Patents by Inventor Michael Saunders

Michael Saunders 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: 6928389
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor wherein the user can select a compressor from a database or retrieve a list of compressors to select from based on application conditions. The system calculates the capacity, power, current, mass flow, EER and isentropic efficiency for each compressor selected. The system has a verification process to assure that the compressor and conditions selected are within a designated operating range, and calculates the performance characteristics of the selected compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20050131654
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor includes a controller in communication with a cooling system. A database includes compressor specification data. A computer communicates with the controller and accesses the database. A user interface associated with the computer is operable to select a compressor from the database, input application conditions, compare data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, and verify operating limits of the selected compressor based on the compressor specification data and the input application conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Publication number: 20050102645
    Abstract: A method of generating a schematic driven layout for an integrated circuit design includes steps of: (a) receiving as input a representation of a integrated circuit design comprising a hierarchy of blocks; (b) selecting a block in the hierarchy of blocks that requires a physical design and that contains no missing components; (c) generating a physical design for the selected block so that the selected block is no longer a missing component of any other block; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until a physical design has been generated for each block in the hierarchy of blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Saunders, Norman Mause, C. Brewster
  • Patent number: 6866616
    Abstract: A dual path helical ramp consisting of a wire rail formed as a helix, a straight rail, a closed transparent cylindrical wall rail, and a ball. The helical rail extends between a first elevation where the ball enters or exits the ramp to a second, lower elevation where a ball exits or enters the ramp. The straight rail extends through the center of the helical rail for the length thereof. The cylindrical wall rail extends outside of the helical rail for the length thereof. The helical rail is joined at either end of the straight rail and the straight rail is joined at either end of the cylindrical wall rail, thereby forming two elevations. The helical rail is dimensioned such that the distance between it and straight rail and it and wall rail is less than the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Saunders Sommer
  • Publication number: 20040171421
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Publication number: 20040068390
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor wherein the user can select a compressor from a database or retrieve a list of compressors to select from based on application conditions. The system calculates the capacity, power, current, mass flow, EER and isentropic efficiency for each compressor selected. The system has a verification process to assure that the compressor and conditions selected are within a designated operating range, and calculates the performance characteristics of the selected compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6568679
    Abstract: A cubical maze module, counterintuitive in operation, consisting of a hollow cubical box having six transparent walls with eight circular openings of the same diameter; the walls defining four tortuous conduits, each extending from and between a circular opening, eccentrically located, in the center of one quadrant of a wall, and a circular opening, eccentrically located, in the center of one quadrant of an adjacent wall; the tortuous conduits forming passageways for a ball. No matter which side is up, on a horizontal surface, the ball is always able to traverse a plurality of tortuous conduits, under gravity, while not able to traverse one or two other tortuous conduits, as the module is manipulated about the three-dimensional axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Saunders Sommer
  • Patent number: 6558256
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6547664
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Publication number: 20030036466
    Abstract: A dual path helical ramp consisting of a wire rail formed as a helix, a straight rail, a closed transparent cylindrical wall rail, and a ball. The helical rail extends between a first elevation where the ball enters or exits the ramp to a second, lower elevation where a ball exits or enters the ramp. The straight rail extends through the center of the helical rail for the length thereof. The cylindrical wall rail extends outside of the helical rail for the length thereof. The helical rail is joined at either end of the straight rail and the straight rail is joined at either end of the cylindrical wall rail, thereby forming two elevations. The helical rail is dimensioned such that the distance between it and straight rail and it and wall rail is less than the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Saunders Sommer
  • Publication number: 20020169020
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral device connecting to a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of continuous unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Saunders, Dennis Willard Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6471590
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6340331
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral device connecting to a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of continuous unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Coinless Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Saunders, Dennis Willard Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20010034266
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Publication number: 20010027126
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6280326
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6272560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a newly installed peripheral device such as a disk device to be used with a computer system without changing the operating system. The peripheral device is identified as a type which is not recognized by an operating system operating in conjunction with the computer system. A value which identifies at least one logical attribute of said peripheral device is obtained from said peripheral device. A determination is made as to whether the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible based on the logical attribute obtained from the peripheral device. The operating system and the peripheral device communicate if it is determined that the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible (i.e., can operate together).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kenton, Richard A. Coffman, Jr., Edward A. Miller, Michael Saunders, Jeffery A. Stell
  • Patent number: 6087134
    Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing DNA of a rare cell in a cell population. In one embodiment, the method involves covering a cell monolayer with a photosensitive material. By illuminating the area over a cell of interest, the material is solidified, permitting manipulation of the underlying cell and/or protection of the cell from DNA-inactivating agents that destroy DNA in other cells in the monolayer. In another embodiment, the monolayer is overlaid with a solid material that becomes soluble when illuminated. By illuminating the area over a cell of interest, that cell can be specifically exposed and DNA from the cell amplified. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing fetal cells found in maternal blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6012832
    Abstract: A cashless peripheral device connecting to a gaming system. The gaming system issues a "cash-out" signal when a player quits playing and receives a "cash-in" signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of continuous unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventors: Michael Saunders, Dennis Willard Sorenson
  • Patent number: 5822614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a newly installed peripheral device such as a disk device to be used with a computer system without changing the operating system. The peripheral device is identified as a type which is not recognized by an operating system operating in conjunction with the computer system. A value which identifies at least one logical attribute of said peripheral device is obtained from said peripheral device. A determination is made as to whether the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible based on the logical attribute obtained from the peripheral device. The operating system and the peripheral device communicate if it is determined that the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible (i.e., can operate together).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kenton, Richard A. Coffman, Jr., Edward A. Miller, Michael Saunders, Jeffery A. Stell