View synthesis for depth from motion 3D X-ray imaging

The university team has previously developed an X-ray imaging technique that combines binocular stereoscopic imagery with motion or kinetic depth effects. The technique is designed to enhance the screening of X-ray luggage at airport checkpoints. Multiple views are produced using linear or folded linear X-ray detector arrays. The possibility of reducing the total number of arrays by synthesising intermediary views is investigated. The algorithmic approach employs eight correlation criteria which are relaxed during an iterative process. The fidelity of the synthetic images is established by comparing them with ground truth images. It is demonstrated that for each group of three arrays (in a 15 view system) a synthetic image may be employed to make the middle array redundant. This potential reduction in hardware offers important advantages for the development of a practical multiple view X-ray scanner. Limitations of the current algorithm are investigated by increasing the angular separation between the X-ray beams used to produce the perspective images. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.