Airport Screeners May Get X-Ray Vision

NewsDay ^ | 06/25/03 | LESLIE MILLER

[js1138]

These images are produced by computer analysis and a program could be written to eliminate the display of anything other than objects of interest. It would be like the green screen used for digital effects in movies.

[bedolido]

a program could be written to eliminate the display of anything other than objects of interest.

Who (or whom) would make the decision as to what was "of interest"? Depending upon the weight, age and gender of the subject, it would be nice to set the standards.

[crazykatz]

You want into the deal too!!

WOOHOOO...

Frank... another potential investor.

[js1138]

Who (or whom) would make the decision as to what was "of interest"?

Just looking at the sample pic makes it clear that there is a sharp difference in brightness and contrast between skin and hard objects. Just boosting the contrast would be a start, but computer imaging can be much more sophisticated.

Compared to what NASA does to images this is simple.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"These images are produced by computer analysis and a program could be written to eliminate the display of anything other than objects of interest. It would be like the green screen used for digital effects in movies."

Presumably, like every other such imager, each machine would need to be adjustable to select its display capabilities. The operator or manager would be twiddling the knob (even for each image) to have the capability to discern objects of different densities. Don't try to convince me that no one would be tempted to get the best look at private parts, or that the factory could (or would) lock out such capabilities.

[js1138]

I think you are mistaking a TV with a digitally produced image. This is not a television. There is no image to adjust except that produced by a computer program. The device will not go into production with the controls you imagine, for the very reasons you state. People would stop flying.

Until someone involved in the development of the device says otherwise, I say the privacy problem can be fixed. And will be fixed if the device is ever to be used.

[plusone]

How about stealth underwear? Fly in under the wire, so to speak...

[Frank_Discussion]

All those weird angles would be awfully uncomfortable...

[plusone]

It would be considered an act of terrorism, interfering with the functioning of the air port screeners. Remember the guy that put a note in his baggage lambasting the screeners?

[plusone]

LOL!!

[plusone]

Somebody post a picture of Daffy Duck...

[b-cubed]

"If God had meant us to fly naked, we'd have been born that way, with wings. Naked wings. Or something."

I gotta tell you, that made me giggle!

[tracer]

Comrade, you are hereby charged with the "criminal omission of a "BARF ALERT" as outlined in Section 8-4U of the FR Code.

On a different note, I will now seek to obtain radio-opaque letters to spell out "TSA-SUX" and "SCAN THIS" under the front of my shirt and trousers, respectively.

First Amendment rights, you know.......... 8~)

[tracer]

Careful with those metallic letters - especially "I," "Y," and "L."

Don't give the TSAstitutes an excuse to bust you for attempting to smuggle through their checkpoint metallic objects which "might be used as weapons".....

[tracer]

" And will be fixed if the device is ever to be used."

Your optimism is quite admirable. Are you perchance a Dale Carnegie graduate?? 8~)

[crazykatz]

Sufferin' succatash!! pssst!

[bedolido]

Comrade, you are hereby charged with the "criminal omission of a "BARF ALERT" as outlined in Section 8-4U of the FR Code.

I am new to FR (about 3-4 months) and was not aware of the code. I throw myself on the mercy of the FR-Court.

[crazykatz]

Hey, wait a minute.... frank discussion and I are starting a company to make wonderful decorative and verbally descriptive underwear for folks...JUST LIKE YOU!!

Frank...potential CUSTOMER on post!!

[crazykatz]

LOL!

[tracer]

"What about er, uh, "package" challenged males...I can just hear the giggles and snickers behind the x-ray counter!"

You're seeing the glass as half-full. The full-glass perspective features a plastic enhancement prosthesis of a density that enables it to blend in with (usually) soft tissue on the scan....