Material Identification Using Energy-Bin Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray scanners lack the accuracy and speed in identifying materials within objects, as they typically use poly-energetic x-ray beams, making it difficult and time-consuming to measure attenuation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that estimate attenuations of energy passing through objects using a computer system, which generates images and identifies materials by comparing these estimates with known attenuation information, allowing for more precise and rapid material identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If poly-energetic x-ray beams are used for scanning, then the scanning process can be performed, but the accuracy and speed of material identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the poly-energetic x-ray beam into multiple energy bins, treating each energy range separately. This allows the system to process attenuation data from different energy levels independently, improving material identification accuracy by analyzing energy-specific attenuation characteristics while maintaining efficient scanning speeds through parallel processing of multiple energy channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of x-ray energy by binning the poly-energetic spectrum into discrete energy ranges. This transformation enables the system to extract material-specific attenuation information from different energy segments, resolving the contradiction between using poly-energetic beams for speed and needing energy-resolved data for accurate material identification.
2Productivity
If poly-energetic x-ray beams are used for scanning, then the scanning process can be performed quickly, but the ability to measure attenuation effectively deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex poly-energetic attenuation measurement problem into simpler segments by creating energy bins. Each bin represents a specific energy range where attenuation can be measured more effectively. This segmentation maintains scanning speed by processing multiple bins in parallel while reducing the difficulty of attenuation measurement by treating each energy range separately rather than as a single complex measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy bins as intermediary structures between the poly-energetic x-ray beam and the attenuation measurement process. These bins act as mediators that organize the continuous energy spectrum into discrete, manageable ranges, making attenuation measurement more tractable while preserving the speed advantages of poly-energetic scanning.
3Measurement precision
If material identification is performed with high accuracy, then material types can be distinguished, but the identification process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining energy bins and their corresponding attenuation characteristics before the actual scanning and identification process. This preparation allows the system to quickly compare measured attenuations against pre-established energy-bin profiles during scanning, achieving high material identification accuracy without time-consuming real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by focusing attenuation measurements on specific energy bins that are most discriminatory for material identification, rather than analyzing the entire energy spectrum in detail. This selective approach maintains high identification accuracy by concentrating computational resources on the most informative energy ranges, reducing overall identification time.
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
Enables the identification of materials with higher specificity and speed compared to existing systems, capable of distinguishing between various materials such as metals and plastics, and their types, facilitating quicker analysis in high-volume situations like baggage scanning and industrial inspections.
Implementation Method 1
In an x-ray scanner, a source emits x-rays that pass through an object to a detector. Some of the x-rays may be absorbed, or absorbed and scattered.
Implementation Method 2
An image may be generated from the x-rays detected by the detector. The estimated attenuations represent a loss of the energy that occurs from the energy passing through the object.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for identifying a material in an object. An image of the object generated from energy passing through the object is obtained by a computer system. The computer system estimates attenuations for pixels in a sensor system from the image of the object to form estimated attenuations. The estimated attenuations represent a loss of the energy that occurs from the energy passing through the object. The computer system also identifies the material in the object using the estimated attenuations and known attenuation information for identifying the material in the object.