(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0074661 A1
`
` Krapf et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 17, 2003
`
`
`US 20030074661A1
`
`(54) PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER AND
`METHOD FOR INSERTING A STORED
`ADVERTISEMENT INTO A DISPLAYED
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`.................. 725/34; 725/35; 725/36; 725/32
`
`BROADCAST STREAM
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Russell M. Krapf, Dana Point, CA
`(US); Timothy J. Elliott, Fountain
`Valley, CA (US); L. Jefi'rey Kapner
`III, Yorba Linda, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
`20511 LAKE FOREST DR. -C205
`
`LAKE FOREST, CA 92630 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. NO.:
`
`09/982,652
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 17, 2001
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................. G06F 7/00; G06F 17/30;
`H04N 7/025; H04N 7/10;
`G06F 3/00; H04N 5/445; G06F 13/00
`
`The present invention may be regarded as personal video
`recorder and a method Of displaying a targeted advertise-
`ment on a display in conjunction with displaying Of a
`broadcast stream on the display. The method defines a
`viewer profile Of a viewer Of the display based on signals
`received by a controller indicating usage Of a viewer control
`interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reac-
`tions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. Atargeted
`advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based
`
`on the viewer profile Of the viewer Of the display. The
`targeted advertisement
`is displayed on the display. The
`viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals
`received by the controller indicating usage Of the viewer
`control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for
`example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer
`reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.
`
`
`/
`START
`\
`SELECT ADVERTISEMENT BASED O
`.
`\
`VIEWER PROFILE
`
`
`'
`DEFINE VIEWER PROFILE
`(FIG. 3)
`
`100
`J
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`92
`STORE ADVERTISEMENTS
`
`
`I
`SELECT FIRST ADVERTISEMENT FROM J04
`STORED ADVERTISEMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`L206
`'
`DISPLAY FIRST ADVERTISEMENT
`
`
`I
`UPDATE VIEWER PROFILE BASED ON
`SIGNALS RECEIVED FROM VIEWER
`J08
`CONTROL INTERFACE AND STORE
`
`UPDATED VIEWER PROFILE
`
` V
`
`SELECT NEXT ADVERTISEMENT FROM JO
`
`
` STORED ADVERTISEMENTS .
`
`V
`
`
`112
`DISPLAY NEXT ADVERTISEMENT J
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`OPENTV EXHIBIT 2008
`
`NETFLIX, INC. V. OPENTV, INC.
`|PR2014-00252
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 6
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 6
`
`US 2003/0074661 A1
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`
`START
`
`SELECT ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON
`VIEWER PROFILE
`
`I
`
`DEFINE VIEWER PROFILE
`(FIG. 3)
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`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 6
`
`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`
`
`
`DEFINE VIEWER PROFILE
`
`START
`
`100
`
`DISPLAY BROADCAST STREAM
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM VIEWER
`CONTROL INTERFACE INDICATING
`VIEWER REACTION
`
`
`122
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`DEFINE VIEWER PROFILE BASED ON
`SIGNAL RECEIVED FROM VIEWER
`
`124
`K
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`CONTROL INTERFACE
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`STORE VIEWER PROFILE
`
`126
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17, 2003 Sheet 6 0f 6
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`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER AND METHOD
`FOR INSERTING A STORED ADVERTISEMENT
`INTO A DISPLAYED BROADCAST STREAM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is related to US. patent applica-
`
`tion Ser. No.
`, (attorney docket No. K35A1024),
`titled PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER AND METHOD
`THAT
`INSERTS A STORED ADVERTISEMENT
`RESPONSIVE TO A VIEWER PURCHASE, filed concur-
`rently with the present application, the entire contents of
`which are incorporated by reference herein, and US. patent
`
`application Ser. No.
`,
`(attorney
`docket No.
`K35A1025), titled PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER AND
`METHOD THAT INSERTS A STORED ADVERTISE-
`MENT RESPONSIVE TO A SELECTED PROGRAM
`
`SEARCH, filed concurrently with the present application,
`the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference
`herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The invention relates to a method of displaying an
`advertisement. More particularly, the invention relates to a
`method of selecting an advertisement based on a viewer
`profile defined by a viewer’s interactions with a controller
`interface and to a personal video recorder operating in
`accordance with the method. The selected advertisement is
`
`displayed in conjunction with a broadcast stream on a
`display.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0005] Adigital video recorder (DVR), like a conventional
`analog video cassette recorder (VCR),
`is coupled to a
`monitor or a television set in a viewer’s home and receives
`
`program broadcast signals via a coaXial cable, a satellite
`dish, or an antenna for terrestrial radio frequency (RF)
`signals. In some instances, the DVR may include a modem
`that permits access to content from the Internet. In order to
`record a particular program, the video recorder starts and
`stops recording the program at a predetermined day and
`time.
