Abstract: A computing system can detect the launch of a rider application on computing devices of users of a transport service. The computing system can receive location data indicating the current location of each user, and determine a usage pattern for each user based on historical data corresponding to historical utilization of the transport service by the user. Based on the current location and the usage pattern of the user, the computing system can determine one or more suggested destination locations for the user, and transmit, over the one or more networks, display data to cause the rider application to display a destination accelerator for each of the one or more suggested destination locations. The destination accelerator can be selectable by the user to automatically input a destination location into a transport request for the transport service.

Abstract: A method for determining playback behavior of a media item including a video component and an audio component includes determining a current event that causes a playing of the video component of the media item on a screen of a user device to be suspended. The method further includes predicting user playback preferences for the media item using a behavioral model trained on previous events corresponding to the current event, and determining, based on the predicted user playback preferences, whether to continue playing the audio component of the media item.

Abstract: A computing system can detect the launch of a rider application on computing devices of users of a transport service. The computing system can receive location data indicating the current location of each user, and determine a usage pattern for each user based on historical data corresponding to historical utilization of the transport service by the user. Based on the current location and the usage pattern of the user, the computing system can determine one or more suggested destination locations for the user, and transmit, over the one or more networks, display data to cause the rider application to display a destination accelerator for each of the one or more suggested destination locations. The destination accelerator can be selectable by the user to automatically input a destination location into a transport request for the transport service.

Abstract: A computing system can receive input data specifying a destination location for a requesting user and determine a guaranteed upfront cost for transporting the requesting user to the specified destination location. The system can cause the computing device of the requesting user to display a ride service selection interface comprising a graphic feature indicating the guaranteed upfront cost for the specified transport option. Based on a user selection of the graphic feature, the computing system can select a driver from the one or more available drivers based, at least in part, on a proximity of the selected driver to the current location of the requesting user, and determine a rendezvous point at which the requesting user can rendezvous with the selected driver.

Abstract: A computing system can implement pick-up location optimization by receiving trip requests and location data from computing devices of users and determining a specified region in which each requesting user is located. Each region can be associated with a plurality of eligible pickup locations. The computing system can score each of a plurality of eligible pickup locations based, at least in part, on (i) ETAs of vehicles to the pickup locations, and (ii) an amount of reduced time for utilizing each pickup location as opposed to the current location of the requesting user or a pick-up location specified by the requesting user. Based on the scoring, the computing system may then select (i) a trip pickup location to initiate the trip request, and (ii) a selected vehicle from the set of candidate vehicles to service the trip request.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a data transmission for a network-based service over limited network connectivity are described. A computing device detects that it has insufficient network connectivity to transmit a data message from a service requester application executing on the computing device to a server using a data communications channel. The computing device receives user input for a request for service and transmits the request for service to the server via an alternate communications channel. The server receives and processes the request to arrange for service for the user and transmits data corresponding to a service arrangement to the computing device over the alternate communications channel.

Abstract: A method for determining playback behavior of a media item including a video component and an audio component includes determining a current event that causes a playing of the video component of the media item on a screen of a user device to be suspended. The method further includes predicting user playback preferences for the media item using a behavioral model trained on previous events corresponding to the current event, and determining, based on the predicted user playback preferences, whether to continue playing the audio component of the media item.

Abstract: A computing system can implement pick-up location optimization by receiving trip requests and location data from computing devices of users and determining a specified region in which each requesting user is located. Each region can be associated with a plurality of eligible pickup locations. The computing system can score each of a plurality of eligible pickup locations based, at least in part, on (i) ETAs of vehicles to the pickup locations, and (ii) an amount of reduced time for utilizing each pickup location as opposed to the current location of the requesting user or a pick-up location specified by the requesting user. Based on the scoring, the computing system may then select (i) a trip pickup location to initiate the trip request, and (ii) a selected vehicle from the set of candidate vehicles to service the trip request.

Abstract: A method for determining playback behavior of a media item including a video component and an audio component includes determining a current event that causes a playing of the video component of the media item on a screen of a user device to be suspended. The method further includes predicting user playback preferences for the media item using a behavioral model trained on previous events corresponding to the current event, and determining, based on the predicted user playback preferences, whether to continue playing the audio component of the media item.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a data transmission for a network-based service over limited network connectivity are described. A computing device detects that it has insufficient network connectivity to transmit a data message from a service requester application executing on the computing device to a server using a data communications channel. The computing device receives user input for a request for service and transmits the request for service to the server via an alternate communications channel. The server receives and processes the request to arrange for service for the user and transmits data corresponding to a service arrangement to the computing device over the alternate communications channel.

Abstract: A computer system can monitor a dynamic location of a transport service provider traveling to rendezvous with a requesting user at a start location. The computer system can generate map content to be displayed on a user interface a computing device of the requesting user. The computer system may then generate a toggle feature on the user interface to enable the requesting user to switch between a plurality of map configurations for the map content. Each of the plurality of map configurations can define a dynamic zoom level of the map content and being based on a plurality of toggle points comprising a plurality of (i) the dynamic location of the transport service provider, (ii) the dynamic location of the requesting user, or (iii) the start location.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a data transmission for a network-based service over limited network connectivity are described. A computing device detects that it has insufficient network connectivity to transmit a data message from a service requester application executing on the computing device to a server using a data communications channel. The computing device receives user input for a request for service and transmits the request for service to the server via an alternate communications channel. The server receives and processes the request to arrange for service for the user and transmits data corresponding to a service arrangement to the computing device over the alternate communications channel.

Abstract: A computing system can receive input data specifying a destination location for a requesting user and determine a guaranteed upfront cost for transporting the requesting user to the specified destination location. The system can cause the computing device of the requesting user to display a ride service selection interface comprising a graphic feature indicating the guaranteed upfront cost for the specified transport option. Based on a user selection of the graphic feature, the computing system can select a driver from the one or more available drivers based, at least in part, on a proximity of the selected driver to the current location of the requesting user, and determine a rendezvous point at which the requesting user can rendezvous with the selected driver.

Abstract: A computing system can detect the launch of a rider application on computing devices of users of a transport service. The computing system can receive location data indicating the current location of each user, and determine a usage pattern for each user based on historical data corresponding to historical utilization of the transport service by the user. Based on the current location and the usage pattern of the user, the computing system can determine one or more suggested destination locations for the user, and transmit, over the one or more networks, display data to cause the rider application to display a destination accelerator for each of the one or more suggested destination locations. The destination accelerator can be selectable by the user to automatically input a destination location into a transport request for the transport service.

Abstract: A network computer system can receive data indicating a first service location from a computing device of a requesting user via an executing service application and determine data indicating a second service location. Based the first and second service locations, the network computer system can compute an upfront cost for each of a plurality of service options for completing an on-demand service for the requesting user. The network computer system can transmit data associated with the upfront cost for each of the plurality of service options to the computing device to enable a plurality of selectable graphic features to be displayed as part of a user interface on the computing device. Each of the graphic features can indicate the upfront cost for the corresponding service option.

Abstract: A network computer system can control the display of user interface features on remote computing devices. The network computer system can manage a requester profile for each of the plurality of requesters. A requester profile can be associated with historical data corresponding to previous services received or requested by the respective requester. Based on data associated with the requester profile, the network computer system can generate accelerator features to be displayed on a user interface of the computing device of the requester, where each of the accelerator features is selectable to cause the computing device of the requester to determine, without subsequent manual intervention, a service location where a service is to be completed for the requester.

Abstract: A mobile computing device can receive a set of service progress data corresponding to a transport service for a user of the mobile computing device and can present a user interface in a first configuration that includes a first section for displaying a map and a second section for displaying information related to the transport service, including a first set of information pertaining to a service provider identified by a remote computing system. In response to detecting the user input on the user interface, the mobile computing device can pivot the user interface from the first configuration to a second configuration by expanding the second section to replace at least a portion of the first section. The expanded second section can display the first set of information and service information of the transport service using at least a portion of the set of service progress data.

Abstract: A computer system can monitor a dynamic location of a transport service provider traveling to rendezvous with a requesting user at a start location. The computer system can generate map content to be displayed on a user interface a computing device of the requesting user. The computer system may then generate a toggle feature on the user interface to enable the requesting user to switch between a plurality of map configurations for the map content. Each of the plurality of map configurations can define a dynamic zoom level of the map content and being based on a plurality of toggle points comprising a plurality of (i) the dynamic location of the transport service provider, (ii) the dynamic location of the requesting user, or (iii) the start location.

Abstract: A network computer system can receive data indicating a first service location from a computing device of a requesting user via an executing service application and determine data indicating a second service location. Based the first and second service locations, the network computer system can compute an upfront cost for each of a plurality of service options for completing an on-demand service for the requesting user. The network computer system can transmit data associated with the upfront cost for each of the plurality of service options to the computing device to enable a plurality of selectable graphic features to be displayed as part of a user interface on the computing device. Each of the graphic features can indicate the upfront cost for the corresponding service option.

Abstract: A network system can manage an on-demand network service throughout a given region by receiving service requests from user devices of requesting users and matching the requesting users with available service providers. The network system can further generate content data for displaying one or more user interface features on the user devices. The content data can be generated based on information particular to each individual user, such as service progress information, service location information, and a corresponding user profile maintained by the network system. The user devices can display the user interface features using the content data received from the network system. Furthermore, the user device can arrange the user interface features in a plurality of configurations based on user input and other information.