Pause-based advertising methods and systems

An exemplary method includes monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem, receiving a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem, and dynamically selecting at least one advertisement in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Set-top boxes and other media content access devices are often configured to provide users with access to a large number and variety of media content choices. For example, a user may choose to experience a variety of broadcast television programs, pay-per-view services, video-on-demand programming, Internet services, and audio programming via a set-top box.

Many media content access devices include a digital video recording (“DVR”) application that allows a user to view or otherwise experience media content in one or more “trick play” modes. For example, a user may pause a presentation of a media content instance, skip to a different position within a media content instance, fast forward within a media content instance, and/or rewind within a media content instance.

DVR technology has had a significant impact on the advertising industry. In the past, the basic business model for broadcast television programming has been free or low cost distribution of media content, subsidized by the insertion of advertisements within a media content stream. However, DVR applications allow users to easily skip these advertisements. Hence, alternative approaches to distributing advertisements to DVR users are desirable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary methods and systems for dynamically selecting one or more advertisements for presentation to a user while a media content instance is paused are described herein. As described in more detail below, an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem may be monitored. A command input by a user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem may be received. At least one advertisement may be selected in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused. It will be recognized that references included herein to a media content instance being paused mean that a presentation of the media content instance is paused.

As used herein, “media content” may refer generally to any content accessible via a media content access subsystem. The term “media content instance” will be used herein to refer to any television program, on-demand media program, pay-per-view media program, broadcast media program (e.g., broadcast television program), IPTV media content, advertisement (e.g., commercial), video, movie, song, video game, image, photograph, sound, or any segment, component, or combination of these or other forms of media content that may be viewed or otherwise experienced by a user.

In some examples, as will be described in more detail below, an “audio-based advertisement” may be selected and presented to a user in accordance with a monitored interaction of the user with a media content access subsystem. As used herein, an audio-based advertisement includes an advertisement that targets a person who may be only listening to audio presented by the media content access subsystem. Hence, an audio-based advertisement may include or focus on an audible message (e.g., a jingle, a spoken message, etc.). In some examples, an audio-based advertisement may additionally include one or more visual components (e.g., video and/or one or more images).

In some alternative examples, as will be described in more detail below, a “visual-based advertisement” may be selected and presented to a user in accordance with a monitored interaction of the user with a media content access subsystem. As used herein, a visual-based advertisement includes an advertisement that targets a person who may be only watching video presented by the media content access subsystem. Hence, a visual-based advertisement may include or focus on a visual message (e.g., a video and/or one or more images). In some examples, a visual-based advertisement may additionally include one or more audio components.

Dynamic selection of one or more advertisements for presentation to a user while a media content instance is paused may result an optimized media content access experience for a user and in an optimized advertisement campaign for one or more advertisers. In particular, advertisers may more effectively reach their intended audiences, content providers may more effectively charge for advertisement placement, and users may more effectively respond to such advertisements.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary media content access system100(or simply “system100”). As will be described in more detail below, system100may be configured to facilitate customized presentation of one or more advertisements to a user of a media content access subsystem (e.g., a set-top box device (“STB”)) in accordance with how the user interacts with the media content access subsystem.

System100may include, but is not limited to, a presentation facility102, a digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, a monitoring facility106, an interaction profile facility108, an advertisement facility110, and a storage facility112. Each of these facilities will now be described in more detail.

Presentation facility102may be configured to present media content for experiencing by a user. A presentation of media content may be performed in any suitable way such as generating and/or providing output signals representative of media content to a display device (e.g., a television) and/or an audio output device. For example, presentation facility102may display, play, or otherwise present a television program, an advertisement, or any other type of media content instance for experiencing by a user.

Digital video recording facility104may be configured to facilitate temporary and/or permanent recording of selected media content to storage facility112. Hence, digital video recording facility104enables a user to experience media content in “trick play,” or non-linear, modes. For example, digital video recording facility104may be configured to receive and execute one or more commands input by a user that are configured to pause a presentation of a media content instance, resume a presentation of a media content instance, skip to a different position within a media content instance, fast forward within a media content instance, and/or rewind within a media content instance.

Monitoring facility106may be configured to monitor an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem. For example, monitoring facility106may be configured to detect the occurrence of one or more “interaction events” performed by or otherwise associated with the user. Each interaction event, or lack thereof, may be indicative of a type or level of interaction of the user with the media content access subsystem.

To facilitate monitoring of an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem, monitoring facility106may include one or more video cameras, microphones, motion detectors, accelerometers, and/or any other sensor as may serve a particular application. Examples of monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem using one or more of these sensors will be described in more detail below.

Interaction profile facility108may be configured to maintain an interaction profile associated with a user of the media content access subsystem. The interaction profile may be configured to represent how the user interacts with the media content access subsystem and may be dynamically updated by interaction profile facility108as monitoring facility106detects various interaction events performed by the user.

Advertisement facility110may be configured to control a presentation of one or more advertisements to the user by the media content access subsystem in accordance with the monitored interaction of the user, an interaction profile associated with the user, a user profile associated with the user, and/or any other factor as may serve a particular application. For example, advertisement facility110may be configured to dynamically select at least one advertisement for presentation to the user in accordance with a monitored interaction of the user with the media content access subsystem while a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem is paused. Advertisement facility110may be further configured to dynamically select at least one advertisement for presentation to the user after presentation of a paused media content instance has been resumed by the user.

Storage facility112may be configured to maintain media content data114representative of one or more media content instances accessible via a media content access subsystem, interaction profile data116representative of an interaction profile associated with a user of the media content access subsystem, and user profile data118representative of a user profile associated with a user of the media content access subsystem. It will be recognized that storage facility112may maintain additional or alternative data as may serve a particular application.

System100, including facilities102-112, may include any computer hardware and/or computer-implemented instructions (e.g., software), or combinations of computer-implemented instructions and hardware, configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein. In particular, system100may be implemented on one physical computing device or may be implemented on more than one physical computing device. Accordingly, system100may include any number of computing devices, and may employ any of a number of computer operating systems. Moreover, it will be recognized that although facilities102-112are shown to be separate facilities inFIG. 1, any of those facilities may be combined into a single facility as may serve a particular application.

Accordingly, one or more of the processes described herein may be implemented at least in part as instructions executable by one or more computing devices. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, from a computer-readable medium, (e.g., a memory, etc.), and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions may be stored and/or transmitted using any of a variety of known computer-readable media.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary implementation200of system100wherein a media content provider subsystem202(or simply “provider subsystem202”) is communicatively coupled to a media content access subsystem204(or simply “access subsystem204”). As will be described in more detail below, presentation facility102, digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, monitoring facility106, interaction profile facility108, advertisement facility110, and storage facility112may each be implemented on one or both of provider subsystem202and access subsystem204.

Access subsystem204may be configured to communicate with and receive a signal and/or data stream containing data representative of media content and/or data associated with media content (e.g., metadata, program guide data, etc.) from provider subsystem202. Access subsystem204and provider subsystem202may communicate using any suitable communication technologies, devices, networks, media, and protocols supportive of remote data communications.

For example, as shown inFIG. 2, provider subsystem202may be configured to communicate with access subsystem204over a network206(and communications links thereto). Network206may include one or more networks or types of networks capable of carrying communications and/or data signals between provider subsystem202and access subsystem204. For example, network206may include, but is not limited to, a cable network, optical fiber network, hybrid fiber coax network, wireless network (e.g., a Wi-Fi and/or mobile telephone network), satellite network, wireless broadcast network (e.g., a satellite media broadcasting network or terrestrial broadcasting network), subscriber television network, a provider-specific network (e.g., a Verizon® FIOS® network), the Internet, an intranet, local area network, any other suitable network, and any combination or sub-combination of these networks.

Provider subsystem202and access subsystem204may communicate over network206using any suitable communication technologies, devices, media, and protocols supportive of remote data communications, including, but not limited to, data transmission media, communications devices, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), Internet Protocol (“IP”), File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), Telnet, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), Real Time Protocol (“RTP”), User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”), Ethernet, and any other suitable communications technologies, devices, media, and protocols.

WhileFIG. 2shows provider subsystem202and access subsystem204communicatively coupled via network206, it will be recognized that provider subsystem202and access subsystem204may be configured to communicate one with another in any other suitable manner (e.g., via a direct connection).

In some examples, provider subsystem202may be configured to generate or otherwise provide media content (e.g., one or more advertisements) to access subsystem204. Access subsystem204may be configured to facilitate access by a user to media content received from provider subsystem202. To this end, access subsystem204may present the media content for experiencing (e.g., viewing) by a user, record the media content, parse metadata and/or other data associated with the media content, etc.

FIG. 3illustrates exemplary components of provider subsystem202. As shown inFIG. 3, provider subsystem202may include a communication interface302, a processor304, and a storage device306communicatively coupled one to another via a communication infrastructure308. The components of provider subsystem202may communicate with one another, including sending data to and receiving data from one another, using any suitable communication technologies. Moreover, the components of provider subsystem202may be implemented on any computing device or combination of computing devices, such as one or more servers, personal computers, or the like.

While an exemplary provider subsystem202is shown inFIG. 3, the components illustrated inFIG. 3are not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternative components may be used in other embodiments. Components of the provider subsystem202shown inFIG. 3will now be described in additional detail.

Communication interface302may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices, including access subsystem204. In particular, communication interface302may be configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals, media content, and/or data to/from access subsystem204. Examples of communication interface302include, without limitation, a wired network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and any other suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communication interface302may provide a direct connection between provider subsystem202and access subsystem204via a direct link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface302may additionally or alternatively provide such a connection through, for example, a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal area network, a telephone or cable network, a cellular telephone connection, a satellite data connection, or any other suitable connection.

In some examples, communication interface302may be configured to transmit (e.g., broadcast, multicast, and/or narrowcast) data representative of one or more media content instances to access subsystem204. Such data may be transmitted in one or more media content data streams, as one or more data files, or in any other suitable manner as may serve a particular application. Communication interface302may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

Processor304generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting, executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein. Processor304may direct execution of operations in accordance with one or more applications310or other computer-executable instructions such as may be stored in storage device306or another computer-readable medium. As an example, processor304may be configured to process data, including modulating, encoding, and/or otherwise preparing data (e.g., media content data) for transmission by communication interface302.

Storage device306may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination of data storage media and/or device. For example, storage device306may include, but is not limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc, random access memory (“RAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), other non-volatile and/or volatile data storage units, or a combination or sub-combination thereof. Electronic data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in storage device306. For example, data representative of one or more executable applications310configured to direct processor304to perform any of the operations described herein may be stored within storage device306. In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more databases residing within storage device306.

In some examples, presentation facility102, digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, monitoring facility106, interaction profile facility108, advertisement facility110, and/or storage facility112may be implemented by or within one or more components of provider subsystem202. For example, one or more applications310residing within storage device306may be configured to direct processor304to perform one or more processes or functions associated with presentation facility102, digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, monitoring facility106, interaction profile facility108, and/or advertisement facility110. Likewise, storage facility112may be implemented by or within storage device306. For example, media content data114, interaction profile data116, and/or user profile data118may be stored within storage device306.

FIG. 4illustrates exemplary components of access subsystem204. As shown inFIG. 4, access subsystem204may include a communication interface402, a processor404, a storage device406, an input/output (“I/O”) module408, a program guide module410, and a media content recording module412communicatively coupled one to another via a communication infrastructure414. The components of access subsystem204may communicate with one another, including sending data to and receiving data from one another, using any suitable communication technologies. Moreover, the components of access subsystem204may be implemented on any computing device or combination of computing devices, such as a set-top box, a communications device, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone device), a handheld device, a personal computer, a phone device (e.g., Verizon Hub device), a personal-digital assistant device, gaming device, a DVR device, a television device, and/or any media content access device configured to perform one or more of the processes and/or operations described herein.

While an exemplary access subsystem204is shown inFIG. 4, the components illustrated inFIG. 4are not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternative components may be used in other embodiments. Components of the access subsystem202shown inFIG. 4will now be described in additional detail.

Communication interface402may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices, including provider subsystem202. In particular, communication interface402may be configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals, media content, and/or data to/from provider subsystem202. Examples of communication interface402include, without limitation, a wired network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and any other suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communication interface402may provide a direct connection between provider subsystem202and access subsystem204via a direct link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface402may additionally or alternatively provide such a connection through, for example, a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal area network, a telephone or cable network, a cellular telephone connection, a satellite data connection, or any other suitable connection.

As mentioned, provider subsystem202may transmit (e.g., broadcast, multicast, and/or narrowcast) data representative of one or more media content instances. Communication interface402may be configured to receive such data such that the data may be processed by access subsystem204. To this end, communication interface402may include any device, logic, and/or other technologies suitable for receiving signals, data streams, and/or data representative of media content. Communication interface402may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

In certain embodiments, provider subsystem202may be configured to transmit and access subsystem204may be configured to receive data streams or signals including data representative of various media content instances in accordance with a transmission schedule. The transmission schedule may specify that particular media content instances are to be transmitted at scheduled transmission times and on certain media content carrier channels. As used herein, the term “scheduled transmission time” or “scheduled transmission” may refer generally to any period of time during which a media content instance is to be transmitted to access subsystem204. The term “media content carrier channel” or simply “channel” as used herein may refer generally to any carrier of media content, including, but not limited to, media (e.g., television) channels, streams, addresses, frequencies or other carriers of media content.

Communication interface402may be configured to selectively identify, receive, and/or process appropriate data streams and/or media content instances at the scheduled transmission times and on the appropriate media content carrier channels. For instance, in certain implementations communication interface402may include a tuner configured to selectively receive media content carried on a particular media content carrier channel. The tuner may be tuned to a particular media content carrier channel such that the media content carried on the media content carrier channel is received and may be processed by access subsystem204.

In some examples, communication interface402may include multiple tuners such that media content carried on different media content carrier channels may be concurrently received for processing by the access subsystem204. For example, communication interface402may include a first tuner configured to receive media content carried on an analog video signal and a second tuner configured to concurrently receive media content carried on a digital compressed signal.

While one or more tuners may be used to receive various types of media content-carrying signals transmitted by provider subsystem202, additionally or alternatively, communication interface402may be configured to receive other types of signals (e.g., other types of media content carrying signals) from provider subsystem202and/or one or more other sources without using a tuner. For example, provider subsystem202may transmit digital streams of data packets (e.g., Internet Protocol (“IP”) based data packets) that can be received without using a tuner. For such types of signals, communication interface402may receive and forward the signals directly to other components of access subsystem204without the signals going through a tuner. For an IP-based signal, for example, communication interface402may function as an IP receiver.

Processor404generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting, executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein. Processor404may direct execution of operations in accordance with one or more applications416or other computer-executable instructions such as may be stored in storage device406or another computer-readable medium. As an example, processor404may be configured to process data, including demodulating, decoding, and/or parsing data (e.g., data representative of media content received from provider subsystem202by communication interface402), and encoding and modulating data for transmission by communication interface402.

Storage device406may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination of data storage media and/or device. For example, storage device406may include, but is not limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc, random access memory (“RAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), other non-volatile and/or volatile data storage units, or a combination or sub-combination thereof. Electronic data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in storage device406. For example, data representative of one or more executable applications416configured to direct processor404to perform any of the operations described herein may be stored within storage device406. In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more databases residing within storage device406.

I/O module408may be configured to receive user input and provide user output and may include any hardware, firmware, software, or combination thereof supportive of input and output capabilities. For example, I/O module408may include one or more devices for capturing user input, including, but not limited to, a microphone, speech recognition technologies, keyboard or keypad, touch screen component (e.g., touch screen display), receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared receiver), and one or more input buttons.

I/O module408may include one or more devices for presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen, one or more output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers. In certain embodiments, I/O module408is configured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to a user. The graphical data may representative of one or more graphical user interfaces (“GUIs”), GUI views, media content views, and/or any other view as may serve a particular application.

Program guide module410may be configured to maintain and operate on program guide data. As mentioned above, media content instances may be transmitted by provider subsystem202at scheduled transmission times and on certain media content carrier channels. To assist access subsystem204and/or a user of access subsystem204with reception of media content instances at appropriate scheduled transmission times and on appropriate media content carrier channels, program guide data may be received by communication interface402from provider subsystem202and/or from another source. The program guide data may be stored in storage device406.

Media content recording module412may be configured to record data representative of media content to storage device406. The recording of a media content instance is typically performed during a transmission time slot when data representative of the media content instance is received from provider subsystem202as described above. For example, during transmission of a media content instance from provider subsystem202to access subsystem204on a media content carrier channel, communication interface402may receive data representative of the media content instance on the media content carrier channel, and media content recording module412may direct that the received data representative of the media content instance be stored to storage device406. Once stored, the data representative the media content instance may be accessed and processed as may suit a particular application, including providing data representative of the media content instance to a display for presentation to a user.

In some examples, presentation facility102, digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, monitoring facility106, interaction profile facility108, advertisement facility110, and/or storage facility112may be implemented by or within one or more components of access subsystem204. For example, one or more applications416residing within storage device406may be configured to direct processor404to perform one or more processes or functions associated with presentation facility102, digital video recording (“DVR”) facility104, monitoring facility106, interaction profile facility108, and/or advertisement facility110. Likewise, storage facility112may be implemented by or within storage device406. For example, media content data114, interaction profile data116, and/or user profile data118may be stored within storage device406.

Access subsystem204and/or components of access subsystem204may be implemented as may suit a particular application.FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary media content access device500(or simply “device500”) having access subsystem204implemented thereon. Device500may include one or more of the components of access subsystem204shown inFIG. 4and may be configured to perform one or more of the processes and/or operations described herein. Device500may include, but is not limited to, a set-top box, a media content processing device, a communications device, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone device), a handheld device, a personal computer, a phone device (e.g., Verizon Hub device), a personal-digital assistant device, a gaming device, a DVR device, a television device, and/or any device configured to perform one or more of the processes and/or operations described herein.

As shown inFIG. 5, device500may include a communication interface502configured to receive media content (e.g., media content) and/or data (e.g., metadata, program guide data, and/or any other data associated with media content) in any acceptable format from provider subsystem202or from any other suitable external source. Communication interface502may include any device, logic, and/or other technologies suitable for receiving signals and/or data representative of media content and/or other types of media content or data. Communication interface502may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

Device500may also include a receiver504configured to receive user input signals from a user input device506. User input device506may include, for example, a remote control device or any other suitable input device and may be configured to communicate with receiver504via a wireless link, electrical connection, or any other suitable communication link.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary remote control device600that may implement user input device506. In some examples, remote control device600may be configured to facilitate a user controlling operations of access subsystem204. For instance, a program guide button602may be configured to evoke a presentation of a program guide GUI on a display. A left button604, a right button606, an up button608, a down button610, and a select button612may be included and configured to facilitate a user evoking and/or navigating through various views, options, and GUIs displayed by a display. A fast forward or skip button614, a reverse or rewind button616, a play button618, a pause button620, a stop button622, and/or a record button624may also be included and configured to facilitate a user navigating through, recording, pausing, and/or otherwise interacting with one or more media content instances. Remote control device600is merely illustrative of one of the many different types of user input devices that may be used to provide input commands to access subsystem204.

Returning toFIG. 5, device500may include a graphics engine508and an output driver510. Graphics engine508may be configured to generate graphics to be provided to output driver510, which may be configured to interface with or drive a display512. Output driver510may provide output signals to display512, the output signals including graphical media content (e.g., media content and/or program guide media content) generated by graphics engine508and to be presented by display512for experiencing by a user. For example, output driver510may provide a data representative of a GUI including a program guide view to display512for presentation to the user. Graphics engine508and output driver510may include any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware as may serve a particular application.

Data store514may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination of storage media. For example, data store514may include, but is not limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc, or other non-volatile storage unit. Media content and/or data associated with media content may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in data store514.

Data store514is shown to be included within device500inFIG. 5for illustrative purposes only. It will be understood that data store514may additionally or alternatively be located external to device500.

Data store514may include one or more live cache buffers516. Live cache buffer516may additionally or alternatively reside in memory518or in a storage device external to device500. In some examples, media content data may be temporarily stored in live cache buffer516to facilitate recording of media content and/or presentation of media content in one or more trick play modes.

Device500may include memory518. Memory518may include, but is not limited to, FLASH memory, random access memory (“RAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), other suitable computer-readable media, or any combination or sub-combination thereof. In some examples, one or more applications520configured to run on or otherwise be executed by device500may reside in memory518.

Device500may include one or more tuners520. Tuner520may be configured to selectively receive media content carried on a particular media content carrier channel such that the media content may be processed by device500. In some examples, media content received by tuner520may be temporarily buffered, or stored, in the live cache buffer516. If there are multiple tuners520, there may be a live cache buffer516corresponding to each of the tuners520.

