Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing targets, e.g., trucks, pallets, trains, cars, and the like, using digital target imaging. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide, at base: a) image segmentation and filtering to identify surrounding white space, interior walls, floor, and ceiling of the container; morphology routines to identify and classify objects found inside the container; and decision routines to report status of container as empty or non-empty with a confidence factor from 1-100.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein automatically detect, highlight and identify high-Z materials in volume concentrations of approximately 100 cm3 or greater utilizing single and/or dual energy sources with x-ray and neutron detectors. The methods and systems described herein are applied to the imaging of containerized cargo and cargo vehicles. Pursuant to the described systems and methods, radiation powers are orders of magnitude lower than those used in the conventional systems. By reducing the radiation power by a factor of, for example, 100 or more, the shielding requirements for the system are greatly reduced, alignment requirements can be significantly relaxed and system components can be lighter weight and more modular. Consequently, system costs are reduced.

Abstract: The system and method described herein facilitate back-to-back automatic scanning of moving vehicles without have the vehicles stop in the scanning zone. The system includes a scanning zone that comprises a radiation source and a radiation source detector. The system further includes a first sensor component for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone.

Abstract: The system and method described herein facilitate back-to-back automatic scanning of moving vehicles without have the vehicles stop in the scanning zone. The system includes a scanning zone that comprises a radiation source and a radiation source detector. The system further includes a first sensor component for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone.

Abstract: The system and method described herein facilitate back-to-back automatic scanning of moving vehicles without have the vehicles stop in the scanning zone. The system includes a scanning zone that comprises a radiation source and a radiation source detector. The system further includes a first sensor component for automatically sensing when a first portion of the moving target has passed through the scanning zone and a second portion of the moving target is about to enter the scanning zone, wherein the first sensor component sends a signal to the automated target inspection system to initiate a scan of the second portion upon sensing that the second portion of the target is about to enter the scanning zone.