Patents by Inventor Norman S. Neidell

Norman S. Neidell 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: 5693885
    Abstract: Acquired signals representing samples of propagating wavefields are processed using space-time linked variable methods to form images having better definition and resolution than may be obtained by conventional methods. Frequencies accessed include those anticipated as well as some apparently beyond those deemed feasible according to Nyquist criteria as well as those present in the wavefield source.The signals and physical features may be obtained in tomography (medical CT scans), echo location (radar or sonar) or seismic imaging for example. Signals are processed maintaining interrelation of the linked variables of time and space, rather than following the conventionally accepted current techniques which treat the time and space variables independently.Definition and resolution of images are obtained beyond those normally considered possible with earlier techniques by understanding and correctly interpreting the information content of a sampled wavefield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Wavefield Image, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman S. Neidell
  • Patent number: 5557583
    Abstract: A transducer capable of generating a phase-encoded wavefield is described. The encoded phase is related to the angular co-ordinates of direction of transmission. By decoding the phase values of the received wavefield, a direction can be obtained. Therefore, in navigation applications this transmitter gives additional location information not available from a single received signal using traditional methods such as "range-range" and "hyperbolic" systems. In its simplest configuration, the new transducer comprises two transducers which can be individually controlled. In more complex constructions use of more than two transducers increases the controllability of the desired phase characteristics of the resulting wavefield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventors: Stephen T. Ha, Norman S. Neidell
  • Patent number: 5465722
    Abstract: An acoustical imaging system for producing high resolution medical images provides a method and apparatus for obtaining accurate velocity characterizations of samples within the human body, and for obtaining high resolution images of the samples by utilizing the velocity characterizations of the samples within the human body. The acoustical imaging system also provides a method and apparatus for efficient use of switching channels whereby for a transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements, a set of receiver channels which number less than the number of transducer elements in the array are assigned to a selected portion of the plurality of transducers in the array, wherein for any predetermined set of transducers symmetrically located about a selected transducer, the predetermined set equal in number to the number of receiver channels in the system, each receiver channel in the set of receiver channels is only assigned to one transducer in said predetermined sampling set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: J. Robert Fort, Norman S. Neidell, Douglas J. Morgan, Phillip C. Landmeier
  • Patent number: 5269309
    Abstract: An acoustical imaging system for producing high resolution medical images provides a method and apparatus for obtaining accurate velocity characterizations of samples within the human body, and for obtaining high resolution images of the samples by utilizing the velocity characterizations of the samples within the human body. The acoustical imaging system also provides a method and apparatus for efficient use of switching channels whereby for a transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements, a set of receiver channels which number less than the number of transducer elements in the array are assigned to a selected portion of the plurality of transducers in the array, wherein for any predetermined set of transducers symmetrically located about a selected transducer, the predetermined set equal in number to the number of receiver channels in the system, each receiver channel in the set of receiver channels is only assigned to one transducer in said predetermined sampling set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventors: J. Robert Fort, Norman S. Neidell, Douglas J. Morgan, Phillip C. Landmeier
  • Patent number: 4571710
    Abstract: This invention consists of producing a two-dimensional display from exploration seismic data designed to indicate zones of anomalous low velocity in the subsurface. Such zones may be indicative of porosity and the possible occurrence of hydrocarbons. They will be localized in terms of position along the seismic profile and in approximate zone of reflection arrival time. Data used in making the display are derived from both the CDP stacked seismic profile and corresponding velocity analyses used also to stack the data itself. Stacking velocity curves are plotted according to CDP location for each reflector designated by an interpreter to be of interest. These curves are overlain in pairs using calibration calculations and empirical criteria. Calibration helps smooth "noisy" values and compensates for velocity variations resulting from changes in separation or dip of the two reflectors from which the overlain velocity curves derive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventors: Norman S. Neidell, Ernest E. Cook
  • Patent number: 4564841
    Abstract: Navigation systems which position one or more mobile platforms in real time with appropriate accuracy in reference to a known system of coordinates by the emission of signals into a propagation medium and processing them after detection are disclosed. Broad-band, broad-beam signals are employed. All received signals convey phase encoded angular coordinate information which characterizes the particular signal path. Phase encoding of angular information is effected by suitably configured "lenses" of dispersive materials or by post-critical angle reflection from a suitably configured reflector and shield combination. When the angular coordinate information is used in conjuction with range determinations from detected signals, an especially useful navigation system is provided which can operate from a single reference station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Inventor: Norman S. Neidell
  • Patent number: 4315263
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to navigation systems which seek to position in real time with appropriate accuracy one or more mobile platforms in reference to a known system of coordinates by the emission of signals into a propagation medium and processing them after detection. Broad-band, broad-beam signals are employed. All received signals convey phase encoded angular coordinate information which characterizes the particular signal path. When the angular coordinate information is used in conjunction with range determinations from detected signals, an especially useful navigation system is provided which can operate using only a single reference station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Inventor: Norman S. Neidell
  • Patent number: 4114153
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to echo location or ranging systems in which the individual properties of targets or reflectors (such as range, bearing, elevation angle, relative velocity, impedance contrast, etc.) in a field of targets within some propagation medium are identified by the emission of signals into the propagation medium and processing of the detected reflections from the target field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Norman S. Neidell
  • Patent number: RE31509
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to echo location or ranging systems in which the individual properties of targets or reflectors (such as range, bearing, elevation angle, relative velocity, impedance contrast, etc.) in a field of targets within some propagation medium are identified by the emission of signals into the propagation medium and processing of the detected reflections from the target field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventor: Norman S. Neidell