Method of and system for calibration of inspection systems producing X-ray images

1. A calibration system for calibrating image data produced by an imaging device, the calibration system comprising:

a processor configured for:

receiving the image data from the imaging device;

receiving a plurality of reference values from the imaging device; and

calibrating the image data using the reference values,

wherein the reference values are derived from air image data produced by the imaging device,

wherein the image data are produced by the imaging device according to a first drive current,

wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device according to a second drive current, and

wherein the first drive current is higher in amplitude than the second drive current.

2. The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured for calibrating the image data by subtracting the reference values from the image data.

3. The calibration system of claim 1 ,

wherein the image data correspond to an image of one or more objects, and wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device free of the one or more objects.

4. The calibration system of claim 3 ,

wherein the image data and the air image data are produced by the imaging device using imaging energy detected by a detector of the imaging device,

wherein the one or more objects are positioned adjacent the detector to produce the image data, and

wherein the one or more objects are not positioned adjacent the detector to produce the air image data.

5. The calibration system of claim 4 , wherein the imaging energy comprises X-ray energy.

6. The calibration system of claim 1 ,

wherein the image data are produced by the imaging device according to a first frame integration level,

wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device according to a second frame integration level, and

wherein the first frame integration level is higher than the second frame integration level.

7. A calibration system for calibrating image data produced by an imaging device, the calibration system comprising:

means for receiving the image data from the imaging device;

means for receiving a plurality of reference values from the imaging device; and

means for calibrating the image data using the reference values,

wherein the reference values are derived from air image data produced by the imaging device,

wherein the image data are produced by the imaging device according to a first frame integration level,

wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device according to a second frame integration level, and

wherein the first frame integration level is higher than the second frame integration level.

8. The calibration system of claim 7 , wherein the means for calibrating is configured for calibrating the image data by subtracting the reference values from the image data.

9. The calibration system of claim 7 , wherein the image data correspond to an image of one or more objects, and

wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device free of the one or more objects.

10. The calibration system of claim 9 ,

wherein the image data and the air image data are produced by the imaging device using imaging energy detected by a detector of the imaging device,

wherein the one or more objects are positioned adjacent the detector to produce the image data, and

wherein the one or more objects are not positioned adjacent the detector to produce the air image data.

11. The calibration system of claim 10 , wherein the imaging energy comprises X-ray energy.

12. The calibration system of claim 7 ,

wherein the image data are produced by the imaging device according to a first drive current,

wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device according to a second drive current, and

wherein the first drive current is higher in amplitude than the second drive current.

13. A method for calibrating x-ray image data produced by an imaging device, the method comprising:

receiving the image data from the imaging device, the image data being acquired with a first set of exposure settings providing a first x-ray flux;

receiving reference image data from the imaging device, the reference image data being acquired with a second set of exposure settings providing a second x-ray flux, different than the first x-ray flux;

computing a plurality of reference values from the reference image data, the computing being based on a difference between the first x-ray flux and the second x-ray flux; and

calibrating the image data using the reference values,

wherein the reference image data corresponds to air image data produced by the imaging device.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein calibrating the image data comprises subtracting the reference values from the image data.

15. The method of claim 13 ,

wherein the image data correspond to an image of one or more objects, and wherein the air image data are produced by the imaging device free of the one or more objects.

16. The method of claim 15 ,

wherein the image data and the air image data are produced by the imaging device using imaging energy detected by a detector of the imaging device,

wherein the one or more objects are positioned adjacent the detector to produce the image data, and

wherein the one or more objects are not positioned adjacent the detector to produce the air image data.

17. The method of claim 13 ,

wherein the first set of exposure settings comprises a setting to provide a first drive current,

wherein the second set of exposure settings comprises a setting to provide a second drive current, and

wherein the first drive current is higher in amplitude than the second drive current.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

measuring output of an x-ray tube to determine the first x-ray flux and the second x-ray flux.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the x-ray tube output is monitored over a period of time, whereby compensation is provided for fluctuations in the x-ray tube output over time.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein computing the plurality of reference values comprises:

computing a scale factor as a ratio of a value representing a product of a first current setting for an x-ray tube and a first frame integration rate to a value representing a product of a second current setting for an x-ray tube and a second frame integration rate, the first current setting and the first frame integration rate being in the first set of exposure settings, and the second current setting and the second frame integration rate being in the second set of exposure settings; and

scaling the air image by the computed scale factor.