General Electric Company

Ge Betz, Inc.

Michael Robert Hopple

Thomas James Batzinger

Kenneth Gordon Herd

Gregory Alan Mohr

Clifford Bueno

Brian W Lasiuk

Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon

August David Matula

David Allen Langan

Robert J Dunki-Jacobs

Walter Vincent Dixon, Iii

Forrest Frank Hopkins

Robert J Mitchell, Jr

Ronald Cecil McFarland

Elizabeth Lockenberg Dixon

Kevin Layne Moermond

Donald Thomas McGrath

Jean Lienard

Richard Louis Frey

Manoharan Venugopal

Debasish Mishra

Robert Leland Nevin

Sivaramanivas Ramaswamy

Rajashekar Venkatachalam

Jianguo Zhao

Nityanand Gopalika

Vamishi Krishna Reddy Kommareddy

Beale HibbsOpsahl-Ong

Kenneth Gordan Herd

A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest. The resulting pixel value is mapped in integer format to a palette index to establish an output pixel intensity having one of many intensity levels. The optional processing is controlled through the hardware interface of a real-time image controller as images are acquired.

Method, system and apparatus for processing radiographic images of scanned objects

A digital radiography imaging system for acquiring digital images of an object, and a method for transforming digital images into an absolute thickness map characterizing the object under inspection. The system includes a radiation source for directing radiation through a desired region of the object, and a radiation detector having a plurality of sensing elements for detecting radiation passing through the object. Numerical data generated from each sensing element is calibrated, for example by correcting for variations in radiation paths between the source and detector, by correcting for variations in the spatial frequency response (MTF) of the detector, by correcting for variations in the geometric profile of the object under inspection, and by correcting for material contained in and/or around the object. The calibrated data is processed in order to generate and display an absolute thickness map of the object. The calibration procedures are adapted for extracting a thickness map from both isotope sources and X-ray tube sources.

Converting a digital radiograph to an absolute thickness map

A method and apparatus are provided for performing a contrast-based dynamic range management (C-DRM) algorithm. The apparatus comprises an C-DRM processor that performs the C-DRM algorithm of the invention in order to compress an image input to the C-DRM processor down to a desired gray scale range for observation on a display. The C-DRM processor decouples adjustment of image mean values (low frequency) and image contrast values (high frequency), and manages mean and contrast separately. The use of separate mean and contrast modification functions improve on other known compression techniques by providing a more deterministic behavior and reduced complexity, allowing, for example, independent management of negative and positive contrasts. The C-DRM processor can also automatically adapt to the dynamic range of an input image so that the input image thereby applying the minimal compression needed to display the image.

Method and apparatus for performing a contrast based dynamic range management algorithm

A digital x-ray imaging system employs a pixelated flat panel digital x-ray detector separated by a space from a source of x-rays which is selectively switchable between first and second, different x-ray energy levels, the space accommodating a body to be subjected to x-ray irradiation and imaging. A computer controls the x-ray source to irradiate the body with the first and second energy level x-rays and produce corresponding first and second x-ray images respectively of the first and second energy levels on the detector, the computer processing the respective digital signal outputs of the detector for the first and second digital images respectively of the first and second energy levels for each pixel, in individual succession for all pixels, and selectively produces and displays a soft tissue image or a bone/calcification image.

Dual energy x-ray imaging system and method for radiography and mammography

A method for inspecting an aircraft fuselage using an inspection system including a movable detector, wherein the method includes coupling a collision avoidance system to the inspection system detector, monitoring the collision avoidance system during operation of the inspection system, and controlling operation of the inspection system with the collision avoidance system.

Methods and systems for inspecting aircraft fuselage frames

An image identification and quality indication system for radiographic inspection includes a flexible substrate, for positioning on a surface of an object to be inspected, and a number of locators and image quality indicators arranged on the flexible substrate. Each locator is configured for indicating a position on the object's surface in a respective radiographic image (image). Each image quality indicator is configured to indicate an image quality of the respective image. An image identification and quality indication method for radiographic inspection includes positioning the flexible substrate on the object's surface, including aligning the locators with a number of visible features on object's surface. The method further includes forming at least one reference mark and image quality mark in each of a number of images of the object, using a locator and image quality indicator, respectively. Each reference mark correlates the respective image with a position on the object.

System and method for image identification and quality indication for radiographic inspection

A method and apparatus are provided for performing an extended dynamic range (EDR) algorithm. The apparatus comprises an EDR processing component which performs the EDR algorithm of the invention in order to compress an image input to the EDR processing component down to a desired gray scale range. The EDR processing component automatically adapts to the dynamic range of an input image so that the input image is compressed down to a desired gray scale range while preserving high frequency contrast information contained in the input image. In addition to automatically adjusting to the dynamic range of the image, the EDR processing component compresses the input image in such a manner that the difference between the input image intensity and the local mean intensity value is taken into account, which prevents artifacts associated with enhanced negative contrast from appearing in the compressed image.

Method and apparatus for performing an adaptive extended dynamic range algorithm

The present invention provides a system for recording a viewer's television viewership habits. Sensors monitor the audio signal, synchronization signal, and video signal emanating from the television. A time coincidence channel tag is mixed with the transmitted television audio or video signal at a dwelling by a master unit. Then by matching the channel tag of the viewed channel with the channel tag, an accurate identification of the viewed channel can be made.

Audience measurement system employing local time coincidence coding

The present invention provides an system, apparatus, and method of recording a viewer's television viewership habits. Sensors passively monitor the audio signal and video signal emanating from the television. By matching the audio signal in the source and emanating from the television and by matching television frame synchronization signal and the television source synchronization signal an unambiguous identification of the viewed channel is made.

Television viewership monitoring system employing audio channel and

Growing community of inventors

Schenectady, NY, United States of America

Michael Robert Hopple