Method and system for automatically scanning and imaging the contents of a moving target
First Claim
1. An automated target inspection system for inspecting a moving target comprising:
- a scanning zone comprising a radiation source and a radiation source detector;
a first sensor component positioned at a location adjacent the scanning zone for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein after the first portion of the moving target has passed the first sensor component, the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone; and
a shutter control system comprising a shutter, said shutter, triggered by a signal from the first sensor component, for allowing radiation from the radiation source to pass through the scanning zone in the direction of the radiation detector when the second portion of the moving target is passing through the scanning zone and for closing off the radiation when the second portion of the moving target is no longer within the scanning zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system and method described herein facilitate back-to-back automatic scanning of moving vehicles without have the vehicles stop in the scanning zone. The system includes a scanning zone that comprises a radiation source and a radiation source detector. The system further includes a first sensor component for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone. Additionally, a shutter, triggered by a signal from the first sensor component, allows radiation from the radiation source to pass through the scanning zone in the direction of the radiation detector when the second portion of the moving target is passing through the scanning zone and closes off the radiation when the second portion of the moving target is no longer within the scanning zone.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An automated target inspection system for inspecting a moving target comprising:
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a scanning zone comprising a radiation source and a radiation source detector; a first sensor component positioned at a location adjacent the scanning zone for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein after the first portion of the moving target has passed the first sensor component, the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone; and a shutter control system comprising a shutter, said shutter, triggered by a signal from the first sensor component, for allowing radiation from the radiation source to pass through the scanning zone in the direction of the radiation detector when the second portion of the moving target is passing through the scanning zone and for closing off the radiation when the second portion of the moving target is no longer within the scanning zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for automatically inspecting a moving target with an automated target inspection system comprising:
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positioning a sensor adjacent a scanning zone for sensing when a first portion of a moving target has passed the sensor and has moved beyond the scanning zone; sensing when the first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone; sending a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein the signal is sent after the first portion of the moving target passes the sensor; opening a shutter to allowing radiation from a radiation source to pass through the scanning zone in the direction of a radiation detector when the second portion of the moving target is passing through the scanning zone; and closing the shutter to shut off the radiation when the second portion of the moving target is no longer within the scanning zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for automatically inspecting a moving target comprising:
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means for sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through a scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, said means for sensing positioned adjacent the scanning zone; means for sending a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone and upon sensing that the first portion of the moving target passes the means for sensing; means for opening a shutter to allowing radiation from a radiation source to pass through the scanning zone in the direction of a radiation detector when the second portion of the moving target is passing through the scanning zone; and means for closing the shutter to shut off the radiation when the second portion of the moving target is no longer within the scanning zone.
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Specification