Patents by Inventor Michael C. Little

Michael 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).

  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20090319103
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David B. Dwyer, Troy A. Nichols, Mathew Hilbert, Michael C. Little
  • Publication number: 20090312893
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David B. Dwyer, Troy A. Nichols, Mathew Hilbert, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 7603209
    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: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Dwyer, Troy A. Nichols, Matthew Hilbert, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 7295901
    Abstract: An avionics system includes a display device that is viewable by a user of an aircraft and a processor in operable communication with the display device. The processor is configured to display a digital terrain having a digital landmark thereon on the display device, the digital terrain being representative of an actual terrain and the digital landmark being representative of an actual landmark on the actual terrain, and display a plurality of position indicators over the digital terrain such that a line extending through the plurality of position indicators intersects the digital landmark, the position indicators being a fixed digital terrain distance apart as measured over the digital terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Little, Troy A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6939696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for disrupting cells by subjecting the cells to ultrasonic energy in the absence of beads. The present invention also relates to the enhancement of cell disruption methods using ultrasonic energy by reducing the surface tension of the liquid in which the cells are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Oscar J. Llorin, Matthew P. Collis, Michael C. Little, James M. Harris
  • Patent number: 6518955
    Abstract: On a data input device having a keypad with small, closely spaced buttons, an anchor is located on a panel section mountable proximate, and in fixed relation to, the keypad so that a user can reach the buttons while stabilizing their hand with the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Hasselbring, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 6210881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of substances inhibitory to nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The method is practiced prior to release of target nucleic acid from cells of interest and involves contacting the sample with an agent which solubilizes the inhibitory substances and does not effectuate release of nucleic acids from cells in the sample, and then the cells from the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Little, Oscar J. Llorin, Matthew P. Collis
  • Patent number: 6077669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to kits and methods for conducting fluorescence based detection assays. The kits are configured in a manner to perform the method so as to reduce or eliminate interfering fluorescence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Little, Glenn P. Vonk
  • Patent number: 5840487
    Abstract: Methods employing internal oligonucleotide standards in isothermal nucleic acid amplification reactions to determine the efficacy of the amplification reaction and to quantify pre-amplification target levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: James G. Nadeau, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 5763185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of substances inhibitory to nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The method is practiced prior to release of target nucleic acid from cells of interest and involves contacting the sample with an agent which solubilizes the inhibitory substances and does not effectuate release of nucleic acids from cells in the sample, and then the cells from the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Michael C. Little, Oscar J. Llorin
  • Patent number: 5744311
    Abstract: Strand Displacement Amplification methods (thermophilic SDA) which can be performed over a broad temperature range (37.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.). The preferred temperature range for thermophilic SDA is 50.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. It has been found that certain thermophilic restriction endonucleases are capable of nicking the hemimodified restriction endonuclease recognition/cleavage site as required by SDA and dissociating from the site. It has further been found that certain thermophilic polymerases are capable of extending from the nick while displacing the downstream strand. Thermophilic SDA, because of reaction temperatures higher than previously possible with conventional SDA enzyme systems, has improved specificity and efficiency, reduced nonspecific background amplification, and potentially improved yields of amplification products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Melinda S. Fraiser, Catherine A. Spargo, George Terrance Walker, Mark Van Cleve, David James Wright, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 5656424
    Abstract: Methods for using reporter mycobacteriophage (RM) and p-nitro-.alpha.-acetylamino-.beta.-hydroxy-propiophenone (NAP) to identify TB complex mycobacteria and distinguish these species from MOTT. RM-infected MOTT show little or no reduction in signal when treated with NAP. In contrast, TB complex mycobacteria infected with RM are distinguishable from RM-infected MOTT by a reduction in signal with NAP treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a Division of Yeshiva University
    Inventors: Stewart Jurgensen, Michael C. Little, Paul T. Hamilton, Paul Riska, John Chan, Barry R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 5648211
    Abstract: Strand Displacement Amplification methods (thermophilic SDA) which can be performed over a broad temperature range (37.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.). The preferred temperature range for thermophilic SDA is 50.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. It has been found that certain thermophilic restriction endonucleases are capable of nicking the hemimodified restriction endonuclease recognition/cleavage site as required by SDA and dissociating from the site. It has further been found that certain thermophilic polymerases are capable of extending from the nick while displacing the downstream strand. Thermophilic SDA, because of reaction temperatures higher than previously possible with conventional SDA enzyme systems, has improved specificity and efficiency, reduced nonspecific background amplification, and potentially improved yields of amplification products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Melinda S. Fraiser, Catherine A. Spargo, George Terrance Walker, Mark Van Cleve, David James Wright, Michael C. Little
  • Patent number: 5633159
    Abstract: Mycobacteriophage DS6A has been characterized and found to specifically infect all species of the TB complex, without any detectable infection of mycobacteria species other than those of the TB complex. DNA sequence analysis revealed several potential open reading frames, including one encoding a protein analogous to gp37 of mycobacteriophage L5 and a second encoding a protein with significant homology to the S. coelicolor DNA polymerase .beta. subunit. Based on the DNA sequence analysis, cloning sites can be identified for insertion of reporter genes, making DS6A useful as a reporter phage for specific detection and identification of species of the TB complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Pearson, Julie A. Dickson, Paul T. Hamilton, Michael C. Little, Wayne F. Beyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5624825
    Abstract: Methods for multiplex amplification of target nucleic acid sequences using a single pair of primers. Defined sequences are appended to the ends of multiple target sequences as part of the amplification reaction so that no steps in addition to amplification are required. The target sequences with the appended defined sequences need not be isolated prior to amplification. In one embodiment for coamplification of two target sequences, a sequence corresponding to a terminal segment of the first target sequence is appended to one end of the second target sequence and a sequence corresponding to a terminal segment of the second target sequence is appended to one end of the first target sequence. Amplification of the two targets then requires only a single pair of primers. Alternatively, a single defined sequence may be appended to the 5' and 3' ends of any number of selected targets. All such modified target sequences may then be amplified using a single pair of primers which hybridize to the defined end-sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: George T. Walker, James G. Nadeau, Michael C. Little