Patent Publication Number: US-11048748-B2

Title: Search media content based upon tempo

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/883,295, filed on Oct. 14, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 62/163,927, filed on May 19, 2015, all of which are entitled SEARCH MEDIA CONTENT BASED UPON TEMPO, and which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Running, as well as many other recreation or fitness activities, include repetitive motions. For example, running and walking involve repetitive steps, biking involves repetitive rotational movements, rowing involves repetitive strokes, and swimming involves repetitive strokes and kicks. There are of course many other recreation and fitness activities that also include various repetitive motions. These repetitive motion activities may be performed in place (e.g., using a treadmill, stationary bike, rowing machine, swimming machine, etc.) or in motion (e.g., on roads, trails, or tracks or in a pool or body of water, etc.). Cadence refers to the frequency of these repetitive motions and is often measured in terms of motions per minute (e.g., steps per minute, rotations per minute, strokes per minute, or kicks per minute). 
     Many people enjoy consuming media content, such as listening to audio content or watching video content, while running or engaging in other repetitive-motion activities. Examples of audio content include songs, albums, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. Examples of video content include movies, music videos, television episodes, etc. Using a mobile phone or other media-playback device a person can access large catalogs of media content. For example, a user can access an almost limitless catalog of media content through various free and subscription-based streaming services. Additionally, a user can store a large catalog of media content on his or her mobile device. 
     This nearly limitless access to media content introduces new challenges for users. For example, it may be difficult to find or select the right media content that complements a particular moment during a run or other repetitive-motion activity. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a system for searching for media content of a desired tempo. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects. 
     In one aspect, a media system includes: media-playback device including: a media-output device that plays media content items; and a tempo control engine configured to: receive a selection of a desired tempo; and suggest additional media content associated with the desired tempo. 
     In another aspect, a media system includes: media-playback device including a media-output device that plays media content items, and a tempo control engine configured to receive a selection of a desired tempo; and a server configured to filter a plurality of media content items to suggest one or more suggested media content items based upon the desired tempo provided by the media-playback device. 
     In yet another aspect, a method for selecting media content based upon tempo includes: receiving a selected tempo; identifying additional media content based upon the selected tempo; and providing the additional media content to a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example system for tempo searching and media content selection. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the example system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example method of selecting media content based upon tempo by some embodiments of the media-delivery system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example method for analyzing the tempo of media content per the method shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example method of filtering media content based upon criteria per the method shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another example method of filtering media content based upon criteria per the method shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows an example tempo-based content playback screen displayed by some embodiments of the user interface of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
     Users of media-playback devices often consume media content while engaging in various activities, including repetitive motion activities. As noted above, examples of repetitive-motion activities may include swimming, biking, running, rowing, and other activities. Consuming media content may include one or more of listening to audio content, watching video content, or consuming other types of media content. For ease of explanation, the embodiments described in this application are presented using specific examples. For example, audio content (and in particular music) is described as an example of one form of media consumption. As another example, running is described as one example of a repetitive-motion activity. However, it should be understood that the same concepts are equally applicable to other forms of media consumption and to other forms of repetitive-motion activities, and at least some embodiments include other forms of media consumption and/or other forms of repetitive-motion activities. 
     The users may desire that the media content fits well with the particular repetitive-motion activity. For example, a user who is running may desire to listen to music with a beat that corresponds to the user&#39;s cadence. Beneficially, by matching the beat of the music to the cadence, the user&#39;s performance or enjoyment of the repetitive-motion activity may be enhanced. This desire cannot be met with traditional media-playback devices and media-delivery systems. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example system  100  for cadence determination and media content selection. The example system  100  includes a media-playback device  102  and a media-delivery system  104 . The system  100  communicates across a network  106 . Also shown, is a user U who is running. The user U′s upcoming steps S are shown as well. A step represents a single strike of the runner&#39;s foot upon the ground. 
     The media-playback device  102  operates to play media content items to produce media output  110 . In some embodiments, the media content items are provided by the media-delivery system  104  and transmitted to the media-playback device  102  using the network  106 . A media content item is an item of media content, including audio, video, or other types of media content, which may be stored in any format suitable for storing media content. Non-limiting examples of media content items include songs, albums, music videos, movies, television episodes, podcasts, other types of audio or video content, and portions or combinations thereof. 
     The media-playback device  102  plays media content for the user based on the user&#39;s cadence. In the example shown, the media output  110  includes music with a tempo that corresponds to the user&#39;s cadence. The tempo (or rhythm) of music refers to the frequency of the beat and is typically measured in beats per minute (BPM). The beat is the basic unit of rhythm in a musical composition (as determined by the time signature of the music). Accordingly, in the example shown, the user U&#39;s steps occur at the same frequency as the beat of the music. 
     For example, if the user U is running at a cadence of 180 steps per minute, the media-playback device  102  may play a media content item having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to 180 BPM. In other embodiments, the media-playback device  102  plays a media content item having a tempo equal or approximately equal to the result of dividing the cadence by an integer such as a tempo that is equal to or approximately equal to one-half (e.g., 90 BPM when the user is running at a cadence of 180 steps per minute), one-fourth, or one-eighth of the cadence. Alternatively, the media-playback device  102  plays a media content item having a tempo that is equal or approximately equal to an integer multiple (e.g., 2×, 4×, etc.) of the cadence. Further, in some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play multiple media content items including one or more media content items having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to the cadence and one or more media content items have a tempo equal or approximately equal to the result of multiplying or dividing the cadence by an integer. Various other combinations are possible as well. 
     In some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play music having a tempo that is within a predetermined range of a target tempo. In at least some embodiments, the predetermined range is plus or minus 2.5 BPM. For example, if the user U is running at a cadence of 180 steps per minute, the media-playback device  102  operates to play music having a tempo of 177.5-182.5 BPM. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the predetermined range is itself in a range from 1 BPM to 10 BPM. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play music having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to a user U&#39;s cadence after it is rounded. For example, the cadence may be rounded to the nearest multiple of 2.5, 5, or 10 and then the media-playback device  102  plays music having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to the rounded cadence. In yet other embodiments, the media-playback device  102  uses the cadence to select a predetermined tempo range of music for playback. For example, if the user U&#39;s cadence is 181 steps per minute, the media-playback device  102  may operate to play music from a predetermined tempo range of 180-184.9 BPM; while if the user U&#39;s cadence is 178 steps per minute, the media-playback device  102  may operate to play music from a predetermined tempo range of 175-179.9 BPM. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an example system  100  for cadence determination and media content selection. In  FIG. 2 , the media-playback device  102 , the media-delivery system  104 , and the network  106  are shown. Also shown are the user U and a satellite S. 
     As noted above, the media-playback device  102  operates to play media content items. In some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play media content items that are provided (e.g., streamed, transmitted, etc.) by a system external to the media-playback device such as the media-delivery system  104 , another system, or a peer device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play media content items stored locally on the media-playback device  102 . Further, in at least some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to play media content items that are stored locally as well as media content items provided by other systems. 
     In some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  is a computing device, handheld entertainment device, smartphone, tablet, watch, wearable device, or any other type of device capable of playing media content. In yet other embodiments, the media-playback device  102  is a laptop computer, desktop computer, television, gaming console, set-top box, network appliance, blue-ray or DVD player, media player, stereo, or radio. 
     In at least some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  includes a location-determining device  150 , a touch screen  152 , a processing device  154 , a memory device  156 , a content output device  158 , a cadence-acquiring device  160 , and a network access device  162 . Other embodiments may include additional, different, or fewer components. For example, some embodiments may include a recording device such as a microphone or camera that operates to record audio or video content. As another example, some embodiments do not include one or more of the location-determining device  150  and the touch screen  152 . 
     The location-determining device  150  is a device that determines the location of the media-playback device  102 . In some embodiments, the location-determining device  150  uses one or more of the following technologies: Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which may receive GPS signals  170  from satellites S, cellular triangulation technology, network-based location identification technology, WI-FI® positioning systems technology, and combinations thereof. 
     The touch screen  152  operates to receive an input  172  from a selector (e.g., a finger, stylus etc.) controlled by the user U. In some embodiments, the touch screen  152  operates as both a display device and a user input device. In some embodiments, the touch screen  152  detects inputs based on one or both of touches and near-touches. In some embodiments, the touch screen  152  displays a user interface  164  for interacting with the media-playback device  102 . As noted above, some embodiments do not include a touch screen  152 . Some embodiments include a display device and one or more separate user interface devices. Further, some embodiments do not include a display device. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  154  comprises one or more central processing units (CPU). In other embodiments, the processing device  154  additionally or alternatively includes one or more digital signal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, or other electronic circuits. 
     The memory device  156  operates to store data and instructions. In some embodiments, the memory device  156  stores instructions for a media-playback engine  166  that includes a tempo search control engine  168 . In some embodiments, the media-playback engine  166  operates to playback media content and the tempo search control engine  168  operates to select media content for playback based on various conditions, such as tempo. Additional details regarding the tempo search control engine  168  are provided below. 
     The memory device  156  typically includes at least some form of computer-readable media. Computer readable media includes any available media that can be accessed by the media-playback device  102 . By way of example, computer-readable media include computer readable storage media and computer readable communication media. 
     Computer readable storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any device configured to store information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, random access memory, read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, flash memory and other memory technology, compact disc read only memory, blue ray discs, digital versatile discs or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the media-playback device  102 . In some embodiments, computer readable storage media is non-transitory computer readable storage media. 
     Computer readable communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, computer readable communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The content output device  158  operates to output media content. In some embodiments, the content output device  158  generates media output  110  for the user U. Examples of the content output device  158  include a speaker, an audio output jack, a BLUETOOTH® transmitter, a display panel, and a video output jack. Other embodiments are possible as well. For example, the content output device  158  may transmit a signal through the audio output jack or BLUETOOTH® transmitter that can be used to reproduce an audio signal by a connected or paired device such as headphones or a speaker. 
     The cadence-acquiring device  160  operates to acquire a cadence associated with the user U. In at least some embodiments, the cadence-acquiring device  160  operates to determine cadence directly and includes one or more accelerometers or other motion-detecting technologies. Alternatively, the cadence-acquiring device  160  operates to receive data representing a cadence associated with the user U. For example, in some embodiments, the cadence-acquiring device  160  operates to receive data from a watch, bracelet, foot pod, chest strap, shoe insert, anklet, smart sock, bicycle computer, exercise equipment (e.g., treadmill, rowing machine, stationary cycle), or other device for determining or measuring cadence. Further, in some embodiments, the cadence-acquiring device  160  operates to receive a cadence value input by the user U or another person. 
     The network access device  162  operates to communicate with other computing devices over one or more networks, such as the network  106 . Examples of the network access device include wired network interfaces and wireless network interfaces. Wireless network interfaces includes infrared, BLUETOOTH® wireless technology, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, and cellular or other radio frequency interfaces in at least some possible embodiments. 
     The network  106  is an electronic communication network that facilitates communication between the media-playback device  102  and the media-delivery system  104 . An electronic communication network includes a set of computing devices and links between the computing devices. The computing devices in the network use the links to enable communication among the computing devices in the network. The network  106  can include routers, switches, mobile access points, bridges, hubs, intrusion detection devices, storage devices, standalone server devices, blade server devices, sensors, desktop computers, firewall devices, laptop computers, handheld computers, mobile telephones, and other types of computing devices. 
     In various embodiments, the network  106  includes various types of links. For example, the network  106  can include wired and/or wireless links, including BLUETOOTH®, ultra-wideband (UWB), 802.11, ZIGBEE®, cellular, and other types of wireless links. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the network  106  is implemented at various scales. For example, the network  106  can be implemented as one or more local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks, subnets, wide area networks (such as the Internet), or can be implemented at another scale. Further, in some embodiments, the network  106  includes multiple networks, which may be of the same type or of multiple different types. 
     The media-delivery system  104  comprises one or more computing devices and operates to provide media content items to the media-playback devices  102  and, in some embodiments, other media-playback devices as well. The media-delivery system  104  includes a media server  180  and a repetitive-motion activity server  182 . In at least some embodiments, the media server  180  and the repetitive-motion activity server  182  are provided by separate computing devices. In other embodiments, the media server  180  and the repetitive-motion activity server  182  are provided by the same computing devices. Further, in some embodiments, one or both of the media server  180  and the repetitive-motion activity server  182  are provided by multiple computing devices. For example, the media server  180  and the repetitive-motion activity server  182  may be provided by multiple redundant servers located in multiple geographic locations. 
     The media server  180  operates to transmit stream media  218  to media-playback devices such as the media-playback device  102 . In some embodiments, the media server  180  includes a media server application  184 , a processing device  186 , a memory device  188 , and a network access device  190 . The processing device  186 , memory device  188 , and network access device  190  may be similar to the processing device  154 , memory device  156 , and network access device  162  respectively, which have each been previously described. 
     In some embodiments, the media server application  184  operates to stream music or other audio, video, or other forms of media content. The media server application  184  includes a media stream service  194 , a media data store  196 , and a media application interface  198 . The media stream service  194  operates to buffer media content such as media content items  206 ,  208 , and  210 , for streaming to one or more streams  200 ,  202 , and  204 . 
     The media application interface  198  can receive requests or other communication from media-playback devices or other systems, to retrieve media content items from the media server  180 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , the media application interface  198  receives communication  234  from the media-playback engine  166 . 
     In some embodiments, the media data store  196  stores media content items  212 , media content metadata  214 , and playlists  216 . The media data store  196  may comprise one or more databases and file systems. Other embodiments are possible as well. As noted above, the media content items  212  may be audio, video, or any other type of media content, which may be stored in any format for storing media content. 
     The media content metadata  214  operates to provide various information associated with the media content items  212 . In some embodiments, the media content metadata  214  includes one or more of title, artist name, album name, length, genre, mood, era, etc. The playlists  216  operate to identify one or more of the media content items  212  and. In some embodiments, the playlists  216  identify a group of the media content items  212  in a particular order. In other embodiments, the playlists  216  merely identify a group of the media content items  212  without specifying a particular order. Some, but not necessarily all, of the media content items  212  included in a particular one of the playlists  216  are associated with a common characteristic such as a common genre, mood, or era. 
     The repetitive-motion activity server  182  operates to provide repetitive-motion activity-specific information about media content items to media-playback devices. In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity server  182  includes a repetitive-motion activity server application  220 , a processing device  222 , a memory device  224 , and a network access device  226 . The processing device  222 , memory device  224 , and network access device  226  may be similar to the processing device  154 , memory device  156 , and network access device  162  respectively, which have each been previously described. 
     In some embodiments, repetitive-motion activity server application  220  operates to transmit information about the suitability of one or more media content items for playback during a particular repetitive-motion activity. The repetitive-motion activity server application  220  includes a repetitive-motion activity interface  228  and a repetitive-motion activity media metadata store  230 . 
     In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity server application  220  may provide a list of media content items at a particular tempo to a media-playback device in response to a request that includes a particular cadence value. Further, in some embodiments, the media content items included in the returned list will be particularly relevant for the repetitive motion activity in which the user is engaged (for example, if the user is running, the returned list of media content items may include only media content items that have been identified as being highly runnable). 
     The repetitive-motion activity interface  228  operates to receive requests or other communication from media-playback devices or other systems to retrieve information about media content items from the repetitive-motion activity server  182 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , the repetitive-motion activity interface  228  receives communication  236  from the media-playback engine  166 . 
     In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata store  230  stores repetitive-motion activity media metadata  232 . The repetitive-motion activity media metadata store  230  may comprise one or more databases and file systems. Other embodiments are possible as well. 
     The repetitive-motion activity media metadata  232  operates to provide various information associated with media content items, such as the media content items  212 . In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata  232  provides information that may be useful for selecting media content items for playback during a repetitive-motion activity. For example, in some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata  232  stores runnability scores for media content items that correspond to the suitability of particular media content items for playback during running. As another example, in some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata  232  stores timestamps (e.g., start and end points) that identify portions of a media content items that are particularly well-suited for playback during running (or another repetitive-motion activity). 
     Each of the media-playback device  102  and the media-delivery system  104  can include additional physical computer or hardware resources. In at least some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  communicates with the media-delivery system  104  via the network  106 . 
     Although in  FIG. 2  only a single media-playback device  102  and media-delivery system  104  are shown, in accordance with some embodiments, the media-delivery system  104  can support the simultaneous use of multiple media-playback devices, and the media-playback device can simultaneously access media content from multiple media-delivery systems. Additionally, although  FIG. 2  illustrates a streaming media based system for cadence determination and media content selection, other embodiments are possible as well. For example, in some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  includes a media data store  196  and the media-playback device  102  is configured to perform cadence determination and media content selection without accessing the media-delivery system  104 . Further in some embodiments, the media-playback device  102  operates to store previously streamed media content items in a local media data store. 
     In at least some embodiments, the media-delivery system  104  can be used to stream, progressively download, or otherwise communicate music, other audio, video, or other forms of media content items to the media-playback device  102  based on a cadence acquired by the cadence-acquiring device  160  of the media-playback device  102 . In accordance with an embodiment, a user U can direct the input  172  to the user interface  164  to issue requests, for example, to playback media content corresponding to the cadence of a repetitive motion activity on the media-playback device  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example method  250  of selecting media content played by the media-playback device  102  based upon a tempo of the media content. Such a method can be used, for example, when the user is engaged repetitive motion activities, such as running or walking. Media content, such as music, can impact the performance of such activities. For example, as noted above, music of a faster tempo can encourage the user U to run at a faster cadence and vice versa. 
     At the step  252  of the method  250 , the tempo search control engine  168  of the media-playback device  102  receives a selection of media content. This selection can take a variety of forms. 
     For example, the user U can simply identify certain media content of a desired tempo. In another example, the user can identify a desired tempo itself (e.g., 90 beats per minute), as shown in  FIG. 7  and described further below. 
     In yet other examples, one or more automated processes can be used to select certain media content and/or tempo. For example, various attributes of the user, such as the user&#39;s physiological state, can be used as an automated process for selecting a desired tempo. An example of such processes are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/163,915, titled HEART RATE CONTROL BASED UPON MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent application describes how physiological measurements, such as heart rate, and non-physiological measurements, such as location, can be used to automatically select a desired tempo for the user U. 
     Next, at step  254 , the selected media content is analyzed to identify a relevant tempo. Various processes can be used to analyze media content, such as music, to determine a tempo. See  FIG. 4  for more details. 
     Finally, at step  256 , additional media content meeting the desired tempo requirements are provided to the user, such as in a graphical user interface. One example of such a user interface is described with reference to  FIG. 7  below. Other examples are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/163,887, titled MULTI-TRACK PLAYBACK OF MEDIA CONTENT DURING REPETITIVE MOTION ACTIVITIES, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In that patent application, a grid interface is disclosed that allows media content of a particular 
     In one context, the steps  254 ,  256  are performed by the media-delivery system  104  in response to a request from the tempo search control engine  168 . For example, the tempo search control engine  168  can receive an indication of a desired tempo (either through selected media content or a specified tempo), and the media-delivery system  104  is configured to perform the steps  254 ,  256  and deliver media content of the desired tempo back to the media-playback device  102  for consumption by the user U. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates more details about the step  254  of  FIG. 3 , in which media content is analyzed to identify tempo. As noted, the media-delivery system  104  can perform the step  254  based upon a request from the media-playback device  102 . 
     At step  262 , the relevant tempo is identified. In this context, the media content provided by the user U is analyzed to determine the tempo of the media content. This process is described below. 
     As noted, in other examples, the user can simply select a desired tempo instead of providing media content, or a tempo can automatically be provided based upon analysis of such criteria as physiological aspects of the user U, like heart rate. 
     Next, at step  264 , the media content in the media server application  184  is filtered based upon certain criteria. In one example, each media content item stored by the media server application  184  is analyzed and particular additional metadata for each item is stored by the media content metadata  214 . 
     This metadata may include such information as a tempo for the media content item. In one example, each media content item is analyzed, and a tempo is associated with the metadata for the item. 
     A tempo of a media content item can be determined in various known manners. In the example of songs, a tempo of a song can be relatively easily identified because songs typically have a steady tempo throughout their entire playing time. Where a tempo changes significantly throughout a song, in some embodiments, such variations in tempo can be averaged to represent a single tempo of the song. In other examples, a portion of the song having an approximately constant tempo can be identified, and such a constant tempo can be used as a tempo for the entire song. In yet other examples, the portion of the song having an approximately constant tempo is taken and used to replace the entire song while the other portion of the song, which has variable tempo, are excluded from playback. Other methods of obtaining a tempo of a song are also possible. 
     Additional details on determining a tempo for media content is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/163,845, titled CADENCE-BASED PLAYLISTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The metadata may also include other criteria, such as a runnability score for each media content item. A runnability score can be calculated based upon a variety of methods and factors, such as comparison to other content known to have desired characteristics or properties that are suitable for running. For example, the runnability scores can be calculated based on beat strength and tempo regularity of audio signals of the media content items. Additional details regarding how a runnability score can be calculated for a media content item are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/163,921, titled IDENTIFYING MEDIA CONTENT, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and discussed in further detail herein with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     Additional details on the filtering of the step  264  are provided with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     Finally, at step  266 , filtered media content items having the desired tempo are selected. Additional details on this process are provided with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     At  FIG. 5 , the filtering of the media content of the step  264  is described in more detail. 
     At step  272 , the runnability score for a particular media content item is determined. This can be accomplished using the processes described above. In some embodiments, the runnability score is a value that corresponds to how similar a media content item is to the positive training examples as calculated using the runnability model. In some embodiments, the runnability score is a numerical value in the range of 0-1 in which higher values indicate the media content item is more similar to the positive training examples than a lower value. Alternatively, the runnability score may be stored as part of the metadata associated with the media content item. 
     Next, at step  274 , a determination is made regarding whether or not the user previously rated the particular media content item. For example, as described further below, the user U can rate a particular media content item as one the user likes or dislikes. If the user has previously liked the particular media content item, control is passed to step  276 , and a decreased threshold filter is used. Otherwise, control is passed to step  278 , and a standard filter threshold is used. 
     For example, if the user has previously “liked” the particular media content item, the decreased threshold filter may require that the runnability score for the media content item be at least 0.4. Alternatively, if the media content item has not been previously rated, the standard threshold filter may require that the runnability score for the media content item be at least 0.6. In this manner, media content items that were previously marked as “liked” are favored. 
     Next, at step  280 , the relevant filter (i.e., decreased or standard threshold) is applied. If the media content item exceeds the threshold of the applied filter, control is passed to step  282 , and the media content item is recommended to the user. Otherwise, control is passed to step  284 , and the media content item is not recommended. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , additional details are provided about the step  266  of filtering the media content based upon tempo. 
