Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Billings

Thomas A. Billings 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: 9682311
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a primary game in which the gaming system provides monetary awards to a player and a secondary game in which the gaming system provides non-monetary skill units to the player. In one such embodiment, the gaming system initiates the play of the skill-based secondary game in response to a triggering even associated with a primary game of the gaming system, and forms a score for the player based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based secondary game. The gaming system determines an amount of non-monetary skill units to provide the player based on the score, and provides the player with the non-monetary skill units. The player redeems any amount of non-monetary skill units for one or more virtual goods offered via a virtual marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Sean M. Gilliland, Thomas Billings, Jeremy Bryan, Salvador A. Castellon, Shavon Gardner, Thomas J. Humphrey, Christian Lopez, James T. McGlone, Maria J. Nepomuceno, Kyu Shin, Jun Yi
  • Publication number: 20140336901
    Abstract: A method to protect a high-pressure fuel pump in a diesel-engine system includes enabling the high-pressure fuel pump when fuel pressure in the diesel-engine system is above a threshold, and disabling the high-pressure fuel pump if the fuel pressure is below the threshold. In this manner, the high-pressure fuel pump is protected from premature wear and failure due to inadequate lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Braden Roberts, Kevin Bird, Thomas Billings, Ace Koua Kue, James Joseph Moylan, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Publication number: 20140087844
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a primary game in which the gaming system provides monetary awards to a player and a secondary game in which the gaming system provides non-monetary skill units to the player. In one such embodiment, the gaming system initiates the play of the skill-based secondary game in response to a triggering even associated with a primary game of the gaming system, and forms a score for the player based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based secondary game. The gaming system determines an amount of non-monetary skill units to provide the player based on the score, and provides the player with the non-monetary skill units. The player redeems any amount of non-monetary skill units for one or more virtual goods offered via a virtual marketplace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Sean M. Gilliland, Thomas Billings, Jeremy Bryan, Salvador A. Castellon, Shavon Gardner, Thomas J. Humphrey, Christian Lopez, James T. McGlone, Maria J. Nepomuceno, Kyu Shin, Jun Yi
  • Publication number: 20050060131
    Abstract: A graphical user interface devices, methods, and systems for creating and editing a simulation model and for presenting the simulation model simulated within a scenario are provided. The device includes a first component that allows a user to enter and edit platforms and associated attributes for the simulation model. Commodities can be entered, edited via a second component, or assigned to a platform via a third component. A directory structure includes an organizational units and platform directory structures. The platform directory structures store platform information based on platform type. Platforms, commodities, or scenario aspects can be reviewed and edited using a graphical user interface. The present invention provides an output for allowing a user to view commodity usage at any desired aspect of the simulation model. The simulation model is created using a simulation reference modeling language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Reichenthal, Thomas Billing, Jack Stewart
  • Patent number: 3943688
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine consisting of a wheeled support on which is mounted a vertically extending housing containing a pair of transversely arranged blowers, one above the other, the housing having a laterally directed, vertically extending, laterally converging air collection chamber receiving air from the blowers and having a laterally facing discharge passage of substantial height. Movable air-guiding members are mounted in the discharge passage in a vertical array. In one embodiment, the members are louvers horizontally pivoted and linked together for simultaneous oscillating movement. Another embodiment uses a vertical crankshaft and drive linkages to oscillate the louvers. A further embodiment uses vertically pivoted oscillating louvers coupled by gears. A still further embodiment uses vertically journaled rotating apertured drums cooperating with an apertured fixed outlet wall on the mouth of the discharge passage to control the lateral discharge of the high pressure air from the discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Inventor: Thomas A. Billings
  • Patent number: D939016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: HTM, LLC
    Inventors: Courtney Billings, Thomas Billings