Methods, systems, and media for associating multiple users with media presentation devices

Abstract

Methods, systems, and media for associating multiple users with a media presentation device are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a first user preference; receiving a second user preference; receiving a request to associate the first user preference and the second user preference with a media presentation device, respectively; associating the first user preference and the second user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receiving a request from the media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on the user preferences and the identification information of the first user device and the third user device; determining that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device; determining that the user preference of the third user device is not associated with the media presentation device; and causing content based on the first user preference to be presented by the media presentation device.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201580034269.4, filed on June 24, 2015.

[0003] Cross-reference to related applications

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 016,421, filed June 24, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 016,428, filed June 24, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 016,575, filed June 24, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 016,580, filed June 24, 2014. The entirety of each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0005] The disclosed topics relate to methods, systems, and media for associating multiple users with media presentation devices. Background Technology

[0006] Media presentation devices that display background content (such as slideshows of images) can access content from a user account by receiving and storing the user's username and password. The username and password are used to retrieve the content associated with the account, which is then presented by the media presentation device. However, this requires user credentials to be stored by the media presentation device and is also limited to presenting content for only one user.

[0007] Therefore, new methods, systems, and media are expected to be used to associate multiple users with media presentation devices. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a mechanism for associating multiple users with a media presentation device is provided.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for determining content to be presented is provided, the method comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, a first user preference associated with a first user; receiving, using a hardware processor, a second user preference associated with a second user; receiving, from a first user device, a request to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device, associating the first user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receiving, from a second user device, a request to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device, associating the second user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receiving, from the media presentation device, a request to present a slideshow of images based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device; receiving, from the media presentation device, identification information of the first user device and identification information of a third user device; in response to receiving the identification information of the first user device, determining that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device; in response to receiving the identification information of the third user device, determining that there is no preference associated with a user of the third user device, and that the third user device is associated with the media presentation device; and causing the media presentation device to present content based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device, including the first user preference.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for determining content to be presented is provided. The system includes: a hardware processor programmed to: receive a first user preference associated with a first user; receive a second user preference associated with a second user; receive a request from a first user device to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device, associate the first user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receive a request from a second user device to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device, associate the second user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receive from the media presentation device a request to present a slideshow of images based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device; receive identification information of the first user device and identification information of a third user device from the media presentation device; in response to receiving the identification information of the first user device, determine that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device; in response to receiving the identification information of the third user device, determine that there is no user preference associated with the user of the third user device, and the third user device is associated with the media presentation device; and cause the media presentation device to present content based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device, including the first user preference.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for determining content to be presented, the method comprising: receiving a first user preference associated with a first user; receiving a second user preference associated with a second user; receiving from a first user device a request to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device, associating the first user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; receiving from a second user device a request to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device; in response to the request to associate the second user preference with a media presentation device, associating the first user preference with identification information of the media presentation device; and in response to the request to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device... The system receives an associated request, causing a second user preference to be associated with the identification information of a media presentation device; receives a request from the media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device; receives identification information of a first user device and identification information of a third user device from the media presentation device; in response to receiving the identification information of the first user device, determines that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device; in response to receiving the identification information of the third user device, determines that there is no preference associated with the user of the third user device, and the third user device is associated with the media presentation device; and causes the media presentation device to present content based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device, including the first user preference.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for determining content to be presented is provided. The system includes: means for receiving a first user preference associated with a first user; means for receiving a second user preference associated with a second user; means for receiving a request from a first user device to associate the first user preference with a media presentation device; means for associating the first user preference with identification information of the media presentation device in response to the request to associate the first user preference with the media presentation device; means for receiving a request from a second user device to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device; and means for associating the second user preference with the media presentation device in response to the request to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device. The device includes: means for identifying information associated with the information; means for receiving a request from a media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on user preferences associated with the media presentation device; means for receiving identification information of a first user device and identification information of a third user device from the media presentation device; means for determining, in response to receiving identification information of the first user device, that a first user preference is associated with the media presentation device; means for determining, in response to receiving identification information of the third user device, that there is no preference associated with a user of the third user device, and that the third user device is associated with a user of the media presentation device; and means for causing the media presentation device to present content based on user preferences associated with the media presentation device, including the first user preference.

[0013] In some embodiments, the system further includes: means for receiving identification information of a second user device from a media presentation device; and means for determining, in response to receiving the identification information of the second device, that a second user preference is associated with the media presentation device.

[0014] In some embodiments, the system further includes: means for generating a group identifier; means for associating the group identifier with a first device and a second device; means for generating a combined user preference based on a first user preference and a second user preference; means for associating the combined user preference with the group identifier; and wherein the means for causing the media presentation device to present content further includes means for causing the media presentation device to present content based on the combined user preference.

[0015] In some embodiments, the system further includes: means for receiving an indication that the second user equipment is no longer near the presentation device; and means for disabling the use of combined user preferences in response to receiving an indication when determining which content to present.

[0016] In some embodiments, the system further includes: means for receiving from the second user equipment a request to unassociate the second user preference with the media presentation device; means for receiving identification information of the second user equipment from the media presentation device; and means for determining, in response to receiving the identification information of the second user equipment, that there is no user preference associated with the second user equipment and the second user equipment is associated with the media presentation device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the system further includes: means for receiving from a first user device a request to associate a first user preference with a second media presentation device; means for associating the first user preference with identification information of the second media presentation device in response to the request to associate the first user preference with the second media presentation device; means for receiving from the second media presentation device a request to present a slideshow of images based on the user preference associated with the second media presentation device; means for receiving from the second media presentation device identification information of the first user device; means for determining that the first user preference is associated with the second media presentation device in response to receiving the identification information of the first device; and means for causing the media presentation device to present content based on the user preference associated with the media presentation device, including the first user preference.

[0018] In some implementations, the first user preference indicates one or more topics of interest.

[0019] Based on some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, methods, systems, and media for presenting media content based on user preferences are provided.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for presenting media content based on user preferences is provided. The method includes: detecting the presence of a first user device associated with a first user and a second user device associated with a second user using a hardware processor, wherein the first user device and the second user device are detected by a media presentation device; receiving from the first user device a request to associate a first user preference of the first user with the media presentation device; receiving from the second user device a request to associate a second user preference of the second user with the media presentation device; causing at least a portion of the first user preference and the second user preference to be associated with the media presentation device; displaying a slideshow of customized content based on the portion of the first user preference and the second user preference associated with the media presentation device, wherein the presentation of each piece of customized content results in the retrieval of multiple supplementary information; and, based on the customized content currently presented on the media presentation device, causing first supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the first user device based on the first user preference, and causing second supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the second user device based on the second user preference.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for presenting media content based on user preferences is provided. The system includes: a hardware processor programmed to detect the presence of a first user device associated with a first user and a second user device associated with a second user, wherein the first user device and the second user device are detected by a media presentation device; receiving from the first user device a request to associate a first user preference of the first user with the media presentation device; receiving from the second user device a request to associate a second user preference of the second user with the media presentation device; causing at least a portion of the first user preference and the second user preference to be associated with the media presentation device; displaying a slideshow of customized content based on the portion of the first user preference and the second user preference associated with the media presentation device, wherein the presentation of each piece of customized content results in the retrieval of multiple supplementary information; and, based on the customized content currently being presented on the media presentation device, causing first supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the first user device based on the first user preference, and causing second supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the second user device based on the second user preference.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for presenting media content based on user preferences, the method comprising: detecting the presence of a first user device associated with a first user and a second user device associated with a second user, wherein the first user device and the second user device are detected by a media presentation device; receiving from the first user device a request to associate a first user preference of the first user with the media presentation device; receiving from the second user device a request to associate a second user preference of the second user with the media presentation device; causing at least a portion of the first user preference and the second user preference to be associated with the media presentation device; displaying a slideshow of customized content based on portions of the first user preference and the second user preference associated with the media presentation device, wherein the presentation of each piece of customized content results in the retrieval of multiple supplementary information; and, based on the customized content currently presented on the media presentation device, causing first supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the first user device based on the first user preference, and causing second supplementary information from the multiple supplementary information to be presented on the second user device based on the second user preference. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The various objects, features and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully understood when considered in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings and with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.

