Patents by Inventor Edward James Morton

Edward James Morton 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).

  • High energy X-ray inspection system using a fan-shaped beam and collimated backscatter detectors
    Patent number: 9465135
    Abstract: This invention provides a scanning system for scanning an object in a scanning zone. The scanning system includes both a radiation source arranged to irradiate the object with radiation having a peak energy of at least 900 keV and a scatter detector arranged to detect radiation scattered from the object wherein the radiation source is arranged to irradiate the object over a plurality of regions to be scanned within a single irradiation event. The scatter detector includes a plurality of detection elements, each detection element being arranged to detect scattered radiation from a predefined part of the scanning zone and a signal processor arranged to calculate scatter intensity across the plurality of detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Scanning Systems
    Publication number: 20160274267
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward cargo scanning systems having scanners, each arranged to scan a respective object and generate a set of scan data, processors arranged to process each set of scan data to determine whether it meets a predetermined threat condition, workstations, and data management system arranged to direct data that meets the threat condition to one of the workstations for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray inspection system and method
    Patent number: 9442082
    Abstract: The present specification discloses an X-ray system for processing X-ray data to determine an identity of an object under inspection. The X-ray system includes an X-ray source for transmitting X-rays, where the X-rays have a range of energies, through the object, a detector array for detecting the transmitted X-rays, where each detector outputs a signal proportional to an amount of energy deposited at the detector by a detected X-ray, and at least one processor that reconstructs an image from the signal, where each pixel within the image represents an associated mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at a specific point in space and for a specific energy level, fits each of pixel to a function to determine the mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at the point in space; and uses the function to determine the identity of the object under inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin
  • Multiple Energy Detector
    Publication number: 20160259067
    Abstract: The present specification describes an improved multi-energy radiation detector. In one embodiment, the signal generated by the detection medium is converted to digital form directly at the point of signal collection. This avoids the need for power intensive high bandwidth amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters, as it integrates the sensing device and signal processing onto the same silicon substrate to reduce the number of components in the system. In one embodiment, a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is coupled directly to a threshold detector to achieve an intrinsically low power and low noise detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Systems and methods for scanning objects
    Patent number: 9435752
    Abstract: The present application discloses scanner systems that have a radiation generator arranged to generate radiation to irradiate an object, a detector arranged to detect the radiation after it has interacted with the object and generate a sequence of detector data sets as the object is moved relative to the generator, and processors arranged to process each of the detector data sets thereby to generate a control output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Joseph Bendahan, Willem G. J. Langeveld
  • Scanning systems
    Patent number: 9429530
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for scanning an object. The scanning system provides a first detector region having a thickness of at least 2 mm and a second detector region having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The second detector region is arranged to receive radiation that has passed through the first detector region. The method includes irradiating the object with radiation having having a peak energy of at least 1 MeV, and detecting the first profile radiation after it has interacted with or passed through the object in order to provide information relating to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray tube electron sources
    Patent number: 9420677
    Abstract: An electron source for an X-ray scanner includes an emitter support block, an electron-emitting region formed on the support block and arranged to emit electrons, an electrical connector arranged to connect a source of electric current to the electron-emitting region, and heating structure arranged to heat the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis, Michael Cunningham
  • X-ray Tomographic Inspection System for the Identification of Specific Target Items
    Publication number: 20160231454
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved scanning process with a stationary X-ray source arranged to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors arranged to detect X-rays transmitted through the scanning region, and at least one processor arranged to process outputs from the first set of detectors to generate tomographic image data. The X-ray screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray diffraction based screening, X-ray back-scatter based screening, or Trace Detection based screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Imaging, Data Acquisition, Data Transmission, and Data Distribution Methods and Systems for High Data Rate Tomographic X-Ray Scanners
    Publication number: 20160232689
    Abstract: The present invention is an X-ray system having a source-detector module, which includes X-ray sources and detectors, for scanning an object being inspected, a scan engine coupled to the source-detector module for collecting scan data from the source detector module, an image reconstruction engine coupled to the scan engine for converting the collected scan data into one or more X-ray images, and a scan controller coupled with at least one of the source detector module, the scan engine, and the image reconstruction engine optimize operations of the X-ray system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Intelligent Security Management System
    Publication number: 20160232769
    Abstract: The present specification describes a smart security management system for managing the flow of people through security checkpoints in order to optimize overall throughput and efficiency. In an embodiment, the system includes a centralized database which is connected to a plurality of security checkpoints and which uses benchmark response data generated by a specific type of screening devices for a set of individuals. In an embodiment, the response data gathered by similar types of screening devices located at security checkpoints is compared with the benchmark response data stored in a centralized database to provide faster security clearance to individuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ari Jarvi, Jarno Tykkylainen, Edward James Morton
  • Systems and Methods for High-Z Threat Alarm Resolution
    Publication number: 20160216398
    Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton, David Yaish, Yossi Kolkovich, Jacques Goldberg
  • Graphite Backscattered Electron Shield for Use in an X-Ray Tube
    Publication number: 20160217966
    Abstract: The present invention is a shielded anode having an anode with a surface facing an electron beam and a shield configured to encompass the anode surface. The shield has at least one aperture and an internal surface facing the anode surface. The shield internal surface and anode surface are separated by a gap in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. The shield of the present invention is fabricated from a material, such as graphite, that is substantially transmissive to X-ray photons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis
  • Scanning Systems
    Publication number: 20160170077
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and detector arrangements for scanning an object moving in a first direction that includes the steps of irradiating the object with radiation having a peak energy of at least 900 keV, providing a first detector region having a thickness of at least 2 mm and a second detector region having a thickness of at least 5 mm where the second detector region is arranged to receive radiation that has passed through the first detector region, and detecting the radiation after it has interacted with or passed through the object in order to provide information relating to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Covert Surveillance Using Multi-Modality Sensing
    Publication number: 20160154139
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a covert mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance from at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Gantry scanner systems
    Patent number: 9332624
    Abstract: A gantry scanner system comprises a radiation source, a plurality of detectors and a support frame supporting the detectors. The support frame includes an elongate support member arranged to support the detectors, cable support means arranged to support power cables or signal cables connected to the detectors, and cover means arranged to cover the support member, the cable support means and the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Systems and methods for high-Z threat alarm resolution
    Patent number: 9310323
    Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton, David Yaish, Yossi Kolkovich, Jacques Goldberg
  • High-speed security inspection system
    Patent number: 9274065
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a high speed scanning system for scanning cargo carried by rail. The system uses a two-dimensional X-ray sensor array with, in one embodiment, a cone-beam X-ray geometry. The pulse rate of X-ray source is modulated based on the speed of the moving cargo to allow a distance travelled by the cargo between X-ray pulses to be equal to the width of the detector, for a single energy source, and to half the width of the detector for a dual energy source. This ensures precise timing between the X-ray exposure and the speed of the passing object, and thus accurate scanning of cargo even at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: RAPISCAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray tube anode comprising a coolant tube
    Patent number: 9263225
    Abstract: An anode for an X-ray tube includes at least one thermally conductive anode segment in contact with a rigid support member and cooling means arranged to cool the anode. The anode may further include a plurality of anode segments aligned end to end, each in contact with the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Martin Hunt
  • Dual Mode X-Ray Vehicle Scanning System
    Publication number: 20160025891
    Abstract: A variable mode X-ray transmission system is provided that can be operated in low or high dose rate modes depending upon the area or portion of the vehicle to be screened. In one embodiment, variable dose rate is achieved by use of a novel collimator. The systems disclosed in this application enable the scanning of a vehicle cab portion (occupied by people, such as a driver) at low dose rate, which is safe for human beings, while allowing the scanning of the cargo portion (unoccupied by people) at a high dose rate. Rapid switching from low dose rate to high dose rate operating mode is provided, while striking a balance between high material penetration for cargo portion and low intensity exposure that is safe for occupants in the cab portion of the inspected vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Combined Scatter and Transmission Multi-View Imaging System
    Publication number: 20160025890
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a multi-view X-ray inspection system having, in one of several embodiments, a three-view configuration with three X-ray sources. Each X-ray source rotates and is configured to emit a rotating X-ray pencil beam and at least two detector arrays, where each detector array has multiple non-pixellated detectors such that at least a portion of the non-pixellated detectors are oriented toward both the two X-ray sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Edward James Morton