Patent Grant
7756388
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of generating subgroups of media items from a collection or multiple collections (i.e., a library or libraries) of media items. In particular, embodiments of this invention relate to methods and systems capable of generating media item playlists based upon user behavior and/or user selection.
Due to recent advances in technology, computer users are now able to enjoy many features that provide an improved user experience, such as playing various media and multimedia content on personal, laptop, or handheld computers, as well as cellular phones and other portable media devices. For example, most computers today are able to play compact discs (CDs) and have an internet connection capable of streaming and downloading audio and video so users can listen to their favorite media while working on their computers. Many computers are also equipped with digital versatile disc (DVD) drives enabling users to watch movies.
In some multimedia environments, a computer has access to a computer-readable medium storing media files such as Moving Picture Experts Group audio layer-3 (MP3) files and WINDOWS MEDIA technologies audio (WMA) and video files. The computer typically organizes the media files into playlists when the compressed media files are played on the computer.
Conventionally, users must expend considerable time and energy to build a playlist of media items (e.g., video files, music files, photos, etc.) of any complexity. Media items must be individually selected and added to each playlist. In addition to the effort required, users may also have difficulty constructing a playlist including each of the media items they desire. For example, remembering the name of each particular media item (or artist, genre, creator, creation date, style, etc.) to include in a playlist is difficult. This inability to recall each desirable media item can lead to user-created playlists that include only a few common media items familiar to the user. Such playlists can be mundane, repetitive, and generally not pleasing, even to the creator.
The issue of recalling media items of interest is exacerbated with the era of online media item libraries, such as for music and other audio, movies and other video, among others. For example, a single user can easily subscribe to a media service having over a million available media items. Such a subscription simply provides too many choices for a single user to review and consider for a playlist.
Beyond inadequate time and inability to recall particular media items, other issues may also discourage particular users from authoring their own playlists. For example, a user who is not particularly computer savvy may not realize such a subgroup of his particular collection or multiple collections (i.e., a library or libraries) may be created. Others may simply not have the knowledge about the media to make such a playlist. Such users still have preferences about media and display strong opinions when exposed to different media items, even though they have no idea who wrote or is performing such items. Broadcast radio caters to such listeners by programming the listening experience according to a particular listening experience, or genre, such as easy listening, jazz, rhythm and blues, country, rock and roll, etc.
Unfortunately, these issues are not addressed by any conventional system. Conventional techniques provide only limited amounts of assistance to the user in creating playlists, such as sorting by media type or artist. Such conventional techniques provide no automatic playlist formation based upon user behavior or simple user feedback. Conventional techniques also require disclosure of much personal information from the user to a server so that the server can build the playlist. Because such information is personal, it is more desirable to retain such user information at the client, rather than the server. There is a need, therefore, for a system or method capable of generating a playlist of media items tailored to a user's needs in a more automatic way on the user's device, while retaining the direct, or indirect, control of the user. In other words, the system or method assists the user in media item (e.g., music, video, etc.) selection. Accordingly, a solution that enables playlist creation based upon simple user actions occurring during the playback of media items to automatically update the user playlist is desired.
Accordingly, a method (or a system) for generating a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items is desired to address one or more of these and other disadvantages. The method comprises monitoring a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library, choosing a selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action, and generating a subgroup of media items selected from the library of media items by applying the selecting filter to the library of media items. For example, embodiments of the invention may be well-suited for providing assistance to users in creating ordered subgroups, or playlists, of appropriate media items with relatively little effort and direct input from the user. Advantageously, aspects of the present invention permit creating of playlists based upon user playback control actions monitored during a user's playback experience, rather than on direct solicitation of feedback from the user. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, the invention also provides for the creation of playlists by soliciting minimal feedback from the user with respect to media items currently playing or collected as part of a playlist.
In one aspect of the invention, a method for generating a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items comprises monitoring a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library. The method further comprises choosing a selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action and generating a subgroup of media items selected from the library of media items by applying the selecting filter to the library of media items.
In another aspect of the invention, a system for generating a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items comprises a processor for monitoring a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library. The system further comprises a selecting filter adapted to generate a subgroup of media items from the library of media items. The processor chooses the selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action. The system further comprises a user interface adapted for presenting the user with the subgroup of media items for playing on a media player.
In still another aspect of the invention, a method for ordering a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library and choosing an ordering filter based upon the monitored user playback control action. The method further comprises ordering the subgroup of media items from the library of media items by applying the ordering filter to the subgroup of media items.
Alternatively, the invention may comprise various other methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses.
Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
System for Generating a Subgroup of Media Items
Referring now to
The processor 41 monitors user playback control actions 75 during a user's playback experience with the library 65. In one example, the user 71 may utilize a media player program on a computer 130 (see
Referring again to
In addition, the processor 41 may further choose one filter of the selecting filter 45 based upon the combination of two or more monitored user playback control actions 75. In one example, skipping a media item 81 may cause the processor to choose a filter 45 limiting play of that media item. If another media item 81 by the same artist is skipped, the processor 41 may choose a filter 45 limiting play of media items by that artist, based upon the combination of the two skipped media items 81 by the same artist.
Just as the processor 41 can add additional filters to the selecting filter 45, the processor can also remove one or more of the filters of the selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action 75. In one example, the processor 41 might remove a filter blocking play of a particular media item if the user 71 later repeats play of the particular media item. As such, the processor 41 can continuously evaluate the filters of the selecting filter 45 based upon the monitored user playback control actions 75 so that the playlist remains reflective of user preferences, even during playback of the media items on a media player. Furthermore, rather than removing or adding one or more filters, the user behavior may be used as inputs to modify one or more existing selecting filters 45. In one example, a selecting filter designed to avoid songs that sound like a particular artist (or photos of a certain subject, recorded television shows featuring a particular actor, etc.) may be modified based upon a user 71 skipping a particular media item to bias against media items similar to the one skipped.
Once the selecting filter 45 selects the media items 81 for the subgroup 85, the ordering filter 51 orders the media items into an ordered subgroup 91 for presentation to the user for playing. The processor 41 configures or chooses the ordering filter 51 based upon the monitored user playback control actions 75 to order the subgroup 85. Like the selecting filter 45, the ordering filter 51 may comprise two or more filters. The processor 41 may also remove one or more of the two or more filters based upon the monitored user playback control action 75. As with the selecting filter, the processor 41 may further configure or choose one filter of the ordering filter 51 based upon the combination of two or more monitored user playback control actions 75. As with the selecting filter 45, the user behavior may also be used as inputs to modify one or more existing ordering filters 51.
The user interface 55 is adapted for presenting the user 71 with the ordered subgroup 91 of media items selected by the selecting filter 45 for viewing and playback 95 on the media player program. Such an ordered subgroup 91 may also be referred to as a playlist throughout the present application. The processor 41 is adapted to continuously generate the subgroup 85 of media items and order the subgroup into an ordered subgroup 91 during the playing of the subgroup on the media player through the user interface 55. This ensures that the user playback control actions 75 are immediately reflected in the ordered subgroup 91. In one example, if the user playback control actions 75 indicate an interest in a particular artist, the selecting filter 45 will increase the number of media items 81 by that artist in the subgroup 85 and the ordering filter 51 will order the subgroup with an emphasis on playing media items by that artist near the beginning of the ordered subgroup 91. Both of these changes are reflected in the ordered subgroup 91 during media playback 95 of the media items in the media player, enhancing the responsiveness of the system 31 to user preferences. In another example, these updating features may be turned off during playback, such that updating of the ordered subgroup 91 only occurs between playback sessions.
Beyond monitoring user playback control actions 75 during the present playback experience of the user, the processor 41 may also rely upon past user playback control actions stored in the memory 61. In this sense, the filters 45, 51 are based upon user playback control actions occurring during either a past playback experience or a present playback experience. This is an important feature, allowing the system 31 to record preferences over time, so that each time the media player is used, the system need not relearn any previously discovered user preferences. In addition, the memory 61 may be further configured to apply to only a particular library 65 or subset of the library. In this manner, the user may determine when and where the stored user playback control actions are utilized.
User Interfaces
Referring generally to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring more particularly to
Beyond the binary choice offered by the smiling face and frowning face graphic 333, a user seeking to communicate more specific user preferences to the system 31 can select a split button 343 associated with the graphic 333 to reveal a broader array of instructions. As shown in
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Other user interfaces different from those described above are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.
Filter Mappings for Selection Elements and User Actions
With the exemplary user interfaces described above, the selection elements include multiple feedback choices available to the user. In one example, selection elements associated with particular media items may include the following choices: play this more; play soundslike; don't play right now; never play this; play more by this artist; play next; play this more; and play this less. In the present system, each of such selection elements is associated with the addition, removal, or modification of one or more filters by the system. In this manner, the user can direct the listening experience by making selections while the system configures or chooses appropriate filters. In one example, the following generic selection elements will cause the system to invoke the associated filters according to the following table:
Taking a more specific example, for a user selection of a selection element of “play media items by David Bowie,” an “Artist is David Bowie” filter is added to the selection filter. That filter will encourage media items associated with David Bowie to pass through the selection filter and become part of the current subgroup of media items. After adding one or more these filters to the selection filter, the subgroup is reevaluated by the system, new media items are added to or removed from the subgroup, the subgroup is ordered, and the user interface will reflect the changes. These changes can take place contemporaneously with the playing of the media items, such that the user can see the playlist change immediately after selecting a particular selection element. In another example, selection of the “play this less” selection element results in similar filter selections, but with opposite indications, thereby discouraging inclusion of associated media items within the subgroup.
Like the selection elements discussed above, the monitored user control actions 75 may comprise any interaction between the user 71 and the media player through the user interface 55. While the user 71 accesses media items, such as music files, the user may control the media player to alter the listening experience. In one example, when a media item that the user particularly enjoys begins playing, she may choose to increase the volume on the media player. If an undesirable media item is played, she may decide to skip to the next media item. Although not intended to provide information to the system regarding listening preferences, each of these media player control actions does provide valuable information about a user's musical taste or current mood. With conventional media players, preferences communicated through such media player control actions are typically ignored, and only explicit actions by the user, such as altering the rating on a media item or artist, are recorded and utilized. By monitoring these user control actions, the user indirectly instructs the processor regarding a wide variety of preferences, without requiring any additional effort or knowledge on the part of the user. Monitoring and utilizing this information is particularly useful for a user who would enjoy a more tailored listening experience, but does not wish to put forth the effort to create a playlist of media items from the library.
With these types of user control actions in mind, an exemplary system can monitor the following user control actions and apply these actions to the media items in the library to select and order a subgroup according to the following table:
As discussed above, monitoring any one of the above user actions may invoke the addition of one or more corresponding filters. In addition, if two or more of the user control actions are monitored, such actions may be combined to configure or choose appropriate filters. Other actions and assumed desires not listed here are also contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention. Moreover, some user behaviors may be monitored by the system to determine if a user is considered “proactive.” For example, if the user 71 is controlling playback by skipping media items, selecting other media items to play, adding media items, and reordering media items, they may be considered to be proactively controlling the playback of the playlist 91. In this situation, the system 31 may limit the addition, removal, and modification of many of the filters based upon user feedback because the user 71 is putting forth some effort in “steering” their own experience. If the user 71 is more passive (e.g., occasionally rating a media item and occasionally skipping a media item) the system 31 may add more filters, in an effort to further design the playlist 91 to meet the needs of the user.
The user control actions discussed above are generally related to actions that directly control playback of media items upon the media player. The following table lists user control actions that are also useful in generating the subgroup of media items, but are generally less direct than the user actions noted above. This does not, however, limit the ability of these actions to correctly assign appropriate filters.
As with the previous filters, if the processor 41 monitors two or more user control actions 75, the two or more actions may be combined to configure or choose appropriate filters.
The selecting filters may be of various types, including the following filters and corresponding explanations of their uses:
One skilled in the art would readily understand that other filters may be utilized without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
The ordering filters may be of various types, including the following filters and corresponding explanations of their uses:
One skilled in the art would readily understand that other selection and/or ordering filters may be utilized without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
The following examples are included to facilitate understanding of which particular user actions may be mapped to particular filters. These combinations are exemplary only and other combinations are also contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention. In one example, a user 71 double-clicks directly on several media items in the playlist 91 to play the selected media items now, instead of allowing the next media item in the playlist to be played. In this scenario, the user 71 has likely determined that the current playlist order is not desirable. The system 31 may respond to such behavior by altering the filters dramatically in an attempt to change the composition of the playlist 91. In addition, a “play less by this artist” filter may be added for those media items in the playlist 91 passed over by the user 71. Conversely, a “play more by this artist” filter may be added for those media items specifically selected by the user 71.
In another example, a user 71 skips one or more media items during playback. In this example, a “play less of this song” filter may be added for each skipped media item. In addition, a “play less by this artist” filter may be added for all media items performed by the artist performing the skipped media item. Where two are more consecutive media items are skipped to play the next media item in the playlist 91, a “play more by this artist” filter may be added for the next media item in the playlist, because that media item was the destination of the user 71.
In still another example, a user 71 lowers the five-star rating of a media item but does not opt to skip the media item during playback. In this scenario, the system 31 may check to see if current selection filters favor this artist or media item. If the media item or artist is favored, the system may reduce the weighting of the filter proportionate to the decrease in rating.
In yet another example, a user 71 lowers the five-star rating of a media item and skips the media item. In this scenario, the system 31 may check to see if current selection filters favor this artist or media item. If the media item or artist is favored, the system may remove such filters altogether.
In still another example, a user 71 restarts play of the media item during playback. Where the user 71 restarts only a single media item, the system 31 does not react because the user was likely restarting the media item due to a listening interruption, rather than due to a listening related preference. But seeking to the start of two or more media items in one playback session may indicate a conscious effort by the user to hear desirable media items more often. Thus, once the user 71 restarts a second media item, the system 31 adds a “sounds that sound like” filter for each of the two media items restarted.
In another example, the user 71 may mute a playing media item. This may indicate to the system 31 that the user is a passive listener, rather than a more attentive or active listener. The system 31 may determine that such a passive listener is more open to suggestion of media items, such that the system may be more aggressive in adding new media items to the playlist 91.
Methods for Generating a Subgroup of Media Items
The present invention further comprises methods for generating a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items. The system comprises monitoring a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library. The method further comprises choosing a selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action and generating a subgroup of media items selected from the library of media items by applying the selecting filter to the library of media items.
The method may further comprise choosing an ordering filter based upon the monitored user playback control action and ordering the subgroup of media items by applying the chosen ordering filter to the subgroup of media items. The method may further comprise playing the subgroup of media items on a media player, wherein the generating and the ordering occur during the playing of the subgroup. Moreover, each of the choosing a selecting filter and the choosing an ordering filter may be based upon at least one of a past playback experience and a present playback experience. The choosing a selecting filter may comprise choosing two or more filters based upon two or more monitored user playback control actions. Each of the two or more filters may be based upon a corresponding user playback control action. In addition, the choosing an ordering filter may comprise choosing two or more filters based upon two or more monitored user playback control actions, each of the two or more filters based upon a corresponding user playback control action.
In another example, the choosing a selecting filter may comprise choosing two or more filters based upon two or more monitored user playback control actions, and the choosing an ordering filter may comprise choosing two or more filters based upon two or more monitored user playback control actions. The method may further comprise removing one or more of the two or more selecting filters based upon one or more other monitored user playback control actions and removing one or more of the two or more ordering filters based upon one or more other monitored user playback control actions. The choosing a selecting filter may further comprise choosing one filter based upon the combination of two or more monitored user playback control actions. Similarly, the choosing an ordering filter may further comprise choosing one filter based upon the combination of two or more monitored user playback control actions. The choosing a selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action may further comprise at least one of adding one or more filters, removing one or more filters, and modifying one or more filters. Moreover, the choosing an ordering filter based upon the monitored user playback control action may further comprises at least one of adding one or more filters, removing one or more filters, and modifying one or more filters.
General Purpose Computing Device
The computer 130 typically has at least some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media, which include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media, may be any available medium that can be accessed by computer 130. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. In one example, computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by computer 130. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media, are examples of communication media. Combinations of the any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.
The system memory 134 includes computer storage media in the form of removable and/or non-removable, volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. In the illustrated embodiment, system memory 134 includes read only memory (ROM) 138 and random access memory (RAM) 140. A basic input/output system 142 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 130, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 138. RAM 140 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 132. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 130 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. In one example,
The drives or other mass storage devices and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
A user may enter commands and information into computer 130 through input devices or user interface selection devices such as a keyboard 180 and a pointing device 182 (e.g., a mouse, trackball, pen, or touch pad). Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, camera, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are connected to processing unit 132 through a user input interface 184 that is coupled to system bus 136, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB). A monitor 188 or other type of display device is also connected to system bus 136 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to the monitor 188, computers often include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as a printer and speakers, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface (not shown). In one example, the user interface 55 discussed above may be embodied by such input devices and monitors.
The computer 130 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 194. The remote computer 194 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to computer 130. The logical connections depicted in
When used in a local area networking environment, computer 130 is connected to the LAN 196 through a network interface or adapter 186. When used in a wide area networking environment, computer 130 typically includes a modem 178 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 198, such as the Internet. The modem 178, which may be internal or external, is connected to system bus 136 via the user input interface 184, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to computer 130, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device (not shown). By way of example, and not limitation,
Generally, the data processors of computer 130 are programmed by means of instructions stored at different times in the various computer-readable storage media of the computer. Programs and operating systems are typically distributed, in one example, on floppy disks or CD-ROMs. From there, they are installed or loaded into the secondary memory of a computer. At execution, they are loaded at least partially into the computer's primary electronic memory. The invention described herein includes these and other various types of computer-readable storage media when such media contain instructions or programs for implementing the operations described below in conjunction with a microprocessor or other data processor.
For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program components, such as the operating system, are illustrated herein as discrete blocks. It is recognized, however, that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computer, and are executed by the data processor(s) of the computer.
Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, including computer 130, the invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
In operation, computer 130 executes a method such as described above for generating a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items. The computer 130 (or its components) monitors a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library. The computer 130 chooses a selecting filter based upon the monitored user playback control action. The computer 130 generates a subgroup of media items selected from the library of media items by applying the selecting filter to the library of media items.
In operation, the computer 130 also executes a method such as described above for ordering a subgroup of one or more media items from a library of media items. The computer 130 (or its components) monitors a user playback control action during a playback experience with the library. The computer 130 chooses an ordering filter based upon the monitored user playback control action. The computer 130 orders the subgroup of media items from the library of media items by applying the ordering filter to the subgroup of media items.
Those skilled in the art will note that the order of execution or performance of the methods illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, it is contemplated by the inventors that elements of the methods may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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