Abstract: In some examples, a method is included for converting and exchanging loyalty points. The method includes generating, by a computing system, records including relationship information linking a credit card of a credit card issuer to loyalty rewards program entities. The method includes converting card issuer points of the issuer to loyalty rewards program points of one loyalty rewards program entity of the program entities according to a point conversion rule. The loyalty rewards program points can be issued by the one loyalty rewards program entity to a corresponding loyalty rewards program account of a cardholder of the card after the conversion and according to the conversion rule. And, the conversion of the card issuer points to the loyalty rewards program points can include a two-step conversion including converting the card issuer points to intermediate points and then converting the intermediate points to the loyalty rewards program points.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one x-ray scanning system geometric property includes the steps of positioning a calibration device inside a scanning chamber of the scanning device, the chamber being intersected by at least one fan beam of x-rays during a scanning operation, measuring a distance between the calibration device and at least one inner wall of the chamber, scanning the calibration device to produce an image of the calibration device, identifying pixels representing the a geometric feature of the calibration device in the image, determining a position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image and, determining a scanning system property based on the position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image. The position and orientation of the feature in the scanning chamber and the x-ray scanning system property may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: In some examples, a method is included for converting and exchanging loyalty points. The method includes generating, by a computing system, records that include relationship information linking a credit card of a credit card issuer to loyalty rewards program entities. The method includes converting card issuer points of the issuer to loyalty rewards program points of one loyalty rewards program entity of the program entities according to a point conversion rule. The loyalty rewards program points can be issued by the one loyalty rewards program entity to a corresponding loyalty rewards program account of a cardholder of the card after the conversion and according to the point conversion rule. And, the conversion of the card issuer points to the loyalty rewards program points can include a two-step conversion including converting the card issuer points to intermediate points and then converting the intermediate points to the loyalty rewards program points.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one x-ray scanning system geometric property includes the steps of positioning a calibration device inside a scanning chamber of the scanning device, the chamber being intersected by at least one fan beam of x-rays during a scanning operation, measuring a distance between the calibration device and at least one inner wall of the chamber, scanning the calibration device to produce an image of the calibration device, identifying pixels representing the a geometric feature of the calibration device in the image, determining a position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image and, determining a scanning system property based on the position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image. The position and orientation of the feature in the scanning chamber and the x-ray scanning system property may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: An article for screening includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A forward wall, an aft wall and side walls each extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. A longitudinal recess extends at least partially across the top surface has a first lateral wall extending away from the top surface toward the bottom surface and meeting with a base wall at a predetermined angle therebetween for positioning of a liquid material relative to the first lateral wall and the base wall. The predetermined angle is for restricting data in a data range provided by a scanning operation of the liquid material to data provided within the predetermined angle between the first lateral wall and the base wall of the recess. The liquid material may be contained within a container positioned within the recess. Preferably, the article is an insert for a security screening tray.

Abstract: In some examples, a method is included for converting and exchanging loyalty points. The method includes generating, by a computing system, records that include relationship information linking a credit card of a credit card issuer to loyalty rewards program entities. The method includes converting card issuer points of the issuer to loyalty rewards program points of one loyalty rewards program entity of the program entities according to a point conversion rule. The loyalty rewards program points can be issued by the one loyalty rewards program entity to a corresponding loyalty rewards program account of a cardholder of the card after the conversion and according to the point conversion rule. And, the conversion of the card issuer points to the loyalty rewards program points can include a two-step conversion including converting the card issuer points to intermediate points and then converting the intermediate points to the loyalty rewards program points.

Abstract: A method for detecting at least one object of interest in at least one raw data x-ray image includes the steps of emitting an incident x-ray radiation beam through a scanning volume having an object therein, detecting x-ray signals transmitted through at least one of the scanning volume and the object, deriving the at least one raw data x-ray image from the detected x-ray signals, inputting the raw data x-ray image, expressed according to an attenuation scale, into a neural network, for each pixel in the raw data x-ray image, outputting from the neural network a probability value assigned to that pixel, and, classifying each pixel in the raw data x-ray image into a first classification if the probability value associated with the pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold probability value and in a second classification if the probability value associated with the pixel is below the predetermined threshold probability value.

Abstract: A method for detecting at least one object of interest in at least one raw data x-ray image includes the steps of emitting an incident x-ray radiation beam through a scanning volume having an object therein, detecting x-ray signals transmitted through at least one of the scanning volume and the object, deriving the at least one raw data x-ray image from the detected x-ray signals, inputting the raw data x-ray image, expressed according to an attenuation scale, into a neural network, for each pixel in the raw data x-ray image, outputting from the neural network a probability value assigned to that pixel, and, classifying each pixel in the raw data x-ray image into a first classification if the probability value associated with the pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold probability value and in a second classification if the probability value associated with the pixel is below the predetermined threshold probability value.

Abstract: An article for screening includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A forward wall, an aft wall and side walls each extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. A longitudinal recess extends at least partially across the top surface has a first lateral wall extending away from the top surface toward the bottom surface and meeting with a base wall at a predetermined angle therebetween for positioning of a liquid material relative to the first lateral wall and the base wall. The predetermined angle is for restricting data in a data range provided by a scanning operation of the liquid material to data provided within the predetermined angle between the first lateral wall and the base wall of the recess. The liquid material may be contained within a container positioned within the recess. Preferably, the article is an insert for a security screening tray.

