Method and apparatus for transmitting information about a target object between a prescanner and a CT scanner

• US 20040101098A1
• Filed: 11/19/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Corporation Delaware
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Corporation Delaware
• Inventors: Eilbert, Richard F., Shi, Shunghe, Bijjani, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US10/717,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20040101098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/402 mapping distribution of elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/421 digitised image, analysed in real time (recognition algorithms)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/087 using polyenergetic X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/224 Multiple energy techniques using one type of radiation, e.g. X-rays of different energies
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/226 using tomography

Abstract

A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information. In another embodiment, a processor analyzes the CT information and the prescan information to determine whether to update the prescan information based on the CT information

Claims

1. An explosive detection system comprising:

a device that scans an object and generates information about the object from the scan; and

an external computer, located remotely from the device, that receives the information and implements an algorithm to make a threat determination about the object.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the device includes a CT scanner.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the device includes a dual energy X-ray scanner.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the device includes a combination dual energy X-ray and CT scanner.

5. The system of any of claims 1-4 wherein the information includes that from which a density and a mass of the object can be determined by the computer.

6. A method for making a threat determination about an object comprising:

scanning the object with an explosive detection device;

generating information about the object from the scan;

transmitting the information to an external computer, located remotely from the device; and

with the computer, implementing an algorithm to make a threat determination about the object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of scanning includes the step of performing a computed tomography scan with a CT scanner.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of scanning includes the step of performing a high energy and a low energy scan using a dual energy X-ray scanner.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of scanning includes performing a high and low energy X-ray scan and a computed tomography scan using a combination dual energy X-ray and CT scanner.

10. The method of any of the previous claims 6-9 wherein the information includes that from which a density and a mass of the object can be determined by the computer.