Patents by Inventor Eric Bourbeau

Eric Bourbeau 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).

  • Patent number: 9170212
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. Generally, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In some examples presented, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle and an estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product, the length of the path being derived in part based on the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: OPTOSECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, Dan Gudmundson, Eric Bourbeau
  • Publication number: 20140321729
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product and conveying attenuation information is received. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle. In another aspect, a simulation engine for simulating interactions between X-rays and objects is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Dan GUDMUNDSON, Eric BOURBEAU, Luc PERRON
  • Patent number: 8867816
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product, where the liquid product is comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. In accordance with a broad aspect, the level of fill is used as a factor in the determination of the threat status of the liquid product. In accordance with another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In accordance with yet another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle. An estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is derived in part based on the location information and is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Optosecurity Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, Dan Gudmundson, Eric Bourbeau
  • Patent number: 8831331
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data associated with the product is received, the X-ray image data being derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product using an X-ray imaging apparatus and conveying attenuation information resulting from interaction of X-rays with the product. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. Information conveying the derived characteristic of the product is then released. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic of the liquid product is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Optosecurity Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Gudmundson, Eric Bourbeau, Luc Perron
  • Publication number: 20140211980
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. Generally, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In some examples presented, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle and an estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product, the length of the path being derived in part based on the location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: OPTOSECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Michel BOUCHARD, Dan GUDMUNDSON, Eric BOURBEAU
  • Publication number: 20110172972
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for determining if a liquid product comprising a container which holds a body of liquid is a security threat. Attenuation data conveying information about attenuation of X-rays resulting from interaction of X-rays with the body of liquid is derived by scanning the liquid product with X-rays. Container characterization data is then processed to derive path length data indicative of an approximate length of a path followed by X-rays through the body of liquid and that interact with the body of liquid. The security threat of a liquid product is determined by processing the path length data and the attenuation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: OPTOSECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Dan Gudmundson, Steve Godbout, Eric Bourbeau
  • Publication number: 20110051996
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data associated with the product is received, the X-ray image data being derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product using an X-ray imaging apparatus and conveying attenuation information resulting from interaction of X-rays with the product. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. Information conveying the derived characteristic of the product is then released. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic of the liquid product is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: OPTOSECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Dan Gudmundson, Eric Bourbeau, Luc Perron
  • Publication number: 20100208972
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product, where the liquid product is comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. In accordance with a broad aspect, the level of fill is used as a factor in the determination of the threat status of the liquid product. In accordance with another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In accordance with yet another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle. An estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is derived in part based on the location information and is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: OPTOSECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, Dan Gudmundson, Eric Bourbeau