Method for generating an image and handheld screening device

• US 9,746,553 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2013
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wang, Qi, Dayi, Furkan, Boehnke, Ralf, Blech, Marcel, Testar, Miquel
• Primary Examiner(s): Barker, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US14/053,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20140168007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/295 Means for transforming co-ordinates or for evaluating data, e.g. using computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/4038 Image mosaicing, e.g. composing plane images from plane sub-images

Abstract

A method for generating an image is provided including taking a first active radar image of an object from a first position with a handheld screening device; taking a second active radar image of the object from a second position with the handheld screening device; and generating a third image based on the first active radar image and the second active radar image. A corresponding handheld screening device is provided as well.

Claims

1. A method for generating an image comprising:

taking a first active radar image of an object from a first position with a handheld screening device;

after the first active radar image is taken, determining, by a processor of the handheld screening device, a recommended second position of the handheld screening device from which a second active radar image of the object is to be taken, there being a between the first position and second position;

generating, by the processor, a visual indication indicating a direction from an actual position of the handheld screening device to a second position, a size of the visual indication corresponding to a distance to the second position;

displaying the visual indication on a display;

taking the second active radar image of the object from the second position with the handheld screening device,

no image of the object being taken from positions within the gap; and

generating, by the processor, a third image based on the first active radar image and the second active radar image.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

taking at least one further active radar image of the object from at least one further position with the handheld screening device, wherein the third image is generated based on the first, the second, and the at least one further active radar image.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising displaying the third image on the display.

4. A handheld screening device including:

a display;

an active radar scanner configured to take active radar images of an object, and

a processor configured to

determine, after a first active radar image is taken by the active radar scanner from a first position of the handheld screening device, a recommended second position of the handheld screening device from which a second active radar image of the object is to be taken, there being a gap between the first position and the second position;

generate a visual indication indicating a direction from an actual position of the handheld screening device to the second position, a size of the visual indication corresponding to a distance to the second position,

cause the display to display the visual indication, and

generate a third image based on the first active radar image and the second active radar image taken by the active radar scanner from the second position with no image of the object being taken from positions within the gap.

5. The handheld screening, device according to claim 4, wherein

the active radar scanner is further configured to take at least one further active radar image with at least one further field of view from the object, and

the processor is further configured to generate the third image based on the first, the second, and the at least one further active radar image.

6. The handheld screening device according to claim 4, further including

a position detector configured to detect the first position of the handheld screening device, in which the first active radar image is taken, and the second position of the handheld screening device, in which the second active radar image is taken.

7. The handheld screening device according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to

cause the display to display the third image.