Patent Publication Number: US-2021181369-A1

Title: Three-dimensional x-ray baggage scanner

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The embodiments herein generally relate to an X-ray scanner, in particular to a system and method of scanning and generating a three-dimensional image of items present inside an object. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     X-ray scanning has wide range of application in many fields. Especially in security check points, X-ray scanning systems are widely used. While performing security scanning, it is necessary that viewer has to get a clear idea of what is inside the object being scanned. There are several X-ray scanning systems are available in the market. 
     Traditional single view x-ray scanning systems uses a single x ray beam for scanning of the object passing through the scanning system. After processing the data, the single view x-ray scanning system produces two-dimensional (2D) image of the object from the bottom or top. Traditional single view x-ray scanning system also indicates the density of the material through different standard color coding for organic, non-organic and metallic substances. The 2D images produced by these systems only provide spatial information in two dimensions. Information about the third dimension, depth, is lost in these traditional systems. Hence, this can lead to misinterpreted information and in many cases, serious lapses while performing security scanning using these traditional single view scanners. 
     There are systems being developed to capture information about three dimension and different views of the same object by using multiple X ray beams through multiple X ray generators and detector assemblies. These systems are well proven and established by the name of Dual or Multi-View X-ray Inspection systems. But as mentioned the multiple beams require a different and larger setup altogether which will further link up to heavy structures and more sophistication in handling the radiation part. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for a system and method of scanning and generating a three-dimensional image of an object. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a system for scanning one or more items present inside an object. The system includes a continuous conveyor belt, a first electromagnetic radiation sensor, a tunnel, a second electromagnetic radiation sensor, an electromagnetic radiation generator, a collimator, a third electromagnetic radiation sensor, a fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor and a processor. The continuous conveyor belt receives the object to be scanned and moves the object in forward direction. The first electromagnetic radiation sensor scans the object that is travelling through the continuous conveyor belt by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by one or more items present inside the object and generates a first signal for profiling one or more items present inside the object. The tunnel receives the object after scanned through the first electromagnetic radiation sensor from the continuous conveyor belt that the continuous conveyor belt is extending through the tunnel. The second electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned inside the tunnel at entry point for sensing the presence of the object inside the tunnel by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object and generates a second signal. The electromagnetic radiation generator that is positioned below the tunnel receives the second signal from the second electromagnetic radiation sensor to generate an angular beam of the electromagnetic radiation on the object. The electromagnetic radiation generator is inclined at an angle in the range of 10 to 50 degree with reference to the ground level on Y-axis. The collimator guides the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation generator to the tunnel. The third electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned inside the tunnel at exit point senses the object when leaving the tunnel after crossing the electromagnetic radiation generator by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object and generates a third signal to terminate the generation of angular beam of electromagnetic radiation by the electromagnetic radiation generator on the object. The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned above the tunnel that detects the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation that are passed through the object in three dimensions and generates a fourth signal. The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor is inclined at an angle in the range of 10 to 50 degree with reference to the Z axis. The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor detects angular beam of electromagnetic radiation in multiple energy bands. The processor is operably coupled with a memory unit that stores one or more instructions codes which when executed by the processor, the processor (a) receives the first signal from the first electromagnetic radiation sensor and generates profile data of the one or more items present inside the object (b) profiling one or more items present inside the object being scanned based on the profile data by determining the shape of one or more items present inside the object (c) receives the fourth signal from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor (d) compute an atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object from the fourth signal to categorize one or more items present inside the object being scanned based by color mapping (e) generates composite radiation data of one or more items present inside the object from the fourth signal received from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor (f) modifies the composite radiation data of one or more items present inside the object by comparing the profile data of one or more items present inside the object with the composite radiation data (g) generates distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object based on the modified composite radiation data and computed atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object respectively and (h) display the distortion corrected and the color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object through a user interface. 
     In another embodiment, the first electromagnetic radiation sensor is an Infrared (IR) curtain. 
     In another embodiment, the second electromagnetic radiation sensor and the third electromagnetic radiation sensor are an IR beam sensor. 
     In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator emits electromagnetic radiation in a range of low and high energy levels that the low and high energy levels include in the range of 20 kiloelectron volt (keV) to 180 keV. 
     In another embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator is an X ray radiation generator. 
     In another embodiment, the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor is a L shape X ray radiation sensor assembly capable of detecting X-ray radiation in multiple distinct energy bands. 
     In another embodiment, the category of one or more items present inside the object includes metallic, organic and inorganic. 
     In another aspect, a method for scanning one or more items present inside the object is provided. The method includes (i) placing the object to be scanned in a continuous conveyor belt that the continuous conveyor belt moves the object in forward direction (ii) scanning the object that is travelling through the continuous conveyor belt using a first electromagnetic radiation sensor by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by one or more items present inside the object and generating a first signal for profiling one or more items present inside the object (iii) receiving the object after scanned through the first electromagnetic radiation sensor in a tunnel from the continuous conveyor belt that the continuous conveyor belt is extending through the tunnel (iv) sensing the presence of the object inside the tunnel using a second electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned inside the tunnel at entry point by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object and generating a second signal (v) generating an angular beam of electromagnetic radiation on the object using an electromagnetic radiation generator that is positioned below the tunnel after receiving the second signal from the second electromagnetic radiation sensor (vi) guiding the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation generator to the tunnel using a collimator (vii) sensing the object when leaving the tunnel after crossing the electromagnetic radiation generator using a third electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned inside the tunnel at exit point by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object and generating a third signal (viii) terminating generation of the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation generator on the object after receiving the third signal from the third electromagnetic radiation sensor (ix) detecting the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation that are passed through the object in three dimensions using a fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor that is positioned above the tunnel and generating a fourth signal; (x) receiving the first signal from the first electromagnetic radiation sensor and generating profile data of one or more items present inside the object (xi) profiling one or more items present inside the object being scanned based on the profile data by determining shape of one or more items present inside the object (xii) receiving the fourth signal from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor (xiii) computing an atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object from the received fourth signal for categorizing one or more items present inside the object being scanned by color mapping (xiv) generating composite radiation data of the items present inside the object from the fourth signal received from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor (xv) modifying the composite radiation data by comparing the profile data of one or more items present inside the object with the composite radiation data (xvi) generating a distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object based on the modified composite radiation data and computed atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object respectively (xvii) displaying the distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object through a user interface. 
     These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a diagonal right-hand side view of a system for scanning one or more items present inside an object according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a diagonal left-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of the of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a front view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a left-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object showing electromagnetic radiation generator placement according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 1F  illustrates a right-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object showing electromagnetic radiation generator placement according to an embodiment herein; and 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  are flow diagrams that illustrate a method of scanning one or more items present inside the object according to an embodiment herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
     As mentioned, there remains a need for a system that works very well with the same set of components which are being used in traditional single view machines for scanning and generating three dimensional view of one or more items present inside an object. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1A through 2C , where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a diagonal right hand side view of a system for scanning one or more items present inside the object according to an embodiment herein. The diagonal right hand side view of the system includes a continuous conveyor belt  102 , a first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 , a tunnel  106 , a second electromagnetic radiation sensor (not shown in  FIG. 1A ), a collimator (not shown in  FIG. 1A ), a third electromagnetic radiation sensor (not shown in  FIG. 1A ), an electromagnetic radiation generator  108  (not shown in  FIG. 1A ), a fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  and an object  112  The continuous conveyor belt  102  receives the object  112  and moves the object  112  in forward direction. The first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104  scans the object  112  that is travelling through the continuous conveyor belt  102  by detecting the electromagnetic radiation obstructed by one or more items present inside the object  112  and generating a first signal for profiling one or more items present inside the object  112 . In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic radiation sensor is an IR curtain and is positioned outside the tunnel at entrance. The tunnel  106  receives the object  112  from the continuous conveyor belt  102  after scanned through the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 . The continuous conveyor belt  102  is extending through the tunnel. The second electromagnetic radiation sensor is positioned inside the tunnel  106  at entry point. The second electromagnetic radiation sensor senses the presence of the object  112  inside the tunnel  106  by detecting the electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object  112  and generating a second signal. In one embodiment, the second electromagnetic radiation sensor is an IR beam sensor. The electromagnetic radiation generator  108  is positioned below the tunnel  106 . The electromagnetic radiation generator  108  generates an angular beam of electromagnetic radiation on the object  112  after receiving the second signal from the second electromagnetic radiation sensor. The electromagnetic radiation generator is inclined at an angle in the range of 10 to 50 degree with reference to the ground level on Y axis. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  emits electromagnetic radiation in a range of low and high energy levels. In one embodiment, electromagnetic radiation in a range of 20 keV to 180 keV. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  is an X ray generator. The collimator guides the angular beam of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  to the tunnel  106 . The third electromagnetic radiation sensor is positioned inside the tunnel  106  at exit point. The third electromagnetic radiation sensor senses the object  112  when leaving the tunnel  106  after crossing the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  and generates a third signal to terminate the generation of angular beam of electromagnetic radiation on the object  112  by the electromagnetic radiation generator  108 . The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  is positioned above the tunnel  106 . The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  detects the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation that are passed through the object  112  in three dimensions and generates a fourth signal. The fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  is inclined at an angle in the range of 10 to 50 degree with reference to the Z axis and detects electromagnetic radiation at multiple energy bands. In one embodiment, the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor is a L shape X ray radiation detection sensor assembly. The system includes a processor that is coupled with a memory unit that stores one or more instruction codes which when executed by the processor, the processor (i) receives the first signal from the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104  and generates profile data of the items present inside the object  112  (ii) profiles one or more items present inside the object  112  being scanned based on the profile data by determining shape of one or more items present inside the object  112  (iii) receive the fourth signal from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  (iv) compute an atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object  112  from the fourth signal to categorize one or more items present inside the object  112  being scanned by color mapping (v) generate a composite radiation data of one or more items present inside the object  112  from the fourth signal received from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor (vi) modify the composite radiation data by comparing the profile data of one or more items present inside the object  112  with the composite radiation data (vii) generate distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object  112  based on the modified composite radiation data and computed atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object  112  respectively (viii) display distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object  112  through a user interface. 
     In one embodiment, the categories of one or more items present inside the object  112  includes metallic, organic and inorganic. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a diagonal left-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object  112  according to an embodiment herein. The diagonal left-hand side view of the system includes the continuous conveyor belt  102 , the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 , the tunnel  106  and the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110 . The function of these components has been explained above. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object  112  according to an embodiment herein. The top view of the system includes the continuous conveyor belt  102 , the tunnel  106  and the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110 . The function of these components has been explained above. 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates a front view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object  112  according to an embodiment herein. The front view of the system includes the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 . The function of these components has been explained above. 
       FIG. 1E  illustrates a right-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object  112  showing an electromagnetic radiation generator placement according to an embodiment herein. The right-hand side view of the system includes the continuous conveyor belt  102 , the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 , the tunnel  106  and the electromagnetic radiation generator  108 . The function of these components has been explained above. 
       FIG. 1F  illustrates a left-hand side view of the system for scanning one or more items present inside the object  112  showing an electromagnetic radiation generator placement according to an embodiment herein. The left-hand side view of the system includes the continuous conveyor belt  102 , the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104 , the tunnel  106 , the electromagnetic radiation generator  108 , and the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110 . The function of these components has been explained above. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  are flow diagrams that illustrate a method of scanning one or more items present inside an object  112  according to an embodiment herein. At step  202 , the object  112  to be scanned is placed in the continuous conveyor belt  102  to move the object  112  in forward direction. At step  204 , the object  112  is scanned using the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104  by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by one or more items present inside the object  112  and a first signal is generated for profiling one or more items present inside the object  112 . At step  206 , the object  112  from the continuous conveyor belt  102  is received in the tunnel  106  and the continuous conveyor belt  102  is extended through the tunnel  106 . At step  208 , the presence of the object  112  inside the tunnel  106  is sensed using a second electromagnetic radiation sensor by detecting electromagnetic radiation obstructed by the object  112  and a second signal is generated. At step  210 , angular beam of electromagnetic radiation is generated on the object  112  using the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  after receiving the second signal from the second electromagnetic radiation sensor. At step  212 , angular beam of electromagnetic radiation is guided to the tunnel  106  using a collimator. At step  214 , the object  112  when leaving the tunnel  106  after crossing the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  is sensed using a third electromagnetic radiation sensor and a third signal is generated. At step  216 , the generation of the electromagnetic radiation on the object  112  is terminated by electromagnetic radiation generator  108  after receiving the third signal from the third electromagnetic radiation sensor. At step  218 , the angular beam of electromagnetic radiation that are passed through the object  112  in three dimensions is detected using a fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  and a fourth signal is generated. At step  220 , the first signal from the first electromagnetic radiator sensor  104  is received and profile data for one or more items present inside the object  112  is generated. At step  222 , profile of one or more items present inside the object  112  being scanned is generated based on profile data by determining the shape of one or more items present inside the object  112 . At step  224 , the fourth signal from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  is received. At step  226 , an atomic mass number of one or more items present inside the object  112  is computed based on the fourth signal from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor  110  to categorize one or more items present inside the object  112 . At step  228 , the composite radiation data of one or more items present inside the object is generated from the fourth signal received from the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor. At step  230 , modified composite radiation data is generated by comparing the profile data of one or more items present inside the object  112  with composite radiation data. At step  232 , a distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object is generated based on the modified composite radiation data and the computed atomic number of one or more items present inside the object  112  respectively. At step  234 , the distortion corrected and color mapped image of one or more items present inside the object  112  is displayed through a user interface. In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic radiation sensor  104  is an IR curtain. In one embodiment, the second electromagnetic radiation sensor is an IR beam sensor. In one embodiment, the second electromagnetic radiation sensor is positioned inside the tunnel  106  at entry point. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  emits electromagnetic radiation in a range of low and high energy levels. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  emits electromagnetic radiation in a range of 20 keV to 180 keV. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generator  108  is an X ray generator. In one embodiment, the third electromagnetic radiation sensor is an IR beam sensor. In one embodiment, the fourth electromagnetic radiation sensor is a L shape X ray radiation detection sensor assembly that detects X ray radiation in multiple distinct energy bands. 
     In one embodiment, the object  112  is a baggage. 
     In one embodiment, the system scans the baggage to determine one or more items present inside the baggage along with their categories according to an embodiment herein. 
     This robust, ergonomically designed scanning system is very easy to use and allows the operator to make quick and correct decisions. Hence, the throughput of the system increases and incidences of false or missed alarms decreases. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.