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).
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Patent number: 9613442Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Publication number: 20160247302Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Patent number: 9189871Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Publication number: 20150146949Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Patent number: 9025843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
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Patent number: 8929109Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventors: Zen-Shan Chang, Ying-Sun Huang, Kuo-Sheng Fu, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Chien-Min Kao
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Patent number: 8929101Abstract: 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 fourtType: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventors: Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao, Chen-Ho Huang, Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You
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Patent number: 8923587Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Publication number: 20140183369Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: The University of ChicagoInventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Herve Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
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Publication number: 20140169041Abstract: 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 fourtType: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao, Chen-Ho Huang, Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You
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Publication number: 20140161332Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Publication number: 20140153293Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Zen-Shan Chang, Ying-Sun Huang, Kuo-Sheng Fu, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Chien-Min Kao
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Publication number: 20140153289Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Chien-Min Kao, Gwo-Huei You, Kun-Feng Chen, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Yu-Min Liao
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Patent number: 8605975Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
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Patent number: 8604440Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
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Publication number: 20120215090Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
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Patent number: 8121245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
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Publication number: 20110220802Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang
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Publication number: 20110170757Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
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Publication number: 20110044546Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao