The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 05, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 24, 2002
Edward J. Seppi, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Marcel Marc, San Jose, CA (US);
John Ford, Madison, TN (US);
Edward J. Seppi, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Marcel Marc, San Jose, CA (US);
John Ford, Madison, TN (US);
Varian Medical Systems Technology, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A scanning unit for identifying contraband within objects, such as cargo containers and luggage, moving through the unit along a first path comprises at least one source of a beam of radiation movable across a second path that is transverse to the first path and extends partially around the first path. A stationary detector transverse to the first path also extends partially around the first path, positioned to detect radiation transmitted through the object during scanning. In one example, a plurality of movable X-ray sources are supported by a semi-circular rail perpendicular to the first path and the detector, which may be a detector array is also semi-circular and perpendicular to the path. A fan beam may also be used. Radiographic images may be obtained and/or computed tomography ('CT') images may be reconstructed. The images may be analyzed for contraband. Methods of scanning objects are also disclosed.