Avatar based on trip

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and a method for generating an avatar based on trip information. The program and method include determining that one or more criteria associated with a user correspond to a trip taken by the user during a given time interval; retrieving a plurality of media generated by a client device of the user during the given time interval; automatically selecting a plurality of avatar customizations to represent the trip based on the plurality of media generated by the user during the given time interval; automatically generating a trip-based avatar for the user based on the plurality of avatar customizations; and causing display of the trip-based avatar.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to generating avatars and providing trip information.

BACKGROUND

Social network sites are some of the most popularly, if not the most popularly, visited sites on the Internet. Social networks provide a vast amount of information about users and their friends. Such information includes current status of users and their interests.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Typically, information about the recent activities various users performed is presented in an unorganized generic manner. In order to discern where a given user currently is or where the user has been, the user's friends have to navigate through a vast amount of content and various pages of information. For example, the friends have to navigate through posts made by the user and photos taken by the user to determine what the user is currently doing or where the user has recently been. While such systems work well for presenting such information, the lack of visual appeal or connection to a specific user and the need to manually navigate through multiple pages of information, makes them less attractive and less intuitive to use, which increases their overall complexity.

The disclosed embodiments improve the efficiency of using the electronic device by incorporating one or more avatars into a messaging application to visually represent a recent trip taken by a user. Specifically, according to some embodiments, various features or customizations of the one or more avatars are selected by automatically processing various content and media generated by a user while on a trip to represent the trip taken by the user. According to the disclosed embodiments, a determination is made that one or more criteria associated with a user, such as distance traveled and time spent away from a home location, correspond to a trip taken by the user during a given time interval. A plurality of media generated by a client device of the user during the given time interval is retrieved. A plurality of avatar customizations is automatically selected to represent the trip based on the plurality of media, such as an avatar flying on a plane to the destination of the trip, wearing certain clothing corresponding to the destination, and carrying a suitcase. A trip-based avatar for the user is then automatically generated based on the plurality of customizations.

By presenting to a user's friend or the user themselves with the customized avatar for a given trip recently taken by the user, the user and the user's friends are provided with a simple and intuitive interface for obtaining information about the recent trip the user took. Namely, with minimal user input, recent trip information can be visually ascertained by any given user, such as through the avatar showing someone's clothing, mode of transportation, actions, and facial expressions. This way, users do not need to navigate through a multitude of different pages of information to determine a trip information for a trip recently taken by a given user. This improves the overall efficiencies of the computing device and reduces complexities in using the messaging application.

FIG.1is a block diagram showing an example messaging system100for exchanging data (e.g., messages and associated content) over a network106. The messaging system100includes multiple client devices102, each of which hosts a number of applications, including a messaging client application104. Each messaging client application104is communicatively coupled to other instances of the messaging client application104and a messaging server system108via a network106(e.g., the Internet).

Accordingly, each messaging client application104is able to communicate and exchange data with another messaging client application104and with the messaging server system108via the network106. The data exchanged between messaging client applications104and between a messaging client application104and the messaging server system108includes functions (e.g., commands to invoke functions) as well as payload data (e.g., text, audio, video, or other multimedia data).

In some embodiments, the messaging client applications104detects that one or more criteria of a user are indicative of a trip taken by the user. In response, the messaging client applications104triggers generation of an avatar to represent the trip. As an example, the messaging client applications104determines a home location of the user. This home location may be specified by the user or may be automatically determined based on measuring how long a user spends at the same location for a specified period of time. For example, the messaging client applications104determines that the user spends more than 80% of the user's time at the same home location (e.g., within a 25 mile radius of a specific GPS coordinate or address). In response, the messaging client applications104sets the specific GPS coordinate or address to be the home location.

The messaging client applications104determines that the client device102has left the home location. In response, the messaging client applications104measures how long the user spends away from the home location. The messaging client applications104stores one or more new destination locations corresponding to the location away from the home location. In some cases, the messaging client applications104begins storing the one or more destination locations when a distance between the home location and the destination locations exceeds a specified distance threshold (e.g., 60 miles). The messaging client applications104determines when the client device102has returned to the home location after spending time at the destination locations. In response to determining that the client device102has spent more than a specified threshold (e.g., 24 hours) at the home location after returning from the destination locations, the messaging client applications104determines that one or more criteria of a user are indicative of a trip taken by the user. In such cases, the messaging client applications104triggers generation of a trip avatar to represent the destination locations and the trip taken by the user. While certain functions are discussed as being performed by the messaging client applications104, any one of these functions can be alternatively performed by a remote server (e.g., messaging server system108).

In some embodiments, the messaging client applications104identifies a set of content or media generated by the user or the client device102while at the one or more destination locations. The messaging client applications104processes the content to generate a collection of tags that are descriptive of the content. The messaging client applications104ranks the collection of tags to identify a set of tags (e.g., 3 tags or less) that have a highest priority. In some cases, the messaging client applications104selects one tag from the collection of tags for each of a plurality of categories for inclusion in the set of tags. For example, a first tag in the collection of tags is indicative of a facial expression and is selected for inclusion in the set of tags and a second tag in the collection of tags is indicative of a mode of transportation used to reach the destinations and is selected for inclusion in the set of tags. A set of avatar customizations corresponding to the set of tags is selected and used to customize a trip avatar for presentation to the user or the user's friends. In some cases, the trip avatar is presented on a map background that indicates the one or more destinations.

In some embodiments, the messaging client applications104triggers generation of the trip avatar on the basis of one or more conditions being satisfied. For example, the messaging client applications104triggers generation of the trip avatar if the messaging client applications104determines that the user generated three or more media assets or content while on the trip (e.g., while the user was at the one or more destinations) and that the three or more media assets have geographical tags that are more than 30 miles away from the home location. The messaging client applications104may also trigger the generation of the trip avatar in response to determining that the user has returned to the home location more than 24 hours ago. In some cases, the messaging client applications104may find multiple trips taken by the user and in such cases, the messaging client applications104selects the trip for customizing the trip avatar that was taken less than 6 months ago.

In some cases, the messaging client applications104adds a title to a tile that includes the trip avatar. The title is automatically generated based on one or more criteria. For example, a first type of title is selected if the client device102returned to the home location from the one or more destinations less than two weeks ago. As another example, a second type of title is selected if the client device102visited multiple destinations while on the trip, where each destination is more than a threshold distance (e.g., 30 miles) from another destination and more than another threshold distance (e.g., 60 miles) from the home location. The second type of title may further be conditioned for selection on the basis of determining that more than three media assets were generated at each of the multiple destinations. In some cases, the tile that includes the trip avatar may automatically play thumbnail versions of the media assets captured by the client device102while visiting the one or more destinations. For example, a two second clip is generated for each video captured by the client device102. The two second clips are automatically and sequentially displayed along with any photos that were captured while visiting the one or more destinations. A one second pause is added while presenting the photos and transitioning to another photo or video in the sequence. The media assets in the sequence transition from one to the next with a specific animation (e.g., a cross-fade animation). The sequence loops back to the beginning when the end of the sequence and the last photo or video clip is presented.

Avatar customizations for the trip avatar include avatar closing, mode of transportation, friend avatars, setting or background, text, facial expressions, or activities. As an example, the messaging client applications104selects a first avatar customization based on a duration of the trip (e.g., based on how long the client device102spent away from the home location). Specifically, if the client device102spent less than a week away from the home location, the messaging client applications104randomly selects between a plurality of avatar customizations of a first type. The first type of the plurality of avatar customizations may include an avatar wearing a briefcase or not carrying any suitcase. If the client device102spent more than a week away from the home location, the messaging client applications104randomly selects between a plurality of avatar customizations of a second type. The second type of the plurality of avatar customizations may include an avatar wearing a suitcase (a carrying case larger than the briefcase) and having a first pose (dragging the suitcase) or the avatar wearing a suitcase and having a second pose (leaning up against the suitcase).

As another example, the messaging client applications104selects a second avatar customization based on a distance of the trip (e.g., based on how far the client device102traveled away from the home location). Specifically, if the client device102traveled more than 400 miles away from the home location, the messaging client applications104randomly selects between a plurality of avatar customizations of a third type. The third type of the plurality of avatar customizations may include an avatar flying in a plane or using a first mode of transportation (plane or boat). If the client device102traveled less than 200 miles away from the home location, the messaging client applications104randomly selects between a plurality of avatar customizations of a fourth type. The fourth type of the plurality of avatar customizations may include an avatar in a car or using a second mode of transportation (car, train or bus).

The messaging client applications104combines the selected avatar customizations (e.g., the first avatar customization and the second avatar customization) to generate the travel avatar. For example, the messaging client applications104generates a travel avatar that depicts an avatar driving in a car and carrying a briefcase in the trunk in response to determining that the client device102traveled less than 200 miles away from the home location and that the client device102spent less than a week away from the home location. In some cases, the messaging client applications104determines that the user traveled to the one or more destinations with a friend. In such cases, the messaging client applications104generates a second travel avatar for the friend and includes the second travel avatar in the tile that presents the travel avatar for the user. Namely, the tile includes two travel avatars to indicate that the user traveled to the destinations with the friend and to represent the activities the friends performed while on the trip. In some cases, the messaging client applications104compares the weather at the one or more destinations with typical weather at the home location. If the weather differs between the travel destinations and the home location, the messaging client applications104customizes an article of clothing of the travel avatar to represent the weather at the travel destinations. For example, if the user lives in a tropical climate and has traveled to Canada, the messaging client applications104may add a parka or coat to the travel avatar to represent the colder weather at the travel destination.

The messaging server system108provides server-side functionality via the network106to a particular messaging client application104. While certain functions of the messaging system100are described herein as being performed by either a messaging client application104or by the messaging server system108, it will be appreciated that the location of certain functionality either within the messaging client application104or the messaging server system108is a design choice. For example, it may be technically preferable to initially deploy certain technology and functionality within the messaging server system108, but to later migrate this technology and functionality to the messaging client application104where a client device102has a sufficient processing capacity.

Dealing specifically with the API server110, this server110receives and transmits message data (e.g., commands and message payloads) between the client device102and the application server112. Specifically, the API server110provides a set of interfaces (e.g., routines and protocols) that can be called or queried by the messaging client application104in order to invoke functionality of the application server112. The API server110exposes various functions supported by the application server112, including account registration; login functionality; the sending of messages, via the application server112, from a particular messaging client application104to another messaging client application104; the sending of media files (e.g., images or video) from a messaging client application104to the messaging server application114, and for possible access by another messaging client application104; the setting of a collection of media data (e.g., story); the retrieval of such collections; the retrieval of a list of friends of a user of a client device102; the retrieval of messages and content; the adding and deleting of friends to a social graph; the location of friends within a social graph; access to user conversation data; access to avatar information stored on messaging server system108; and opening an application event (e.g., relating to the messaging client application104).

The application server112also includes an image processing system116that is dedicated to performing various image processing operations, typically with respect to images or video received within the payload of a message at the messaging server application114. A portion of the image processing system116may also be implemented by the trip avatar generation system124.

The social network system122supports various social networking functions and services and makes these functions and services available to the messaging server application114. To this end, the social network system122maintains and accesses an entity graph within the database120. Examples of functions and services supported by the social network system122include the identification of other users of the messaging system100with which a particular user has relationships or is “following” and also the identification of other entities and interests of a particular user. Such other users may be referred to as the user's friends. Social network system122may access location information associated with each of the user's friends to determine where they live or are currently located geographically. Social network system122may maintain a location profile for each of the user's friends indicating the geographical location where the user's friends live.

The application server112is communicatively coupled to a database server118, which facilitates access to a database120in which is stored data associated with messages processed by the messaging server application114.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram200illustrating data, which may be stored in the database120of the messaging server system108, according to certain example embodiments. While the content of the database120is shown to comprise a number of tables, it will be appreciated that the data could be stored in other types of data structures (e.g., as an object-oriented database).

The database120includes message data stored within a message table214. An entity table202stores entity data, including an entity graph204. Entities for which records are maintained within the entity table202may include individuals, corporate entities, organizations, objects, places, events, and so forth. Regardless of type, any entity regarding which the messaging server system108stores data may be a recognized entity. Each entity is provided with a unique identifier, as well as an entity type identifier (not shown).

The entity graph204furthermore stores information regarding relationships and associations between entities. Such relationships may be social, professional (e.g., work at a common corporation or organization), interest-based, or activity-based, merely for example.

Message table214may store a collection of conversations between a user and one or more friends or entities. Message table214may include various attributes of each conversation, such as the list of participants, the size of the conversation (e.g., number of users and/or number of messages), the chat color of the conversation, a unique identifier for the conversation, and any other conversation related feature(s).

The database120also stores annotation data, in the example form of filters, in an annotation table212. Database120also stores annotated content received in the annotation table212. Filters for which data is stored within the annotation table212are associated with and applied to videos (for which data is stored in a video table210) and/or images (for which data is stored in an image table208). Filters, in one example, are overlays that are displayed as overlaid on an image or video during presentation to a recipient user. Filters may be of various types, including user-selected filters from a gallery of filters presented to a sending user by the messaging client application104when the sending user is composing a message. Other types of filters include geolocation filters (also known as geo-filters), which may be presented to a sending user based on geographic location. For example, geolocation filters specific to a neighborhood or special location may be presented within a UI by the messaging client application104, based on geolocation information determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit of the client device102. Another type of filter is a data filter, which may be selectively presented to a sending user by the messaging client application104, based on other inputs or information gathered by the client device102during the message creation process. Examples of data filters include current temperature at a specific location, a current speed at which a sending user is traveling, battery life for a client device102, or the current time.

Other annotation data that may be stored within the image table208is so-called “LENS” data. A “LENS” may be a real-time special effect and sound that may be added to an image or a video.

As mentioned above, the video table210stores video data which, in one embodiment, is associated with messages for which records are maintained within the message table214. Similarly, the image table208stores image data associated with messages for which message data is stored in the entity table202. The entity table202may associate various annotations from the annotation table212with various images and videos stored in the image table208and the video table210.

Each avatar customization in the trip avatar customization(s)207may be associated with one or more tags. As the trip avatar generation system124generates or retrieves tags for different media generated by the client device102while on the trip, the trip avatar generation system124can select the specific avatar customization that is associated with the generated or retrieved tag. In some cases, multiple avatar customizations may be associated with the same tag. In such cases, the trip avatar generation system124selects randomly one of the multiple avatar customizations that are associated with the same tag. In some cases, a given avatar customization tag may be associated with a rarity factor indicating how rare the specific tag is to be encountered. For example, a spaceship may be associated with a maximum rarity factor because flying on a spaceship is an extremely rare activity while eating may be associated with the lowest rarity factor because eating is a commonly done activity. Using the rarity factor computed for the media captured or generated by the client device102while on the trip, the trip avatar generation system124selects a given trip avatar customization207that is associated with the highest rarity factor for use in modifying the trip avatar.

FIG.3is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a message300, according to some embodiments, generated by a messaging client application104for communication to a further messaging client application104or the messaging server application114. The content of a particular message300is used to populate the message table214stored within the database120, accessible by the messaging server application114. Similarly, the content of a message300is stored in memory as “in-transit” or “in-flight” data of the client device102or the application server112. The message300is shown to include the following components:A message identifier302: a unique identifier that identifies the message300.A message text payload304: text, to be generated by a user via a UI of the client device102and that is included in the message300.A message image payload306: image data, captured by a camera component of a client device102or retrieved from memory of a client device102, and that is included in the message300.A message video payload308: video data, captured by a camera component or retrieved from a memory component of the client device102and that is included in the message300.A message audio payload310: audio data, captured by a microphone or retrieved from the memory component of the client device102, and that is included in the message300.Message annotations312: annotation data (e.g., filters, stickers, or other enhancements) that represents annotations to be applied to message image payload306, message video payload308, or message audio payload310of the message300.A message duration parameter314: parameter value indicating, in seconds, the amount of time for which content of the message (e.g., the message image payload306, message video payload308, message audio payload310) is to be presented or made accessible to a user via the messaging client application104.A message geolocation parameter316: geolocation data (e.g., latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates) associated with the content payload of the message. Multiple message geolocation parameter316values may be included in the payload, with each of these parameter values being associated with respect to content items included in the content (e.g., a specific image within the message image payload306, or a specific video in the message video payload308).A message story identifier318: identifier value identifying one or more content collections (e.g., “stories”) with which a particular content item in the message image payload306of the message300is associated. For example, multiple images within the message image payload306may each be associated with multiple content collections using identifier values.A message tag320: each message300may be tagged with multiple tags, each of which is indicative of the subject matter of content included in the message payload. For example, where a particular image included in the message image payload306depicts an animal (e.g., a lion), a tag value may be included within the message tag320that is indicative of the relevant animal. Tag values may be generated manually, based on user input, or may be automatically generated using, for example, image recognition.A message sender identifier322: an identifier (e.g., a messaging system identifier, email address, or device identifier) indicative of a user of the client device102on which the message300was generated and from which the message300was sent.A message receiver identifier324: an identifier (e.g., a messaging system identifier, email address, or device identifier) indicative of user(s) of the client device102to which the message300is addressed. In the case of a conversation between multiple users, the identifier may indicate each user involved in the conversation.

The contents (e.g., values) of the various components of message300may be pointers to locations in tables within which content data values are stored. For example, an image value in the message image payload306may be a pointer to (or address of) a location within an image table208. Similarly, values within the message video payload308may point to data stored within a video table210, values stored within the message annotations312may point to data stored in an annotation table212, values stored within the message story identifier318may point to data stored in a story table206, and values stored within the message sender identifier322and the message receiver identifier324may point to user records stored within an entity table202.

FIG.4is a block diagram showing an example trip avatar generation system124, according to example embodiments. Trip avatar generation system124includes a trip detection module414, a user(s) location module419, an avatar customization selection module416, and an avatar display module420.

User(s) location module419accesses a GPS system of the client device102for a given user to determine the geographical location of the client device102. The user location module419identifies a home location of the client device102by identifying a geographical location that the client device102is in for a majority of the time (e.g., more than 80% of the time). In some cases, the user location module419receives user input that specifies the home location by providing the address or GPS location of the home address. The user location module419generates a radius (e.g., 25 miles) around the home location. The user location module419determines when the client device102leaves the radius of the home location and in response marks the new locations as a potential travel destination. The user location module419measures how long the client device102spends away from the home location at one or more potential travel destinations. The user location module419stores the destination locations of each potential travel destination along with the time stamps when the potential travel destinations were visited by the client device102.

