Generation and distribution of annotation overlays of digital X-ray images for security systems

An image display storage and retrieval system comprising:

• an x-ray image source providing a digital x-ray image of at least one parcel;
• at least one screening station receiving said digital x-ray image and generating a screen annotation overlay wherein a combination of said digital x-ray image and said screen annotation overlay produce a screen annotated image;
• at least one inspection station receiving one of either said digital x-ray image or said screen annotated image and generating a search annotation overlay wherein a combination of said digital x-ray image and said screen annotation overlay and said search annotation overlay produce a search annotated image;
• a parcel path switch directing said at least one parcel to one of either a clearance station or said at least one inspection station;
• a data storage and retrieval device recording said digital x-ray image, said screen annotated image and said search annotated image;
• a data processor processing said digital x-ray image, said screen annotated image and said search annotated image;
• and
• a data network connecting to said digital x-ray image source, said at least one screening station, said at least one inspection station, said parcel path switch, sand data storage and retrieval device and said data processor, said network enabling exchange of data.

A method to store and retrieve at least one x-ray image comprising:

• providing a digital x-ray image of at least one parcel;
• receiving said digital x-ray image at an at least one screening station;
• generating a screen annotation overlay producing a screen annotated image from said digital x-ray image combined with said screen annotation overlay at said at least one screening station;
• receiving said screen annotated image at an at least one inspection station;
• directing said at least one parcel at a parcel path switch to one of either a clearance station or said at least one inspection station;
• recording on a data storage and retrieval device said digital x-ray image and said screen annotated image;
• retrieving on a data storage and retrieval device said digital x-ray image and said screen annotated image;
• processing on a data processor said digital x-ray image and said screen annotated image;
• and
• coupling on a data network said x-ray image source, said at least one screening station, said at least one inspection station, said parcel path switch, said data storage device and retrieval device and said data processor, said network enabling exchange of data.