Patents by Inventor Donald Fayette Langler

Donald Fayette Langler 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: 9629591
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller and to send the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device for processing and image preview. The source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8779907
    Abstract: A control circuit for a portable x-ray medical imaging system detector. The control circuit operates to reduce power consumption of the portable x-ray detector. The detector control circuit includes a multi-function switch coupled to the portable detector, and a detector control module installed in the portable detector, the detector control module receiving an input from the multi-function switch and based on the received input reconfiguring the portable detector from a first operational mode to a different second operational mode. A portable detector including the detector control circuit and a method of operating the portable detector are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Scott William Petrick, Donald Fayette Langler, Gary Vernon McBroom, Roy Allan Schley
  • Patent number: 8768035
    Abstract: A method for processing X-ray image data includes exposing a digital detector to X-ray radiation. The method also includes sampling data via the digital detector including X-ray image data and offset image data. The method further includes calculating an average offset image without prior knowledge of a total number of offset image frames sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8576986
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes in a digital X-ray detector including an array of discrete picture elements each including a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements. The method also includes preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage. The method further includes receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source. The method yet further includes sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8396188
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120275678
    Abstract: A method for processing X-ray image data includes exposing a digital detector to X-ray radiation. The method also includes sampling data via the digital detector including X-ray image data and offset image data. The method further includes calculating an average offset image without prior knowledge of a total number of offset image frames sampled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189098
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller and to send the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device for processing and image preview. The source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189099
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189100
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes in a digital X-ray detector including an array of discrete picture elements each including a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements. The method also includes preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage. The method further includes receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source. The method yet further includes sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20110050403
    Abstract: A control circuit for a portable x-ray medical imaging system detector. The control circuit operates to reduce power consumption of the portable x-ray detector. The detector control circuit includes a multi-function switch coupled to the portable detector, and a detector control module installed in the portable detector, the detector control module receiving an input from the multi-function switch and based on the received input reconfiguring the portable detector from a first operational mode to a different second operational mode. A portable detector including the detector control circuit and a method of operating the portable detector are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Scott William Petrick, Donald Fayette Langler, Gary Vernon McBroom, Roy Allan Schley
  • Patent number: 6919568
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a detector system including a solid state flat panel detector and an image processor, the detector including a plurality of pixels, each pixel generating an initial intensity signal, the initial signals together defining an initial image, the processor storing an initial bad pixel map that includes a known bad pixel set, after signals are generated, the processor automatically using intensity signals corresponding to other than the bad pixel set to generate replacement intensity signals for each of the bad pixel set pixels thereby generating a corrected image, the apparatus for identifying additional bad pixels, the apparatus comprising a processor that, after the image data is collected, examines at least one of the initial image and the corrected image to identify a likely additional bad pixel set including pixels that have unexpected values and an interface for indicating the likely bad set to a system user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jibril Odogba, Ken Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, John C. French, John Moore Boudry
  • Publication number: 20040200969
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a detector system including a solid state flat panel detector and an image processor, the detector including a plurality of pixels, each pixel generating an initial intensity signal, the initial signals together defining an initial image, the processor storing an initial bad pixel map that includes a known bad pixel set, after signals are generated, the processor automatically using intensity signals corresponding to other than the bad pixel set to generate replacement intensity signals for each of the bad pixel set pixels thereby generating a corrected image, the apparatus for identifying additional bad pixels, the apparatus comprising a processor that, after the image data is collected, examines at least one of the initial image and the corrected image to identify a likely additional bad pixel set including pixels that have unexpected values and an interface for indicating the likely bad set to a system user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Jibril Odogba, Ken Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, John C. French, John Moore Boudry