Trip detection module414processes the data from the user location module419to determine when a given trip a user has taken began and ended. For example, the trip detection module414determines a starting time of when the client device102left the home location and an ending time of when the client device102returned to the home location. If the difference between the starting time and the ending time exceeds a threshold (e.g., more than 2 days), the trip detection module414determines that the client device102was on a trip between the starting time and the ending time. The trip detection module414determines whether the client device has stayed at the home location for more than a threshold period of time (e.g., more than 24 hours) after returning to the home location. In response, the trip detection module414may trigger generation of a trip avatar to represent the trip taken by the user between the starting time and the ending time.

The trip detection module414determines one or more parameters of the trip. For example, the trip detection module414determines weather at the destinations visited away from the home location. The trip detection module414determines if the weather at the destinations differs from the weather at the home location. If so, the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select an avatar customization to represent the weather at the destinations.

The trip detection module414determines a distance between the home location and the travel destinations. For example, the trip detection module414determines whether the distance between the home location and the travel destinations exceeds a specified threshold (e.g., 400 miles). If so, the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select an avatar customization to represent a first mode of transportation (e.g., a plane). Otherwise, if the distance is less than the specified threshold but more than another threshold (e.g., 60 miles), the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select an avatar customization to represent a second mode of transportation (a car).

The trip detection module414determines how long the client device102was on the trip based on a difference between the start and end time of the trip. For example, the trip detection module414determines whether the duration of the trip exceeds a threshold (e.g., 2 weeks). If so, the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select an avatar customization to represent a first type of carrying case (e.g., a suitcase). Otherwise, if the trip duration is less than the threshold, the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select an avatar customization to represent a second type of carrying case (e.g., a briefcase).

In some embodiments, the trip detection module414retrieves media (e.g., posts to a social network, messages exchanged between users, videos, and images) generated by the client device102while the client device102was away from the home location and on the trip. For example, the trip detection module414retrieves a collection of media generated by the client device102between the start time and end time of the trip. The trip detection module414processes the media to generate a plurality of tags (e.g., metadata that is descriptive of each media asset). The trip detection module414ranks the plurality of tags based on one or more criteria (e.g., frequency of occurrence, rarity factor, user preferences, importance, and so forth). The trip detection module414selects a subset of the ranked plurality of tags (e.g., selects tags associated with a rank that exceeds a threshold). The trip detection module414provides the selected subset of ranked tags to the avatar customization selection module416. The avatar customization selection module416selects a combination of avatar customizations that correspond to the selected subset of ranked tags. In some cases, the trip detection module414determines that one of the tags associated with the media corresponds to a rare event or activity (e.g., has a rarity factor that exceeds a threshold). In such circumstances, the trip detection module414associates a highest rank to this tag to ensure that the tag is used to select an avatar customization. For example, if the trip detection module414determines that the client device102generated content that is associated with space travel, the trip detection module414generates a space travel activity tag indicative of space travel and associates a maximum rank to this tag as space travel is associated with a very high rarity factor that exceeds a threshold. In this case, the avatar customization selection module416generates an avatar that appears to be on a spaceship to represent the space travel activity tag.

The trip detection module414selects and ranks tags on the basis of how many media assets are associated with the same tag. Certain tags are selected for inclusion in the subset that is used to customize the avatar if a certain quantity of media assets is generated and is associated with the same tag. If less than a threshold quantity of media assets is associated with the same tag, the particular tag is not included in the subset that is used to select an avatar customization. For example, the trip detection module414determines a first number of the plurality of media associated with a same first tag of the plurality of tags and determines a second number of the plurality of media associated with a same second tag of the plurality of tags. The trip detection module414selects a first customization of the plurality of avatar customizations associated with the same first tag in response to determining that the first number exceeds a first minimum threshold value. The trip detection module414selects a second customization of the plurality of avatar customizations associated with the same second tag in response to determining that the second number exceeds a second minimum threshold value. The second minimum threshold value may be greater than the first minimum threshold value.

As an example, the trip detection module414may identify 15 different pictures of food that were taken while the client device102was on the trip and 3 pictures of a sail boat. The trip detection module414may determine that a food tag is associated with the pictures of food and that a rare activity tag is associated with the sail boat. The trip detection module414may further determine that the food tag is associated with a minimum quantity of 35 and that the rare activity tag is associated with a minimum quantity of 2. In this case, the trip detection module414may cause the avatar customization selection module416to select a customization that represents the sail boat activity because the 3 pictures taken of the sail boat exceeds the minimum quantity of 2. The trip detection module414may prevent the avatar customization selection module416from selecting a customization that represents food because the 15 pictures of food does not exceed the minimum quantity of 35. The minimum quantities may be adjusted based on user preferences. So if a given user never takes pictures of food but often rides sail boats, the minimum quantity of the food tag may be decreased to 3 and the minimum quantity of the rare activity tag may be increased to 10. In this way, the trip detection module414instructs the avatar customization selection module416to select avatar customizations that represent the most important and memorable events that the user encountered while on the trip.

The trip detection module414determines whether one or more other users were together with the user on the trip. For example, the trip detection module414accesses location information for friends of the user. The trip detection module414determines whether the location information for the friends overlaps in time and place with the destination locations that the client device102was in between the start and end time of the trip. If so, the trip detection module414determines that the friends were on the same trip with the user. In some cases, the trip detection module414generates a notification or prompt requesting the user to confirm that the friends were on the same trip. In response to determining that the friends were on the same trip, the trip detection module414generates a travel avatar for the friends and includes the travel avatar for the friends in the same display as the travel avatar for the user.

The trip detection module414determines various activities the user performed while on the trip based on the tags associated with the media generated by the client device102while on the trip. The trip detection module414ranks the activities and selects the tag associated with the highest ranked activity for selection of an avatar customization.

Avatar display module420retrieves an avatar for the user associated with the client device102. The avatar display module420adjusts the avatar for the user based on a combination of avatar customization received from the avatar customization selection module416. The avatar display module420retrieves a map corresponding to the travel destinations of the client device102. The avatar display module420adds the travel avatar with the modified customizations to the map to create an interactive tile that represents the trip. The tile may be presented to the user of the client device102or to friends of the user. The tile may be selected to access a set of media captured by the client device102while on the trip and to share the media with one or more other users. In some cases, the tile includes multiple avatars if more than one user was on the same trip. Namely, the avatar display module420may include a first travel avatar for the user of the client device102and a second travel avatar for a friend of the user that was on the same trip as the user.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating example operations of the trip avatar generation system124in performing process500, according to example embodiments. The process500may be embodied in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors such that the operations of the process500may be performed in part or in whole by the functional components of the messaging server system108; accordingly, the process500is described below by way of example with reference thereto. However, in other embodiments, at least some of the operations of the process500may be deployed on various other hardware configurations. The process500is therefore not intended to be limited to the messaging server system108and can be implemented in whole, or in part, by any other component. Some or all of the operations of process500can be in parallel, out of order, or entirely omitted.

At operation502, the trip avatar generation system124determines that one or more criteria associated with a user correspond to a trip taken by the user during a given time interval. For example, the trip avatar generation system124compares a distance traveled by a client device away from a home location and time spent away from the home location to a threshold. If the distance traveled exceeds the threshold and the time spent exceeds a time threshold, the trip avatar generation system124determines that one or more criteria associated with the user correspond to a trip taken by the user.

At operation503, the trip avatar generation system124retrieves a plurality of media generated by a client device of the user during the given time interval. For example, the trip avatar generation system124obtains videos, comments, images, and so forth generated by the user using the client device102during the time interval corresponding to the trip. The trip avatar generation system124selects the media by analyzing time stamps of the media assets and verifying that the time stamps are within the trip time interval.

At operation504, the trip avatar generation system124automatically selects a plurality of avatar customizations to represent the trip based on the plurality of media generated by the user during the given time interval. For example, the trip avatar generation system124selects a briefcase rather than a suitcase if the trip lasted a first amount of time that exceeds a threshold. The trip avatar generation system124also selects an airplane rather than a car as the avatar customization if the client device102traveled over a certain threshold distance from a home location.

At operation505, the trip avatar generation system124automatically generates a trip-based avatar for the user based on the plurality of avatar customizations. For example, as shown inFIG.6, trip avatar generation system124presents a tile that includes a map representing a destination of a trip previously taken by a user and a travel avatar610.

In some embodiments, the trip avatar generation system124generates an avatar that collectively represents media captured by a client device102. Specifically, the trip avatar generation system124selects a group of media assets (e.g., media assets captured by a given client device102at a particular location, within a particular time interval, or shared with particular users). The trip avatar generation system124then selects a plurality of avatar customizations to the group of media assets and automatically generates an avatar for the user based on the plurality of avatar customizations. In this example, rather than the avatar being specific to a trip taken by a user, the avatar represents an event associated with the user by modifying a plurality of customizations of the avatar, each customization associated with a different attribute determined from the group of media assets.

FIGS.6-8show illustrative inputs and outputs of the trip avatar generation system124, according to example embodiments. As shown inFIG.6, trip avatar generation system124presents a tile that includes a map representing a destination of a trip previously taken by a user and a travel avatar610. The tile may be generated and presented by the trip avatar generation system124in response to determining that the trip was taken more than 24 hours ago. For example, the tile may be generated in response to determining that the client device102returned to the home location and remained at the home location for more than 24 hours after visiting the travel destinations.

