U.S. patent application number 15/086932 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-05 for methods, systems, and media for indicating viewership of a video based on context.
The applicant listed for this patent is Google Inc.. Invention is credited to Gavin James, Justin Lewis.
Application Number | 20170289594 15/086932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57750604 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170289594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
James; Gavin ; et
al. |
October 5, 2017 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR INDICATING VIEWERSHIP OF A VIDEO
BASED ON CONTEXT
Abstract
Methods, systems, and media for indicating viewership of a video
are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises:
identifying a video; identifying a group of users connected to a
first user of a user device; determining, for each user in the
group of users, an affinity score, wherein the affinity score
indicates an interaction of the user with the identified video;
receiving a request to present, on the user device, a page that
includes an indication of the video; in response to receiving the
request, determining contextual information related to the request;
identifying a subset of users in the group of users connected to
the first user based on the affinity score associated with each
user and the contextual information; and causing a group of
indicators corresponding to the subset of users to be presented on
the user device in connection with the indication of the video.
Inventors: |
James; Gavin; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Lewis; Justin; (Marina del Rey, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Google Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57750604 |
Appl. No.: |
15/086932 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/252 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; G06Q 30/0201 20130101; G06F 16/44 20190101;
H04N 21/25891 20130101; G06Q 50/01 20130101; G06F 16/735 20190101;
H04N 21/4661 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; H04N 21/44204
20130101; H04N 21/4668 20130101; G06Q 30/0282 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/25 20060101
H04N021/25; H04N 21/442 20060101 H04N021/442; H04N 21/45 20060101
H04N021/45; H04N 21/466 20060101 H04N021/466; H04N 21/258 20060101
H04N021/258 |
Claims
1. A method for indicating viewership of a video based on context,
comprising: identifying a video from a plurality of videos;
identifying a group of users connected to a first user of a user
device; determining, for each user in the group of users, an
affinity score, wherein the affinity score indicates an interaction
of each user in the group of users with the identified video;
receiving a request to present, on the user device, a page that
includes an indication of the video; in response to receiving the
request, determining contextual information related to the request,
wherein the contextual information includes a navigation history on
the user device that indicates a page associated with at least one
user in the group of users that was viewed on the user device prior
to receiving the request to present the page that includes the
indication of the video; identifying a subset of users in the group
of users connected to the first user based on the affinity score
associated with each user in the group of users and the navigation
history, wherein the subset of users includes the at least one
user; and causing a group of indicators corresponding to the subset
of users to be presented on the user device in connection with the
indication of the video.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising ranking the users in
the subset of users, wherein an order of indicators within the
group of indicators is determined based on the ranking.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the affinity score further
indicates an interest of each user in the group of users in a topic
associated with the identified video.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, for each
user in the group of users, a second affinity score, wherein the
second affinity score indicates a strength of a relationship
between each user in the group of users and the first user of the
user device, and wherein identifying the subset of users is based
at least in part on the second affinity score.
5. (canceled)
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining, based on
the navigation history, that the request to present the page that
includes the indication of the video was received based on a
selection of an endorsement by a second user of the identified
video; and causing the second user to be included in the subset of
users.
7. A system for indicating viewership of a video based on context,
the system comprising: a memory; and a hardware processor that,
when executing computer executable instructions stored in the
memory, is programmed to: identify a video from a plurality of
videos; identify a group of users connected to a first user of a
user device; determine, for each user in the group of users, an
affinity score, wherein the affinity score indicates an interaction
of each user in the group of users with the identified video;
receive a request to present, on the user device, a page that
includes an indication of the video; in response to receiving the
request, determine contextual information related to the request,
wherein the contextual information includes a navigation history on
the user device that indicates a page associated with at least one
user in the group of users that was viewed on the user device prior
to receiving the request to present the page that includes the
indication of the video; identify a subset of users in the group of
users connected to the first user based on the affinity score
associated with each user in the group of users and the navigation
history, wherein the subset of users includes the at least one
user; and cause a group of indicators corresponding to the subset
of users to be presented on the user device in connection with the
indication of the video.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the hardware processor is further
programmed to rank the users in the subset of users, wherein an
order of indicators within the group of indicators is determined
based on the ranking.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the affinity score further
indicates an interest of each user in the group of users in a topic
associated with the identified video.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the hardware processor is
further programmed to determine, for each user in the group of
users, a second affinity score, wherein the second affinity score
indicates a strength of a relationship between each user in the
group of users and the first user of the user device, and wherein
identifying the subset of users is based at least in part on the
second affinity score.
11. (canceled)
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware processor is
further programmed to: determine, based on the navigation history,
that the request to present the page that includes the indication
of the video was received based on a selection of an endorsement by
a second user of the identified video; and cause the second user to
be included in the subset of users.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer
executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause
the processor to perform a method for indicating viewership of a
video based on context, comprising: identifying a video from a
plurality of videos; identifying a group of users connected to a
first user of a user device; determining, for each user in the
group of users, an affinity score, wherein the affinity score
indicates an interaction of each user in the group of users with
the identified video; receiving a request to present, on the user
device, a page that includes an indication of the video; in
response to receiving the request, determining contextual
information related to the request, wherein the contextual
information includes a navigation history on the user device that
indicates a page associated with at least one user in the group of
users that was viewed on the user device prior to receiving the
request to present the page that includes the indication of the
video; identifying a subset of users in the group of users
connected to the first user based on the affinity score associated
with each user in the group of users and the navigation history,
wherein the subset of users includes the at least one user; and
causing a group of indicators corresponding to the subset of users
to be presented on the user device in connection with the
indication of the video.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,
wherein the method further comprises ranking the users in the
subset of users, wherein an order of indicators within the group of
indicators is determined based on the ranking.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,
wherein the affinity score further indicates an interest of each
user in the group of users in a topic associated with the
identified video.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,
wherein the method further comprises determining, for each user in
the group of users, a second affinity score, wherein the second
affinity score indicates a strength of a relationship between each
user in the group of users and the first user of the user device,
and wherein identifying the subset of users is based at least in
part on the second affinity score.
17. (canceled)
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17,
wherein the method further comprises: determining, based on the
navigation history, that the request to present the page that
includes the indication of the video was received based on a
selection of an endorsement by a second user of the identified
video; and causing the second user to be included in the subset of
users.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to methods, systems,
and media for indicating viewership of a video based on
context.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many users browse video sharing sites to find and watch a
video. For example, a user may browse a listing of available
videos, and the listing may include the title of the video, a genre
of the video, and other information. It can be difficult for the
user to determine whether they are likely to enjoy the video.
However, knowing that friends of the user have watched the video or
liked the video can allow the user to decide that they are likely
to enjoy the video.
[0003] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods, systems,
and media for indicating viewership of a video based on
context.
SUMMARY
[0004] Methods, systems, and media for indicating viewership of a
video based on context are provided. In accordance with some
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for
indicating viewership of a video is provided, the method
comprising: identifying a video from a plurality of videos;
identifying a group of users connected to a first user of a user
device; determining, for each user in the group of users, an
affinity score, wherein the affinity score indicates an interaction
of the user with the identified video; receiving a request to
present, on the user device, a page that includes an indication of
the video; in response to receiving the request, determining
contextual information related to the request; identifying a subset
of users in the group of users connected to the first user based on
the affinity score associated with each user and the contextual
information; and causing a group of indicators corresponding to the
subset of users to be presented on the user device in connection
with the indication of the video.
[0005] In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter, a system for indicating viewership of a video is provided,
the system comprising: a hardware processor that is programmed to:
identify a video from a plurality of videos; identify a group of
users connected to a first user of a user device; determine, for
each user in the group of users, an affinity score, wherein the
affinity score indicates an interaction of the user with the
identified video; receive a request to present, on the user device,
a page that includes an indication of the video; in response to
receiving the request, determine contextual information related to
the request; identify a subset of users in the group of users
connected to the first user based on the affinity score associated
with each user and the contextual information; and cause a group of
indicators corresponding to the subset of users to be presented on
the user device in connection with the indication of the video.
[0006] In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing
computer executable instructions that, when executed by a
processor, cause the processor to perform a method for indicating
viewership of a video is provided. The method comprises:
identifying a video from a plurality of videos; identifying a group
of users connected to a first user of a user device; determining,
for each user in the group of users, an affinity score, wherein the
affinity score indicates an interaction of the user with the
identified video; receiving a request to present, on the user
device, a page that includes an indication of the video; in
response to receiving the request, determining contextual
information related to the request; identifying a subset of users
in the group of users connected to the first user based on the
affinity score associated with each user and the contextual
information; and causing a group of indicators corresponding to the
subset of users to be presented on the user device in connection
with the indication of the video.
[0007] In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter, a system for indicating viewership of a video is provided,
the system comprising: means for identifying a video from a
plurality of videos; means for identifying a group of users
connected to a first user of a user device; means for determining,
for each user in the group of users, an affinity score, wherein the
affinity score indicates an interaction of the user with the
identified video; means for receiving a request to present, on the
user device, a page that includes an indication of the video; in
response to receiving the request, means for determining contextual
information related to the request; means for identifying a subset
of users in the group of users connected to the first user based on
the affinity score associated with each user and the contextual
information; and means for causing a group of indicators
corresponding to the subset of users to be presented on the user
device in connection with the indication of the video.
[0008] In some embodiments, the system further comprises means for
ranking the users in the subset of users, wherein an order of
indicators within the group of indicators is determined based on
the ranking.
[0009] In some embodiments, the affinity score further indicates an
interest of the user in a topic associated with the identified
video.
[0010] In some embodiments, the system further comprises means for
determining, for each user in the group of users, a second affinity
score, wherein the second affinity score indicates a strength of a
relationship between the user and the first user of the user
device, and wherein identifying the subset of users is based at
least in part on the second affinity score.
[0011] In some embodiments, the contextual information indicates a
navigation history on the user device, wherein the navigation
history indicates a page viewed prior to receiving the request to
present the page that includes the indication of the video.
