Patents by Inventor W. Little
W. 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: 11774156Abstract: An icemaker for making clear ice shapes using a process that removes and replenishes a freezable liquid, such as water, from and to one or more ice-mold cavities during freezing of the freezable liquid in the ice-mold cavity(ies). This process removes air bubbles from the freezable liquid during freezing that would otherwise result in cloudy ice. In some embodiments, the icemaker includes a suction system to draw freezable liquid from the cavity(ies) and a replenishment system to replenish the cavity(ies) with freezable liquid to replace the freezable liquid that the suction system draws out of the cavity(ies). In some embodiments, the replenishment includes a reservoir containing freezable liquid and the suction system includes a pump that draws the freezable liquid from the cavity(ies) and discharges it to the reservoir. Methods of making clear ice and other systems for making clear ice are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Wintersmiths, LLCInventors: Christopher T. Little, Patrick W. Little
-
Patent number: 11152888Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relates to photovoltaic, thermophotovoltaic, and laser power beaming devices which convert solar light, thermal radiation, or laser radiation into electric power. Said devices have a reflective interference “greenhouse” filter placed in front of a semiconductor cell and a reflective mirror on the back of the cell. The front filter is transparent for high energy (short wavelength) photons, but traps low energy (long wavelength) photons emitted by photocarriers accumulated near the semiconductor bandgap. In the optimized PV device, the chemical potential of photoelectrons near semiconductor bandgap exceeds the chemical potential of photoelectrons above the photonic bandgap established by the filter (i.e., the device is in chemical nonequilibrium). The greenhouse filter reduces the emission losses, decreases the semiconductor cell thickness, and provides PV conversion with reduced nonradiative losses.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Kimberly A. Sablon, Andrei V. Sergeyev, John W. Little
-
Publication number: 20200370810Abstract: An icemaker for making clear ice shapes using a process that removes and replenishes a freezable liquid, such as water, from and to one or more ice-mold cavities during freezing of the freezable liquid in the ice-mold cavity(ies). This process removes air bubbles from the freezable liquid during freezing that would otherwise result in cloudy ice. In some embodiments, the icemaker includes a suction system to draw freezable liquid from the cavity(ies) and a replenishment system to replenish the cavity(ies) with freezable liquid to replace the freezable liquid that the suction system draws out of the cavity(ies). In some embodiments, the replenishment includes a reservoir containing freezable liquid and the suction system includes a pump that draws the freezable liquid from the cavity(ies) and discharges it to the reservoir. Methods of making clear ice and other systems for making clear ice are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Christopher T. Little, Patrick W. Little
-
Patent number: 10309344Abstract: A propulsion system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pressurant selectively released from a pressure tank to drive a pump to sustain propellant flow for main combustion.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.Inventors: Alan B. Minick, Timothy S. Kokan, Jerrol W. Littles
-
Publication number: 20190082713Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise customized chocolates, chocolate messages, customized food storage containers, and pieces of chocolate for use in conjunction with beverage and drinking glasses and for use with board games.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventor: David W. Little
-
Publication number: 20190036473Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relates to photovoltaic, thermophotovoltaic, and laser power beaming devices which convert solar light, thermal radiation, or laser radiation into electric power. Said devices have a reflective interference “greenhouse” filter placed in front of a semiconductor cell and a reflective mirror on the back of the cell. The front filter is transparent for high energy (short wavelength) photons, but traps low energy (long wavelength) photons emitted by photocarriers accumulated near the semiconductor bandgap. In the optimized PV device, the chemical potential of photoelectrons near semiconductor bandgap exceeds the chemical potential of photoelectrons above the photonic bandgap established by the filter (i.e., the device is in chemical nonequilibrium). The greenhouse filter reduces the emission losses, decreases the semiconductor cell thickness, and provides PV conversion with reduced nonradiative losses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Kimberly A. Sablon, Andrei V. Sergeyev, John W. Little
-
Patent number: 10003547Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to improving resource usage on a computer system. In one embodiment, a computer system identifies a plurality of processes running on the computer system and determines an importance value and a resource consumption value. In such an embodiment, the importance value is indicative of an importance of an identified process, and the resource consumption value is indicative of a resource consumption of the identified process. The computer system evaluates the importance value and the resource consumption value relative to a usage policy, and takes a corrective action with respect to the identified process based on the evaluating to reconcile resource consumption with process importance value.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Ziften Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Obrecht, Robert P. Myers, Alfred C. Hartmann, Nick F. Alagna, Kevin N. Pyle, Scott D. Sullivan, Michael W. Little
-
Publication number: 20160131085Abstract: A propulsion system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pressurant selectively released from a pressure tank to drive a pump to sustain propellant flow for main combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: Aerojet Rockettdyne, IncInventors: Alan B. Minick, Timothy S. Kokan, Jerrol W. Littles
-
Patent number: 9289188Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and methods of fabricating and using the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer includes a composite layer having a first surface and comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements separated by isolating material filled kerfs. The composite layer is configured so that the first surface includes an exposed face of each element of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The transducer further includes a plurality of electrodes defined on the first surface, the electrodes having boundaries configured so that none of the exposed faces are in contact with more than one of the plurality of electrodes. The electrodes may be defined in a conductive layer deposited on the first surface of the composite body by forming a channel in the conductive layer that is aligned vertically with the dielectric kerfs. The transducer may be used to scan a treatment region with both HIFU and imaging ultrasound signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: LIPOSONIX, INC.Inventors: Frederick Jay Bennett, John P. Collins, Blake W. Little
