Cargo scanning system with boom structure
First Claim
1. A method for deploying a mobile inspection system for scanning vehicles and cargo, said inspection system comprising a base vehicle integrated with a boom structure having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being movably attached to the base vehicle and said boom structure housing a radiation source and an array of detectors, said method comprising:
- selecting a scanning side to deploy the boom structure;
lifting the boom structure to a predetermined angle;
selecting a scan angle position based on the selected scanning side;
rotating the boom structure to deploy the boom structure at the selected scanning side and at the selected scan angle position; and
aligning said radiation source with the array of detectors by activating a laser pointer co-located with said radiation source, using the array of detectors to detect a spatial position of the laser pointer, comparing said spatial position with a predetermined centerline of the array of detectors, and, based on said comparison, generating control signals to adjust a position of the radiation source such that it aligns with the array of detectors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present application is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present application is an improved method and system for inspecting receptacles and/or cargo containers using a single boom placed on a turntable with pivot points to allow for folding and unfolding of the boom, such that the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low center of gravity lending to greater stability.
941 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for deploying a mobile inspection system for scanning vehicles and cargo, said inspection system comprising a base vehicle integrated with a boom structure having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being movably attached to the base vehicle and said boom structure housing a radiation source and an array of detectors, said method comprising:
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selecting a scanning side to deploy the boom structure; lifting the boom structure to a predetermined angle; selecting a scan angle position based on the selected scanning side; rotating the boom structure to deploy the boom structure at the selected scanning side and at the selected scan angle position; and aligning said radiation source with the array of detectors by activating a laser pointer co-located with said radiation source, using the array of detectors to detect a spatial position of the laser pointer, comparing said spatial position with a predetermined centerline of the array of detectors, and, based on said comparison, generating control signals to adjust a position of the radiation source such that it aligns with the array of detectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable inspection system for scanning vehicles and cargo, comprising:
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a base vehicle; a boom structure having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being movably attached to said base vehicle; and a radiation source and an array of detectors housed in said boom structure, wherein said boom structure is rotated to deploy the boom structure at a selected scanning side and at a selected scan angle position, said scan angle position being based on the selected scanning side; and a controller configured to align said radiation source with the array of detectors by activating a laser pointer co-located with said radiation source, using the array of detectors to detect a spatial position of the laser pointer, comparing said spatial position with a predetermined centerline of the array of detectors, and, based on said comparison, generating control signals to adjust a position of the radiation source such that it aligns with the array of detectors. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification