Patents Assigned to Smiths Heimann GmbH
  • Patent number: 10701791
    Abstract: In order to predict the lifetime of an X-ray generator, the data of at least one physical variable which influences the lifetime of the generator are regularly stored. The stored data are evaluated by means of stored statistics in order to determine the expected remaining lifetime of the X-ray generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Hess
  • Patent number: 10216866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling are provided. The method can include acquiring scan data associated with a plurality of x-ray projections of an item. The method can further include determining at least one closed boundary curve associated with the item. For example, the method can determine a first maximum area based on the scan data and determine at least one edge of the first maximum area. The method can further generate a model of the item using the closed boundary curve and a first material specific parameter for a material within the closed boundary curve. The method can utilize the model to generate computed scan data, compare the computed scan data to the scan data, and determine a goodness of fit. The method can further adjust the model of the item by altering at least one of the closed boundary curve and the material specific parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Muenster, Pia Dreiseitel
  • Patent number: 9960930
    Abstract: A bus node, a communication unit, which can be coupled for communication to at least data line of a bus; having a bus node controller, which is coupled operationally to the communication unit; and having an identification unit, which has a quadripole connectable, instead of a direct connection, between an IDT input and an IDT output for an identification line and vice versa, the quadripole being configured such that upon a serial interconnection of a first bus node with at least one second bus node for the bus node controller, the position of the first bus node is identifiable on the basis of a comparison of the voltage at the IDT input with a predetermined threshold value, regardless of the number of second bus nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Riedel
  • Publication number: 20170140667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (26; 26.1; 26.2) for generating test X-ray images for training and/or testing operators at the location of use of at least one X-ray inspection facility (10.1, 10.2, 10.n) for nondestructively inspecting an inspection object (14), in particular a piece of luggage or a package. The generation unit (26; 26.1; 26.2) includes: an inspection object database (34) for storing X-ray image data of inspection objects (14) generated using the at least one X-ray inspection facility (10.1, 10.2, 10.n); a target item database (36) containing image data of target items; and an image projection unit (38) for projecting a virtual image of a target item from the target item database (36) into an X-ray image from the inspection object database (34) in order to generate a test X-ray image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brudy, Susanne Schilhab
  • Patent number: 9449242
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for the detection of objects (e.g., laptop computers, electronics, explosives, etc.) within luggage. In particular, methods are provided for the detection of laptop computers within luggage (e.g., luggage containing other metallic objects and/or electronic devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Dominik Oelke
  • Patent number: 9360572
    Abstract: A liquid mixture is used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, said mixture containing glycerol and sodium hydroxide, in a weight ratio of glycerol to solid hydroxide between 6.5 and 3.8, and containing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Siedenburg
  • Patent number: 9158028
    Abstract: In a facility for checking large-volume goods, in particular freight goods, with an X-ray source, which emits X-rays for irradiating the goods, and with a detector arrangement aligned with the X-ray source, the detectors of the detector arrangement are designed or arranged in such a way that detector rows are produced with two row limbs which abut one another at right angles on their longitudinal sides, of which one limb is aligned parallel to the movement direction of the goods being checked, and the other is aligned perpendicular to this in the direction of the X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bartscher, Andreas Frank, Rainer Henkel, Claus Meder
  • Publication number: 20150260858
    Abstract: A liquid mixture is used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, said mixture containing glycerol and sodium hydroxide, in a weight ratio of glycerol to solid hydroxide between 6.5 and 3.8, and containing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe SIEDENBURG
  • Patent number: 9128200
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detection of a particular material in an object, in particular in an item of luggage, by means of electromagnetic radiation in which the intensities of non-absorbed radiation from at least three radiation planes are measured and evaluated in associated detector apparatus, wherein an image is produced, initially from the intensities of the non-absorbed radiation, and then if single regions of low complexity are found which are characterized by approximately constant intensities, an estimation of the attenuation coefficient s performed and a material detection is carried out in the region according to an algorithm which calculates a three-dimensional reconstruction from different views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Muenster, Joerg Nittikowski, Pia Dreiseitel, Andreas Mader, Rainer Heinkel, Thomas Ries, Dirk Naumann, Uwe Siedenburg
  • Patent number: 9091764
    Abstract: A liquid mixture used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons is provided. The mixture containing glycerol and consisting of a mixture of glycerol, ethanoic acid and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Siedenburg
  • Publication number: 20150179368