-
Publication number: 20160036722Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to improving resource usage on a computer system. In one embodiment, a computer system identifies a plurality of processes running on the computer system and determines an importance value and a resource consumption value. In such an embodiment, the importance value is indicative of an importance of an identified process, and the resource consumption value is indicative of a resource consumption of the identified process. The computer system evaluates the importance value and the resource consumption value relative to a usage policy, and takes a corrective action with respect to the identified process based on the evaluating to reconcile resource consumption with process importance value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Mark E. Obrecht, Robert P. Myers, Alfred C. Hartmann, Nick F. Alagna, Kevin N. Pyle, Scott D. Sullivan, Michael W. Little
-
Patent number: 9151832Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.Inventors: Blake W. Little, Thomas M. Duffy, Justin Coughlin
-
Patent number: 9098333Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to improving resource usage on a computer system. In one embodiment, a computer system identifies a plurality of processes running on the computer system and determines an importance value and a resource consumption value. In such an embodiment, the importance value is indicative of an importance of an identified process, and the resource consumption value is indicative of a resource consumption of the identified process. The computer system evaluates the importance value and the resource consumption value relative to a usage policy, and takes a corrective action with respect to the identified process based on the evaluating to reconcile resource consumption with process importance value.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Ziften Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Obrecht, Robert P. Myers, Alfred C. Hartmann, Nick F. Alagna, Kevin N. Pyle, Scott D. Sullivan, Michael W. Little
-
Patent number: 8932238Abstract: A medical ultrasound system. A base unit is included having system electronics, a user interface and ultrasound control electronics. An ultrasound therapy head is in electronic communication with the base unit. The therapy head includes a replaceable, sealed transducer cartridge with a coupling fluid therein. A cooling system is provided for cooling the coupling fluid. A plurality of guide indicators are positioned around the therapy head to align with crossed lines on a patient so as to properly align the therapy head prior to use. The therapy head can provide variable treatments to an area while the therapy head is in contact with a patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Liposonix, Inc.Inventors: Gregory T. Wing, Martin Kenney, Blake W. Little, Richard L. Fix
-
Patent number: 8776215Abstract: In one or more implementations, a computing device receives an indication that a device is attempting to pair with the computing device. If a user is not currently authenticated with respect to the computing device, inputs received by the device are restricted from being used by the computing device for uses other than authenticating the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Zachary W. Little, Alain Luc Michaud
-
Publication number: 20140155747Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and methods of fabricating and using the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer includes a composite layer having a first surface and comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements separated by isolating material filled kerfs. The composite layer is configured so that the first surface includes an exposed face of each element of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The transducer further includes a plurality of electrodes defined on the first surface, the electrodes having boundaries configured so that none of the exposed faces are in contact with more than one of the plurality of electrodes. The electrodes may be defined in a conductive layer deposited on the first surface of the composite body by forming a channel in the conductive layer that is aligned vertically with the dielectric kerfs. The transducer may be used to scan a treatment region with both HIFU and imaging ultrasound signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: LIPOSONIX, INC.Inventors: Frederick Jay Bennett, John P. Collins, Blake W. Little
-
Patent number: 8689201Abstract: A method of automatically creating functionally and structurally diverse equivalent copies of software executables using return oriented programming for the purpose of passing through a filter and other purposes includes starting with a program and a target runtime environment, creating a return oriented instruction library having a plurality of code fragments which end in a ‘return’ instruction from the program and chaining fragments together to automatically form diverse equivalent copies of software executables using return oriented programming.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Telcordia Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric van den Berg, Michael W Little
-
Publication number: 20140075837Abstract: A plant watering device includes a device insert having a substantially solid porous material with a continuously porous exterior contact surface, at least one watering cavity in the device insert and a water distribution conduit disposed in fluid communication with the at least one watering cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventor: Donald W. Little
-
Publication number: 20140006051Abstract: The description relates to emergency medical profiles and techniques for creating and accessing emergency medical profiles. One implementation can receive an access request to obtain emergency medical information from a personal health account of a patient. The personal health account can contain dynamically updateable patient information that is organized into a set of categories. This implementation can also provide the emergency medical information responsive to the request. In this case, the emergency medical information can be provided in the form of summarized information from a sub-set of the categories of the patient information contained in the personal health account.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Victor Vuong, Scott Hitch, Sean Nolan, Benjamin C. Hamlin, Ivin T. Baker, Matthew E. Wagner, Takashi Moriyama, Zachary W. Little, Paul K. Thackray
-
Publication number: 20130331694Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Stephanie A. Barnes, Steven M. Bunce, Bryan S. Cabatic, Blake W. Little, Bill Purdue, John D. Schultz, Kari L. Rice
-
Patent number: D910723Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Wintersmiths, LLCInventors: Patrick W. Little, Christopher T. Little