System and method for detecting and reconstructing objects in a non-continuous stream of items in an imaging system
Inventors
Hills, Steven Leslie • Basu, Samit Kumar
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10094950-B2
Publication Date
2018-10-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A controller for detecting objects moving in a first direction in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The controller is configured to detect objects by assembling a plurality of segments based on a plurality of CT imaging slices. In response to receiving a stop request, the controller is configured to detect objects by causing the CT imaging system to cease a flow of objects, discarding the one or more of the plurality of CT imaging slices associated with a first segment and a second segment of the plurality of segments, causing the CT imaging system to move the objects in a second direction for an interruption distance in which the second direction is opposite the first direction, causing the CT imaging system to move the objects in the first direction, and reassembling the first segment and the second segment.
Core Innovation
In a computed tomography (CT) imaging system, an object detection controller receives CT imaging data, generates a plurality of CT imaging slices, and assembles a plurality of segments based on the generated CT imaging slices. Two neighboring segments include at least one substantially equivalent CT imaging slice, and the segments overlap in the CT imaging slices used for reconstruction into a continuous 3D object stream for an inspector.
When a stop request is received, the CT imaging system ceases a flow of objects and the controller discards one or more CT imaging slices associated with a first segment and a second segment that are being assembled at the time the stop request is received. In response, the system moves the objects in a second direction opposite the first direction for an interruption distance and then moves the objects in the first direction.
The controller reassembles the first segment and the second segment based on newly received CT imaging slices, thereby continuing the continuous 3D object stream despite the stop request. The claims further specify that each segment contains the same number of CT imaging slices and may include a time stamp and a geographic location.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims. The inventive aspects are segment-based CT slice assembly with neighboring segments sharing substantially equivalent slices, and stop-request handling that discards in-progress segment slices, reverses object motion for an interruption distance, and reassembles segments using newly received slices.
Continuous segment assembly with substantially equivalent neighboring slices
Receiving CT imaging data; generating a plurality of CT imaging slices from the CT imaging data; assembling a plurality of segments based on the generated CT imaging slices, wherein two neighboring segments include at least one substantially equivalent CT imaging slice.
Stop-request response with discarding in-progress segment slices
In response to receiving a stop request, causing the CT imaging system to cease a flow of objects; discarding one or more of the CT imaging slices associated with a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment and the second segment are being assembled at the time the stop request is received.
Reverse movement for interruption distance and reassembly using newly received slices
In response to the stop request, causing the CT imaging system to move the objects in a second direction for an interruption distance, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction; causing the CT imaging system to move the objects in the first direction; and reassembling the first segment and the second segment based on newly received CT imaging slices.
The independent claims cover an object detection controller, method, and storage medium that detect objects in a CT imaging system by generating CT imaging slices and assembling overlapping segments via substantially equivalent neighboring slices. Upon a stop request, the system ceases object flow, discards slices tied to the segments being assembled, moves objects in an opposite direction for an interruption distance, returns objects to the first direction, and reassembles the segments using newly received CT imaging slices.
Stated Advantages
Reducing computational cost for CT reconstruction when starting and stopping causes variable pitch.
Handling starting/stopping to reduce the effects on pitch during continuous 3D object stream reconstruction.
Documented Applications
Checkpoint scanning in an airport security context, using a CT imaging system to generate a 3D representation for an inspector.
Interested in licensing this patent?