Incognito Mode in a Media Application

• US 20150281383A1
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Bilinski, Brandon, Otto, Owen Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,602,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide techniques for operating a media application in an incognito mode. A method may include operating a media application in a first mode and providing a first indication of a first user action in the media application to a media application provider. Next, an instruction may be received to operate the media application in a second mode. A second indication of a second user action may be received in the media application and the second user action may be performed. Then, the second indication of the second user action may be discarded without providing the second indication of the second user action to the media application provider.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

operating a media application in a first mode;

providing a first indication of a first user action in the media application to a media application provider;

receiving an instruction to operate the media application in a second mode;

receiving a second indication of a second user action in the media application;

performing the second user action; and

discarding the second indication of the second user action without providing the second indication of the second user action to the media application provider.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the first user action prior to the step of receiving a selection to operate the media application in a second mode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the media application provider, one or more media content suggestions based on the first user action.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more media content suggestions are displayed during operation in the second mode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the media application provider, one or more media content categories associated with a user account, and displaying the one or more media content categories during operation in the second mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on a selection received from a user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on a setting selected from the group consisting of:

a system setting, a default setting, and a user setting.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a location of a device on which the media application is operating, and wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on the location of the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on the current time and day.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on the second user action, and wherein the second user action is a request for media content in a first category of media content.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction to operate in the second mode is based on a device on which the media application is operating.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the media application is operated in the first mode on a first device, and the media application is operated in the second mode on a second device.

13. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

operate a media application in a first mode;

provide a first indication of a first user action in the media application to a media application provider;

receive an instruction to operate the media application in a second mode;

receive a second indication of a second user action in the media application;

perform the second user action; and

discard the second indication of the second user action without providing the second indication of the second user action to the media application provider.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising performing the first user action prior to the step of receiving a selection to operate the media application in a second mode.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising receiving, from the media application provider, one or more media content suggestions based on the first user action.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more media content suggestions are displayed during operation in the second mode.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising receiving, from the media application provider, one or more media content categories associated with a user account, and displaying the one or more media content categories during operation in the second mode.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to operate in second mode is based on a selection received from a user.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to operate in second mode is based on a setting selected from the group consisting of:

a system setting, a default setting, and a user setting.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising receiving a location of a device on which the media application is operating, and wherein the instruction to operate in a second mode is based on the location of the device.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to operate in a second mode is based on the current time and day.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to operate in a second mode is based on the second user action, and wherein the second user action is a request for media content in a first category of media content.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the instruction to operate in a second mode is based on a device on which the media application is operating.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the media application is operated in the first mode on a first device, and the media application is operated in the second mode on a second device.