U.S. patent application number 16/044541 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-30 for content filtering based on nightmare pattern.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to ERIC V. KLINE, SARBAJIT K. RAKSHIT.
Application Number | 20200037027 16/044541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69178980 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200037027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLINE; ERIC V. ; et
al. |
January 30, 2020 |
CONTENT FILTERING BASED ON NIGHTMARE PATTERN
Abstract
Methods, systems and computer program products for filtering
media content to prevent sleep disturbances are provided. Aspects
include receiving from a first user a request for a content item
and obtaining a user profile for the first user and a description
of the content item. Aspects also include comparing the user
profile to the description of the content item to identify
characteristics of the content item that will be disturbing to the
first user and determining, based on the comparison, whether the
content item will cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance.
Based on determining that the content item will not cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance, aspects include playing the
content item. Based on determining that the content item will cause
the first user to have the sleep disturbance, aspects include
preventing the content item from being played.
Inventors: |
KLINE; ERIC V.; (ROCHESTER,
MN) ; RAKSHIT; SARBAJIT K.; (KOLKATA, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69178980 |
Appl. No.: |
16/044541 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/44218 20130101;
H04N 21/4542 20130101; H04L 29/08675 20130101; H04L 67/306
20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101; G06F 16/436 20190101; H04N
21/23418 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101; H04N 21/2668 20130101; H04N
21/44008 20130101; H04N 21/40 20130101; H04N 21/42201 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; G06F 3/015 20130101; G06F 16/437
20190101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/442 20060101
H04N021/442; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method for filtering media content to prevent sleep
disturbances, comprising: receiving from a first user a request for
a content item; obtaining a user profile for the first user and a
description of the content item; comparing, by a processor, the
user profile to the description of the content item to identify
characteristics of the content item that will be disturbing to the
first user; determining, based on the comparison, whether the
content item will cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance;
based on determining that the content item will not cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance, playing the content item; and
based on determining that the content item will cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance, preventing the content item
from being played.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, based on determining
that the content item will cause the first user to have the sleep
disturbance, playing an alternate content item selected based on
the description of the content item.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, based on determining
that the content item will cause the first user to have the sleep
disturbance, playing a modified version of the content item,
wherein the modified version of the content item has one or more
portions of the content item removed.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile is created by:
identifying a consumed content item by the first user; obtaining
and storing sensor data regarding a state of the first user during
consumption of the consumed content item; detecting a change in the
state of the first user; determining a portion of the consumed
content item that corresponds to the change; identifying a
characteristic of the portion of the consumed content item; and
storing the characteristic and the detected change in the user
profile.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein detecting the change in the state
of the first user includes detecting a change in one or more of a
heart rate, a blood pressure, and a respiratory rate of the first
user.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the user profile is updated by:
obtaining and storing sensor data regarding a sleeping state of the
first user while the first user is sleeping after consuming the
consumed content item; detecting a disturbance in the sleeping
state of the first user; identifying a correlation between the
disturbance in the sleeping state and the change in the state of
the first user; and updating the user profile to include the
correlation.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the change in the
sleeping state of the first user includes detecting a change in one
or more of a heart rate, a blood pressure, and a respiratory rate
of the first user.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the content
item will cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance
includes determining whether the content item includes
characteristics that previously caused the first user to have the
sleep disturbance.
9. A system for filtering media content to prevent sleep
disturbances, comprising: a memory having computer readable
instructions; and a processor for executing the computer readable
instructions, the computer readable instructions including
instructions for: receiving from a first user a request for a
content item; obtaining a user profile for the first user and a
description of the content item; comparing the user profile to the
description of the content item to identify characteristics of the
content item that will be disturbing to the first user;
determining, based on the comparison, whether the content item will
cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance; based on
determining that the content item will not cause the first user to
have the sleep disturbance, playing the content item; and based on
determining that the content item will cause the first user to have
the sleep disturbance, preventing the content item from being
played.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer readable
instructions further include instructions for playing an alternate
content item selected based on the description of the content item
based on determining that the content item will cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer readable
instructions further include instructions for playing a modified
version of the content item, wherein the modified version of the
content item has one or more portions of the content item removed
based on determining that the content item will cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the user profile is created by:
identifying a consumed content item by the first user; obtaining
and storing sensor data regarding a state of the first user during
consumption of the consumed content item; detecting a change in the
state of the first user; determining a portion of the consumed
content item that corresponds to the change; identifying a
characteristic of the portion of the consumed content item; and
storing the characteristic and the detected change in the user
profile.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein detecting the change in the
state of the first user includes detecting a change in one or more
of a heart rate, a blood pressure, and a respiratory rate of the
first user.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the user profile is updated by:
obtaining and storing sensor data regarding a sleeping state of the
first user while the first user is sleeping after consuming the
consumed content item; detecting a disturbance in the sleeping
state of the first user; identifying a correlation between the
disturbance in the sleeping state and the change in the state of
the first user; and updating the user profile to include the
correlation.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein detecting the change in the
sleeping state of the first user includes detecting a change in one
or more of a heart rate, a blood pressure, and a respiratory rate
of the first user.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein determining whether the content
item will cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance
includes determining whether the content item includes
characteristics that previously caused the first user to have the
sleep disturbance.
17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium having program instructions embodied
therewith the program instructions executable by a computer
processor to cause the computer processor to perform a method,
comprising: receiving from a first user a request for a content
item; obtaining a user profile for the first user and a description
of the content item; comparing the user profile to the description
of the content item to identify characteristics of the content item
that will be disturbing to the first user; determining, based on
the comparison, whether the content item will cause the first user
to have a sleep disturbance; based on determining that the content
item will not cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance,
playing the content item; and based on determining that the content
item will cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance,
preventing the content item from being played.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the method
further comprises, based on determining that the content item will
cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance, playing an
alternate content item selected based on the description of the
content item.
19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the method
further comprises, based on determining that the content item will
cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance, playing a
modified version of the content item, wherein the modified version
of the content item has one or more portions of the content item
removed.
20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user
profile is created by: identifying a consumed content item by the
first user; obtaining and storing sensor data regarding a state of
the first user during consumption of the consumed content item;
detecting a change in the state of the first user; determining a
portion of the consumed content item that corresponds to the
change; identifying a characteristic of the portion of the consumed
content item; and storing the characteristic and the detected
change in the user profile.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates generally to content filtering and,
more specifically, to filtering media content to prevent sleep
disturbances, such as nightmares.
[0002] People generally experience or interacted with various
content throughout the day, which includes television content,
story books, Web content, social media, games, etc. People often
experience sleep disturbances as a result of the content that they
are exposed to during the day. As a result of sleep disturbances,
many people become fearful or anxious of nighttime which in turn
impacts their sleep. Since different people react differently to
various content items, filtering the content items to prevent sleep
disturbances is a difficult task.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to an embodiment, a system for filtering media
content to prevent sleep disturbances is provided. The system
includes a memory having computer readable computer instructions,
and a processor for executing the computer readable instructions.
The computer readable instructions include instructions for
receiving from a first user a request for a content item and
obtaining a user profile for the first user and a description of
the content item. The computer readable instructions also include
instructions for comparing the user profile to the description of
the content item to identify characteristics of the content item
that will be disturbing to the first user and determining, based on
the comparison, whether the content item will cause the first user
to have a sleep disturbance. Based on determining that the content
item will not cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance,
the computer readable instructions include instructions for playing
the content item. Based on determining that the content item will
cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance, the computer
readable instructions include instructions for preventing the
content item from being played.
[0004] According to another embodiment, a method for filtering
media content to prevent sleep disturbances is provided. The method
includes receiving from a first user a request for a content item
and obtaining a user profile for the first user and a description
of the content item. The method also includes comparing the user
profile to the description of the content item to identify
characteristics of the content item that will be disturbing to the
first user and determining, based on the comparison, whether the
content item will cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance.
Based on determining that the content item will not cause the first
user to have the sleep disturbance, the method includes playing the
content item. Based on determining that the content item will cause
the first user to have the sleep disturbance, the method includes
preventing the content item from being played.
[0005] According to a further embodiment, a computer program
product is provided. The computer program product includes a
computer readable storage medium having program instructions
embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a
transitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable
by a computer processor to cause the computer processor to perform
a method. The method includes receiving from a first user a request
for a content item and obtaining a user profile for the first user
and a description of the content item. The method also includes
comparing the user profile to the description of the content item
to identify characteristics of the content item that will be
disturbing to the first user and determining, based on the
comparison, whether the content item will cause the first user to
have a sleep disturbance. Based on determining that the content
item will not cause the first user to have the sleep disturbance,
the method includes playing the content item. Based on determining
that the content item will cause the first user to have the sleep
disturbance, the method includes preventing the content item from
being played.
[0006] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the
invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part
of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the
invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the
description and to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary computer system capable of
implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a system upon which filtering media content
to prevent sleep disturbances 1 may be implemented according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of a method for filtering
media content to prevent sleep disturbances according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of a method for monitoring
user reaction to consumed content according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Various embodiments of the invention are described herein
with reference to the related drawings. Alternative embodiments of
the invention can be devised without departing from the scope of
this invention. Various connections and positional relationships
(e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth between elements
in the following description and in the drawings. These connections
and/or positional relationships, unless specified otherwise, can be
direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be
limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling of entities can
refer to either a direct or an indirect coupling, and a positional
relationship between entities can be a direct or indirect
positional relationship. Moreover, the various tasks and process
steps described herein can be incorporated into a more
comprehensive procedure or process having additional steps or
functionality not described in detail herein.
[0015] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used
for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used
herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"
"including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method,
article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition,
mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0016] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" may be
understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to
one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" may
be understood to include any integer number greater than or equal
to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" may
include both an indirect "connection" and a direct
"connection."
[0017] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and
variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0018] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to
making and using aspects of the invention may or may not be
described in detail herein. In particular, various aspects of
computing systems and specific computer programs to implement the
various technical features described herein are well known.
Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, many conventional
implementation details are only mentioned briefly herein or are
omitted entirely without providing the well-known system and/or
process details.
[0019] It is to be understood that although this disclosure
includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation
of the teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud
computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention
are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type
of computing environment now known or later developed.
[0020] Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of
configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, network
bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications,
virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or interaction with a
provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five
characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four
deployment models.
[0021] Characteristics are as follows:
[0022] On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally
provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network
storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with the service's provider.
[0023] Broad network access: capabilities are available over a
network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use
by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile
phones, laptops, and PDAs).
[0024] Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are
pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with
different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and
reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the consumer generally has no control or
knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may
be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g.,
country, state, or datacenter).
[0025] Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and
elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly
scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear
to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any
time.
[0026] Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and
optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some
level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource
usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing
transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized
service.
[0027] Service Models are as follows:
[0028] Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud
infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client
devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser
(e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific
application configuration settings.
[0029] Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure
consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control
over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting
environment configurations.
[0030] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided
to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and
other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to
deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating
systems; storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited
control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
[0031] Deployment Models are as follows:
[0032] Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely
for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a
third party and may exist, on-premises or off-premises.
[0033] Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by
several organizations and supports a specific community that has
shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and
compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations
or a third party and may exist, on-premises or off-premises.
[0034] Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to
the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an
organization selling cloud services.
[0035] Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of
two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain
unique entities but are bound together by standardized or
proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between
clouds).
[0036] A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a
focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an
infrastructure that includes a network of interconnected nodes.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing
environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment
50 includes one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local
computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example,
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop
computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or automobile computer
system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one
another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually,
in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.
This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,
platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer
does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It
is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in
FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing
nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with
any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or
network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction
layers provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is
shown. It should be understood in advance that the components,
layers, and functions shown in FIG. 2 are intended to be
illustrative only and embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto. As depicted, the following layers and corresponding
functions are provided:
[0039] Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and
software components. Examples of hardware components include:
mainframes 61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture
based servers 62; servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65;
and networks and networking components 66. In some embodiments,
software components include network application server software 67
and database software 68.
