Methods and systems for generating three-dimensional images that enable improved visualization and interaction with objects in the three-dimensional images

Inventors

Sivakumar, Mala • Brown, Thomas • Krishnan, Karthik

Assignees

Rapiscan Systems Inc

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present specification describes methods for displaying a three-dimensional image of an isolated threat object or region of interest with a single touch or click and providing spatial and contextual information relative to the object, while also executing a view dependent virtual cut-away or rendering occluding portions of the reconstructed image data as transparent. In some embodiments, the method includes allowing operators to associate audio comments with a scan image of an object. In some embodiments, the method also includes highlighting a plurality of voxels, which are indicative of at least one potential threat item, in a mask having a plurality of variable color intensities, where the intensities may be varied based on the potential threat items.

Core Innovation

The invention presents a method of enabling at least a first operator and a second operator to annotate a scan image of an object using a first graphical interface and a second graphical interface. Each graphical interface includes icons and changes icon states in response to operator activation. Activating a first icon initiates an audio recording, and activating a second icon terminates the audio recording and generates an audio file indicated by an icon on the same graphical interface.

The method enables collaborative review by providing the second graphical interface with the first icon and the third icon indicative of the first audio file. Activating the third icon plays the first audio recording. Activating the first icon on the second graphical interface initiates a second audio recording, which is terminated upon activation of the second icon and generates a second audio file indicated by a fourth icon on the second graphical interface.

In the second independent method, the graphical interfaces further enable the first operator and the second operator to visually maneuver the scan image during their respective audio recordings. The method also includes a deletion rule for the first audio file based on whether the object has been cleared, and it prevents deletion if the object has been cleared.

Claims Coverage

This document contains two independent claims (independent_claim_id clm-00001 and clm-00015). Across these claims, there are three main inventive feature areas: a two-operator icon-triggered audio recording and audio-file display workflow; collaborative playback by the second operator through icons indicative of prior audio files; and (in the second independent claim) visual maneuvering of the scan image during recording plus an audio-file deletion rule tied to whether the object has been cleared.

Overall, the claims cover a collaborative two-operator annotation workflow where icon activation drives audio recording, recording termination generates operator-associated audio files, icons indicate those audio files for playback, and (in the second independent claim) scan-image maneuvering is enabled during recording and deletion is controlled by whether the object has been cleared.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications