X-ray-based system and methods for inspecting a person's shoes for aviation security threats
View Patent ↗The present application discloses a system for scanning a shoe for illegal materials. The system includes an X-ray source for projecting a beam of X-rays onto the shoe, a detector array for detecting X-rays transmitted through the shoe and at least one metal detector coil for detecting metals within the shoe. The system produces a radiographic image of the shoe by processing the detected X-rays and data obtained from the at least one metal detector coil. Other embodiments are directed toward other screening technologies, including millimeter wave screening technologies.
1. A system for scanning a shoe comprising:
an X-ray source for projecting a beam of X-rays onto the shoe;
a linear detector array for detecting X-rays transmitted through the shoe, the detector array moving on a predefined path, wherein the motion of the detector array is synchronized with the motion of the X-ray source; and
at least one metal detector coil for detecting metals within the shoe; and wherein the system produces a radiographic image of the shoe by processing the detected X-rays and data obtained from the at least one metal detector coil.
2. The system for scanning a shoe as claimed in claim 1 being coupled with a second system for scanning body of a person wearing the shoe, the second system comprising at least one X-ray source for projecting X-rays and at least one detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the person, wherein the second system produces at least a first radiographic image of the body of the person and a second radiographic image of the shoe.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the X-ray source is at least one of a single-energy source, a dual-energy source or a spectroscopic transmission source.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the X-ray source rotates in accordance with a predefined angle.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the X-ray source is stationary.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a rotating collimator.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear detector array moves along a predefined path for capturing X-rays transmitted through the shoe, wherein the predefined path covers one or more sides of the shoe.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the X-ray source projects a cone beam of X-rays onto the shoe, wherein X-rays transmitted through the shoe are detected by at least one X-ray area detector for producing a radiographic image of the shoe in a single scan.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least X-ray area detector is on the order of 8 inches by 20 inches.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the X-ray source projects a pencil beam of X-rays onto the shoe, wherein X-rays transmitted through the shoe are detected by at least one X-ray area detector for producing a radiographic image of the shoe.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radiographic image is presented to an operator on a display for analysis.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radiographic image is used to generate automated alarms.