Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Hughes

Ronald J. Hughes 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: 8774362
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for screening subjects at security locations while preserving the privacy of subjects and retaining the efficiency and thus, throughput, of the screening process. More specifically, the present invention is an improved X-ray detection system and method that allows for maximum threat detection performance with improved verbal and visual communication between the screening and imaging system operator and an image analyst, either proximally or remotely located, thus allowing for an accurate, directed physical search and minimal “pat-down” of subjects under inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120288063
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for screening subjects at security locations while preserving the privacy of subjects and retaining the efficiency and thus, throughput, of the screening process. More specifically, the present invention is an improved X-ray detection system and method that allows for maximum threat detection performance with improved verbal and visual communication between the screening and imaging system operator and an image analyst, either proximally or remotely located, thus allowing for an accurate, directed physical search and minimal “pat-down” of subjects under inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120195465
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processing security images of people subjected to X-ray radiation. The present invention processes a generated image by dividing the generated image into at least two regions or mask images, separately processing the at least two regions of the image, and viewing the resultant processed region images either alone or as a combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8199996
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for screening subjects at security locations while preserving the privacy of subjects and retaining the efficiency and thus, throughput, of the screening process. More specifically, the present invention is an improved X-ray detection system and method that allows for maximum threat detection performance with improved verbal and visual communication between the screening and imaging system operator and an image analyst, either proximally or remotely located, thus allowing for an accurate, directed physical search and minimal “pat-down” of subjects under inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8135112
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processing security images of people subjected to X-ray radiation. The present invention processes a generated image by dividing the generated image into at least two regions or mask images, separately processing the at least two regions of the image, and viewing the resultant processed region images either alone or as a combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8003949
    Abstract: The present invention is a detection system and method for using the detection system in radiant energy imaging systems. In particular, the present invention is an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. And more particularly, the present invention is a detection system for detecting electromagnetic radiation having an enclosure having four adjacent walls, connected to each other at an angle and forming a rectangle and interior portion of the enclosure, a front side area and a back side area formed from the four adjacent walls and located at each end of the enclosure, at least two screens, that further include an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light, and a photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the enclosure, having an active area responsive to the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ryge, Ronald J. Hughes, Steven J. Gray
  • Publication number: 20110096901
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an X-ray people screening system capable of rapidly screening people for detection of metals, low Z materials (plastics, ceramics and illicit drugs) and other contraband which might be concealed beneath the person's clothing or on the person's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the scanning system has two scanning modules that are placed in parallel, yet opposing positions relative to each other. The two modules are spaced to allow a subject, such as a person, to stand and pass between the two scanning modules. The first module and second module each include a radiation source (such as X-ray radiation) and a detector array. The subject under inspection stands between the two modules such that a front side of the subject faces one module and the back side of the subject faces the other module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Kotowski, Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20110081099
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processing security images of people subjected to X-ray radiation. The present invention processes a generated image by dividing the generated image into at least two regions or mask images, separately processing the at least two regions of the image, and viewing the resultant processed region images either alone or as a combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7826589
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an X-ray people screening system capable of rapidly screening people for detection of metals, low Z materials (plastics, ceramics and illicit drugs) and other contraband which might be concealed beneath the person's clothing or on the person's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the scanning system has two scanning modules that are placed in parallel, yet opposing positions relative to each other. The two modules are spaced to allow a subject, such as a person, to stand and pass between the two scanning modules. The first module and second module each include a radiation source (such as X-ray radiation) and a detector array. The subject under inspection stands between the two modules such that a front side of the subject faces one module and the back side of the subject faces the other module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Kotowski, Ronald J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7796733
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processing security images of people subjected to X-ray radiation. The present invention processes a generated image by dividing the generated image into at least two regions or mask images, separately processing the at least two regions of the image, and viewing the resultant processed region images either alone or as a combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100067654
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an X-ray people screening system capable of rapidly screening people for detection of metals, low Z materials (plastics, ceramics and illicit drugs) and other contraband which might be concealed beneath the person's clothing or on the person's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the scanning system has two scanning modules that are placed in parallel, yet opposing positions relative to each other. The two modules are spaced to allow a subject, such as a person, to stand and pass between the two scanning modules. The first module and second module each include a radiation source (such as X-ray radiation) and a detector array. The subject under inspection stands between the two modules such that a front side of the subject faces one module and the back side of the subject faces the other module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Andreas Kotowski, Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100034451
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for screening subjects at security locations while preserving the privacy of subjects and retaining the efficiency and thus, throughput, of the screening process. More specifically, the present invention is an improved X-ray detection system and method that allows for maximum threat detection performance with improved verbal and visual communication between the screening and imaging system operator and an image analyst, either proximally or remotely located, thus allowing for an accurate, directed physical search and minimal “pat-down” of subjects under inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090141860
    Abstract: The present invention is a detection system and method for using the detection system in radiant energy imaging systems. In particular, the present invention is an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. And more particularly, the present invention is a detection system for detecting electromagnetic radiation having an enclosure having four adjacent walls, connected to each other at an angle and forming a rectangle and interior portion of the enclosure, a front side area and a back side area formed from the four adjacent walls and located at each end of the enclosure, at least two screens, that further include an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light, and a photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the enclosure, having an active area responsive to the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Peter Ryge, Ronald J. Hughes, Steven J. Gray
  • Publication number: 20080212742
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processing security images of people subjected to X-ray radiation. The present invention processes a generated image by dividing the generated image into at least two regions or mask images, separately processing the at least two regions of the image, and viewing the resultant processed region images either alone or as a combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hughes