Collecting and organizing content distributed via social media

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to providing a method for collecting and organizing content distributed via social media. The method begins by providing a stream of posts of media content for a user account and receiving a selection of media content provided within the stream from the user account. The selected media content is moved from the stream to a playlist interface. The selected media content is organized within the playlist interface into categories based on content type to generate a playlist for the user account. The organized playlist of selected media content is provided for rendering at a display device for accessing the user account.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201380062325.6, filed on October 7, 2013. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the collection and organization of content distributed via social media. Background Technology

[0004] Internet applications have grown remarkably in recent years. One area that has witnessed this growth involves social interaction and media content sharing. Social network users are exposed to a vast amount of media content in the form of videos, images, articles, and more. Media content is received in content streams and is the result of various user interactions within social groups. Currently, users are offered limited options for collecting and organizing media content from their content streams.

[0005] As the amount of content received in a user's content stream increases, keeping track of that content becomes a challenge. Furthermore, users are limited by how they navigate the content stream. For example, when a user selects video content to watch, they are confined to the current tab or a defined scrolling area where the video is displayed. Users cannot simultaneously watch the video and browse the content stream. This is because, as the user scrolls down the content stream or moves from one tab to another, the currently displayed scrolling area either scrolls up or remains within the old tab. This frustrates users and leads to a poor user experience, as they cannot perform content stream browsing while watching the video.

[0006] Similarly, the inability of users to collect and organize images from posts within a central location, or the lack of ability to output organized images for sharing and / or later viewing, further leads to user disappointment. Increased user disappointment results in increased user churn, making it difficult to identify content that appeals to users and captures their current interests. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Various implementations of this disclosure provide methods, systems, and computer programs for collecting and organizing media content distributed via social media to playlists that users can share with other users. Posts of media content from various users on social media involving user accounts are collected and provided to the user in a content stream when the user account is accessed. Selection of media content is received from the user account. The selected media content is moved to a playlist interface available on a display device associated with the user account. The media content selected to form the playlist can include any type of digital media that can be displayed on the display device associated with the user. When the selected media content is moved to the playlist interface, the media content is automatically organized into specific categories based on content type, and the playlist is automatically generated. The playlist for the user account identifies the user's interest in the selected media content in the content stream. An interest indicator for each category within the playlist is maintained for each user account, and the corresponding interest indicator is updated for the specific user account as media content is added to / removed from the playlist and at that time.

[0008] In some implementations, once a playlist is generated for a user account, media content from the playlist can be selected for display on the device accessing the user account. The selected media content will begin appearing on the playlist interface of the display device and follow the user as they continue browsing the content stream. The playlist interface also follows the user when they switch from one tab to another within their account. In some implementations, when a playlist is generated, the media content in the playlist can automatically begin appearing on the playlist interface from its specific categories, without any user action. In some implementations, the appearance of media content can be based on the order in which it was added under specific categories. In some other implementations, the automatic appearance of media content in the playlist interface can be based on the popularity of the media content among other users in the user's social groups. In other implementations, other variations for automatically displaying media content can be used.

[0009] It should be recognized that this disclosure can be implemented in various ways, such as as a process, apparatus, system, device, or method on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Several implementations of this disclosure are described below.

[0010] According to some implementations, a method for collecting and organizing content from social media is provided. The method includes providing a stream of posts containing media content for a user account and receiving a selection of the media content provided within the stream from the user account. The selected media content is moved from the stream to a playlist interface. The selected media content is organized into categories within the playlist interface based on content type to generate a playlist for the user account. The organized playlist of selected media content is provided for display on a display device used to access the user account.

[0011] In some implementations, a post is either a commercial post or a user post received from one or more users within one or more social groups. The media content in the post may be user-generated or non-user-generated.

[0012] In some implementations, adding selected media content further includes determining categories within the playlist to organize the selected media content based on content type, placing the selected media content under the categories of the playlist, and updating the interest indicator of the playlist categories associated with the user account.

[0013] In some implementations, one or more media contents within a custom playlist are customized.

[0014] In some implementations, customization includes adjusting the ranking of media content within a specific category based on user interactions with that content within that category of the playlist.

[0015] In some implementations, customization includes receiving a selection of a subset of media content and assembling customized media content from the selected subset. The selected subset of media content belongs to a specific category or to multiple categories within a playlist, and the media content within the subset includes at least a portion of one or more media contents from the playlist.

[0016] In some implementations, assembling customized media content further includes adding special effects to a subset of the media content, said special effects being provided using additional media content from one or more categories available to the user account.

[0017] In some implementations, the media content within a playlist can be dynamically adjusted based on adding or removing one or more media content from one or more categories in the playlist. This dynamic adjustment includes adjusting interest indicators for the user account related to the corresponding category in the playlist.

[0018] In some implementations, playlists are specific to a user’s session or social group associated with a user’s account.

[0019] In some implementations, controls are provided at the playlist interface to enable sharing of one or more media contents within a playlist with other users in one or more social groups associated with a specific user of the playlist. This sharing includes receiving a selection of one or more media contents belonging to one or more categories from the specific user, receiving distribution information relating to one or more users within one or more social groups who selected the media contents for sharing, and using the distribution information to forward the identified media contents to the selected users.

[0020] In some implementations, interactions by other users on shared media content are determined, indicating the respective user's interest in the shared media content. Interest indicators for the corresponding category associated with the shared media content of the respective user are updated based on other user interactions. Different updated interest indicators for different categories associated with different user accounts are used to determine promotional media for other users.

[0021] In some implementations, the playlist returned for display includes placement information for the display device appropriate for the user's account.

[0022] In some implementations, a playlist manager is provided to execute on a server's processor for collecting and organizing content from social media. The playlist manager includes multiple modules, including a stream manager module, a media selection module, a media categorization module, and a playlist display module. The stream manager module is configured to verify access to a user account, receive posts of media content from multiple users and provide media content in a content stream, manage the content stream for posts from a user account, and analyze the media content within the content stream to identify content types. The media selection module is configured to detect selections of one or more media contents from the content stream, provide a playlist interface for moving selected media content, and generate a playlist containing the selected media content. The media categorization module is configured to automatically organize the selected media content within the playlist into one or more categories based on the content types obtained from the stream manager module. The playlist display module is configured to receive the organized playlist from the media categorization module and return the playlist for display on a display device used to access the user account.

[0023] In some implementations, the playlist manager further includes a playlist customization module configured to provide customization of the media content in the playlist. In some implementations, the customization includes any one or more of the following: reorganizing media content in corresponding categories based on the relative ranking of media content in the playlist; merging media content within one or more categories in the playlist to generate customized media content; and integrating one or more media content from a second playlist into the corresponding categories within the playlist.

[0024] In some implementations, the playlist ranking module is used to monitor user interactions with media content in each category of a playlist for a specific user's account, and to adjust the relative ranking of media content in the corresponding category of the playlist associated with that specific user based on the monitored interactions.

[0025] In some implementations, the playlist manager further includes a playlist sharing module configured to provide controls at the playlist interface to selectively share one or more media contents within the playlist with other users within one or more social groups of the user. The playlist sharing module is configured to receive from a specific user a selection of one or more media contents under one or more categories within the playlist, receive distribution information relating to one or more other users within one or more social groups of the specific user for sharing the media content, and forward the identified media content to the other users' selections using the distribution information of the selected users.

[0026] In some implementations, the system further includes a promotional media engine configured to monitor interactions at media content in each category of a playlist associated with a particular user's user account to determine the particular user's interest in each category, update the interest indicator for the corresponding category of the playlist associated with the particular user's user account based on the interactions, and identify promotional media to display alongside the playlist based on the particular user's interest in each category of the playlist.

[0027] In some implementations, the system further includes a user interest metrics database, configured to store interest indicators in each category of playlists used for user accounts for subsequent analysis.

[0028] In some implementations, a method for collecting and organizing content from social media is provided. The method includes providing a stream of posts containing media content for a user's account and receiving a selection of one or more media contents provided within the stream. The selected media content is moved from the stream to a playlist interface. The selected media content within the playlist interface is organized into categories based on the content. User interactions at media content within each category of the playlist are monitored, wherein the interactions define the user's interest in the media content. Promotional media is identified based on the user's determined interests determined by monitoring. Along with the playlist of selected media, the identified promotional media is returned for display on the user's display device.

[0029] In some implementations, the media content selected by the mobile device includes updating interest indicators associated with each category of media content within the user account's playlist based on monitored user interactions and dynamically adjusting the relative ranking of media content in each category of the playlist based on the user's interests associated with the user account.

[0030] In some implementations, the method includes receiving a second playlist having one or more media contents in one or more categories, monitoring interactions at selected media contents in the second playlist, the interactions defining a user's interest in the selected media contents in the second playlist, and, based on the user's interest, integrating the selected media contents from the second playlist into corresponding categories of a playlist associated with the user's account. One or more media contents from the integrated playlist associated with the user's account are selected for sharing with other users within one or more of the user's social groups.

[0031] In some implementations, integration includes providing controls to enable customization of one or more media contents within one or more categories of a playlist during integration. The customization includes receiving a selection of a subset of media content belonging to one or more categories from the playlist after integration, assembling the customized media content by merging the selected subsets, and placing the customized media content in one of the categories in the playlist or in a new category within the playlist. The assembly includes adding special effects to the selected subset of media content using media content available within the user's account.

[0032] According to some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided having program instructions embodied thereon for collecting and organizing content from social media. The program instructions include: program instructions for providing a stream of posts containing media content for a user account and for receiving selections of media content provided within the stream; program instructions for moving the selected media content from the stream to a playlist interface; program instructions for organizing the selected media content into categories within the playlist interface based on content type to generate a playlist for the user account; and program instructions for providing the playlist of selected media content for display on a display device for accessing the user account.

[0033] These and other implementations can provide one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of an organized playlist implementation is that users have control over the media content displayed in the playlist interface and can watch / listen to it while continuing to browse media content in the content stream. Another advantage is that playlists provide a simple way to identify a user's interest in specific media content. As a user's content stream grows, it becomes difficult for both the user and the system to track which media content captures the user's interest. Playlists provide a simple and effective way to allow users to select specific media content and automatically organize the selected media content into short playlists of content of interest. The organized list of media content identifies the user's interests in various categories. The system can monitor user interests by maintaining an interest indicator for each category within the playlist and updating the corresponding interest indicator as the user adds, deletes, or interacts with media content within the playlist. The information obtained through monitoring is analyzed by the system to identify additional media content or promotional content to present to the user. Additional media content is configured to be displayed alongside the playlist.

[0034] Other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The various implementations can be best understood by referring to the following descriptions and accompanying figures.

[0036] Figure 1 The illustration is a simplified representation of the social graph of users used in receiving, collecting, and organizing media content into playlists according to an implementation of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a simplified block diagram of a sample architecture of a system used to receive, collect, and organize media content into a playlist, according to an implementation of this disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3The diagram illustrates the methods used for collecting and organizing media content according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 The diagram shows the various modules used in the playlist application.

[0039] Figure 4A The illustration shows a simplified process for generating playlists using media content from a content stream, according to an implementation of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 4B The illustration provides a simplified demonstration of the playlist generated according to the implementation of this disclosure and the various options available therein.

[0041] Figures 4C-1 to 4C-3 The illustrations show different options available on the property page for displaying the generated playlist, according to some implementations of this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 4D The illustration shows a simplified representation of cloud storage for storing user and media content-related data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 5 The illustration shows a simplified representation of a customized provision of one or more media contents within a stream, according to an implementation of this disclosure.

[0044] Figures 6A-6E The illustration shows a sample screenshot illustrating an implementation of this disclosure that utilizes media content from a content stream to receive, collect, organize, and customize playlists.

[0045] Figure 7 The illustrations depict processing operations of methods for collecting and organizing media content according to some implementations of this disclosure.

[0046] Figure 8 The illustrations depict processing operations of methods for collecting and organizing media content according to some other implementations of this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 9 The illustrations are simplified schematic diagrams of computer systems used to implement various implementations of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The following implementation describes the methods, systems, and computer programs used to collect and organize content from social media.

[0049] It is obvious that this implementation can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other cases, well-known processing operations are not described in detail so as not to obscure the implementation.

[0050] In general, the system enables the receipt of media content posts from various users within a social network, the collection of media content from the content stream for user account selection, and the provision of the content stream for display on the display device used by the user account. The system receives selections of one or more media content items from the displayed content stream from the user account. The selected media content moves from the content stream to a playlist interface. A playlist is generated on the playlist interface using the selected media content. The content of the selected media content is analyzed, and appropriate categories are determined based on content type. The selected media content in the playlist is organized under appropriate categories based on the content type. The user's organized playlist provides a snapshot of the user's interests across various categories. As the user continues to browse media content in the media stream and identifies media content to include in the playlist, the appropriate categories within the playlist are dynamically updated based on the user's selections.

[0051] The system also enables dynamic ranking of media content in playlists. This dynamic ranking is achieved by maintaining interest indicators for each category for each user account, thus identifying user interests in media content within each category. User interaction with media content within each category of the playlist is monitored, and the corresponding interest indicators are updated to reflect the user's current interests. Interest indicators are used to identify one or more promotional or supplementary media items to be displayed alongside the playlist.

[0052] Playlists are dynamically updatable and can be session-specific or dedicated to a user's social group. In some implementations, when a playlist is dedicated to a social group, the generated playlist is stored in a database for later retrieval. In some implementations, stored playlists are automatically retrieved and displayed when a user initiates a second or subsequent session. In some implementations, stored playlists are retrieved and presented upon explicit request from the user when a second or subsequent session is initiated. As a result, multiple playlists can be associated with a user, and the user can retrieve any of multiple playlists during subsequent sessions. Playlists can be dynamically refined during the current or subsequent session by allowing users to add, delete, or update media content within one or more categories of the playlist. Media content within a playlist can be set to appear automatically or only upon explicit user interaction. Playlists can also be shared with one or more other users within the involved group.

