Patents by Inventor Michael David Schmitz

Michael David Schmitz 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).

  • Publication number: 20170322620
    Abstract: A polling system and method is provided for enabling a user to create polls that are posted on a microblogging website and that can be answered on the microblogging website. The method includes obtaining the user's login information for the microblogging system. The user is able to create a poll that includes a question. A microblog post is generated for the poll. The microblog post is sent to the microblogging system to post on a website. Other users on the microblogging system are able to respond to the poll within the microblogging system by replying to the user's microblog post with another post that includes an answer choice for the poll. The microblogging system is queried for posts directed to the user (e.g., reply posts to the user). A second microblog post is created with poll results and sent to the microblogging system to post on the website.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9733698
    Abstract: A polling system and method is provided for enabling a user to create polls that are posted on a microblogging website and that can be answered on the microblogging website. The method includes obtaining the user's login information for the microblogging system. The user is able to create a poll that includes a question. A microblog post is generated for the poll. The microblog post is sent to the microblogging system to post on a website. Other users on the microblogging system are able to respond to the poll within the microblogging system by replying to the user's microblog post with another post that includes an answer choice for the poll. The microblogging system is queried for posts directed to the user (e.g., reply posts to the user). A second microblog post is created with poll results and sent to the microblogging system to post on the website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Wayin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 20140316695
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Marshall B. MATTHEWS, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8483957
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8428871
    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: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall B. Matthews, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20120239296
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8145426
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20100204913
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7729855
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7620494
    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 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall B. Matthews, G. Duane Gearhart, Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7324897
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7076363
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: America Online, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Schmitz