Patents by Inventor Alexander Mills
Alexander Mills 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).
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Publication number: 20250093664Abstract: An optical arrangement to transmit an image from an image plane to a user's eye. The arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path comprising a collimating element, having a first optical element with a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface. The collimating element to receive light forming the image from an image source and collimate and output the light. The optically powered surfaces having a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path. A refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through each interface. One surface of each of the first and the second optical elements being adjacent to one another. The adjacent surfaces having dissimilar shapes and each defining an angle with a respective other surface of the relevant optical element at opposing ends of the adjacent surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2024Publication date: March 20, 2025Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
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Patent number: 12254439Abstract: A control system is for a container terminal with containers. The control system includes a server, and a terminal tractor operable within the container terminal. The terminal tractor comprises onboard tractor sensors configured to generate sensor data of at least some of the containers, a geolocation device configured to generate a geolocation value for the terminal tractor, a wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to the onboard tractor sensors, the geolocation device, and the wireless transceiver. The controller is configured to transmit the sensor data and the geolocation value for the terminal tractor to the server. The server is in communication with the terminal tractor and is configured to generate a database associated with the sensor data, the database comprising, for each container, a container type value, a container logo image, and a vehicle classification value.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2024Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: All Terminal Services, LLCInventors: Mark D. Mills, Artem Igorevich Davtyan, Matthew Michael McDermott, Jorge A. Perez Rincon, Christopher Alexander
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Patent number: 12222503Abstract: A folded optical arrangement to transmit an image from an image plane to a user's eye through a folded optical transmission path including a collimating element having a first optical element with optically powered surfaces and a second optical element with at least one optically powered surface to receive light from an image source and to collimate and output the light. The first optically powered surfaces and the second optically powered surface to define multiple interfaces along the folded optical path. A refractive index change at each interface controls a direction of light passing through each interface. One surface of the first optical element and the second optical element are adjacent to one another. The adjacent surfaces have dissimilar shapes and each defines an angle with a respective other surface of the relevant optical element at opposing ends of the adjacent surfaces. The opposing angles are not equal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: SNAP INC.Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
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Publication number: 20240427143Abstract: A waveguide to expand image bearing light in at least one dimension is disclosed. The waveguide comprises: an input coupling region configured to couple and input image bearing light into the waveguide; and an output coupling region comprising at least a first microstructure to the expand image bearing light in the first dimension, and output the image bearing light. A first waist point of the image bearing light in a first axis is located at a different location in the waveguide than a second waist point of the image bearing light in a second axis in the waveguide, the second axis orthogonal to the first axis. FIG. 4b to be published with the application.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: December 26, 2024Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventor: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Patent number: 12158582Abstract: A folded optical arrangement for use in a look-through display to transmit an image from an image plane to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to focus the light to have an apparent optical focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity and output the light; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical element andType: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLCInventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Jonathan Paul Freeman, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Patent number: 12153218Abstract: A folded optical arrangement for use in a view-through display to transmit an image from an image source to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to present a virtual image of the image source to the user with an apparent focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical eleType: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLCInventors: Jonathan Paul Freeman, Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Patent number: 12043378Abstract: A vehicle comprises a propulsion assembly that includes a rotor system configured to swivel about a pivot axis and a flight control system in communication with the propulsion assembly. In one embodiment, the pivot axis is fixedly oriented at an angle relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The flight control system is configured to activate a particular operational mode of the propulsion assembly, in which the rotor system is configured to swivel about the pivot axis to move a rotor axis of the rotor system from a first gimbal angle to a second gimbal angle. In various embodiments, the gimbal angle is configured to change a center of gravity, or direction of thrust vectors, or attitude of the vehicle. The operational mode may comprise a one engine inoperative (OEI) mode in an example embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Nathan Alexander Mills, Joshua Allan Edler
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Publication number: 20240126529Abstract: A method of operating a household appliance includes connecting the household appliance to a remote computing device and determining that an update is available for the household appliance. The method also includes determining an optimal update time, which may be based on a usage history or an operating status. The method further includes providing a notification of the available update for the household appliance at the determined optimal update time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Jason Fuchs, Alexander Mills, Sunjay Kolakeri, Joni Ford
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Patent number: 11886043Abstract: A modular wearable optics device including: at least one wearable support element; one or more active optical elements adapted in use to display an image to a user; one of a plurality of bridging elements selected to position or orientate the one or more active optical elements in a predetermined location based on one or more anthropometric characteristics of the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
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Publication number: 20230333383Abstract: In various embodiments, a waveguide assembly includes first and second waveguide slabs. The first waveguide slab is to receive image-bearing light and enlarge a pupil size of the light parallel to a first axis. The first waveguide slab includes a first input-coupling device to couple image-bearing light into the first waveguide slab under total internal reflection (TIR), and a first out-coupling region to decouple image-bearing light out of the first waveguide slab by reflection. The second waveguide slab is to couple at least a portion of the out-coupled image-bearing light from the first waveguide slab into the second waveguide slab and enlarge the pupil size parallel to a second axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The second waveguide slab includes a diffractive in-coupling region and a transmissive diffractive out-coupling region, through which a user can view real world imagery and the out-coupled image-bearing light simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Publication number: 20230324687Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject-matter include a wearable optics device including an adjustment mechanism supportable on a frame adapted to be worn by a user; one or more waveguides in a pre-aligned position relative to the adjustment mechanism; and an optical element moveably attached to the adjustment mechanism to enable the optical element to be moved based on a user preference and to provide an exit pupil for the wearable optics device In various embodiments, the waveguide output is oversized relative to the input region of the optical element. Other devices and apparatuses are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
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Publication number: 20230296812Abstract: In various embodiments, the disclosed subject-matter includes an optical waveguide for a look-through display is disclosed. The optical waveguide includes a light guiding layer and an anti-contaminant layer. The anti-contaminant layer has substantially no impact on the total internal reflection of light at an interface of the light guiding layer. Other devices and apparatuses are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Jonathan Paul Freeman, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Patent number: 11724804Abstract: A male part and a female part can reversibly couple aircraft to one another using an attachment mechanism. The male part includes a wall forming a shaft and is operable to attach to a first aircraft. The female part includes a wall forming a cavity and is operable to attach to a second aircraft. The attachment mechanism can regulate a mechanical engagement between the shaft on the male part and the cavity on the female part while the first aircraft and the second aircraft are airborne or on land. The attachment mechanism is operable to switch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the attachment mechanism initiates the mechanical engagement to rigidly attach the first and the second aircraft to one another. In the disengaged position, the attachment mechanism discontinues the mechanical engagement to detach the first and the second aircraft from one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Nathan Alexander Mills, Nitin Susendran, Monty Don Bruckman, II, Adam Bergamini
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Publication number: 20230111272Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical system to present an image to an eye of a user is disclosed. The system comprises a waveguide configured to output collimated light towards an optically powered element comprising at least one holographic component to generate optical power. The optically powered element is configured to receive the output collimated light from the waveguide and direct the received light towards the eye of the user and impart an angular offset on the directed light such that the directed light forms a virtual image plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Patent number: 11604359Abstract: A wearable head-up display which allows for convenient and safe stowage when not in use. A hinge component is positioned within the optical path from an image projector to a display component which ensures optical alignment for projection. A detection means is provided to signal when the wearable device is in a folded position in order to deactivate the projector.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Samuel William Harris
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Publication number: 20230021349Abstract: Described herein is an improved optical display system for a head or helmet mounted display (HMD). The optical display system comprises an intermediate reflective element that comprises an array of microstructures. Separate image generators are provided which generate images which are projected onto a user's left and right eyes and by use of the intermediate reflective element, the image generator located on the left side of the HMD generates an image for the user's left eye and the image generator located on the right side of the HMD generates an image for the user's right eye. As described below, this improved optical display system may, in various examples, be coupled with a vision enhancement system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventor: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Publication number: 20220388650Abstract: A vehicle comprises a propulsion assembly that includes a rotor system configured to swivel about a pivot axis and a flight control system in communication with the propulsion assembly. In one embodiment, the pivot axis is fixedly oriented at an angle relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The flight control system is configured to activate a particular operational mode of the propulsion assembly, in which the rotor system is configured to swivel about the pivot axis to move a rotor axis of the rotor system from a first gimbal angle to a second gimbal angle. In various embodiments, the gimbal angle is configured to change a center of gravity, or direction of thrust vectors, or attitude of the vehicle. The operational mode may comprise a one engine inoperative (OEI) mode in an example embodiment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Nathan Alexander Mills, Joshua Allan Edler
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Patent number: 11500210Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a luminance profile of an image displayed on a look-through display to a user. The method comprises: determining a field of view of the user based on a spatial configuration of the user's head. Determining one or more lighting conditions in the field of view. Adjusting the luminance profile for the image based on the field of view, wherein, as a result of the adjusted luminance profile, the image is reconciled with the field of view.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLCInventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Publication number: 20220317449Abstract: A folded optical arrangement for use in a view-through display to transmit an image from an image source to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to present a virtual image of the image source to the user with an apparent focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical eleType: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Jonathan Paul Freeman, Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
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Publication number: 20220206299Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a luminance profile of an image displayed on a look-through display to a user. The method comprises: determining a field of view of the user based on a spatial configuration of the user's head. Determining one or more lighting conditions in the field of view. Adjusting the luminance profile for the image based on the field of view, wherein, as a result of the adjusted luminance profile, the image is reconciled with the field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: IAN THOMAS MACKEN, RORY THOMAS ALEXANDER MILLS