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).

  • Compact Mobile Cargo Scanning System
    Publication number: 20160025889
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present invention is an improved method and system with a novel boom structure that reduces the weight of the boom. The single, light-weight boom of the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low height and center of gravity lending to greater maneuverability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • X-Ray Inspection System and Method
    Publication number: 20160018342
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin
  • Scanning systems
    Patent number: 9223052
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Optimization of the Source Firing Pattern for X-Ray Scanning Systems
    Publication number: 20150362440
    Abstract: The present application discloses a computed tomography system having non-rotating X-ray sources that are programmed to optimize the source firing pattern. In one embodiment, the CT system is a fast cone-beam CT scanner which uses a fixed ring of multiple sources and fixed rings of detectors in an offset geometry. It should be appreciated that the source firing pattern is effectuated by a controller, which implements methods to determine a source firing pattern that are adapted to geometries where the X-ray sources and detector geometry are offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: William Thompson, William Robert Breckon Lionheart, Edward James Morton
  • X-Ray Tube Electron Sources
    Publication number: 20150366041
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis, Michael Cunningham
  • X-Ray Scanners and X-Ray Sources Therefor
    Publication number: 20150362442
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanner that has an electron source and an anode. The anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction. The material areas are formed from different materials. The electron source is arranged to direct electrons at a series of target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-ray beams having different energy spectra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Data Collection, Processing and Storage Systems for X-Ray Tomographic Images
    Publication number: 20150355117
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging inspection system for inspecting items comprises an X-ray source 10 extending around an imaging volume 16, and defining a plurality of source points 14 from which X-rays can be directed through the imaging volume. An X-ray detector array 12 also extends around the imaging volume 16 and is arranged to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume, and to produce output signals dependent on the detected X-rays. A conveyor 20 is arranged to convey the items through the imaging volume 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-Ray Sources
    Publication number: 20150357148
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an anode for an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube has an electron aperture through which electrons emitted from an electron source travel subject to substantially no electrical field and a target in a non-parallel relationship to the electron aperture and arranged to produce X-rays when electrons are incident upon a first side of the target, wherein the target further comprises a cooling channel located on a second side of the target. The cooling channel comprises a conduit having coolant contained therein. The coolant is at least one of water, oil, or refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-Ray Scanners
    Publication number: 20150355369
    Abstract: The present application discloses an X-ray scanner having an X-ray source arranged to emit X-rays from source points through an imaging volume. The scanner may further include an array of X-ray detectors which may be arranged around the imaging volume and may be arranged to output detector signals in response to the detection of X-rays. The scanner may further include a conveyor arranged to convey an object through the imaging volume in a scan direction, and may also include at least one processor arranged to process the detector signals to produce an image data set defining an image of the object. The image may have a resolution in the scan direction that is at least 90% as high as in one direction, and in some cases two directions, orthogonal to the scan direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Graphite backscattered electron shield for use in an X-ray tube
    Patent number: 9208988
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis
  • Covert Surveillance Using Multi-Modality Sensing
    Publication number: 20150330917
    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 system is configured to also simultaneously detect passive radiation. 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: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Joseph Bendahan
  • Imaging, data acquisition, data transmission, and data distribution methods and systems for high data rate tomographic X-ray scanners
    Patent number: 9183647
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Drive-Through Scanning Systems
    Publication number: 20150301220
    Abstract: A drive-through scanning system comprises a radiation generating means arranged to generate radiation at two different energy levels and direct it towards a scanning volume, detection means arranged to detect the radiation after it has passed through the scanning volume, and control means arranged to identify a part of a vehicle within the scanning volume, to allocate the part of the vehicle to one of a plurality of categories, and to control the radiation generating means and to select one or more of the energy levels depending on the category to which the part of the vehicle is allocated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Mobile scanning systems
    Patent number: 9158027
    Abstract: A mobile scanning system with a scanner including a radiation source and detectors mounted on a vehicle and arranged to scan an object, a controller mounted on the vehicle and arranged to control the scanner, an operator system arranged to be located remote from the vehicle and to communicate with the controller to enable an operator to interact remotely with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
    Patent number: 9158030
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Ultra Wide Band Detectors
    Publication number: 20150253422
    Abstract: An ultra-wide band microwave based personnel/passenger screening system, and in particular, a system for material specific detection, uses non-ionizing radiation in which focused beams of low intensity microwave radiation are projected in rapid succession at an individual as they walk through a portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Anthony J. Peyton
  • Time of flight backscatter imaging system
    Patent number: 9128198
    Abstract: The present application discloses an X-ray imaging apparatus for determining a surface profile of an object under inspection that is positioned at a distance from the apparatus. The X-ray imaging system has an X-ray source for producing a scanning beam of X-rays directed toward the object, a detector assembly for providing a signal representative of an intensity of X-rays backscattered from the object, and processing circuitry to determine a time difference between when the X-ray source is switched on and when the backscattered X-rays arrive at the detector assembly. The processing circuitry is adapted to output data representative of the surface profile of the object under inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Scanning systems
    Patent number: 9121958
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray inspection system and method
    Patent number: 9113839
    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: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin
  • X-ray tube electron sources
    Patent number: 9093245
    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: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis, Michael Cunningham