[0024] Figure 1Examples of generalized schematic diagrams are shown, according to some embodiments, of systems on which mechanisms for associating multiple users with presentation devices as described herein can be implemented.

[0025] Figure 2 The following are some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter that can be used to implement Figure 1 Examples of hardware for one or more user devices, presentation devices, and servers are shown.

[0026] Figure 3 Examples of processes for associating multiple users with media presentation devices are shown, according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter.

[0027] Figure 4 Examples of display devices for presenting content according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are shown.

[0028] Figure 5 Examples of processes for associating user preferences with presentation devices are shown, according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter.

[0029] Figure 6 Examples of processes for presenting custom content on a presentation device are shown, based on some implementations of the disclosed subject matter.

[0030] Figure 7 Examples of processes for presenting supplementary information related to customized content are shown, based on some implementations of the disclosed subject matter. Detailed Implementation

[0031] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which may include methods, systems, and media) are provided for associating multiple users with media presentation devices.

[0032] In some implementations, these mechanisms can allow user preferences of multiple users to be associated with a single media presentation device, without the media presentation device storing personal data (such as credentials and / or user preferences) of the users and / or user devices associated with the user preferences. In some implementations, user devices such as smartphones can be associated with the media presentation device to enable the media presentation device to present content. For example, a smartphone can be associated with the media presentation device to enable media content discovered using the smartphone to be presented on a larger screen coupled to the media presentation application. In some implementations, the media presentation device can enable the automatic selection of content to be presented based on the user preferences of the users associated with the media presentation device. For example, during periods when the media presentation device is not used to present content in response to requests from user devices, the media presentation application can present a slideshow of images. Images in the slideshow can be selected based on the user preferences of one or more users associated with the media presentation device. As another example, an application for presenting content can recommend content to be presented based on the user preferences associated with the media presentation device. User preferences of multiple users presented at the media presentation device (e.g., based on user devices associated with users existing on a local network) can be used, such that if a user's preferences are associated with the presentation device, the content selected for presentation can be based on the user preferences of multiple users.

[0033] In some implementations, user preferences from one or more users can be used to customize the content being presented by the media presentation device. In some implementations, user preferences for presenting customized content can include any suitable information related to content that may be of interest to one or more users. For example, user preferences can indicate topics of interest to one or more users, such as “weather,” “news,” “stocks,” “photos,” “art,” etc. As another example, user preferences can indicate media sources that can provide the media content for presentation. In some implementations, such media sources can include suitable services (e.g., social networking services, video sharing services, photo sharing services, file hosting services, etc.), storage devices (e.g., local storage devices, cloud storage devices, user devices, etc.), accounts associated with one or more users (e.g., user accounts with social networking services and / or any other suitable services), and / or any other suitable sources that can provide the media content for presentation.

[0034] In some implementations, customized content may be presented as part of the user interface of the media presentation device, such as the home screen or initial startup screen of a media playback application running on the media presentation device and / or any other suitable display screen presented by the media presentation device.

[0035] In some implementations, mechanisms can enable a media presentation device to display customized content based on user preferences. For example, these mechanisms can identify one or more topics of interest to a user based on user preferences. The mechanism can then enable the media presentation device to display media content associated with the identified topics. In a more specific example, a collection of popular images associated with the identified topics can be presented by the media presentation device as a slideshow of images and / or in any other suitable manner. As another example, a mechanism can identify one or more media sources specified by user preferences. The mechanism can then enable the media presentation device to display media content from the identified media sources.

[0036] Figure 1 Example 100 illustrates a generalized schematic diagram of a system on which mechanisms for associating multiple users with the presentation device described herein can be implemented according to some embodiments. As shown, system 100 may include one or more user devices 102. User devices 102 may be local to each other or geographically distant from each other. User devices 102 may be connected to a communication network 106 via one or more communication links 104, and communication network 106 may be linked to a server 120 via a communication link 112.

[0037] System 100 may include one or more presentation devices 110. Presentation devices 110 may be local to each other or geographically distant from each other. Presentation devices 110 may be connected to a communication network 106 via one or more communication links 108, and communication network 106 may be linked to server 120 via communication link 112 and / or to user equipment 102 via communication link 104.

[0038] System 100 may include one or more servers 120. Server 120 may be any suitable one or more servers for providing access to the mechanisms described herein for associating multiple users with presentation devices such as processors, computers, data processing devices, or any suitable combination of these devices. For example, the mechanisms for associating multiple users with presentation devices may be distributed across multiple backend components and multiple frontend components and / or user interfaces. In a more specific example, backend components (such as mechanisms for receiving requests to associate user preferences with presentation devices, requesting to identify user preferences associated with a specific presentation device, requesting to present content based on user preferences, etc.) may execute on one or more servers 120. In another specific example, frontend components (such as mechanisms for presenting content, requesting content to be presented, identifying existing user devices, setting user preferences, associating user devices with presentation devices, etc.) may execute on one or more user devices 102 and / or presentation devices 110.

[0039] In some implementations, each of user equipment 102, presentation device 110, and server 120 can be either a general-purpose device such as a computer or a special-purpose device such as a client, server, etc. These general-purpose or special-purpose devices can include any suitable components such as a hardware processor (which may be a microprocessor, digital signal processor, controller, etc.), memory, communication interface, display controller, input device, etc. For example, user equipment 102 can be implemented as a smartphone, tablet computer, wearable computer, laptop computer, portable game console, any other suitable computing device, or any suitable combination thereof. As another example, presentation device 110 can be implemented as a digital media receiver, media streaming device, game console, set-top box, television, projector, any other suitable computing device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0040] Communication network 106 can be any suitable computer network or combination of such networks, including the Internet, intranet, wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), wireless network, Wi-Fi network, digital subscriber line (DSL) network, frame relay network, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, virtual private network (VPN), intranet, one or more peer-to-peer connections, etc. Each of communication links 104, 108, and 112 can be any communication link suitable for transmitting data between user equipment 102, presentation device 110, and server 120, such as a network link, dial-up link, wireless link, hardwired link, any other suitable communication link, or any suitable combination of these links. Note that in some embodiments, multiple servers 120 can be used to provide access to different mechanisms associated with the mechanisms described herein for associating multiple users with media presentation devices. For example, system 100 may include a user preference server 120 that stores user preferences associated with one or more users and / or one or more user devices 102; a user preference database server 120 that maintains one or more databases of correspondences between users and / or user devices 102 associated with a particular presentation device 110; a content delivery server 120 that determines which content to be presented by a particular presentation device 110 based on the user preferences of the users and / or user devices 102 associated with the presentation device 110; and / or any other suitable server for performing any suitable functions of the mechanisms described herein.

[0041] In some implementations, user device 102 may be associated with user identification information 130. User identification information 130 may identify the user of user device 102 and / or may identify user device 102. For example, in some implementations, user identification information 130 may be a token or other data associated with a user of user device 102. For example, the token or other data may identify a user associated with a specific user account for a product and / or service. In a more specific example, such a token or other information may include a string associated with a specific email address used to log in to an application on the user device. As another example, user identification information 130 may be identification information of user device 102, such as a MAC address, device ID, serial number, and / or any other suitable identification information of user device 102. As yet another example, user identification information 130 may be a combination of user identification information and user device 102 identification information.

[0042] In some implementations, presentation device 110 may be associated with presentation device identification information 140. Presentation device identification information 140 may identify the user of presentation device 110 and / or presentation device 110. For example, in some implementations, device identification information 140 may be a token or other data associated with a user of presentation device 110. For example, the token or other data may identify a user associated with a specific user account for a product and / or service. In a more specific example, such a token or other information may include a string (which may be, for example, randomly assigned) associated with a specific email address used as credentials to log in to an application on the presentation device. As another example, presentation device identification information 140 may be identification information of presentation device 110, such as a MAC address, device ID, serial number, and / or any other suitable identification information of presentation device 110. As yet another example, presentation device identification information 140 may be a combination of user identification information and presentation device 110 identification information. In some implementations, presentation device identification information 140 may include semantically meaningful identification information, such as a user-assigned name (e.g., "Brett's Living Room Streaming Device").

[0043] In some implementations, the presentation device identification information 140 may include a persistent identifier for the presentation device 110, which may be assigned based on any suitable conditions. For example, a device ID may be assigned to the presentation device 110 when it is initialized and / or reinitialized. In a more specific example, during initialization, the presentation device 110 may contact a server to request a persistent device ID. In some implementations, this device ID may be assigned by the server, such that each presentation device has a unique device ID. Additionally, the presentation device 110 may receive a different device ID when it is reset or otherwise reinitialized. In some implementations, such a device ID may be used to associate user preferences and / or any other suitable information (e.g., at the server) with the presentation device 110 for later use in determining the content to be presented using the presentation device 110.

[0044] In some implementations, server 120 may store user preference database 150. User preference database 150 may include user preferences associated with a user of a particular user device 102 (e.g., associated with user identification information 130 of that user device 102). Alternatively or additionally, in some implementations, user preference database 150 may include information identifying which users are associated with which presentation devices (e.g., associated using user identification information 130 and presentation device identification information 140). In some implementations, any suitable technology or combination of technologies may be used to organize the information in user preference database 150. For example, user preference database 150 may be organized as a relational database.

[0045] In some implementations, information stored in a user preference database can be stored in a way that obscures the user's personal information. For example, user identification information 130 and / or presentation device identification information 140 may be assigned identifiers and / or code names, and user preferences may be associated with such identifiers and / or code names.

[0046] Figure 2 The following are some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter that can be used to implement Figure 1 Example 200 of hardware comprising one or more of user device 102, presentation device 110, and server 120 as depicted. (See reference) Figure 2 User equipment 102 may include an interconnectable hardware processor 202, a display / input device 204, a memory 206, and a transmitter / receiver 208. In some embodiments, memory 206 may include a storage device (such as a computer-readable medium) for storing user equipment programs for controlling the hardware processor 202.

[0047] The hardware processor 202 may use a user device program to execute and / or interact with the mechanisms described herein for associating multiple devices with a media presentation device, controlling the presentation of content on the media presentation device, unassociating the media presentation device with user preferences, setting user preferences, etc. In some embodiments, the user device program may enable the hardware processor 202 to interact with, for example, with at least a portion of the device executing process 300, as described below. Figure 3 As described. In some embodiments, hardware processor 202 may use, for example, a transmitter, receiver, transmitter / receiver, transceiver, or any other suitable communication device (such as transmitter / receiver 208) to send and receive data via communication link 104 or any other communication link. Display / input device 204 may include a touchscreen, flat panel display, cathode ray tube display, projector, speaker, and / or any other suitable display and / or presentation device, and / or may include a computer keyboard, computer mouse, one or more physical buttons, microphone, touchpad, voice recognition circuitry, touch interface of touchscreen, camera, motion sensor and / or accelerometer such as optical motion sensor, temperature sensor, near-field communication sensor, biometric data sensor, and / or any other suitable input device. Transmitter / receiver 208 may include any suitable transmitter and / or receiver for sending and / or receiving instructions for presenting content, instructions for setting user preferences, instructions for associating user preferences with presentation devices, etc., and may include instructions for communicating with one or more communication networks (e.g., Figure 1 The network 106 shown may interface with any suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, transmitter / receiver 208 may include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry and / or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry, one or more antennas, and / or any other suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software for transmitting and / or receiving signals.

[0048] Presentation device 110 may include interconnectable hardware processor 212, display / input device 214, memory 216, and transmitter / receiver 218. In some embodiments, memory 216 may include a storage device (such as a computer-readable medium) for storing presentation device programs for controlling hardware processor 212.

[0049] The hardware processor 212 may use a presentation device program to perform and / or interact with the mechanisms described herein, for associating multiple users with a media presentation device, requesting content presentation based on the user preferences of the associated users, requesting and / or sending presentation device identification information 140, etc. In some embodiments, the presentation device program may enable the hardware processor 212 to interact with, for example, a device performing at least a portion of processes 300, 500, 600, and 700, as described below. Figure 3 and Figure 5-7 In some embodiments, the hardware processor 212 may use, for example, a transmitter, receiver, transmitter / receiver, transceiver, or any other suitable communication device (such as transmitter / receiver 218) to send and receive data via communication link 108 or any other communication link. The display / input device 214 may include a touchscreen, flat panel display, cathode ray tube display, projector, speaker or loudspeaker and / or any other suitable display and / or presentation device, and / or may include a computer keyboard, computer mouse, one or more physical buttons, microphone, touchpad, voice recognition circuitry, touch interface of a touchscreen, camera, motion sensor and / or accelerometer such as an optical motion sensor, temperature sensor, near-field communication sensor, biometric data sensor and / or any other suitable input device. In some embodiments, the display / input device 214 of the presentation device 110 may be omitted. The transmitter / receiver 218 may include any suitable transmitter and / or receiver for sending and / or receiving requests for presented content, the content to be presented, for determining the presence of signals from one or more user equipment 102, and may include for communication with one or more communication networks (such as...). Figure 1 The network 106 shown may interface with any suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, transmitter / receiver 218 may include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry, USB input and / or output circuitry, HDMI input and / or output circuitry and / or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry, one or more antennas, and / or any other suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software for transmitting and / or receiving signals.

[0050] Server 120 may include interconnectable hardware processor 222, display / input device 224, memory 226, and transmitter / receiver 228. In some embodiments, memory 228 may include a storage device for storing data received via communication link 112 or other links. The storage device may also include a server program for controlling hardware processor 222. In some embodiments, memory 228 may include information stored as a result of user activity and / or presentation device activity (e.g., user preferences, user identification information 130, presentation device identification information 140, user preference database 150, content to be presented, requests for presenting content, user credentials for accessing the content to be presented, etc.). In some embodiments, the server program may cause hardware process 222 to execute at least a portion of processes 300, 500, 600, and 700, as combined below. Figure 3 and Figure 5-7 Described.

[0051] Hardware processor 222 may use server programs to communicate with user equipment 102 and / or presentation device 110, and to provide access to and / or a copy of the mechanisms described herein. It should also be noted that data received via communication link 112 or any other communication link can be received from any suitable source. In some embodiments, hardware processor 222 may use, for example, a transmitter, receiver, transmitter / receiver, transceiver, or any other suitable communication device (such as transmitter / receiver 228) to send and receive data via communication link 112 or any other communication link. In some embodiments, hardware processor 222 may receive commands and / or values ​​sent by one or more user devices 102, presentation device 110, one or more other servers 120, and / or one or more users of server 120 (such as users making changes to adjust settings associated with the mechanisms described herein for associating multiple users with media presentation devices). Display 224 may include a touchscreen, flat panel display, cathode ray tube display, projector, speakers, and / or any other suitable display and / or presentation device, and / or may include a computer keyboard, computer mouse, one or more physical buttons, microphone, touchpad, voice recognition circuitry, touch interface of the touchscreen, camera, motion sensor and / or accelerometer such as an optical motion sensor, temperature sensor, field communication sensor, biometric data sensor, and / or any other suitable input device. Transmitter / receiver 228 may include any suitable transmitter and / or receiver for sending and / or receiving content to be presented, user preferences, user identification information 130, presentation device identification information 140, requests for content, etc., and may include interfaces for communication with one or more communication networks (such as...). Figure 2The network 106 shown may interface with any suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, transmitter / receiver 228 may include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry and / or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry, one or more antennas, and / or any other suitable hardware, firmware, and / or software for transmitting and / or receiving signals.

[0052] In some implementations, server 120 can be implemented in a single server or distributed as any suitable number of servers. For example, multiple servers 120 can be implemented in various locations to increase reliability and / or improve the speed at which the servers can communicate with user equipment 102 and / or presentation device 110. Additionally or alternatively, as combined above... Figure 1 As described, the multiple servers 120 can be implemented to perform different tasks associated with the mechanism described herein.

[0053] Figure 3 Example 300 illustrates a process for associating multiple users with a media presentation device, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Figure 3 As shown, process 300 may begin at 302 by receiving new and / or updated user preferences for use in processes involving devices already associated with those preferences. In some implementations, such user preferences may include, for example, the user's stated interests, the user's implicit interests, media content the user has consumed, media content and / or products the user has commented on and / or rated, and / or any other suitable information about the user. In some implementations, the user's implicit interests may be based on user actions, such as what types of media content the user consumes, what types of products the user purchases, and the user's actions regarding the content and / or products (e.g., whether the user engages with the content / product by commenting on and / or "liking" it, giving it a rating, etc.). In some implementations, the user is given the opportunity to determine which information to use in determining user preferences. For example, in some implementations, user preferences may be manually entered by the user. As another example, in some implementations, the user may choose to use one or more information sources, or not, in determining user preferences. In some implementations, user preferences can be updated in response to user instructions to update user preferences (e.g., in response to a user editing user preferences, changes to permissions regarding which information sources can be used to determine user preferences, etc.). Alternatively, user preferences can be updated automatically based on any suitable criteria, such as in response to an event (e.g., in response to a user taking an action related to content and / or the product), in response to a specific period of time that has passed, etc.

[0054] At 304, process 300 may store new and / or updated user preferences in association with the user to whom the user preference belongs. Any suitable technique or combination of techniques may be used to determine the user to whom the user preference received at 302 belongs. For example, user identification information (e.g., user identification information 130) associated with information used to set new and / or updated user preferences received at 302 may be used to associate the user preference with a specific user. As another example, the identification information of the account to which new and / or updated user settings are submitted to the device executing process 300 may be used to associate the user preference with a specific user. In some implementations, actions performed on multiple devices may be associated with the same user based on the identification information of the user device used to perform the action and / or the identification information of the account to which the device is logged in when performing the action. For example, multiple user devices may be associated with a user by registering user devices with the user. In a more specific example, actions performed on such user devices may be attributed to a user by using the identification information associated with each user device (e.g., user identification information 130). As another example, when the app used to perform an action is associated with a user account (e.g., by logging into the user account through the app), the action can be associated with the user, regardless of whether the device is used to perform the action or otherwise associated with the user (or another user).

[0055] At 306, process 300 may determine whether a request to associate a specific user preference with a specific presentation device has been received. In some embodiments, such a request may be associated with a specific user based on user identification information (e.g., user identification information 130) associated with the request. Additionally, in some embodiments, such a request may be associated with a specific presentation device based on presentation device identification information (e.g., presentation device identification information 140) associated with the request. In some embodiments, such a request may be initiated by any suitable device (e.g., user device 102, presentation device 110, etc.) and in response to any suitable action performed on such device. For example, in response to and / or as part of a request initiated by a user to present specific content on presentation device 110, user device 102 may cause a request to associate the user of user device 102 (e.g., based on user identification information 130) with the specific presentation device 110 to be sent to server 120, which performs at least a portion of process 300. As another example, in response to receiving instructions from such user device 102 to perform any suitable action, presentation device 110 may cause a request to associate a user of user device 102 with presentation device 110 to be sent to server 120, which is at least part of the execution process 300. As yet another example, in response to any suitable user action to initiate such an association, user device 102 may cause a request to associate a user of user device 102 (e.g., based on user identification information 130) with a particular presentation device 110 to be sent to server 120, which is at least part of the execution process 300.

[0056] If process 300 determines that such a request has been received ("Yes" at 306), process 300 can proceed to 308. At 308, process 300 can cause the user preference associated with the user (e.g., the user identified by user identification information received with the request) to be sent, associated with the presentation device (the presentation device identified by presentation device identification information received with the request). This association can be stored, for example, in a database or list (e.g., user preference database 150), so that the association can be determined at a later time.

[0057] If process 300 determines that no request to associate user preferences with a presentation device has been received ("No" at 306), process 300 may proceed to 310. From 310, process 300 may determine whether a request to present content based on user preferences associated with a presentation device has been received. In some embodiments, such a request may be a request for content to be presented by the presentation device, wherein the content to be presented is determined at least in part by the server. In such embodiments, the server (which may or may not be the server executing process 300) may use user preferences to determine what content to present. In some embodiments, the user preferences used may be determined at least in part based on the user associated with the presentation device requesting the content.

[0058] If process 300 determines that such a request has been received ("Yes" at 310), process 300 may proceed to 312. At 312, process 300 may receive identification information of the user equipment that the presentation device has been requested to detect as present (e.g., the device associated with the request received at 310). In some implementations, any suitable technology or combination of technologies may be used to detect the presence of a particular user equipment. For example, presentation device 110 may detect user equipment connected to the same local network as presentation device 110 (e.g., a LAN including a Wi-Fi network). As another example, presentation device 110 may use any suitable communication technology (such as peer-to-peer communication technology) to broadcast and / or unicast one or more messages to nearby user equipment 102. In a more specific example, presentation device 110 may use transmitter / receiver 218 to send one or more signals to any nearby user equipment 102 (e.g., using any suitable communication standard, such as Bluetooth, Wireless USB, etc.), and in some cases, use transmitter / receiver 208 to receive signals and respond to messages indicating the presence of a user equipment. In another, more specific example, the presentation device 110 may use a speaker to transmit a signal as a sound wave to any nearby user device 102 that is outside the range of human hearing, and in some cases, use a microphone to receive the signal and respond to a message indicating the presence of the user device.

[0059] In some implementations, as an alternative or supplement to user equipment 102 responding to signals from presentation device 110 to detect the presence of user equipment 102, user equipment 102 may send a signal to server 120 that identifies itself as having the presence of presentation device 110.

[0060] At 314, process 300 may cause content to be presented by the presentation device based on user preferences of the user device identified by the information received at 312. In some embodiments, process 300 may compare the identification information of each user received at 312 with user preferences stored in association with the presentation device requesting the content. In such embodiments, for users not associated with a presentation device, process 300 may prevent any user preferences of unassociated users from being used in determining which content to present. For example, presentation device 110 and / or user device 102 may send identification information (e.g., MAC address, device ID, etc.) of all user devices that receive signals from and / or respond to such signals from presentation device 110, and server 120 executing process 300 may determine which of these devices are associated with a user having user preferences associated with presentation device 110.

[0061] In some implementations, process 300 may cause user preferences of the user associated with the presentation device that sent the requested content to be retrieved for use in determining which content to be presented by the requesting user device. Additionally, in some implementations, the device executing process 300 (e.g., the first server 120) or any other suitable device or combination of devices (e.g., one or more other servers 120) may use user preferences retrieved in any suitable combination to determine the content to be presented by the requesting presentation device.

[0062] In some implementations, the user device identification information received at 312 can be grouped by process 300 using group IDs and / or any other suitable information to identify specific combinations of existing devices. In such implementations, the group ID can correspond to a detected user device that has user preferences associated with the presentation device 110. When a combination of user devices different from the combination of user devices represented by an existing group ID approaches the presentation device, a new group ID can be associated with the new combination. User preferences corresponding to all user devices represented by a group ID can be grouped and associated with the group ID. These user preferences can then be used when combinations of devices exist. For example, when a first group of user devices exists, the user preferences associated with the first group ID can be used to determine the content to be presented by the presentation device. In such examples, when another user device with user preferences associated with the presentation device becomes present (e.g., a new user associates preferences with a user device, a user device already associated with a user preference enters the vicinity of the device, etc.), and when an existing device no longer exists (e.g., a user unassociates their user device with the presentation device, a user device leaves the vicinity of the presentation device, etc.), user preferences associated with different group IDs can be used to determine which content to present. In some implementations, user preferences associated with a group ID can be updated in response to any appropriate action (e.g., user preferences for a specific user being updated, a user being unlinked from a demo device, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, etc.).

[0063] In some implementations, in response to user preferences used to identify which content to present, the device performing process 300 and / or any other suitable process may cause the requesting device to present the identified content.

[0064] Figure 4 Examples of display devices 402 presenting content 404 according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are shown. In some embodiments, display device 402 may be operatively coupled to a presentation device (e.g., presentation device 110), and / or the presentation device may be incorporated into display device 402. In some embodiments, content 404 may be default content associated with presentation device 110, such as a collection of images from one or more sources (e.g., a locally stored image database, images stored on the presentation device, servers, etc.). In some embodiments, the collection of images may be displayed as a slideshow of images. For example, each image in the slideshow may be presented one (or more) at a time over a predetermined time period (e.g., 15 seconds, 30 seconds, etc.).

[0065] In some implementations, upon detecting the presence of one or more user devices 102 associated with presentation device 110, the mechanism can retrieve one or more user preferences associated with user device 102 (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 3 The process 300 (as described above) can cause customized content to be displayed on display device 402 based on retrieved user preferences. For example, the mechanism can identify media sources (e.g., services, local storage devices, etc.) specified by retrieved user preferences, and can cause media content provided by the media sources to be displayed on display device 402. As another example, the mechanism can identify one or more topics that one or more users associated with user device 102 may be interested in based on user preferences, and can cause the display device to display media content related to the identified topics. In a more specific example, in response to determining that a user may be interested in such information based on user preferences, the mechanism can cause media content about weather or traffic information to be displayed. In yet another more specific example, in response to determining that a user may be interested in personal photos based on retrieved user preferences, the mechanism can cause images from one or more users associated with user device 102 (e.g., photos posted by users associated with user device 102 via social networking services) to be displayed.

[0066] In some implementations, this mechanism may cause supplementary information related to content 404 to be presented on one or more user devices near display device 404, such as user device 102 associated with presentation device 110, user device 406 not associated with presentation device 110, and / or any other suitable user device. For example, when an image of a painting is presented on display device 402, the mechanism may cause user device 102 and / or 406 to present information related to the painting (e.g., information about the artist of the painting, comments related to the painting, links to information about the painting, etc.). As another example, when a representation of a news article (e.g., excerpts of the news article, images of the news article, etc.) is presented on display device 402, these mechanisms may cause user device 102 and / or 406 to present links to the news article, one or more links to other news documents (e.g., similar articles, follow-up articles, etc.), and / or any other suitable information related to the news article.

[0067] In some implementations, supplementary information related to content 404 can be obtained by the user equipment (e.g., user equipment 102 and / or 406) using any suitable content item (such as...). Figure 4One or more content items 408 as shown are presented. In some embodiments, content item 408 may be presented using text, images, icons, graphics, videos, animations, audio clips, hypertext, hyperlinks, sound, and / or any other suitable media content. In some embodiments, one or more suitable portions of content item 408 may be user-selectable. For example, in response to receiving a user selection of content item 408 corresponding to a news article on a user's device, a mechanism may cause news articles and / or content related to that news article to be presented on the user's device (e.g., using a web browser application, etc.).

[0068] Turning Figure 5 Example 500 of a process for associating user preferences with a presentation device according to some implementations of the disclosed subject matter is shown.

[0069] As shown in the figure, process 500 can begin by receiving identification information about the user at 502. In some implementations, the identification information may include any suitable information that can be used to identify the user and / or the user device associated with the user. For example, the identification information may be a combination of... Figure 1 User identification information 130 as discussed above. In a more specific example, identification information may be and / or include email addresses, usernames, passcodes, images, Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs), fingerprints, and / or any other suitable information that can be used to identify a user and / or an account associated with the user (e.g., a user account with a social networking service, video sharing service, file hosting service, photo sharing service, messaging service, etc.). As another more specific example, identification information may include device identifiers, Media Address Control (MAC) addresses, serial numbers, product identifiers, and / or any other suitable information that can be used to identify a user device associated with the user.

[0070] At step 504, process 500 may associate the identification information with the user identifier. In some embodiments, the user identifier may be any suitable combination of strings, numbers or numbers, letters, characters, symbols, etc., that can be used to uniquely identify a user and / or a user device associated with the user. In some embodiments, the user identifier may have any suitable length and value.

[0071] In some implementations, process 500 may identify an existing user identifier already associated with a user, and then associate that identification information with the existing user identifier. Additionally or alternatively, process 500 may generate a user identifier after receiving the identification information using a hash function, a random number generator, a pseudo-random number generator, and / or any other suitable mechanism that can be used to generate a user identifier.

[0072] At point 506, process 500 can identify the presentation device to be associated with the user. In some implementations, any suitable identification information associated with the presentation device (e.g., combined with...) can be used. Figure 3 The 308 (as described above) is used to identify the presentation device, such as device identifier, media address control (MAC) address, serial number, product identifier, IP address and / or any other suitable information that may be used to identify the presentation device.

[0073] In some implementations, identification information can be obtained in any suitable manner. For example, process 500 can use any suitable device discovery protocol to discover the presentation device. In a more specific example, it can be combined with... Figure 7 The 702 process, as described below, discovers a presentation device near a user device associated with the user and / or connected to a given network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). Alternatively or additionally, the process 500 may prompt the user to provide identification information related to the presentation device.

[0074] At point 508, process 500 may use a presentation device to receive one or more user preferences for presenting customized content. In some implementations, user preferences for presenting customized content may include one or more topics of interest to the user, such as “personal photos,” “art,” “news,” “lifestyle,” “weather,” “stocks,” etc.

[0075] In some implementations, user preferences for presenting customized content can indicate one or more media sources that can provide the content for presentation. In a more specific example, media sources can be and / or include services associated with and / or specified by the user, such as social networking services, video sharing services, photo sharing services, file sharing and / or storage services, media streaming services, messaging services, websites, etc. In another more specific example, media sources can be and / or include devices associated with and / or specified by the user, such as user devices associated with the user, storage devices, etc., which can provide the media content for presentation.

[0076] At point 510, process 500 may associate the received user preferences with the user and / or the presentation device. For example, process 500 may store the user preferences in a database indexed by the user and / or the presentation device (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 3(308 as described above). In a more specific example, user preferences may be stored in association with a user identifier, information identifying the presentation device, and / or any other suitable information, such that in response to receiving a subsequent request for customized content and / or supplementary information related to customized content for a specific presentation device, the service may retrieve and / or determine the customized content and / or supplementary information based on the user preferences and / or any other suitable information associated with the presentation device.

[0077] Note that in some implementations where the mechanisms described herein collect information about a specific user, the user may be given the opportunity to control whether the mechanism collects information about a specific user and / or how the collected user information is used. Examples of information about a user may include the user's interests and the user's identifying information (e.g., user profile, user credentials, device identifier, etc.). Additionally, certain information about a user may be stored locally (e.g., not shared), encrypted, and / or processed in one or more ways before it is stored to remove personally identifiable information. For example, the mechanisms described herein may store a specific user's user preferences and / or user interests with an anonymous user identifier (e.g., a user identifier not associated with the user name, the user's username and / or password, the user's email address, etc.). Using these techniques, the user can control what information is collected about the user and / or how that information is used by the mechanisms described herein.

[0078] Figure 6 Example 600 illustrates a process for presenting custom content on a presentation device, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0079] As shown in the figure, process 600 can begin at point 602 by causing the content from the presentation device to be presented by the display device. Note that, in conjunction with... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As described above, a presentation device (e.g., presentation device 110) can be operatively connected to and / or incorporated into a display device (e.g., display device 402). In some embodiments, process 600 may cause content to be incorporated as... Figure 3A portion of 314 described above is used for presentation. In some implementations, the content may include images, video content, audio content, text, etc. For example, process 600 may present a collection of images as an image slideshow. In some implementations, each image in the slideshow may be presented one at a time over a predetermined time period (e.g., fifteen seconds, thirty seconds, etc.). In such implementations, the slideshow may include images from one or more sources (e.g., a locally stored image database, images stored on the presentation device, a server, etc.). In some implementations, the content may be presented periodically (e.g., every 15 seconds, every minute, etc.).

[0080] At 604, process 600 can determine whether a user is present in the vicinity of the presentation device. For example, process 600 can detect the presence of a user by detecting one or more user devices associated with the user. In a more specific example, process 600 can use the Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) and / or any other suitable SDP that allows devices to discover other devices via short-range connections to detect the presence of user devices in the vicinity of the presentation device. In another more specific example, process 600 can initiate device discovery on the network to which the presentation device is connected. More specifically, for example, process 600 can utilize the Discovery and Initiation (DIAL) protocol and / or any other suitable protocol to search for user devices on the network (e.g., a WiFi network).

[0081] As another example, process 600 can detect the presence of a user based on the user's image data. In a more specific example, process 600 can receive the user's image data from one or more appropriate cameras. Process 600 can then use suitable object detection techniques, object tracking techniques, and / or any other suitable techniques or combinations thereof to detect the presence of the user.

[0082] In some implementations, in response to the failure to detect a user near the presentation device, process 600 may loop back to 602 ("No" at 604). Alternatively, in response to detecting the presence of one or more users near the presentation device, process 600 may identify the detected user at 606. For example, process 600 may compare identification information associated with the user device (e.g., device identifier, IP address, URI, MAC, etc.) associated with the detected user with known identification information associated with a known user device associated with the presentation device to find a match. As another example, process 600 may use any suitable facial recognition technology or combination of technologies to identify the detected user. In a more specific example, process 600 may generate a set of facial features based on image data of the detected user and may compare the generated facial features with known facial features of a known user associated with the presentation device to find a match.

[0083] In some implementations, any suitable user can be considered a user associated with the presentation device. In some implementations, the following can be used: Figure 3 Process 300 Figure 5 The process 500 and / or any other suitable method will associate one or more users and / or one or more user devices with the presentation device.

[0084] At 608, process 600 may receive one or more user preferences associated with the identified user. In some embodiments, after identifying multiple users at 606, process 600 may retrieve user preferences for each identified user. In some embodiments, the received user preferences may include any suitable information for presenting customized content using a presentation device. In some embodiments, combined with Figure 5 The process 500, as described above and / or in any other suitable manner, may receive user preferences and / or be associated with the presentation device from one or more users.

[0085] In some implementations, the identification information of the user equipment and / or user identified at 606 can be grouped by process 600 using group IDs and / or any other suitable information to identify the present devices. For example, in combination with Figure 3 Group ID 312 can be used as described above.

[0086] At 610, process 600 can use a presentation device to present customized content based on user preferences. In some implementations, customized content can be presented by having any suitable media content (such as images, video content, audio content, multimedia content, text, etc.) presented by the display device.

[0087] In some implementations, customized content can be presented in any suitable manner. For example, process 600 can identify one or more topics that one or more identified users may be interested in based on user preferences, such as topics included in the user preferences of a specific user associated with the presentation device, common topics included in the user preferences of multiple users associated with the presentation device, etc. Process 600 can then use the presentation device to present media content related to the identified topics. In a more specific example, in response to determining that the user preferences associated with the identified users include the common topic "stocks," process 600 can cause information about one or more stocks and / or news about one or more companies associated with one or more stocks to be presented on the display device. In another more specific example, in response to determining that user preferences indicate that the identified user is interested in "personal photos," process 600 can cause one or more photos of the identified user to be presented on the display device. In some implementations, these photos may include photos posted by the user on a social networking service, photos stored on a user device associated with the user, etc.

[0088] As another example, process 600 may identify media sources associated with one or more of the identified users based on user preferences, such as websites, services (e.g., video hosting services, photo sharing services, file sharing services, social networking services, etc.), devices (e.g., user devices, storage devices, etc.), and / or any other suitable media sources specified by one or more user preferences. Process 600 may then cause a presentation device to present media content provided by the identified media sources. In a more specific example, process 600 may cause a presentation device to present media content (e.g., photos, video content, audio content, etc.) stored on a user device specified by user preferences. In yet another more specific example, process 600 may cause a presentation device to present media content posted on social networks (social media posts, photos, videos, etc. associated with the user accounts of one or more identified users).

[0089] Figure 7 Example 700 illustrates a process for presenting supplemental information related to customized content, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In some embodiments, process 700 may be implemented using one or more user devices and servers, such as in combination with... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The user equipment 102 shown and described above, and in conjunction with... Figure 1 and Figure 2 One or more servers 120 shown and described.

[0090] As shown in the figure, process 700 can begin by loading a client application at 702. In some implementations, the client application can be loaded onto any suitable user device, such as a smartphone, tablet, wearable computer, etc. In a more specific example, combined with... Figure 1 and 2 As described above, the client application can be loaded on user device 102.

[0091] At 704, once the client application is loaded, in some implementations, the client application can initiate media device discovery. For example, presentation device discovery can be initiated on the network to which the user equipment is connected. In a more specific example, the client application can cause user equipment 102 to search for presentation devices on the network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) using the Discovery and Initiation (DIAL) protocol. In another more specific example, a full discovery protocol can be performed that causes the computing device to send a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) multicast message on the network to which the user equipment is connected. In some implementations, UDP may include M-search message content for presentation devices such as digital media renderers and / or digital media servers, digital media players or output, processing and / or presentation media, and any other suitable presentation devices. In some implementations, the UDP multicast message may include the address of the device sending the message (e.g., the network address of the user equipment) and may include a time period during which a reply is to be sent. Such a time period can be any suitable time period, such as one second, two seconds, etc., and can be set based on any suitable factors.

[0092] As another example, device discovery can be initiated to determine if a presenting device is near user device 102. In another, more specific example, the client application can execute the Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) and / or any other suitable SDP, which allows the device to discover other devices over short-range connections.

[0093] It should be noted that before initiating media device discovery or performing any action on the user device, the client application may offer the user of user device 102 an opportunity to provide consent or authorization to perform actions on the user, such as detecting presentation devices connected to the user device, retrieving user preferences associated with the user, retrieving media content associated with the user, etc. For example, after loading the client application onto the user device, the client application may prompt the user to provide authorization for retrieving user preferences associated with the user device and / or presentation devices. In a more specific example, in response to downloading the client application and / or loading the client application on the client device, a message requesting (or requiring) the user's consent may be displayed to the user before performing these actions. Additionally or alternatively, in response to installing the client application, a permission message requesting (or requiring) the user's consent may be displayed to the user before performing these actions.

[0094] In some implementations, upon detecting the presence of a rendering device (e.g., rendering device 110), the client application can receive information at 706 regarding the customized content being rendered by the rendering device. In some implementations, the information can be received from the rendering device, a server, and / or any other suitable source.

[0095] In some implementations, the received information may include information about the custom content (e.g., content identifier, URI, and / or any other suitable information that can be used to identify the custom content), identification information about the presentation device, and / or any other suitable information.

[0096] At 708, the client application may send a request to server 120 for supplementary information related to the customized content. In some implementations, the request may include the information received at 706 and / or any other suitable information.

[0097] Upon receiving a request at 710, server 120 can retrieve metadata and / or any other suitable data related to the customized content at 712. For example, based on an image in a slideshow currently being presented on the presentation device, server 120 can retrieve a data binary object or any other suitable information about the currently presented image and use the data binary object to retrieve metadata associated with the image. In some implementations, metadata related to the media content can be identified and / or retrieved based on identification information related to the customized content, identification information related to the presentation device, and / or any other suitable information.

[0098] In some implementations, metadata may include any suitable information related to the custom content, such as one or more topics related to the custom content, information about the types of information contained in the custom content (e.g., images, videos, file types, etc.), information about the topics of the custom content (e.g., a description of what is depicted in an image), the source from which the custom content originates (e.g., a social media post, web page, URI, etc.), information about one or more users related to the custom content (e.g., the user appearing in the photo), information about one or more authors of the custom content, etc.

[0099] At point 714, server 120 can obtain supplementary information related to the customized content based on the retrieved metadata. For example, supplementary information can be obtained by performing a search based on metadata (e.g., using the server and / or any other suitable device and / or service) and obtaining one or more search results. In a more specific example, if the customized content includes an image of a painting, the server can perform a search based on metadata related to the painting to retrieve web pages, news articles, and / or any other suitable content related to the painting, the artist of the painting, etc. In another more specific example, if the customized content includes a representation of a news article (e.g., an image of the news article), the server can perform a search based on metadata related to the representation of the news article to obtain links to the news article, excerpts of the news article, and related news and / or any other suitable information related to the news article.

[0100] At point 716, server 120 may send a response to user device 102 for presenting supplementary information. In some implementations, the response may include any suitable data that can be used to present the supplementary information. For example, the response may include links (e.g., Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)), barcodes (e.g., Quick Response (QR) codes), and / or any other suitable mechanism for web pages that include supplementary information related to the customized content. As another example, metadata may include extracts of web content (e.g., web pages, text, videos, etc.) including supplementary information related to the customized content.

[0101] In some implementations, the client application may receive a response at 718. In some implementations, at 720, the client application may cause supplementary information related to the customized content to be presented by the user device 102. In some implementations, text, images, icons, graphics, videos, animations, audio clips, hypertext, hyperlinks, sound, and / or any other suitable content may be used to present the supplementary information. In some implementations, combined with... Figure 4 As described above, one or more content items can be used to present media content.

[0102] In some implementations, the mechanisms described herein may include software, firmware, hardware, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, the mechanisms described herein may include computer programs written in a programming language recognizable by one or more of hardware processors 202, 212, and 222 (e.g., programs written in programming languages ​​such as Java, C, Objective-C, C++, C#, Javascript, Visual Basic, or any other suitable method). As another example, the mechanisms described herein may include code corresponding to one or more web pages or portions of web pages (e.g., via any suitable encoding such as Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”), Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (“DHTML”), Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), JavaServer Pages (“JSP”), Active Server Pages (“ASP”), Cold Fusion, or any other suitable method).

[0103] In some embodiments, any suitable computer-readable medium may be used to store instructions for performing the functions and / or processes described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the computer-readable medium may be temporary or non-temporary. For example, a non-temporary computer-readable medium may include media such as magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical media (such as compact discs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), semiconductor media (such as flash memory, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.), any suitable medium that is not transient during transmission or lacks permanence, and / or any suitable tangible medium. As another example, a temporary computer-readable medium may include signals on a network, line, conductor, optical fiber, circuit, any suitable medium that is transient during transmission and lacks permanence, and / or any suitable intangible medium.

[0104] It should be understood that Figure 3 and Figure 5-7 The above steps of the process can be performed or run in any order or sequence, not limited to the order and sequence shown and described in the diagram. Furthermore, Figure 3 and Figure 5-7 Some of the above steps in the process can be performed or run substantially simultaneously or in parallel to reduce waiting time and processing time.

[0105] It should also be noted that the terminology used herein may include hardware, software, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0106] Therefore, methods, systems, and media for associating multiple users with media presentation devices are provided.

[0107] While the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is by way of example only, and many changes can be made to the details of the embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined only by the appended claims. The features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

Claims

1. A method for determining content to be presented, the method comprising: A cloud-based user preference server system receives first user preferences from a first user device and second user preferences from a second user device. The cloud-based user preference server system associates the first user preference with the first user of the first user device, and associates the second user preference with the second user of the second user device; The cloud-based user preference server system associates a media presentation device with the first user in response to receiving a first request from the first user device. The cloud-based user preference server system associates the media presentation device with the second user in response to receiving a second request from the second user device. The cloud-based user preference server system receives a third request from the media presentation device to present content based on user preferences associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system determines that the first user and the second user are associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving the third request, determines that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the first user and the media presentation device. The cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving the third request, determines that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the second user and the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system determines the media content interest of the first user based on the first user preference in response to determining that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, and ignores the second user preference in response to determining that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system identifies multiple media content items based on the media content interests of the first user; as well as The cloud-based user preference server system sends at least a portion of the plurality of media content items to the media presentation device for display.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After receiving the second request from the second user device, the cloud-based user preference server system associates the second user preference with the media presentation device in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user device.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Generate group identifiers; Associate the group identifier with the first user equipment and the second user equipment; Generate combined user preferences based on the first user preferences and the second user preferences; Associate the combined user preferences with the group identifier; as well as In response to associating the second user preference with the media presentation device, the content to be presented by the media presentation device is updated based on the combined user preference.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: In response to receiving a fourth request from the first user equipment, the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, wherein: The association of the first user preference with the media presentation device is further determined based on the fourth request; and The determination that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device is further based on the absence of a fifth request from the second user device to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Associating the first user and the second user with the media presentation device includes associating the first user's preferences and the second user's preferences with the media presentation device, the method further comprising: Upon receiving the second request, the cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user device, disconnects the media presentation device from the second user preference.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive a fourth request from the second user equipment to associate the second user, the second user preferences, or both with the second media presentation device; In response to the fourth request, the second user preference is associated with the second media presentation device; Receive a fifth request from the second media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on user preferences associated with the second media presentation device; Multiple images are identified based on the user preferences associated with the second media presentation device, which includes the second user preferences. as well as At least a portion of the plurality of images are sent to the second media presentation device for display.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first user preference indicates one or more topics of interest, the third request from the media presentation device includes a unique device identifier of the media presentation device, and the determination that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device is further based on the determination that the first user preference is associated with the unique device identifier and stored in a database.

8. A system for determining content to be presented, the system comprising: The hardware processor of the cloud-based user preference server system is programmed to: Receive first user preferences from a first user equipment and receive second user preferences from a second user equipment; The first user preference is associated with a first user of the first user device, and the second user preference is associated with a second user of the second user device; In response to receiving a first request from the first user equipment, the media presentation device is associated with the first user; In response to receiving a second request from the second user equipment, the media presentation device is associated with the second user; Receive a third request from the media presentation device to present content based on user preferences associated with the media presentation device; Determine that the first user and the second user are associated with the media presentation device; In response to receiving the third request, determine that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the first user and the media presentation device; In response to receiving the third request, the system determines that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the second user and the media presentation device. In response to determining that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, the media content interest of the first user is determined based on the first user preference, while in response to determining that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device, the second user preference is ignored; Identify multiple media content items based on the media content interests stated by the first user; and At least a portion of the plurality of media content items are sent to the media presentation device for display.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The hardware processor is further programmed to: After receiving the second request from the second user equipment, in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user equipment, the second user preference is associated with the media presentation device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to: Generate group identifiers; Associate the group identifier with the first user equipment and the second user equipment; Generate combined user preferences based on the first user preferences and the second user preferences; Associate the combined user preferences with the group identifier; as well as In response to associating the second user preference with the media presentation device, the content to be presented by the media presentation device is updated based on the combined user preference.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The hardware processor is further programmed to: In response to receiving a fourth request from the first user equipment, the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, wherein: The association of the first user preference with the media presentation device is further determined based on the fourth request; and The determination that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device is further based on the absence of a fifth request from the second user device to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein, Associating the first user and the second user with the media presentation device includes associating the first user preferences and the second user preferences with the media presentation device, and the hardware processor is further programmed to: Upon receiving the second request, in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user device, the media presentation device is deassociated with the second user preference.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The hardware processor is further programmed to: Receive a fourth request from the second user equipment to associate the second user, the second user preferences, or both with the second media presentation device; In response to the fourth request, the second user preference is associated with the second media presentation device; Receive a fifth request from the second media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on user preferences associated with the second media presentation device; Multiple images are identified based on the user preferences associated with the second media presentation device, which includes the second user preferences. as well as At least a portion of the plurality of images are sent to the second media presentation device for display.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The first user preference indicates one or more topics of interest, the third request from the media presentation device includes a unique device identifier of the media presentation device, and the determination that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device is further based on the determination that the first user preference is associated with the unique device identifier and stored in a database.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for determining content to be presented, the method comprising: A cloud-based user preference server system receives first user preferences from a first user device and second user preferences from a second user device. The cloud-based user preference server system associates the first user preference with the first user of the first user device, and associates the second user preference with the second user of the second user device; The cloud-based user preference server system associates a media presentation device with the first user in response to receiving a first request from the first user device. The cloud-based user preference server system associates the media presentation device with the second user in response to receiving a second request from the second user device. The cloud-based user preference server system receives a third request from the media presentation device to present content based on user preferences associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system determines that the first user and the second user are associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving the third request, determines that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the first user and the media presentation device. The cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving the third request, determines that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device based on the association between the second user and the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system determines the media content interest of the first user based on the first user preference in response to determining that the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, and ignores the second user preference in response to determining that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device; The cloud-based user preference server system identifies multiple media content items based on the media content interests of the first user; as well as The cloud-based user preference server system sends at least a portion of the plurality of media content items to the media presentation device for display.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: After receiving the second request from the second user device, the cloud-based user preference server system associates the second user preference with the media presentation device in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: Generate group identifiers; Associate the group identifier with the first user equipment and the second user equipment; Generate combined user preferences based on the first user preferences and the second user preferences; Associate the combined user preferences with the group identifier; and In response to associating the second user preference with the media presentation device, the content to be presented by the media presentation device is updated based on the combined user preference.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: In response to receiving a fourth request from the first user equipment, the first user preference is associated with the media presentation device, wherein: The association of the first user preference with the media presentation device is further determined based on the fourth request; and The determination that the second user preference is not associated with the media presentation device is further based on the absence of a fifth request from the second user device to associate the second user preference with the media presentation device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein, Associating the first user and the second user with the media presentation device includes associating the first user preferences and the second user preferences with the media presentation device, and wherein the method further includes: Upon receiving the second request, the cloud-based user preference server system, in response to receiving a fourth request from the second user device, disconnects the media presentation device from the second user preference.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: Receive a fourth request from the second user equipment to associate the second user, the second user preferences, or both with the second media presentation device; In response to the fourth request, the second user preference is associated with the second media presentation device; Receive a fifth request from the second media presentation device to present a slideshow of images based on user preferences associated with the second media presentation device; Identify multiple images based on the user preferences associated with the second media presentation device, including the second user preferences; and At least a portion of the plurality of images are sent to the second media presentation device for display.

Images