Multiple-scanner X-ray system including synchronized X-ray markers

A belt including synchronized reference markers for use in a multiple-scanner X-ray system, comprising:

• a plurality of X-ray reactive markers;
• and a plurality of visual markers;
• wherein the plurality of X-ray reactive markers and the plurality of visual markers are positionally synchronized relative to each other to cause upper X-ray marker information, which is formed by an upper appearance of one or more X-ray reactive markers appearing in an upper X-ray image obtained by an upper X-ray scanner of the X-ray system that images the plurality of X-ray reactive markers from above, and lower X-ray marker information, which is formed by a lower appearance of one or more X-ray reactive markers appearing in a lower X-ray image obtained by a lower X-ray scanner of the X-ray system that images the plurality of X-ray reactive markers from below, to superimpose in a composite X-ray image, the X-ray system being configured to form the composite X-ray image by superimposing the upper X-ray image and the lower X-ray image, with substantial alignment between the upper X-ray marker information and the lower X-ray marker information to cause composite X-ray marker information appearing in the composite X-ray image to be substantially consistent with:
• upper visual marker information corresponding to a visual appearance of visual markers that are evident visually on an upper belt portion that passes above a sliding bed of the X-ray system during movement of the belt and that conveys items for inspection by the X-ray system, and X-ray reactive markers that provide consistent points of reference.

A method of including synchronized reference markers on a belt for use in a multiple-scanner X-ray system, comprising:

• setting on the belt a plurality of X-ray reactive markers to include at least one instance of a pattern;
• setting on the belt a plurality of visual markers to include at least one instance of the pattern;
• and setting on the belt at least one instance of a sub-pattern, comprising X-ray reactive markers or visual markers, which is a subset section of the pattern;
• wherein the X-ray reactive markers and the visual markers are positionally synchronized when the belt is used in the X-ray system to cause upper X-ray marker information, which is formed by an upper appearance of one or more X-ray reactive markers appearing in an upper X-ray image obtained by an upper X-ray scanner of the X-ray system that images the plurality of X-ray reactive markers from above, and lower X-ray marker information, which is formed by a lower appearance of one or more X-ray reactive markers appearing in a lower X-ray image obtained by a lower X-ray scanner of the X-ray system that images the plurality of X-ray reactive markers from below, to superimpose in a composite X-ray image, the X-ray system being configured to form the composite X-ray image by superimposing the upper X-ray image and the lower X-ray image, with substantial alignment between the upper X-ray marker information and the lower X-ray marker information to cause composite X-ray marker information appearing in the composite X-ray image to be substantially consistent with:
• upper visual marker information corresponding to a visual appearance of visual markers that are evident visually on an upper belt portion that passes above a sliding bed of the X-ray system during movement of the belt and that conveys items for inspection by the X-ray system, and X-ray reactive markers that provide consistent points of reference.