[0053] By keeping this overview in mind, we will now discuss the various currently disclosed implementations in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams. Users interact with each other and exchange posts of media content within the context of a social network environment, where users can include real people and entities. Users access different network-accessible attributes, which enable social interactions between other users, and such interactions are collected and presented to the user when the user accesses / accesses those attributes through their user account. Examples of network-accessible attributes include websites, applications, or other types of objects that can be accessed on a social network. Figure 1 The illustrations depict simplified representations of social network graphs used to facilitate various implementations of this disclosure. Figure 1 In this context, each user is represented by a node, and interactions between any two users are represented by edges. A user's social contacts are those users who interact with the user directly or indirectly. For example, user A interacts directly with users B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. User A interacts indirectly with user L through users F, G, or H, and with user I through users B, D, G, or H, and so on. Each of a user's social contacts (directly or indirectly) can be part of one or more social groups associated with the user. In the context of this disclosure, user A can generate posts of media content by accessing attributes. User A can also receive posts of media content from any user who has accessed the attribute and is part of one or more of user A's social groups. Posts of media content from different users are collected and provided to user A in the content stream when user A accesses the attribute through their user account.

[0054] Figure 2The illustration depicts a system for collecting and organizing posts of media content within a social media network, according to an implementation of this disclosure. A user accesses a user account via a client device 210, which may be any device configurable to access attributes as part of a social media network. Device 210 should be broadly understood to include various types of mobile and non-mobile computing devices and may include multiple auxiliary computing devices. For example, and not limitingly, client device 210 may be a personal computer system, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, etc. Client device 210 includes memory 212 (volatile and non-volatile memory) for storing processor-executable instructions on the client side. Device 210 further includes a processor 216 for executing instructions and a display 218 for accessing the user account and displaying pages of attributes or social networks to the user. It will be understood that pages of attributes or social networks are to be broadly understood to include any type of representation of attributes or social networks. Thus, for example, a page may be a webpage, a view provided by an application, or any other type of visual representation of attributes or social networks. Interface 220 may include any various interface mechanisms, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, joystick, accelerometer, or any other type of mechanism by which a user can provide input to device 210. Interface 220 also includes a client-side application programming interface (API) for communicating with the server-side API to upload data and / or display information about attributes or social networks, and to request and receive data and / or display information about attributes or social networks. In some implementations, the attribute or social network-related display information includes posts of media content distributed by users accessing the attribute or social network or exchanged between users. In the illustrated implementation, application 214 executes from memory 212. In some implementations, application 214 is a web browser. However, in other implementations, application 214 may be any other type of application useful for accessing attributes or social networks.

[0055] Still for reference Figure 2Server 180 (e.g., a property server) is provided to interact with device 210 via a server-side API to allow processing and delivery of data about specific properties or social networks, enabling users to access and interact with properties or social networks to generate posts of media content and other data, and to exchange / share such posts. In one implementation, server 180 is a web server. In other implementations, server 180 can be any other type of server suitable for communicating with device 210 to enable users to access properties or social networks. As shown, server 180 includes a request manager 184 for receiving and parsing requests from client-side application 214. Page processing module 182 performs processing to serve specific requests, such as requests for property pages or requests for updates to property pages. In some implementations, page processing module 182 retrieves data from property data store 190, which contains content data defining what will be displayed on the property page. Page processing module 182 can also store data in cache 188 and retrieve data from cache 188. For example, attribute-related data, including frequently accessed media content data, can be stored in cache 188 to enable faster retrieval the next time the request is received. Page display / update 186 sends data to device 210 to display or update attribute page 222 on display 218 of device 210.

[0056] Despite the above combination Figure 2 A single attribute server 180 has been described, but those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of attribute servers may be configured to provide users with access to a variety of attributes. In some implementations, multiple attributes may be owned or manipulated by a single network attribute provider 110. In such a configuration, user activity can be easily determined across the various attributes of the network attribute provider 110. Furthermore, the network attribute provider 110 may also provide a social network, which can facilitate the integration of services across various attributes combined with the social network.

[0057] In some implementations, a single property server 180 or network property provider 110 can manage access to any property or social network, manage user preferences, and any other activities related to access to and management of user accounts and user-related media content data by providing a user authentication module. The property server or network property provider monitors user activity across various properties and social networks.

[0058] The property server 180 or network property provider 110 interacts with the playlist manager 194 within the social network server 192 to manage user accounts and provide user access to the social network. A sample playlist manager module 194 is shown in... Figure 3The diagram illustrates this. In some implementations, the playlist manager is a server-side application stored in the server's memory (volatile or non-volatile) and executed by the server's processor. It collects posts of media content from social networks for user accounts, provides these posts in a content stream, and selects and organizes selected media content into playlists for user accounts. The playlist manager module 194 receives posts of media content data related to user interaction from the social network from the user data store 198 and the media content data store 196, collects user-related media content data for a specific user's account, and returns the user-related data to page processing 182 for inclusion in a property page 222 returned to the display of device 210 in response to a property request. The property page 222 returned to the display includes property page content and posts of media content returned in the content stream. The content stream can be displayed at property page 222 or on a separate page via option 223 provided in the property page. When option 223 is selected at property page 222, the media content stream is displayed on a separate social network page 224. Updates to posts of media content displayed on property pages or social network pages are provided directly by the playlist manager 194. One or more media contents from posts in the content stream displayed on property pages or social network pages are selected to generate a playlist for the device's user. The selected media content moves from the content stream to the playlist interface and is organized into categories based on content type to generate the playlist. The generated playlist is displayed on the playlist interface. The playlist interface is a dynamically moving interface that follows the user within the property page as they browse the content stream and / or move from one tab to another within the property page. Media content from categories within the playlist can be selected to be displayed on the playlist interface automatically or through user action, and the playlist interface provides the user with the ability to view and control the display of the selected media content while allowing the user to continue browsing the content stream or move from one tab to another within the property page. In some implementations, the playlist interface provides the ability to view the source of any media content within the playlist through activity on the playlist. For example, a playlist provides users with the ability to display the selected media content on the playlist interface with a single click and to view the source of the media content from the selected content on the post with a double click. The aforementioned methods of displaying and accessing the source should not be considered restrictive. Other methods of selecting media content from the playlist for display and for accessing the source can be used. The source of the media content can be accessed to obtain additional information related to the media content.

[0059] In one implementation, the playlist manager 194 includes multiple modules to identify media content provided in streams of different user posts, manage media content in the stream (i.e., content stream), detect activity of selected media content in the content stream, move selected media content to the playlist interface, organize and manage media content within the playlist interface, and return the organized media content for display and sharing. Figure 3 The illustration depicts a sample playlist manager that identifies various modules used in some implementations of this disclosure. As illustrated, multiple modules within playlist manager 194 provide access to social networks and data shared by users of those networks, and manage such data for users. In one implementation, the playlist manager includes a stream manager module 302, a media selection module 304, a media categorization module 306, and a playlist display module 308. Playlist manager 194 also includes a playlist customization module 310, a playlist sharing module 312, a playlist ranking module 314, a playlist statistics engine 316, a user interest metric 318, and an advertising engine 320. The above list of modules is not intended to be limiting. In some implementations, one or more modules may be integrated into other modules while maintaining the functionality of the modules. For example, playlist ranking module 314 and playlist statistics engine 316 may be integrated with playlist customization module 310. Playlist manager 194 retrieves and updates data available in social media content storage 196, user data storage 198, and playlist data 322. In addition, social network data from playlist manager 194 is forwarded to display 218 of device 210 via page processing 182. The function of each module will now be described in conjunction with Figure 3.

[0060] The Stream Manager module receives user account access requests from a specific user of device 210 to access social networks and related data. The Stream Manager module receives user authentication information for the user account, verifies the user authentication information through one or more user authentication processes, and, upon successful verification, provides access to property pages, social networks, and related data. In some implementations, the Stream Manager module stores and retrieves posts from user data storage 198 and media content-related data from social media content data storage 196 used for verification. Media content-related data can include various types of information, including metadata defining the media content, additional information related to the source of the media content, including multimedia objects such as photos, videos, music, published articles, images, user entries, posters, weblogs, and maps, and any other types of information associated with and provided by user activity on the social network. In response to successful verification of authentication information for a user account, the stream manager module identifies and collects various posts of media content for the user account from the social media content data store 196, packages the posts of media content into a content stream, and returns the content stream for presentation at the display 218 of the device 210. The media content includes any type of data provided by a specific user and / or by other users within one or more social groups of that specific user on the social network.

[0061] As a user browses the content stream, the media selection module monitors user activity at media content points within the stream and detects selections of one or more media items displayed in the stream. An interface is provided to capture such selection activity. The interface provided by the media selection module is a playlist interface that appears alongside the content stream and is used to capture user selection activity. For example, a user browses media content in the content stream and identifies specific media content that captures the user's interest. In some implementations, the media selection module detects selections of specific media content in the content stream and moves the selected media content from the content stream to the playlist interface. In other implementations, the media selection module identifies user activity at the selected media content. In this implementation, the selected media content is identified by the user dragging and dropping the selected media content from the content stream into the playlist interface. In response to the movement of the selected media content from the stream to the playlist interface, the media selection module generates a playlist of the selected media content within the playlist interface for the user's account. In some implementations, a playlist is generated if it does not already exist for the user. In such an implementation, if the playlist already exists for the user, the media selection module organizes newly added media content within the playlist. In another implementation, a playlist is generated each time a user's account is accessed. In such an implementation, multiple playlists can be associated with a user.

[0062] The playlist interface provides spaces and canvases on the properties page to collect and organize selected media content into playlists that the user can manage and maintain. In some implementations, selecting media content from the content stream to add to the playlist interface is done by double-clicking the selected media content. In other implementations, the media selection module can simply detect the selection of media content and mark it by generating tags, icons, etc., and automatically moving such selected media content into the playlist interface.

[0063] Figure 4A The illustration depicts a simplified representation of a user's sample playlist generated through user interaction on a properties page, displayed in the display portion of the device used to access the user's account in some implementations. Upon successful verification of providing access to the user's account, a stream of media content posts is presented to the user. As the user browses the content stream and selects specific media content to add to the playlist interface, the selected media content is updated in the user's playlist data stored in playlist data storage 322. The selected playlist includes media content provided in the user's posts. In some implementations, posts may include commercial posts and / or user posts. In some implementations, user posts are received from one or more users within one or more social groups. The media content provided in the posts includes user-generated content and / or non-user-generated content within one or more social groups (e.g., user A's social group 1, social group 2, etc.). Playlist data storage 322 maintains playlist data for one or more playlists for each user account.

[0064] In some implementations, a user's playlist is specific to a particular session of the user associated with their account. In such implementations, playlist data for that user's specific session is deleted when the current user session terminates. In other implementations, playlists are specific to a user's social groups associated with their account. In such implementations, playlist data for a user account is maintained and retrieved in playlist data storage 322 for display and updating during subsequent user sessions. In some implementations, playlist data for playlists generated during different sessions of a particular user is maintained separately in playlist data storage 322, allowing the user to have multiple playlists. In such implementations, a user can retrieve any playlist and update the playlist data during subsequent sessions, or a user can generate new playlists specific to subsequent sessions. During subsequent sessions, media content can be selected and added to playlists displayed in the playlist interface by moving it from the content stream to the playlist interface. Media content data may have been provided via posts by the user or by another user within one or more of the user's social groups.

[0065] As users continue browsing the content stream, identifying selected media content, and adding that selected content to the playlist interface, the resulting playlist grows in terms of media content. The playlist interface is a dynamically moving interface that updates as the user navigates the content stream and moves within the properties page. Figure 4B The illustration demonstrates the dynamic nature of the playlist interface. As shown, the dashed rectangles represent the movement of the playlist interface as the user scrolls down the content stream. Furthermore, the playlist interface provides users with additional options to customize its appearance, location, and the media content within the playlist, and allows for sharing some or all of the media content within the playlist with other users. For example, as... Figures 4C-1 to 4C-3 As illustrated, the playlist interface is not limited to a single location but can be situated anywhere on the properties page, and this location is user-driven. In addition to customizing the location, the appearance of the playlist interface on the properties page can be customized based on user preferences. For example, users may prefer the playlist interface to be minimized during normal browsing and maximized when the user wants to add or adjust playlists, or while media content within the playlist is displayed. Figures 4C-1 to 4C-3 As shown in the illustration, the playlist interface offers options for such customization. The dynamic nature of the playlist interface allows users to control and view the media content displayed on the playlist, while also allowing users to browse the content stream.

[0066] Information associated with the playlist's location, appearance, and media content is stored in the playlist data storage 322. Such information includes at least user preference-related data for displaying the playlist interface, media content-related data, category information, etc. In some implementations, playlist-related information is obtained from user data storage 198, social media content storage 196, and playlist data storage 322, stored on a server or accessible by the stream manager 302 for retrieval when such data is needed. Figure 4D In some implementations illustrated in the figure, such information can be stored in cloud storage that can be accessed and retrieved by the stream manager 302.

[0067] The media selection module 304 generates a playlist of the selected media content. For example, the media selection module interacts with the stream manager 302 to obtain information related to the media content presented in the post on the properties page. The media selection module 304 also detects selections of one or more media contents to include them in the playlist through user actions / activities at various media contents displayed in the content stream, provides a playlist interface to collect the selected media content, moves the selected media content to the playlist interface, and generates a playlist for the selected media content. During playlist generation, the media selection module may determine whether the playlist already exists for a specific user. If the playlist already exists, the media selection module can provide options to select an existing playlist to update or generate a new playlist for the user. Based on which option is selected, the media selection module 304 then interacts with the media categorization module 306 to generate and organize the playlist.

[0068] Continue reading Figure 3 The media classification module 306 detects the additions or updates to media content provided by the media selection module at the playlist interface, analyzes the content associated with the addition / update, identifies the category of the addition / update based on the content type, and thus dynamically updates the corresponding category in the playlist. In some implementations, the categories available in the playlist interface for organizing media content include video, image, article, and music. The above list of categories should not be considered limiting. Additional categories can be provided in the playlist interface. For example, status updates, quotations, etc., can also be added as categories. In some implementations, the media classification module 306 can generate subcategories within each category and organize the selected media content into the corresponding subcategories based on analysis. The media classification module 306 continues to perform the tasks of detection, analysis, and classification during the user session.

[0069] In some implementations, the media categorization module 306 organizes media content within the playlist according to the order in which it was added to the playlist interface, and then reorganizes the media content within one or more categories / subcategories based on user activity detected at the media content in the corresponding category / subcategory within the playlist. In such implementations, reorganization may include moving media content from one category to a different category or from a subcategory within a category to a different subcategory within the same or different categories. In some implementations, media content within the playlist is organized based on activity and its associated rating. In such implementations, activity and rating information for the media content within the playlist may be included along with the media content data as it moves from the content stream to the playlist interface. Ratings may be provided by users on a social network and tabulated to determine the popularity of multiple media contents among users.

[0070] In addition to categorizing media content, for users associated with a user account, when a playlist is initially generated, the media categorization module 306 generates interest indicators for each category and each subcategory within that playlist, and updates the interest indicators in the corresponding categories and subcategories when the playlist is adjusted. Playlist adjustments include adding, deleting, or updating media content within one or more categories / subcategories in the playlist. The media categorization module can store each user's interest indicators in the corresponding user's data within the user data storage 198 and retrieve user interest indicators for subsequent updates by other modules in the playlist manager and / or for subsequent analysis.

[0071] See back Figure 3 The playlist display module 308 of the playlist manager 194 receives media content information from the media selection module and organization information from the media classification module, formats the playlist with the selected media content, and returns the formatted playlist to the page processing 182 of the property server. The page processing 182 integrates the playlist data with the page content data and returns the page to the display 218 of the device 210 for display. The playlist interface with the organized media content is displayed on the device's display and follows the user as they browse the content flow within the property page.

[0072] In some implementations, the playlist interface not only provides a place or canvas to collect and display the playlist of selected media content, but also a place to display the selected media content within the playlist. In some implementations, media content can be paused or stopped from displaying on the properties page when it is selected in the properties page and moved from the content stream to the playlist interface. Alternatively, the playlist display module can begin displaying media content on the playlist interface. In some implementations, media content is displayed on the playlist interface based on explicit user actions on the media content after it has been added to the playlist, where user actions may include selecting media content to display on the playlist interface. In some other implementations, the playlist display module can automatically begin displaying media content once it moves from the content stream to the playlist. In some implementations, under each category, media content can be displayed in the order it was added to the playlist. For example, if video content Video 1 is added first under the Video category, then audio 1 is added under the Audio category, the second video content Video 2 is added under the Video category, photos 1 and 2 are added under the Image / Photo category, article 1 is added under the Article category, and images 1 and 2 are added under the Image / Photo category, then in the current implementation, the playlist display module determines the order in which the media content is automatically displayed as Video 1, Video 2, Audio 1, Photos 1 and 2, Images 1 and 2, and Article 1, respectively. The order of the categories used for categorized display can be predefined or user-driven. In some other implementations, media content can be displayed in the order in which they are selected into the playlist across all categories. Using the example above, in such an implementation, the order in which the media content is displayed would be Video 1, Audio 1, Video 2, Photos 1 and 2, Article 1, and Images 1 and 2, respectively.

[0073] Now see Figure 3 and 5 In the playlist interface, the playlist manager provides customization options for one or more media items in the playlist by offering customization controls 510. Figure 5 The illustration shows how to customize media content in a playlist using the playlist customization module 310. In some implementations, the customization control 510 may be provided as a button, icon, etc., on the playlist interface. Selecting the customization control 510 on the playlist interface triggers execution of the playlist customization module 310. In some implementations, when activated, the playlist customization module 310 receives the user's selection of media content from the playlist, and customizes the selected media content to generate one or more customized media content pieces. The playlist customization module 310 provides a customization interface for customizing one or more media content pieces within the playlist. Figure 5The illustration shows a customization interface with a selection list of options that can be provided by the playlist customization module during one or more media content sessions within a customized playlist. Some customization options available for generating customized media content include background, foreground, image, music, desired transition types, and more. It should be noted that the list of customization options should not be considered limiting or restrictive. Additional or different customization options beyond those listed may be provided for customizing media content.

[0074] In some implementations, the media content selected for customization belongs to a single category. For example, two or more images from the Image / Photo category can be selected to generate customized image / photo media content. The playlist customization module merges the selected images to generate customized image / photo media content. In some implementations, customization can result in customized media content that can be categorized under a different category than the category to which the selected media content for customization belongs. For example, two or more images from the Picture category can be selected for customization, and the resulting customized media content can be a customized video located under the Video category within the playlist. In other implementations, the media content selected for customization is not limited to a single category but can be selected from different categories, within a category, or from different subcategories within multiple categories. In addition to providing merging options, the playlist customization module 310 can provide additional customization by enabling the addition of special effects to the customized media content. In some implementations, the playlist customization module 310 can identify one or more media contents available to the user account to provide special effects. For example, an image can be selected and integrated into customized photo media content to provide a transition to the selected image. In some implementations, the playlist customization module 310 can analyze the media content selected for customization to determine the content and / or context, and select appropriate media content to provide special effects based on the content and / or context. For example, if the two images are photos taken by the user during a recent trip to New York, the image selected to provide special effects could be an image of New York City. The selected image can be integrated with the two images to provide a background for both images, so that when the customized image is selected for display, the image of New York City can be displayed in the background at the playlist interface, while the image is displayed in the foreground. Figure 5 The illustration shows such an implementation. As shown, the playlist customization module detects that videos 1 and 3 have been selected for customization, analyzes the content to determine its relevance to New York City, and adds one or more images of New York City to the background. It should be noted that customization can be performed on the selected media content using other customization options available in the customization interface. Figure 5As illustrated, Video 1 and Video 3 are merged together, while Image 1 is added as a transition between the two videos. Additionally, an image of New York City is selected to provide the background, and an audio recording is chosen from the music category to provide audio during the display of the customized media content.

