Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining basic probability numbers for data fusion

A method, comprising:

• detecting an intensity of each pixel of a radiograph generated by interrogating a target object with a first interrogation method;
• detecting an intensity of each pixel of another radiograph generated by interrogating the target object with at least one other interrogation method;
• determining basic probability numbers for each pixel of the radiograph and for each associated pixel of the another radiograph, wherein a basic probability number for a pixel is determined by:
• measuring an intensity of the pixel;
• solving a multi-dimensional integral for each possible configuration of a plurality of possible configurations of an interrogation space associated with the pixel to calculate an assumed intensity of the pixel;
• classifying each possible configuration as a possible target configuration if the intensity is substantially equal to the assumed intensity;
• and
• defining a basic probability number of the pixel as a ratio of a number of possible target configurations to a number of possible configurations;
• and
• combining associated basic probability numbers from the radiograph and the another radiograph using Dempster-Shafer's orthogonal rule of combination.

A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform instructions for determining a basic probability number for use within a data fusion method, the instructions comprising:

• measuring an intensity of a pixel of a radiograph;
• calculating an assumed intensity of the pixel for each possible configuration of a plurality of possible configurations of an interrogation space;
• classifying each possible configuration as a possible target configuration if the measured intensity of the pixel is substantially equal to the assumed intensity of the pixel;
• and
• defining a basic probability number of the pixel as a ratio of possible target configurations to possible configurations.

A method of defining a basic probability number of a pixel of a radiograph for use within the Dempster-Shafer theory, comprising:

• generating a plurality of possible configurations for an interrogation space associated with a pixel of a radiograph;
• determining an assumed intensity of the pixel for each possible configuration of the plurality of configurations;
• comparing the assumed intensity of each possible configuration to a measured intensity of the pixel to determine whether each possible configuration comprises a target configuration;
• and
• dividing a number of target configurations by a number of possible configurations to define a basic probability number for the pixel.

A system, comprising:

• a source configured to transmit a first signal into a target object;
• a detector configured to receive a second signal emitted from the target object and responsive to the first signal being transmitted into the target object;
• and
• a computer operably coupled to each of the source and the detector and configured to:
• determine an assumed intensity of a pixel of a radiograph for each possible configuration of a plurality of possible configurations of an interrogation space associated with the pixel;
• compare the assumed intensity of each possible configuration to a measured intensity of the pixel to determine whether each possible configuration comprises a target configuration;
• and
• define a basic probability number of the pixel as a ratio of a number of target configurations to a number of possible configurations.