US6665373B1 — X-ray imaging system with active detector

Claim 1

Independent Claim 144 words

An apparatus for use in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan an object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said apparatus comprising: a second detector disposed opposite said first detector, said second detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said second detector; and a processor coupled to the system and receiving therefrom information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, the processor also coupled to said second detector and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 144 words

An apparatus for use in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan an object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said apparatus comprising: a second detector disposed opposite said first detector, said second detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said second detector; and a processor coupled to the system and receiving therefrom information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, the processor also coupled to said second detector and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pixels are limited to representing one of two intensity values.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein one of said two intensity values represents that the x-ray beam directed at the corresponding position of said second detector was detected to have impinged said second detector and wherein the other of said two values represents that the x-ray beam was not detected to have impinged said second detector.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second detector is disposed about 2 to 6 feet from said x-ray source.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second detector comprises a plurality of gas filled ionization chambers.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wheren said second detector comprises a scintillation material and a light detector.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said scintillation material comprises a fluorescent screen.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said scintillation material comprises a plastic scintillator.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said light detector comprises a photomultiplier tube.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said light detector comprises a photodiode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radiation shield coupled to said second detector.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said radiation shield comprises an x-ray absorbing material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wheren said x-ray absorbing material is steel.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said x-ray absorbing material is lead.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shadow image is capable of being combined with said scattered image to form a composite image.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 54 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said composite image comprises the intensity value from said shadow image where the x-ray beam impinged said second detector, and wherein said composite image comprises the value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object where the x-ray beam did not impinge said second detector.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 137 words

A method for detecting concealed items on or in an object in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil bean of x-rays to scan the object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said method comprising: detecting x-rays that pass unscattered from said x-ray source to a second detector disposed opposite said first detector; forming a signal in response to said detection of x-rays; receiving information from said system to a processor specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays; and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 137 words

A method for detecting concealed items on or in an object in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil bean of x-rays to scan the object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said method comprising: detecting x-rays that pass unscattered from said x-ray source to a second detector disposed opposite said first detector; forming a signal in response to said detection of x-rays; receiving information from said system to a processor specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays; and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said pixels are limited to representing one of two intensity values.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method in accordance with claim 18 wherein one of said two intensity values represents that the x-ray beam directed at the corresponding position of said second detector was detected to have impinged said second detector and wherein the other of said two values represents that the x-ray beam was not detected to have impinged said second detector.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising disposing said second detector about 2 to 6 feet from said x-ray source.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 17 wherein said second detector comprises a plurality of gas filled ionization chambers.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 17 wherein said second detector comprises a scintillation material and a light detector.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 22 wherein said scintillation material comprises a fluorescent screen.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 22 wherein said scintillation material comprises a plastic scintillator.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 22 wherein said light detector comprises a photomultiplier tube.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 22 wherein said light detector comprises a photodiode.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising coupling a radiation shield to said second detector.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 27 wherein said radiation shield comprises an x-ray absorbing material.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 28 wherein said x-ray absorbing material is steel.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 28 wherein said x-ray absorbing material is lead.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising combining said shadow image with said scattered image to form a composite image.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 31 wherein said composite image comprises the intensity value from said shadow image where the x-ray beam impinged said second detector, and wherein said composite image comprises the value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object where the x-ray beam did not impinge said second detector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 157 words

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for detecting concealed items on or in an object in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said method comprising: detecting x-rays that pass unscattered from said x-ray source to a second detector disposed opposite said first detector; forming a signal in response to said detection of x-rays; receiving information from said system to a processor specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays; and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 157 words

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for detecting concealed items on or in an object in a system having an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image, said method comprising: detecting x-rays that pass unscattered from said x-ray source to a second detector disposed opposite said first detector; forming a signal in response to said detection of x-rays; receiving information from said system to a processor specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays; and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 142 words

A system for scanning an object, comprising: an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object; a first detector to provide a value representative of the intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; an image former responsive to said first detector to form a scattered image; a second detector disposed opposite said first detector, said second detector providing a value representative of an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said second detector; and a processor coupled to receive information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, the processor also coupled to said second detector and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 142 words

A system for scanning an object, comprising: an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object; a first detector to provide a value representative of the intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; an image former responsive to said first detector to form a scattered image; a second detector disposed opposite said first detector, said second detector providing a value representative of an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said second detector; and a processor coupled to receive information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, the processor also coupled to said second detector and producing a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate an intensity value measured by said second detector for a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system in accordance with claim 34 wherein said pixels are limited to representing one of two intensity values.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 58 words

The system in accordance with claim 35 wherein one of said two intensity values represents that the x-ray beam directed at the corresponding position of said second detector was detected to have impinged said second detector and wherein the other of said two values represents that the x-ray beam was not detected to have impinged said second detector.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 34 wherein said shadow image is adapted to be combined with said scattered image to form a composite image.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system of claim 37 wherein said composite image comprises the intensity value from said shadow image where the x-ray beam impinged said second detector, and wherein said composite image comprises the value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object where the x-ray beam did not impinge said second detector.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 149 words

A system for scanning an object, comprising: x-ray scanning means for producing a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object; scattered x-ray detection means for detecting an intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; image forming means responsive to said scattered x-ray detection means for forming a scattered image; direct x-ray detection means disposed opposite said scattered x-ray detection means, said direct x-ray detection means responsive to an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said direct x-ray detection means; and processor means coupled to receive information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, said processor means also responsive to said direct x-ray detection means for forming a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate intensity values measured by said direct x-ray detection means at a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 149 words

A system for scanning an object, comprising: x-ray scanning means for producing a pencil beam of x-rays to scan the object; scattered x-ray detection means for detecting an intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; image forming means responsive to said scattered x-ray detection means for forming a scattered image; direct x-ray detection means disposed opposite said scattered x-ray detection means, said direct x-ray detection means responsive to an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to said direct x-ray detection means; and processor means coupled to receive information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, said processor means also responsive to said direct x-ray detection means for forming a shadow image formed of pixels that are not blocked by the object and which indicate intensity values measured by said direct x-ray detection means at a plurality of positions of said pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system in accordance with claim 39 wherein said pixels are limited to representing one of two intensity values.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 66 words

The system in accordance with claim 40 wherein one of said two intensity values represents that the beam of x-rays directed at a corresponding position of said direct x-ray detection means was detected to have impinged said direct x-ray detection means and wherein the other of said two values represents that the beam of x-rays was not detected to have impinged said direct x-ray detection means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the shadow image is adapted to be combined with said scatted image to form a composite image.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 58 words

The system of claim 42 wherein said composite image comprises the intensity value from said shadow image where the x-ray beam impinged said direct x-ray detection means, and wherein said composite image comprises the value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object where the x-ray beam did not impinge said direct x-ray detection means.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 96 words

A method for scanning an object, comprising: forming a pencil beam of x-rays with an x-ray source; scanning the object with the pencil beam of x-rays; detecting an intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; forming a scattered image in response to said detecting; measuring an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to a direct x-ray detector; and forming a shadow image of pixels that are not blocked at the object and which indicate intensity values measured by the direct x-ray detector at a plurality of positions of the pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 96 words

A method for scanning an object, comprising: forming a pencil beam of x-rays with an x-ray source; scanning the object with the pencil beam of x-rays; detecting an intensity of x-rays scattered from the object; forming a scattered image in response to said detecting; measuring an intensity of x-rays passing directly from said x-ray source to a direct x-ray detector; and forming a shadow image of pixels that are not blocked at the object and which indicate intensity values measured by the direct x-ray detector at a plurality of positions of the pencil beam of x-rays.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method in accordance with claim 44 wherein the pixels are limited to representing one of two intensity values.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 65 words

The method in accordance with claim 45 wherein one of the two intensity values represents that the beam of x-rays directed at a corresponding position of the direct x-ray detection means was detected to have impinged said direct x-ray detection means and wherein the other of the two values represents that the beam of x-rays was not detected to have impinged the direct x-ray detector.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 44 , further comprising: combining the shadow image with the scattered image to form a composite image.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 47 wherein the composite image comprises the intensity value from the shadow image where the beam of x-rays impinged the direct x-ray detector, and wherein the composite image comprises the value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object where the x-ray beam did not impinge the direct x-ray detector.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-12-15	2007-06-16	2007-12-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-12-15	2011-06-16	2011-12-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-12-15	2015-06-16	2015-12-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

X-ray imaging system with active detector

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