JP2013064619A - Cargo multi-angle inspection device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cargo multi-angle inspection device and method for identifying a shape of each subject even when a plurality of X-ray impermeable subjects are stacked in a plane orthogonal to a cargo moving direction.SOLUTION: In a plurality of planes A, B, C crossing a moving direction 9 of cargo 1 storing subjects and crossing each other, one or more X-ray generators 12 for irradiating the cargo with an X-ray 21 (a linear X-ray 22), a plurality of X-ray detectors 15 for detecting intensity of a transmissive X-ray 23 (a linear transmissive X-ray 24) passing through the cargo in each of the planes, an image processing device 16 for generating a plurality of transmissive X-ray images 25 orthogonal to each plane of the cargo, on the basis of the detected intensity of the transmissive X-ray, and an image display device 18 for displaying the plurality of transmissive X-ray images 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus and method for inspecting cargo loaded on a vehicle using an X-ray image including depth information.

  Various X-ray inspection means have been proposed for security inspection of cargo at airports and the like (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Patent Document 1 is a baggage inspection means in a customs office or an airport, which performs X-ray irradiation from a plurality of directions perpendicular to the moving direction of an inspection object, and creates a pseudo tomographic image of the inspection object from the plurality of captured images. The material is identified.
Patent Document 2 is a security inspection method for luggage, in which X-ray irradiation is performed from a plurality of perpendicular directions with respect to the moving direction of the inspection object, and the inspection object rotates during inspection, or the X-ray generator and X A pair of line detectors rotate around the object to be inspected. This document also creates a pseudo tomographic image of an inspection object from a plurality of captured images and identifies the material.
Patent Document 3 is a CT inspection device for cargo containers. A semicircular rail is arranged up and down around the container and an accelerator is moved on the rail, or a plurality of accelerators are fixedly arranged and inspected. A tomographic image of the body is obtained.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-122043, “Material Identification Inspection Apparatus and Method” JP 2009-536321 A, “Multi-viewing angle baggage security inspection method” JP 2005-534209 A, “Radiation scanning of objects for smuggled goods”

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional cargo inspection apparatus for X-ray inspection of cargo loaded on a vehicle.
In this figure, 1 is a cargo (or container), and 2 is a vehicle (truck or trailer) carrying the cargo 1. 3A and 3B are X-ray generators, 4A and 4B are front collimators, 5A and 5B are rear collimators, and 6A and 6B are line sensor X-ray detectors.

In FIG. 1, an X-ray generator 3 </ b> A, a front collimator 4 </ b> A, a rear collimator 5 </ b> A, and an X-ray detector 6 </ b> A irradiate X-rays in the horizontal direction within a plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the vehicle 2. Similarly, the X-ray generator 3B, the front collimator 4B, the rear collimator 5B, and the X-ray detector 6B emit X-rays in the vertical direction within the same orthogonal plane.
With this configuration, after passing through the vehicle 2, horizontal and vertical X-ray images can be acquired from the outputs of the line sensor type X-ray detectors 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing problems of the cargo inspection apparatus of FIG. In this figure, 7A, 7B, and 7C are subjects accommodated in the cargo 1, and 7A and 7B are subjects (thick iron plates, etc.) that have no security problem but are difficult to transmit X-rays. 7C is a social villain (handgun, drug, etc.) with security problems.
In this figure, 8A and 8B indicate horizontal and vertical X-rays, respectively, and 9A and 9B indicate horizontal and vertical X-ray images by horizontal and vertical X-rays 8A and 8B, respectively.

  As described above, in a conventional cargo inspection apparatus for security applications, a two-way inspection is performed, that is, a horizontal inspection that irradiates X-rays from the horizontal direction and a vertical inspection that irradiates X-rays from the vertical direction.

  However, with this means, as shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of objects (7A, 7B, and 7C) that are difficult to transmit X-rays are inspected on the inspection surfaces in the horizontal and vertical directions, the outlines of the overlapping objects are obtained. Becomes unclear and it is difficult to identify the individual subjects 7A, 7B, and 7C by their shapes.

In addition, Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above disclose X-ray inspection from directions other than the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, but are limited to X-ray irradiation in a plane orthogonal to the movement direction of the cargo. It was done.
Therefore, in the case of Patent Documents 1 to 3, when a plurality of objects that are difficult to transmit X-rays are overlapped in a plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the cargo, the outlines of the overlapping objects become unclear, It was difficult to identify the subject according to the shape of the subject.

  The present invention has been developed to solve the above-described problems. In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image including depth information for each subject even when a plurality of objects that are difficult to transmit X-rays overlap in a plane orthogonal to the cargo movement direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus and method capable of identifying by shape.

According to the present invention, one or a plurality of X-ray generators that irradiate the cargo with X-rays in a plurality of planes that intersect the moving direction of the cargo containing the subject and intersect each other;
A plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting the intensity of transmitted X-rays transmitted through the cargo in each plane;
An image processing device that creates a plurality of transmitted X-ray images orthogonal to each plane of the cargo from the detected intensity of the transmitted X-rays;
There is provided a cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device comprising an image display device that displays the plurality of transmitted X-ray images.

Further, according to the present invention, the X-rays are irradiated to the cargo in a plurality of planes that intersect the moving direction of the cargo containing the subject and intersect each other,
In each of the planes, the intensity of transmitted X-rays transmitted through the cargo is detected,
From the detected intensity of the transmitted X-ray, create a plurality of transmitted X-ray images orthogonal to each plane of the cargo,
A cargo multi-view angle inspection method is provided, wherein the plurality of transmitted X-ray images are displayed.

  According to the apparatus and method of the present invention, the cargo is irradiated with X-rays in a plurality of planes intersecting with each other and intersecting the moving direction of the cargo containing the subject, and the cargo is discharged in each plane. Since the intensity of each transmitted X-ray is detected and a plurality of transmitted X-ray images orthogonal to each plane of the cargo are created and displayed from the detected transmitted X-ray intensity, a plurality of transmitted X-ray images from a plurality of directions are displayed. Includes the depth information of the cargo, so that the individual shape recognition of the subject and the arrangement in the depth direction when viewed from a plurality of directions can be instantly understood.

Therefore, by eliminating the overlap of multiple specimens, it is possible to make the contours unknown and indistinguishable, and it is possible to check for the presence of social ills and unnecessary door opening inspections. It leads to the improvement of work efficiency, high accuracy of inspection, and reduction of the financial burden on the cargo owner (transport company) by opening the door.

It is a schematic diagram of the conventional cargo inspection apparatus which carries out X-ray inspection of the cargo mounted in the vehicle. It is a schematic diagram which shows the problem of the cargo inspection apparatus of FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a DD arrow view of FIG. 3. It is 2nd Embodiment figure of the cargo multi-view angle inspection apparatus by this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a front collimator. It is 3rd Embodiment figure of the cargo multi-view angle inspection apparatus by this invention. It is 4th Embodiment figure of the cargo multi-view angle inspection apparatus by this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

  This figure is a plan view of a vehicle 2 carrying a cargo 1 containing a subject as viewed from above. In this figure, planes A, B, and C are defined as a plurality of planes (vertical planes in this example) intersecting with the moving direction 9 of the cargo 1 and intersecting each other.

  In this example, the planes A, B, and C intersect at a vertical line O1. The plane A is a vertical plane orthogonal to the moving direction 9 of the cargo 1. The plane B is a vertical plane obtained by turning the plane A counterclockwise (counterclockwise) by the angle θ1 around the vertical line O1, and the plane C is shown around the vertical line O1. This is a vertical plane that is rotated clockwise (clockwise) by an angle θ2.

In this example, the vertical line O1 is located within the moving area of the vehicle 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be located outside the moving area of the vehicle 2.
In addition, the plurality of planes are three planes A, B, and C in this example, but may be two or more planes. The vertical plane A orthogonal to the moving direction 9 of the cargo 1 is preferably included as a comparison target, but may be omitted.

  3, the cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of X-ray generators 12, a plurality of front collimators 13, a plurality of rear collimators 14, a plurality of X-ray detectors 15, an image processing device 16, And an image display device 18.

A plurality of (three in this figure) X-ray generators 12 irradiate the cargo 1 with X-rays 21 in the planes A, B, and C, respectively.
A plurality (three in this figure) of the front collimators 13 are diaphragm plates arranged on the front surface of each X-ray generator 12, and the X-rays 21 generated by the X-ray generator 12 are converted into the planes A, B, Convert to linear X-rays 22 in C.

A plurality (three in this figure) of the rear collimators 14 are diaphragm plates arranged on the front surface of each X-ray detector 15, and are included in the transmitted X-rays 23 incident on the rear collimators 14. Only scattered X-rays emitted from 1 are removed and converted to linear transmitted X-rays 24 in the planes A, B, and C.
A plurality of (three in this figure) X-ray detectors 15 are line sensor type X-ray detectors, and in each plane A, B, C, transmitted X-rays 23 (linear transmission) transmitted through the cargo 1. The intensity of each X-ray 24) is detected.

