US 9,170,212 B2 · Method and system for performing inspection of a liquid product at a security checkpoint

Abstract

A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. Generally, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In some examples presented, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle and an estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product, the length of the path being derived in part based on the location information.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for assessing a threat status of a liquid product at a security checkpoint, the liquid product being comprised of a bottle holding a liquid, wherein the bottle is at least partially filled with liquid, the method comprising:

a) receiving image data associated with the liquid product conveying an image of the liquid product, the image data being derived by performing a scan of the liquid product at the security checkpoint using an imaging apparatus that uses penetrating radiation;
b) processing the image data to derive information conveying a level of fill of the bottle, wherein processing image data includes:
i) processing the image data to derive geometric information associated with the bottle;
and
ii) deriving the level of fill of the bottle at least in part based on the geometric information associated with the bottle;
c) determining the threat status of the liquid product at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle;
d) releasing information conveying the determined threat status of the liquid product.

4 more elements

A computer program product stored on one or more non-transitory tangible computer readable storage media for assessing a threat status of a liquid product at a security checkpoint, the liquid product being comprised of a bottle holding a liquid, wherein the bottle is at least partially filled with liquid, the program product comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a programmable system including at least one programmable processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

i) receiving image data associated with the liquid product conveying an image of the liquid product, the image data being derived by performing an scan of the liquid product at the security checkpoint using an imaging apparatus that uses penetrating radiation;
ii) processing the image data to derive information conveying a level of fill of the bottle, wherein processing the image data includes:
(1) processing the image data to derive geometric information associated with the bottle;
and (2) deriving the level of fill of the bottle at least in part based on the geometric information associated with the bottle;
iii) determining the threat status of the liquid product at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle;
iv) releasing information conveying the determined threat status of the liquid product.

3 more elements

An apparatus for assessing a threat status of a liquid product at a security checkpoint, the liquid product being comprised of a bottle holding a liquid, wherein the bottle is at least partially filled with liquid, said apparatus comprising an input, a processing unit and an output, said apparatus comprising:

a) an input for receiving image data associated with the liquid product conveying an image of the liquid product, the image data being derived by performing an scan of the liquid product at the security checkpoint using an imaging apparatus that uses penetrating radiation;
b) a processing element in communication with said input, said processing element being programmed to:
i) process the image data to derive geometric information associated with the bottle;
and
ii) process the image data to derive information conveying a level of fill of the bottle, wherein the information conveying the level of fill of the bottle is derived at least in part based on the derived geometric information associated with the bottle;
and
iii) determine the threat status of the liquid product at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle;
c) an output for releasing information conveying the determined threat status of the liquid product.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for performing inspection of a liquid product at a security checkpoint

Life of this patent

Method and system for performing inspection of a liquid product at a security checkpoint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29