System and Method for Combining Visible and Hyperspectral Imaging with Pattern Recognition Techniques for Improved Detection of Threats

摘要

Systems and method for detecting unknown samples wherein pattern recognition algorithms are applied to a visible image of a first target area comprising a first unknown sample to thereby generate a first set of target data. If comparison of the first set of target data to reference data results in a match, the first unknown is identified and a hyperspectral image of a second target area comprising a second unknown sample is obtained to generate a second set of test data. If comparison of the second set of test data to reference data results in a match, the second unknown sample is identified as a known material. Identification of an unknown through hyperspectral imaging can also trigger the visible camera to obtain an image. In addition, the visible and hyperspectral cameras can be run continuously to simultaneously obtain visible and hyperspectral images.