Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Mills

Christopher J. 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).

  • Patent number: 9035957
    Abstract: An efficient pipeline debug statistics system and method are described. In one embodiment, an efficient pipeline debug is utilized in a graphics processing pipeline of a handheld device. In one embodiment, a pipeline debug statistics system includes a plurality of pipeline stages with probe points, a central statistic component, and a debug control component. The plurality of pipeline stages with probe points perform pipeline operations. The central statistic block gathers information from the probe points. The debug control component directs the gathering of information from the probe points. In one exemplary implementation, debug control component can direct gathering of information at a variety of levels and abstraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Michael Mahan, Christopher J. Mills, Edward A. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 8875400
    Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method may involve carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame may then be expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels may be attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Ritts, Gregory W. Davidson, Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20110265307
    Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method may involve carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame may then be expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels may be attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Ritts, Gregory W. Davidson, Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 7987596
    Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method includes carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame is then expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels are removable attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Ritts, Gregory W Davidson, Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20090261013
    Abstract: A cyclic-activity tracking and reminder system includes a tray with a periphery defining regions with the planar base being common to all such regions. Informative indicia indicating a particular cyclically-occurring time period is coupled to each of the regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 7389959
    Abstract: A modular overhead privacy system for a mobile platform, in one form, includes a plurality of independent privacy modules located longitudinally spaced apart, above a passenger cabin, in an overhead crown area of the mobile platform. The system additionally includes a plurality of private access stairways providing access to the privacy modules from the passenger cabin. Each private module is accessible by an independent one of the private access stairways. Each privacy module includes at least one berth that provides a passenger or crew member a private reposing space separate from the passenger cabin. In one embodiment the privacy modules are longitudinally spaced apart in accordance with a seat pitch of a plurality of rows of seats in the passenger cabin. In another embodiment the seats are positioned adjacent one another behind a stairway leading the overhead privacy module. The system can be employed in either a passenger cabin area or a crew member area of a mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J Mills
  • Patent number: 7377080
    Abstract: A staircase system (2) includes a rail element (40) and multiple stair elements (42). Baluster elements (44) are coupled to the rail element (40) and to the stair elements (42). A center support system (46) is coupled to and supports the rail element (40) and the stair elements (42). The center support system (46) has a stowed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 7237749
    Abstract: An interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The interior structure is constructed of a lightweight collapsible frame that can be reconfigured from a compact, substantially flat collapsed state to a non-compact, substantially sprawling expanded state. In the expanded state, the collapsible frame provides at least a portion of a structural load bearing frame for the interior structure. The interior structure additionally includes a plurality of interchangeable panels that attach to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the structure. The panels form such things as the interior wall, ceiling and floor surfaces and can also include amenities such as shelves, lights, beds, closets, electrical outlets, Internet connections and entertainment equipment. The interior structure can be carried though the typical man-door of a mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A Ritts, Gregory W Davidson, Christopher J Mills
  • Patent number: 7198228
    Abstract: A cabin crew area (10) of an aircraft (14) includes an aft area (16) with multiple galley carts (30). The aft area (16) has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts (30). A galley storage unit (32) resides in the aft area (16) and stores the galley carts (30). The galley storage unit (32) is configured for placement of a portion of the galley carts (30) in a lateral row in a forward section (42) of the aft area (16). A main counter (34) resides over the galley storage unit (32) and extends laterally across a galley-servicing area (12) of the aircraft (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, James R. Park
  • Patent number: 7083145
    Abstract: A crew rest module for use in a mobile platform, particularly on commercial aircraft. The crew rest module in one implementation forms a pair of laterally adjacent crew rest compartments that each include a reclinable seat and a dedicated stairway for ingress and egress. The crew rest compartments are further elevated above a main floor of the cabin of a mobile platform to provide a degree of storage space underneath the crew rest compartments. Another embodiment provides a crew rest module having upper and lower crew rest compartments, with each compartment including a berth and a seat disposed laterally adjacent its associated berth. A stairway allows access to the upper crew rest compartment. Each of the modules provide a highly space efficient area that can accommodate a pair of crew members simultaneously and provide a degree of privacy for each crew member for rest and relaxation. The module further makes efficient use of the crown area of a commercial aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J Mills
  • Patent number: 7080806
    Abstract: An overhead area access staircase stowage system (7) includes a servicing unit (10) having a stowage unit and a staircase (12) proximate to the stowage unit. The staircase (12) has a stowed state (18) and a deployed state (20). The staircase (12) includes multiple stair elements (40) and a state actuating system (60). The state actuating system (60) transitions the stair elements (40) between the stowed state (18) and the deployed state (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 6932298
    Abstract: A modular overhead privacy system for a mobile platform is provided. The modular overhead privacy system includes a plurality of independent privacy modules located longitudinally spaced apart, above a passenger cabin, in an overhead crown area of the mobile platform. The modular overhead privacy system additionally includes a plurality of private access stairways providing access to the privacy modules from the passenger cabin. Each private module is accessible by an independent one of the private access stairways. Each privacy module includes at least one berth that provides a passenger or crew member a private reposing space separate from the passenger cabin. The privacy modules are longitudinally spaced apart in accordance with a seat pitch of a plurality of rows of seats in the passenger cabin. Therefore, each access stairway descends from the respective privacy module such that a bottom portion of the access stairway encroaches a single seat location within a specific row of seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 6848654
    Abstract: A mobile platform crew rest system includes a mobile platform having a plurality of frames and a longitudinal centerline. A plurality of bunk modules each have longitudinal module walls joined to a closed end wall. Each bunk module is individually supported by the frames. The bunk modules are configured in at least one of a first group of athwartship oriented modules and a second group of fore-aft oriented modules. A passageway is supported from the bunk modules. The passageway includes at least one segment and a passageway centerline longitudinally offset from the mobile platform longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Mark W. Whalon
  • Patent number: 6616098
    Abstract: A mid-level deck is provided as part of a main passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft and includes an elevated platform between the cabin floor and ceiling to provide additional storage space and areas for use by crew members. The mid-level deck also facilitates access to overhead modules. The storage space is provided under the elevated platform for storing galley carts, bins or similar storage items. A plurality of different articles may be provided in conjunction with the mid-level deck and/or connected to the elevated platform, including extra seats, storage members and sleeping units. More than one mid-level deck may be provided within a single main passenger cabin and and/on different levels of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 6543250
    Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having a selected height and width used in a recreational vehicle, the improvement comprises an installation template permanently installed as a ventilation frame. The installation template produces manufacturer specified ventilation requirements for the ventilating refrigerating apparatus provided on the refrigerator and located on the refrigerator within the refrigerator cabinet. The installation template includes a top, bottom and side flanges, the dimensions of each of the flanges being selected according to the height, width and ventilation requirements of said refrigerator. Ambient air flow through the installation template may be used to produce the specified ventilation requirements for the refrigerating apparatus. In addition, an air movement device for providing air flow through the installation template for ventilation around the refrigerating apparatus may be used, such as a fan, reducing the amount of ventilation area required for the installation template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Patrick N. McConnell, Christine Holland
  • Publication number: 20030029967
    Abstract: A mid-level deck is provided as part of a main passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft and includes an elevated platform between the cabin floor and ceiling to provide additional storage space and areas for use by crew members. The mid-level deck also facilitates access to overhead modules. The storage space is provided under the elevated platform for storing galley carts, bins or similar storage items. A plurality of different articles may be provided in conjunction with the mid-level deck and/or connected to the elevated platform, including extra seats, storage members and sleeping units. More than one mid-level deck may be provided within a single main passenger cabin and and/on different levels of an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills