X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
First Claim
1. A method for identifying objects in a container using a stationary X-ray source configured to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a first set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, and a second set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a second set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, wherein the first set of energy levels and second set of energy levels are different, comprising:
- performing a first screening, comprising;
activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays,using said first set of detectors, detecting the first set of energy levels, and;
processing data output from the first set of detectors using at least one processor to generate a first tomographic image; and
performing a second screening, comprising;
activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays,using said second set of detectors, detecting the second set of energy levels,processing data output from the second set of detectors using the at least one processor to generate a second tomographic image; and
combining the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image to generate a third tomographic image.
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Abstract
The present invention provides for an improved scanning process with a stationary X-ray source arranged to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors arranged to detect X-rays transmitted through the scanning region, and at least one processor arranged to process outputs from the first set of detectors to generate tomographic image data. The X-ray screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray diffraction based screening, X-ray back-scatter based screening, or Trace Detection based screening.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for identifying objects in a container using a stationary X-ray source configured to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a first set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, and a second set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a second set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, wherein the first set of energy levels and second set of energy levels are different, comprising:
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performing a first screening, comprising; activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays, using said first set of detectors, detecting the first set of energy levels, and; processing data output from the first set of detectors using at least one processor to generate a first tomographic image; and performing a second screening, comprising; activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays, using said second set of detectors, detecting the second set of energy levels, processing data output from the second set of detectors using the at least one processor to generate a second tomographic image; and combining the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image to generate a third tomographic image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for identifying objects in a container using a stationary X-ray source configured to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a first set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, and a second set of detectors configured to detect X-rays transmitted at a second set of energy levels and positioned around said scanning region, wherein the first set of energy levels and second set of energy levels are different, comprising:
performing a first stage screening comprising; activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays, using said first set of detectors, detecting the first set of energy levels, processing data output from the first set of detectors to generate a first tomographic image, using at least one processor, activating each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to cause each of said plurality of X-ray source positions to emit X-rays, using said second set of detectors, detecting the second set of energy levels, processing data output from the second set of detectors using the at least one processor to generate a second tomographic image, combining the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image to generate a third tomographic image; and conveying said container from the first stage screening to a second stage screening, wherein the second stage screening comprises at least one of a NQR-based screening process, X-ray diffraction based screening process, X-ray back-scatter based screening process, or trace detection based screening process. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification