Methods and apparatus for detection of contraband using terahertz radiation
First Claim
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1. A method of inspecting an item comprising a plurality of regions, the method comprising acts of:
- A) detecting terahertz radiation that has interacted with the plurality of regions;
B) determining a density of each of the plurality of regions at least partially based on the act A; and
C) determining, at least partially based on the density, the presence of a contraband object at least partially within the plurality of regions;
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Abstract
An inspection system and methods for inspecting items using terahertz radiation that may be used to detect contraband (e.g., explosives, weapons and drugs) within items under inspection. Terahertz radiation may be transmitted through and/or reflected from an item. The density and/or a physical property of one or more regions within an item may be determined. Terahertz radiation may be used to inspect surface regions of an item and/or other regions of an item. Terahertz radiation may used in combination with and/or in addition to another inspection modality.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of inspecting an item comprising a plurality of regions, the method comprising acts of:
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A) detecting terahertz radiation that has interacted with the plurality of regions;
B) determining a density of each of the plurality of regions at least partially based on the act A; and
C) determining, at least partially based on the density, the presence of a contraband object at least partially within the plurality of regions;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of inspecting an item comprising a plurality of regions, the method comprising acts of:
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A) detecting terahertz radiation reflected from the item;
B) determining a physical property of each of the plurality of regions at least partially based on the act A; and
C) determining, at least partially based on the physical property, whether a contraband object is within the item. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An inspection system comprising an inspection region adapted to inspect an item comprising a plurality of regions, the system comprising:
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a terahertz radiation source located adjacent to the inspection region;
a terahertz radiation detector located adjacent to the inspection region; and
a controller/processor coupled to the terahertz radiation detector that receives detection information from the terahertz radiation detector, determines density information at least partially based on the detection information and determines, at least partially based on the density information, whether a contraband object is within the item. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of inspecting an item to detect the presence of a contraband object, the method comprising acts of:
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A) inspecting the item using a first inspection modality to produce first inspection information;
B) detecting terahertz radiation that has interacted with the item;
C) determining, at least partially based on the terahertz radiation detected in the act B, second inspection information; and
D) determining, at least partially based on the first and second inspection information, third inspection information. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification