Patents by Inventor Chien-Min Kao

Chien-Min Kao 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: 9613442
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Publication number: 20160247302
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Patent number: 9189871
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Publication number: 20150146949
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Patent number: 9025843
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Patent number: 8929109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter, comprising: a half-bridge rectifying unit, a first resonant unit, a first transformer unit, a first rectifying unit, a first output unit, a second resonant unit, a second transformer unit, a second rectifying unit, a second output unit, a voltage dividing unit, a voltage regulating unit, a light-coupling isolation unit, and a control unit. In the present invention, the double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter has an inventive circuit framework, which can not only solve the unbalance load current and the output voltage cross regulation occurred in the conventional double-output convertor, but also normally modulate the no-load or light-load output voltage; therefore the output voltage deviation can be effectively controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Zen-Shan Chang, Ying-Sun Huang, Kuo-Sheng Fu, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Chien-Min Kao
  • Patent number: 8929101
    Abstract: The invention provides a DC to DC converting circuit, comprising: a transforming unit with a primary winding and a secondary winding; a bridge rectifier unit coupled to an input voltage, having a first output terminal and a second output terminal coupled to both side of the primary winding respectively; a first switch coupled between the input voltage and the first output terminal; a second switch coupled between the first output terminal and a ground terminal; a third switch coupled between the input voltage and the second output terminal; and a fourth switch coupled between the second output terminal and the ground terminal; an output unit paralleled to the secondary winding; and a clamping unit coupled to the input voltage and paralleled to the bridge rectifier unit, having an auxiliary switch coupled to the input voltage; and a clamping capacitor coupled between the auxiliary switch and the ground terminal; wherein the auxiliary switch is turned on when operation statuses of the first switch and the fourt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao, Chen-Ho Huang, Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You
  • Patent number: 8923587
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Publication number: 20140183369
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Herve Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
  • Publication number: 20140169041
    Abstract: The invention provides a DC to DC converting circuit, comprising: a transforming unit with a primary winding and a secondary winding; a bridge rectifier unit coupled to an input voltage, having a first output terminal and a second output terminal coupled to both side of the primary winding respectively; a first switch coupled between the input voltage and the first output terminal; a second switch coupled between the first output terminal and a ground terminal; a third switch coupled between the input voltage and the second output terminal; and a fourth switch coupled between the second output terminal and the ground terminal; an output unit paralleled to the secondary winding; and a clamping unit coupled to the input voltage and paralleled to the bridge rectifier unit, having an auxiliary switch coupled to the input voltage; and a clamping capacitor coupled between the auxiliary switch and the ground terminal; wherein the auxiliary switch is turned on when operation statuses of the first switch and the fourt
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao, Chen-Ho Huang, Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You
  • Publication number: 20140161332
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data (including exterior and interior data) generated from divergent beams. In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus iteratively constrains the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. As one example, a divergent beam may be used to generate data (“actual data”). As discussed above, the actual data may be less than sufficient to exactly reconstruct the image by conventional techniques, such as FBP. In order to reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Publication number: 20140153293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter, comprising: a half-bridge rectifying unit, a first resonant unit, a first transformer unit, a first rectifying unit, a first output unit, a second resonant unit, a second transformer unit, a second rectifying unit, a second output unit, a voltage dividing unit, a voltage regulating unit, a light-coupling isolation unit, and a control unit. In the present invention, the double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter has an inventive circuit framework, which can not only solve the unbalance load current and the output voltage cross regulation occurred in the conventional double-output convertor, but also normally modulate the no-load or light-load output voltage; therefore the output voltage deviation can be effectively controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zen-Shan Chang, Ying-Sun Huang, Kuo-Sheng Fu, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Chien-Min Kao
  • Publication number: 20140153289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary side serial resonant full-bridge DC/DC converter, comprising: a transistor full-bridge unit, a transformer unit, a resonant unit, a rectifying unit, and an output unit. Particularly, in the present invention, a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor of the resonant unit and a load resistor of the output unit constitute a serial resonant circuit having a serial resonant frequency; therefore, when the circuit frequency is operated on the serial resonant frequency, the resonant inductor impedance would be offset by the resonant capacitor impedance, such that the circuit is operated in the zero current switch (ZCS) region, and the output voltage variation can be controlled in ±0.2%. Moreover, through the serial resonant circuit, the issue about the resonant components hard to be designed due to their small characteristic impedance can simultaneously be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You, Kun-Feng Chen, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao
  • Patent number: 8605975
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data (including exterior and interior data) generated from divergent beams. In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus iteratively constrains the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. As one example, a divergent beam maybe used to generate data (“actual data”). As discussed above, the actual data may be less than sufficient to exactly reconstruct the image by conventional techniques, such as FBP. In order to reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Patent number: 8604440
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
  • Publication number: 20120215090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Patent number: 8121245
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20110220802
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang
  • Publication number: 20110170757
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20110044546
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data (including exterior and interior data) generated from divergent beams. In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus iteratively constrains the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. As one example, a divergent beam maybe used to generate data (“actual data”). As discussed above, the actual data may be less than sufficient to exactly reconstruct the image by conventional techniques, such as FBP. In order to reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao