Patents by Inventor Tobias Funk

Tobias Funk 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: 9859785
    Abstract: A device including a first and second monitoring unit, the first monitoring unit detecting a first voltage potential and the second monitoring unit detecting a second voltage potential, the monitoring units comparing the first voltage potential and the second voltage potential to the value of the supply voltage and activate a control unit as a function of the comparisons, the control unit determining a switching point in time of a second power transistor, and an arrangement being present which generates current when the second power transistor is being switched on, the current changing the first voltage potential, and the control unit activates a first power transistor when the first voltage potential has the same value as the supply voltage, so that the first power transistor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Juergen Wittmann, Bernhard Wicht
  • Patent number: 9784696
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9766197
    Abstract: Device and methods for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device and methods being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest from a biological by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. An electrochemically active agent that is suitable for use in biological buffers for changing the pH of the biological buffers. Method for changing the pH of biological buffers using the electrochemically active agents. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provided in a biosensor, analytic methods for more accurately controlling and measuring the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor, and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christopher Johnson, Sam Kavusi, Rajan Gangadharan, Piyush Verma, Aldrich Lau, Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9767935
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9733198
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging wherein a radiation source comprising rows of discrete emissive locations can be positioned such that these rows are angularly offset relative to rows of sensing elements on a radiation sensor. A processor can process and allocate responses of the sensing elements in appropriate memory locations given the angular offset between source and sensor. This manner of allocation can include allocating the responses into data rows associated with unique positions along a direction of columns of discrete emissive locations on the source. Mapping coefficients can be determined that map allocated responses into an image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NOVARAY MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Augustus Percival Lowell, Tobias Funk, Chwen-Yuan Ku, Josh Star-Lack, Edward Gerald Solomon, Winston Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20170177763
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for x-ray ionizing radiation control and ionizing radiation control. A digital representation of an inanimate object is formed. The amount of the radiation at a surface of the inanimate object is simulated. The radiation-matter interaction for a material of the inanimate object is calculated. The amount of energy deposited at a plurality of locations at the inanimate object is calculated. The digital representation of the inanimate object is modified in response to an input from a user and the modified digital representation of the inanimate object is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Salvatore Badali, Tobias Funk
  • Publication number: 20170135666
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Steve Denis Burion, Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Joseph Anthony Heanue, Brian Patrick Wilfley, Augustus Percival Lowell
  • Publication number: 20170110957
    Abstract: A device including a first and second monitoring unit, the first monitoring unit detecting a first voltage potential and the second monitoring unit detecting a second voltage potential, the monitoring units comparing the first voltage potential and the second voltage potential to the value of the supply voltage and activate a control unit as a function of the comparisons, the control unit determining a switching point in time of a second power transistor, and an arrangement being present which generates current when the second power transistor is being switched on, the current changing the first voltage potential, and the control unit activates a first power transistor when the first voltage potential has the same value as the supply voltage, so that the first power transistor is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Juergen Wittmann, Bernhard Wicht
  • Publication number: 20170045464
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9554767
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Steve Denis Burion, Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Joseph Anthony Heanue, Brian Patrick Wilfley, Augustus Percival Lowell
  • Publication number: 20160372227
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9476845
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9439612
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Publication number: 20160166225
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Steve Denis Burion, Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Joseph Anthony Heanue, Brian Patrick Wilfley, Augustus Percival Lowell
  • Publication number: 20160123902
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging wherein a radiation source comprising rows of discrete emissive locations can be positioned such that these rows are angularly offset relative to rows of sensing elements on a radiation sensor. A processor can process and allocate responses of the sensing elements in appropriate memory locations given the angular offset between source and sensor. This manner of allocation can include allocating the responses into data rows associated with unique positions along a direction of columns of discrete emissive locations on the source. Mapping coefficients can be determined that map allocated responses into an image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Augustus Percival Lowell, Tobias Funk, Chwen-Yuan Ku, Josh Star-Lack, Edward Gerald Solomon, Winston Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20160106387
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system utilizes enhanced computing arrays. A plurality of x-ray illumination source positions are utilized to produce x-ray radiation at each of the x-ray illumination source positions and to project x-ray radiation towards an object. A detector detects x-ray radiation from the object and transmits detector images for each of the illumination source positions. A memory buffer stores the detector images from the detector. A graphics processing unit formats the detector images and constructs a complete frame data set with the detector images for each of the illumination source positions. Another graphics processing unit receives the complete frame data set and performs image reconstruction on the complete frame data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: TRIPLE RING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Kahn, Christopher William Ellenor, Tobias Funk, Oleg John Konings
  • Publication number: 20160069823
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Publication number: 20160045175
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: TRIPLE RING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9259194
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging a human patient. A vacuum bell bonded to an X-ray radiation-permeable window that can emit X-ray radiation from a plurality of spots located 1 cm from its edge, a collimator, and a detector are used. A ring of stationary X-ray sources can also be used with a stationary collimator and a rotating slot collimator and detector. An X-ray beam can be aligned in an X-ray system by establishing a position of the beam with respect to a moving collimator at a number of points in time, monitoring the velocity of the collimator, navigating the beam to a calculated position of a hole in the collimator, and correcting the alignment of the beam based on the location of the beam on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9257207
    Abstract: An x-ray collimator can be constructed from multiple subassemblies, which at least includes a first subassembly that reduces the leakage of x-ray radiation between adjacent apertures and a second subassembly that reduces the spill of x-ray radiation around the detector face. Each of these subassemblies has numerous apertures. In the first subassembly these apertures correspond to focal spots on an x-ray source, and in the second subassembly, these apertures are shaped such that the dimensions increase from smaller entrances to larger exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Brian Wilfley, Peter Holst