Patents by Inventor G. Duane Gearhart

G. Duane Gearhart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10915926
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for location-based advertisements. In accordance with one exemplary implementation, a method is provided for providing advertisements to a user of a navigation system. The method may include identifying high-value intersections in a map. The method may also include identifying, based on the high-value intersections, a set of landmark locations and associating the landmark locations with the high-value intersections in a database. The method may also include detecting at least one of the high-value intersections in a route requested by the user. The method may also include presenting, on a device of the user, an advertisement associated with at least one landmark location while presenting maneuver information for the at least one high-value intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Allan McDevitt, G. Duane Gearhart, John Patrick O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 10066960
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed. The methods may include identifying a plurality of points of interest (POIs) within a pre-determined travel time from an intersection or highway exit and calculating a travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of POIs. The methods may further include, associating each of the plurality of POIs with the intersection or highway exit, and storing the travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of associated POIs in an electronic database as pre-calculated POI data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Gregory Knisely, David W. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 9909886
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method may include receiving, from a user's electronic device and over a network, user input data including at least the destination location and a break point parameter and calculating one or more routes from the start location to the destination location, based on the user input data. The method may also include identifying one or more intermediate break point locations along the one or more routes based on the break point parameter received from the user and identifying a range extending around each intermediate break point location, and potential break points. A step may also be executed in which a density or type of points of interest within each potential break point may be evaluated by the electronic device and a recommended for a break point made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Scott W. Steinke
  • Patent number: 9885582
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, Tianyu Wang, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9829330
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9791292
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, Tianyu Wang, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9696172
    Abstract: Driving directions are presented where a maneuver in the driving directions includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall B. Matthews, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9651392
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing to a user geographical mapping information relating to a trip from a start location to a destination location. One method includes receiving user input data including at least the destination location; receiving a location of a point movable by the user along the route from the start location to the destination location on an electronic map; displaying one or more points of interest within a range of the location of the point; receiving a selection by the user of at least one of the one or more points of interest; generating a modified route from the start location to the destination location which includes the selected at least one of the one or more points interest; and displaying the modified route with the selected at least one of the one or more points interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Adam H. Risser, Beth A. Warner, Marshall B. Matthews, Lindsey Young, Elizabeth McIlhany, Michael Ringrose
  • Publication number: 20160320197
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Eric BEYELER, G. Duane GEARHART
  • Patent number: 9453738
    Abstract: Driving directions are presented where a maneuver in the driving directions includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall B. Matthews, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20160273936
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed. The methods may include identifying a plurality of points of interest (POIs) within a pre-determined travel time from an intersection or highway exit and calculating a travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of POIs. The methods may further include, associating each of the plurality of POIs with the intersection or highway exit, and storing the travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of associated POIs in an electronic database as pre-calculated POI data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: G. Duane GEARHART, Gregory Knisely, David W. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 9400189
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20160209231
    Abstract: Driving directions are printed where a maneuver in the driving direction includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Marshall B. MATTHEWS, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9377323
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed. The methods may include identifying a plurality of points of interest (POIs) within a pre-determined travel time from an intersection or highway exit and calculating a travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of POIs. The methods may further include, associating each of the plurality of POIs with the intersection or highway exit, and storing the travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of associated POIs in an electronic database as pre-calculated POI data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MAPQUEST, INC.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Greg Knisely, David W. Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20160178384
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method may include receiving, from a user's electronic device and over a network, user input data including at least the destination location and a break point parameter and calculating one or more routes from the start location to the destination location, based on the user input data. The method may also include identifying one or more intermediate break point locations along the one or more routes based on the break point parameter received from the user and identifying a range extending around each intermediate break point location, and potential break points. A step may also be executed in which a density or type of points of interest within each potential break point may be evaluated by the electronic device and a recommended for a break point made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: G. Duane GEARHART, Scott W. STEINKE
  • Patent number: 9322663
    Abstract: Driving directions are presented where a maneuver in the driving directions includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall B. Matthews, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20160097654
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Eric BEYELER, Tianyu WANG, G. Duane GEARHART
  • Patent number: 9304007
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method may include receiving, from a user's electronic device and over a network, user input data including at least the destination location and a break point parameter and calculating one or more routes from the start location to the destination location, based on the user input data. The method may also include identifying one or more intermediate break point locations along the one or more routes based on the break point parameter received from the user and identifying a range extending around each intermediate break point location, and potential break points. A step may also be executed in which a density or type of points of interest within each potential break point may be evaluated by the electronic device and a recommended for a break point made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Scott W. Steinke
  • Publication number: 20150204688
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed. The methods may include identifying a plurality of points of interest (POIs) within a pre-determined travel time from an intersection or highway exit and calculating a travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of POIs. The methods may further include, associating each of the plurality of POIs with the intersection or highway exit, and storing the travel time and distance from the intersection or highway exit to each of the plurality of associated POIs in an electronic database as pre-calculated POI data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane GEARHART, Greg KNISELY, David W. NESBITT
  • Publication number: 20150204685
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing to a user geographical mapping information relating to a trip from a start location to a destination location. One method includes receiving user input data including at least the destination location; receiving a location of a point movable by the user along the route from the start location to the destination location on an electronic map; displaying one or more points of interest within a range of the location of the point; receiving a selection by the user of at least one of the one or more points of interest; generating a modified route from the start location to the destination location which includes the selected at least one of the one or more points interest; and displaying the modified route with the selected at least one of the one or more points interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane GEARHART, Adam H. RISSER, Beth A. WARNER, Marshall B. MATTHEWS, Lindsey YOUNG, Elizabeth McILHANY, Michael RINGROSE