[0012] In some embodiments, the system further comprises: means for
determining, based on the navigation history, that the request to
present the page that includes the indication of the video was
received based on a selection of an endorsement by a second user of
the identified video; and means for causing the second user to be
included in the subset of users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed
subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the
following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when
considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like
reference numerals identify like elements.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example of a user interface for indicating
viewership of a video based on context in accordance with some
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an illustrative system
suitable for implementation of mechanisms described herein for
indicating viewership of a video based on context in accordance
with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a detailed example of hardware that can be used
in a server and/or a user device of FIG. 2 in accordance with some
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process for indicating
viewership of a video based on context in accordance with some
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In accordance with various embodiments, mechanisms (which
can include methods, systems, and media) for indicating viewership
of a video based on context are provided.
[0019] In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can
cause indications of viewers who have previously viewed, endorsed,
shared, and/or received suggestions to view a particular video to
be presented to a first user. For example, in some embodiments, the
viewership indicators can be presented on a page that includes an
identifier of the video (e.g., a thumbnail image associated with
the video, and/or any other suitable type of identifier of the
video). In some embodiments, the page can include a listing of
several videos, for example, to allow the first user to browse the
listing of videos. Additionally or alternatively, in some
embodiments, the page can correspond to a watch page for the video,
for example, a page that includes a video player window in which
the video is presented.
[0020] In some embodiments, the viewers can correspond to
connections of the first user, such as those who are directly
connected to the first user on a social networking service, belong
to the same group on a social networking service, and/or have any
other suitable connection to the first user. In some embodiments,
the indications can include a name of the viewer and/or an image
representing the viewer, and the indications can be presented in
connection with an identifier of the particular video, thereby
allowing the first user browsing the list of videos to quickly
identify friends who have watched and/or endorsed the video.
[0021] In some embodiments, the mechanisms can identify the viewers
associated with the presented indications based on any suitable
information. For example, in some embodiments, the viewers can be
identified based on the viewer's interest in the particular video,
the viewer's interest in a topic related to the particular video,
and/or based on any other suitable information. As another example,
in some embodiments, the viewers can be identified based on
contextual information indicating a navigation history that
includes pages visited by the first user prior to visiting the page
that includes the viewership indicators. As a more particular
example, in instances where the first user navigates to a page
associated with the video from an indication of an endorsement of
the video by a second user (e.g., an indication that the second
user enjoyed the video, shared the video on a social networking
service, commented on the video, and/or endorsed the video in any
other suitable manner), the mechanisms can cause the second user to
be included in the group of viewers associated with the viewership
indicators. As yet another example, in some embodiments, the
viewers can be identified based on a strength of a relationship
between the viewer and the first user. As a more particular
example, in some embodiments, the strength of the relationship can
be determined based on a number of times the viewer and the first
user have interacted (e.g., a number of messages sent in a
particular communication interface, and/or any other suitable
metric), a frequency of interaction, a number of shared common
interests (e.g., a number of common interests indicated on a social
networking service, and/or any other suitable metric of common
interests), a type of connection on a social networking service,
and/or any other suitable information. In some embodiments, the
mechanisms can identify the viewers and/or rank the viewers based
on any suitable combination of information.
[0022] Note that, although the mechanisms described herein relate
to indicating viewership of a video, in some embodiments, the
mechanisms can be used to indicate viewership of any suitable type
of media content, such as audio content (e.g., music, radio
programs, audiobooks, and/or any other suitable type of audio
content), television programs, movies, live streaming media
content, electronic books, and/or any other suitable type of media
content.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, an example 100 of a user interface for
indicating viewership of a video is shown in accordance with some
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated, user
interface 100 can include video thumbnails 102 and 104 and groups
of user indicators 106 and 108.
[0024] Video thumbnails 102 and 104 can correspond to any suitable
videos and can indicate any suitable information about the videos.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, video
thumbnails 102 and 104 can indicate a title of the video and can
include an image representing the video (e.g., a screen capture
from the video, an image representing a creator of the video,
and/or any other suitable image). In some embodiments, video
thumbnails 102 and 104 can include any other suitable information,
such as a creator of the video, a date associated with the video, a
number of times the video has been viewed, and/or any other
suitable information.
[0025] In some embodiments, video thumbnails 102 and 104 can be
presented based on any suitable information. For example, in some
embodiments, video thumbnails 102 and 104 can be presented on a
page suitable for browsing a collection of videos, where each video
thumbnail indicates an available video. As a more particular
example, in some embodiments, the page can correspond to a
particular channel or category of media content (e.g., media
content associated with a particular creator, television channel,
music group, and/or any other suitable entity). As another example,
in some embodiments, video thumbnails 102 and/or 104 can be
presented in a message (e.g., a message posted on a social
networking site) and/or an online chat. As a more particular
example, video thumbnails 102 and/or 104 can be included in a
message and/or chat when a user includes a link to a corresponding
video in the message and/or chat comment. Note that, although two
video thumbnails are shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, any
suitable number (e.g., zero, one, five, and/or any other suitable
number) can be included.
