X-ray Scanning Noise Reduction via Preliminary Air Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

In X-ray scanning systems where the object remains stationary and the X-ray beam plane moves, mechanical vibrations cause unstable X-ray intensity, leading to stripe noise in images, which traditional correction methods fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The method involves collecting and averaging background and air data to perform gain corrections on original scanning data, segmenting the scanning region into object and air regions using thresholding, edge detection, or region growing methods, and defining a sub-region as the air region to suppress noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the X-ray generator and detector move to scan a stationary object, then the scanning capability for stationary objects is improved, but mechanical vibration causes unstable X-ray intensity leading to stripe noise in images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning capability for stationary objectsVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by collecting background data and air data before performing the actual scanning. These preliminary measurements are stored and later used to correct the scanning data, eliminating stripe noise caused by mechanical vibration during the scanning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces background data and air data as intermediary elements that mediate between the raw scanning data and the final corrected image. These intermediary datasets serve as reference standards for correcting the effects of mechanical vibration during scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional correction approaches are used to process acquired images, then the processing complexity is reduced, but stripe noise inevitably occurs in the image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The correction approach uses preliminary collected background and air data to pre-establish correction references, which are then applied during image processing. This preliminary preparation enables effective noise reduction without requiring complex real-time correction algorithms during scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the object to be inspected is moved through the X-ray beam plane, then the scanning process is simplified, but objects unsuitable for movement cannot be inspected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning process simplicityVSAvoidinspection capability for various objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional scanning approach by keeping the object stationary and moving the X-ray generator and detector instead. This inversion enables inspection of objects that cannot be moved, such as fixed industrial devices or human bodies requiring the subject to remain still.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 effectively reduces stripe noise, improving the accuracy of X-ray scanning images by stabilizing the X-ray intensity and enhancing measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray generator (71), adapted for emitting X-rays; and a detector (72) that remains stationary relative to the X-ray generator, adapted for collecting detecting signals of the X-rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray emission and detection: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3078990B1X-ray scanning method and system
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3078990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3078990B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3078990B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An X-ray scanning method and system thereof are provided by embodiments of the present invention. The disclosed method comprises: collecting background data when no X-ray is emitted; collecting air data when X-rays are emitted and there is no object to be scanned in an inspection channel; scanning an object to collect original scanning data; and preprocessing the original scanning data according to the background data and the air data to acquire scanned image data. When performing an X-ray scanning for a static object, the embodiments of the present invention measure the background data and the air data and process the scanning data, thereby solving the noise problem caused by the mechanical vibration and thus improving the measurement accuracy.