Spatial sequenced backscatter portal
AssigneeNucsafe, Inc.
InventorDaniel Shedlock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for scanning an object in an inspection space are disclosed. The systems and methods generally incorporate spatially separated and sequenced Compton x-ray backscatter imaging techniques in a plurality of perspective planes. Such processes as time-gating detectors, weighting scintillation detections, and preferentially accepting signals that originate from a point that is substantially orthogonal to a radiation detector and at least partially shielding out signals that do not originate from a point substantially orthogonal to the detector may be used to enhance the data acquisition process.
Claims12
A method for scanning an object in an inspection space comprising:
- (a) scanning the object from a first perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a first plane starting at a first entry point in the inspection space that is adjacent a first edge of the inspection space to establish a first scan line trace of the object from the first perspective;
- (b) scanning the object from a second perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a second plane that is adjacent to but not co-planar with the first plane, starting at a second entry point on the second plane that is adjacent a second edge between the first plane and the second plane, to establish a second scan line trace of the object from the second perspective;
- (c) providing relative motion between the object and the first scan line trace and the second scan line trace;
- and
- (d) repeating step (a), step (b), and step (c) at least once such that the repetition of step (a) produces a first two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple first image scan lines from the first perspective and step (b) produces a second two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple second image scan lines from the second perspective.
A method for scanning an object in an inspection space comprising:
- (a) scanning the object from a first perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a first plane starting at a first entry point adjacent a first edge of the inspection space to establish a first scan line trace of the object from the first perspective;
- (b) scanning the object from a second perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a second plane where the second perspective is opposed to the first perspective, starting the scanning at a second entry point on the second plane that is diagonally opposed across the inspection space from the first entry point, to establish a second scan line trace of the object from the second perspective, wherein step (a) and step (b) are initiated at approximately the same time;
- (c) providing relative motion between the object and the first scan line trace and the second scan line trace;
- and
- (d) repeating step (a), step (b), and step (c) at least once such that the repetition of step (a) produces a first two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple first image scan lines from the first perspective and step (b) produces a second two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple second image scan lines from the second perspective.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.