Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for spoiler prevention. Media consumption applications may be placed in “spoiler-free” mode, for example, to prevent media content from spoiling first-hand user experience. A user may provide and/or authorize access to and use of spoiler prevention information. A user may request media content (e.g., while surfing the Internet). Digital media content to be presented to a user may be searched in real-time and/or pre-searched for spoiler content and/or associated spoiler indications relative to spoiler prevention information. Identified spoiler content may be concealed from users. A procedure may be provided for users to determine one or more reasons why content is concealed, to selectively reveal concealed content, and to provide feedback whether concealed content was or was not spoiler content for a user. Feedback may be used to improve spoiler prevention, for example, by retraining a machine learning model, which may be user-specific.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for spoiler prevention. Media consumption applications may be placed in “spoiler-free” mode, for example, to prevent media content from spoiling first-hand user experience. A user may provide and/or authorize access to and use of spoiler prevention information. A user may request media content (e.g., while surfing the Internet). Digital media content to be presented to a user may be searched in real-time and/or pre-searched for spoiler content and/or associated spoiler indications relative to spoiler prevention information. Identified spoiler content may be concealed from users. A procedure may be provided for users to determine one or more reasons why content is concealed, to selectively reveal concealed content, and to provide feedback whether concealed content was or was not spoiler content for a user. Feedback may be used to improve spoiler prevention, for example, by retraining a machine learning model, which may be user-specific.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for spoiler prevention. Media consumption applications may be placed in “spoiler-free” mode, for example, to prevent media content from spoiling first-hand user experience. A user may provide and/or authorize access to and use of spoiler prevention information. A user may request media content (e.g., while surfing the Internet). Digital media content to be presented to a user may be searched in real-time and/or pre-searched for spoiler content and/or associated spoiler indications relative to spoiler prevention information. Identified spoiler content may be concealed from users. A procedure may be provided for users to determine one or more reasons why content is concealed, to selectively reveal concealed content, and to provide feedback whether concealed content was or was not spoiler content for a user. Feedback may be used to improve spoiler prevention, for example, by retraining a machine learning model, which may be user-specific.

Abstract: Techniques enable selection of traffic cameras for display to a user, where the techniques involve determining a primary route and an alternate route, determining a first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route, and obtaining camera metadata identifying multiple cameras, where the camera metadata defines aspects such as positioning data, direction, status data, and image data for individual traffic cameras. The techniques also involve determining a priority score for individual cameras using the camera metadata, where the priority score is based, at least in part, on proximity to the first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route. The techniques then involve selecting at least one traffic camera based on the priority score of the camera and communicating image data of the camera for display on a display device.

Abstract: In device-assisted navigation, audio navigation cues are often presented at particular locations along a route (e.g., “in 200 meters, turn left” and “turn left here”). However, if the user stops, navigation cues also stop since the user's position is not changing. Additionally, the navigation instruction at the next navigation point may be conflated with the actual position of the next navigation point; e.g., an instruction to “turn left” may be confusing if the road takes a sharp right turn immediately before the next navigation point. Instead, the device may periodically compare the current position of the user and the next navigation point, and periodically present guidance audio cues that indicate the distance and heading offset to the next navigation point. Guidance audio cues may be integrated with and/or supplemented by audio navigation instructions to indicate both the location of the next navigation point and instructions to be followed there.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for spoiler prevention. Media consumption applications may be placed in “spoiler-free” mode, for example, to prevent media content from spoiling first-hand user experience. A user may provide and/or authorize access to and use of spoiler prevention information. A user may request media content (e.g., while surfing the Internet). Digital media content to be presented to a user may be searched in real-time and/or pre-searched for spoiler content and/or associated spoiler indications relative to spoiler prevention information. Identified spoiler content may be concealed from users. A procedure may be provided for users to determine one or more reasons why content is concealed, to selectively reveal concealed content, and to provide feedback whether concealed content was or was not spoiler content for a user. Feedback may be used to improve spoiler prevention, for example, by retraining a machine learning model, which may be user-specific.

Abstract: In device-assisted navigation, audio navigation cues are often presented at particular locations along a route (e.g., “in 200 meters, turn left” and “turn left here”). However, if the user stops, navigation cues also stop since the user's position is not changing. Additionally, the navigation instruction at the next navigation point may be conflated with the actual position of the next navigation point; e.g., an instruction to “turn left” may be confusing if the road takes a sharp right turn immediately before the next navigation point. Instead, the device may periodically compare the current position of the user and the next navigation point, and periodically present guidance audio cues that indicate the distance and heading offset to the next navigation point. Guidance audio cues may be integrated with and/or supplemented by audio navigation instructions to indicate both the location of the next navigation point and instructions to be followed there.

Abstract: Techniques enable selection of traffic cameras for display to a user, where the techniques involve determining a primary route and an alternate route, determining a first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route, and obtaining camera metadata identifying multiple cameras, where the camera metadata defines aspects such as positioning data, direction, status data, and image data for individual traffic cameras. The techniques also involve determining a priority score for individual cameras using the camera metadata, where the priority score is based, at least in part, on proximity to the first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route. The techniques then involve selecting at least one traffic camera based on the priority score of the camera and communicating image data of the camera for display on a display device.

Abstract: A first user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system may invite a second user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system to participate in a shared travel experience where the second user follows the first user. While on the shared trip, the first user is provided the location of the second user along with a route to a selected destination. The second user is provided the location of the first user, along with the route to the selected destination. The first user is able to identify points of interest on the route, which are then presented to the second user. A network is established that allows the first and second user to have a two-way conversation, and to synchronize the music that is listened to by the first user and the second user to simulate the experience of being together in the same vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques enable selection of traffic cameras for display to a user, where the techniques involve determining a primary route and an alternate route, determining a first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route, and obtaining camera metadata identifying multiple cameras, where the camera metadata defines aspects such as positioning data, direction, status data, and image data for individual traffic cameras. The techniques also involve determining a priority score for individual cameras using the camera metadata, where the priority score is based, at least in part, on proximity to the first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route. The techniques then involve selecting at least one traffic camera based on the priority score of the camera and communicating image data of the camera for display on a display device.

Abstract: A first user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system may invite a second user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system to participate in a shared travel experience where the second user follows the first user. While on the shared trip, the first user is provided the location of the second user along with a route to a selected destination. The second user is provided the location of the first user, along with the route to the selected destination. The first user is able to identify points of interest on the route, which are then presented to the second user. A network is established that allows the first and second user to have a two-way conversation, and to synchronize the music that is listened to by the first user and the second user to simulate the experience of being together in the same vehicle.

Abstract: A first user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system may invite a second user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system to participate in a shared travel experience where the second user follows the first user. While on the shared trip, the first user is provided the location of the second user along with a route to a selected destination. The second user is provided the location of the first user, along with the route to the selected destination. The first user is able to identify points of interest on the route, which are then presented to the second user. A network is established that allows the first and second user to have a two-way conversation, and to synchronize the music that is listened to by the first user and the second user to simulate the experience of being together in the same vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques enable selection of traffic cameras for display to a user, where the techniques involve determining a primary route and an alternate route, determining a first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route, and obtaining camera metadata identifying multiple cameras, where the camera metadata defines aspects such as positioning data, direction, status data, and image data for individual traffic cameras. The techniques also involve determining a priority score for individual cameras using the camera metadata, where the priority score is based, at least in part, on proximity to the first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route. The techniques then involve selecting at least one traffic camera based on the priority score of the camera and communicating image data of the camera for display on a display device.

Abstract: In device-assisted navigation, audio navigation cues are often presented at particular locations along a route (e.g., “in 200 meters, turn left” and “turn left here”). However, if the user stops, navigation cues also stop since the user's position is not changing. Additionally, the navigation instruction at the next navigation point may be conflated with the actual position of the next navigation point; e.g., an instruction to “turn left” may be confusing if the road takes a sharp right turn immediately before the next navigation point. Instead, the device may periodically compare the current position of the user and the next navigation point, and periodically present guidance audio cues that indicate the distance and heading offset to the next navigation point. Guidance audio cues may be integrated with and/or supplemented by audio navigation instructions to indicate both the location of the next navigation point and instructions to be followed there.

Abstract: A first user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system may invite a second user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system to participate in a shared travel experience where the second user follows the first user. While on the shared trip, the first user is provided the location of the second user along with a route to a selected destination. The second user is provided the location of the first user, along with the route to the selected destination. The first user is able to identify points of interest on the route, which are then presented to the second user. A network is established that allows the first and second user to have a two-way conversation, and to synchronize the music that is listened to by the first user and the second user to simulate the experience of being together in the same vehicle.

Abstract: Map context for a target location is generated based on a familiarity of a user with an area surrounding the target location. A context map can be displayed at any of a number of zoom levels in order to provide context tailored to the user. Accordingly, if a user is unfamiliar with the area surrounding the target location the context map can be displayed at a zoom level that displays where in the world the target location is, such as displaying a map of a state, country, or group of countries. If the user is instead familiar with the target location, the context map can display the city, neighborhood, or street where the target location is located. Alternately, a radius around the target location can be used as the zoom level based on the familiarity of the user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer includes a dial control. The control can be implemented, for example, as a touch-based, pointer-based, pen-based and/or keyboard-based mechanism. The dial control is intended for manipulating a large range of values, such as a menu of items from which a user makes a selection, or a range of continuous or discrete values. A dial control can replace other control types such as a slider, drop down menu or text field. The graphical elements of the dial control include one or more displayed rings and a handle for each ring. Inside the ring, or in another area adjacent the ring, a value can be displayed. The ring can be manipulated by the user to change the value selected by the dial control. In the case of multiple rings, each ring can be manipulated independently.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer includes a dial control. The control can be implemented, for example, as a touch-based, pointer-based, pen-based and/or keyboard-based mechanism. The dial control is intended for manipulating a large range of values, such as a menu of items from which a user makes a selection, or a range of continuous or discrete values. A dial control can replace other control types such as a slider, drop down menu or text field. The graphical elements of the dial control include one or more displayed rings and a handle for each ring. Inside the ring, or in another area adjacent the ring, a value can be displayed. The ring can be manipulated by the user to change the value selected by the dial control. In the case of multiple rings, each ring can be manipulated independently.