Apparatuses are provided for evaluating an image quality of an image produced by an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system.

There is provided a method for assigning an attribute to an unknown object overlapping with a predetermined background object. The unknown object is scanned overlapping with the background object within an x-ray scanning device to obtain a plurality of dual-energy attenuation images having attenuation information representing the background object and an overlap region wherein the background object and the unknown object overlap. The dual-energy attenuation images are decomposed into reference material equivalent path length images. The reference material equivalent path lengths representing the background object in the overlap region are determined and eliminated from the overlap region to provide reference material equivalent path length images having first and second reference material equivalent path lengths through only the unknown object.

There is provided a method for assigning an attribute to x-ray attenuation including the steps of acquiring first and second reference material equivalent path length information associated with a first range of dual-energy x-ray attenuation information, acquiring second and third reference material equivalent path length information associated with a second range of dual-energy x-ray attenuation information, and, joining the first the first dual-energy x-ray attenuation information range with the second dual-energy x-ray attenuation information range using coefficients representing dual-energy x-ray attenuation information of the second reference material to define a third dual-energy x-ray attenuation information range upon which may be imposed dual-energy x-ray attenuation values within the third dual-energy x-ray attenuation information range to determine corresponding first reference material equivalent path lengths and third reference material equivalent path lengths.

A method for assigning one of a safe and threat condition to an object includes determining density and effective atomic number values for a plurality of predetermined safe and threat objects, plotting the values in a probability map to correlate corresponding density and effective atomic number values with each of the safe and threat objects, scanning an object to provide dual-energy attenuation images representing the object, decomposing the attenuation images into dual-reference material equivalent path length images to provide reference material equivalent path lengths representing the object, converting the reference path lengths into object path lengths, determining the effective atomic number for each pixel representing the object, and, imposing the effective atomic number and the mass density of the unknown object onto the probability map to determine a probability that the object is correlated with one of the predetermined safe and threat objects.

A vehicle detection system includes a transverse detector arm, two vertical detector arms, a radiation source, a plurality of transverse detectors, and a plurality of vertical detectors. The transverse detector arm may be disposed on the ground. Two vertical detector arms are disposed at both ends of the transverse detector arm. The radiation source is located above the transverse detector arm. A plurality of transverse detectors are disposed within the transverse detector arm and are laid along a length direction of the transverse detector arm for receiving ray emitted by the radiation source. The plurality of vertical detectors are symmetrically disposed on the two vertical detector arms, and each of the vertical detectors is disposed towards a center point of the radiation source for receiving ray emitted by the radiation source.

An X-ray inspection system includes at least one display monitor and a console. The console includes at least two different visualization algorithms and a processor. The processor is configured to process volumetric image data with a first of the at least two different visualization algorithms and produce a first processed volumetric image. The processor is further configured to process the volumetric image data with a second of the at least two different visualization algorithms and produce a second processed volumetric image. The processor is further configured to concurrently display the first and second processed volumetric image data via the display monitor. The volumetric image data is indicative of a scanned object and items therein.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for correcting image errors in a radiographic image that has been generated by means of an inspection apparatus configured for continuously transporting inspection objects through the inspection apparatus for the nondestructive inspection of the inspection objects and to generate radiographic images of the inspection objects. An inspection system includes an evaluation device connected in a spatially separate manner to one or more inspection apparatuses. The evaluation device includes a computer unit configured to receive at least one radiographic image of an inspection object from generated by the inspection apparatus, an output unit for displaying the radiographic images, and an input unit for receiving inputs from an operator in response to the displayed radiographic images. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program, a data medium, and a data stream.

A system and method is provided for performing material decomposition using a computed tomography (CT) system. The method includes acquiring CT imaging data of an object including data subsets corresponding to at least two different energy spectral bins and using the CT imaging data at each of the at least two different energy spectral bins to form a series of equations for basis material decomposition. The method also includes using a general physical constraint, which quantifies how each basis material in the object is mixed together to form the object, within the series of equations. The method also includes determining at least one basis material density of the object using the physical constraint and the CT imaging data and generating an image of the object using the CT imaging data and the mass densities of at least one basis material.

A method for scanning an object in an X-ray security inspection system, wherein the X-ray security inspection system comprises an ingoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains, an X-ray section and an outgoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains, the method comprising: passing the object through the ingoing tunnel at a first rate of speed and with a first extent of separation between successive objects; passing the object through the X-ray section at a second rate of speed and with a second extent of separation between successive objects; and passing the object through the outgoing tunnel at a third rate of speed and with a third extent of separation between successive objects; wherein the second rate of speed is less than the first rate of speed and the third rate of speed, and wherein the second extent of separation between successive objects is less than the first extent of separation between successive objects and the third extent of separation between successive objects.

An improved dual energy CT imaging system for providing improved imaging and improved material identification.