Patents by Inventor James P. Mills
James P. 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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Patent number: 9574749Abstract: A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Nicholas D. Trail, Michael J. Aden, Gregory P. Hanauska, James P. Mills
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Publication number: 20150184835Abstract: A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Nicholas D. Trail, Michael J. Aden, Gregory P. Hanauska, James P. Mills
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Patent number: 8421003Abstract: An optical transceiver is provided with a light pipe that intercepts, offsets and redirects a portion of the collimated transmit beam to create a virtual object in the receiver field-of-view to perform the BIT. The light pipe comprises an input face and first reflective surface in the transmitter FOV to intercept a portion of the beam along a first axis and re-direct the beam, a second reflective surface and output face in the receiver FOV that re-directs the portion of the beam along a second axis towards the receiver to create the virtual object in the receiver FOV and an optical channel that guides the redirected portion of the beam from the first reflective surface to the second reflective surface to offset the second axis from the first axis. The same detector used during normal operation of the transceiver is used to perform the BIT, which may include a simple “on/off” test or a radiometry test.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Eric C. Fest, James P. Mills, Nicholas D. Trail, Jim R. Hicks
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Publication number: 20110268453Abstract: An optical transceiver is provided with a light pipe that intercepts, offsets and redirects a portion of the collimated transmit beam to create a virtual object in the receiver field-of-view to perform the BIT. The light pipe comprises an input face and first reflective surface in the transmitter FOV to intercept a portion of the beam along a first axis and re-direct the beam, a second reflective surface and output face in the receiver FOV that re-directs the portion of the beam along a second axis towards the receiver to create the virtual object in the receiver FOV and an optical channel that guides the redirected portion of the beam from the first reflective surface to the second reflective surface to offset the second axis from the first axis. The same detector used during normal operation of the transceiver is used to perform the BIT, which may include a simple “on/off” test or a radiometry test.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Eric C. Fest, James P. Mills, Nicholas D. Trail, Jim R. Hicks
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Publication number: 20100260454Abstract: A missile defense system (20) for aircraft includes a laser (12) for generating infrared light, a turret (22) that can direct the light toward a missile to blind its infrared sensors, and an optical fiber (14) for delivering the light to the turret (22). The system (20) includes a coupling device (10) for directing the light from the laser (12) into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) includes a light-guiding assembly (24) with one or more lenses or other optical devices to direct the light into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) also isolates the input end of the optical fiber (14) from the environment with an optically-transparent window (26) and provides a way to use a different light-guiding assembly (24) with different lasers (12). The window (26) isolates the end of the fiber (14) from any contaminants in the environment to keep the optical fiber (14) relatively clean, and thereby provide a suitable surface for the light to enter the fiber (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: James P. Mills, Anthony Vinson Damommio, Michael P. Schaub, Eero H. Ala, Nicholas D. Trail, Gregory P. Hanauska, Clifton J. Charlow
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Patent number: 7667190Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James P. Mills, David G. Garrett, Wayne L. Sunne, David J. Knapp, Daniel W. Brunton, David G. Anthony, Emmet R. Anderson, Daniel C. Harrison, Frank E. Smith, III, Jim R. Hicks
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Publication number: 20090250597Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: JAMES P. MILLS, DAVID G. GARRETT, WAYNE L. SUNNE, DAVID J. KNAPP, DANIEL W. BRUNTON, DAVID G. ANTHONY, EMMET R. ANDERSON, DANIEL C. HARRISON, FRANK E. SMITH, III, JIM R. HICKS
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Patent number: 7304296Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James P. Mills, David G. Garrett, Wayne L. Sunne, David J. Knapp, Daniel W. Brunton, David G. Anthony, Emmet R. Anderson, Daniel C. Harrison, Frank E. Smith, III, Jim R. Hicks
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Patent number: 6669526Abstract: A plurality of connecting bodies are formed in various shapes of a resilient material such as molded plastic or other resilient material. The connecting bodies each define a plurality of inwardly extending slots which form receiving mechanisms for the edge portions of a plurality of cooperating generally planar plate members. The plate members are assembled to form more complex structures utilizing the connecting bodies to form interconnection therebetween. In alternate embodiments, a complex structure for the inwardly extending slots includes flexible ribs on each side of the slots together with relief slots adjacent the ribs. In further alternate embodiments, the connecting bodies and plate members may be assembled to form complex fanciful figures utilizing specialized elements such as a fanciful head member which bears a fanciful face and leg elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler, Armen Danielian
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Publication number: 20030224690Abstract: A plurality of connecting bodies are formed in various shapes of a resilient material such as molded plastic or other resilient material. The connecting bodies each define a plurality of inwardly extending slots which form receiving mechanisms for the edge portions of a plurality of cooperating generally planar plate members. The plate members are assembled to form more complex structures utilizing the connecting bodies to form interconnection therebetween. In alternate embodiments, a complex structure for the inwardly extending slots includes flexible ribs on each side of the slots together with relief slots adjacent the ribs. In further alternate embodiments, the connecting bodies and plate members may be assembled to form complex fanciful figures utilizing specialized elements such as a fanciful head member which bears a fanciful face and leg elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler, Armen Danielian
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Publication number: 20030186616Abstract: An imagination-rendering, organic design construction kit for a child permitting the recurrent, selective assembly and disassembly of imaginary scenes, situations, objects, creatures and personalities. Different ones of the assembly components provided in the kit of the invention are characterized variously by solid color, by translucency, by transparency and by surface ornamentation. Interconnect structures provided in the kit of the invention enables different assembly modalities, including interference interfitment, as well as tethering, banding, snaring, clinging, stitching and skewering.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler, Armen Danielian
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Patent number: 6552318Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor, and an optical train adjustable to provide an optical beam to the sensor from a selected line of sight that may be varied. The optical train includes a wavefront error-introducing element in the optical train, which introduces a wavefront error that is a function of the selected line of sight. There is further a rigid-body wavefront error-correcting element in the optical train. The rigid-body wavefront error-correcting element has a spatially dependent correction structure with the nature of the correction being a function of the selected line of sight. The adjustment of the optical train to the selected line of sight moves the optical beam to the appropriate location of the rigid-body wavefront error-correcting element to correct for the corresponding introduced wavefront error of the wavefront error-introducing element at that selected line of sight.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Blake G. Crowther, Dean B. McKenney, Scott W. Sparrold, Michael R. Whalen, James P. Mills
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Patent number: 6552321Abstract: An adaptive spectral imaging device operable to analyze a scene includes a detector having a detector output signal and an optical system disposed in an optical ray path between the scene and the detector to image the scene onto the detector. A controllable optical disperser is disposed along the optical ray path between the scene and the detector. The controllable optical disperser has a disperser input command signal. A controller has a controller output signal responsive to the detector output signal. The controller output signal is provided to the controllable optical disperser as the disperser input command signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: James P. Mills
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Patent number: D466564Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D466956Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D467287Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D468779Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D469824Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D469825Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler
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Patent number: D470195Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Manville, James P. Mills-Winkler