Appeal No. 2002-1064 Page 7
Application No. 09/126,385
Maron teaches (column 2, line 56, to column 3, line 29) that
when used for airport security systems, a system according to the invention
includes a computer containing a database of component images corresponding,
generally, to non-hazardous "background" images and hazardous "foreground"
images. In one mode, the computer may be programmed to combine various of
the background and foreground images so as to produce a prearranged lesson in
which the hiding of dangerous firearms and the like in a passenger's luggage
may be simulated. The simulated image is then presented on a suitable display
terminal and a student employs the selection means in order to identify a
component image which he believes to represent a hazardous item.
Preferably, standard X-ray scanner functions are provided such as, for
example, displaying many images on the display terminal simultaneously,
stopping and re-starting a conveyer belt on which passenger luggage is
conveyed so as to permit close scrutiny of a particular piece of luggage, and so
on.
Preferably, the computer may also identify a hazardous piece of luggage
so that novice students may learn to identify their contour when concealed
amongst other luggage. Furthermore, a printer connected to the computer
facilitates the preparation of printed reports which summarize a student's
performance during the simulation.
The method for simulating the moving image is particularly adapted for
use with the simulated X-ray scanner according to the invention which simulates
the movement of passenger luggage along a conveyer belt. The method requires
that only a single frame of image data be stored derived from a still X-ray
photograph of the piece of luggage which is to be displayed. The single frame of
image data is segmented so as to provide a plurality of consecutive image
segments which are then shifted along corresponding segments of a display
terminal at a sufficiently high rate to produce the impression of continuous,
flicker-free movement. Such a method requires the provision of relatively little
computer memory for storing each image and avoids the need for time-
consuming image digitization which is required in prior art animation techniques.
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