WO2011151817A1

WO2011151817A1 - Methods and system for providing time based media content suggestions

Info

Publication number: WO2011151817A1
Application number: PCT/IL2011/000417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yaniv David Solnik; Roy Valler; Igor Dvorkin; Joshua Wortman
Original assignee: Honeybee Tv Israel Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-05-30
Filing date: 2011-05-30
Publication date: 2011-12-08

Abstract

A method of providing media content suggestions. The method comprises providing a statistical model mapping a distribution of a presentation of media content from a plurality of content categories in a plurality of time slots during a defined time period, providing a plurality of media content items available for one or more users during a first of the plurality of time slots, scoring each the media content item for presentation during the first time slot according to match with the statistical model, and selecting at least one media content suggestion for one or more of the media content items according to the scoring.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TIME BASED

MEDIA CONTENT SUGGESTIONS

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a system and a method for enhancing the user experience of a device for displaying media content from multiple sources and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and a method for enhancing the user experience of a device for displaying media content from multiple sources by generating and displaying media content suggestions.

During the last decade a great number of viewing choices are available to consumers today through service providers, such as satellite (SAT) and cable service providers, that deliver digital and/or analog media content through direct broadcast satellite and cable receivers. The delivered media content includes television

programming, video on demand (VOD) services, radio programming, Internet content, interactive content, and databases from other networks, including proprietary networks.

As hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand, of media channels and media content services are currently available for viewing through these service providers, consumers cannot effectively process their viewing choices in a reasonable time. Thus, consumers may watch television programming without knowing that an alternative choice, which would be preferred, is available on a different viewing channel and/or media content service. In addition, consumers may ignore television viewing or recording opportunities because they are unaware that programming of interest is available on a viewing channel.

During the last years several methods and systems for assisting a viewer in the selection of media content have been developed. For example, International Publication Number WO 01/99427 published on December 27, 2008 describes a system in which information from multiple channels is provided to users, wherein multiple channels of programming content are received at a service head end connection of user viewing, information about a viewing interests of a user at a display device are received from a user, a recommendation about a channel of interest of the user is determined, based on the received information, and the user is informed of the recommended channel at the display device. A user may designate an interface agent that is associated with received user information for display on a viewing device.

Another example is described in International Patent Application No.

IL2009/000619, filed on July 23, 2009, which describes method for promoting one or more media content items according to viewing habits at a client terminal. The method comprises providing a set of satisfaction scores each from an exemplary media content item and at least one similarity dataset defining a similarity among a plurality of media content items, receiving at least one reference to a group of the plurality of media content items, using the at least one similarity dataset for rating at least one member of the group according to satisfaction scores of similar the exemplary media items, and presenting at least one viewing recommendation to at least one member of the group, the at least one member being selected according to the rating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing media content suggestions. The method comprises a) providing a statistical model mapping a distribution of a presentation of media content of a plurality of content categories among a plurality of time slots during a defined time period, b) providing a plurality of media content items available for at least one user during a first of the plurality of time slots, c) scoring each media content item for presentation during the first time slot according to match with the statistical model, and d) providing at least one media content suggestion for at least one of the plurality of media content items according to the scoring.

Optionally, the providing comprises selecting a statistical model mapping the distribution in a plurality of time slots during a certain period of the year.

Optionally, the method further comprises identifying at least one categorizing characteristic for each media content item and adjusting the scoring accordingly.

More optionally, the at least one categorizing characteristic comprises a member of a group consisting of a genre title, a subgenre, a show type, a ratings, a producing entity. Optionally, the scoring comprises adding at least one of a penalty and a bonus to another score of each media content item.

Optionally, the providing comprises identifying an event and selecting a statistical model mapping the distribution in a plurality of time slots during a similar event.

, Optionally, the scoring comprises weighting the scoring according at least one business logic rule.

Optionally, the method further comprises^" presenting the at least one media content suggestion to the at least one user.

Optionally, the at least one user comprises a plurality of subscribers of at least one content provider.

Optionally, the plurality of media content items are plurality of media content items available for watching by a plurality of users, the

providing comprises arranging a schedule comprising the plurality of media content items according to the scoring.

More optionally, the schedule is a content provider guide presented to the plurality of users.

Optionally, the plurality of media content items are a plurality of media content items watched by a certain user, the providing comprises providing at least one media content suggestion personalized for the certain user.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating a statistical model. The method comprises providing at least one schedule of a plurality of presentation events of a plurality of media content items, identifying a presentation time slot and at least one content category of each of the plurality of media content item, generating a statistical model by mapping a distribution of the plurality of presentation events among a plurality of time slots, each presentation event being mapped according to a relation to at least one of a plurality of content categories, and using the statistical model for scoring a presentation of a media content item in a selected time slot.

Optionally, identifying comprises identifying a combination of the plurality of content categories and at least one additional content characteristic, using the statistical model comprising matching the combination with a respective record of the statistical model.

More optionally, the at least one additional content characteristic comprises a member of a group consisting of rating, length, and production related data.

Optionally, the at least one schedule is selected from a group consisting of an electronic program guide (EPG), an interactive program(me) guides (IPG), an electronic service guide (ESG), a documentation of video on demand (VOD) items playing time and amount, a documentation of online gaming time and amount, a documentation of media content streaming time and amount, and a documentation of website visit time and amount.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system of providing at least one media content suggestion. The system comprises a repository which stores a statistical model mapping a distribution of a media content from a plurality of content categories in a plurality of time slots during a defined time period, a media content selection module which selects a plurality of media content items available for at least one user during a certain of the plurality of time slots, a scoring module which scores each media content item for presentation during the first time slot according to match with the statistical model, and promotion unit which provides at least one media content suggestion to at least one of the plurality of media content items according to the scoring.

Optionally, the media content selection module is installed in a remote client terminal associated with the at least one user.

Optionally, the media content selection module selects the plurality of media content items according to the availability thereof to the at least one user during the certain time slot.

Optionally, the at least one media content suggestion comprises at least one trailer of the at least one media content item.

Optionally, the promotion unit provides a watching guide having a plurality of entries each for another of the plurality of media content items, the plurality of entries being arranged according to the scoring.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a media content suggestion system connected to a plurality of client terminals via a communication network, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of method of generating one or more media content suggestions according to an evaluation of the suitability of presenting one or more plurality media content items, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of creating a statistical model by training a training dataset, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary table that defines a statistical distribution of the presentation of media content items from different content categories among various time slots, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graph of a penalty/bonus scoring, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of method of arranging guide entries according to an evaluation of the suitability of presenting one or more related plurality media content items, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a system and a method for enhancing the user experience of a device for displaying media content from multiple sources and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and a method for enhancing the user experience of a device for displaying media content from multiple sources by generating and displaying media content suggestions.,

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are provided methods and systems of presenting media content suggestions, such as trailers or guide entries, for media content items, such as movies, games, TV shows and the like according to statistical time based data pertaining to the presentation of media content items from different content categories. For example, temporal data may be the broadcasting time, the watching time, the streaming time, the media content ordering time, and/or any other presentation time. The system and the method are based on a statistical model that maps a distribution of the presentation of media content items from different content categories, such as genre, among a plurality of time slots during a defined time period, for example among different hours of the day. First, a plurality of media content items, which are available for one or more users during a certain time slot are provided, for example by an analysis of a user profile or a personal TV guide or an analysis of entries of a VOD provider and/or any other content provider. These media content items may include broadcasted and/or recorded movies and shows, VOD elements, games, and/or interactive activities which are available to the user. Then, the presentation of each one of the media content items during the certain time slot is scored according to match with the statistical model. These scores may be used for selecting one or more media content suggestions, for example trailers or banners. The selected media content suggestions are presented to the one or more users, either upon request, as a guide which is arranged according to the scoring and/or as promotional content.

According to some embodiments of the present invention there are provided methods of generating a statistical model. The method is based on the analysis of one or more schedules of the presentation of a plurality of media content items during a defined period, such as a day, a week, a month and/or a number of days, weeks, or months, optionally sequential or repetitively every a respective period of the year. This allows identifying a presentation time slot and one or more content categories of each media content item in the one or more schedules. Now, a statistical model is generated by mapping the distribution of the presentation events of media content items among a plurality of time slots. Each presentation event is mapped according to a relation to one or more of a plurality of content categories. The statistical model may be used for scoring a presentation of other media content items in a selected time slot, optionally in real time.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Some embodiments of the present invention are related to methods and systems of generating one or more media content suggestions for media content items selected based on their suitability to a requested time, such as the current time, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A media content item may be a pre-defined transmission scheduling (PDT) item that has strongly defined time periods of usage, such as shows and films in a pre-defined transmission scheduling, multiplayer games which are held in a certain time slot, a live broadcast, such as a sport event and a concert, and the like. The media content item may also be a no pre-defined transmission scheduling (NPDT) item that has no predefined transmission scheduling, such as a video on demand (VOD) entry, a media content stream, and an interactive game. For example, media content item means a movie, a chapter of TV series, a TV series, a TV movie, a VOD entry, an interactive game, a multiplayer game, gaming module, a TV show, an audio show, a concert, a sport event, a news broadcast, and/or any other discrete media content that can be displayed and/or played using a client terminal. As used herein, a media content suggestion means a visual promotion, a guide entry, an audio promotion, a trailer, a graphical representation, an image, a viewing reminder, a promoting text, a promoting audio segment, a promoting graphic element, a media content that is designed for encouraging a viewer to watch media content and any combination thereof. As used herein, a promotion means conscious and/or subconscious promotions.

Reference is also made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of a media content suggestion system 200 that is connected to a plurality of client terminals 201 - 204 via a communication network and/or infrastructure 205, according to some embodiments of the present invention. As used herein a client terminal means a cable set top box (STB), a satellite STB, a digital TV (DTV), a mobile phone, a tablet, a web station, such as a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any other device which is designed to intercepted a plurality of streams and/or transmissions of changeable media content, such as TV channels, games and/or VOD entries. Optionally, the client terminal may include a presentation unit, such as a display, for presenting media content items. The media items are available at via media content service, such as TV shows, movies, TV series, the Internet, a personal video recorder (PVR), a video on demand source 207, a network PVR (NPVR) 206, and game servers 218. It should be noted that though only four client terminals 201 - 204 are depicted in FIG. 1, the media content suggestion system 200 may be connected to any number of client terminals.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method 100 and/or the system 200 are designed for providing one or more media content suggestions to media content items which are available at a certain client terminal, such as a cable STB or a satellite STB. Optionally, as further described below, the media content suggestions are designed to be presented on the client terminal as a set of trailers.

The media content suggestion system 200 includes scoring module 201 that is set to evaluate the suitability of playing, displaying, participating in, presenting and/or otherwise activating media content in various time slots. For brevity, these operations may be referred to herein as presenting.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart of a method of selecting and/or generating one or more media content suggestions according to the suitability of presenting respective plurality media content items in a certain time slot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

First, as shown at 101, a statistical model 202, such as an index 202, is provided, for example generated using a training dataset that is trained by a training module 215. The statistical model 202 sets a statistical distribution of the presentation of media content items of different content categories among a plurality of time slots. This distribution allows setting a presentation suitability score for the presentation of media content items from different content categories during various time slots.

Optionally, the statistical model 202 is generated by the training module 215 using a training dataset that includes content category records which may be optionally stored in a database 203. Different content category records may be for different content categories, for example different genres, such as sport, consumer, shopping, medical, law, health, fight, cartoon, kids, educational, pornography, game show and/or any combination thereof. Each content category record in the dataset index 202 includes an identification (ID) value, such as a unique name, number and the like, and optionally at least one categorizing characteristic, such as genre title, subgenre, show type, for example Movie, Series, TV Show, Sports, and news, length, ratings, such as Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating and producer. In such an embodiment, different records may be assigned to two different subgenres of a common genre and/or to two media content items of the same genre but with different rating.

Optionally, a content category record may be a record of a cluster of a number of genres. For example, basketball related movies, soccer related movies, and tennis related movies may be documented as having a sport genre. Optionally, different content category records may be of a common genre and different lengths.

