Patents by Inventor Herbert Gebele

Herbert Gebele 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: 7186997
    Abstract: A device and a method for reading out information stored in a storage layer (15), and an X-ray cassette are proposed which make use for the purpose of erasing information stored in the storage layer (15) of an erasing means (11, 12, 14) which generates an erasure radiation (17). This erasure radiation (17) can have both a first and a second intensity, the first intensity being larger than the second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Jurgen Muller, Hans Schaller, Werner Stahl
  • Patent number: 7170079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading out information items stored in a phosphor layer, in which the phosphor layer is excited to emit emission light and the emission light is sensed by a detector and the detector is moved relative to the phosphor layer. During this process, the detector consecutively senses the emission light emitted in each case by individual regions of the phosphor layer. To reduce the dark noise and the movement blur, provision is made that the detector senses the emission light emitted by a region during an integration time that is less than a forward-travel time for the movement of the detector by the width of the region in the forward-travel direction (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fasbender, Herbert Gebele, Michael Weinberger
  • Patent number: 7109496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage layer (4) for storing x-ray information, comprising a large number of needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L) for guiding light radiation (17 to 28, 30 to 35). An absorption zone (14A to 14N), which contains absorption material for absorbing light radiation (17 to 23, 30 to 35, 39) lies between the individual needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L) and absorbs less than all of the light radiation that it receives. The invention also relates to a device for reading x-ray information from a storage layer of this type and to an x-ray cassette which has a device of this type for reading x-ray information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Hans Schaller, Robert Fasbender
  • Patent number: 6858861
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading information stored in a memory phosphor has a detecting device with an array of radiation-sensitive surface segments which during a pre-settable integration time interval receive a secondary radiation emitted by the memory phosphor. The apparatus includes a controller device that sets the integration time interval dependent on an amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time. The controller device can also connect the radiation-sensitive surface segments into groups whose size depends on the amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Jurgen Muller, Robert Fasbender
  • Publication number: 20050035316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading out information items stored in a phosphor layer, in which the phosphor layer is excited to emit emission light and the emission light is sensed by a detector and the detector is moved relative to the phosphor layer. During this process, the detector consecutively senses the emission light emitted in each case by individual regions of the phosphor layer. To reduce the dark noise and the movement blur, provision is made that the detector senses the emission light emitted by a region during an integration time that is less than a forward-travel time for the movement of the detector by the width of the region in the forward-travel direction (V).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Fasbender, Herbert Gebele, Michael Weinberger
  • Patent number: 6703636
    Abstract: A device for reading out information stored in a storage layer (10), which facilitates a good reproduction quality of this information stored in the storage layer (10). The device (1) includes a radiation source (2) for emitting stimulation radiation (20). Using this stimulation radiation (20), the storage layer (10) is stimulated to emit an emission radiation that corresponds to the information stored in the storage layer (10). The device (1) further includes a receiving device (3) to receive this emission radiation emitted by the storage layer (10). A distance device (30, 56) for setting a pre-specified distance (28, 59) is located between the receiving device (3) and the storage layer (10). A drive device imparts relative movement in a transport direction (A) between the radiation source (2) and the receiving device (3), on one hand, and the storage layer (10) on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Juergen Mueller, Werner Stahl
  • Publication number: 20040041099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage layer (4) for storing x-ray information, comprising a large number of needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L) for guiding light radiation (17 to 28, 30 to 36, 39). An absorption zone (14A to 14N), which contains absorption material for absorbing light radiation (17 to 23, 30 to 35, 39) lies between the individual needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L). The invention also relates to a device for reading x-ray information from a storage layer of this type and to an x-ray cassette which has a device of this type for reading x-ray information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Hans Schaller, Robert Fasbender
  • Patent number: 6642535
    Abstract: An X-Ray cassette (1) and a device (10) for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) are disclosed. This device (10) contains a radiation source (11) to excite a row (34) of the memory layer (15). The row (34) emits an emission radiation (17) because of this excitation. The device (10) based on the invention contains a receptor (12) to receive the emission radiation (17). The receptor (12) includes a number of light-sensitive surfaces (18) that are arranged in adjacent rows. According to the invention, the dimension of the light-sensitive surfaces (18) of the receptor (12) arranged perpendicular to the orientation (A) of the rows (34) is greater than that oriented along the row direction (B). Alternatively or additionally, the device can include an optical projector (14) by means of which the emission radiation (17) is projected onto the receptor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Robert Fasbender, Martin Lind, Juergen Mueller, Georg Reiser
  • Publication number: 20030111620
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading information stored in a memory phosphor has a detecting device with an array of radiation-sensitive surface segments which during a pre-settable integration time interval receive a secondary radiation emitted by the memory phosphor. The apparatus includes a controller device that sets the integration time interval dependent on an amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time. The controller device can also connect the radiation-sensitive surface segments into groups whose size depends on the amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Jurgen Muller, Robert Fasbender
  • Publication number: 20030057389
    Abstract: A device and a method for reading out information stored in a storage layer (15), and an X-ray cassette are proposed which make use for the purpose of erasing information stored in the storage layer (15) of an erasing means (11, 12, 14) which generates an erasure radiation (17). This erasure radiation (17) can have both a first and a second intensity, the first intensity being larger than the second intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Jurgen Muller, Hans Schaller, Werner Stahl
