Patent · US Expired

Multiple angle pre-screening tomographic systems and methods

US5796802A · kind A · utility

108Cited by
15References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1997
Grant dateAug 18, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S378/901
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A multiple angle tomographic system includes a rotating gantry with a source, e.g., an x-ray source, and detector array combination mounted thereon so as to acquire a plurality of projections of objects passing through the gantry. A pre-screen subsystem utilizes a subset of the projections from those that can be acquired during a full scan so as to define a first plurality of projections--e.g., eight projections--that are sufficient analyze whether there is a likelihood that a targeted object, e.g., a firearm and/or plastic explosives is present. If there is a likelihood that a targeted object is present, a full-image CT reconstruction is commanded, automatically or manually, so as to verify and more fully assess the detected object. This combination of pre-screen and selective full-image CT reconstruction provides thorough inspection of closed containers, e.g., passenger luggage, by providing multiple angle and perspective viewing of targeted objects.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.