Method and system for performance tracking to modify content presented by a set-top box

Abstract

An approach is provided for presenting, via a set-top box, a game to a user according to a user profile of the first user. Performance of the user is tracked. The performance information is presented to a supervisory user, wherein the set-top box is configured to provide modification of the user profile by the supervisory user based on the performance information.

1 . A method comprising:
 selecting an educational game for a dependent user based on a profile of the dependent user, wherein the profile specifies available content and scheduling information associated with the content;   presenting, via a set-top box, an educational game to the dependent user;   tracking performance information relating to playing the educational game by the dependent user;   comparing the tracked performance information with performance information collected from a plurality of other dependent users' performances on the educational game, wherein the dependent users are within a specified geographical region;   notifying a parental user of the comparison; and   receiving, in response to the notification, input from the parental user for modifying the profile of the dependent user.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically modifying the profile based on the performance information, wherein the performance information is used to select content including broadcast content, digital video recorder (DVR) content, on-demand video, an on-demand game, or a locally stored game.   
     
     
         3 . A set-top box device comprising:
 a memory configured to store a profile of a dependent user, wherein the profile specifies available content and scheduling information associated with the content; and   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to select an educational game for a dependent user based on a profile of the dependent user;   a presentation module configured to present an educational game to the dependent user;   a tracking module configured to track performance information relating to playing the educational game by the dependent user, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the tracked performance information with performance information collected from a plurality of other dependent users' performances on the educational game, wherein the dependent users are within a specified geographical region, and a parental user is notified of the comparison; and   an input interface configured to receive, in response to the notification, input from the parental user for modifying the profile of the dependent user.   
     
     
         4 . A set-top box device according to  claim 3 , wherein the profile is automatically modified based on the performance information, wherein the performance information is used to select content including broadcast content, digital video recorder (DVR) content, on-demand video, an on-demand game, or a locally stored game. 
     
     
         5 . A method comprising:
 presenting, via a set-top box, a game to a first user according to a user profile of the first user;   tracking performance, associated with playing the game, of the user;   storing the performance information; and   presenting the performance information to a second user, wherein the set-top box is configured to provide modification of the user profile by the second user based on the performance information.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the game includes an educational game. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 retrieving performance information of other users associated with other set-top boxes; and   comparing the performance information of the first user with the performance information of the other users to output a report.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the comparison is performed for users within a specified geographical region. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 presenting the report via the set-top box to the second user.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the performance information is used to select content including broadcast content, digital video recorder (DVR) content, on-demand video, an on-demand game, or a locally stored game. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 generating statistical information based on usage of the content.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 automatically providing, via the set-top box, suggested content based on the performance information or the user profile; and   automatically updating the user profile based on the performance information.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the user profile further specifies scheduling information for access to the content. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the second user has a supervisory role over the first user. 
     
     
         15 . A set-top box apparatus comprising:
 a processor configured to execute a game;   a presentation module configured to present the game to a first user according to a user profile of the first user;   a tracking module configured to track performance, associated with playing the game, of the user; and   a memory configured to store the performance information,   wherein the presentation module is further configured to present the performance information to a second user, and the user profile is selectively modified by the second user based on the performance information.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the game includes an educational game. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a communication interface configured to retrieve performance information of other users associated with other set-top boxes, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the performance information of the first user with the performance information of the other users to output a report.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the comparison is performed for users within a specified geographical region. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the presentation module is further configured to present the report via the set-top box to the second user. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the performance information is used to select content including broadcast content, digital video recorder (DVR) content, on-demand video, an on-demand game, or a locally stored game. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the tracking module is further configured to generate statistical information based on usage of the content. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein suggested content is automatically provided based on the performance information or the user profile, and the user profile is automatically updated based on the performance information. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the user profile further specifies scheduling information for access to the content. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the second user has a supervisory role over the first user. 
     
     
         25 . A system comprising:
 a database configured to store content including a game; and   a video processor configured to transmit video content to a set-top box over a transmission facility,   wherein the set-top box is configured to present the game to a first user according to a user profile of the first user, to track performance, associated with playing the game, of the user, to store the performance information, and to present the performance information to a second user,   wherein the set-top box is further configured to provide modification of the user profile by the second user based on the performance information.