[0075] In some implementations, the playlist customization module can provide a list of media content under each customization option available at the customization interface. Based on user selection, appropriate customization can be implemented for the selected media content. For example, under the background customization option, the customization module can provide multiple images of New York City based on analysis of the content and / or context of the user-selected media content. Based on user selection, the playlist customization module can provide a suitable image of New York City as a background when displaying customized media content. The playlist customization module integrates all customizations to generate customized media content. Customized media content can be categorized under the category to which the selected media content belongs, under different categories, or under a separate category. For example, in the example above, playlist customization module 310 can categorize the customized media content related to videos 1 and 3 under the video category or under a separate customization category.

[0076] In some implementations, a portion of the media content can be selected for customization. In such implementations, the customization module collects the selected portions of one or more media contents and creates customized media content by merging the selected portions. Customized media content may or may not include special effects. In some implementations, customized media content is stored in a category different from the category from which that portion of the media content was selected. For example, one or more images / photos from the Image category can be selected to generate customized media content, which may be categorized under the Video category instead of the Photo / Image category.

[0077] In addition to customization options, the playlist manager allows you to reorganize the media content within a playlist. See back Figure 3 The playlist manager can use the playlist ranking module 314 to provide dynamic ranking and reorganization of media content within the playlist. The playlist ranking module 314 receives user activity information associated with selected media content in the playlist from the device 210 and dynamically adjusts the ranking of media content within each category based on user activity. In some implementations, certain user activities captured and transmitted by the device 210 may relate to the selection, deletion, addition, or modification of media content in each category of the playlist. User activity reflects the user's interest in the media content within each category of the playlist. Therefore, in addition to adjusting the ranking of media content within each category of the playlist, based on user activity, the interest indicator for each category in the playlist for the user associated with the user account is updated to reflect the adjusted ranking of the media content.

[0078] Continue reading Figure 3 The playlist statistics engine 316, provided within the playlist manager 194, is configured to interact with the playlist ranking module to obtain user activity that defines a user's interests and to update appropriate interest indicators for that user. Updated interest indicators for categories associated with a user are stored for that user in the user data store 198.

[0079] The user interest measurement module 318 within the playlist manager 194 is configured to interact with the playlist statistics engine 316 and detect updates to the user's interest indicators. The user interest measurement module 318 analyzes the updated interest indicator information to obtain the user's current interests across various categories. In some implementations, this information can be used to direct promotional media and other media content to the user. In such an implementation, the updated interest indicator information is passed to the advertising engine 320, which uses this information to identify other media content / promotional media that matches the user's current interests. The identified media content / promotional media is retrieved from the advertising store (not shown) and returned, along with the playlist and content data, to the page processing 182 in the property server for inclusion in the property page forwarded to the device 210 for presentation at the display 218. As the user continues to interact with the property page and playlist interface, such interactions are monitored, and the playlists and interest indicators associated with the user, as well as any promotional media content directed to the user, are refined to reflect the user's evolving interests.

[0080] In some implementations, a portion or all of the media content within a playlist can be shared with other users within a user's social network. Controls enabling sharing are provided on the playlist interface, in the form of buttons, icons, etc. When the sharing option is selected, the playlist sharing module 312 is triggered. A user can selectively share a portion, some content, or the entire playlist with one or more users in one or more social groups within their social network. The playlist sharing module 312 detects the user's selection of the media content / playlist to be shared. The playlist sharing module 312 also receives distribution information from one or more users within one or more social groups of the user who is sharing the identified media content. The distribution information identifies the format and mode of distribution of the shared media content. In some implementations, the distribution mode can be email, multimedia message, blog post, post, etc. Based on the distribution information associated with one or more users for sharing, the playlist sharing module bundles the selected media content / playlist and forwards the bundled media content / playlist to one or more users within one or more social groups of the user.

[0081] The second user's playlist manager receives shared media content / playlists from the first user, monitors the second user's interactions on one or more shared media content / playlists, and determines the second user's interests based on these interactions. Various modules within the playlist manager update the second user's interest indicators based on their interactions on the corresponding shared media content. In some implementations, if the second user has playlists, the playlist manager integrates the shared media content with the second user's playlists based on their interest indicators. In some implementations, if the second user does not have playlists or has chosen to separate the shared media content from existing playlists, the playlist manager can generate new playlists for the second user by organizing the shared media content into appropriate categories. Ratings from multiple users can be tabulated to determine the popularity of the shared media content and used to organize the media content under each category. The playlist manager also updates the interest indicators for each category of the playlist in response to receiving shared media content from the first user.

[0082] In some implementations, when a second user receives a playlist of shared media content from a first user, the second user can choose to ignore the shared media content, in which case the second user's playlist and interest indicator remain unchanged. Alternatively, the user can choose to watch the media content. In some implementations, during media content viewing, if the user likes some shared media content, the user can choose to add the selected shared media content to their playlist. In such implementations, based on the user's actions on some shared media content, the media selection module 304, media classification module 306, and playlist display module 308 can work together to add the selected shared media content to the second user's playlist. The media selection module 304 detects selections of some shared media content and analyzes the content to determine the content type of the selected shared media content. The media classification module determines the category of the selected shared media content based on the content type and adds the selected shared media content to the appropriate category within the second user's playlist based on the content analysis. The playlist display module displays the playlist with the added selected shared media content on the display of the second user's device 210.

[0083] In some implementations, users can merge some or all of two different playlists to create a single playlist. The first playlist may be generated for the first user in the current session, and the second playlist may be shared by the second user or associated with the first user but may have been generated during an earlier session. The playlist interface provides the ability to merge two playlists to create a single playlist by combining media content from one or more categories in the two playlists. During the merge, one or more pieces of media content can be selected for customization or removed from the first and second playlists, and the interest indicators for each category of the playlist can be updated based on the merge and user actions. During the merge, media content in one or more categories can be reordered or reclassified based on content and user interests. The merged playlist may include customized media content because the independent categories are part of the existing categories within the playlist. One or more pieces of media content, or all of the media content, in a specific category or all categories of the merged playlist can be shared with other users. The merged playlist can be stored for sessions or for social groups with users as members, stored in playlist data storage 322 for subsequent retrieval.

[0084] The playlist interface thus provides organizational tools to automatically organize a selective number of media contents from a stream of user posts available to the user's account into a reorganized playlist that reflects the user's interests. This focused and organized portion of the playlist is selectively shared with other users in one or more social groups, significantly enhancing the user's social networking experience. In some implementations, users can selectively share media content from different categories with different groups of users. Alternatively, users can selectively share different media content within a specific category with different groups of users. In some implementations, user actions on the media content can provide additional information about the displayed media content. For example, during the display of selected media content, a user can click on the media content in the playlist interface, and the playlist display module will direct the user to the original post in the content stream that includes the media content. If the user double-clicks on the media content, the user can be directed to the source webpage that provides the media content for the content stream.

