Patent Publication Number: US-10764635-B2

Title: Aggregated stress monitoring to guide user interaction

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/474,599, filed Mar. 30, 2017, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,158,914, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein generally relate to measuring and reacting to user stress. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are increasingly integrated into daily life. One example is how electronic devices have enabled a variety of new options for accessing, viewing, and responding to media content such as movies, music, television, and the like. Computers allow for an increasing number of options for customizing what content to accesses and how users are able to access it. 
     With such a large amount of content available to access, users may choose what media to consume and when to consume it. However, some content items may contain content that is stressful for the user. Currently, if a content item has content that is too stressful for a user, even a small amount, the user may only avoid the media content item altogether. 
     Additionally, different users have different tolerances for stressful content. Thus, if a group of users is viewing a content item that has sections that go beyond acceptable stress levels for one user but not for other users. Thus, the group either views the content that is objectionable to one user or does not view the content item at all. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting a computer system, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram further illustrating a computer system, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram further illustrating the server system, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a system for measuring users&#39; stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of a method of gathering stress level indicator data from a user or users while presenting a media content item to a user and using that stress level indicator data to recommendation alterations to a presented media content item, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are flow diagrams illustrating a method, in accordance with some example embodiments, for measuring user stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a system level diagram, according to one example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims. 
     Electronic devices may be used to present media content items (e.g., movies, shows, music, electronic arts, interactive media, and so on) to users. However, a user may inadvertently begin viewing media with content that is too disturbing or stressful for them (e.g., based the age of a user or the content having disturbing material or content related to a topic to which a user is sensitive). This is especially true when a group of users (e.g., a family) with different tolerances for stressful content want to view a media content item. In some example embodiments, a computer system may use sensors to record data that indicates the current stress level of a plurality of users each viewing the same content item. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system may record data associated with, but not limited to, a user&#39;s heart rate, the posture or physical motion of a user, an audio response that a user makes (e.g., screams), blood pressure level, the presence of perspiration, and so on. In some example embodiments, this data is recorded by a camera, a microphone, a wearable computer device (e.g., a smartwatch or fitness tracker) and transmitted to the computer system. 
     Once this data has been recorded it is compared to threshold values or reference values to determine a stress level for the user. For example, a heart rate or perspiration level may be matched with a particular stress level based on information about the particular user (e.g., the age for the user). In addition, user physical action, such as covering their eyes, looking away from the screen, or leaving the room, may be associated with stress levels as well. 
     In some example embodiments, the level of stress is a value between 0 and 1. In some example embodiments, a threshold stress level is predetermined for each user based on demographic information for the user, the specific preferences of the user (e.g., received from the user), or information about past behavior (with the users permission). 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system determines whether the detected stress level exceeds the stress level threshold. In accordance with a determination that the detected stress level for a first user exceeds the threshold value, the computer system then alters the present media content item in response. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system associates stress data with a particular portion of the media content item (e.g., based on the time that the stress data was recorded or the area of a screen that the user was paying attention to). For example, any particular stress data is associated with a particular scene (e.g., of a movie) or item on screen (e.g., if the user is looking at a particular character). Thus, when the computer system determines that the user stress level is above a given stress level, the particular portion of the media content item may be removed or edited. For example, a director of a movie may film two versions of a scene, a first version with the potentially stressful content intact and a second version with less potentially stressful content. 
     When a user exceeds a predetermined stress level while viewing that scene, the second, less stressful scene may be substituted in real time. In other example embodiments, other content (such as supplementary content or an alternative scene) is displayed. In some example embodiments, a user is notified (e.g., by a visual indication, text message, or other messaging method) that alternate content has been presented. 
     In some example embodiments, a group of users are watching a media content item at the same time. In some example embodiments, the users are all watching the media content item on personal electronic displays. In this case, each user may have their own stress level threshold and the content in the content item may be customized for them. However, to prevent misunderstanding and spoilers, if a user has an alteration of content, the other users may be notified of the changes for later discussion. This is especially true if parents and children are watching a content item and the children have a content altered, the parent may be notified (e.g., via a message or visual notification) of which changes have been made. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting a computer system  102 , in accordance with some example embodiments. The computer system  102  includes an anonymity module  130 , a stress measurement module  136 , a content analysis module  132 , and a content alteration module  134 . The computer system  102  also is connected to one or more server systems  120 . One or more communication networks  110  interconnect these components. The communication network  110  may be any of a variety of network types, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, wired networks, the Internet, personal area networks (PANS), or a combination of such networks. In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  has an associated one or more content presentation devices  104  and one or more associated sensors  106 . 
     As is understood by skilled artisans in the relevant computer and Internet-related arts, each module or engine shown in  FIG. 1  represents a set of executable software instructions and the corresponding hardware (e.g., memory and processing circuitry) for executing the instructions. To avoid unnecessary detail, various functional modules and engines that are not germane to conveying an understanding of the various example embodiments have been omitted from  FIG. 1 . However, a skilled artisan will readily recognize that various additional functional modules and engines may be used with a computer system  102 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to facilitate additional functionality that is not specifically described herein. Furthermore, the various functional modules and engines depicted in  FIG. 1  may reside on a single server computer or may be distributed across several server computers in various arrangements. Moreover, although depicted in  FIG. 1  as a three-component type of architecture, the various example embodiments are by no means limited to this architecture. 
     As shown by way of example in  FIG. 1 , the computer system  102  includes a network interface module(s) (e.g., a web server) (not shown), which receives data and/or requests from a server system  120 , and communicates data back to the server system  120  when appropriate. In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  also includes one or more content presentation devices  104 . A variety of technologies may be used to present media content items. In some example embodiments, the content presentation device  104  is one of a display, speaker, or other types of device capable of presenting information to a user. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  is associated with one or more sensors  106 . In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  may include a camera or other device for capturing visual data, a microphone or other device for capturing audio data, a heart rate monitor in a wearable computer device (e.g., a smartphone or fitness tracker), wearable headbands, shirts or other apparel with integrated computing technology, a wearable clip or belt attachment, a shoe worn or food based wearable computing device, or any other type of wearable computing device. 
     As shown by way of example in  FIG. 1 , the data components include local member profile data  138  (e.g., demographic information about the user and past user reaction data) and a local content item data  140  (e.g., stores information about presented media content items including information about what content is displayed at a given point, what objects are displayed at given parts of the screen at given times, and so on). It should be noted that in this application, “data” or “database” is used to refer to any method or type of data storage or retention and is not limited to formal databases. Thus, any data structure or format may be used to hold the data in local member profile data  138  and the local content item data  140 . 
     The anonymity module  130  allows information about one or more users ( 150 ) to be recorded and analyzed (with the user&#39;s  150  permission) and analyzed without any personally identifiable information to be exposed to a server system  120  or other components of the computer system  102 . Thus, the anonymity module  130  removes personally identifiable information from any data retrieved from the one or more sensors  106  or stored in the local member profile data  138 . Thus, this data may then be used by the server system  120  for generating generalized data about users&#39;  150  reactions to specific media content items without compromising a user&#39;s  150  privacy. Other example embodiments may be made without an anonymity module  130 . 
     In some example embodiments, the anonymity module  130  includes a stress measurement module  136 . The stress measurement module  136  receives user reaction data from one or more sensors  106 . In some example embodiments, the data received from the one or more sensors  106  is a discrete value such as a heart rate number or a volume level (e.g., a stressed user  150  may be louder than a non-stressed user  150 ). In other example embodiments, the data may need to be analyzed or converted in a useful form. For example, a camera may capture data representing the movement of a user  150 . The stress measurement module  136  uses received sensor data to identify desecrate actions by the user or user(s)  150 . Once discrete actions are identified, each action is score to determine the degree to which it represents user stress. For example a user  150  hiding their eyes would indicate more stress than a user  150  in a relaxed pose watching the screen. 
     In some example embodiments, the stress measurement module  136  accesses local member profile data  138  to evaluate data received from the one or more sensors  106 . In this way, a user&#39;s  150  past reactions may be used to evaluate the current reaction data generated by the one or more sensors  106 . For example, if a user  150  has often left the room during presentation of a media content item without being stressed, the stress measurement module  136  will not determine the user  150  leaving the room to be a high indicator of stress. 
     In some example embodiments, the stress measurement module  136  determines a stress level for a user  150  at a given time. If the stress level exceeds a predetermined stress threshold, the stress measurement module  136  transmits the stress level and information about when and how the elevated stress level occurred to the content analysis module  132 . 
     In some example embodiments, the content analysis module  132  uses stress level data received from the stress measurement module  136  and associates that stress level with a particular portion of the presented media content item. For example, the content analysis module  132  receives a notification that a user  150  is experiencing stress beyond the threshold level along with a time stamp representing at which point the stress levels began or exceeded the threshold level. The content analysis module  132  uses information in the local content item data  140  to determine the scene (or scenes) that are associated with the high user stress level. 
     In other example embodiments, the stress measurement module  136  also identifies a portion of the content presentation device  104  that the user  150  was viewing when their stress level exceeded the threshold. The content analysis module  132  uses the time stamp and identified portion of the screen to search the local content item data  140  to identify the object that the user  150  was viewing when their stress level rose. In some example embodiments, the object is a character, an item, an action, or other displayed item or event. 
     In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  include one or more camera devices. The camera devices capture visual information about the position and angle of a user&#39;s two eyes. For each eye, the computer system calculates an eye line from the eye to the point at which the eye line intersects with the content presentation device  104  (e.g., a display). If the two eye lines intersect with a display within a certain distance, the computer system  102  determines that the user is focusing on that portion of the display. If the eye line interest points are too far away, the computer system  102  determines that the user is focusing on a point behind the display or, if the eye line intersect points have crossed such that the eye line intersect for the right eye is to the left of the eye line intersect point for the left eye, the computer system  102  determines that the user is focused on a point in front of the content presentation device  104 . 
     In some example embodiments, the content analysis module  132  transmits information identifying the scene or object within a scene associated with the high stress level to the content alteration module  134 . In some example embodiments, the content alteration module  134  alters the local content item data  140  to remove or alter the scene or object that is associated with the stress. For example, the content alteration module  134  may remove a stressful scene by replacing it with a less stressful alternative. This alternative may be a specifically designated replacement scene provided by the author of the content item as a less stressful alternative. In other example embodiments, the content alteration module  134  identifies supplementary material such as “making of” footage or outtakes that may be substituted. In other example embodiments, the scene is ended prematurely without any replacement. 
     In other example embodiments, the content analysis module  132  identifies a particle object (e.g., a character or item) that is disturbing and the content alteration module  134  blurs or obscures that object going forward using information in the local content item data  140 . 
     In some example embodiments, the content analysis module  132  uses information about past user stress levels to identify potentially stressful scenes or objects before they are presented to the user  150 . The content analysis module  132  may then direct the content alteration module  134  to remove or alter the potentially stressful content. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  uses a communication network  110  to connect to a server system  120 . In some example embodiments, the server system  120  is associated with a system for providing real-time content filtering. For example, information about the contents of a particular media content item may be requested from the server system  120  when the media content item begins. The received information may be stored as local content item data  140 . This information may include data describing the content displayed at each frame of media content and might also highlight potentially disturbing content. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  may also access user profile  124  at the server system  120 . This user profile data may be generalized data for particular age groups/cultures or, if a user  150  at the computer system  102  allows, their personal profile may be accessed and stored in the local member profile data  138 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram further illustrating the computer system  102 , in accordance with some example embodiments. The computer system  102  typically includes one or more processing units (CPUs)  202 , one or more network interfaces  210 , memory  212 , and one or more communication buses  214  for interconnecting these components. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system  102  includes user interface  204  components for presenting content to a user  150  such as a one or more content presentation devices  104  and components for receiving input from users  150 , such as one or more sensors  106 . In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  include any of a camera, a microphone, a heart rate monitor, a galvanic skin response measurement sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  are included in a wearable device worn by the user  150  that is connected wirelessly to the computer system  102 . 
     In some example embodiments, the user interface  204  includes other input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensitive display, or other input buttons. 
     Memory  212  includes high-speed random access memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), double data rate random access memory (DDR RAM) or other random access solid state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory  212  may optionally include one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s)  202 . Memory  212 , or alternately the non-volatile memory device(s) within memory  212 , comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. 
     In some example embodiments, memory  212  or the computer-readable storage medium of memory  212  stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset thereof:
         an operating system  216  that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;   a network communication module  218  that is used for connecting the computer system  102  to other computers via the one or more network interface module(s)  210  (wired or wireless) and one or more communication networks (e.g., communication network  110 ), such as the Internet, other WANs, LANs, metropolitan area networks, etc.;   a display module  220  for enabling the information generated by the operating system  216  to be presented visually as needed;   one or more system application modules  221  for handling various aspects of storing and recovering data, including but not limited to:
           an anonymity module  130  for ensuring that data that a user  150  wishes to remain private is prevented from being disclosed outside the computer system  102  by stripping out any personally identifiable information from any sensor  106 ;   a stress measurement module  136  for analyzing sensor data about a user&#39;s  150  reactions while being presented with a media content item (e.g., a movie, show, audiobook, song, and so on) to estimate a user&#39;s  150  stress level at each point during presentation of the media content item;   a content analysis module  132  for associating an estimated stress level with a particular piece or portion of the media content item, wherein the piece or portion of the media content item is a particular scene or object in a scene;   a content alteration module  134  for altering a media content item to remove or minimize the portion or piece of the media content item from a displayed media content item by removing the portion, replacing the portion, or blurring out one or more objects;   an accessing module  224  for accessing user profile data for a user  150  currently viewing a media content item, wherein user profile data includes, but is not limited to, age, location, language, past user responses to stressful content, user preferences, preferences of a parent or guardian, and so on;   an estimation module  226  for using recorded user response data obtained from one or more sensors  106 , to estimate a level of stress that a user  150  is currently experiencing;   an presentation module  228  for presenting a content item on a presentation device to one or more users and wherein the content item can be presented in two or more distinct content streams to users within a single group (viewing the same content item as a group thought different devices or streams);   a notification module  230  for notifying a second user  150  e.g., a parent or co-watcher) that a portion of the media content item has been altered in the content presentation device  104  associated with the first user  150 ;   an identifying module  232  for identifying a first user  150  viewing media content by associating the user  150  with a user profile in the user profile data  138 ; and   a selection module  234  for selecting replacement content, wherein the duration of the replacement content is the approximately the same as the removed portion of the scene from the media content item; and   
           a system data module(s)  240  for storing data at the computer system  102 , including but not limited to:
           a stress data  242  including captured sensor data that the computer system  102  uses to estimate a stress level for a user  150 ;   local content item data  140  including data describing each part of the media content item, including what scenes are displayed at which times and which objects are present on the screen at any given point (and any actions that occur) and potentially, each instance of potentially disturbing or stressful content and well as a description of each scene and any particular actions or objects;   local user profile data  138  including data that describes a user  150  including a user&#39;s  150  demographic details, preferences, past viewing experiences, past user reactions, and so on; and   demographic data  244  including data the describes estimated stress tolerances for users  150  based on general demographic data such as age, location, culture, languages, and any other potentially relevant factors.   
               

       FIG. 3  is a block diagram further illustrating the server system  120 , in accordance with some example embodiments. Thus,  FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of the server system  120  in  FIG. 1 . The server system  120  typically includes one or more CPUs  302 , one or more network interfaces  308 , memory  312 , and one or more communication buses  314  for interconnecting these components. The memory  312  includes high-speed random-access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random-access solid state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory  312  may optionally include one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s)  302 . 
     The memory  312 , or alternatively the non-volatile memory device(s) within the memory  312 , comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some example embodiments, the memory  312 , or the computer-readable storage medium of the memory  312 , stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset thereof:
         an operating system  316  that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-dependent tasks;   a network communication module  318  that is used for connecting the server system  120  to other computers via the one or more network interfaces  308  (wired or wireless) and one or more communication networks  308 , such as the Internet, other WANs, LANs, MANS, and so on;   one or more server application modules  322  for performing the services offered by the server system  120 , including but not limited to:
           a data transmission application  324  for transmitting data from the server system  120  to any associated computer systems  102  that need media content item data  122  user profile data  124     
           one or more server data modules  330  for storing data needed by the server systems  120 , including but not limited to:
           content item data  122  including data describing each part of the media content item, including what scenes are displayed at which times and which objects are present on the screen at any given point (and the any actions that occur) and potentially, each instance of potentially disturbing or stressful content and well as a description of each scene and any particular actions or objects; and   user profile data  124  including data that describes a user  150  including a user&#39;s  150  demographic details, preferences, past viewing experiences, past user reactions, and so on.   
               

       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a system for measuring users&#39;  105  stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). In some example embodiments, the system is part of the computer system  102  seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     In some example embodiments, the system includes one or more wearable devices  402  such as a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, wearable headbands, shirts or other apparel with integrated computing technology, a wearable clip or belt attachment, a shoe worn or food based wearable computing device, or any other type of wearable computing device. In some example embodiments, the input from these wearable devices  402  (as well as input from cameras and/or microphones) is transmitted to the context module  404 . 
     The context module  404  uses the data (raw input from wearable devices  402 ) to determine a level of stress for a given user  150 . The context module  404  includes a sensor data collector  410  (e.g., data from wearable devices  402 , including a user&#39;s  150  heart rate, perspiration, skin temperature, galvanic skin response), an audio contextualizer  412  for analyzing audio data to isolate sound created by users  150  and determining the nature of the sound (e.g., using volume and pitch to distinguish a scream from casual speech), a video processor  414  for analyzing received video data to distinguish and identify users  150  who are currently viewing the presented media content item and associating them with user information (e.g., either demographic information or a specific user profile), a location detector  416  for detecting the location and movement of users  150  who are consuming a currently presented media content item, and a physical activity classifier  418  for analyzing motions of users  150  and associating those motions with specific physical activities (e.g., clapping, covering eyes, crouching/looking away from a screen, jumping, and so on). 
     In some example embodiments, the context module  404  uses data provided by the wearable devices  402 , cameras, and microphones, to generate context information about the stress level of a user  150 . This information (which consists of an identified user  150  and one or more reactions the user  150  has had to displayed media content items (as determined by the context module  404 ), is then passed to the inference engine  420 . 
     In some example embodiments, the inference engine  420  uses information about the user&#39;s  150  reactions (e.g., a user&#39;s  150  scream or elevated heart rate) to infer a stress level for the user  150 . For example, a moderately raised heart rate might indicate excitement or enjoyable tension while a very high heart rate may indicate an unacceptable level of stress. In some example embodiments, the inference engine  420  uses a knowledge base  422  to determine what user reactions are indicative of high or unacceptable stress and which are not. For example, the knowledge base  422  includes a table or formula for calculating, given a variety of factors (including base heart rate) a threshold heart rate for different ages of users  150 . The inference engine  420  may use this data to determine whether a given heart rate has exceeded that threshold. 
     In some example embodiments, the knowledge base  422  may also include user preference data, submitted either from the user  150  or a parent/guardian that sets specific thresholds for stress levels. In some example embodiments, the inference engine  420  uses this data to infer whether a given user  150  has exceeded an allowable amount of stress. 
     In some example embodiments, the inference engine  420  passes the determined stress level to the recommendation engine  424 . In some example embodiments, the recommendation engine  424  uses the inferred stress level to recommend content alterations to a currently presented media content item. In some example embodiments, the alterations may include blurring an object or character, skipping or replacing a scene, or editing out certain dialogue. In some example embodiments, the recommendation engine  424  passes recommendations to the content alteration module  134 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of a method of gathering stress level indicator data from a user or users  150  while presenting a media content item to a user  150  and using that stress level indicator data to recommendation alterations to a presented media content item, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) presents ( 502 ), through one or more content presentation device  104  or other output device, a media content item to one or more users  150 . In some example embodiments, each user  150  has a dedicated content presentation device  104  (e.g., personal phones or tablet computers) but all are viewing the same output simultaneously. In other example embodiments, a single content presentation device  104  is used by multiple users  150 . In yet other example embodiments, a single content presentation device  104  is able to present a personalized version of the media content item to each user  150  based on their angle of viewing or by using glasses suited for the purpose. 
     While presenting the media content item, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) uses one or more sensors  106  (see examples above), to collect ( 504 ) stress level indicator data from at least one user  150 . In some example embodiments, the stress level indicator data includes, but is not limited to heart rate, perspiration level, galvanic skill response, skin or body temperature, galvanic skin response, motion, sound, and so on. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) determines ( 506 ) a stress level for each user  150  based on the collected stress level indicator data. As noted above, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) compares measured captured stress level indicator data and compares it to stored reference data to identify particular motions or reactions and to evaluate the stress level with different measurements. 
     Using the determined stress level, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) determines ( 508 ) whether the determined stress level for a given user  150  has exceeded a threshold. In some example embodiments, the thresholds are predetermined and based on demographic information about the user  150  or explicit user preferences. In other example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) measures a user&#39;s  150  reactions to a variety of media content items and builds a stress profile for user  150 . The computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) may the use this stress profile to determine whether a user&#39;s  150  stress indicator data is outside the normal or expected range. 
     In accordance with a determination that the user&#39;s  150  stress level is outside an expected range or beyond a predetermined threshold, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) alters ( 510 ) the displayed media content. In some example embodiments, altering includes removing a scene, replacing a scene, blurring a particular object, character, location, action and so on. 
       FIG. 6A  is a flow diagram illustrating a method, in accordance with some example embodiments, for measuring users&#39;  150  stress levels and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). Each of the operations shown in  FIG. 6A  may correspond to instructions stored in a computer memory or computer-readable storage medium. Optional operations are indicated by dashed lines (e.g., boxes with dashed-line borders). In some embodiments, the method described in  FIG. 6A  is performed by the computer system (e.g., the system  102  in  FIG. 1 ). However, the method described may also be performed by any other suitable configuration of electronic hardware. 
     In some embodiments, the method is performed by a computer system (e.g., the system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. 
     In some example embodiments, prior to presenting ( 602 ) the media content item, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) receives ( 604 ) identification of at least one user  150  to whom the media content item will be presented. For example, if a particular user  150  selects to play a media content item, the user profile for that user  150  will be identified. In other example embodiments, a parent or guardian may identify one or more users  150  who will watch a given media content item prior to presenting that media content item. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) retrieves ( 606 ) a media content item description describing the content of the media content item. For example a server system (e.g., the server system  120  in  FIG. 1 ) associated with the presentation of the media content item stores detailed information (e.g., a guide) about the content of a media content item. In some example embodiments, this detailed information may be retrieved as needed. 
     In some example embodiments, the server system (e.g., the server system  120  in  FIG. 1 ) identifies ( 608 ), based on information stored in a user profile associated with the at least one user  150  to whom the media content item will be presented, one or more portions of the media content item that will exceed the stress threshold of the at least one user  150 . For example, the retrieved information includes a listing of all scenes, objects, characters, and actions and a description detailing potentially stressful portions. In some example embodiments, the retrieved information includes a suggested age or maturity level. This information may be compared against the user profile information of the at least on identified users  150  or the preferences of the parent to identified what content, if any, should be removed or altered. 
     In some example embodiments, the user profile information may contain a list of past instances where the users&#39;  150  stress level exceed a threshold and the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) may determine whether any similar events are included in the media content item that is going to be presented. 
     In some example embodiments, while presenting ( 610 ) a media content item to a first user, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) uses ( 612 ) one or more sensors  106  to generate data associated with at least one user response indicator. In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  is one of a microphone, a camera, a perspiration detector, and a heart rate monitor. In some example embodiments, the user response indicators include at least one of physical movement, heart rate, audio responses, and galvanic skin response. 
     In some example embodiments, the one or more sensors  106  is a camera and generating data associated with at least one user&#39;s  150  response indicator further comprises the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) detecting ( 614 ) user motion based on captured camera data. In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) compares ( 616 ) detected user motion with references motion data to associate the detected user motion with a reference user action. 
     For example, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) contains a list of reference user actions (e.g., leaning forward, jumping, covering eyes, falling asleep, laying down, and so on). The computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) compares the captured user motion data to reference data describing reference user actions and classifies the user motion as the same or similar to a reference user action. In some example embodiments, the classification is assigned a confidence level based on the degree of the match. 
       FIG. 6B  is a flow diagram illustrating a method, in accordance with some example embodiments, for measuring users&#39;  150  stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). Each of the operations shown in  FIG. 6B  may correspond to instructions stored in a computer memory or computer-readable storage medium. Optional operations are indicated by dashed lines (e.g., boxes with dashed-line borders). In some embodiments, the method described in  FIG. 6B  is performed by the computer system (e.g., the system  102  in  FIG. 1 ). However, the method described may also be performed by any other suitable configuration of electronic hardware. 
     In some embodiments, the method is performed by a computer system (e.g., the system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) estimates ( 618 ) a stress level for the first user based on data generated by one or more sensors  106  monitoring user response indicators. In some example embodiments, this estimation is done by comparing existing stress level data (either data for the specific user  150  that has been gathered in the past or data on users  150  generally, aggregated together) to determine, for example, whether the user&#39;s  150  current heart rate is outside of expected levels. The more a given user response indicator is outside of an expected or acceptable level, the higher the estimated level of stress. 
     In some example embodiments, when the user response data is a reference user motion, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in FIG.  1 ) may determine ( 620 ) a stress level associated with the identified reference user motion. For example, leaning back in a relaxed position may be identified with a low stress level, while a sudden jump is associated with a higher stress level, and a user  150  covering their eyes or looking away from the screen is associated with a yet even higher stress level. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) determines ( 622 ) whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a predetermined stress threshold. In some example embodiments, the stress level for a user  150  is represented by a value between 0 (representing no stress) and 1 (representing a theoretical maximum stress level). Each user  150  may have a stress threshold assigned based on that user&#39;s  150  age, location, and preferences. Thus, each stress level that is determined for a user  150  may be compared against this threshold to determine whether the s tress level has exceeded it. 
     In some example embodiments, the stress threshold for a user  150  may be determined by accessing a user profile for the first user  150  and using that information to identify a threshold stress level for the user  150 . In some example embodiments, the user information includes demographic information for the user  150 . In some example embodiments, the user information includes past user reactions to stressful content. Thus, if a user  150  has reactions in a particular range in the past, then reactions outside of that range may be determined to be outside of the stress threshold. 
     In accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user  150  exceeds a predetermined stress threshold ( 626 ), the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) associates ( 628 ) the estimated stress level with a particular portion of the media content item. This may be based on the time of that the heightened stress level began or the position on the screen that the user  150  was or is viewing. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) accesses ( 630 ) eye tracking data for the first user  150 . 
       FIG. 6C  is a flow diagram illustrating a method, in accordance with some example embodiments, for measuring a user&#39;s  150  stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). Each of the operations shown in  FIG. 6C  may correspond to instructions stored in a computer memory or computer-readable storage medium. Optional operations are indicated by dashed lines (e.g., boxes with dashed-line borders). In some embodiments, the method described in  FIG. 6C  is performed by the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ). However, the method described may also be performed by any other suitable configuration of electronic hardware. 
     In some embodiments, the method is performed by a computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. 
     Based on the accessed eye tracking data for the first user, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) identifies a particular displayed object associated with the estimated stress level ( 632 ). 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) alters the presented media content item to remove the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level ( 634 ). If the particular portion is a displayed object, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) blurs ( 636 ) the particular displayed object in the media content item. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) uses a time stamp to identify a scene associated with the estimate stress level. For example, when a user&#39;s  150  stress level exceeds a predetermined threshold a timestamp is generated. Using this timestamp, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) identifies the scene being displayed at that timestamp ( 638 ). In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) removes ( 640 ) at least a portion of the scene from the media content item. In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) just skips to the next scene. 