While tuner520may be used to receive certain media content-carrying signals transmitted by provider subsystem202, device500may be configured to receive other types of media content signals (including media content signals and/or program guide data signals) from provider subsystem202and/or one or more other sources without using a tuner. For example, provider subsystem202may transmit digital streams of data packets (e.g., Internet Protocol (“IP”) based data packets) that can be received without using a tuner. For such types of media content signals, communication interface502may receive and forward the signals directly to other components of device500(e.g., processor522or signal processing unit524, described in more detail below) without the signals going through tuner520. For an IP-based signal, for example, signal processing unit524may function as an IP receiver.

Device500may include at least one processor, such as processor522, configured to control and/or perform one or more operations of device500. Device500may also include a signal processing unit524configured to process incoming media content. Signal processing unit524may be configured, for example, to demodulate and parse encoded digital media content. In some examples, device500may include one or more signal processing units524corresponding to each of the tuners520.

As mentioned, a user may input a command to access subsystem204(e.g., media content access device500) to pause a media content instance being presented by the access subsystem204. A media content instance may be paused by a user for any of a variety of reasons. For example, a user may temporarily pause a media content instance to talk to another person, answer the telephone, check email, use the bathroom, or get something to eat. The user may additionally or alternatively pause a media content instance for a relatively longer period of time to go to work, take a nap, or run an errand. Additional or alternative reasons for pausing a media content instance may exist that are specific to the particular user interacting with access subsystem204.

Depending on what the user is doing while the media content instance is paused, it may be desirable to present one or more advertisements to the user via access subsystem204while the media content instance is paused. For example, a user may pause a media content instance to check email without leaving the premises of access subsystem204. In this instance, it may be desirable to present an audio-based advertisement to the user that the user can listen to while checking email. As another example, a user may pause a media content instance to talk to another person. In this instance, it may be desirable to present a visual-based advertisement to the user so that the user can see the advertisement while talking to the other person. Hence, as will be described in more detail below, the methods and systems described herein facilitate dynamic selection of one or more advertisements for presentation to a user by access subsystem204while a media content instance presented by access subsystem204is in a paused state.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary pause-based advertising method700. WhileFIG. 7illustrates exemplary steps according to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the steps shown inFIG. 7.

In step702, an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem is monitored. For example, monitoring facility106may detect one or more interaction events performed by or otherwise associated with the user. Exemplary interaction events that may be detected by monitoring facility106will be described in more detail below. The interaction of the user with the media content access subsystem may be monitored before and/or after a user inputs a command to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem.

In step704, a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem is received. The command may be input and received in any of the ways described herein. For example, digital video recording facility104may receive the pause command from a remote control device (e.g., remote control device600) used by the user.

In step706, at least one advertisement is dynamically selected in accordance with the interaction monitored in step702for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused. For example, advertisement facility110may dynamically select at least one advertisement to be presented to the user while the media content instance is paused based on a level of interaction of the user with the media content access subsystem prior to and/or during the pause time period. Examples of dynamically selecting at least one advertisement based in accordance with a monitored interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem will be given below.

FIG. 8illustrates an exemplary implementation800of system100wherein monitoring facility106is implemented by or within a sensor802communicatively coupled to media content access device500. Sensor802is shown inFIG. 8to be a separate device than media content access device500for illustrative purposes only. It will be recognized that in some alternative examples, sensor802may be implemented by or included within media content access device500. However, it will be assumed in the examples given herein that sensor802includes a device separate from media content access device500as shown inFIG. 8.

Sensor802may include one or more hardware and/or software components configured to perform any of the functions associated with monitoring facility106. For example, sensor802may include, but is not limited to, one or more video cameras, microphones, motion detectors, accelerometers, and/or any other sensor as may serve a particular application.

In some examples, sensor802may be configured to detect an interaction of a user804within a monitoring zone806associated with media content access device500and/or display512. Monitoring zone806may include a premises of media content access device500and/or display512(e.g., a room in which media content access device500and/or display512is physically located) and/or any other physical area in which a user may be located while experiencing media content presented by a media content access device500.

FIG. 8will be used to describe various examples of monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem (e.g., with media content access device500and/or display512) and using the monitored interaction to dynamically select at least one advertisement for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem is paused. As will be described below, the monitoring may be performed while the media content instance is paused and/or during a predetermined period of time immediately prior to the receiving of the command to pause the media content instance. It will be recognized that the specific examples given herein are merely illustrative of the many different examples and/or implementations of the methods and systems described herein.

In some examples, sensor802may be configured to monitor an interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512by detecting a movement of user804within monitoring zone806while a media content instance being presented by media content access device500is paused. For example, sensor802may detect that after pausing the media content instance, user804begins to walk out of monitoring zone806(e.g., out of a room in which display512is located). In this example, advertisement facility110may select a relatively short duration advertisement to present to user804while user804is exiting monitoring zone806. In this manner, user804is likely to experience the entire advertisement prior to leaving monitoring zone806.

Additionally or alternatively, sensor802may detect that user804has moved outside of monitoring zone806. For example, sensor802may detect that user804has left the room in which display512is located to go to another room within the user's home. In response to the detected movement of user804to a location outside of monitoring zone806, advertisement facility110may select an audio-based advertisement for presentation to the user804. User804may still be able to hear the audio-based advertisement even though he or she has left monitoring zone806. If sensor802detects that user804has remained outside monitoring zone806for a relatively long period of time, advertisement facility110may prevent media content access device500from presenting advertisements until user804returns to monitoring zone806.

Sensor802may be additionally or alternatively configured to monitor an interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512by detecting a handling by user804of a remote control device associated with media content access device500. For example, sensor802may include an accelerometer included within remote control device600and configured to detect whether user804is handling remote control device600.

If sensor802detects that remote control device600is still being handled by user804after user804pauses a presentation of a media content instance by media content access subsystem500, it may be indicative that the user804is still viewing display512. In such an instance, advertisement facility110may dynamically select at least one visual-based advertisement for presentation to user804while the media content instance is paused.

Alternatively, sensor802may be configured to detect that a user has stopped handling remote control device600. This may be indicative that the user is no longer viewing display512. In such an instance, advertisement facility110may dynamically select an audio-based advertisement for presentation to user804while the media content instance is paused.

Sensor802may be additionally or alternatively configured to monitor an interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512by detecting an ambient sound level within monitoring zone806. As used herein, an “ambient sound” may refer to one or more sounds present within monitoring zone806that are not produced by media content access device500and/or display512. For example, an ambient sound may be produced by or otherwise associated with user804and/or any other object within or adjacent to monitoring zone806.

In some examples, an ambient sound level that is higher than a predetermined threshold level may indicate that user804is listening to something other than media content access device500and/or display512. For example, user804may be engaged in a conversation with another person. In such instances, advertising facility110may dynamically select at least one video-based advertisement for presentation to user804while the media content instance being presented by media content access device500is paused. This is because a video-based advertisement may be more likely to be received by user804in the presence of a relatively high ambient sound level than an audio-based advertisement.

Alternatively, if the detected ambient sound level is lower than a predetermined threshold level, it may be indicative that user804may be more receptive to an audio-based advertisement than a video-based advertisement. For example, user804may be checking email or the like and therefore not visually engaged with display512. Hence, advertisement facility110may dynamically select at least one audio-based advertisement to present to user804while the media content instance is paused.

Additionally or alternatively, sensor802may be configured to detect sounds representative of specific events performed by user804. Advertisement facility110may then dynamically select one or more advertisements for presentation to the user while the media content instance is paused based on these specific activities performed by user804. For example, sensor802may detect one or more sounds (e.g., yelling) that indicate that user804has engaged in a heated argument with a family member. Advertisement facility110may accordingly select an advertisement for counseling services to be presented to user804while the media content instance is paused.

Sensor802may be additionally or alternatively configured to monitor an interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512by detecting a presence of one or more objects within monitoring zone806. Advertisement facility110may dynamically select one or more advertisements for presentation to user804while the media content instance is paused based on the detected one or more objects.

To illustrate, sensor802may include a video camera and associated image processing components configured to detect and recognize one or more objects within monitoring zone806. For example, sensor802may detect a presence of a bag of potato chips within monitoring zone806. Based on this detection, advertising facility110may dynamically select one or more advertisements related to snack foods (e.g., healthy alternatives to potato chips) for presentation to user804while the media content instance is paused.

In some examples, sensor802may perform the monitoring of the interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512for a predetermined period of time immediately prior to the receiving of the command to pause the media content instance. The predetermined period of time may be set to be any suitable period of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes) as may serve a particular application.

For example, sensor802may detect a number of commands input by user804to change a channel associated with media content access device500during a period of time right before user804pauses presentation of the media content instance. If the detected number of commands to change the channel is greater than a predetermined threshold number, it may indicate that user804is likely to not be fully engaged with media content access device500. Therefore, it may be assumed that user804has a relatively short attention span. Advertisement facility110may accordingly select a relatively short advertisement (i.e., an advertisement having a duration less than or equal to a predetermined threshold duration) for presentation to the user while the media content instance is paused. The duration of the relatively short advertisement may vary as may serve a particular application.

Sensor802may be additionally or alternatively configured to monitor an interaction of user804with media content access device500and/or display512by detecting a trick play pattern performed by user804during a period of time right before user804pauses presentation of the media content instance. For example, sensor802may detect that user804has a tendency to skip over advertisements included within a media content stream. Hence, advertisement facility110may dynamically select those skipped advertisements to be presented to user804while the media content instance is paused.

In some examples, advertisement facility110may be further configured to dynamically select at least one advertisement for presentation to user806after presentation of the paused media content instance is resumed. The selection of the at least one advertisement may be performed in accordance with a monitored interaction of user806with media content access device500and/or display512(e.g., any of the monitored interactions described herein). In some examples, advertisement facility110may be further configured to base the selection on events that occurred in ordinary television programming and/or in real time news while the media content instance was paused.

For example, user806may pause a presentation of a sporting event known as the Super Bowl being presented by media content access device500on display512. While the presentation of the game is paused, one of the teams playing in the Super Bowl may win the game. When user806resumes presentation of the Super Bowl, advertisement facility110may select one or more advertisements associated with the winning team to be presented to user806.

In some examples, advertisement facility110may be configured to base one or more advertisements selected for presentation to a user during and/or after a time period during which a media content instance being presented by access subsystem204is paused on an interaction profile associated with the user. As mentioned previously, interaction profile facility108may be configured to maintain an interaction profile associated with a user of access subsystem204. The interaction profile may be configured to represent how the user interacts with the media content access subsystem and may be dynamically updated by interaction profile facility108as monitoring facility106detects various interaction events performed by the user.

The interaction profile may be maintained by interaction profile facility108in accordance with any suitable heuristic or algorithm. In some examples, data representative of detected interaction events, timestamps associated with the detected interaction events, and/or any other data associated with the interaction events (e.g., metadata corresponding to media content being presented during an occurrence of the interaction events) may be processed by interaction profile facility108to generate and/or update the interaction profile. It will be recognized that an interaction profile may correspond to a single user of access subsystem204or to multiple users of access subsystem204as may serve a particular application.

In some examples, monitoring facility106is configured to continuously or periodically monitor interaction of a user with access subsystem204. In this manner, an interaction profile may be dynamically updated over time, thereby resulting in a more customized advertisement experience for the user.

In some examples, an interaction profile associated with a user of access subsystem204may be representative of one or more moods or emotional states of a user. For example, one or more interaction events performed by the user may be associated with a particular mood that the user is in. Similar interaction events detected thereafter may indicate that the user in the particular mood. Advertisement facility110may accordingly select one or more advertisements configured to target people in that mood.

In some examples, advertisement facility110may be further configured to select at least one advertisement for presentation to a user in accordance with a user profile associated with the user. As used herein, a user profile is configured to represent one or more personal traits associated with the user that are not already defined within an interaction profile associated with the user. For example, a user profile may include data representative of a user's age, gender, income level, profession, family status, nationality, preferred genre of media content, etc. Such information may be used to further customize the presentation of advertisements to the user.

As detailed above, the methods and systems described herein facilitate dynamic selection of one or more advertisements for presentation to a user while a media content instance is paused. As an example, an exemplary method includes monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem, receiving a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem, and dynamically selecting at least one advertisement in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused.

An exemplary system includes a monitoring facility configured to monitor an interaction of a user with a media content access device, a digital video recording facility configured to receive and execute a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem, and an advertisement facility configured to dynamically select at least one advertisement in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused.

Another exemplary system includes a media content access device configured to present a media content instance on a display and at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the media content access device and configured to monitor an interaction of a user with the media content access device. The media content access device is further configured to receive and execute a command input by the user to pause the media content instance and present at least one advertisement selected in accordance with the monitored interaction to the user while the media content instance is paused.