Synchronized X-ray Markers for Multi-Scanner Security Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray security systems at checkpoints often lead to misidentification of items due to the complexity of X-ray images from multiple scanners, causing incorrect bag pulls and potential security breaches, which existing solutions fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of synchronized photo opaque or reflective markers on X-ray belts provides consistent points of reference for security officers, ensuring accurate tracking and selection of items for additional inspection, even in multiple-scanner systems by carefully spatially synchronizing markers to account for arbitrary offsets and visual appearances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple X-ray scanners are used to scan items on the belt, then scanning coverage and detection capability are improved, but image complexity and difficulty of item identification worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photo opaque markers as intermediary reference objects placed on the belt alongside items. These markers serve as mediators between the multiple X-ray scanners and the display system, providing consistent visual reference points that help officers correlate images from different scanners and accurately identify item locations without being confused by the complexity of multiple scanner images.
2Measurement precision
If photo opaque markers are placed on the belt to provide reference points, then item identification accuracy is improved, but marker confusion occurs in single-scanner systems when upper and lower belt sections are imaged together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric marker design where markers have distinct orientations and appearances for upper versus lower belt sections. This asymmetry allows officers to immediately distinguish which belt section a marker refers to, preventing confusion when images from upper and lower sections are combined in single-scanner systems.
3Measurement precision
If synchronized markers are used in multiple-scanner systems, then accurate tracking and selection of items is improved, but device complexity increases due to spatial synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary spatial synchronization of marker positions during system setup and calibration. By pre-configuring the spatial relationships between markers on the belt and their corresponding positions in composite images from multiple scanners, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time synchronization calculations during operation, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining tracking accuracy.
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
Prevents incorrect bag pulls and maintains security containment by ensuring accurate identification of items, reducing the risk of catastrophic events and logistical nightmares at security checkpoints.
Implementation Method 1
reflective markers being used with a belt on X-ray systems
Implementation Method 2
photo opaque or reflective (X-ray reactive) markers
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and method for synchronized markers. A multiple-scanner X-ray system includes a belt passing by an upper X-ray scanner and a lower X-ray scanner. An upper belt portion is conveyed in a first direction by the upper X-ray scanner and a lower belt portion is conveyed in a second direction opposite the first direction by the lower X-ray scanner, to obtain upper and lower X-rays. A plurality of X-ray reactive markers are positionally synchronized relative to each other and the belt and conveyed by the belt to cause upper visual marker information, corresponding to a visual appearance of the upper scanned belt section, to be consistent with i) upper X-ray marker information of the upper X-ray, and ii) lower X-ray marker information of the lower X-ray.