Binocular Stereoscopic X-ray Imaging for Depth Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiographic imaging technologies for large objects face challenges in providing depth information, leading to image superimposition issues when multiple objects are present, and existing solutions like computerized tomography are complex, costly, and inefficient for quick examinations.

Innovation Solution

A binocular stereoscopic scanning radiographic imaging method and system that uses two angled X-ray beams to generate left and right transmission images, segments and matches these images, and reconstructs them in the depth direction to create tomograms with grey level reconstruction, eliminating image superimposition and providing depth information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If computerized tomography scanning technique is used to obtain depth information, then image superimposition is eliminated, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth informationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the X-ray beam path into two distinct angled beams (first and second X-ray beams at different angles) that pass through the object from different directions. This segmentation of the beam path allows the system to capture depth information through geometric differentiation without requiring complex tomographic reconstruction equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining depth information and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by emitting X-ray beams at different angles (first angle and second angle) rather than using a single beam path. This angular dimensionality change enables the system to distinguish objects at different depths through their projected positions in the transmitted image, eliminating the need for complex tomographic scanning while recovering depth information that would otherwise be lost in conventional single-beam radiography.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If conventional radiographic imaging is used for quick examination, then examination speed is maintained, but depth information is lost and image superimposition occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination speedVSAvoiddepth information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning two X-ray beams at specific angles before they pass through the object. This preliminary beam configuration allows the system to capture depth information in a single scanning operation without requiring complex real-time processing or multiple sequential scans, thereby maintaining fast examination speed while recovering lost depth information through the geometric arrangement of the beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If multiple X-ray beams are emitted at different angles to obtain depth information, then transmission images show depth data, but image processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth informationVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the transmitted image as a copy or representation that inherently contains depth information through the geometric projection of objects viewed from different angles. By preserving the original transmitted image with its depth-encoded projection characteristics and using image processing to extract depth data from this copy rather than requiring complex real-time reconstruction, the system maintains depth information while reducing processing complexity compared to full tomographic reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the structure and reduces costs while enabling fast and accurate detection of objects at different depths, facilitating automatic object recognition and overcoming the limitations of prior art.

Implementation Method 1

X-rays emitted by a radiation source through a beam controller to generate two X-ray beams with an angle between them; making said two angled X-ray beams penetrate through objects under detection to generate two transmission images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray penetration: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

said left detector array 4 receives X-rays and converts them into electric signals to be inputted to said left image acquisition system 6; said right detector array 5 receives X-rays and converts them into electric signals to be inputted to said right image acquisition system 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray detection conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1938752B1Method and system for binocular steroscopic scanning radiographic imaging
Publication Date: 2010.08.04 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP1938752B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP1938752B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1938752B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

In a binocular steroscopic scanning radiographic imaging method, X-rays emitted by the same radiation source are used. The X-rays pass through a double-slit collimator to form two X-ray beam sectors, which are symmetric or asymmetric and have an angle between them. The X-ray beam sectors, after penetrating through an object under detection, are received by the left and right detector array, respectively, then converted into electric signals to be inputted to the respective image acquisition systems, and received by a computer processing system for image processing and displaying. A system corresponding to the method comprises a radiation source, a beam controller, two mutually connected arms of detector arrays, image acquisition systems connected respectively to each of the detector arrays and a computer processing system. The present invention can display the transmission images detected by each of the detector arrays as well as tomograms with different depth reconstructed from the transmission images according to the principle of parallax. The present invention is convenient, fast in detection and realizes with low cost the recognition of objects of different depths.