Analogic Corporation

Muzzafer Hiraoglu

Carl R Crawford

Sergey Simanovsky

Ibrahim M Bechwati

An apparatus and method for identifying and classifying objects represented in CT data for a region using the shape of the objects are disclosed. An object represented by CT data for a region is identified. Next, a two-dimensional projection of the object along a principal axis of the object is generated. The principal axis can be identified by computing eigenvectors of a covariance matrix of spatial locations of voxels in the CT data that are associated with the object. The smallest eigenvector can be selected as the principal axis of the object along which the two-dimensional projection is generated. The identification of the object can be used in the classification of the object such as by altering one or more discrimination parameters.

Apparatus and method for processing object data in computed tomography data using object projections

A method and apparatus for detecting concealed objects in computed tomography data are disclosed. Sheet-shaped objects such as sheet explosives can be detected by a CT scanning system, in particular, a CT baggage scanning system. The invention analyzes CT voxels in a subregion in proximity to the sheet object to determine if the sheet object is concealed in an electronic device or is &ldquo;sandwiched&rdquo; within an item such as a book or magazine. To detect electronic concealment, the number of voxels in a subregion that contains the object having a density above a predetermined threshold is counted and the ratio of that number of voxels to the number of object voxels is computed. If the ratio exceeds a threshold, then it is concluded that the object is concealed in electronics. In response, the CT scanning system can alter discrimination parameters to allow the object to be classified as a threat. For &ldquo;sandwich&rdquo; concealment, layers on opposite sides of a sheet object are examined. The mean and standard deviation of density values for the voxels are computed. Where the mean density exceeds a predetermined threshold and the standard deviation is below a different threshold, for at least one of the layers, then it is concluded that the sheet object is sandwiched within an innocuous object such as a magazine or a book.

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Woburn, MA, United States of America

Muzzafer Hiraoglu