Patents by Inventor Kenneth Scott Kump

Kenneth Scott Kump 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: 9629591
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller and to send the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device for processing and image preview. The source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 9101316
    Abstract: A portable detector for use with an imaging system is disclosed. The portable detector automatically sets one or more operational states based on at least a determination as to whether the portable detector is connected to external power. An imaging system is also disclosed that ascertains whether the portable detector is connected via a tether. The imaging system may perform a compatibility check when connected to the portable detector to assess compatibility between the imaging system and the portable detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Kenneth Scott Kump, Gireesha C. Rao, Francisco Ruiz Gomez, Xianfeng Ni, Rowland Frederick Saunders
  • Patent number: 8768035
    Abstract: A method for processing X-ray image data includes exposing a digital detector to X-ray radiation. The method also includes sampling data via the digital detector including X-ray image data and offset image data. The method further includes calculating an average offset image without prior knowledge of a total number of offset image frames sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8576986
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes in a digital X-ray detector including an array of discrete picture elements each including a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements. The method also includes preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage. The method further includes receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source. The method yet further includes sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20130136235
    Abstract: A portable detector for use with an imaging system is disclosed. The portable detector automatically sets one or more operational states based on at least a determination as to whether the portable detector is connected to external power. An imaging system is also disclosed that ascertains whether the portable detector is connected via a tether. The imaging system may perform a compatibility check when connected to the portable detector to assess compatibility between the imaging system and the portable detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Kenneth Scott Kump, Gireesha C. Rao, Francisco Ruiz Gomez, Xianfeng Ni, Rowland Frederick Saunders
  • Patent number: 8421014
    Abstract: A portable x-ray detector is disclosed that includes an x-ray detecting member and a user removable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding member. The user removable EMI shielding member is positioned to at least partially magnetically shield the x-ray detecting member of the portable x-ray detector by redirecting an impinging magnetic field around the x-ray detecting member. The user removable EMI shielding member includes a first magnetic shielding layer, a second magnetic shielding layer, and an intervening material, other than the x-ray detecting member, between the first magnetic shielding layer and the second magnetic shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Kenneth Scott Kump, Habib Vafi
  • Patent number: 8396188
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120275678
    Abstract: A method for processing X-ray image data includes exposing a digital detector to X-ray radiation. The method also includes sampling data via the digital detector including X-ray image data and offset image data. The method further includes calculating an average offset image without prior knowledge of a total number of offset image frames sampled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189099
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189100
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes in a digital X-ray detector including an array of discrete picture elements each including a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements. The method also includes preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage. The method further includes receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source. The method yet further includes sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Publication number: 20120189098
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller and to send the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device for processing and image preview. The source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8217358
    Abstract: A system and method for eliminating image artifacts caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) on a digital x-ray detector. The system and method includes a digital x-ray detector panel having an array of pixels in rows and columns, with a plurality of data lines coupled to the columns of pixels and a plurality of scan lines coupled to the rows of pixels. The system and method uses certain photodiodes in a row of the pixel array for measuring EMI with corresponding scan line and FETs deactivated and eliminating the EMI and image artifacts with the remaining photodiodes in the row with corresponding scan line and FETs activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Feng Gao, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Publication number: 20110233417
    Abstract: A portable x-ray detector is disclosed that includes an x-ray detecting member and a user removable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding member. The user removable EMI shielding member is positioned to at least partially magnetically shield the x-ray detecting member of the portable x-ray detector by redirecting an impinging magnetic field around the x-ray detecting member. The user removable EMI shielding member includes a first magnetic shielding layer, a second magnetic shielding layer, and an intervening material, other than the x-ray detecting member, between the first magnetic shielding layer and the second magnetic shielding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Kenneth Scott Kump, Habib Vafi
  • Patent number: 7973288
    Abstract: A method includes purposefully electromagnetically shielding a portable x-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Kenneth Scott Kump, Habib Vafi
  • Publication number: 20110139993
    Abstract: A system and method for eliminating image artifacts caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) on a digital x-ray detector. The system and method includes a digital x-ray detector panel having an array of pixels in rows and columns, with a plurality of data lines coupled to the columns of pixels and a plurality of scan lines coupled to the rows of pixels. The system and method uses certain photodiodes in a row of the pixel array for measuring EMI with corresponding scan line and FETs deactivated and eliminating the EMI and image artifacts with the remaining photodiodes in the row with corresponding scan line and FETs activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Feng Gao, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Publication number: 20100316194
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a shock absorber. The shock absorber comprising a frame having three sides, namely a first side, a second side and a third side. The first side is contiguous with the second side, which is contiguous with the third side. Further, the first side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the second side and the second side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the third side. The frame is different from a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: MICHAEL JOHN UTSCHIG, KENNETH SCOTT KUMP
  • Patent number: 7807977
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, row-correlated noise of a digital X-ray detector is monitored during idle operation of the digital X-ray detector and the magnitude of the row-correlated noise is compared to a visible threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ping Xue, James Zhengshe Liu, Chuande Liu, Scott William Petrick, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Patent number: 7798476
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a shock absorber. The shock absorber comprising a frame having three sides, namely a first side, a second side and a third side. The first side is contiguous with the second side, which is contiguous with the third side. Further, the first side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the second side and the second side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the third side. The frame is different from a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Utschig, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Patent number: 7745797
    Abstract: A digital radiography imaging system having a digital x-ray detector that is easy to manufacture and produces high quality images with no artifacts. The digital x-ray detector including a front cover, a scintillator screen member, a light imager panel member having a surface in direct contact with an adjoining surface of the scintillator screen member, a compressible member positioned between the front cover and the scintillator screen member to apply pressure to the scintillator screen member and the adjoining surface between the scintillator screen member and the light imager panel member, electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and coupled to the light imager panel, a back cover, and a plurality of fasteners for fastening the front cover to the back cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Chen Zhang, Habib Vafi, Zhimin Sun, Kenneth Scott Kump, Clifford Bueno, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III
  • Patent number: 7649979
    Abstract: The effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) on X-ray image data is corrected by characterizing the EMI and processing the image data to subtract the EMI effects from the image data. The X-ray image data, along with offset data, are collected in a conventional manner, affected by EMI if present, and EMI-characterizing data is immediately collected thereafter by disabling rows of a digital detector (FET off). The EMI-characterizing data, then, is not affected by the presence of image data, and can be used to characterize the amplitude and frequency of the EMI. The EMI-characterizing data is assured of being in phase with the collected image and offset data due to its collection in the same image acquisition sequence immediately following the collection of image and offset data. Artifacts due to the presence of EMI are thus eliminated from reconstructed images based upon the corrected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Tiantian Zhang, Kenneth Scott Kump, Jingyi Liang, Chuande Liu, Kadri Nizar Jabri