Imaging system and method
First Claim
1. A system for imaging the contents of a container, the system comprising:
- an passive imager responsive to received millimetre wave radiation from a reception volume, said imager including at least one receive antenna, wherein the reception volume is smaller than an internal volume of the container, and there is relative movement between the container and the reception volume such that the reception volume moves through the container;
a computer system for recording data relating to said received millimetre wave radiation from the reception volume at a plurality of different times during the relative movement between the reception volume and the container, and for combining the data and producing a composite image of the contents of the container; and
speed measurement equipment for measuring the speed of the container relative to the receive antenna during at least part of the data recording, and the speed measurement is used as a parameter when creating the composite image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for imaging the contents of containers includes an imager arranged to receive millimetre wave radiation from a reception volume through a receive antenna wherein, in use, the container is moving relative to the receive antenna, the reception volume is positioned such that the relative movement causes the reception volume to move through the container; data from the antenna is recorded as the reception volume moves through the container, and an image of the contents of the container is built up from the recorded data. The system is particularly suitable for imaging containers mounted on vehicles. The imager may advantageously be mounted in a portal, allowing convenient and controllable relative positioning of the container, and allowing the relative speed to be controlled or measured easily. The invention allows 3D or pseudo 3D images to be produced to aid identification of container contents. The invention also includes a method for imaging.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for imaging the contents of a container, the system comprising:
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an passive imager responsive to received millimetre wave radiation from a reception volume, said imager including at least one receive antenna, wherein the reception volume is smaller than an internal volume of the container, and there is relative movement between the container and the reception volume such that the reception volume moves through the container;
a computer system for recording data relating to said received millimetre wave radiation from the reception volume at a plurality of different times during the relative movement between the reception volume and the container, and for combining the data and producing a composite image of the contents of the container; and
speed measurement equipment for measuring the speed of the container relative to the receive antenna during at least part of the data recording, and the speed measurement is used as a parameter when creating the composite image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of imaging the contents of a container where the container is moving relative to a receive antenna of the imaging system, said method comprising the steps of:
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arranging passive imager to receive millimetre wave radiation from a reception volume through the receive antenna;
positioning the reception volume such that the relative movement causes the reception volume to move through the container;
measuring the speed of the container relative to the imager at at least one point when the reception volume is inside the container;
recording data from the imager as the reception volume is moved through the container; and
compiling an image of the contents of the container from the data, using the measured speed as a parameter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification