Patent ID: 12206941

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for a computer-based process that determines when a viewer is likely to skip over supplemental content, and adjusts supplemental content presentation to compensate. Systems of embodiments of the disclosure may utilize various inputs to determine the likelihood of skipping supplemental content, including cursor position at or near specified icons or other UI elements, as well as user actions such as gaze direction, various motions or actions, controller manipulations, and the like. Once a likelihood of skipping supplemental content is determined, various actions may be taken in response, including without limitation selection of supplemental content that conveys its intended message prior to skipping, playing of supplemental content at increased speed, and designation of supplemental content slots as skippable or non-skippable.

FIG.1illustrates operation of an exemplary system for selecting supplemental content according to skip likelihood, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Here, a display100may display content from storage110via processing unit120. Storage110may store content to be retrieved for display on display100, as well as supplemental content110-1and110-2. Processing unit120may determine whether viewer140is likely to skip supplemental content such as advertisements and select alternative supplemental content from storages110-1or110-2for display to the viewer140instead. Processor120may determine the likelihood of viewer140skipping supplemental content in any manner and using any inputs. In some embodiments of the disclosure, these inputs may include information retrieved from user profile storage130, camera150, controller160, and display100. For example, such inputs may include the position of a cursor rendered on display100and controlled by viewer140. Positioning of the cursor on a “Skip Ad” icon or other UI element (e.g., a UI element to close a browser tab in which the content item is being displayed, a UI element to select a different browser tab from the browser tab in which the content item is being displayed, a UI element to play a different content item in a playlist, or a UI element to mute audio of the content item or browser tab in which the content item is being displayed) by viewer140may indicate an intent of viewer140to skip or otherwise avoid viewing an ad, and/or to avoid playing audio of the ad. Further inputs may include viewer140position or actions, as detected by camera150. For instance, camera150may capture images of viewer140grasping controller160, indicating an intent to use the controller160to skip an advertisement and/or change a channel. Camera150may also capture images of viewer140performing certain gestures or actions characteristic of an intent to skip supplemental content, such as a waving of a hand, pointing to a portion of display100corresponding to a “Skip Ad” icon, or the like. Controller160may further include sensors to detect pressure applied by viewer140upon any buttons, indicating an intent to press one of the buttons to command display100to skip an advertisement and/or change a channel, for instance. These sensors may also detect motion of controller160, indicating that it has been picked up by viewer140to skip supplemental content. In some embodiments of the disclosure, controller160may be any device capable of issuing any commands to display100and/or processing unit120directly or indirectly, such a dedicated remote controller, a smartphone, a laptop computer or other computing device, or the like. In some embodiments, camera150may be physically separate from but communicatively coupled to display100, or may be incorporated into any devices such as display100, controller160, and the like. As one example, controller160may be a smartphone and camera150may be an internal camera of this smartphone.

Processing unit120may additionally retrieve information on viewer140from user profile storage130, where the retrieved information is indicative of a skip history of viewer140. For example, retrieved information may include data such as the frequency users have skipped advertisements or other supplemental content in the past, and information on supplemental content skipped and not skipped, such as the lengths or other attributes of skipped and not skipped content. Information may also include metadata of previously viewed supplemental content that may indicate attributes such as product types whose ads were skipped and not skipped, brands whose ads were skipped and not skipped, skipped content genres or other subject matter, times of day ads were skipped and not skipped, positions within displayed content at which ads were skipped or not skipped, and the like. Stored user information may include any type and quantity of information that may help indicate a skip likelihood.

Once processing unit120has determined whether viewer140is likely to skip supplemental content, it may select supplemental content accordingly. For example, if processing unit120determines that viewer140is unlikely to skip upcoming supplemental content, it may select content from first supplemental content storage110-1for display on display100. In this example, first supplemental content storage100-1may contain the supplemental content originally intended for display in that particular content slot. That is, if viewer140is not deemed likely to skip supplemental content, processing unit120may proceed with display of the supplemental content as originally intended. Conversely, if processing unit120determines that viewer140is likely to skip upcoming supplemental content, it may instead select content from second supplemental content storage110-2for display on display100. As above, second supplemental content storage110-2may contain supplemental content tailored to viewers likely to skip such content. This content may, for example, be supplemental content that conveys its intended message rapidly, such as short ads, still frames of a product, ads with product information and/or appealing images in its first few frames, or the like.

