Multi-scanner networked systems for performing material discrimination processes on scanned objects
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Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11768313-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present application is directed toward cargo scanning systems having scanners, each arranged to scan a respective object and generate a set of scan data, processors arranged to process each set of scan data to determine whether it meets a predetermined threat condition, workstations, and data management system arranged to direct data that meets the threat condition to one of the workstations for analysis.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a scanning system that is networked and physically distributed, with two or more scanners scanning at least one of a plurality of containers to generate scan data and communicate the scan data to a network. The scan data are received by a data switch and provided to a dispatcher, which communicates with at least one processor for automated image-related processing. One or more operator workstations are physically remote from the at least one processor, and data flow between scanners, the dispatcher, the at least one processor, and the workstations is mediated through the data switch.
At the at least one processor, the dispatcher causes scan data to be sent so that the at least one processor generates optical character recognition data indicative of the characters associated with each of the plurality of containers. The at least one processor executes a material discrimination process on the scan data and executes an automated detection process on the scan data. The dispatcher automatically allocates scan data to at least one operator workstation for analysis, makes the scan data available to the workstation, and receives and directs data indicative of the characters and manifest information related to the cargo.
The invention further generates a hybrid set of scan data by combining a threat object image from a library of threat object images with a portion of the scan data, thereby producing hybrid scan data for operator analysis. This hybrid generation is integrated with the remote operator workflow in which the dispatcher allocates scan data for analysis at physically remote operator workstations and receives and directs character and manifest information used in the generation of the hybrid set of scan data.
Claims Coverage
Three inventive features are identified in the provided independent claim coverage.
Networked multi-scanner distributed scanning with data switch mediated flow
A scanning system comprising two or more physically remote scanners that scan containers, generate scan data, communicate the scan data to a network, and send the scan data via a data switch to a dispatcher; operator workstations are physically remote from the at least one processor and all data flow between scanners, the dispatcher, the at least one processor, and operator workstations is mediated through the data switch.
Optical character recognition, material discrimination, and automated detection at the processor
At least one processor in data communication with the dispatcher, configured to generate optical character recognition data indicative of characters associated with each container, execute a material discrimination process on the scan data, and execute an automated detection process on the scan data.
Remote operator allocation and hybrid scan data generation combining threat object library images with scan data
A dispatcher configured to automatically allocate scan data to at least one operator workstation for analysis, make the scan data available to the workstation, receive and direct data indicative of characters and data indicative of manifest information related to the cargo, and generate a hybrid set of scan data by combining a threat object image from a library of threat object images with a portion of the scan data.
The independent claim coverage centers on a networked, physically remote multi-scanner architecture with data-switch mediated communication, processor-executed optical character recognition, material discrimination, and automated detection, dispatcher-driven allocation to remote operator workstations, and hybrid scan data generation by combining a threat object image library with a portion of scan data.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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