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, assemblies, and methods of use thereof to prevent inadvertent actuation of an element while allowing intentional actuation by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Smith Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Kristofer Roe, Rainer Henkel
  • Patent number: 9014331
    Abstract: A radiation tunnel of an X-ray test device is shielded in by means of a radiation protection curtain in order that no impermissible radiation emerges. The radiation protection curtain is constructed from plates which are connected to one another in a manner of a downwardly suspended flat-top chain and are produced from a plastics composite that absorbs X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Crass
  • Patent number: 9008265
    Abstract: A device includes a radiation tunnel in which an X-ray source and a detector unit are disposed, the detectors of which are aligned with the X-ray source so as to detect transmitted radiation for detecting suspicious objects. Disposed in the radiation tunnel is a frame which can be moved over an examination region and has two supports which extend at a spacing parallel to each other and are rigidly connected to each other, the radiation source being secured on one vertical support and the detector unit being secured on the other vertical support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Geus
  • Patent number: 8971486
    Abstract: Methods and systems for x-ray inspection are provided. The system can include a source of radiant energy configured so that the radiant energy traverses a scanning volume. The system can further include a filter between the source and the scanning volume, a conveying apparatus configured to impart relative motion between an exposure-limited subject and the scanning volume, a conveyance monitor configured to generate conveyance data reflecting a conveyance state of the exposure-limited subject, a radiant energy sensing apparatus configured to sense radiant energy from the source and to generate source radiant energy data, and a dose controller configured to acquire conveyance data, source radiant energy data, and a signal related to subject dose data, and to generate a measure that a portion of the exposure-limited subject has acquired a dose of radiant energy above a dose threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Scholling
  • Patent number: 8899404
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for efficient passenger belonging screening at security checkpoints. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for tracking, analyzing, and collecting information in order to improve efficiency at security checkpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Schoepe, Stefan Aust, Kristofer Roe, Jason Dylan Gash
  • Patent number: 8861676
    Abstract: A transport bin for an X-ray inspection system, comprising a identifying device rigidly connected to the bin, the identifying device having a bin-specific identifier, wherein the identifying device has a memory, in which an identification code that is unique worldwide, in particular a universally unique identifier (UUID), is stored in such a way that the identification code can be read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bloesl, Uwe Flehmig, Christian Haas, Claus Meder, Dirk Naumann, Daniel Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8841618
    Abstract: For examining objects, in particular for inspecting persons for suspicious items, devices having a scanning system for scanning the object and having an evaluating system are known. An optical marking system is provided, which indicates the position of an item classified as suspicious on the object itself or in a mirror image of the object by means of visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Jeck
  • Publication number: 20140270081
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for selectively inhibiting radiation from being generated by a radiation source are provided. A radiation source comprises an electrically conductive gate situated between a cathode and an anode. When a voltage potential is created between the gate and the cathode, a flow of electrons between the cathode and the anode is mitigated, thus inhibiting radiation from being generated by the radiation source. When the voltage potential is removed or lessened, electrons may more freely flow between the cathode and the anode to generate radiation. In some embodiments, a calibration, such as a dark calibration, may be performed while the gate mitigates the flow of electrons. Moreover, in some embodiments, an accelerating voltage applied to the radiation source may be held substantially constant when radiation is generated as well as when radiation generation is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Smiths Heimann GmbH, Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Neil Urchuk, Stephen J. Quigley, Hans Weedon, Aissa Abdulmagid, Knut Beneke, Claus Meder, Dirk Naumann
  • Publication number: 20140222385
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling are provided. The method can include acquiring scan data associated with a plurality of x-ray projections of an item. The method can further include determining at least one closed boundary curve associated with the item. For example, the method can determine a first maximum area based on the scan data and determine at least one edge of the first maximum area. The method can further generate a model of the item using the closed boundary curve and a first material specific parameter for a material within the closed boundary curve. The method can utilize the model to generate computed scan data, compare the computed scan data to the scan data, and determine a goodness of fit. The method can further adjust the model of the item by altering at least one of the closed boundary curve and the material specific parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH HEIMANN GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Muenster, Pia Dreiseitel
  • Publication number: 20140166937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid mixture to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, the mixture containing glycerol. The glycerol portion is at least 90% by weight, preferably approximately 99.5% by weight and the remaining portion is water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe SIEDENBURG