Patents by Inventor Kevin Harkins

Kevin Harkins 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: 20230251340
    Abstract: Accurate measurement of gradient waveform errors can often improve image quality in sequences with time varying readout and excitation waveforms. Self-encoding or offset-slice method sequences are commonly used to measure gradient waveforms. However, the self-encoding method requires a long scan time, while the offset-slice method is often low precision, requiring the thickness of the excited slice to be small compared to the maximal k-space encoded by the test waveform. This disclosure describes a novel hybrid of those methods, referred to as variable-prephasing (VP). Like the offset-slice method, VP uses the change in signal phase from offset-slices to calculate the gradient waveform. Similar to the self-encoding method, repeated acquisitions with a variable amplitude self-encoding gradient mitigates the signal loss due to phase wrapping, which, in-turn, allows thicker slices and greater SNR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Harkins, Mark D. Does
  • Publication number: 20100138474
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-aided method and system for creating an integrated interactive competencies-based personnel information system for personnel managers to use in recruitment and hiring, professional development and training and employee evaluation. The system generates a toolbox which consists of a job advertisement tool, a screening tool, an interview guide tool, a professional development tool, and an evaluation tool. All of these tools use information on the competencies required by position in a particular business establishment. The system also produces a hiring guide that takes users step-by-step through the recruitment and hiring process, including easy-to-follow directions and sample forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Harkins, Kenneth Kyle Moore