Each content category record is tagged with a distribution of channel value, for example selected from the following: Full Power Broadcast, Cable, Satellite, Low Power Broadcast, Radio Station Broadcast, a Split Broadcast, a Network Broadcast, listings data, such as a Tribune Media Services (TMS) Specialty listings data and/or any combination thereof.

Each media content item profile record includes a set of time slot fields, for example half-hourly, three-quarters and/or hourly time slots. Optionally the time represented in the time slot fields is set in a unified time protocol, such as universal time coordinated (UTC) that is based on the atomic clock or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) so as to serve as a basis for uniform calculation of time in all parts of the world. Some or all of the time slot fields may be sequential time slots and/or overlap with other time slot fields. Optionally, an arbitrary set of overlapping time slots may be used. Such overlapping time slots may be used to explore how stable the presentation of the media content item is. Optionally, at first, the value of each one of the set of time slot fields of each record is set as null.

Optionally, in order to train the training dataset, one or more schedules of presentation events are analyzed to update the set of time slot fields of respective content category record. As used herein, schedule means a program guide, for example electronic program guide (EPG) 208, an interactive program(me) guides (IPG) and/or an Electronic Service Guide (ESG), a documentation of video on demand (VOD) items playing time and amount, a documentation of online gaming time and amount, for example user entry time and amount, a documentation of media content streaming time and amount, and/or a documentation of website visit time and amount.

Alternatively, the statistical model 202 is generated by a personalization module which trains the training dataset by analyzing viewing patterns and selection of a certain user. In such an embodiment, the personalization module, which may be an add-on installed in the user's client terminal and/or in an external server that monitors the users activity, records the users viewing selections and/or patterns to generate a personalized statistical module which reflects the user activity in different time of the day, optionally in different times of the year and.or during certain events. In such an embodiment, the personalized statistical model is used to generate or select media content suggestions which are adapted for the user. For example, a user that watches cartoons during the night may receive respective media content suggestions while other users receive different media content suggestions.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a flowchart of a method 400 of creating a statistical model by training a training dataset based on actual presentation events, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The method, which is based on statistical analysis of a plurality of presentation events, allows generating a statistical model that is not based on biased assumptions of an expert.

First, as shown at 401, a schedule of a plurality of presentation events, such as an EPG, is selected. As used herein, a presentation event is a time slot in which a certain media content item is available for presentation, for example a show, a movie and/or a game or a user viewing event in which a certain media content item is watched or otherwise used by the user. The training dataset is created according to actual presentation time of various shows and optionally other schedules which reflect media content item time usage.

When the statistical model is a personalized statistical model, a dataset that documents the schedule of user viewing events is selected or used. Such a dataset defines time slots in which certain media content items were watched or otherwise used by the user, for example a show, a movie and/or a game. The training dataset is created according to actual presentation time of various shows by the certain user and optionally other schedules which reflect media content item time usage by the certain user.

Than, as shown at 402, presentation event is selected from a received schedule. Then, as shown at 403, the availability time, for example the broadcasting time, of the selected presentation event is identified, for example using text analysis modules.

Optionally, the distribution channel of the presentation event is also extracted from the received schedule in a similar manner. Optionally, the broadcasting time is calibrated according to the used unified time protocol. Now, as shown at 404, one or more categorizing characteristics of the media item content that is presented during the presentation event, such as genre, rating, and the like are identified. Optionally, the ID of the media item content that is presented during the presentation event, for example its name, is matched with a record of a media content item database, for example as described in International Patent Application No.

IL2009/000619, filed on July 23, 2009. Such a media content item database includes a plurality of media content item profile records, each having a media content item ID and its respective categorizing characteristics, for example, genre, rating, length and the like. The matching allows identifying the categorizing characteristics of the content item.

Now, as shown at 405, a training dataset is updated according to the categorizing characteristics of the media content media item of the media content media item event, for example its genre. Optionally, the training dataset is an index having a plurality of content category records. Examples content category records are "Is sport" content category record, "Is Drama" content category record, "Is host show" content category record and the like. The content category record, which is related to categorizing characteristics of the media item, is updated. For example, the respective time slot field of the content category record is updated to reflect that additional presentation event is in the respective time slot.