`
`[0006] ADVR allows a viewer to overcome the rigid time
`scheme according to which the programs are broadcast. That
`is, a viewer can decide whether to watch “live TV” or to
`record a program and watch it later at a more convenient day
`and time. Alternative systems provide for even more flex-
`ibility and viewer-specific television. For example, digital
`video recorders offered by Replay Networks® of Palo Alto,
`Calif. (in combination with ReplayTVTM service) and Phil-
`ips® of Eindhoven Netherlands (in combination with TiVo®
`service of Sunnyvale, Calif.) include a hard disk drive with
`a storage capacity of between 10 GB and 30 GB that allow
`recording of up to 30 hours of television programming.
`These digital video recorders, also referred to as personal
`video recorders, and the respective services allow the viewer
`to personalize television viewing. For instance, personal
`video recorders can learn a viewer’s programs and auto-
`matically record programs it eXpects a viewer to like. The
`viewer can also, among other activities, watch and pause
`live TV. That is, the viewer can operate a remote control to
`
`pause a favorite show when someone calls and pick up the
`show again exactly where the viewer left off.
`
`[0007] Personalized television, like conventional televi-
`sion, is reliant upon commercials. Advertisers try to place
`their commercials so that a well-defined target group, which
`is likely to watch certain types of programs, may see the
`commercials. Personalized television, however, may defeat
`the advertisers” objectives.
`
`[0008] There is therefore a need to improve upon the prior
`art technique for displaying streaming video data so that it
`is more likely that an interested viewer in fact watches
`advertising and that the viewers that see a particular adver-
`tisement are a more targeted audience.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] An aspect of the present invention may be regarded
`as a method of displaying an advertisement on a display in
`conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the
`display. A broadcast stream is displayed on the display. A
`signal is received from a viewer control interface indicating
`a viewer reaction to the broadcast stream. A viewer profile
`of the viewer of the display is defined based on the viewer
`reaction to the broadcast stream. A first advertisement is
`
`selected from a plurality of stored advertisements based on
`the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The first
`advertisement is then displayed on the display.
`
`[0010] The method may further include updating the
`viewer profile of the viewer of the display based on signals
`received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer
`control interface by the viewer. A second advertisement can
`then be selected from the stored advertisements based on the
`
`updated viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The
`second advertisement can then be displayed on the display.
`Updating the viewer profile may include receiving a signal
`from the viewer control interface indicating a viewer reac-
`tion to the first advertisement, and updating the viewer
`profile of the viewer of the display based on the viewer
`reaction to the first advertisement. Alternatively, updating
`the viewer profile may include receiving a signal from the
`viewer control interface indicating a viewer reaction to the
`broadcast stream, and updating the viewer profile of the
`viewer of the display based on the viewer reaction to the
`broadcast stream. As another alternative, updating the
`viewer profile may include receiving a signal from the
`viewer control interface indicating a viewer purchase of a
`good/service, and updating the viewer profile of the viewer
`of the display based on the viewer purchase of the good/
`service. As yet another alternative, updating the viewer
`profile may include receiving a signal from the viewer
`control interface indicating a viewer search request, and
`updating the viewer profile of the viewer of the display
`based on the viewer search request. Selecting a second
`advertisement from the stored advertisement based on the
`
`updated viewer profile of the viewer of the display and
`displaying the second advertisement on the display may be
`repeated until a signal indicative of a positive viewer reac-
`tion is received or until a predetermined time period has
`elapsed.
`
`[0011] Selecting the first advertisement from the stored
`advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of
`the display may include displaying an identification of at
`least one of the stored advertisements on the display, and
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`

`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`receiving a signal from the viewer control interface selecting
`the first advertisement to be displayed on the display, such
`as via a menu on the display, a banner on the display, or an
`icon on the display.
`
`[0012] The first advertisement may be displayed on the
`display prior to displaying the broadcast stream on the
`display, in a time slot adjacent to a time slot for displaying
`regularly scheduled advertisements within the broadcast
`stream or instead of displaying a regularly scheduled adver-
`tisement within the broadcast stream.
`
`[0013] The broadcast stream may be a television broadcast
`stream, a cable broadcast stream, a satellite broadcast stream
`or an Internet broadcast stream. Aplurality of viewers (e.g.,
`a family) may define the “viewer profile.” An individual
`profile may also be used to determine an individual viewer
`profile at a given time. Advertisements can then be selected
`based on the individual viewer profile at the current time.
`
`[0014] The stored advertisements may be stored on a hard
`disk drive.
`
`[0015] The profile may be transmitted to a head end. The
`updated profile may be transmitted to a head end.
`
`[0016] Another aspect of the present invention may be
`regarded as a method of displaying an advertisement on a
`display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream
`on the display where a viewer profile of the viewer of the
`display is defined based on the viewer reaction to at least one
`advertisement. A first
`targeted advertisement
`is selected
`from a plurality of stored advertisements based on the
`viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The first targeted
`advertisement is then displayed on the display.
`
`[0017] According to another aspect of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a personal video recorder for sending
`an advertisement in conjunction with a broadcast stream to
`a display. The personal video recorder includes: a viewer
`control interface configured to allow a viewer to interact
`with the broadcast stream being displayed on the display; a
`storage device; and a controller responsive to the viewer
`control interface and connectable to the display.. The con-
`troller is configured to receive signals indicating a reaction
`to the broadcast stream from the viewer control interface, to
`define a viewer profile of the viewer of the display based on
`the signals received from the viewer control interface, to
`select a first advertisement from a plurality of stored adver-
`tisements stored on the advertisement storage device based
`on the viewer profile, and to send the first advertisement to
`the display.
`
`[0018] Another aspect of the present invention may be
`regarded as a personal video recorder for sending an adver-
`tisement in conjunction with a broadcast stream to a display.
`The personal video recorder includes: a viewer control
`interface configured to allow a viewer to interact with the
`broadcast stream being displayed on the display; a storage
`device; and a controller responsive to the viewer control
`interface and connectable to the display. The controller is
`configured to receive signals indicating a reaction to a
`displayed advertisement from the viewer control interface,
`to define a viewer profile of the viewer of the display based
`on the signals received from the viewer control interface, to
`select a first advertisement from a plurality of stored adver-
`tisements stored on the advertisement storage device based
`on the viewer profile, and to send the first advertisement to
`the display.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0019] 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.
`
`[0020] FIG. 1 shows a system for displaying an adver-
`tisement in conjunction with displaying streaming video
`data in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention that includes a personal video recorder having a
`preference engine for determining a viewer profile and
`selecting the advertisement to be displayed based on the
`viewer profile;
`
`[0021] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary logic
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
`that determines a viewer profile and displays an advertise-
`ment based on the viewer profile in conjunction with stream-
`ing video data;
`
`[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary logic
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
`for defining a viewer profile;
`
`[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a scale of exemplary viewer
`reactions (ranging from exemplary negative reactions to
`exemplary positive reactions);
`
`[0024] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary
`embodiment of a personal video recorder included in the
`system of FIG. 1 that includes a hard disk drive for storing
`advertisements in accordance with the present invention;
`and
`
`[0025] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the
`system shown in FIG. 1 that includes a modem that may be
`connected to the personal video recorder or a set top box to
`receive the advertisements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0026] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a system 20 for
`displaying a broadcast stream, such as streaming video data,
`in conjunction with targeted advertisements, in accordance
`with an embodiment of the present
`invention, which is
`configured to operate in accordance with a method of the
`present invention. The system 20 includes a personal video
`recorder 22 connected through a data line 28 to a display 26,
`a set top box 34 connected to a port 32 of the personal video
`recorder (PVR) 22, a broadcast head end 36 connected
`through a cable 38 to the personal video recorder 22, and a
`viewer control
`interface 40. The following description
`focuses initially on a description of the method in accor-
`dance with one embodiment of an aspect of the present
`invention. Further details of the system 20 are described
`below.
`
`[0027] The PVR 22 also includes a controller 30 that
`includes a preference engine 50. The controller receives
`signals from the viewer control
`interface 40 indicating
`viewer interactions with the viewer control interface. The
`
`signals may indicate a channel selection command, a fast
`forward command, a pause command, a rewind command,
`a record command, a search request command, etc. The
`preference engine 50 includes the logic for defining a profile
`
`Page 9 of 16
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`

`

`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`and selecting an advertisement from stored advertisements
`based on the profile as described next.
