| OPTOSECURITY INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20130034268 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMING SECURITY SCREENING - A method and apparatus for screening luggage are provided. X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage with X-rays are received and processed with an automated threat detection (ATD) engine. A determination is then made whether to subject respective ones of the X-ray images to further visual inspection by a human operator at least in part based on results obtained by the ATD engine. In certain cases, visual inspection by a human operator is by-passed and the ATD results are relied upon in order to mark luggage for further inspection or to mark luggage as clear. In another aspect, X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage using two or more X-ray scanning devices are pooled at a centralized location. ATD operations are applied to the X-ray images, which are then provided “on-demand” to a human operator for visual inspection. Results of the visual inspection are entered by the human operator and then conveyed to on-site screening technicians associated with respective X-ray scanning devices. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20120275646 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING IF A PIECE OF LUGGAGE CONTAINS A LIQUID PRODUCT - A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for determining if a piece of luggage contains a liquid product comprised of a container holding a body of liquid. The piece of X-ray scanner luggage is scanned with an X-ray scanner to generate X-ray image data conveying an image of the piece of luggage and contents thereof. The X-ray image data is processed with a computer to detect a liquid product signature in the X-ray image data and determine if a liquid product is present in the piece of luggage. A detection signal is released at an output of the computer conveying whether a liquid product was identified in the piece of luggage. The detection signal may, for example, be used in rendering a visual representation of the piece of luggage on a display device to convey information to an operator as to the presence of a liquid product in the piece of luggage. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120140879 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUIDS - A method to perform security screening at an airport on hand-carried baggage. The method includes requesting passengers with hand carried baggage to remove from the baggage a container that holds a liquid and perform an x-ray inspection on the hand carried baggage and on the container while the container remains outside the baggage. According to the method, the results of the x-ray inspection are used to determine if the baggage contains illegal objects and if the liquid is a security threat. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120093367 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING THE THREAT STATUS OF LUGGAGE - A method and apparatus for assessing a threat status of a piece of luggage. The method comprises the steps of scanning the piece of luggage with penetrating radiation to generate image data and processing the image data with a computing device to identify one or more objects represented by the image data. The method also includes further processing the image data to compensate the image data for interaction between the object and the penetrating radiation to produce compensated image data and then determine the threat status of the piece of luggage. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20110172972 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSSESSING PROPERTIES OF LIQUIDS BY USING X-RAYS - A method and a system are provided for determining if a liquid product comprising a container which holds a body of liquid is a security threat. Attenuation data conveying information about attenuation of X-rays resulting from interaction of X-rays with the body of liquid is derived by scanning the liquid product with X-rays. Container characterization data is then processed to derive path length data indicative of an approximate length of a path followed by X-rays through the body of liquid and that interact with the body of liquid. The security threat of a liquid product is determined by processing the path length data and the attenuation data. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110051996 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING X-RAY INSPECTION OF A PRODUCT AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT USING SIMULATION - A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data associated with the product is received, the X-ray image data being derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product using an X-ray imaging apparatus and conveying attenuation information resulting from interaction of X-rays with the product. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. Information conveying the derived characteristic of the product is then released. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic of the liquid product is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle. In another aspect, a simulation engine for simulating interactions between X-rays and objects is also provided. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110007870 | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR ASSESSING THE THREAT STATUS OF AN ARTICLE AT A SECURITY CHECK POINT - A method for performing security screening at a checkpoint is provided. The method includes providing an X-ray imaging system having a scanning area and providing a supporting device for supporting articles to be scanned in the scanning area, wherein the supporting device has at least two reference areas manifesting respective X-ray signatures when exposed to X-rays, the X-ray signatures being distinguishable from one another. The method further includes placing an article to be scanned on the supporting device, introducing the article to be scanned in the scanning area while the article is supported by the supporting device and using the X-ray imaging system for deriving the X-ray signatures of the reference areas and for obtaining an X-ray image of the article while the supporting device is in the scanning area. The method further includes using the X-ray signatures to derive X-ray attenuation information from the X-ray image and using the X-ray attenuation information in determining if the article is a security threat. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100208972 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING X-RAY INSPECTION OF A LIQUID PRODUCT AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT - A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product, where the liquid product is comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. In accordance with a broad aspect, the level of fill is used as a factor in the determination of the threat status of the liquid product. In accordance with another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In accordance with yet another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle. An estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is derived in part based on the location information and is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100207741 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE INSPECTION OF LIQUID MERCHANDISE - A method for facilitating the inspection of liquid merchandise is provided. A machine readable tag is generated and is associated with liquid merchandise purchased at a duty free point of sale or other secure sales or distribution location, the machine readable tag conveying identification information related to the liquid merchandise. At a security check-point, the identification information is extracted from the machine readable tag and is used in conjunction with an X-ray image of the liquid merchandise to determine if the liquid merchandise is consistent with the identification information. A system and an apparatus for implementing the method presented are also provided. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100002834 | Method and apparatus for assessing characteristics of liquids - A method to perform security screening at an airport on hand-carried baggage. The method includes requesting passengers with hand carried baggage to remove from the baggage a container that holds a liquid and perform an x-ray inspection on the hand carried baggage and on the container while the container remains outside the baggage. According to the method, the results of the x-ray inspection are used to determine if the baggage contains illegal objects and if the liquid is a security threat. | 01-07-2010 |
