Patents by Inventor Christopher Zimmerman

Christopher Zimmerman 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).

  • Publication number: 20240061857
    Abstract: In some implementations, a data migration device may querying a relational data store for a plurality of metadata items. Accordingly, for each metadata item, the data migration device may transmit, to an application programming interface (API), a request for the metadata item, and receive, from the relational data store via the API, the metadata item. Furthermore, for each metadata item, the data migration device may execute a transformation on the metadata item to generate an adapted metadata item for a non-relational data store and transmit, to the API, a request to store the adapted metadata item in the non-relational data store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Jeremy GREEN, Jee Won KANG, Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Brady MURPHY
  • Patent number: 11782176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or calibrating underperforming pixels in detectors in a small pixelated photon counting CT system utilizes a series of tests on image data acquired in-situ as part of a series of calibration scans in the CT system. Tests are performed on the acquired data to determine the existence of underperforming pixels within the detectors such that the information acquired by those pixels can be replaced by alternate data from surrounding pixels (e.g. by interpolation). The underperforming pixels are stored in “bad” pixel tables and may be specific to a type of image (e.g., spectral or counting) and a specific protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Xiaochun Lai, Yi Qiang, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Zhihong Ye
  • Publication number: 20220342098
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or calibrating underperforming pixels in detectors in a small pixelated photon counting CT system utilizes a series of tests on image data acquired in-situ as part of a series of calibration scans in the CT system. Tests are performed on the acquired data to determine the existence of underperforming pixels within the detectors such that the information acquired by those pixels can be replaced by alternate data from surrounding pixels (e.g. by interpolation). The underperforming pixels are stored in “bad” pixel tables and may be specific to a type of image (e.g., spectral or counting) and a specific protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaohui ZHAN, Xiaochun LAI, Yi QIANG, Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Zhihong YE
  • Patent number: 11147522
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photon-counting detector (PCD) includes a plurality of macro-pixels. The plurality of macro-pixels arranged on a semiconductor crystal has a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face are parallel. Each macro-pixel from the plurality of macro-pixels is configured to acquire projection data for generating a reconstructed image. The plurality of macro-pixels each includes at least one large micro-pixel is disposed within the each macro-pixel and at least two small micro-pixels is disposed within the each macro-pixel. Each of the at least two small micro-pixels has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the at least one large micro-pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Liang Cai, Xiaohui Zhan, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Richard Thompson
  • Patent number: 10952698
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to estimate, for two or more detector elements in an array of photon-counting detector elements, respective energy spectra of an X-ray beam incident on the corresponding detector elements from an X-ray source, the energy spectra being estimated by modeling X-ray attenuation as a function of X-ray energy when an X-ray beam is transmitted through a filter and set, for each detector element of the two or more detector elements, a first energy threshold of an energy range that is detected by the each detector element, the first energy threshold of the each detector element being based on the estimated energy spectra of the each detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Cai Liang
  • Publication number: 20200330065
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to estimate, for two or more detector elements in an array of photon-counting detector elements, respective energy spectra of an X-ray beam incident on the corresponding detector elements from an X-ray source, the energy spectra being estimated by modeling X-ray attenuation as a function of X-ray energy when an X-ray beam is transmitted through a filter and set, for each detector element of the two or more detector elements, a first energy threshold of an energy range that is detected by the each detector element, the first energy threshold of the each detector element being based on the estimated energy spectra of the each detector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaohui ZHAN, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Cai Liang
  • Patent number: 10799192
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to identify and correct partial volume errors (PVEs) in material decomposition of a spectral computed tomography (CT) scan, due to different X-ray trajectories incident on a same macro-pixel passing through different material components (e.g., bone and water). Macro-pixels are virtual crystals generated by aggregating the signals/counts from several smaller actual pixels (i.e., micro-pixels) of a detector array. Thus, when a PVE is identified within a macro-pixel, the separate signals/counts from the micro-pixels can be used for material decomposition, instead of the aggregated signals/counts of the macro-pixel, thereby providing improved spatial resolution of the material components and, at least partial, overcoming the PVE. A measure of the difference between spectrally-resolved counts based a material projection lengths (e.g., from a calibrated lookup table) and the measured counts of the macro-pixel can be used to identify PVEs, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Liang Cai, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Xiaohui Zhan
  • Publication number: 20200138386
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to identify and correct partial volume errors (PVEs) in material decomposition of a spectral computed tomography (CT) scan, due to different X-ray trajectories incident on a same macro-pixel passing through different material components (e.g., bone and water). Macro-pixels are virtual crystals generated by aggregating the signals/counts from several smaller actual pixels (i.e., micro-pixels) of a detector array. Thus, when a PVE is identified within a macro-pixel, the separate signals/counts from the micro-pixels can be used for material decomposition, instead of the aggregated signals/counts of the macro-pixel, thereby providing improved spatial resolution of the material components and, at least partial, overcoming the PVE. A measure of the difference between spectrally-resolved counts based a material projection lengths (e.g., from a calibrated lookup table) and the measured counts of the macro-pixel can be used to identify PVEs, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Liang CAI, Hiroaki MIYAZAKI, Xiaohui ZHAN
  • Publication number: 20200069266
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photon-counting detector (PCD) includes a plurality of macro-pixels. The plurality of macro-pixels arranged on a semiconductor crystal has a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face are parallel. Each macro-pixel from the plurality of macro-pixels is configured to acquire projection data for generating a reconstructed image. The plurality of macro-pixels each includes at least one large micro-pixel is disposed within the each macro-pixel and at least two small micro-pixels is disposed within the each macro-pixel. Each of the at least two small micro-pixels has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the at least one large micro-pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Liang CAI, Xiaohui ZHAN, Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Richard THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20180319231
    Abstract: A non-motor driven device for redistributing air from an inflatable object with a high pressure to an inflatable object having a lower pressure. The pressure equalizer device is configured for redistributing fluid, preferably pressurized air, between independent inflatable objects. The pressure equalizer contains a main body configured to engage and connect separate, independent inflatable objects together and to a plurality of intermediate inflatable object engaging members. The main body is further configured to allow fluid to travel therethrough. The main body may comprise a first air redistribution component, a second air redistribution component, and a third air redistribution component, in addition to a plurality of inflatable object air valve stem locking members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7147560
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selection of a target for attachment. In one implementation, a method of selecting a target for attachment by a moving character in a video game, wherein the character has a position and a velocity, includes: selecting one of a plurality of attachable objects as a candidate object, wherein each attachable object is of an object type from among one or more object types; determining if the candidate object is available according to the current position of the character and the object type of the candidate object; and if the candidate object is available, determining a cost for the candidate object according to the position and velocity of the character and the object type of the candidate object, wherein the cost represents an acceleration to attach the character to the candidate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7100120
    Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
  • Publication number: 20060131190
    Abstract: Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Weaver, Christopher Zimmerman, Michael Czop, Joseph Wright, Wojciech Porcek, Jeremy Weidner, Daniel Hayes, Samba Toure, Michael Howe
  • Publication number: 20040229669
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selection of a target for attachment. In one implementation, a method of selecting a target for attachment by a moving character in a video game, wherein the character has a position and a velocity, includes: selecting one of a plurality of attachable objects as a candidate object, wherein each attachable object is of an object type from among one or more object types; determining if the candidate object is available according to the current position of the character and the object type of the candidate object; and if the candidate object is available, determining a cost for the candidate object according to the position and velocity of the character and the object type of the candidate object, wherein the cost represents an acceleration to attach the character to the candidate object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher A. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20030007011
    Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
  • Patent number: 6417872
    Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several object, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
  • Patent number: 6304258
    Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
  • Patent number: 6288720
    Abstract: A method and system for adding application defined properties and application defined property sheet pages are provided. The application defined properties may be added to a list of system defined properties. Once added, the application defined properties may be displayed and edited. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects in a list, and edit the common properties. Moreover, application defined property sheet pages may be added to a set of system defined property sheet pages. A user may then display and edit the application defined property sheet pages. Also, a user may select several objects, display the properties common to all of the objects on a per-property browsing list, and edit the common properties. In addition, a user may select several objects, display the property sheet pages common to all of the objects, and edit the properties on these property sheet pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
  • Patent number: RE39285
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically generating object connections is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a connection can be generated between a source object and a sink object using a connection point object. A source object has connection point objects where each connection point object corresponds to a particular interface. A sink object implements one or more notification interfaces for connecting to a source object. A connection point object of a source object can connect to multiple notification interfaces, which belong to one or more sink objects. A connection point object keeps track of pointers to the notification interfaces to which it has been connected. In order to generate a connection, a sink object requests from a sauce object a connection point object corresponding to a particular interface. The source object determines whether it supports such a connection point object, and if so returns a pointer to the connection point interface of the determined connection point object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Stutz, Christopher A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: D798754
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CZTC Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Zimmerman, Theodore G. Christian