Patents by Inventor Walter Irving Garms

Walter Irving Garms 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: 9689812
    Abstract: A method for generating a two-dimensional image of an object using a CT scanner is provided. The method includes selecting an imaging surface for the object, the imaging surface including a plurality of pixels, selecting a viewing direction that is non-parallel to the imaging surface, rotating an x-ray source of the CT scanner around the object through a plurality of views, wherein the x-ray source projects x-rays towards a detector array opposite the x-ray source. For each pixel of the plurality of pixels, the method includes acquiring using the detector array, from the plurality of views, data values for x-rays that pass through the pixel and are within a pre-determined angle from parallel to the viewing direction, and combining the data values acquired for the pixel to calculate a final value for the pixel. The method further includes generating the two-dimensional image of the object based on the calculated final values for each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Irving Garms, Sondre Skatter
  • Publication number: 20160109388
    Abstract: A method for generating a two-dimensional image of an object using a CT scanner is provided. The method includes selecting an imaging surface for the object, the imaging surface including a plurality of pixels, selecting a viewing direction that is non-parallel to the imaging surface, rotating an x-ray source of the CT scanner around the object through a plurality of views, wherein the x-ray source projects x-rays towards a detector array opposite the x-ray source. For each pixel of the plurality of pixels, the method includes acquiring using the detector array, from the plurality of views, data values for x-rays that pass through the pixel and are within a pre-determined angle from parallel to the viewing direction, and combining the data values acquired for the pixel to calculate a final value for the pixel. The method further includes generating the two-dimensional image of the object based on the calculated final values for each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Walter Irving Garms, Sondre Skatter
  • Patent number: 8090150
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying an object in an acquired image. The method includes detecting an object within the acquired image, and determining whether the detected object is a containment vessel. If the object is not a containment vessel, the method includes applying a first set of rules for classifying the object. If the object is a containment vessel, the method includes applying a second set of rules for classifying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Irving Garms
  • Patent number: 7839971
    Abstract: A method for automatically inspecting a container for a target material using a computed tomography (CT) scanning system includes performing an initial radiographic scan of the container. Based at least partially on projection data generated during the initial radiographic scan, at least one location within the container is identified that requires CT inspection. A dual energy CT scan of the at least one identified location within the container is performed based on a single energy algorithm or a dual energy algorithm. The dual energy CT scan includes a low energy scan of the at least one identified location and a high energy scan of the at least one identified location. Based on dual energy scan information generated during the dual energy CT scan, a determination is made to confirm or clear an alarm corresponding to the at least one identified location within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Walter Irving Garms, Mengqian Gu
  • Publication number: 20100092057
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying an object in an acquired image. The method includes detecting an object within the acquired image, and determining whether the detected object is a containment vessel. If the object is not a containment vessel, the method includes applying a first set of rules for classifying the object. If the object is a containment vessel, the method includes applying a second set of rules for classifying the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Walter Irving Garms
  • Publication number: 20090168949
    Abstract: A method for automatically inspecting a container for a target material using a computed tomography (CT) scanning system includes performing an initial radiographic scan of the container. Based at least partially on projection data generated during the initial radiographic scan, at least one location within the container is identified that requires CT inspection. A dual energy CT scan of the at least one identified location within the container is performed based on a single energy algorithm or a dual energy algorithm. The dual energy CT scan includes a low energy scan of the at least one identified location and a high energy scan of the at least one identified location. Based on dual energy scan information generated during the dual energy CT scan, a determination is made to confirm or clear an alarm corresponding to the at least one identified location within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Walter Irving Garms, Mengqian Gu
  • Patent number: 7298812
    Abstract: A CT scanner acquires CT images at different energy levels and registers those images to provide a composite image that is substantially free of beam hardening artifacts and conspicuously provides atomic information of that imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: J. Eric Tkaczyk, William Macomber Leue, Walter Irving Garms, Joseph Bendahan, Deborah Walter, Sussan Pourjavid-Granfors, Xiaoye Wu, Peter Michael Edic, Pierfrancesco Landolfi