If the media content item of the probed presentation event belongs to several content categories that would not be grouped together, such as "Drama" and "Comedy", the content category record which is associated with the largest penalty score at the respective time slot is selected so as to minimize bad/inappropriate suggestions. In another embodiment, the content category record which documents more presentation events is selected as statistically it is stronger and more stable. In another embodiment, the content category record which provides the score most deviated from and a certain value, for example 1.0, are selected. This emphasizes that certain categories may make a significant statement about the best showtime, but sample size and subsequently accuracy may suffer.

As shown at 406, this process is repeated for each presentation event in the analyzed schedule. As shown at 407, this process may be repeated for any number of schedules. Optionally, the process is performed every one or more days, weeks, and/or months to maintain its currentness. Each time the process is executed, one or more schedules that maps events during a certain training period are checked, for example a day, a week, and/or a month.

Now, as shown at 408, a statistical model that defines a presentation time suitability score for each one of the plurality of time slots of each one of the content categories is calculated according to the values in the time slot fields. For example, the presentation time suitability score may be calculated as the percentage of media content items which are available in the respective time slot during the training period. Optionally, the presentation time suitability score may be integrated with existing presentation time suitability scores using the following transform:

NewScore= OldScore x f(CurrentScore)

The outcome of this block may be presented or provided as a table, for example as shown by FIG. 4, v/hich is an exemplary table that defines a statistical distribution of a plurality of presentation events in various time slots, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally, if the number of presentation events, which are analyzed to train a certain content category record, is below a certain threshold, the certain content category is clustered with one or more other content categories. For example, of less than 3% of the total amount of presentation events is related to a certain content category, this content category is clustered with one or more other content categories, for example according to a predefined mapping.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of statistical models are created, each for a different period of the year. In such an embodiment, the statistical model is generated by analyzing schedules of presentation events which occur in a certain period of the year, optionally in number of years. In such a manner, statistical models which map the distribution of media content items of different categories, which have been presented during different months, sessions, and/or holidays, for example, Christmas, independence day, and/or memorial weekend, are provided and used at respective times.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of statistical models are created, each for a different user or a group of different users. In such an embodiment, the statistical models are used to create personalized suggestions, for example as described above. . Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of statistical models are created, each for a different event, such as election, world cup, Olympics, and the like. In such an embodiment, the statistical model is generated by analyzing schedules of presentation events which occur in a period during which a respective event occurs. In such a manner, statistical models which map the distribution of media content items of different categories, which have been presented during different events, are provided and used at respective times.

Reference is now made, once again, to FIGs. 1 and 2. In use, the process depicted in FIG. 2 may be initiated by a request for media content suggestions which is received, at the system 200, from one of the client terminals 201-204. Then, the system 200 may perform blocks 102-105 to generate a dataset that includes scored group of media items which are available for the requesting client terminal or for a group of users, for example subscribers of a certain content provider. The dataset, as further described below allows presenting one or more media content suggestions to the requesting client terminal.

As shown at 102, a requested presentation time is provided, for example from a client terminal via the network 205, and optionally translated according to the unified time protocol. Optionally, the requested time is a current time which may be identified by the system's 200 clock and/or any other time measurement element.

Now, as shown at 103, a group of available media content items which available for presentation at the requested presentation time and/or during a predefined thereinafter is provided. The group may be selected by a media content selection module 216 that is installed in the system, for example according to a user profile, a database and/or a schedule of a content provider, and/or by a respective module which is installed in the client terminal 201-204. For example, such a group may be selected as described in International Patent Application No. IL2009/000619, filed on July 23, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the group of available media content items which available for presentation is selected and/or provided by the requesting client terminal 201-204 and/or one or more content providers. In another example, the identity of the requesting client terminal and/or its access rights to media content are received by the system 200 that verifies which media content items are available according to a respective user profile, for example as defined in an external database that host a plurality of user profiles. Now, as shown at 104, each available media content item is scored using the statistical model. Optionally, the scoring of each available media content item is performed by identifying one or more categorizing characteristics thereof, for example genre, and identifying a match between the one or more categorizing characteristics and one or more records of the statistical model. As described above, the statistical model may include records which are identified by a number of categorizing characteristics, for example genre and length, genre and rating, and the like. In such an embodiment the match is between a plurality of categorizing characteristics of each available media content item and the one or more records of the statistical model. After the match is identified, the value in the respective time slot field is used to score the available media content item.

Optionally, the categorizing characteristics identification is performed by identifying a match between the title of the available media item content, for example its name and one or more records of a media content item profile database, for example as described in International Patent Application No. IL2009/000619, filed on July 23, 2009. Such a media content item profile database includes a plurality of media content item profile records, each having a. media content item ID and its respective categorizing characteristics, for example, genre, rating, length and the like. The matching allows identifying the media content characteristics of the available content item.

Optionally, each score is weighted according to proportionally to its degree of intersection with the requested time slot.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the scores are used combined with other suitability scores and/or analysis, for example scores which rank a media content item according to user history, user profile, and/or a cumulative users rating. For example, the score is calculated as a penalty and/or bonus for another score. For example, if a certain decision model scores media content items in a range of between [0,1], a score scale with logarithmic tendency between -1000 and 50 is defined, for example as shown at FIG. 5. Such a scale may be set by the following transformation function: BPB(BDM(show))=50*ln(BDM(show))+50 where BPB denotes BTTA Penalty Bonus and BDM denotes BTTA Decision model. Such a penalty or bonus allows adjusting the recommendation process according to business logic rules. The business logic rules may be set during the configuration of the system as restrict rules that maps instance properties to absolute score. For example adult content may be penalized between 05:00 and 23:30 time slots and credited with a bonus between 00:30 and 04:00. In another example, cartoon content may be penalized between 22:00 and 05:30 time slots and credited with a bonus between 07:00 and 18:00.

Now, as shown at 105, one or more available media content items from the scored group are selected for promotion according to their suitability scores. For example, media content suggestions for the 5, 10, 15, and/or 20 available media content items of the group are selected and presented to the user or relocated in a guide having a plurality of media content suggestion, for example guide entries. This allows, as shown at 106, presenting promotional content, which is related to the one or more selected available media content items, to the user at its client terminal 201-204.

Optionally, the promotional content is acquired by the system from a promotion repository 213, for example as defined in International Patent Application No.

IL2009/000619, filed on July 23, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the promotion repository 213 hosts a plurality of promotion files, such as trailers. The promotion repository 213 holds a plurality of available trailers; each associated with the one or more media content items it represents. Optionally, the system 200 selects a media content suggestion for each one of the selected available media content items or arranges a guide having entries related to these media content items accordingly.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart 600 of method of arranging guide entries according to an evaluation of the suitability of one or more related plurality media content items for presentation in a certain time slot, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Blocks 101-104 are as depicted in FIG. 2 and described above. The group of available media content items, which are provided as described in relation to 104, is provided by a content provider, for example a VOD service provider, a cable TV content provider, a satellite content provider and the like. In these embodiments, as shown at 601, the scoring is used to arrange the display of the available media content items, for example the arrangement of entries in a watching guide, such as an EPG. In such a manner, a media content item having a high score may be presented before another media content item having a lower score and/or placed in a higher location in a menu, such as an EPG. In such an embodiment, the scoring may be used to provide a dynamic schedule which set according to the aforementioned time based suitability. In such embodiments, the media content items are available to a plurality of different users, such as viewers, for example some or all of the subscribers of certain content provider.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the media content suggestions are trailers. Optionally, the trailers are presented sequentially, for example according their suitability score and/or simultaneously, for example in an arrangement in which they are arranged according to their suitability score. Optionally, an image, a text, a video segment, message, and/or a dynamic template, which is updated with information describing the selected available media content items, for example from the respective profile, is selected and presented as a media content suggestion.

Optionally, the promotion repository 213 is connected to a promotion generation module 214. As described above, the promotion repository 213 allows displaying a promotion, such as a trailer to a certain media content item, thereby to brief the viewer about the content which has been identified as matching for his taste and/or for promoting the selected media content items. In order to provide such a brief and/or promotion, the promotion repository 213 hosts a media content suggestion per media content profile in the content profile database 211. Optionally, the promotion repository 213 is designed to automatically acquire promotions to media content from the Internet. For example, promotion generation module 214 may access databases of websites that host trailers, such as www.imdb.com, and/or designated websites of movies and/or TV series. Optionally, the promotion generation module 214 includes one or more format converters to adjust the promotion to display on the client terminal. The adjustment may include converting file format, size, resolution, and/or system standard, such as phase alternate line (PAL) to national television standards committee (NTSC) and vice versa. For example, a TV trailer may be converted to be used by mobile and a trailer file from a DVD may be converted to a MPEG-2 format which is supported by the system 200. Optionally, the promotion generation module 214 is designed for generating promotions, such as trailers, for media content items. Such a promotion may be generated by combining available media files, such as text, video and/or audio files.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant methods and systems will be developed and the scope of the term computing unit, module and client terminal is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

The phrase "consisting essentially of" means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments". Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of providing media content suggestions, comprising:

a) providing a statistical model mapping a distribution of a presentation of media content of a plurality of content categories among a plurality of time slots during a defined time period;

b) providing a plurality of media content items available for at least one user during a first of said plurality of time slots;

c) scoring each said media content item for presentation during said first time slot according to match with said statistical model; and

d) providing at least one media content suggestion for at least one of said plurality of media content items according to said scoring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing comprises selecting a statistical model mapping said distribution in a plurality of time slots during a certain period of the year.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one categorizing characteristic for each said media content item and adjusting said scoring accordingly.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said at least one categorizing characteristic comprises a member of a group consisting of a genre title, a subgenre, a show type, a ratings, a producing entity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said scoring comprises adding at least one of a penalty and a bonus to another score of each said media content item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing comprises identifying an event and selecting a statistical model mapping said distribution in a plurality of time slots during a similar event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said scoring comprises weighting said scoring according at least one business logic rule.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting said at least one media content suggestion to said at least one user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one user comprises a plurality of subscribers of at least one content provider.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of media content items are plurality of media content items available for watching by a plurality of users, said providing comprises arranging a schedule comprising said plurality of media content items according to said scoring.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said schedule is a content provider guide presented to said plurality of users.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of media content items are a plurality of media content items watched by a certain user, said providing comprises providing at least one media content suggestion personalized for said certain user.

13. A method of generating a statistical model, comprising:

providing at least one schedule of a plurality of presentation events of a plurality of media content items;

identifying a presentation time slot and at least one content category of each of said plurality of media content item;

generating a statistical model by mapping a distribution of said plurality of presentation events among a plurality of time slots, each said presentation event being mapped according to a relation to at least one of a plurality of content categories; and using said statistical model for scoring a presentation of a media content item in a selected time slot.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying comprises identifying a combination of said plurality of content categories and at least one additional content characteristic, using said statistical model comprising matching said combination with a respective record of said statistical model.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one additional content characteristic comprises a member of a group consisting of rating, length, and production related data.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one schedule is selected from a group consisting of an electronic program guide (EPG), an interactive program(mej guides (IPG), an electronic service guide (ESG), a documentation of video on demand (VOD) items playing time and amount, a documentation of online gaming time and amount, a documentation of media content streaming time and amount, and a documentation of website visit time and amount.

17. A system of providing at least one media content suggestion, comprising:

A repository which stores a statistical model mapping a distribution of a media content from a plurality of content categories in a plurality of time slots during a defined time period;

a media content selection module which selects a plurality of media content items available for at least one user during a certain of said plurality of time slots;

a scoring module which scores each said media content item for presentation during said first time slot according to match with said statistical model; and

promotion unit which provides at least one media content suggestion to at least one of said plurality of media content items according to said scoring.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said media content selection module is installed in a remote client terminal associated with said at least one user.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said media content selection module selects said plurality of media content items according to the availability thereof to said at least one user during said certain time slot.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said at least one media content suggestion comprises at least one trailer of said at least one media content item.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein said promotion unit provides a watching guide having a plurality of entries each for another of said plurality of media content items, said plurality of entries being arranged according to said scoring.