Imaging and Communications Council

Imaging-and-Communications-councilIMG-300x265The NEMA Imaging and Communications Council was established to promote and coordinate the adoption of imaging and communication technologies in the broader marketplace by providing guidance and recommendations on new consensus-based Standards and othe best practice resources, advocating for favorable government policies and positions, developing and disseminating messaging and educational materials, and participating in relevant industry activities.

Background

Imaging and communications technologies capture and transmit digital images from humans, animals, and objects for integration with various inspection and analysis systems.

Those equipment and systems perform at least one of the following functions:

  • Digital image generation, acquisition, inspection, transmission, and storage
  • Digital electronic display capable of being used for more than one image acquisition device
  • Communication using secure local and/or extended networks, telecommunications networks, or video networks
  • Image and metadata encoding and decoding with integration into other information systems
  • Non-imaged based (e.g., trace) detection

A key component of imaging and communications technologies is the ability to provide a data interchange protocol and interoperable, extensible file format to facilitate data information interchange (e.g., demographic information, x-ray radiographs, materia specific information, trace detection signatures, and/or threat assessment) for humans, animals, and other objects of inspection for utilization in various applications. The Digital Imaging and Communication in Security (DICOS) Standard developed by NEMA accomplishes those functions in its specific space.

The DICOS Standard is designed to be:

Modular: Data entered for one purpose is reusable for other purposes
Standardized: Metadata associated with an image is standardized, so that the transmitting and receiving device both read and understand the metadata in an image
Interoperable: Metadata associated with an image captured and transmitted from one manufacturer’s device can be read and understood by a receiving device from another  manufacturer
Extensible: May be extended to accommodate new technologies
Responsive: Permits the exchange of imaged and standard metadata in a timely fashion

Mission Statement

The Council will advance imaging and communication technologies through the promotion and adoption of Standards in relevant markets and industries applying DICOS and/or derivatives therefrom by:

  • Undertaking innovated revisions of DICOS Standard focusing first on those markets (e.g. TSA Airport passenger and baggage security) with near term opportunities
  • Researching and acting upon indicated market segments (outside of the above specific environment) where DICOS or DICOS-like approach shows promise, such as parcel, cargo and vehicle inspection, human screening, radiation and trace detection, quality assurance, and health-related contact tracing
  • Providing a collective industry and user voice on legislative and regulatory matters
  • Encouraging open collaboration with, and driving common messaging to, major influencers in the market both nationally and internationally
  • Sharing information, best practices, and lessons learned from DICOS implementation experiences
  • Implementing programs, research, papers, and reports, including possible new business analytics services and/or new versions of the DICOS Standard or other Standards

Current Activity

The Council has commenced work on the DICOS v03 Standard revision. DICOS v03 will enhance DICOS v02A, and will feature areas like streaming security image data and enhanced threat detection reporting as well as new modalities such as air cargo.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has an active role in the DICOS v03 Standard development and previously worked with NEMA to publish DICOS v02A.

TSA’s initiative for an imaging standard to meet open architecture and interoperable requirements necessary to meet emerging threats is imperative. The outcome of such, TSA would leverage to enable improvements for checked baggage, check point and cargo to enhance passenger security and throughput in screening applications which is critical to TSA’s mission

Participation in the Imaging and Communications Council is open to any interested organization.

If you are interested in joining, contact NEMA Industry Director Steve Griffith at steve.griffith@nema.org

Click here for more information on DICOS

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Staff Contact: Steve Griffith

Standards

Member Companies

  • Agilent Technologies
  • Analogic Corporation
  • Battelle
  • Gilardoni S.p.A. a Socio Unico
  • IDSS
  • Leidos
  • London Heathrow Airport
  • Rapiscan Systems
  • Smiths Detection
  • Stratovan Corporation
  • TeleSecurity Sciences, Inc.