[0026] Groups of user indicators 106 and 108 can each include one
or more user indicators, such as user indicators 110 and 112. In
some embodiments, a group of user indicators can indicate users who
have previously viewed and endorsed the video corresponding to the
video thumbnail (e.g., group of user indicators 106). Additionally
or alternatively, in some embodiments, a group of user indicators
can indicate users with whom the user viewing user interface 100
may want to share the corresponding video (e.g., group of user
indicators 108). Note that, although one group of user indicators
is shown in connection with each video thumbnail, in some
embodiments, any suitable number of groups of user indicators
(e.g., zero, one, two, five, and/or any other suitable number) can
be included.
[0027] As described below in connection with FIG. 4, users
corresponding to the user indicators presented in user interface
100 can be selected based on any suitable information or
combination of information. For example, in some embodiments, the
users can be selected based on a determined affinity for the video
(e.g., based on whether the user has shared, and/or endorsed the
video, based on whether the user has shared and/or endorsed a
related video, and/or based on any other suitable information)
and/or a determined affinity for a topic related to the video
(e.g., based on whether the user has expressed interested in the
topic, whether the user has previously watched other videos related
to the video, and/or based on any other suitable information). As
another example, in some embodiments, the users can be selected
based on contextual information, such as a navigation history
indicating pages visited prior to a page associated with user
interface 100. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, a
particular user can be included in the group of indicators if it is
determined that the page associated with user interface 100 was
navigated to based on selection of an indication of endorsement of
the video by the particular user on another page, as described
below in connection with block 410 of FIG. 4. As yet another
example, in some embodiments, the users can be determined based on
a strength of a relationship between the users and a viewer of user
interface 100. In some embodiments, the information can be combined
in any suitable manner to select the users and/or to rank the users
to present the user indicators in any suitable order or visual
manner, as described below in connection with block 412 of FIG.
4.
[0028] Note that, in some embodiments, rather than being presented
in a page suitable for browsing videos (e.g., as in user interface
100 of FIG. 1), the user indicators can be presented in a watch
page associated with a particular video. For example, in some
embodiments, the watch page can be one in which the particular
video is presented in a video player window. In some such
embodiments, the user indicators can be presented adjacent to the
video player window, and/or in any other suitable location.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 2, an example 200 of hardware for indicating
viewership of a video based on context that can be used in
accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is
shown. As illustrated, hardware 200 can include one or more servers
such as a data server 202, a communication network 204, and/or one
or more user devices 206, such as user devices 208 and 210.
[0030] In some embodiments, data server 202 can be any suitable
server for storing information relating to users who have viewed a
video, users who have endorsed a video, users who have tagged a
connection to view a video, and/or any other suitable information.
In some embodiments, data server 202 can use the stored information
to create indications of users who have viewed, endorsed, and/or
recommended a particular video. For example, in some embodiments,
the indications can be presented to a first user, for example, if
the first user is browsing a list of videos. In some such
embodiments, the users who have viewed, endorsed, and/or
recommended the particular video can be friends of the first user.
In some embodiments, data server 202 can additionally maintain any
suitable lists and/or graphs of relationships between users that
can be used to create the indications of users who have viewed,
endorsed, and/or recommended the video. In some embodiments, data
server 202 can identify connections of the first user based on a
strength of a relationship between the first user and the
connection, a browsing history of the first user, shared interests
between the first user and the connection, and/or any other
suitable information, as described below in connection with FIG. 4.
In some embodiments, data server 202 can be omitted.
[0031] Communication network 204 can be any suitable combination of
one or more wired and/or wireless networks in some embodiments. For
example, communication network 206 can include any one or more of
the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area
network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL)
network, a frame relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
network, a virtual private network (VPN), and/or any other suitable
communication network. User devices 206 can be connected by one or
more communications links 212 to communication network 204 that can
be linked via one or more communications links (e.g.,
communications link 214) to data server 202. Communications links
212 and/or 214 can be any communications links suitable for
communicating data among user devices 206 and server 202 such as
network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, any
other suitable communications links, or any suitable combination of
such links.
[0032] In some embodiments, user devices 206 can include one or
more computing devices suitable for browsing a listing of videos,
viewing a video, viewing recommendations of videos, and/or any
other suitable functions. For example, in some embodiments, user
devices 206 can be implemented as a mobile device, such as a
smartphone, mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a
vehicle (e.g., a car, a boat, an airplane, or any other suitable
vehicle) entertainment system, a portable media player, and/or any
other suitable mobile device. As another example, in some
embodiments, user devices 206 can be implemented as a non-mobile
device such as a desktop computer, a set-top box, a television, a
streaming media player, a game console, and/or any other suitable
non-mobile device.
[0033] Although data server 202 is illustrated as one device, the
functions performed by data server 202 can be performed using any
suitable number of devices in some embodiments. For example, in
some embodiments, multiple devices can be used to implement the
functions performed by data server 202.
[0034] Although two user devices 208 and 210 are shown in FIG. 2,
any suitable number of user devices, and/or any suitable types of
user devices, can be used in some embodiments.
[0035] Data server 202 and user devices 206 can be implemented
using any suitable hardware in some embodiments. For example, in
some embodiments, devices 202 and 206 can be implemented using any
suitable general purpose computer or special purpose computer. For
example, a server may be implemented using a special purpose
computer. Any such general purpose computer or special purpose
computer can include any suitable hardware. For example, as
illustrated in example hardware 300 of FIG. 3, such hardware can
include hardware processor 302, memory and/or storage 304, an input
device controller 306, an input device 308, display/audio drivers
310, display and audio output circuitry 312, communication
interface(s) 314, an antenna 316, and a bus 318.
[0036] Hardware processor 302 can include any suitable hardware
processor, such as a microprocessor, a micro-controller, digital
signal processor(s), dedicated logic, and/or any other suitable
circuitry for controlling the functioning of a general purpose
computer or a special purpose computer in some embodiments. In some
embodiments, hardware processor 302 can be controlled by a server
program stored in memory and/or storage 304 of a server (e.g., such
as server 202). For example, the server program can cause hardware
processor 302 to store indications of users who have viewed,
endorsed, and/or recommended a video, present an indication of
connections of a user who have viewed, endorsed, and/or recommended
the video, and/or perform any other suitable actions. In some
embodiments, hardware processor 302 can be controlled by a computer
program stored in memory and/or storage 304 of user device 206. For
example, the computer program can cause hardware processor 302 to
present indications of users who have viewed, endorsed, and/or
recommended a video, and/or perform any other suitable actions.
[0037] Memory and/or storage 304 can be any suitable memory and/or
storage for storing programs, data, media content, advertisements,
and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. For
example, memory and/or storage 304 can include random access
memory, read-only memory, flash memory, hard disk storage, optical
media, and/or any other suitable memory.
[0038] Input device controller 306 can be any suitable circuitry
for controlling and receiving input from one or more input devices
308 in some embodiments. For example, input device controller 306
can be circuitry for receiving input from a touchscreen, from a
keyboard, from a mouse, from one or more buttons, from a voice
recognition circuit, from a microphone, from a camera, from an
optical sensor, from an accelerometer, from a temperature sensor,
from a near field sensor, and/or any other type of input
device.
[0039] Display/audio drivers 310 can be any suitable circuitry for
controlling and driving output to one or more display/audio output
devices 312 in some embodiments. For example, display/audio drivers
310 can be circuitry for driving a touchscreen, a flat-panel
display, a cathode ray tube display, a projector, a speaker or
speakers, and/or any other suitable display and/or presentation
devices.
[0040] Communication interface(s) 314 can be any suitable circuitry
for interfacing with one or more communication networks, such as
network 204 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, interface(s) 314 can
include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication
circuitry, and/or any other suitable type of communication network
circuitry.
[0041] Antenna 316 can be any suitable one or more antennas for
wirelessly communicating with a communication network (e.g.,
communication network 204) in some embodiments. In some
embodiments, antenna 316 can be omitted.
[0042] Bus 318 can be any suitable mechanism for communicating
between two or more components 302, 304, 306, 310, and 314 in some
embodiments.
[0043] Any other suitable components can be included in hardware
300 in accordance with some embodiments.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 4, an example 400 of a process for
presenting indicators of viewership of a video based on context is
shown in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter. In some embodiments, blocks of process 400 can be
implemented on data server 202 and/or user device 206.
[0045] Process 400 can begin by identifying a particular video at
402 for which indicators of viewership are to be presented. Process
400 can identify the video using any suitable technique(s) and
based on any suitable information. For example, in some
embodiments, the video can be one included in a video sharing
service home page presented to a particular user authenticated with
a corresponding user account. As a more particular example, in some
embodiments, the video can be associated with a collection of media
content that the user has subscribed to, a video that was shared
with a user (e.g., in a comment associated with a post on a social
networking service, included in a message to the user, and/or
shared in any other suitable manner), a video that is recommended
for the user based on previously viewed content, a video that has
been determined to be a currently popular video (e.g., has received
more than a predetermined number of views within a recent time
period, and/or identified using any other suitable popularity
metrics), and/or any other suitable video.
[0046] Process 400 can identify a group of users connected to a
first user of a user device at 404. Each user in the group of users
can be connected to the first user directly or indirectly. For
example, in some embodiments, users who are directly connected may
be direct connections on any suitable social networking service,
have directly exchanged messages through any suitable communication
interface (e.g., an instant messaging interface, e-mail, and/or any
other suitable communication interface), and/or be directly
connected in any other suitable manner. As another example, users
who are indirectly connected may both belong to the same group on a
social networking service, both be subscribed to the same channel
of media content on a video sharing service, have a direct
connection in common with both users, and/or be indirectly
connected in any other suitable manner. Process 400 can identify
the group of users connected to the first user using any suitable
technique or combination of techniques. For example, in some
embodiments, process 400 can identify direct connections of the
user on multiple networking platforms (e.g., one or more
communication interfaces, social networking services, video sharing
services, and/or any other suitable networking platforms). As
another example, in some embodiments, process 400 can identify
indirect connections and/or suggested connections by identifying
groups the first user belongs to, connections separated from the
first user by any suitable degree on a networking platform, and/or
based on any other suitable information.
[0047] At 406, for each user in the group of users, process 400 can
determine an affinity score for the user and the video identified
at block 402. Process 400 can determine the affinity score based on
any suitable information and using any suitable technique(s). For
example, in some embodiments, the affinity score can be based on
whether the user has viewed the video, has shared the video (e.g.,
in a social networking post), has subscribed to a collection of
media content associated with the video, has endorsed a collection
of media content associated with the video, has commented on the
video, has viewed other videos determined to be similar (e.g.,
created by the same entity, related to a similar topic, and/or
similar in any other suitable manner) to the identified video,
and/or has interacted with the video in any other suitable manner.
In instances where the user has interacted with the video in
multiple instances (e.g., commented on the video and endorsed the
video), process 400 can weigh the interactions in any suitable
manner to calculate the affinity score based on the multiple
interactions. For example, in some embodiments, endorsements can be
weighed more heavily than viewing content, sharing content can be
weighed more heavily than commenting on content, etc. Note that, in
some embodiments, multiple affinity scores can be calculated for
each of multiple types of interaction, and, in some such
embodiments, each affinity score can be a Boolean value. For
example, in some embodiments, an affinity score indicating whether
the user has endorsed content associated with the channel of media
content or the video can be a Boolean value, where a value of
"true" indicates that the user has endorsed the content and a value
of "false" indicates that the user has not endorsed the content.
Note that, in some embodiments, the affinity score between a user
and a video can indicate a particular category the user belong to
with respect to the video, such as a relatively high affinity for
the video (e.g., the user is likely to enjoy the video), a
relatively low affinity for the video (e.g., the user is unlikely
to enjoy the video and/or it is unknown whether the user is likely
to enjoy the video), and/or any other suitable categories.
[0048] In some embodiments, Process 400 can store the affinity
score(s) in any suitable location, for example, in memory 304 of
data server 202. As a more particular example, in some embodiments,
the affinity score(s) can be stored in a cache within memory 304 of
data server 202. In some such embodiments, the affinity score(s)
can be stored in the cache for any suitable time period (e.g., a
day, a week, a month, and/or any other suitable time period).
[0049] Note that, in some embodiments, process 400 can repeat
blocks 402-406 for any suitable videos and can store the determined
affinity score(s) for later use. For example, in some embodiments,
the determined affinity score(s) can be retrieved in response to
receiving a request to present a page that includes an indicator of
a particular video, as described below.
[0050] At 408, process 400 can receive a request to present, on the
user device associated with the first user, a group of viewership
indicators corresponding to the video identified at block 402.
Process 400 can receive the request based on any suitable
action(s). For example, in some embodiments, process 400 can
receive the request in response to a determination that the user
has navigated to a particular page on the user device. As a more
particular example, the page can include a home page corresponding
to a user account of the user on a video sharing service or social
networking service, a page corresponding to a particular collection
of media content or a particular video (e.g., the collection of
media content or the video described above in connection with block
402), and/or any other suitable page.
[0051] Process 400 can determine contextual information related to
the request to present the group of viewership indicators at 410.
For example, in some embodiments, the contextual information can
indicate a type of page on which the group of viewership indicators
are to be presented. As a more particular example, the type of page
can indicate content to be presented on a page the user device
navigated to, as described above in connection with block 408. As a
specific example, the page can correspond to a particular channel
of media content and/or any other suitable collection of media
content. As another specific example, the page can correspond to a
home page of a video sharing service. As yet another specific
example, the page can correspond to a post on a social networking
service.
[0052] As another example, in some embodiments, the contextual
information can indicate navigation history indicating a manner in
which the page on which the viewership indicators are to be
presented was reached. As a more particular example, in some
embodiments, the navigation history can indicate that the user
device navigated to a page for presenting the video from an
endorsement of the video by a second user connected to the first
user. In some embodiments, the endorsement can include a comment on
the video, sharing the video in a post on a social networking
service, selecting an icon indicating the second user enjoyed the
video, and/or any other suitable type of endorsement. As another
more particular example, in some embodiments, the navigation
history can indicate that the user navigated to the page from a
page indicating a collection of media content created by a second
user connected to the first user. In some embodiments, the
collection of media content can include a channel of media content
that includes media content related to a particular topic and/or
created by a particular entity, a collection of media content
aggregated by the second user, and/or any other suitable collection
of media content.
[0053] Note that, in some embodiments, the navigation history can
indicate previously viewed pages and/or previous actions leading to
the current request to present the group of viewership indicators
in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the
navigation history can include one or more source identifiers,
where each source identifier indicates a previously viewed page. In
some embodiments, each source identifier can include information
such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) associated with the
page, a domain name associated with the page, and/or any other
suitable information. In some embodiments, the source identifier
can additionally or alternatively indicate user actions. For
example, in some embodiments, the source identifier can indicate
that an icon indicating a user's endorsement of content was
selected, and the request received at block 408 was transmitted in
response to the icon being selected on the user device.
[0054] At 412, process 400 can select a subset of users out of the
group of users based on the users' affinity for the video
determined at block 406 and the contextual information determined
at block 410. Process 400 can select the subset of users based on
any suitable information related to the user's affinity for the
video and/or the contextual information. For example, in some
embodiments, process 400 can select the subset of users based on
each user's interest in the video and/or a topic related to the
video. As a more particular example, in some embodiments, process
400 can include users in the subset of users who are determined to
be interested in a topic related to the video based on videos the
user has previously viewed, groups the user belong to on a social
networking service, collections of media content the user has
subscribed to, other videos the user has interacted with (e.g.,
commented on, shared, endorsed, and/or interacted with in any other
suitable manner), and/or based on any other suitable information.
In some embodiments, process 400 can determine that previously
viewed content and/or groups the user belongs to are related to the
video based on any suitable information, such as metadata
associated with the content and/or the video, titles associated
with the content and/or groups, names of creators of the previously
viewed content, and/or any other suitable information. In some
embodiments, process 400 can select the users in the subset by
sorting the users in the group of users based on the affinity
score(s) calculated at block 406 and then selecting the top N
(e.g., two, five, ten, and/or any other suitable number) users.
[0055] As another example, in instances where process 400
determines that the video was endorsed by a participant in an
online conversation (e.g., an online chat, a comment thread on a
post on a social networking service, an e-mail chain, and/or any
other suitable type of conversation) in the context of the
conversation, process 400 can include one or more users associated
with the conversation in the subset of users. In some embodiments,
the video can be determined to be endorsed in the context of the
conversation in any suitable manner. For example, in some
embodiments, process 400 can determine that a participant in the
online conversation included a link to the video, embedded the
video in the conversation, selected an icon indicating enjoyment of
the video, mentioned enjoying the video, recommended the video to
another user, and/or endorsed the conversation in any other
suitable manner. In some embodiments, process 400 can cause the one
or more users included in the conversation to be ranked higher
within the subset of users relative to other users in the
subset.
[0056] As yet another example, in instances where process 400
determines that the video was included in a collection of videos
aggregated by a second user (e.g., as a playlist of videos, as a
channel of media content, and/or aggregated in any other suitable
manner), process 400 can include the second user in the subset of
users. In some embodiments, process 400 can determine a strength of
a relationship between the second user and the first user prior to
including the second user in the subset of users. For example, in
some embodiments, process 400 can determine that the second user is
to be included in the subset of users if the second user and the
first user are directly connected on a social networking service.
Other examples of information used to determine a strength of a
relationship between two users are described in more detail below.
Note that, in instances where the collection of videos was created
by multiple users, process 400 can include any suitable number
(e.g., none, one, two, all, and/or any other suitable number) of
the multiple users in the subset of users corresponding to the
viewership indicators.
[0057] As still another example, in instances where process 400
determines that a collection of media content that includes the
video was subscribed to by a particular user and/or endorsed by a
particular user, process 400 can include the second user in the
subset of users. As a more particular example, in some embodiments,
process 400 can determine that the second user has endorsed the
collection of media content by determining, for example, that the
second user has indicated enjoyment of content included in the
collection, has shared the collection of media content (e.g., in a
post on a social networking site), has viewed more than a
predetermined number of content items included in the collection
(e.g., more than 25%, more than 50%, all of the content items,
and/or any other suitable number or percentage), and/or endorsed
the collection of media content in any other suitable manner.
[0058] As still another example, in some embodiments, process 400
can select the subset of users based on navigation history. As a
more particular example, in instances where the viewership
indicators are to be presented on a page that was navigated to on a
user device associated with the first user from an endorsement of
the video by a second user, process 400 can cause the second user
to be included in the subset of users. As another more particular
example, in instances where the viewership indicators are to be
presented on a page that was navigated to on a user device
associated with the first user from a page associated with a
collection of media content aggregated by a second user, process
400 can cause the second user to be included in the subset of
users. In some embodiments, process 400 can cause the second user
to be ranked higher within the subset of users relative to other
users in the subset.
[0059] In some embodiments, process 400 can rank the users included
in the subset of users. As described above, in some embodiments,
users who are determined to be particularly interested in a topic
related to the video and/or videos who have endorsed the video in a
particular context can be ranked relatively higher in the subset of
users relative to other users. Additionally or alternatively, in
some embodiments, process 400 can rank the users included in the
subset of users based on any other suitable information. For
example, in some embodiments, process 400 can rank the users based
on a strength of a relationship between each user in the subset and
the first user associated with the user device. In some
embodiments, the strength of the relationship can be determined
based on any suitable information, such as a number of messages
exchanged within a communication interface (e.g., a number of
e-mails, a number of messages in an online chat, a number of times
one of the users has commented on a post on a social networking
service created by the other user, and/or any other suitable metric
of number of messages exchanged), a frequency of interaction (e.g.,
a frequency with which the users exchange online messages, and/or
any other suitable frequency metric), a number of groups both users
belong to, whether the users are directly connected on a social
networking service (e.g., having indicated their friendship, and/or
directly connected in any other suitable manner), and/or based on
any other suitable information. In some embodiments, process 400
can cause users in the subset of users with a stronger relationship
to the first user to be ranked relatively higher within the subset
of users. In some embodiments, process 400 can combine information
indicating the strength of the relationship with information
indicating a user's interest in the video (e.g., as described above
in connection with block 406) and/or contextual information related
to the request to present the page (e.g., as described above in
connection with block 410) in any other suitable manner.
[0060] In some embodiments, the subset of users can include any
suitable number (e.g., two, five, ten, twenty, and/or any other
suitable number) of users. In some embodiments, process 400 can use
rankings of the users within the subset of users to reduce the
subset of users to a predetermined number.
[0061] Note that, in some embodiments, the subset of users can be
selected on any suitable device, such as data server 202 and/or
user device 206. In instances where the subset of users is selected
by user device 206, information used to select the subset of users
can be transmitted to user device 206, for example, by data server
202. For example, in some embodiments, the information received by
user device 206 can include the contextual information, user
affinity scores, and/or any other suitable information. As a more
particular example, in some embodiments, the received information
can include navigation history as described above in connection
with block 410, an indication of a group of users who are
determined to have a relatively high affinity for the video and/or
a topic associated with the video, and/or any other suitable
information.
[0062] Process 400 can cause user indicators corresponding to the
users in the subset of users to be presented on the user device
associated with the first user at 414. In some embodiments, process
400 can cause the user indicators to be presented based on a
ranking of the users within the subset of users. For example, in
some embodiments, user indicators corresponding to users ranked
more highly within the subset of users can be presented in a more
prominent position in the group of user indicators (e.g., at the
top of the group, at the left-most edge of the group, and/or in any
other suitable position). As another example, in some embodiments,
user indicators corresponding to the top N (e.g., one, two, and/or
any other suitable number) users in the subset of users can be
presented with a different visual appearance (e.g., highlighted, in
a larger size and/or font, and/or in any other suitable manner)
relative to other user indicators in the group of user
indicators.
[0063] Note that, in some embodiments, the subset of users can be
organized and/or grouped in any suitable manner. For example, in
some embodiments, a first group of users within the subset of users
can correspond to users determined to be likely to have an interest
in the video (e.g., determined based on an affinity score as
described above in connection with block 406). As another example,
in some embodiments, a second group of users within the subset of
users can correspond to users who have not been determined to be
likely to have an interest in the video but who have been
determined to have a connection with the first user (e.g., are
friends on a social networking site, and/or any other suitable type
of connection). In some such embodiments, users within each group
can be further ranked within the group. For example, in some
embodiments, users within the first group of users and the second
group of users can be ranked (against other users within their
respective group) based on the strength of the relationship of the
user with the first user associated with the user device. In some
embodiments, user indicators corresponding to users in the first
group of users can be presented more prominently than user
indicators corresponding to users in the second group of users. For
example, in some embodiments, user indicators corresponding to
users in the first group of users can be presented before (e.g., to
the left of, on top of, and/or in any other suitable position) user
indicators corresponding to users in the second group of users. As
another example, in some embodiments, user indicators corresponding
to users in the first group of users can be presented with a visual
appearance differing from that of user indicators corresponding to
users in the second group of users (e.g., in a different color,
with a different transparency, and/or in any other suitable
manner).
[0064] In some embodiments, each user indicator can include any
suitable information. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a user
indicator can indicate a name and/or a username of the
corresponding user and/or an image associated with the user. As
another example, in some embodiments, the user indicator can
indicate whether the corresponding user is currently active on a
particular networking platform, and/or any other suitable
information. Note that, in some embodiments, process 400 can
additionally cause information indicating reasons why a particular
user was included in the subset of users used to create the group
of user indicators. For example, in some embodiments, the
information can indicate that a particular user has watched related
videos, a particular user belongs to a group associated with a
topic related to the video, a particular user endorsed the video,
and/or any other suitable information.
[0065] In some embodiments, at least some of the above described
blocks of the process of FIG. 4 can be executed or performed in any
order or sequence not limited to the order and sequence shown in
and described in connection with the figures. Also, some of the
above blocks of FIG. 4 can be executed or performed substantially
simultaneously where appropriate or in parallel to reduce latency
and processing times. Additionally or alternatively, some of the
above described blocks of the process of FIG. 4 can be omitted.
[0066] In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media
can be used for storing instructions for performing the functions
and/or processes herein. For example, in some embodiments, computer
readable media can be transitory or non-transitory. For example,
non-transitory computer readable media can include media such as
magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, and/or any other
suitable magnetic media), optical media (such as compact discs,
digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, and/or any other suitable
optical media), semiconductor media (such as flash memory,
electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or any other
suitable semiconductor media), any suitable media that is not
fleeting or devoid of any semblance of permanence during
transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. As another
example, transitory computer readable media can include signals on
networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, any
suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance of
permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible
media.
[0067] In situations in which the systems described herein collect
personal information about users, or make use of personal
information, the users may be provided with an opportunity to
control whether programs or features collect user information
(e.g., information about a user's social network, social actions or
activities, profession, a user's preferences, or a user's current
location). In addition, certain data may be treated in one or more
ways before it is stored or used, so that personal information is
removed. For example, a user's identity may be treated so that no
personal information can be determined for the user, or a user's
geographic location may be generalized where location information
is obtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that
a particular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the
user may have control over how information is collected about the
user and used by a content server.
[0068] Accordingly, methods, systems, and media for indicating
viewership of a video based on context are provided.
[0069] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in
the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the
present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that
numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.
Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and
rearranged in various ways.
* * * * *