Program shortcuts

Abstract

Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for placing, in a menu, a menu item representing a content item, the method comprising:
 presenting a plurality of menus at a media device, each menu of the plurality of menus including related menu items corresponding to content items available for display on the media device;   determining that a new content item is available for display on the media device;   identifying a keyword associated with the new content item;   identifying a particular menu of the plurality of menus that includes a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items in the particular menu corresponds to a content item associated with the identified keyword;   generating a menu item corresponding to the new content item; and   presenting the menu item in the identified particular menu.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein:
 identifying the keyword associated with the new content item comprises identifying a genre description of the new content item; and   wherein identifying the particular menu of the plurality of menus comprises identifying the particular menu that includes the plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items in the particular menu corresponds to a content item associated with the genre description of the new content item.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of menus includes a wish list comprising related menu items, and wherein determining that a new content item available for display on the media device further comprises:
 detecting that a content item corresponding to a menu item included in the wish list has been accessed; and   in response to detecting that a content item corresponding to a menu item included in the wish list has been accessed:
 determining whether additional related content items are available; and 
 in response to determining that a related content item is available, presenting a notification indicating that additional content related content items are available. 
   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the related menu items in a respective menu of the plurality of menus share common keyword. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the related menu items in a respective menu of the plurality of menus are part of a series. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising, responsive to receiving input that selects the menu item from the particular menu, causing playback of the new content item. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining that the new content item is available for display on the media device comprises detecting a reference to the new content item embedded in media content played by the media device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining that the new content item is available for display on the media device comprises locating a recommendation corresponding to the new content item in a list of recommended content, the method further comprising removing the menu item from the particular menu responsive to the recommendation no longer appearing in the list of recommended content. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining that the new content item is available for display on the media device comprises identifying a plurality of content items available from a particular source. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising automatically downloading the new content item from a particular source from which it is available. 
     
     
         30 . A system for placing, in a menu, a menu item representing a content item, the method comprising:
 output circuitry configured to present a plurality of menus at a media device, each menu of the plurality of menus including related menu items corresponding to content items available for display on the media device; and   control circuitry configured to:
 determine that a new content item is available for display on the media device; 
 identify a keyword associated with the new content item; 
 identify a particular menu of the plurality of menus that includes a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items in the particular menu corresponds to a content item associated with the identified keyword; 
 generate a menu item corresponding to the new content item; and 
 cause the output circuitry to present the menu item in the identified particular menu. 
   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the control circuitry configured to identify the keyword associated with the new content item is further configured to identifying a genre description of the new content item; and   wherein the control circuitry configured to identify the particular menu of the plurality of menus is further configured to identify the particular menu that includes the plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items in the particular menu corresponds to a content item associated with the genre description of the new content item.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of menus includes a wish list comprising related menu items, and wherein the control circuitry configured to determine that a new content item available for display on the media device further is further configured to:
 detect that a content item corresponding to a menu item included in the wish list has been accessed; and   Second Preliminary Amendment dated May 15, 2020 in response to detecting that a content item corresponding to a menu item included in the wish list has been accessed:
 determine whether additional related content items are available; and 
 in response to determining that a related content item is available, cause the output circuitry to present a notification indicating that additional content related content items are available. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the related menu items in a respective menu of the plurality of menus share common keyword. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the related menu items in a respective menu of the plurality of menus are part of a series. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to, responsive to receiving input that selects the menu item from the particular menu, cause playback of the new content item. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine that the new content item is available for display on the media device is further configured to detect a reference to the new content item embedded in media content played by the media device. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine that the new content item is available for display on the media device is further configured to locate a recommendation corresponding to the new content item in a list of recommended content, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to remove the menu item from the particular menu responsive to the recommendation no longer appearing in the list of recommended content. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine that the new content item is available for display on the media device is further configured to identifying a plurality of content items available from a particular source. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to automatically download the new content item from a particular source from which it is available.