Methods and Systems for the Rapid Detection of Concealed Objects
First Claim
1. A method of scanning an object, comprising the steps of:
- subjecting said object to a first screening system comprising microwave arrays, wherein said microwave arrays comprise more than one microwave transmitter and more than one microwave receiver, wherein the microwave transmitters and microwave receivers are separated by an inspection region, and wherein each of said microwave transmitters transmits microwave radiation to more than one microwave receivers and wherein the first screening system comprises a data acquisition system that acquires data from said microwave receivers, said data comprising microwave radiation absorption data; and
subjecting said object to a second screening system selected from any one of NQR-based screening, X-ray transmission based screening, X-ray scattered based screening, or Computed Tomography based screening.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for an improved scanning process having microwave arrays comprised of microwave transmitters in radiographic alignment with microwave receivers. The microwave array emits controllably directed microwave radiation toward an object under inspection. The object under inspection absorbs radiation in a manner dependent upon its metal content. The microwave radiation absorption can be used to generate a measurement of metal content. The measurement, in turn, can be used to calculate at least a portion of the volume and shape of the object under inspection. The measurement can be compared to a plurality of predefined threats. The microwave screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray transmission based screening, X-ray scattered based screening, or Computed Tomography based screening.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of scanning an object, comprising the steps of:
-
subjecting said object to a first screening system comprising microwave arrays, wherein said microwave arrays comprise more than one microwave transmitter and more than one microwave receiver, wherein the microwave transmitters and microwave receivers are separated by an inspection region, and wherein each of said microwave transmitters transmits microwave radiation to more than one microwave receivers and wherein the first screening system comprises a data acquisition system that acquires data from said microwave receivers, said data comprising microwave radiation absorption data; and subjecting said object to a second screening system selected from any one of NQR-based screening, X-ray transmission based screening, X-ray scattered based screening, or Computed Tomography based screening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification