Patents by Inventor Min Kao

Min Kao 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: 8604440
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
  • Patent number: 8605975
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data (including exterior and interior data) generated from divergent beams. In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus iteratively constrains the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. As one example, a divergent beam maybe used to generate data (“actual data”). As discussed above, the actual data may be less than sufficient to exactly reconstruct the image by conventional techniques, such as FBP. In order to reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Patent number: 8374555
    Abstract: A method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method includes the following steps. An initial location of the RFID tag (or a tagged product) is set to obtain an initial vector. The RFID tag and the antenna are respectively rotated with a first axis and a second axis to detect characteristics of the RFID tag in all directions, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. A polarization angle of the RFID tag is calculated according to the initial vector of the RFID tag and a location of the RFID tag after rotation. A compensation value is obtained through a look up table according to the polarization angle, so as to compensate for the axial ratio of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Kao Hong, Po-Kuang Chang, Shang-Sian You
  • Publication number: 20120215090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20120157006
    Abstract: A method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method includes the following steps. An initial location of the RFID tag (or a tagged product) is set to obtain an initial vector. The RFID tag and the antenna are respectively rotated with a first axis and a second axis to detect characteristics of the RFID tag in all directions, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. A polarization angle of the RFID tag is calculated according to the initial vector of the RFID tag and a location of the RFID tag after rotation. A compensation value is obtained through a look up table according to the polarization angle, so as to compensate for the axial ratio of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Min-Kao Hong, Po-Kuang Chang, Shang-Sian You
  • Publication number: 20120154122
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of radio frequency (RF) testing are provided. The present method includes the following steps. A receiver and a transmitting antenna of a transmitter are controlled to move towards a direction, wherein the transmitter transmits a wireless signal to the receiver through the transmitting antenna. A specific power is measured every time when one of a plurality of predetermined sampling points is reached. In the foregoing moving and measuring steps, the relative distance and relative azimuth angle between the receiver and the transmitting antenna remain unchanged, and the frequency of the wireless signal also remains unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Min-Kao Hong, Po-Kuang Chang, Shang-Sian You, Kuo-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 8121245
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20110220802
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang
  • Publication number: 20110170757
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20110044546
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data (including exterior and interior data) generated from divergent beams. In one aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus iteratively constrains the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. As one example, a divergent beam maybe used to generate data (“actual data”). As discussed above, the actual data may be less than sufficient to exactly reconstruct the image by conventional techniques, such as FBP. In order to reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Publication number: 20100184483
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device including a data input module, a database and a display unit is provided. The data input module includes an image fetching unit and a pattern recognition unit. The image fetching unit is for fetching a pattern of an external object to produce image data. The pattern recognition unit is for transferring the image data to input data. The database is for storing several storage data items. Each storage data item has subject information. When the input data is related to one of the storage data items, the display unit is for displaying navigation information generated according to the subject information of the related storage data item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Min Kao, Qi Liu
  • Publication number: 20100125713
    Abstract: A data backup method is applicable to a cell phone with a data to be backed up stored therein. In the method, a timing instruction is first received to calculate a predetermined time period. Then, it is determined uninterruptedly whether the predetermined time period has elapsed. When the predetermined time period has elapsed, the data to be backed up is stored in a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: INVENTEC APPLIANCES CORP.
    Inventors: Tao-Jun WU, Steve CHANG, Yi-Min KAO
  • Publication number: 20090175562
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Publication number: 20090171786
    Abstract: An advertisement apparatus including a controller, a display panel, a reader and a tag is provided. The controller is suitable for receiving advertising content information and tag information corresponding to the advertising information simultaneously. The display panel is suitable for receiving the advertising information from the controller and displaying the same. The reader is suitable for receiving the tag information from the controller and writing the same to the tag. Thus, a user may read the tag information stored in the tag via a portable device to get the message related to the advertising information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chie-Chung Kuo, Po-Kuang Chang, Jeng-Nan Wu, Min-Kao Hong
  • Patent number: 7528712
    Abstract: A system for testing RFID devices is introduced. The system includes a carrier plate configured for carrying an RFID device, a cable configured for supporting the carrier plate, a pulley apparatus configured for transporting the carrier plate along the cable, and a controller configured for adjusting test parameters in testing the RFID device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Kao Hong, Hsin-Teng Lin, Shao-Wei Chung, Yu-Ying Huang, Jen-Chao Lu, Li-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 7518678
    Abstract: A sub-pixel of a liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. A color filter layer is formed on the first substrate and includes a first photoresist formed on a transparent region and a reflective region of the sub-pixel for blocking light of wavelengths outside a first range, a second photoresist formed on the reflective region of the sub-pixel for blocking light of wavelengths outside a second range that is different from the first range, and an intermediate area formed between and free of the first and second photoresists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yang-Min Kao, Chao-Lien Lin, Cheng-Jen Chu
  • Patent number: 7444011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest (ROI) for an object using an imaging system is provided. The imaging system may substantially exactly reconstruct the ROI with a straight line trajectory. In the straight line trajectory, the ROI is not bounded or encircled by the actual trajectory of the source (e.g., no chords that are composed from two points on the source trajectory intersect or fill the ROI to be imaged). However, the ROI may be substantially reconstructed by using “virtual” chords to reconstruct the ROI. The virtual chords are such that no point on the trajectory is included in the virtual chord (such as one that is parallel to the straight line trajectory). These virtual chords may intersect and fill the ROI, thus enabling substantially exact reconstruction. Further, in reconstructing the image, the straight line trajectory may be assumed to be infinite in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Pan, Yu Zou, Lifeng Yu, Chien-Min Kao, Martin King, Maryellen Giger, Dan Xia, Howard Halpern, Charles Pelizzari, Emil Y. Sidky, Seungryong Cho
  • Patent number: 7359189
    Abstract: An electronic device has a removable module installed inside. The removable module includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adjacent to the second surface. At least one first fastener is disposed on the first surface. At least one second fastener is disposed on the second surface. A printed circuit board and at least one track are installed in the housing. At least one rail has at least one third fastener and fourth fastener. The third fastener is inserted into the first fastener. The fourth fastener is inserted into the second fastener. The rail is disposed between the track and the removable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Lin-Hsu Chiang, Shih-Kun Chou, Pi-Min Kao
  • Patent number: 7342232
    Abstract: A device and method used in the high resolution Positron Emission Tomography (PET) systems for digitizing radiation events for a scintillation camera and a data acquisition system. The device comprises a scintillation digitizer, including a plurality of comparators and amplifiers, two ADCs, and an analyzer for resolving the digital values of radiation events. The method comprises comparing a plurality of analog electric pulses generated upon radiation event detections with a reference voltage corresponding to an energy level of interest, amplifying all of the signals with two groups of coefficients, summing the two groups of amplified signals, digitizing the summed signals, and analyzing the digitized sums to determine digital values corresponding to a plurality of the radiation events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: National Health Research Institutes
    Inventors: Qingguo Xie, Chien-Min Kao, Zekai Hsiau, Chin-Tu Chen
  • Publication number: 20070279212
    Abstract: A system for testing RFID devices is introduced. The system includes a carrier plate configured for carrying an RFID device, a cable configured for supporting the carrier plate, a pulley apparatus configured for transporting the carrier plate along the cable, and a controller configured for adjusting test parameters in testing the RFID device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Min-Kao Hong, Hsin-Teng Lin, Shao-Wei Chung, Yu-Ying Huang, Jen-Chao Lu, Li-Huei Chen