Patents Examined by Don Wong
  • Patent number: 10417287
    Abstract: A method of compressing short text messages, comprising: generating an index code comprising an association of keywords in the text messages with indices, the index code is logically divided into segments of variable size, each segment comprising at least one bucket, being a constant range of indices; adjusting the index code according to a natural keyword frequency distribution and to statistical analysis of the text messages; associating short indices with frequent keywords in the text messages; converting the text messages into compressed text messages in which at least some of the keywords are replaced by the associated indices; and updating the association between the indices and the keywords, updating the segments, and updating the updating frequency in respect to a usage keyword frequency distribution and temporal changes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: David Mimran
  • Patent number: 10327720
    Abstract: A tomographic imaging system includes a source configured to irradiate an object; a first image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate having a first face upon which a monolithic first pixel array is located; and a gantry configured to hold the first image sensor and rotate the image sensor around the object about a first rotation axis, the first pixel array including a first plurality of pixels configured to receive light that travels through or from the object based on the irradiation, the first plurality of pixels of the first pixel array being arranged in one or more rows and a plurality of columns such that, a total number of the one or more rows is less than a total number of the plurality of columns, and the one or more rows extend in a first direction, the first image sensor being arranged such that an angle between the first direction and a second direction is greater than 45 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees, the second direction being a direction parallel to the rotation axis o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Makoto Shizukuishi
  • Patent number: 10279197
    Abstract: A radiation-treatment plan that comprises a plurality of dose-delivery fractions can be optimized by using fraction dose objectives and at least one other, different dose objective. This use of fraction dose objectives can comprise accumulating doses delivered in previous dose-delivery fractions. The other, different dose objective can comprise a remaining total dose objective, a predictive dose objective, or some other dose objective of choice. An existing radiation-treatment plan having a corresponding resultant quality and that is defined, at least in part, by at least one delivery parameter can be re-optimized by specifying at least one constraint as regards that delivery parameter as a function, at least in part, of that resultant quality and then applying that constraint when re-optimizing the existing radiation-treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Janne I. Nord, Jarkko Y. Peltola, Juha Kauppinen
  • Patent number: 10272265
    Abstract: An outline of at least a patient on a patient support is determined. Based on at least one image of the patient, a plurality of orientations of the patient support and of at least one device are determined. The at least one device is capable of delivering a radiation treatment to the patient or of performing imaging associated with the radiation treatment. Based on the outline and the plurality of orientations of the patient support and of the at least one device, a clearance zone that no portion of the at least one device will occupy when the at least one device or the patient supported by the patient support is in motion is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Reto Filiberti, Dominique Gasser
  • Patent number: 10247836
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for restoring detector resolution in an X-Ray fluorescence instrument is described that comprises: measuring a resolution value of a detector in the X-Ray fluorescence instrument using a standard material at a first temperature; determining that the measured resolution value deviates from a target value; and adjusting the temperature of the detector to a second temperature that restores the resolution value of the detector to the target value, wherein the temperature is adjusted by an amount defined by a relationship of temperature change to the degree of deviation of detector resolution from the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: THERMO GAMMA-METRICS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Bryan John Crosby
  • Patent number: 10238352
    Abstract: A method for generating x-ray images of an examination object is described. In the method, x-rays are emitted in a direction of an x-ray detector, wherein an examination object is arranged between the x-ray detector and an x-ray source emitting the x-rays. An anti-scatter grid, which is arranged between the examination object and the x-ray detector, is moved across the detection surface of the x-ray detector. X-ray detector signals are acquired with temporal and spatial resolution, the x-ray detector signals including the intensity of the x-rays incident on the x-ray detector. The x-ray detector signals are evaluated taking into account a temporal variation of the acquired intensity of the x-ray detector signals caused by the movement of the anti-scatter grid. An x-ray imaging apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Freudenberger
  • Patent number: 10222487
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to effectively improve an image lag phenomenon of a direct conversion detector. The present invention provides an X-ray detector comprising: a lower electrode, formed on a substrate, to which a first driving voltage V1 is applied; an auxiliary electrode, around the lower electrode, to which a third driving voltage V3 is applied; a photoconductive layer formed on the lower electrode and the auxiliary electrode; and an upper electrode, formed on the photoconductive layer, to which a second driving voltage V2 is applied, wherein the third driving voltage V3, right after the radiation of the X-rays is off, is a reverse bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: Rayence Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Dong Jin Lee, Tae Woo Kim, Seong Il Im, Pyo Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 10222486
    Abstract: Provided are a radiation detector and a radiographic apparatus including the same. The radiation detector may have high quantum efficiency due to use of a plurality of nano-waveguides that extend from an incident end thereof to an exit end thereof and are configured to generate scintillation as radiation rays penetrate therethrough or a photoconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongchul Kim, Taegon Kim, Sangeui Lee
  • Patent number: 10220222
    Abstract: In one embodiment, radiotherapy treatment is provided to a target volume of a patient by configuring a multileaf collimator of a radiation treatment machine in a first orientation so as to form an actual aperture having a first orientation, delivering radiation to the target volume through the actual aperture while in the first orientation with a single pass along an arcuate path centered on the target volume, configuring the multileaf collimator in a second orientation so as to place the actual aperture in a second orientation that is different from the first orientation, and delivering radiation to the target volume through the actual aperture while in the second orientation with a single pass back along the arcuate path such that a relatively large cumulative dose of radiation is delivered to the target volume through a virtual aperture created by an area of overlap between the first and second actual aperture orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Richard Popple
  • Patent number: 10222491
