Patents by Inventor C. Little

C. Little 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: 20140018154
    Abstract: When the player identifies herself to a gaming machine at a casino, for example by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader, she is, at generally the same time, logging onto a game provider's backend system (the game provider being different from the casino operator). This concurrent sign-on to the game provider's system is done in a non-intrusive, transparent, and passive manner. The player is not distracted from the normal steps leading to game play on the machine until she is ready to redeem points with the game provider or for some reason additional authentication is needed from the player. By virtue of this single sign-on to the game provider network, in addition to continuing game play across different casinos, the player can publish events to the Internet, such as on social networking sites, take advantage of offers targeted specifically for her, or facilitate responsible gaming programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Erik B. PETERSEN, Kevin M. HIGGINS, Steven G. LeMAY, William C. LITTLE
  • Publication number: 20140010743
    Abstract: A method including electrolysis processing using sulfate-based electrolytes includes precipitating sodium sulfate decahydrate from a salt solution and then redissolving sodium sulfate decahydrate to prepare feed of electrolyte solution for the electrolysis processing. Front-end processing may be used to treat mixed salt solutions, including brine solutions. Calcium sulfate reagent may provide a sulfate source to regenerate electrolyte solution following carbon capture, and with carbon dioxide being sequestered in the form of calcium carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NEW SKY ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Victor Kosmoski, Deane C. Little, Nabilah Rontu Carlon
  • Patent number: 8616954
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Patent number: 8514087
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing a sensor enhanced employee safety evaluation system. Systems that monitor and assess employee lifting behavior are employed at the workplace of an insured entity. Data from the lift monitoring systems are processed to obtain a safety evaluation. Based on the safety evaluation, the insurance provider can adjust the terms of the insurance policy to accurately reflect the risks associated with the insured entity. Feedback based on the safety evaluation is also provided to the insured entity and the employees of the insured entity to promote improvements in safe behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Thomas D C Little, Robert Cornelis Wagenaar, John J. Anthony, III, Michael J. Gingrave
  • Publication number: 20130035157
    Abstract: A system for interfacing with a third-party application is described. The system includes a third-party device, a server-based system configured to communicate with the third-party device, and a gaming device configured to communicate with the server-based system to display content of the product or service. The gaming device is configured to generate an outcome of a wager-based game independent of the content that is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Reid M. WEBER, William C. LITTLE, Steven G. LeMAY, Adrian R. MARCU, Warner R. COCKERILLE, IV, Nicole M. BEAULIEU, David A. GIPP, Daniel DE WAAL, Vincent S. MANFREDI, Bryan BULLARD, Richard J. SCHNEIDER, Glen Keith RUSSELL, Jacob GRAHAM, Gregory A. SCHLOTTMANN, Richard E. ROWE, David C. WILLIAMS, Kurt M. LARSEN, Jae Man YI, Erik B. PETERSEN, Kevin HIGGINS, Gregory H. PARROTT, David L. SALLS, Brad Robert Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20130005457
    Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
  • Patent number: 8249835
    Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method is disclosed, for creating a casino gaming floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of the layout in real time or with historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8219265
    Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft simultaneously displays the terrain under the flight plan, or under the current track of the aircraft, as both a two-dimensional lateral situation view image and as a perspective vertical situation view image. This provides improved tactical flight planning, and that does not erroneously show the flight plan passing through the displayed terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Dwyer, Troy A. Nichols, Mathew Hilbert, Michael C. Little
  • Publication number: 20120040756
    Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method is disclosed, for creating a casino gaming floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of the layout in real time or with historical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, JR.
  • Patent number: 8095249
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying a digital terrain to a user of a vehicle are provided. First, second, and third actual terrain data points are received. The third actual terrain data point is between the first and second actual terrain data points. If the third actual terrain data point is above a line interconnecting the first and second actual terrain data points, the first actual terrain data point is modified such that the third actual terrain data point is not above a line interconnecting said modified first actual terrain data point and the second actual terrain data point. A digital terrain is displayed to the user of the vehicle. The digital terrain includes a first digital terrain data point corresponding to the modified first actual terrain data point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Little, Troy A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8073657
    Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110259470
    Abstract: An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: VEEDER-ROOT COMPANY
    Inventors: David Bolt, James C. Little, Niranjan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8010245
    Abstract: A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to determine a touchdown point for the aircraft and to supply display commands associated with the touchdown point; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render symbology representing the touchdown point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Nichols, Michael C. Little
  • Publication number: 20100228526
    Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. MOORE, III, Daniel G. CARLSON, Brian V. GRESS, William C. LITTLE, Javier A. SAENZ, Andrew George NOVOTAK, JR.
  • Patent number: 7766744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. A first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise is received and stored in a database. A second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise is received and stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: IGT, Western Money Systems
    Inventors: Daniel J. de Waal, Bryan Bullard, William C. Little
  • Publication number: 20100130281
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Publication number: 20100105454
    Abstract: A system for interfacing with a third-party application is described. The system includes a third-party device, a server-based system configured to communicate with the third-party device, and a gaming device configured to communicate with the server-based system to display content of the product or service. The gaming device is configured to generate an outcome of a wager-based game independent of the content that is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Glen Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen, Kevin Higgins, Gregory H. Parrott, David L. Salls, Brad Robert Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20100099491
    Abstract: Bonuses such as progressive bonuses are based on the activity of many players playing at many machines. The machines may be made by different manufacturers and run different games. Prior diverse arrays of such machines relied on a hardware slot machine interface board (SMIB) that acted as a master and transmitted game activity to remote servers. A disclosed embodiment virtualizes the SMIB. In one implementation, protected processes allow for real time meter creation and destruction within different games, even after the game software has been certified and the hash cannot change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: William C. LITTLE, Daniel DE WAAL
  • Publication number: 20100082187
    Abstract: A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to determine a touchdown point for the aircraft and to supply display commands associated with the touchdown point; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render symbology representing the touchdown point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Troy Nichols, Michael C. Little
  • Publication number: 20100070109
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying a digital terrain to a user of a vehicle are provided. First, second, and third actual terrain data points are received. The third actual terrain data point is between the first and second actual terrain data points. If the third actual terrain data point is above a line interconnecting the first and second actual terrain data points, the first actual terrain data point is modified such that the third actual terrain data point is not above a line interconnecting said modified first actual terrain data point and the second actual terrain data point. A digital terrain is displayed to the user of the vehicle. The digital terrain includes a first digital terrain data point corresponding to the modified first actual terrain data point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Little, Troy A. Nichols