Operator unit for an X-ray examining apparatus

• US 20040264638A1
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Original Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Inventors: Meder, Claus
• Granted Patent: US 7,000,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

Disclosed is a uniquely identifiable identification system incorporated into an X-ray testing apparatus or into this system, so that each operator can log onto the operating system only with his or her own individual identification. The identification is read and optionally rewritten by a counterpart device of the identification system. Upon leaving the operating system, the operator is automatically logged off by way of removing the identification device, or by way of exiting from a defined local area around the X-ray testing apparatus, and the operating system is then ready for access by another operator.

Claims

1. An X-ray examining apparatus comprising:

a monitor for displaying an X-ray image for an operator; and

an operator unit, said operator unit comprising;

an operating field for being manipulated by the operator to operate the operating unit and thereby operate the X-ray examining apparatus and the monitor; and

an identification system, said identification system including an identification means for being carried by the operator and a counterpart device for being operatively coupled to said operating field,

wherein said counterpart device is for activating said operating unit to a first mode of operation when the operator begins to operate the operating unit in at least partial response to information on said identification means read by said counterpart device, and for activating said operating unit to a second different mode of operation in at least partial response to information on said identification means read by said counterpart device when said operator stops operating said X-ray examining apparatus, and

wherein said X-ray examining apparatus inspects article containers.

2. The x-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article containers include baggage.

3. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counterpart device is a card reader and said identification means is a card, said card reader and said card being structured such that said card reader can read said card with the card remaining attached to said operator.

4. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification means is a contacting identification device that can remain attached to said operator when said identification means is in a predetermined space, so that said identification means is automatically moved from said predetermined space when said operator leaves said operating field.

5. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contacting identification device is one of a chip card and a magnetic card.

6. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification device is an identification device which operates without contact and can remain attached to said operator when said identification means is in said predetermined space, whereby said identification means is automatically moved from said predetermined space when said operator leaves said operating field.

7. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification device is one of a transceiver unit and a transponder which works together with the counterpart device of the identification system without contact.

8. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a non-contact link between the identification device and the counterpart device is maintained within a local area proximate to said operating field.

9. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counterpart device has a respective one of a read and write mode by means of which the identification device is respectively one of read from and written on with respective installation- and person-specific data.

10. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 9, wherein there is a read mode by means of which the identification device is read from, and wherein read data is recorded in various X-ray apparatus and is caused to be combined and stored centrally by the identification device.

11. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counterpart device is integrated into the operating field.

12. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an individual operator-unit setting is accomplished by means of the identification means, whereby the identification means of a first operator activates the operating unit to a different first mode of operation than would the identification means of the second operator.

13. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operator unit is cleared by the identification device upon the operator unit entering the second different mode of operation upon the operator moving the identification means away from the predetermined space.

14. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a live scanner is also connected upstream from the identification system.

15. The X-ray examining apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said counterpart device is for activating said operating unit to said first mode of operation in at least partial response to said operator carrying said identification means moving said identification means within a predetermined space relative to said counterpart device at which said operator carrying said identification means can manipulate said operating field and for activating said operating unit to said second different mode of operation in at least partial response to said operator moving said identification means away from said predetermined space.

16. The X-ray examining apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said identification means is for automatically activating said operating unit to said second different mode of operation in response to said operator moving said identification means away from said predetermined space.

17. An X-ray examining apparatus comprising:

at least one radiation source;

at least one radiation detector;

a display unit; and

an operator unit including an identification system, said operator unit being placed into either a first mode or second mode of operation depending upon an input from said identification system for controlling said X-ray examining apparatus,

wherein said identification system detects a user-specific identification device within a predetermined area, such that upon detection of said user-specific identification device said operator unit is placed into the first mode of operation via said input, and upon non-detection of said user-specific identification device in said predetermined area, said operator unit is placed into the second mode of operation via said input, and

wherein said X-ray examining apparatus inspects article containers.

18. The x-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the article containers include baggage.

19. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined area defines an area extending beyond said identification system and encompasses at least said control unit.

20. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second mode of operation is a stand-by mode of operation.

21. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second mode of operation deactivates the X-ray examining apparatus.

22. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the user-specific identification device includes individualized instrument parameters for each user.

23. The X-ray examining apparatus according to claim 17, wherein data provided by the identification system, which relates to said user-specific identification device, is stored.

24. A method for controlling an X-ray examining apparatus having a radiation source, a detector, a display unit and a operator unit, said method comprising:

detecting a user-specific identification device in a predetermined area; and

selecting a mode of operation based on the detection of said user-specific identification device,

wherein said mode of operation controls said X-ray examining apparatus, and

wherein said X-ray examining apparatus inspects article containers.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the article containers include baggage.

26. An x-ray examining apparatus comprising:

a radiation source for producing X-rays that penetrate an article container;

a detector for detecting the X-rays;

a display unit for displaying detected items within the article container; and

a control unit for enabling and disabling control of the x-ray examining apparatus, the control unit being responsive to a user specific identification card for enabling and disabling the x-ray examining apparatus,

wherein the control unit includes a card reader for reading the user specific identification card.

27. An x-ray examining apparatus comprising:

a radiation source for producing X-rays that penetrate an article container;

a detector for detecting the X-rays;

a display unit for displaying detected items within the article container; and

a control unit for enabling and disabling control of the x-ray examining apparatus, the control unit being responsive to a user specific identification card for enabling and disabling the x-ray examining apparatus,

wherein the user specific identification card is a transponder such that that control unit identifies a user having the user specific identification card within a predetermined area extending beyond the control unit.

28. The x-ray examining apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the x-ray examining apparatus records on a storage device each user accessing the x-ray examining apparatus on the basis of the user specific identification card.