     At step  290 , a desired tempo range is determined. This range is based upon the desired tempo that is either calculated from the media content selected by the user, the tempo that is specifically selected by the user, and/or by one or more automated processes of determining a desired tempo, such as by an analysis of heart rate, as described above. 
     The desired tempo is converted to a range of tempos, as is noted above. In some examples, this range can have various scales, such as 2 beats, 5 beats, 10 beats, etc. For example, if the desired tempo is 178, that tempo is converted to a range of 175-180. 
     In another example, the system is programmed to define a target number of songs to return, such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 100. For instance, if the target is to return 10 songs around 178 BPM, and given the number of songs available around that tempo, the resolution or range for the tempo can be modified, such as low as +/−0.5 BPM or a large as +/−7 BPM. The dynamic range is dependent on the size of the portfolio of media content, which can be driven by such factors as how the runnability scores are calculated. In other examples, the songs are simply ranks based upon how far each song is from the desired tempo, and the desired number of songs is selected based upon that ranking. In other instances, the range to find desired content is dynamically calculated based upon multiple factors, such as size of portfolio and runnability. 
     This range is then used at step  292  to filter the media content. Specifically, the tempo of each media content item is analyzed to determine if the tempo falls within the range. As noted above, each media content item may include metadata defining the tempo for that media content item. The tempo metadata can be used to determine if the media content item falls within the desired tempo range. 
     The media content falling within the desired range is then analyzed at step  294  to determine if sufficient media content has been identified. For example, if the range is a tempo of 175-180 beats per minute, perhaps 1000 songs fall within that range. In such an instance, a sufficient amount of media content has been identified, and control is provided to step  296 , where the process continues. 
     However, if the number of media content items with the desired tempo is small, such as less than 100, less than 50, less than 20, less than 10, and/or less than 5, control can instead be passed to step  298 , and the filtering of the content media can be modified. 
     One possible modification is to expand the range of tempos. In the example, the range could be expanded to be 170-185 in order to attempt to capture more media content items. In another example, other thresholds, such as the thresholds associated with the runnability scores used in the step  264  can be loosened. In yet another example, the tempo ranges can be halved or doubled (as noted above), which can result in tempos that provide similar guidance when running. Other configurations are possible. 
     Once the filters have been modified, control is passed back to the step  290  and the step  266  of filtering the media content based upon tempo is performed again with the modified filters. 
     Although filtering based upon criteria such as runnability and tempo are provided in the examples, other criteria can also be used to filter the media content. Examples of other criteria include the strength of the beat, the general energy of the content, the similarity of the content to other items. Other filtering based upon such criteria as desired genre, mood, or age (i.e., era) can also be used. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an example tempo-based content playback screen  400  displayed by some embodiments of the user interface  164  of the media-playback device  102  is shown. In some embodiments, the tempo-based content playback screen  400  is displayed in response to receiving a request by the user to select media content of a desired tempo. 
     In some embodiments, the tempo-based content playback screen  400  includes a playlist information message  402 , a previous media content item display panel  404 , a current media content item display panel  406 , a next media content item display panel  408 , a current media content item information message  410 , a dislike control  412 , a like control  414 , a tempo information message  416 , and a pause control  418 . 
     The playlist information message  402  operates to display information about the currently playing playlist of media content items. The playlist may be a pre-defined playlist of media content items that correspond to an acquired cadence or an ad-hoc playlist generated by the media-playback device  102  or the media-delivery system  104  based on the acquired cadence. In some embodiments, the playlist information message  402  displays a title provided with a pre-defined playlist (e.g. “Outdoor Running,” “Spin Class,” “Peak Performance,” etc.). In some embodiments, the playlist information message  402  displays information that relates to the media content items included in an ad-hoc playlist such as a region (e.g., Sweden, Europe, U.S., etc.), a genre (e.g., Country, Rock, Rap, etc.), a mood (e.g., calm, happy, etc.), an era (e.g., 70&#39;s, 80&#39;s, 90&#39;s, 00&#39;s, etc.), or popularity (e.g., Top 50, etc.). 
     The previous media content item display panel  404  operates to display information about the previously played media content item such as an image associated with the previously played media content item (e.g., an album cover, an artist photograph, etc.). The current media content item display panel  406  and the next media content item display panel  408  operate similarly with respect to the currently playing media content item and the media content item that is schedule to play next. In some embodiments, the user interface  164  operates to cause the next or previous media content item to begin playback in response to detecting a swipe input to the left or right over the current media content item display panel  406 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the user interface  164  operates to cause the previously played media content item to begin playback in response to detecting a touch input on the previous media content item display panel  404 . Similarly, in some embodiments, the user interface  164  operates to cause the next media content item to begin playback in response to detecting a touch input on the next media content item display panel  408 . 
     The current media content item information message  410  operates to display information about the currently playing media content item. Some embodiments display one or more of the following: a title, an artist name, an album name, a current position, a total length, and a tempo. 
     The dislike control  412  and the like control  414  operate to receive inputs indicating that a user dislikes or likes the currently playing media content item. In some embodiments, the media-playback device stores a like/dislike value associated with the currently playing media content item upon actuation of either the dislike control  412  or the like control  414 . The value may be stored locally on the media-playback device  102  or remotely on the media-delivery system  104  or elsewhere. In some embodiments, one or both of the media-playback device  102  and the media-delivery system  104  use the like/dislike values that have been previously stored in selecting media content items for future playback. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, upon actuation of the dislike control  412 , the currently playing media content item stops playing immediately or after a period of time and a new media content item begins to play. 
     The tempo information message  416  operates to present information to the user about the tempo of the current media content item. In some embodiments, the tempo information message  416  displays a numeric value representing the user U&#39;s current tempo selection. 
     As noted, in some embodiments, the user can select a particular desired tempo manually. In such an example, the user can select the tempo information message  416  to bring up increase/decrease tempo arrows and/or a keypad that allows the user to directly input a desired tempo. Once the desired tempo is inputted by the user, the system can provide media content and/or samples at the desired tempo for the user. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the tempo information message  416  also presents information related to whether the tempo has recently changed. For example, the tempo information message  416  may include an arrow pointing up if the tempo has recently increased and an arrow pointing down if the tempo has recently decreased. 
     Alternatively, the tempo may be displayed in a first color to indicate a recent increase, a second color to indicate a recent decrease, and a third color to indicate a stable tempo. As yet another alternative, the tempo information message  416  may blink or otherwise indicate the occurrence of a recent change in tempo. In yet another embodiment, the tempo information message  416  may operate to indicate how a current tempo compares to a goal or target cadence using any of the previously mentioned visual indicators. 
     In yet other examples, information in addition to or other than tempo can be displayed. For example, the information message  416  can be configured to display the user U&#39;s heart rate. In yet another example, the information message  416  can be configured to display an estimated cadence, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/163,840, titled CADENCE DETERMINATION AND MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The pause control  418  operates to receive a pause input from the user. In some embodiments, the pause input triggers the media-playback device  102  to pause cadence acquisition. Beneficially, by pausing cadence acquisition, the user can take a break or otherwise change cadence without causing the playback of media content items to change. Users may take break for many reasons, such as to rest/recover, to wait to safely cross an intersection, or to wait for a running partner. Users may temporarily change cadence for many reasons as well such as to climb a stair case or a big hill, to cross rugged terrain, to weave through heavy traffic, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the pause input also triggers the media-playback device  102  to pause playback of the media content items. 
     As noted previously, although many of the examples provided above are described with respect to running, other embodiments relate to other repetitive motion activities as well such as cycling, swimming, and rowing. 
     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following disclosure.