Satpal Singh

US Patent:

8284896, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Oct 26, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/588705

Inventors:

Satpal Singh - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G01N 23/04
G01T 1/00
H05G 1/08

US Classification:

378 62, 378 91, 378 41

Abstract:

A multiview x-ray scanning system for inspecting the 3D volume of an object has been presented. The method uses multiple x-ray sources and multiple x-ray beams. The object to be inspected is interposed in the trajectory of these beams and moved relative to these beams. The x-ray beams after passing through the object are detected by detectors that are interleaved to realize a compact design. In order that the interleaved detectors do not intersect, the location of detectors and sources is adjusted. Further, the design of detectors is such that they can be placed in close proximity to each other in order to realize a small footprint scanner having a high resolution.

US Patent:

8456469, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Dec 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/634863

Inventors:

Satpal Singh - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G06T 17/00

US Classification:

345424, 345419, 345420, 345427, 382128, 382131

Abstract:

A method is presented for generating a 3D image of an object using x-rays. The invention describes a method of generating an image of a slice through the object using a large number of detector elements as employed in commonly used x-ray scanners. The method described is a two step process, in the first step, Algebraic methods are used to solve a set of simultaneous linear equations to solve for the densities of the pixels representing the slice. The dimension of these pixels defining the slice is large in comparison to the size of detector elements, therefore a second step of backprojection is used to generated a slice image of higher resolution. The use of a second or a third source further allows the generation of higher resolution images.

US Patent:

20070237293, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Apr 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/399443

Inventors:

Satpal Singh - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G01N 23/04

US Classification:

378057000

Abstract:

A digital Laminographic or Tomosynthesis method is described for use in the detection of explosives concealed in baggage. The method uses at least one source of x-ray and at least two sets of detectors, preferably more to generate 3D images of high detail. The data from the detectors can be simply time delayed and summed up to generate high definition image of layers through the bag. This leads to very high speed of 3D imaging, the same speed as in regular x-ray scanners. In addition, there is no rotating gantry, the systems is simple, compact, relatively inexpensive, and can be used to generate 3D images of large shipping containers.

US Patent:

20090136089, May 28, 2009

Filed:

Sep 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/898259

Inventors:

Satpal Singh - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G06T 7/00

US Classification:

382103

Abstract:

A method is presented for a 3D inspection of an object or bag in order to check for explosives or contraband. The method is applicable to Computed Tomography, Laminography or any other method that can be used to produce images of slices through the object. According to this method, it is not necessary to reconstruct the slice image with a high resolution as is required for visual display, but it is sufficient to reconstruct the image at only a sample or a set of points or pixels that are sparsely distributed within the reconstructed slice. The properties of the object are then analyzed only at these sparsely distributed pixels within the slice to make a determination for the presence or absence of explosives or contraband. This process of image reconstruction and analysis is repeated over several slices spaced through the volume of the object. In another embodiment of this invention, the set of points or pixels at which the image is reconstructed are offset spatially with respect to the set of pixels in the adjacent or neighboring slice. This invention greatly reduces the computational burden, hence simplifies the hardware and software design, speeds up the scanning process and allows for a more complete and uniform inspection of the entire volume of the object.

US Patent:

20120027171, Feb 2, 2012

Filed:

Jul 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/845793

Inventors:

SATPAL SINGH - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G01N 23/04

US Classification:

378 57

Abstract:

This invention describes a novel beam arrangement for multiview and dual view x-ray or radiation scanning systems used for inspection of objects. The method described herein is especially suited for scanning large objects such as palletized cargo or dense objects that are longer in one dimension, for example the height being larger than the width or depth. As the size and density of the object to be scanned increase, the absorption of the x-rays by the object increases with less of x-rays reaching the detectors. Therefore, in order to receive minimal signal for acceptable image quality, the scan speed is slowed which for certain objects it might become so low that it may not be acceptable. This invention describes a novel beam arrangement that greatly speeds up the scan speed.

US Patent:

20120093287, Apr 19, 2012

Filed:

Oct 18, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/906978

Inventors:

SATPAL SINGH - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G01N 23/04

US Classification:

378 57

Abstract:

This invention describes a novel transmissive x-ray scanner system that is mounted on two small mobile or robotic platforms and used for security inspection of unidentified parcels at airports, buildings, roadside, or of large objects such as cars that are much larger than the scanner itself. The system comprises of a two mobile platforms, one carrying the x-ray or the radiation source and the other the detector. The method comprises the steps of moving the two mobile platforms and locating them on opposing sides of the object, then holding the platforms stationary and moving only the detector and the source to scan the object.

US Patent:

20120257717, Oct 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 5, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/080547

Inventors:

Satpal Singh - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G01N 23/04

US Classification:

378 57

Abstract:

This invention describes a method of inspecting unidentified packages placed on the floor or ground, or on desktops or counters. The method uses a transmissive x-ray system mounted on a small mobile platform such as robots. X-ray is emitted from the source directed away from the platform and detected by a detector arm supported on an extended member attached to a vertical member such that the object to be inspected can pass in between the detector arm and the x-ray source. To scan portions of the object close to the ground, the height of the x-ray source is lowered close to the ground, and during transportation, it is raised up so that there is more clearance from the ground. To scan objects located on higher levels such as desks, the detector arm has an angular movement greater than ninety degrees with respect to an axis that has a vertical component.

US Patent:

20130315469, Nov 28, 2013

Filed:

May 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/481253

Inventors:

SATPAL SINGH - Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/46
G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382154

Abstract:

A x-ray system for inspection of objects, utilizing two or more views has been presented. The system allows to compute the 3D spatial coordinates of certain features or object points within the object. The method used consists of first identifying feature points on the images, back tracing the ray paths from the images to the sources of radiation used, computing the point of intersection of the rays associated with each feature point and then assigning the coordinates of the intersection to the object points.