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Patent US4987584A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4987584A
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Materials inspection system using x-ray imaging
Assignee: Heimann GmbH
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Filing: 1990-04-03
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Granted: 1991-01-22
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Expires: 2010-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A material inspection system, such as a baggage insepction system, uses x-ray imaging to identify organic materials such as drugs and explosives. The articles being inspected are transirradiated with x-rays having different radiation energies. From detected radiation, attenuated by the article under inspection, a materials information signal and a luminance signal are formed. The color of the monitor image is controlled by the materials information signal, and the image brightness, color saturation and white content of the image are controlled by the luminance signal. A color portrayal occurs only when the materials information signal has a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Doenges
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/04; G01N23/06; G01N23/10; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01V5/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A materials inspection system comprising: means for moving an article to be inspected through an x-ray beam; means for irradiating said article in said x-ray beam with x-ray radiation of two different energies; means for detecting x-rays attenuated by said article at said two different energies and for generating electrical signals corresponding thereto; first channel means for processing said electrical signals from said means for detecting for generating a luminance signal; second channel means for processing said electrical signals from said means for detecting for generating a materials information signal; means for generating and displaying an image of said article; means for controlling the color of said image based on said materials information signal; and means for controlling the image brightness, color saturation and white content of said image based on said luminance signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A materials inspection system comprising: means for moving an article to be inspected through an x-ray beam; means for irradiating said article in said x-ray beam with x-ray radiation of two different energies; means for detecting x-rays attenuated by said article at said two different energies and for generating electrical signals corresponding thereto; first channel means for processing said electrical signals from said means for detecting for generating a luminance signal; second channel means for processing said electrical signals from said means for detecting for generating a materials information signal; means for generating and displaying an image of said article; means for controlling the color of said image based on said materials information signal; and means for controlling the image brightness, color saturation and white content of said image based on said luminance signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first channel means wherein said article has a range of low absorption and a range of high absorption and wherein said first channel means includes means for predominantly using electrical signals from said means for detecting corresponding to radiation of said article at a lower of said two different energies in said range of low absorption to form said luminance signal and for predominantly using electrical signals from said means for detecting corresponding to radiation of said article at a higher of said two different energies in said range of higher absorption to form said luminance signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first channel means includes an edge boosting surface filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second channel means includes a noise reduction surface filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for generating and displaying an image includes means for generating a color image only when said materials information signal exceeds a selected signal-to-noise ratio.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4686695A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-21 | 1994-07-23 | 1995-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-21 | 1998-07-23 | 1999-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-21 | 2002-07-23 | 2003-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |