Systems and methods for providing recommendations based on short and long media viewing profiles - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a system and method for providing recommendations based on a short-media viewing profile and a long-media viewing profile.SOLUTION: A short-media viewing profile may be maintained for a user. The short-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching short-length media content. A long-media viewing profile may be maintained for the user. The long-media viewing profile may be based on user's behavior while watching long-length media content. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the short-media viewing profile. In response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long-length media content, a recommendation is provided to the user based on the long-media viewing profile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] A typical television system may provide recommendations or advertisements to a user based on a maintained user profile. Typically, only a single user profile is maintained for each user. At best, multiple profiles may be maintained based on the user's location. However, such profiles may not take into account the user's current viewing behavior. In particular, a user currently viewing long-form media content (e.g., a feature-length movie) will typically receive very different types of recommendations or advertisements than a user currently engaged in viewing short-form media content (e.g., a video clip, a short user-created video such as a YOUTUBE® video, or a news video). As a result, current systems often provide inefficient recommendations or advertisements that do not match the user's current preferences. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] To this end and other ends, in some embodiments, the media guidance application may track a user's behavior separately during periods when the user consumes short-length media and periods when the user consumes long-length media. Specifically, two different user profiles (a short media viewing profile and a long media viewing profile) are maintained, with each profile tracking the user's behavior during the respective periods. Later, when the user consumes media content, the length of that content is compared to a threshold. If the media content is long enough, the long media viewing profile is activated. Otherwise, the short media viewing profile is activated. As a result, recommendations or advertisements may be provided to the user based on the currently active profile. Because users often have different preferences when viewing media content of different lengths, such utilization of the two profiles improves the quality and relevance of recommendations and advertisements. In particular, the operation of the media guidance application is improved because the recommendations and advertisements provided are better suited to the user's current viewing activity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The media guidance application may provide recommendations to the user, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may maintain a short media viewing profile for the user. For example, the media guidance application may store the user's behavior during the period in which the user is watching short-form media content (e.g., a YOUTUBE® video, a movie clip, a news article, etc.). The stored user behavior may include requesting other content (e.g., media content or a web page), interacting with an advertisement, making a phone call, sending a text message, any other request, or any combination thereof.

[0004] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may maintain a long media viewing profile for a user. For example, the media guidance application may store the user's behavior during a period when the user is watching long-form media content (e.g., a feature-length movie, a long television series episode, etc.). The stored user behavior may include requesting other content (e.g., media content or web pages), interacting with advertisements, making phone calls, sending text messages, any other requests, or any combination thereof.

[0005] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations to the user based on the short-term media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-term media. For example, if the user is engaged in viewing short-term media content (e.g., YOUTUBE® videos, movie clips, news articles, etc.), the media guidance application may identify recommendations that match information stored in the short-term media viewing profile. In some embodiments, if the short-term media viewing profile includes data that the user responded positively to an advertisement for pizza when viewing short-term media in the past, the media guidance application may present an offering of pizza to the user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide a recommendation to view a second short-term media content.

[0006] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations to the user based on the long media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long media. For example, if the user is engaged in viewing long media content (e.g., a feature film or an entire television series episode), the media guidance application may identify recommendations that match information stored in the long media viewing profile. For example, if the long media viewing profile includes data that the user responded positively to a car advertisement when watching long media in the past, the media guidance application may present the user with an offer to lease a car. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide a recommendation to view a second long media content.

[0007] A media guidance application may provide recommendations to a user, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may track a user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content. For example, the media guidance application may track a user's behavior during the time the user is viewing short-form media content (e.g., YOUTUBE® videos, movie clips, news articles). For example, tracked user behavior may include one or more of requests for content or data made by the user, the user's interactions with any advertisements, any calls made by the user, and any websites visited by the user.

[0008] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a short media viewing profile based on the user's behavior tracked as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content. In some embodiments, the short media viewing profile may comprise a plurality of recommended metadata. For example, the media guidance application may generate or update the short media viewing profile to store recommended metadata associated with actions performed by the user. In some embodiments, if a user requests any type of content while viewing short-form media content, metadata associated with the content may be stored by the media guidance application as recommended metadata. For example, if a user requests a video, the media guidance application may store at least one of the title, genre, and actor's names as recommended metadata. In another example, if a user clicks on a provided advertisement, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the advertisement as recommended metadata. For example, at least one of the company name, product name, and title of the advertisement may be stored by the media guidance application as recommended metadata. In yet another example, if a user visits a website, the media guidance application may store at least one of the website URL and keywords associated with the website as recommended metadata.

[0009] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may track a user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content. For example, the media guidance application may track a user's behavior during the time the user is viewing long-form media content (e.g., a feature film or an entire television program episode). For example, the tracked user behavior may include one or more of requests for content or data made by the user, the user's interactions with any advertisements, any calls made by the user, and any websites visited by the user.

[0010] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a long media viewing profile based on the user's behavior tracked as the user engaged in watching long media content. In some embodiments, the long media viewing profile may comprise a plurality of recommended metadata. For example, the media guidance application may generate or update the long media viewing profile to store recommended metadata associated with actions performed by the user. In some embodiments, if a user requests any type of content while watching long media content, metadata associated with the content may be stored by the media guidance application as recommended metadata. For example, if a user requests a video, the media guidance application may store at least one of the title, genre, and actor's names as recommended metadata. In another example, if a user clicks on a provided advertisement, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the advertisement as recommended metadata. For example, at least one of the company name, product name, and title of the advertisement may be stored by the media guidance application as recommended metadata. In yet another example, if a user visits a website, the media guidance application may store at least one of the website URL and keywords associated with the website as recommended metadata.

[0011] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide media content to a user. In some embodiments, the media content may be provided to a user's device. For example, the media guidance application may provide movies or television programs for display on the user's television or computer screen. In another example, the media guidance application may provide the media content to any type of media content playback device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then compare the length of the media content to a length threshold. For example, the length threshold may be set to 15 minutes. That is, any media content shorter than 15 minutes may be considered short media content, while any media content equal to or longer than 15 minutes may be considered long media content. In some embodiments, any other time value may be used as the length threshold. In some embodiments, the length threshold may be dynamically adjusted by the media guidance application.

[0013] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then activate a long media viewing profile in response to determining that the length of the media content corresponds to (e.g., exceeds) a length threshold. In some embodiments, the activated profile may be used for any action that requires data from a user profile. In some embodiments, only the currently activated profile is updated based on further behavior of the user. In some embodiments, the activated profile may be used to provide recommendations to the user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may select a recommended item whose metadata matches at least one recommended metadata of the long media viewing profile (i.e., the currently activated profile).

[0014] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may access a database of available recommended items. Each recommended item may be associated with recommended content and may include metadata associated with the recommended content. In some embodiments, a recommended item may be associated with an advertisement and may include metadata associated with the advertisement. For example, if a recommended item is associated with a Ford car commercial, the recommended item may include metadata such as the title of the advertisement (e.g., "Ford Car Commercial #78"), the general advertising space (e.g., "car commercial"), keywords (e.g., "car", "automobile", "Ford"), or any other metadata. In some embodiments, a recommended item may be associated with media content and may include metadata associated with the media content. For example, if a recommended item is associated with the movie "Good Will Hunting", the recommended item may include metadata such as the title (e.g., "Good Will Hunting"), genre (e.g., "drama" or "comedy"), actor (e.g., "Matt Damon"), length (e.g., 126 minutes), etc.

[0015] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may compare metadata included in the recommended item to the recommended metadata included in the long media viewing profile (i.e., the currently activated profile). If the comparison indicates a sufficient match between the metadata, the media guidance application may select the recommended item for presentation to the user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then provide the recommended items to the user device. For example, the recommended items may be provided to the same device used to provide the media content. In some embodiments, the recommended items may be provided to a different device belonging to the user (e.g., the user's phone or computer).

[0016] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may activate a short media viewing profile in response to determining that the length of the media content does not correspond to (e.g., exceeds) a length threshold. In some embodiments, the activated profile may be used to provide recommendations to the user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may select recommended items whose metadata matches at least one recommended metadata of a short media viewing profile (i.e., the currently activated profile).

[0017] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may access a database of available recommended items. Each recommended item may be associated with recommended content and may include metadata associated with the recommended content. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may compare the metadata included in the recommended item to the recommended metadata included in the short media viewing profile (i.e., the currently activated profile). For example, if the recommended item is associated with a Domino's Pizza commercial, the recommended item may include metadata such as the title of the advertisement (e.g., "Domino's Pizza Commercial #78"), the general advertising space (e.g., "pizza commercial"), keywords (e.g., "pizza", "take-out", "Domino's"), or any other metadata. In some embodiments, the recommended item may be associated with media content and may include metadata associated with the media content. For example, if the recommended item is associated with the music video "Thriller", the recommended item may include metadata such as the title (e.g., "Thriller"), genre (e.g., "music video"), performer (e.g., "Michael Jackson"), length (e.g., 14 minutes), etc.

[0018] If the comparison indicates a sufficient match between the metadata, the media guidance application may select the recommended item for presentation to the user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then provide the recommended items to the user device. For example, the recommended items may be provided to the same device used to provide the media content. In some embodiments, the recommended items may be provided to a different device belonging to the user (e.g., the user's phone or computer).

[0019] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a short media viewing profile using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that a user is watching short-length media content. For example, the media guidance application may determine that the length of the currently provided media content does not exceed a length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). The media guidance application may then monitor user requests for content during or shortly after (e.g., within one minute) the short-length media content is being played. For example, the media guidance application may monitor the user's device and any other devices associated with the user for content requests. In some embodiments, the content requests may be requests for other media content, requests for web pages, requests for data from a mobile application, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then store metadata associated with the user request. For example, if a user requests a video during or shortly after the short-length media content is being played, the media guidance application may store any metadata associated with that video in the short media viewing profile.

[0020] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a short media viewing profile using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that a user is watching short-length media content. For example, the media guidance application may determine that the length of the currently provided media content does not exceed a length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). The media guidance application may then provide advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the time that the short-length media content is being played. For example, the media guidance application may provide advertisements on the same device used to provide the media content or any other device associated with the user. For example, the media guidance application may provide advertisements to the user's television, phone, or any other user device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then monitor the user's response to the advertisement. For example, the media guidance application may monitor whether the user has interacted with the advertisement in any way. In some embodiments, any detected user interaction with the advertisement (e.g., a click) may be interpreted as a favorable response. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user's response was favorable. For example, if the user clicked on an advertisement for a pizza offering, the media guidance application may store the keyword "pizza" in the short media viewing profile.

[0022] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a long media viewing profile using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that a user is watching long media content. For example, the media guidance application may determine that the length of the currently provided media content exceeds a length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). The media guidance application may then monitor user requests for content during or shortly after (e.g., within one minute) the long media content is being played. For example, the media guidance application may monitor the user's device and any other devices associated with the user for content requests. In some embodiments, the content request may be a request for other media content, a request for a web page, a request for data from a mobile application, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then store metadata associated with the user request. For example, if a user requests a video during or shortly after the long media content is being played, the media guidance application may store any metadata associated with that video (e.g., title or genre) in the long media viewing profile. For example, if a user requests a "New York Giants" video clip, the media guidance application may store the keywords "Giants" and "sports" in a long media viewing profile.

[0023] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate a long media viewing profile using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that a user is watching long-form media content. For example, the media guidance application may determine that the length of the currently provided media content exceeds a length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). The media guidance application may then provide advertisements to the user device during or shortly after the time the long-form media content is being played. For example, the media guidance application may provide advertisements on the same device used to provide the media content or any other device associated with the user. For example, the media guidance application may provide advertisements to the user's television, phone, or any other user device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then monitor the user's response to the advertisement. For example, the media guidance application may monitor whether the user has interacted with the advertisement in any way. In some embodiments, any detected user interaction with the advertisement (e.g., a click) may be interpreted as a favorable response. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user's response was favorable.

[0025] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may activate one of the user profiles even when the user is not currently consuming any media content. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may analyze at least one of the time of day, the user's location, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content or short-form media content. For example, the media guidance application may have data indicating that the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content on a weekend evening. In this example, if the current time is after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, the media guidance application may determine that the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content. In another example, the media guidance application may have data indicating that the user is in a mood to watch short-form media content when the user is at work (e.g., during a lunch break). In this example, if the current user location is the user's place of work, the media guidance application may determine that the user is in a mood to watch short-form media content.

[0026] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may activate a long media viewing profile in response to determining that a user is in a mood to watch long-form media content. For example, if the media guidance application determines, based on time of day information, that a user is in a mood to watch long-form media content, the media guidance application may activate a long media viewing profile even before the user requests any type of media content for viewing.

[0027] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may activate a short media viewing profile in response to determining that a user is in the mood to view short-form media content. For example, if the media guidance application determines, based on the user's location, that a user is in the mood to view short-form media content, the media guidance application may activate a short media viewing profile even before the user requests any type of media content for viewing.

[0028] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommended items to a user device using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine whether a short media viewing profile is active. If so, the media guidance application may select short recommended items associated with the second short media content. That is, when selecting recommended items, the media guidance application may consider only recommended items that would recommend media content having a short length. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then provide the short recommended items to the user device. That is, when a short media viewing profile is active, in some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations only for short other content.

[0029] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommended items to a user device using the following series of steps: In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine whether a long media viewing profile is active. If so, the media guidance application may select long-length recommended items associated with the second long-length media content. That is, when selecting recommended items, the media guidance application may consider only recommended items that would recommend media content having a long length. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then provide the long-length recommended items to the user device. That is, when a long media viewing profile is active, in some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations only for long content. The present invention further provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) 1. A method for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: maintaining a short media viewing profile for the user; maintaining a long-term media viewing profile for said user; in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-form media content, providing recommendations to the user based on the short-form media viewing profile; in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long form media content, providing recommendations to the user based on the long form media viewing profile; A method comprising: (Item 2) 1. A method for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: Tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content; generating a short media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content, the short media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content; generating a long media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing long form media content, the long media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; Providing media content to a user device; comparing a length of the media content to a length threshold; In response to determining that a length of the media content corresponds to the length threshold, activating the long media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the long-form media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; In response to determining that a length of the media content does not correspond to the length threshold, activating the short media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the short media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; A method comprising: (Item 3) the long-form media content comprises at least one feature-length film or full-length television episode; 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the short-form media content comprises at least one of a user-created short video, a video clip, a music video, and a news video. (Item 4) Generating a short media viewing profile determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the short-lived media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 5) Generating a short media viewing profile determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-lived media content is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 6) Generating a long media viewing profile is determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the long-form media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 7) Generating a long media viewing profile is determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the playback of the long-form media content; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 8) Analyzing at least one of a time of day, a location of a user, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to view long-form media content or short-form media content; activating the long form media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to watch long form media content; activating the short media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to view short-form media content; The method according to item 2, further comprising: (Item 9) Providing the recommended items to the user device includes: In response to determining that the short media viewing profile is active, selecting a short-term recommended item associated with a second short-term media content; providing the short recommendation items to the user device; The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 10) Providing the recommended items to the user device includes: In response to determining that the long media viewing profile is active, selecting a long form recommendation item associated with a second long form media content; providing the long-form recommendation items to the user device; The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 11) 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches at least one recommended metadata of the activated viewing profile. (Item 12) 1. A system for providing recommendations to a user, the system comprising a control circuit, the control circuit comprising: Tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content; generating a short media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content, the short media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content; generating a long media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing long form media content, the long media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; Providing media content to a user device; comparing a length of the media content to a length threshold; In response to determining that a length of the media content corresponds to the length threshold, activating the long media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the long-form media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; In response to determining that a length of the media content does not correspond to the length threshold, activating the short media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the short media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; A system configured to: (Item 13) the long-form media content comprises at least one feature-length film or full-length television episode; Item 13. The system of item 12, wherein the short-form media content comprises at least one of a user-created short video, a video clip, a music video, and a news video. (Item 14) The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the short-lived media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to generate a short media viewing profile by (Item 15) The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-lived media content is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to generate a short media viewing profile by (Item 16) The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the long-form media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to generate a long media viewing profile by (Item 17) The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the playback of the long-form media content; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to generate a long media viewing profile by (Item 18) The control circuit includes: Analyzing at least one of a time of day, a location of a user, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to view long-form media content or short-form media content; activating the long form media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to watch long form media content; activating the short media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to view short-form media content; Item 13. The system of item 12, further configured to: (Item 19) The control circuit includes: In response to determining that the short media viewing profile is active, selecting a short-term recommended item associated with a second short-term media content; providing the short recommendation items to the user device; Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to provide the recommended items to the user device by (Item 20) The control circuit includes: In response to determining that the long media viewing profile is active, selecting a long form recommendation item associated with a second long form media content; providing the long-form recommendation items to the user device; Item 13. The system of item 12, configured to provide the recommended items to the user device by (Item 21) Item 13. The system of item 12, wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches at least one recommended metadata of the activated viewing profile. (Item 22) 1. An apparatus for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: means for tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content; means for generating a short media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content, the short media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; means for tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content; means for generating a long form media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing long form media content, the long form media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; means for providing media content to a user device; means for comparing a length of the media content to a length threshold; In response to determining that a length of the media content corresponds to the length threshold, means for activating the long media viewing profile; means for selecting recommended items, the metadata of the recommended items matching at least one recommended metadata of the long-form media viewing profile; means for providing the recommended items to the user device; In response to determining that a length of the media content does not correspond to the length threshold, means for activating the short media viewing profile; means for selecting recommended items, the metadata of the recommended items matching at least one recommended metadata of the short media viewing profile; means for providing the recommended items to the user device; The device comprises: (Item 23) the long-form media content comprises at least one feature-length film or full-length television episode; 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the short-form media content comprises at least one of a user-created short video, a video clip, a music video, and a news video. (Item 24) The means for generating a short media viewing profile include: means for determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, means for monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the short-lived media content is being played; means for storing metadata associated with said user request; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 25) The means for generating a short media viewing profile include: means for determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, means for serving advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-lived media content is being played; means for monitoring a response of said user to said advertisements; means for storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 26) The means of generating a long media viewing profile are means for determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, means for monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the long-form media content is being played; means for storing metadata associated with said user request; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 27) The means of generating a long media viewing profile are means for determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, means for providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately following the playback of the long-form media content; means for monitoring a response of said user to said advertisements; means for storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 28) means for analyzing at least one of a time of day, a user's location, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to view long-form media content or short-form media content; means for activating the long form media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to watch long form media content; means for activating the short media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to view short-form media content; 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: (Item 29) Providing the recommended items to the user device includes: In response to determining that the short media viewing profile is active, means for selecting short-term recommended items associated with a second short-term media content; means for providing the short recommended items to the user device; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 30) The means for providing the recommended items to the user device comprises: In response to determining that the long media viewing profile is active, means for selecting a long form recommended item associated with a second long form media content; means for providing the long-form recommendation items to the user device; 23. The device according to item 22, comprising: (Item 31) 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches at least one recommended metadata of the activated viewing profile. (Item 32) 1. A non-transient computer readable medium encoded with non-transient computer readable instructions for providing recommendations to a user, the non-transient computer readable instructions comprising: instructions for tracking the behavior of the user while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content; instructions for generating a short media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content, the short media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; instructions for tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content; instructions for generating a long form media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing long form media content, the long form media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; instructions for providing media content to a user device; instructions for comparing a length of the media content to a length threshold; In response to determining that a length of the media content corresponds to the length threshold, activating the long media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the long-form media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; and In response to determining that a length of the media content does not correspond to the length threshold, activating the short media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the short media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; and A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising: (Item 33) the long-form media content comprises at least one feature-length film or full-length television episode; Item 33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of item 32, wherein the short-form media content comprises at least one of a short user-created video, a video clip, a music video, and a news video. (Item 34) The instructions for generating a short media viewing profile include: instructions for determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the short-lived media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; and 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 35) The instructions for generating a short media viewing profile include: instructions for determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-lived media content is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and and 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 36) The instructions for generating a long media viewing profile include: instructions for determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the long-form media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; and 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 37) The instructions for generating a long media viewing profile include: instructions for determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the playback of the long-form media content; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and and 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 38) instructions for analyzing at least one of a time of day, a user's location, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to view long-form media content or short-form media content; instructions for activating the long form media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to watch long form media content; instructions for activating the short media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to view short-form media content; The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 32, further comprising: The instructions for providing the recommended items to the user device include: In response to determining that the short media viewing profile is active, selecting a short-term recommended item associated with a second short-term media content; providing the short recommendation items to the user device; An order to carry out 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 40) The instructions for providing the recommended items to the user device include: In response to determining that the long media viewing profile is active, selecting a long-form recommended item associated with a second long-form media content; , providing the long-form recommendation items to the user device; An order to carry out 33. The non-transitory computer readable medium of item 32, comprising: (Item 41) Item 33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of item 32, wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches at least one recommended metadata of the activated viewing profile. (Item 42) 1. A method for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: Tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-form media content; generating a short media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing short-form media content, the short media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; tracking the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing long-form media content; generating a long media viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user as the user engaged in viewing long form media content, the long media viewing profile comprising a plurality of recommendation metadata; Providing media content to a user device; comparing a length of the media content to a length threshold; In response to determining that a length of the media content corresponds to the length threshold, activating the long media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the long-form media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; In response to determining that a length of the media content does not correspond to the length threshold, activating the short media viewing profile; and selecting a recommended item, the metadata of the recommended item matching at least one recommended metadata of the short media viewing profile; providing the recommended items to the user device; A method comprising: (Item 43) the long-form media content comprises at least one feature-length film or full-length television episode; 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the short-form media content comprises at least one of a user-created short video, a video clip, a music video, and a news video. (Item 44) Generating a short media viewing profile determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the short-lived media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; 44. The method according to any one of items 42-43, comprising: (Item 45) Generating a short media viewing profile determining that the user is viewing short-form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing short-form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-lived media content is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and 45. The method according to any one of items 42-44, comprising: (Item 46) Generating a long media viewing profile is determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, monitoring user requests for content during or immediately following the time that the long-form media content is being played; storing metadata associated with the user request; 46. ​​The method according to any one of items 42-45, comprising: (Item 47) Generating a long media viewing profile is determining that the user is viewing long form media content; In response to determining that the user is viewing long form media content, providing advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the playback of the long-form media content; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and 47. The method according to any one of items 42-46, comprising: (Item 48) Analyzing at least one of a time of day, a location of a user, and a search input received from the user to determine whether the user is in a mood to view long-form media content or short-form media content; activating the long form media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to watch long form media content; activating the short media viewing profile in response to determining that the user is in a mood to view short-form media content; 48. The method according to any one of items 42-47, further comprising: (Item 49) Providing the recommended items to the user device includes: In response to determining that the short media viewing profile is active, selecting a short-term recommended item associated with a second short-term media content; providing the short recommendation items to the user device; 49. The method according to any one of items 42-48, comprising: (Item 50) Providing the recommended items to the user device includes: In response to determining that the long media viewing profile is active, selecting a long form recommendation item associated with a second long form media content; providing the long-form recommendation items to the user device; 50. The method according to any one of items 42-49, comprising: (Item 51) 51. The method of any one of claims 42-50, wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches at least one recommended metadata of the activated viewing profile. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout.

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative media guidance interface that may provide recommendations to a user according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0032] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows another illustrative media guidance interface that can dynamically include or exclude video in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0033] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows yet another illustrative media guidance interface that can dynamically include or exclude video in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0034] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative user equipment device according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0035] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative media system according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0036] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process for providing recommendations to a user according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process for providing recommendations to a user according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] [Figure 8]FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process for generating a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process for generating a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process for generating a long media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process for generating a long media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process for activating either a long or a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process for providing recommended items to a user device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process for providing recommendations to a user device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 depicts yet another illustrative flow diagram of a process for providing recommendations to a user device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Systems and methods are disclosed herein for improved ways of providing recommendations to users. In particular, a media guidance application may track a user's behavior while the user is watching long or short media content. The media guidance application may separately maintain two different user profiles, one for the user's preferences when watching long media and one for the user's preferences when watching short media. Once the profiles are established, the media guidance application may use the two profiles to provide improved recommendations (e.g., content suggestions or advertisements) to the user. For example, the media guidance application may make recommendations using the short media viewing profile while the user is watching a short video and make recommendations using the long media viewing profile while the user is watching a long video. As a result, such techniques improve the operation of the media guidance application by enabling the media guidance application to make recommendations that are relevant to the user's current behavior.

[0047] As referred to herein, the phrase "long-form media content" refers to any type of media content (e.g., video, audio, or multimedia content) that exceeds a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). For example, a full-length movie that runs 128 minutes or a 60-minute television program episode can both be considered "long-form media content."

[0048] As referred to herein, the phrase "short-form media content" refers to any type of media content (e.g., video, audio, or multimedia content) that does not exceed a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). For example, both a five-minute news clip or an eight-minute music video may be considered "short-form media content."

[0049] As referred to herein, the phrase "short-form media viewing profile" refers to any profile, data structure, or database that stores data indicative of a user's behavior or preferences during a period in which the user consumes short-form media content. In some embodiments, a short-form media viewing profile may store a number of recommended metadata corresponding to content that the user may prefer during such period.

[0050] As referred to herein, the phrase "long-form media viewing profile" refers to any profile, data structure, or database that stores data indicative of a user's behavior or preferences during a period in which the user consumes long-form media content. In some embodiments, a long-form media viewing profile may store a number of recommended metadata corresponding to content that the user may prefer during such period.

[0051] As referred to herein, the phrase "recommended item" refers to any media asset, text, multimedia, or data structure intended to provide a recommendation message to a user. In some embodiments, a recommended item may be associated with media content to be recommended or an advertisement to be served. In some embodiments, a recommended item may include metadata associated with the content to be recommended or the advertisement to be served.

[0052] The amount of content available to users in any given content delivery system can be staggering. As a result, many users desire a form of media guidance through an interface that allows users to efficiently navigate content selections and easily identify content that may be desired. Applications that provide such guidance are referred to herein as interactive media guidance applications, but may also sometimes be referred to as media guidance applications or guidance applications.

[0053] Interactive media guidance applications may take a variety of forms depending on the content for which they provide guidance. One typical type of media guidance application is an interactive television program guide. Interactive television program guides (sometimes referred to as electronic program guides) are well-known guidance applications that, among other things, allow users to navigate among and find many types of content or media assets. Interactive media guidance applications may generate graphical user interface screens that allow users to navigate among, find, and select content. As referred to herein, the terms "media assets" and "content" should be understood to mean not only television programs, but also electronically consumable user assets such as pay programs, on-demand programs (as in video-on-demand (VOD) systems), Internet content (e.g., streaming content, downloadable content, webcasts, etc.), video clips, audio, content information, photos, rotating images, documents, playlists, websites, articles, books, e-books, blogs, chat sessions, social media, applications, games, and / or any other media or multimedia, and / or combinations thereof. Guidance applications also allow users to navigate among and find content. As referred to herein, the term "multimedia" should be understood to mean content that utilizes at least two of the different content forms described above, e.g., text, audio, image, video, or interactive content forms. The content may be recorded, played, displayed, or accessed by a user equipment device, but may also be part of a live performance.

[0054] The media guidance application and / or any instructions for implementing any of the embodiments discussed herein may be encoded on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes any medium capable of storing data. A computer-readable medium may be transient, including, but not limited to, the propagation of electrical or electromagnetic signals, or non-transient, including, but not limited to, volatile and non-volatile computer memory or storage devices, such as hard disks, floppy disks, USB drives, DVDs, CDs, media cards, register memory, processor cache, random access memory ("RAM"), and the like.

[0055] With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and high-speed wireless networks, users are accessing media on user equipment devices that they had not traditionally used. As referred to herein, the terms “user equipment device,” “user equipment,” “user device,” “electronic device,” “electronic device,” “media equipment device,” or “media device” should be understood to mean any device for accessing the content described above, such as a television, smart TV, set-top box, integrated receiver decoder (IRD) for supporting satellite television, digital storage device, digital media receiver (DMR), digital media adapter (DMA), streaming media device, DVD player, DVD recorder, connected DVD, local media server, BLU-RAY® player, BLU-RAY® recorder, personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet computer, Web TV box, personal computer television (PC / TV), PC media server, PC media center, handheld computer, landline phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, portable video player, portable music player, portable game console, smartphone, or any other television, computing, or wireless device, and / or combination thereof. In some embodiments, the user equipment device may have a front and rear screen, multiple front screens, or multiple angled screens. In some embodiments, user equipment devices may have front-facing and / or back-facing cameras. On these user equipment devices, users may be able to navigate among and find the same content that is available through a television. As a result, media guides may also be available on these devices. The guides provided may be for content available only through a television, for content available only through one or more of the other types of user equipment devices, or for content available both through a television and one or more of the other types of user equipment devices.The media guidance application may be provided on a user equipment device, as an online application (i.e., provided on a website), or as a stand-alone application or client. Various devices and platforms on which the media guidance application may be implemented are described in more detail below.

[0056] One of the functions of a media guidance application is to provide media guidance data to a user. As referred to herein, the phrases "media guidance data" or "guide data" should be understood to mean any data related to content or used in operating a guide application. For example, guide data may include program information, guide application settings, user preferences, user profile information, media listings, media-related information (e.g., air time, air channel, title, content, rating information (e.g., parental control rating, critics' rating, etc.), genre or category information, actor information, logo data of a broadcaster or provider logo, etc.), media format (e.g., standard definition, high definition, 3D, etc.), on-demand information, blogs, websites, and any other type of guide data that helps a user navigate among and find desired content selections.

[0057] 1 shows illustrative media guidance interfaces on a display screen that may provide recommendations to a user according to various embodiments of the disclosure. Display 100 shows media guidance interfaces for a video presentation, a user interface presentation, and an optional timeline presentation. In some embodiments, display 100 may display media content provided by a media guidance application. For example, display 100 may display image 102. Image 102 may be part of the media content provided by the media guidance application.

[0058] In some embodiments, display 100 may optionally include a timeline 110 that indicates media content provided to a user. In some embodiments, timeline 110 may include a period 112 during which long-form media content 104 (e.g., the full-length movie "Titanic") is provided by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, timeline 110 may include a period 114 during which short-form media content 106 (e.g., the music video "Thriller") and short-form media content 108 (e.g., the music video "Beat It") are provided by the media guidance application.

[0059] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may maintain two different user profiles: a short media viewing profile and a long media viewing profile. In some embodiments, the short media viewing profile may be generated or updated during time period 112 or other time periods when other long-form media content is provided by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, the short media viewing profile may be generated or updated during time period 114 or other time periods when other short-form media content is provided by the media guidance application.

[0060] In some embodiments, profiles may be generated or updated based on monitored user behavior. For example, if a user requests some content or data during (or shortly after) time period 112, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the requested content or requested data in a long media viewing profile. Similarly, if a user requests some content during (or shortly after) time period 114, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with the requested content or requested data in a short media viewing profile.

[0061] In some embodiments, if a user interacts with an advertisement (e.g., clicks on it) during (or shortly after) time period 112, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with that advertisement in a long media viewing profile. In some embodiments, if a user interacts with an advertisement (e.g., clicks on it) during (or shortly after) time period 114, the media guidance application may store metadata associated with that advertisement in a short media viewing profile.

[0062] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may activate one of the profiles based on the media content currently being provided. For example, if long-form media content is being provided (e.g., during time period 112), the media guidance application may activate a long media viewing profile. In another example, if short-form media content is being provided (e.g., during time period 114), the media guidance application may activate a short media viewing profile.

[0063] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations to a user based on the activated profiles. For example, the media guidance application may provide recommendations for display based on a long media viewing profile during time period 112 and provide recommendations for display based on a short media viewing profile during time period 114.

[0064] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations 116 for display. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may base the content of recommendations 116 based on which profiles are active. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations 116 on display 100. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate recommendations for display on the user's mobile device, the user's computer, or any other device, such as the user's audio equipment.

[0065] In some embodiments, recommendation 116 may comprise text recommending another media content for consumption. For example, if a long media viewing profile is active, recommendation 116 may include the text "Watch 'Titanic'" or "Add 'Titanic' to your playlist." In this example, the media guidance application may have chosen to recommend the movie "Titanic" (length: 195 minutes) because it is a feature-length film and the user is currently watching long form media.

[0066] In some embodiments, if a short media viewing profile is active, recommendation 116 may include the text "Watch the "Thriller" music video" or "Add the "Thriller" music video to your playlist." In this example, the media guidance application may have chosen to recommend the "Thriller" music video (length: 14 minutes) because it is a short music video and the user is currently watching short media.

[0067] In some embodiments, the recommendations 116 may be a filtered list of several content items, with more highly recommended items listed near the top. For example, during time period 112, recommendations for long-form media content may be shown near the top of the list, while during time period 114, recommendations for short-form media content may be shown near the top of the list.

[0068] In some embodiments, recommendation 116 may be an advertisement for a product or service. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may select an advertisement based on which profiles are active. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may select an advertisement that is most likely to cause a positive interaction. For example, if a user responded positively to an advertisement for pizza when the short media profile was active (e.g., during time period 114) but did not respond when the long media profile was active (e.g., during time period 112), the media guidance application may provide the pizza advertisement only when the short media profile is active. For example, recommendation 116 may include the text "Call 180-555-PIZZA and quote code "ABC" to get 30% off pizza."

[0069] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide recommendations 116 for display during or immediately after the presentation of the current media content is completed. For example, the media guidance application may display recommendations 116 on display 100 after or immediately after the presentation of the current media content has finished. In some embodiments, recommendations 116 include a list of suggested media content. The list may be generated and sorted according to the viewing profile that is active. For example, if a short media profile is active, the list may include only short media content or may be sorted to display short media before long media content. In some embodiments, if a long media profile is active, the list may include only long media content or may be sorted to display long media before long media content. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide the next media content for display based on a user selection from the list.

[0070] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may automatically play the next media content from the list without user input. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may keep the list hidden from the user and not display it to the user. Instead, the next media content may be provided to the user according to the list without requiring user input.

[0071] In some embodiments, the media guidance application may also provide a recommendation user interface (UI) 118 for display. In some embodiments, recommendation UI 118 may be part of recommendations 116. For example, if recommendations 116 include recommendations for media content, recommendation UI 118 may include interface options (e.g., buttons) that enable the user to either purchase the media content and begin viewing the media content immediately or set a reminder for future viewing of the media content.

[0072] In some embodiments, if the recommendation 116 includes an advertisement, the recommendation UI 118 may include interface options (e.g., buttons) that allow the user to interact with the advertisement. For example, if the advertisement includes a URL, the recommendation UI 118 may include a hyperlink that allows the user to request a website associated with the URL. In another example, if the advertisement includes a phone number, the recommendation UI 118 may include a link to an application that can autodial the phone number.

[0073] FIG. 2-3 shows illustrative display screens that may be used to provide media guidance data. The display screens shown in FIG. 2-3 may be implemented on any suitable user equipment device or platform. Although the displays in FIG. 2-3 are illustrated as full-screen displays, they may also be fully or partially overlaid on the displayed content. A user may indicate a desire to access content information by selecting a selectable option provided on the display screen (e.g., a menu option, a list item option, an icon, a hyperlink, etc.) or by pressing a dedicated button (e.g., a “Guide” button) on a remote control or other user input interface or device. In response to a user's instruction, the media guidance application may provide the display screen with media guidance data organized in one of several ways, such as by time and channel in a grid, by time, by channel, by source, by content type, by category (e.g., movies, sports, news, kids, or other programming categories), or other predetermined, user-defined, or other organization criteria.

[0074] 2 shows an illustrative grid of program listings display 200 arranged by time and channel that also allows access to different types of content within a single display. Display 200 may include: (1) a grid 202 with columns of channel / content type identifiers 204, where each channel / content type identifier (cell in a column) identifies a different channel or type of content available, and (2) rows of time identifiers 206, where each time identifier (cell in a row) identifies a time slot for a program. Grid 202 also includes cells of program listings, such as program listings 208, where each listing provides the title of the program provided on the listing's associated channel and time. Using a user input device, a user can select a program listing by moving highlight region 210. Information about a program listing selected by highlight region 210 may be provided in program information region 212. Region 212 may include, for example, the program title, program content, the time the program is provided (if applicable), the channel the program airs on (if applicable), the program's rating, and other desired information.

[0075] In addition to providing access to linear programming (e.g., content that is scheduled for transmission to multiple user equipment devices at predetermined times and provided according to a schedule), the media guidance application also provides access to non-linear programming (e.g., content that is accessible to user equipment devices at any time and is not provided according to a schedule). Non-linear programming may include content from different content sources, including on-demand content (e.g., VOD), Internet content (e.g., streaming media, downloadable media, etc.), locally stored content (e.g., content stored on any of the user equipment devices described above or other storage devices), or other content that is not time-constrained. On-demand content may be content from a specific content provider (e.g., HBO On Demand, which provides movies or "The Sopranos" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm"). HBO ON DEMAND may include movies or any other content offered by HBO on Demand. HBO ON DEMAND is a service mark owned by Time Warner Company LP et al., and THE SOPRANOS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM are trademarks owned by Home Box Office, Inc. Internet content may include web events, such as chat sessions or webcasts, or content available on demand, as streaming content or downloadable content, through an Internet website or other Internet access (e.g., FTP).

[0076] Grid 202 may provide media guidance data for non-linear programming, including on-demand listings 214, recorded content listings 216, and Internet content listings 218. Displays that combine media guidance data for content from different types of content sources are sometimes referred to as "mixed-media" displays. Various permutations of the types of media guidance data that may be displayed that differ from display 200 may be based on user selection or guide application definition (e.g., displaying only recorded and broadcast listings, displaying only on-demand and broadcast listings, etc.). As illustrated, listings 214, 216, and 218 are shown as spanning the entire time period displayed in grid 202 to indicate that selection of these listings may provide access to a dedicated display of on-demand listings, recorded listings, or Internet listings, respectively. In some embodiments, listings for these content types may be included directly in grid 202. In response to a user selecting one of navigation icons 220, additional media guidance data may be displayed (pressing an arrow key on a user input device may affect the display in a similar manner to selecting navigation icon 220).

[0077] Display 200 may also include a video region 222 and an options region 226. Video region 222 may allow a user to watch and / or preview programs that are currently available, will be available, or have been available to the user. The content of video region 222 may correspond to or be independent of one of the listings displayed in grid 202. Grid displays that include a video region are sometimes referred to as picture-in-guide (PIG) ​​displays. PIG displays and their functionality are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,564,378, issued May 13, 2003 to Satterfield et al., and U.S. Patent No. 6,564,378, issued May 29, 2001 to Yuen et al. No. 6,239,794 to Gregory et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The PIG display may be included in other media guidance application display screens in the embodiments described herein.

[0078] Options region 226 may allow a user to access different types of content, media guidance application views, and / or media guidance application features. Options region 226 may be part of display 200 (and other display screens described herein) or may be invoked by a user by selecting an option on the screen or by pressing a dedicated or assignable button on a user input device. The selectable options in options region 226 may relate to features associated with program listings in grid 202 or may include options available from a main menu display. Features associated with program listings may include finding other air times or methods of receiving the program, recording the program, enabling continuous recording of the program, setting the program and / or channel as a favorite, purchasing the program, or other features. Options available from a main menu display may include search options, VOD options, parental control options, Internet options, cloud-based options, device sync options, second screen device options, options to access various types of media guidance data displays, options to subscribe to premium services, options to edit the user's profile, options to access a browser overlay, or other options.

[0079] The media guidance application may be personalized based on user preferences. A personalized media guidance application allows a user to customize displays and features to create a personalized “experience” with the media guidance application. This personalized experience may be created by allowing the user to input these customizations and / or by the media guidance application monitoring user activity to determine various user preferences. Users may access their personalized guidance application by logging in or otherwise identifying themselves to the guidance application. Customizations of the media guidance application may be created according to a user profile. Customizations may include changing the presentation scheme (e.g., color scheme of the display, font size of text, etc.), aspects of the content listings displayed (e.g., only HDTV programs or only 3D programs, user-specified broadcast channels based on favorite channel selections, sorting of channel display, recommended content, etc.), desired recording characteristics (e.g., recording or continuous recording for a particular user, recording quality, etc.), parental control settings, customized presentation of Internet content (e.g., presentation of social media content, email, electronically distributed articles, etc.), and other desired customizations.

[0080] The media guidance application may allow a user to provide user profile information or may automatically compile user profile information. The media guidance application may, for example, monitor the content the user accesses and / or other interactions the user may have with the guidance application. In addition, the media guidance application may obtain all or part of other user profiles associated with a particular user (e.g., from other websites on the Internet that the user accesses, such as www.Tivo.com, from other media guidance applications that the user accesses, from other interactive applications that the user accesses, from another user equipment device of the user, etc.) and / or obtain information about the user from other sources that the media guidance application may access. As a result, the user can be provided with a unified guidance application experience across the user's different user equipment devices. This type of user experience is described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 5. Additional personalized media guide application features are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0251827 to Ellis et al., filed July 11, 2005, U.S. Patent No. 7,165,098 to Boyer et al., issued January 16, 2007, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0174430 to Ellis et al., filed February 21, 2002, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

[0081] Another display arrangement for providing a media guide is shown in FIG. 3. Video mosaic display 300 includes selectable options 302 for content information organized based on content type, genre, and / or other organization criteria. In display 300, television listings option 304 is selected, thus providing listings 306, 308, 310, and 312 as broadcast program listings. In display 300, the listings may provide graphical images including cover art, still images from the content, previews of video clips, live video from the content, or other types of content that indicate to a user the content described by the media guide data in the listing. Each of the graphical listings may also be accompanied by text to provide further information about the content associated with the listing. For example, listing 308 may include two or more portions including media portion 314 and text portion 316. Media portion 314 and / or text portion 316 may be selectable to watch the content full screen or to view information related to the content displayed in media portion 314 (e.g., to view listings for the channel in which the video is displayed).

[0082] The listings in display 300 are of different sizes (i.e., listing 306 is larger than listings 308, 310, and 312), although all of the listings could be the same size, as desired. The listings could be different sizes or graphically highlighted to indicate a degree of user interest or to highlight certain content, as desired by the content provider or based on user preferences. Various systems and methods for graphically highlighting content listings are discussed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0153885 to Yates, filed Nov. 12, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0083] A user may access content and media guidance applications (and their display screens, described above and below) from one or more of their user equipment devices. FIG. 4 shows a generalized embodiment of an illustrative user equipment device 400. A more specific implementation of a user equipment device is discussed below in connection with FIG. 5. User equipment device 400 may receive content and data via input / output (hereinafter “I / O”) paths 402. I / O paths 402 may provide content (e.g., broadcast programs, on-demand programs, Internet content, content available over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), and / or other content) and data to control circuitry 404, which includes processing circuitry 406 and storage device 408. Control circuitry 404 may be used to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable data using I / O paths 402. I / O paths 402 may connect control circuitry 404 (specifically, processing circuitry 406) to one or more communication paths (described below). An I / O function may be provided by one or more of these communication paths, but is shown as a single path in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

[0084] Control circuitry 404 may be based on any suitable processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry 406. As referred to herein, processing circuitry is understood to mean circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may include multi-core processors (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or any suitable number of cores) or supercomputers. In some embodiments, processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separate processors or processing units, such as multiple processing units of the same type (e.g., two Intel Core i7 processors) or multiple different processors (e.g., an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel Core i7 processor). In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 executes instructions for a media guidance application stored in memory (i.e., storage device 408). Specifically, control circuitry 404 may be instructed by the media guidance application to perform the functions discussed above and below. For example, the media guidance application may provide control circuitry 404 with instructions to generate a media guidance display. In some implementations, any actions performed by control circuitry 404 may be based on instructions received from a media guidance application.

[0085] In a client-server based embodiment, control circuitry 404 may include suitable communications circuitry for communicating with a guide application server or other network or server. Instructions for implementing the functionality described above may be stored on the guide application server. The communications circuitry may include a cable modem, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) modem, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, an Ethernet card, or a wireless modem for communication with other equipment, or any other suitable communications circuitry. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications network or path (described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5). In addition, the communications circuitry may include circuitry that enables peer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices or communication of user equipment devices at remote locations from each other (described in more detail below).

[0086] The memory may be an electronic storage device provided as storage device 408 that is part of control circuitry 404. As referred to herein, the phrase "electronic storage device" or "storage device" should be understood to mean any device for storing electronic data, computer software, or firmware, such as random access memory, read-only memory, hard drive, optical drive, digital video disc (DVD) recorder, compact disc (CD) recorder, BLU-RAY® Disc (BD) recorder, BLU-RAY® 3D Disc recorder, digital video recorder (DVR, or sometimes called personal video recorder or PVR), solid state device, quantum storage device, game console, game media, or any other suitable fixed or removable storage device, and / or any combination thereof. Storage device 408 may be used to store various types of content described herein, as well as media guidance data described above. Non-volatile memory may also be used (e.g., to initiate boot-up routines and other instructions). Cloud-based storage, as described in connection with FIG. 5, may be used to supplement storage 408 or in place of storage 408.

[0087] The control circuitry 404 may include video generation and tuning circuitry, such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital decoding circuitry, high definition tuners, or any other suitable tuning or video circuitry, or a combination of such circuits. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog, or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided. The control circuitry 404 may also include scaling circuitry for up-converting and down-converting content to a preferred output format of the user equipment 400. The circuitry 404 may also include digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion circuitry for converting between digital and analog signals. The tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by the user equipment device to receive and display, play, or record content. The tuning and encoding circuitry may also be used to receive guide data. For example, the circuitry described herein, including tuning, video generation, encoding, decoding, encryption, decryption, scaling, and analog / digital circuitry, may be implemented using software running on one or more general-purpose or specialized processors. Multiple tuners may be provided to accommodate simultaneous tuning functions (e.g., watch and record functions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions, multi-tuner recording functions, etc.) If storage 408 is provided as a device separate from user equipment 400, the tuning and encoding circuitry (including multiple tuners) may be associated with storage 408.

[0088] A user may send instructions to control circuitry 404 using user input interface 410. User input interface 410 may be any suitable user interface, such as a remote control, a mouse, a trackball, a keypad, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch pad, a stylus input, a joystick, a voice recognition interface, or other user input interface. Display 412 may be provided as a stand-alone device or may be integrated with other elements of user equipment device 400. For example, display 412 may be a touch screen or a touch-sensitive display. In such situations, user input interface 410 may be integrated or combined with display 412. Display 412 may be one or more of a monitor, a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for a mobile device, an amorphous silicon display, a low temperature polysilicon display, an electronic ink display, an electrophoretic display, an active matrix display, an electrowetting display, an electrofluidic display, a cathode ray tube display, a light emitting diode display, an electroluminescent display, a plasma display panel, a high performance addressing display, a thin film transistor display, an organic light emitting diode display, a surface conduction electron emitter display (SED), a laser television, a carbon nanotube, a quantum dot display, an interferometric modulator display, or any other suitable device for displaying visual images. In some embodiments, display 412 may be HDTV compatible. In some embodiments, display 412 may be a 3D display, and the interactive media guide application and any suitable content may be displayed in 3D. A video card or graphics card may generate output to display 412. The video card may provide various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2 / MPEG-4 decoding, a TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors. The video card may be any of the processing circuitry described above in connection with control circuitry 404.A video card may be integrated with control circuitry 404. Speakers 414 may be provided as integrated with other elements of user equipment device 400 or may be a stand-alone unit. Audio components of video and other content displayed on display 412 may be played through speakers 414. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the sound via speakers 414.

[0089] The guide application may be implemented using any suitable architecture. For example, it may be a standalone application implemented entirely on user equipment device 400. In such an approach, the application's instructions are stored locally (e.g., in storage 408) and data for use by the application is periodically downloaded (e.g., from an out-of-band feed, from an Internet resource, or using another suitable approach). Control circuitry 404 may read the application's instructions from storage 408 and process the instructions to generate any of the displays discussed herein. Based on the processed instructions, control circuitry 404 may determine an action to perform when input is received from input interface 410. For example, movement of a cursor up / down on a display may be indicated by the processed instructions when input interface 410 indicates that an up / down button has been selected.

[0090] In some embodiments, the media guidance application is a client-server based application. Data for use by a thick or thin client implemented on user equipment device 400 is retrieved on demand by issuing requests to a server remote from user equipment device 400. In one example of a client-server based guidance application, control circuitry 404 launches a web browser that interprets web pages provided by a remote server. For example, the remote server may store instructions for the application in a storage device. The remote server may use circuitry (e.g., control circuitry 404) to process the stored instructions and generate the displays discussed above and below. The client device may receive the displays generated by the remote server and display the contents of the displays locally on equipment device 400. In this manner, the processing of instructions is performed remotely by a server, while the resulting displays are provided locally on equipment device 400. Equipment device 400 may receive inputs from a user via input interface 410 and transmit those inputs to the remote server for processing and generating corresponding displays. For example, the appliance device 400 may transmit a communication to a remote server indicating that an up / down button was selected via the input interface 410. The remote server may process instructions according to the input and generate a display of the application corresponding to the input (e.g., a display that moves a cursor up / down). The generated display is then transmitted to the appliance device 400 for presentation to the user.

[0091] In some embodiments, the media guidance application is downloaded and interpreted or otherwise invoked by an interpreter or virtual machine (invoked by control circuitry 404). In some embodiments, the guidance application may be encoded in ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) and received by control circuitry 404 as part of a suitable feed and interpreted by a user agent running on control circuitry 404. For example, the guidance application may be an EBIF application. In some embodiments, the guidance application may be defined by a series of JAVA-based files that are received and invoked by a local virtual machine or other suitable middleware executed by control circuitry 404. In some such embodiments (e.g., those employing MPEG-2 or other digital media encoding schemes), the guide application may be encoded in ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) and received by control circuitry 404 as part of a suitable feed and interpreted by a user agent running on control circuitry 404. The distribution may be encoded and transmitted, for example, in an MPEG-2 Object Carousel using the MPEG audio and video packets of the program.

[0092] User equipment devices 400 of FIG. 4 may be implemented in system 500 of FIG. 5 as user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, wireless user communications devices 506, or any other type of user equipment suitable for accessing content, such as non-portable gaming consoles. For simplicity, these devices may be referred to collectively herein as user equipment or user equipment devices and may be substantially similar to the user equipment devices described above. User equipment devices on which a media guidance application may be implemented may function as stand-alone devices or may be part of a network of devices. Various network configurations of devices may be implemented and are discussed in more detail below.

[0093] User equipment devices utilizing at least some of the system features described above in connection with FIG. 4 may not simply be classified as user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, or wireless user communications device 506. For example, user television equipment 502, like some user computer equipment 504, may be Internet-enabled allowing access to Internet content, while user computer equipment 504, like some television equipment 502, may include a tuner allowing access to television programs. The media guidance application may have the same layout on various different types of user equipment or may be tailored to the display capabilities of the user equipment. For example, on user computer equipment 504, the guidance application may be provided as a website accessed by a web browser. In another example, the guidance application may be scaled down for wireless user communications device 506.

[0094] In system 500, there will typically be more than one of each type of user equipment device, although to avoid overcomplicating the drawing, only one of each is shown in Figure 5. In addition, each user may utilize more than one type of user equipment device, and may also utilize more than one of each type of user equipment device.

[0095] In some embodiments, a user equipment device (e.g., user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, wireless user communications device 506) may be referred to as a "second screen device." For example, the second screen device may complement the content presented on the first user equipment device. The content presented on the second screen device may be any suitable content that complements the content presented on the first device. In some embodiments, the second screen device provides an interface for adjusting settings and display preferences of the first device. In some embodiments, the second screen device is configured to interact with other second screen devices or to interact with a social network. The second screen device may be located in the same room as the first device, in a different room from the first device but in the same home or building, or in a different building from the first device.

[0096] Users may also set various settings to maintain consistent media guidance application settings across in-home and remote devices. Settings include not only those described herein, but also favorite channels and programs, program preferences that the guidance application utilizes to recommend programs, display preferences, and other desired guide settings. For example, if a user sets a channel as a favorite on his or her office personal computer, e.g., on the website www.Tivo.com, the same channel will be displayed as a favorite on the user's in-home devices (e.g., user television equipment and user computer equipment) and, if desired, on the user's mobile devices. Thus, changes made on one user equipment device can change the guide experience on another user equipment device, whether the same or a different type of user equipment device. In addition, changes made may be based not only on settings entered by the user, but also on user activity monitored by the guidance application.

[0097] User equipment devices may be coupled to communications network 514. That is, user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, and wireless user communications device 506 are coupled to communications network 514 via communications paths 508, 510, and 512, respectively. Communications network 514 may be one or more networks including the Internet, a cellular network, a mobile voice or data network (e.g., a 4G or LTE network), a cable network, a public switched telephone network, or other types of communications networks, or combinations of communications networks. Paths 508, 510, and 512, separately or together, may include one or more communications paths, such as satellite paths, fiber optic paths, cable paths, paths supporting Internet communications (e.g., IPTV), free space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), or any other suitable wired or wireless communications paths, or combinations of such paths. Path 512 is depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5 as a dashed line to indicate that it is a wireless path, and paths 508 and 510 are depicted as solid lines to indicate that they are wired paths (although these paths could be wireless paths, if desired). Communication with a user equipment device may be provided by one or more of these communication paths, but is shown in Figure 5 as a single path to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

[0098] Although communication paths are not depicted between the user equipment devices, these devices may communicate directly with one another via communication paths such as those described above in connection with paths 508, 510, and 512, as well as other short-range point-to-point communication paths such as a USB cable, an IEEE 1394 cable, wireless paths (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, IEEE 802-11x, etc.), or other short-range communications over wired or wireless paths. It is a certification mark owned by SIG, INC. User equipment devices may communicate with each other directly or through an indirect path via communications network 514.

[0099] System 500 includes a content source 516 and a media guidance data source 518 coupled to a communications network 514 via communications paths 520 and 522, respectively. Paths 520 and 522 may include any of the communications paths described above in connection with paths 508, 510, and 512. Communications with content source 516 and media guidance data source 518 may be exchanged via one or more communications paths, but are shown in FIG. 5 as a single path to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. In addition, there may be more than one of each of content source 516 and media guidance data source 518, but only one of each is shown in FIG. 5 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. (Each of these different types of sources is discussed below.) If desired, content source 516 and media guidance data source 518 may be integrated as one source device. Although communications between sources 516 and 518 and user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 are shown as being through communications network 514, in some embodiments, sources 516 and 518 may communicate directly with user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 via communications paths (not shown) such as those described above in connection with paths 508, 510, and 512.

[0100] The system 500 may also include an advertisement source 524 coupled to the communication network 514 via a communication path 526. The path 526 may include any of the communication paths described above in connection with paths 508, 510, and 512. The advertisement source 524 may include advertising logic for determining which advertisements to transmit to a particular user and in what context. For example, a cable operator may have the right to insert advertisements during particular time slots on a particular channel. Thus, the advertisement source 524 may transmit advertisements to users during these time slots. As another example, the advertisement source may target advertisements based on the demographics of users known to watch a particular program (e.g., teenagers who watch reality TV). As yet another example, the advertisement source may provide different advertisements depending on the location of the user equipment that watches the media asset (e.g., East Coast or West Coast).

[0101] In some embodiments, the ad source 524 may be configured to maintain user information including an ad suitability score associated with the user to provide targeted advertisements. Additionally or alternatively, a server associated with the ad source 524 may be configured to store raw information that may be used to derive an ad suitability score. In some embodiments, the ad source 524 may transmit a request to another device for the raw information and calculate the ad suitability score. The ad source 524 may update the ad suitability score for a particular user (e.g., a first subset, a second subset, or a third subset of users) and transmit advertisements for targeted products to appropriate users.

[0102] The content sources 516 may include one or more types of content distribution equipment, including television distribution facilities, cable system headends, satellite distribution facilities, program sources (e.g., television broadcasting companies such as NBC, ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediate distribution facilities and / or servers, Internet providers, on-demand media servers, and other content providers. NBC is a trademark owned by National Broadcasting Company, Inc., ABC is a trademark owned by American Broadcasting Company, INC., and HBO is a trademark owned by Home Box Office, Inc. The content sources 516 may be content originators (e.g., television broadcasting companies, webcast providers, etc.) or non-content originators (e.g., on-demand content providers, Internet providers of broadcast program content for download, etc.). The content sources 516 may include cable sources, satellite providers, on-demand providers, Internet providers, over-the-top content providers, or other content providers. The content sources 516 may also include remote media servers used to store different types of content (including video content selected by a user) at locations remote from any of the user equipment devices. Systems and methods for remote storage of content and providing remotely stored content to user equipment are discussed in more detail in connection with U.S. Pat. No. 7,761,892 to Ellis et al., issued July 20, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0103] Media guide data source 518 may provide media guide data, such as the media guide data described above. The media guide data may be provided to the user equipment devices using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the guide application may be a stand-alone interactive television program guide that receives program guide data via a data feed (e.g., a continuous feed or a trickle feed). Program schedule data and other guide data may be provided to the user equipment on a sideband of a television channel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmission technique. Program schedule data and other media guide data may be provided to the user equipment over multiple analog or digital television channels.

[0104] In some embodiments, guidance data from media guidance data source 518 may be provided to user's equipment using a client-server approach. For example, the user equipment device may pull the media guidance data from a server or the server may push the media guidance data to the user equipment device. In some embodiments, a guidance application client resident on the user's equipment may initiate a session with source 518 to obtain guidance data as needed, for example, when the guide data is out of date or when the user equipment device receives a request from the user to receive the data. Media guidance may be provided to the user equipment at any suitable frequency (e.g., continuously, daily, at user-defined periods, at system-defined periods, in response to a request from the user equipment, etc.). Media guidance data source 518 may provide user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 with the media guidance application itself or software updates for the media guidance application.

[0105] In some embodiments, the media guidance data may include viewer data. For example, the viewer data may include current and / or historical user activity information (e.g., the content a user typically watches, the time of day the user watches content, whether the user interacts with social networks, the time the user interacts with social networks and posts information, the type of content the user typically watches (e.g., pay TV or free TV), mood, brain activity information, etc.). The media guidance data may also include subscription data. For example, the subscription data may identify sources or services to which a given user subscribes and / or sources or services to which a given user previously subscribed but subsequently discontinued access (e.g., whether the user subscribed to a premium channel, whether the user added a premium level of service, whether the user accelerated their Internet speed). In some embodiments, the viewer data and / or subscription data may identify a given user's patterns for a period of more than one year. The media guidance data may include a model (e.g., a survivor model) used to generate a score indicative of the likelihood that a given user will discontinue access to a service / source. For example, the media guidance application may process the viewer data along with the subscription data using a model to generate a value or score that indicates the likelihood that a given user will terminate access to a particular service or source. In particular, a higher score may indicate a higher level of confidence that the user will terminate access to a particular service or source. Based on the score, the media guidance application may generate promotions that encourage the user to maintain the particular service or source indicated by the score as one that the user will likely terminate access to.

[0106] The media guidance application may be, for example, a stand-alone application implemented on a user equipment device. For example, the media guidance application may be implemented as software or a set of executable instructions that may be stored in storage 408 and executed by control circuitry 404 of user equipment device 400. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may be a client-server application, where only the client application resides on the user equipment device and the server application resides on a remote server. For example, the media guidance application may be implemented partially as a client application on control circuitry 404 of user equipment device 400 and partially on the remote server as a server application (e.g., media guidance data source 518) running on control circuitry of the remote server. When executed by the control circuitry of the remote server (such as media guidance data source 518), the media guidance application may instruct the control circuitry to generate a guidance application display and transmit the generated display to the user equipment device. The server application may instruct control circuitry of media guidance data source 518 to transmit data for storage on the user equipment. The client application may instruct control circuitry of the receiving user equipment to generate a guide application display.

[0107] The content and / or media guidance data delivered to user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 may be over-the-top (OTT) content. OTT content delivery allows Internet-enabled user devices, including any of the user equipment devices described above, to receive content transmitted over the Internet, including any of the content described above, in addition to content received over a cable or satellite connection. OTT content is delivered over an Internet connection provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), although third parties also distribute content. ISPs may not be responsible for viewing capabilities, copyright, or redistribution of content, and may only transmit IP packets provided by OTT content providers. Examples of OTT content providers include YOUTUBE®, NETFLIX, and HULU, which provide audio and video over IP packets. YOUTUBE® is a trademark owned by Google Inc., Netflix is ​​a trademark owned by Netflix, Inc., and Hulu is a trademark owned by Hulu, LLC. OTT content providers may additionally or alternatively provide the media guidance data described above. In addition to the content and / or media guidance data, a provider of OTT content may distribute a media guidance application (e.g., a web-based or cloud-based application) or the content may be displayed by a media guidance application stored on the user equipment device.

[0108] Media guidance system 500 is intended to illustrate several approaches or network configurations whereby user equipment devices and sources of content and guidance data may communicate with one another for purposes of accessing content and providing media guidance. The embodiments described herein may be applied in any one or some of these approaches, or in systems employing other approaches for delivering content and providing media guidance. The following four approaches provide specific illustrations of the general example of FIG. 5:

[0109] In one approach, user equipment devices may communicate with each other within a home network. The user equipment devices may communicate with each other directly via the short-range point-to-point communication scheme described above, via an indirect path through a hub or other similar device provided on the home network, or via communications network 514. Multiple individuals within a household may each operate different user equipment devices on the home network. As a result, it may be desirable for various media guidance information or settings to be communicated between the different user equipment devices. For example, as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005 / 0251827, filed July 11, 2005, to Ellis et al., it may be desirable for a user to maintain consistent media guidance application settings on different user equipment devices within a home network. Different types of user equipment devices within a home network may also communicate with each other and transfer content. For example, a user may transfer content from a user computer equipment to a portable video player or a portable music player.

[0110] In the second approach, a user may have multiple types of user equipment through which they access content and obtain media guidance. For example, some users may have a home network that is accessed by in-home and mobile devices. A user may control in-home devices through a media guidance application implemented on a remote device. For example, a user may access an online media guidance application on a website through a personal computer in their office or a mobile device such as a PDA or web-enabled cell phone. A user may set various settings (e.g., recording, reminders, or other settings) on the online guide application to control the user's in-home devices. The online guide may control the user's equipment directly or by communicating with the media guide application on the user's in-home devices. Various systems and methods for communication of user equipment devices where the user equipment devices are remote from one another are discussed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,046,801, issued Oct. 25, 2011 to Ellis et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0111] In a third approach, users of user equipment devices inside and outside the home can use their media guidance application to communicate directly with content sources 516 and access content. Specifically, within the home, users of user television equipment 502 and user computer equipment 504 may access the media guidance application to navigate among and find desired content. Users may also use wireless user communications devices 506 to access the media guidance application outside the home to navigate among and find desired content.

[0112] In a fourth approach, user equipment devices may operate within a cloud computing environment and access cloud services. In a cloud computing environment, various types of computing services for content sharing, storage, or distribution (e.g., video sharing sites or social networking sites) are provided by a collection of network-accessible computing and storage resources referred to as the "cloud." For example, a cloud may include a collection of server computing devices that may be located in central or distributed locations that provide cloud-based services to various types of users and devices connected over a network, such as the Internet via communications network 514. These cloud resources may include one or more content sources 516 and one or more media guidance data sources 518. Additionally or alternatively, the remote computing sites may include other user equipment devices, such as user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, and wireless user communications devices 506. For example, the other user equipment devices may provide access to stored copies of videos or streamed videos. In such an embodiment, the user equipment devices may operate in a peer-to-peer manner without communicating with a central server.

[0113] The cloud provides access to any of the content described above for user equipment devices, as well as access to services such as content storage, content sharing, or social networking services, among other examples. Services can be provided in the cloud, through a cloud computing service provider, or through other providers of online services. For example, cloud-based services can include content storage services, content sharing sites, social networking sites, or other services through which user-supplied content is distributed for viewing by others on connected devices. These cloud-based services may enable user equipment devices to store content in the cloud and receive content from the cloud, rather than storing content locally and accessing the locally stored content.

[0114] Users may record content using a variety of content capture devices, such as camcorders, digital cameras with video modes, audio recorders, cell phones, and handheld computing devices. Users can upload content to a content storage service on the cloud, for example, directly, either from user computing equipment 504 or from a wireless user communication device 506 with content capture features. Alternatively, users can first transfer content to a user equipment device, such as user computing equipment 504. The user equipment device that stores the content uploads the content to the cloud using a data transmission service on communications network 514. In some embodiments, the user equipment device itself is a cloud resource, and other user equipment devices can access the content directly from the user equipment device where the user stored the content.

[0115] Cloud resources may be accessed by a user equipment device using, for example, a web browser, a media guidance application, a desktop application, a mobile application, and / or any combination of those access applications. The user equipment device may be a cloud client that relies on cloud computing for application delivery, or the user equipment device may have some functionality without accessing cloud resources. For example, some applications running on the user equipment device may be cloud applications, i.e., applications delivered as a service over the Internet, while other applications may be stored and run on the user equipment device. In some embodiments, a user device may receive content from multiple cloud resources simultaneously. For example, a user device may stream audio from one cloud resource while downloading content from a second cloud resource. Or, a user device may download content from multiple cloud resources for more efficient downloading. In some embodiments, a user equipment device may use cloud resources for processing operations, such as the processing operations performed by the processing circuitry described in connection with FIG. 4.

[0116] As referenced herein, the term "in response to" refers to "initiated as a result of." For example, a first action being performed in response to a second action may include an intervening step between the first and second action. As referenced herein, the term "in direct response to" refers to "caused by." For example, a first action being performed in direct response to a second action may not include an intervening step between the first and second action.

[0117] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 600 for providing recommendations to a user according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Process 600 may be performed by control circuitry 404 (e.g., in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guidance application). Control circuitry 404 may be part of user equipment (e.g., user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, and / or wireless communication device 506) or a remote server remote from the user equipment via communications network 514. In some embodiments, any of steps 602-608 of FIG. 6 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 602-608 of FIG. 6 may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

[0118] Process 600 begins at 602, where control circuitry 404 maintains a short media viewing profile for a user. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may store the short media viewing profile in storage 408. In some embodiments, the short media viewing profile may be stored in media guidance data source 518.

[0119] For example, control circuitry 404 may track the user's behavior during periods (e.g., periods 114) when the user is consuming short-form media content. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may then record the user's interactions in a short media viewing profile. For example, if the user requests other media content during these periods, control circuitry 404 may record metadata associated with the other media content in the short media viewing profile. The other media content may be requested by the user through any other user device, such as user television equipment 502 or user computing equipment 504. In another example, if the user interacts with an advertisement during these periods, control circuitry 404 may record metadata associated with the advertisement in the short media viewing profile. The advertisement may be presented on user television equipment 502, on display 100, or on any device of user computing equipment 504. The user may interact with the advertisement via user interface input 410, via recommendation UI 118, or via input on any device of user computing equipment 504.

[0120] Process 600 continues at 604, where control circuitry 404 maintains a long media viewing profile for the user. Steps 602 and 604 may be performed in any order or in parallel with one another. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may store the long media viewing profile in storage 408. In some embodiments, the long media viewing profile may be stored in media guidance data source 518.

[0121] For example, control circuitry 404 may track the user's behavior during periods (e.g., periods 112) when the user is consuming long-form media content. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may then record the user's interactions in a long media viewing profile. For example, if the user requests other media content during these periods, control circuitry 404 may record metadata associated with the other media content in the long media viewing profile. The other media content may be requested by the user through any other user device, such as user television equipment 502 or user computer equipment 504. In another example, if the user interacts with an advertisement during these periods, control circuitry 404 may record metadata associated with the advertisement in the long media viewing profile. The advertisement may be presented on user television equipment 502, on display 100, or on any device of user computer equipment 504. The user may interact with the advertisement via user interface input 410, via recommendation UI 118, or via input on any device of user computer equipment 504.

[0122] Process 600 continues at 606, where control circuitry 404 provides recommendations (e.g., recommendations 116) to the user based on the short media viewing profile. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may provide such recommendations in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-length media content. For example, if control circuitry 404 determines that the user is currently engaged in viewing short-length media content (e.g., during time period 114), control circuitry 404 may use the short media viewing profile to provide recommendations for display.

[0123] In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may select a recommendation having metadata that matches the recommendation metadata stored in the short media viewing profile. For example, if the short media viewing profile includes the stored metadata keyword "pizza," control circuitry 404 may select a recommendation (e.g., an advertisement for Domino's Pizza) having metadata (e.g., the metadata keyword "pizza") that matches the stored metadata. Control circuitry 404 may then provide the selected recommendation for display. In one example, control circuitry 404 may provide an advertisement for Domino's Pizza on display 100, on user television equipment 502, or on user computer equipment 504.

[0124] Process 600 continues at 608, where control circuitry 404 provides recommendations (e.g., recommendations 116) to the user based on the long media viewing profile. In some embodiments, steps 606 and 608 may be performed in any order. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may provide such recommendations in response to determining that the user is currently engaged in viewing long media content. For example, if control circuitry 404 determines that the user is currently engaged in viewing long media content (e.g., during time period 112), control circuitry 404 may use the long media viewing profile to provide recommendations for display.

[0125] In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may select a recommendation having metadata that matches recommendation metadata stored in the long media viewing profile. For example, if the long media viewing profile includes a stored metadata keyword "cars," control circuitry 404 may select a recommendation (e.g., an advertisement for Ford cars) having metadata (e.g., the metadata keyword "cars") that matches the stored metadata. Control circuitry 404 may then provide the selected recommendation for display. In one example, control circuitry 404 may provide an advertisement for Ford cars on display 100, on user television equipment 502, or on user computer equipment 504.

[0126] FIG. 7 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process 700 for providing recommendations to a user according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 700 may be performed by control circuitry 404 (e.g., in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guidance application). Control circuitry 404 may be part of user equipment (e.g., user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, and / or wireless communication device 506) or a remote server remote from the user equipment via communications network 514. In some embodiments, any of steps 702-726 of FIG. 7 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 702-626 of FIG. 7 may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

[0127] Process 700 begins with steps 702-704 and 706-708. In some embodiments, the sequences of steps 702, 704 and 706, 708 may be performed in any order or interspersed with one another.

[0128] At 702, the control circuitry 404 tracks the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing short-length media content (e.g., during time period 114). For example, the control circuitry 404 may track the user's behavior when the user is viewing media content that is shorter than a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). In some embodiments, any other length threshold may be used.

[0129] At 704, control circuitry 404 may generate a short media viewing profile based on the user's behavior tracked when the user was engaged in viewing short-form media content (e.g., during time period 114). In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may track the user's requests for other media content (e.g., a user's request for other videos via user television equipment 502), track the user's requests for other data (e.g., a user's request for a web page via user computer equipment 504), or track any of the user's interactions with the content (e.g., a request for a trick play mode via user interface 410) or with the advertisements provided (e.g., a user clicking on a pop-up advertisement). The tracked behavior may be used by control circuitry 404 to generate recommendation metadata, which is then stored in the short media viewing profile.

[0130] At 706, the control circuitry 404 tracks the user's behavior while the user is engaged in viewing the long-form media content (e.g., during the time period 112). For example, the control circuitry 404 may track the user's behavior when the user is viewing media content that is equal to or longer than a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes).

[0131] At 708, control circuitry 404 may generate a long media viewing profile based on tracked user behavior when the user was engaged in watching the long media content (e.g., during time period 112). In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may track the user's requests for other media content (e.g., a user's request for other videos via user television equipment 502), track the user's requests for other data (e.g., a user's request for a web page via user computer equipment 504), or track any of the user's interactions with the content (e.g., a request for a trick play mode via user interface 410) or with the advertisements provided (e.g., a user clicking on a pop-up advertisement). The tracked behavior may be used by control circuitry 404 to generate recommendation metadata, which is then stored in the long media viewing profile.

[0132] Process 700 continues at 710, where circuitry 404 provides media content to the user device. For example, a media guidance application running on control circuitry 404 may generate media content for display on display 412 of user television equipment 502. The media content may be generated for display via an explicit user selection to play a video, as a result of the user equipment being powered on, or by any other triggering event.

[0133] Process 700 continues at 712, where control circuitry 404 compares the length of the media content to a length threshold. For example, the length threshold may be preset to a time value (e.g., 15 minutes). Control circuitry 404 may dynamically generate the length threshold based on factors including at least one of a user profile, metadata of the provided media content, popularity of the media content, and type of media content, or any combination thereof. For example, control circuitry 404 may set the length threshold differently for news videos and for videos depicting fictional content. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may read the length of the media content from media content data source 516 or media guidance data source 518.

[0134] In some embodiments, the length threshold may be set differently for different users. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may set the length threshold differently depending on the demographic information of the user. For example, the control circuitry 404 may set the length threshold lower (e.g., 5 minutes) for younger users (e.g., users under 10 years old) and higher (e.g., 15 minutes) for older users.

[0135] Process 700 continues at 714, where if the length of the media content corresponds to (e.g., equals or exceeds) the length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes), process 700 may proceed to steps 716-720. Alternatively, process 700 may proceed to steps 722-726 if the length of the media content does not correspond to (e.g., does not equal or exceeds) the length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes).

[0136] At 716, the control circuitry 404 may activate a long media viewing profile. That is, while the long media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may modify the viewing profile based on the user's tracked behavior. In some embodiments, recommendations provided by the control circuitry 404 will also be based on the activated long media viewing profile.

[0137] At 718, control circuitry 404 may select the recommended items. For example, the recommended items may be selected from media guidance data source 518 (e.g., if the recommended items are associated with media content) or from advertising source 524 (e.g., if the recommended items are associated with advertisements).

[0138] In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may select a recommended item such that metadata of the recommended item matches at least one recommended metadata in the long media viewing profile. For example, control circuitry 404 may match keywords associated with a media content database stored in media guidance data source 518. In another example, control circuitry 404 may match keywords associated with an advertising database stored in advertising source 524. If the metadata of the recommended item sufficiently matches at least a portion of the metadata stored in the long media viewing profile, control circuitry 404 may select the recommended item for presentation.

[0139] At 720, the control circuitry 404 may provide the recommended items to the user device. For example, the recommended items may be displayed on the display 100 as recommendations 116. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may provide the recommended items to the user computing device 504.

[0140] At 722, the control circuitry 404 may activate a short media viewing profile. That is, while the short media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may modify the viewing profile based on the user's tracked behavior. In some embodiments, recommendations provided by the control circuitry 404 will also be based on the activated short media viewing profile.

[0141] At 724, control circuitry 404 may select the recommended items. For example, the recommended items may be selected from media guidance data source 518 (e.g., if the recommended items are associated with media content) or from advertising source 524 (e.g., if the recommended items are associated with advertisements).

[0142] In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may select a recommended item such that metadata of the recommended item matches at least one recommended metadata in the short media viewing profile. For example, control circuitry 404 may match keywords associated with a media content database stored in media guidance data source 518. In another example, control circuitry 404 may match keywords associated with an advertisement database stored in advertisement source 524. If the metadata of the recommended item sufficiently matches at least a portion of the metadata stored in the short media viewing profile, control circuitry 404 may select the recommended item for presentation.

[0143] At 726, the control circuitry 404 may provide the recommended items to the user device. For example, the recommended items may be displayed on the display 100 as recommendations 116. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may provide the recommended items to the user computing device 504.

[0144] FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 800 for generating a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 800 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guide application. In some embodiments, process 800 may be implemented as part of block 704. In some embodiments, any of steps 802-808 of FIG. 8 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 802-808 of FIG. 8 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0145] Process 800 begins at block 802, where the control circuitry 404 may determine that a user is viewing short-length media content. For example, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the content currently being provided to the media device has a length that does not exceed a certain threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). In response to this determination, the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 804.

[0146] Process 800 continues at 804, where control circuitry 404 may monitor user requests for content during or immediately after the time the short-form media content is being played. For example, control circuitry 404 may analyze any requests for web pages or any other data related to media content generated by the user via either user television equipment 502 or user computer equipment 504.

[0147] Process 800 continues at 806, where control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the user request. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may generate or modify a short media viewing profile to include a plurality of recommended metadata. For example, the recommended metadata may be generated by copying metadata of content requested by the user. For example, if a user requests the music video "Thriller" while watching short-form media content (e.g., during time period 114), control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the music video as recommended metadata in the short media viewing profile. In this example, control circuitry 404 may store keywords such as "Thriller," "Michael Jackson," and "pop music" in the short media viewing profile as recommended metadata. In another example, if a user requests the website www.toyota.com while watching short-form media content (e.g., during time period 114), control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the website as recommended metadata in the short media viewing profile. In this example, control circuitry 404 may store keywords such as "Toyota" or "cars" in a short media viewing profile as recommendation metadata.

[0148] 9 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process 900 for generating a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 900 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guide application. In some embodiments, process 900 may be implemented as part of block 704. In some embodiments, any of steps 902-908 of FIG. 6 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 902-908 of FIG. 9 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0149] Process 900 begins at block 902, where the control circuitry 404 may determine that a user is viewing short-length media content. For example, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the content currently being provided to the media device has a length that does not exceed a certain threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). In response to this determination, the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 904.

[0150] Process 900 continues at 904, where control circuitry 404 may provide advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the short-form media content is being played. For example, control circuitry 404 may retrieve advertisements from advertisement source 524 and deliver them to user television equipment 502 or to user computer equipment 504.

[0151] Process 900 continues at 906, where the control circuitry 404 may monitor a user's response to the advertisement. For example, the control circuitry 404 may track whether the user clicked on or otherwise interacted with the advertisement via the user input interface 410 or via the user computing equipment 504. The control circuitry 404 may also track whether the user ignored or closed the advertisement. In some embodiments, if the control circuitry 404 determines that the user responded favorably to the advertisement (e.g., the advertisement was clicked), the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 908.

[0152] Process 900 continues at 908, where the control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the advertisement. For example, if the user responded favorably to an advertisement for Domino's Pizza, the control circuitry 404 may store the keywords "pizza," or "Domino's," or "take-out" as recommendation metadata within the short media viewing profile.

[0153] FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1000 for generating a long media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1000 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guide application. In some embodiments, process 800 may be implemented as part of block 704. In some embodiments, any of steps 1002-1006 of FIG. 10 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1002-1008 of FIG. 10 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0154] Process 1000 begins at 1002, where the control circuitry 404 may determine that a user is viewing long-form media content. For example, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the content currently being provided to the media device has a length that exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). In response to this determination, the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 1004.

[0155] Process 1000 continues at 1004, where control circuitry 404 may monitor user requests for content during or immediately after the time the long-form media content is being played. For example, control circuitry 404 may analyze any requests for media content, for web pages, or for any other data generated by the user via either user television equipment 502 or user computer equipment 504.

[0156] Process 1000 continues at 1006, where control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the user request. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may generate or modify a long media viewing profile to include a plurality of recommended metadata. For example, the recommended metadata may be generated by copying metadata of the content requested by the user. For example, if the user requests the movie video "Titanic" while watching long media content (e.g., during time period 112), control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the movie in the long media viewing profile as recommended metadata. In this example, control circuitry 404 may store keywords such as "Titanic," "Leonardo DiCaprio," and "romance movies" in the long media viewing profile as recommended metadata. In another example, if the user requests the website www.subway.com while watching long media content (e.g., during time period 112), control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the website in the long media viewing profile as recommended metadata. In this example, control circuitry 404 may store keywords such as "sandwich" or "sub" in a long media viewing profile as recommendation metadata.

[0157] FIG. 11 depicts another illustrative flow diagram of a process 1100 for generating a long media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1100 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guide application. In some embodiments, process 1100 may be implemented as part of block 708. In some embodiments, any of steps 1102-1108 of FIG. 11 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1102-1108 of FIG. 11 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0158] Process 1100 begins at 1102, where the control circuitry 404 may determine that a user is viewing long-form media content. For example, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the content currently being provided to the media device has a length that exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., 15 minutes). In response to this determination, the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 1104.

[0159] Process 1100 continues at 1104, where control circuitry 404 may provide advertisements to the user device during or immediately after the time the long-form media content is being played. For example, control circuitry 404 may read advertisements from advertisement source 524 and deliver them to user television equipment 502 or to user computer equipment 504.

[0160] Process 1100 continues at 1106, where the control circuitry 404 may monitor the user's response to the advertisement. For example, the control circuitry 404 may track whether the user clicked on or otherwise interacted with the advertisement via the user input interface 410 or via the user computing equipment 504. The control circuitry 404 may also track whether the user ignored or closed the advertisement. In some embodiments, if the control circuitry 404 determines that the user responded favorably to the advertisement (e.g., if the advertisement was clicked), the control circuitry 404 may proceed to block 1108.

[0161] Process 1100 continues at 1108, where control circuitry 404 may store metadata associated with the advertisement. For example, if the user responded favorably to an advertisement for a Ford vehicle, control circuitry 404 may store the keywords "Ford," or "car," or "sedan" as recommended metadata in the long media viewing profile.

[0162] FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1200 for activating either a long or a short media viewing profile according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1200 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guide application. In some embodiments, process 1200 may be implemented as part of either blocks 716 or 722. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may activate either a short or a long media viewing profile without determining (e.g., at block 712) the length of the media content. In some embodiments, any of steps 1202-1214 of FIG. 12 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1202-1214 of FIG. 12 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0163] Process 1200 begins with blocks 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, and 1207. In some embodiments, process 1200 may perform any one or any combination of these blocks in any order or simultaneously.

[0164] At 1202, control circuitry 404 may analyze the time data. For example, control circuitry 404 may determine the current time and the current date. For example, control circuitry 404 may read the time data from user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, or from an internal clock.

[0165] At 1203, the control circuitry 404 may analyze any type of data about the user to determine the activity in which the user is currently engaged. For example, calendar data and appointment data may be used by the control circuitry 404 to determine the activity the user has scheduled for that time. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may determine whether the user is walking, jogging, or driving based on the calendar data. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may determine the user's activity based on location (e.g., GPS) data. For example, the user's speed may be used to determine whether the user is walking, jogging, or driving. In some embodiments, the user's current request may be used to determine the user's activity. For example, if the user opens a recipe webpage and keeps it open for a period of time, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is engaged in a cooking activity. In some embodiments, any other data may be used to determine any other user activity.

[0166] At 1204, the control circuitry 404 may analyze the user's location. For example, the control circuitry 404 may determine the user's location based on the IP address of the user computing device 504. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may read GPS data from the user computing device 504 and determine the user's location.

[0167] At 1205, the control circuitry 404 may monitor and analyze the user's viewing behavior. For example, the control circuitry 404 may monitor the user's trick play mode requests. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may monitor whether the user frequently pauses the currently viewed media content. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may analyze whether the user suddenly stops viewing long-form media content.

[0168] At 1206, the control circuitry 404 may analyze the user's search input. For example, the control circuitry 404 may track recent search inputs received from the user computing device 504. For example, if the user is searching for "car dealership," the control circuitry 404 may analyze the content of that search.

[0169] At 1207, the control circuitry 404 may receive an explicit profile selection input from a user, for example, via the user input interface 410. For example, the user may explicitly select (e.g., via a radio button input) the option "long length mode" or the option "short length mode."

[0170] Process 1200 continues at 1208, where control circuitry 404 determines whether the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content or short-form media content based on an analysis of any one or some of blocks 1202-1206. For example, control circuitry 404 may have data (e.g., in storage 408) indicating that the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content on a weekend evening. In this example, if the current time is determined (e.g., in block 1202) to be 8:15 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to watch long-form media content. In another example, control circuitry 404 may have data indicating that the user is in a mood to watch short-form media content when the user is at work (e.g., during a lunch break). In this example, if the current user location is determined (e.g., in block 1204) to be the user's place of work, control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to watch short-form media content. In another example, if the control circuitry 404 determines (eg, at 1206) that the user's searches are related to long-form media, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to view long-form media content.

[0171] In another example, the control circuitry 404 may have data indicative of the user's current activity as detected in block 1203. In some embodiments, some activities (e.g., taking a long walk, relaxing at home) may be associated with a mood to watch long-form media content. In some embodiments, some activities (e.g., jogging, cooking) may be associated with a mood to watch short-form media content. As a result, the control circuitry 404 may determine, based on the user's activity, that the user is in a mood to watch long or short-form media content.

[0172] In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to watch long or short media content based on the user's viewing behavior monitored in block 1205. For example, if the user frequently pauses and resumes playback of media content, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to watch short media content. In another example, if the user abruptly stops playback of long media content, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to watch short media content.

[0173] In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to view long or short media content based on the input received in step 1207. For example, if the user explicitly selects "long mode" via the user interface, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to view long media content. In another example, if the user explicitly selects "short mode" via the user interface, the control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is in a mood to view short media content.

[0174] Process 1200 continues at 1210, where if the user is in the mood to view long-form media content, the control circuitry 404 may continue to 1212. The control circuitry 404 may continue to 1214, where if the user is in the mood to view short-form media content.

[0175] At 1212, control circuitry 404 may activate the long media viewing profile. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may then perform steps 718 and 720 of FIG.

[0176] At 1214, control circuitry 404 may activate the short media viewing profile. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may then perform steps 724 and 726 of FIG.

[0177] FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1300 for providing recommended items to a user device according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1300 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1300 may be implemented as part of either block 718 or 724. In some embodiments, any of steps 1302-1312 of FIG. 13 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1302-1312 of FIG. 13 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may select a recommended item based on the length of the media item associated with the recommended item.

[0178] The process 1300 begins at 1302 where the control circuitry 404 determines which profile is active. For example, a status may be maintained in the storage device 408 indicating which profile is active.

[0179] Process 1300 continues at 1304, where the control circuitry 404 proceeds to 1306 if a short media viewing profile is active, or to 1310 if a long media viewing profile is active.

[0180] At 1306, the control circuitry 404 may select short-length recommended items associated with the second short-length media content. In some embodiments, if a short media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may select only recommended items associated with short-length media content. That is, the control circuitry 404 may only provide recommendations for media content that is shorter than a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes).

[0181] At 1308, the control circuitry 404 may provide the short recommendation items to the user device. This may be done in the manner described in connection with block 720.

[0182] At 1310, the control circuitry 404 may select long-form recommended items associated with the second long-form media content. In some embodiments, if a long-form media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may select only recommended items associated with long-form media content. That is, the control circuitry 404 may only provide recommendations for media content that is longer than a certain length threshold (e.g., 15 minutes).

[0183] At 1312, the control circuitry 404 may provide the long-form recommended items to the user device. This may be done in the manner described in connection with block 726.

[0184] FIG. 14 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1400 for providing recommendations to a user device according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1400 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1400 may be implemented as part of either block 720 or 726. In some embodiments, any of steps 1402-1420 of FIG. 14 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1402-1420 of FIG. 14 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously.

[0185] Process 1400 begins at 1402, where the control circuitry 404 maintains a list of recommended media content. For example, the list may include two or more media content items (e.g., a music video of "Thriller" followed by a music video of "Beat It"). In some embodiments, the list may be ordered, i.e., each media content item in the list may be assigned a priority. For example, the music video "Thriller" may be given a priority of "1", i.e., the music video "Thriller" may be first on the list. In another example, the music video "Beat It" may be given a priority of "2", i.e., the music video "Beat It" may be second on the list. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may provide the media content to the user device in the order defined by the list. For example, in the absence of different instructions, the control circuitry 404 may initially provide the first media content on the list (e.g., the music video "Thriller") to the user device and upon completion of that media content, provide the second media content on the list (e.g., the music video "Beat It") to the user device. In another embodiment, once media content is provided to the user device, it is removed from the playlist. In this case, the first item on the list is always provided to the user device.

[0186] Process 1400 continues at 1404, where the control circuitry 404 proceeds to 1406 if a short media viewing profile is active, or to 1414 if a long media viewing profile is active. This determination may be made in a manner similar to that described in connection with block 1302.

[0187] Process 1400 continues at 1406, where control circuitry 404 may adjust the list of recommended media content based on the short media viewing profile. For example, control circuitry 404 may add content items to a playlist based on recommendation metadata included in the short media viewing profile. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may add content to the list from media content sources 516 or media guidance data sources 518. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may add content to the list from third party media content sources (e.g., third party websites such as YOUTUBE®).

[0188] In some embodiments, in addition to matching the recommendation metadata in the short media viewing profile, the control circuitry 404 may add content to the list based on other factors. For example, when the short media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may check for other short media that has been recently watched or liked by the user's friends and add that short media to the list. In some embodiments, when the short media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may identify short media content that is a similar type to the currently provided media content. For example, if the user is watching a music video, the control circuitry 404 may identify music video short media content and add it to the list. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may also add at least one long media content to the list.

[0189] Process 1400 continues at 1408, where the control circuitry 404 may sort the list of recommended media content based on the short media viewing profile. For example, the control circuitry 404 may sort the list to present short media content higher on the list, while long media content may be presented lower on the list. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may sort the list based on other factors, such as the popularity of the media content.

[0190] Process 1400 continues at 1410, where the control circuitry 404 may provide a list of the recommended media content to the user device. For example, the list may be provided on the display 100 as recommendations 116. In some embodiments, the list is provided while the media content is still being presented. In some embodiments, the list is provided immediately (or shortly after) the current media content is completed.

[0191] Process 1400 continues at 1412, where the control circuitry 404 may provide selected media content to the user device based on a user selection from the list. For example, a user may select at least one media content item from the list, for example, using the user interface input 410. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may then provide the selected media content to the user device after presentation of the current media content is completed.

[0192] Process 1400 may alternatively continue after block 1404 at 1414, where control circuitry 404 may adjust the list of recommended media content based on the long media viewing profile. For example, control circuitry 404 may add content items to the playlist based on recommendation metadata included in the long media viewing profile. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may add content to the list from media content sources 516 or media guidance data sources 518. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may add content to the list from third party media content sources (e.g., third party websites such as YOUTUBE®).

[0193] In some embodiments, in addition to matching the recommendation metadata in the long media viewing profile, the control circuitry 404 may add content to the list based on other factors. For example, when the long media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may check for other long media that has been recently watched or liked by the user's friends and add that long media to the list. In some embodiments, when the long media viewing profile is active, the control circuitry 404 may identify long media content that is a similar type to the currently provided media content. For example, if the user is watching a romantic movie, the control circuitry 404 may identify other romantic movie long media content and add it to the list. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may also add at least one short media content to the list.

[0194] Process 1400 continues at 1416, where the control circuitry 404 may sort the list of recommended media content based on the long media viewing profile. For example, the control circuitry 404 may sort the list to present long-form media content higher on the list, while short-form media content may be presented lower on the list. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may sort the list based on other factors, such as the recommendations or preferences of the user's friends.

[0195] Process 1400 continues at 1418, where the control circuitry 404 may provide a list of the recommended media content to the user device. For example, the list may be provided on the display 100 as recommendations 116. In some embodiments, the list is provided while the current media content is still being presented. In some embodiments, the list is provided immediately (or shortly after) the current media content is completed.

[0196] Process 1400 continues at 1420, where the control circuitry 404 may provide the selected media content to the user device based on a user selection from the list. For example, the user may select at least one media content item from the list, for example, using the recommendations UI 118. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may then provide the selected media content to the user device after presentation of the current media content is completed.

[0197] FIG. 15 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1500 for providing recommended items to a user device according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1500 may be performed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by a media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1400 may be implemented as part of either block 720 or 726. In some embodiments, any of steps 1502-1506 of FIG. 15 may be optionally omitted. In some embodiments, any of steps 1502-1506 of FIG. 15 may be implemented in any order or simultaneously. In some embodiments, in the context of process 1500, the recommended items may comprise media content.

[0198] Process 1500 begins at 1502, where the control circuitry 404 maintains a playlist. The playlist may comprise an ordered data structure of recommended items (e.g., recommended media content items). In some embodiments, the playlist may include multiple movies or other videos. For example, the playlist may include the movie "Titanic" and the music video "Thriller". For example, the movie "Titanic" may be given a priority of "1". In another example, the music video "Thriller" may be given a priority of "2". In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may provide media content to a user device in an order defined by the list. For example, in the absence of different instructions, the control circuitry 404 may automatically provide the first media content on the list (e.g., the movie "Titanic") to the user device and, upon completion of that media content, automatically provide the second media content on the list (e.g., the music video "Thriller") to the user device. In some embodiments, any number of media content items, both long and short, may be included in a playlist.

[0199] Process 1500 continues at 1504, where control circuitry 404 adjusts the playlist based on the viewing profile that is activated. In some embodiments, a long media viewing profile may be activated (e.g., at block 716). In some embodiments, a short media viewing profile may be activated (e.g., at block 722).

[0200] In some embodiments, if a short media viewing profile is activated, the control circuitry 404 may add one or more short-length media content items to the playlist. In some embodiments, in addition or alternatively, the control circuitry 404 may sort the playlist such that short-length media content items are assigned a higher priority than long-length media content items. For example, the playlist may be modified such that the music video "Thriller" (short-length media content) is given a higher priority on the playlist than the movie "Titanic" (long-length media content).

[0201] In some embodiments, if a long media viewing profile is activated, the control circuitry 404 may add one or more long-form media content items to the playlist. In some embodiments, in addition or alternatively, the control circuitry 404 may sort the playlist such that long-form media content items are assigned a higher priority than short-form media content items. For example, the playlist may be modified such that the movie "Titanic" (long-form media content) is given a higher priority on the playlist than the music video "Thriller" (short-form media content).

[0202] Process 1500 continues at 1506, where control circuitry 404 automatically provides the next media content to the user device based on the order defined in the playlist. In some embodiments, the playlist may be provided for display to the user, for example, as recommendations 116 on the display 100. In some embodiments, the playlist may be visible to the user and maintained internally by control circuitry 404.

[0203] In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may automatically provide the media content item with the highest priority as the next media content to the user after presentation of the current media content (e.g., the media content provided in step 710) is completed. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 404 may automatically provide the next media content to the user device without receiving user input of any kind. For example, once presentation of the current media content is completed, the control circuitry 404 may begin providing the movie "Titanic" (the first item in the playlist) to the user device without user input or confirmation of any kind.

[0204] It should be noted that processes 600-1500, or any steps thereof, may be implemented on or provided by any of the devices shown in or described with respect to Figures 4-5. For example, either process 600 or process 700 may be executed by control circuitry 404 (Figure 4) as instructed by a media guidance application implemented on user equipment 502, 504, and / or 506 (Figure 5). In addition, one or more steps of processes 600 and 700 may be incorporated into or combined with one or more steps of any other process or embodiment.

[0205] It is contemplated that each step or description of FIG. 6-15 may be used with any other embodiment of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that some steps or descriptions of each of FIG. 6-15 may be optional and may be omitted in some embodiments. In addition, the steps and descriptions described in connection with FIG. 6-15 may be performed in alternate orders or in parallel to further the objectives of the present disclosure. For example, each of these steps may be performed in any order, or in parallel, or substantially simultaneously to reduce delays or increase speed of the system or method. Additionally, it is noted that any of the devices or apparatus discussed in connection with FIG. 4-5 may be used to perform one or more of the steps of FIG. 6-15.

[0206] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the methods involved in this disclosure may be embodied in a computer program product that includes a computer usable and / or readable medium. For example, such a computer usable medium may consist of a read-only memory device, such as a CD-ROM disk or a conventional ROM device, or a random access memory, such as a hard drive device or a computer diskette, having computer readable program code stored thereon. It should also be understood that the methods, techniques, and processes involved in this disclosure may be performed using processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be, for example, a general-purpose processor, a customized integrated circuit (e.g., ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) within user equipment 400, media content source 516, or media guidance data source 518.

[0207] The processes discussed above in Figures 6-15 are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that the steps of the processes in Figures 6-15 discussed herein may be omitted, modified, combined, and / or rearranged, and any additional steps may be performed, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, the above disclosure is illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Only the following claims are intended to set boundaries as to what the invention encompasses. Furthermore, it should be noted that the features and limitations described in any one embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment herein, and that the flow charts or examples for one embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment in a suitable manner, may be performed in a different order, or may be performed in parallel. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may be performed in real time. It should also be noted that the systems and / or methods described above may be applied to or used in accordance with other systems and / or methods.

[0208] Some portions of this disclosure may refer to "practice," however, any such reference is merely for the purpose of providing context to the invention(s) of the present disclosure and does not constitute any admission as to what constitutes the state of the art.

Claims

1. 1. A method for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: Providing a content item to a device; determining whether to activate a first viewing profile or a second viewing profile based on a length of the content item, the first viewing profile including first profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a first range of lengths and the second viewing profile including second profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a second range of lengths different from the first range of lengths; providing recommended items to the device, the recommended items being selected based on profile data of activated profiles; A method comprising:

2. the content item is a first content item; The method comprises: tracking the user's behavior while the user is viewing a second content item having a first length of content, the first length being within the first range of lengths; generating the first viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the second content item; tracking the user's behavior while the user is viewing a third content item having a second length of content, the second length being within the second range of lengths; generating the second viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the third content item; and The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. Determining whether to activate the first viewing profile or the second viewing profile based on a length of the content item includes: comparing a length of the content item to a length threshold, wherein a length within the first range of lengths exceeds the length threshold and a length within the second range of lengths does not exceed the length threshold; activating the first viewing profile in response to determining that a length of the content item exceeds the length threshold; activating the second viewing profile in response to determining that the length of the content item does not exceed the length threshold; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

4. Generating the first viewing profile includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, monitoring user requests for content during the time that the second content item is being played; storing profile data associated with the user request; The method of claim 2 , comprising:

5. Generating the first viewing profile includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, serving advertisements to the device during the time the second content item is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and The method of claim 2 , comprising:

6. providing the recommended items to the device, the recommended items being selected based on the profile data of the activated profile; in response to determining that the first viewing profile is active, providing the recommended items having content of a third length, the third length being within the first range of lengths; in response to determining that the second viewing profile is active, providing the recommended items having content of a fourth length, the fourth length being within the second range of lengths; The method of claim 2 , comprising:

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches the profile data of the activated profile.

8. 1. A method for providing recommendations to a user, the method comprising: Receiving a content item; determining whether to activate a first viewing profile or a second viewing profile based on a length of the content item, the first viewing profile including first profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a first range of lengths and the second viewing profile including second profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a second range of lengths different from the first range of lengths; generating recommended items for display, the recommended items being selected based on profile data of activated profiles; A method comprising:

9. the content item is a first content item; The method comprises: tracking the user's behavior while the user is viewing a second content item having a first length of content; generating the first viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the second content item; tracking a behavior of the user while the user is viewing a third content item having a second length of content different from the first length; generating the second viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the third content item; and The method of claim 8 , comprising:

10. Determining whether to activate the first viewing profile or the second viewing profile based on a length of the content item includes: comparing a length of the content item to a length threshold; activating the first viewing profile in response to determining that a length of the content item exceeds the length threshold; activating the second viewing profile in response to determining that the length of the content item does not exceed the length threshold; The method of claim 8 , comprising:

11. Generating the first viewing profile includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, generating an advertisement for display during the time that the second content item is being played; and monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and 10. The method of claim 9, comprising:

12. generating the recommended items for display, the recommended items being selected based on the profile data of the activated profiles; generating, in response to determining that the first viewing profile is active, the recommended items for display having content of a third length, the third length being within the first range of lengths; generating, in response to determining that the second viewing profile is active, the recommended items for display having content of a fourth length, the fourth length being within the second range of lengths; The method of claim 8 , comprising:

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the recommended items are advertisements having metadata that matches the profile data of the activated profile.

14. Generating the first viewing profile includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, monitoring user requests for content during the time that the second content item is being played; storing profile data associated with the user request; 10. The method of claim 9, comprising:

15. 1. A system for providing recommendations to a user, the system comprising: an output circuit configured to provide the content item to a device; a control circuit configured to determine whether to activate a first viewing profile or a second viewing profile based on a length of the content item, the first viewing profile including first profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a first range of lengths, and the second viewing profile including second profile data generated during transmission of a content item having a second range of lengths different from the first range of lengths; Equipped with The output circuitry is further configured to provide recommended items to the device, the recommended items being selected based on profile data of an activated profile.

16. the content item is a first content item; The control circuit includes: tracking the user's behavior while the user is viewing a second content item having a first length of content; generating the first viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the second content item; tracking a behavior of the user while the user is viewing a third content item having a second length of content different from the first length; generating the second viewing profile based on tracked behavior of the user while the user was viewing the third content item; and The system of claim 15 , further configured to:

17. The control circuit includes: comparing a length of the content item to a length threshold; activating the first viewing profile in response to determining that a length of the content item exceeds the length threshold; activating the second viewing profile in response to determining that the length of the content item does not exceed the length threshold; By doing the following, The system of claim 15 , configured to determine whether to activate the first or second viewing profile based on a length of the content item.

18. The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, monitoring user requests for content during the time that the second content item is being played; storing profile data associated with the user request; By doing the following, The system of claim 16 , configured to generate the first viewing profile.

19. The control circuit includes: determining that the user is viewing the second content item; In response to determining that the user is viewing the second content item, serving advertisements to the device during the time the second content item is being played; monitoring a response of the user to the advertisement; storing metadata associated with the advertisement in response to determining that the user response was favorable; and By doing the following, The system of claim 16 , configured to generate the first viewing profile.

20. The control circuit includes: in response to determining that the first viewing profile is active, providing the recommended items having content of a third length, the third length being within the first range of lengths; in response to determining that the second viewing profile is active, providing the recommended items having content of a fourth length, the fourth length being within the second range of lengths; By doing the following, The system of claim 16 , configured to provide the recommended items to the device, the recommended items being selected based on the profile data of the activated profiles.

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