     In other example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) selects ( 642 ) replacement content, wherein the duration of the replacement content is the same as the removed portion of the scene from the media content item. Potential replacement content is an alternate version of the scene without at least some of the potentially stressful content altered or removed. In other example embodiments, the replacement content is supplementary content (e.g., making of content, outtakes, commentaries, and so on). In other example embodiments, the supplementary content is not specifically associated with the media content item but is based on the user&#39;s  150  existing interests and preferences. 
       FIG. 6D  is a flow diagram illustrating a method, in accordance with some example embodiments, for measuring a user&#39;s  150  stress level and recommending alterations to a presented media content item (e.g., video, audio, interactive media, and so on). Each of the operations shown in  FIG. 6D  may correspond to instructions stored in a computer memory or computer-readable storage medium. Optional operations are indicated by dashed lines (e.g., boxes with dashed-line borders). In some embodiments, the method described in  FIG. 6D  is performed by the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ). However, the method described may also be performed by any other suitable configuration of electronic hardware. 
     In some embodiments, the method is performed by a computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) presents ( 644 ) the replacement content. In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) displays ( 646 ) a notification that an alteration has been made to the media content item. In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) notifies ( 648 ) a second user that the media content item presented to the first user has been altered. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) presents a single media content item in two distinct content streams, the first content stream presented to at least a first user and a second content stream presented to at least a second user. The computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) uses sensor generated data to measure at least one user response indicator for the first user and at least one user response indicator for the second user. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) estimates a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user. In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) also estimates a stress level for the second user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the second user. 
     In some example embodiments, computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) determines whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold. 
     In some example embodiments, the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) determines whether the estimated stress level for the second user exceeds a second predetermined stress threshold. In accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold and the estimated stress level for the second user does not exceed a second predetermined threshold the computer system (e.g., the computer system  102  in  FIG. 1 ) associates the estimated stress level for the first user with a particular portion of the media content item; and alters the first stream of the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user without altering the second stream of the presented media content, wherein the first stream is altered such that it remains in sync with the second stream once the particular portion of the media content item has been presented. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a system level diagram, according to one example embodiment. For instance,  FIG. 7  depicts an example of an electronic device (e.g., system)  700  as described in the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is included to show an example of a higher level device application. In one embodiment, the system  700  includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a tablet, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a workstation, a cellular telephone, a mobile computing device, a smart phone, an Internet appliance or any other type of computing device. In some embodiments, system  700  is a system on a chip (SOC) system. 
     In one embodiment, processor  710  has one or more processing cores  712  and  712 N, where  712 N represents the nth processor core inside processor  710  where N is a positive integer. In one embodiment, system  700  includes multiple processors including  710  and  705 , where processor  705  has logic similar or identical to the logic of processor  710 . In some embodiments, processing core  712  includes, but is not limited to, pre-fetch logic to fetch instructions, decode logic to decode the instructions, execution logic to execute instructions, and the like. In some embodiments, processor  710  has a cache memory  716  to cache instructions and/or data for system  700 . Cache memory  716  may be organized into a hierarchal structure including one or more levels of cache memory  716 . 
     In some embodiments, processor  710  includes a memory controller  714 , which is operable to perform functions that enable the processor  710  to access and communicate with memory  730  that includes a volatile memory  732  and/or a non-volatile memory  734 . In some embodiments, processor  710  is coupled with memory  730  and ellipse  720 . Processor  710  may also be coupled to a wireless antenna  778  to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In one embodiment, the wireless antenna  778  operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), ultra-wide band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol. 
     In some embodiments, volatile memory  732  includes, but is not limited to, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM), and/or any other type of random access memory device. Non-volatile memory  734  includes, but is not limited to, flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other type of non-volatile memory  734  device. 
     Memory  730  stores information and instructions to be executed by processor  710 . In one embodiment, memory  730  may also store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor  710  is executing instructions. In the illustrated embodiment, chipset  720  connects with processor  710  via Point-to-Point (PtP or P-P) interfaces  717  and  722 . Chipset  720  enables processor  710  to connect to other elements in system  700 . In some embodiments, interfaces  717  and  722  operate in accordance with a PtP communication protocol such as the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) or the like. In other embodiments, a different interconnect may be used. 
     In some embodiments, chipset  720  is operable to communicate with processors  710 ,  705 N, display device  740 , and other devices  772 ,  776 ,  774 ,  760 ,  762 ,  764 ,  766 ,  777 , and so forth. Chipset  720  may also be coupled to a wireless antenna  778  to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. 
     Chipset  720  connects to display device  740  via interface  726 . Display device  740  may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or any other form of visual display device. In some embodiments, processor  710  and chipset  720  are merged into a single SOC. In addition, chipset  720  connects to one or more buses  750  and  755  that interconnect various elements  774 ,  760 ,  762 ,  764 , and  766 . Buses  750  and  755  may be interconnected together via a bus bridge  772 . In one embodiment, chipset  720  couples with a non-volatile memory  760 , mass storage device(s)  762 , keyboard/mouse  764 , and network interface  766  via interface  724  and/or smart television  776 , consumer electronics  777 , and so forth. 
     In one embodiment, mass storage device  762  includes, but is not limited to, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a universal serial bus flash memory drive, or any other form of computer data storage medium. In one embodiment, network interface  766  is implemented by any type of well-known network interface standard including, but not limited to, an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express interface, a wireless interface and/or any other suitable type of interface. In one embodiment, the wireless interface operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, HPAV, UWB, Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol. 
     While the modules shown in  FIG. 7  are depicted as separate blocks within the system  700 , the functions performed by some of these blocks may be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit or may be implemented using two or more separate integrated circuits (e.g., processing circuitry). For example, although cache memory  716  is depicted as a separate block within processor  710 , cache memory  716  (or selected aspects of  716 ) may be incorporated into processing core  712 . 
     Additional Notes and Examples 
     Example 1 is a system for alteration of media content based on stress monitoring, the system comprising: a memory including instructions; and processing circuitry that, when in operation, is configured by the instructions to implement: a presentation module to present a single media content item in two distinct content streams, the first content stream presented to at least a first user and a second content stream presented to at least a second user; an accessing module to use sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user and at least one user response indicator for the second user; an estimation module to: estimate a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user; and estimate a stress level for the second user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the second user; a stress measurement module to: determine whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold; and determine whether the estimated stress level for the second user exceeds a second predetermined stress threshold; and a content alteration module to, in accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds the first predetermined stress threshold and the estimated stress level for the second user does not exceed the second predetermined threshold: associate the estimated stress level for the first user with a particular portion of the media content item; and alter the first stream of the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user without altering the second stream of the presented media content. 
     In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes wherein the first stream is altered such that it remains in sync with the second stream once the particular portion of the media content item has been presented. 
     In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 optionally include wherein the sensor is one of a microphone, a camera, and a heartrate monitor. 
     In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 optionally include wherein the user response indicator includes at least one of physical movement, heart rate, audio responses, skin temperature, or galvanic skin response. 
     In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 optionally include wherein the content alteration module further uses the at least one processor to access eye tracking data for the first user; based on the accessed eye tracking data for the first user, identify a particular displayed object associated with the estimated stress level; and blur the particular displayed object in the media content item. 
     In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 optionally includes wherein the content alteration module further uses the at least one processor to: identify a scene associated with the estimate stress level; and remove at least a portion of the scene from the media content item. 
     In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 optionally includes wherein the instructions configure the processing circuitry to implement: a selection module to select replacement content, wherein the duration of the replacement content is the approximately the same as the removed portion of the scene from the media content item; and a presentation module, using at least one processor to present the replacement content. 
     In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 optionally include wherein the sensor is a camera and the accessing module further uses at least one processor to: detect user motion of the first user based on received camera data; and compare detected user motion of the first user with reference motion data to identify the user motion. 
     In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 optionally includes wherein the estimation module further uses at least one processor to determine a stress level associated with the identified user motion. 
     In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9 optionally include wherein the stress measurement engine further uses the at least one processor to: access a user profile for the first user; and based on user information in the user profile, identify a threshold stress level for the user. 
     In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes wherein the user information includes demographic information for the user. 
     In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 10-11 optionally include wherein the user information includes past user reactions to stressful content. 
     In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12 optionally include wherein the instructions configure the processing circuitry to implement: a content analysis module, prior to presenting the media content item, to: receive identification of at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented; retrieve media content item description data describing the content of the media content item; and identify, based on information stored in a user profile associated with the at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented, one or more portions of the media content item that will exceed the stress threshold of the at least one user. 
     In Example 14, the subject r of any one or more of Examples 1-13 optionally include wherein the instructions configure the processing circuitry to implement: a display module to display a notification that an alteration has been made to the media content item. 
     In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-14 optionally include wherein the instructions configure the processing circuitry to implement: a notification module to notify a second user that the media content item presented to the first user has been altered. 
     Example 16 is a method for alteration of media content based on stress monitoring, the method comprising: presenting a media item in two distinct streams, the first stream presented to a first user and a second stream presented to a second user; using sensor generated data to estimate a stress level for the first user and the second user; determining whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold and whether the estimated stress level for the second user exceeds a second predetermined stress threshold; and in accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold and the estimated stress level for the second user does not exceed a second predetermined threshold: altering the first stream of the media item to modify a particular portion of the media item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user without altering the second stream of the media item. 
     In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 optionally includes wherein the sensor is one of a microphone, a camera, and a heartrate monitor. 
     In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-17 optionally include wherein the sensor generated data measures at least one user response indicator including at least one of physical movement, heart rate, audio responses, skin temperature, or galvanic skin response. 
     In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 optionally includes wherein the sensor is a camera and using sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user further comprises: detecting user motion of the first user based on received camera data; and comparing detected user motion of the first user with reference motion data to identify the user motion. 
     In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 optionally includes wherein estimating a stress level for the first user further comprises: determining a stress level associated with the identified user motion. 
     In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-20 optionally include wherein determining whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold further comprises: accessing a user profile for the first user; and based on user information in the user profile, identifying a threshold stress level for the user. 
     In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includes wherein the user information includes demographic information for the user. 
     In Example 23, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-22 optionally include wherein the user information includes past user reactions to stressful content. 
     In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more Examples 16-23 optionally include prior to presenting the media item: receiving identification of at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented; retrieving media item description data describing the content of the media item; and identifying, based on information stored in a user profile associated with the at least one user to whom the media item will be presented, one or more portions of the media item that will exceed the stress threshold of the at least one user. 
     In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-24 optionally include displaying a notification that an alteration has been made to the media content item. 
     In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-25 optionally include notifying a second user that the media content item presented to the first user has been altered. 
     In Example 27, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-26 optionally include wherein altering the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level further comprises: identifying a scene associated with the estimate stress level; and removing at least a portion of the scene from the media content item. 
     In Example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-27 optionally include wherein the first stream is altered such that it remains in sync with the second stream once the particular portion of the media content item has been presented. 
     Example 29 is at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform any of the methods of Examples 16-28. 
     Example 30 is an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the methods of Examples 16-28. 
     Example 31 is at least one computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to: present a single media content item in two distinct content streams, the first content stream presented to at least a first user and a second content stream presented to at least a second user; use sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user and at least one user response indicator for the second user; estimate a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user; estimate a stress level for the second user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the second user; determine whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold; determine whether the estimated stress level for the second user exceeds a second predetermined stress threshold; in accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold and the estimated stress level for the second user does not exceed a second predetermined threshold: associate the estimated stress level for the first user with a particular portion of the media content item; and alter the first stream of the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user without altering the second stream of the presented media content. 
     In Example 32, the subject matter of Example 31 optionally includes wherein the first stream is altered such that it remains in sync with the second stream once the particular portion of the media content item has been presented. 
     In Example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-32 optionally include wherein the sensor is one of a microphone, a camera, and a heartrate monitor. 
     In Example 34, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-33 optionally include wherein the stress level indicators include at least one of physical movement, heart rate, audio responses, skin temperature, or galvanic skin response. 
     In Example 35, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-34 optionally include wherein the sensor is a camera and using sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user further comprises: detecting user motion of the first user based on received camera data; and comparing detected user motion of the first user with reference motion data to identify the user motion. 
     In Example 36, the subject matter of Example 35 optionally includes wherein the instructions that cause the machine to estimate a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user further comprise instructions to: determine a stress level associated with the identified user motion. 
     In Example 37, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-36 optionally include wherein the instructions that cause the machine to determine whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold further comprise instructions to: access a user profile for the first user; and based on user information in the user profile, identify a threshold stress level for the user. 
     In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 optionally includes wherein the user information includes demographic information for the user. 
     In Example 39, the subject matter of Example 38 optionally includes wherein the user information includes past user reactions to stressful content. 
     In Example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-39 optionally include instructions that cause the machine to: prior to presenting the media content item: receive identification of at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented; retrieve media content item description data describing the content of the media content item; and identify, based on information stored in a user profile associated with the at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented, one or more portions of the media content item that will exceed the stress threshold of the at least one user. 
     In Example 41, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-40 optionally include instructions that cause the machine to: displaying a notification that an alteration has been made to the media content item. 
     In Example 42, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-41 optionally include instructions that cause the machine to: notifying a second user that the media content item presented to the first user has been altered. 
     In Example 43, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 31-42 optionally include wherein the instructions that cause the machine to alter the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level further comprise instructions that cause the machine to: identify a scene associated with the estimate stress level; and remove at least a portion of the scene from the media content item. 
     Example 44 is an apparatus for alteration of media content based on stress monitoring, the apparatus comprising: means for presenting a single media content item in two distinct content streams, the first content stream presented to at least a first user and a second content stream presented to at least a second user; means for using sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user and at least one user response indicator for the second user; means for estimating a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user; means for estimating a stress level for the second user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the second user; means for determining whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold; means for determining whether the estimated stress level for the second user exceeds a second predetermined stress threshold; and means for, in accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold and the estimated stress level for the second user does not exceed a second predetermined threshold: associating the estimated stress level for the first user with a particular portion of the media content item; and altering the first stream of the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user without altering the second stream of the presented media content. 
     In Example 45, the subject matter of Example 44 optionally includes wherein the first stream is altered such that it remains in sync with the second stream once the particular portion of the media content item has been presented. 
     In Example 46, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-45 optionally include wherein the sensor is one of a microphone, a camera, and a heartrate monitor. 
     In Example 47, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-46 optionally include wherein the stress level indicators include at least one of physical movement, heart rate, audio responses, skin temperature, or galvanic skin response. 
     In Example 48, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-47 optionally include wherein the sensor is a camera and the means for using sensor generated data to obtain at least one user response indicator for the first user further comprises: means for detecting user motion of the first user based on received camera data; and means for comparing detected user motion of the first user with reference motion data to identify the user motion. 
     In Example 49, the subject matter of Example 48 optionally includes wherein the means for estimating a stress level for the first user based on at least one measured user response indicator for the first user further comprises: means for determining a stress level associated with the identified user motion. 
     In Example 50, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-49 optionally include wherein the means for determining whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold further comprise: means for accessing a user profile for the first user; and means for, based on user information in the user profile, identifying a threshold stress level for the user. 
     In Example 51, the subject matter of Example 50 optionally includes wherein the user information includes demographic information for the user. 
     In Example 52, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 50-51 optionally include wherein the user information includes past user reactions to stressful content. 
     In Example 53, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-52 optionally include means for prior to presenting the media content item: receiving identification of at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented; retrieving media content item description data describing the content of the media content item; and identifying, based on information stored in a user profile associated with the at least one user to whom the media content item will be presented, one or more portions of the media content item that will exceed the stress threshold of the at least one user. 
     In Example 54, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-53 optionally include means for displaying a notification that an alteration has been made to the media content item. 
     In Example 55, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-54 optionally include means for notifying a second user that the media content item presented to the first user has been altered. 
     In Example 56, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 44-55 optionally include wherein means for altering the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level further comprise: means for identifying a scene associated with the estimate stress level; and means for removing at least a portion of the scene from the media content item. 
     Example 57 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations of any of the operations of Examples 1-56. 
     Example 68 is an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the operations of Examples 1-56. 
     Example 59 is a system to perform the operations of any of the Examples 1-56. 
     Example 60 is a method to perform the operations of any of the Examples 1-56. 
     Term Usage 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. 
     The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided for resources, operations, or structures described herein as a single instance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of the present disclosure as represented by the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific example embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the possible example embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles involved and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various example embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” and so forth may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the present example embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description of the example embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the example embodiments and the appended examples, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.