[0085] Figures 6A-6E The illustration shows a sample of an online screen capture demonstrating the generation of playlists and the processing of customizing those playlists in some publicly available implementations. For example... Figure 6A As illustrated, users can select media content (such as videos) from the content stream provided under the "Home" tab and displayed on the display device used to access the user's account, for inclusion in the playlist. The process of adding selected media content to the playlist interface is described in... Figure 6AThe example shown is for using drag-and-drop. During the drag-and-drop phase, the selected media content is paused in the content stream and the playlist takes over the display of the selected media content. Figure 6B The illustration shows how selected media content (such as video) is displayed when adding media content to the playlist interface. As the user moves from the Home tab to the "Games" tab, as shown... Figure 6C As shown in the illustration, or as the user continues to scroll down the content stream, the selected media content continues to appear in the playlist interface. The selected media content remains visible to the user in the playlist interface without interruption while the user remains in the properties page, even when the user moves from one tab to another or moves up and down the stream. Users can add additional media content to the playlist interface, such as... Figure 6D As shown in the image, the selected media content continues to appear in the playlist interface. The playlist interface provides an easy overview of playlists under each category. Figure 6D The implementation diagram shown illustrates a playlist under the video category.

[0086] Users can select different categories in the playlist to watch media content collected under the selected category. For example, such as Figure 6E As illustrated, when a user selects an image category in the playlist interface, the media content collected under that image category is provided to the user. The playlist manager can collect one or more images that the user has selected from the content stream under the image category and compile customized media content for the images to suit the user's preferences. This may include providing special effects using one or more media contents that are available within the playlist, available on the properties page, or available to the user's account, and recategorizing the compiled media content regardless of how the media content was originally categorized by other users.

[0087] The playlist interface also provides users with the ability to delete individual media items or large amounts of media collected under one or more categories, allowing users to adjust the media content within various categories of the playlist according to their own preferences. The generated playlists can be saved for later retrieval and updates, or they can be discarded entirely after the user's current session. When a user accesses the properties page through their user account, they are given the option to restore a playlist from the previous session or start a new playlist. When a user chooses to restore a playlist from their previous session, the playlist manager retrieves the playlist from the previous session and displays it in the playlist interface on the properties page. The user is then allowed to update the playlist by browsing the content stream and adjusting the playlist, or by browsing different categories within the playlist and determining which media content to keep and which to discard. When a playlist is specific to a user's social group, the playlist manager can hold the playlist generated for the user account for a predetermined period of time before discarding content and clearing the playlist, or it can hold the playlist until the user receives an explicit instruction to discard the playlist's content.

[0088] Playlists provide collected information about user interests to enable the delivery of highly relevant promotional media or other content. This information is analyzed to identify these interests. Actively saved favorite media content / compilations serve as strong indicators of user interests across various categories. Examining the themes and patterns of the media content collected under each category provides a deeper understanding of user interests. For example, during the analysis when determining user interests, temporarily saved media content will be weighted less than permanently saved media content. Sharing such strongly favorite media content with other users will, in turn, help identify those users' interests. Therefore, if a second user accepts a compilation of favorite and focused playlists, it means that the first user's playlists are also relevant to the second user, and thus the second user's interests are similar to the first user's.

[0089] The playlist interface can also provide output options for users to export playlists to one or more of their computing devices, further indicating the strong relevance of the content collected in the user's playlist. Various implementations provide users with ways to capture media content most relevant to the user and most relevant to other users into a focus list and manage this list for the user's account, while allowing users to continue enjoying interactions within the social network.

[0090] Figure 7The illustrations depict methods for collecting and organizing media content from social media in some implementations of this disclosure. The method begins with a playlist manager application executing on a server's processor. The method starts at operation 710, where posts of media content received from multiple users are provided in a content stream for a user's account. The media content includes posts of media content provided by the user and / or other users within one or more of the user's social groups. The content stream is provided in a properties page for the user's account when the user requests and accesses it. The user selects one or more pieces of media content from the content stream through user actions, as illustrated in operation 720. The selected media content moves from the content stream to a playlist interface, as illustrated in operation 730. The media content in the playlist interface is organized into one or more categories, as illustrated in operation 740. The media content in the playlist is analyzed to determine content types and appropriate categories associated with the media content. The media content is then organized into appropriate categories based on content types, and the organized playlist is generated for the user's account. The organized playlist of selected media content is provided for display on the device used to access the user's account, as illustrated in operation 750. The organized media content indicates the user's interests in various categories, and this information can be used to recommend additional media content and / or identify promotional media for the user.

[0091] Figure 8The diagram illustrates alternative implementations of a method for collecting and organizing content from social media. The method begins with a post of media content provided in a content stream, as illustrated in operation 810. These posts are either commercial posts or user posts. User posts are received from one or more users within one or more social groups, and the media content provided in the post includes user-generated content and / or non-user-generated content. In some implementations, the content stream is provided in a social network properties page when a user accesses their account's properties page. The user's selection of one or more media pieces within the content stream is detected through user actions at the corresponding media content within the content stream, as illustrated in operation 820. The selected media content is moved from the content stream to a playlist interface, as illustrated in operation 830. By analyzing the selected media content to determine the content type, the selected media content in the playlist interface is organized into one or more categories to generate a playlist for the user account, as illustrated in operation 840. In some implementations, the analysis may also determine subcategories within categories, under which media content can be categorized. The media content is then organized based on the analysis into the corresponding category / subcategories within the corresponding category. The playlist, along with the content stream, is returned to the display device used to access the user's account for display on the properties page. The playlist interface provides a multimedia canvas for collecting media content selected by the user. User interactions at the media content in each category are monitored to determine the user's interest in the media content and category, as illustrated in operation 850. User interactions at the media content indicating the user's interest in each media content and corresponding category are used to identify promotional media for the user, as illustrated in operation 860. The identified promotional media is returned for display on the user's display device next to the playlist, as illustrated in operation 870. Promotional media can be integrated into the social network properties page for the user's account, next to the stream of media content posts. The properties page is returned to the user's device for display. The processes of detecting, adding, organizing, monitoring, identifying, and displaying promotional media and media content continue as long as the user is on the properties page.

[0092] Figure 9 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the computer system 502 used to implement the present disclosure. Figure 9 Sample computer environments for implementing the various publicly disclosed implementations are depicted. It should be recognized that the methods described herein can be executed by digital processing systems, such as conventional, general-purpose computer systems. Special-purpose computers designed or programmed to perform only a single function can be used in alternative solutions. Computer system 502 includes a processor 504 coupled via a bus to memory 506, permanent storage 508, and input / output (I / O) interface 510.

[0093] Persistent storage 508 represents a persistent data storage device, such as a hard drive or USB drive, which can be local or remote. Network interface 512 provides a link via network 514, allowing communication with other devices (wired or wireless). It should be understood that processor 504 can be embedded in a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, or a device with special programming logic. Input / output (I / O) interface 510 provides communication with various peripherals and connects to processor 504, memory 506, and persistent storage 508 via a bus. Sample peripherals include a display 522, keyboard 518, mouse 520, removable media device 516, etc.

[0094] Display 522 is configured to display the user interface described herein. Keyboard 518, mouse 520, removable media device 516, and other peripherals are coupled to I / O interface 510 to exchange information with processor 504. It should be appreciated that data to and from external devices can communicate via I / O interface 510. Embodiments of the invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked via wired or wireless networks.

[0095] Embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured as computer-readable code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium holds data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include permanent storage 508, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory or random access memory in memory module 506, compact discs (CDs), and Blu-ray discs. TM Disks, flash drives, hard disk drives, magnetic tapes, and other data storage devices. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media can be distributed across network-coupled computer systems, enabling computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0096] also, Figure 9 Various types of devices are shown, which can connect to networks such as the Internet. These devices include servers, tablets, smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, and more. Each device can run an operating system, and the operating system can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[0097] Some or all of the operations presented here are performed via methods such as Figure 9 The processor 504 will execute the operation. Furthermore, although the method operations are described in a specific order, it should be understood that some operations may be executed in a different order when the order of operations does not affect the desired result. Additionally, other operations may be included in the presented method, and operations may be executed in a distributed manner by different entities, provided that the processing of the operations is performed as required.

[0098] Furthermore, at least one operation of some methods performs physical manipulation of physical quantities, and some of the operations described herein are useful machine operations. The embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus or device. The apparatus may be specially configured for the desired purpose or may be a general-purpose computer. The apparatus includes a processor capable of executing program instructions of the computer program presented herein.

[0099] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in a certain level of detail for clarity, it should be noted that specific variations and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments provided are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, not limited by the details presented herein, and may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and organizing content, comprising: A processor is used to provide a user interface for presentation to a first user in a first view, wherein the user interface includes a content stream portion for a user account and a playlist portion, the content stream portion including a first content stream having multiple posts of media content submitted by multiple users; Playback of video items is provided within the content stream section of the user interface; Receive user selections from the user account for video items from the first content stream having media content submitted by the plurality of users, wherein the user selections move the video items from the content stream portion of the user interface to the playlist portion of the user interface; By moving the content flow portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, or by moving the presentation of the user interface within the property page from a first tab in the first view to a second tab in the second view, user input is received to change the presentation of the user interface from the first view to the second view relative to the content flow portion; and In the second view, playback of the video item is provided within the playlist section of the user interface, while a second content stream is also displayed in the content stream section of the user interface in the second view. The playback of the video item in the playlist section of the user interface remains visible to the first user when the presentation of the user interface changes from the first view to the second view relative to the content stream section. The video item in the content stream section is not visible to the first user in the second view of the user interface.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, One of the multiple posts includes the video item.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, After the first user scrolls the content stream portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user, and the playback of the video items in the playlist portion continues.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, After the first user moves the presentation of the user interface within the property page from the first tab in the first view to the second tab in the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user, and the playback of the video items in the playlist portion continues.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: In response to receiving a click from the first user on a video item presented in the playlist section of the user interface, the first user is directed to the original post in the content stream section that includes the video item.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive from the first user an instruction that the first user wishes to share the playlist portion with the second user; as well as A request is sent to the server device to generate and present a second playlist to the second user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Monitor interactions at the media content in each category of the playlist section to determine the interests of the first user in each category; as well as Based on the first user's interests, promotional media associated with the video item are provided for presentation.

8. A system for collecting and organizing content, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, is configured to: A user interface is provided for presentation to a first user in a first view, wherein the user interface includes a content stream section for a user account and a playlist section, the content stream section including a first content stream having multiple posts of media content submitted by multiple users; Playback of video items is provided within the content stream section of the user interface; Receive user selections from the user account for video items from the first content stream having media content submitted by the plurality of users, wherein the user selections move the video items from the content stream portion of the user interface to the playlist portion of the user interface; By moving the content flow portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, or by moving the presentation of the user interface within the property page from a first tab in the first view to a second tab in the second view, user input is received to change the presentation of the user interface from the first view to the second view relative to the content flow portion; and In the second view, playback of the video item is provided within the playlist section of the user interface, while a second content stream is also displayed in the content stream section of the user interface in the second view. The playback of the video item in the playlist section of the user interface remains visible to the first user when the presentation of the user interface changes from the first view to the second view relative to the content stream section. The video item in the content stream section is not visible to the first user in the second view of the user interface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein, One of the multiple posts includes the video item.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein, After the first user scrolls the content stream portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user, and the playback of the video items in the playlist portion continues.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein after the first user moves the presentation of the user interface within the property page from the first tab in the first view to the second tab in the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user and the playback of the video item in the playlist portion continues.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein, The processor is further configured to: in response to receiving a click by the first user on a video item presented in the playlist portion of the user interface, direct the first user to the original post in the content stream portion including the video item.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein, The processor is further used for: Receive from the first user an instruction that the first user wishes to share the playlist portion with the second user; and A request is sent to the server device to generate and present a second playlist to the second user.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein, The processor is further used for: Monitor interactions at the media content in each category of the playlist section to determine the interests of the first user in each category; and Based on the first user's interests, promotional media associated with the video item are provided for presentation.

15. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: Provide a user interface for presentation to a first user in a first view, wherein, The user interface includes a content stream section for user accounts and a playlist section, the content stream section including a first content stream with multiple posts of media content submitted by multiple users; Playback of video items is provided within the content stream section of the user interface; Receive user selections from the user account for video items from the first content stream having media content submitted by the plurality of users, wherein the user selections move the video items from the content stream portion of the user interface to the playlist portion of the user interface; By moving the content flow portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, or by moving the presentation of the user interface within the property page from a first tab in the first view to a second tab in the second view, user input is received to change the presentation of the user interface from the first view to the second view relative to the content flow portion; and In the second view, playback of the video item is provided within the playlist section of the user interface, while a second content stream is also displayed in the content stream section of the user interface in the second view. The playback of the video item in the playlist section of the user interface remains visible to the first user when the presentation of the user interface changes from the first view to the second view relative to the content stream section. The video item in the content stream section is not visible to the first user in the second view of the user interface.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein, One of the multiple posts includes the video item.

17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein, After the first user scrolls the content stream portion of the user interface up or down from the first view to the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user, and the playback of the video items in the playlist portion continues.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein, After the first user moves the presentation of the user interface within the property page from the first tab in the first view to the second tab in the second view, the playlist portion of the user interface remains visible to the first user, and the playback of the video items in the playlist portion continues.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein, The processor is further configured to: in response to receiving a click by the first user on a video item presented in the playlist portion of the user interface, direct the first user to the original post in the content stream portion including the video item.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein, The processor is further used for: Receive from the first user an instruction that the first user wishes to share the playlist portion with the second user; and A request is sent to the server device to generate and present a second playlist to the second user.

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