Kinetic depth effect X-ray (KDEX) imaging for security screening

The X-ray screening of passenger luggage at airports requires the screener to convert the ´zero depth resolution´ shadowgraph into a 3D mental picture to be able to interpret the relative spatial relationship of the objects under inspection. Consequently, additional cognitive processing is required e.g. integration, inference and memory. However, these processes can lead to serious misinterpretations of the actual physical structure being examined. This paper describes the development of a kinetic stereoscopic X-ray imaging technique enabling the screener to utilise binocular stereopsis and motion parallax to enhance their interpretation of the actual nature of the objects under examination.