Methods of and systems for selecting and presenting content based on user content interaction

Abstract

A method of selecting and presenting content based on learned user preferences is provided. The method includes receiving search input from the user for identifying desired content items and receiving content selection actions from the user. The method further includes analyzing the date, day, and time of content selection actions by the user and analyzing descriptive terms associated with the selected content items to learn a periodicity of user selections of similar content items. In response to subsequent searches by the user, the method calls for selecting and ordering a collection of content items for presentation to the user based on comparing the user's search input to descriptive terms associated with content items and based on the learned periodicities of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for predicting user interactions with a collection of content items, the method comprising:
 generating for display a plurality of content items from a first collection;   logging interactions of a user with the plurality of content items from the first collection during a first portion of a cyclical time period;   based on the logging, computing a probability of receiving, during the first portion of the cyclical time period, a user interaction with a first content item of the first collection;   receiving, during the first portion of the cyclical time period, a request to display the second collection of content items;   determining that first metadata associated with the first content item matches second metadata associated with a second content item of the second collection;   in response to determining that the first metadata matches the second metadata, determining whether the computed probability exceeds a predefined value; and   in response to determining that the computed probability exceeds the predefined value, generating for display the second content item.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first collection of content items is associated with a first portable device, and wherein the second collection of content items is associated with a second portable device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first portable device and the second portable device are both associated with a profile of a user. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first collection of content items is associated with a first application on a portable device, and where the second collection of content items is associated with a second application on the portable device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the user interaction is a first user interaction, and wherein logging user interactions comprises:
 receiving a second user interaction with a third content item from the first collection of content items;   determining a time and date associated with the second user interaction;   storing, in a profile of the user, the time and the date associated with a user interaction.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the probability of receiving the user interaction with the first content item is computed relative to receiving a user interaction with other content items of the first collection. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein determining that first metadata associated with the first content item matches second metadata associated with the second content item of the second collection comprises:
 matching a first metadata field associated with the first content item to a second metadata field associated with the second content item; and   determining that first data in the first metadata field matches second data in the second metadata field.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 generating, based on the logging, a stochastic signature comprising levels of user interaction with content items during the cyclical time period.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of content items from the first collection are associated with at least one of: one or more applications on a portable device, and one or more different devices. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the predefined value is a first predefined value further comprising:
 in response to determining that the computed probability does not exceed the first predefined value:
 retrieving a popularity value associated with a third content item of the second content collection; 
 determining whether the popularity value exceeds a second predefined value; and 
 in response to determining that the popularity value exceeds the second predefined value, generating for display the third content item. 
   
     
     
         33 . A system for predicting user interactions with a collection of content items, the system comprising control circuitry configured to:
 generate for display a plurality of content items from a first collection;   log interactions of a user with the plurality of content items from the first collection during a first portion of a cyclical time period;   based on the logging, compute a probability of receiving, during the first portion of the cyclical time period, a user interaction with a first content item of the first collection;   receive, during the first portion of the cyclical time period, a request to display the second collection of content items;   determine that first metadata associated with the first content item matches second metadata associated with a second content item of the second collection;   in response to determining that the first metadata matches the second metadata, determine whether the computed probability exceeds a predefined value; and   in response to determining that the computed probability exceeds the predefined value, generate for display the second content item.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first collection of content items is associated with a first portable device, and wherein the second collection of content items is associated with a second portable device. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first portable device and the second portable device are both associated with a profile of a user. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first collection of content items is associated with a first application on a portable device, and where the second collection of content items is associated with a second application on the portable device. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the user interaction is a first user interaction, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured, when logging interactions of the user, to:
 receive a second user interaction with a third content item from the first collection of content items;   determine a time and date associated with the second user interaction;   store, in a profile of the user, the time and the date associated with a user interaction.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the probability of receiving the user interaction with the first content item is computed, by the control circuitry, relative to receiving a user interaction with other content items of the first collection. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured, when determining that first metadata associated with the first content item matches second metadata associated with the second content item of the second collection, to:
 match a first metadata field associated with the first content item to a second metadata field associated with the second content item; and   determine that first data in the first metadata field matches second data in the second metadata field.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 generate, based on the logging, a stochastic signature comprising levels of user interaction with content items during the cyclical time period.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of content items from the first collection are associated with at least one of: one or more applications on a portable device, and one or more different devices. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the predefined value is a first predefined value, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured, in response to determining that the computed probability does not exceed the first predefined value, to:
 retrieve a popularity value associated with a third content item of the second content collection;   determine whether the popularity value exceeds a second predefined value; and   in response to determining that the popularity value exceeds the second predefined value, generate for display the third content item.