Inspection Of Closed Container Patents (Class 378/57)
  • Patent number: 10627529
    Abstract: A radiation exposure system having a beam source is provided. The system further includes a variable thickness degrader, positioned between the beam source and an object to be exposed, for providing varying degrees of degradation to a radiation beam emitted from the beam source onto the object. The system also includes a set of detectors, positioned between the variable thickness degrader and the object, for receiving and measuring only a portion of the radiation beam remaining after the degradation of the radiation beam by the variable thickness degrader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, John G. Massey, Kenneth P. Rodbell
  • Patent number: 10605749
    Abstract: A method for analyzing an object, includes irradiating the object with incident photon radiation, acquiring a spectrum transmitted by the object using a spectrometric transmission detector, determining at least one first property of the object from the transmission spectrum, verifying that at least one doubt criterion relating to the first property of the object is met, and translating the fact that the object contains a material that is potentially dubious for the application under consideration. A second part, carried out only when the doubt criterion is met, includes acquiring an energy spectrum scattered by the object using a spectrometric scattering detector at an angle of 1° to 15°, and determining a second property of the object from at least the scatter spectrum and comparing at least the second property of the object with properties of standard materials stored in a database to identify the objects composition material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Caroline Paulus, Joachim Tabary
  • Patent number: 10598812
    Abstract: The present specification discloses methods for scanning objects for the presence of lithium batteries. Normalized transmission X-ray data is used to generate organic, effective Z, and attenuation-based images. These images are then segmented using a combination of thresholding and region growing techniques to identify regions of interest. The regions are classified as lithium batteries or other objects, based on characteristics such as area of the region, its organic intensity, Zeff number, shape, spatial arrangement and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Franco, Ling Tang, Jing Ye Shea, Minyang Huang, Jolyon Browne
  • Patent number: 10585052
    Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a security inspection apparatus and method, relates to the technical field of radiation, wherein the security inspection apparatus of the disclosure includes: radiation emitting device, back-scatter detector, size-distance detecting device, orientation adjusting device; the back-scatter detector located between the radiation emitting device and an inspected object; the size-distance detecting device located between the radiation emitting device and the inspected object, for detecting a size of the inspected object and/or a distance between the inspected object and the size-distance detecting device; and the orientation adjusting device adjusts orientation of the radiation emitting device according to the size of the inspected object and/or the distance from the inspected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Jin Cui, Dong Lin, Bin Hu, Xianshun Tan, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 10578765
    Abstract: This invention provides a scan method, scan system and radiation scan controller, and relates to the field of radiation. The scanning method includes obtaining detection data of an object to be inspected under radiation scanning using a detector, adjusting an accelerator output beam dose rate and/or an output electron beam energy level of a radiation emission device according to the detection data. With this method, working conditions of the accelerator of the radiation emission device may be adjusted according to the detection data detected by the detector, so that for a region having a larger mass thickness, a higher output beam dose rate or a higher electron beam output energy level is adopted to guarantee satisfied imaging technical indexes, for a region having a smaller mass thickness, a lower output beam dose rate or a lower electron beam output energy level is adopted to reduce the environmental dose level while guaranteeing satisfied imaging technical indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Yaohong Liu, Ziran Zhao, Wei Jia, Jianping Gu, Chuanxiang Tang, Huaibi Chen, Jianjun Gao, Wei Yin, Xiying Liu
  • Patent number: 10571597
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 10572703
    Abstract: An RFID-based item tracking system may use statistical methods to determine whether a tag or tagged item that does not respond when inventoried is present in a particular zone or reader antenna field-of-view. In one embodiment, the item tracking system may determine an observability of an item based on one or more initial trials. Upon not detecting the item in one or more subsequent trials, the item tracking system may estimate whether the item is still present based on the observability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Balaji Shyamkumar, Kurt Sundstrom, Scott Cooper, Jayasuryan Iyer, Sandesh Doddameti, Christopher J. Diorio
  • Patent number: 10564038
    Abstract: A spectral characteristic acquiring apparatus includes a color data acquiring unit including a plurality of spectral sensors configured to receive reflected light from an object that has been irradiated with light to acquire color data of the object, a spectral characteristic calculating unit configured to estimate spectral characteristics of the object based on the acquired color data of the object using a preset transformation matrix, a first conveying unit configured to convey the object in a predetermined conveying direction, and a second conveying unit configured to convey the color data acquiring unit in a direction intersecting the predetermined conveying direction. The plurality of spectral sensors are arrayed in the predetermined conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Taneda, Kohei Shimbo, Yoichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 10554829
    Abstract: An information processing device capable of sharing photographed images while protecting the subject's privacy is provided. The information processing device includes: a photographing-related information acquisition unit configured to acquire image data obtained by photographing a subject or photographing information associated with the image data; a log data acquisition unit configured to acquire log data serving as information related to an operation of a predetermined moving object; and a processing unit configured to evaluate a relevance between the subject and the moving object based on the image data or the photographing information and based on the log data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigefumi Tamura, Ryosuke Nomura, Itaru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10527525
    Abstract: A method and a system for fast inspecting a vehicle based on a length measuring device, including: when a subject vehicle enters an inspection region, measuring a first length and a second length of the subject vehicle; determining whether the first length and the second length is respectively larger than or equal to a preset second length threshold; if so, determining whether a gap portion of the subject vehicle between a first portion and a second portion of the subject vehicle appears in a beam emitting region formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted by the system for fast inspecting a vehicle; and when the gap portion appears in the beam emitting region, emitting a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portion, wherein the subject vehicle moves with respect to the system for fast inspecting a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yanwei Xu, Weifeng Yu
  • Patent number: 10511828
    Abstract: Projector with rolling illumination to incrementally project a pattern over a scene within an image sensor FOV. Only a portion of the FOV is illuminated by the projected pattern at any given instant in time. The image sensor may be operable with a rolling shutter to incrementally collect a frame of image data representative of the scene. The projection roll position and rate may be synchronized with the roll position and rate of the image sensor shutter so that the portion of a scene illuminated by the projector at any given instant in time spatially overlaps the portion of the scene being sampled by the image sensor. When a shutter has rolled through one complete integration cycle over a frame time, the pattern projector has also rolled through one complete illumination cycle. Lower projector duty cycles associated with rolling illumination may enable more efficient operation and/or higher on-state radiant intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Richmond Hicks
  • Patent number: 10509979
    Abstract: An inspection method and system for inspecting whether there is any liquor in goods is provided. The method includes: acquiring a radiation image of goods being inspected; processing on the radiation image to obtain an ROI; inspecting on the ROI using a liquor goods inspection model to determine if the ROI of the radiation image contains liquor goods. The above solution performs liquor inspection on scanned images of goods, especially containers, so as to intelligently assist the image inspectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Duokun Zhang, Jianping Gu, Qiang Li, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10481113
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for Compton scattering radiography employing a variable energy X-ray source and a detector capable of detecting the temporal intensity profile of scattered X-ray pulses disposed on one side of an object to be imaged. Based on analysis of the measurement of the instantaneous intensity of the detected photons and the beam position relative to the object, an image is generated. Each voxel can be reconstructed to yield a measure of variation in the density of the material of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Radiabeam Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli Arodzero, Sergey V. Kutsaev, Vitaliy Ziskin
  • Patent number: 10473811
    Abstract: Multi-modal scanner with metal detector for defining an X-ray scan region of a human body with a metal object includes an X-ray source; adjustable collimator outputting a fan-shaped X-ray beam from the X-ray source; an X-ray detector detecting the X-ray beam after passing through a human body; a metal detector adapted to identify an area with the metallic object; and a processor controlling the X-ray source, the adjustable collimator and the metal detector, and changing an aperture of the collimator to limit the fan-shaped X-ray beam to the identified area of the human body. Visual indicators (LEDs) are on a frame of the scanner for indicating the area of the human body with the metallic object. The collimator includes two lead plates that are moved vertically automatically upon detection of the metallic object to direct the fan-shaped X-ray beam to only the area of the human body with the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Adani Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dzmitryi Bairashewski, Vladimir N. Linev
  • Patent number: 10444400
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a conveyor duct including a first wall and an opposing second wall, a gantry coupled to one end of the conveyor duct, an imaging assembly associated with the gantry, and a conveyor assembly coupled to the conveyor duct. The conveyor assembly includes a first rail coupled to the first wall of the conveyor duct and a second rail coupled to the second wall of the conveyor duct, the first rail and the second rail defining a channel therebetween. The imaging system also includes a tray including a base, wherein the conveyor assembly is configured to transport the tray into the gantry, and wherein the base of the tray extends between and below the first rail and the second rail when the conveyor assembly is transporting the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, LLC
    Inventor: Pedro Andres Garzon
  • Patent number: 10444166
    Abstract: An X-ray detection device is a device that detects X-rays having transmitted through a test subject, and comprises a filter that attenuates some of X-rays, a detector that detects the transmitted X-rays partially attenuated by the filter, a housing, and a holder that has one slit. The detector includes a line sensor, and a line sensor disposed in parallel and close to the line sensor. The holder holds the filter at a predetermined position so that the filter can cover a part of the slit, and the line sensor detects the X-rays attenuated by the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Onishi
  • Patent number: 10436932
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an inspection system for quarantine and a method thereof. The CT technology is applied to the field of quarantine supervision, overcoming a problem of objects in an image of a single-view or a multi-view X-ray machine being overlapped, as well as a problem of organics including contrabands in a conventional CT image being not highlighted, not elaborated, and having bad contrast. Accuracy and efficiency of inspecting an object by human operator for quarantine inspection can be considerably improved, which is of a high application value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, CINTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qitian Miao, Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Yunda Sun, Ming Huang, Qingping Huang, Ming Hu, Lei Lei, Jie Xia
  • Patent number: 10416341
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for the deployment and operation of shipping container scanning systems that enables scanning of containers passing through a modern, highly automated port without impeding the flow of commerce. Locating the scanners where container dwell time is already longest, and configuring scanners to scan up to several containers in parallel but under separate scanning control, minimizes any delay associated with scanning. Operationally integrating scanning systems with the automated logistical port systems ensures smooth, delay-free operation. Controlling the flow of information so that scanning results, including but not limited to images and assessments of the presence or absence of threat material or contraband, are sent only to government Customs and/or security facilities adjacent to but separate from the port insulates port operators from involvement in activities that could slow container throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gallagher, Michael James Sossong, Mark Saltus, Robert Whalen
  • Patent number: 10413259
    Abstract: An imaging system generates a first radiograph based on a first pattern of radiation detected by a Linear Diode Array (LDA) radiation detector positioned to detect a radiation beam emitted by a radiation generator. The LDA radiation detector comprises a plurality of modules. Each respective module of the plurality of modules comprises a respective plurality of photodiodes corresponding to pixels. Furthermore, the imaging system may determine, based on the first radiograph, a size of a gap between two of the modules of the LDA radiation detector. After determining the size of the gap, the imaging system may generate a second radiograph based on a second pattern of radiation detected by the LDA radiation detector. The imaging system may generate a third radiograph by modifying, based on the size of the gap, the second radiograph to compensate for the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Schlecht, Eric Ferley, Julien Noel, Roland Le Floc'h
  • Patent number: 10416342
    Abstract: The invention provides a device (100) for screening one or more items (101,1806) of freight or baggage for one or more types of target material, the device comprising: a source (200, 201,1800) of incident radiation (204,206,1804) configured to irradiate the one or more items (101,1806); a plurality of detectors (202,209,1807, 301) adapted to detect packets of radiation (205,207,1700) emanating from within or passing through the one or more items (101, 1806) as a result of the irradiation by the incident radiation (204, 206, 1804), each detector being configured to produce an electrical pulse (312) caused by the detected packets having a characteristic size or shape dependent on an energy of the packets; one or more digital processors (203, 210, 303, 304, 306, 305) configured to process each electrical pulse to determine the characteristic size or shape and to thereby generate a detector energy spectrum for each detector of the energies of the packets detected, and characterize a material associated with the o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Innovation International Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Scoullar, Christopher McLean, Shane Tonissen, Syed Khusro Saleem, Brendan Allman
  • Patent number: 10401306
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for generating a three-dimensional combined image is provided. A three-dimensional test image of a test item is combined with a three-dimensional article image of an article that is undergoing a radiation examination to generate the three-dimensional combined image. A first selection region of the three-dimensional article image is selected. The three-dimensional test image of the test item is inserted within the first selection region. Although the test item is not actually comprised within the article under examination, the three-dimensional combined image is intended to cause the test item to appear to be comprised within the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Zhaolin Li, David Lieblich
  • Patent number: 10393680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting gaps in composite parts. One method includes radiating a beam of x-rays in a firing direction towards surface of a multi-layer Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) part, acquiring data indicating intensity of sidescatter radiation received at an x-ray detector that extends along the CFRP part in the firing direction, and examining the acquired data for gaps at the CFRP part based on differences in intensity indicated by the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10386504
    Abstract: The present specification provides an X-ray inspection system including an X-ray source and a corresponding detector for detecting transmitted X rays having a wide range of intensities. The detector includes at least one crystal for producing a light signal upon interaction with X-rays. Each crystal is connected to at least one photodiode and a photomultiplier. A processing unit connected with the crystal rejects all detected radiation having energies below a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Jayesh Ranchhodbhai Patel
  • Patent number: 10386532
    Abstract: A dual energy based X-ray scanning system has a linear detector array with high and low energy detectors. A signal processing method is employed that accounts for varying angles at which the transmitted X-rays impinge upon the detectors and also the varying order in which the transmitted X-rays pass through the high and low energy detectors. This yields both high resolution in the generated images and better penetration performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 10371854
    Abstract: A safety inspection apparatus is disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The safety inspection apparatus includes: an x-ray source including a ray emission focal spot; and a plurality of detector modules each of which has a ray receiving surface, and which are arranged along a plurality of straight line segments. The plurality of straight line segments include a first straight line segment and two second straight line segments, and, the two second straight line segments extend from the two ends of the first straight line segment towards the x-ray source side, respectively. In a plane where the sectorial ray beam is located, a normal to the ray receiving surface of each of the detector modules at a midpoint of the ray receiving surface of the each of the detector modules passes generally through the ray emission focal spot of the x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, NUCTECH JIANGSU COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ziran Zhao, Zhiqiang Chen, Wanlong Wu, Li Zhang, Yingkang Jin, Ming Ruan
  • Patent number: 10371651
    Abstract: The invention is a method for analysing an object by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, in which a spectroscopic detector comprising a plurality of adjacent pixels is placed facing an object irradiated by an x-ray beam. Each pixel is able to acquire an energy spectrum of radiation elastically scattered by the object, the radiation propagating in a direction making an acute angle to the propagation direction of the collimated beam. The method allows, on the basis of each measured spectrum, a nature of the materials composing various portions of the object to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Damien Barbes, Caroline Paulus, Joachim Tabary
  • Patent number: 10362528
    Abstract: The growing problem of contraband devices being smuggled into a correctional facility raises both security and safety issue. General fixed contraband detection systems are not cost effective because they require a high up-front cost and high maintenance, training and upgrade cost after installation. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method to detect and control the usage of contraband devices in a correctional facility cost effectively. Such a system is portable and can be relocated to different locations. Such as system both detects contraband devices and disrupts the operations of the contraband devices. Such a system further provides a report on the severity of contraband usage to the correctional facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 10353110
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and device for operating a CT-based three-dimensional image used for security inspection. The method includes: providing a CT-based three-dimensional image used for security inspection; accepting a selection of an image of an object in the three-dimensional image; and responding to the selection. The present disclosure has strong practicality, and can provide effective reference information for image judgment in the CT-based security inspection field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignees: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Shuo Wang, Yunda Sun, Qingping Huang
  • Patent number: 10352882
    Abstract: A method for analyzing an object includes irradiating the object with incident photon radiation and acquiring an energy spectrum scattered by the material using a spectrometric detector in scatter mode. An energy spectrum transmitted by the material is acquired using a spectrometric detector in transmission mode. A signature (f) is reconstructed representing the object, both from the scatter spectrum measured and from the transmission spectrum measured, and the reconstructed signature thereof is compared with signatures of standard materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Caroline Paulus, Joachim Tabary
  • Patent number: 10353108
    Abstract: A security inspection passage and a security inspection apparatus. The security inspection passage includes: an inspection passage main portion that extends along a first direction and through which an item to be inspected passes so as to receive an inspection; an inspection passage entrance end portion configured to be oriented in a direction that is angled at a first angle relative to the first direction; and an inspection passage exit end portion configured to be oriented in a direction that is angled at a second angle relative to the first direction, wherein the first angle and/or the second angle are/is not zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Qingping Huang, Jia Xu, Mingzhi Hong, Yanxia Zheng
  • Patent number: 10354374
    Abstract: A method for validating computed tomography (CT) techniques and individual inspections is provided with a CT reconstruction algorithm, an x-ray source, a primary rotational stage, a secondary rotational stage, and an x-ray beam detector. A test object is situated on the primary rotational stage and a plurality of image quality indicators (IQIs) is situated on the secondary rotational stage. The x-ray source, the primary rotational stage, the secondary rotational stage, and the x-ray beam detector are linearly aligned. Therefore, an x-ray beam from the x-ray source intersects the test object and the IQIs before reaching the x-ray beam detector. A CT reconstruction is developed by superimposing a plurality of projection data from the test object and the IQIs. More specifically, a CT reconstruction from the IQIs with a specific intensity value is added to the CT reconstruction of the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: James Edward Prindiville
  • Patent number: 10339673
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual-energy ray imaging method and system. The method comprises: calculating the mass thicknesses of the materials in the overlapped area of two materials by using a calibrated surface fitting method, and then decomposing a pair of original high-energy and low-energy data for this pixel into two high-low-energy data sets corresponding to the two materials, and finally calculating and acquiring the composition result of different materials for each pixel. The disclosure is especially advantageous in that the problem of error recognition of materials due to the two overlapped materials can be eliminated and the stratified imaging of multiple materials can be achieved, thereby improving the accuracy of the substance recognition and reducing the rate of false positive and false negative which is very important to the applications in the field of security check and anti-smuggling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Liang Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Kejun Kang, Li Zhang, Ziran Zhao, Yuxiang Xing, Yongshun Xiao, Jianping Gu, Juan Zheng
  • Patent number: 10324223
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for x-ray scanning inspection of motorized vehicles are described. The apparatus or system comprises a concrete facility that has a concrete housing, multiple x-ray beam sources, multiple x-ray beam detectors on respective opposite sides of the multiple x-ray beam sources, and a conveyor belt. The apparatus or system is automated to deliver alerts if any of the scanned motorized vehicles contain prohibited materials. The method, apparatus, and system are able to detect organic versus inorganic matter. Specific beam strength and a distance between the motorized vehicles make this technology automated and more accurate for security screening of a large number of motorized vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Mohammed Al-Hoshani
  • Patent number: 10302806
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technical field of a security detection device, and particularly, to a security detection system, comprising one or more detection devices, wherein the detection device comprises a first ray emitter, a ray receiver, and a movable frame, wherein the first ray emitter comprises a first ray source for generating first detection rays and is provided at a bottom portion of the movable frame, so that the first detection rays can penetrate through a detected object from a bottom of the detected object; the ray receiver comprises a ray detector provided on the movable frame, for correspondingly receiving the first detection rays having penetrated through the detected object; and the movable frame is movable in a direction in which the first ray emitter and the ray receiver are capable of moving through a detection region for the detected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Jigang An, Peng Cong, Xincheng Xiang, Litao Li, Zhentao Wang, Yanmin Zhang, Jianmin Tong, Weidong Qiu, Chunming Tan, Yibin Huang, Xiaojing Guo, Liqiang Wang, Jian Zheng
  • Patent number: 10261212
    Abstract: A diffraction system configured to generate a diffraction signature based upon an angular disbursement of radiation is provided. In some embodiments, the diffraction system comprises a radiation source comprising a radiographic isotope configured to natural emit radiation due to decay. In some embodiment, the diffraction system is part of an object identification system that comprises one or more other radiation imaging modalities, such as a CT system and/or a line-scan system. By way of example, the one or more other radiation imaging modalities may perform an initial examination of an object to generate data indicative of the object. The data can be analyzed to identify an item of interest within the object, which can subsequently be examined by the diffraction system to generate a diffraction signature of the item. The diffraction signature of the item can be compared to known diffraction signatures of know items to characterize the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: David Schafer, John P. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 10252821
    Abstract: A processing station for registering a piece of passenger's luggage for a trip, wherein the processing station comprises: an injector for receiving the piece of luggage associated with the passenger; at least one sensor associated with the injector, the at least one sensor, in combination with at least the floor of the injector, creating a zone around the piece of luggage; and a controller associated with the sensor being adapted to: monitor, via the at least one sensor, intrusions through the zone to determine one or more of whether a predetermined limit on dimensions of the piece of luggage has been exceeded or whether a foreign object has intruded the zone from outside, and allow further processing of the piece of luggage only if no intrusion of the zone is detected; and wherein the controller adjusts the area of the zone to accommodate different sizes of luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ICM AIRPORT TECHNICS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Richard Dinkelmann, Rainer Rudolf Dinkelmann
  • Patent number: 10257496
    Abstract: A method for generating a quality inspection data block for a distributed ledger includes: determining an identification code associated with a sample to be inspected, inspecting the sample and thereby generating quality inspection data associated with the sample, and after completion of the inspecting of the sample combining the identification code and the quality inspection data into the quality inspection data block. The method also includes adding the quality inspection data block to the distributed ledger. An inspector including a sensor that senses a characteristic of a sample, a memory that stores sensor output data, and a processor configured to: determine an identification code associated with a sample to be inspected, generate quality inspection data based on the sensor output data, and combine the identification code and the quality inspection data into a quality inspection data block. In one example, the inspector is an in-flight 3D inspector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Qcify Inc.
    Inventors: Raf Peeters, Bert Peelaers
  • Patent number: 10229336
    Abstract: An inspection method and system for inspecting whether there is any liquor in goods is provided. The method includes: acquiring a radiation image of goods being inspected; processing on the radiation image to obtain an ROI; inspecting on the ROI using a liquor goods inspection model to determine if the ROI of the radiation image contains liquor goods. The above solution performs liquor inspection on scanned images of goods, especially containers, so as to intelligently assist the image inspectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Duokun Zhang, Jianping Gu, Qiang Li, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10228334
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for scanning an object of interest. The system can include a controller for generating scan instructions. The system can further include a scanner, responsive to the scan instructions, for providing radiation at an energy to generate scan data for the object of interest and an other scanner, responsive to scan instructions from the controller generated based on the scan data, for providing radiation an at other energy to generate scan data for the object of interest. The system can also include a conveyance controller for generating conveyance instructions to control the relative movement of the scanner and the other scanner with respect to the object of interest based on the scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Group Limited
    Inventors: Kristofer J. Roe, Timothy S. Norton, Nicolas Dumay
  • Patent number: 10215879
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of handling a container includes performing a first scan of the container. The container includes objects therein. The scan includes irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a first x-ray scanning system at a first geographic location and generating a first scan record using a processing device. The method also includes moving the container from the first geographic location to a second geographic location. The method further includes performing a second scan of the container including irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a second x-ray scanning system at the second geographic location and generating a second scan record using a processing device. The method also includes comparing the first scan record and the second scan record. The method further includes determining the second scan record is substantially indistinguishable or distinguishable from the first scan record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Patent number: 10210960
    Abstract: A transport apparatus of an X-ray inspection system includes an inspection region with an entrance and an exit. The transport apparatus further includes a loading region disposed at the entrance of the inspection region, the loading region. The loading region includes a first set of X-ray attenuating curtains and a first curtain mover, which moves the curtains of the first set of X-ray attenuating curtains into and out of the loading region between areas that support objects for inspection. The transport apparatus further includes a conveyor device which moves an object for inspection residing in one of the areas from the loading region to the inspection region for inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Splinter, Steven Weed
  • Patent number: 10168446
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mobile radiographic inspection systems and lifting devices for mobile radiographic inspection systems, including those, for example, in the field of radiographic detection of large objects such as containers. In one illustrative implementation, the present disclosure describes a lifting device for a mobile radiographic inspection system, the device comprising a driving motor and at least two screw lifters, wherein the driving motor is connected to each of the screw lifters via a transmission, and a lower end of a lifting rod of the screw lifter is configured to connect with a radiographic inspection device. In implementations, the lifting device may further comprise a mounting assembly, which is adapted to connect the lifting device to a vehicle body of the mobile radiographic inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Nuctech Jiangsu Company Limited
    Inventors: Xuping Fan, Quanwei Song, Hui Meng, Shunchang Feng
  • Patent number: 10151712
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle-carried inspection system, including a radiation source and a detector, the radiation source and the detector being arranged to form an inspection passage. The inspection system further includes a controller configured to control the radiation source so that a first dose of radiation which is safe to a driver is radiated from the radiation source when the driver's cab of the inspected vehicle passes through a ray beam, and control the radiation source so that the dose of radiation of the radiation source becomes a working dose of radiation larger than the first dose of radiation when the other subsequent portions of the inspected vehicle pass through the ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: Tsunghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Xuejing Yang, Shangmin Sun, Yu Hu, Jingyu Gu, Weifeng Yu, Ke Li, Lei Liu, Youai Yu
  • Patent number: 10151711
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating x-ray inspection image of an electronic circuit board are disclosed. The method includes: respectively generating, according to data files of the electronic circuit board and parameters of an X-ray machine, analog images of both faces of the electronic circuit board; subjecting the electronic circuit board to X-ray imaging to generate a real image of the electronic circuit board, the real image comprising real image elements on both faces of the electronic circuit board; identifying, according to the analog images of both faces, from the real image an interference image element that needs to be filtered from the real image for generating a real image of a detected object; and filtering the interference image element from the real image to generate the real image of the detected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN KANA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenxue Wan
  • Patent number: 10134147
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for inspecting a load (101) in a container (100), comprising: classifying (S2) one or more patches (11) of a digitized inspection image (10), the digitized inspection image (10) being generated by an inspection system (1) configured to inspect the container (100) by transmission of inspection radiation (3) from an inspection radiation source (31) to an inspection radiation detector (32) through the container (100), wherein the classifying (S2) comprises: extracting (S21) one or more texture descriptors (V, P) of a patch (11), and classifying (S22) the patch (11), by comparing the one or more extracted texture descriptors (V, P) of the patch (11) to respective one or more reference texture descriptors (Vr, Wr, Pr) corresponding to respective one or more classes (202) of reference items (201), the one or more reference texture descriptors (Vr, Wr, Pr) of each class of reference items (201) being extracted from one or more reference images (20) of the one or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SMITHS HEIMANN SAS
    Inventor: Najib Gadi
  • Patent number: 10126459
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for profiling a material composition of a volume is disclosed. A beam source directs a pulsed beam of electromagnetic energy from into the volume. A plurality of backscattered beams is received at a detector. The plurality of backscattered beams is generated from a plurality of depths within the volume in response to interactions of the directed pulsed beam at the plurality of depths. A processor performs range gating of the plurality of backscattered beams to obtain a depth profile of backscattered intensity within the volume and estimates a material composition at different depths of the volume from the generated depth profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Wurzbach, Kalin Spariosu, Bernard Harris, Eric J. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10115199
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for analyzing a reconstructed charged particle image of a volume of interest from charged particle detector measurements to determine a location and boundaries of one or more objects or an orientation of the one or more objects. The technique can include performing a segmentation operation on the reconstructed charged particle image of the volume. The segmentation operation identifies a subset of a set of voxels of the image of the volume as object candidate voxels. The technique can include locating corners of the one or more objects to determine the location, boundaries, or the orientation of the one or more objects. The technique can also include the computation of the center of mass of the one or more objects. The technique can include performing a morphological operation on the image and can include performing a connected-component analysis on the identified object-candidate voxels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventor: Rohit Patnaik
  • Patent number: 10108921
    Abstract: A multi-user, multi-organization web-based system for processing customs information is provided. The system includes a server device connected to a communication network and having a communication server module for communicating over the network. The server device receives a declaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of specific goods in the consignment and predetermined parameters of the consignment. The server device further includes an application program module that verifies the declaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculates an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignment, and determines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis. A computer-implemented method for processing the customs information is also provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a declaration pertaining to a consignment, and verifying the declaration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: PUBLIC WAREHOUSING COMPANY KSC
    Inventor: Tarek Sultan
  • Patent number: 10104311
    Abstract: A control apparatus for stitch imaging makes a first determination, or a second determination, and a display control unit configured to control a display of a display unit according to whether the determination made by the determination unit is the first determination or the second determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Takekoshi
  • Patent number: 10083369
    Abstract: A system and method that identifies an object and a viewpoint from an image with a probability that satisfies a predefined criterion is described. An active view planning application receives a first image, performs recognition on the first image to determine an object, a viewpoint and a probability of recognition, determines a first expected gain in the probability of recognition when a first action is taken and a second expected gain in the probability of recognition when a second action is taken, and identifies a next action from the first action and the second action based on an increase in expected gains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivana Tosic, Logan Courtney, Noah Bedard