The trip avatar generation system124customizes the travel avatar610with a combination of avatar customizations. For example, the trip avatar generation system124presents a facial expression of the travel avatar610as being happy because the trip avatar generation system124determines that the user was excited most of the time while on the trip based on the media captured by the client device102while on the trip. For example, the trip avatar generation system124may isolate and analyze facial expressions in the media captured by the client device102and map each facial expression to a corresponding mood. The trip avatar generation system124identifies a majority of the moods that are mapped to the facial expressions as being happy and in response determines that the user was excited most of the time while on the trip. In some cases, the trip avatar generation system124computes an average happiness score for each of the media captured by the client device102and if the average happiness score of all the media captured by the client device102while on the trip exceeds a given threshold or if a proportion of media with a happiness score exceeds a threshold, then the trip avatar generation system124determines that the user was excited for most of the time during the trip.

The trip avatar generation system124presents a carrying case630that is a briefcase as another avatar customization because the trip avatar generation system124determines that the trip lasted less than two weeks. For example, the trip avatar generation system124selects between two different types of carrying case avatars, shown inFIG.7. A first type of carrying case avatars710corresponds to trips that last less than a threshold period of time. The first type of carrying case avatars710includes a first avatar carrying a briefcase and a second avatar not carrying any carrying case. The trip avatar generation system124selects randomly between the first and second avatars of the first type of carrying case avatars710in response to determining that the trip lasted less than the threshold period of time. A second type of carrying case avatars720corresponds to trips that last more than the threshold period of time. The second type of carrying case avatars720includes a first avatar carrying a suitcase (larger than the briefcase) and in a first pose (walking) and a second avatar carrying the suitcase and in a second pose (leaning against the suitcase). The trip avatar generation system124selects randomly between the first and second avatars of the second type of carrying case avatars720in response to determining that the trip lasted more than the threshold period of time.

The trip avatar generation system124presents the avatar using a car620as a mode of transportation in response to determining that the distance between the destinations and the home location exceeds a first threshold (e.g., 60 miles) but is less than a second threshold (e.g., 400 miles). For example, the trip avatar generation system124selects between two different types of mode of transportations, shown inFIG.8. A first type of mode of transportation avatars810corresponds to trips that are more than a threshold distance away from the home location. The first type of mode of transportation avatars810includes a first avatar flying a plane of a first type and a second avatar flying a plane of a second type. The trip avatar generation system124selects randomly between the first and second avatars of the first type of mode of transportation avatars810in response to determining that the trip was more than a threshold distance away from the home location. A second type of mode of transportation avatars820corresponds to trips that are less than the threshold distance to the home location. The second type of mode of transportation avatars820includes a first avatar driving a car of a first type and a second avatar driving a car of a second type (or in a train or bus). The trip avatar generation system124selects randomly between the first and second avatars of the second type of mode of transportation avatars820in response to determining that the trip was less than the threshold distance away from the home location.

FIG.9is a block diagram illustrating an example software architecture906, which may be used in conjunction with various hardware architectures herein described.FIG.9is a non-limiting example of a software architecture and it will be appreciated that many other architectures may be implemented to facilitate the functionality described herein. The software architecture906may execute on hardware such as machine1000ofFIG.10that includes, among other things, processors1004, memory1014, and input/output (I/O) components1018. A representative hardware layer952is illustrated and can represent, for example, the machine1000ofFIG.10. The representative hardware layer952includes a processing unit954having associated executable instructions904. Executable instructions904represent the executable instructions of the software architecture906, including implementation of the methods, components, and so forth described herein. The hardware layer952also includes memory and/or storage modules memory/storage956, which also have executable instructions904. The hardware layer952may also comprise other hardware958.

In the example architecture ofFIG.9, the software architecture906may be conceptualized as a stack of layers where each layer provides particular functionality. For example, the software architecture906may include layers such as an operating system902, libraries920, frameworks/middleware918, applications916, and a presentation layer914. Operationally, the applications916and/or other components within the layers may invoke API calls908through the software stack and receive messages912in response to the API calls908. The layers illustrated are representative in nature and not all software architectures have all layers. For example, some mobile or special purpose operating systems may not provide a frameworks/middleware918, while others may provide such a layer. Other software architectures may include additional or different layers.

The operating system902may manage hardware resources and provide common services. The operating system902may include, for example, a kernel922, services924, and drivers926. The kernel922may act as an abstraction layer between the hardware and the other software layers. For example, the kernel922may be responsible for memory management, processor management (e.g., scheduling), component management, networking, security settings, and so on. The services924may provide other common services for the other software layers. The drivers926are responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlying hardware. For instance, the drivers926include display drivers, camera drivers, Bluetooth® drivers, flash memory drivers, serial communication drivers (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) drivers), Wi-Fi® drivers, audio drivers, power management drivers, and so forth depending on the hardware configuration.

