Patents by Inventor Edward James Morton

Edward James Morton 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: 11300703
    Abstract: The present specification describes a compact, hand-held probe or device that uses the principle of X-ray backscatter to provide immediate feedback to an operator about the presence of scattering and absorbing materials, items or objects behind concealing barriers irradiated by ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. Feedback is provided in the form of a changing audible tone whereby the pitch or frequency of the tone varies depending on the type of scattering material, item or object. Additionally or alternatively, the operator obtains a visual scan image on a screen by scanning the beam around a suspect area or anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 11280898
    Abstract: The present specification provides a baggage scanning system including: an aperture defining a scanning tunnel; a conveyor moving through the scanning tunnel, a baggage being scanned moving on the conveyor; a UWB radar array surrounding the aperture for providing radar scan data corresponding to the baggage; a LCMD array positioned at a location around the baggage allowing obtaining of LCMD scan data corresponding to the baggage; and at least a processor for correlating the radar scan data and the LCMD scan data for providing one or more suspicious regions highlighted over a video image of the baggage being scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 11275194
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward cargo scanning systems having scanners, each arranged to scan a respective object and generate a set of scan data, processors arranged to process each set of scan data to determine whether it meets a predetermined threat condition, workstations, and data management system arranged to direct data that meets the threat condition to one of the workstations for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20220011462
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 11212902
    Abstract: An improved X-ray source is disclosed. The improved X-ray source has an enclosure, electron guns, a first set of address lines extending through the enclosure, a second set of address lines extending through the enclosure, and nodes defined by the intersection of the first and second set of address lines. Each of the electron guns is coupled to one of the nodes such that a state of each electron gun is uniquely controlled by modulating a state of one of the first set of address lines and one of the second set of address lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul De Antonis, Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar
  • Publication number: 20210373191
    Abstract: The present specification describes a compact, hand-held probe or device that uses the principle of X-ray backscatter to provide immediate feedback to an operator about the presence of scattering and absorbing materials, items or objects behind concealing barriers irradiated by ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. Feedback is provided in the form of a changing audible tone whereby the pitch or frequency of the tone varies depending on the type of scattering material, item or object. Additionally or alternatively, the operator obtains a visual scan image on a screen by scanning the beam around a suspect area or anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20210373192
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a high speed scanning system for scanning cargo carried by rail. The system uses of a two-dimensional X-ray sensor array with, in one embodiment, a cone-beam X-ray geometry. The pulse rate of X-ray source is modulated based on the speed of the moving cargo to allow a distance travelled by the cargo between X-ray pulses to be equal to the width of the detector, for a single energy source, and to half the width of the detector for a dual energy source. This ensures precise timing between the X-ray exposure and the speed of the passing object, and thus accurate scanning of cargo even at high speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20210349233
    Abstract: The present specification describes a compact, hand-held probe or device that uses the principle of X-ray backscatter to provide immediate feedback to an operator about the presence of scattering and absorbing materials, items or objects behind concealing barriers irradiated by ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. Feedback is provided in the form of a changing audible tone whereby the pitch or frequency of the tone varies depending on the type of scattering material, item or object. Additionally or alternatively, the operator obtains a visual scan image on a screen by scanning the beam around a suspect area or anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 11143783
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 11119245
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a high speed scanning system for scanning cargo carried by rail. The system uses of a two-dimensional X-ray sensor array with, in one embodiment, a cone-beam X-ray geometry. The pulse rate of X-ray source is modulated based on the speed of the moving cargo to allow a distance travelled by the cargo between X-ray pulses to be equal to the width of the detector, for a single energy source, and to half the width of the detector for a dual energy source. This ensures precise timing between the X-ray exposure and the speed of the passing object, and thus accurate scanning of cargo even at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20210265126
    Abstract: An improved X-ray source is disclosed. The improved X-ray source has an enclosure, electron guns, a first set of address lines extending through the enclosure, a second set of address lines extending through the enclosure, and nodes defined by the intersection of the first and second set of address lines. Each of the electron guns is coupled to one of the nodes such that a state of each electron gun is uniquely controlled by modulating a state of one of the first set of address lines and one of the second set of address lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Paul De Antonis, Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar
  • Publication number: 20210215846
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Publication number: 20210165122
    Abstract: The present application discloses an X-ray scanner having an X-ray source arranged to emit X-rays from source points through an imaging volume. The scanner may further include an array of X-ray detectors which may be arranged around the imaging volume and may be arranged to output detector signals in response to the detection of X-rays. The scanner may further include a conveyor arranged to convey an object through the imaging volume in a scan direction, and may also include at least one processor arranged to process the detector signals to produce an image data set defining an image of the object. The image may have a resolution in the scan direction that is at least 90% as high as in one direction, and in some cases two directions, orthogonal to the scan direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20210145996
    Abstract: Screening systems and methods for inspecting and sterilizing objects include a scanner with an upstream side having an entry shroud and a downstream side having an exit shroud. The scanner houses an inspection volume coupled to a radiation source and a detector array. Ultra-violet light curtains are positioned at the entry shroud and a first conveyor transports objects through the ultra-violet light curtains and into the inspection volume for scanning. A second conveyor transports the objects from the inspection volume after scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Magesh Raman Ramakrishnan, Adrian Michael Kelly, Jeremy Charles Norton
  • Publication number: 20210137470
    Abstract: The present application discloses a computed tomography system having non-rotating X-ray sources that are programmed to optimize the source firing pattern. In one embodiment, the CT system is a fast cone-beam CT scanner which uses a fixed ring of multiple sources and fixed rings of detectors in an offset geometry. It should be appreciated that the source firing pattern is effectuated by a controller, which implements methods to determine a source firing pattern that are adapted to geometries where the X-ray sources and detector geometry are offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: William Thompson, William Robert Breckon Lionheart, Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 10976465
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 10976271
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging inspection system for inspecting items comprises an X-ray source 10 extending around an imaging volume 16, and defining a plurality of source points 14 from which X-rays can be directed through the imaging volume. An X-ray detector array 12 also extends around the imaging volume 16 and is arranged to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume, and to produce output signals dependent on the detected X-rays. A conveyor 20 is arranged to convey the items through the imaging volume 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 10942291
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a covert mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance from at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20210041378
    Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention describes the use of three-dimensional (3D) stationary gantry X-ray computed tomography systems to scan animals/livestock for enabling improved management of animal farming processes, functions or events. The present invention also discloses the use of 3D stationary gantry X-ray computed tomography systems for carcass screening and improved abattoir production planning, execution, and automation. In various embodiments, use of the scanning technology supports high throughput, automated, meat-processing lines with reduced manual labor, objectively measured product quality and improved food safety standards. In embodiments, the present specification discloses the use of 3D X-ray inspection to generate an image of an entire carcass and sections of the carcass, during the stages of dissection, final product preparation, and packaging of the carcass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 10901112
    Abstract: The present application discloses an X-ray scanner having an X-ray source arranged to emit X-rays from source points through an imaging volume. The scanner may further include an array of X-ray detectors which may be arranged around the imaging volume and may be arranged to output detector signals in response to the detection of X-rays. The scanner may further include a conveyor arranged to convey an object through the imaging volume in a scan direction, and may also include at least one processor arranged to process the detector signals to produce an image data set defining an image of the object. The image may have a resolution in the scan direction that is at least 90% as high as in one direction, and in some cases two directions, orthogonal to the scan direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton