Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that implement an application programming interface (API) for generating digital maps. When invoked by a software module executing on one or more processors of a client device, the API operates to (i) determine a geographic location to be included in a digital map, where the geographic location is specified by a server device coupled to the client device via a communication network, (ii) select a parameter for a viewport of the digital map based at least on a distance from a current location of the client device to the specified geographic location, (iii) generate the digital map in accordance with the selected parameter, and display the digital map via a user interface of the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying imagery of a geographic area are provided. More particularly, a location selector interface element can be displayed in conjunction with the imagery when a continuous zoom event is detected. In response to the continuous zoom event, the location selector interface element can be displayed in conjunction with, for instance, a zoom interface for zooming the imagery. The location selector interface element can include a plurality of geographic labels. Each geographic label can be associated with a different zoom level of the imagery. Each geographic label can provide a description of a geographic area corresponding to the zoom level associated with the geographic label. A user can interact with the location selector interface element to select a desired zoom level for viewing the imagery. In response to the user interaction, the imagery can be zoomed to the zoom level corresponding to the selected geographic label.

Abstract: A mapping API provides a digital map via a user interface of a computing device. When invoked by a software application, the mapping API is configured to receive an identifier of a user operating the software application, provide a first interactive digital map including a representation of a certain geographic area for display by the software application, where the first interactive digital map is personalizable via the software application, receive personalization content from the user via the software application, and cause a second digital map including a representation of the geographic area, when provided to the same user, to be modified in view of the personalization content, where the first digital map and the second digital map are created independently.

Abstract: A nonlinear route for traveling from a source to a destination is determined. The route includes a sequence of (i) route segments and (ii) intermediate geographic locations defining endpoints of the route segments. An initial linear visual representation of the route is generated and displayed via a user interface of a computing device. To generate the initial linear visual representation of the route, an initial subset of the intermediate geographic locations is selected. The initial subset does not include at least of the intermediate geographic locations in the sequence. Indicators of the intermediate geographic locations are positioned along a single line, and an interactive control is provided. When activated, the interactive control generates an expanded linear visual representation of the route. The expanded linear visual representation includes at least one of the intermediate geographic locations not selected for the initial linear visual representation.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) for automatically providing digital maps to third-party software applications is provided. The API is configured to (i) receive a string of alphanumeric characters from a third-party software application that executes independently of a map service, (ii) automatically determine whether the string is consistent with one or more indications of geographic locations, (iii) when the string is consistent with an indication of a geographic location, determine whether a digital map of a geographic area including the indicated geographic location should be generated, and (iv) in response to determining that the digital map should be generated, receive the digital from the map service and provide the digital map to the third-party software application for display via a user interface.

Abstract: To dynamically vary map content based on the speed at which a portable device is moving, for a map in which a portable device user is following, a request for map data for a particular location is received along with an indication of the speed of the portable device. As a result, at least two versions of map data for the particular location are identified and one of the versions is selected based on the speed. The selected version is then transmitted to the portable device for display.

Abstract: A nonlinear route for traveling from a source to a destination is determined. The route includes a sequence of (i) route segments and (ii) intermediate geographic locations defining endpoints of the route segments. An initial linear visual representation of the route is generated and displayed via a user interface of a computing device. To generate the initial linear visual representation of the route, an initial subset of the intermediate geographic locations is selected. The initial subset does not include at least of the intermediate geographic locations in the sequence. Indicators of the intermediate geographic locations are positioned along a single line, and an interactive control is provided. When activated, the interactive control generates an expanded linear visual representation of the route. The expanded linear visual representation includes at least one of the intermediate geographic locations not selected for the initial linear visual representation.

Abstract: To dynamically vary map content based on the speed at which a portable device is moving, for a map in which a portable device user is following, a request for map data for a particular location is received along with an indication of the speed of the portable device. As a result, at least two versions of map data for the particular location are identified and one of the versions is selected based on the speed. The selected version is then transmitted to the portable device for display.

Abstract: A digital map of a geographic area is displayed via a user interface, and a 3D representation of a multi-story building located in the geographic area is displayed on the digital map. The 3D representation includes multiple stacked floor maps corresponding to the floors of the multi-story building. In response to the detection of a pinch gesture applied to the 3D representation, a distance between floor maps is expanded to enable easier viewing of one or more internal features of the floor maps.

Abstract: In one aspect, a map is provided for display by one or more computing devices. The map includes a first set of geographic locations. The one or more computing devices receive a zoom request for viewing the map. The one or more computing devices then determine whether a zoom level cutoff has been traversed. If so the one or more computing devices may select a second set of geographic locations, from a hierarchy of geographic locations, to be displayed to the user.

Abstract: A digital map of a geographic area is displayed via a user interface, and a 3D representation of a multi-story building located in the geographic area is displayed on the digital map. The 3D representation includes multiple stacked floor maps corresponding to the floors of the multi-story building. In response to the detection of a pinch gesture that is applied to the 3D representation, a vertical distance between each floor map is expanded relative to the detected pinch gesture to reveal features of an internal map that corresponds to each floor map.

Abstract: In one aspect, a map is provided for display by one or more computing devices. The map includes a first set of geographic locations. The one or more computing devices receive a zoom request for viewing the map. The one or more computing devices then determine whether a zoom level cutoff has been traversed. If so the one or more computing devices may select a second set of geographic locations, from a hierarchy of geographic locations, to be displayed to the user.