image into a signal format that can be displayed on the display 4. For instance, the signal format may be in accordance with known video/television formats such as NTSC, PAL, S- Video or the like. The display generator 38 outputs the generated signal to the data line 18a, which is connected to the input 43 of the multiplexer 40.
In one embodiment, the multiplexer 40 is a 2:1 multiplexer that selectively connects one of the inputs 41, 43 to its output. The multiplexer 40 is connected to the portal control circuit 36 through a control line 47, indicated in Figure 3 as MUX SELECT. When the control device 10 detects that the viewer initiates a viewing session, the portal control circuit 36 selects the input 43 that connects the data line 18a to the multiplexer output so that the display 4 can receive the generated signal and display it as the personalized portal screen 8. Once the viewer selects one of the display preferences 9 from the personalized portal screen 8, the portal control circuit 36 selects the input 41 connecting the set top box 2 to the display 4. Figure 4 is a flow chart of a procedure illustrating the method in accordance with the present invention. The method displays the personalized portal screen 8 on the display 4 when a viewer initiates a viewing session. The method provides that the first thing the viewer sees when the display 4 is turned on is the personalized portal screen 8 and its display preferences 9. The procedure is described with reference to Figure 3. In a step 104, the procedure executes routine procedures to determine whether the system
1 is operating and is properly connected to receive video data from the broadcast head end 24. The routine procedures also determine the number and kind of devices (e.g., the display 4 and the set top box 2, or additional devices as discussed below) the system 1 includes. If a device fails, the procedure generates an error message. Further, the routing procedures assess and organize the viewer' s viewing preferences and learn the viewer' s viewing pattern to update the preferences using, for example, the preference engine of the set top box 2.
In a step 108, the procedure detects an event that indicates that the viewer initiates a viewing session. The control device 10 and the viewing session detection circuit 16 are permanently in a stand-by mode. In the stand-by mode, the control device 10 may periodically poll the circuit 16. Alternatively, the control device 10 is passive and waits until the circuit 16 indicates an event. The various options for detecting the initiation of a viewing session are described above with reference to Figures 2A-2E. In a step 112, the procedure determines whether an event occurs that indicates that the viewer initiates a viewing session. If the circuit 16 does not detect an event, i.e., the viewer has not yet initiated a viewing session, the procedure returns along the NO branch to the step 108. However, when the circuit 16 detects an event, the procedure proceeds along the YES branch to a step 116. In steps 116 and 118, the procedure generates the digital portal image that serves as the basis for the personalized portal screen 8. The portal control circuit 36 enables access to the storage device 12 and controls the image generator to retrieve data from the storage device 12. The image generator 14 uses this data to generate the digital portal image.
In a step 124, the procedure converts the digital image, for example, into aNTSC signal that the display 4 shows as the personalized portal screen 8. The procedure ends at a step 128.
Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the system 1 in accordance with the present invention. The system 1 has generally the same structure as the system 1 shown in Figure 1, i.e., the control device 10 and the functionality of a set top box are interconnected between the broadcast head end 24 and the display 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 10 and the functionality of a set top box are integrated into a tune and control apparatus 15 connected to the cable 16 and the data line 18. The functionality of a set top box is illustrated as a set top box circuitry 21 coupled to the control device 10 through the control bus 26. The set top box circuitry may advantageously include a preference engine module 27. As in Figure 3, an output of the control device is connected to a first input of a multiplexer 56, and an output of the set top box circuitry 21 is connected to a second input of the multiplexer 56, which may be integrated in the tune and control apparatus 15. The multiplexer 56, which may be a 4: 1 multiplexer, receives the control signal MUX SELECT from the control device 10.
The illustrated system 1 may include additional devices located, for example, within a viewer's home. One of these devices may be a personal video recorder 54 for recording and playing of viewer-preferred content. This viewer-preferred content may be represented on the personalized portal screen 8 as one of the display preferences 9. In one embodiment, the personal video recorder 54 is connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 through a data line
20. The communication between the tune and control apparatus 15 and the personal video recorder 2 may occur via a communications bus, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), and appropriate interface circuits. Within the tune and control apparatus 15, a data line 57 may connect the personal video recorder 54 to a third input of the multiplexer 56. Alternatively, a data line 59 may connect the personal video recorder 54 to the set top box circuitry 21. Since the personal video recorder 54 may be directly connected to the multiplexer 56 or via the set top box circuitry 21, the lines 57, 59 are shown as dashed lines for illustrative purposes.
Another device that may be connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 is a modem 52, the modem 52 is connected to the tune and control apparatus 15 through a data line 61. The modem 52 has a port 62, which may be connected to the public telephone network or to a coaxial cable of a cable TV network that also provides modem capability. In the latter case, the modem
52 is a cable modem. Within the tune and control apparatus 15, a data line 63 connects the modem 52 to a fourth input of the multiplexer 56. Since, in an alternative embodiment, the modem 52 may be connected to the set top box circuitry 21 or to the control device 10, the data line 63 is shown as a dashed line for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that connecting the modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 to the tune and control apparatus 15 is one option to add these devices to the system 1. For instance, another option is to connect both the personal video recorder 54 and the modem 52 to the display 4, and to set up the control device 10 to note that the modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 are available in the system 1. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modem 52 and the personal video recorder 54 may also be added to the system 1 shown in Figure 1, in which the control device 10 and the set top box 2 are separate devices. In addition, the functionalities of the set top box 2 and the personal video recorder 54 may be combined into a single apparatus.
In one embodiment, the modem 52 allows the system 1 to automatically access a remote data source or the internet and to update the content of the storage device 12 of the control device
10. Further, the modem capability of the system 1 may be represented as one of the display preferences 9 on the personalized portal screen 8. Upon initiating a viewing session the viewer can select the internet and its multitude of web sites as a display option and to surf the Web. As discussed above, the viewer controls at least the set top box 2 through the remote control 6. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 by way of example, the remote control 6 communicates with the personal video recorder 2 via a wireless link 22 that conveys control signals using infrared (TR) light. Remote controls and their various functions are generally known in the art. In particular, it is known that IR light is modulated with a specific command, e.g., channel up or down, volume up or down, select a function, and the like, and that the controlled device detects and processes the modulated IR light to execute the command in the controlled device. In one embodiment the viewer uses the remote control 6 to select one of the display preferences 9 of the personalized portal screen 8. The control device 10 processes the viewer's selection and controls the set top box 2 (Figure 1) or set top box circuitry 21 (Figure 5) appropriately.
The set top box 2 and the set top box circuitry 21 include at least one tuner that selects one of the channels of the video data provided by the broadcast head end 24. For example, using the remote control 6 or a separate remote control for the set top box 2, the viewer can control the set top box 2 to tune to the selected channel. The set top box circuitry 21 can be controlled in a similar manner.
The personal video recorder 54 includes a storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The hard disk drive, for example, has a storage capacity of between 10 GB and 30 GB to selectively store and, thus, record digital information such as sequences of the broadcast video data. The hard disk drive may store up to 30 hours of compressed video and audio data. The compression is often achieved by using a standardized process defined by the Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG), e.g., MPEG-2.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tune and control apparatus 15 may be expanded to incorporate the functionality of the personal video recorder 54 and to include the modem 52 as an internal modem. In such an expanded tune and control apparatus 15, the personal video recorder 54 and the control device 10 may share one storage device having an appropriate storage capacity to store compressed video data and the viewing preferences.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A control device for a video display, comprising: an output port configured to couple to a video display; a storage device configured to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences; an image generator coupled to the storage device and configured to generate a portal image to be displayed on the video display as a personalized portal screen, the portal image being based upon the data stored on the storage device; and a circuit associated with the image generator, the circuit being configured to select the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen.
2. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the personalized portal screen includes a selection of display preferences based on the viewer's viewing preferences.
3. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the display preferences are categorized based on a content of a viewing preference and based on a source for a certain viewing preference.
4. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the source for a viewing preference includes at least one of a broadcast head end of a cable TV network, and the internet accessible via a modem.
5. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the circuit senses when the viewer turns the video display on.
6. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the circuit senses a change in a current drawn by the video display when the video display is turned on.
7. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the circuit senses a command signal emitted by a remote control when the viewer initiates a viewing session.
8. The control device of Claim 1 , wherein the circuit senses noise generated by the video display when activated.
9. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the circuit senses an electromagnetic field emitted by the video display when activated.
10. The control device of Claim 1, wherein the circuit senses light emitted by the video display when activated.
11. The control device of Claim 1, further comprising a portal control circuit coupled to the circuit, the storage device, and the image generator to control the operation of the control device.
12. The control device of Claim 10, wherein the portal control circuit controls the storage device to update the data stored on the storage.
13. The control device of Claim 1, further comprising: a tuner having an input for broadcast video data, the tuner configured to select a channel from a plurality of channels included in the broadcast video data; and a portal control circuit coupled to the tuner, the storage device, the image generator and the circuit, wherein the portal control circuit controller controls generation of the portal image.
14. A method of controlling a video display, comprising: , detecting whether the viewer initiates a viewing session; retrieving data representing a viewer's viewing preferences; using the data representing the viewer' s viewing preferences to generate a portal image; and displaying the portal image as a personalized portal screen on the video display upon detecting initiation of a viewing session.
15. The method of Claim 1, further comprising storing data representing the viewer's viewing preferences.
16. The method of Claim 1, further comprising using a preference engine for generating the viewer's viewing preferences.
17. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing when the viewer turns the video display on.
18. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing a change in a current drawn by the video display when the video display is turned on.
19. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing a command signal emitted by a remote control when the viewer initiates a viewing session.
20. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing noise generated by the video display when activated.
21. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing an electromagnetic field emitted by the video display when activated.
22. The method of Claim 1, wherein said detecting includes sensing light emitted by the video display when activated.
23. A system for displaying video data on a display, comprising: an input for broadcast video data including a plurality of channels; an output for a video signal and connectable to the display for displaying the video signal; a channel tuner coupled to the input for receiving the plurality of channels and providing a desired channel selected from the plurality channels to the output; and a control device coupled to the channel tuner and to the output, the control device comprising: a storage device configured to store data representing a viewer's viewing preferences; an image generator coupled to the storage device and configured to generate a portal image to be displayed on the video display, the portal image being based upon the data stored on the storage device and representing a personalized portal screen for the video display; and a circuit associated with the image generator, the circuit being configured to activate the image generator upon detection of a viewer initiating a viewing session in order to generate the portal image representing the personalized portal screen.
PCT/US2001/017987 2000-05-31 2001-05-31 System and method for displaying a personalized portal screen upon initiation of a viewing session WO2001093578A1 (en)

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