Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080279342 | Method and Apparatus for Auto-Calibration of a Ct Scanner - A method of and apparatus for automatically calibrating a computed tomography (“CT”) scanning system ( | 11-13-2008 |
20100310042 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Using Multiple Radiation-Detection Views to Differentiate One Material From Another - At least three radiation-detection views are used to facilitate identifying material as comprises an object being assessed along a beam path relative to that object. This comprises developing a first radiation-detection view ( | 12-09-2010 |
20100310175 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Using Fused Images to Identify Materials - First image data (which comprises a penetrating image of an object formed using a first spectrum) and second image data (which also comprises a penetrating image of this same object formed using a second, different spectrum) is retrieved from memory and fused to facilitate identifying at least one material that comprises at least a part of this object. The aforementioned first spectrum can comprise, for example, a spectrum of x-ray energies having a high typical energy while the second spectrum can comprise a spectrum of x-ray energies with a relatively lower typical energy. By one approach, this process can associate materials as comprise the object with corresponding atomic numbers and hence corresponding elements (such as, for example, uranium, plutonium, and so forth). | 12-09-2010 |
20110280440 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Rendering an Image to Convey Levels of Confidence with Respect to Materials Identification - A control circuit accesses image information regarding an image of a target. This information comprises, at least in part, information regarding material content of the target. The control circuit also accesses confidence information regarding at least one degree of confidence as pertains to the target's material content. The control circuit uses this confidence information to facilitate rendering the image such that the rendered image integrally conveys information both about materials included in the target and a relative degree of confidence that the materials are correctly identified. | 11-17-2011 |
20120076259 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Computed Tomography Scanning Using a Calibration Phantom - These various embodiments serve to facilitate improving the accuracy of a computed tomography (CT) process. This can comprise operably coupling at least one calibration phantom to a CT scan table and then, during a CT scan of an object that is disposed on the scan table, also gathering calibration information using that calibration phantom(s). By one approach, this calibration phantom can comprise one or more annular-shaped members. When using a plurality of annular-shaped members, at least some of the annular-shaped members can be disposed concentrically with one another. By one approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, this calibration phantom can comprise one or more pins and/or spherically-shaped members (and/or other shapes of geometric interest). If desired, such spherically-shaped members can be combined with the aforementioned pins. | 03-29-2012 |
20130101156 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PERTAINING TO NON-INVASIVE IDENTIFICATION OF MATERIALS - A control circuit having access to information regarding a plurality of models for different materials along with feasibility criteria processes imaging information for an object (as provided, for example, by a non-invasive imaging apparatus) to facilitate identifying the materials as comprise that object by using the plurality of models to identify candidate materials for portions of the imaging information and then using the feasibility criteria to reduce the candidate materials by avoiding at least one of unlikely materials and combinations of materials to thereby yield useful material-identification information. | 04-25-2013 |
20140090491 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Using Imaging Information to Identify a Spectrum - A control circuit operably couples to a non-invasive imaging system that utilizes a particular corresponding effective spectrum and receives imaging information as pertains to an object being imaged. The control circuit uses that information to identify the particular corresponding spectrum for the corresponding source of radiation by, at least in part, evaluating candidate spectra as a function, at least in part, of physical likelihood (for example, by identifying a spectrum that is physically unlikely or physically impossible). Evaluating the candidate spectra as a function of physical likelihood can comprise evaluating the candidate spectra with respect to regularization, smoothness, being non-negative, normalization characteristics, monotonic characteristics, envelope limitations, quasi-concave characteristics, and/or consistency with one or more physics models of choice to note but a few options in these regards. | 04-03-2014 |
20140133718 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Identifying Objects of Interest in a High-Energy Image - A control circuit having access to at least one high-energy image of a scene assesses that image to identify candidate obfuscaters as well as candidate obfuscated objects. This control circuit then processes information regarding the candidate objects to identify objects of interest. By one approach these objects of interest are deemed “of interest” as a function of their being obfuscated in a particular context. By one approach these teachings will accommodate identifying objects as being of interest as a function, at least in part, of the material composition of both the object as well as the visual obfuscater. These teachings also will accommodate peeling away background content/attenuation information in order to separate (and facilitate displaying) a given object in relative isolation from that background content. | 05-15-2014 |