Dual-Energy Imaging for Superimposed Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-energy image analysis methods struggle to accurately identify and separate the material composition of superimposed objects in two-dimensional imaging, particularly in cluttered scenes like shipping containers, where automation is hindered by the sheer volume of content and the inability to distinguish individual compositions within superimposed combinations.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit processes high-energy images to identify candidate obfuscators and obfuscated objects, estimating their material composition using assessment algorithms and parameters, and peels away obfuscators to reveal objects of interest, allowing for separate material composition analysis and visualization of hidden objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two-dimensional high-energy imaging is used to examine objects, then the imaging process is simplified and faster, but the ability to separately identify material composition of superimposed objects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dual-energy imaging technology to capture images at two different energy levels, effectively adding an energy dimension to the traditional single-energy imaging. This enables the system to differentiate materials based on their distinct energy attenuation characteristics, allowing separate identification of superimposed objects' material compositions while maintaining the efficiency of two-dimensional imaging.
2Productivity
If automated image analysis is implemented to handle large volumes of shipping containers, then processing efficiency improves, but the complexity of distinguishing individual compositions within superimposed objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes dual-energy parameters (different energy levels) to characterize materials. By measuring attenuation at two distinct energy levels and applying the dual-energy decomposition algorithm, the system can automatically distinguish different material compositions in superimposed objects. This parameter-based approach enables automated analysis without requiring complex manual interpretation, thus improving processing efficiency while managing system complexity through algorithmic solutions.
3Device complexity
If conventional single-energy X-ray imaging is used, then the equipment and processing are simpler, but the ability to determine separate material composition of superimposed objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy dimension by implementing dual-energy imaging, which captures images at two different energy levels. This additional dimensional information enables the system to differentiate materials based on their unique energy attenuation signatures, thereby recovering material composition information that would be lost in conventional single-energy imaging, while maintaining relative system simplicity.
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 enables efficient identification and material composition analysis of objects within cluttered scenes, improving the accuracy of risk assessments by distinguishing individual compositions within superimposed objects, enhancing the operational efficiency of existing imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The capture of high-energy images of a given object using penetrating energy (such as X-rays or the like) is well known in the art
Implementation Method 2
images having areas that are relatively darker or lighter (or which otherwise contrast with respect to one another) as a function of the density, path length, and/or composition of the constituent materials
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit having access to at least one high-energy image of a scene assesses that image to identify candidate obfuscaters as well as candidate obfuscated objects. This control circuit then processes information regarding the candidate objects to identify objects of interest. By one approach these objects of interest are deemed “of interest” as a function of their being obfuscated in a particular context. By one approach these teachings will accommodate identifying objects as being of interest as a function, at least in part, of the material composition of both the object as well as the visual obfuscater. These teachings also will accommodate peeling away background content/attenuation information in order to separate (and facilitate displaying) a given object in relative isolation from that background content.