Abstract: An article for screening includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A forward wall, an aft wall and side walls each extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. A longitudinal recess extends at least partially across the top surface has a first lateral wall extending away from the top surface toward the bottom surface and meeting with a base wall at a predetermined angle therebetween for positioning of a liquid material relative to the first lateral wall and the base wall. The predetermined angle is for restricting data in a data range provided by a scanning operation of the liquid material to data provided within the predetermined angle between the first lateral wall and the base wall of the recess. The liquid material may be contained within a container positioned within the recess. Preferably, the article is an insert for a security screening tray.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one x-ray scanning system geometric property includes the steps of positioning a calibration device inside a scanning chamber of the scanning device, the chamber being intersected by at least one fan beam of x-rays during a scanning operation, measuring a distance between the calibration device and at least one inner wall of the chamber, scanning the calibration device to produce an image of the calibration device, identifying pixels representing the a geometric feature of the calibration device in the image, determining a position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image and, determining a scanning system property based on the position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image. The position and orientation of the feature in the scanning chamber and the x-ray scanning system property may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one x-ray scanning system geometric property includes the steps of positioning a calibration device inside a scanning chamber of the scanning device, the chamber being intersected by at least one fan beam of x-rays during a scanning operation, measuring a distance between the calibration device and at least one inner wall of the chamber, scanning the calibration device to produce an image of the calibration device, identifying pixels representing the a geometric feature of the calibration device in the image, determining a position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image and, determining a scanning system property based on the position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image. The position and orientation of the feature in the scanning chamber and the x-ray scanning system property may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one x-ray scanning system geometric property includes the steps of positioning a calibration device inside a scanning chamber of the scanning device, the chamber being intersected by at least one fan beam of x-rays during a scanning operation, measuring a distance between the calibration device and at least one inner wall of the chamber, scanning the calibration device to produce an image of the calibration device, identifying pixels representing the a geometric feature of the calibration device in the image, determining a position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image and, determining a scanning system property based on the position and orientation of the pixels representing the geometric feature in the image. The position and orientation of the feature in the scanning chamber and the x-ray scanning system property may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for detecting at least one object of interest in at least one raw data x-ray image includes the steps of emitting an incident x-ray radiation beam through a scanning volume having an object therein, detecting x-ray signals transmitted through at least one of the scanning volume and the object, deriving the at least one raw data x-ray image from the detected x-ray signals, inputting the raw data x-ray image, expressed according to an attenuation scale, into a neural network, for each pixel in the raw data x-ray image, outputting from the neural network a probability value assigned to that pixel, and, classifying each pixel in the raw data x-ray image into a first classification if the probability value associated with the pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold probability value and in a second classification if the probability value associated with the pixel is below the predetermined threshold probability value.

Abstract: A power supply and an automotive topology that includes the power supply, the power supply having an integrated module, which includes in a common, shared module housing, a start-stop DC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter, and an auxiliary DC/DC converter, which bypasses stop/start during non-stop/start operation. A DC input port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter, DC/AC converter, and the auxiliary DC/DC converter. A DC output port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter to supply DC to critical loads of a motor vehicle, even during vehicle OFF mode. An AC output port connected to the DC/AC converter to supply AC to an external component.

Abstract: An article for screening includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A forward wall, an aft wall and side walls each extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. A longitudinal recess extends at least partially across the top surface has a first lateral wall extending away from the top surface toward the bottom surface and meeting with a base wall at a predetermined angle therebetween for positioning of a liquid material relative to the first lateral wall and the base wall. The predetermined angle is for restricting data in a data range provided by a scanning operation of the liquid material to data provided within the predetermined angle between the first lateral wall and the base wall of the recess. The liquid material may be contained within a container positioned within the recess. Preferably, the article is an insert for a security screening tray.

Abstract: A power supply and an automotive topology that includes the power supply, the power supply having an integrated module, which includes in a common, shared module housing, a start-stop DC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter, and an auxiliary DC/DC converter, which bypasses stop/start during non-stop/start operation. A DC input port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter, DC/AC converter, and the auxiliary DC/DC converter. A DC output port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter to supply DC to critical loads of a motor vehicle, even during vehicle OFF mode. An AC output port connected to the DC/AC converter to supply AC to an external component.

Abstract: There is provided a method for assigning an attribute to x-ray attenuation including scanning in an x-ray scanning device first and second reference materials each having known atomic composition, dimensions and orientation in the scanning device. The device emits x-rays which pass through the first reference material with first reference material path lengths and the second reference material with second reference material path lengths. The x-rays are detected by detectors to provide a plurality of dual-energy attenuation images having dual-energy x-ray attenuation information. The dual-energy x-ray attenuation information in the dual-energy attenuation images is associated with the first and second reference material path lengths.

Abstract: An x-ray screening system includes a plurality of x-ray screening devices each for scanning at least one object of interest. Each screening device emits x-rays which pass through the object of interest and which are detected by a group of detectors including at least one detector to provide measured x-ray energy signals. At least one central processor is in data communication with each screening device for receiving the measured x-ray energy signals from each screening device automatically and in real-time. The at least one processor automatically analyzes the measured x-ray energy signals in real-time to determine at least one property of the object of interest and determining whether the at least one property indicates that at least a portion of the object of interest is composed of a material of interest. The material of interest may be a potentially dangerous material.