Abstract: The application discloses a system and methods for remote access and analysis of data collected about items under inspection. The system includes one or more data collection stations, each of which may include an X-ray scanner that scans the items under inspection to obtain data about the items. The data is transmitted to one or more remote stations, where the data is remotely analyzed to determine whether the item contains a potential threat, such as, for example, explosives or other contraband. Data may be aggregated so that correlations between data collected for different items may be used to more accurately detect threats.

Abstract: An object within a region is exposed to a first beam of penetrating radiation. The first beam of penetrating radiation is sensed on a side opposite the region from a source of the first beam. An attenuation of the first beam caused by passing the first beam through the object is determined, the attenuation is compared to a threshold attenuation. If the attenuation exceeds the threshold attenuation, a parameter of a second of beam of penetrating radiation is adjusted based on the determined attenuation.

Abstract: A piece of luggage, such as a suitcase, is constructed with one or more compartments of predesigned location and purpose to facilitate security inspection. Compartments may be designated to hold objects that, if obscured by other objects, carry an undesirably high likelihood of generating a false alarm because obscuring objects prevent an accurate assessment of the nature of those objects. For this reason, a compartment may be designated for liquids, gels and/or aerosols. A compartment may also be designated for objects, such as metal objects, which carry a risk of generating a false alarm if packed in a suitcase in a way that they obscure other objects and prevent an accurate determination of whether those objects are threat objects. Such compartments are positioned to ensure that the items they contain are segregated during x-ray inspection so as to neither obscure or be obscured by other objects packed in the luggage.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning large cargo to detect concealed contents include a mobile platform configured to carry and position at least one X-ray or gamma-ray source and at least one detector array at a plurality of positions with respect to a stationary cargo. The detector array may be mounted on a boom moveably affixed to the mobile platform. Multiple measurements of radiation passing through the cargo for various source-detector orientations can be used to compute volumetric images of concealed content within the cargo.

Abstract: A surveillance system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the surveillance system may include at least one controller configured to receive information data from at least one upstream information source and to control operation of at least one controllable downstream information source based, at least in part, on the information data. A surveillance method also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include analyzing screening data, obtaining information data, and reanalyzing the screening data based, at least in part, on the obtained information data.

Abstract: A volumetric image of a space is acquired from an imaging system. The space includes an object of interest and another object, and the volumetric image includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. A two-dimensional radiograph of the space is acquired from the imaging system. The two-dimensional radiograph of the space includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. The two-dimensional radiograph and the volumetric image are compared at the imaging system. A two-dimensional image is generated based on the comparison. The generated two-dimensional image includes the object of interest and excludes the other object.

Abstract: A surveillance system may include at least one controller configured to receive information data from at least one information source and to control operation of at least one controllable subsequent information source based, at least in part, on the information data. A surveillance method may include analyzing screening data, obtaining information data, and reanalyzing the screening data based, at least in part, on the obtained information data.

Abstract: A distribution of heavy particle stopping power is be determined. A distribution of effective atomic number of a three-dimensional space is accessed, and a distribution of an x-ray stopping power of the three-dimensional space is accessed. A conversion is applied to the distribution of the effective atomic number and the distribution of x-ray stopping power. A distribution of the heavy particle stopping power of the three-dimensional space is generated based on the conversion, the heavy particle stopping power being an indication of a depth of penetration for a heavy particle incident on the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of an article becoming jammed in a conveyor system. The width of an article, like luggage, may be detected and the article rotated if the width is greater than a threshold value. A jammed article in the conveyance system may be detected, and repositioned by a positioner, to clear the jam. Spacing between articles in the conveyor system may also be controlled.

Abstract: A property of a treatment beam is controlled during a scanning period. A portion of a region is exposed to an imaging x-ray beam during a scanning period, the imaging x-ray beam being generated by an electron-beam scanner. X-ray radiation from the region is detected, the x-ray radiation representing an attenuation of the imaging x-ray beam caused by the portion of the region. A first image of the portion of the region is generated based on the detected x-ray radiation. A characteristic of the portion of the region is determined from the generated first image. An input derived from the characteristic is generated, the input configured to cause a source of a treatment beam to modify a property of the treatment beam. The source of the treatment beam modifies a property of the treatment beam during the scanning period by providing the input to the source of the treatment beam.

Abstract: An inspection system that can detect contraband items concealed on, in or beneath an individual's clothing. The system employs millimeter wave radiation to detect contraband items. The system is described in connection with a check point security system that includes temperature controlled walls to enhance imaging of contraband items. Also, a millimeter wave camera is used in conjunction with a visible light camera that forms images. To address privacy concerns of displaying images of people made with millimeter wave cameras that effectively “see through” clothes, the millimeter wave images are not displayed directly. Rather, computer processing produces indications of suspicious items from the underlying raw millimeter wave images. The indications of suspicious items are overlaid on the image formed by the visible light camera.

Abstract: A volumetric image of a space is acquired from an imaging system. The space includes an object of interest and another object, and the volumetric image includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. A two-dimensional radiograph of the space is acquired from the imaging system. The two-dimensional radiograph of the space includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. The two-dimensional radiograph and the volumetric image are compared at the imaging system. A two-dimensional image is generated based on the comparison. The generated two-dimensional image includes the object of interest and excludes the other object.

Abstract: An inspection system that forms material sensitive X-ray images of items under inspection. The images are decomposed into basis function images using basis functions representative of materials of interest. The decomposed images may be processed separately to detect concentrations of a material of interest corresponding to one or more of the basis functions. When operated in this mode, the inspection system may be used in applications such as material sorting or security screening. At least one basis function is selected to distinguish a material of interest from other materials likely contained with the item, allowing one of the basis function images to be analyzed to obtain information about a specific material of interest. The images may be automatically analyzed or may be superimposed for display with different visual characteristics assigned to the components associated with each basis function for analysis by a human operator.

Abstract: X-ray radiation is generated at a target that emits x-ray radiation in response to being struck by accelerated electrons, the electrons being emitted by a cathode that emits electrons in response to being illuminated by electromagnetic radiation from a source, and the x-ray radiation is moved by orienting a surface that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source toward the cathode.

Abstract: A property of a treatment beam is controlled during a scanning period. A portion of a region is exposed to an imaging x-ray beam during a scanning period, the imaging x-ray beam being generated by an electron-beam scanner. X-ray radiation from the region is detected, the x-ray radiation representing an attenuation of the imaging x-ray beam caused by the portion of the region. A first image of the portion of the region is generated based on the detected x-ray radiation. A characteristic of the portion of the region is determined from the generated first image. An input derived from the characteristic is generated, the input configured to cause a source of a treatment beam to modify a property of the treatment beam. The source of the treatment beam modifies a property of the treatment beam during the scanning period by providing the input to the source of the treatment beam.

Abstract: In one aspect, an x-ray scanning device is provided. The x-ray scanning device comprises a target adapted to convert electron-beam (e-beam) energy into x-ray energy, a detector array positioned to detect at least some x-rays emitted from the target, and a conveyer mechanism adapted to convey items to be inspected through an inspection region formed by the target and the detector array, wherein the target and the detector array are rotated out of alignment with each other such that x-rays emitted from the target impinge on diametrically positioned detectors of the detector array without passing through near-side detectors of the detector array.

Abstract: A source of pulsed radiation is coupled to a positionable filter. The positionable filter includes an element that produces an indication of a position of the filter. The source is configured to receive the indication of the position of the filter, and to regulate emission of a pulse of radiation based on the indication. A device includes an area including a material that alters a parameter of a beam of radiation that interacts with the material. The device is configured to move relative to a source of pulsed radiation. An element provides a signal to the source of pulsed radiation that indicates a position of the area relative to the source. The signal causes the source to trigger emission of a pulse at a time such that the emitted pulse is incident upon a portion of the area.

Abstract: A first image including a projection of a portion is generated based on data representing attenuation of higher-energy radiation having a peak energy of at least 1 MeV that passes through a portion of an inspection volume. A second image including a projection of the portion is generated based on data representing attenuation of lower-energy radiation passing through the portion of the inspection volume. A dual-pixel image is created from the first image and the second image. A region of interest is selected from the dual-pixel image. A first basis function that is derived from an attenuation characteristic associated with the region of interest is selected. The region of interest is represented in terms of an amplitude associated with the first basis function and an amplitude associated with the second basis function.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a frame supporting at least first and second skewed radiation sources and at least first and second radiation detectors. The first and second radiation detectors may be substantially non-contiguous such that a substantial gap exists between the first and second radiation detectors that is free of any radiation detectors. Each of the first and second radiation detectors may also configured and arranged to detect radiation emitted by each of the first and second skewed radiation sources.

Abstract: An imaging system that can form an image of an item under inspection using scattered radiation. A pencil beam of radiation is steered over the item under inspection and scattered radiation is detected. Regions of the item under inspection from which radiation is scattered are resolved in three dimensions using two-dimensional coordinates to which the pencil beam is steered. The third dimension is resolved using time of flight from the source. Because the inspection system can be located on one side of an item under inspection, an item may be imaged from a long distance and the imaging system may be mounted on a moving vehicle, making the imaging system well suited for use in many security inspection systems to detect explosives and other contraband items.