Abstract: A computing system detects activation of a service application on a computing device of a user and performs a selection process to select a service provider to provide service for the user before receiving a request for service from the computing device of the user. Before receiving the request for service from the computing device of the user, the system transmits service provider information corresponding to the selected service provider to the computing device of the user. Subsequent to performing the selection process, the system receives the request for service, and transmits an invitation for providing service for the user to a provider device of the selected service provider.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of electronic communications. The method may include providing a plurality of content slots each configured to receive content. The method may also include maintaining a database comprising a plurality of content generators, and determining, using a processor, one of the plurality of content generators for providing content to each of the plurality of content slots. The determining the one of the plurality of promotion content generators or non-promotion content generators may include providing a first content generator of the plurality of content generators with a set of selection parameters, and receiving a first bid for one of the plurality of content slots from the first content generator. The first content generator may determine the bid based at least in part on the set of selection parameters.

Abstract: A computing system detects activation of a service application on a computing device of a user. Based on a set of service factors, the system determines that a likelihood of the user requesting service exceeds a confidence threshold. Before receiving a request for service from the computing device of the user, and upon determining that the likelihood of the user requesting service exceeds the confidence threshold, the system performs a selection process to select a service provider to provide service for the user. Subsequent to performing the selection process, the system receives, from the computing device of the user, the request for service, and transmits, to a provider device of the selected service provider, an invitation for providing service for the user.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive service requests from requesters. Based at least in part on a proximity between the current locations of a first and a second requester, the system can match the first service request and the second service request by (i) selecting pickup locations for the first and second requesters, (ii) transmitting rendezvous information to the computing devices of the first and second requesters, (iii) determining an estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester to arrive at their pickup locations, and (iv) selecting a transport provider to service both the first transport request and the second transport request.

Abstract: A network system can communicate with user and provider devices to facilitate the provision of a network-based service. The network system can identify optimal service providers to provide services requested by users. The network can utilize context data in matching service providers with users. In particular, the network system can determine, based on context data associated with a user, whether to perform pre-request matching for that user. A service provider who is pre-request matched with the user can be directed by the network system to relocate via a pre-request relocation direction. When the user submits the service request after the pre-request match, the network system can either automatically transmit an invitation to the pre-request matched service provider or can perform post-request matching to identify an optimal service provider for the user.

Abstract: A network system can communicate with user and provider devices to facilitate the provision of a network-based service. The network system can identify optimal service providers to provide services requested by users. The network can utilize context data in matching service providers with users. In particular, the network system can determine, based on context data associated with a user, whether to perform pre-request matching for that user. A service provider who is pre-request matched with the user can be directed by the network system to relocate via a pre-request relocation direction. When the user submits the service request after the pre-request match, the network system can either automatically transmit an invitation to the pre-request matched service provider or can perform post-request matching to identify an optimal service provider for the user.

Abstract: A computing system detects activation of a service application on a computing device of a user. Based on a set of service factors, the system determines that a likelihood of the user requesting service exceeds a confidence threshold. Before receiving a request for service from the computing device of the user, and upon determining that the likelihood of the user requesting service exceeds the confidence threshold, the system performs a selection process to select a service provider to provide service for the user. Subsequent to performing the selection process, the system receives, from the computing device of the user, the request for service, and transmits, to a provider device of the selected service provider, an invitation for providing service for the user.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive service requests from requesters. Based at least in part on a proximity between the current locations of a first and a second requester, the system can match the first service request and the second service request by (i) selecting pickup locations for the first and second requesters, (ii) transmitting rendezvous information to the computing devices of the first and second requesters, (iii) determining an estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester to arrive at their pickup locations, and (iv) selecting a transport provider to service both the first transport request and the second transport request.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive service requests from multiple requesters. Based at least in part on a proximity between the current locations of a first and a second requester, the system can match the first service request and the second service request by (i) selecting a pickup location for the first and second requesters, (ii) transmitting rendezvous information to the computing devices of the first and second requesters, (iii) determining an estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester to arrive at the pickup location, and (iv) selecting a transport provider to service both the first transport request and the second transport request, based at least in part on the pickup location, a current location of the transport provider, and the estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of electronic communications. The method may include providing a plurality of content slots each configured to receive content. The method may also include maintaining a database comprising a plurality of content generators, and determining, using a processor, one of the plurality of content generators for providing content to each of the plurality of content slots. The determining the one of the plurality of promotion content generators or non-promotion content generators may include providing a first content generator of the plurality of content generators with a set of selection parameters, and receiving a first bid for one of the plurality of content slots from the first content generator. The first content generator may determine the bid based at least in part on the set of selection parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for arranging service provider selection are described. A network computer system can establish a set of criteria to determine whether to display, before actually receiving an acceptance from a service provider, an assumed acceptance or a likely service provider to provide on-demand services in response to data corresponding to a request for service sent from a computing device of a user. For example, the network computer system can predetermine a likely service provider or number of matching service providers and display this information to the user in lieu of a “requesting” screen.

Abstract: A network system can communicate with user and provider devices to facilitate the provision of a network-based service. The network system can identify optimal service providers to provide services requested by users. The network can utilize context data in matching service providers with users. In particular, the network system can determine, based on context data associated with a user, whether to perform pre-request matching for that user. A service provider who is pre-request matched with the user can be directed by the network system to relocate via a pre-request relocation direction. When the user submits the service request after the pre-request match, the network system can either automatically transmit an invitation to the pre-request matched service provider or can perform post-request matching to identify an optimal service provider for the user.

Abstract: A network computing system that operates to enable each service provider of a plurality of service providers to select a parametric value that is determinative of a service value for a transport service that is to be provided by the service provider over a given time interval. The network computing system can match service providers to transport requests, based on determination that matched service providers satisfy each of (i) an arrival condition for the transport request of the requester, and (ii) a service value condition that is based at least in part on the selected parametric value of the matched service provider.

Abstract: A travel coordination system provides suggestions to providers for where they should go to reduce the wait time between trips. A geographic region is broken down into zones and a score is generated for each zone. A zone score can be generated by determining the estimated wait time for the zone and generating a model for the wait time. A zone score can also be generated using a model for the wait time using factors that likely contribute to the wait time. The zone score for each zone is displayed to the provider on a road map of the geographic region along with the boundaries of each of the zones and the provider's position within the region. The travel coordination system also suggests driving routes. The travel coordination system selects a target zone and generates candidate routes to the zone. A route is selected based on route scores.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of electronic communications. The method may include providing a plurality of content slots each configured to receive content. The method may also include maintaining a database comprising a plurality of content generators, and determining, using a processor, one of the plurality of content generators for providing content to each of the plurality of content slots. The determining the one of the plurality of promotion content generators or non-promotion content generators may include providing a first content generator of the plurality of content generators with a set of selection parameters, and receiving a first bid for one of the plurality of content slots from the first content generator. The first content generator may determine the bid based at least in part on the set of selection parameters.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive service requests from multiple requesters. Based at least in part on a proximity between the current locations of a first and a second requester, the system can match the first service request and the second service request by (i) selecting a pickup location for the first and second requesters, (ii) transmitting rendezvous information to the computing devices of the first and second requesters, (iii) determining an estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester to arrive at the pickup location, and (iv) selecting a transport provider to service both the first transport request and the second transport request, based at least in part on the pickup location, a current location of the transport provider, and the estimated time interval for each of the first requester and the second requester.

Abstract: A network computer system operates to receive a plurality of service requests over a given time interval, where individual service requests specify a respective target destination and a current location of a respective requester device. For each service request, the network computer system arranges a pooled transport service for the corresponding requester by selecting a service start location, and instructions for enabling the requester to travel to the service start location. The network computer system may select the service provider based on a variety of considerations, including the service start location, the current location of the corresponding service provider, and the determined time interval.

Abstract: A method and system for arranging service provider selection are described. A network computer system can establish a set of criteria to determine whether to display, before actually receiving an acceptance from a service provider, an assumed acceptance or a likely service provider to provide on-demand services in response to data corresponding to a request for service sent from a computing device of a user. For example, the network computer system can predetermine a likely service provider or number of matching service providers and display this information to the user in lieu of a “requesting” screen.

Abstract: A method and system for arranging service provider selection are described. A network computer system can establish a set of criteria to determine whether to display, before actually receiving an acceptance from a service provider, an assumed acceptance or a likely service provider to provide on-demand services in response to data corresponding to a request for service sent from a computing device of a user. For example, the network computer system can predetermine a likely service provider or number of matching service providers and display this information to the user in lieu of a “requesting” screen.

Abstract: A network system implementing or managing a network-based service is configured to receive a query from a user device, the query indicating a start location and a service location. Based on the start location, service location, and the time of receipt of the query, the network system can determine whether to perform request optimization for the user. In response to determining to perform request optimization and if the user accepts request optimization, the network system can schedule or queue the request for service from the user for processing during an optimization time window. The request optimization can improve the probability that the request from the user is matched with other requests from other users for a rideshare-pooling service class of the network-based service. In some circumstances, the network system can determine to automatically perform request optimization without prompting the user to accept or decline the request optimization.