Scanners to characterize and distinguish anomalies based on multiple mode scans
Inventors
Fortune, John • Lewis, Brian • Weinberger, Michelle
Assignees
US Department of Homeland Security
Publication Number
US-12183081-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Expiration Date
2041-06-21
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Abstract
An example method to characterize an anomaly includes obtaining information about an item using a first mode scan and detecting whether the item contains an anomaly based on the information. The method further includes determining, responsive to detecting the anomaly, an area of interest of the item corresponding to a location of the anomaly, and determining a strategy including a procedure to obtain other information of the area of interest. The method refines a characterization of the anomaly based on the other information, and compares the characterization of the anomaly to a predetermined criterion. The method iteratively revises the strategy to perform additional available procedures, to further refine the characterization of the anomaly. When the characterization of the anomaly meets the predetermined criterion corresponding to a prohibited item, the method identifies the anomaly as prohibited.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method and apparatus for characterizing anomalies detected during security screening of items, such as baggage at airports. Initially, a first mode scan, for example using transmissive X-ray computed tomography, is performed on an entire item to detect anomalies. Upon detection of an anomaly, the system determines an area of interest corresponding to the anomaly's location and develops a strategy to obtain additional information about the anomaly by employing further scanning procedures or modes.
The method iteratively refines the anomaly's characterization by performing additional scan procedures to obtain other information, such as phase contrast or diffraction X-ray scans, supporting a more detailed and orthogonal analysis compared to the first mode scan. The strategy adapts based on previously gathered information and available scanning technologies, aiming to resolve whether the anomaly corresponds to a prohibited or permitted item by comparing characterization results to predetermined security criteria. If unresolved after exhausting procedures, the item is flagged for manual screening. The method also includes generating alerts if discrepancies between scans indicate potential scanning problems.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering various methods and apparatus configurations focusing on anomaly characterization via multi-mode scanning and adaptive strategies.
Method of anomaly characterization using iterative procedures and scanning strategies
Obtaining information about an item using a first mode scan; detecting anomalies; determining an area of interest; developing a strategy including procedures to obtain other information of the area of interest; performing procedures to refine anomaly characterization; iteratively revising the strategy to further refine characterization when criteria are unmet; flagging the item for manual screening when no procedures are left; identifying the anomaly as prohibited if criteria are met; adjusting second mode scan parameters; comparing first and second mode scan data to generate alerts for potential scan issues.
Method involving diffraction grating to obtain phase contrast scans
Obtaining a first mode scan; detecting anomalies; determining area of interest; steering scanning strategy to interpose diffraction gratings in the scanner beam path to obtain a second mode phase contrast scan; characterizing the anomaly based on the second mode scan; differentiating security risk via comparison with criteria; using partial first mode scans obtained during the second mode scan for alignment and verification; generating alerts based on differences exceeding thresholds.
Apparatus with a scanner operating in first and second modes under controller strategy
A mechanism to convey items and a scanner configurable to operate in a first mode for full-item scanning and in a second mode for focused scanning of detected anomalies; a controller determining scanning strategy, fusing information from both modes to characterize anomalies; comparison of data from first and second modes to detect discrepancies and generate alerts indicating scan problems.
Apparatus with controller coupled to first and second scanner managing multi-modal scanning and anomaly characterization
Controller directs the first scanner to scan containers and detect anomalies; then determines and executes a strategy to obtain other information via a second scanner; aligns and orients the second scanner to minimize adverse beam effects; fuses data from both scans to characterize security risk; performs comparisons for alert generation if data differences exceed thresholds.
Apparatus with first and second scanners mounted on a gantry operated under controller strategy
First scanner obtains first mode scan; controller detects anomalies and determines area of interest and scanning strategy; second scanner obtains second mode scan of area of interest; controller characterizes anomalies by fusing scan data to differentiate security risks; compares scan data to detect differences and generate alerts; controller can adjust scanner alignment and gantry rotation speeds corresponding to scan modes.
The independent claims encompass methods and apparatuses that enable iterative, adaptive characterization of anomalies based on multi-modal scanning with dynamic scanning strategies informed by initial anomaly detection, and include detailed coordination between scanners, data fusion, and alerting mechanisms to improve security screening accuracy and efficiency.
Stated Advantages
Improves efficiency of security screening by reducing manual intervention through refined automatic anomaly characterization.
Reduces false alarms by enabling orthogonal scanning modalities and iterative refinement to better differentiate permitted and prohibited items.
Allows selective and focused detailed scanning only on areas of interest, saving time and resources compared to scanning entire items with high-resolution modes.
Supports adaptive scanning strategies leveraging prior knowledge and similarity to past scans to optimize procedures for anomaly resolution.
Generates alerts if discrepancies between different mode scans suggest scanning malfunctions or item shifts, increasing scan reliability.
Documented Applications
Security screening of baggage or items at airports or other travel venues to identify prohibited materials.
Use in automated security checkpoints to detect and differentiate potential security risks such as explosives or weapons.
Integration in scanning systems employing computed tomography and diffraction or phase contrast X-ray techniques.
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