Processing unit120may determine the likelihood that viewer140will skip supplemental content, in any manner.FIG.2conceptually illustrates one method for determining a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In particular, movement of a cursor over an ad insertion countdown, a position of a “Skip Ad” icon prior to the icon being “active” or able to be clicked on, and/or other UI element shortly before or after an ad is played may indicate that the viewer140is preparing to and likely to skip or otherwise avoid viewing/listening to the upcoming ad. Here, display200projects or displays content, such as a movie or show, and may also concurrently or upon selection display one or more of an ad insertion countdown, a skip ad countdown, or a “Skip Ad” button in a section210of the display area, as well as a progress bar240in section220of the display area.

In some embodiments, a “Skip Ad” button or other UI element may appear in a lower right-hand portion230-1of the display area, which is grayed out and not selectable but which informs the viewer140that it will soon be possible to skip an upcoming ad. At a predetermined time, for instance, after an ad insertion countdown has expired, the preselected ad begins to be played, and a skip ad countdown has expired, the “Skip Ad” button becomes active so that portion230-2of the display changes to a “Skip Now” or other button that allows users to select it in order to skip the currently playing ad. Thus, if viewer140moves a cursor over the “Skip Ad” button of portion230-1prior to it becoming active, this may indicate that the viewer140intends to skip the upcoming supplemental content. Similarly, if viewer140moves his or her cursor over the “Skip Now” button of portion230-2once it is active, this may also indicate that viewer140intends to skip the supplemental content that is currently being played.

In some embodiments, the “Skip Now” button may include or be preceded by a skip countdown timer, such as “Skip in X” where X may be, e.g., any predetermined number of seconds until a “Skip Now” button is shown and made active. This alerts viewers to an upcoming time at which they may skip supplemental content. As with the “Skip Ad” button, if viewer140moves a cursor over the “Skip in X” button, this may indicate intent to press or select the “Skip Now” button when it becomes active, thus skipping the supplemental content. In some embodiments of the disclosure, an ad insertion countdown may be displayed, the preselected ad begins to be played at the expiration of the ad insertion countdown, a skip countdown timer may then be displayed, followed by a “Skip Now” or other button once the skip countdown timer expires, where skip likelihood may be determined during the ad insertion countdown and/or the skip countdown period.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the skip countdown timer may not be displayed, with only a “Skip Now” or other button being shown once skip operations are permitted. In some other embodiments, neither the skip countdown timer nor a “Skip Now” or other button may be displayed, with play of the supplemental content simply beginning at the commencement of the supplemental content time slot, such as when non-skippable supplemental content is played. In further embodiments of the disclosure, some supplemental content slots may be automatically skipped, in which case a notice such as a countdown may be displayed indicating a countdown until an automatic skip occurs. This notice of an upcoming automatic skip may be displayed for viewers to see, or alternatively no notice may be displayed and supplemental content may simply be skipped automatically. In some embodiments, automatic skipping may occur at times in response to a determination of skip likelihood. That is, systems of embodiments of the disclosure may automatically skip supplemental content for a user when it is deemed that he or she is going to skip the supplemental content anyway.

In some embodiments, progress bar240may be displayed, and may also indicate the slots within content at which ads will be played. In this case, as play of content approaches either ad slot240-1or240-2, movement of a cursor near the portion210of the display area at which the “Skip Now” icon will appear may indicate intent to skip the upcoming supplemental content. That is, movement of a cursor into portion210when a supplemental content slot240-1or240-2is approaching, even if no “Skip Ad” icon has appeared yet, may be used to indicate likely intent to skip upcoming supplemental content.

FIG.3shows an embodiment of an illustrative user equipment device300that may serve as a display100and/or processing unit120. User equipment device300may receive content and data via input/output (hereinafter “I/O”) path302. I/O path302may provide content (e.g., broadcast programming, on-demand programming, Internet content, content available over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), and/or other content) and data to control circuitry304, which includes processing circuitry306and storage308. Control circuitry304may be used to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable data using I/O path302. I/O path302may connect control circuitry304(and specifically processing circuitry306) to one or more communications paths (described below). I/O functions may be provided by one or more of these communications paths but are shown as a single path inFIG.3to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Control circuitry304may be based on any suitable processing circuitry such as processing circuitry306. As referred to herein, processing circuitry should be understood to mean circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may include a multi-core processor (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or any suitable number of cores). In some embodiments, processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separate processors or processing units, for example, multiple of the same type of processing units (e.g., two Intel Core i7 processors) or multiple different processors (e.g., an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel Core i7 processor). In some embodiments, control circuitry304executes instructions for receiving streamed content and executing its display, such as executing application programs that provide interfaces for content providers to stream and display content on display312.

Control circuitry304may thus include communications circuitry suitable for communicating with trailer generation server220, content server230, or any other networks or servers. Communications circuitry may include a cable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, an Ethernet card, or a wireless modem for communication with other equipment, or any other suitable communications circuitry. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. In addition, communications circuitry may include circuitry that enables peer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices, or communication of user equipment devices in locations remote from each other.

Memory may be an electronic storage device provided as storage308, which is part of control circuitry304. As referred to herein, the phrase “electronic storage device” or “storage device” should be understood to mean any device for storing electronic data, computer software, or firmware, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, hard drives, optical drives, digital video disc (DVD) recorders, compact disc (CD) recorders, BLU-RAY disc (BD) recorders, BLU-RAY 3D disc recorders, digital video recorders (DVRs, sometimes called personal video recorders, or PVRs), solid state devices, quantum storage devices, gaming consoles, gaming media, or any other suitable fixed or removable storage devices, and/or any combination of the same. Storage308may be used to store various types of content described herein as well as media guidance data described above. Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Cloud-based storage may be used to supplement storage308or instead of storage308.

Storage308may also store instructions or code for an operating system and any number of application programs to be executed by the operating system. In operation, processing circuitry306retrieves and executes the instructions stored in storage308, to run both the operating system and any application programs started by the user. The application programs can include one or more content display applications that implement an interface allowing users to select and display content on display312or another display.

Control circuitry304may include video generating circuitry and tuning circuitry, such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital decoding circuitry, high-definition tuners, or any other suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of such circuits. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog, or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be included. Control circuitry304may also include scaler circuitry for upconverting and downconverting content into the preferred output format of the user equipment300. Circuitry304may also include digital-to-analog converter circuitry and analog-to-digital converter circuitry for converting between digital and analog signals. The tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by the user equipment device to receive and to display, to play, or to record content. The tuning and encoding circuitry may also be used to receive guidance data. The circuitry described herein, including for example, the tuning, video generating, encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, scaler, and analog/digital circuitry, may be implemented using software running on one or more general-purpose or specialized processors. Multiple tuners may be provided to handle simultaneous tuning functions (e.g., watch and record functions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions, multiple-tuner recording, etc.). If storage308is provided as a separate device from user equipment300, the tuning and encoding circuitry (including multiple tuners) may be associated with storage308.

A user may send instructions to control circuitry304using user input interface310. User input interface310may be any suitable user interface, such as a remote control, mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch-screen, touchpad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognition interface, or other user input interfaces. Display312may be provided as a stand-alone device or integrated with other elements of user equipment device300. For example, display312may be a touchscreen or touch-sensitive display. In such circumstances, user input interface310may be integrated with or combined with display312. Display312may be one or more of a monitor, a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for a mobile device, amorphous silicon display, low temperature poly silicon display, electronic ink display, electrophoretic display, active matrix display, electro-wetting display, electrofluidic display, cathode ray tube display, light-emitting diode display, electroluminescent display, plasma display panel, high-performance addressing display, thin-film transistor display, organic light-emitting diode display, surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), laser television, carbon nanotubes, quantum dot display, interferometric modulator display, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images. In some embodiments, display312may be HDTV-capable. In some embodiments, display312may be a 3D display, and the interactive media guidance application and any suitable content may be displayed in 3D. A video card or graphics card may generate the output to the display312. The video card may offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors. The video card may be any processing circuitry described above in relation to control circuitry304. The video card may be integrated with the control circuitry304. Speakers314may be provided as integrated with other elements of user equipment device300or may be stand-alone units. The audio component of videos and other content displayed on display312may be played through speakers314. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via speakers314.

FIG.4is an embodiment of an illustrative system for selecting supplemental content according to skip likelihood, constructed for use according to embodiments of the disclosure. Device300ofFIG.3can be implemented in system400ofFIG.4as user television equipment402, user computer equipment404, a wireless user communications device406, or any other type of user equipment suitable for determining skip likelihood and selecting supplemental content accordingly. For example, device300may be incorporated into display100, e.g., television402. User equipment devices may be part of a network of devices. Various network configurations of devices may be implemented and are discussed in more detail below.

In system400, there is typically more than one of each type of user equipment device but only one of each is shown inFIG.4to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. In addition, each user may utilize more than one type of user equipment device and more than one of each type of user equipment device.

The user equipment devices may be coupled to communications network414. Namely, user television equipment402, user computer equipment404, and wireless user communications device406are coupled to communications network414via communications paths408,410, and412, respectively. Communications network414may be one or more networks including the Internet, a mobile phone network, mobile voice or data network (e.g., a 4G or LTE network), cable network, public switched telephone network, or other types of communications network or combinations of communications networks. Paths408,410, and412may separately or together include one or more communications paths, such as, a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, a path that supports Internet communications (e.g., IPTV), free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), or any other suitable wired or wireless communications path or combination of such paths. Path412is drawn with dotted lines to indicate that in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.4it is a wireless path and paths408and410are drawn as solid lines to indicate they are wired paths (although these paths may be wireless paths, if desired). Communications with the user equipment devices may be provided by one or more of these communications paths, but are shown as a single path inFIG.4to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Although communications paths are not drawn between user equipment devices, these devices may communicate directly with each other via communication paths, such as those described above in connection with paths408,410, and412, as well as other short-range point-to-point communication paths, such as USB cables, IEEE 1494 cables, wireless paths (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, IEEE 802-11x, etc.), or other short-range communication via wired or wireless paths. BLUETOOTH is a certification mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, INC. The user equipment devices may also communicate with each other directly through an indirect path via communications network414.

System400also includes content source416, and content presentation server418. The content source416represents any computer-accessible source of content, such as a storage for the movies, advertisements, and metadata. The content source416may be or include the supplemental content storages110-1and110-2as well as user profile storage130ofFIG.1. The content presentation server418may store and execute various software modules for implementing the skip likelihood determination and supplemental content selection functionality described herein.

FIG.5is an embodiment of an illustrative content server230constructed for use according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Here, device500may serve as a content server. Device500may receive content and data via I/O paths502and504. I/O path502may provide content and data to the various devices200and/or server220, while I/O path504may provide data to, and receive content from, content database240. Like the device400, the device500has control circuitry506, which includes processing circuitry508and storage510. The control circuitry506, processing circuitry508, and storage510may be constructed, and may operate, in a similar manner to the respective components of device400.

Storage510is a memory that stores a number of programs for execution by processing circuitry508. In particular, storage510may store a number of device interfaces512, a skip intent prediction module514for determining the likelihood of viewers skipping supplemental content, and content selection module516for selecting supplemental content upon determination of skip likelihood. The device interfaces512are interface programs for handling the exchange of commands and data with the various devices200.

Any of the various modules and functions described herein may reside on any one or more devices. For example, skip intent prediction functionality may reside on display100, or a remote server such as content presentation server418.

FIG.6andFIG.7conceptually illustrate determination of a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.6illustrates skip likelihood determination prior to display of supplemental content such as an advertisement. Here, a video player610such as display100may communicate with a supplemental content server600such as content presentation server418, and with a skip ad intent predictor620. Skip ad intent predictor620may be a module residing on content presentation server418, or may reside in any other device such as display100. Video player610may signal to skip supplemental content intent predictor620that a supplemental content item is upcoming at a specified time, perhaps in conjunction with display of a “Skip Ad” or other icon or UI element. The skip supplemental content intent predictor620receives inputs such as user actions, cursor locations from video player610or another device such as controller160, user motion or position information from camera150, or any other suitable inputs. From these inputs, skip supplemental content intent predictor620determines skip supplemental content likelihood, or whether the viewer140is likely to skip the upcoming supplemental content. The resulting prediction is transmitted to video player610, which may request a supplemental content item according to whether the viewer140is likely to attempt to skip the supplemental content or not. The video player610may, for example, transmit a request to supplemental content server600for a particular supplemental content, for a supplemental content item meeting certain criteria, or may simply transmit the skip likelihood if the ad server600is configured to select supplemental content accordingly. Supplemental content server600may then return a suitable supplemental content item to video player610, for display to the viewer140.

