Patents by Inventor Forrest Frank Hopkins

Forrest Frank Hopkins 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).

  • Publication number: 20090147922
    Abstract: A multi-energy imaging system and method for selectively generating high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-ray beams are described. A pair of optic devices are used, one optic device being formed to emit high X-ray energies and the other optic device being formed to emit low X-ray energies. A selective filtering mechanism is used to filter the high X-ray energies from the low X-ray energies. The optic devices have at least a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Susanne Madeline Lee, Peter Michael Edic
  • Patent number: 7522756
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Walter Vincent Dixon, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Michael Robert Hopple, Brian Walter Lasiuk, Ronald Cecil McFarland, August David Matula, Robert James Mitchell, Jr., Kevin Layne Moermond, Gregory Alan Mohr
  • Patent number: 7508911
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system is provided that includes a target for emitting X-rays and having at least one target focal spot, and an array of multilayer optic devices for transmitting X-rays through total internal reflection. The array of multilayer optics devices are in optical communication with the at least one target focal spot. Further, a method for imaging an object with an X-ray imaging machine is provided. Also, a method for forming a stack of multilayer optic devices is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Peter Michael Edic
  • Publication number: 20090074146
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system is provided that includes a target for emitting X-rays and having at least one target focal spot, and an array of multilayer optic devices for transmitting X-rays through total internal reflection. The array of multilayer optics devices are in optical communication with the at least one target focal spot. Further, a method for imaging an object with an X-ray imaging machine is provided. Also, a method for forming a stack of multilayer optic devices is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Peter Michael Edic
  • Patent number: 7492855
    Abstract: A system and method for ascertaining the identity of an object within an enclosed article. The system includes an acquisition subsystem utilizing a stationary radiation source and detector, a reconstruction subsystem, a computer-aided detection (CAD) subsystem, and a 2D/3D visualization subsystem. The detector may be an energy discriminating detector. The acquisition subsystem communicates view data to the reconstruction subsystem, which reconstructs it into image data and communicates it to the CAD subsystem. The CAD subsystem analyzes the image data to ascertain whether it contains any area of interest. Any such area of interest data is sent to the reconstruction subsystem for further reconstruction, using more rigorous algorithms and further analyzed by the CAD subsystem. Other information, such as risk variables or trace chemical detection information may be communicated to the CAD subsystem to be included in its analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Peter Michael Edic, Samit Kumar Basu, Bruno De Man, James Walter Leblanc, Xiaoye Wu, Deborah Joy Walter, William Robert Ross, Colin Richard Wilson, Ricardo Scott Avila, Robert August Kaucic, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7483511
    Abstract: A method of determining a presence of items of interest within a cargo container is disclosed. The method includes obtaining information from an initial radiation scan of at least one of the cargo container and contents therein, identifying a target portion of the cargo container in response to the information obtained, transmitting a target radiation beam along the target portion of the cargo container, and detecting radiation received in response to the transmitting. The method further includes analyzing the detected radiation for a presence of items of interest, and in response to the analyzing, generating a first signal indicative of the presence of the items of interest, or generating a second signal indicative of an absence of the items of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, William Joseph Kelly, Forrest Frank Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20090010605
    Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: SUSANNE MADELINE LEE, FORREST FRANK HOPKINS
  • Publication number: 20090003514
    Abstract: An integrated, multi-sensor, Level 1 screening device is described, which system provides a next-generation Explosives Detection System (EDS) that enables high throughput, while drastically reducing false alarms. In exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a non-rotational, Computed Tomography (CT) system and a non-translational, X-ray diffraction (XRD) system, both in an inline configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Mark E. Vermilyea, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Geoffrey Harding, Pierfrancesco Landolfi
  • Publication number: 20080298545
    Abstract: A cargo container inspection radiation detector apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support, and a plurality of area radiation detectors disposed upon the support arranged corresponding to a height of the cargo container, each area radiation detector comprising an active area defined by a matrix of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Joseph Bendahan, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, William Robert Ross, Donald Earl Castleberry, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Douglas Albagli
  • Publication number: 20080298546
    Abstract: A method of improving a signal to noise ratio of an image data set of a cargo container is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a radiation beam toward the cargo container, detecting the transmitted radiation beam via a plurality of area radiation detectors, each area radiation detector comprising an active area defined by a matrix of pixels, thereby defining enhanced radiation data, processing the enhanced radiation data and reconstructing the image data set representative of contents of the cargo container, combining image attributes of the image data set to improve the signal to noise ratio, thereby defining an enhanced image data set, and displaying on a display the enhanced image data set comprising an improved signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Joseph Bendahan, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, William Robert Ross, Donald Earl Castleberry, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Douglas Albagli, Robert August Kaucic, Jr., William Macomber Leue
  • Publication number: 20080219532
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image. The method comprises identifying one or more contours or surfaces in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image generated from a set of projection data. The set of projection data is differentially processed based on the identification of those data points that largely define one or more contours or surfaces. An enhanced image set is reconstructed from the set of processed projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Peter Michael Edic
  • Patent number: 7412131
    Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Forrest Frank Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20080159484
    Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: SUSANNE MADELINE LEE, FORREST FRANK HOPKINS
  • Publication number: 20080159707
    Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: SUSANNE MADELINE LEE, FORREST FRANK HOPKINS
  • Patent number: 7366374
    Abstract: An optic device, system and method for imaging are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property, the solid phase layers being situated between an output face and a non-flat input face. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The imaging system includes a source of electrons and a target, with an array of the optic devices coupled thereto to form limited cone beams of X-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Peter Michael Edic, Joseph John Manak, William Eugene Powell, III
  • Publication number: 20070280416
    Abstract: A method of determining a presence of items of interest within a cargo container is disclosed. The method includes obtaining information from an initial radiation scan of at least one of the cargo container and contents therein, identifying a target portion of the cargo container in response to the information obtained, transmitting a target radiation beam along the target portion of the cargo container, and detecting radiation received in response to the transmitting. The method further includes analyzing the detected radiation for a presence of items of interest, and in response to the analyzing, generating a first signal indicative of the presence of the items of interest, or generating a second signal indicative of an absence of the items of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, William Joseph Kelly, Forrest Frank Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7236564
    Abstract: A linear array detector (LAD) for scanning an object is provided. The detector includes a scintillator layer configured for generating a number of optical signals representative of a fraction of an incident X-ray beam passing through the object. The plane of the scintillator is parallel to the X-ray beam. The LAD further includes a two dimensional array of photo-conversion elements configured to receive several X-rays of the X-ray beams and configured to generate corresponding electrical signals. An arrangement of the photo-conversion elements is independent of the X-ray paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Andrew Joseph Galish, William Robert Ross
  • Patent number: 7218706
    Abstract: An energy discrimination radiography system includes at least one radiation source configured to alternately irradiate a component with radiation characterized by at least two energy spectra, where the component has a number of constituents. At least one radiation detector is configured to receive radiation passing through the component and a computer is operationally coupled to the detector. The computer is configured to receive data corresponding to each of the energy spectra for a scan of the component, process the data to generate a multi-energy data set, and decompose the multi-energy data set to generate material characterization images in substantially real time. A method for inspecting the component includes irradiating the component, receiving a data stream of energy discriminated data, processing the energy discriminated data, to generate a multi-energy data set, and decomposing the multi-energy data set, to generate material characterization images in substantially real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Walter Vincent Dixon, Clifford Bueno, Yanfeng Du, Gregory Alan Mohr, Paul Francis Fitzgerald, Thomas William Birdwell
  • Patent number: 7215732
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing image data from measured sinogram data acquired from a CT system is provided. The CT system is configured for industrial imaging. The method includes pre-processing the measured sinogram data. The pre-processing includes performing a beam hardening correction on the measured sinogram data and performing a detector point spread function (PSF) correction and a detector lag correction on the measured sinogram data. The pre-processed sinogram data is reconstructed to generate the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhye Yin, Jong Chul Ye, Francis Howard Little, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Michael Chunhe Gong, Yanfeng Du
  • Patent number: 7214947
    Abstract: A detector assembly including a radiation conversion layer directly coupled to a pixel array is provided. The radiation conversion layer is adapted to receive radiation passing through an object. The pixel array is adapted for receiving one of a plurality of signals representative of the radiation passing through the object or the corresponding optical signals from an optional intermediate light production layer and further configured for generating a corresponding image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Scott Stephen Zelakiewicz, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III