Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
In a device for determining the absorption distribution in a body; of the type comprising substantially point-shaped source means which generate radiation in separate beams which penetrate the body, detector means which measure the radiation from the source means which penetrates the body and generate detector signals therefrom, and processing means which derive electrical signals which are representative of the absorption of the body along the radiation beams from the detector signals, the improvement wherein: the detector means comprise one or more detector elements each of which measures radiation in a group of adjacently situated radiation beams; the device further comprises modulation means which modulate the intensity of radiation in the beams with time varying functions, each of the beams measured by an individual detector element being modulated by a separate function which is linearly independent of the functions which modulate other beams measured by that detector element; and the processing means derives individual signals which correspond to the intensity in each of the radiation beams in a group from the output of the associated detector element by multiplying discrete signal values received from the detector element by a matrix of values which is the inverse of the functions used to modulate the beams in the group.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a device for determining the absorption distribution in a body; of the type comprising substantially point-shaped source means which generate radiation in separate beams which penetrate the body, detector means which measure the radiation from the source means which penetrates the body and generate detector signals therefrom, and processing means which derive electrical signals which are representative of the absorption of the body along the radiation beams from the detector signals, the improvement wherein: the detector means comprise one or more detector elements each of which measures radiation in a group of adjacently situated radiation beams; the device further comprises modulation means which modulate the intensity of radiation in the beams with time varying functions, each of the beams measured by an individual detector element being modulated by a separate function which is linearly independent of the functions which modulate other beams measured by that detector element; and the processing means derives individual signals which correspond to the intensity in each of the radiation beams in a group from the output of the associated detector element by multiplying discrete signal values received from the detector element by a matrix of values which is the inverse of the functions used to modulate the beams in the group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved device as claimed 1 wherein the modulation means functions to modulate each beam with a number of discrete function values during predetermined periods of time, the number of discrete function values being equal to the number of modulating functions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the modulation means functions to modulate some beams in the group with higher sequence functions and other beams in the group with lower sequence functions, the beams associated with the lower sequence functions being modulated for a longer period of time than the beams associated with the higher sequence functions, the beams associated with higher sequence functions being blocked during the remaining modulation time of the lower sequence beams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved device as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the modulation means function to eliminate a mean value from the modulation functions which are applied to the beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the radiation beams, are disposed as a two-dimensional fan and wherein the detector means comprise a plurality of detector elements, each detector element being disposed to receive radiation from the group of all adjacent beams along a single dimension of the fan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the radiation beams are disposed as a two-dimensional fan, wherein a single detector element measures all radiation in the fan, and wherein the modulation means operates to modulate the radiation beams with functions which form a two-dimensional, linearly independent function system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the modulation means comprises a moveable aperture which includes radiation transmissive zones and radiation non-transmissive zones which are distributed in accordance with the modulated functions, the aperture being disposed between the radiation source means and the detector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the aperture comprises one or more rotating discs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved device as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 comprising one detector element which measures all of the radiation beams.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the radiation beams are disposed as a two-dimensional fan and wherein the detector means comprise a plurality of detector elements, each detector element being disposed to receive radiation from the group of all adjacent beams along a single dimension of the fan.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the radiation beams are disposed as a two-dimensional fan, wherein a single detector element measures all radiation in the fan, and wherein the modulation means operates to modulate the radiation beams with functions which form a two-dimensional linearly independent function system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the modulation means comprises a moveable aperture which includes radiation transmissive zones and radiation non-transmissive zones which are distributed in accordance with the modulating functions, the aperture being disposed between the radiation source means and the detector means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the aperture comprises one or more rotating discs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
An improved device as claimed in 1, 2 or 3 wherein the radiation beams are disposed as a two-dimensional fan and the detector means comprise a plurality of detector elements, each detector element being disposed to receive radiation from the group of all adjacent beams along a single dimension of the fan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the radiation beams are disposed as a two-dimensional fan, wherein a single detector element measures all radiation in the fan, and wherein the modulation means operates to modulate the radiation beams with functions which form a two-dimensional, linearly independent function system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the modulation means comprises a moveable aperture which includes radiation transmissive zones and radiation non-transmissive zones which are distributed in accordance with the modulating functions, the aperture being disposed between the radiation source and the detector means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the aperture comprises one or more rotating discs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the modulation means comprises a moveable aperture which includes radiation transmissive zones and radiation non-transmissive zones which are distributed in accordance with the modulating functions, the aperture being disposed between the radiation source means and the detector means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the aperture comprises one or more rotating discs.