  The image processing device 16 is, for example, a computer (PC), and a plurality of transmitted X-rays orthogonal to the planes A, B, and C of the cargo 1 based on the intensity of the detected transmitted X-rays 23 (linear transmitted X-rays 24). An image 25 is created.

In this case, the transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane A is the horizontal X-ray image in FIG. 1 and corresponds to the horizontal X-ray image 9A in FIG.
Further, the transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane B corresponds to a horizontal X-ray image viewed obliquely from the right side with respect to the plane A. Further, the transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane C corresponds to a horizontal X-ray image viewed obliquely from the left side with respect to the plane A.

  The image display device 18 is a display device, for example, and displays a plurality (three in this example) of transmitted X-ray images 25.

FIG. 4 is a DD arrow view of FIG. 3 and shows a configuration in the plane A.
In this figure, a plurality of directions intersecting the cargo 1 and intersecting each other in the plane A are indicated by direction lines a, b and c.

  In this example, the direction lines a, b, and c intersect at a horizontal line O2. The direction line a is a line that is nearly horizontal with respect to the vehicle 2, and the direction line b is a line obtained by turning the direction line a counterclockwise (counterclockwise) around the horizontal line O2 in the figure. The line c is a line obtained by turning the direction line a clockwise around the horizontal line O2 in the drawing (clockwise).

In this example, the horizontal line O2 is located inside the cargo 1 (that is, in the moving area of the vehicle 2), but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be located outside the moving area of the vehicle 2.
The turning angle of the direction lines b and c with respect to the direction line a is arbitrary.

In FIG. 4, three X-ray generators 12 are provided to irradiate the cargo 1 with X-rays 21 at irradiation angles centered on directions indicated by direction lines a, b, and c, respectively. However, the irradiation angle is arbitrary.
Three X-ray detectors 15 are provided, and the intensity of transmitted X-rays 23 (linear transmitted X-rays 24) transmitted through the cargo 1 at respective irradiation angles from the directions indicated by the direction lines a, b, and c, respectively. Each is detected.

  Also in the planes B and C, similarly to the plane A, a plurality of X-ray generators 12 and a plurality of X-ray detectors 15 are provided, and the X-ray 21 is applied to the cargo 1 at an irradiation angle centered in different directions. Are respectively detected, and the intensities of the transmitted X-rays (linear transmitted X-rays 24) transmitted through the cargo 1 at different irradiation angles from different directions are respectively detected.

Note that the directions indicated by the direction lines a, b, and c on the planes A, B, and C preferably coincide with each other, but may differ from each other.
In addition, it is not essential to provide a plurality of pairs of X-ray generators 12 and X-ray detectors 15 on all of the planes A, B, and C. A single X-ray generator 12 and a single X-ray detector 15 are used. There may be.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device according to the present invention.
In this example, there is one X-ray generator 12. Further, the front collimator 33 is a plurality of diaphragms arranged on the front surface of the X-ray generator 12, and the X-rays 21 generated by the X-ray generator 12 are respectively shown in the planes A, B, and C. X-rays 22A, 22B, and 22C are converted.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the front collimator. In this figure, (A) is a schematic diagram of a pre-collimator 13 in the first embodiment, and (B) is a schematic diagram of a pre-collimator 33 in the second embodiment.
The X-ray generator 12 in FIGS. 6A and 6B is the same. In this example, the X-ray generator 12 emits X-rays from a X-ray source at a predetermined irradiation angle, and the irradiated X-rays spread conically with respect to the cargo 1.

The front collimator 13 in FIG. 6A is a diaphragm plate having one linear slit 13 a and converts the X-ray 21 generated by the X-ray generator 12 into a single linear X-ray 22. 6B is a diaphragm plate having a plurality of linear slits 33a, and the X-ray 21 generated by the X-ray generator 12 is converted into a plurality of linear X-rays 22A and 22B. Convert to
In the example of FIG. 5, the front collimator 33 converts the X-ray 21 into three linear X-rays 22A, 22B, and 22C.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device according to the present invention.
This figure is the side view which looked at the vehicle 2 which conveys the cargo 1 which accommodated the subject from the side. In this figure, planes A, B, and C are defined as a plurality of planes that intersect the cargo movement direction 9 and intersect each other.

In this example, the planes A, B, and C intersect at a horizontal line O3 that is orthogonal to the moving direction 9 of the cargo 1. The plane A is a vertical plane orthogonal to the movement direction 9 of the cargo 1 and is the same as the plane A in the first embodiment.
The plane B is an inclined plane obtained by turning the plane A counterclockwise (counterclockwise) at an angle θ1 around the horizontal line O3, and the plane C is clockwise (rightward) around the horizontal line O3. A tilted plane that is swung by an angle θ2 around the rotation.

