Multi-Energy X-Ray Imaging Parameter Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging systems face challenges in achieving high article recognition capability while balancing system cost and complexity, particularly in optimizing energy spectrum division and threshold parameters for effective material recognition.

Innovation Solution

A multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging system with adjustable parameters, including energy region division and threshold optimization, is developed to achieve the highest detection rate, lowest false positive rate, or largest discriminability. The system employs different parameter modes for various applications, such as baggage and human body inspection, and vehicles/containers, and includes a method for optimizing system parameters using training sample libraries and Monte Carlo simulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If more refined energy spectrum division is used, then article recognition capability is improved, but system cost and design difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle recognition capabilityVSAvoidsystem design difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the number and distribution of energy regions based on material atomic number characteristics. Instead of uniformly increasing energy regions, the system dynamically adjusts energy region parameters (number of regions, energy thresholds) according to the specific inspection scenario and material type, achieving high recognition capability without excessive system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of energy spectrum division parameters based on real-time inspection needs. The number of energy regions and their boundaries are not fixed but can be adapted according to the detected material's atomic number range, allowing the system to optimize between recognition precision and processing complexity during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If more refined energy spectrum division is used, then article recognition capability is improved, but data processing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle recognition capabilityVSAvoiddata processing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy spectrum into multiple discrete energy regions with optimized boundaries. By dividing the continuous energy spectrum into distinct segments (e.g., 3-5 regions for general inspection, up to 256 for specialized applications), the system enables targeted analysis of different energy ranges, improving recognition capability while making data processing more manageable through structured segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different energy regions are assigned different analysis weights and processing methods based on their relevance to specific material types. The system applies local quality by tailoring the data processing approach for each energy region according to the atomic number characteristics of the materials being inspected, rather than applying uniform processing to all energy data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If optimized threshold parameters are used for a selected target material, then article recognition capability is improved, but applicability to different materials decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle recognition capabilityVSAvoidapplicability to different materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts threshold parameters based on the detected material's atomic number. Instead of using fixed optimized thresholds for a single target material, the system adapts the energy region boundaries and analysis parameters in real-time according to the material being inspected, maintaining high recognition capability across different material types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal parameter optimization framework that can handle multiple material types through a single system configuration. By establishing energy region division and threshold optimization methods that work across different atomic number ranges, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing the same system to effectively recognize various materials without requiring material-specific hardware configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system achieves improved article recognition capability by optimizing energy spectrum division and threshold parameters, balancing performance and system overhead, and adapting to different application scenarios, thereby enhancing detection rates and reducing false positives.

Implementation Method 1

multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

photon counting detector technology such as CZT, multi-energy spectrum imaging can divide an energy spectrum of received X-rays into a plurality of energy regions and count them separately to obtain ray attenuation information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoton counting: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3333595B1Multi-energy spectrum x-ray imaging systems and methods for recognizing article using multi-energy spectrum x-ray imaging system
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3333595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3333595B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3333595B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for recognizing an article using a multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging system and a multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging system. The method comprises: recognizing an application scenario and/or priori information of the article; selecting a parameter mode suitable for the article from a plurality of parameter modes stored in the multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging system based on the recognized application scenario and/or priori information; and recognizing the article using the selected parameter mode, wherein the plurality of parameter modes are obtained by optimizing system parameters of the multi-energy spectrum X-ray imaging system under a specific condition using a training sample library for various articles.