Method and system for selecting television programs based on the past selection history of an identified user

Abstract

A system and method for selecting programs based on the past selection history of an identified user that allows the identified user to “surf” directly between desired programs. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a user input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating the identity of a user and an input signal indicating a degree of a selection preference. The system further includes at least one set-top box having a program receiver to receive the program signals from the head-end server, and a user input receiver for receiving the input signals from the user input apparatus. The set-top box also includes a memory to store the past selection history of the identified user, and a processor for determining which channel is currently assigned to a program corresponding to the degree of the selection preference of the identified user for the time period the input signal indicating the degree of the selection preference is received. The set-top box further includes a tuner operable for automatically tuning the program receiver to the determined channel. If the program assigned to the determined channel is not acceptable to the user, the process may be repeated for a different selection preference or for a different degree of the same selection preference.