Google Inc.

Ankit Gupta

Matteo Agosti

Luis Barguno Jane

Quentin Fiard

Antonio Trapanese

Pawel Walczak

Krzysztof Duleba

Pankaj Risbood

Haroon Baig

Lukasz Andrzej Heldt

Aspects of the technology evaluate a client device query to identify an IP address-based estimated location of a mobile device. One or more candidate wireless stations are selected in accordance with the IP-based estimated location and a location-relevant response to the query is also generated in accordance with the IP-based location. This information is transmitted to the mobile device. The mobile device compares the received information about the candidate wireless stations against one or more actual wireless stations with which the mobile device is in communication. Log information is generated as a result of the comparison. The log information is anonymized and transmitted to the network without user ID or other client-identifiable information included in the log. The received log information is then used to validate the initial estimated location. Aggregation of log information from multiple devices may be used in the validation process.

Evaluating IP location on a client device

A user-to-entity communication channel is established for providing increased information regarding entities to the general population. Ambassadors for a entity are identified and selected based on location history of devices for which location reporting is authorized. The ambassadors may provide information regarding the entity to the public through the communication channel. Communications between the users and ambassadors may be reported to the entity owner for analysis by the entity owner.

Creating a communication channel between user devices and local stores

Aspects of the technology evaluate a client device query to identify an IP address-based estimated location of a mobile device (). One or more candidate wireless stations are selected in accordance with the IP-based estimated location and a location-relevant response to the query is also generated in accordance with the IP-based location. This information is transmitted to the mobile device. (). The mobile device compares the received information about the candidate wireless stations against one or more actual wireless stations with which the mobile device is in communication (). Log information is generated as a result of the comparison. The log information is anonymized and transmitted to the network without user ID or other client-identifiable information included in the log. (FIG.) The received log information is then used to validate the initial estimated location. Aggregation of log information from multiple devices may be used in the validation process.

Aspects of the technology evaluate whether a response to a client device search query results in the client device traveling to a location associated with the response (FIG.). One or more wireless stations are selected based on the location associated with the search query (). Wireless station identifiers are sent, along with the search results, to the client device (). The client device compares the received identifiers against the identifiers of one or more observed wireless stations with which the mobile device is in communication or are otherwise visible (). Log information is generated by the client device as a result of the comparison (). The log information is transmitted to the network without user ID or other client-identifiable information included in the log (). The received log information is then used to accurately evaluate conversions and evaluate search quality, which enhances the user experience and provides for a more efficient search result process ().

On-demand location visit conversion metrics

Aspects of the technology evaluate places that are familiar to a given user in order to provide contextualized location information about other places of interest. This may include evaluating the actual number of visits by the given user to one or more locations in a given geographical area. For instance, places that have been visited a sufficient number of times within a particular timeframe are identified as personal landmarks for that user. Thus, when the user searches for a specific place or otherwise requests results that fit a query, the system can use the personalized landmark information to help rank search results and to provide location cues to aid the user to quickly and efficiently arrive at the location of the search result. Personal landmarks are necessarily familiar to the user, and thus can reduce the number of turn-by-turn directions or simplify the graphical interface of the client device.

Generating directions and routes with personalized landmarks

Aspects of the technology enable selective updating of search results and refreshing an entire webpage while minimizing the amount of information transmitted between a client device and a web server. The approach involves determining whether a change in a detected location of the client device would alter the search results or other portions of the webpage. Current and previously received location information is analyzed and compared against a threshold value, which indicates whether there would be a change to location-relevant information. A location signal is provided to the client device based on this analysis, which is used to determine whether to refresh the received search results, to refresh an entire webpage, or to not refresh either the received search results or the entire webpage.

React to location changes on web pages

Aspects of the technology employ an integrated location identification and query processing technique. Network scan information is attached to or otherwise combined with a query at a client device and is sent to a web server or other entity for processing. When a query is initiated, the client device determines whether location services are enabled. If not, upon authorization they are enabled and visible network scan data is quickly obtained for transmission with the query. The server may include both a location identification service and a search service, and can split the received information accordingly among these elements in an efficient manner that minimizes data transfers and latency. From the client device's perspective, only one query is transmitted. Relevant results based on the resolved location are received quickly by the client device. This reduces system latency and power consumption, and also minimizes network overhead by eliminating unnecessary packet transmissions.

Attaching visible networks for synchronous local search results

Systems and methods for inferring a current location of a user or device based on an analysis of a user location history are provided. In particular, when the current location of a device requesting a location-enhanced service cannot be determined with sufficient precision, a plurality of historical locations provided by the user location history can be scored according to a variety of parameters. The historical location receiving the highest score can be inferred to be the current location of the user, permitting the requested location-enhanced service to be performed.

Inferring a current location based on a user location history

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including stored computer programs, for generating modified phonetic representations of Indic words. An Indic sequence of Indic character combinations that each include an Indic character is received. An orthographic representation, e.g., an English-orthographic representation, of the Indic sequence is received. The representation includes a character combination that has a consonant followed by vowel A phonetic representation, e.g., an International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) representation, of the Indic sequence is generated and, based on a comparing, a schwa is removed from a character combination in the phonetic representation that corresponds to an orthographic character combination that does not have a consonant-vowel sequence.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Ankit Gupta