In this example, the horizontal line O3 is located in the movement area of the vehicle 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be located outside the movement area of the vehicle 2.
The angles θ1 and θ2 are arbitrary.
Other configurations in FIG. 7 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment of FIG. 7, the image processing device 16 uses the detected intensity of the transmitted X-ray 23 (linear transmitted X-ray 24) to transmit a plurality of transmitted X-rays orthogonal to the planes A, B, and C of the cargo 1. A line image 25 is created.

In this case, the transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane A is an X-ray image in the vertical direction in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the vertical X-ray image 9B in FIG.
The transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane B corresponds to a vertical X-ray image viewed from the left side with respect to the plane A. The transmission X-ray image 25 orthogonal to the plane C corresponds to a vertical X-ray image viewed from the right side with respect to the plane A.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device according to the present invention.
In this example, there is one X-ray generator 12.
Further, the front collimator 33 is a plurality of diaphragms arranged on the front surface of the X-ray generator 12, and the X-rays 21 generated by the X-ray generator 12 are respectively shown in the planes A, B, and C. X-rays 22A, 22B, and 22C are converted.
Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment.

Using the cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus 10 described above, in the method of the present invention,
(A) One or a plurality of X-ray generators 12 cross a plane 9, B, and C that intersect the moving direction 9 of the cargo 1 that contains the subject and cross each other. X-ray 21 (or linear X-ray 22) is irradiated,
(B) The intensities of the transmitted X-rays 23 (or linear transmitted X-rays 24) transmitted through the cargo 1 are detected in the planes A, B, and C by the plurality of line sensor type X-ray detectors 15, respectively. ,
(C) A plurality of transmission X-ray images 25 perpendicular to the planes A, B, and C of the cargo 1 are created by the image processing device 16 from the detected intensity of the transmission X-rays 23 (or linear transmission X-rays 24). And
(D) A plurality of transmitted X-ray images 25 are displayed by the image display device 18.

  According to the above-described apparatus and method of the present invention, since the plurality of transmitted X-ray images 25 from a plurality of directions include the depth information of the cargo 1, the shape of the subject is recognized and the depth direction when viewed from a plurality of directions. The location of

  Therefore, by eliminating the overlap of multiple specimens, it becomes possible to find out what the contours were unknown and could not be identified, and it was possible to reduce the presence or absence of social evils and unnecessary opening inspections. It leads to the improvement of work efficiency, high accuracy of inspection, and reduction of the financial burden on the cargo owner (transport company) by opening the door.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

1 cargo, 2 vehicles, 9 direction of travel,
10 Cargo multi-viewing angle inspection device, 12 X-ray generator,
13 front collimator, 14 rear collimator,
15 X-ray detector, 16 image processing device (computer),
18 Image display device (display device),
21 X-rays, 22 Linear X-rays, 23 Transmitted X-rays,
24 linear transmitted X-rays, 25 transmitted X-ray images,
33 Pre-collimator

Claims (4)

One or a plurality of X-ray generators that irradiate the cargo with X-rays in a plurality of planes that intersect the moving direction of the cargo containing the subject and intersect each other;
A plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting the intensity of transmitted X-rays transmitted through the cargo in each plane;
An image processing device that creates a plurality of transmitted X-ray images orthogonal to each plane of the cargo from the detected intensity of the transmitted X-rays;
A cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus comprising: an image display device that displays the plurality of transmitted X-ray images. The X-ray detector is a line sensor system, and
A pre-collimator that converts X-rays generated by the X-ray generator into linear X-rays in each plane;
The cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a post-collimator that converts transmitted X-rays incident on each X-ray detector into linear transmitted X-rays in each plane. A plurality of directions intersecting the cargo and intersecting each other are set in the plane,
A plurality of the X-ray generators are provided to irradiate the cargo with X-rays at an irradiation angle centered on each direction,
The cargo multi-viewing angle inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the X-ray detectors are provided so as to detect the intensity of each transmitted X-ray transmitted through the cargo at the irradiation angle. Irradiate the cargo with X-rays in a plurality of planes that intersect the moving direction of the cargo containing the subject and intersect each other,
In each of the planes, the intensity of transmitted X-rays transmitted through the cargo is detected,
From the detected intensity of the transmitted X-ray, create a plurality of transmitted X-ray images orthogonal to each plane of the cargo,
A cargo multi-view angle inspection method, wherein the plurality of transmitted X-ray images are displayed.