  • Patent number: 6507039
    Abstract: Apparatus for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) which includes a shielding device (22), and an X-ray cassette and an X-ray table for use with the apparatus, are disclosed. The shielding device (22) serves to shield a reader device (10) from an information recording beam (25). The reader device (10) includes a receptor (12) to receive emission radiation (17) that contains an image of the information recorded in the memory layer (15). Instead of the shielding device (22), it is also possible to provide a converter (29) that serves to convert an information-recording beam (25) into converted radiation (28) that possesses less energy than the information recording beam (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Juergen Mueller, Hans Schaller
  • Patent number: 6373074
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10,60) for reading out information stored in a phosphor carrier (15) and to an X-ray cassette (70) which contains the phosphor carrier (15) and such a device. The inventive device (10,60) has a radiation source (11;20, . . . ,29,30 . . . 39; 50,53;61) that can emit a first radiation source (16) with which the phosphor carrier (15) can be exited such that the carrier emits a second radiation (17). This second radiation (17) comprises an image of the information stored in the phosphor carrier (15). The device (10,60) additionally has a receiving means (12,62) which contains a number of point elements (PD1, . . . PDn) in order to receive the second radiation (17) emitted from the phosphor carrier (15) in a point-by-point manner. The second radiation of a point of the phosphor carrier (15) can thus be received by each one of the point elements (PD1, . . . ,PDn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Fevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Mueller, Herbert Gebele, Thomas Zehetmaier, Ralph Thoma
  • Patent number: 6369402
    Abstract: A device (1) and a method for reading information stored in a phosphor layer (10) is disclosed. The device (1) includes a transparent carrier material (9) on which the phosphor layer (10) to be read is disposed. A radiation source (2) emits an excitation radiation (20) to excite the phosphor layer (10), which in turn emits an emission radiation (26). The emission radiation (26) can be received by a receiver (3). The radiation source (2) is arranged on one side of the transparent carrier material (9), whereas the receiver (3) is arranged on the other side of the transparent carrier material (9), thereby defining an optical path between the radiation source (2) and the receiver (3). According to the invention, a reflective layer (21, 22; 30, 31, 32) for reflecting at least a portion of the excitation radiation (20) is arranged in the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Paul Leblans, Jürgen Müller, Ralph Thoma
  • Patent number: 6325474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for writing on thermographic material (5). The inventive device (1) comprises a heater (20) with which the thermographic material (5) is preheated to a temperature, which is lower than a writing temperature. The thermographic material (5) can be written on with a writing instrument (10) which is distanced from the thermographic material (5) after input of an information signal (s(t)). The writing instrument (10) has a plurality of individually controllable point sources (30-33; 51-53). The thermographic material (5) can be written on in a point-by-point manner with said point sources (30-33; 51-53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: AGFA Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Betzold, Leo Oelbrandt, Friedrich Stumpf, Thomas Zehetmaier, Ivan Hoogmartens, Luc Leenders, Hans Strijckers, Herbert Gebele, Franz Kappeler
  • Publication number: 20010006221
    Abstract: Apparatus for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) which includes a shielding device (22), and an X-ray cassette and an X-ray table for use with the apparatus, are disclosed. The shielding device (22) serves to shield a reader device (10) from an information recording beam (25). The reader device (10) includes a receptor (12) to receive emission radiation (17) that contains an image of the information recorded in the memory layer (15). Instead of the shielding device (22), it is also possible to provide a converter (29) that serves to convert an information-recording beam (25) into converted radiation (28) that possesses less energy than the information recording beam (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Juergen Mueller, Hans Schaller
  • Publication number: 20010006222
    Abstract: An X-Ray cassette (1) and a device (10) for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) are disclosed. This device (10) contains a radiation source (11) to excite a row (34) of the memory layer (15). The row (34) emits an emission radiation (17) because of this excitation. The device (10) based on the invention contains a receptor (12) to receive the emission radiation (17). The receptor (12) includes a number of light-sensitive surfaces (18) that are arranged in adjacent rows. According to the invention, the dimension of the light-sensitive surfaces (18) of the receptor (12) arranged perpendicular to the orientation (A) of the rows (34) is greater than that oriented along the row direction (B). Alternatively or additionally, the device can include an optical projector (14) by means of which the emission radiation (17) is projected onto the receptor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Robert Fasbender, Martin Lind, Juergen Mueller, Georg Reiser
  • Patent number: 4791282
    Abstract: An X-ray film cassette has on its top a triangular bar code field readable by a bar code reader of an automatic film sheet charging and discharging apparatus. The bar code field is in the form of an isosceles right triangle whose hypothenuse faces a reference corner and whose legs extend parallel to edges of the cassettes. The bars of the code extend parallel to the hypothenuse. An optical axis of the bar code reader, when the cassette is in its end position in the apparatus, intersects a vertex area formed by the legs of the triangle. This arrangement guarantees that its bar codes on cassettes of small format, even if misaligned in the feeding direction, are reliably read by the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: AGFA- GEVAERT AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schmidt, Herbert Gebele
  • Patent number: 4783588
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic charging and discharging an X-ray film sheet into a cassette includes a bar code reader having an illumination device and a rotary scanning mirror. The cassette is provided on its top with a bar code label which irrespective of the format of the cassette is always located at a fixed distance from a leading edge and from a lateral guiding edge of the cassette. The cassette is insertable into an intake compartment and only after the cassette reaches an end position in the compartment a limit switch activates the scanning mirror and the illumination device of the reader, thus eliminating reading errors when reading bar codes on cassettes of different formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schmidt, Herbert Gebele