Patent ID: 7839971
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: G01N,G01V

Abstract:
1. A method for automatically inspecting a container for a target material using a computed tomography (CT) scanning system, said method comprising: performing an initial radiographic scan of the container; identifying, based at least partially on projection data generated during the initial radiographic scan, a first slice plan with at least one location within the container that requires CT inspection; performing additional single energy scans to acquire additional projection data; adjusting the first slice plan using the additional projection data; identifying at least one object of interest using an automatic detection algorithm once the first slice plan requires no more single energy scans; if the at least one object of interest is identified, generating a second slice plan of the at least one object of interest; performing a dual energy CT scan of the at least one object of interest, the dual energy CT scan including a low energy scan of the at least one object of interest and a high energy scan of the at least one object of interest; determining, based at least partially on dual energy scan information generated during the dual energy CT scan, whether the at least one object of interest includes a target material; and generating an alarm signal for the container if the at least one object of interest includes the target material.