Dynamically changing stream quality when user is unlikely to notice to conserve resources

Abstract

A computing device may be configured to automatically change at least a quality, display, video, and/or audio features for a content stream when a user is unlikely to notice such changes. When the user requests play of a stream of content, a determination may be made regarding a level of presence of the user and a configuration of the computing device. A level of quality is selected based on the determined level of presence/device configuration. At least one content stream is prepared and played using the selected level of quality. When a change in the level of presence of the user/or device configuration is detected, the at least one content stream can selectively be changed automatically.

1 . A method for modifying a quality level of a presentation of media content, comprising:
 receiving, at a user device, a request to present a media content item;   receiving, at a first time point, a first indication of a first level of attention to the user device corresponding to a first user and a second indication of a second level of attention to the user device corresponding to a second user;   determining an aggregate user presence level based on the first level of attention to the user device and the second level of attention to the user device;   selecting, by the user device, a first quality level for a presentation of the media content item based on the aggregate user presence level, based on whether a browser window opened on the user device associated with the presentation of the media content item is active, and based on a configuration of the user device that at least indicates a manner in which the user device is to receive the media content item from a server; and   causing the media content item to be presented at the first quality level on the user device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a second time point, a third indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user and a fourth indication of the second level of attention to the user device corresponding to the second user;   determining that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed based on the third indication and the fourth indication;   in response to determining that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed, selecting a second quality level for the presentation of the media content item; and   causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises decrypting one or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises combining two or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises:
 causing presentation of the media content item at the first quality level to be stopped at a playback position; and   causing presentation of the media content item at the second quality level to begin at the playback position.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user indicates a proximity of the first user to the user device. 
     
     
         8 . A system for modifying a quality level of a presentation of media content, the system comprising:
 a hardware processor that is programmed to:
 receive, at a user device, a request to present a media content item; 
 receive, at a first time point, a first indication of a first level of attention to the user device corresponding to a first user and a second indication of a second level of attention to the user device corresponding to a second user; 
 determine an aggregate user presence level based on the first level of attention to the user device and the second level of attention to the user device; 
 select, by the user device, a first quality level for a presentation of the media content item based on the aggregate user presence level, based on whether a browser window opened on the user device associated with the presentation of the media content item is active, and based on a configuration of the user device that at least indicates a manner in which the user device is to receive the media content item from a server; and 
 cause the media content item to be presented at the first quality level on the user device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to:
 receive, at a second time point, a third indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user and a fourth indication of the second level of attention to the user device corresponding to the second user;   determine that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed based on the third indication and the fourth indication;   in response to determining that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed, select a second quality level for the presentation of the media content item; and   cause the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to decrypt one or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to combine two or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to:
 cause presentation of the media content item at the first quality level to be stopped at a playback position; and   cause presentation of the media content item at the second quality level to begin at the playback position.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user indicates a proximity of the first user to the user device. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for modifying a quality level of a presentation of media content, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a user device, a request to present a media content item;   receiving, at a first time point, a first indication of a first level of attention to the user device corresponding to a first user and a second indication of a second level of attention to the user device corresponding to a second user;   determining an aggregate user presence level based on the first level of attention to the user device and the second level of attention to the user device;   selecting, by the user device, a first quality level for a presentation of the media content item based on the aggregate user presence level, based on whether a browser window opened on the user device associated with the presentation of the media content item is active, and based on a configuration of the user device that at least indicates a manner in which the user device is to receive the media content item from a server; and   causing the media content item to be presented at the first quality level on the user device.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving, at a second time point, a third indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user and a fourth indication of the second level of attention to the user device corresponding to the second user;   determining that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed based on the third indication and the fourth indication;   in response to determining that at least one of the first level of attention and the second level of attention has changed, selecting a second quality level for the presentation of the media content item; and   causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises decrypting one or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises combining two or more streams associated with the media content item. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein causing the quality level of the presentation of the media content item to be changed to the second quality level comprises:
 causing presentation of the media content item at the first quality level to be stopped at a playback position; and   causing presentation of the media content item at the second quality level to begin at the playback position.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the first indication of the first level of attention to the user device corresponding to the first user indicates a proximity of the first user to the user device.