FIG.7illustrates skip likelihood determination after display of supplemental content such as an advertisement has already begun. Here, video player610may signal to skip supplemental content intent predictor620that supplemental content has already begun, perhaps in conjunction with display of an active “Skip Ad” or other icon or UI element. As inFIG.6, skip supplemental content intent predictor620also receives inputs such as user actions, cursor locations from video player610or another device such as controller160, user motion or position information from camera150, or any other suitable inputs. From these inputs, skip supplemental content intent predictor620determines skip supplemental content likelihood, or whether the viewer140is likely to skip the currently playing supplemental content. The resulting prediction is transmitted to video player610, which may continue to play the currently playing supplemental content, or request another supplemental content item according to whether the viewer140is likely to attempt to skip the supplemental content or not. The video player610may, for example, transmit a request to supplemental content server600for a particular supplemental content item or for supplemental content meeting certain criteria, or may simply transmit the skip likelihood if the supplemental content server600is configured to select supplemental content accordingly. Supplemental content server600may then return a suitable supplemental content item to video player610, for display to the viewer140. As an example, supplemental content server600may return a short supplemental content item, supplemental content whose message is conveyed in its initial frames, or supplemental content suitable for a non-skippable time slot. This latter case may occur when, for instance, the video player610designates the supplemental content slot as non-skippable in response to a determination that the user is likely to attempt to skip the supplemental content, preventing the viewer140from skipping the supplemental content. As another example, video player610may buffer the currently playing supplemental content and, upon skip likelihood, may show key frames of the buffered supplemental content instead of the full supplemental content, skip to the end of the supplemental content, or the like. As a further example, video player610may retrieve or buffer two supplemental content items, one suitable for a likely skip, and switch to playback of this skip-suitable supplemental content item once skip likelihood is determined.

FIG.8is a flowchart illustrating processing steps for selecting supplemental content according to skip likelihood, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Here, the process begins with the content presentation server418transmitting a content item such as a movie for display on, e.g., display100(Step800). During display of the content item, supplemental content slots may be designated for breaks in display of the content item, e.g., movie, and corresponding display of supplemental content. Display100and/or content presentation server418may accordingly identify a time when display of the content item is to be interrupted by display of at least one supplemental content item (Step810). Content presentation server418may then determine the likelihood of receiving a command to skip play of the supplemental content item (Step820).

As above, skip likelihood may be determined in any manner, from any inputs. As one example, display100may transmit cursor position to content presentation server418, and positioning of the cursor on a “Skip Ad” icon or UI element may indicate intent to skip. Further inputs may include viewer140position or actions, as detected by camera150. For instance, camera150may capture images of viewer140grasping controller160, indicating an intent to use the controller160to skip supplemental content. Camera150may also capture images of viewer140performing certain gestures or actions characteristic of an intent to skip supplemental content, such as a waving of a hand, pointing to a portion of display100corresponding to a “Skip Ad” icon, or the like. Content presentation server418may receive these images from camera150and be programmed to recognize these gestures, actions, or motions. Recognition of gestures, actions, motions, and the like may be accomplished in any manner, such as by comparison of input mages to a database of labeled images of such gestures, actions, and motions. Alternatively, server418may execute one or more machine learning models such as convolutional neural networks or the like, which are trained to recognize input images or video as constituting certain gestures, actions, or motions. Such machine learning models are known. Training of such models may be performed by input of images and/or video labeled as corresponding to specific gestures, motions, or actions.

Content presentation server418may also receive voice or other input from viewer140, such as via microphones of display100or another device, containing commands to skip upcoming supplemental content. Server418may execute one or more known natural language processing modules to convert input speech to text, and to recognize skip commands in this text.

Content presentation server418may also receive input from controllers such as controller160, where certain such inputs may indicate skip likelihood. For example, controller160detection of pressure applied by viewer140upon any buttons may indicate an intent to press one of the buttons to command display100to skip supplemental content. Detected controller160motion may also indicate that it has been picked up by viewer140to skip supplemental content.

Server418may additionally retrieve information on viewer140from user profile storage130, where the retrieved information is indicative of a skip history of viewer140. For example, retrieved information may include data such as the frequency with which users have skipped advertisements or other supplemental content in the past, and information on supplemental content skipped and not skipped, such as the lengths or other attributes of skipped content. Information may also include metadata of previously viewed supplemental content that may indicate attributes such as product types whose ads were skipped, brands whose ads were skipped and not skipped, skipped content genres or other subject matter, times of day ads were skipped, positions within displayed content at which ads were skipped or not skipped, and the like. Stored user information may include any type and quantity of information that may help indicate a skip likelihood.

Skip likelihood may be determined in any manner from the above inputs. As one example, skip likelihood may be a binary quantity (skip likely/not likely), with the above inputs contributing to determination of this binary quantity in any manner. In some embodiments, skip likelihood may be found if the presence of any of the above inputs occurs, or if more than a predetermined number of inputs occur. In other embodiments, each input may be assigned a numerical value, and the values of any inputs present at a given time may be summed. When this sum exceeds some predetermined value, skip likelihood is found. As another example, skip likelihood may be a numerical value such as a percentage rather than a binary quantity, with each input assigned a numerical value such as a percentage. Accordingly, the sum of the values for any inputs present at a given time may represent the aggregate percentage skip likelihood. Skip likelihood may be found when this aggregate percentage exceeds some predetermined threshold value, e.g., >50% or >60%. Any suitable threshold value may be used. Additionally, any of the above quantities may have any suitable numerical value.

Once skip likelihood is determined, server418determines whether it is likely that the viewer140intends to skip supplemental content (Step830), such as upon a determination of binary skip likely, or a skip likelihood value that exceeds some threshold value, e.g., 50%. If server418finds that the user likely does not intend to skip content (skip not likely), server418transmits supplemental content for display at the identified time (Step840). That is, for example, server418transmits its ad as originally intended, at the intended time. If on the other hand skip likelihood is found, server418may select one of a plurality of supplemental content items based on this likelihood (Step850). As above, server418may select supplemental content that conveys its intended message rapidly, such as short supplemental content, still frames of a product, supplemental content with product information and/or appealing images in its first few frames, or the like. Server418may then transmit this selected supplemental content for display (Step860).

In addition to selecting certain supplemental content based on skip likelihood, server418may also designate supplemental content slots as skippable or non-skippable according to skip likelihood.FIG.9andFIG.10are flowcharts illustrating processing steps for reacting to a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.9illustrates reaction to skip likelihood that may be preferred by a supplemental content creator or distributor, for example. More specifically, server418may determine an intent to skip supplemental content (Step900), such as by determining a skip likelihood exceeding a threshold value, for a particular supplemental content slot. A check may be made for the determined intent to skip (Step910). If a likely intent to skip is found, for instance, by monitoring input(s) (e.g., cursor position, eye gaze, button pressure, hand movement, controller movement, etc.) during an ad insertion countdown and/or at other times, server418may designate this supplemental content slot as non-skippable (Step920), preventing the viewer140from skipping the supplemental content even if he or she may wish, and intend, to do so. Supplemental content may then be selected for this non-skippable slot (Step930), and transmitted for display (Step940).

Conversely, if a likelihood of no skip is found, server418may designate the supplemental content slot as skippable (Step950), perhaps aiding in fulfilling a quota or requirement for designating a certain number of content slots as skippable while still maintaining a likelihood that the viewer140views the supplemental content. Server418may then select supplemental content for this slot (Step960), where this supplemental content may be selected with knowledge that a skip is unlikely, allowing for selection of supplemental content as desired. The selected supplemental content may then be transmitted for display, along with an interface element presenting the viewer with, e.g., a skip supplemental content countdown followed by the option to skip (Step970). Thus, from the perspective of a supplemental content creator or distributor who may wish for their content to be viewed, supplemental content slots may be designated non-skippable when viewers are likely to attempt to skip that content, so as to force viewers to view the supplemental content. Similarly, supplemental content slots may be designated as skippable when viewers are unlikely to attempt to skip that content, as they are likely to view (i.e., unlikely to skip) the content anyway.

FIG.10illustrates reaction to skip likelihood that may be preferred by viewers, for example. Here, server418may determine an intent to skip supplemental content (Step1000), such as by determining a skip likelihood exceeding a threshold value, for a particular supplemental content slot. A check may be made for the determined intent to skip (Step1010). If a likely intent to skip is found, for instance, by monitoring input(s) (e.g., cursor position, eye gaze, button pressure, hand movement, controller movement, etc.) during an ad insertion countdown and/or at other times, server418may designate this supplemental content slot as skippable (Step1020), consistent with the user's wish and intent to skip the content. Supplemental content may then be selected for this skippable slot (Step1030), such as by selection of supplemental content that conveys its message rapidly, due to the likelihood of the supplemental content being skipped at least in part. The selected supplemental content may then be transmitted for display, perhaps along with an interface element presenting the viewer with a skip supplemental content countdown followed by the option to skip (Step1040).

Conversely, if a likelihood of no skip is found, server418may designate the supplemental content slot as non-skippable (Step1050). In this manner, viewers who typically wish for minimal exposure to supplemental content (e.g., few ads) are allowed to skip supplemental content when they express a desire for doing so, and may also view this supplemental content when they wish to do so. Supplemental content may then be selected for this non-skippable slot (Step1060) and transmitted for display (Step1070), where selection may occur in any manner to select any desired content, as it will likely be viewed in its entirety.

FIG.11illustrates exemplary inputs for determining a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Any inputs may be employed to determine skip likelihood. In some embodiments, these inputs may include cursor position on display100, eye gaze, controller160and sensors therein, and user information. As above, cursor position may indicate skip likelihood, such as when the cursor is placed over a “Skip Ad” icon prior to or after its activation, or placed at the location the “Skip Ad” icon will soon appear. Eye gaze directed at the “Skip Ad” icon prior to or after its activation, or directed at the location the “Skip Ad” icon will soon appear, may similarly indicate skip likelihood.

In some embodiments, the cursor position may indicate skip likelihood, such as when the cursor is placed over some other UI element that provides a control to, for example, close a browser tab in which the content item is being displayed, select a different browser tab from the browser tab in which the content item is being displayed, select a different content item in a playlist, and/or mute audio of the content item or browser tab in which the content item is being displayed.

Inputs from controller160may also indicate skip likelihood, with some illustrative examples being button pressure, e.g., a user partially or fully depressing any controller button, and controller160movement, both indicating preparation to use the controller160to skip supplemental content. Additionally, user information describing past skip behavior of a user may indicate skip likelihood in that, for example, current user behavior consistent with past behavior that led to a skip command may indicate skip likelihood. Thus, for example, skip likelihood may be found when users are presented with the same genre ad, or ads for the same product, that they have consistently skipped in the past. Any one or more of these inputs may be used to determine skip likelihood, in any manner.

As above, skip likelihood may be determined in any manner from any one or more of the factors listed inFIG.11. As one example, each factor may be assigned a numerical likelihood value, which may be any function of user actions, and which may be any values. For instance, a 20% likelihood may be assigned to every 2-second span at which a cursor is placed over a “Skip Ad” button or other UI element. Thus, placing a cursor over a “Skip Ad” button for longer than 10 seconds may generate a 100% likelihood that the viewer140intends to skip upcoming supplemental content. Similarly, placing a cursor over the “Skip Ad” button for only 2 seconds may generate a 20% likelihood of skip. The same values may be assigned to eye gaze duration directed at the “Skip Ad” button or its position on the display area. Thus, for instance, moving the cursor over the “Skip Ad” button for 4 seconds, with corresponding eye gaze also directed at the area of the “Skip Ad” button for the same 4 seconds, may result in a determination of 40%+40%=80% skip likelihood.

Similarly, controller movement and button pressure may each be assigned, e.g., 50% if a “Skip” button is partially depressed, 30% if any other button is partially depressed, and 20% upon controller movement once the “Skip Ad” button or other notice appears. In this case, if a user picks up a controller and partially depresses a button other than a skip button (e.g., when the controller has no skip button) within the time the user is notified of an upcoming skip opportunity, a 20%+30%=50% skip likelihood may be assigned, whereas if the controller has a skip button and it is partially depressed, a 20%+50%=70% likelihood of skip is assigned.

User information may also be assigned skip likelihood values, e.g., 20% if upcoming supplemental content matches a genre that is often (e.g., >50% of the time historically) skipped by the viewer, or 30% if the upcoming supplemental content concerns a product or brand that is often (e.g., >50%) skipped by the viewer. Thus, for example, if a viewer picks up his or her controller once a skip opportunity appears, and the upcoming supplemental content relates to a product that is often skipped by the viewer, a 20%+50%=70% skip likelihood may be determined.

FIG.12illustrates exemplary actions performed in response to a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Similar toFIGS.9and10,FIG.12illustrates re-designation of supplemental content slots as skippable or non-skippable responsive to a determination of skip likelihood. In the example ofFIG.12, a content item is assigned four different ad slots, at 5, 10, 15, and 25 minutes into the content, respectively. These four ad slots are initially designated as skippable, non-skippable, skippable, and non-skippable, respectively. That is, viewers are allowed to skip the first and third ad slots, but are unable to skip either of the second or fourth ad slots.

At the 4:55 mark, server418may determine a low skip likelihood for the upcoming 5-minute ad slot. Server418may accordingly modify the ad slot schedule as follows: the four different ad slots are re-designated, in order, as non-skippable, skippable, skippable, and non-skippable. In this manner, the first (5-minute) ad slot is redesignated as non-skippable as the ad slot is likely to be viewed anyway, which is beneficial from the perspective of a viewer, as it preserves skippable ad slots for later slots that the viewer may wish to skip. In this manner, ad slots may be re-designated as skippable or non-skippable on the fly according to user skip intent, to better serve the interests of various parties as desired.

FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating processing steps for reacting to a likelihood of skipping supplemental content, in accordance with further embodiments of the disclosure. As inFIGS.9-10, skip likelihood may be employed to determine whether a supplemental content slot is to be designated skippable or non-skippable. Similar to the process ofFIG.8, the process ofFIG.13begins with the content presentation server418transmitting a content item such as a movie for display on display100(Step1300), for example. During display of the content item, supplemental content slots may be designated for breaks in display of the content item, e.g., movie, and corresponding display of supplemental content. Display100and/or content presentation server418may accordingly identify a time when display of the content item is to be interrupted by display of at least one supplemental content item. More specifically, display100and/or server418may receive an indication of a first time slot designated for interruption of the displayed content and play of skippable supplemental content, as well as an indication of a second time slot designated for interruption of the displayed content and play of a non-skippable supplemental content item (Step1310). That is, display100and/or server418may receive indications of an upcoming skippable time slot and a later non-skippable time slot, e.g., two future supplemental content slots, one skippable and one non-skippable. Content presentation server418may then determine the likelihood of receiving a command to skip play of the supplemental content item (Step1320).

If a skip is deemed likely (Step1330), server418may designate the upcoming supplemental content slot as either skippable or non-skippable, in response to the determined likelihood of receiving a command to skip supplemental content. As inFIGS.9-10, a supplemental content slot may be designated as either skippable or non-skippable as desired. If, e.g., the interests of content creators or distributors are to be considered, server418may designate the upcoming supplemental content slot as non-skippable upon determination of skip likelihood, to prevent users from their intended skipping of supplemental content and force them to view it. In contrast, if viewer interests are to be considered, server418may instead designate the upcoming supplemental content slot as skippable upon determination of skip likelihood, to allow users to keep viewing their desired content and increase viewer interest and engagement. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure allow upcoming supplemental content slots to be designated, or re-designated, as skippable or non-skippable as desired.

In particular, if a skip is deemed likely, server418may re-designate the first or nearest upcoming time slot as non-skippable, and re-designate the next time slot as skippable (Step1340). That is, the upcoming skippable time slot may be re-designated as skippable in response to the viewer intending to skip its supplemental content. To keep the number of skippable and non-skippable time slots generally constant, the following time slot is then re-designated as skippable, although this step is optional.

After designation or re-designation of the upcoming supplemental content slot as either skippable or non-skippable, server418may transmit for display a supplemental content item for play during the supplemental content slot (Step1350). The process may then terminate (Step1360). If a skip is deemed not likely, the process may instead skip to Step1360without re-designation of any time slots from their original skippable or non-skippable designations. As above, server418may select this supplemental content according to determined skip likelihood, such as by selecting content that conveys its intended message quickly, still images, and the like, if skip likelihood is high and the supplemental content slot has been designated skippable. Conversely, if skip likelihood is deemed low or the supplemental content slot has been designated as non-skippable, supplemental content may be selected in any other manner, without regard to the speed at which an intended image or message is conveyed.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required to practice the methods and systems of the disclosure. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. For example, skip likelihood may be determined in any manner from any inputs or combinations thereof. Any supplemental content may be selected in response to any determined skip likelihood, and any responsive actions may be taken. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the methods and systems of the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Additionally, different features of the various embodiments, disclosed or otherwise, can be mixed and matched or otherwise combined so as to create further embodiments contemplated by the disclosure.