IP Library Granted Patent US 8,712,008
Granted Patent B2
US 8,712,008 · App. 13/889,541 · Granted Apr 29, 2014

Generating a representation of an object of interest

Inventor: Andrew Dean Foland (Wellesley, MA)
Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,712,008
App. No.
13/889,541
Granted
Apr 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A volumetric image of a space is acquired from an imaging system. The space includes an object of interest and another object, and the volumetric image includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. A two-dimensional radiograph of the space is acquired from the imaging system. The two-dimensional radiograph of the space includes data representing the object of interest and the other object. The two-dimensional radiograph and the volumetric image are compared at the imaging system. A two-dimensional image is generated based on the comparison. The generated two-dimensional image includes the object of interest and excludes the other object.

Claims (48)

1. An apparatus for generating an image of an object of interest, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object;

accessing a two-dimensional radiograph comprising data representing the object of interest and data representing the other object;

identifying, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest;

generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region; and

removing from the two-dimensional radiograph a two-dimensional representation of the other object that is derived from the de-objectified volumetric image to generate a two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a display module in communication with the processor, the display module being configured to output the two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor being configured to sense radiation passing through the object of interest and the other object, and to output data representing the volumetric image of the space and data representing the two-dimensional radiograph.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a single detector.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of detectors.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 ,

wherein accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object comprises accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple voxels with at least one voxel representing the object of interest and at least one voxel representing the other object;

wherein identifying, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest comprises identifying, in the volumetric image, one or more voxels representing the object of interest; and

wherein generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region comprises generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified one or more voxels.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing software comprising instructions executable by one or more processors which, upon such execution, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object;

accessing a two-dimensional radiograph comprising data representing the object of interest and data representing the other object;

identifying, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest;

generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region; and

removing from the two-dimensional radiograph a two-dimensional representation of the other object that is derived from the de-objectified volumetric image to generate a two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the operations further comprise outputting to a display module the two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the operations further comprise:

sensing, by a sensor, radiation passing through the object of interest and the other object, and

outputting data representing the volumetric image of the space and data representing the two-dimensional radiograph.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a single detector.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of detectors.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 7 ,

wherein accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object comprises accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple voxels with at least one voxel representing the object of interest and at least one voxel representing the other object;

wherein identifying, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest comprises identifying, in the volumetric image, one or more voxels representing the object of interest; and

wherein generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region comprises generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified one or more voxels.

13. A computer-implemented method of generating an image of an object of interest comprising:

accessing, by one or more processors, a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object;

accessing, by the one or more processors, a two-dimensional radiograph comprising data representing the object of interest and data representing the other object;

identifying, by the one or more processors, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest;

generating, by the one or more processors, a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region; and

removing, by the one or more processors, from the two-dimensional radiograph a two-dimensional representation of the other object that is derived from the de-objectified volumetric image to generate a two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising outputting to a display module the two-dimensional image of the object of interest.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

sensing, by a sensor, radiation passing through the object of interest and the other object, and

outputting data representing the volumetric image of the space and data representing the two-dimensional radiograph.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a single detector.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of detectors.

18. The method of claim 13 ,

wherein accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple regions with at least one region representing the object of interest and at least one region representing the other object comprises accessing a volumetric image of a space, the space including an object of interest and another object, the volumetric image comprising multiple voxels with at least one voxel representing the object of interest and at least one voxel representing the other object;

wherein identifying, in the volumetric image, a region representing the object of interest comprises identifying, in the volumetric image, one or more voxels representing the object of interest; and

wherein generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified region comprises generating a de-objectified volumetric image by disregarding the identified one or more voxels.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBERS 62/869,350, 62/924,077 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051947 FRAME: 0263. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY AND DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC.
To: L3 SECURITY & DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055817/0808 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY AND DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC.
To: L3 SECURITY & DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051947/0263 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2013
From: FOLAND, ANDREW DEAN
To: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY AND DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030422/0237 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13022122 · Feb 7, 2011
Continuation 12416684 · Apr 1, 2009
Provisional Application 61042192 · Apr 3, 2008
Related Publication 20140079283A1 · Mar 20, 2014