Patents by Inventor RORY THOMAS ALEXANDER MILLS

RORY THOMAS 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).

  • Patent number: 11886043
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
  • Publication number: 20230333383
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Publication number: 20230324687
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
  • Publication number: 20230296812
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Freeman, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Publication number: 20230111272
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Patent number: 11604359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Samuel William Harris
  • Publication number: 20230021349
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Patent number: 11500210
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Publication number: 20220317449
    Abstract: 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 ele
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Freeman, Ian Thomas Macken, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Publication number: 20220206299
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: IAN THOMAS MACKEN, RORY THOMAS ALEXANDER MILLS
  • Publication number: 20220187605
    Abstract: A folded optical arrangement for use in a display, the display to transmit an image from an image plane to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: a collimating element having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surfaces, the collimating element configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to collimate 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 and one surface of the second optical element are adjacent to one another and the adjace
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
  • Publication number: 20220179217
    Abstract: 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 and
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Ian Thomas Macken, Jonathan Paul Freeman, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Patent number: 11262581
    Abstract: An image projection system utilising a digital mirror device with pivotable mirrors and an asymmetric angular illumination of the mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Michael David Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20220019077
    Abstract: A waveguide structure for a head up display in which a reflective output coupling structure is formed of a separate, but connected, component to a main waveguide. Light is coupled from the main waveguide to the output coupling structure by evanescent wave coupling. In a method of manufacture for such a waveguide the output coupling structure is attached to the main waveguide using an optical feedback technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: JAMES RAYMOND LEIGHTON, MICHAEL DAVID SIMMONDS, RORY THOMAS ALEXANDER MILLS
  • Patent number: 11119316
    Abstract: A waveguide structure for a head up display in which a reflective output coupling structure is formed of a separate, but connected, component to a main waveguide. Light is coupled from the main waveguide to the output coupling structure by evanescent wave coupling. In a method of manufacture for such a waveguide the output coupling structure is attached to the main waveguide using an optical feedback technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: James Raymond Leighton, Michael David Simmonds, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills
  • Publication number: 20210208421
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
  • Publication number: 20210132376
    Abstract: An image projection system utilising a digital mirror device with pivotable mirrors and an asymmetric angular illumination of the mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Michael David Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20200341282
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander MILLS, Samuel William HARRIS
  • Publication number: 20200341269
    Abstract: A display assembly (105) for mounting on a head-worn device such as a helmet, and having a partially reflective surface located in a field of view of a user, a display projector (40, 50, 200) for projecting light towards the user via the partially reflective surface, a sensor (60, 210) for use in tracking an eye of the user, and a partially reflective imaging surface (120, 220, 225) located in the field of view. The sensor is aligned to receive light forming an image of an eye reflected by the partially reflective imaging surface, the image being for use in the eye-tracking. By using a reflected image, the camera location can be arranged to improve the potentially conflicting needs of keeping the field of view clear, and of having an image from directly in front of the eye, and of limiting the weight and size and imbalance of the helmet. The visor may be used as the partially reflective surface. IR Illumination may be provided by the display projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander MILLS, Michael David SIMMONDS
  • Patent number: 10795165
    Abstract: An optical system for a colour head up display, the optical system being for guiding image light from an image projection system to an exit pupil. First and second waveguides are utilised, each waveguide guiding a predetermined set of wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Michael David Simmonds, Rory Thomas Alexander Mills