Methods and systems for adjusting the amount of time required to consume a media asset based on a current trip of a user

Abstract

Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that adjusts the amount of time required to consume a media asset based on a current trip of a user. For example, the media guidance application may determine, based on the current progress of the user in the media asset, whether or not the user with complete the media asset before the end of a current trip.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method for alerting users regarding media availability, the method comprising:
 tracking, using control circuitry, a viewing progress of a user through a series of media content, wherein the series of media content is accessible until a first date;   estimating, using the control circuitry, a completion date of the series of media content based on the viewing progress of the user;   determining, using the control circuitry, whether the completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date;   in response to determining that the completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date, recommending a first action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user;   estimating, using the control circuitry, a new completion date of the series of media content based on the viewing progress of the user and the first action;   determining, using the control circuitry, whether the new completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date; and   in response to determining that the new completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date, recommending a second action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein one of the first action and the second action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user includes skipping a portion of the series of media content. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising generating for display summary information associated with the portion. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the series of media content corresponds to a program series with a finite number of released episodes, and wherein the second date of completion is a date when the viewing progress of the user includes an episode, of the finite number of released episodes, that was most recently released. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising accelerating the viewing progress of the user by advancing a current point of playback in the series of media content to a later point of playback in the series of media content. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising generating for display a plurality of options related to accelerating the viewing progress of the user. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the series of media content is available during an availability window ending on the first date, wherein the availability window indicates a range of dates during which the user can access the series of media content. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the first date corresponds to a release of additional media content for the series of media content. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein estimating the date of completion includes:
 determining an average number of portions of the series of media content consumed by the user during a single viewing session; and   determining a number of viewing sessions required to consume all remaining portions of the series of media content.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising identifying a portion of the series of media content to subject to the action based on critical reviews of the series of media content. 
     
     
         61 . A system for alerting users regarding media availability, the system comprising:
 storage circuitry; and   control circuitry configured to:
 track a viewing progress of a user through a series of media content, wherein the series of media content is accessible until a first date; 
 estimate a completion date of the series of media content based on the viewing progress of the user; 
 determine whether the completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date; and 
 in response to determining that the completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date, recommend a first action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user; 
 estimate, using the control circuitry, a new completion date of the series of media content based on the viewing progress of the user and the first action; 
 determine, using the control circuitry, whether the new completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date; and 
 in response to determining that the new completion date is later than or equivalent to the first date, recommend a second action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user. 
   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein one of the first action and the second action to accelerate the viewing progress of the user includes skipping a portion of the series of media content. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display summary information associated with the portion. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the series of media content corresponds to a program series with a finite number of released episodes, and wherein the date of completion is a date when the viewing progress of the user includes an episode, of the finite number of released episodes, that was most recently released. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to accelerate the viewing progress of the user by advancing a current point of playback in the series of media content to a later point of playback in the series of media content. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display a plurality of options related to accelerating the viewing progress of the user. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the series of media content is available during an availability window ending on the first date, wherein the availability window indicates a range of dates during which the user can access the series of media content. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the first date corresponds to a release of additional media content for the series of media content. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to estimate the date of completion by:
 determining an average number of portions of the series of media content consumed by the user during a single viewing session; and   determining a number of viewing sessions required to consume all remaining portions of the series of media content.   
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to identify a portion of the series of media content to subject to the action based on critical reviews of the series of media content.