    Abstract: The X-ray data processing apparatus to estimate a true value from an X-ray count value detected by the pixel array X-ray detector of a photon counting system includes a management unit 210 to receive and manage a detection value for each detection part, an effective area ratio calculation unit 230 to calculate a ratio of a detection ability under the influence of the charge share to an original detection ability in the detection part as an effective area ratio of the detection part using data regarding the detection part and data regarding an X-ray source and a detection energy threshold value, and a correction unit 250 to correct the managed count value using the calculated effective area ratio to estimate a true value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Matsushita, Takuto Sakumura, Yasukazu Nakaye
  • Patent number: 10213172
    Abstract: An imaging method includes executing a low-dose preparatory scan to an object by applying tube voltages and tube currents in an x-ray source, and generating a first image of the object corresponding to the low-dose preparatory scan. The method further includes generating image quality estimates and dose estimates view by view at least based on the first image. The method includes optimizing the tube voltages and the tube currents to generate optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current. At least one of the optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current is generated based on the image quality estimates and the dose estimates. The method includes executing an acquisition scan by applying the tube voltages and the tube currents based on the optimal profiles and generating a second image of the object corresponding to the acquisition scan. An imaging system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yannan Jin, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Peter Michael Edic, Paul Francis Fitzgerald, Xue Rui, Yangyang Yao, Zhye Yin, Uwe Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 10206636
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a first apparatus, a second apparatus, movement instruction input circuitry and control circuitry. In accordance with a movement instruction, the control circuitry is configured to control the first and second apparatuses so that the first apparatus can be moved to the target position. The control circuitry is configured to perform a retraction operation and a restoration operation. The retraction operation is an operation in which the first apparatus starts moving toward the target position and continues to move toward the target position, with the second apparatus retracted. The restoration operation is an operation in which the second apparatus is returned to the original position while avoiding the collision with the first apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyasu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10206644
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the disclosure guides the patient posture using a visual and/or audible interaction device during execution of an X-ray imaging procedure such as mammography, and provides the patient with information about the procedure during the procedure's execution, thereby improving the patient experience while reducing the workload of an operator. The X-ray imaging apparatus may include an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and an arm including an upper end within which the X-ray tube is disposed, and a lower end within which the X-ray detector is disposed. An illumination unit may be configured to provide an indication of a movement direction of the arm, responsive to a user input for moving the arm in the movement direction. A controller may control the illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eui Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 10203290
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for detecting potential defects in a part are disclosed. A potential defect may be automatically detected in a part, and may be reported to an operator in various ways so that the operator may review the defect and take appropriate action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Frank Ferro, Xingwei Yang, Paulo Ricardo dos Santos Mendonca, Christopher Allen Nafis, Patrick Joseph Howard
  • Patent number: 10194878
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus, which is configured to acquire radiation exposure image data and non-radiation exposure image data, including: a setting unit configured to set at least one of an order or a frequency of generating offset correction data in association with imaging modes; a correction data generation unit configured to generate the offset correction data associated with each of the imaging modes from the non-radiation exposure image data in the set order or at the set frequency; and an image processing unit configured to correct, with use of the offset correction data, image data that is acquired by imaging a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mina Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10180506
    Abstract: An x-ray X-ray imaging apparatus includes an x-ray detector (3) that is configured to convert incident x-ray wavelength photons directly into electronic signals, a position for a material under test (2), an x-ray source (1), and a structure (4) configured to perturb an x-ray energy spectrum, each lying on a common axis. The x-ray source (1) is arranged to direct an x-ray energy spectrum along the common axis to impinge upon the member, the structure (4) configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum, and positioned material under test (2). The structure (4) lies between the x-ray source (1) and the member to one side of the position for material under test (2) intersecting the common axis, and the structure (4) includes at least three adjacent regions, each region different to immediately adjacent regions and configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum differently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: IBEX Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Gibson, Paul Scott
  • Patent number: 10175184
    Abstract: The invention includes an XRF analyzer with reduced x-ray attenuation between sample and target and between sample and detector. Attenuation can be reduced by removing atmospheric-air paths through which the x-rays must travel. Reduced x-ray attenuation can allow for easier detection of low-atomic-number elements. Cost saving can be achieved by reducing the number of x-ray windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Creighton, Steven Morris, Shawn Chin, Sanjay Kamtekar
  • Patent number: 10151717
    Abstract: The invention relates to lubricant analysis, and to apparatus and methods for carrying out real-time in situ lubricant analysis. The invention extends to apparatus and methods which can measure tribological wear in machinery and, in particular, to the in situ measurement of the elemental composition of lubricant and/or debris caught in a filter within a lubricant-wetted machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Sussex
    Inventors: John Lees, David Bassford, Anna Barnett
  • Patent number: 10149654
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multiple frame imaging system including radiation source, a detector having an input area, a monitor configured to display detected images, means for determining at least one Region of Interest (ROI) of an object on the displayed image, and a collimator having means for projecting the at least one region of interest (ROI) on at least one selected fraction of the input area exposed by the x-ray source. The collimator including at least three essentially non-overlapping plates mounted in a plane generally parallel to the detector input surface plane, each plate includes a first edge in contact with an edge of a first neighboring plate and a second edge adjacent to the first edge in contact with an edge of a second neighboring plate; and means for moving each one of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CONTROLRAD SYSTEMS. INC.
    Inventors: Haim Zvi Melman, Liron Melman, Nir Eden, Gilad Nave-Frost, Allon Guez
  • Patent number: 10145806
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes: an X-ray source that radiates X-rays upon an object to be measured; a frame upon which the X-ray source is mounted; an anti-vibration mechanism that attenuates vibration applied to the frame; and a shift mechanism that shifts the frame and the anti-vibration mechanism integrally together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihisa Tanaka