X-ray Image Comparison for Explosive Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security checkpoint personnel face challenges in quickly assessing items for modifications or dangerous substances due to time constraints and reliance on personal experience, especially in high-traffic areas like airports and tourist attractions.
Innovation Solution
An inspection device equipped with a sensor and image data generation arrangement for creating images, a comparison unit to match images with stored reference images, and a filter function for simplifying the selection of reference images, enabling automatic or semi-automatic identification of dangerous objects, including the creation of virtual circuits to assess potential explosive devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If security personnel manually assess X-ray images based on personal experience and judgment, then they can evaluate standard commercially available items, but they have very little time to assess the X-rayed object and its contents
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the X-ray image and compares it against a database of reference images and patterns. This automated copying and comparison process eliminates the need for manual visual assessment while maintaining accuracy in identifying hazardous objects and altered commercially available items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual assessment process with an automated computational system. The evaluation mechanism transitions from human operators manually analyzing images to a computer system that automatically processes, compares, and identifies hazardous objects based on stored reference data.
2Reliability
If security personnel rely on personal experience and judgment for assessment, then they can make decisions about dangerous substances, but the process is time-consuming and lacks consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback by automatically comparing the X-ray image against the database of reference images and hazardous object patterns. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent and reliable identification decisions while reducing assessment time compared to manual evaluation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes human judgment with an automated computational system that maintains consistent decision-making criteria. The system reliably identifies hazardous objects based on stored reference data, eliminating the variability inherent in manual assessment while reducing time requirements.
3Productivity
If the inspection device uses automated image comparison with reference images, then the speed of security checks is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal database of reference images and patterns that can identify multiple types of hazardous objects and altered commercially available items. This multi-functional reference database enables the system to handle various security assessment scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems for each type of detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs digital copying and storage of reference images in a database, allowing rapid comparison during security checks. This copying approach enables fast automated identification while managing system complexity through efficient data storage and retrieval mechanisms rather than requiring complex hardware configurations.
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 speed and accuracy of security checks by allowing for instantaneous comparison of suspicious objects with reference objects, reducing reliance on personal assessment and automating decision-making, thereby improving safety and efficiency in explosive ordnance disposal and security controls.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor and image data generation system can be positioned at a considerable distance from the comparison unit. This can serve to protect the operating personnel. The sensor and image data generation system is therefore an arrangement that performs an imaging procedure. For example, this could be an X-ray system for creating an X-ray image
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (100) has a sensor-and image data generation arrangement (1003) to inspect an object (1002) to be tested, and to create an image of the object. A comparison unit (1004) compares the image with reference images i.e. digital images of reference objects. The comparison unit is provided for automatic, partially-automatic or manual adjustment of a virtual circuit so as to represent a function of an explosive device provided in the object. The comparison unit automatically tests the circuit and manually adjusts a filter function to simplify selection of reference images from a data set. An independent claim is also included for a computer-readable medium comprising instructions to perform a method for identifying hazardous objects during warfare material removal and/or security check.