`
`[0028] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary
`logic of a method in accordance with the present invention
`that displays an advertisement on the display 26 in conjunc-
`tion with the display of streaming video data (e.g., broadcast
`stream data) without loss of the streaming video data. The
`personal video recorder 22 receives streaming video data
`and the display 26 displays the streaming video data as a
`program. A viewer profile is determined based on the
`viewing habits of the user. Advertisements are selected
`based on the viewer profile. In exemplary embodiments of
`the invention, an initial profile is determined based on a
`viewer reaction to a broadcast stream (i.e., normal program).
`In other embodiments of the inventions, the initial profile is
`determined based on a viewer reaction to at
`least one
`advertisement. In other embodiments of the invention, the
`initial profile is determined based on at least one viewer
`purchase of a good/service. In yet other embodiments, the
`initial profile may be determined by a viewer search request.
`For example, a viewer may request that all situation com-
`edies be recorded. It will be appreciated that an initial profile
`may also be determined using various combinations of the
`methods described above. An advertisement
`is selected
`
`based on the initial profile. The advertisement is displayed.
`The profile can then be updated based on the viewer reaction
`to the selected advertisement. Subsequent advertisements
`are then selected based on the updated profile. The profile
`can continuously be updated based on the viewer reaction to
`the selected advertisements. In exemplary embodiments, the
`viewer profile can be updated using the same methods that
`are used to determined the initial profile, e.g., based on a
`viewer reaction to a displayed broadcast stream, based on a
`viewer reaction to at least one advertisement, based on at
`least one viewer purchase of a good/service, based on a
`viewer search/record request, or some combination thereof.
`
`[0029] The logic of FIG. 2 moves from a start block to
`block 100 where a viewer profile is defined. FIG. 3 illus-
`trates exemplary logic of a method for defining a viewer
`profile in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0030] The logic of FIG. 3 of defining a viewer profile
`moves from a start block to block 120 where a broadcast
`
`stream is displayed. The broadcast stream or program may
`be, for example, a movie, a sporting event, a television
`program (e.g., a situation comedy, a drama, or a cartoon),
`etc. The broadcast stream may be, for example, a television
`broadcast stream, a cable broadcast stream, a satellite broad-
`cast stream or an Internet broadcast stream.
`
`[0031] The logic moves to block 122 where a signal is
`received from the viewer control interface 40 indicating a
`viewer interaction with the viewer control interface. For
`
`the signal may indicate a viewer reaction to a
`example,
`broadcast stream or to a targeted advertisement. The signal
`may also indicate a viewer purchase of a good/service or a
`viewer search/record request. In exemplary embodiments,
`such as that shown in FIG. 1, the viewer control interface 40
`is a remote control. It will be appreciated that in alternative
`embodiments, other viewer control interfaces may be used,
`for example, for example, a keyboard or an audio control
`device.
`
`[0032] The signal received from the viewer control inter-
`face 40 indicates a viewer reaction to what is being dis-
`
`played on the display 26. For example, if the signal received
`is a fast forward signal, the viewer reaction is a negative
`reaction. If the viewer interacts with an interactive display
`(e.g., selects a menu item to view additional content), the
`viewer reaction is a positive reaction. If the viewer rewinds
`and watches the broadcast stream again, the reaction is a
`positive reaction. If the viewer pauses, the reaction may be
`viewed as a positive reaction. If the viewer does nothing, the
`reaction may be viewed as a positive reaction. FIG. 4
`illustrates exemplary user reactions. The exemplary user
`reactions are shown on a scale ranging from negative
`reactions to positive reactions. In order from most negative
`to most positive, the exemplary viewer reactions shown in
`FIG. 4 include: (1) not selecting or not watching a particular
`broadcast stream; (2) fast forwarding through a particular
`broadcast stream or advertisement; (3) watching a broadcast
`stream or advertisement with no specific viewer interaction;
`(4) pausing; (5) search/record request (e.g., record all situ-
`ation comedies); (6) rewinding or replaying a broadcast
`stream or an advertisement; (7) recording a broadcast stream
`or an advertisement; and (8) making a purchase.
`
`[0033] The logic of FIG. 3 proceeds to block 124 where
`an initial viewer profile is defined based on the signal
`received from the viewer control interface. For example, if
`the viewer pauses during a sports program, but fast forwards
`through cartoons, a viewer profile can be determined. For
`example, the viewer is interested in sports and is likely a
`male viewer over the age of twelve. Viewer profile may be
`defined with varying degrees of specificity. For example,
`very general profiles may be defined, such as gender, age,
`income, or some combination thereof Profiles may also be
`more specific based on the viewing habits, for example, the
`viewer may appear to be a golf enthusiast, a baseball
`enthusiast,
`interested in computers, etc. One method of
`determining profiles is by using a matrix that specifies one
`or more profile attributes based on viewing habits. For
`example, the matrix may specify that viewers of cartoons are
`typically children under the age of twelve or that viewers of
`golf are typically males who golf. After the initial viewer
`profile is established, the logic moves to block 126 where the
`viewer profile is stored. For example, in exemplary embodi-
`ments, the viewer profile is stored on the hard disk drive 24
`and transmitted to the head end 36. It will be appreciated that
`in alternative embodiments, the viewer profile is stored on
`the hard disk drive 24 or at the head end 36, but not both. The
`logic of FIG. 3 then ends and processing returns to FIG. 2.
`
`[0034] Returning to FIG. 2, the logic proceeds to block
`102 where advertisements are stored. For example, a selec-
`tion of advertisements may be transmitted during a time
`when the viewer is not displaying a broadcast stream on the
`display 26. For example, several automobile advertisements
`may be received, including one for a family car, one for a
`sports car and one for a sedan. The most appropriate
`advertisement may be selected based on the viewer profile.
`Preferably,
`the received advertisements are stored on the
`hard disk drive 24 of the personal video recorder 22.
`
`[0035] Next, the logic moves to block 104 where a first
`advertisement is selected from the stored advertisements
`
`(e.g., advertisements stored on the hard disk drive 24). The
`advertisement is selected based on the viewer profile. Pref-
`erably, a viewer profile is determined based on all of the
`previous viewing habits. Based on the previous viewing
`habits,
`it may be apparent
`that
`the “viewer profile” is
`
`Page 10 of16
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`

`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`actually an aggregate of multiple individual viewers. For
`example, children’s programs may be displayed on weekend
`morning and on weekday afternoons, soap operas may be
`viewed in the morning and early afternoon, movies may be
`viewed in the evenings and sporting events may be dis-
`played on weekend afternoons. This type of viewing may be
`typical for a family. Based on these viewing habits, adver-
`tisements can be selected by the individual or individuals
`who are likely to be viewing the display 26 at a given time.
`Preferably, the selection of the advertisement is also based
`on the broadcast stream currently being displayed. For
`example, if a golf tournament is being displayed, then an
`advertisement for golf equipment (e.g., golf clubs, golf balls,
`golf clothing, etc.) may be selected.
`
`[0036] After the first advertisement is selected based on
`the viewer profile, it is displayed on the display 26. See
`block 106. The advertisement may be displayed at various
`selected times. For example,
`the advertisement may be
`inserted prior to the start of a broadcast stream, at the end of
`a regularly scheduled block of commercials (e.g., on the
`hour and half-hour marks), or instead of a regularly sched-
`uled commercial. The advertisement may also be displayed
`upon user request. For example, a menu of available selected
`commercials may be displayed and the user can select an
`advertisement from the menu. Alternatively, an indication of
`the commercial, such as a banner or icon may be displayed
`in conjunction with the broadcast stream. The user may then
`select to view the advertisement. The broadcast stream will
`
`then be stored and the secondary content, e.g., advertisement
`will be displayed. Yet another alternative method for dis-
`playing advertisements is to display an advertisement until
`the viewer actually views an advertisement. For example, if
`the viewer fast-forwards through a selected advertisement,
`another selected advertisement is displayed. The process is
`repeated until the user appears to have viewed an advertise-
`ment (e.g., does not fast forward through a selected adver-
`tisement, does not turn off the PVR 22, does not change
`channels, etc.).
`
`[0037] The logic of FIG. 2 proceeds to block 108 where
`the viewer profile is updated. The viewer profile may be
`updated based on the viewer’s reaction to the first selected
`advertisement (e.g., whether the viewer control interface
`signal indicates a play command, a fast forward command,
`a pause command, etc.), based on the viewer’s reactions to
`the broadcast steam, based on the viewer’s purchases of
`goods/services, based on the viewer’s
`search/record
`requests, or based on some combination thereof. The
`updated viewer profile is stored. Like the initial viewer
`profile, preferably, the updated viewer profile is stored on the
`hard disk drive 26 and is also transmitted to the broadcast
`
`head end 36 for storage. Subsequent advertisements can be
`selected based on the updated profile. See block 110. The
`selected advertisements can then be displayed. See block
`112. The process of updating the viewer profile, selecting
`advertisements based on the viewer profile and displaying
`advertisements is continually repeated. As described above,
`the viewer profile may be updated based on a viewer
`reaction to a broadcast stream, a viewer reaction to a
`selected advertisement, a viewer purchase, or some combi-
`nation thereof.
`
`[0038] As discussed above, the viewer controls the per-
`sonal video recorder 22 through the viewer control interface,
`such as a remote control 40. As illustrated in FIG. 1 by way
`
`of example, if the viewer control interface 40 is a remote
`control,
`it may communicate with the personal video
`recorder 22 via a wireless link 44 that conveys control
`signals using infrared (IR) light. Remote controls and their
`various functions are generally known in the art. In particu-
`lar, it is known that IR light is modulated with a specific
`command, e.g., channel up or down, volume up or down,
`and the like, and that
`the controlled device detects and
`processes the modulated IR light to execute the command in
`the controlled device. The personal video recorder 22 has a
`receiver 42 that receives the control signals transmitted by
`the viewer control interface 40. For example, if the viewer
`control interface 22 is a remote control, the receiver 42 may
`be an infrared (IR) receiver that receives the control signals
`transmitted by the viewer control interface 40.
`
`In an alternative embodiment, the viewer may use
`[0039]
`the viewer control interface 40, such as a remote control, to
`control the set top box 34 instead of the personal video
`recorder 22. The set top box 34 then sends a control signal
`to the personal video recorder 22 indicating that a viewer
`command has been received by the set top box 34. The
`communication between the set top box 34 and the personal
`video recorder 22 may occur via a communications bus, e. g.,
`a universal serial bus (USB), and appropriate interface
`circuits.
`
`[0040] The cable 38 that connects the set top box 34 to the
`broadcast head end 36 may be part of a cable TV distribution
`network that serves a plurality of households. Further, it is
`contemplated that the cable 38 may connect the set top box
`34 to an antenna, a satellite dish or the Internet. Hereinafter,
`the set top box 34 is described as being connected to the
`broadcast head end 36.
`
`[0041] The broadcast head end 36 provides streaming
`video data that includes a multitude of channels with a
`
`multitude of programs and audio and video data. The
`broadcast head end 36 may further enable the viewer to
`subscribe to and receive video-on-demand or pay-per-view
`services. The format of the streaming video data may be in
`accordance with known video/television formats such as
`NTSC, PAL, S-Video or the like.
`
`[0042] The set top box 34 includes at least one tuner that
`selects one of the channels of the streaming video data
`provided by the broadcast head end 36. Using the viewer
`control interface 40 or a viewer control interface for the set
`
`top box 34, the viewer can control the set top box 34 to tune
`to the selected channel. It is contemplated that in an alter-
`native embodiment, the set top box 34 and the personal
`video recorder 22 may be combined in a single unit. Thus,
`the personal video recorder 22 may receive streaming video
`data that includes a multitude of channels and may internally
`tune to a selected channel. Alternatively, the personal video
`recorder 22 may receive only one channel selected from the
`multitude of channels by the external set top box 34.
`
`[0043] The personal video recorder 22 includes a storage
`device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) 24, such as is
`manufactured by Western Digital Technologies Inc. of Lake
`Forest, Calif. The hard disk drive 24, 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 streaming video data and the advertising data received
`at the port 32. That is, the hard disk drive 24 may store up
`to 30 hours of compressed video and audio data. The
`
`Page 11 of16
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`

`US 2003/0074661 A1
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`compression is often achieved by using a standardized
`process defined by the Moving Picture Expert Group
`(MPEG), e.g., MPEG-2. The recorded streaming video data
`and the advertising data are then available for later repro-
`duction.
`
`the
`It is contemplated that in one embodiment,
`[0044]
`personal video recorder 2 may be configured to perform
`MPEG-2 compression and decompression and to selectively
`store the MPEG-2 compressed video data.
`In another
`embodiment, the system 1 may be configured so that the
`personal video recorder 2 already receives MPEG-2 com-
`pressed video data. The personal video recorder 2, thus,
`selectively stores the MPEG-2 compressed video data with-
`out prior compression within the personal video recorder 2.
`The stored compressed video data may be decompressed
`outside the personal video recorder 2.
`
`[0045] Preferably, the advertisement is transmitted from
`the broadcast head end 36 to the personal video recorder 22
`at a time when a broadcast stream is not being transmitted
`to the personal video recorder 22 from the broadcast head
`end 36. For instance, the advertising data may be transmitted
`during nighttime, e.g., when the display 4 is inactive and the
`vi