Patent Publication Number: US-2017370861-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for detecting explosives

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally related to the detection of explosives and is more specifically related to the detection of explosives using a combination of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy and explosive trace detection (ETD). 
     Related Art 
     Hidden explosives pose a significant and well-documented threat to public safety. Mass transit systems, particularly commercial airliners, have been perpetual targets for acts of terrorism. Over the last three decades, the extent of passenger and luggage screening has drastically increased in response to atrocities like the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and the September 11 attacks. But while some of the more recent attempts to smuggle explosives onboard aircrafts have been crude, security experts anticipate that the next iteration of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to emerge will be more sophisticated, diverse, and clandestine. In particular, stealthy IEDs may masquerade as common portable consumer electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet PCs). 
     But current screening technologies are able to account for a limited array of explosive materials, whereas a gamut of explosives may be smuggled under clever guises through security checkpoints. X-Rays, for example, do not provide sufficient spatial resolution to enable a thorough inspection of small compartments and cavities. In particular, explosive materials that have been arranged in a sheet or planar configuration inside, for example, an iPhone® or an iPad®, will generally appear innocuous in an X-Ray scan. Meanwhile, some ETD techniques cannot detect explosives having low vapor pressure. Thus, IEDs that have been hermetically sealed will generally be able to evade detection by ETD. Other ETD techniques may rely on the presence of particulates. Consequently, cleaning the exterior surface of an TED will effectively frustrate the ability to use ETD to accurately identify the TED as a threat. 
     In addition, optical techniques (e.g., spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS)) can be easily foiled by opaque cases, containers, or packaging. Finally, even NQR spectroscopy lacks the ability to detect every type of explosive materials. 
     SUMMARY 
     To effectively and efficiently detect a broad range of explosives, various embodiments of the apparatus and method described herein are directed toward using a combination of NQR spectroscopy and ETD to detect explosive compounds, substances, or materials that have been deliberately embedded, camouflaged, or otherwise concealed within various objects. For example, NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be used in combination to detect explosives that are hidden within personal or portable electronic devices, including, for example, but not limited to, smartphones, tablet PCs, laptops, and headsets. 
     In some embodiments, the NQR and ETD sensors may be physically integrated within a single apparatus. Meanwhile, NQR spectroscopy and one or more ETD techniques may be applied simultaneously or in sequence. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects and features of the present inventive concept will be more apparent by describing example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting explosives according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting explosives according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a wired or wireless processor enabled device according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for an apparatus and a method of detecting concealed explosives. For example, in various embodiments, the apparatus may combine and/or integrate an NQR sensor and an ETD sensor. In various embodiments, the method may include a sequential and/or simultaneous performance of one or more instances of both NQR spectroscopy and ETD. After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     In various embodiments, NQR spectroscopy may be used in the bulk detection of explosive compounds, substances, or materials. NQR spectroscopy is a chemical analysis technique that exploits the electric quadrupole moment possessed by certain atomic nuclei (e.g.,  14 N,  17 O,  35 Cl, and  63 Cu). An electric quadrupole moment arises from the presence of two adjacent electric dipoles (i.e., opposite charges separated by a short distance) in an atomic nucleus. Otherwise stated, an electric quadrupole moment is caused by an asymmetry in the distribution of the positive electric charge within the nucleus, which is typically the case for any atomic nucleus described as either a prolate (i.e., “stretched”) or oblate (i.e., “squashed”) spheroid. 
     The interaction between the intrinsic electric quadrupole moment and an electric field gradient (EFG) within the nucleus generates distinct energy states. As such, the primary goal of NQR spectroscopy is to determine the resonant or NQR frequency at which the transition between these distinct energy states occur and then relate this property to a specific material, substance, or compound. Since the EFG surrounding a nucleus in a given substance is determined primarily by the valence electrons engaged in the formation of chemical bonds with adjacent nuclei, different substances will exhibit distinct resonant or NQR frequencies. The NQR frequency of a substance depends on both the nature of each atom comprising the substance and on the overall chemical environment (i.e., the other atoms in the substance). This renders NQR spectroscopy especially sensitive to the chemistry or composition of each substance. 
     When a substance is irradiated or interrogated with radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation, energy will be absorbed by each nucleus within the substance when the frequency of the interrogation electromagnetic radiation coincides with the specific NQR frequency for that substance. The absorption of energy at the specific NQR frequency for the substance causes a transition to a higher energy state followed by an emission of energy (i.e., feedback electromagnetic radiation) during a subsequent return to a lower energy state. This emission of energy is at the same frequency as the NQR frequency specific to that substance. As such, the NQR frequency of the feedback electromagnetic radiation emitted by a substance can act as a chemical signature for that substance. With respect to explosives, the NQR frequency of one or more chemical components of an explosive substance, material, or compound can be used to identify the presence of the explosive regardless of efforts to physically conceal the explosives, such as within an electronic device. 
     In various embodiments, ETD may be used to detect trace quantities of explosive compounds, substances, or materials. To detect small amounts of explosives, ETD may rely on explosive vapor detection and/or particulate sampling. In various embodiments, appropriate or applicable ETD techniques may include, for example, but not limited to, ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS), thermo redox, chemiluminescence, amplifying fluorescent polymer (APF), and mass spectrometry (MS). 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 1A , the apparatus  100  may include a door  102 , an RF shield  104 , an air containment chamber  106 , and an enclosure  108 . In some embodiments, an inspected object  110  may be placed directly into the air containment chamber  106  inside the apparatus  100 . The inspected object  110  may be a suspected IED including, for example, but not limited to a personal or portable electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet PC, and laptop. The door  102  may open to reveal and provide access into the air containment chamber  106 . In some embodiments, the door  102  and the air containment chamber  106  may create a hermetically sealed environment that enhances the efficacy of ETD. 
     In various embodiments, the enclosure  108  may enclose or surround the RF shield  104 . Meanwhile, the RF shield  104  may be an intermediary layer between the enclosure  108  and the air containment chamber  106 . In various embodiments, the RF shield  104  may enhance the efficacy of NQR spectroscopy by minimizing interference and noise signals from the surrounding environment. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 1B , the apparatus  100  may further include or be coupled to an ETD system  120  (i.e., trace/vapor detection) that is configured to detect explosive compounds, substances, or materials using ETD. 
     The ETD system  120  may include an air sampling unit  122  and a synchronized intermittent pump  124 . The ETD system  120  may further include one or more pipes  126 . The one or more pipes  126  may be coupled to the ETD system  120 , for example, to the air sampling unit  122  and the synchronized intermittent pump  124 . Moreover, the one or more pipes  126  from the air sampling unit  122  may be fitted with one or more air sampling nozzles  123 . The air sampling nozzles  123  may be installed, in an airtight manner, over apertures in the air containment chamber  106 . The one or more pipes  126  from the synchronized intermittent pump  124  may also be fitted with one or more blowing nozzles  125 . The one or more blowing nozzles  125  may be installed over apertures in the air containment chamber  106  in a same, similar, or different manner as the air sampling nozzles  123 . 
     In various embodiments, the one or more blowing nozzles  125  may be configured to inject one or more gaseous substances (e.g., air) from the synchronized intermittent pump  124  into the air containment chamber  106 . As a result, the inspected object  110  may be exposed to the one or more gaseous substances. The one or more air sampling nozzles  123  may be configured to extract one or more gaseous substances (e.g., air) from the air containment chamber  106 . The air sampling unit  122  may analyze or inspect the gaseous substances from the air containment chamber  106  to determine whether one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials are present in the inspected object  110 . For example, after the inspected object  110  is exposed to the one or more gaseous substances introduced into the air containment chamber  106  by the synchronized intermittent pump  124 , the air sampling unit  122  may analyze and inspect gaseous substances extracted from the air containment chamber  106 . The ETD system  120  may display the results of the ETD, including any alarm indications in the event that the analysis and inspection of the gaseous substances extracted from the air containment chamber indicates a presence of an explosive compound, material, or substance. 
     In various embodiments, the apparatus  100  may further include or be coupled to an NQR system  130  (i.e., quadrupole resonance RF system) that is configured to detect explosive compounds, substances, or materials using NQR spectroscopy. The NQR system  130  may include an RF antenna  132  that is coupled to an RF input/output  134 . As will be described in more detail below, the ETD system  120  and the NQR system  130  may be coupled to and integrated with the apparatus  100  in a variety of configurations. For example, the NQR system  130  may operate as a master system and is native to the apparatus  100  while the ETD system  120  may be a secondary system that is later attached to the apparatus  100 . In various embodiments, the ETD system  120  and the NQR system  130  may be coupled via a connection  140 . In various embodiments, the connection  140  may be a wired or wireless communication link. 
     In various embodiments, once placed inside the apparatus  100 , the inspected object  110  may be subject to a sequence of specifically timed interrogation electromagnetic radiation from the NQR system  130 . Moreover, the NQR system  130  may measure the frequencies of the feedback electromagnetic radiation emitted by the inspected object  110  in response to the interrogation magnetic radiation. The NQR system  130  may determine whether the frequencies of the feedback electromagnetic radiation correspond to NQR frequencies that uniquely identify explosive compound, substances, or materials. In some embodiments, the NQR system  130  may display the results of the NQR spectroscopy, including any alarm indications in the event that the frequency of the feedback electromagnetic radiation indicates the presence of an explosive compound, substance, or material. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be configured with the RF antenna  132  inside the air containment chamber  106 . In those embodiments, the RF antenna  132  may be configured to permit at least one of an entry of one or more gaseous substances into the air containment chamber  106  via the blowing nozzles  125  and an exit of one or more gaseous substances from the air containment chamber  106  via the air-sampling nozzles  123 . Alternately, in other embodiments, the RF antenna  132  may be disposed outside of the air containment chamber  106 . 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 1A or 1B , in some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may further include a conveyor system. The conveyor system may be integrated with the door  102  and the air containment chamber  106  in a manner that allows the air containment chamber  106  to provide a hermetically sealed environment. For example, the inspected object  110  may be placed on the conveyor system at an entrance of the air containment chamber  106 . The conveyor system may transported into the apparatus  110  and over a length of the air containment chamber  106 , while ensuring appropriate exposure to interrogation electromagnetic radiation from the NQR system  130  and/or gaseous substances from the ETD system  120 . 
     Although the NQR system  130  and the ETD system  120  are shown as individual components of the apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1B , a person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that apparatus  100  may be modular and exhibit different configurations without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  may be an NQR system that includes a portion of the ETD system  120  shown in  FIG. 1A . For example, the apparatus  100  may be an NQR system that provides the air sampling nozzles  123 , the blowing nozzles  125 , and the one or more pipes  126  shown in  FIG. 1A . The apparatus  100  may further include a valve or an inlet (not shown). As such, any original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ETD system may be later coupled to and integrated with the apparatus  100  via the valve or the inlet. The apparatus  100  may be adaptable to interface with and to control the OEM ETD system such that the OEM ETD system may operate under the control of the NQR system. The apparatus  100  may display results from the NQR system and may be further adaptable to also display results from the OEM ETD system. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus  100  may be an ETD system that includes a portion of the NQR system shown in  FIG. 1A . For example, the apparatus  100  may be an ETD system that includes the RF antenna  132  and the RF input/output  134 . In such an embodiment, any OEM NQR system may be coupled to and integrated with the apparatus  100 . The apparatus  100  may be adaptable to interface with and to control the OEM NQR system. The apparatus  100  may further be configured to display results from both the ETD and the OEM NQR system. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  200  according to various embodiments. With reference to  FIG. 2A , in some embodiments, the apparatus  200  includes a tray  202  that is configured to slide in and out of an air containment  206 . Instead of placing an inspected object  210  directly into the air containment  206 , the inspected object  210  may be placed inside the tray  202  and slid inside the apparatus  200 . In some embodiments, the tray  202  in a closed position and the air containment  206  may create a hermetically sealed environment inside the apparatus  200  that enhances the efficacy of ETD. 
     In various embodiments, the apparatus  200  may further include an RF shield  204  and an enclosure  208 . The enclosure  208  may enclose or surround the RF shield  204 . Meanwhile, the RF shield  204  may be an intermediary layer between the enclosure  208  and the air containment  206 . In various embodiments, the RF shield  204  may enhance the efficacy of NQR spectroscopy by minimizing interference and noise signals from the surrounding environment. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a configuration of an apparatus  200  according to various embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in various embodiments, the apparatus  200  may include the tray  202 , which may be used to insert the inspected object  210  inside the apparatus  200 . 
     In various embodiments, the apparatus  200  further includes an ETD system  220  (i.e., trace/vapor detection) and an NQR system  230  (i.e., quadrupole resonance RF system). The ETD system  220  and the NQR system  230  may be coupled via a connection  240 . In various embodiments, the connection  240  may be a wired or wireless communication link. 
     The ETD system  220  may include an air sampling unit  222  and a synchronized intermittent pump  224  that may both be coupled to one or more pipes  226 . The end of each of the one or more pipes may be fitted with an air sampling nozzle  223  or a blowing nozzle  225 . One or more air sampling nozzles  223  and blowing nozzles  225  may be installed, in an airtight manner, over apertures in the air containment chamber  206 . In some embodiments, depending on the distance between the air containment chamber  206  and the ETD system  220 , the one or more pipes  226  may be subject to one or more treatments. For example, in one embodiment, the one or more pipes  226  may be heated. 
     The NQR system  230  may include an RF antenna  232  and an RF input/output  234 . In some embodiments, the RF antenna  232  may be placed inside the air containment  206  and may be configured to permit an entry of one or more gaseous substances into the air containment  206  and/or an exit of one or more gaseous substances out of the air containment  206 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a process  300  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3A , in various embodiments, the process  300  may be performed by the apparatus  100  or the apparatus  200  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B, and 2A and 2B . In some embodiments, NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be performed sequentially. 
     NQR spectroscopy may be performed on an object ( 302 ). If one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials are detected as a result of the NQR spectroscopy ( 303 -Y), an alarm may be generated ( 304 ). Alternately, if one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials are not detected as a result of the NQR spectroscopy ( 303 -N), ETD may be performed on object. If the ETD detects one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials ( 307 -Y), an alarm may be generated ( 304 ). Alternately, if the ETD does not detect one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials ( 307 -N), clearance may be indicated for the object ( 308 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , NQR spectroscopy may be performed before ETD in the process  300 . However, a person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be performed in any order without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. Furthermore, for clarity and convenience, the process  300  includes a single occurrence each of NQR spectroscopy and ETD. But a person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that NQR spectroscopy and/or ETD may be repeated any appropriate, desired, or required number of times without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. In some embodiments, between successive instances of ETD, the one or more pipes  226  may be subject to one or more cleaning treatments. For example, the one or more pipes  226  may be heated after one instance of ETD is completed and before the next instances of ETD. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a process  350  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3B , in various embodiments, the process  350  may be performed by the apparatus  100  or the apparatus  200  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B, and 2A and 2B . In some embodiments, NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. 
     Both NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be performed at the same time or in parallel on an object ( 352 ). If either the NQR spectroscopy or the ETD detects one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials ( 353 -Y), an alarm may be generated ( 354 ). Alternately, if neither the NQR spectroscopy nor the ETD detects one or more explosive compounds, substances, or materials ( 353 -N), clearance may be indicated for the object ( 356 ). 
     For clarity and convenience, the process  350  includes a single occurrence each of NQR spectroscopy and ETD. But a person having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that NQR spectroscopy and/or ETD may be repeated any appropriate, desired, or required number of times without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. Furthermore, some instances of NQR spectroscopy and ETD may be performed simultaneously or in parallel, while other instances may be performed sequentially in any order. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a wired or wireless system  550  according to various embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B , in various embodiments, the system  550  may be used to implement various controller modules comprising the apparatus  100  or the apparatus  200  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B, and 2A and 2B . The system  550  can be a conventional personal computer, computer server, personal digital assistant, smart phone, tablet computer, or any other processor enabled device that is capable of wired or wireless data communication. Other computer systems and/or architectures may be also used, as will be clear to those skilled in the art. 
     System  550  preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor  560 . Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor  560 . 
     The processor  560  is preferably connected to a communication bus  555 . The communication bus  555  may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system  550 . The communication bus  555  further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor  560 , including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus  555  may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like. 
     System  550  preferably includes a main memory  565  and may also include a secondary memory  570 . The main memory  565  provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor  560 . The main memory  565  is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”). 
     The secondary memory  570  may optionally include a internal memory  575  and/or a removable medium  580 , for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable medium  580  is read from and/or written to in a well-known manner. Removable storage medium  580  may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc. 
     The removable storage medium  580  is a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium  580  is read into the system  550  for execution by the processor  560 . 
     In alternative embodiments, secondary memory  570  may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the system  550 . Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium  595  and an interface  570 . Examples of external storage medium  595  may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive. 
     Other examples of secondary memory  570  may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media  580  and communication interface  590 , which allow software and data to be transferred from an external medium  595  to the system  550 . 
     System  550  may also include an input/output (“I/O”) interface  585 . The I/O interface  585  facilitates input from and output to external devices. For example the I/O interface  585  may receive input from a keyboard or mouse and may provide output to a display. The I/O interface  585  is capable of facilitating input from and output to various alternative types of human interface and machine interface devices alike. 
     System  550  may also include a communication interface  590 . The communication interface  590  allows software and data to be transferred between system  550  and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system  550  from a network server via communication interface  590 . Examples of communication interface  590  include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a wireless data card, a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few. 
     Communication interface  590  preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well. 
     Software and data transferred via communication interface  590  are generally in the form of electrical communication signals  605 . These signals  605  are preferably provided to communication interface  590  via a communication channel  600 . In one embodiment, the communication channel  600  may be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel  600  carries signals  605  and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, wireless data communication link, radio frequency (“RF”) link, or infrared link, just to name a few. 
     Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory  565  and/or the secondary memory  570 . Computer programs can also be received via communication interface  590  and stored in the main memory  565  and/or the secondary memory  570 . Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system  550  to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. 
     In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any non-transitory computer readable storage media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the system  550 . Examples of these media include main memory  565 , secondary memory  570  (including internal memory  575 , removable medium  580 , and external storage medium  595 ), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface  590  (including a network information server or other network device). These non-transitory computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the system  550 . 
     In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into the system  550  by way of removable medium  580 , I/O interface  585 , or communication interface  590 . In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the system  550  in the form of electrical communication signals  605 . The software, when executed by the processor  560 , preferably causes the processor  560  to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein. 
     The system  550  also includes optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice and over a data network. The wireless communication components comprise an antenna system  610 , a radio system  615  and a baseband system  620 . In the system  550 , radio frequency (“RF”) signals are transmitted and received over the air by the antenna system  610  under the management of the radio system  615 . 
     In one embodiment, the antenna system  610  may comprise one or more antennae and one or more multiplexors (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide the antenna system  610  with transmit and receive signal paths. In the receive path, received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to the radio system  615 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the radio system  615  may comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate over various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system  615  may combine a demodulator (not shown) and modulator (not shown) in one integrated circuit (“IC”). The demodulator and modulator can also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips away the RF carrier signal leaving a baseband receive audio signal, which is sent from the radio system  615  to the baseband system  620 . 
     If the received signal contains audio information, then baseband system  620  decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. Then the signal is amplified and sent to a speaker. The baseband system  620  also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system  620 . The baseband system  620  also codes the digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmit audio signal that is routed to the modulator portion of the radio system  615 . The modulator mixes the baseband transmit audio signal with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmit signal that is routed to the antenna system and may pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system  610  where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission. 
     The baseband system  620  is also communicatively coupled with the processor  560 . The central processing unit  560  has access to data storage areas  565  and  570 . The central processing unit  560  is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs or software) that can be stored in the memory  565  or the secondary memory  570 . Computer programs can also be received from the baseband processor  610  and stored in the data storage area  565  or in secondary memory  570 , or executed upon receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system  550  to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. For example, data storage areas  565  may include various software modules (not shown) that are executable by processor  560 . 
     Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software. 
     Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention. 
     Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
     Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC. 
     The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.