Patents by Inventor Michael Robert Hopple

Michael Robert Hopple 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: 7522756
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Walter Vincent Dixon, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Michael Robert Hopple, Brian Walter Lasiuk, Ronald Cecil McFarland, August David Matula, Robert James Mitchell, Jr., Kevin Layne Moermond, Gregory Alan Mohr
  • Publication number: 20040260495
    Abstract: An inspection method includes accessing a database. The database includes at least one technique, and the technique has a number of inspection parameter values. The inspection method includes selecting one of the techniques, formatting the technique into a variable list readable by an inspection system, and outputting the variable list to an instruction file accessible by the inspection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Robert Hopple
  • Patent number: 6766064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing a contrast-based dynamic range management (C-DRM) algorithm. The apparatus comprises an C-DRM processor that performs the C-DRM algorithm of the invention in order to compress an image input to the C-DRM processor down to a desired gray scale range for observation on a display. The C-DRM processor decouples adjustment of image mean values (low frequency) and image contrast values (high frequency), and manages mean and contrast separately. The use of separate mean and contrast modification functions improve on other known compression techniques by providing a more deterministic behavior and reduced complexity, allowing, for example, independent management of negative and positive contrasts. The C-DRM processor can also automatically adapt to the dynamic range of an input image so that the input image thereby applying the minimal compression needed to display the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Allen Langan, Michael Robert Hopple, Robert Leland Nevin, Jean Lienard
  • Patent number: 6683934
    Abstract: A digital x-ray imaging system employs a pixelated flat panel digital x-ray detector separated by a space from a source of x-rays which is selectively switchable between first and second, different x-ray energy levels, the space accommodating a body to be subjected to x-ray irradiation and imaging. A computer controls the x-ray source to irradiate the body with the first and second energy level x-rays and produce corresponding first and second x-ray images respectively of the first and second energy levels on the detector, the computer processing the respective digital signal outputs of the detector for the first and second digital images respectively of the first and second energy levels for each pixel, in individual succession for all pixels, and selectively produces and displays a soft tissue image or a bone/calcification image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jianguo Zhao, Beale HibbsOpsahl-Ong, Michael Robert Hopple
  • Publication number: 20040002797
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an aircraft fuselage using an inspection system including a moveable detector, wherein the method includes coupling a collision avoidance system to the inspection system detector, monitoring the collision avoidance system during operation of the inspection system, and controlling operation of the inspection system with the collision avoidance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Robert Hopple, Elizabeth Lockenberg Dixon, Kenneth Gordan Herd, Gregory Alan Mohr, Clifford Bueno
  • Patent number: 6662088
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an aircraft fuselage using an inspection system including a movable detector, wherein the method includes coupling a collision avoidance system to the inspection system detector, monitoring the collision avoidance system during operation of the inspection system, and controlling operation of the inspection system with the collision avoidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Hopple, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Kenneth Gordan Herd, Gregory Alan Mohr, Clifford Bueno
  • Patent number: 6658089
    Abstract: An image identification and quality indication system for radiographic inspection includes a flexible substrate, for positioning on a surface of an object to be inspected, and a number of locators and image quality indicators arranged on the flexible substrate. Each locator is configured for indicating a position on the object's surface in a respective radiographic image (image). Each image quality indicator is configured to indicate an image quality of the respective image. An image identification and quality indication method for radiographic inspection includes positioning the flexible substrate on the object's surface, including aligning the locators with a number of visible features on object's surface. The method further includes forming at least one reference mark and image quality mark in each of a number of images of the object, using a locator and image quality indicator, respectively. Each reference mark correlates the respective image with a position on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Mohr, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Michael Robert Hopple, August David Matula
  • Patent number: 6546124
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing an extended dynamic range (EDR) algorithm. The apparatus comprises an EDR processing component which performs the EDR algorithm of the invention in order to compress an image input to the EDR processing component down to a desired gray scale range. The EDR processing component automatically adapts to the dynamic range of an input image so that the input image is compressed down to a desired gray scale range while preserving high frequency contrast information contained in the input image. In addition to automatically adjusting to the dynamic range of the image, the EDR processing component compresses the input image in such a manner that the difference between the input image intensity and the local mean intensity value is taken into account, which prevents artifacts associated with enhanced negative contrast from appearing in the compressed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Hopple, David Allen Langan
  • Patent number: 6519769
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for recording a viewer's television viewership habits. Sensors monitor the audio signal, synchronization signal, and video signal emanating from the television. A time coincidence channel tag is mixed with the transmitted television audio or video signal at a dwelling by a master unit. Then by matching the channel tag of the viewed channel with the channel tag, an accurate identification of the viewed channel can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Hopple, Richard Louis Frey, Donald Thomas McGrath, Robert John Dunki-Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6112053
    Abstract: The present invention provides an system, apparatus, and method of recording a viewer's television viewership habits. Sensors passively monitor the audio signal and video signal emanating from the television. By matching the audio signal in the source and emanating from the television and by matching television frame synchronization signal and the television source synchronization signal an unambiguous identification of the viewed channel is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert John Dunki-Jacobs, Michael Robert Hopple