Imaging system with long-standoff capability
First Claim
1. A method of imaging an item, comprising:
- a) redirecting, with at least one focusing element, divergent x-rays to form a collimated x-ray beam;
b) scanning the x-ray beam over the item;
c) measuring the intensity and scattering time of radiation scattered from the item, wherein measuring the scattering time comprises measuring an arrival time of the scattered radiation relative to a time at which the beam is emitted by a source; and
d) forming an image of the item based at least in part on the measured intensity and scattering time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system that can form an image of an item under inspection using scattered radiation. A pencil beam of radiation is steered over the item under inspection and scattered radiation is detected. Regions of the item under inspection from which radiation is scattered are resolved in three dimensions using two-dimensional coordinates to which the pencil beam is steered. The third dimension is resolved using time of flight from the source. Because the inspection system can be located on one side of an item under inspection, an item may be imaged from a long distance and the imaging system may be mounted on a moving vehicle, making the imaging system well suited for use in many security inspection systems to detect explosives and other contraband items.
58 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of imaging an item, comprising:
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a) redirecting, with at least one focusing element, divergent x-rays to form a collimated x-ray beam; b) scanning the x-ray beam over the item; c) measuring the intensity and scattering time of radiation scattered from the item, wherein measuring the scattering time comprises measuring an arrival time of the scattered radiation relative to a time at which the beam is emitted by a source; and d) forming an image of the item based at least in part on the measured intensity and scattering time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of imaging an item, comprising:
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a) redirecting, with at least one focusing element, divergent x-rays to form a collimated x-ray pencil beam; b) scanning the pencil beam over the item, the scanning comprising successively directing the pencil beam at each of a plurality of irradiated areas; c) measuring the intensity and scattering time of radiation scattered from the item, the measuring comprising detecting radiation scattered while the pencil beam is focused at each of the plurality of irradiated areas; and d) forming a three-dimensional image of the item based at least in part on the measured intensity and scattering time, the forming comprising assigning values based on an intensity of the radiation scattered from the item to a three-dimensional array of voxels, each voxel having a position in a first dimension and a second dimension based on a position in a first dimension and a second dimension of an irradiated area and a position in a third dimension proportional to an arrival time measured for the irradiated area. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An inspection system, comprising:
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a) a steerable source with at least one focusing element, the source being adapted to emit a collimated beam of radiation toward an illumination area, the collimated beam being shaped to have a width less than 10 mm at a distance of 70 meters; b) a detector panel positioned to receive radiation from the direction of the illumination area; and c) a data analysis system, adapted to form an image of an item proximate the illumination area, the image comprising a plurality of regions, each region having a value based on the magnitude of an output of the detector panel at a detection time and a difference between (i) a time at which the collimated beam of radiation is emitted toward the illumination area and (ii) the detection time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification