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).

  • Four-Sided Imaging System and Method for Detection of Contraband
    Publication number: 20150168589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Combined scatter and transmission multi-view imaging system
    Patent number: 9057679
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Compact mobile cargo scanning system
    Patent number: 9052403
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • X-ray scanners and X-ray sources therefor
    Patent number: 9048061
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Optimization of the source firing pattern for X-ray scanning systems
    Patent number: 9046465
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Thompson, William Robert Breckon Lionheart, Edward James Morton
  • Dual mode X-ray vehicle scanning system
    Patent number: 9036779
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-ray scanners
    Patent number: 9020095
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • COMPACT MOBILE CARGO SCANNING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150110243
    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: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • X-ray Tomographic Inspection System for the Identification of Specific Target Items
    Publication number: 20150110240
    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: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Systems and Methods for High-Z Threat Alarm Resolution
    Publication number: 20150108349
    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: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton, David Yaish, Yossi Kolkovich, Jacques Goldberg
  • X-ray sources
    Patent number: 9001973
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Photomultiplier and detection systems
    Patent number: 8993970
    Abstract: The invention provides a switchable photomultiplier switchable between a detecting state and a non-detecting state including a cathode upon which incident radiation is arranged to impinge. The photomultiplier also includes a series of dynodes arranged to amplify a current created at the cathode upon detection of photoradiation. The invention also provides a detection system arranged to detect radiation-emitting material in an object. The system includes a detector switchable between a detecting state in which the detector is arranged to detect radiation and a non-detecting state in which the detector is arranged to not detect radiation. The system further includes a controller arranged to control switching of the detector between the states such that the detector is switched to the non-detecting state while an external radiation source is irradiating the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • High Energy X-Ray Inspection System Using a Fan-Shaped Beam and Collimated Backscatter Detectors
    Publication number: 20150078519
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    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: 20150071399
    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: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Drive-through scanning systems
    Patent number: 8971485
    Abstract: A drive-through scanning system comprises a radiation generating system arranged to generate radiation at two different energy levels and direct the radiation towards a scanning volume, detectors arranged to detect the radiation after it has passed through the scanning volume, and a controller arranged to identify a part of a vehicle within the scanning volume, to allocate the part of the vehicle to one of several categories, and to control the radiation generating system and to select one or more of the energy levels depending on the category to which the part of the vehicle is allocated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Data collection, processing and storage systems for X-ray tomographic images
    Patent number: 8958526
    Abstract: The present specification discloses an X-ray scanning system for scanning an object. The processing system has processors adapted to receive X-ray tomographic image data and extract parameters from the data, where the parameters include constant grey level, texture or statistics. The processing system also includes processors for executing decision trees, where the processors receive the parameters and construct information using the parameters and processors for conducting a database search, where the database search maps the information to a threat level and allocates the object being scanned to a safety category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • X-Ray Scanning System
    Publication number: 20150043707
    Abstract: This specification discloses methods and systems for generating a stereo image of an object that is positioned within an imaging volume. The object is positioned within the imaging volume. Two stationary X-ray source points are selected and activated. X-rays from both stationary X-ray source points are transmitted through the object being scanned and detected using detector elements positioned across the imaging volume and opposite the stationary X-ray source points. Image data sets from the X-rays detected by the detector elements are generated and then combined to produce the stereo image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Scanner Systems
    Publication number: 20150036798
    Abstract: A crane including support means arranged to support a load and to move the load along a path, and a scanner including a radiation source and radiation detection means arranged to scan a scanning volume. The path is arranged to pass through the scanning volume so that the scanner can scan the load as it moves along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Four-sided imaging system and method for detection of contraband
    Patent number: 8929509
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Andreas F. Kotowski
  • Covert surveillance using multi-modality sensing
    Patent number: 8908831
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton