Multi-Frequency Tomography for Contraband Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security scanners struggle to detect non-metallic contraband within or on individuals due to limitations in image resolution and the use of expensive and radiation-exposing medical imaging methods, while existing low-frequency electromagnetic tomography provides lower quality images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that acquires tomographic data at multiple frequencies, generates composite images, determines scaling factors for different materials, and decomposes these images into discrete images to differentiate between materials such as muscle, bone, and plastic, allowing for the detection of contraband.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If low frequency electromagnetic tomography is used for imaging, then safety and low cost are achieved, but image resolution and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by acquiring data at multiple discrete frequencies and then separating the materials based on their frequency-dependent responses. This allows low-frequency electromagnetic tomography to achieve high-resolution material differentiation by processing multiple lower-resolution images into a high-resolution composite, resolving the contradiction between safety/low cost and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the frequency dimension to the imaging process by acquiring tomographic images at multiple frequencies. This transforms a single-frequency low-resolution image into a multi-frequency dataset that, when processed through material response analysis, produces high-resolution material differentiation, thus achieving high image quality without using high-frequency or radiation-intensive methods.
2Measurement precision
If multiple frequency electromagnetic tomography is used to improve imaging quality, then image resolution is improved, but the complexity of the imaging process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency by acquiring images at multiple discrete frequencies. This allows the system to exploit the frequency-dependent electrical properties of different materials to differentiate between them, achieving high-resolution material identification without requiring complex hardware modifications, thus improving image resolution while managing process complexity.
3Reliability
If X-ray CT or MRI is used to detect non-metallic objects, then detection capability is improved, but cost and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiation-based imaging systems (X-ray CT, MRI) with electromagnetic tomography using low-frequency electromagnetic fields. By measuring the electrical properties (conductivity and permittivity) of materials at multiple frequencies, the system achieves comparable detection capability for non-metallic objects without the harmful radiation exposure or high costs associated with medical imaging equipment.
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
Enhances the ability to detect contraband by improving image resolution and differentiating between tissue-like and non-tissue materials, thereby identifying plastic components indicative of contraband without the need for expensive or radiation-intensive methods.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring tomographic image data of the object at a plurality of frequencies
Implementation Method 2
Low frequency electromagnetic tomography provides a safe and low cost method for imaging. Such imaging methods include electrical impedance tomography (EIT)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for imaging an object is provided. The method includes acquiring tomographic image data of the object at a plurality of frequencies, generating a composite image of the object at each of the plurality of frequencies using the acquired tomographic image data, determining a scaling factor for a first material at each of the plurality of frequencies, determining a scaling factor for a second material at each of the plurality of frequencies, and decomposing the composite images into a first discrete image and a second discrete image using the determined scaling factors, wherein the first discrete image contains any region of the object composed of the first material and the second discrete image contains any region of the object composed of the second material.