Four sided imaging system and method for detection of contraband
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A scanning system for the inspection of cargo, comprising:
- a portal defining an inspection area, said portal comprising a first vertical side, a second vertical side, a top horizontal side, and a horizontal base defined by a ramp adapted to be driven over by a vehicle;
a first X-ray source disposed on at least one of the first vertical side, second vertical side or top horizontal side for generating an X-ray beam into the inspection area toward the vehicle;
a first set of transmission detectors disposed within the portal for receiving the X-rays transmitted through the vehicle;
a second X-ray source disposed within the ramp of said portal for generating an X-ray beam towards the underside of the vehicle;
a second set of detectors disposed within the ramp of said portal for receiving X-rays that are backscattered from the vehicle; and
a controller, wherein said controller is adapted to activate the first X-ray source only when the second X-ray source is inactive.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
189 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A scanning system for the inspection of cargo, comprising:
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a portal defining an inspection area, said portal comprising a first vertical side, a second vertical side, a top horizontal side, and a horizontal base defined by a ramp adapted to be driven over by a vehicle; a first X-ray source disposed on at least one of the first vertical side, second vertical side or top horizontal side for generating an X-ray beam into the inspection area toward the vehicle; a first set of transmission detectors disposed within the portal for receiving the X-rays transmitted through the vehicle; a second X-ray source disposed within the ramp of said portal for generating an X-ray beam towards the underside of the vehicle; a second set of detectors disposed within the ramp of said portal for receiving X-rays that are backscattered from the vehicle; and a controller, wherein said controller is adapted to activate the first X-ray source only when the second X-ray source is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A scanning system for the inspection of cargo, comprising:
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a portal defining an inspection area, said portal comprising a first vertical side, a second vertical side, a top horizontal side, and a horizontal base defined by a ramp adapted to be driven over by a vehicle; a first X-ray source disposed on at least one of the first vertical side, second vertical side or top horizontal side for generating an X-ray beam into the inspection area toward the vehicle; a first set of transmission detectors disposed within the portal for receiving the X-rays transmitted through the vehicle; a second X-ray source disposed within the ramp of said portal for generating an X-ray beam towards the underside of the vehicle; a second set of detectors disposed within the ramp of said portal for receiving X-rays that are backscattered from the vehicle; a primary rotating collimator placed adjacent to said first X-ray source, and a secondary static collimator placed adjacent to said rotating collimator and parallel to the inspection surface, wherein said secondary collimator is adapted to generate a first irradiation area in the center of the inspection area and a second irradiation area at a periphery of the inspection area and wherein said second irradiation area is larger than the first irradiation area.
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10. A method for inspecting a vehicle, comprising:
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providing a portal defining an inspection area, said portal comprising a first vertical side, a second vertical side, a top horizontal side, and a horizontal base defined by a ramp adapted to be driven over by a vehicle, signalling a vehicle to drive over the ramp, irradiating a vehicle with X-rays from a first source disposed on one side of the portal, detecting the X-rays transmitted through the vehicle, using transmission detectors disposed within the portal, to produce a first output signal representative of the vehicle and contents thereof, irradiating the underside of the vehicle with X-rays from a second source disposed within the ramp, detecting X-rays scattered back from the vehicle, using backscatter detectors disposed within the ramp, to produce a second output signal representative of the vehicle and contents thereof, and correlating said first output signal and said second output signal to produce a visual image of the vehicle and contents thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A scanning system for inspecting a vehicle, comprising:
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a portal defining an inspection area, said portal comprising a first vertical side and a second vertical side spaced apart from each other and each having a top side; a third side connecting said two top sides; a ramp over adapted to be driven over by a vehicle; an X-ray source disposed on one side of the portal for generating an X-ray beam into the inspection area; a first set of detectors disposed within the portal for receiving X-rays transmitted through the vehicle; a second set of detectors disposed within the ramp and the first, second and third sides of said portal for receiving X-rays backscattered from the vehicle; and an image processor for receiving output signals from said first and second set of detectors and overlaying said output signals onto a visual image of the vehicle and contents thereof. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification