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Apparatus and method for detecting items in objects

  • US 6,839,406 B2
  • Filed: 05/21/2001
  • Issued: 01/04/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting an item in an object, comprising the steps of:

  • in a lower testing stage in a detection apparatus, scanning the object with x-rays to detect said item;

    determining the location of said item in said object, said location including only one set of first and second dimensional coordinates of said item, said location being representative of a point within said object; and

    transmitting said location to a higher testing stage in said detection apparatus; and

    in said higher testing stage, directly testing said item at said location, with said direct testing comprising x-ray diffraction analysis, said diffraction apparatus comprising an x-ray source and a detector, the x-ray source being adjustably positioned in a plane parallel to a travel direction of said object, the detector being adjustably positioned in a plane parallel and in a plane perpendicular to the travel direction of said object, wherein the x-ray source and detector are positioned separately and synchronously on the basis of said point.

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