Terahertz Inspection Timing for Concealed Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terahertz wave inspection systems suffer from insufficient detection precision for concealed objects.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a configuration where the light emission timings of illumination elements are staggered and synchronized differently for each column, allowing for sequential image capture and enhanced detection precision by emphasizing shadows from concealed objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all illumination elements radiate terahertz waves simultaneously, then the inspection process is simple and fast, but the detection precision for concealed objects is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidillumination control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination elements are divided into multiple columns, and each column is controlled independently with different light emission timings. This segmentation allows the system to capture images at different time points, emphasizing shadows from concealed objects and improving detection precision without requiring complex simultaneous control of all elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination elements in different columns emit terahertz waves periodically with different timings. By controlling each column to radiate at different time intervals, the system captures multiple images that highlight different shadow patterns, thereby enhancing the detection of concealed objects while maintaining a relatively simple control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If illumination elements are controlled with different light emission timings, then shadow emphasis improves detection precision, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the illumination elements into columns with independent timing control, the system achieves complex shadow emphasis effects through simple column-based control logic. Each column follows a basic emission pattern, making the overall operation manageable despite the sophisticated detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines light emission timing patterns for different columns before actual inspection. This preliminary configuration allows the complex timing control to be automated, reducing the need for real-time complex operations while maintaining high detection precision through shadow emphasis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If sequential image capture is performed with staggered emission timings, then concealed object detection is enhanced, but the inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The staggered emission timings are implemented as periodic cycles across different columns. By optimizing the period duration and overlapping the emission cycles, the system captures necessary shadow-emphasized images within a minimal time frame, balancing detection precision enhancement with acceptable inspection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination columns operate in continuous overlapping cycles rather than sequential completion. While one column is emitting, other columns are already in their emission or detection phases, ensuring that the useful action of image capture continues without interruption, thereby minimizing total inspection time despite multiple timing-staggered captures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 improves detection precision by ensuring that shadows from concealed objects are clearly visible, enhancing the system's ability to identify dangerous items.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination unit 110 that radiates terahertz waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTerahertz wave radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a camera unit 120 that captures images of terahertz waves that have been reflected off of an inspection object 150

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4163623B1Inspection system, inspection method and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 CANON KK
  • EP4163623B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4163623B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4163623B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3G

AI summary

In an inspection system (100) that uses terahertz waves, in order to improve the inspection precision for objects (150) and the like, the inspection system (100) has an illumination unit (110) having a plurality of illumination elements (111) that radiate terahertz waves; a camera unit (120) that captures images of the terahertz waves that have been reflected off of an object (150) that has been irradiated by the plurality of illumination elements (111); and a control unit (160) that performs control so as to make the light emission timings for the plurality of illumination elements (111) different.