Abstract: An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: An inspection system and methods for inspecting items using terahertz radiation that may be used to detect contraband (e.g., explosives, weapons and drugs) within items under inspection. Terahertz radiation may be transmitted through and/or reflected from an item. The density and/or a physical property of one or more regions within an item may be determined. Terahertz radiation may be used to inspect surface regions of an item and/or other regions of an item. Terahertz radiation may used in combination with and/or in addition to another inspection modality.

Abstract: A contraband detection system using a cone beam computed tomography scanner. The cone beam scanner allows for rapid acquisition of data for computing three dimensional density maps of objects within items under inspection. Where greater resolution is desired, the image information obtained with the cone beam computed tomography scanner may be combined with higher resolution images formed with a single view scanner. A multi-energy single view scanner may be used to additionally provide information on the effective atomic number of objects contained within items under inspection. Additionally, information obtained with the cone beam computed tomography scanner may be used to increase the accuracy of the computation of the effective atomic number of objects within the item under inspection.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information. In another embodiment, a processor analyzes the CT information and the prescan information to determine whether to update the prescan information based on the CT information.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: An inspection system that can detect contraband items concealed on, in or beneath an individual's clothing. The system employs mm 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 mm wave camera is used in conjunction with a camera that forms visible images. To address privacy concerns of displaying images of people made with mm wave cameras that effectively “see through” clothes, the mm wave images are not displayed directly. Rather, computer processing produces indications of suspicious items from the underlying raw mm wave images. The indications of suspicious items are overlaid on the visible image.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence or absence of subject matter of interest, for example, sheet explosives and/or other potential threat objects is provided by various local and/or global gradient analysis methods including determining characteristics of gradient information of regions in an X-ray image to determine if the regions are associated with subject matter of interest for which detection may be desired, for example, contraband, explosives and/or other prohibited or unauthorized material.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface.

Abstract: A method of advance baggage screening includes steps of transmitting a threat file corresponding to an item under inspection to a processing center, analyzing the threat file according to a detection algorithm at the processing center to determine a screening result for the item under inspection, and transmitting the screening result to a remotely located operator interface for access by an operator.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface.

Abstract: A method of advance baggage screening includes steps of transmitting a threat file corresponding to an item under inspection to a processing center, analyzing the threat file according to a detection algorithm at the processing center to determine a screening result for the item under inspection, and transmitting the screening result to a remotely located operator interface for access by an operator.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a constructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information. In another embodiment, a processor analyzes the CT information and the prescan information to determine whether to update the prescan information based on the CT information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.