[0040] Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from
which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided:
virtual servers 71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73,
including virtual private networks; virtual applications and
operating systems 74; and virtual clients 75.
[0041] In one example, management layer 80 may provide the
functions described below. Resource provisioning 81 provides
dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that
are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing
environment. Metering and Pricing 82 provide cost tracking as
resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and
billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one
example, these resources may include application software licenses.
Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and
tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User
portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment for
consumers and system administrators. Service level management 84
provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such
that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
planning and fulfillment 85 provides pre-arrangement for, and
procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a future
requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.
[0042] Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for
which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of
workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer
include: mapping and navigation 91; software development and
lifecycle management 92; virtual classroom education delivery 93;
data analytics processing 94; transaction processing 95; and
filtering media content to prevent sleep disturbances 96.
[0043] Turning now to a more detailed description of aspects of the
present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level block diagram
showing an example of a computer-based system 300 useful for
implementing one or more embodiments of the invention. Although one
exemplary computer system 300 is shown, computer system 300
includes a communication path 326, which connects computer system
300 to additional systems and may include one or more wide area
networks (WANs) and/or local area networks (LANs) such as the
internet, intranet(s), and/or wireless communication network(s).
Computer system 300 and additional systems are in communication via
communication path 326, (e.g., to communicate data between
them).
[0044] Computer system 300 includes one or more processors, such as
processor 302. Processor 302 is connected to a communication
infrastructure 304 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or
network). Computer system 300 can include a display interface 306
that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication
infrastructure 304 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display
on a display unit 308. Computer system 300 also includes a main
memory 310, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also
include a secondary memory 312. Secondary memory 312 may include,
for example, a hard disk drive 314 and/or a removable storage drive
316, representing, for example, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic
tape drive, or an optical disk drive. Removable storage drive 316
reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 318 in a
manner well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
Removable storage unit 318 represents, for example, a floppy disk,
a compact disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk, etc. which is
read by and written to by a removable storage drive 316. As will be
appreciated, removable storage unit 318 includes a computer
readable medium having stored therein computer software and/or
data.
[0045] In some alternative embodiments of the invention, secondary
memory 312 may include other similar means for allowing computer
programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer
system. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage
unit 320 and an interface 322. Examples of such means may include a
program package and package interface (such as that found in video
game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM)
and associated socket, and other removable storage units 320 and
interfaces 322 which allow software and data to be transferred from
the removable storage unit 320 to computer system 300.
[0046] Computer system 300 may also include a communications
interface 324. Communications interface 324 allows software and
data to be transferred between the computer system and external
devices. Examples of communications interface 324 may include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a
communications port, or a PCM-CIA slot and card, etc. Software and
data transferred via communications interface 324 are in the form
of signals which may be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic,
optical, or other signals capable of being received by
communications interface 324. These signals are provided to
communications interface 324 via communication path (i.e., channel)
326. Communication path 326 carries signals and may be implemented
using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone
link, an RF link, and/or other communications channels.
[0047] In the present disclosure, the terms "computer program
medium," "computer usable medium," and "computer readable medium"
are used to generally refer to media such as main memory 310 and
secondary memory 312, removable storage drive 316, and a hard disk
installed in hard disk drive 314. Computer programs (also called
computer control logic) are stored in main memory 310, and/or
secondary memory 312. Computer programs may also be received via
communications interface 324. Such computer programs, when run,
enable the computer system to perform the features of the present
disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computer
programs, when run, enable processor 302 to perform the features of
the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programs represent
controllers of the computer system.
[0048] In exemplary embodiments, a system for filtering media
content to prevent sleep disturbances is provided. In exemplary
embodiments, a user profile for each user is created and used to
filter the content that is provided to the user. The user profile
is created by monitoring users as they consume content and storing
detected changes in the user along with their correspondence with
to the consumed content. User profiles are updated based on
detected changes to the sleep patterns of the user after the user
consumes content items. In exemplary embodiments, various devices
are used to monitor a heart rate, a blood pressure, a respiratory
rate, etc. of the user both during the consumption of content items
and while the user is sleeping. In various embodiments, when a user
requests a content item, the system compares a description of the
requested content to the user profile to determine whether the
requested content is likely to cause the user to have sleep
disturbance. If requested content is likely to cause the user to
have sleep disturbance the system can block access to the content
item and can optionally provide a modified version of the content
item.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 4, a system 400 for filtering media
content to prevent sleep disturbances will now be described in
accordance with an embodiment. The system 400 includes a server 410
in communication with user devices 420 and a media player 430 via a
communications network 415. The communications network 415 may be
one or more of, or a combination of, public (e.g., Internet),
private (e.g., local area network, wide area network, virtual
private network), and may include wireless and wireline
transmission systems (e.g., satellite, cellular network,
terrestrial networks, etc.). The user devices 420 are configured to
monitor the user 402 as the user consumes, e.g., watches or listens
to, media content items and/or as the user sleeps.
[0050] In exemplary embodiments, the user devices 420 can include,
but are not limited to, a smartphone, a wearable device such as a
smartwatch, a tablet, a computer system such as the one shown in
FIG. 3, a smart speaker, a television, or any other suitable
electronic device. The user device 420 includes a processor 422,
one or more sensors 424 and a transceiver 426. The sensors 424 are
used to observe users 402 as they consume media content from the
media player 430 or from another source. The sensors 424 can
monitor the blood pressure, the heart rate, the respiratory rate,
and other physical characteristics of the user 402 as the user 402
consumes content items and/or as the user 402 sleeps. The processor
422 receives data from the one or more sensors 424 and detects a
change in the state of a user 402. A change in the state of the
user can be indicated by an increase in blood pressure, heart rate
and/or respiratory rate above a threshold amount. In exemplary
embodiments, the sensors 424 can also monitor other physical
characteristics of the user 402 and can determine if the user 402
is crying, shivering, shaking, or the like.
[0051] In one embodiment, the first user device 420 can also
include a media identification engine 423 that is configured to
identify content that is being consumed by the user 402. In one
embodiment, the content includes content provided by a media player
430, which can include a television, a computer, a tablet, a smart
speaker, a smartphone, or the like. The media identification engine
423 can receive data regarding the content being played by the
media player 430 either from the media player 430 directly or via
the network 415. In another embodiment, the content includes
content provided by another user, i.e., a parent or teacher reading
a child a story or a book. In one embodiment, the media
identification engine 423 captures a sample of a content item being
consumed by the user and transmits that sample to the server 410
which uses various known techniques to identify the content
item.
[0052] In one embodiment, the user device 420 can also include a
user identification engine 425. The user identification engine 425
can include a facial recognition engine that is configured to
compare received image of a user to stored images in a local
database. For example, if the user device 420 is a television with
a camera, the user device 420 may include a user identification
engine 425 to determine which user(s) are watching a content item
being played by the television. In other embodiments, the user
device 420 can be associated with a particular user. For example,
if the user device 420 is a smart watch, the smart watch has a
stored association with the user 402 wearing the smart watch.
[0053] In exemplary embodiments, machine learning can be used to
create the user profiles that are stored in the database 412. The
user profiles include stored associations between detected changes
in a state of a user while consuming a content item and an
associated characteristic of the content item. For example, if a
user experiences an increase in heart rate during a part of a
content item that has gory violence that detected change and an
indication that it was associated with gory violence stored in the
user profile. In addition, the user profiles include stored
associations between detected changes in a sleeping state of a user
during a time period after consuming a content item and the
detected change in the state of the user. Continuing with the above
example, if the user experiences a disturbance while sleeping that
is similar to earlier the detected change, the user profile is
updated to indicate that the content item caused the user to have a
sleep disturbance.
[0054] In exemplary embodiments, upon a media player 430 receiving
a request from a user 402 to play a content item, the media player
430 communicates with the server 410 to determine whether to play
the requested content item based on a user profile for the user 402
stored in the database. The processor 411 compares a description of
the requested content to the user profile and determines whether
the requested content is likely to cause the user 402 to have sleep
disturbance. If requested content is likely to cause the user 402
to have sleep disturbance the server can block access to the
content item and can optionally provide a modified version of the
content item via the media player 430. In exemplary embodiments,
the server 411 can be embodied as a computer system such as the one
shown in FIG. 3 or in a cloud computing environment such as the one
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a method 500 for
filtering media content to prevent sleep disturbances in accordance
with an embodiment is shown. The method 500 begins at block 502 and
includes receiving a request from a first user to play a content
item. Next, as shown at block 506, the method 500 includes
obtaining a user profile for the first user and a description of
the content item. In exemplary embodiments, the user profile can be
created by the method shown in FIG. 6.
[0056] In one embodiment, if a user profile is not available, or
has not yet been created, for the user, a composite user profile is
used. The composite user profile is a user profile based on
combining the user profiles of a plurality of users that have
demographic information similar to the user. For example, if a user
profile does not exist, the user is asked to provide their age,
gender and/or location and a composite user profile can be created
by combining the user profiles of a plurality of users that have
are within a threshold age. In this embodiment, the sleep
disturbance based content filtering will be based on the user's
age, current health condition, gender, location, etc.
[0057] Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, as shown at block 506,
the method 500 includes comparing the user profile to the
description of the content item to identify characteristics of the
content item that may be disturbing to the first user. In one
embodiment, the comparison includes determining if any of the
characteristics of the content item provided in the description
correspond with characteristics of a previously watched content
item that caused a change in a state of the user while watching the
previous content, based on data stored in the user profile. For
example, if the user previously watched a movie in which the death
of a parent was depicted and it caused the user to become upset, if
the description indicates that the content item depicts the death
of a parent it will be flagged as potentially disturbing. Next, as
shown at decision block 508, the method 500 includes determining if
the content item cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance.
In one embodiment, this determination is made by determining if
previously viewed content with similar characteristics caused the
first user to have a sleep disturbance, based on data stored in the
user profile. If the content item will not cause the first user to
have a sleep disturbance, the method 500 includes playing the
content item, as shown at block 510. Otherwise, the method 500
includes preventing the content item from being played and
suggesting an alternate content item based on the user profile and
the description of the content item, as shown at block 512. In
exemplary embodiments, the system may play the requested content
item in a modified form based on determining that the original
content item may cause a sleep disturbance. The modified content
item could have portions removed or it can have additional content
added to help mitigate the disturbing impact to the first user. For
example, the modified content can include the introduction of a
super hero character, the addition of scene where a deceased
character returns to life, an alternate happier ending, or the
like.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram of a method 600 for
monitoring the reaction of a user to consumed content in accordance
with an embodiment is shown. As shown at block 602, the method 600
includes identifying a content item being consumed by a first user.
Next, as shown at block 604, the method 600 includes obtaining and
storing sensor data regarding a state of the first user while the
content item is being consumed. The method 600 also includes
detecting a change in the state of the first user and determining a
portion of the content item that corresponds to the detected
change, as shown at block 606.
[0059] Next, as shown at block 608, the method 600 includes
identifying a characteristic of the portion of the content item and
storing the characteristic with the identified change in the state
of the first user in a user profile. The characteristic is a
description of the portion of the content, i.e., gory violence,
depiction of death or loss of parent, depiction of death or loss of
pet, depiction of a monster, etc. Next, as shown at block 610, the
method 600 includes obtaining and storing sensor data regarding a
sleeping state of the first user while the first user is sleeping
after the content item has been consumed. The method 600 also
includes detecting a disturbance in the sleeping state of the first
user, as shown at block 612. As shown at block 614, the method 600
also includes identifying a correlation between the disturbance in
the sleeping state and the change in the state of the first user
and updating the user profile to include the correlation. This
correlation is used to predict whether a given content item will
cause the first user to have a sleep disturbance.
[0060] Technical benefits include method and system for
personalized filtering of content consumed by users to prevent the
users from having sleep disturbance. By creating a personal user
profile for each user and filtering content based on the user
profile, effective filtering of content that is likely to cause an
individual to have a sleep disturbance can be performed.
[0061] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0062] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0063] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0064] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0065] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0066] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0067] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0068] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0069] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
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