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).
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Publication number: 20240061857Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Jeremy GREEN, Jee Won KANG, Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Brady MURPHY
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Patent number: 11782176Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Xiaochun Lai, Yi Qiang, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Zhihong Ye
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Publication number: 20220342098Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Xiaohui ZHAN, Xiaochun LAI, Yi QIANG, Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Zhihong YE
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Patent number: 11147522Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Liang Cai, Xiaohui Zhan, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Richard Thompson
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Patent number: 10952698Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Cai Liang
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Publication number: 20200330065Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Xiaohui ZHAN, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Cai Liang
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Method and apparatus for partial volume identification from photon-counting macro-pixel measurements
Patent number: 10799192Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Liang Cai, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Xiaohui Zhan -
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARTIAL VOLUME IDENTIFICATION FROM PHOTON-COUNTING MACRO-PIXEL MEASUREMENTS
Publication number: 20200138386Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Liang CAI, Hiroaki MIYAZAKI, Xiaohui ZHAN -
Publication number: 20200069266Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Liang CAI, Xiaohui ZHAN, Kevin Christopher ZIMMERMAN, Richard THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20180319231Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventor: Christopher Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7147560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7100120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
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Publication number: 20060131190Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2005Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Richard Weaver, Christopher Zimmerman, Michael Czop, Joseph Wright, Wojciech Porcek, Jeremy Weidner, Daniel Hayes, Samba Toure, Michael Howe
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Publication number: 20040229669Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventor: Christopher A. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20030007011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
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Patent number: 6417872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
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Patent number: 6304258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
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Patent number: 6288720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Zimmerman, Christopher Lee Fraley, John E. Elsbree
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Patent number: RE39285Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David S. Stutz, Christopher A. Zimmerman
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Patent number: D798754Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: CZTC Holdings, LLCInventors: Christopher Zimmerman, Theodore G. Christian