Systems and Methods for Automatically Generating Synthetic X-Ray Scan Data of Objects in a Plurality of Orientations

A system for automatically generating a plurality of X-ray scan data of a cargo container embedded with an object, wherein the object is embedded in a plurality of orientations in three dimensional space within the cargo container, and wherein the three dimensional space is defined by first, second and third mutually orthogonal axes, comprising:

• a frame for holding the object;
• a base plate for supporting the frame, wherein the frame is positioned in an initial orientation with respect to the first, second and third axes;
• a first table for supporting the base plate;
• a second table for supporting the first table, wherein the second table is capable of imparting linear motion to the frame, and wherein the first table is capable of imparting rotational motion to the frame around the first axis independent of the second table;
• a robotic arm and associated camera configured to locate and rotate the frame around the second axis;
• an X-ray source for generating an X-ray beam that impinges on the frame and a detector array for capturing resultant X-ray scan data;
• and
• a computing device having a memory and a processor, wherein the computing device controls movements of the first table, second table and the robotic arm, and wherein the memory stores a plurality of programmatic instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
• sequentially implement first and second set of steps in order to generate X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame;
• isolate and extract X-ray scan data corresponding to the object from the X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame;
• adjust the X-ray scan data corresponding to the object;
• and
• insert each of the adjusted X-ray scan data corresponding to the object into X-ray scan data of the cargo container in order to generate the plurality of X-ray scan data of the cargo container embedded with the object.

A method for automatically generating a plurality of X-ray scan data of a cargo container embedded with an object, wherein the object is embedded in a plurality of orientations in three dimensional space within the cargo container, wherein the three dimensional space is defined by first, second and third mutually orthogonal axes, wherein the object is held in a frame supported on a base plate, wherein the base plate is supported on a first table, wherein the first table is supported on a second table such that the second table is capable of imparting linear motion to the frame and the first table is capable of imparting rotational motion to the frame around the first axis independent of the second table, and wherein a robotic arm and associated camera is configured to locate and rotate the frame around the second axis, the method comprising:

• executing a first set of steps, wherein the first set of steps include causing the first table to incrementally rotate the frame around the first axis by a predetermined first angle until one full rotation around the first axis is completed, and wherein for each unique incremental rotational orientation of the frame around the first axis the second table moves the frame through the X-ray beam in first and second mutually opposing directions in order to generate a pair of scan image data;
• executing a second set of steps after completion of the first set of steps, wherein the second set of steps include causing the robotic arm to incrementally rotate the frame around the second axis by a predetermined second angle until one full rotation around the second axis is completed, wherein for each unique incremental rotational orientation of the frame around the second axis the first set of steps are repeated, and wherein execution of the first and second set of steps results in generation of X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame;
• isolating and extracting X-ray scan data corresponding to the object from the X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame;
• adjusting the X-ray scan data corresponding to the object;
• and
• inserting each of the adjusted X-ray scan data corresponding to the object into X-ray scan data of the cargo container in order to generate the plurality of X-ray scan data of the cargo container embedded with the object.

A system for automatically generating a plurality of X-ray scan data of a cargo container embedded with an object, wherein the object is embedded in a plurality of orientations in three dimensional space within the cargo container, comprising:

• a frame for holding the object;
• a base plate for supporting the frame, wherein the frame is positioned in an initial orientation with respect to a vertical axis;
• a first table for supporting the base plate;
• a second table for supporting the first table, wherein the second table is capable of imparting linear motion to the frame, and wherein the first table is capable of imparting rotational motion to the frame around the vertical axis independent of the second table;
• an X-ray source for generating an X-ray beam that impinges on the frame and a detector array for capturing resultant X-ray scan data;
• and
• a computing device having a memory and a processor, wherein the computing device controls movements of the first table and second table, and wherein the memory stores a plurality of programmatic instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
• capture X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame by triggering the first table to incrementally rotate the frame around the vertical axis by a predetermined angle until one full rotation around the vertical axis is completed, and wherein for each unique incremental rotational orientation of the frame around the vertical axis the second table moves the frame through the X-ray beam in first and second mutually opposing directions in order to generate a pair of scan image data;
• isolate and extract X-ray scan data corresponding to the object from the X-ray scan data corresponding to the frame;
• adjust the X-ray scan data corresponding to the object;
• and
• insert each of the adjusted X-ray scan data corresponding to the object into X-ray scan data of the cargo container in order to generate the plurality of X-ray scan data of the cargo container embedded with the object.