Patent US5367552A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5367552A
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Automatic concealed object detection system having a pre-scan stage
Assignee: IN VISION TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1993-01-21
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2013-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting concealed objects, such as explosives, drugs, or other contraband is disclosed. The apparatus uses CT scanning to identify concealed objects with a density corresponding to the density of target objects such as explosives or drugs. To reduce the amount of CT scanning required, a number of prescanning approaches are disclosed. Based upon the prescan data, selected locations for CT scanning are identified. CT scanning is undertaken at the selected locations. The resultant CT scan data is utilized to automatically identify objects of interest. This identification of objects may be verified through further automatic analysis of such attributes as shape, texture, context, and X-ray diffraction. Finally, the objects of interest may be reconstructed and displayed on a computer monitor for visual analysis by an operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Kristian R. Peschmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0004; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01V5/226; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10072; G06T2207/10081; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30112
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a target object within a container, said apparatus comprising: means for prescanning said container to form prescan data; means for determining a first selected location and a second selected location for CT scanning of said container, said determining means utilizing said prescan data; means for simultaneously CT scanning said container at said first selected location and said second selected location to form CT data, said CT scanning means being responsive to said determining means; and means for analyzing said CT data to identify target object data within said CT data having an associated mass corresponding to an associated mass of said target object in said container, said analyzing means receiving said CT data from said scanning means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a target object within a container, said apparatus comprising: means for prescanning said container to form prescan data; means for determining a first selected location and a second selected location for CT scanning of said container, said determining means utilizing said prescan data; means for simultaneously CT scanning said container at said first selected location and said second selected location to form CT data, said CT scanning means being responsive to said determining means; and means for analyzing said CT data to identify target object data within said CT data having an associated mass corresponding to an associated mass of said target object in said container, said analyzing means receiving said CT data from said scanning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said CT scanning means includes a first X-ray system and a second X-ray system on a rotating gantry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first X-ray system is angularly offset from said second X-ray system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said prescan data generated by said prescanning means includes a plurality of radiation attenuation values.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said prescanning means further includes means for subtracting a predetermined radiation attenuation value from each of said plurality of radiation attenuation values, said predetermined radiation attenuation value corresponding to the attenuation caused by said container during said prescanning step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said determining means includes: means for arranging said prescan data into data blocks, each of said data blocks including a plurality of said radiation attenuation values; and means for analyzing said data blocks to establish a plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values corresponding to said plurality of radiation attenuation values associated with each of said data blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: means for constructing a histogram based upon said plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values; and means for identifying quasi-objects based upon said histogram.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an X-ray scattering system with radiation scattering detection to identify said target object within said container.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a target object within a container, said apparatus comprising: means for prescanning said container to form prescan data; means for determining selected locations for CT scanning of said container, said determining means utilizing said prescan data; means for CT scanning said container at said selected locations to form CT data, said CT scanning means being responsive to said determining means; means for analyzing said CT data to preliminarily identifying target object data within said CT data having an associated mass corresponding to an associated mass of said target object in said container, said analyzing means receiving said CT data from said scanning means; and an X-ray analytical mechanism, activated in response to said analyzing means, for confirming the identity of said target object in said container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for automatically detecting a target object within a container, said apparatus comprising: means for prescanning said container to form prescan data; means for determining selected locations for CT scanning of said container, said determining means utilizing said prescan data; means for CT scanning said container at said selected locations to form CT data, said CT scanning means being responsive to said determining means; means for analyzing said CT data to preliminarily identifying target object data within said CT data having an associated mass corresponding to an associated mass of said target object in said container, said analyzing means receiving said CT data from said scanning means; and an X-ray analytical mechanism, activated in response to said analyzing means, for confirming the identity of said target object in said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said determining means includes: means for determining a first selected location and a second selected location for CT scanning of said container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said CT scanning means includes: means for simultaneously CT scanning said container at said first selected location and said second selected location to form CT data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said CT scanning means includes a first X-ray system and a second X-ray system on a rotating gantry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first X-ray system is angularly offset from said second X-ray system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said prescan data generated by said prescanning means includes a plurality of radiation attenuation values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said prescanning means further includes means for subtracting a predetermined radiation attenuation value from each of said plurality of radiation attenuation values, said predetermined radiation attenuation value corresponding to the attenuation caused by said container during said prescanning step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said determining means includes: means for arranging said prescan data into data blocks, each of said data blocks including a plurality of said radiation attenuation values; and means for analyzing said data blocks to establish a plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values corresponding to said plurality of radiation attenuation values associated with each of said data blocks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: means for constructing a histogram based upon said plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values; and means for identifying objects based upon said histogram.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of automatically detecting a target object within a container, said method comprising the steps of: prescanning said container to form prescan data including a plurality of radiation attenuation values; determining first and second locations for CT scanning of said container, said determining step relying upon said prescan data; CT scanning said container simultaneously at said first and second locations to form CT data; and identifying automatically said target object within said CT data, said identifying step relying upon said CT data from said scanning step.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of automatically detecting a target object within a container, said method comprising the steps of: prescanning said container to form prescan data including a plurality of radiation attenuation values; determining first and second locations for CT scanning of said container, said determining step relying upon said prescan data; CT scanning said container simultaneously at said first and second locations to form CT data; and identifying automatically said target object within said CT data, said identifying step relying upon said CT data from said scanning step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of: arranging said prescan data into data blocks, each of said data blocks including a plurality of said radiation attenuation values; and analyzing said prescan data blocks to establish a plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values corresponding to said plurality of radiation attenuation values associated with each of said data blocks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: constructing a histogram based upon said plurality of average radiation attenuation values and standard deviation values; and means for identifying objects based upon said histogram.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said prescanning step further includes the step of subtracting a predetermined radiation attenuation value from each of said plurality of radiation attenuation values, said predetermined radiation attenuation value corresponding to the attenuation caused by said container during said prescanning step.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said identifying step includes the step of: utilizing an X-ray scattering apparatus to identify said target object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |