Device for detecting explosive materials, or weapons or firearms, or knives or substances

A device for detecting traces of explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs is disclosed. The device is used a stand-alone device, or coupled to an explosive detector using mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry technologies. The device comprises a plurality of sensors, a controller and a memory coupled to the processor. The sensors include radar, a position sensor, a camera and so on. The device scans a plurality of subjects in a field of regard. Based on the signals obtained from the sensors, the device determines presence of the explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs and alerts a user of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to detecting explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives, and substances. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a device for detecting explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives, and drugs using radar, Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), a Mass Spectrometry, and Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) technologies.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that explosive based weapons are used to carryout explosions in crowded areas. The explosive based weapons may include but not limited to RDX, PETN, TNT and so on. Reasons for increase in use of such explosive based weapons may include availability and easy to deploy such explosive based weapons. With increase in technology, novel methods have been invented to provide variety of compositions to make explosives, weapon delivery systems that are very difficult to trace or detect. Additionally, use of weapons such as firearms or guns, knives to create havoc in public places has increased.

Further, individuals are consuming controlled substances at large, which deteriorates health of the individuals. The controlled substances may include, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, PCP, methamphetamine and so on.

Typically, the explosives are detected by collecting vapor or particulate samples. The samples are analyzed with a sensitive sensor system using different techniques. Examples of the techniques include but not limited to an Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), a Mass Spectrometry (MS), and a Gas Chromatography (GC).

Examples of the devices implementing the above techniques are deployed at airports, border security, government buildings and so on. Examples of the devices used to detect explosives, drugs and other objects are disclosed at least in a U.S.Pat. No. 6,831,590 and in a United States patent application 20090032701. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,590, a concealed object detection system for detecting objects concealed on a person is disclosed. The concealed object detection system includes radar transponders that are each configured and positioned to direct a radar signal at a person and to detect a portion of the radar signal reflected by the person. In US20090032701, a system for detecting analytes in a gas phase sample is disclosed. The system comprises an ion mobility spectrometer provided for detecting analytes having an excess amount of dopant in its separation region.

Although the devices are effective in detecting the explosives, weapons, firearms, knives and drugs, they are very bulky, expensive, and require time-consuming procedures. Further, the devices used to detect explosives, weapons, firearms, knives and drugs cannot be used at homes and cannot be mass-produced due to its overall cost and frequency of utilizing the devices to detect explosives, firearms, knives or drugs.

Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. Specifically, none of the disclosures in the art disclose a device comprising miniature sensors that are capable of detecting explosives, firearms, knives or drugs on their own or when connected with other devices that are capable of detecting explosives, firearms, knives or other controlled substances.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that is portable, the device comprising sensors to detect explosives, weapons, firearms, knives, drugs and other controlled substances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device comprising a plurality of miniature sensors that are capable of detecting explosives, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs and avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a device capable of detecting traces of explosive materials, weapons, and drugs using radar technologies.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a device coupled to an explosive detector for detecting traces of explosive materials such as RDX, PETN, TNT and so on using an ion mobility spectrometry technology.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a device coupled an explosive trace detection system for detecting presence of explosives, weapons, firearms, or knives using an explosive trace detector technology.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a device for detecting traces of explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs. The device comprises a plurality of sensors, a controller and a memory coupled to the processor. The sensors include radar, a position sensor, a camera and so on. The device scans a plurality of subjects in a field of regard. Based on the signals obtained from the sensors, the device determines presence of explosive materials and alerts a user of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is intended to provide example implementations to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not intended to limit the invention to the explicit disclosure, as one or ordinary skill in the art will understand that variations can be substituted that are within the scope of the invention as described.

The present disclosure discloses a device for detecting traces of explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs. In one example, the device may be used a stand-alone device. In another example, the device may be coupled to an explosive detector using mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry technologies. The device comprises a plurality of sensors, a controller and a memory coupled to the processor. The sensors include radar, a position sensor, a camera and so on. The device scans a plurality of subjects in a field of regard. Based on the signals obtained from the sensors, the device determines presence of explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs and alerts a user of the device.

When coupled to the explosive detector, mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry technologies techniques are used to detect presence of explosives, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs. After detecting, the device displays results and alerts the user of the device.

Various features and embodiments of a device for detecting traces of explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs are explained in conjunction with the description ofFIGS. 1-6.

Referring toFIG. 1, a device100for detecting explosives, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs/controlled substances is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device100may include, but not limited to, an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a camera, a desktop, and so on. Referring toFIG. 2, the device100comprises a controller105, a memory110, an interface115, a display unit120, a camera or video unit125, a transceiver130, a position sensor135, radar140and a battery145.

The controller105may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the controller105is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions or program instructions stored in the memory105.

The interface115may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The interface115may allow the control unit105to interact with the user or customer directly or through other devices (not shown). In one example, the interface115may include a touch screen interface.

The display unit120may include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen configured to display text or video.

The camera or video unit125indicates an imaging unit used to capture still images or a video.

The transceiver130is used to transmit and receive signal/data from the controller105to external devices such as servers, scanners, explosive detectors, or other devices.

The position sensor135may indicate a location sensor such a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.

The radar140includes a radar sensor or a radar antenna. The radar140is used to launch electromagnetic Radio Frequency (RF) energy or radar pulse frequency.

The battery145may include but not limited to a rechargeable battery made up of Lithium Ion to power the device100.

Referring toFIG. 1, the device100may be carried by a user or may be placed on a placed on a platform205. In one example, the platform may be mounted on a stand210as shown inFIG. 1. The device100is positioned such that the camera125and the radar140face a subject220. The subject220may indicate a person or a group of people whom a user wishes to screen for explosive materials or drugs. In one example, the subject220may include an object such as baggage of the person, a container being transported from one place to another. The subject220may be asked to stand at a distance D from the device100. In one example, the distance D may range from 2 meters to 10 meters. Consider that the subject220has a threat device225e.g., an explosive device/bomb, a gun/firearm, a knife and so on. When the subject220is standing at the distance D, the camera125and radar140may have a field of view or field of regard230, as shown inFIG. 1. As specified above, the field of regard230may have a group of people and the device100may be used to scan the group of people in the field of view or field of regard230.

In order to detect the threat device225carried by the subject220, at first, the subject220shall be within the field of view230of the device100. Subsequently, the user of the device100may navigate options provided at the interface115on the display unit120. The user may select an option to scan the subject220. Upon selecting, the radar140may beam or launch electromagnetic Radio Frequency (RF) energy or radar pulse frequency in the filed of regard230. As known, the electromagnetic Radio Frequency (RF) energy or radar pulse frequency allows to detect radar signatures of man-made objects such as the explosives.

The radar beam launched by the radar140intersects the subject220and the threat device225within the distance D. Further, the energy scattered off the subject220and the threat device225is collected by the transceiver130. Subsequently, the transceiver130sends signals to the controller105. The signals received at the controller105are provided in a digital format. After receiving the signals from the transceiver130, the controller105executes a plurality of signal processing algorithms stored in the memory110. The controller105executes the plurality of signal processing algorithms to classify the signals received from the subject220as threat or non-threat.

If the controller105classifies that the signals received from the subject220are non-threat, then the controller105may instruct the display unit120to display a signal or sign e.g., green color light indicating that the subject220is not a threat. If the controller105classifies that the signals received from the subject220are threat, then the controller105may instruct the display unit120to display a signal or sign e.g., red color light indicating that the subject220is a threat. Further, the controller105may instruct the device100to raise an audible alarm such that the user of the device100is made aware of the subject220carrying the threat device225.

After detecting that the subject220is carrying the threat device225, the controller105may instruct the camera125to capture an image of the subject220. In addition, the controller105may instruct the camera125to capture an image of the threat device225. Subsequently, the image of the subject220and the threat device225may be displayed on the display unit120.

In one example, the controller105may instruct the position sensor135to determine the position of the subject220if there is more number of people in the field of view or field of regard230. Determining the position or location of the subject220may help in capturing the subject220.

Based on the above, the device100is used to analyze the subjects220within the field of regard and to detect polarization signatures that are characteristic of a subject carrying the threat device225. Further, the camera or video unit125is used to identify or track the subjects220.

In another implementation, the device100may be coupled to an explosive detector to detect explosives, weapons, firearms, and knives. The explosives may include RDX, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN), Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Nitroglycerin, Aziroazide azide and so on. The weapons may include but not limited to handgun, a hand grenade, or a long knife. Further, examples of the firearms may include rifles, shotguns, carbines, machine guns, submachine guns, automatic rifles, assault rifles, personal defense weapon, and fire lances. Referring toFIG. 3, the device100coupled to an explosive detector300is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The explosive detector300comprises an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS)305, a power source310for providing power to the explosive detector300. Further, the explosive detector300comprises an inlet315, and an air mover320for drawing a flow of air through the inlet315. The inlet315comprises a passage (not shown) through which a flow of air to be sampled by the IMS305can flow.

Further, the explosive detector300comprises a heater325configured to heat the air to be tested. The explosive detector300comprises a second controller330configured to control the air mover320, the IMS315, and the heater325. As can be seen fromFIG. 3, the device100is communicatively coupled to the explosive detector300. Specifically, the second controller330is communicatively coupled to the device100.

The IMS305is coupled to the inlet315by a sampling port335. The explosive detector300comprises a reaction region340in which a sample can be ionized. The sampling port335can be operated to obtain a sample from the inlet315into the IMS305. The sampling port335can be operated to sample air from the inlet315into the reaction region340of the IMS305. The reaction region340comprises an ionizer345for ionizing the sample. Further, the explosive detector300comprises a drift chamber355comprising drift electrodes350for applying an electric field along the drift chamber355to accelerate ions bottom of the IMS305against the flow of the drift gas.

In order to activate the IMS305to detect the explosives, the weapons, the firearms and the knives, the user of the device100may select an option by navigating on the interface115provided on the display unit120. Subsequently, the controller105instructs the second controller330to activate the IMS305. The second controller330activates the IMS305and operates the air mover320so that a flow of air is drawn through the inlet315. Further, the second controller330increases the heat output from the heater325for a selected time period. The time period may be selected based on the type of explosive or drug that the user wishes to detect.

After completion of the time period, the second controller330controls the sampling port335to obtain the sample from the heated flow of air in the inlet315. Further, the second controller330controls the IMS305to perform ion mobility spectrometry on the heated sample in the reaction region340. Subsequently, the second controller330operates the electrodes350to apply an electric charge to aerosol particles in the sample. Upon applying the electric charge, the electrodes350draw the aerosol particles onto the electrodes350. After drawing the aerosol particles, the second controller330sends signals indicating presence of the explosives/firearms/knives to the controller105of the device100.

Subsequently, the controller105may instruct the display unit120to display a signal or sign e.g., red color light indicating that the sample comprises explosive material or weapon or firearm or knife. Further, the controller105may instruct the device100to raise an audible alarm such that the user of the device100is made aware of the explosive material or firearm or knife being carried by the subject.

Referring toFIG. 4, a method400of detecting explosives or weapons or firearms or knives with the help of the explosive detector300is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method400may be described in a sequence of steps to be performed for detecting explosives. However, the order in which the method400is described and is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method400or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method400without departing from scope of the disclosure described herein. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method400may be implemented in the above-described device100and the explosive detector300.

At step405, the device100is used to operate the spectrometer (IMS)305. The IMS305is activated and the air mover320is operated to draw a flow of air through the inlet315.

At step410, the inlet315is heated so that residues can be desorbed from the IMS305.

At step415, the residue is flushed out of the inlet315with the help of the air mover320.

At step420, the air is heated to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air.

At step425, a sample is obtained from the air heated.

At step430, the heated air is analysed by the IMS305. Specifically, the ion mobility spectrometry is performed on the heated air to draw the aerosol particles onto the electrodes350. Subsequently, the second controller330sends signals to the device100indicating that the aerosol is found in the sample.

In yet another implementation, the device100may be coupled to an explosive trace detection system to detect presence of explosives, weapons and drugs. Referring toFIG. 5, the device100coupled to an explosive trace detection system500is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The explosive trace detection system500comprises a sampling unit510, an Ion Source515, a Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (QMS)520, a conversion-scanning electron microscope (C-SEM)525, a turbo molecular pump530and pumps535.

At first, the device100is coupled to the explosive trace detection system500through a wired connection or through a wireless mechanism. In one example, the explosive trace detection system500is provided with a third controller (not shown) and a second transceiver (not shown) to communicate with the device100.

In order to detect explosives or weapons or firearms or knifes, at first, the sample is collected. Specifically, the sample is collected on a sheet (not shown). After collecting the sample, the sheet is inserted into the sampling unit510. Subsequently, the sample comprising constituents is ionized with the help of ion source515. In order to ionize the sample, the sample is heated to an appropriate temperature and the constituents are vaporized. After vaporizing, sample gas is made to travel through the ion source515and ionized. After ionization, molecular mass of the sample is measured using QMS520.

After measuring the molecular masses of the sample, the QMS520sends the results to the controller105. Based on the molecular masses of the sample, the controller105identifies the material of the sample. The material may be identified as one of explosive material, the firearm, a compound of a substance i.e., drug. After determining, the controller105instructs the display unit120to display the results of the molecular masses of the sample, type of explosive material, or firearm or drug and so on. Further, the controller105may instruct the display unit120to display a signal or sign e.g., red color light indicating that the sample comprises explosive material or firearm or drug. Further, the controller105may instruct the device100to raise an audible alarm such that the user of the device100is made aware of the explosive material or firearm or drug being present in the sample.

Referring toFIG. 6, a method600of detecting explosives with the help of the explosive trace detection system500is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method600may be described in a sequence of steps to be performed for detecting explosives. However, the order in which the method600is described and is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method600or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method600without departing from scope of the disclosure described herein. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method600may be implemented in the above-described device100and the explosive trace detection system500.

At step605, the sample is collected or wiped on the sheet.

At step610, the sample is heated to vaporize constituents of the sample.

At step615, sample gas is introduced into the ion source515.

At step620, the molecules of the sample are ionized.

At step625, the QMS520measures the molecular masses of the sample using mass spectrometry.

At step630, the controller105analyzes data corresponding to the molecular masses to identify the type of explosive.

At step635, the controller105instructs the display unit120to display the results. Further, the controller105instructs the device100to raise an audible alarm.

Based on the above, it is evident the device100can be used to detect presence of explosive material, weapons, drugs, guns, or knives. It should be understood that the device100can be used as a stand-alone device to detect presence of explosive material or may be used with an explosive detector or explosive trace detection system to detect presence of explosive material.

The device may employ radar technology, ion mobility spectrometry or explosive trace detector to detect presence of explosive material. As such, the device can be used at home or any other place to detect traces of explosive materials, weapons or drugs.

It should be understood the device displays the image of the threat device, and the image of the subject carrying the threat device on the display unit. Further, the device is configured to display the distance from the subject carrying the explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs. In one exemplary embodiment, the device may be configured to alert emergency personnel such police upon detecting the explosive materials, weapons, firearms, knives or drugs.