# How Uber Updates App Features for Specific Groups of Users > A system that automatically changes how an app looks or behaves for some users based on their location or device, while leaving other users' apps unchanged. - **Patent:** US 9888087 - **Original title:** Adjusting attributes for an on-demand service system based on real-time information - **Owner:** Uber Technologies Inc - **Granted:** 2018 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 2 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, telecommunications, ai_ml ## What it does This patent describes a way for a central server to push updates to a specific subset of users without updating everyone at once. The system collects real-time data, such as GPS location or device type, from various phones running a specific app. It then automatically triggers a change—like showing a different graphic image on the screen—only for the devices that meet certain criteria. For example, Uber could use this to show a special 'surge pricing' icon only to users in a specific neighborhood while keeping the standard interface for everyone else. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover updates that are pushed to all users simultaneously. - Does not cover manual updates where the user must download a new version of the app from an app store. - Does not cover systems that lack a mechanism to differentiate between two sets of users based on device data. ## The clever bit The system treats the app's interface as a dynamic variable controlled by a remote configuration database rather than a static piece of code, allowing for surgical, real-time UI changes based on user context. ## Real-world examples 1. Uber's phased rollout of new ride-type icons. 2. Targeted promotional banners in ride-sharing apps. 3. Dynamic UI changes based on a user's city or region. ## Why it matters This technology is the backbone of modern A/B testing and phased feature rollouts. It allows companies to test new interface designs or pricing models on small groups of people in real-time to see how they react before committing to a global change. It is essential for managing the complexity of large-scale, location-based services like ride-sharing or food delivery. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Uber Updates App Features for Specific Groups of Users cover? A system that automatically changes how an app looks or behaves for some users based on their location or device, while leaving other users' apps unchanged. ### Who owns patent US 9888087? Uber Technologies Inc owns this patent, granted in 2018. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on February 6, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 9888087 cited by? This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology is the backbone of modern A/B testing and phased feature rollouts. It allows companies to test new interface designs or pricing models on small groups of people in real-time to see how they react before committing to a global change. It is essential for managing the complexity of large-scale, location-based services like ride-sharing or food delivery. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover updates that are pushed to all users simultaneously. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9888087/uber-pool **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9888087 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Uber Manages Data Connections for Self-Driving Car Fleets](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10050760/uber-eats) — A system that splits network traffic for autonomous vehicles by sending heavy data over cheap channels while reserving a highly reliable channel specifically for delivery confirmations. - [How Devices Personalize Their Screens Using Your Data and Smart Connections](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10977311/dynamically-modifying-elements-of-user-interface-based-on-knowledge-graph) — This patent describes how an electronic device can gather information about how you use it, understand what that information means, and then automatically change its screen to be more helpful or relevant to you. - [How to Update AI on Small Devices with Slow Internet](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250363357/systems-and-methods-for-deploying-and-updating-neural-networks-at-the-edge-of-a-) — This patent describes a method for efficiently updating artificial intelligence models on small, internet-connected devices, like smart cameras, by sending only the changes, or 'patches,' instead of the entire updated model, which saves bandwidth. - [How Computers Automatically Adjust Tasks to Run Faster in Data Centers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9405582/aws-elastic-beanstalk) — A method for cloud computers to monitor their own performance while processing massive data tasks and automatically changing their settings or resource levels to stay efficient. - [How Apps Automatically Switch Between Video Call Connection Methods](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9083770/facebook-reactions) — A system that automatically decides whether to connect video calls directly between users or through a central server based on the number of people and connection quality.