Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for detecting whether a vehicle has been altered to conceal contraband. The invention involves receiving a detected signature of sensors embedded in a vehicle, in which the detected signature is a function of i) a distinctive characteristic of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, ii) a number of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, and iii) locations of the sensors in the vehicle. Afterwards, the detected signature is compared to a stored reference signature to determine whether there exists at least one difference between the stored reference signature and the detected signature. If a difference exits, then an alert is produced to notify inspectors that a detailed search is required in a specific area of the vehicle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the use of detection technology for inspecting vehicles.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The flow of people and goods across borders of the United States helps to drive the economy of the United States, but this flow may also serve as a conduit for terrorists, undocumented migrants, and contraband, e.g., illegal drugs, weapons, explosives, agricultural products, etc. In many instances, contraband enters the United States via vehicles, e.g., a) an automobile, b) an airplane, c) a train, or d) a boat, and via storage containers carried on ships. Disadvantageously, detailed searches, such as those performed at border crossings, airports and harbors can only be performed on a small percentage of the vehicles and storage containers entering the country without disrupting the flow of traffic and commerce, stopping what many people believe is just a small percentage of the contraband entering the country.  
         [0003]     Detection of contraband entering the country in a vehicle may be done with a) license plate readers connected to a law enforcement data base to determine if the vehicle has been stolen or involved in suspicious activities, b) portable x-ray machines to scan objects carried in the vehicle and large x-ray machines to scan truck trailers, c) inspectors to observe and question a suspicious driver and passengers, and to search the vehicle, d) fiber scope camera-type equipment to check for the presence of contraband in a gas tank, e) density checking tools to identify inconsistencies in tire density which would indicate possible contraband concealment, and f) trained drug sniffing dogs to search for scents emitted from the vehicle. For areas of the vehicle not easily visible by the inspector, e.g., the underside of the vehicle, use may be made of a mirror attached to an extended rigid handle, e.g., a long rod or a staff, to enable the inspector to view such areas. If an anomaly is detected, then the vehicle may be physically inspected.  
         [0004]     Detection of contraband entering the country in storage containers may be done visually with a) x-rays or gamma rays to produce images of the contents of storage containers and b) submersible pole cameras, and, if an anomaly is detected, then the storage container may be physically inspected.  
         [0005]     Disadvantageously, a mirror attached to a staff only provides a limited view of the total underside of the vehicle. Also disadvantageously, the use of x-rays, gamma rays, fiber scope camera-type equipment, submersible pole cameras, or mirrors attached to staffs provide inspectors no way to compare what is being seen to what is appropriate to be present for the particular vehicle or storage container being inspected. Further disadvantageously, trained drug sniffing dogs cannot detect other types of contraband, e.g., weapons and explosives.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     It has been recognized, in accordance with the principles of the invention, that the problems of the prior art can be overcome by a detection technology for vehicles system. More specifically, the detection technology for vehicles system assists with inspections at border crossings by a) receiving a detected signature of sensors embedded in a vehicle, wherein the detected signature is a function of i) a distinctive characteristic of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, ii) a number of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, and iii) locations of the sensors in the vehicle; and b) comparing the detected signature to a stored reference signature to determine whether there exists at least one difference between the stored reference signature and the detected signature. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention of a detection technology for vehicles system; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an illustrative flow chart for a method of operating the detection technology for vehicles system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a detection technology for vehicles system  100  arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , is vehicle  110 , a vehicle to be inspected at a checkpoint at which detection technology for vehicles system  100  is implemented. Vehicle  110  has seats  120 , steering column  130 , doors  140 , wheels  150 , trunk  160 , and fuel compartment  170 . Also, shown in  FIG. 1  are wires  145 , telemetering device  155 , device detector  165 , cameras  175 , sensors  180 , monitor  185 , processor  190  and database  195 .  
         [0010]     Vehicle  110  is a commercially available self-propelled structure capable of transporting people and objects between a starting point and an end point. Vehicle  110  has seats  120  upon which people or objects rest in sitting, a steering column  130  for controlling the direction of transport of vehicle  110 , doors  140  for entering and leaving vehicle  110 , an engine, not shown, that provides power for vehicle  110  to transport people and objects between the starting point and the end point, wheels  150  that turn around an axle, not shown, for moving vehicle  110  between the starting point and the end point, trunk  160  for storing objects, and fuel compartment  170  for storing fuel needed to operate vehicle  110 . In one embodiment of the invention, vehicle  110  may be an automobile. In another embodiment of the invention, vehicle  110  may be an airplane, a train, or a boat. In yet another embodiment, vehicle  110  may be a storage container carried on a truck or a train.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment of the invention, at the time of vehicle manufacture, the interior of vehicle  110  may be embedded with one or more of sensors  180  in various locations which are most likely subject to modification from individuals attempting to alter the structure of vehicle  110  to conceal contraband inside vehicle  110 . Sensors  180  may be mounted and positioned in a way such that each of sensors  180  is permanently attached to the area in which it is located. Illustratively, one or more of sensors  180  may be embedded in a) an inside of one or more of doors  140 , b) fuel compartment  170 , c) an inside of one or more of seats  120 , d) trunk  160  or e) other locations, e.g., an engine compartment. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more of sensors  180  may already be built into parts of vehicle  110  that the manufacturer procures from a supplier.  
         [0012]     Sensors  180  provide a detectable distinctive characteristic, e.g., a distinct identifier, a unique or distinctive pattern, a chemical residue, etc., which, when coupled with the locations of sensors  180  and the number of sensors  180  embedded in vehicle  110 , provides a signature of sensors  180  in vehicle  110  when the embedded sensors  180  are detected.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment of the invention, sensors  180  may be one or more programmable chip devices that provide a distinct identifier. The one or more programmable chip devices may be attached to areas of vehicle  110  by use of an adhesive having strength properties such that any attempt to reposition the one or more programmable chip devices will result in the destruction of the one or more programmable chip devices. In this embodiment, sensors  180  may be connected to a transponder, e.g., telemetering device  155 , via wires  145 . Telemetering device  155  may be positioned behind a front grill of vehicle  110  and mounted on any frame member adjacent to the front grill, or telemetering device  155  may be integrated with any component adjacent to the front grill, so that telemetering device  155  may transmit and receive radio frequency signals without interference from the metal body of vehicle  110 .  
         [0014]     At security checkpoints, telemetering device  155  may receive signals, e.g., queries, from detector  165  in an attempt to detect a signature of sensors  180 , i.e., the one or more programmable chip devices. Upon receiving the queries from detector  165 , telemetering device  155  queries the one or more programmable chip devices to identify themselves. The one or more programmable chip devices respond to the queries from telemetering device  155  with the distinct identifier that may include, at a minimum, the locations of each of sensors  180 , and may include other information such as a make, model, year of manufacture, color, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicle  110 . Upon gathering the distinct identifier of the one or more programmable chip devices, telemetering device  155  may transmit the distinct identifier and the number of programmable chip devices embedded in vehicle  110  to detector  165 .  
         [0015]     If the signal from telemetering device  155  is detected by detector  165 , then the detected distinct identifier may be transmitted to a processor, e.g., processor  190 , and compared to a stored reference distinct identifier. If the signal from telemetering device  155  is not detected or if the one or more programmable chip devices are not in the correct location, then it may be assumed that vehicle  110  has been altered. An inspector may be alerted to perform a detailed search of vehicle  110  when differences exist.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment of the invention, sensors  180  may be one or more of piece parts composed of a predetermined material, e.g., metal, wood, etc., that is easily identifiable when viewed, and that is embedded in specific areas of vehicle  110 . In this embodiment, the entire vehicle  110  or areas of vehicle  110  may be scanned via x-rays or other sensing technology at security check points or other locations to detect the signature of sensors  180  in vehicle  110  based on the one or more piece parts. The signature may be a particular image, a distinctive pattern, or other detectable characteristic that may vary depending on the location of the one or more piece parts in vehicle  110 . Illustratively, the one or more piece parts may be composed of lead, shaped as alphabets and arranged to spell predetermined words, such as its location, and located in a rear passenger seat of vehicle  110 . If the predetermined words are detected, then the scanned image may be transmitted to a processor and compared to a stored reference signature. If the predetermined words are not detected, or if the predetermined words are not in the correct location, e.g., the rear passenger seat of vehicle  110 , or if the piece parts are composed of a material other than the material used in an original piece part, e.g., lead, then it may be assumed that vehicle  110  has been altered.  
         [0017]     In yet another embodiment of the invention, sensors  180  may be a harmless chemical substance, e.g., perfluorocarbons, which is not perceivable by a human sense of smell that is deposited in predetermined areas of vehicle  110 . In this embodiment, a hand-held chemical detector may be used to detect the presence of the chemical substance and to transmit the detected signature to a processor for comparison to a stored reference signature. If the chemical substance is not detected in the correct location of vehicle  110 , then it may be assumed that vehicle  110  has been altered.  
         [0018]     Detector  165  receives and identifies signatures of sensors  180  detected from vehicles at security checkpoints. After receiving a signature, detector  165  transmits the signature to processor  190 . In one embodiment, detector  165  may be a transceiver that queries a telemetering device via radio frequency signals. In another embodiment, detector  165  may be an x-ray scanner. In yet another embodiment, detector  165  may be a chemical detector.  
         [0019]     Cameras  175  may be digital cameras, scanners, a machine vision system, or the like. An image captured by cameras  175  may be analyzed using well-known character recognition techniques to determine the characters contained in the area. The image area may be analyzed by cameras  175 , or in conjunction with, or wholly by a processor, e.g., processor  190 . The resulting character string is transmitted to a processor and stored by the processor.  
         [0020]     Processor  190  may be any type of processor. Processor  190  can perform signature matching techniques so as to determine whether a detected signature and a reference signature match. Processor  190  should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. The functions of processor  190  may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment of the invention, processor  190  may be a conventional computer that has software to perform signature matching available to it. Also, processor  190  may be able to display, e.g., on monitor  185 , the differences identified by the signature matching, e.g., the expected location of a missing device. This difference will direct inspectors to the most likely area or areas of vehicle  110  that have been modified. Processor  190  is connected to database  195 .  
         [0022]     Database  195  stores reference signatures of sensors embedded in vehicles as they should appear if the vehicle is unaltered. The reference signatures are organized so that when information identifying a particular vehicle, or type of vehicle, is presented, the corresponding reference signatures may be retrieved. Thus, illustratively, database  195  may store reference signatures of sensors  180 , and the stored reference signatures will be retrieved in response to presentation of an identifier of vehicle  110 .  
         [0023]     Various techniques exist to identify a vehicle. Illustratively, in the imaging applications system disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/172,003, filed Jun. 30, 2005, entitled DIGITAL IMAGING FOR VEHICULAR AND OTHER SECURITY APPLICATIONS, by Pawlenko et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference, vehicle identifying information may be obtained a) from character information written on the vehicle; b) from coded information printed on the vehicle, e.g., bar code or other pattern information; c) from a radio frequency identification (RFID) type tag in the vehicle; d) from a port on the vehicle, such as may be connected to the vehicle&#39;s computer; or e) from the shape and details of the exterior of the vehicle. Thus, the identifier for vehicle  110 , may include i) a license plate number, ii) a vehicle identification number (VIN), iii) year, make and model information, iv) RFID tag data, and v) bar code data. Database  195  may be stored local to processor  190 , or remote therefrom.  
         [0024]     The reference signatures, i.e., the type of sensor, the number of sensors embedded, the locations of embedded sensors, etc., used to populate database  195  may be supplied by a vehicle manufacturer, which could supply information of the type and number of sensors used and the locations of the sensors in a particular type of vehicle immediately after manufacturing the vehicle. Also, a vehicle dealer could supply the signature information before delivery of the vehicle to its buyer, so that the signature information may be stored after post manufacture vehicle customization.  
         [0025]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to select sensors, detectors, cameras, telemetering devices, processors, and data bases appropriate for use in any particular implementation of a detection technology for vehicles system.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of the operation for a detection technology for vehicles system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The process is entered in step  200  when a vehicle approaches a checkpoint equipped with detection technology for vehicles system  100 , such as is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]     In step  210  ( FIG. 2 ), detector  165  ( FIG. 1 ) obtains a signature of sensors  180  embedded in vehicle  110  when vehicle  110  is positioned at the checkpoint. The signature of sensors  180  is a function of a) a distinctive characteristic of sensors  180  embedded in areas of vehicle  110 , b) a number of sensors  180  embedded in areas of vehicle  110 , and c) locations of sensors  180  in vehicle  110 . Next, detector  165  transmits the signature to processor  190 .  
         [0028]     In step  220  ( FIG. 2 ), cameras  175  ( FIG. 1 ) obtain a vehicle identifier, e.g., i) a license plate number; ii) a VIN; iii) a RFID tag number; iv) a bar code; v) the year, make and model type of vehicle  110 ; or other information identifying vehicle  110  and transmits the identifier to processor  190 . This step may be performed when vehicle  110  is positioned within range of camera  175 , and possibly in conjunction with processor  190 .  
         [0029]     In step  230  ( FIG. 2 ), processor  190  ( FIG. 1 ) obtains a reference signature of sensors  180  embedded in vehicle  110  from data base  195 . The reference signature is obtained as a function of the vehicle identifier obtained in step  220 .  
         [0030]     In step  240  ( FIG. 2 ), the detected signature of sensors  180  in vehicle  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is compared with the reference signature of sensors  180  to determine if there are any differences. Thereafter, conditional branch point  250  ( FIG. 2 ) tests to determine if any differences were detected when doing the comparison in step  240 .  
         [0031]     In step  250  ( FIG. 2 ), if the test result in step  250  is YES, indicating that the detected signature and the reference signature match, and therefore vehicle  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is considered unaltered, and hence safe to pass through the checkpoint, control passes to step  260  ( FIG. 2 ), in which a signal indicating that vehicle  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is safe to pass through the checkpoint is generated. The process is then exited in step  290  ( FIG. 2 ). If the test result in step  250  is NO, indicating that the detected signature and the reference signature do not match, vehicle  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is identified as likely to have been altered, and hence not safe to pass, but instead to be a candidate for further inspection. Therefore, control passes to step  270  ( FIG. 2 ), in which a signal indicating that vehicle  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is not safe to pass through the checkpoint is generated. Control is then passed to step  280  ( FIG. 2 ).  
         [0032]     In optional step  280 , differences between the detected signature and the reference signature may be pointed out. The reference signature and the detected signature may be displayed side by side on a monitor for the convenience of a human operator. An inspector may be alerted to perform a detailed search of vehicle  110  when differences exist.  
         [0033]     The process is exited in step  290 .  
         [0034]     The foregoing merely illustrates the embodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements, which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention, and are included within its spirit and scope.