The libraries920provide a common infrastructure that is used by the applications916and/or other components and/or layers. The libraries920provide functionality that allows other software components to perform tasks in an easier fashion than to interface directly with the underlying operating system902functionality (e.g., kernel922, services924and/or drivers926). The libraries920may include system libraries944(e.g., C standard library) that may provide functions such as memory allocation functions, string manipulation functions, mathematical functions, and the like. In addition, the libraries920may include API libraries946such as media libraries (e.g., libraries to support presentation and manipulation of various media format such as MPREG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG), graphics libraries (e.g., an OpenGL framework that may be used to render two-dimensional and three-dimensional in a graphic content on a display), database libraries (e.g., SQLite that may provide various relational database functions), web libraries (e.g., WebKit that may provide web browsing functionality), and the like. The libraries920may also include a wide variety of other libraries948to provide many other APIs to the applications916and other software components/modules.

The frameworks/middleware918(also sometimes referred to as middleware) provide a higher-level common infrastructure that may be used by the applications916and/or other software components/modules. For example, the frameworks/middleware918may provide various graphic UI (GUI) functions, high-level resource management, high-level location services, and so forth. The frameworks/middleware918may provide a broad spectrum of other APIs that may be utilized by the applications916and/or other software components/modules, some of which may be specific to a particular operating system902or platform.

The applications916include built-in applications938and/or third-party applications940. Examples of representative built-in applications938may include, but are not limited to, a contacts application, a browser application, a book reader application, a location application, a media application, a messaging application, and/or a game application. Third-party applications940may include an application developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ software development kit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform, and may be mobile software running on a mobile operating system such as IOS™, ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or other mobile operating systems. The third-party applications940may invoke the API calls908provided by the mobile operating system (such as operating system902) to facilitate functionality described herein.

The applications916may use built-in operating system functions (e.g., kernel922, services924, and/or drivers926), libraries920, and frameworks/middleware918to create UIs to interact with users of the system. Alternatively, or additionally, in some systems, interactions with a user may occur through a presentation layer, such as presentation layer914. In these systems, the application/component “logic” can be separated from the aspects of the application/component that interact with a user.

The machine1000may include processors1004, memory/storage1006, and I/O components1018, which may be configured to communicate with each other such as via a bus1002. In an example embodiment, the processors1004(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor1008and a processor1012that may execute the instructions1010. The term “processor” is intended to include multi-core processors1004that may comprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. AlthoughFIG.10shows multiple processors1004, the machine1000may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiple cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory/storage1006may include a memory1014, such as a main memory, or other memory storage, and a storage unit1016, both accessible to the processors1004such as via the bus1002. The storage unit1016and memory1014store the instructions1010embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions1010may also reside, completely or partially, within the memory1014, within the storage unit1016, within at least one of the processors1004(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine1000. Accordingly, the memory1014, the storage unit1016, and the memory of processors1004are examples of machine-readable media.

The I/O components1018may include a wide variety of components to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/O components1018that are included in a particular machine1000will depend on the type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobile phones will likely include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touch input device. It will be appreciated that the I/O components1018may include many other components that are not shown inFIG.10. The I/O components1018are grouped according to functionality merely for simplifying the following discussion and the grouping is in no way limiting. In various example embodiments, the I/O components1018may include output components1026and input components1028. The output components1026may include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and so forth. The input components1028may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I/O components1018may include communication components1040operable to couple the machine1000to a network1037or devices1029via coupling1024and coupling1022, respectively. For example, the communication components1040may include a network interface component or other suitable device to interface with the network1037. In further examples, communication components1040may include wired communication components, wireless communication components, cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components to provide communication via other modalities. The devices1029may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

GLOSSARY

“CARRIER SIGNAL” in this context refers to any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying transitory or non-transitory instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such instructions. Instructions may be transmitted or received over the network using a transitory or non-transitory transmission medium via a network interface device and using any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols.

“COMPONENT” in this context refers to a device, physical entity, or logic having boundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs, or other technologies that provide for the partitioning or modularization of particular processing or control functions. Components may be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry out a machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardware unit designed for use with other components and a part of a program that usually performs a particular function of related functions. Components may constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) or hardware components. A “hardware component” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware component that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

A hardware component may also be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor, such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware component may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware component may include software executed by a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. Once configured by such software, hardware components become specific machines (or specific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and are no longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. Accordingly, the phrase “hardware component” (or “hardware-implemented component”) should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardware components are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware components) at different times. Software accordingly configures a particular processor or processors, for example, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware component at a different instance of time.