Abstract: A method of determining an effective atomic number, Zeff, of an object may include obtaining a plurality of radiographic images of the object. Each radiographic image can be obtained using a different independent X-ray energy level. An intensity value for each pixel in a region of interest in each radiographic image can be determined. A plurality of measured ratios, R, can be formed using attenuation coefficients from a pair of different radiographic images. At least one adjusted measured ratio, Rm, can be calculated based on the plurality of measured ratios, R, and at least one corresponding estimation coefficient, ?. Zeff values can be assigned based on a comparison of the at least one adjusted measured ratio, Rm to a material attenuation database.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting nuclear material using radiographic images of a cargo container includes receiving a plurality of radiographic images of the cargo container and aligning the plurality of images with respect to each other to produce registered images. The method also includes segmenting the registered images using the atomic number and other edge/texture information in order to locate one or more regions of interest within the registered images and estimating atomic number information for each of a predetermined number of portions of the registered images. The method includes assigning a threat level and a confidence value to regions of interest identified as a potential threat and evaluating the regions of interest identified as potential threats using material context information and adjusting, based on the evaluation, the threat level values and confidences of the regions of interest identified as potential threats.

Abstract: A system for segmenting radiographic images of a cargo container can include an object segmentation recognition module adapted to perform a series of functions. The functions can include receiving a plurality of radiographic images of a cargo container, each image generated using a different energy level and segmenting each of the radiographic images using one or more segmentation modules to generate segmentation data representing one or more image segments. The functions can also include identifying image layers within the radiographic images using a plurality of layer analysis modules by providing the plurality of radiographic images and the segmentation data as input to the layer analysis modules, and determining adjusted atomic number values for an atomic number image based on the image layers.

Abstract: A system is presented for recognizing and identifying postal indicia on an envelope. The system includes an image acquisition element that acquires a first image, representing a first side of the envelope, and a second image, representing a second side of the envelope, and generates first and second candidate images from respective opposing corners of the first image and third and fourth candidate images from respective opposing corners of the second image. A feature extractor that, for each candidate image, divides the candidate image into a plurality of regions, extracts a plurality of numerical feature values from each of the plurality of regions, and recombines the plurality of feature values into a feature vector that represents the image. A classification element classifies the image into one of a plurality of output classes representing various types of postal indicia according to the numerical feature vector.

Abstract: A system is presented for recognizing and identifying postal indicia on an envelope. The system includes an image acquisition element that acquires at least one binarized image of an envelope and isolates at least one region of interest from the at least one image. A candidate locator attempts to locate at least one candidate object within the at least one region of interest according to the distribution of dark pixels within the at least one region of interest. A feature extractor extracts an associated set of numerical feature values from each of the at least one candidate object. A classification element classifies each candidate object according to its associated set of numerical feature values.

Abstract: A system for recognizing and identifying postal indicia on an envelope. This includes an image acquisition element that acquires a first image, representing a first side of the envelope, and a second image, representing a second side of the envelope. A feature extractor, for each of the first and second image, extracts a plurality of numerical feature values from each image as respective first and second feature vectors that represent the envelope. An orientation classification element classifies the envelope into one of a plurality of output classes representing a plurality of possible orientations according to the first and second feature vectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the orientation of an envelope. A plurality of classification elements are each operative to analyze at least one image of the envelope and produce at least one output value indicative of the orientation of the envelope. An arbitrator determines an associated orientation for the envelope according to the plurality of output values provided by the plurality of classification elements.